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Shar's log
Internal database
Its been 14 days since my capture. This room is already starting to drive me crazy. Every now and then Im taken to a special room and put in a temporary coma. I suppose that during the time Im unconscious, they attempt to hack into my database.
So far they have been unsuccesful in doing so. Serco OS were designed and coded in a way that made it virtually impossible for anyone, without previous knowledge or experience, to be able to hack it. But, everytime they fail, they learn more about it. Its only a matter of time until they crack it. Their attempts are also starting to affect me. Im starting to feel...just weird.
I have to come up with a way to get out of here. The chances of being rescued are low. They are constantly moving from sector to sector, system to system and-
Damn, they're coming...
End of log
Internal database
Its been 14 days since my capture. This room is already starting to drive me crazy. Every now and then Im taken to a special room and put in a temporary coma. I suppose that during the time Im unconscious, they attempt to hack into my database.
So far they have been unsuccesful in doing so. Serco OS were designed and coded in a way that made it virtually impossible for anyone, without previous knowledge or experience, to be able to hack it. But, everytime they fail, they learn more about it. Its only a matter of time until they crack it. Their attempts are also starting to affect me. Im starting to feel...just weird.
I have to come up with a way to get out of here. The chances of being rescued are low. They are constantly moving from sector to sector, system to system and-
Damn, they're coming...
End of log
JahelaJ ran her fingers over the journal entry...
Some ramblings about looking in the mirror and reflecting on the old days then, out of left field,
The Blades...
kezan avcino brac cirrefs S
then, just as suddenly, back to rambling about old friends lost to the void.
Talk about disjointed! Not typical of the old founder of CLM. Even in his last days, he was still sharp as a tack.
JahelaJ donned her stereoscopic glasses to see if there were any hidden indentations or watermarks on the paper when Jasmine came in with more stuff from the archives.
Jasmine set the pile of papers on the desk and moved to JahelaJ's side.
"Anything yet?" Jasmine asked.
"Yeah, this entry looks very important but I don't recognize the language." JahelaJ took the glasses off and rubbed her eyes. The headaches were getting worse.
Jasmine took the glasses from JahelaJ and asked if she could try.
"Be my guest. My eyes could use a rest."
Jasmine leaned forward on her elbows and studied the paper. She flipped the next page over and back a couple of times and turned to JahelaJ.
"There are slight indentations but they are from the writing on the next page. I don't see anything else unusual."
As she said this, JahelaJ's eyes lost focus and the room began to spin. The last thought JahelaJ had before everything went black and she fell to the deck was FERRIC.
Some ramblings about looking in the mirror and reflecting on the old days then, out of left field,
The Blades...
kezan avcino brac cirrefs S
then, just as suddenly, back to rambling about old friends lost to the void.
Talk about disjointed! Not typical of the old founder of CLM. Even in his last days, he was still sharp as a tack.
JahelaJ donned her stereoscopic glasses to see if there were any hidden indentations or watermarks on the paper when Jasmine came in with more stuff from the archives.
Jasmine set the pile of papers on the desk and moved to JahelaJ's side.
"Anything yet?" Jasmine asked.
"Yeah, this entry looks very important but I don't recognize the language." JahelaJ took the glasses off and rubbed her eyes. The headaches were getting worse.
Jasmine took the glasses from JahelaJ and asked if she could try.
"Be my guest. My eyes could use a rest."
Jasmine leaned forward on her elbows and studied the paper. She flipped the next page over and back a couple of times and turned to JahelaJ.
"There are slight indentations but they are from the writing on the next page. I don't see anything else unusual."
As she said this, JahelaJ's eyes lost focus and the room began to spin. The last thought JahelaJ had before everything went black and she fell to the deck was FERRIC.
"No, I do not want to ride in your ugly Serco ship." The redhead crossed her arms indignantly.
"Aw cmon hon, it'll be fun!"
"NO Nolan. Why didn't you bring a different one? You know I hate these things."
Vehement sighed heavily. He'd done everything right this visit too. Maybe, he tried to assure himself, he'd bring an Itani vessel next time. "Well, until next time then."
Usually he would kiss her before climbing into his ship to leave, but this time she climbed up to him just to show there were no hard feelings. "Fly safe Nolan." She let her feet dangle free of the ladder as her husband held her securely for a long moment.
"See you after class."
Vehement hadn't even taken off before he was alerted to an incoming message.
"Everson? Please respond."
"Commander Mystique" he answered with a goofy accent.
"Thanks for picking up. I didn't know what I was going to do if you ignored me.."
"Space gods Mystic, you sound terrible."
"Well, lnh hasn't left his room since you blew him up, and now JJ up and keeled over. We aren't sure why. And with Shar gone, I'm down an awful lot of talent. Profits have been down as it is..."
"Wait, JJ did what?"
"Collapsed. Down for the count. Dropped like a rock. Even cut her face open when she hit the deck."
Nolan cringed at the thought of JahelaJ's face meeting cold metal. "I'm sorry.. but why call me?"
"Please tell me you have more leads than Strat's been telling me. I need to hear some good news about now."
"Well.."
Mysic cut him off sounding a little smaller. "Burwell.. that isn't your good news tone."
"I didn't even know you knew that first name" Vehement replied. "Look, I can tell you're going a little stir crazy. Fly on up here and meet me at the Divinia wormhole in four hours. I need a buddy for what I want to try, and since it is only borderline legal, it might as well be you."
"Are you serious?" Mystic failed to hide both her excitement and shock.
"Yes. Call it one of the first joint VPR/CLM operations. I'll send you a list of what to bring in a bit. Hope you've kept your piloting in practice.."
"Wait, you've got to tell me more than that!"
"Nope see you in four." Vehement ended the call and hurriedly flew to his law class.
"Aw cmon hon, it'll be fun!"
"NO Nolan. Why didn't you bring a different one? You know I hate these things."
Vehement sighed heavily. He'd done everything right this visit too. Maybe, he tried to assure himself, he'd bring an Itani vessel next time. "Well, until next time then."
Usually he would kiss her before climbing into his ship to leave, but this time she climbed up to him just to show there were no hard feelings. "Fly safe Nolan." She let her feet dangle free of the ladder as her husband held her securely for a long moment.
"See you after class."
Vehement hadn't even taken off before he was alerted to an incoming message.
"Everson? Please respond."
"Commander Mystique" he answered with a goofy accent.
"Thanks for picking up. I didn't know what I was going to do if you ignored me.."
"Space gods Mystic, you sound terrible."
"Well, lnh hasn't left his room since you blew him up, and now JJ up and keeled over. We aren't sure why. And with Shar gone, I'm down an awful lot of talent. Profits have been down as it is..."
"Wait, JJ did what?"
"Collapsed. Down for the count. Dropped like a rock. Even cut her face open when she hit the deck."
Nolan cringed at the thought of JahelaJ's face meeting cold metal. "I'm sorry.. but why call me?"
"Please tell me you have more leads than Strat's been telling me. I need to hear some good news about now."
"Well.."
Mysic cut him off sounding a little smaller. "Burwell.. that isn't your good news tone."
"I didn't even know you knew that first name" Vehement replied. "Look, I can tell you're going a little stir crazy. Fly on up here and meet me at the Divinia wormhole in four hours. I need a buddy for what I want to try, and since it is only borderline legal, it might as well be you."
"Are you serious?" Mystic failed to hide both her excitement and shock.
"Yes. Call it one of the first joint VPR/CLM operations. I'll send you a list of what to bring in a bit. Hope you've kept your piloting in practice.."
"Wait, you've got to tell me more than that!"
"Nope see you in four." Vehement ended the call and hurriedly flew to his law class.
"Nope see you in four." Vehement ended the call quickly. “Oh I swear I'm going to break his neck one of these days.” Mystic couldn't help be be curious about what he intended to do though, maybe it was her pirate senses or just plain curiosity but she just knew it would help the current dilemma. “And get me out of Latos for a while.” she said aloud.
“Running off on us Myst?” Look asked.
“Finally decided to come out of hiding?”
“ I wasn't hiding, I was contemplating..”
“I can tell by your eyes what you were contemplating, you really have to get over this revenge thing with Everson, he isn't our enemy and he he wants to help find Shar as well, matter of fact thats what I was talking about when you walked in, I'm headed to Divinia to meet up with him for...something, and I figure it concerns Shar..”
“I can be ready in a few...”
“No look, I need you here, with JJ out of commission and the others out of touch, I need you to keep a handle on things, I'm more dispensable right now, plus if we want Everson to help we can't have you attacking him at every turn.”
“He is a Vpr and they allowed one of us to be taken by some unknown group, and they call US the criminals.”
“I'm not any happier about what happened but right now we need all the resources at our disposal to find Shar.”
“So thats all the Vpr is ...a resource?”
“Everson is a friend, but at this point he is a valuable resource as well...and official Vpr statements are the same every time I speak to Strat, 'The investigation is ongoing' Which means they either know nothing or they know something and don't wanna share, either way, I'm sick of it.”
Look knew that tone well enough to know that Mystic was going and going alone. “Alright, keep in touch and tell that snake if he lets you get hurt, it wont just be the imprint next time.”
Mystic couldn't help but laugh, “Will do, now I wanna stop in to see JJ before I leave and I have to gather some supplies..” Almost as if on cue a message notification sounded “..and there is my list now.”
Look took the list and glanced over it, “Myst this sounds like supplies for a covert op, it could be dangerous”
“Look....”
“Ok ok, if I can help out anyway let me know, and good luck, I have some work to do myself with that information the Vipers gave us.” As he walked away, Mystic took a closer look at the list, most of the items on it where already gathered together, she had a 'kit' Borb had made for her to keep at all times, said “ya never know what you will need, so its all in there!” She got the other items together and went up to her apartment and stowed it in the backpack with the other stuff. Slinging it over her shoulder she gave Pagan a scratch on the ears and headed towards JJ's room to check on her before leaving.
She could hear JJ from outside the door. “I'm fine, I need to get back to work...”
Mystic opened the door, “You will do no such thing, you will listen to the doctor and get some rest, you are no good to anyone if you kiss the floor again.” JJ instinctively touched the bandage on her cheek. “But boss, I need to get back to ....”
“You need to rest, your pale, Jasmine tells me you have been having lots of headaches lately. I need you JJ, so can I trust you to behave yourself while I'm gone?”
“Gone? Where you off to boss?”
“I'm going to meet Everson, I think it has something to do with Shar's disappearance, but I'm not sure, he wouldn't give me any details”
“Be careful, we can't have anything happening to you”
“Don't worry about me, just take care of yourself ok? I need to take off, I'm going to be running against the clock as it is to get there on time, I still have to stop and pick up another ship before the meeting” Mystic started to leave then stopped and turned around, “JJ when you were coming around, you were mumbling about ore, I hope you don't plan on going miner on us, might have to lock you up or something.” They both laughed and Mystic headed out the door, “Remember JJ, rest and more rest, I will be back soon as I can”
“Sure thing boss”
They both knew that as soon as she was out Latos, JJ would be up and back at it, but that stubborn streak was one of the things they had in common. It didn't take long to get to Bractus, grab a plain hog and make it through Jallik to the agreed sector. Thinking she was going to actually be early, she was a bit nonplussed when as she warped in, she got a message from Everson. “ Cutting it close aren't you?”
“You said 4 hours, I'm here before that, THAT makes me early.”
“Technically yes...”
“Ok then stop complaining ”
“I'm not complaining I'm..”
“Have I mentioned you complain a lot lately?”
“Mystic...”
“Ok so are you gonna keep jabbering about nothing or are you going to fill me in on whats going on?”
Mystic almost laughed at the look on the face of the man on her view screen, she hadn't given him a chance to say anything yet and he looked like he might implode any minute. He started again, “First we need to get me into that ship, the station in D-4 will do, mostly miners with maybe a few traders, we don't need to be seen together, your not wanted in itani territory are you?”
“No the itani love me, what about you?”
“I'm not wanted anywhere”
Mystic laughed, “Funny Everson, meet you in Oro Mining”
Half an hour later they were both in the hog with Everson going through the backpack she brought along. “EMD blasters? You do know these are illegal...nevermind”
“You said you wanted non-lethal weapons, these wont kill anyone, just make them have a very bad day, and yes I know they are illegal except in military and law enforcement circles. Did you expect me to bring a marshmallow bat or something?”
Everson sighed “So this ship in shape for what we need to do?”
Mystic smiled, “Actually for what you want to do, I think we need a Behemoth.....”
“Running off on us Myst?” Look asked.
“Finally decided to come out of hiding?”
“ I wasn't hiding, I was contemplating..”
“I can tell by your eyes what you were contemplating, you really have to get over this revenge thing with Everson, he isn't our enemy and he he wants to help find Shar as well, matter of fact thats what I was talking about when you walked in, I'm headed to Divinia to meet up with him for...something, and I figure it concerns Shar..”
“I can be ready in a few...”
“No look, I need you here, with JJ out of commission and the others out of touch, I need you to keep a handle on things, I'm more dispensable right now, plus if we want Everson to help we can't have you attacking him at every turn.”
“He is a Vpr and they allowed one of us to be taken by some unknown group, and they call US the criminals.”
“I'm not any happier about what happened but right now we need all the resources at our disposal to find Shar.”
“So thats all the Vpr is ...a resource?”
“Everson is a friend, but at this point he is a valuable resource as well...and official Vpr statements are the same every time I speak to Strat, 'The investigation is ongoing' Which means they either know nothing or they know something and don't wanna share, either way, I'm sick of it.”
Look knew that tone well enough to know that Mystic was going and going alone. “Alright, keep in touch and tell that snake if he lets you get hurt, it wont just be the imprint next time.”
Mystic couldn't help but laugh, “Will do, now I wanna stop in to see JJ before I leave and I have to gather some supplies..” Almost as if on cue a message notification sounded “..and there is my list now.”
Look took the list and glanced over it, “Myst this sounds like supplies for a covert op, it could be dangerous”
“Look....”
“Ok ok, if I can help out anyway let me know, and good luck, I have some work to do myself with that information the Vipers gave us.” As he walked away, Mystic took a closer look at the list, most of the items on it where already gathered together, she had a 'kit' Borb had made for her to keep at all times, said “ya never know what you will need, so its all in there!” She got the other items together and went up to her apartment and stowed it in the backpack with the other stuff. Slinging it over her shoulder she gave Pagan a scratch on the ears and headed towards JJ's room to check on her before leaving.
She could hear JJ from outside the door. “I'm fine, I need to get back to work...”
Mystic opened the door, “You will do no such thing, you will listen to the doctor and get some rest, you are no good to anyone if you kiss the floor again.” JJ instinctively touched the bandage on her cheek. “But boss, I need to get back to ....”
“You need to rest, your pale, Jasmine tells me you have been having lots of headaches lately. I need you JJ, so can I trust you to behave yourself while I'm gone?”
“Gone? Where you off to boss?”
“I'm going to meet Everson, I think it has something to do with Shar's disappearance, but I'm not sure, he wouldn't give me any details”
“Be careful, we can't have anything happening to you”
“Don't worry about me, just take care of yourself ok? I need to take off, I'm going to be running against the clock as it is to get there on time, I still have to stop and pick up another ship before the meeting” Mystic started to leave then stopped and turned around, “JJ when you were coming around, you were mumbling about ore, I hope you don't plan on going miner on us, might have to lock you up or something.” They both laughed and Mystic headed out the door, “Remember JJ, rest and more rest, I will be back soon as I can”
“Sure thing boss”
They both knew that as soon as she was out Latos, JJ would be up and back at it, but that stubborn streak was one of the things they had in common. It didn't take long to get to Bractus, grab a plain hog and make it through Jallik to the agreed sector. Thinking she was going to actually be early, she was a bit nonplussed when as she warped in, she got a message from Everson. “ Cutting it close aren't you?”
“You said 4 hours, I'm here before that, THAT makes me early.”
“Technically yes...”
“Ok then stop complaining ”
“I'm not complaining I'm..”
“Have I mentioned you complain a lot lately?”
“Mystic...”
“Ok so are you gonna keep jabbering about nothing or are you going to fill me in on whats going on?”
Mystic almost laughed at the look on the face of the man on her view screen, she hadn't given him a chance to say anything yet and he looked like he might implode any minute. He started again, “First we need to get me into that ship, the station in D-4 will do, mostly miners with maybe a few traders, we don't need to be seen together, your not wanted in itani territory are you?”
“No the itani love me, what about you?”
