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+--- Thread: Reviving the red flag (/showthread.php?tid=7245)
Reviving the red flag - Xing - 03-26-2008
The Red Dawn II, the heavily modified train that was now a mobile shipyard/factory working covertly for the SCRA, entered New York system as the vortex suddenly disapeared. Around the ship, everything was calm and normal. Commercial convoys went to their matters. Police patrols went their way, going from one vessel to another.
Trains like the Red Dawn II, at least in appearance, were a very common sight. The LPI wouldn't really pay any special attention to them.
Axel pushed smoothly the engines of the large vessel, trying to get as little attention as possible, and waited patiently for his turn to board the trade lane. He looked around, and smiled in satisfaction. Finally, these Red Hessians idiot made well to blast a bit of the original Red Dawn. Now, the ship went through a complete salvage processus, and it was larger - nearly three time larger than Red Dawn I. The bridge was much more comfortable as well; larger, with modern equipment, efficient emergency systems, security ramps... even a small armory in case the ship was boarded, and a large smuggling compartement beneath their feet, in case of something critical for the Revolutionary Army needing to be smuggled home... without dragging around the eyes of the well, less or more vigilant House Police...
Behind him, the access hatch led to the 4 ship building facilities, where adequate tools were now installed: robotic arms, dozens of robotic arms per facilities, that could automatically mount half a ship in a matter of a few hours.
Behind these facilities, were the cargo holds: half were stocked with commonly found commodities from around the house. It all depended on the needs of the coalition: it went from mere food rations to critical pharmaceuticals.
The other half of the cargo, was strictly reserved for ship building materials. There, were stocked hundreds and hundreds of ship hull pannel, blocks of the purest titanium plates, engine components... anything to make a ship, from the rawest material to the most sotisphicated board computer: everything needed was here, and constantly refilled when used.
Oh, he forgot. The living quarter was all below and on the side of the smuggling compartment. That was the only real disadvantage. They were now all squeesed around to sleep, since their dormitories space suffered in consequence of the space allowed for the compartment.
Well, didn't mattered. Not today.
A young man, bearing the rank of lieutenant, went to him. Ah, that was Lieutenant Joseph coming to take the relay.
"Reporting for duty, comrad captain Baier!" the young man said, throwing in an enthusiastic salute.
Ah, it was true Xing's idea about socialism revived the crew. Ever since they went exiled out of Rheinland, most of them went in a dark mood, without much hope left to their soul. Their last solution, an independent shipwright, just got shattered in a mere movement of political defiance...
Well, now the men found something that made them focus on something useful, necesary. Yes, they could feel, like he did, like their leader, Xing, did at the thought of the revolution.
He rose up from the captain chair, and returned the salute.
"Good luck, comrad lieutenant. We count on you and your men."
The man smiled with pride and encouragement,
"Good luck to you, comrad. May your mission be a success for the people."
On this, captain Baier went to get his Coalition battle uniform, and prepared for the briefing coming in a few hours... a last briefing...
before they were sent down in the heart of corruption.
--
Xing, in most of his free time, has picked the new hobby of either doing propaganda posters for the Coalition, believing it is a strong, powerful weapon, or, as he was doing right now, reading a theoric book on socialism.
With the days he's passed at reading these books, he came down to many interesting conclusions, which he often noted in his datapad for further reading and modifications as he would correct his theory over the time with every source of knowledge he amassed.
He openned the datapad at that instant, adding some more content and deciding to read a bit some of his previous writing.
"Marx described the ideal, the final communist world to be led by what he called, a proletarian dictatorship. Despite being the first one to seriously bring forward the ideal of socialism, and his very deep understanding of capitalism I myself probably do not understand yet, it is obvious Marx is wrong here. The problem is mainly two "how to"? Indeed, how does a revolution become a "proletarian dictatorship" from one day to another? This is impossible, of course. Passing from the infrastructure of different social classes, to one where such things doesn't exist anymore, would....
A lot of philosophical thinking, that was, he thought.
