Joy Ride

[Rattler]

(RP)

Having heard and seen enough, Rattler quietly backs up to the entrance of the Nevermore's red lighted bridge, blending into the erie shadows that linger where no one looks. Quietly he whispers into those mirrored glasses that are always present. "Necromancer, Traveler inbound, beam me straight to the bridge."

With that he simply faded from view with a twinkling and almost unnoticeable event, save the wink he saw as he was leaving. Nothing escapes Akira's view on Akira's watch.....NOTHING!

"Insurgent One On Deck! echoed across the bridge of Necromancer as his emergence completed.

Seizing the moment, Rattler barked questions and orders as if it was second nature, which it actually was. He knew the current situation, he knew what his next actions were going to be, but......Did his crew? This was a time honored tradition and Rattler was a stickler for tradition.

Bring us around to a heading of 273.4 Degrees, Roll 45 degrees to starbord. Ahead 1/3, gently now so not to disturb the surroundings. Now, lower PTA to 10%. Target and lock the Sark's solar panels, just the solar panels please. On my mark..........FIRE!.........Cease Fire!!! Now hail the sark for me, Please!"

Sark, just gave you a friendly reminder that all is well in this quadrant. We shall remain in neutral position for as long as the Galcom Forces here do the same. This could have been much greater and will be if the need presents itself. Rattler.......OUT!"

"Cut Transmissions and take up station keeping position. Find me that Fleet Leader, NOW!"

(/RP)

------------------

Rattler, Insurgent One

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester,Battlecruiser Series

[email protected]

ICQ 12894104

"Bad? You ain't seen BAD, But WE'RE Coming!

[Guest Commander Hamblin]

[Wold]

Per Blades last post on page 1 I still have him in Pluto's space at the jump gate for Jupiter....

[rp]

Tension on the bridge has been growing exponentially waiting for the other shoe to drop. Where could that GCV-Deterence be?

I just love playing Russian Roulette with a loaded pulsar. "Flight Ops, take the last short range probe and send it into Pluto. I want it scanning and reporting before it gets in-system."

At the same time the scope reports the scanner Samantha has the recorder going. The Flight Ops officer, McGregor, works the controls maneuvering the probe. A few seconds later the probe vanishes, jumping into Pluto's local space. Samantha's link lasts all of 2 seconds.

"Well, anyone interested in following that probe in?" I gently ask, with a slight half-smile. The looks I received back were quite comical considering the fact that I had NO intention of receiving the probes fate. The crew, however, had no such assurance. Not to leave them suffering too long, chuckling I answer their looks "Me neither. Samantha, what was overthere?"

Punching the rewind button, she starts the replay in frame by frame mode. "Sir, the GCV-Deterence and the GCV-Tsunami. The probe didnt' last long enough for anymore then that."

Yea, but as long as that probe lasted in Pluto's space one or both of them must be parked on the jump point. Which means that in a few minutes the ICV-Drakr could resemble swiss cheese or worse, a solar flare. Now I'm really starting to sweat.

"Ngyuen, get me another link to Akira."

"McGregor, I want this ship cloaked the instant either of those ships appears."

"Samantha, disable PTA, set the IOD at 100%, store the vagrants and load up the slots with whatever STS missles that are left. HOLD all fire until I give the order."

Glancing at Ngyuen she gives me the go-ahead nod.

**********************

Cmdr. Akira, this is Cmdr. Wold. we just launched a short range probe through the Pluto jump gate. The probe lasted all of two seconds. The GCV-Deterence has been joined by the GCV-Tsunami. Any specific orders, Sir? Cmdr. Wold out.

**********************

Ngyuen sends the message as soon as I give her the cut sign and the viewscreen erupts in a flashes of light from the mines marking the entrance of the GCV-Deterence.

The officers had already fulfilled my requests except for the missles, only eight were loaded. Samantha, understanding my intent, had also killed the active radar and reactivated the dormant probe.[/rp]

------------------

Cmdr. Wold

Spectre Fleet

Spectre Starstation

ICV-Drakr

"Do or do not, there is no try!"

ICQ 4669033

[This message has been edited by Wold (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Guest Commander Hamblin]

Well, he's not actually AT the gate yet. I just went through, actually, and did all that other stuff. So, er, too bad, you missed me.

[Akuma Minako]

Kirin sits poised to strike in the commander chair. "Shoot to kill." He says simply.

A hallow reply of "yes sir" resounds and volleys of weapon fire shoot out towards the Nevermore.

"Give them somthing to..." He didn't even get the words out...The ship gave a violent lurch then broke away from the Nevermore's tractor beam. "What the hell's going on?!"

One of the tactic's officers shouts over the milling of crew. "Our lower deck hulls been breeched! Shields to 40%! Powercells damaged severly! We've got people down there! They're trapped!"

Kirin blinked in surprise. "Okay lets get a small repair team out there! Make sure your careful! If you don't think it's safe, don't take the chance! We'll hold them off here."