“I'm not wanted anywhere”
Mystic laughed, “Funny Everson, meet you in Oro Mining”
Half an hour later they were both in the hog with Everson going through the backpack she brought along. “EMD blasters? You do know these are illegal...nevermind”
“You said you wanted non-lethal weapons, these wont kill anyone, just make them have a very bad day, and yes I know they are illegal except in military and law enforcement circles. Did you expect me to bring a marshmallow bat or something?”
Everson sighed “So this ship in shape for what we need to do?”
Mystic smiled, “Actually for what you want to do, I think we need a Behemoth.....”
I wandered off back to my council quarters, two maintenance mechanics behind me. I climbed over a pile of junk to a closet in the corner. "All this needs to be loaded into my '88, NOW". The two mechanics were dumbstruck, "wow these antiques must be worth a fortune, is that a law rocket?". I tried to restrain myself, "yes yes, ancient weapons, I know their considered cruel under laws of war, now get to work"
I headed down the corridor to JJ's quarters, bumping into jasmine on the way, "evening look, seen JJ around lately?" I rolled my eyes, "she's not in her quarters resting as mystic ordered her?" "Nope, I was just about to go check the mess for her", "I know where she is, follow me". We walked down to JJ's office,
"JahelaJ, you're supposed to be resting", "Relax, What could possibly go wrong?". I sighed heavily, 'Deep breaths, We're on the same side', "cmon, I don't need mystic throwing a shit fit cause you got hurt again", "I'm fine" JJ said as she stood up, rather wobbly. "Jasmine, keep an eye on her, JJ call me or the Doc if you start having trouble, please" I forced a smile though gritted teeth. "OK, OK, I'll be careful". I wasn't entirely satisfied, but at least I could say I put fourth a good effort.
I left the office and the door whooshed closed. Leaning with my back against the wall next to the door I pulled out a glass flask and pulled the cork out with my teeth, then heard the door whoosh open followed by a rather disappointed sounding JJ, "Look". I shoved the cork back into the bottle, I hate that tone, *heavy sigh*, "now what", I looked over at JJ and she could see I was tired, "If you could, never mind" she said, even more disappointed. I shoved the cork back in the bottle and followed her into her office, "alright what?".
I headed down the corridor to JJ's quarters, bumping into jasmine on the way, "evening look, seen JJ around lately?" I rolled my eyes, "she's not in her quarters resting as mystic ordered her?" "Nope, I was just about to go check the mess for her", "I know where she is, follow me". We walked down to JJ's office,
"JahelaJ, you're supposed to be resting", "Relax, What could possibly go wrong?". I sighed heavily, 'Deep breaths, We're on the same side', "cmon, I don't need mystic throwing a shit fit cause you got hurt again", "I'm fine" JJ said as she stood up, rather wobbly. "Jasmine, keep an eye on her, JJ call me or the Doc if you start having trouble, please" I forced a smile though gritted teeth. "OK, OK, I'll be careful". I wasn't entirely satisfied, but at least I could say I put fourth a good effort.
I left the office and the door whooshed closed. Leaning with my back against the wall next to the door I pulled out a glass flask and pulled the cork out with my teeth, then heard the door whoosh open followed by a rather disappointed sounding JJ, "Look". I shoved the cork back into the bottle, I hate that tone, *heavy sigh*, "now what", I looked over at JJ and she could see I was tired, "If you could, never mind" she said, even more disappointed. I shoved the cork back in the bottle and followed her into her office, "alright what?".
I wandered off back to my council quarters, two maintenance mechanics behind me. I climbed over a pile of junk to a closet in the corner. "All this needs to be loaded into my '88, NOW". The two mechanics were dumbstruck, "wow these antiques must be worth a fortune, is that a law rocket?". I tried to restrain myself, "yes yes, ancient weapons, I know their considered cruel under laws of war, now get to work"
I headed down the corridor to JJ's quarters, bumping into jasmine on the way, "evening look, seen JJ around lately?" I rolled my eyes, "she's not in her quarters resting as mystic ordered her?" "Nope, I was just about to go check the mess for her", "I know where she is, follow me". We walked down to JJ's office,
"JahelaJ, you're supposed to be resting", "Relax, What could possibly go wrong?". I sighed heavily, 'Deep breaths, We're on the same side', "cmon, I don't need mystic throwing a shit fit cause you got hurt again", "I'm fine" JJ said as she stood up, rather wobbly. "Jasmine, keep an eye on her, JJ call me or the Doc if you start having trouble, please" I forced a smile though gritted teeth. "OK, OK, I'll be careful". I wasn't entirely satisfied, but at least I could say I put fourth a good effort.
I left the office and the door whooshed closed. Leaning with my back against the wall next to the door I pulled out a glass flask and pulled the cork out with my teeth, then heard the door whoosh open followed by a rather disappointed sounding JJ, "Look". I shoved the cork back into the bottle, I hate that tone, *heavy sigh*, "now what", I looked over at JJ and she could see I was tired, "If you could, never mind" she said, even more disappointed. I shoved the cork back in the bottle and followed her into her office, "alright what?".
I headed down the corridor to JJ's quarters, bumping into jasmine on the way, "evening look, seen JJ around lately?" I rolled my eyes, "she's not in her quarters resting as mystic ordered her?" "Nope, I was just about to go check the mess for her", "I know where she is, follow me". We walked down to JJ's office,
"JahelaJ, you're supposed to be resting", "Relax, What could possibly go wrong?". I sighed heavily, 'Deep breaths, We're on the same side', "cmon, I don't need mystic throwing a shit fit cause you got hurt again", "I'm fine" JJ said as she stood up, rather wobbly. "Jasmine, keep an eye on her, JJ call me or the Doc if you start having trouble, please" I forced a smile though gritted teeth. "OK, OK, I'll be careful". I wasn't entirely satisfied, but at least I could say I put fourth a good effort.
I left the office and the door whooshed closed. Leaning with my back against the wall next to the door I pulled out a glass flask and pulled the cork out with my teeth, then heard the door whoosh open followed by a rather disappointed sounding JJ, "Look". I shoved the cork back into the bottle, I hate that tone, *heavy sigh*, "now what", I looked over at JJ and she could see I was tired, "If you could, never mind" she said, even more disappointed. I shoved the cork back in the bottle and followed her into her office, "alright what?".
Mystic smiled, “Actually for what you want to do, I think we need a Behemoth.....”
"They'll expect that from a Behemoth. The Serco defeated a minor raid on Geira a couple weeks ago with 'moth heavies. The Itani were too focused on the Proms to care."
Mystic gave Vehement a blank look. "I wish I had your kind of intel all the time."
Nolan continued, "No one expects anything hostile from a base model 'hog, though, since this thing can't hold a candle to the advanced models. You made a good choice."
"You'll turn a girl's head with talk like that" Mystic quipped.
"I already turned the only one I need.." Vehement stated dreamily.
"Is that the one?" Mystic peeked the hog around an asteroid so both pilots could get a look while keeping the heavy fighter virtually powered off to avoid detection.
Vehement studied the ship with the help of some magnification. "Acheron. Yes that's her. So, are you doing the honors or am I?"
"Fat chance Everson. A girl's gotta have her fun when she gets away from the office" Mystic grinned as she began powering up the Warthog.
"Stick to the trade route till we are inside the range of their turrets. With luck they will get a false sense of security from it."
"So offer them a perfect shot? What kinda plan is that?"
"You'll see." Vehement climbed out of his seat and began to poke around Mystic's flight suit.
"Hey! What are you doing? You didn't even buy me dinner!"
"Checking for leaks. Hold still." Mystic glared at the man but was far too curious not to comply. Everson slipped a helmet onto her head and made sure it sealed before doing his own.
"Why do I get the feeling you are taking us zero-g Everson?"
"We shouldn't be, but its best to be safe. Go easy on that turbo, I need a few minutes here in the back."
"Tell me your plan already! You're driving me crazy!" Mystic shouted over her shoulder as Vehement began fiddling with something she couldn't see. "Everson!"
"Yes Commander?" the Viper answered as he landed back in his seat.
"What did ya do to my ship?"
"Just stick to the plan. Pull alongside this big ugly like you're a newb gawking at the view."
Mystic complied, vowing silently to kick Everson later. Their Warthog was already within firing range of the HAC. Mystic eased closer, trying to recall what it was like to see and fear a cruiser for the first time. Her eye caught Everson's hands moving, but she didn't let that distract her from the ruse.
"Cut the engines and drift, please."
"Okay." Mystic glanced over at Everson just in time for her whole world to shudder violently. She screamed a little, but was instantly self-concious for showing weakness in front of the Viper.
Everson wasn't shaken by the blast, because he triggered it. He had rigged one of the 'hog's engines to blow and in so doing, drift their ship on a collision course with the HAC.
Seeing his face, Mystic understood. She was out of her seat and ready to jump clear of the Warthog as soon as the HAC recovered it before Everson had to say a word.
"What is that newb doing?"
"Just checking the view sir. You know, the usual."
"I don't need to tell you that we're denying all docking requests today."
"Of cour-"
The operator's sentence was cut off by a collision warning tone.
"Skipper, the warthog just lost an engine. I still read two life signs."
The Captain of the Acheron noted his shields flare into view as the disabled warthog bounced helplessly against his warship. He spoke after a tired sigh. "Alright reel them in. No harm in helping out the little guy sometimes."
"Yes sir. Beginning recovery of the 'little guy.'"
The helmets proved unnecessary, as Nolan performed well enough with the explosives to avoid a hull breach in the cockpit. They came in handy a few moments later, though. As the HAC enveloped the fighter, fire suppression systems in the docking bay kicked in and smothered the 'hog in foam. Mystic and Vehement saw their chance and used the concealment to get clear of their wreck.
"Ta daa. The brig is forward. How many Valks did you count on the way in?"
"Six. All unmarked." Mystic answered confidently.
"I got six too. Perfect. We're in luck so far."
Mystic turned to head for the brig, but hesitated. Vehement assumed she meant for him to take point, and moved ahead drawing his weapon. Mystic grinned and kicked him squarely in the butt. "That's for not telling me the plan."
"You good? Got that out of your system now?" Vehement turned and half snarled at her.
The pirate queen grinned. "Yep. I'll take point too, ladies first."
Vehement poked at her eyes, but was harmlessly blunted by the helmet. Play time was over for now, the fire crews were already starting to shout to one another about where the pilots went. "Best we keep these. Who knows how we'll get off this ride."
Mystic nodded and moved off down the hall toward the front of the ship. Everson followed quietly a few paces behind.
"They'll expect that from a Behemoth. The Serco defeated a minor raid on Geira a couple weeks ago with 'moth heavies. The Itani were too focused on the Proms to care."
Mystic gave Vehement a blank look. "I wish I had your kind of intel all the time."
Nolan continued, "No one expects anything hostile from a base model 'hog, though, since this thing can't hold a candle to the advanced models. You made a good choice."
"You'll turn a girl's head with talk like that" Mystic quipped.
"I already turned the only one I need.." Vehement stated dreamily.
"Is that the one?" Mystic peeked the hog around an asteroid so both pilots could get a look while keeping the heavy fighter virtually powered off to avoid detection.
Vehement studied the ship with the help of some magnification. "Acheron. Yes that's her. So, are you doing the honors or am I?"
"Fat chance Everson. A girl's gotta have her fun when she gets away from the office" Mystic grinned as she began powering up the Warthog.
"Stick to the trade route till we are inside the range of their turrets. With luck they will get a false sense of security from it."
"So offer them a perfect shot? What kinda plan is that?"
"You'll see." Vehement climbed out of his seat and began to poke around Mystic's flight suit.
"Hey! What are you doing? You didn't even buy me dinner!"
"Checking for leaks. Hold still." Mystic glared at the man but was far too curious not to comply. Everson slipped a helmet onto her head and made sure it sealed before doing his own.
"Why do I get the feeling you are taking us zero-g Everson?"
"We shouldn't be, but its best to be safe. Go easy on that turbo, I need a few minutes here in the back."
"Tell me your plan already! You're driving me crazy!" Mystic shouted over her shoulder as Vehement began fiddling with something she couldn't see. "Everson!"
"Yes Commander?" the Viper answered as he landed back in his seat.
"What did ya do to my ship?"
"Just stick to the plan. Pull alongside this big ugly like you're a newb gawking at the view."
Mystic complied, vowing silently to kick Everson later. Their Warthog was already within firing range of the HAC. Mystic eased closer, trying to recall what it was like to see and fear a cruiser for the first time. Her eye caught Everson's hands moving, but she didn't let that distract her from the ruse.
"Cut the engines and drift, please."
"Okay." Mystic glanced over at Everson just in time for her whole world to shudder violently. She screamed a little, but was instantly self-concious for showing weakness in front of the Viper.
Everson wasn't shaken by the blast, because he triggered it. He had rigged one of the 'hog's engines to blow and in so doing, drift their ship on a collision course with the HAC.
Seeing his face, Mystic understood. She was out of her seat and ready to jump clear of the Warthog as soon as the HAC recovered it before Everson had to say a word.
"What is that newb doing?"
"Just checking the view sir. You know, the usual."
"I don't need to tell you that we're denying all docking requests today."
"Of cour-"
The operator's sentence was cut off by a collision warning tone.
"Skipper, the warthog just lost an engine. I still read two life signs."
The Captain of the Acheron noted his shields flare into view as the disabled warthog bounced helplessly against his warship. He spoke after a tired sigh. "Alright reel them in. No harm in helping out the little guy sometimes."
"Yes sir. Beginning recovery of the 'little guy.'"
The helmets proved unnecessary, as Nolan performed well enough with the explosives to avoid a hull breach in the cockpit. They came in handy a few moments later, though. As the HAC enveloped the fighter, fire suppression systems in the docking bay kicked in and smothered the 'hog in foam. Mystic and Vehement saw their chance and used the concealment to get clear of their wreck.
"Ta daa. The brig is forward. How many Valks did you count on the way in?"
"Six. All unmarked." Mystic answered confidently.
"I got six too. Perfect. We're in luck so far."
Mystic turned to head for the brig, but hesitated. Vehement assumed she meant for him to take point, and moved ahead drawing his weapon. Mystic grinned and kicked him squarely in the butt. "That's for not telling me the plan."
"You good? Got that out of your system now?" Vehement turned and half snarled at her.
The pirate queen grinned. "Yep. I'll take point too, ladies first."
Vehement poked at her eyes, but was harmlessly blunted by the helmet. Play time was over for now, the fire crews were already starting to shout to one another about where the pilots went. "Best we keep these. Who knows how we'll get off this ride."
Mystic nodded and moved off down the hall toward the front of the ship. Everson followed quietly a few paces behind.
Shar's log
Internal database
They've kept trying to hack into myself. I intentionally granted them access to some files. These are encrypted and will take them some time to figure it out. In doing so, I also managed to link myself to the HAC's main computer, without their knowledge, and took a look at some of their own files.
They are Akanese. I didnt get access to more important files, such as the location of their secret system, due to these ones being far more protected.
Also, in order to protect myself from losing my sanity, I've created an imaginary friend in my left hand and called him Dave. I hope i can last long enough until Im rescued...
-End of log-
*5 hours later*
Shar's log
Internal database
Dave tried to organize a rebellion against me. He has been taken care of...
-End of log-
Internal database
They've kept trying to hack into myself. I intentionally granted them access to some files. These are encrypted and will take them some time to figure it out. In doing so, I also managed to link myself to the HAC's main computer, without their knowledge, and took a look at some of their own files.
They are Akanese. I didnt get access to more important files, such as the location of their secret system, due to these ones being far more protected.
Also, in order to protect myself from losing my sanity, I've created an imaginary friend in my left hand and called him Dave. I hope i can last long enough until Im rescued...
-End of log-
*5 hours later*
Shar's log
Internal database
Dave tried to organize a rebellion against me. He has been taken care of...
-End of log-
The hallway was quiet in contrast to the alarms and shouting from the docking bay. As large as station corridors, they were lined on either side with doors and smaller hallways leading off into opposite directions. Mystic noted the first hallway led to what appeared to be a supply room, she gestured to Everson and headed that way first, an idea of sorts forming in her mind. Seemed this hall way housed not only the supply station but the laundry area. They slipped into one of the dark areas, Everson finally whispering, “The brig is forward, what are you doing?”
Mystic was looking around before she answered him, “Look, maybe you haven't noticed but we sorta stand out the way we are dressed, and if we are going to move around this big ass ship we need to try to blend in at least a little bit.” Everson looked her up and down and grinned. “Your not going to blend in very well no matter what you do”
“Keep your mind on what we are doing please”, Mystic feigned irritation, but smiled anyway. “I'm hoping to find some maintenance type wear or something, they are docked at a station so there are people coming on and off.” She paused to let him catch on, then continued, “That will allow us a little more time for what we need to do, as it will also make it a little more confusing as to whether the pilots of that hog are on the ship, jettisoned the escape pod, or just snuck off to stay out of trouble.”