He shook slowly his head, and closed his datapad and book, as he looked at the time. Yes, theories would be elaborated later, when the revolution would be done. Those were nice words on paper, dedicated to serves when humanity will be free from the slavery of credits.
For the moment, humanity needed him to do a very, physical work for him...
For the duration of the mission, the smuggling compartment was transformed into the briefing room. The place was chilling cold, unheated unlike the other areas of the ship. There were only a few chairs and a table in the room.
When he entered the compartiment from a concealed door in his room, the place was already full with men and women.
25, in total, including himself.
"Greetings comrads. Please, take a seat, be comfortable, this might last a little while."
A moment of pause, as they found their place and sat down.
"As you already know, the Coalition has set outposts everywhere in Sirius. Everywhere, where there are people left alone because the capitalists doesn't need them anymore, we take care of them. These outposts aren't stopped by nothing: no rheinland fascist, as tough they are with their fanatical militar, no liberty scum with their legions of bounty hunter, no kusari imperialist pigs, no bretonian snobbist self image can stop our outposts from spreading.
But for them to survive, we need people like you, comrads, that must risk their live on the battlefield everyday we will be assigned there, in order to make the world know, we are here, we are waiting for them, let them see the red flag of hope we rise, and rise day after day for them."
"Like most of you, I myself am very new in this sort of assignment. So, I expect cooperation between everyone. You listen to the experts even if your rank is superior."
Xing pointed the newcomers aboard their ship, a group of 3 men of slavic origins. Probably russians.
"Don't make your stronghead, and obey. In an environment as hostile as the one we are about to enter, a few seconds might be enough to get you shot, or not. It's about being tracked day and night once you are in position, and a little mistake, you are out of the loop."
They nodded their agreement, some looking at the russians, already in their stealthy combat uniform, blasters at the ready. They were hardened men who took their share of experience and death. They were going to be an important asset.
"Our goal is simple: We will land in a very standard looking armored transport, toward the equatorial area of the planet. There, dense jungle forest will keep us hidden if we fly low enough. Land on site 004 gamma. We are to make contact with base 098 alpha, which is only 2 kilometres east of the position. There, we will rest for a few days, and continue up, toward outpost 132 alpha. This is where the dangerous part gets in: surveillance reports very heavy amount of activities by the Liberty government to track our comrads in the forest, or sympathiser trying to reach us. We must cross these some 50 kilometres of forest, in about 2 days, as we are to avoid as much contact with the local policing forces as possible. One mistake there, it's not only your life you put on the line, but that of the whole operation."
He looked with severity at each of the face of his soldiers. They looked determined, equally serious, and ready. Good.
"If we reach the outpost alive, our real job begins. Part of our group will be in charge to escort new recruits back to site 004 gamma, where an anonymous shuttle will pick them up at the end of the day, and send them to a more secure location outside Liberty. You people will also be in charge of maintaining the outpost in operation."
"Second group, which I am part of myself, is "action" team. Outpost 132 alpha is indeed located very near the southern district of Manhatten planetary city - as you know, this is a single city extending planet wide. Can anyone guess what we will do?" he asked, smiling.
"Yes, that's right, we bomb out a few buildings. Surveillance checked some of the interesting sites... among other things, a military space port, a Synth Food office building, and I believe, most importantly... the local head quarter of Republican Shipping on Manhatten. Talk about a luck."
All the while of his speech, a small holographic unit projected everything he said in 3D pictures. The image of the republican building switched back to show the target planet.
"So, everyone's ready to visit Manhatten? Weapons check? Equipment check? Alright comrads. To hangar bay 3. Time to shake Liberty. Shake it hard."
-to be continued.
Reviving the red flag - Xing - 03-28-2008
Axel sat down comfortably at the command chair of the armoured transport. 4 more men joined him over the bridge, and sat down at their respective console: navigator, radar&com, and two for the weapons.
The flight would probably be smooth and easy, but one could never take too much chance. Their ship would be broadcasting it was the DSE Delaware, transporting some crew and equipment on ground for business.
