PRISON BREAK
31 Dec 2021Jav Marlo
PRISON BREAK31 DEC 3307, Facece system.
Commander Jav Marlo on board the Steropes over a military installation on Facece
This is commander Jav Marlo, on board the Steropes, a Federal Gunship heavy modified for ground assaults. And it is my intention to use this ship to break into Cremona Penitentiary, one of the most protected prisons in the Empire. Thanks to my ranks on the Imperial Navy, I have been able to confirm the intel I got from Admiral Patreus and now I know the precise location of my partner Ayumi within the facility. She has been accused of terrorism, she did not have a trial, I know she is innocent, and I want her back. The actions I am about to take, weather if I have success or not, will probably make me a traitor to the Empire… so be it.
The Steropes over a military installation on Facece
I have been able to transfer my advanced COVAS Alix from the Mjolnir to the Steropes. I need her to pilot the ship and put it in orbit while I infiltrate the prison. I know Alix can do that, I have seen her doing it with an Imperial Clipper, but this is a Fed ship, and Alix’s software is imperial, developed to serve Patreus special agents… (sighs) and we did not have time to run tests… I just hope nothing fuses.
Alix, are you listening to this? How are you feeling with your new dress?
COVAS ALIX: All systems nominal commander and, if by dress do you mean this gunship, it is sluggish and dull, nothing to compare to the grace of an Imperial Clipper.
You talked like a true Imperial. (Chuckles) I agree, but this gunship is also strong, resilient and armed to the teeth, and that is what we need for this mission. And, besides, we could not use the Mjolnir to avoid compromising our dear admiral Patreus, right?
COVAS ALIX: That is correct.
Be ready, we are breaking orbit.
The Steropes gliding towards Cremona Penitentiary
Deploying hardpoints. Missiles ready. Now listen carefully. I am going to take the anti-ship defence systems of the base with dumbfires; as soon as it is safe to land, you will deploy me at the front lot and break into orbit. If we are lucky, the patrol ships will follow you and ignore me.
COVAS ALIX: Commander, what I am supposed to do if engaged by the patrol ships in orbit?
You are supposed to endure. Listen, I have removed anything nonessential of this ship and put military grade armour and hull reinforcements on its place. This is really a hard bone to chew. Patrol ships usually rely on missiles to pierce armour once the shields are down, and I have added several point defence turrets to the hull. And, besides, I have also expended a fortune to add a grade 3 beam laser turret with automatic fire system to keep the fighters in line. I just need you to hold for ten minutes.
The Steropes deploying weapons
COVAS ALIX: I hope you are right, commander, my combat capabilities are very limited. I will not last long against experienced combat pilots.
I know. Just keep them busy for ten minutes. I will extract Ayumi. Then, come back for us.
COVAS ALIX: Commander, I must ask, what happens in the eventuality that you are captured or perish.
Well, in that… eventuality, and since you are so worried about not compromising admiral Patreus, I suggest that you use the self-destruct.
… COVAS ALIX: Understood.
(Chuckles) For an instant I thought that I left you speechless. Watch out! There is the prison. Engaging!
The Steropes firing its missiles
Damm dumbfires! I missed by short. Firing again. I need to disable the two big anti-ship turrets before they melt us. Firing again!
The Steropes firing its missiles towards an anti-ship turret
Yes! One turret down. But the other one is ripping our shields. I need to take it down. Do you detect any patrols?
COVAS ALIX: I detect two faint signals approaching. They will be upon us in minutes.
Roger that. Minutes is all I need… Wait, I can see skimmers too. I need to take them down. They will tear me to pieces if I set foot.
The Steropes firing its lasers
Burn you damn creeper!... This is strange. I saw much more skimmers the last time we were here.
The Steropes destroying a skimmer
Got cha! The ship is holding. Most turrets are disabled. One last fly by and I could attempt to disembark before the patrols arrive.
Jav Marlo on the Steropes attacking Cremona Penitentiary
Ok. I think there is our window of opportunity. The lot is clear. DO IT NOW. Land and let me disembark.
COVAS ALIX: Right away commander.
