Daniella says: a big thank you to Jason H. for his wonderful website, where BoTP fic writers have all the details at their fingertips! In case you were wondering whether I remembered the name of "Dirty Name-5", the band we know from the episode "Space Rock Concert", off the top of my hat, I didn't, I looked it up :)
Chapter 3
The Phoenix took off the next day as scheduled, the software update safe in its hold, Colonel Cronus flying next to G-Force, representing the Rigan forces.
Princess and Keyop were chatting about how they were going to spend their two days' leave on Riga.
"We can...toor-root...go to concert. The Dirty Name-5 are...beep...root...playing on Riga".
"We can also ask Colonel Cronus to take us to the Riga training centre, play a bit with their sims...What do you think, Mark?" asked Princess.
Mark was watching Jason closely. His second-in-command was executing orders faultlessly, but was silent and brooding. Princess's voice drew him back to the group as a whole. He allowed himself to dream about a possible sim ride with Princess at his side – if he'd be so lucky.
"Well, between Keyop's concert, and the dinner planned for us by Colonel Cronus, and our meeting with the Rigan Chief of security, we'll be lucky to find some time for sims. Although I agree that their outfit surpasses everything we have on Earth. What do you think, Tiny?"
"I think you'd better take a look at this, Commander", said Tiny, pointing to his screen. Mark switched moods immediately. This sim ride with Princess was instantly forgotten. Tiny's screen showed a formation of enemy ships approaching. Twelve of them, a squadron.
"Tiny, take her up! Princess, find out who they are! Jason, man the rocket launchers! Keyop, telemetry!"
Various "yes, Commander" followed, as G-Force went into action. Mark opened the comlink to the inter-ISO frequency.
"Cronus, do you see them?"
"Yes, commander. You think they're after the tapes?"
"If it's Spectra, I wouldn't be surprised. We have to transfer the tapes to you. We'll keep them occupied while you make your way to Riga".
"All right, Commander. Take the Phoenix down and we'll make the transfer."
Mark consulted his chart.
"There's a canyon range called Traitor's Pass coming up ahead. I'll have Jason and Princess in their vehicles securing the perimeter while we make the transfer. Over and out".
Tiny guided the Phoenix towards the canyon, with the squadron of enemy ships approaching them, just out of range.
"Readings confirmed", said Princess. "They are indeed from Spectra".
"Jason, get ready. We'll be in range in thirty seconds".
"Got it."
A volley of laser shots shook the Phoenix as it was now within the range of the enemy fighters. Jason's finger hovered over the launch button, then released his own volley of rockets, struggling to aim at the ships while the Phoenix shook from side to side.
"Tiny, aim for Traitor's Pass and take her down. Jason, run interference with the enemy ships. As soon as we land, you and Princess take out your vehicles and secure the area while I meet the Colonel".
"Yes, Commander!" Jason and Princess said in unison, preparing to board their vehicles.
Tiny swooped over the Pass, entered it and landed the Phoenix in seconds, while the Spectran ships were trying to avoid Jason's rockets. Mark jumped out of his seat.
"Jason, Princess, out. Tiny, keep her ready. Keyop, take over the weapons' systems".
Grinning despite himself, Keyop took over Jason's seat, while the gunner and Princess boarded their vehicles. Mark flew out the top of the Phoenix, landing on the rocky bed of Traitor's Pass. Jason and Princess took up their positions around him, as Spectran soldiers were already pouring out of the ships that had landed. Jason started firing. Cronus reached them, ducking to dodge Spectran fire and Jason's counter-fire. Mark handed him the briefcase and grabbed his hand warmly.
"Good luck, my friend!"
"God speed, Mark!" Cronus turned and ran to his own plane. Spectran goons were already appearing from Princess's direction, and she released a volley of fire to hold them back.
"OK, we're out of here! Tiny, we're on our way! Open the top!"
"Big ten, Commander!"
"Mark, Princess, go, I'll hold them!"
Jason's vehicle performed a U-turn, and he faced the advancing Spectran soldiers.
"Jason, to the Phoenix, now! That's an order"! shouted Mark, jumping on Princess's motorcycle and turning immediately around to shoot at the soldiers.
They were coming in droves now, from their landed ships, ignoring the plump target of the Phoenix, secure in the knowledge that no-one aboard the Phoenix would open fire with three of their own in such close range, drawn to the big prize which was the prospect of capturing one or two or three members of G-Force. Jason's about-turn stopped them short - for a moment. Then, their superior numbers began to win the day and the advance continued. Still, the small delay was enough for Mark and Princess to make good their escape, speeding towards the Phoenix. Mark's voice crackled in Jason's earpiece.
"Jason, get out! It's an order!"
"Save your orders for someone who cares, Commander", muttered Jason, firing furiously.
Mark and Princess made it to the Phoenix, which took off immediately.
"Tiny, try to pick Jason up", ordered Mark. Princess's cry of dismay made him turn around.
"Commander! Look!"
Another squadron of Spectran ships was rapidly approaching, not the Phoenix, but Cronus.
"Commander?" asked Tiny tentatively.
Mark bit his lip. Once again, two opposing loyalties were fighting for primacy: loyalty to his team-mates, and loyalty to the oath he had made to protect Earth and her friendly planets. Much as he hated to admit it, and much as he would suffer later, the choice had already been made.
"Tiny, take her up. We're going to help Colonel Cronus. Princess, data. I'll take the weapons".
He lowered himself in Jason's seat, feeling the stricken looks of the others on his back.
"But, Mark..." began Princess.
"Princess, what is it exactly you don't understand?" he snapped, once again hating himself, but painfully aware that he had to remain strong and ignore the pleas to go back for Jason, until Cronus was safely on his way to Riga.
"Nothing, Commander", whispered Princess, blinking to hide her tears at the way Mark had snapped at her. "Data coming up".
"Commander...look!" tweeted Keyop, pointing at the monitor following the developments on the ground at Traitor's Pass.
Mark looked, and felt his knees buckle. Jason had been surrounded. A hundred goons were around his car, his weapons silenced, the top of his car blown off...and Jason was being dragged out of it, fighting tooth and nail against his captors, but rapidly losing the battle.
To be continued
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