Suddenly Mystic shoved Everson out of the way and fired her blaster at the guy unlucky enough to wander into where they were standing. As the fellow went down, his mouth open but no sound coming out, twitching and jerking, she drug him deeper into the room, which appeared to be used for maintenance supplies. Opening the backpack she wore she removed a small vial and carefully put a couple drops on his tongue. “Mystic!,” Everson hissed.
“Would you stop worrying? You told me you wanted no casualties, all this will do is put him to sleep for a few hours. Or would you prefer I leave him here to start screaming in pain as soon as the shock of that EMD wears off? I promise you it will get a lot more attention than we need.” She looked up at Everson who actually looked relieved as he spoke, “Your right, I just thought...”
Mystic cut him off sounding a bit hurt, “You thought I was killing him, since I'm a pirate thats the only thing I could do huh?”
“Thats not it Mystic, well maybe that is part of it, maybe part of me does think that of you, but I know your not a monster.” He seemed truly apologetic so Mystic tried to lighten the mood. “Hey the first time I met you you got shot and I tried to kick your chest in, I guess your entitled to a bit of worry from time to time...” She laughed softly, “I still remember the look on your face when my boot hit you and you went down” Everson laughed as well, “Well I was a bit shocked”
The tension broken Everson looked down at the guy lying at his feet. “So what do we do with him now?” He watched as Mystic started removing his boots, “First we get him out of this uniform, then we are going to tie him up and stash him in that vent over there. So strip down please.” When she noticed he wasn't moving she looked up at him again, “Your not embarrassed are you?, this guy is about your size, so you get this uniform, then we find one for me.” She pointed to a corner behind some machinery, “You can change back there, then you don't have to worry about telling your wife I saw you half naked.” She tossed him the clothing and had the guy tied up by the time Everson was finished changing. Mystic looked him up and down, the uniform fit reasonably well, and they had lucked out that it appeared to belong to a newer member of the ship crew, as his name tag had cadet under his name, which as Mystic was looking she started to giggle softly. Everson looked at her funny until he saw where she was looking and saw that the name read Sheryl. “I always saw you as more of a Lisa maybe, or Violet, not Sheryl.”
Mystic was looking around before she answered him, “Look, maybe you haven't noticed but we sorta stand out the way we are dressed, and if we are going to move around this big ass ship we need to try to blend in at least a little bit.” Everson looked her up and down and grinned. “Your not going to blend in very well no matter what you do”
“Keep your mind on what we are doing please”, Mystic feigned irritation, but smiled anyway. “I'm hoping to find some maintenance type wear or something, they are docked at a station so there are people coming on and off.” She paused to let him catch on, then continued, “That will allow us a little more time for what we need to do, as it will also make it a little more confusing as to whether the pilots of that hog are on the ship, jettisoned the escape pod, or just snuck off to stay out of trouble.”
Suddenly Mystic shoved Everson out of the way and fired her blaster at the guy unlucky enough to wander into where they were standing. As the fellow went down, his mouth open but no sound coming out, twitching and jerking, she drug him deeper into the room, which appeared to be used for maintenance supplies. Opening the backpack she wore she removed a small vial and carefully put a couple drops on his tongue. “Mystic!,” Everson hissed.
“Would you stop worrying? You told me you wanted no casualties, all this will do is put him to sleep for a few hours. Or would you prefer I leave him here to start screaming in pain as soon as the shock of that EMD wears off? I promise you it will get a lot more attention than we need.” She looked up at Everson who actually looked relieved as he spoke, “Your right, I just thought...”
Mystic cut him off sounding a bit hurt, “You thought I was killing him, since I'm a pirate thats the only thing I could do huh?”
“Thats not it Mystic, well maybe that is part of it, maybe part of me does think that of you, but I know your not a monster.” He seemed truly apologetic so Mystic tried to lighten the mood. “Hey the first time I met you you got shot and I tried to kick your chest in, I guess your entitled to a bit of worry from time to time...” She laughed softly, “I still remember the look on your face when my boot hit you and you went down” Everson laughed as well, “Well I was a bit shocked”
The tension broken Everson looked down at the guy lying at his feet. “So what do we do with him now?” He watched as Mystic started removing his boots, “First we get him out of this uniform, then we are going to tie him up and stash him in that vent over there. So strip down please.” When she noticed he wasn't moving she looked up at him again, “Your not embarrassed are you?, this guy is about your size, so you get this uniform, then we find one for me.” She pointed to a corner behind some machinery, “You can change back there, then you don't have to worry about telling your wife I saw you half naked.” She tossed him the clothing and had the guy tied up by the time Everson was finished changing. Mystic looked him up and down, the uniform fit reasonably well, and they had lucked out that it appeared to belong to a newer member of the ship crew, as his name tag had cadet under his name, which as Mystic was looking she started to giggle softly. Everson looked at her funny until he saw where she was looking and saw that the name read Sheryl. “I always saw you as more of a Lisa maybe, or Violet, not Sheryl.”
"Oi! Sheryl! How long does it take to throw shirts into a frackin' washer?" came a shout from down the hall.
Mystic and Everson froze. It hadn't occurred to them that their prey might not have been alone.
"Well answer him Sheryl!" Mystic hissed in a whisper.
Everson returned her a look that said just how much he hated her at this very moment. Covering his mouth with a pile of laundry to muffle his voice, he answered "Can ya give me a hand?" Mystic had to strangle herself to keep from laughing out loud.
"Great Akan, what, is it kickin' your ass? It's clothing!" The man's footsteps we now audible getting closer. Nolan stepped into the hall just in time to meet him. The scrawny man's jaw dropped. "Who the frack are-"
Nolan cut him off with a blow to the jaw that probably fractured something in the man's face. Mystic appeared a second later with her weapon at the ready.
"What did you DO to him Everson?"
Nolan just laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"These aren't their names, they are callsigns. Pleased to meet you Butch."
Mystic looked down at the name of their new victim and clenched her teeth at karma. "Why couldn't you get me a female uniform? This one doesn't have zippers in the right places."
"Planning on wearing it long?" Vehement asked as he began to drag the second body into their secret stash.
"Just give it to me," Mystic said with a sigh. She kicked off her boots and stepped behind the machinery to change over.
Another voice echoed down the hallway, "You can NOT be serious. After talking so much shit about how long this is taking? What are you two doing in there?"
"Yeah, I'm ready to go to chow!" called a second.
"Quit kissin' each other ladies, and just do my laundry!" groused a third.
The first two howled with laughter. Mystic hopped out from behind her makeshift barrier and mouthed "THREE?!?" at Nolan. Vehement glanced around the room for an idea, then grabbed Mystic's hand and pulled her close.
"Just follow my lead."
The footsteps were close, so Mystic nodded without hesitation. Vehement unzipped the flight suit Mystic had just finished putting on and pulled it down to her waist before tackling her to the ground. Her mind figured out the game when he started kissing her. Mystic had just enough time to derange her hair and wrap her arms around her assailant before the owners of the three new voices came through the doorway into the laundry room.
No one said a word for half a minute as three young Akanese gawked at a Viper making out with a pirate. One of them finally spoke, "Duuude! You are the man!"
Vehement turned his head to grouch back at the cadet, "Little privacy please?"
"The laundry room, why didn't I ever think of that?" the second voice wondered aloud.
"Get OUT!" Mystic squealed with redness building in her cheeks.
"You see where Sheryl and Butch went?" the third cadet asked.
"To buy tickets." Nolan stated in a very clear 'you guys are blocking' tone. He didn't wait for them to leave before returning his attention to the woman in his arms.
The three took their time in excusing themselves. Mystic was short of breath by the time she was sure they were gone. "Everson... I think they're gah-gone!"
Nolan stood and pulled her to her feet. After cracking his neck, he started attempting to make Mystic's hair more presentable.
Mystic took a deep breath as she pulled her jumpsuit back on. "Your wife.." pause for a breath, "is a lucky girl. With really good lungs I bet."
Vehement finished with her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Nah she can't breathe either."
"You don't say.."
"We need to get out of this room."
Mystic found her weapon and looked at Nolan with hesitation.
Checking his own, Vehement gestured toward the door. "Ladies first right? Are you hot Mystic, you look a bit red.."
Mystic struggled a few seconds for a retort, then used his collar to bring his face to hers one more time. Once finished, she punched him in the arm and darted into the hallway. "Shut up Viper scum."
Vehement allowed himself to chuckle as he followed.
It was two decks and several hallways later before they ran into another problem. Most of the ship's personnel accepted the ranks and uniforms without question, because who really wants trouble with young officers, much less pilots?
"Hey cadets!" called a voice from behind them. It sounded oddly familiar to Vehement. The pair turned to see who wanted to know. "There is a briefing in ten minutes, where are you- wait, MysticRogue?!?"
Six Valkyries, six pilots. This guy must be the flight leader, that bastard who ordered us to hand over Shar. Vehement put the pieces together as he stared blankly at his 'superior officer.'
Being that she was in the lead, Mystic's movements were half covered by the Viper. She didn't hesitate to draw her concealed blaster and drop the man who had recognized her. "That guy had some kind of nerve."
"We aren't exactly low profile people. I guess he likes reading intel reports."
"Then why didn't he recognize you?" Mystic asked as Nolan followed her dragging the newest body.
"I guess the Akanese do more research on pirate faces than on Vipers. We tend to wear uniforms and badges to tell people who we are y'know."
"Ye be mor' fun widdout yer badge, snake" Mystic commented in deliberate pirate accent.
"Careful, I might forget myself and arrest you. That was a nice shot by the way." Nolan closed the hatch of the newly located cleaning closet.
"Thanks hun." Mystic batted her eyelashes playfully as she turned to continue to the brig.
"That was the flight leader I believe. Voice sounded familiar."
"So he's the one Strat surrendered my pilot to?!?" Mystic turned about to go back to the closet, intending to beat the tar out of him.
Vehement may as well have been a wall when she ran into him. "One thing at a time, Commander."
"But... aw I guess you're right." Mystic turned back toward the brig. They were close, and who knows how Shar was doing.
The ship's PA system came to life with a nagging alert tone. "General quarters, general quarters. There are enemies aboard the ship, I say again, enemies aboard ship. All personnel vacate hallways."
"Looks like someone decided to clean the laundry room," Nolan commented.
"Doesn't matter now. Two guards, I'll take the one on the left. Ready?"
Vehement lined up behind her against the wall and gave her shoulder a pat with his free hand. Three seconds and two blaster shots later, they stood outside of Shar's cell.
"How are you at breaking lock codes?"
"I just use my weapon usually" Mystic confessed.
"Alright, let's see how- aw hell."
"Don't be giving me bad news right now Everson." Mystic said insistently, scanning both directions for enemies.
"It's just a card swipe." Vehement looted the pockets of one of their fallen foes and opened the door. Mystic was inside before the door even finished opening.
"Shar! Shar it's Mystic. We're gonna get you outta here. Can you walk?"
Sharingan looked at her briefly before staring at the wall again. Mystic tried to lift him, but he didn't even budge.
"Cmon Shar, I can't carry you. You need to stand up and walk!"
"You can't, but I can. Doesn't it look like a Serco-sized job to you?"
"Yeah... I thought you didn't have a lot of implants though."
"I have enough. Here, shoot with both hands. Mine will be full" Vehement handed over his weapon and slung Shar across his shoulders. "Oh yeah, he has bone implants. Rrrrgh. Ready when you are."
"Ohh, big Serco Viper grunts a lot for being so strong."
"Growling is half the fun of lifting heavy things. Keep it up and I'll drop him on top of you."
Mystic recoiled. "That's not funny, I'd never get him off!"
Mystic and Everson froze. It hadn't occurred to them that their prey might not have been alone.
"Well answer him Sheryl!" Mystic hissed in a whisper.
Everson returned her a look that said just how much he hated her at this very moment. Covering his mouth with a pile of laundry to muffle his voice, he answered "Can ya give me a hand?" Mystic had to strangle herself to keep from laughing out loud.
"Great Akan, what, is it kickin' your ass? It's clothing!" The man's footsteps we now audible getting closer. Nolan stepped into the hall just in time to meet him. The scrawny man's jaw dropped. "Who the frack are-"
Nolan cut him off with a blow to the jaw that probably fractured something in the man's face. Mystic appeared a second later with her weapon at the ready.
"What did you DO to him Everson?"
Nolan just laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"These aren't their names, they are callsigns. Pleased to meet you Butch."
Mystic looked down at the name of their new victim and clenched her teeth at karma. "Why couldn't you get me a female uniform? This one doesn't have zippers in the right places."
"Planning on wearing it long?" Vehement asked as he began to drag the second body into their secret stash.
"Just give it to me," Mystic said with a sigh. She kicked off her boots and stepped behind the machinery to change over.
Another voice echoed down the hallway, "You can NOT be serious. After talking so much shit about how long this is taking? What are you two doing in there?"
"Yeah, I'm ready to go to chow!" called a second.
"Quit kissin' each other ladies, and just do my laundry!" groused a third.
The first two howled with laughter. Mystic hopped out from behind her makeshift barrier and mouthed "THREE?!?" at Nolan. Vehement glanced around the room for an idea, then grabbed Mystic's hand and pulled her close.
"Just follow my lead."
The footsteps were close, so Mystic nodded without hesitation. Vehement unzipped the flight suit Mystic had just finished putting on and pulled it down to her waist before tackling her to the ground. Her mind figured out the game when he started kissing her. Mystic had just enough time to derange her hair and wrap her arms around her assailant before the owners of the three new voices came through the doorway into the laundry room.
No one said a word for half a minute as three young Akanese gawked at a Viper making out with a pirate. One of them finally spoke, "Duuude! You are the man!"
Vehement turned his head to grouch back at the cadet, "Little privacy please?"
"The laundry room, why didn't I ever think of that?" the second voice wondered aloud.
"Get OUT!" Mystic squealed with redness building in her cheeks.
"You see where Sheryl and Butch went?" the third cadet asked.
"To buy tickets." Nolan stated in a very clear 'you guys are blocking' tone. He didn't wait for them to leave before returning his attention to the woman in his arms.
The three took their time in excusing themselves. Mystic was short of breath by the time she was sure they were gone. "Everson... I think they're gah-gone!"
Nolan stood and pulled her to her feet. After cracking his neck, he started attempting to make Mystic's hair more presentable.
Mystic took a deep breath as she pulled her jumpsuit back on. "Your wife.." pause for a breath, "is a lucky girl. With really good lungs I bet."
Vehement finished with her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Nah she can't breathe either."
"You don't say.."
"We need to get out of this room."
Mystic found her weapon and looked at Nolan with hesitation.
Checking his own, Vehement gestured toward the door. "Ladies first right? Are you hot Mystic, you look a bit red.."
Mystic struggled a few seconds for a retort, then used his collar to bring his face to hers one more time. Once finished, she punched him in the arm and darted into the hallway. "Shut up Viper scum."
Vehement allowed himself to chuckle as he followed.
It was two decks and several hallways later before they ran into another problem. Most of the ship's personnel accepted the ranks and uniforms without question, because who really wants trouble with young officers, much less pilots?
"Hey cadets!" called a voice from behind them. It sounded oddly familiar to Vehement. The pair turned to see who wanted to know. "There is a briefing in ten minutes, where are you- wait, MysticRogue?!?"
Six Valkyries, six pilots. This guy must be the flight leader, that bastard who ordered us to hand over Shar. Vehement put the pieces together as he stared blankly at his 'superior officer.'
Being that she was in the lead, Mystic's movements were half covered by the Viper. She didn't hesitate to draw her concealed blaster and drop the man who had recognized her. "That guy had some kind of nerve."
"We aren't exactly low profile people. I guess he likes reading intel reports."
"Then why didn't he recognize you?" Mystic asked as Nolan followed her dragging the newest body.
"I guess the Akanese do more research on pirate faces than on Vipers. We tend to wear uniforms and badges to tell people who we are y'know."
"Ye be mor' fun widdout yer badge, snake" Mystic commented in deliberate pirate accent.
"Careful, I might forget myself and arrest you. That was a nice shot by the way." Nolan closed the hatch of the newly located cleaning closet.
"Thanks hun." Mystic batted her eyelashes playfully as she turned to continue to the brig.
"That was the flight leader I believe. Voice sounded familiar."
"So he's the one Strat surrendered my pilot to?!?" Mystic turned about to go back to the closet, intending to beat the tar out of him.
Vehement may as well have been a wall when she ran into him. "One thing at a time, Commander."