A voice crackled through the ships communication channel,
Delaware, you are clear to go in 10. Hangar doors, opening now, depressurisation of the compartment, now. Came the voice of lieutenant Joseph, now in command of Red Dawn II.
Axel looked through the view port to see the magnetic field being lifted, and the hangars massive, armoured door, sliding open. The bright light from the New York star was partially hidden behind the mass of planet Manhatten and junk. A lot of junk metal. It was a good place to hide the large transport ship, as the refractive properties of the scrap metals reflected randomly scanners. And were the local authorities to come by, they could easily pretend they were mining some scrap metals to fill up their cargo until their next stop.
As to the pirates well, they could try themselves against the boosted Red Dawn guns. It was of notorious reputation the pirates in Liberty were seldom good at anything.
Delaware, you are good to go. Good luck comrades. Joseph said, as the transmission ended.
Axel rubbed his hand together, smiling. Ah, it felt good, finally to get assigned some live action, instead of flying some less or more inoffensive factory
Navigation, set course for Manhatten. Radar, be very sharp on your screen, you see a police coming our way, you signal it immediately. Or we have to redo it all over again.
Yes comrade captain. The man probably just reached adulthood, as he looked quite young. Probably didnt made more than a year or two in the Militar. His speech pattern still held a very strong Rheinlander accent, making most of his Russian counterpart in the coalition unable to understand the comrade, but nonetheless, Axel remembered him as a good pilot. Inexperienced, but good. He hoped it was going to be enough for today
He felt under his feet the rumble of the twin engines blasting off, as the Delaware cruised efficiently through the junk field.
--
Xing, like the other 19 men that werent needed at the functioning of the ship, were waiting silently in the cargo hold. 19 men and women, that at a moment or another, met with Xing in the Rheinland Militar. 19, that felt betrayed enough to join him in an enterprise they knew would sign their exile from Fatherland. And now, 19, ready to risk their lives on a foreign planet for a cause they only learned about mere months ago. They remained silent, as they used to be before a mission. It was of no use to try talking the stress out, that only reduced their focus and concentration on the mission ahead. On the ground, they will need to be ready for anything. There wasnt much to do but looking through the view ports, at the waste an industrialised society like Liberty has left over his wake to glory
It was amazing, the population that lived in such extravagant ways, werent disgusted at themselves when they looked at the real cost of their life.
The fact they kept it hidden behind the planet, so no one could see it, was just another sick fact they didnt even want to remember just how did they came there
He turned away, looking in the cargo.
Aside from the 19 soldiers and himself, the cargo hold was filled with all kind of equipment. There wasnt really need of food ration, as their ground contacts regularly smuggled in their share of ration from Manhattan City. Still, it was always better to avoid as much contact as possible with the locals. These would last at least a few months for a few dozens of men.
There were many military types of equipment. Blaster rifles, blaster high-repetition canons, sentry turrets, missile launchers, Rocket Propelled Grenades, ion sniper rifles everything needed to defend their position was here. He looked over at the large black crates of diverse explosive munitions and, of course, bombs. He smirked slowly at that thought. In his time in the Rheinland Army, he used to be a major in a commando team and his call sign was Demolition for a very good reason.
As well, there were two military vehicles: light hover tanks, that would mainly be used as defence platform at any kind of aerial and terrestrial threats. They were small enough to operate in the dense jungle of southern Manhattan, and camouflaged themselves very well in the environment. Whatever Liberty would send against them if they ever were to be uncovered, wont get a victory with ease.
--
Comrade Captain, we have an incoming patrol of 3 Liberty fighters. Their signature beacon broadcast as Patriot type, they are heavily armoured and have custom powered weapons., his radar officer suddenly yelled from his console.
Axel frowned, and requested a visual over the group. There were indeed 3 of the sleek, agile Patriot fighters approaching at full speed toward them. Probably a special inspection unit checking around the junk field for criminals that was going to be bad.
How far are they from us?
they are at 11 klicks from us, sir, closing in at full cruise speed.
