"I've got a transmission from the [i]Pale Quiver,[/i] commander." Nikolai informed from Powers' ear radio. "They're requesting a transport." The captain paused for a second to contemplate this. He didn't want to trust these people in this 'Valinosian Pact', whatever the hell it was just yet. Any death on his ship would be his responsibility. True, Hangar Bay Primary was big enough to fit a small ship like the [i]Pale Quiver,[/i] since it already kept four one hundred metre long [i]Fearless[/i]-class corvettes securely fastened to the bay's ceiling. The bay itself was already several hundred metres long, and almost as wide as the width of the [i]Paramount[/i].

Powers put his finger to his ears as the elevator doors opened. "Alright. I'm authorising a Talon dropship to be used as transport. Make sure at least one Stingray is escorting it." The Talon dropships were the newest class of dropship used by the UEGNC, produced just a year before the conclusion of the Vaskran War. Talons were everything the old Vultures weren't: they were hardy, fast, and deadly, equipped with two side-mounted twin-barrelled rotating 25mm turrets, a chin-mounted cannon, and two missile launchers carrying two dozen Falchion homing missiles each. They were propelled by four heavy-duty repulsor engines, allowing increased manoeuvrability and speed. They were able to carry thirty-six fully armed marines, and a magnetic clamp system allowed it to carry a single land vehicle, from simple scout vehicles to main battle tanks. All in all, they were a considerable replacement for the Vulture. "Did they say anything else?"

"They said something about 'Valtorian tea'. If that is anything like glorious vodka, then it would be [i]wonderful![/i]" Powers groaned. "Yes, if it is like your [i]glorious vodka,[/i] then the men would surely enjoy it. Just remember to take scans, make sure it isn't toxic."

"You got it, commander." With that, the transmission ceased. Assuming a more formal stance as he neared one of the interior entrances for Hangar Bay Primary, he walked through the sliding metal doors. Immediately, he was greeted by the sight of dozens of workers, both human and robotic, scurrying around and working on vehicles that were damaged in the transit, while other performed maintenance on the many fighter craft. Three [i]Fearless[/i]-class corvettes hung to the ceiling, and one had been lowered to the ground as workers conducted repairs. Occasionally, a Stingray returned, possibly from some technical problem, while other fighters launched off. It was noisy, with the constant sound of machinery all around.

A marine company made up of power armoured soldiers each holding weapons for the specialisation stood before the bay. Seeing him, they all snapped to attention, even the bulky Special Security Suits standing behind. "Captain Powers. My men are ready to face... whoever these [i]diplomats[/i] are." A marine in white and grey armour with golden shoulder pads and a similar stripe on his helmet said. Powers turned to him. "Major Cornell. Been a while." He stuck out his hand, which the major accepted, and the two men shook hands. 

"As it has, sir." Cornell was a marine commander who fought countless battles during the Vaskran War, from small skirmishes to massive planetary battles. He used to be under Powers' command on his previous ship, the [i]One Rainy Day[/i], during the early years of the war, but was reassigned when the war started to get into full swing. As such, the two commanders hadn't seen each other in years. Powers released his grip. "I hope you won't do anything rash."

Cornell chuckled at that. "No, sir. Won't happen this time." The captain nodded, reassured. "Good. I wasn't looking for a repeat of Panorama." He adjusted his crisp white uniform. "How do I look?"

"Like any other good commander." Cornell said after a few seconds of studying him. 

[center]-----------------------[/center]

In one of the smaller launch facilities, a pilot sat lazily inside his Talon with his feet on the control panel. He yawned as he idly tossed an old ball up and down. His radio suddenly beeped, causing him to drop the ball and put his feet back down. He put a finger to the side of his helmeted head. "This is Delta 556, reporting."

"Mach. It's Nikolai." Realising the signature accent of the A.I. as his face appeared on the interior cockpit of the virtual display, the pilot, Mach, let out a loose chuckle. "Oh hey, buddy. What do you need?" Nikolai looked slightly irked by that. "I told you not to call me that. You sound like that idiot Dusty!"

Mach tossed his hands into the air. "Whoa whoa whoa. Do [i]not[/i] call Dusty an idiot. I like him. He's nice." The pilot said as he leaned forwards. Nikolai sighed. "Okay, whatever. Look, the captain of the [i]Pale Quiver[/i] requested a transport, and Captain Powers just authorised one. You have to go to the ship and pick up their diplomat." 

The pilot looked surprised. "You mean they [i]don't[/i] have any sort of transport of their own?" He leaned back again. "Goddamn freeloaders." 

"Yes, I know. You'd think a ship like that would contain at least one transport. Even our corvettes carry light transports."

"Tell me about it."

Nikolai crossed his arms. "I think we've talked about this before. Come on, get to the ship. The meeting's about to start, you know." The A.I. vanished a second later. Mach took a moment of pop his knuckles and crack his neck, before gripping the controls. "Well, here we go again." He pushed forwards on the thrust controls with one hand as he gripped the main control yoke with the other. Repulsors on the underside of the craft lit up and glowed blue as the air seemed to shimmer from quantum fluctuations. The Talon lifted into the air as its landing gear retracted into its body and it hovered in place for a second, before slowing moving forwards and passing through the thin plasma membrane that separated the atmosphere inside of the ship from the cold vacuum outside. Once that was done, it immediately blasted off with its four main engines glowing even brighter. A pathway was highlighted inside the cockpit to show the path to the target.

Nearing the [i]Pale Quiver,[/i] Mach opened up a channel. 

[quote][color=0072bc]"[i]Pale Quiver,[/i] this is Talon Delta 556 acting as a transport shuttle. Requesting permission to dock, over."[/color][/quote] 

[hider=DTT-154 Talon Dropship]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/DpWM1wl.jpg[/img]

Length: 31.2m
Width: 22.1m
Height: 11.6m
[/hider]