Singing Senator Patreus' Beard - Part V
02 Apr 2018Jellicoe
Coma System, Deep Space"Shields at 40%, we're out of cell banks." Vik shouted across the bridge over the cacophony of battle.
"More hostiles incoming." Claude Marsaud added, "Two Anaconda's and a Viper six klicks out and closing."
"Plenty of time to bag a couple more." Jellicoe growled quietly, his bloodshot eyes blazing with a savage intensity as he pumped fire into an already crippled Python. "Target one of the Eagles." He called as the Python blew, his voice eerily calm and strangely distant, as though he were watching himself as a detached, at most semi interested observer.
"Target locked." Vik confirmed a second before a torrent of fire all but enveloped the small ship.
"New hostiles entering range." Vik called, "They're firing."
"Impulse attack, trajectory disruption." The computer calmly announced a the first salvo crashed home.
"Shields at 28%, we can't take too much more of this." Vik said as Jellicoe, seemingly oblivious continued hammering rounds into the blazing hulk of the Eagle.
"Skipper? Skipper we need to get out of here. Now." Claude called calmly but firmly.
Jellicoe shook his head as though waking, then a slight tremor went through his whole body.
"Weapons retracted... Frame Shift Drive charging." The computer announced and as the stars stretched and the 'Resolution' was hurled into witch space Claude and Vik exchanged a long look that mingled relief with considerable concern.
Condi System, Shipping Lane
"Where are we making for?" Claude asked from his astrogation console.
"Crouch Depot, it's a small ground port, less chance of it being staked out if anyone is looking for us." Jellicoe replied tersely but slightly more slowly than usual, like a man struggling with a hangover Claude thought. The captain of the Resolution had always suffered a slight come down after the high of combat, but recently it had become much more pronounced, less the gradual come down most combat pilots recognised as adrenaline levels returned to normal, more a sudden and dramatic crash.
"Course plotted and laid in." Claude replied, "Look Skipper we need to talk while we're on the ground."
"There won't be time," Jellicoe snapped, irritation and, Claude thought, concern in his voice, "We're only stopping to refuel and rearm then we're going back in."
"That'll take half an hour at least, plenty of time for a chat."
"No... I errr, I have to speak to HQ, find out how the big picture's looking."
"I'll join you then, I am first officer I should know the situation in case anything happens to you."
"NO!" Jellicoe exploded in surprise and anger, "Just for once can't you..."
"Interdiction detected." The computer announced as the ship jerked and rocked, Jellicoe shook his head vigorously before wrestling with the stick and throttle in a vain effort to keep the decaying Frame Shift tunnel open.
"Hull integrity compromised." The computer confirmed the 'Resolution's' failure to break free of the tether.
"Gunship's dropped with us," Vik reported, "Two more contacts... both Assault Ships, all have hardpoints deployed. Our shields are at 31%, no cell banks left."
"Making evasive manoeuvres," Jellicoe replied, "We need to give the jump drive time to cool down so let's take the fight to them." The Resolution fired, apparently catching one of the approaching Assault Ships off guard before it wheeled and boosted away.
"We're taking heavy fire." Claude called, "How long till we can jump?"
"Another thirty seconds," Jellicoe called, spinning and turning to avoid at least some of the withering incoming fire, "These boys are good!"
"Shields at 15%." Vik reported. The 'Resolution' flipped, spun and whirled as her pilot summoned every ounce of skill and experience to keep her away from the punnishing fire of her hunters.
"Frame Shift Drive online." The computer announced to Claude's audible relief.
"Punch it Skipper!"
Frame Shift Drive charging... Shields offline, taking damage."
"Too late, we're away!" Claude yelled, his voice a mixture of relief and exultation.
"Frame Shift Drive rebooting." The computer calmly declared as the jump drives progress bar vanished from the display.
"What? Skipper what happened?" Claude shouted.
"Grom bombs." Vik murmured in shock, "Containment missiles, has to be."
"We're dead!" Claude muttered.
"Then let's take some of them with us." Jellicoe spat, his voice thick with defiance tinged, Claude thought, with pure joy.
"They're jamming our coms." I'm trying to boost the signal on the Fusiliers emergency frequency." Claude reported. "Emergency, emergency to any Newton's Fusiliers ships this is the 'Resolution'. We are under attack in the Condi system, we are unable to jump and our shields are down, any ships close by please assist urgently."
"They're targeting our engines," Vik said, "The module reinforcement's holding but it won't last forever.
"This is Commander Haines of the Federal Navy," a harsh voice came through, "Power down your weapons and surrender or you will be destroyed."
"Go to hell." Jellicoe barked opening fire on the Gunship, shredding what was left of her shields before the target spun away. Jellicoe pirouetted his own ship to keep his guns on their target but also opened his own ship to the punishing fire of Commander Haines' wing mates in his determination not to die alone.
"Module reinforcement's gone, engines at 72% integrity and falling." Vik reported
"Tell the crew to break out the small arm." Jellicoe ordered, "We'll make the bastards pay dearly for this ship."
"Hey Stannis the cavalry's here." A calm, familiar voice came through, followed by a simulated roar as a cascade of high powered weaponry slammed into one of the Assault ships followed seconds later by volleys from two other vessels.
"It's Isaiah! With Renriku and Godless!" Claude yelled, "The call must have got through."
"Picked up your SOS buddy," Renraiku said as if reading Claude's mind, "Figured you wouldn't mind us gatecrashing your party. One Assault Ship down the other two are running for it. You get yourselves outta here, we'll take care of them.
Shroeder Instalation, Kabuga System
"He's pushing himself too hard." Claude said as he sat with Vik in the near empty bar. "He's pumping himself full of stims to keep himself going, I just hope when we take Coma he'll sort himself out."
"He won't though," Vik answered gravely, his bright eyes fixed on his companion, "Because all those are just symptoms, the cause is much deeper."
"Go on."
"His world has fallen apart over the last year or so, he gave up his career with the navy to follow Salomé, now she's dead but it's like nothing happened and he feels it was all for nothing and now she's gone, his career's gone, everything he believed about the Federation's gone, even Kira's gone. The fight is all he has left but deep down he knows he can't win . You didn't see his face before Isaiah and the others showed up and we all thought we were finished, he was shining."
"You think he wants to die?"
"No, it's not that he wants to die, it's that he doesn't want to live which isn't the same thing, but if his death helps the cause he won't even hesitate."
"Always knew he'd get me killed," Claude said with a rueful smile, "but you don't have to go with me, get out now while you can."
Vik returned the smile, "Remember what you said in Colonia about friendship?" he asked, Claude nodded, "There you go. Whatever happens happens to us all."