He taps a coded message into his communication device and sends it off to Akira. :What the hell are you doing?!:

*********************************************

Akuma Minako sits infront of the comms unit her eyes blurring. "My mother was right." She says quietly as the connection with Blade's ship is established. "No one ever mentions fear."

She smiles. "I guess they're not jamming my signal." She says quietly. "I have a lot of things I need to explain to you."

"For one, I'm so..." The ship shook like it was in a violent earthquake and the screen before her goes blank then catches fire. "Damn!" She throws her blanket on the comms unit and beats it furiously.

When the fire is finally out she runs out of her quarters and makes her way to the bridge.

Upon entering the bridge she blinks at Kirin. "What's going on?"

Kirin ignores her and continues to bark orders.

------------------

AKUMA MINAKO

ORION FLEET

GCV- TENCHI

DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP

www.orion-hq.fsnet.co.uk

"War is the plague of Mankind, created by Mankind."

[Rattler]

(RP)

Rattler watched intently as the ship plowed into the mine field that the Nevermore had carefully planted. It was brutal, but even more violent. With the debarkation of the bow and the debris now filling the space around this Dance of Death it became quite evident that this chain reaction would all but engulf every ship close at hand if something were not done and done NOW!

"Helm, take us up to full speed,Maintain Cloak. Change headings to 179.4 Degrees Relative. Initiate 30 Degrees Roll to port. Steer clear of the Sark. Execute!"

"Now open up hailing frequencies, in the clear and make it loud!"

"Attention ALL Forces within broadcast range of this signal. This is Rattler. Cease Fire, I repeat Cease Fire! Stand down your weapons and withdraw to safe distance. Ships of Insurgency will acknowledge this order immediately. Galcom Forces are asked to follow our example and report to your Fleet Commander via what ever channel you so choose. Necromancer is launching shuttles to search for survivors and render medical assistance only. We have no intent to take prisoners. I will turn all survivors, I repeat, ALL SURVIVORS and the bodies of the unfortunate over to Fleet Commander Blades immediately upon ascertaining the status of said crew."

"Necromancer, Launch all shuttles. No Interceptor escort required. Launch, Launch, Launch! Rattler.......OUT!"

(/RP)

OK Blades, Your Dime.

------------------

Rattler, Insurgent One

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester,Battlecruiser Series

[email protected]

ICQ 12894104

"Bad? You ain't seen BAD, But WE'RE Coming!

[This message has been edited by Rattler (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Guest Commander Hamblin]

Do you think I went a bit overboard there? I hope that my ship can be salvaged, at least.

[Rattler]

Heh, You dealt that hand Hamblin. I only played it as it was dealt. If you want to have the Sark tracor the hull or what remains of it, that's your option. I wouldn't recommend attacking those shuttles though. They are there on a Mercy Mission. Would prove to be quite hazardous to all concerned at this moment. This battle would be fought and won by whoever could get to their keyboards the quickest. Not fair to all concerned. Let's be polite and get the survivors first.

------------------

Rattler, Insurgent One

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester,Battlecruiser Series

[email protected]

ICQ 12894104

"Bad? You ain't seen BAD, But WE'RE Coming!

[Guest Commander Hamblin]

Oh no, my ship's crippled, most definitely. We don't even know what's going on, let alone that there are shuttles out there on a mercy mission. So, all we're doing is sitting around, waiting to be rescued or captured.

[Wold]

[rp]

Ngyuen's eyes sharpen and catching her breath, "Sir, I've got an all-ship hail from Rattler, patching through to main speaker." No sooner said then Rattler's booming voice fills the bridge. Rattler's here too?!?!? Oooh boy, all the Insurgent leaders in one hot basket! Shaking my head I listen to our new order.

I start barking out orders immediately, "Helm, full throttle and position us above and 30 clicks distant relative to Sark. Flight Ops, decloak and launch remaing two shuttles for SAR, GO, GO, GO!"

"Comms, all ship hail on all frequencies and make it loud." Grabbing the live mic., "All ships, this is Cmdr. Wold of the ICV-Drakr, Insurgent One's orders received and acknowledged. We are moving to a safe distance and OUR WEAPONS ARE TIGHT! We are launching two unarmed shuttles for SAR only. All personel will be treated per Rattler's orders. Cmdr. Wold out!"

Samantha taps a few keys and the view screen suddenly comes alive with the wreckage of the Deterence. The strange cloud shapes from escaping air through hull breaches coupled with rainbow colors of flashes from short fires, power surges, and burning gases. A strange, beautiful, and very haunting scene. The bridge is strangely silent as everyone is lost in their own thoughts and fears. Enemies, yes, but people first.

The radar scope is full of debris. "Ngyuen, comm the shuttles and have them sweep first for any flying dutchmen." A shiver runs up my spine at the thought.

