As I sent you on private comms I've finished work on our Congress Scylla. She's ready for service. I've recieved your message to meet up with Finnegan on Vieques. Of course I've seen his big baddie in action when we assaulted the pirate base outside of Trafalgar. One of these days I'll tell ya about how I gave him a love tap with a coupla Novas; darn lag capacitors messing with my targetin system! He returned the favor of course, and we've been fast friends since. I'm lookin forward to workin with him; good men those Gordon boys.
I've already got my crew learnin what we can about the sabotage attempt on the Scylla. I'll let ya know when something interestin pops up. Someone's got a handful of trouble coming there way, that's for sure.
James listens to the message from Johnny and then asks one of the operators.. What is the status of LF's progress?
The operator presses a few keys and opens La Fortaleza's statistics screen. Sir the station appears to be operating at core level two.
It has multiple weapon platforms constructed.
They all appear to be online. Good.. Those boys have done an amazing job over there.
He walks over to his command counter that is ho[/color]vering a holographic map of Puerto Rico.
Several high ranking strategists and engineers are sitting around the table.
They're mumbling amongst each other stops as James approaches.
Standing over the table he says..
Alright folks listen up..
Now once the core is fully upgraded on LF we will finish building the weapon platforms.
Then it is critical we start preparations for the next guard station.
Waving his hand over the map the image moves, centers and zooms in over the humboldt jumphole.
The station will be located in this quadrant here.
Nothing is to begin on its construction until we kn...
Suddenly an emergency communications alarm sounds.
One of the operators says.. Sir we have an urgent incomming message from Johnny Rico.
Signal is distorted with lots of static and it appears to be getting some strange interfernce.
Reception quality is poor but let me see what I can do..
The operator puts on a pair of headphones and listens intently.
He says.. "Multiple contacts.. Nomad ships... moving through Sigmas.... battleship class..... MARDUKS SIR!"
Everyone looks nervously around the room and hushed whispers can be heard.
The tension is high as the fear of what is to come begins.
James turns from the counter and walks calmy back to his command chair.
His mind races..
Quote:HOLY HELL ITS HAPPENING! THEY ARE COMING NOW!!
All eyes in the room are fixed on him as he sits down.
Without showing any emotion he says..
All hands general quarters.
Call all Congress ships home immediately.
Ready our defenses.
Operators quickly turn back to their consoles and almost in unison begin sending out the orders.
*Finn looks harried as he answers the comms, arclight flashing behind him*
Bloody 'ell Jimmy!
Ye'z knoo me Claymore be at th' yards, 'alf-rendered asunder, aye? *indicates the Vieques dock behind him where tugs yank loose the Beta Drive Core from the Arbiter hull*
Oi mean, shoite, lad!
T'were ye'z wha' erdered yon beastie torn open fer bloody retrofit! *glares sardonically*
Ye'z arsk me t' take apart me bonny battleship, an' noo ye'z want her t'be foight ready?
*a grease-stained Junker mechanic hands him a datapad, Finn frowns at it and glares back at the screen*
Wha' ye'z want me t' do, trow feck'n rocks?
She be deed as nails t'moment!
Ye'd best mobilize th' Rico lads, Jimmy-boy. Oi got nuffin'.
Roger that Finn.
He switches off the comms channel.
Turning his attention back to the combat console he says..
Operator contact Marcus. Aye sir opening channel now.
An alarm rings while red lights flash and an alert message sounds!
*INTRUDER ALERT!! NOMAD SHIPS HAVE ENTERED PUERTO RICO!!!*
The comm channel opens..
Aye sir we have the ships in sight.
We are in range of La Fortaleza.
Targeting Marduk.
Beginning our attack run now!
James looks over to the operators as he points to command screen..
ORDER BASE DEFENSES OPEN FIRE!
The communications panels light up with chatter from ships in the fight.
Explosions can be heard as the Nomads begin assaulting the base.
Junker bombers launch Nova torpedo's that smash into the Nomad ships.
Time seems to stand still as each side exchanges an array of assaults.
An operator looks up and says.. Sir the Aristotle has just entered the fight!
Its firing!!
James looks up as he says.. ON SCREEN!
Ship destroyed.
An operator says.. Sir the base defenses are holding and the Marduks are falling!
Command crews cheer and clap as the ships are destroyed.
The entire station erupts in celebration as it is announced that the last Nomad ship exploded.
Operators and staff rally around James shaking hands while congratulating each other.
James smiles and breathes easier.
Crew members pat him on the back and hug his neck.
He laughs and reciprocates.
Over the noise of the celebration James makes this announcement.. Great job everyone!
Puerto Rico is once again secured!!
All ships should report to San Juan and the drinks are on me!
As the Junker cheers fill the corridors of Vieques Tim Finnegan walks calmly towards his ship the Finnegan's Wake. Several minutes later most of the crew along with his executive officer Robert Murphy leave the vessel. The Wake's engines power up as Murphy and the crew reach the landing bay's bridge. Dockmaster Joseph Crane greets the crew and asks..
"Welcome folks. Finn is requesting departure clearance at docking bay two.
You all not going with him?"
Roberty Murphy responds..
No says he be need'n to do this on his own.
Crane appears confused as he asks.. "Oh Ya? Whats he gotta do?"
"Haven't a clue. He didn' say an Oi didn' ask."
Alrighty then go ahead operator open the doors.
Finnegan's Wake lifts off the platform as the bay opens. It moves out of the station and begins engaging its cruise engines. Back inside Vieques Murphy takes out the communicator Finnegan handed him before leaving.
He powers it up and begins a transmission to James Trenton.
Ello Jimmy T! Cap'n Murphy her' Oi gots a bit o'bad news fo' ya sir.
