Episode 120, Surprise Guests
31 Oct 2024Ryuko Ntsikana
Bazin's Zenith,
Bamazin System
_____________________________
Ryuko had just started pulling on his flight suit when he noticed Tara’s eyes widen, and he didn’t need to ask before the answer came. The emergency lighting dimmed the suite to a cold blue, and he turned to the window: flashes punctuated the vacuum outside, their brief, soundless light illuminating the blackness for a half-second before vanishing again.
The facility was under siege. In the silence of the lunar surface, explosions burst like fireworks muffled behind thick glass, and it was clear enough that whoever they were, the raiders were dismantling the perimeter security piece by piece. Ryuko knew their strategy well—deplete, disarm, and descend upon the vulnerable like vultures. Whatever their aim, it wouldn’t end well for the guests inside.
He zipped his suit and cursed himself for leaving his Maverick. That would’ve given him shielding, some armor, something to match the Zenith laser pistol clutched in his grip. He glanced at Tara, similarly underprepared in her own flight suit, her eyes sharp as she assessed the odds. Between them, they had six reloads, no grenades, no real armor, and no shields. Grim odds.
To make it worse, without power, they were sealed in the suite. All suits had an energy link, but an overload could only force the door open twice before his own suit’s battery would be critically low. He keyed his forearm communicator, frowning at the static hiss crackling through.
“It’s jammed.”
Tara finished adjusting her suit and spoke in a low, clear tone. “The door to this suite is an excellent fatal funnel. Our best chance is to stay put and let them waste supplies breaching, then pick them off as they enter.”
Ryuko gave a faint smirk, an eyebrow raised. “I have a better idea.” He nodded at Tara. “With your build, you can last out there longer than I can. When the first one enters, I’ll drop him. Use him as a shield, and I’ll follow you, firing until I’m empty—or you’re clear.”
Tara shook her head. “You know my directives won’t allow that.”
The smirk on his face turned to a confident grin. “Then I’ll make it easy for you. That’s an order.” He looked at her with a glint of resolve. “I won’t be going alone. You can settle up the score later.”
She looked around, her eyes suddenly widening as she tracked energy waves through her augmented vision. Then, a smile crept across her face as her gaze moved upward. “We don’t have to worry about that. Your message to Captain Akio went through. The carrier is in orbit, and I can detect ships descending on this location.”
The first indication that their mission was failing came as an urgent warning from the Federal Assault ship hovering above. It was supposed to cover the operation, but now it reported hostile incoming—four Viper-class light attack craft, usually assigned to police the carrier’s perimeter, were descending in response to Ryuko’s distress call. They’d spotted the wanted Assault ship, their scans confirmed hostile intent, and without waiting, they opened fire.
Ryuko caught sight of the raiders below, their suits’ thruster packs igniting in pinprick flares as they began a rushed retreat. Tara stepped up beside him, her gaze tracking the flashing lights and streaks above—railgun bursts, laser arcs, multi-cannon volleys lighting the sky in staccato explosions.
A hail came through on Ryuko’s wrist computer as the jamming ship shifted its power to weapons and shields.
“Hailing Commander Ryuko Ntsikana… please respond.”
Ryuko’s eyebrows lifted at the voice of his carrier’s armorer and security chief, Mahmoud Farouk. “We’re here, Chief. What's the situation up there?”
Another eruption of gunfire painted the dark sky. Farouk’s voice was curt. “Alpha Squad’s engaged with a Federal Assault ship. I’m coming in low in your Python, just skimming the facility. The landing field is crowded—looks like they’re scrambling to get out, friendlies and hostiles mixed.”
Tara lifted Ryuko’s forearm with the comm, her voice precise. “Hold off on engagement, Chief. That Python has a wake scanner—watch for a wing breaking off, low and fast. Track them until they jump and scan their wake for a destination.”
A grin edged onto Ryuko’s face. “You heard her, Chief. Wait for the scramble.”
Tara let go of his arm, her gaze meeting his with steely resolve. “Time to be pirates again.”