Chapter 6: The unsinkable Leviathan
Tyson was bored, dangerously bored. It had only been a week since he, Fox, and Katt had started living on the pirate station. He had been given some data pads on several items worth of study such as weapons, ships, people of importance, and so on. He burned through those within five days.
"Why don't you go see Fay? She really seemed interested in those arms of yours" Fox suggested, fiddling with his blaster.
"If I gave her a hand, I would have to learn to do everything with just one" Tyson deadpanned.
"Go to the armory and find something to entertain yourself with" Katt suggested, reading a data pad. "You'll need something when those guns of yours run out of ammo."
"Maybe your right" Tyson sighed. "I could probably see if I could switch from ballistic ammo to plasma with these."
Fox nodded to him as he walked out the room as he reached for the cooling chamber and attached it. "You know we should probably do something about our fur, we would stand out if we went back into the public."
"Maybe, but we don't have any dye" Katt said setting her data pad down. "We'll need to see Miyu about it."
"Come on, I think she's with Wolf" Fox said heading for the elevator.
The elevator made a small ding as it reached it's designated floor and the doors slid open. Fox and Katt stepped out to see Miyu and Wolf talking with each other about a ship on a holographic display. It was massive even it was on display. If Fox had too guess, it was more than five miles long and three miles wide. It was shaped like an old ship from the days when sea travel was the only method of transportation that involved ships.
"It'll leave Corneria in a few days and then end at Papetoon at the end of the week" Miyu said, checking the schedule.
"This seems pretty dangerous, we've never done a job this big" Wolf said, rubbing his chin. "It's bound to have a large security detail, not too mention a strong defense."
"What's going on?" Fox asked.
"Ah. Fox, Katt come here" Miyu beckoned. "We were just planning our next move. We are going to make a raid on the Sol class ship Leviathan. Ferrying hundreds of the rich and famous, also carrying quite a bit of cash in a vault as well."
"Sol class? I'm not familiar with that class" Fox frowned.
"Of course not, Leviathan is the first of it's kind. More than likely the last as well due to the amount of money that went into it" Miyu said, folding her arms. "It was created solely for those who have more than a large pocket book, funded by them too. It's meant for ferrying them to popular vacation spots such as Papetoon and Aquas."
"And it's carrying a large security detail, along with more than a hundred different defenses to prevent those like us from attacking" Wolf said, highlighting the different locations of the anti-ship guns. "The shields itself are pretty much impenetrable to any firepower we have and the armor plating is tough enough able to take a beating from the large asteroids in the Belt."
Fox raised an eyebrow. "How do you know about that?"
"Because when they reach the Asteroid Belt, they're going to lower the shields to show off the impenetrable hull" Miyu said.
"Then why not then?" Katt asked.
"Those guns would tear us apart as soon as they detected us" Wolf frowned.
"Then don't have any ships active. Just attach them to the asteroids and have a small strike force use jetpacks to get onboard" Fox said.
"And once the strike force is in, they can disable the shields and the weapon systems to allow reinforcements to board as well" Katt finished.
"That. . . might actually work" Miyu said studying the ship.
"But the risks would be great" Wolf said, pulling up a map of the Asteroid Belt. "We would need to have a window of dropping off the strike team and getting the ships out of there before they're detected. Then there would be the waiting. We would either need to send a small force with a extra number of air tanks or send a large group and have a chance of the Leviathan detecting the ship leaving."
"Then there would be having those forces getting to the shield generator and the weapons systems" Miyu continued, enlarging the ship. "The shield generator is located near the aft of the ship on one of the middle levels. The weapon systems are located in the control room on the fore of the ship. The team would have to split into two groups and hit both at the same time."
"But how many people can we send?" Katt asked quietly.
"The smallest we could send safely would be ten, five to each group" Wolf said. "Anymore would just draw attention. Stealth and precision are key to this mission."
"I'll need to go through the rosters to find the right people" Miyu said, typing away at a computer. A list of faces appeared on the screen and started moving down.
"Without going through that, I could think of a few names" Wolf said, scratching at his chin. "Panther, Leon, Kursed, you two, and your friend."
"Why us?" Katt asked.
"Just think of it as a way to get used to your new life with us" Wolf smirked.
"But we're currently holding the highest bounty on our heads. The military will be putting more effort into finding us before bounty hunters so they won't have to pay" Fox said.
Miyu grinned evilly as she grabbed both of Katt and Fox by the shoulder. "Oh don't worry about that, I'm sure I can think of something. And I'll have Fay work on some armor for your friend."
A few hours later, Fox and Katt were now appropriately disguised.
Fox had his fur dyed black and was wearing a dark grey vest and a black undershirt along with black combat pants. Along his left eye he was wearing a scouter similar to Wolf's, much to the lupine's ire.
Katt had her fur dyed a rusty orange and was wearing a sleeveless black tank top with beige combat pants.
"What do you think?" Fox asked, checking himself in the mirror.
"I'd say black really suits you" Katt purred draping her arms around him.
Fox smiled softly as he reached back and wrapped his arms around Katt. "What do you think they'll do for Tyson?"
"Oh they thought of something alright."