Boss man Finn jus gave me sum strange orda's yah.
First da ole bugger toss'd meh da key to da Gordon.
An then he tole me to look afta ya and da Congress boyos.
Then he board'd da Wake an jus took off.
Dunno wha Tim is upto?
Oi hates ta say it.. but looks loike he's gon.
If'n ya be need'n da Claymore O'Gordon?
Oi'm lettin ya kno wer still here stand'n by Jimmy!
Amidst all the chaos of the celebration James sees his personal communicator has an incoming message from Tim Finnegan.
Picking up the device he's shocked to see Robert Murphy instead.
As the message finishes he sits down with a slightly confused look on his face.
Shaking his head he smirks abit and responds..
Yea.. roger that Murphy.
These days nothing surprises me that much when it comes to Finn.
Just have to wait and see if the crazy ole man comes back.
He pauses for a moment and then with a slight smile he continues..
So it would seem your now the man in charge.
Now I got some news for you.
We've been developing a new piece of hardware for the Gordon.
Once the ship is operational again bring it on over to San Juan.
We still have alot to do!
James,
It's been a challenge to make the modifications you tasked me with on the Claymore. Murphy's been great! He's got a real head for problem solving. We've essentially had to reverse engineer the entire vessel to figure out not only how to install the equipment, but if she'll hold together or be torn to pieces when it's used.
Initially it seemed as if there would be no way to install the dampers required to shield the crew from the massive radiation released during jumps. There simply wasn't enough space to build a containment unit strong enough to keep em safe. We'd tossed around every conceivable solution to add the device to the ship's drive and came up short time and again. I hate to admit it, but I'd even begun to wonder if the old girl could support the new tech at all.
As often is the case, the solution presented itself by accident. The ship steward was overseeing restocking of rations. The loaders had come back several times to ask exactly where he wanted em stowed. In a moment of frustration he barked "put em anywhere! For goodness sakes it's not like we're using the hold for anything else". Murphy holds up his hand to stop me mid sentence, "what's that you say"? he asked the steward. "Just saying the whole of the hold's empty! For goodness sakes man, it's only a few crates". Murph slaps me on the back and laughs out loud, "an entire empty hold. Aye, that's the truth of it".
Once we had the space it was a rather simple project to route power from the core to the hold. We had plenty of room to construct the necessary shielding. The position even distributes the added weight in such a way there should be no loss of manueverability. We finished putting her back together and are readying her to make way for San Juan with all haste
It's downright exciting boss! We'll see you in no time a'tall.
Several minutes later the celebration has died down.
Business as usual is the mood of each person going back to their job.
Panels light up, comm messages flash and radio chatter can be heard throughout the command center.
The commotion of activity can be felt as each person performs different tasks.
James and his crews are hard at work overseeing the construction of more defenses.
Messages stream into the station quickly as operators can be heard responding.
James speaks..
Get me Lucius Vorenus on comms.
The video panel displays Congressman Lucius Vorenus. He clinches one hand into a fist. Then brings it up across his chest saluting the Deputy Arbiter as he says..
Salve Captain! Lucius how is La Mona looking? Top shape sir! Were proceeding ahead of schedule. Good to know Lucius keep it up!
As he switches off the panel an operator turns around and says.. Sir the Claymore O'Gordon has arrived at San Juan.
Very good. Give them clearance to land and inform zone fifty one that the ship is here. Aye sir!
James stands up and exits the room. He makes his way down the corridors and enters the docking bay bridge as the Gordon touches down. The landing bolts lock down the ship as an outer hatch opens. A metal plank extends from the open door. Robert Murphy and Tyber Zann make their way to the platform and see James there waiting.
Welcome aboard fellas.
Both of you follow me over to area fifty one.. our R&D facility.
As the trio walk through the station's metal corridors James says.. We believe this sudden incursion of Nomads has to do with our research.
Several of these new devices we have been testing utilize Nomad parts.
Its important that we have finally completed our latest component.
They arrive at a huge secured metal door. Fingerprint, retinal and voice recognition devices are positioned on the side. Cameras with guns attached to them are located along the top of the door. James places his right hand on the console and positions his head in front of the retinal scanner as he says.
Deputy Arbiter James Trenton requesting access.
The cameras lock on as the computer identifies him. An automated voice is heard as the results come in.. Scan identifies James Trenton. Access granted.
The metal door opens and they make their way inside.
A monstrous container fills up one side of the room.
James stops just in front of the large metal container surrounded by scientists and engineers.
He says.. Alright then.. open it up.
Lead researcher enters a code into the datapad and the metal container unlocks.
The doors pull back to reveal a gigantic glowing cylinder that illuminates the room.
Flashes of blue and green light cascade throughout the bay.
An object so large it could only fit on something the size of a battleship.
Murphy whistled low "She's a thing of Beauty Boss" he exclaimed. Tyber stared admiringly at the jumpdrive. "Amazing JT... downright amazing brother! Who'd have thought we'd ever have an actual working hyperspace drive? We'd heard rumors for years... but here she is. Amazing".
JT laughed, "Yeah, for years it's been talked about. I even wondered if it was possible myself until the recent breakthroughs in technology gave us the ability to construct one for ourselves. Enough gawking gents, get to it".
Murphy grabbed a fella in a white lab coat and excitedely started asking about the capabilities and limitations of the equipment. Tyber made his way back to the O'Gordon to get the crew about the work of mounting the drive. "Amazing... they really did it.." he mumbled to himself in wonder as he took one last look at the device.
Hours later James smiled as he contacted his old friend, Arbiter Crow, to give him an update. "That's right Jack, it's installed and ready to use. Of course I'll tell the boys you're pleased with the work they've been doing. They always like to hear the boss is happy".