My thoughts turn to Cmdr. Akuma and the Tenchi. What's going on? What kind of game is she playing? Who's side is she really on? [/rp]

------------------

Cmdr. Wold

Spectre Fleet

Spectre Starstation

ICV-Drakr

"Do or do not, there is no try!"

ICQ 4669033

[Wold]

[rp]

Varan system

The probe begins to move away with ICs 1 and 2 in hot pursuit.

Ralph, consulting the nav map picks the safest corridore to the insurgent base. One hand on the reverse thrusters keeping the descent speed just in the saftey margin, for a combat drop. The shuttles halting so fast that the g-forces nearly caused a complete blackout of all personel. With a LOUD thlink-bang the hatch pops spilling marines with the prompting of a Seargent yelling "GO! GO! GO! The base commander materializes next to Schlynk, seamingly from nowhere.

"Man are we glad to see you!" Grasping Schlynk's hand in the crushing grip of a heavy worlder. Schlynk removing his had from the vice-grip, smiles "Your Welcome! and I'll let you call the shots as you know more of where the marines and shuttles can be useful. All 4 ICs will be providing aircover once IC1 and 2 finish that probe off."

"Excuse me, Sir." Lt. Ralph interupts, "but, um, well.."

Schlynk raises an eyebrow "Well what? Spit it out Lieutenant!"

Licking his lips Ralph continues "the good news is that the probe is destroyed and IC2 is on it's way here as ordered. The bad news is that, against your orders, IC1 has gone after the Kurai and is ignoring the all frequency hail to RTB."

Schlynk grimaces. Great, the draw-back of cloning. You can't threaten them 'cause they know they have unlimited lives! Oh ya, and punishing the clone for something the predicessor does is counter-productive. Glancing at his chrono as he moves into the base's C & C he notices that 20 minutes has passed since the Kurai cloaked.

Aboard IC1 a verbal fight has erupted between the pilot, Lance and co-pilot, Raven.

Raven screams at Lance trying to pierce through his self-pity, "I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN HURT BY THEM! WE'VE ALL BEEN HURT BY THEM! THAT'S WHY WE ALL JOINED THE INSURGENCY IN THE FIRST PLACE! NOW IS NOT THE TIME, WE HAVE OUR ORDERS!!"

Lance with blood in his eye almost litterally frothing at the mouth yells back, "YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW NOTHIN'! THEY KEEP CLONING ME AND MAKING ME LIVE THROUGH THIS HELL OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!! IT'S PAYBACK TIME FOR WHAT THEY DID TO ME AND I'M GONNA KILL ME SOME GALCOMMIE LEMMINGS AND I AIM TO KILL SOME THEY CAN'T CLONE BACK! IF YOU CANT HACK IT THEN GET OFF MY SHIP!!!"

Knowing her cause was lost, Raven smashes the eject button launching her to saftey she hopes. She aims the little craft at Varan and pushes the thruster switch and begins the wait for the final, hopefully light, impact with Varan.

Knowing what was coming Lance had already prepared himself for the sudden pressure loss. Grinning like a shark he lines up on the Kurai, marks it FATAL for all missles and arrows in down the blind spot of the battlecruisers PTA system. Locking the lasers into full fire at 10km, launching 2 questars and 2 starseekers at 4km, screaming in for his last kamikazi run. Before he can see the results of the raging fury loosed by his bitter hatred IC1 expands in a sudden plasmic ball as the reactor lets go. The GCV-Kurai had rolled enough to bring all 3 PTA lasers on target. Lance's pain has been released until the next clone gains the memory of his previous life, back again.

Schlynk notices a sepration from IC1 and quirkes a look to the tacops officer.

"Sir, the co-pilot of IC1 has bailed and is directing his escape pod close to here. Shall I send a rescue team?"

The base commander nods and directs 2 marines and an atv to the expected crash site.

Schlynk continues to gaze at the scope and finally blinking dot vanishes indicating that IC1 has ceased to be. Wondering if 3 ICs are going to be enough for what could be coming he heads to the new site.[/rp]

Okay Cmdr. Hidama, I too don't like to call hits on other ships and I don't think 1 mad IC could destroy your wounded BC, either.

------------------

Cmdr. Wold

Spectre Fleet

Spectre Starstation

ICV-Drakr

"Do or do not, there is no try!"

ICQ 4669033

edited to add bolding

[This message has been edited by Wold (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Blades]

Oh boy. Now you gone n done it.

[RP - Posting on behalf of Commander Greg Miller]

The chaos that unraveled itself in the ever decreasing Jupitor space threw commander Millers over worked brain into a near spasm. From nowhere, the GCV-Deterrence had punched through the jump gate and right into a swarm of recently deployed mines. What surprised Miller more than anything was the devestating effect the mines had on commanders Foss fully upgraded Battlecruiser. Then it hit home, two facts coming together at once.

Thats not the Detterence, thought Miller has he watched the ship break apart. It cant be, Foss shouldnt be anywhere near here, and certainly not from that direction.

