Last Updated 01 Sep 1999.
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created and maintained by Virtual Insanity. |
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Chapter 7
by Stan Brown
Verran was jolted awake by the sound of the proximity alert on the com-panel.
"Getting old," he growled shaking the sleep from his head. "Let's see what we've got." Verren flipped on his idder and scanned the sector around the Gri'Nashu. An assault scout was a little over 20,000 klicks away heading away from the Gri'Nashu.
"That can't be right, that ship should have sent of the Proximity Alert once it came with in range." Verran slid over to the Com-panel typing commands in furiosly.
[Command: identify ship]
SHIP: COLONY CLASS FREIGHTER
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
SHIP: ASSAULT SCOUT CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
SHIP: UNKNOWN FIGHTER CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
SHIP: UNKNOWN FIGHTER CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
SHIP: UNKNOWN FIGHTER CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
SHIP: ASSAULT SCOUT CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: ASC REVEREND KRENSHO
SHIP: UNKNOWN FIGHTER CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
SHIP: UNKNOWN FIGHTER CLASS
IDENTIFICATION: IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER NOT OPPERATING
"What the?!?" exclaimed Verran. He slid back over to the 'idder' at noted two ships head on an intercept course with his position. He switched to long range while flipping on the view screen. Three more fighters were descending on the other assault scout apparently taking it by surprise.
Verran moved with lightning reflexes. Powering up the ion engines, he scanned the two fighters for a better look. They were roughly a minute away from his position. Definitely fighter class, although they used a reversed wing design not commonly used by the UPF. He started typing at the com-panel.
[Query: ship design from VS]
WARNING! SHIP DESIGN MATCHES SATHAR FIGHTER CLASS SHIP! CONSIDER HOSTILE!
"Damn!" Verran's junket was designed to fight. Asside from some ICBMs he couldn't even defend himself. The ship was suddenly rocked by two explosions from the aft sector. Instinctively Verran gunned the engines causing the Carrion to lurch forward and his Com-panel light up like the 'hoppin' 101st on a field exercise.
CRITICAL ENGINE FAILURE ENGINE 2A DAMGED! AUTO SHUTDOWN ENABLED!
There was no way he could jump out now. It was do or die, and fifty percent of his options had been taken away. The two fighters were turning to make their second sweep and if Verran didn't come up with something quick, he'd lose his junket and any claim over the Gri'Nashu. Keying the controls he brought the Carrion broadside with the incoming Sathar. He hit the opposite engine thrusters at the same time causing the ship to barrel roll in place. His fingers flew across the com-panel
[Command: subspace message 21B8T]
BEGIN MESSAGE
[Command: power engine 2A on mark "Airlock Open"]
"Kolreno, I need immediate pickup from these coordinates." Verran didn't bother checking the coordinates since they would be broadcasted with the message.
SHIP ENGINE 2A IS DAMAGED! POWERING ENGINE MAY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION!
ARE YOU SURE (Y/N)
[y]
Glancing at the view screen, the fighters were almost with in range to attack. He planned this just right he might be able to come back for his ship.
[Command: Launch all ICM's]
LAUNCHING ICMS.
"Watch out when you get here, Sathar ships are in the area." He could see in his peripheral vision the ICM's scattering on the view screen. There were four times as many needed to defend the ship, but he hadn't planned on staying here long enough to launch four volleys.
[command: disengage engine clamps 2A on mark "Airlock Close" where ship 'Carrion' is 45 degrees from Sathar fighters]
OK
"The Carrion might not be here when you get here, but I'll be in the area. Broadcast you transponder and I'll relay a message to you... out." He could see the ICMs exploding on the view screen from their attack.
[Command: send message]
MESSAGE SENT.
Verran immediately kicked off from the com-panel, tumbling backwards towards the access tunnel. He landed like a cat on the ceiling. Quickly correcting his trajectory, he pushed for the access tunnel. Once in reach, Verran clawed like a mad cat towards the end of the tunnel. Once at the airlock he quickly donned his helmet and gloves. He didn't bother closing the decompression door, he grabbed his Emerkit and a safety strap and, Overriding the safety protocols, he opened the airlock. Air rushed out of the ship and Verran had to fight to keep his footing. He watched the tumble of the ship, the passing stars making him slightly nauseous. He hit the airlock close button as he kept an eye on the Gri'Nashu and on the second pass let go of the safety strap.
Once in the free fall of space he got his bearing straight. Drifting passed the ICMs that were left he could see the two fighter turning for their third attack. With most of the ICMs destroyed from the last attack this should be a duck shoot for the Sathar. Verran saw the engine clamps disengage and the engine start floating towards the Sathar fighters. The fighters easily adjusted their course to avoid the engine, keeping their attack on the path with the Carrion. Verran watched as they flew around the engine.
"I guess there goes my ship." A bright flash of light blinded Verran as the ion engine exploded. Even with the tint on the visor, pain shot through Verran's eyes to the back of his head. He clenched his eyes shut and tried to cover the visor with his one free hand. The two fighters were thrown into chaos from the shock wave and Verran could feel himself change course. One fighter was able to correct his course, but the second caught his wing on the Carrion, ripping it off at placing a deep gash in the junket.
About 30 seconds passed before Verran could make out shapes again. He noted that he was drifting away from the Gri'Nashu, about 50 meters. Quickly scrambled through his Emmerkit for some rope and knife. In a quick motion he cut off the sole of one of his boots causing his suit to decompress. Immediately apply three vac-seals, he managed to restore his suits integrity. After tying the rope onto the sole, he tossed it in the direction of the Gri'Nashu, loosely letting the rope slack drift between his hands. Verran hoped Kolreno got the message. That spindly, double-talking, funny clothes-wearing snake owed him more times than he could remember. He'd hate to run out of air aboard a ghost ship surrounded by Sathar, while that Osakar was drinking it up in some fringe copycat bar.
The Magnetic sole hit the side of the ship and stuck fast. Verran started slowly pulling himself towards the Gri'Nashu. He could see the Sathar ships anywhere. Concentrating on the task at hand, he noticed something for the first time. An assault scout was attached to the bottom of the Gri'Nashu. This didn't look good, but at least he stood a better chance of making back planetside some day. Six years as an 'Emergency Situation Specialist' finally paid off.
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