"But... aw I guess you're right." Mystic turned back toward the brig. They were close, and who knows how Shar was doing.
The ship's PA system came to life with a nagging alert tone. "General quarters, general quarters. There are enemies aboard the ship, I say again, enemies aboard ship. All personnel vacate hallways."
"Looks like someone decided to clean the laundry room," Nolan commented.
"Doesn't matter now. Two guards, I'll take the one on the left. Ready?"
Vehement lined up behind her against the wall and gave her shoulder a pat with his free hand. Three seconds and two blaster shots later, they stood outside of Shar's cell.
"How are you at breaking lock codes?"
"I just use my weapon usually" Mystic confessed.
"Alright, let's see how- aw hell."
"Don't be giving me bad news right now Everson." Mystic said insistently, scanning both directions for enemies.
"It's just a card swipe." Vehement looted the pockets of one of their fallen foes and opened the door. Mystic was inside before the door even finished opening.
"Shar! Shar it's Mystic. We're gonna get you outta here. Can you walk?"
Sharingan looked at her briefly before staring at the wall again. Mystic tried to lift him, but he didn't even budge.
"Cmon Shar, I can't carry you. You need to stand up and walk!"
"You can't, but I can. Doesn't it look like a Serco-sized job to you?"
"Yeah... I thought you didn't have a lot of implants though."
"I have enough. Here, shoot with both hands. Mine will be full" Vehement handed over his weapon and slung Shar across his shoulders. "Oh yeah, he has bone implants. Rrrrgh. Ready when you are."
"Ohh, big Serco Viper grunts a lot for being so strong."
"Growling is half the fun of lifting heavy things. Keep it up and I'll drop him on top of you."
Mystic recoiled. "That's not funny, I'd never get him off!"
"Can you go to Itan for me?"
Look stared at JahelaJ like she was crazy as well as hurting. "It would have to be awfully important for me to go to smurfland."
"Before I passed out, I saw something reflected in the stereoscopic glasses Jasmine was wearing. I think I know where the next piece of the puzzle is." JalehaJ took Look over to the REI™ Universe map. She tapped on Itan then on sector D-09. "I'm pretty sure it's in a roid here. Come here and look.
She led Look over to the journal and pointed out the entry. "If you line the wheels up to use the I for Itan and d and 9 for the sector, I can use the rest of the letters and numbers to point out a specific roid. In our case, it's one with 79.6% Ferric, 14.6% Carbonic and 5.8% VanAzek... although the 6 and 8 in the tenths may be mixed up but I'm certain of the percents and compositions and the location! I can't go, I'm grounded but... c'mon, you're the only one available that I trust!
Look picked up the journal and walked over to the map. "Maybe it's in Initros, did you think of that?" "No, it can't be in Initros, there are no roids with that make-up in that sector", JJ replied. "I don't know..." with that, he heard a thud and turned to see JahelaJ crumpled up on the floor. He dove for the intercom and summoned the medical staff, then went back to JJ's side. He propped her head up and slid a seat cushion under it. "Take it easy JJ, help's on the way."
Look stared at JahelaJ like she was crazy as well as hurting. "It would have to be awfully important for me to go to smurfland."
"Before I passed out, I saw something reflected in the stereoscopic glasses Jasmine was wearing. I think I know where the next piece of the puzzle is." JalehaJ took Look over to the REI™ Universe map. She tapped on Itan then on sector D-09. "I'm pretty sure it's in a roid here. Come here and look.
She led Look over to the journal and pointed out the entry. "If you line the wheels up to use the I for Itan and d and 9 for the sector, I can use the rest of the letters and numbers to point out a specific roid. In our case, it's one with 79.6% Ferric, 14.6% Carbonic and 5.8% VanAzek... although the 6 and 8 in the tenths may be mixed up but I'm certain of the percents and compositions and the location! I can't go, I'm grounded but... c'mon, you're the only one available that I trust!
Look picked up the journal and walked over to the map. "Maybe it's in Initros, did you think of that?" "No, it can't be in Initros, there are no roids with that make-up in that sector", JJ replied. "I don't know..." with that, he heard a thud and turned to see JahelaJ crumpled up on the floor. He dove for the intercom and summoned the medical staff, then went back to JJ's side. He propped her head up and slid a seat cushion under it. "Take it easy JJ, help's on the way."
By the time the medical staff had arrived JJ was already starting to wake up, "uhh what happened?". "You passed out again, How ya feeling?"
JahelaJ blinked hard a few times and rubbed her elbow, "My elbow hurts like hell but other than that I'm okay I think". I gently helped her to her feet and she wobbled and went nearly limp again, at least this time I was ready. The EMT brought over a wheel chair and lead the way to sickbay.
"I don't need to go to sick...",I didn't let her even finish the sentence, "Look at your elbow, you probably chipped it when you hit the deck, don't worry only takes a couple minutes to fix". "oh good, but I think I can walk". I strained to resist the urge to bump the wheel chair into the wall, "NO, once the doc checks you out you'll stay in a power chair as much as possible, so if you go out again you won't get hurt"
A moment later we arrived at the doc's office, a nurse took JJ back to see him and I slumped down in a chair in the waiting room and extracted a glass bottle from my inside coat pocket.
Inside half an hour the empty bottle was resting on my lap, still clutched tightly in my hand and I was snoring away.
JahelaJ blinked hard a few times and rubbed her elbow, "My elbow hurts like hell but other than that I'm okay I think". I gently helped her to her feet and she wobbled and went nearly limp again, at least this time I was ready. The EMT brought over a wheel chair and lead the way to sickbay.
"I don't need to go to sick...",I didn't let her even finish the sentence, "Look at your elbow, you probably chipped it when you hit the deck, don't worry only takes a couple minutes to fix". "oh good, but I think I can walk". I strained to resist the urge to bump the wheel chair into the wall, "NO, once the doc checks you out you'll stay in a power chair as much as possible, so if you go out again you won't get hurt"
A moment later we arrived at the doc's office, a nurse took JJ back to see him and I slumped down in a chair in the waiting room and extracted a glass bottle from my inside coat pocket.
Inside half an hour the empty bottle was resting on my lap, still clutched tightly in my hand and I was snoring away.
5000m from The Acheron
Itani registered Heavy Behemoth "Tiny"
ID# K75-A45-J34
"5000m away and closing in sir. ETA 5 minutes and 40 seconds" Spoke the pilot through the comm in the Moth's cargo bay.
"ALRIGHT YE MAGGOTS!! LISTEN UP!!" Roared the captain.
"SIR, YES, SIR!!" Yelled 50 S.B.O troopers in unison, all lined up.
"I hope I don’t need to remind you all how important the success of this operation is” Said the captain walking through the 2 lines of men. “But, to be sure that you all know exactly what the hell you are supposed to do, Ill give a short briefing”
“Our spy guises inside the Itani nation have informed us of the presence of an Akanese Heavy Assault Cruiser roaming around Itani space. We don’t know what they are up to, but this presents a golden opportunity to us.” The captain walked to the front and continued.
“They have supplied us with this normal looking Itani registered Heavy Moth. We’ve been able to slip unnoticed through the border at Edras, and it will help us infiltrate the HAC.”
“Your primary objectives are to kidnap the HAC’s commander and to hack into their main computer and retrieve any relevant files. Your Secondary objective is to rescue and secure a Serco prisoner held inside, a pirate council who has helped us many times before and after he became pirate. Most notably by taking part in the destruction of the IDV Sola in the Deneb border.”
“Team Echo and Team Sigma will go after the commander and the computer. Team Delta and Team Alpha will go after the prisoner. Team Zulu stays for backup in case things get too rough”
“You must try to complete both objectives unnoticed. We don’t have enough numbers or firepower to battle it out against their military garrison. We estimate about 200-250 military personnel inside. If you are noticed, it will be hard as hell to get out.”
“If this happens, we will activate an EMP device to disable all their electronic systems, rendering their turrets obsolete for a short period of time. All lights will go out, so you will have to use night vision. Anyway, please just try to do it nice and quiet.”
“The success of this operation would mean a lot to our nation. We could discover the location of their secret system and much more. So, you are the best of the best, complete the objectives, watch each other’s back, and one last piece of advice…” He said, looking at each one of them. “Just don’t die”.
“SIR, YES, SIR!!” Yelled all 50 of them.
“We are here Sir. Now requesting docking authorization.” The pilot spoke again, sounding a bit excited.
The captain took a deep breath “Ok, I hope they buy it”
“This is the IDV Acheron, identify yourself and state your business here” Said the controller through the comm.
“Heavy Behemoth ‘Tiny’, ID# K75-A45-J34. Requesting docking authorization”
“Negative, dock at nearest station”
“Our power cell is failing. We need a place to repair fast before it fails. Please, we wont take long.”
“*Sigh* Alright. Authorization granted. Hurry up. Be careful though, some idiots crashed their warthog when trying to dock”
“Got it, thank you very much sir”
The doors opened and the moth slowly drifted into the hangar.
“Looks like they bought it, get all your equipment, and wait for my signal to go out” Ordered the captain. Quickly, all the men gathered their equipment and lined up in front of the Moth’s backdoor.
The Moth hovered inside the hangar. It was a mess, with fire suppression teams extinguishing the flames of a wrecked warthog and guards overseeing the situation. They were told to move to another part of the hangar which was larger and more suitable for ships like Moths.
Finally, they parked the moth on the designated area. It was separated from the other adjacent part of the hangar which was crowded with people. Besides one engineer doing maintenance work to a valkyrie, there wasn’t anyone else.
“Ok, so far so good. One engineer repairing the valk over there. Team Echo go out. Take out the engineer and secure the hangar’’
The door opened and a ramp descended from the moth to the floor. One of the men stepped out slowly, without making any sound and leaned a bit to get a clear view of the engineer. He raised his silenced S.S.A.R 47, looked through the scope, aligned the crosshairs with the back of the engineer’s head, and softly pressed on the trigger.
“Clear!” whispered the soldier. Ten soldiers marched down the ramp, established a perimeter around the ship, kneeling down with one knee up, the other touching the floor, and weapons raised.
“Hangar clear” said Echo 1 through the comm to the captain.
“Alright ladies, go and good luck”
After hiding the engineer’s dead body, Alpha, Delta, Echo, and Sigma teams entered one of the corridors and divided when the corridor split in two.
“Sigma 2, take out the guard patrolling the corridor”
“Roger” he answered back. Waited until the guard turned around, sneaked up to him from behind, grabbed his head covering the guard’s mouth with his hand, and with the other he stabbed him through his back reaching the heart with a 50 cm retractable blade. The guard went limb instantly and died.
Ten minutes had passed since they left the ship.
“All teams, status and progress report” Ordered the captain.
“Alpha leader here. We are closing in to officer’s quarters. Three guards taken out so far. No traces left. No problems.”
“Sigma leader here. Moving nearby Alpha. Four guards and one cleaning staff taken out so far. No traces left. No problems”
“Echo leader here. Moving to lower levels. One guard, one waitress, and one maintenance staff taken out so far. No traces left. No problems”
“Delta leader here. Moving to lower levels through elevator. Two Guards and-” Delta leader stopped talking, then a barely audible shot was heard through the comm and he continued “Make that three guards down. No traces left. No problems”
“Excellent!” Answered the captain. “Good job so far boys, keep it up and-”
Suddenly, the ships loud alarm system started roaring through the HAC.
“General quarters, general quarters. There are enemies aboard the ship, I say again, enemies aboard ship. All personnel vacate hallways” Said someone through the PA system.
“AWWW FOR F*CKS SAKE!!” shouted the captain “WHAT THE F*CK ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!? DIDN’T YOU ALL JUST F*CKING TELL ME YOU DIDN’T LEFT ANY TRACES?!?”
“But we didn’t!! We don’t how they found out!” Said Sigma leader, sounding exasperated.
“Yes, we hid all the bodies perfectly, I cant believe this, there’s no way they could’ve found them, not that fast”
“What do we do now? Abort?”
“We are almost near the prison quarters” Said Delta leader.
“We are two corridors away from the officer’s quarters and-” Echo leader suddenly stopped talking.
A group of five guards exited the hallway connected to their corridor. For a few seconds both groups looked at each other.
All ten Echo members raised their rifles almost at the same time the five guards raised their handguns. There was a loud shootout as everyone unloaded their clips on their enemy. The soft silenced sound of the serco automatic rifles and the loud gunshots from the guard’s handguns echoed across the hallway. Dozens of bullet cases falling, clinging when reaching the floor. Then it finally stopped.
“Echo 1, report!” The captain spoke, worried.
“Echo 1, REPORT!!”
“This is Echo 2. Echo 1 and Echo 4 are dead. Echo 6 and Echo 8 are seriously injured. All five enemy targets have been eliminated” Said Echo 2, breathing heavily.
The PA system spoke again. “All military personnel report to armoury. We are under attack. Intruders are numerous and heavily armed. Proceed with caution. Last known location of intruders near officer’s quarters.”
“Echo team. Abort. Retreat to hangar. Evacuate injured. Team Sigma, change your location at once and await further orders. Team Alpha and Delta, proceed. All teams get ready, I’m activating the EMP.”
“Roger!” cried all leaders.
The captain turned off the Moth’s systems. Raised a tiny glass piece protecting a blue button, and pressed on it.
The EMP spread through the whole ship, turning off all electronic systems. All lights and engines went out as did the artificial gravity generators. The HAC stopped moving and slowly started drifting away.
The captain turned on the moth systems again. “Alright, turn on all your systems again, if you turned them off before I activated the EMP they should work. Activate night vision and magnetic boots”
“Roger, Delta team ready, and moving to jail cells”
They ran to the end of the lower corridor, turned around the corner, and stopped in their tracks, raising their rifles ready to shoot down the obstacles.
A woman and a man, who was carrying a Serco on his back. Both wearing crew member’s uniforms.
“What the-” Uttered Everson looking at the group of Serco.
Delta 1 looked a bit surprised too but then yelled “DOWN!”.
“NO!” Yelled Everson, realizing that the soldier was going to shoot at the woman in uniform next to him.
*BANG*
The bullet flashed past Everson, in Mystic’s direction. It went a few millimetres past her, through her hair on the right side of her head, then finally it hit a guard squarely on the forehead, who was standing behind them raising his gun, ready to shoot.
“I do recognize the commander of a guild when I see one you know” Said Delta 1 lowering his rifle.
“What the fuck are the commander of CLM and a VPR doing here?” Asked Delta 1 to them on their way back.
“Rescuing my pilot, and this VPR here is actually a pirate infiltrated inside the vprs” Answered Mystic.
“So let me guess, you guys got in here, crashing your ship while doing so, raising everyone’s attention, then probably took out a guard or two, and then hid them in a extremely obvious place??” Asked Delta 1, sounding angry.
“Errrr….” Uttered Mystic, looking for words, thinking about the knocked out crew members inside the laundry room.
“Yes, we kinda did. So, who the hell are you guys?” Answered Everson, somewhat embarrassed.
“S.B.O” Answered Delta 1
“S. What?” Asked Mystic and Everson in unison, puzzled.
“Serco Black Ops” Answered Delta 1 “You are not really supposed to know about it”
“How far are you from the moth?” asked the captain.
“Almost there sir”
“Hurry up before they get their systems back up again. If they get those turrets up and running again, there’s no way we are getting aw-”
Suddenly, all lights went on again. The engines roared to life. And the PA system spoke again.
“A large number of Serco troops have infiltrated the ship. All military personnel report to armoury. Double patrol the corridors. Search the ship. Close the hangars. Man the turrets. Anyone who’s not itani…is a shoot to kill.”
Itani registered Heavy Behemoth "Tiny"
ID# K75-A45-J34
"5000m away and closing in sir. ETA 5 minutes and 40 seconds" Spoke the pilot through the comm in the Moth's cargo bay.
"ALRIGHT YE MAGGOTS!! LISTEN UP!!" Roared the captain.
"SIR, YES, SIR!!" Yelled 50 S.B.O troopers in unison, all lined up.
"I hope I don’t need to remind you all how important the success of this operation is” Said the captain walking through the 2 lines of men. “But, to be sure that you all know exactly what the hell you are supposed to do, Ill give a short briefing”
“Our spy guises inside the Itani nation have informed us of the presence of an Akanese Heavy Assault Cruiser roaming around Itani space. We don’t know what they are up to, but this presents a golden opportunity to us.” The captain walked to the front and continued.
“They have supplied us with this normal looking Itani registered Heavy Moth. We’ve been able to slip unnoticed through the border at Edras, and it will help us infiltrate the HAC.”
