A gold colored jump point formed near the shuttle and Whitestar 21 leapt to full acceleration. As the cruiser closed on the vortex and the shuttle it was fired upon by a ship that had previously been defending it.
Marcus snarled silently. It was one thing to disable a ship to keep it from fleeing; It was another to defend a vessel then fire upon it when it looks like your about to lose it. The latter showed the same kind of greed as this Anubis.
Marcus was as curious as any as to what the vessel held that was so desired, that was why he invited it into the jump point. If there really was a threat he could have simply left it there to become lost forever. Now he had to risk his ship and crew in evacuating the damaged ship.
Marcus’ attention was focused on the task at hand. He heard and skimmed the reports of the change in conflict while his ship dove through the jump point. The captain motioned and the vortex closed behind them, thought not before a few hostile could join them in the red perpetually swirling dimension.
Marcus’ brown eyes studied the information on the ship's behind him. “Pepare to launch Wyvern.” He ordered before opening his direct line to Wyvern Lead.
“Your mission has changed.” The Shok’na started at the wing commanders acknowledgement. “Search and Rescue. There's a damaged shuttle out there, there are also a pair of fighters and... “ Marcus wasn't sure what to classify the third as even as it fired upon his ship. “And that thing. If the fighters engage do what you have to. We'll keep the attention of the other.”
“Understood.” Was the only reply the lead fighter gave before the line was cleared.
At the captain's command the WhiteStar spun 180 degrees while maintaining its directional momentum, 4 fighters popped out the back of the cruiser. Wyvern 2 through 4 made a beeline for the impaired imperial shuttle.
“Lock into his weapons and engines.” Marcus ordered. “Send the following.”
| We can take another hit from your weapons. I doubt you can make the same claim. Cease fire and we’ll take you home. Fire again and I will cripple your vessel and abandon you to float through hyperspace forever. |
|---|
Da’toth watched her captain as he issued the ultimatum. Part of her wanted to shiver at the threatened fate, lost forever among the swirling red and blacks would be as bad as being cut adrift in normal space. Except in normal space there was a chance you could be found.
That thought of course lead her to wonder how they would travel through hyperspace without the beacons. Thankfully her name snatched the barn’s attention. “Yes?”
“Grab a Ranger and a few trainees and don vac suits.” The human ordered. “I want you on that ship when Wyvern brings it in.”
The Shok’Nala nodded and turned heading into the ship. The captain’s voice followed her. “And remember a limb in Leeds as much as a torso and leaves something to be questioned.”
Wyvern lead drifted to a standoff position; Where he could intercept the enemy fighters should they move to attack. Wyvern 3 took position near the cockpit of the shuttle, weapons tracking the injured ship in case it made a hostile move. 2 & 4 circled the vessel once looking for the best place to grapple onto. Locating the hatch they each fired a grapple and started towing it back to the cruiser.
The death gliders swung around the cruiser intending to intercept the starfuries. As they closed one of the smaller fighters buzzed them its weapons fire blasting across the gliders. Peeling away from their initial targets they began to pursue the ship that engaged them.
Wyvern one weaved around the Jaffa’s weapons fire. Their attacks were unfortunately predictable, as their fixed wing style lacked the maneuverability of his Starfury. With a few simple commands Wyvern lead spun the fighter a full 180 degrees. His ship not only maintained his momentum, but accelerated in reverse. The human smiled at the enemy pilots behind his vac suit helmet. His left hand raised to wave goodbye as his right pulled the trigger. 4 discharge pulse cannons went full auto on the spot in the center of Wyvern Lead’s crosshair, which just happened to rest on the cockpit of the glider.
The starfury shot away at 90 degrees without spinning. The pilot had switched from reverse to forward. He blasted past the second glider daring it to follow. The glider entered a skew turn, and accepted the dare.
On the Al'kesh the jaffa hesitated briefly before firing again on the whitestar. The minbari manning the weapons station opened fire even as the captain gave the order. The whitestars twin neutron cannons opened fire. They cut through the failing shields and blasted the turret; The ranger owned ship strafed the Gould designed ship and crippled their engines. At a command from the captain, the whitestar crept forward and gave the crippled ship a push. Setting it adrift amidst the maddening swirl of red and black.
The glider pursuing Wyvern one began to turn, intent on catching their ally before they are lost forever. Wyvern lead spun the starfury and went to full auto; The glider disintegrated beneath the assault. The pilot then spun to face the rest of his deployed wing. Even though the threat was gone they maintained their wariness.
The shuttle was towed to the airlock. As the hatch sealed it was opened from inside the whitestar. Four vacsuited figures stepped into the cockpit while the fifth stood just inside the hatch hand on a sword hilt. At the motions of one of the figures another joined him they grabbed the fading Captain Bonma and dragged him into their vessel. The other three went deeper into the shuttle searching the other bodies, and through the luggage. Seeking what would be worth murder.
Kuro