The second thought, equally as disturbing was the fact the the ship, whatever it was had ploughed into the mine field seemingly without shields raised.

Then he understood. That commander was going for the Nevermore, trying to disrupt it's tractor beam. But without shields? Suicide run?

Miller didnt have time to speculate. He could only watch in horror as the once proud Battlecruiser piece by piece began to crumble. It made a half hearted effort to withdraw from the turmoil around it, but was already long dead.

Please god, thought Miller, dont let the reactor blow.

Moments passed before his prayers were answered. Somehow, the ship, whatever it was managed to put enough distance between itself and the maestrome of fire before the killing blow could be dealt. Instead, it drifted, running on inertia only, away from the engagement area.

"Survivors?" asked Miller, quietly.

It took a moment, but his tactical officer pulled himself away from the specticle on the main viewscreen and began running the scans.

"Aye, sir. Multiple contacts on board. Approximately ..... thirty five survivors."

Miller closed his eyes and cursed. He looked around at his bridge crew, and could see the looks of saddness and fear in their eyes.

So, this is your idea of a neutral position, Rattler? You son of a bitch ..

"Tactical!" shouted Miller. "Give me a prediction on the most likely position of Rattlers ship based on it's last known course and speed."

"Aye sir, working on it .. but theres a good chance it's not where the computer would predict. This IS Rattler we talkin about."

Miller nodded. "I know, and thats exactly what I'm counting on. Helm, prepare to bring us about. Tactical, bring our weapons ho-"

"Sir!" shouted the communications officer.

*sigh* "What now?" barked Miller.

"Broadband transmission from Rattler!"

Miller frowned. "On speakers. And trace it if you can."

"...tion ALL Forces within broadcast range of this signal. This is Rattler. Cease Fire, I repeat Cease Fire! Stand down your weapons and withdraw to safe distance. Ships of Insurgency will acknowledge this order immediately. Galcom Forces are asked to follow our example and report to your Fleet Commander via what ever channel you so choose. Necromancer is launching shuttles to search for survivors and render medical assistance only. We have no intent to take prisoners. I will turn all survivors, I repeat, ALL SURVIVORS and the bodies of the unfortunate over to Fleet Commander Blades immediately upon ascertaining the status of said crew."

"Unbelieveable." said Miller. "First he tells us he doesnt want a conflict, then he destroys one of our ships ...... and now he's hiding under the guise of a mercy mission to stop us from retaliating. Outstanding."

"Sir!" said the tactical officer. "I've got a rough bearing on his position, but not enough for a firing solution."

"Not interested in going after him." said Miller. "At least, not yet. Time for that after we take care of the Tenchi."

Miller stepped away from his commadn chair and behind his tactical officer. "You got anything more on the wreck out there?"

"Aye, sir." said the tac officer, glumly. "It wasnt the Deterrence, that much is for sure."

"Have you been able to identify it?"

The tac officer nodded. "Yes sir. I think it's the Galetea, Hamblins ship."

Hamblin. Dammit ..

"I want verification as soon as possible."

The tactical officer nodded, and began the verification process.

"Helm!" shouted Miller. "Bring us 30 degrees to starboard and fire up the afterburners. Put us on a direct heading with the Nevermore. I want a firing solution on that ship."

The helmsman began making the adjustments, then queried his CO. "Sir, the Tenchi is in a direct line of fire between us and the Nevermore. We cant get a 100% lock on the Nevermore without hitting the Tenchi."

Miller sneered down at him. "I know. Follow your orders, and stand by to execute."

The helmsman nodded and continued with his instructions. When he finished, he again nodded at Miller.

"Tactical, status on the Nevermore and Tenchi."

"Both ships are engaging eachother .... tractor lock was weakened thanks to the Galetea, but it's building back up. Fire from the Tenchi has intensified. And sir, im picking up shuttles ... heading towards the Galetea, or whats left of it."

"Perfect." said Miller, seating himself again in his chair. "Keep an eye on those shuttles and the Nevermore and Tenchi. Let me know the second either one of those ships starts taking a real pounding. Helm, maneuver thrusters only, turn us 360 ... slowley."

Everyone acknowledged, although didnt fully understand Millers intentions.

Just need to buy us a little more time.

[/RP]

By my calculations, the Tsunami is another 15 minutes away. Your move, Rattler.

Additional - I'm working on the assumption that someone from either the Tenchi or Nevermore is going to give the order to hold fire. If nobody from either camp does so very quickly, this truce isnt gonna last more than a moment. Somebody please set it up.

[This message has been edited by Blades (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Cmdr Hidama]

heh, one final poke before I escape

[rp]

The ship rumbled violently, knocking Hidama and most of the bridge crew to the floor. Picking himself up, Hidama looked at Tacops waiting for a report.

