"The Stokes lane is closed to any outbound trade. All traffic to the Tau's must be redirected to the Edimburg system."
"Safe fly."
"Samura ships, you are violating Her Majesty space and are now under arrest. Comply or face destruction."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Attention please. A corsair gunboat is spotted within the current system and you are strongly advised to dock in safety while the threat is being dealt with our forces."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
Bridge have issued such greetings and warnings countless times since he joined the BAF. And he means them most of the time, but not today. Like many other he have received that distress call, the one that Countess Tarrant was begging Lieutenant Commander Goodmen to activate one day before. One day already, maybe one day too late. Most probably the beacon started automatically, which imply that Goodmen was too exhausted to prevent the emission, which imply...
"Greetings. This is Ensign Martin Bridge from the BAF. Would you please cut your engines while I perform a cargo scan ?"
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"No piracy reported in Omega 3 system, do you require an escort anyway ?"
"safe fly."
"Safe fly.
"Any license fees for military vehicles, wich includes light arms, enhanced ammo and nuclear material are to be adressed to BPA Hauberk. "
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
Anyway, Goodmen made his choice. But did the Countess really made her own ? Despite all his effort to call her back, she only listened to her feeling and natural stuborness. At least, her ship engines are still functional. But this is not really a good news. The Lieutenant Commander can't leave the Orkney system, which will help the rescue team. Meanwhile, the Countess is still able to fly a war zone alone, and Bridge knows well how the Tau systems could be a trap for any and all Bretonian, especially one from her rank.
"You are fined 400c per unit, half payable to the Liberty government and Bretonia Crown. Furthermore you are prompted to drop your cargo. Now."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Not today Adama."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Incoming attack !"
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly-safe fly-safe fly-safe fly-safe fly-safe fly-safe fly-safe fly."
But would there be any rescue team anyway ? A whole fleet would be required to locate them successfully, and such a large team could not travel Tau 31 without flashing plain red on the battleship Yamaguchi scanner. And if not stuck in Tau 31 by the KNF, that bloody Colonial republic would have plenty of time to ambush in Tau 23.
"Bridge."
Additionally the BAF have no spare forces to send after a defuncting officer and a pig-headed teenager in the first place. Commander Gilead told him so yesterday, and sadly it is true. All available men are needed in the Core systems. Best luck would be the Zoners or the Outcasts to catch them first. Because if the Republic, or Kusari - or worse, Kithe - locate them before... And what about those foreigners from beyond the minef...
"BRIDGE !"
"Yes Lieutenant !" replied the said Ensign, instinctively saluting Mountbatten.
"Good ! At ease. Now that I have your attention, you will set course to Leeds and assist the on-site BPA about the S lane blocade."
"Understood Sir... I mean, Madam." The Stokes lane. Again. Lieutenant Mountbatten frowned.
"Bridge, you better should not attend the happy hour tonight. You don't look good."
"I wont Madam."
"Now dismiss."
"Yes Madam."
"The Stokes lane is closed to any outbound trade. All traffic to the Tau's must be redirected to the Edimburg system."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Sorry Universal, I'm busy elsewhere. Deal with it yourself, I'll send you backup when available."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"The Stokes lane is closed to any in - errr outbound trade. All traffic to the Tau's must be... Oooh dear, I already told you that !"
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Savins, do you speak Rheinlander ?"
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Safe. Fly."
An incoming transmission disturbed Bridge from his safe fly duty. Few words were exchanged, however they were still spinning in his mind for long minutes after the communication ended. Though he was still functional in some way, an insidious urge was growing inside.
"Safe fly."
"Safe fly."
"Yeaah safe fly, you know that already !"
"Safe... Aaaah, f*** this !"
A quick LR scanner check showed no officer on space, and his overzealous BPA mates were shouting after a molly bystander. A perfect time to sneak past them and double check Orkney again.
"Well, I'm off. See you mates. Derby, I have to report to McDuff about blocade runners and newly approved suppliers, keep a fresh beer for me."
"Aknowledge. You are clear to leave."
"See you Ensign." replied a constable before focusing again on the nearby red IFF.
Then Bridge entered the Edimburg lane and programmed his route. Edimburg, Tau 31, Tau 23, Orkney, low active threats in these systems. "Allright ladies and gentlemen," whispered Bridge as he shutted down his transponder, "this time you will come with me either from your free will, either in your escape pod !"
-------------------------------
//on an OORP note, kudos to the heterogeneous rescue team I found there, if not for that ion storm I would have spent way more time here !