I have begun evasive manoeuvres, kapitan. But Im afraid its too late once they drop below 10 klicks, I cant do that, or it would be suspicious. Orders? That was his navigator, not turning a single second his head all the while he talked, completely concentrated in flying the ship.
Divert by 120 degree our course, and fly in straight line once they are in range. If they hail us, cut your engine smoothly
and let us hope luck is on the side of the commies
--
Before Alex talked to him over the com-link, Xing was already on a state of alert.
Xing, weve got 3 Patriots. Custom, armoured and heavy arms.
I know. I see them from here. Look, they will stop you for sure, we just emerged from the junk field. Anyone coming out of that place is either a junker or a pirate whichever, will get their attention anyhow. Look, remember that jammer weve got installed back on Cape Verde?
Axel remained silent for a few seconds, and Xing could feel the man elaborating a plan already, smiling.
Yeah, I recall. I think I get your idea.
Quite right. I hope its better than the Militars one, to cover three comm. signals.
Good. Expect things to get a bit messy hold tight to your seat.
--
LPI officer Ben Smith was slightly surprised to see an armoured transport suddenly popping on his scanner range. Not that an armoured transport was that rare they were a very common sight even in the LPI itself. But what was it doing here?
He first thought it must be the Junkers who bought the ship, probably to smuggle some items in Manhattan. The LPI knew for years some smuggling operation was going on inside these junk fields there were even rumours, probably true, of a station by the name of Rochester deep inside the field, owned by the Junkers. But, LPI Command has yet to decide taking actions against them. Was it for political, economical, or merely corruption reasons, it didnt mattered. Smith, as he often liked to think of himself, was an honest officer, who did his job with efficiency and pride.
Whoever these people were, better not be smuggling.
But, his surprise just went up, as scanner picked up the ID signature signal of the ship: DSE Delaware. Deep Space Engineering? What were they doing here? He looked intently on his scanner, as if it would give him some answer then, the little white spot representing the transport disappeared, just for a few seconds that he could have thought hed dreamed it
Maybe he did dreamed it
But, he had a very bad feeling about all this.
DSE Delaware, please cut your engine for inspection. He managed to say over the channel, after a few more moments of hesitation.
This is Captain Aaron Johnson of the DSE Delaware. We are halting for inspection as ordered.
The voice that came back was without any trace of accent he could distinguish in fact, it didnt have any accent. Pure, standard English. Not the rough, familiar language of pirates or junker scums. Not the exotic accent of the Outcasts. Neither an accent of anywhere in Liberty. Who
No, later.
Alright, 2, 3, make me a complete scan of this ship. Check for smuggling compartment, I want a complete check.
His two pilots begun their scan, the data being transmitted to his ship.
A minute later, he looked in horror at the complete scan of the ship.
Eng-!
--
Got you. Xing whispered, breathing calmly in his combat vacuum suit. He activated the rockets fixed to his backpack, and propelled himself behind a section of the transport, picking up another ammo for his rocket propelled grenade launcher. His first shot managed to shatter one of the unprepared escort, and he hoped to seriously damage the second one. Though, the pilot seemed to have quick reflex, and missed the larger explosion. Now, he could feel the Delaware shaking, as megawatts were being poured into laser of destruction against the remaining police ships. But, he knew these weapons were mainly useless, way too slow for the agile interception Patriot type. That was why he was out: shooting down the ships with rockets. And he had to do it alone: among all the other comrades he took with him from New Berlin in their escape, he was the only one that was ever trained for space combat in a vacuum suit probably the most suicidal kind of operation. His Rheinland Army instructor once compared it to an ant trying to kill an elephant.
Good thing the ant was armed with a whole little arsenal
He had to do quickly. The jammer wasnt that reliable, and he was afraid sooner or later, the police would be able to decode it and send a rescue call
He reloaded, and took a deep breath.
Target acquired
--
Kapitan, we have a catastrophic engine failure! Fusion engines magnetic coolant system are heavily damaged, we are losing power!
Cut the fuel to the engine, NOW! Damage report!