The Steropes landing in front of Cremona Penitentiary
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) Commander, the patrols are upon us. We are under fire. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) THEN GO, go now. Try to take them with you. (Comms buzz)
The Steropes departing Cremona Penitentiary
(Comms buzz) I can see them. An Imperial Courier and a Viper… they are following you. Remember, you cannot outrun them but there are just two of them. You can hold. YOU MUST HOLD. Keep radio silence until I recall you. (Comms buzz)
COVAS ALIX: (comms buzz) Understood. Good luck commander. (Comms buzz)
Patrol ships pursuing the Steropes
Yeah! Good luck to you too. Well. I hope I am not asking too much to a computer. Let´s see if Alix and that gunship are worth the price I paid for them. They must be… if not… (deep breath). Focus. Now it is on me.
Jav Marlo sneaking in the Cremona Penitentiary outskirts
(Deep breath) Something is wrong. So quiet. No guards, no skimmers, no ships, no alarms. I don´t like it.
Jav Marlo running towards Cremona Penitentiary
The energy barrier is up. But apart from that I see no other active defenses. Too easy.
Jav Marlo in front of the energy barrier
Well. I was ready for this.
Jav Marlo jumping over the energy barrier
And there is the cell block. And, again, no guards watching the perimeter.
Jav Marlo flying over the energy barrier
Quiet. Why so quiet. How it is possible?
Jav Marlo over the Cremona Penitentiary gate
It´s too late to abort. I just have this shot. I must proceed with the plan and break into.
Jav Marlo running towards the cell block entrance
Almost there. I can see the entrance. I should be able to open it with the arc cutter and overcharge it. And I brought a heavy Manticore shotgun with me for any possible close encounters inside. (Deep sigh), but I have a bad feeling about this. (Deep breath) Let´s go.
Jav Marlo about to break into Cremona Penitentiary
…
(Comms buzz) Alix, are you there? Are you holding? I have found Ayumi. Do you copy me? We will need extraction in two minutes. (Comms buzz)
Jav Marlo finding Ayumi inside Cremona Penitentiary
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) I am still here commander. The two patrol ships have just disengaged and are flying back towards your position. A landing attempt could be dangerous. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) Hold on. What do you say? They know we are coming. What set up? Trap? (Comms buzz)
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) Commander, I am approaching your position. I can read multiple hostile signals outside the facility, both ground and airborne. (Comms buzz)
The Steropes approaching Cremona Penitentiary
(Comms buzz) ABORT, ABORT, IT´S A TRAP. (Comms buzz)
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) Commander, there are multiple skimmers waiting for you on the outskirts, and the anti-ship and anti-ground turrets seem to be operative again. I am afraid you are trapped. Should I start the self-destruct protocol? (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) DON`T YOU DARE YOU PIECE OF… just find a crater to hide and make sure they do not follow you. We will find our way out. We are moving to the garage looking for a vehicle. (Comms buzz)
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) Commander, I am afraid that facing the forces gathering outside the facility on a scarab is suicidal. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) JUST DO AS I SAY!... Wait a second. This is not a scarab. (Comms buzz)
This could work. You take the gunner position and I drive. Fire at will. It is pretty hot outside.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi scaping Cremona Penitentiary on a scorpion
WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT, we have multiple incomings.
I SEE, I SEE, what is the scape plan?
Jav Marlo and Ayumi onboard a scorpion
Right now, the plan is trying to survive. Then we will see. WATCH OUT! A GOLIATH, they have a damn Goliath!
I told you it was a trap, they were waiting for you.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi engaging the skimmers
It makes no sense. Why would they want to kill me? Watch our seven! This thing has missiles. Use them!
FIRING MISSILE!
Ayumi firing a missile to a Goliath
It is Anders Blaine. He questioned me about you. He wanted to know about our trip to the Formidine Rift and your relationship with professor Palin.
A Goliath hit by a missile
YOU DID IT! YOU DESTROYED THE GOLIATH! Oh, I love this thing. I need to get one for me. But that what you say makes no sense. The Rift trip was long a go and I have not been in contact with Palin for a long time.
I know, but the Chancellor believes you are dangerous, and this was a chance for him to get rid of both of us. Nobody will question our deaths during a scape attempt. You… we have been playing his game. (Blast) DAMN! What was that?
Jav Marlo and Ayumi on a scorpion being attacked
RAILGUNS! We are leaving the skimmers behind, but we have several patrol ships incoming. Use the plasma repeater. You said Blaine? Are you sure it was him?
