"Ok same order as before. Just be aware, something is on the other side."
"Rogues understand. Will report in on the other side."
"Godspeed GB1."
"Jumping now."
I tense, waiting for their next communication.
"Why, this is GB1. The jump hole is clear, but the comm is going nuts."
"Roger that. Everyone jump, and be ready for anything."
I watch the other ships jump, then it is our turn. When we hit the other side, the comms officer jumps up and throws off the ear piece.
"yea, that isn't good. It seems everything is now being jammed. I'll see if there is anything I can do to clear it up."
"Thank you comm."
Jams? That is a really bad sign.
"Why, all rogue ships in position."
"Roger that GB1. Something big is going down, be very wary. Everyone set a course for the north jump hole to Frankfurt. Keep your eyes on the scope, with this much craziness in Hamburg, I'm hoping our goal is here somewhere. We have no idea what ship or id she is flying with though, but she will hopefully know us.
"Roger that, Why."
As we get closer to Planet Hamburg, the comm jamming gets stronger and stronger. Our radar starts getting fritzy as well.
"Sir,"my radar officer says,"Radar jamming like this is almost unheard of. We could be dealing with alien technology."
"Understood radar. Let's hope someone else is dealing with them as well.
"Sir," radar squeals,"Um, sorry sir. We have a single contact 15k out. We can't read the ship or the id yet."
"Rogues did you get that?"
"Yes, we have the contact as well. Should we go towards it?"
"Affirmative, all ships stay in formation and approach the contact carefully. Rogues, if we get split up, meet back at Dawson ."
"Rogues roger that."
As we approach the contact, I get a little hopeful that is my love.
"Multiple contacts sir!" 4, no 5, no... Gah. Too many to count. They are all about 5k behind the lone contact."
"Can you get a fix on who that loner is?"
"No sir, nothing yet."
"Comms, see if you can get a laser hit on that ship, maybe we can talk to it."
"Yes sir, will do my best."
The communication laser is a very old technology, but they are still put on ships in case of severe jamming.
"Sir, I have something, but it is badly garbled."
"Rogues, that loner is our ship. Do everything you can to give it separation from that fleet..wait a minute, are they shooting at each other?"
"Yes, why, I see that too. It looks like there is a Corsair Battleship, and 2 Rheinland Battleships as well. All three are shooting at each other, It is best to assume one of the Rhein monsters is under nomad control."
"3 Battleships! Ouch. Rogues, do your best to cover the loner until she gets to us, then stay 2 or 3 klicks behind us to cover us. Then we'll all get the heck out of here."
"Roger that."
"Sir, I've got a solid laser lock with the unknown. You were right, it is her. Putting it on loudspeaker."
"My love, what on earth have you gotten yourself into?"
"I think the correct question here is what on earth are you doing here?"
"Well saving you, of course. The Don told me you were in danger, and you know nothing would ever keep me from you. The Rogues will cover our retreat to Dawson. What the heck ship is that?"
"It is called a Slipstream. Great little ship for escapes like this. These dopes couldn't hit me if their life was at stake."
"Nice. Lets form up, shall we?"
"Indeed."
I yank the stick straight up, and I watch my love do the same. Our ships form at about 3k over the ecliptic, and we keep going straight up.
"I'm formed with you, Why?"
"Good. Rogues, we're formed, its time to retreat."
"We here ya, Why. There seems to be a battle royal going on back there. I know where all the Unioners are, and it looks like the hessians and the Bundschuh are there as well. It would be better to stay far, far away."
"Indeed. We'll see you back at Dawson."
After the Resurrection hits 30k above the ecliptic, we straighten out and head back for the Bering jump hole. However it looks like the fleet followed our trick.
"Sir, we have a dozen bogies within 5 klicks of our position. It looks like there are 4 Titans and 8 Rheinland VHF's."
"Thank you comms. All gunners, it looks like you are about to get that practice you wanted so much. Activate the countermeasures, and be ready with the cd too. Might be able to use it to our advantage."
"Roger that, sir."
"My love, are you ok?"
"Yes Why, I will be fine. Like I said, they really cannot touch me in this ship."
"That is good to hear. Gunners, all weapons unlocked. Shoot at anything that gets in range. Radar, tell me if they get into firing range. People, be prepared for the deceleration from cruise, I'm sure they all have cruise disruptors."
"Aye sir."
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
"All hands prepare for evasive action. My love, hold on."
Evasive maneuvers are always fun. Just have to make sure you are doing enough to evade, but not doing to much so you don't make said actions pointless.
The ship lurches forward again.
"Sir! That is Battleship fire.They are in range!"
"Crud. Hold on people."
Thump.
"We're leaving cruise, gunners do your thing. Come on Resurrection, time to perform for me."