"Sir, there's a crazy interceptor pilot approaching via a blind spot in our PTA grid, co-pilot bailed and is en-route for Varan. The Interceptor is firing missiles and lasers, hull impacted, engineering reports life-support's operating at 20%. Due to our high losses, that will not cause us any problems, missile impact has put us in a slight spin--" Her report was inturrupted by a bright flash and loud explosion.

"which allowed our PTA to lock on and...well, the fireworks were lovely weren't they sir?"

Hidama nodded with a sly grin

"Sir, we've reached the gate!"

Easing back into his chair, all his energy gone, he gave the order he'd been yearning to give since engaging the facility on Varan: "Helm, take us out"

The bridge was filled with a bright white light, when it cleared, the GCV-Kurai was greeted by a team of shuttlecraft and a small interceptor taskforce.

"Sir, we're being hailed"

**************************************

GCV-Kurai, This is Special Operations Leader, Brent Kawaja, prepare your crew for evacuation, we'll tow your ship back to base, the taskforce is proceding to Varan to destroy that facility. Glad you're alive

**************************************

Glad we're alive...glad you got your ship back in...almost one piece.

Hidama spoke over the PA, "everyone, procede to the airlocks, there are shuttle's waiting to take us to Centauri Station. Good job out there. Hidama, out"

The relieved and tired commander looked around the bridge, then walked to the turbolift, stating to his officers "that means you too, get out of here"

[rp]

------------------

Cmdr. Hidama Hasaki

GCV Kurai

1st Squadron, SIN Wing

Stationed, Starstation Wrath

you might as well stay and fight, because if you run, you will only die tired

ICQ 28215391, GMT-5

=Wraith Fleet=

[This message has been edited by Cmdr Hidama (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Akira]

Well, i'm not giving a cease fire. Sorry, Akuma, but those mines weren't for your ship. In fact the tractor was disabled at the end of my last post, you should have cut and run. Oh well, you're in the stuff now.

As for Miller, he must not realize that he's got about 20 missles with another twenty following shortly behind about 15 seconds from slamming into his hull... oh well again. cant't help you all. I will, though, give you a bit of time to write new posts and hopefully clean up your own messes... otherwise, next post will find a lot of you disabled and relying on Rattler's good will

------------------

Flt. Cmdr. Akira

Commanding Officer

Spectre Fleet

ICV-Nevermore

Official Tester

Battlecruiser Series

[Rattler]

Damned The Vagrants, Full Speed Ahead!

(RP)

"I need more support ships out there! Have my shadows launch their shuttles as well!"

The man in the mirrored glasses watched 16 additional shuttles appear on screen and scream into the jaws of what would be a death trap. Rattler knew that this act would blow the cover on his escort but only a naive child would believe that Insurgent-One would travel without a healthy escort.

"Redirect Necromancer Shuttle 3 to the Tenchi! I want her towed out to neutral space and left there under her own power. I've seen enough ships die today. I only hope that everybody is paying attention out there! I surely wouldn't want to be the commander that fired on unarmed shuttles."

"Helm, change course to 133.6, roll 27 degrees to starboard.........Execute!"

"Keep an eye on Nevermore. If someone carries the fight to her, I want two shadows to join that fight. The offending ship is not to make it. Understood?"

"Now launch IC1 and IC2 for MineSweeping duties. The insanity stops here!"

(/RP)

------------------

Rattler, Insurgent One

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester,Battlecruiser Series

[email protected]

ICQ 12894104

"Bad? You ain't seen BAD, But WE'RE Coming!

[This message has been edited by Rattler (edited 08-07-2000).]

[Guest Commander Hamblin]

Well, might as well show what's going on on my ship then...

[rp]

"Damnit!" I cursed, as I tried to move the wire hanging from the bulkhead away from my head, as I worked to get the manual release working.

The doors leading off of the Bridge were either blocked by extensive wreckage on the other side, or the manual release was just being stubborn. Either way, it meant that Mulgrey, Montgomery and I were confined to the Bridge.

"Damn!" I cursed again, as the wire which was hanging just above the doors fell down and into my face again. I was afraid that it might start sparking at any second, and being right there in front of my face would mean that I could easily be blinded.

The large amount of wreckage all over the deck didn't make it easier either. I had managed to pick up and throw some amounts of wreckage to the side, but there was so much of it, all twisted and mangled, that I not only ended up with more than a few cuts from handling it all, but it threatened to cause the other piles to start collasing in on each other, which could result in me being buried in sharp, metal wreckage.

I wondered how on Earth the Bridge managed to get so many bulkheads. It could be from the dense layers of armour that surrounded any Battlecruiser's Bridge. If that was the case, then there wasn't much protecting the occupants of the Bridge from the hard vacuum of space just outside.

"Bloody hell!" I cursed, as the wire yet again fell in front of my face. This time, I just grabbed it, without even looking up from my work, and pulled it out of the bulkhead.

The moment I did that, the doors suddenly opened by about ten centimetres. Hmm, interesting I thought.