A couple of dull thuds were heard as Tyson stepped into the room.
He was wearing a black cloth mask that covered his entire head with a grey metal face plate that had two dark blue glowing optics for him too see and a black stripe that ran down the center of it. He had on a digital urban colored long sleeve shirt with a black vest over it, digital urban combat pants and a pair of large black combat boots with metal clasps that went halfway up his shins.
"Am I a boss or what?" Tyson asked, his voice slightly distorted.
"Looks like you're ready to take on an army" Katt remarked.
"I'd say he's ready to curb stomp someone's head in" Fox said.
"I'd say you three are ready for the heist" Miyu said walking in. "Now come on, everyone else is waiting in the hangar."
"Alright here's the plan" Wolf said turning a holographic projector. "We know the Leviathan is going to pass through the Asteroid Belt tomorrow which doesn't leave us much time. The ship has currently three hundred different citizens of high status and four hundred armed guards. One of the actors felt a bit more paranoid about this trip and hired a body guard. This wouldn't be important if it weren't for who he hired" Wolf stated.
"The actor hired Ray 'The Dragoon'" Miyu said bringing up a picture.
"He don't look so tough" a soldier remarked elbowing the guy next to him.
"He has training in ordinance, hacking, and light weaponry. He also has a record of brining in targets alive, only killing when necessary" Miyu continued.
"Looks like the big wolf is just a little puppy" Leon snickered.
"What would you consider easier, killing someone or bringing them in alive?" Tyson asked.
"Killing of course, nothing like the thrill of the kill" Leon sneered.
"Precisely. Now how hard do you think it would be to catch someone who is trying to kill you while only trying to catch them?"
Leon was silent as he processed the information.
"Regardless, watch out for him. Now, we're going to be using Tyson's ship to latch onto one of the asteroids to get in close. Once the ship is in range, you'll use jetpacks to get aboard the ship and sneak in through one of the airlocks. From there you'll split into two teams of five and strike two targets at once. Fox will be leading Katt, Panther, Simmons, and Jenkins to take out the weapon systems" Miyu said.
Fox looked back to see a weasel and a snake nod at him while Panther was kneeling in front of Katt holding a rose proclaiming that he would protect her from all harm. Katt was looking for something to bash his head in with.
"Leon will lead the second team of Tyson, Rawlings, Kursed, and Alex."
Tyson saw a falcon step up next to Leon and Kursed who just sneered at Tyson while a mole stood next to him just gave a small grin.
"If you can take both those out as soon as the Leviathan exit's the Belt, the rest of us will rendezvous with you" Miyu finished, turning the projector off. "Any questions?"
"What do we do if we're spotted and caught?" Tyson asked.
"So little faith in your abilities?" Leon smirked.
"It is the best of plans that always go horribly wrong. Every possibility must be covered" Tyson said stoically.
"If you're caught, then might as well blow your own brains out because you're not coming back here" Wolf snorted.
"If that's all, then load up and proceed to the Belt. We've got a ship to capture."
"How much longer till the ship passes by?" Panther asked.
"It should be just entering the Belt and pass by in ten minutes" GLaDOS responded, checking her calculations.
"Alright, everyone get your suits on and grab a spare tank. We're about to make history" Miyu voice echoed over the intercoms.
The group of ten made their way to the loading ramp and stood waiting.
"Sealing doors, prepare for ramp release" GLaDOS said, the doors hissing shut. The ramp slowly opened all air in the room suddenly sucked out into the vacuum of space.
The group cautiously walked out, taking care not to float away in the zero-g environment. The ship was on one of the larger asteroids currently powered down to avoid detection.
"I can see the ship" Kursed said, looking out.
"You can see that far?" Fox asked.
"Hard to miss a ship that size" Kursed remarked.
Everyone looked out to see a massive ship plowing through the rocks with no visible sign of damage.
"Damn tough ship" Katt remarked.
"Silence until we're in, don't want them picking up any of our chatter" Miyu's voice cut in.
Everyone shut their microphones off as they moved into position. The target slowly trudged along, asteroids bouncing off the armor plating. After waiting half an hour, the ship was finally reaching them.
The group leapt off the asteroid and silently drifted towards the Leviathan, activating their jet packs when needed. They grabbed onto the ship and began searching for a way in while watching the asteroids to make sure they weren't crushed. One however wasn't paying attention. Everyone winced as they saw Rawling's crushed by a small asteroid.
Fox finally found an entrance and waved everyone over. Tyson grabbed at the hatch and pried it open using his arms superior strength. Everyone clambered inside and shut the door behind them.
"We're good" Jenkins said checking the corridor.
"Alright, we need to quickly and quietly. Avoid direct contact but if you must, take out any guards quickly and quietly" Fox whispered.
Everyone silently nodded and broke off into their two teams, heading towards their intended targets.
"The shield generator is two floors below us, let's move" Leon hissed.
The group moved forward, watching for any guards. They were about to pass a corridor junction when Leon held up a hand. He drew a curved knife from his belt and waited. A guard wearing a helmet walked by, unaware of the chameleon. Leon silently slit his throat and held a cloth to the guard's neck, catching the blood from spilling onto the floor. He dragged the body into a nearby room and stuffed him into a closet, hiding it behind some dresses.
