The Neumann moved in closer slowly approaching the mooring point of the cruiser. After a few minutes the mooring procedure was just about complete when the sensors picked up incoming ships. A quick scan revealed that this is the search and rescue team sent out by Lawrence from Kappa.
"Neumann this is SAR patroll alpha 2. What is the situation?"
"SAR? I was wondering where you guys were. We were about to board the rheinland vessel in distress to dispatch medical and damage controll teams and provide them with some supplies. But i guess that would not be required since you arrived."
The patrol consisted of a fighter wing and a bomber squad that was escorting a repair ship. The repair ship quickly moved into position and started the repair procedure on the battered rheinland vessel. While the Neumann moved away giving space to the SAR team.
"Helgoland. This is the Neumann. Seems we won't be boarding your vessel anytime soon. If you wish we could remain here untill the repair is finished, altough i think you have enough support here."
The commander noticed from far away what it seemed to be a group of unknown vessels. To his surprise, it was a rescue team which probably heard the distress signal. He glared at the repair ship already sealing the damaged hull. "Very well, Neumann. I still owe you for finding this ship. You and your rescue team. You raised everyone's morale to keep going. If you ever wish to talk, Freeport 11 would be a place where you will likely see us.
25 MINUTES LATER
The seals would come to an end, and soon after, the monitor which was susposed to return data from the reactor and engine rooms would finally become alive. The reactor was finally on, and so was the engine which spat out a few bursts of green flames before returning to a somewhat operational state, though cruise speed was still a questionable option.
"Lambda-1 and Lambda-2, enter formation and make sure the rescue team receives extra protection. We will wait for their status and then attempt to make a move towards Freeport 11's NFZ, outside of it, this time." said Hans in a more cheerful tone.
As soon as the Rheinland commander was finished with his sentence, Evan took a deep breath and quickly gathered his thoughts.
"Well. Don't thank me. Thank CEO Martin Lawrence. He sent both us and the SAR team after you. In any case. We are also in need of repairs and my crew really needs an R&R. So we will move out and continue our journey to our original destination. The SAR team and the escorts they brought will protect your vessel. Neumann out."
Taking off his headset and giving it to the communication's officer, Evan walked back to his seat and sat down lighting a cigarette on the way.
"Allright. D6 set course for Omicron Kappa. Let's go to Livadia."
The droid quickly complied without saying anything and the Neumann turned away and after clearing out from the immediate area it engaged its cruise engines and soon it was gone from scanner range.
The commander returns to his seat, gathering his thoughts on what to do next. He did contact all MND vessels through older frequencies, but it was a matter of time for the Helgoland to be found. Eventually, he stared for a moment at Freeport 11, then at the port wing and starboard wing cameras, confirming that the two Rheinland Fighters were in formation with the cruiser."Set course for Freeport 11, and maintain a distance of 12 kilometers from the station. Impulse speed." said Hans.
Some time later. . .
The RNC-Helgoland arrived just next to Freeport 11, as planned. And only a few minutes later, the two Rheinland Fighters have left formation in order to bring back supplies. With the limited cargo space, this would take a while, but it is was either this or starvation after two weeks - tops. Because of this, fuel was also an expensive resource to spend. As such, the engine was shut off to conserve MOX rendering the cruiser stationary. They could only wait until proper aid would arrive.