Shakedown Cruise 3
15 Apr 2020NeLs0n RaD
Commanders' note: This is a belated entry and final for previous entries under same date.04.03.3306 / Aboard: Krait MkII 'Antares' 3TG2-7 /Ops Region: Fan Yin / Ops System: OPSEC Classified / Current Contract: Pirate Eradication (Massacre)
The ship's alarm klaxon and interdiction warning flashing on the HUD interrupted my reverie...
“Gear up Boyle, our next bunny just popped outta his hole!” I called over to my fighter pilot.
“On it, Commander!” she called back. I glanced over to see her donning her helmet and switching on the tele-presence controls, turning her seat into a virtual pilot seat for our fighters.
Odalys Boyle was one of Ms Rahsheed's... Victoria's... recommendations for fighter pilot. She had a background as an Imperial close support fighter pilot, but apparently she had a run in with one of her officers, not sure over what, but seeing the way she filled out a flight suit, I could just imagine. He ended up hospitalized, she ended up in an Imperial prison. She didn't try to hide the fact in our interview, which I respected, and because of Victoria's recommendation I decided to give her a go aboard the Antares. A decidedly good decision if I do say so myself, as she has proven to be a “hot stick” in the pilot's seat and a real professional in our dealings with one another.
“There's no escape!” the comms speaker crackled. I glanced over to the info panel and saw the pirate's name... “Slick Stick Dumbutt” or whatever, they were all the same to me, generally stupid attempts at self-glorification and/or intimidation and, after their destruction, completely forgotten. What did get my attention at the moment, however, was his combat rating and ship type, which was a bit worrisome. This guy had racked up enough kills to be rated dangerous and he was piloting a Python.
“Might need a little help with this a-hole,” I said under my breath as I switched on the Antares' crime reporting beacon.
I switched on the external comms and spoke plaintively into the mic, “You're right, sir... I'm throttling down now... please have mercy...”
I switched off the mic and called over to Boyle, “This jerk-off might be a little nasty, you up?”
“Aye Commander! No worries, he's got nothin' for us... I'll slice 'im, you dice 'im, let's get paid!”
“That's what I like to hear,” I chuckled and pulled the throttle back to zero. The Antares shuddered coming out of hyperspace and the boom of the shock wave reverberated through her hull. I immediately set the throttle to the blue arc then punched the boost to put some distance between us and the Python.
“Launch your fighter, Boyle!” I ordered.
“Roger Commander, I'm out the hatch!”
“What do you bring before the pirate lord?” I heard crackling over the comms as I pulled Antares into an overhead loop, deploying her weapons and thumbing off the safeties. Then, before I could even answer I heard Boyle over the comms,
“How 'bout a hot can of whup ass, jerk-off?!”
If I hadn't been strapped in I would've fallen out of my seat laughing as I pulled the trigger, lighting up the Python with a full burst of beam lasers and multi-cannons. Boyles' fighter had maneuvered behind him and was playing hell with his thrusters. I got a lock tone from the missile battery and let one fly. The Python was bearing straight for the Antares and her shields were taking a beating but she was holding up. The Python began to maneuver to my starboard so I rolled Antares to keep her lasers bearing on target, then throttled to zero and nosed to him letting loose another missile and raking his belly with more laser and multi-cannon fire.
“Target shields off-line,” came Verity's sweet tones over the comms.
“Music to my ears, baby,” I said, mostly to myself as I looped Antares to come up behind our target. Just then I began to see green markers showing up on my scanner and squadron chatter across the comm channel.
“Here come the locals, Boyle,” I called out.
“Got 'em, Commander. Let's party!” came her reply.
“I hadn't expected this,” came crackling over the comms.
“Y'all never do,” I said to myself.
“Frame shift charge detected,” came Verity's voice again.
“You ain't goin' anywhere!” I growled out, moving Antares in close to keep the Python mass locked.
“Awww... what's wrong lover, are we wearing you out?” Boyle mocked to the 'pirate lord', “Now don't run off, I'm not finished yet!” as she put another burst into the Python's thrusters.
Now the locals began scoring hits on the ship and it's hull integrity began to deteriorate rapidly. I could see the Python struggling to get up speed, but Boyle was unrelenting in her targeting of it's thrusters and the ship was hopelessly mass locked by Antares. I kept drilling the dying ship's hull with multi-cannons and missiles. Finally there came the crackling and arcing as the reactor breached and the ship exploded spectacularly, as the dying pirate screamed over the comms, “I don't believe it!”
“Ahhh... now I'm done!” Boyle said over the comms with a most satisfied tone, then, “Oh, damn!”
“What's wrong?!” I asked, a bit alarmed.
“I think I broke a nail!” she cried, then laughed, “no more hostiles on the scanner, Commander.”
“Lucky for them,” I chuckled... I'm glad she's on my side.
Post Script -
Antares and crew has performed beyond expectations. The ship is a pleasure to helm and fight, being fast, maneuverable, and most of all tough. Boyles' handling of the fighters has been extremely proficient and profitable. I will be thanking Victoria Rahsheed personally at the nearest opportunity.