The Delaware took another powerful hit that shook the ship hard. Axel had to hold over the ramp of his chair to avoid falling on the floor. Damned, how come these ships were so strong
Minor damage I have sent the nanobots to repair damages. They can repair the damages in a few minutes, nothing too extensive, Kapitan.
Good. Radar, do we a scan of these blasted things. How come they are so powerful?
There was a long moment of silence, as they endured another assault from the wait. There was only one fighter coming in where was the other?
Sir, they are equipped with nu-
Everyone DOWN!! Axel suddenly yelled, jumping down to the floor himself. His orders were quickly followed without hesitation. A few seconds later, a bright explosion flashed through the view port as if a sun just went nova right next to them. He knew it to be his imagination, but he thought the windows cracked under the pression
That damned ship coming in on them wasnt even live it was the wreckage of the second Patriot!
They resumed their position to their respective console.
as I said, these ships are equipped with nuclear mines. I guess thats why we nearly got a hull breach over there
Goodness. That was a close one
Right, guns, do your best. Dont let the lieutenant commander turn into fried meat.
--
Darned.
Xing didnt looked what was the angle of the Patriot he was aiming and shot as soon as he got a lock.
But, the fighter was heading right over the bridge of the transport!
Da Axel!
He didnt said anything else, as he turned to run farther away from his position the bright explosion nearly blinded him, as he felt being pushed by the blast of the explosion. But he held good over the Delawares strong hull.
Now, only one left where
He saw the container that held his last RPG launchers munitions flying away. The blast pushed it off!
Well, he had the choice of either getting inside and getting some more which would take a good 5 minutes at best, or well, he didnt have that much choice
He made a dash for the hatch, as fast as one could in a no gravity environment
--
Ben held his breath as his second escort was blown to dust as it crashed over the transport.
Blast! Who the hell is that guy!
He turned his ship around angrily, searching for the mysterious individual that was launching the projectiles with a deadly accuracy.
Meanwhile, he looked down at his nav comp and was dismayed as he noted his message of alert, and then request for reinforcement, was still trying to reach head quarter
Something was blocking it! The computer was trying to decode some kind of jammer since the beginning of the fight. That was bad.
He checked the details of the coding as he looked with attention, combing over the transport for the mystery shooter. But he was constantly distracted by his navcomp only a few more seconds, it said, and it would be able to send
Now, he really didnt need to see that, he thought.
That was his last thought, as his ship was shattered into a powerful explosion.
His last sight was his screen projecting hundreds of line of script codes in Russian.
--
Xing released his grip from the smoking laser turrets, his hands aching from minor burns. Well, at least it worked. He looked at his handiwork with a little smile of self satisfaction. Like most of the older turrets installed on the standard armoured transport, they used to be modular components that could be fixed on any number of things, ranging from ships, to stations, to planetary manually controlled anti-fighter turrets. Hence, he disconnected one of the turrets from the ship with the help of his datapad. Then, using a small plasma cutter, he opened the turrets internal components, connected the commands to his datapad, made it override the security measures, and extracted the manual handlers.
What happened next, was a mere matter of skill, timing, and luck.
The powerful canon made an easy work of the already damaged craft.
A voice crackled through his helmet.
X Lieutenant commander, are you alright?
He sighed in relief. Axel and the others were safe. So the wreckage didnt breach the hull.
Yes Im fine. Hows the transport? Can we still go ahead?
There was a moment of silence, as Axel asked for another status report from his crew.
Yeah, we are all fine. Nanobots are already working on the damages. In a few minutes, no one will think we ever had a big combat with small nuke launching interceptors.
Dear dear. Oh, Im sad to announce you weve lost 3 RPG launcher munitions.
I can feel the sarcasm dont worry, Ive tractored the stuffs in. And you should get in as well. Well get going.
Both men continued to chat in a good mood on radio as Axel ordered the ship to go ahead on its mission.
Somewhere floating in a pile of debris, a black box that was trying to pass through a jamming coding it never saw before, finally managed to break through it but the energy it consumed to decode, made it only transmit a single second of the last message from the late LPI officer Ben Smith.