Federal Ring Patrol
20 Feb 2018Jimi_Jazz
"Federal Scout Ship JZ-329i CPO Jazz reporting in at Location Charlie - commencing resource extraction site patrol"
The Assault ship dropped into the ring of Exphiay 12a and the sensor began resolving the local contacts. I would patrol this location for 20 minutes until my relief arrived and I would move onto my next station.
An incoming message pinged, I told my communications tech to bring it up to the main screen. I was greeted by Rear Admiral Jameson - standing commander for Federal Naval operations of Exphiay Blue Transport Group - the Federal Corporation that owns the entire Exphiay - Canopus - Synuefe cluster.
I had been stationed here since I was a cadet. Don't get me wrong - I am no Federal dog. I am an independent consignee for the Federal Navy, but I would never sign my life over to them. Their authoritative capitalist nature drove me right up a wall. These last 3 months exclusively in Federal space, pretending to be loyal to the Federation, it was hell. But hey, I had my heart set on their Naval Corvettes. Those ships were beautiful. I was determined to work to the rank of Rear Admiral, then they would never see me again.
RA Jameson looked at me through the view screen. His chest puffed out to show off his various accolades.
"We have reports of several wanted ships in the area, at least 3 of our mining vessels have missed their latest report times. We need you to conduct an immediate and thorough sweep 15 km out from the security beacon, at a heading of 270 degrees. If you find them, you know what to do" His voice belied mostly the self important repose common to Federal cogs, but also his frustration. Somebody was breathing down his neck for those lost ships. That's for sure.
"Roger - will commence sweep". I noted and followed my orders. It wasn't long before a Type 7 appeared on the scanner, it was badly damaged, black smoke streamed from massive holes in its hull. A quick scan revealed that they were indeed one of the missing Exphiay Blue Transport miners.
"Is there anyone on board?" I asked to my first sergeant manning the scanner.
"Yes commander, two vital signals. The ship's emergency life support system is engaged, and it appears they are finishing a reboot sequence."
"Communications officer, open a com signal"
The Type 7 accepted the hail, but did not wait for me to introduce myself.
"You have to help us! Our wing has been attacked by pirates, we lost the other two ships and our engines are badly damaged! We need to clear the ring so we can jump out of there, but we know those pirates are waiting to ambush!" The panicked voice of the pilot sounded in my cockpit.
"Easy, easy, this is Federal Navy ship JZ-329i, we will escort you out of mass lock. How many ships attacked you? Have you lost any cargo?" I replied. "Start in my direction, I will watch your b-"
My reply was cut short by the ships warning and the loud "kerthud" of an impulse blast erupting on my shields. "We are under attack commander!". They had been silent running. They crept up on us as we spoke to the damaged ship. Now firing, the 3 pirates appeared on scanner screen. Two sidewinders and an ASP scout were close behind in a v formation. I reverse thrust, switching off the Flight Assist and spinning to face my attackers. Their weapon fire ripped my shields to shreds just as my weapons locked on the first sidewinder.
This didn't faze me, the FAS' had an inferior shielding system, it's defenses lay in its armor. A salvo of missile fire smashed into the hull of the sidewinder - it's shields still recharging from silent running - and reduced it to a pile of molten slag. Switching targets, I boosted directly into the second, sending it flipping off in a violent tangent. Cannon and laser fire pock marked the hull of my ship, I ignored assault from the ASP and maintained lock on the out of control sidewinder. A single carefully timed missile exploded its engines just as it regained stabilization, the ship slammed full speed into a nearby rock, shattering into a sparkling cloud of hot debris.
"The scout is making for the Type 7!" My first sergeant reported. I turned to follow, using the FAS' superior speed to close the distance rapidly. Within seconds I was pouring laser and multi-cannon fire into its shields. The shields gave with a blue flash and the ASP broke pursuit of the miners.
"Target their powerplant, lets take them down" I instructed, maneuvering the ship to just above the internal module. Out of the corner of my eye the Type 7 disappeared in a flash. The ASP boost out of sight, and I quickly reversed thrust to face them coming around to me in a wide arc. The missile reticule began honing in the power plant with soft auditory beeps. This pilot was good, but too bullheaded. They should have given up the fight and left with whatever cargo they had already pilfered when they lost their wing men. They were after all, doing what little they could to feed their families living as outcasts of Federal rule. In many other contexts, me and the pirate were exactly the same. I mused as the target lock resolved and the ASP boost towards me, guns firing everything they've got at my exposed hull.
I pulled the trigger.