Lost, but Not Forgotten
13 Sep 2020LilliSWE
"As I slowly open my eyes, I am surrounded by my crew and a handful of doctors. A look of sadness fills their expressions. I try to sit up, but as I do, a surge of excruciating pain floods my body. The nurses direct me to relax and remain calm. What happened to me? Why am I here?"
As I watch my crew load back into the Belugas and rescue ships, I look around at all the grateful people as they let out sighs and cries of relief. I'm the last to board the Recyclops. I make my way to the helm, and direct my pilots to make way back to Mackenzie Relay. As we're launching, I receive a message from Princess Duval's personal assistant.
"Admiral Lindholm, this is Cyril Bridgeford, personal assistant to her grace, Princess Aishling Duval. The Princess has requested your expert assistance in rescuing her staff from Mackenzie Relay. The staff had remained on station to see to it that all members of the board were evacuated from the station. They need immediate evacuation as lingering terrorists have been spotted entering the system. Please assist ASAP!"
I confirm my intentions to evacuate her staff with Mr. Bridgeford. He thanks us for helping out, and the communication ends there. As we exit supercruise near the station, it's all still a horrific sight to behold. I've seen and helped out in Thargoid attacked stations, but this one hits close to home. The pilots make their way into the burning station and onto the designated landing pad. I watch as the LLC lands on the adjacent pad. Both crews unload and begin to hurry evacuees onto the waiting vessels. I personally escort Princess Duval's staff onto the Recyclops as explosions begin to erupt throughout the interior. I think to myself, "This is getting bad. We need to lift off as soon as possible."
I get the word that both ships have been filled to max cap and we're ready to take off. As I reach the helm, I give orders for both ships to get out now. We follow a path right behind the LLC when suddenly the LLC is hit with what appears to be pack hound missiles. LT Donaldson radios in for immediate assistance and that they are under fire. In a flash of fire and metal, the LLC explodes in a ball of flame. I never got another second to reflect on that when suddenly the Recyclops is shot with a railgun laser. Shields have been rendered useless and FSD is severely damaged, but operable. All of a sudden, the Recyclops is rammed and we slam into the station hull. That is all that I remember about the incident.
"Admiral, you suffered a concussion when the ship was slammed into the station. Imperial Security came to your aide as well as Aishling's Angels. They managed to repair your vessel enough to make it here to the rescue megaship. They managed to safely evacuate all aboard as well as the Princess' staff. However, the other ship, LLC, was not so fortunate. All aboard were killed and the ship lost. You're free to move about the med-ward, but we would like to keep you overnight for further observations."
I thank the doctor as I slowly attempt to get to my feet and gather my thoughts. I lean over and cup my head in my hands. My flight crew walks in as tears flow down my cheeks. LCDR Lugosi runs through them, sits next to me, and holds me tight.
"I'm sorry everyone. I'm so so sorry about this. I wish I could have done something, but it all happened so fast."
Vittoria interrupts me and reassures me that I did everything I could. The attack happened so suddenly. She reassures me that the attackers have been caught and their ships destroyed. Imperial Security has detained them within the megaship brig and is awaiting my interrogation. I kindly ask my crew for some time alone to think and rest. They kindly oblige and exit the room. I lay back down on the bed and close my eyes.