The ship starts evading on its own. I feel a warm glow, I know the ghosties are helping us out. The explosion of a Titan rocks the ship.
"Sir, multiple contacts at the Bering jump hole. Big contacts."
"Whaa! Who the heck..."
"Good Day Why? The calvary is here to rescue you. Just survive until we can get there, and everything will be alright."
"Don, I can't tell you how good it is too hear your voice. Watch the Slipstream, my love is in that ship."
"Copy that Why."
"Sir, multiple contacts. Reading 12 Outcast Bombers, 24 Sabres, 4 Destroyers and a Dreadnought. He really did bring his calvary."
"Then we mustn't disappoint him. We will survive."
As my ship weaves and whirls and battleship fire explodes all around us, my body is being controlled by the ghosties. I can see and talk, but they control the ship. A few minutes later we see the Sabers and the Bombers.
"Ah, you be looking like heroes today. Godspeed and Good hunting my friends."
The ships waggle their wings in response. Soon we are in range of the destroyers.
"Why, there is a Destroyer on the other side to cover the hole for you. After you jump, let them know and we will all get out of here,"
"Yes my Don."
"Everyone prepare to jump!"
The ship hits the jump hole full speed, and we're through. I see the Destroyer, and nothing else.
"Good to see you my friend. I think it be time for our leave."
"You are right, indeed, Why. Slipstream, you are cleared to land."
"Thank you Destroyer Landing now."
No sooner did my love land then the other destroyers start jumping through the hole. Then I see that massive Dreadnaught again.
"Everyone, form on me, the fighters will cover our retreat back to Malta."
"Roger that, my Don." I say.
My body is drained. My crew helps me too my bed, and I fall fast asleep. I can't wait to see my love again.
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
I am being shaken. My body is still exhausted, but I am awake now.
"Sir, wake up. We are jumping into Alpha. We figure you'd want to be awake when we landed.
"Thank you, you are correct as usual."
I slowly sit up, and my body feels like it has been in a long, hard fist fight. I am sore everywhere. Slowly I crawl from my bed and stand up. Knowing I will get to see my love soon gives me energy and excitement. I walk to the bridge just in time to see the Destroyer that has my love land. After all the military vessels land, it is our turn. I let one of my crew handle it, because I am still far too worn out. We are directed to a special landing field far from the normal patterns. As soon as the ship is down, I leap out of the ship looking for my love. I know my crew will take care of the Resurrection.
I see the Don first, and he waves me over to him.
"Thank you my Don. I wasn't sure I was going to make it."
"You are more than welcome Why. Let's know go find my daughter. I am sure you are as eager as I am to be reunited with her."
"You are very correct, my Don."
my Don leads me through the complex military field, and eventually we find the destroyer that my love landed on. We see her disembark from the ship, and I rush towards her. I embrace her tightly.
"My love, I have missed you so much. I will never let you go again."
"Why, I missed you too, and I have a surprise. I've been promoted! I'll never have to leave Malta again on one of these crazy undercover missions."
"That is wondeful news my love."
I let go so she can hug the Don. They embrace, and the Don also congratulates her on her promotion.
"So how did your mission go?" The Don asks.
"I found some good intel, but my cover was blown before I could find it all. I think nomads were involved in blowing my cover somehow."
"Nomads? That is not good."
"No it is not. Thankfully the physician gave me a clean bill of health on the way back. Whatever was the problem, I don't have a blue gooey thing inside of me."
"That is good to hear, my daughter."
The three of us walk back to the Resurrection.
"I am going to have to go and be debriefed tomorrow." my love says. "But today is time for me to rest."
"Rest? I will have no such thing. Today is a time for celebration. You have come back to me my daughter, and this young man has helped. Today we will celebrate at my mansion."
We board the ship, and I tell my crew to fly us back to the Don's mansion.
"Now Rachel," The Don says to his daughter,"Why was interested in purchasing a Capital ship. I did some checking, and I was going to have to tell him that the military would not allow a former Corsair to purchase one, no matter how friendly he is with us now. They just would not risk having their tech be stolen. However, if you would be its Captain, I believe I can source a Destroyer that is in very good shape."
"A cap ship, eh?"
"Yes my love, our crew was getting bored on our Resurrection, and they wanted to keep their skills sharp. We figured the best way would be to purchase a Cap ship, to do the small missions the Outcasts always seem to need someone to do."
"Ah, that makes sense. So father, how much is this ship going to cost?"
"That is the good part. The Outcast Destroyer will only cost 25 million credits. It is a little beat up, but it has served well, and it can serve both you and Why? for a long time coming."
"Wow, that is cheap. Why, it looks like we have ourselves an Outcast Destroyer."
"Indeed it does my love, indeed it does. Of course, what are we going to name it?"
"There is only one name fitting such a ship captained by my daughter," the Don says,"It is to be called the Cardamine Katana."