Grabbing between the little space created, I struggled to pull the door open, using only my good arm, my right one. However, there seemed to be too much debris, on both this side and the other, which was stopping it from opening normally.

My left arm, broken and therefore useless, just lay limp beside my body. It was a burden more than anything else, with pain constantly shooting through it up to my shoulders, and me having to bite my lip to stop from screaming with pain. Concentrating on my work, and cursing at that bloody wire, had probably taken my mind off of the pain. I needed something else to do to continue that.

"Damn!" I cursed, as the door refused to budge open.

Wiping my hand on my trousers, I waded back through the large pieces of debris, conduit, wiring, cabling, console pieces, glass, chairs and lights which had fallen from the ceiling, to get to more or less the centre of the Bridge, on the small step below my chair, which was where I'd left Montgomery.

I sat down on the step, exhausted. I couldn't continue. The pain in every part of my body threatened to overwhelm me, and I was become tired, sweaty, hot and was probably suffering from some illness or internal bleeding or some such thing.

Montgomery was currently seated in my chair, which amazingly, hadn't been ripped from the deck. He just stared out into the distance, not doing anything except staring, almost in the same manner as when I saw him in the brig.

Mulgrey, since waking up, had climbed down the turboshaft to find any more survivors. Since she seemed to have come out with very little injuries at all, she was the most logical choice to go and look for anyone else, and see if the ship could be salvaged in any way. I doubted it, but there was no harm in trying.

I slowly put my head down on the hard metal deck of the Bridge, looking upwards at the ceiling. The light up there was flickering, although in some parts it simply wasn't there at all.

Eventually, I fell asleep.

[/rp]

------------------

COMMANDER JAMES HAMBLIN

ORION FLEET

GALATEA EXPLORATION WING

GALATEA EXPLORATION WING COMMANDER

GCV GALATEA.

www.orion-hq.fsnet.co.uk

"For I dip't into the future, far as human eyes could see. Saw the vision of the world and all the wonder that would be..."

Good work, Commander. In the future, if I have any questions about mating behaviour, I'll know where to go - Captain Kathryn Janeway.

[Blades]

[RP - Posted on behalf of commander Greg Miller]

"Incoming!" shouted the Tactical officer, mid way through the Sarks 360 thrust turn. "We have multiple inbounds! Aspect seeking missiles, launched from the Nevermore!"

So much for the ceasefire, thought Miller.

"Helm! Reverse thrust! maximum burn!"

"Aye sir!" shouted the Sarks helmsman, roaring over the incredible sound generated by the reverse burn.

The sudden acceleration shook the bridge occupants, sending them forwards and bracing against their consoles.

"Helm, maximum burn on the maneuver jets! Z-4000 meters!"

"Aye!" screached the helmsman, desperately carrying out his orders.

"Lead impact in T-17 seconds ..." shouted the TacTical officer. "We have new contacts! Sixteen, read sixteen class 1 shuttles!"

More shuttles? Oh hell, that means theres at least another four cruisers out there.

"EOD!" screamed Miller to his Tactical officer. "Jam those *******s! PTA, full spread, I dont want to them getting through!"

"... 13 seconds ..."

"Sir!" It was the Sarks helmsman again. "Reverse velocity at maximum! We are at Z-200 meters!"

"...11 seconds till lead impact..."

Miller went to his tactical officers station and looked down at his console. EOD was functional, but the jamming wasnt complete. Several of the missiles were still painting him, squaring up on the Sarks midsection. Enough would get through to cause him a major problem.

This is wrong, thought Miller. So, very very wrong. Three positive Insurgent targets, four more hiding under cloak, a possible turncoat, one dead GalCom cruiser and me, seconds away from becoming every Insurgents wet dream, holding my ass and waiting for the fireworks.

Miller was almost despondant.

"...7 seconds to impact..."

Not like this. Not on my watch.

"Helm! High energy turn! 180 degrees on x, spin us on the y and z!"

The helmsman didnt waste the valuable split second to reply to his CO. Instead, he punched the orders into his console hard, and was thrown from his seat as the Sark grudgingly followed orders.

From space, the Sark executed a violent 180 turn, while the maneuver jets sent the giant starship into a graceless spin. Shards of armour plating broke free from the midship, exposing the outer layer of the hull and causing minor breaches throughout deck three. Microfractures were reported all over the ship, and crewmen were strewn about, hurtled from their feet or chairs as the Sark desperately attempted to avoid Akira's brutal onslaught.

Then, the first of the missiles impacted. The shields took the brunt of the first few missiles to hit home, and those fragments that got through exploded off target, doing considerable damage to armour but not further weakening the ships strained superstructure. The missiles that follow the first volley were mostly jammed, hurtling harmlessly into open space or taken down by massed PTA fire.

"Status!" shouted Miller on the bridge.

Seconds passed, then reports came in. "Sir, shields are at 32%, armour integrity is down to 88%. Engineering reports microfractures all over the hull, and our maneuver jets are suffering from the strain.