“Your primary objectives are to kidnap the HAC’s commander and to hack into their main computer and retrieve any relevant files. Your Secondary objective is to rescue and secure a Serco prisoner held inside, a pirate council who has helped us many times before and after he became pirate. Most notably by taking part in the destruction of the IDV Sola in the Deneb border.”
“Team Echo and Team Sigma will go after the commander and the computer. Team Delta and Team Alpha will go after the prisoner. Team Zulu stays for backup in case things get too rough”
“You must try to complete both objectives unnoticed. We don’t have enough numbers or firepower to battle it out against their military garrison. We estimate about 200-250 military personnel inside. If you are noticed, it will be hard as hell to get out.”
“If this happens, we will activate an EMP device to disable all their electronic systems, rendering their turrets obsolete for a short period of time. All lights will go out, so you will have to use night vision. Anyway, please just try to do it nice and quiet.”
“The success of this operation would mean a lot to our nation. We could discover the location of their secret system and much more. So, you are the best of the best, complete the objectives, watch each other’s back, and one last piece of advice…” He said, looking at each one of them. “Just don’t die”.
“SIR, YES, SIR!!” Yelled all 50 of them.
“We are here Sir. Now requesting docking authorization.” The pilot spoke again, sounding a bit excited.
The captain took a deep breath “Ok, I hope they buy it”
“This is the IDV Acheron, identify yourself and state your business here” Said the controller through the comm.
“Heavy Behemoth ‘Tiny’, ID# K75-A45-J34. Requesting docking authorization”
“Negative, dock at nearest station”
“Our power cell is failing. We need a place to repair fast before it fails. Please, we wont take long.”
“*Sigh* Alright. Authorization granted. Hurry up. Be careful though, some idiots crashed their warthog when trying to dock”
“Got it, thank you very much sir”
The doors opened and the moth slowly drifted into the hangar.
“Looks like they bought it, get all your equipment, and wait for my signal to go out” Ordered the captain. Quickly, all the men gathered their equipment and lined up in front of the Moth’s backdoor.
The Moth hovered inside the hangar. It was a mess, with fire suppression teams extinguishing the flames of a wrecked warthog and guards overseeing the situation. They were told to move to another part of the hangar which was larger and more suitable for ships like Moths.
Finally, they parked the moth on the designated area. It was separated from the other adjacent part of the hangar which was crowded with people. Besides one engineer doing maintenance work to a valkyrie, there wasn’t anyone else.
“Ok, so far so good. One engineer repairing the valk over there. Team Echo go out. Take out the engineer and secure the hangar’’
The door opened and a ramp descended from the moth to the floor. One of the men stepped out slowly, without making any sound and leaned a bit to get a clear view of the engineer. He raised his silenced S.S.A.R 47, looked through the scope, aligned the crosshairs with the back of the engineer’s head, and softly pressed on the trigger.
“Clear!” whispered the soldier. Ten soldiers marched down the ramp, established a perimeter around the ship, kneeling down with one knee up, the other touching the floor, and weapons raised.
“Hangar clear” said Echo 1 through the comm to the captain.
“Alright ladies, go and good luck”
After hiding the engineer’s dead body, Alpha, Delta, Echo, and Sigma teams entered one of the corridors and divided when the corridor split in two.
“Sigma 2, take out the guard patrolling the corridor”
“Roger” he answered back. Waited until the guard turned around, sneaked up to him from behind, grabbed his head covering the guard’s mouth with his hand, and with the other he stabbed him through his back reaching the heart with a 50 cm retractable blade. The guard went limb instantly and died.
Ten minutes had passed since they left the ship.
“All teams, status and progress report” Ordered the captain.
“Alpha leader here. We are closing in to officer’s quarters. Three guards taken out so far. No traces left. No problems.”
“Sigma leader here. Moving nearby Alpha. Four guards and one cleaning staff taken out so far. No traces left. No problems”
“Echo leader here. Moving to lower levels. One guard, one waitress, and one maintenance staff taken out so far. No traces left. No problems”
“Delta leader here. Moving to lower levels through elevator. Two Guards and-” Delta leader stopped talking, then a barely audible shot was heard through the comm and he continued “Make that three guards down. No traces left. No problems”
“Excellent!” Answered the captain. “Good job so far boys, keep it up and-”
Suddenly, the ships loud alarm system started roaring through the HAC.
“General quarters, general quarters. There are enemies aboard the ship, I say again, enemies aboard ship. All personnel vacate hallways” Said someone through the PA system.
“AWWW FOR F*CKS SAKE!!” shouted the captain “WHAT THE F*CK ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!? DIDN’T YOU ALL JUST F*CKING TELL ME YOU DIDN’T LEFT ANY TRACES?!?”
“But we didn’t!! We don’t how they found out!” Said Sigma leader, sounding exasperated.
“Yes, we hid all the bodies perfectly, I cant believe this, there’s no way they could’ve found them, not that fast”
“What do we do now? Abort?”
“We are almost near the prison quarters” Said Delta leader.
“We are two corridors away from the officer’s quarters and-” Echo leader suddenly stopped talking.
A group of five guards exited the hallway connected to their corridor. For a few seconds both groups looked at each other.
All ten Echo members raised their rifles almost at the same time the five guards raised their handguns. There was a loud shootout as everyone unloaded their clips on their enemy. The soft silenced sound of the serco automatic rifles and the loud gunshots from the guard’s handguns echoed across the hallway. Dozens of bullet cases falling, clinging when reaching the floor. Then it finally stopped.
“Echo 1, report!” The captain spoke, worried.
“Echo 1, REPORT!!”
“This is Echo 2. Echo 1 and Echo 4 are dead. Echo 6 and Echo 8 are seriously injured. All five enemy targets have been eliminated” Said Echo 2, breathing heavily.
The PA system spoke again. “All military personnel report to armoury. We are under attack. Intruders are numerous and heavily armed. Proceed with caution. Last known location of intruders near officer’s quarters.”
“Echo team. Abort. Retreat to hangar. Evacuate injured. Team Sigma, change your location at once and await further orders. Team Alpha and Delta, proceed. All teams get ready, I’m activating the EMP.”
“Roger!” cried all leaders.
The captain turned off the Moth’s systems. Raised a tiny glass piece protecting a blue button, and pressed on it.
The EMP spread through the whole ship, turning off all electronic systems. All lights and engines went out as did the artificial gravity generators. The HAC stopped moving and slowly started drifting away.
The captain turned on the moth systems again. “Alright, turn on all your systems again, if you turned them off before I activated the EMP they should work. Activate night vision and magnetic boots”
“Roger, Delta team ready, and moving to jail cells”
They ran to the end of the lower corridor, turned around the corner, and stopped in their tracks, raising their rifles ready to shoot down the obstacles.
A woman and a man, who was carrying a Serco on his back. Both wearing crew member’s uniforms.
“What the-” Uttered Everson looking at the group of Serco.
Delta 1 looked a bit surprised too but then yelled “DOWN!”.
“NO!” Yelled Everson, realizing that the soldier was going to shoot at the woman in uniform next to him.
*BANG*
The bullet flashed past Everson, in Mystic’s direction. It went a few millimetres past her, through her hair on the right side of her head, then finally it hit a guard squarely on the forehead, who was standing behind them raising his gun, ready to shoot.
“I do recognize the commander of a guild when I see one you know” Said Delta 1 lowering his rifle.
“What the fuck are the commander of CLM and a VPR doing here?” Asked Delta 1 to them on their way back.
“Rescuing my pilot, and this VPR here is actually a pirate infiltrated inside the vprs” Answered Mystic.
“So let me guess, you guys got in here, crashing your ship while doing so, raising everyone’s attention, then probably took out a guard or two, and then hid them in a extremely obvious place??” Asked Delta 1, sounding angry.
“Errrr….” Uttered Mystic, looking for words, thinking about the knocked out crew members inside the laundry room.
“Yes, we kinda did. So, who the hell are you guys?” Answered Everson, somewhat embarrassed.
“S.B.O” Answered Delta 1
“S. What?” Asked Mystic and Everson in unison, puzzled.
“Serco Black Ops” Answered Delta 1 “You are not really supposed to know about it”
“How far are you from the moth?” asked the captain.
“Almost there sir”
“Hurry up before they get their systems back up again. If they get those turrets up and running again, there’s no way we are getting aw-”
Suddenly, all lights went on again. The engines roared to life. And the PA system spoke again.
“A large number of Serco troops have infiltrated the ship. All military personnel report to armoury. Double patrol the corridors. Search the ship. Close the hangars. Man the turrets. Anyone who’s not itani…is a shoot to kill.”
Mystic recoiled. "That's not funny, I'd never get him off!" She smiled a bit, "One serco squishing a day is quite enough thanks," no matter how enjoyable said squishing might be she thought. Shaking herself mentally she checked the corridor and motioned Everson all was clear. As they started moving the lights went out, Everson said, "This could be good.."
"Or it could be very bad, hold on..." Mystic was prepared thanks to Borby, as she pulled two pairs of night goggles out of her backpack and struggled to slip a pair over Everson's head so he didn't have to set down his load. "I never realized how tall you were" Mystic lied as she stood on tippy toe with her arms around the Viper's neck adjusting the goggles. Everson grunted a bit, then made a show of re-adjusting his grip on Shar. “Shame, you should be used to my perfume by now.” she smiled a bit in the darkness. “Not that, just don't want to drop your pilot and have you accuse me of doing it intentionally.” Everson wondered if that statement sounded as phony to the pirate queen as it did to his own ears. “Hmph!” was all the response he got as Mystic donned her own goggles and led the way out into the empty corridor.
They hadn't gotten very far when suddenly an armed group of what could only be Serco came around the corner with weapons pointed straight at them.
“What the-” Uttered Everson looking at the group of Serco.
The lead Serco looked a bit surprised then yelled “DOWN!”.
“NO!” Yelled Everson, realizing that the soldier was aiming straight at Mystic.
The bullet flashed past Everson, in Mystic’s direction. Mystic heard it as it went a breath past her, through her hair on the right , then finally it hit a guard , who had come up behind them raising his gun, squarely in the forehead, dropping him instantly.
“I do recognize the commander of a guild when I see one you know” The one who appeared to be the leader said, lowering his rifle.
As they started making their way back the talkative Serco spoke again. “What the fuck are the commander of CLM and a VPR doing here?”
“Rescuing my pilot, and this VPR here is actually a pirate infiltrated inside the vipers” Mystic answered, smiling a bit to herself at how Everson was going to like that lie, but she didn't totally trust anyone at this point, except Everson, she admitted to herself.
“So let me guess, you guys got in here, crashing your ship while doing so, raising everyone’s attention, then probably took out a guard or two, and then hid them in a extremely obvious place??”
“Err...” Mystic started. She did not like this goon acting like they didn't have a clue what they were doing.
“Yes, we kinda did. So, who the hell are you guys?” Answered Everson, sensing Mystic was about to make this Serco have a really bad day..
“S.B.O”
“S. What?” They asked in unison, puzzled.
“Serco Black Ops” Answered the Goon as Mystic had now dubbed him “You are not really supposed to know about it”
Suddenly, all lights went on again. The engines roared to life. And the PA system spoke again.
“A large number of Serco troops have infiltrated the ship. All military personnel report to armory. Double patrol the corridors. Search the ship. Close the hangars. Man the turrets. Anyone who’s not itani…is a shoot to kill.”
Vehement started laughing. The SBO troops and Mystic were taken aback, enough so that they thought he had lost his marbles.
"Everson! Snap out of it! I don't see anything funny about this!" Mystic fumed.
"Were you listening to what that idiot just said? No one gives orders like that over a PA system. That is unprofessional as all heck. Whomever has that mic is either an idiot who is about to get fired, or someone hoping we fall for a ruse."
Mystic and a couple of the Serco looked thoughtful.
"Defense plans are prearranged and drilled, not shouted where the enemy can hear them as well as your men."
"So what if you're wrong?" posed the Goon.
"Then we die. Might as well go for it" concluded the pirate. Mystic wasn't thrilled with all these others around, three could go undetected better than thirteen, but you work with what you had.
"All teams, get here yesterday, I say again, return to the ship yesterday. They just ordered me to get off the HAC." Goon's radio crackled.
"Who called it?" Everson grunted as the party broke into a slow run.
"How can they be so dense as to NOT know where the Serco came from?" Mystic wondered aloud. No one bothered to answer.
On the way to the docking bay, Delta met a heavily armed patrol.. headed in the same direction.
"Friendlies at your back!" shouted the point man.
"Yall got here fast" replied the Akanese team leader without looking. Half of his team fell before the first body struck the deck and tipped him off. The rest didn't manage to fire a shot before they were shot down as well.
"Frack that was satisfying!" grinned one of the Delta troopers.
"Save that smile till we're clear, Three" scolded the leader.
Mystic took the opportunity to stash the EMD blasters and loot a rifle and a pair of hand blasters from the fallen men. Slinging the rifle over her shoulder she noticed the look on Everson's face. “Hey I am NOT going to put my life, or the life of those I care about in the hands of a bunch of goons I don't know.” A couple of the Serco looked at her, “No offense meant guys” Mystic gave a smile which made the words not seem quite so harsh.
“See I knew you cared pirate queen” Everson quipped so that only Mystic could hear.
“About my pilot..” Mystic retorted. “About my pilot”
“Sure...” was the reply.
“Lets just get off this damn boat, I have about had enough of it, I want to get back to grey, get Shar taken care of and check on JJ.”
The Goon heard this last and replied, “Sharingan will be going with us Commander.”
“Like hell he will, he is no longer a member of the Serco military and he will be going back to grey where he makes his home. Now we can part ways right now if you think I'm going to turn him over to another group who wants who knows what from him.” Mystic's temper was quickly rising as she gripped the blasters she now held.
Everson knew that tone and knew it boded well for no one if he couldn't defuse the situation and fast.
"Or it could be very bad, hold on..." Mystic was prepared thanks to Borby, as she pulled two pairs of night goggles out of her backpack and struggled to slip a pair over Everson's head so he didn't have to set down his load. "I never realized how tall you were" Mystic lied as she stood on tippy toe with her arms around the Viper's neck adjusting the goggles. Everson grunted a bit, then made a show of re-adjusting his grip on Shar. “Shame, you should be used to my perfume by now.” she smiled a bit in the darkness. “Not that, just don't want to drop your pilot and have you accuse me of doing it intentionally.” Everson wondered if that statement sounded as phony to the pirate queen as it did to his own ears. “Hmph!” was all the response he got as Mystic donned her own goggles and led the way out into the empty corridor.
They hadn't gotten very far when suddenly an armed group of what could only be Serco came around the corner with weapons pointed straight at them.
“What the-” Uttered Everson looking at the group of Serco.
The lead Serco looked a bit surprised then yelled “DOWN!”.
“NO!” Yelled Everson, realizing that the soldier was aiming straight at Mystic.
The bullet flashed past Everson, in Mystic’s direction. Mystic heard it as it went a breath past her, through her hair on the right , then finally it hit a guard , who had come up behind them raising his gun, squarely in the forehead, dropping him instantly.
“I do recognize the commander of a guild when I see one you know” The one who appeared to be the leader said, lowering his rifle.
As they started making their way back the talkative Serco spoke again. “What the fuck are the commander of CLM and a VPR doing here?”
“Rescuing my pilot, and this VPR here is actually a pirate infiltrated inside the vipers” Mystic answered, smiling a bit to herself at how Everson was going to like that lie, but she didn't totally trust anyone at this point, except Everson, she admitted to herself.
“So let me guess, you guys got in here, crashing your ship while doing so, raising everyone’s attention, then probably took out a guard or two, and then hid them in a extremely obvious place??”
“Err...” Mystic started. She did not like this goon acting like they didn't have a clue what they were doing.
“Yes, we kinda did. So, who the hell are you guys?” Answered Everson, sensing Mystic was about to make this Serco have a really bad day..
“S.B.O”
“S. What?” They asked in unison, puzzled.
“Serco Black Ops” Answered the Goon as Mystic had now dubbed him “You are not really supposed to know about it”
Suddenly, all lights went on again. The engines roared to life. And the PA system spoke again.
“A large number of Serco troops have infiltrated the ship. All military personnel report to armory. Double patrol the corridors. Search the ship. Close the hangars. Man the turrets. Anyone who’s not itani…is a shoot to kill.”
Vehement started laughing. The SBO troops and Mystic were taken aback, enough so that they thought he had lost his marbles.
"Everson! Snap out of it! I don't see anything funny about this!" Mystic fumed.
"Were you listening to what that idiot just said? No one gives orders like that over a PA system. That is unprofessional as all heck. Whomever has that mic is either an idiot who is about to get fired, or someone hoping we fall for a ruse."