YES. He questioned me. On his ship. He knew about us… well, most of it, about our trips, he wanted to know more about you… the places you have gone, your allies, everything. I do not see how we can get rid of those ships.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi onboard a scorpion running away
I have an idea. When I approached the installation from the air, I could see deep long canyon running some klicks south-west from here. We are getting closer. If we can make it there, we could avoid the ships. They will not be able to shoot us or track us there. We just need to hold a little bit more. Keep firing.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi onboard a scorpion shooting pursuing ships
I hope you are right.
It must work, it is almost there. Just some meters more. I am switching off all non-essential systems. Stop firing. I am trying to mask out signal.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi onboard a scorpion approaching a canyon
They are flying circles above. Trying to visual spot us.
They won’t be able to see us in an instant.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi onboard a scorpion observing pursuers
Hey. I cannot believe it. I think it’s working. We are not under fire anymore.
I told you. We can run through the shadows of the canyon and get away from here.
That was an amazing trick. But how are we going to leave the planet, and the system, do you have a ship? A new partner? Who was that Alix you were talking to?
Ayumi onboard a scorpion
It is a long story. But I have everything under control. Look: (Comms buzz) Alix, lock on my signal and find a rendezvous point by the end of the canyon to take us. (Comms buzz)
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) Right away, commander. (Comms buzz)
Does she address you as commander? Was I to harsh on you so you had to find a trainee to boss around?
Jav Marlo and Ayumi talking onboard a scorpion
COVAS ALIX: (Comms buzz) I have lock on your position, and I am flying towards the canyon. (Comms buzz)
First of all, I am a commander. And second, Alix is not a trainee, she is an advance COVAS that can fly a ship on his own.
Alix flying the Steperos towards a canyon
An advance COVAS? And you call her Alix?
Yes, you both are so alike, you are going to get along so well.
I doubt so. I have heard of such things. High end technology for ships. Only available for top rank military. How did you get your hands on such a thing?
Well… (cough)… I… I got it from Patreus.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi travelling onboard a scorpion
PATREUS. You mean… Admiral Denton Patreus. ARE YOU CRAZY? You trusted that scheming warmongering animal to install a hyper developed COVAS on your ship. WE ARE DOOMED!
Listen to me. I know what I am doing. The man has been helping me, us.
US? THE MAN? Patreus is a monster who ordered Salomé to be killed and who is probably scheming with Blaine and tricking you. How can you…?
YOU ARE NOT LISTENNING TO ME! You must trust me. Patreus is not in good terms with Blaine. I truly think he wants to help us.
HE IS A DEVIL.
WELL. SO, IF I HAVE TO PACT WITH THE DEVIL TO RESCUE YOU, SO BE IT.
The scorpion running through the canyon
Sorry. I did not mean… I mean… It is just…
Hey. No need to say anything. (Chuckles) That was nice.
Nice?
Yes. Just like the old times. After being together ten minutes, we started arguing, as usual.
(Chuckles) Yeah! I guess it is a habit.
We are reaching the end of the canyon, there is Alix with my ship, the Steperos.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi on a scorpion approaching the Steperos
What a flying brick!
Try to be nice to Alix. She is very sensitive.
(Chuckles) I have a hunch that we are not going to get along well.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi parking the scorpion close to the Steperos
Hey, I am sorry for taking so long to find you and for the bumpy rescue. I did the best I could. How are you feeling? I just want to know that you are well.
I am sorry for yelling at you. I cannot imagine what you got through to rescue me. Thank you. Thank you for not letting me rot here. It is just… I am fine… they tried… you know?... they were intrigued about the modifications the Exemplars installed on me… they are not like anything they have seen before… they… they… I´ll be fine. I just need some time… to heal… I will tell you…
There is no need. I trust you. You are safe now. Now let´s fly away from this cursed place.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi in front of the Steropes
Where are we going?
I have arranged for a safe place to hide and gear up before we leave imperial space. I think we will need to stay low for a while. It is a remote outpost on the Eotienses system.
Patreus?
Trust me. And… Ayumi… we are some hours for New Year’s Eve. Perhaps they celebrate on the outpost, and we could have a drink… I am joking, I am taking you straight to the medical post.
(Chuckles) It has been several years since the last time I celebrated… well… anything. But that sounds good! Thank you.
Here’s to 3308.
Jav Marlo signing out.
Jav Marlo and Ayumi on the Steropes leaving system Facece
Happy new year 3308. o7 commanders.