Looks like we're gonna be sluggish for a bit.

"Get the Sark under control" barked Miller. "And keep that EOD up. I dont want to give that ******* another chance to finish us."

"Aye sir." replied both the helmsman and Tactical officer.

"Comms, relay a message to Rattler. Ask him what the hell sort of commander he is, allowing one of his subordinates to take matters into his own hands. Tell him .." Miller pondered for a few moments before continuing. ".. tell him Savage will be very, very dissapointed."

The comms chief nodded, and began to transmit the text only message.

Miller slumped back into his command chair and looked into the viewscreen. For now, things were almost quiet. The Nevermore remained at its position, and continued to batter the Tenchi with its turrets. The Tenchi, likewise continued this dance of death with Akiras ship.

He wants her, thought Miller. Or he wants me to think he wants her. Whatever the case, the battle raged on. Both active battling ships were beating hell out of eachother, and despite wanting nothing more than to lead assistance to his surposed GalCOm comrade, doing so would almost certainly result in the destruction of his ship.

Wheres my damned backup? wondered Miller. If I engage, It's at least 7 to one. If I dont engage, they get Akuma, her ship and crew. I need to do somthing. I have to make a descision.

Time was rapidly running out.

[RP]

Well, the odds are not in favor of the Orion Fleet just now. Miller is on his own, surrounded by way more bunnies than is good for him. As far as he's concerned, Rattler has lost control over his No.1 and is not best pleased. For RP purposes, this could explain why the two commanders have such a hatred for eachother (As explored in other threads) so all well n good there. Akuma, you need to post, and post quickly.

The Tsunami is still a good ten minutes away from this little engagement, and dont think for a second you insurgent types are going to get away without a blodied nose. You may win the day, but it will be at a hefty price.

[Akuma Minako]

Well I figured the mine's weren't for me in the first place...They were for you so it would seem like we hit you...Unfortunatly, Hamblin kinda made it seem that way...Might as well play it where it falls right? Ohhh boy. ^_-

[rp]

"Sir Transmission from Insurgent One." Came the Communication officers voice.

Kirin raised his hand for silence. "Put it on speaker." He listened to the transmission, closed his eyes for a moment then turned to tactics. "Cease fire." He says slowly. "But keep em hot."

Meanwhile Akuma Minako stands back in worry. "What have I done." She murmers silently. "This was a peaceful cruise to escape life in galcom. I didn't intend for this to happen." She sinks down to the floor, leaning against the back wall.

One officer notices her and touches her shoulder. "It's okay Akuma, Kirin knows how you feel. He's not heartless."

Akuma nods silently. "This is all my fault."

The officer smiles. "Not entirely. You were trying to raise our spirits. You were in the right in doing so...We just got caught off guard."

Akuma shakes her head violently. "But it's still my fault!" She puts her head in her hands. "If only I didn't follow my heart so much!"

The officer kneels down beside her. "Don't talk that way Akuma." He smiles. "Your heart is what brought us this far. We just have to be more careful from now on."

Akuma shakes her head again. "And what if there is NO from now on?! What if I get executed for this? You know it's possible!"

"But you did the right thing giving Kirin command, and you did the right thing opening fire! You did the right thing to attempt to get us to relax and you especially did the right thing to follow your heart!"

Akuma looked up at the Officer silently examining him quietly.

"You should go back to your quarters and rest ma'am." The man said reaching out a hand to help her up. "We'll take care of everything."

Akuma took the hand and smiled. "If you say so." She leaves the bridge and heads back to her quarters.

------------------

AKUMA MINAKO

ORION FLEET

GCV- TENCHI

DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP

www.orion-hq.fsnet.co.uk

"War is the plague of Mankind, created by Mankind."

[Guest Commander Hamblin]

[rp]Akuma, I dunno what your officers are smokin', but 'cos of you, I've got five dead crew and a crippled vessel, as well as seven or eight Insurgent vessels swarming about the place. Frankly, it's a mess, and it's your fault. [/rp]

Damn, thanks for reminding me Blades! Forgot the RP tags, hehe.

[This message has been edited by Commander Hamblin (edited 08-09-2000).]

[Blades]

Ease up James. It's [RP], remember? Anyway, we commited to a certain path now, and it can go one of two ways. If I manage to talk to Akuma AND pull one outta my ass, I think we're all gonna go home happy with the outcome.

[Rattler]

(RP)

"Sir, She's making a high energy turn, bringing her weapons stations to bear. She'll be in range to commence firing in 30 seconds!"

"Helm, Hard over to 045 degrees. Commence +90 degrees climb to the vertical! Afterburners ON!"

For the next 15 seconds the Necromancer grew the wings of an eagle. At the end of the 15 seconds Necromancer had distanced herself from her nemesis by 38000K, Well out of harms way.

"After burners OFF! Helm, Hard Emergency Roll 180 degrees to Port. Initiate Hard climb to 090 degrees Relative! Increase to thrust factor 9.0. That should just about settle that!"