Mystic and a couple of the Serco looked thoughtful.
"Defense plans are prearranged and drilled, not shouted where the enemy can hear them as well as your men."
"So what if you're wrong?" posed the Goon.
"Then we die. Might as well go for it" concluded the pirate. Mystic wasn't thrilled with all these others around, three could go undetected better than thirteen, but you work with what you had.
"All teams, get here yesterday, I say again, return to the ship yesterday. They just ordered me to get off the HAC." Goon's radio crackled.
"Who called it?" Everson grunted as the party broke into a slow run.
"How can they be so dense as to NOT know where the Serco came from?" Mystic wondered aloud. No one bothered to answer.
On the way to the docking bay, Delta met a heavily armed patrol.. headed in the same direction.
"Friendlies at your back!" shouted the point man.
"Yall got here fast" replied the Akanese team leader without looking. Half of his team fell before the first body struck the deck and tipped him off. The rest didn't manage to fire a shot before they were shot down as well.
"Frack that was satisfying!" grinned one of the Delta troopers.
"Save that smile till we're clear, Three" scolded the leader.
Mystic took the opportunity to stash the EMD blasters and loot a rifle and a pair of hand blasters from the fallen men. Slinging the rifle over her shoulder she noticed the look on Everson's face. “Hey I am NOT going to put my life, or the life of those I care about in the hands of a bunch of goons I don't know.” A couple of the Serco looked at her, “No offense meant guys” Mystic gave a smile which made the words not seem quite so harsh.
“See I knew you cared pirate queen” Everson quipped so that only Mystic could hear.
“About my pilot..” Mystic retorted. “About my pilot”
“Sure...” was the reply.
“Lets just get off this damn boat, I have about had enough of it, I want to get back to grey, get Shar taken care of and check on JJ.”
The Goon heard this last and replied, “Sharingan will be going with us Commander.”
“Like hell he will, he is no longer a member of the Serco military and he will be going back to grey where he makes his home. Now we can part ways right now if you think I'm going to turn him over to another group who wants who knows what from him.” Mystic's temper was quickly rising as she gripped the blasters she now held.
Everson knew that tone and knew it boded well for no one if he couldn't defuse the situation and fast.
"Okay both of you shove it. Step one is get out of harm's way and step TWO is divide the spoils" Vehement sounded like Everson from his days as a Serco Commander. It helped that SBO knew his history as well. "Now move." The team returned to running, leaving Mystic with no choice but to try and keep up.
Everson knew quite well what SBO stood for. He'd worked with them back when he'd first been introduced to Mystic, disarming Borb's last situation. No point in putting all the cards on the table, though. Regardless, the situation had improved. A squad of escorts couldn't hurt, and it meant Mystic wasn't as likely to get shot.
The rest of the run to the docking bay went by in a blur. Everson kept everyone moving so fast, and with enough detours, that no one was thinking on their feet once they arrived. As a side effect, the Itani saw Serco attacking in every conceivable direction, and badly overestimated the size of the boarding party. "You three, with me. The rest of you get on the moth and launch. We stand a better chance launching in two vessels. See you at the fallback position."
A half dozen Serco rushed into the back of the moth, their leader sending the signal to the pilot to take off. It was the news he wanted to hear, so he was in space before it even occurred to him to ask who was and was not on board. Accountability was the duty of the team leaders, after all.
Vehement scanned the docking bay. No large ship was ever completely without some way to move cargo. There has to be.. there! on the far side of the bay was an Atlas. 'The most widely used cargo ship in the galaxy' was just that; the ship seen everywhere. Every HAC had one, if only to ferry a few of the crew between ships and stations while not underway. Everson led his new team of five into the Atlas and launched just behind the moth. Once outside the HAC, he took a separate direction to give any pursuit some decisions to make. Both vessels jumped clear of the sector as Akanese fighters were just beginning to follow.
"They will be looking for their Atlas. It isn't a hard thing to track your own ship. We will dock and switch."
"How are we going to buy a ship sir?" inquired one of the troopers.
"I have triple citizenship. I buy more blue ships than the Itani Defense Department" Vehement boasted. The Serco laughed and returned to their seats in the back. Mystic plopped down into the copilot seat sideways with her feet dangling near the Viper.
"Lose them on the station?"
"Naturally. They have enough training to know how to get off an Itani station once marooned there."
Mystic gazed at him enough to make him a bit uncomfortable. She spoke after a long few minutes. "You've got an answer for everything haven't you?"
"Not where my wife is concerned" Vehement answered with a sigh. His tone changed to one of disbelief, "I can NOT believe you told them I was a pirate!"
Mystic had a good long giggle, then after composing herself leaned closer to wrap her arms around her knees. "So what kinda ship are we gonna buy for the trip home?"
"Doesn't much matter. It'll only be until we get back to our own."
"I don't have one anymore, remember? You wrecked mine!" Mystic accused.
"I didn't know you had this kind of bond with that ship. Please accept my most sincere apologies" Vehement soothed.
Mystic tightened her grip on her knees slightly, betraying the calm tone she mustered for her next statement. "I can't wait to take Shar home."
"You know that can't happen." Vehement silenced the protest her lips were forming with his finger and continued. "And you want it that way. His implants are totaled. In our lockup his medical care will be payed for; I'm sure you have better ways to spend your money. Further, he was under arrest when he was kidnapped. I cannot return without him."
An hour later, Vehement was flying through an ion storm in Jallik. The Serco were far behind them, and Shar was lying in the back of the ship. Mystic sat beside him, sleepily resting her head on his shoulder.
"You don't mind, do you?"
"Nah, I can fly with one arm. Go ahead."
Mystic awoke to the sound of Strat's voice reading her rights, and then remembered why she shouldn't have used Everson for a pillow.
Everson knew quite well what SBO stood for. He'd worked with them back when he'd first been introduced to Mystic, disarming Borb's last situation. No point in putting all the cards on the table, though. Regardless, the situation had improved. A squad of escorts couldn't hurt, and it meant Mystic wasn't as likely to get shot.
The rest of the run to the docking bay went by in a blur. Everson kept everyone moving so fast, and with enough detours, that no one was thinking on their feet once they arrived. As a side effect, the Itani saw Serco attacking in every conceivable direction, and badly overestimated the size of the boarding party. "You three, with me. The rest of you get on the moth and launch. We stand a better chance launching in two vessels. See you at the fallback position."
A half dozen Serco rushed into the back of the moth, their leader sending the signal to the pilot to take off. It was the news he wanted to hear, so he was in space before it even occurred to him to ask who was and was not on board. Accountability was the duty of the team leaders, after all.
Vehement scanned the docking bay. No large ship was ever completely without some way to move cargo. There has to be.. there! on the far side of the bay was an Atlas. 'The most widely used cargo ship in the galaxy' was just that; the ship seen everywhere. Every HAC had one, if only to ferry a few of the crew between ships and stations while not underway. Everson led his new team of five into the Atlas and launched just behind the moth. Once outside the HAC, he took a separate direction to give any pursuit some decisions to make. Both vessels jumped clear of the sector as Akanese fighters were just beginning to follow.
"They will be looking for their Atlas. It isn't a hard thing to track your own ship. We will dock and switch."
"How are we going to buy a ship sir?" inquired one of the troopers.
"I have triple citizenship. I buy more blue ships than the Itani Defense Department" Vehement boasted. The Serco laughed and returned to their seats in the back. Mystic plopped down into the copilot seat sideways with her feet dangling near the Viper.
"Lose them on the station?"
"Naturally. They have enough training to know how to get off an Itani station once marooned there."
Mystic gazed at him enough to make him a bit uncomfortable. She spoke after a long few minutes. "You've got an answer for everything haven't you?"
"Not where my wife is concerned" Vehement answered with a sigh. His tone changed to one of disbelief, "I can NOT believe you told them I was a pirate!"
Mystic had a good long giggle, then after composing herself leaned closer to wrap her arms around her knees. "So what kinda ship are we gonna buy for the trip home?"
"Doesn't much matter. It'll only be until we get back to our own."
"I don't have one anymore, remember? You wrecked mine!" Mystic accused.
"I didn't know you had this kind of bond with that ship. Please accept my most sincere apologies" Vehement soothed.
Mystic tightened her grip on her knees slightly, betraying the calm tone she mustered for her next statement. "I can't wait to take Shar home."
"You know that can't happen." Vehement silenced the protest her lips were forming with his finger and continued. "And you want it that way. His implants are totaled. In our lockup his medical care will be payed for; I'm sure you have better ways to spend your money. Further, he was under arrest when he was kidnapped. I cannot return without him."
An hour later, Vehement was flying through an ion storm in Jallik. The Serco were far behind them, and Shar was lying in the back of the ship. Mystic sat beside him, sleepily resting her head on his shoulder.
"You don't mind, do you?"
"Nah, I can fly with one arm. Go ahead."
Mystic awoke to the sound of Strat's voice reading her rights, and then remembered why she shouldn't have used Everson for a pillow.
Iry found himself back in Itani space at the close of a Serco blockade to officially accept his promotion to lieutenant. Fortunately the damage done was minimal, though it would mean he'd be staying longer than initially anticipated incase another cropped up.
Iry reported to the Jallik watch garrison to check in and receive his quarters assignment, everything went smoothly, aside from having to resubmit the paperwork to requisition and arm a Valkyrie X-1.
It would be a few hours until everything was processed, and with his schedule cleared for the remainder of the day iry decided a trip to Coranis Watch was in order so he could bring some of his belongings to his new quarters. Not wanting to bother with any more paperwork iry simply took one of his already outfitted CtC Runes. Shortly before clearing the 3000 meter jump limit his comm notified him of an IFF update.
*****Beginning Download*****
Hostile: Behemoth Heavy, designation "Tiny"
Reason: Attacked Private Vessel
Standing: KOS
*****Download Complete*****
Distracted by unscheduled update, iry mistakingly laid in a direct route to the Jallik-Divinia wormhole and found himself cursing his negligence in an ion storm shortly after jumping. The Rune's storm radar caught just a glimpse of Vehement's ship before the fugitive behemoth entered scanning range. Iry felt surprise and pity at the Tiny's appearance, it would only have until he reached weapons range to surrender.
Iry hailed the Tiny and powered up the Rune's weapons. The list of KOS pilots who had surrendered in the past was non existent, and iry expected this one to be no different than the others.
Iry reported to the Jallik watch garrison to check in and receive his quarters assignment, everything went smoothly, aside from having to resubmit the paperwork to requisition and arm a Valkyrie X-1.
It would be a few hours until everything was processed, and with his schedule cleared for the remainder of the day iry decided a trip to Coranis Watch was in order so he could bring some of his belongings to his new quarters. Not wanting to bother with any more paperwork iry simply took one of his already outfitted CtC Runes. Shortly before clearing the 3000 meter jump limit his comm notified him of an IFF update.
*****Beginning Download*****
Hostile: Behemoth Heavy, designation "Tiny"
Reason: Attacked Private Vessel
Standing: KOS
*****Download Complete*****
Distracted by unscheduled update, iry mistakingly laid in a direct route to the Jallik-Divinia wormhole and found himself cursing his negligence in an ion storm shortly after jumping. The Rune's storm radar caught just a glimpse of Vehement's ship before the fugitive behemoth entered scanning range. Iry felt surprise and pity at the Tiny's appearance, it would only have until he reached weapons range to surrender.
Iry hailed the Tiny and powered up the Rune's weapons. The list of KOS pilots who had surrendered in the past was non existent, and iry expected this one to be no different than the others.
After learning that Sharingan had been taken from Viper custody by a mysterious group of itani I decided it might be the perfect time to try and get into CLM HQ. Now the reasoning behind this being that as Sharingan was a council member in the pirate guild maybe their security would be a little lax as they attempted to rescue their pilot and I would be able to get in and either steal the globe back or get some information as to where they were searching now. As a precaution I stopped at the corvus station in Sedina and aquired myself a beatup old corvus vulture that would draw a little less suspision to me as I approached the pirate queens hide-out. The trip in was uneventful as I remained just another pilot flying to and from the station. To avoid haveing to respond to questions as to my intent I fell into the back of a formation of Heavy moths and centaurs from Corvus that were docking to unload their trade goods.
I picked a docking stall as far from the departure ramp as I could and stepped out. The dockman there asked for my paperwork and I handed it to him.
"Councilman Elbryon huh, what in Eo's name are you doing down here?"
"Just Elbryon thanks this last bit of business I found myself in has cost me my seat in ITAN. Seems they don't look to kindly on someone who can't back up their claims and doesn't like to do paperwork."
The dockman chuckled as he stamped my paperwork and handed them back. I made my way to the furthest wall pretending to look at various ships that were docked. None stood out as obvious CLM boats so I kept going in hopes I would see them before they saw me. It was still early in the morning so alot of convoys were in and out dropping off various things and the flow of people into and out of the dock was enough that I felt comfortable going into the station proper. I made my way towards the bar as I would expect to run into at least one pirate sitting down haveing a drink. I wasn't wrong.
Look sat at the very end of the bar drinking god only knows what talking to someone sitting in a powered whellchair next to him. The lady looked to be rather annoyed with him and kept tapping her timepiece and pointing towards the docks like she was waiting for him to leave so I decided to sink back and wait for him to do that. After about an hour the lady looked fit to be tied and Look was not much better off but he had the grin of a child as he downed his last sip. He motioned for the bartender to come over and the lady sitting down paid for his drinks. Look stood up and started to leave.
I stayed back from him quite a ways so he would not notice me and I watched him get into his corvvult and head out of the dock so I followed. Look was the last person I had seen with the globe so I was going to stay on him.
At least this was a lead.
Elbryon[ITAN]
I picked a docking stall as far from the departure ramp as I could and stepped out. The dockman there asked for my paperwork and I handed it to him.
"Councilman Elbryon huh, what in Eo's name are you doing down here?"
"Just Elbryon thanks this last bit of business I found myself in has cost me my seat in ITAN. Seems they don't look to kindly on someone who can't back up their claims and doesn't like to do paperwork."
The dockman chuckled as he stamped my paperwork and handed them back. I made my way to the furthest wall pretending to look at various ships that were docked. None stood out as obvious CLM boats so I kept going in hopes I would see them before they saw me. It was still early in the morning so alot of convoys were in and out dropping off various things and the flow of people into and out of the dock was enough that I felt comfortable going into the station proper. I made my way towards the bar as I would expect to run into at least one pirate sitting down haveing a drink. I wasn't wrong.
Look sat at the very end of the bar drinking god only knows what talking to someone sitting in a powered whellchair next to him. The lady looked to be rather annoyed with him and kept tapping her timepiece and pointing towards the docks like she was waiting for him to leave so I decided to sink back and wait for him to do that. After about an hour the lady looked fit to be tied and Look was not much better off but he had the grin of a child as he downed his last sip. He motioned for the bartender to come over and the lady sitting down paid for his drinks. Look stood up and started to leave.
I stayed back from him quite a ways so he would not notice me and I watched him get into his corvvult and head out of the dock so I followed. Look was the last person I had seen with the globe so I was going to stay on him.
At least this was a lead.
Elbryon[ITAN]
Mystic awoke to the sound of Strat's voice reading her rights, and then remembered why she shouldn't have used Everson for a pillow. She jumped up to a sight she never thought she would see, herself in Vpr headquarters, delivered by the man she called friend. Looking around Mystic made note that her backpack and the looted guns were nowhere to be seen. “What the hell is going on here?” she asked, fuming. “Commander MysticRogue, you are under arrest for varied crimes of piracy, you have the right...” Strat was going on. “I know my damn rights, first I want my call and then I want to know where my pilot is” Mystic glared at Everson, a mixture of anger and hurt on her face. He seemed unconcerned. “Sharingan has been taken to the medical ward for treatment, you will get your call as soon as I have finished giving your rights.”
“Strat, I have been through this before, I know my rights, my concern right now is for my pilot”
Everson finally spoke, “He is getting the best care he can Mystic, don't worry” Mystic turned on Everson like a wildcat, “Don't you dare even SPEAK to me, you dirty lying traitor!”
“Easy Commander...”Strat started.
“Don't worry, I know where I am, I wont be attacking anyone, just get me my call and news of my pilot please Strat?” She exhibited a calm she didn't feel and that didn't quite reach her eyes.
“Strat may I please have a moment with the commander?” Everson asked, taking Mystic's arm to lead her a few paces away.
“Do NOT touch me!” Mystic jerked her arm free but followed Everson. “I don't want to hear a thing that comes out of your lying mouth Viper” she hissed.
“Mystic, please, trust me...”
“Trust you? I did trust you and look where it got me, not only am I under arrest, but my pilot is somewhere having who knows what done to him. By the way, did you happen to tell them HOW you came to have me with you? Hmmm?”
