[@vFear][@AreaQD][@Mugi][@Deejay][@Silvan Haven][@Onarax][@Plank Sinatra][@Krayzikk][@Bravebuckshot][@Letter Bee]
[H3]OSDT [i]Jannah[/i], Martian Sphere[/H3]

"Bos-sir, the sensor's got blips at 86 degrees. Confirming how many we've got right now!"

So they had finally shown their faces. Captain Pajari leaned forth, steepling his hands in thought as he gazed into the black of the viewscreen. It had been quiet waiting for the last hour, wondering when their foray into the midst of pirate territory would provide them with their dividends, but now that waiting had finally paid off. The [i]Jannah[/i] would be soon in combat with whatever force their targets would bring to bear, and whether or not his crew's mission would result in a failure would depend on their skill, and that of the enemy. If they were weaker, they would lose, but if they were stronger, then the pirates would win. That was fact.

"Looks like a real doozy from up here," interrupted Lumen 3, Lydia Popova, with her trademark drawl. The HFV pilot and her machine were sitting on top of the [i]Jannah[/i]'s hull, serving as both an additional gun and extra pair of eyes for the ship. Her voice was tinged with the slightest bit of static. "[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqqPEcQd9j0]Thinking about thirty or so of them?[/url]"

It appeared as if the pirates outnumbered them almost two-to-one, then, if her observation had been correct.

"Thirty pirate IFFs exactly, sir!" Riley shouted, the redhead only glancing once at his direction before returning to the console. "Popova's got it right."

"There are twenty-eight Rooks rapidly approaching!" noted another member of the bridge crew, a bespectacled blonde woman with her hair tied back into a bun. "And ... there are two Bradleys as well!"

That was a significant amount of HFVs for mere pirates. No wonder they were so adventurous so recently. Such an amount of machines in one's possession so far out into space was more than enough to deal with any company's escorts. Enough for one to be confident against any foe, even an OSDT ship like the [i]Jannah[/i]. If he knew the pirates' mindset clearly, then downing his vessel would likely be a massive boost to one's reputation.

"All hands to battlestations!" he ordered, alarms beginning to ring across the ship. "Launch all HFVs now!"

"I wouldn't bet that we'll get outta this without a scratch, old man," said Lydia casually, even while she was likely preparing to fire her cannon at the approaching pirates. "Bit of a gamble there."

[right][i]Lumen 1 and 2 have launched![/i][/right]

"Gambling is restricted to poker nights, Ms. Popova," was Pajari's immediate reprimand. "Focus on the enemy before worrying about losing more of your money."

[right][i]Lumen 4 has launched![/i][/right]

"That's harsh, old man."

Once the battle was over, he would really need to work on fixing her irreverence.