"Remain at Battle Stations Ladies and Gentlemen! This thing's going to come apart very soon and I need to know where all the pieces go!

(/RP)

For those of you who know what I've just done, Yep, it can be done in space as well as in an atmosphere. For those who have never flown with the eagles, Necromancer just pulled off the "Z" and is now 38000K directly above this churning caldron and now can observe in safety. In such a position, it's always best to seek the "High Ground!"

------------------

Rattler, Insurgent One

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester,Battlecruiser Series

[email protected]

ICQ 12894104

"Bad? You ain't seen BAD, But WE'RE Coming!

[This message has been edited by Rattler (edited 08-08-2000).]

[Akuma Minako]

Oh damn! Forgot those rp tags!!!

[rp]

Eyes darkening again Kirin watches the Nevermore with growing anger. (Why do we have to cool our heels?! What the hell is going on over there?)

"Get me a link to Fleet Commander Karl Savage." He says darkly. "Do whatever you have to to punch through that jamming signal!"

One of the communications officers blinks. "Looks like we're not being jammed sir."

Kirin nods again having expected that. "Alright then, let's get a communication link with the others of the Orion Fleet and have them able to communicate through us."

The officer saluted before hurrying off. Suddenly the ship was alive with busy bodies and tapping fingers. "Link established with Commander Savage sir. Would you like to establish visual as well?"

Kirin nods. "Aye, do that too."

Karl Savage's face appears on screen. "Sir." He says. "Looks like our ship isn't being jammed. I'm suggesting that perhaps you run your messages through us." He smirks.

"Akuma Minako has relieved herself of command and confined herself to her quarters. I will be in command of the GCV Tenchi until further notice from you or another higher up."

He pause. "Any further orders sir?"

------------------

AKUMA MINAKO

ORION FLEET

GCV- TENCHI

DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP

www.orion-hq.fsnet.co.uk

"War is the plague of Mankind, created by Mankind."

[Rattler]

(RP)

"Shuttle 3 to Mother, Tractor engaged. Commencing Tow. Destination set to Fleet Anchorage. Distance to Destination, 600,000 Kilometers. Time to Destination, 4 minutes."

"Very well, Shuttle 3. Commence Tow! Launch IC's 3 and 4 to escort, I repeat, ESCORT Shuttle 3 and the Tenchi out to Fleet Anchorage. ANY and ALL hostile actions directed towards that group are to be met with EXTREME Prejudice. Am I Understood?"

"Inteceptors 3 and 4 launched, Sir! Shuttle 3 and Tenchi are outbound. Inteceptors closing the distance, estimated rendevoux in 45 seconds, Sir!"

"Attention all Vessels this location...I have initiated tow of GCV Tenchi to neutral space. Additionally, I have dispatched my inteceptors to safeguard that effort. ANY and ALL vessels attempting to intefere with said effort will immediatley be fired upon by my inteceptors and those of the group that I now command. This means Insurgent and Galcom Vessels alike. This madness stops here! Insurgent Vessels still under the control and Loyal to Insurgent One Acknowledge IMMEDIATELY!

Rattler.....OUT!"

(/RP)

------------------

Rattler, Insurgent One

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester,Battlecruiser Series

[email protected]

ICQ 12894104

"Bad? You ain't seen BAD, But WE'RE Coming!

[LordDavid]

[rp]

The near empty void of space shimmers ever so slightly. The shimmering presense amplifies as the magnificient hull of ICV DarkSaber emerges from its cloak in close proximity to the Necromancer.

"Lets see how these flyboys like a little extra special something to spicen up their day. Shields to full, PTA and MAX-IOD to 50%. Tactical Officer, keep an eye out on the progress of the current situation. Comms officer, hail the Insurgent ships in this area. "lordDavid reporting for action. Sorry I'm late, we were quite a few jumps away when we heard of this engagement. Awating further orders. If all things turn out for worse, I still have an extra card up my sleeve.""

[rp]

------------------

"lord"David

Spectre Fleet

Pre-comm., Cmdr. Alpha Prime

ICV Dark Saber

Official BC3K Tester

[This message has been edited by LordDavid (edited 08-10-2000).]

[Akuma Minako]

"Sir!" Cries rose up from tactics and Kirin turned to look at the officer.

"What's going on?" Kirin held the officers gaze.

"Sir! We're being towed! Into neutral space!"

Kirin stands up slowly and walks towards the tactic vid screens. "But why?"

"Looks like they're getting us out of the way of the mines...Or somthing along those lines, I don't like it sir."

Kirin shakes his head. "I don't like it either Aaron." He resumes his seat. "For now let's just watch and wait for further orders."

The tactics officer nods slowly then resumes his duties.

------------------

AKUMA MINAKO

ORION FLEET

GCV- TENCHI

DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP

www.orion-hq.fsnet.co.uk

"War is the plague of Mankind, created by Mankind."