"Move" Leon hissed as the group took off down the corridor.
They reached an elevator that just reached their floor letting two guards out. Before anyone could say anything, Tyson's two blades were driven up through the two guards chins and out through the back of their heads. They fell silently to the floor, never sure what just happened as they passed into the void.
"Not bad" Kursed commented as she helped drag one of the corpses away.
"While I'm meant for war, I still know how to be silent" Tyson remarked.
"In the elevator, quickly" Leon ordered. The group huddled in as Leon punched a floor number in. "The generator should be straight ahead, right past a large storage room."
"Then let's move, the other team is probably close to their target as well" Alex said.
"Fine, anyone who gets in our way is an enemy. We do not stop, am I clear?" Leon asked.
Everyone nodded as the elevator gave a small ding with the doors opening. The group surged forward, passing through the empty hallway until they reached the storage room.
"It's just up ahead, let's -urk!" Alex fell to the ground with a smoking hole through his head.
"Damn! Who's firing at us?" Tyson shouted as he crouched behind a crate.
"I don't know, it could be one or one hundred for all that gun fire!" Leon shouted. "Kursed, what are we dealing with?"
Kursed was silent for a moment. "Just one, it's the mercenary that was hired by the actor."
"Why don't you all come out and make this easier for yourselves?" a voice shouted.
The response was a round hitting the spot where the voice came from.
"Now that wasn't nice!" the voice shouted.
"Screw you!" Tyson shouted, firing off a few more rounds. "I'll take care of the mercenary, you two get to the generator!"
Leon and Kursed nodded as they broke cover, dodging rounds while sending a few back themselves.
"I guess it's just you and me now!" Tyson shouted, keeping Cerberus ready. During his time at the station, Fay had managed to change to the ammo from bullets to energy. They ran on charging systems meaning they wouldn't run out of ammo but they could over heat.
"I guess so, now why don't we just step out into the light so we can see each other?"
"Fine, but any sudden moves and you'll be a head shorter."
Tyson stepped out at the same time a wolf on the scaffolding above stepped out.
"So you're the famous Ray 'The Dragoon' huh? You don't look so tough!" Tyson shouted.
"And the strange alien that has the largest bounty on his head" Ray shot back. "Wearing a mask to hide your ugly ass face?"
"No, just don't want to get swamped with the women" Tyson smirked.
"Hah hah, very funny. I'm about to die of laughter" Ray commented dryly.
"No, you're about to die from my blasters." Tyson brought his guns to bear and resumed firing at Ray.
"That was horrible!" Ray shouted, firing his sub machine gun.
"So was your mother!" Tyson shouted, throwing a crate at the mercenary.
Ray jumped into the air and leapt off the flying crate gaining even more height while firing down at Tyson's position.
"Now that was just unnecessary!" Ray said.
"You do realize I don't care, right?" Tyson asked. Rushing his position, he threw two more crates at Ray.
Ray slid under one while narrowly jumping over the second, not ceasing his firing for one second.
"You're good, I'll admit it" Ray said, delivering a thrust kick into Tyson's chest.
"You too, it's too bad that if I win I'll kill you and if you win the military will kill you" Tyson said, sliding back a few feet.
"What'd you mean kill me? They'll be paying me out the ass for you" Ray said.
"If I remember correctly, the bounty is one million credits. That's quite a bit of money. Now what makes you think for even one second that the military would be willing to even pay half that to a mercenary like you?" Tyson asked.
Ray paused for a moment, uncertainty flashing across his face.
"You know as well as I do the military isn't filled with goody-two shoes. I know more than most about that little fact. As soon as you turned me over, they'd kill you."
"Then what do you suggest I do then?" Ray asked.
"You could join us, we are going to make quite a bit of money off this job" Tyson remarked.
"Tempting."
"It's either work with us and get paid, or stick with your current client and get killed later by us or the military."
"Not much of a choice but what the hell" Ray shrugged.
The ship rumbled as an explosion echoed through the halls.
"That must be the shield generator going down and the weapon systems will soon follow" Tyson commented. "Come on, stick with me or you'll get shot."
"Why is he still alive?" Leon hissed.
"Because he'll be helping us now" Tyson said, folding his arms.
"He killed Alex" Leon growled.
"If he wasn't smart enough to look to make sure it was clear, does he really stand a chance anywhere else?" Kursed asked.
Leon grimaced but relented for now.
"Fine, let's go meet up with the other team. The others should be showing up anytime now."
An hour later, the priate fleet arrived and had successfully taken over the Leviathan. Two hours later, all possessions of value and weapons were taken. Another hour and the fleet was gone, leaving a very upset Cornerian military along with equally upset passengers.
The total losses had amounted to twenty casualties from the pirates, more being killed by the security detail, and nearly two hundred military losses from the explosions and sudden surprise attack. All in all, it was one hell of a good raid that would be remembered in the history books.
End of Chapter. Sorry everyone for taking so long. Thanksgiving and college taking my time away from this, plus trying to average out to over three thousand words per chapter. Which may not seem like much to some but its more than what some others do.