“No I didn't, and if you didn't notice, which I know better, your backpack and all evidence of our little adventure is missing?” he paused for a moment to let this sink in. “I knew there was no way in hell you would willingly let me bring Shar here even though it was the best course of action, so to keep down problems and whatever ideas you might have been forming in that pretty head of yours, I decided while you were asleep this was the best way.”
“I am not unreasonable Everson, but you are right, I would not have trusted you with Shar and I don't even trust you with me anymore. The Vipers have been trying to arrest me for ages unsuccessfully and you bring me sleeping into their den.”
“Just trust me a bit longer is all I can ask” Everson finished as Strat walked over.
“You can make your call now commander, then we will finish processing you and Sharingan.”
“I will make my call and then I would like to see my pilot if that can be arranged please. And keep this particular snake away from me.”
Everson knew he had a lot of work to do to prove to her that he did not truly betray her...
“Strat, I have been through this before, I know my rights, my concern right now is for my pilot”
Everson finally spoke, “He is getting the best care he can Mystic, don't worry” Mystic turned on Everson like a wildcat, “Don't you dare even SPEAK to me, you dirty lying traitor!”
“Easy Commander...”Strat started.
“Don't worry, I know where I am, I wont be attacking anyone, just get me my call and news of my pilot please Strat?” She exhibited a calm she didn't feel and that didn't quite reach her eyes.
“Strat may I please have a moment with the commander?” Everson asked, taking Mystic's arm to lead her a few paces away.
“Do NOT touch me!” Mystic jerked her arm free but followed Everson. “I don't want to hear a thing that comes out of your lying mouth Viper” she hissed.
“Mystic, please, trust me...”
“Trust you? I did trust you and look where it got me, not only am I under arrest, but my pilot is somewhere having who knows what done to him. By the way, did you happen to tell them HOW you came to have me with you? Hmmm?”
“No I didn't, and if you didn't notice, which I know better, your backpack and all evidence of our little adventure is missing?” he paused for a moment to let this sink in. “I knew there was no way in hell you would willingly let me bring Shar here even though it was the best course of action, so to keep down problems and whatever ideas you might have been forming in that pretty head of yours, I decided while you were asleep this was the best way.”
“I am not unreasonable Everson, but you are right, I would not have trusted you with Shar and I don't even trust you with me anymore. The Vipers have been trying to arrest me for ages unsuccessfully and you bring me sleeping into their den.”
“Just trust me a bit longer is all I can ask” Everson finished as Strat walked over.
“You can make your call now commander, then we will finish processing you and Sharingan.”
“I will make my call and then I would like to see my pilot if that can be arranged please. And keep this particular snake away from me.”
Everson knew he had a lot of work to do to prove to her that he did not truly betray her...
*WHAM, WHAM* I awoke to the doc's prodding with a clip board across my head, "I'm up I'm up, what's the news?" The doctor wasn't too pleased with my drinking in his waiting room, "She seems alright, she probably fainted due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, which is probably why she went back out when you stood her up."
"I've given her some meds to regulate her blood pressure and fitted her with a heart monitor, next time she faints we will have a better understanding of what's going on. Until then she should remain in a power chair so when she faints again she won't hurt her self. I've also repaired her chipped elbow, there will be some minor pain and the blood pressure meds will cause mood swings."
I grabbed a pen and rolled up my sleeve, speaking aloud as a wrote on my arm, "power chair, elbow pain, mood swings", "sounds peachy doc, so now what?" I stood up and the empty bottle clanged to the floor. "Now I'm going to release her to you, try not to do anything stupid" I chuckled, You know me, the doctor sighed heavily, "that's why I'm worried".
"Cmon Look, lets go, I've got work to do." "absolutely not", interrupted the doc, "You're going to take it easy, and be careful getting up to move to a chair or bed". JJ was getting annoyed so I spoke up, "let's go JJ, you hungry? I'm starving"
"Yea sure, But I didn't know you cooked", I grinned, "I don't, I always eat out, theirs a place just a short ways from your office, good cheese steaks there." I led the way, JJ just off my heels in the power chair.
"Oh, THIS dive", "Hey, trust me, good food here" I sat down and cleared a spot for JJ. "evnin Dave, Two cheese steaks, and a double bourbon, neat." I reached in my back pocket for my wallet, "oops, Uhh JJ I seem to have left my wallet in my quarters, mind spotting me till later". "Yea sure, but these better be damned good cheese steaks"
I smiled, "Oh they will be" I threw back my shot and gazed down at the bar, "YO dave!" I held up my glass. He grabbed the bottle, and poured another shot. I grabbed his hand as he tried to walk away, "leave it." I admired the artwork on the bottle, no writing, just a picture of a bird with a goatee. JJ grabbed it and took a whiff, "uhg smells like some kinda fuel"
A few minutes later the cheese steaks arrived, shredded steak, sharp cheddar, fried onions and peppers, with the addition of feta on mine. Half an hour or so later and the mood swings were hitting her, "Please don't drink so much, it isn't good for you"
"I'm fine" I assured her as I tried to appear happy, my eyes gave me away but she must have decided to lay off me, "just lemme finish this last drink", I pulled out my empty bottle and filled it then poured the remainder into my glass and slowly sipped it down.
Just as I was ready to go, my comm started buzzing, VPR lockup, 'aww hell'. "WHAT" I answered the comm, "Look, me and Shar need bail. "Told ya I should have gone." brief pause "You'd've shot vehement as soon as you had shar" I laughed, "Yep", I said, quite proud of my self. "Just get us out of here, you know who to call". "roger that, I'm on it" I called our freind who places bail for us, "Hey, I need you to bail out sharanigan and Mystic".
"You've got to come down here and pay cash, last time you gave me the wrong deposit box and all I found was a case of booze, and some ammo you stupid drunk." 'oops', "Uhh yea I'll be right up, worry about that" I rang Jasmine, "I need you to attend to JJ, I've got to go do stuff", the reply came quickley, "ok be right there"
I turned to JJ, "Mystic got nabbed, I'm goin to pay our bail man, I'll have to catch ya later about the tab, and please try not to hurt your self." Boy was she mad, "You're going to fly all the way to dau this drunk, what the hell is wrong with you." she had just reminded me why I had stayed single for so many years, "I've flown further worse, I'll be back soon" I said trying to hide my shame. With that I made for the docking bay, with a quick stop to grab my wallet.
I climbed into my CV and boosted out of the dock, forgetting to retract the landing gear I almost cleared a heavy moth just outside, *CLANG, SCREECH*, the collision sheered off the landing gear, 'no need to retract it now'. I laid in a course for TPG HQ and set off.
"I've given her some meds to regulate her blood pressure and fitted her with a heart monitor, next time she faints we will have a better understanding of what's going on. Until then she should remain in a power chair so when she faints again she won't hurt her self. I've also repaired her chipped elbow, there will be some minor pain and the blood pressure meds will cause mood swings."
I grabbed a pen and rolled up my sleeve, speaking aloud as a wrote on my arm, "power chair, elbow pain, mood swings", "sounds peachy doc, so now what?" I stood up and the empty bottle clanged to the floor. "Now I'm going to release her to you, try not to do anything stupid" I chuckled, You know me, the doctor sighed heavily, "that's why I'm worried".
"Cmon Look, lets go, I've got work to do." "absolutely not", interrupted the doc, "You're going to take it easy, and be careful getting up to move to a chair or bed". JJ was getting annoyed so I spoke up, "let's go JJ, you hungry? I'm starving"
"Yea sure, But I didn't know you cooked", I grinned, "I don't, I always eat out, theirs a place just a short ways from your office, good cheese steaks there." I led the way, JJ just off my heels in the power chair.
"Oh, THIS dive", "Hey, trust me, good food here" I sat down and cleared a spot for JJ. "evnin Dave, Two cheese steaks, and a double bourbon, neat." I reached in my back pocket for my wallet, "oops, Uhh JJ I seem to have left my wallet in my quarters, mind spotting me till later". "Yea sure, but these better be damned good cheese steaks"
I smiled, "Oh they will be" I threw back my shot and gazed down at the bar, "YO dave!" I held up my glass. He grabbed the bottle, and poured another shot. I grabbed his hand as he tried to walk away, "leave it." I admired the artwork on the bottle, no writing, just a picture of a bird with a goatee. JJ grabbed it and took a whiff, "uhg smells like some kinda fuel"
A few minutes later the cheese steaks arrived, shredded steak, sharp cheddar, fried onions and peppers, with the addition of feta on mine. Half an hour or so later and the mood swings were hitting her, "Please don't drink so much, it isn't good for you"
"I'm fine" I assured her as I tried to appear happy, my eyes gave me away but she must have decided to lay off me, "just lemme finish this last drink", I pulled out my empty bottle and filled it then poured the remainder into my glass and slowly sipped it down.
Just as I was ready to go, my comm started buzzing, VPR lockup, 'aww hell'. "WHAT" I answered the comm, "Look, me and Shar need bail. "Told ya I should have gone." brief pause "You'd've shot vehement as soon as you had shar" I laughed, "Yep", I said, quite proud of my self. "Just get us out of here, you know who to call". "roger that, I'm on it" I called our freind who places bail for us, "Hey, I need you to bail out sharanigan and Mystic".
"You've got to come down here and pay cash, last time you gave me the wrong deposit box and all I found was a case of booze, and some ammo you stupid drunk." 'oops', "Uhh yea I'll be right up, worry about that" I rang Jasmine, "I need you to attend to JJ, I've got to go do stuff", the reply came quickley, "ok be right there"
I turned to JJ, "Mystic got nabbed, I'm goin to pay our bail man, I'll have to catch ya later about the tab, and please try not to hurt your self." Boy was she mad, "You're going to fly all the way to dau this drunk, what the hell is wrong with you." she had just reminded me why I had stayed single for so many years, "I've flown further worse, I'll be back soon" I said trying to hide my shame. With that I made for the docking bay, with a quick stop to grab my wallet.
I climbed into my CV and boosted out of the dock, forgetting to retract the landing gear I almost cleared a heavy moth just outside, *CLANG, SCREECH*, the collision sheered off the landing gear, 'no need to retract it now'. I laid in a course for TPG HQ and set off.
*beep, beep, beep*
Shar woke up to the sound of a heart monitor. He found himself lying in bed, inside a medical room. He bent up from the bed and looked around.
The room was completly white. There were a number of medical machines, and screens displaying information such as heart rate, respiration, brain activity, etc.
He examined himself and grumbled upon finding his implants were still missing. "Aww...fuck me..." He said to himself sighing and bending down again. Then he saw the Vprs logo on the door in front, an armed guard standing outside, and he was cuffed by right hand to one of the metal bars of the bed.
"Fuck me twice..." he said again looking up to the ceiling, leaning back on his bed again.
He tried remembering everything that had happened up to that point. The explosion at the station, being taken by the valks, spending about twenty days trapped in that cell, someone called dave, the akanese's hacking attempts, then lots of alarms, someone carrying him, and now this room...
Then he heard screaming and yelling coming from the corridor outside. Through the glass on the door, he could see the guard nervously unlocking the door. The door slammed open and MysticRogue strode inside, handcuffed. Closely followed by Everson.
"Shar!" She exclaimed happily moving in to him.
"Mystic!" He exclamied back.
"You still got them?" She asked when she got next to him.
"Oh yeah...the fi..yeah, got them" he answered, sounding a bit indignated.
"*Sigh* Gee, and here I was thinking you were happy to see me. Yeah, they are fine, but dont mind me, Im fine, its not like its a big deal that I just spent nearly a month captive, with treatment that could be classified as torture, having most of my implants removed and all that. But, yes, they are fine with me." He finished, arms crossed, frowning, looking away.
"Ouh..I'm sorry, was just somewhat impatient. Im not thinking right, right now. I just kinda got backstabbed by someone I thought was friendly..." She apologized quickly...
"But I'm really glad you are fine now..." She smiled.
"Oki..." he said smiling back, relieved.
"Now...about that thing you send me to do...I-" He started talking but stopped when he saw Everson raising his head up a bit to listen.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Said sharingan angry, clenching the white covers of the bed in his hands.
"Well...I AM a vpr you know...and this is the Vpr's HQ...so..." started Everson.
"Dont mind the imbecile-jackass-backstabbing-waste-of-oxygen-matter-and-space standing behind me, we cant do anything about him, so we will have to talk when we get to our HQ"
"You know I can hear you talking from over here" Said Everson in a low voice.
"HUSH!" Hissed Mystic looking back at him angrily.
"Yes m'am..." whispered Everson looking down.
"So...mind telling me how you and I ended up in here, seeing as last time I remember, I was trapped inside a moving fortress..." Asked sharingan.
"We, Everson and I, rescued you..."
"Really?? Wow, thats impressive, all by yourselves" Said Sharingan impressed.
"Well, we didnt really do it all by ourselves, we had some help from some serco black ops. One of their objectives was to rescue you."
"And then?"
"And then they asked to take you with them..."
"And then?"
"And then...I said...no..."
"......" Sharingan opened his mouth to say something when she interrupted him.
"YES! I know, I shouldve have said yes and then I should have also asked them to give me a ride to HQ. But...I didnt think it was right at the moment, so-"
"So...you decided to go with him instead? Knowing he would arrest us both?"
"No...well, yes...and no, but...GAahh!! He did tell he was going to have to arrest you, but I didnt know he was going to arrest me too"
"Well...thats nice..." Said sharingan sarcastically
"No! Let me finish...Of course I wasnt gonna let him, but for the time being I agreed. But he's smart...this one here. He lured me, made me trust him, made me think he was my friend...So when I thought everything was safe, I fell asleep...and...he...he...He took advantage of me!" She finished, sounding angry, sad, and melodramatic at the same time.
Sharingan stared at Everson for a sec, then told him:
"You sick, twisted, perverted little man"
"Wha? NO! wait! You are making me look like a rapist!" He said complaining to Mystic.
"Well...I was asleep after all, and now that I know you are not trustable, I dont know what to think. Now that I think of it, seriously...Did you do anything? Hu?? Tell me Everson. You wanted more after that kiss, right? Betcha you found it a perfect chance when i was sleeping with my head on your lap. Did you cuff me then?? Heard from your wife you use them a lot!"
"NO! wait! you got it all wrong! I DIDNT DO ANYTHING! I SWEAR!" Yelled Everson, nervous and sweating, trying to convince her.
"But you did think about doing it, didnt you?"
"NO! I..Well, No-just, I" Everson couldnt find words.
"AHA!" Yelled both Shar and Mystic in unison.
"Now just step away from me and turn around. I dont want to have you looking at me from behind thinking god knows what!! And went I get out of here, Im gonna have a talk with that wife of yours!"
Everson looked exasperated, indignation reflected on his face, he stepped back a few feet away, and turned around, sighing.
"Now seriously, you shouldve let them take me with them. Wouldve gotten new implants. Now I will have to go back to Sol II after I get out of here. Only over there they have the military class upgraded implants I need. Cant get them anywhere else"
"Yeah, Im sorry. Next time"
"Heh...hope not"
Sharingan closed his eyes and started rubbing them with his hands. Mystic noticed one of his arms was a bulk of bandages.
"Arrgh...Damn...How can you weaklings live like this, without enhancements"
"Heh...we manage"
"I miss my ocular implants with digital vision. Extreme resolution and detailed. Now I gotta cope with these simple eyes. Fracking lame 20-20 eye sight"
"Hey...you are starting to make me feel bad too"
"Ops, yeah...sorry"
"Hmmm, Ive been meaning to ask you...what the hell happened to your left hand?"
"Oh this..." Said sharingan raising his bulky bandaged hand, looking surprised by the question.
"Err...nothing really....I, umm...fell, I fell...yeah I fell"
"Oho...well, was just thinking...you all alone in that cell for about a month, with nothing else to do,...and..."
"Awkward....though its not really what you think"
"Mmmk..."
"So...how did you get these snakes to help you out rescuing me?"
"Well, they offered themselves to help. I was their fault to begin with...Well, anywaym, they werent really happy about helping pirates"
"Heh, well, I did try to blow them up, and one of their recruits got seriously injured"
Strat came into the room. "The bail is paid for both of you, feel free to leave, and for gods sake try not to pirate and stay out of trouble!"
"Heh, but Why me ol' lad?! When have I ever done otherwise?" Said Mystic smiling.
Lots of systems away at Divinia, the Acheron was still recovering from the attack. The commander strode up and down the ship roaring out orders to the crew.