My love giggles a little.
"It is an old family name, that has been without a ship for a while. Still at one point, that name was a legend amoung the Outcast people. We can make it a legend again, Why."
"Then it is settled," I say. "Let us go party."
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
My father was right when he said the destroyer was beat up. It is still in serviceable shape, but it needs some work to make it livable, espacially up to the standard Why and I enjoy. Still, it flies, and its turrets are all in working order.
My own Destroyer, and it is a personal ship, not a military commission. Didn't quite expect that to ever happen. However I have learned quickly being around Why to expect everything but the expected.
Our shakedown tour of Alpha is uneventful. She flies, but her handling is a little off, and the gunners say so is her targeting.
We then took her through Beta, just to see how bad the handling really was. I let Why? pilot the ship, and had the crew watching the readouts to make sure he didn't break the ship on its first voyage. He did stress it to the point I thought it was going to break, but it held together. With the data we collected we can get to fixing what is wrong.
Oh, and of course make it a ship worthy of myself, Why?, and our crew. With the money we saved on the purchase price, it looks like we will be able to do that as well.
It just might take awhile to convert a military ship into something that is luxurious enough for our tastes. But time is now one thing I do have enough of.
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
Well, we finally were able to fix the steering and the gunner's sites. We've ripped apart the ship, and frankly most of it is going to stay out, the lighter this thing is, the happier I will be. We'll use all the weight saved to add better hull plating.
Why and I have started on our suite. We decided to put it right in the middle of the ship, with a direct elevator to the bridge. Its going to be huge. This tub usually requires a massive crew, but we figure we can do it with our 20. So everyone is going to have a ton of space for their rooms. The bed alone is going to be the size of a Sabre. I'm still looking for what I want to decorate the rest of the suite with, I want it to be even more luxurious than the Resurrection.
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
It's called the Resurrection
yes there was a defection
because a corsair I be,
yet they set me free.
So now I truly do see.
The answer is Cardamine
it saved me just in time
no dude, I not be lyin'.
Oh and my love
so beautiful like a dove
she was able to shove
using her love
and save my sanity
oh and set me oh so free
my world, she gave it back to me.
So it feels like the end of the story
Yes you find it quite satisfactory
Well I tell you my friend
This might seem like the end
Oh but please don't send
anything tryen to mend
because I ain't no haz been.
Oh people don't you see
We can all be this free
Take a lesson from me
an this piece o' history
Cuz the answer is Cardamine
Oh yes yall will find
it'll give you the time
to make sense of that sign.
((((Ok, so I read Angelfire's rhyming thread. Add to it here. Also, the lines,"So it feels like the end of the story/Yes you find it quite satisfactory/Well I tell you my friend/This might seem like the end," Were taking from the song,"The Hero," by Queen.))))
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
It be orange everywhere. Up, down, over the shoulder, and even in my nose. I open my mouth and swallow the orange yumminess. Hmm, I hope they don't take this out of what they pay me. Heck they'll never know, I am sure.
I am still not quite sure how I fell into the cardamine. We were just checking to make sure the container was full, and then here I be, surrounded by that which granted me my sanity.
It isn't crushing me though, but I look at what I think might be up and it is all dark. I can't see anything from anywhere. The ghosties are telling me my crew will save me, they think I'll go crazy when I am surrounded by yumminess such as cardamine.
Heck, if I have to I'll eat my way out. Teehee, I'd like to do that now, but my love would yell at me if we had to buy another whole thingy of cardamine instead of taking the one we have.
So I'll just kinda stand, kinda float, surrounded by cardamine, until my crew thinks of a way to get me out. I am sure they will. They all be very smart, and all really action figury too.
I take another swallow of orangy yummy deliciousness.
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
I sleepy. These journeys to deliver the yummy orange goodness are long. At least it gives us all plenty of time to practice, and practice we have been. I feel more comfortable in unarmed combat then I do with a katana, but I am starting to get the katana stuff down as well. At least with the shorter katanas. The big one, well that will take more time. At least it looks cool.
At least I can sleep and play with my love and do other stuff, while the crew does the actual piloting. They are very good at it.
My love is funny sometimes. She has us looking all over Sirius for the perfect decorations for the Katana. And eep, she has really expensive tastes. Well, at least it will be as comfortable as the Resurrection.
The ghosties have been quiet lately. Not much has been going on. They are still there, they just are observing.
Rubber Ducky likes running the scanner. He is getting better at it, but he still lets the bad guys scan our ships too much, we then have to make them go boom. At least I get to hear them scream. I like the screams.
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
Me be looking fer a fun ship to fly, though not sure what. My love of course doesn't want me in a fighter, she says I is too loony for stuff like that. She might be right. We shall see.
Hmm, where have I come? Why does it seem so familiar to this one?
