The value of a Name: Part 1
15 Sep 2016Cartlidge1000
“Security service this is Cmdr Cartlidge, I’ve got eyes on the convoy” I typed into my comms panel.“Copy that. We’ll be there in T-minus two minutes. Engage at your own discretion but do not destroy the objective.” The time was the 15th of September, 3302. I was working with the security forces in a border system with a low population to apprehend a convoy of slavers that had been spotted a day earlier.
“Copy. Moving in to engage.” I didn’t need backup to handle the convoy. I was flying the Paladin against a Lakon Type 9, two Vipers, and an Eagle. The battle was tense, but by the time the security service had joined in I had destroyed the Lakon’s escorts. With two Pythons and a cluster of Eagles on my side the Lakon was forced to submit.
With the mothership now trapped I exited the Paladin’s bridge to put on my EVA equipment. After a brief space walk I joined five others outside the Lakon. One of the soldiers placed an override charge to force the airlock open. Once we were inside we were welcomed with gunfire.
It took roughly an hour and a couple men, but we eventually emerged from the firefight victorious. As one soldier tried to abort the ship’s self destruct sequence, another worked on downloading the ship's records while the third and I attempted to force the cargo bay to dump its contents. As we worked, the Pythons moved quickly to scoop up the ejected cryopods.
“Is that the last one?” the captain of the raid asked.
“I think so. We should get out of here” I replied.
“Captain! I can’t get override the self destruct!” another soldier shouted, running towards us from the bridge.
“The cargo bay! We won’t have time to exit the main airlock!” I shouted, opening the airlock to the cargo hatch. The four of us were sucked out moments before the ship detonated.
Once the Pythons had scooped us back up I was taxied back to my Fer-de-Lance. I was glad to get back out of my heavy EVA equipment.
“Thank you for your help commander. Your payment will be waiting for you back at the station.”
“Copy that. Pleasure working with you” I replied, watching the security ships jump to supercruise. I was about to do the same when I noticed a white marker on my compass. Curious, my eyes darted to the contacts panel.
“Wait. Did they…? Oh come on they left one!” I groaned, deploying my cargo scoop.
[Part 1]