"Commander Markus" Spoke someone through the comm
"WHAT?!" Roared the commander
"We finally decyphered the encrypted files we extracted from the Serco. We are waiting for you to come so we can open them. It must have a lot of information, its pretty large"
"Ahh! finally some good news!" exclaimed the commander joyful.
He walked to the main command room and sat on his chair facing the huge computer screen in front of him. He leaned back on his chair, set himself on a comfortable position. Grabbed a nice crystal glass filled with the finest wine, and then ordered:
"Alright, open them. Lets see what we can find out"
The controller opened the file and after a brief loading time images started appearing on the screen.
Were these maps? Blueprints? Thermalscans? Images of important documents? Extremely important information on the globe or Serco military intelligence??
No...
Pretty, fluffy, hairy ferrets in various poses, set in different settings, with different themes. They frolicked around roses, around flowers, trees, and doll houses. White, black, calico and every other. Some wore high fashion clothing. Thousands and thousands of videos and pictures. All displaying the same type of things.
"What....The...F*CK?!?!?" Screamed the commander clenching the glass of wine so hard it broke into pieces in his hand.
"WHAT THE F*CK?!?!"
"Sir! We, we dont know! This is whats in those files...I..dont-" Started speaking the programmer, frantically trying to come up with an explanation.
"F*CKING EXECUTE HIM!! EXECUTE HIM NOW!!!" Roared the commander pointing at him.
Two guards ran towards the man, grabbed him, and dragged him away.
"NO! SIR! PLEASE! I DONT KNOW! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!" cried the man desperately while they dragged him away.
"F*CKING USELESS INCOMPETENT F*CKS!! F*CKING PIRATES!!" The commander kept screaming his lungs out.
"AND F*CKING FILES!" He yelled slamming his fist on the keyboard.
The whole screen flickered and some sparks and smoke started to come up from the keyboard. Then a window popped up in the screen reading "FATAL SYSTEM ERROR".
Then another one, and another one, and another one.
"MALICIOUS SOFTWARE FOUND in FERRETS", "KEYBOARD NOT FOUND", "TYPE ACCESS CODE FOR RUNNING ANTIVIRUS: /."
Then another one popped up:
"WARNING: ALL SYSTEMS WILL SHUT DOWN TO PREVENT EXPANSION OF THE VIRUS. TO PREVENT THIS, RUN ANTI-VIRUS"
"TYPE THE F*CKING CODE!!" Screamed the commander to one of the controllers.
The man hurried to keyboard to type the code. But nothing appeared on screen.
"We...cant do it sir, the system's damaged" said the controller, nervous, terrified.
"F*CKING DO IT OR ILL EXECUTE YOUR WORTHLESS ASS!!"
"Yee..yes sir" The programmer said babbling, rivers of sweat streaming down.
The programmer removed a plate of metal under the screen and started messing around with the systems below.
Another screen popped up:
"TURNING OFF ENGINES AND MAIN ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY GENERATOR"
"HURRY THE HELL UP BEFORE THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHUTS OFF!"
"YEs sir! al...almost..there!
The engines stopped working, and a moment later everyone started floating after the gravity generator stopped. The commander didnt even move, he just floated completely straight, with both arms behind him. Frowning, his face contorted in anger, his eyes sparkling with fury.
"I DID IT!" Exclaimed the controller, with a wide smile on his face.
Another window popped in the screen:
"Code entered, returning systems to normal"
A few moments passed but nothing happened. The engines were still off and the ship floated aimlessly without a course.
"Why arent the systems going back up?" Asked the commander.
"Err...I dont know, the computer stopped shutting them down, but i dont know why it wont restore the ones it desactivated"
The controller checked the board again, then mumbled, as if horrified:
"Sss..s..sirr?"
"What?"
"It...it cra...it crashed"
"...." the commander started trembling, like a volcano before an eruption. "EXECUTE HIM!! GUARDS!! SHOOT THIS USELESS BASTARD!! F*CKING NOW!!"
Two guards floated in, trying to reach the man, but did so clumsily. The commander lost his mind completely upon seeing this.
"YOU ARE ALL A F*CKING WASTE!! F*CKING GOOD FOR NOTHING INCOMPETENT ASSHOLES!! ILL FUCKING EXECUTE EVERY LAST ONE OF YE!!"
He took out his handgun and started shooting everywhere at everyone. The people inside ducked and hid wherever they could. One of the bullets reached the main control board and went through the panel.
Lots of sparks came out, then all the windows that had popped in the screen closed, except for the ones displaying the ferret pictures. The engines went back online, and were automatically set on full throttle, right when the HAC had rotated and faced a huge asteroid field. Slowly the HAC started flying towards the roid field. 500m...300m...100m...
It was clearly seen from the main command room. The commander floated there watching through the large windows as the HAC got closer and closer to the asteroids. Everyone floated around crying in panic. One of the large roids was 20m away, about to brake through the front windows.
The commander didnt panic or anything. He saw the roid about to brake through, then he saw globules of wine floating, he opened his mouth to let one in, then directed his gaze towards the large computer screen which displayed a red nosed, snowy white hairy ferret laying with his back on the floor.
"*Sigh*...I guess it IS cute, isnt it..."
The HAC kept going into the roid field at full throttle, crashing with every roid. Then it exploded in thousands of pieces, and it was gone.
Shar woke up to the sound of a heart monitor. He found himself lying in bed, inside a medical room. He bent up from the bed and looked around.
The room was completly white. There were a number of medical machines, and screens displaying information such as heart rate, respiration, brain activity, etc.
He examined himself and grumbled upon finding his implants were still missing. "Aww...fuck me..." He said to himself sighing and bending down again. Then he saw the Vprs logo on the door in front, an armed guard standing outside, and he was cuffed by right hand to one of the metal bars of the bed.
"Fuck me twice..." he said again looking up to the ceiling, leaning back on his bed again.
He tried remembering everything that had happened up to that point. The explosion at the station, being taken by the valks, spending about twenty days trapped in that cell, someone called dave, the akanese's hacking attempts, then lots of alarms, someone carrying him, and now this room...
Then he heard screaming and yelling coming from the corridor outside. Through the glass on the door, he could see the guard nervously unlocking the door. The door slammed open and MysticRogue strode inside, handcuffed. Closely followed by Everson.
"Shar!" She exclaimed happily moving in to him.
"Mystic!" He exclamied back.
"You still got them?" She asked when she got next to him.
"Oh yeah...the fi..yeah, got them" he answered, sounding a bit indignated.
"*Sigh* Gee, and here I was thinking you were happy to see me. Yeah, they are fine, but dont mind me, Im fine, its not like its a big deal that I just spent nearly a month captive, with treatment that could be classified as torture, having most of my implants removed and all that. But, yes, they are fine with me." He finished, arms crossed, frowning, looking away.
"Ouh..I'm sorry, was just somewhat impatient. Im not thinking right, right now. I just kinda got backstabbed by someone I thought was friendly..." She apologized quickly...
"But I'm really glad you are fine now..." She smiled.
"Oki..." he said smiling back, relieved.
"Now...about that thing you send me to do...I-" He started talking but stopped when he saw Everson raising his head up a bit to listen.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Said sharingan angry, clenching the white covers of the bed in his hands.
"Well...I AM a vpr you know...and this is the Vpr's HQ...so..." started Everson.
"Dont mind the imbecile-jackass-backstabbing-waste-of-oxygen-matter-and-space standing behind me, we cant do anything about him, so we will have to talk when we get to our HQ"
"You know I can hear you talking from over here" Said Everson in a low voice.
"HUSH!" Hissed Mystic looking back at him angrily.
"Yes m'am..." whispered Everson looking down.
"So...mind telling me how you and I ended up in here, seeing as last time I remember, I was trapped inside a moving fortress..." Asked sharingan.
"We, Everson and I, rescued you..."
"Really?? Wow, thats impressive, all by yourselves" Said Sharingan impressed.
"Well, we didnt really do it all by ourselves, we had some help from some serco black ops. One of their objectives was to rescue you."
"And then?"
"And then they asked to take you with them..."
"And then?"
"And then...I said...no..."
"......" Sharingan opened his mouth to say something when she interrupted him.
"YES! I know, I shouldve have said yes and then I should have also asked them to give me a ride to HQ. But...I didnt think it was right at the moment, so-"
"So...you decided to go with him instead? Knowing he would arrest us both?"
"No...well, yes...and no, but...GAahh!! He did tell he was going to have to arrest you, but I didnt know he was going to arrest me too"
"Well...thats nice..." Said sharingan sarcastically
"No! Let me finish...Of course I wasnt gonna let him, but for the time being I agreed. But he's smart...this one here. He lured me, made me trust him, made me think he was my friend...So when I thought everything was safe, I fell asleep...and...he...he...He took advantage of me!" She finished, sounding angry, sad, and melodramatic at the same time.
Sharingan stared at Everson for a sec, then told him:
"You sick, twisted, perverted little man"
"Wha? NO! wait! You are making me look like a rapist!" He said complaining to Mystic.
"Well...I was asleep after all, and now that I know you are not trustable, I dont know what to think. Now that I think of it, seriously...Did you do anything? Hu?? Tell me Everson. You wanted more after that kiss, right? Betcha you found it a perfect chance when i was sleeping with my head on your lap. Did you cuff me then?? Heard from your wife you use them a lot!"
"NO! wait! you got it all wrong! I DIDNT DO ANYTHING! I SWEAR!" Yelled Everson, nervous and sweating, trying to convince her.
"But you did think about doing it, didnt you?"
"NO! I..Well, No-just, I" Everson couldnt find words.
"AHA!" Yelled both Shar and Mystic in unison.
"Now just step away from me and turn around. I dont want to have you looking at me from behind thinking god knows what!! And went I get out of here, Im gonna have a talk with that wife of yours!"
Everson looked exasperated, indignation reflected on his face, he stepped back a few feet away, and turned around, sighing.
"Now seriously, you shouldve let them take me with them. Wouldve gotten new implants. Now I will have to go back to Sol II after I get out of here. Only over there they have the military class upgraded implants I need. Cant get them anywhere else"
"Yeah, Im sorry. Next time"
"Heh...hope not"
Sharingan closed his eyes and started rubbing them with his hands. Mystic noticed one of his arms was a bulk of bandages.
"Arrgh...Damn...How can you weaklings live like this, without enhancements"
"Heh...we manage"
"I miss my ocular implants with digital vision. Extreme resolution and detailed. Now I gotta cope with these simple eyes. Fracking lame 20-20 eye sight"
"Hey...you are starting to make me feel bad too"
"Ops, yeah...sorry"
"Hmmm, Ive been meaning to ask you...what the hell happened to your left hand?"
"Oh this..." Said sharingan raising his bulky bandaged hand, looking surprised by the question.
"Err...nothing really....I, umm...fell, I fell...yeah I fell"
"Oho...well, was just thinking...you all alone in that cell for about a month, with nothing else to do,...and..."
"Awkward....though its not really what you think"
"Mmmk..."
"So...how did you get these snakes to help you out rescuing me?"
"Well, they offered themselves to help. I was their fault to begin with...Well, anywaym, they werent really happy about helping pirates"
"Heh, well, I did try to blow them up, and one of their recruits got seriously injured"
Strat came into the room. "The bail is paid for both of you, feel free to leave, and for gods sake try not to pirate and stay out of trouble!"
"Heh, but Why me ol' lad?! When have I ever done otherwise?" Said Mystic smiling.
Lots of systems away at Divinia, the Acheron was still recovering from the attack. The commander strode up and down the ship roaring out orders to the crew.
"Commander Markus" Spoke someone through the comm
"WHAT?!" Roared the commander
"We finally decyphered the encrypted files we extracted from the Serco. We are waiting for you to come so we can open them. It must have a lot of information, its pretty large"
"Ahh! finally some good news!" exclaimed the commander joyful.
He walked to the main command room and sat on his chair facing the huge computer screen in front of him. He leaned back on his chair, set himself on a comfortable position. Grabbed a nice crystal glass filled with the finest wine, and then ordered:
"Alright, open them. Lets see what we can find out"
The controller opened the file and after a brief loading time images started appearing on the screen.
Were these maps? Blueprints? Thermalscans? Images of important documents? Extremely important information on the globe or Serco military intelligence??
No...
Pretty, fluffy, hairy ferrets in various poses, set in different settings, with different themes. They frolicked around roses, around flowers, trees, and doll houses. White, black, calico and every other. Some wore high fashion clothing. Thousands and thousands of videos and pictures. All displaying the same type of things.
"What....The...F*CK?!?!?" Screamed the commander clenching the glass of wine so hard it broke into pieces in his hand.
"WHAT THE F*CK?!?!"
"Sir! We, we dont know! This is whats in those files...I..dont-" Started speaking the programmer, frantically trying to come up with an explanation.
"F*CKING EXECUTE HIM!! EXECUTE HIM NOW!!!" Roared the commander pointing at him.
Two guards ran towards the man, grabbed him, and dragged him away.
"NO! SIR! PLEASE! I DONT KNOW! PLEASE HAVE MERCY!" cried the man desperately while they dragged him away.
"F*CKING USELESS INCOMPETENT F*CKS!! F*CKING PIRATES!!" The commander kept screaming his lungs out.
"AND F*CKING FILES!" He yelled slamming his fist on the keyboard.
The whole screen flickered and some sparks and smoke started to come up from the keyboard. Then a window popped up in the screen reading "FATAL SYSTEM ERROR".
Then another one, and another one, and another one.
"MALICIOUS SOFTWARE FOUND in FERRETS", "KEYBOARD NOT FOUND", "TYPE ACCESS CODE FOR RUNNING ANTIVIRUS: /."
Then another one popped up:
"WARNING: ALL SYSTEMS WILL SHUT DOWN TO PREVENT EXPANSION OF THE VIRUS. TO PREVENT THIS, RUN ANTI-VIRUS"
"TYPE THE F*CKING CODE!!" Screamed the commander to one of the controllers.
The man hurried to keyboard to type the code. But nothing appeared on screen.
"We...cant do it sir, the system's damaged" said the controller, nervous, terrified.
"F*CKING DO IT OR ILL EXECUTE YOUR WORTHLESS ASS!!"
"Yee..yes sir" The programmer said babbling, rivers of sweat streaming down.
The programmer removed a plate of metal under the screen and started messing around with the systems below.
Another screen popped up:
"TURNING OFF ENGINES AND MAIN ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY GENERATOR"
"HURRY THE HELL UP BEFORE THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHUTS OFF!"
"YEs sir! al...almost..there!
The engines stopped working, and a moment later everyone started floating after the gravity generator stopped. The commander didnt even move, he just floated completely straight, with both arms behind him. Frowning, his face contorted in anger, his eyes sparkling with fury.
"I DID IT!" Exclaimed the controller, with a wide smile on his face.
Another window popped in the screen:
"Code entered, returning systems to normal"
A few moments passed but nothing happened. The engines were still off and the ship floated aimlessly without a course.
"Why arent the systems going back up?" Asked the commander.
"Err...I dont know, the computer stopped shutting them down, but i dont know why it wont restore the ones it desactivated"
The controller checked the board again, then mumbled, as if horrified:
"Sss..s..sirr?"
"What?"
"It...it cra...it crashed"
"...." the commander started trembling, like a volcano before an eruption. "EXECUTE HIM!! GUARDS!! SHOOT THIS USELESS BASTARD!! F*CKING NOW!!"
Two guards floated in, trying to reach the man, but did so clumsily. The commander lost his mind completely upon seeing this.
"YOU ARE ALL A F*CKING WASTE!! F*CKING GOOD FOR NOTHING INCOMPETENT ASSHOLES!! ILL FUCKING EXECUTE EVERY LAST ONE OF YE!!"
He took out his handgun and started shooting everywhere at everyone. The people inside ducked and hid wherever they could. One of the bullets reached the main control board and went through the panel.
Lots of sparks came out, then all the windows that had popped in the screen closed, except for the ones displaying the ferret pictures. The engines went back online, and were automatically set on full throttle, right when the HAC had rotated and faced a huge asteroid field. Slowly the HAC started flying towards the roid field. 500m...300m...100m...
It was clearly seen from the main command room. The commander floated there watching through the large windows as the HAC got closer and closer to the asteroids. Everyone floated around crying in panic. One of the large roids was 20m away, about to brake through the front windows.
The commander didnt panic or anything. He saw the roid about to brake through, then he saw globules of wine floating, he opened his mouth to let one in, then directed his gaze towards the large computer screen which displayed a red nosed, snowy white hairy ferret laying with his back on the floor.
"*Sigh*...I guess it IS cute, isnt it..."
The HAC kept going into the roid field at full throttle, crashing with every roid. Then it exploded in thousands of pieces, and it was gone.