Rhyme cracked a grin as he observed the afor mentioned corner of the cafeteria. Even with the walls coming down around you somethings just took priority.
"Welp. Case of fact I don't see any good reason to stick around for the moment if we're hurting for stuff. Shy of tearing half of the station apart to re-enforce the other half I don't conjure that hope and muttering angrily about the 'Sairs is going to spirit up what we need.
Well, I take that back, as I imagine one of the things we need is a little direction at present that doesn't resonate with a war drum, which you seem to be providing.
While I like the idea of fixing the solar collectors that's a lot of surface area that would need patching, with a lot of supplies and manpower we seem to be lacking at present. With most of the home crew in exodus or... Right. Well, I don't think that we're in a position to rebuild something as huge and vulnerable as solar collectors when, like as not, someone will put a spot of antimatter through it as soon as we've hoisted it up.
I brought some portable powercells with me, you might have seen them on the manifest. We can use those for the present to keep the lights on and the environmental systems humming. The more we could daisy chain the better our power situation will be.
Panels... Those we can get as well... But frankly I'm lost on how we're going to accomplish anything meaningful with any supplies we bring in. Last time I counted the station's population is sitting pretty at a bunch of angry shell shocked old crew.
Hell, I'm not even sure how I'm going to offload my boat."
"Alright, alright," Yevan scratched the back of his head, "I see where you're going."
"Look," he gestured flatly with his hands, "I have an idea. It's kinda risky and it's gonna take a lot of work, but if we-"
In the midst of finishing his sentence, a sound of screeching metal resonated above and Yevan looked up in time to see a pipe rip away from the ceiling.
"Right," said Yevan and immediately grabbed Timothy's collar as a roaring mass of titanium descended upon them.
"Damn," Yevan caughed. "That was a close one!" He waved a hand in front of him to clear the dust.
"Hey," Yevan hissed, "Hey dude, you alright?"
There was no answer.
"Uhg," he paused while looking at what appeared to be a knocked out Timothy, "Dude? Dude...? Right. Okay. Um, hello, can somebody help me out here. This one's out cold."
An elder man approached Timothy and pressed a pair of fingers against his neck. "Hum, let's see here," the old man mumbled. He took a tiny device in the shape of a nob and placed it atop of Timothy's right temple. The gadget beeped twice and then a small light at its center turned green. "Well, he's got no brain hemorrhaging. Not going to waste my time on this fellah. He'll be alright. Where do you wan' im?"
"Uhg," Yevan looked around quickly and pointed at a corner with a pair of blankets tangled on top of two resting figures, "Let's haul him over there for now. He'll be waking up around 3 o'clock tonight."
And there it was, worse for wear, but still holding together somehow.
Gheis punched the cruise engines and pointed the Resolute out of the Sabana Field toward Freeport 9. Or what was left of it. What had once been a monument to the resolve of the Zoners now floated, looking as if it could be held together by chewing gum and thread. Who knows, maybe that's what the remaining inhabitants were using.
He'd tried repeatedly since jumping into Theta to raise the station, yet nothing but static came back. It was likely that the communications array had been knocked out in the last attack. Approaching the station, there didn't appear to be any visible place to dock left either, and this was made terribly apparent by a Kujira Whale that was just floating tethered to one of the Freeport's supports.
Bringing his Whale around for another pass by the station, Gheis spotted a space between two ships that hadn't been taken. The fixture looked beat up, and the space between ships was too small, but if he were careful, he might just be able to park the ship in on its side.
Or he could knock a good-sized hole in the station's hull. Still no answer from the Freeport's traffic control. This was the only way in left.
Taking time to line the Resolute up, he began to gently nudge the throttle up, bringing the Whale forward slowly, meter by meter creeping toward the mooring point. Even on its side, it was going to be a tight fit for the transport. The captain edged the ship forward still, bringing it between the two ships in the adjacent fixtures. The docking clamp extended and Mace silently prayed that it'd hold against the battered port.
The clamp made contact and locked, but the supports behind it were weak, and the station's hull buckled slightly with the added stress. The hull didn't give way, but the station's residents probably felt his arrival. He'd managed to park a Whale the way no Whale was meant to be parked.
"Eh, I knew I'd found a good spot."
Checking the docking link, it appeared that at least the station's computer was functional and he could communicate with it through the port. Gheis sent his cargo manifest over, unstrapped from his seat, and began making preparations to disembark. It was time to figure out who was left in charge of this mess.
[font=Georgia]Mao Rinkamo was woke up by what sounded as another corsair attack. Wearing only his pants and a red t-shirt, he rushed to the small window from his -still intact- quarter. He saw nothing but the angle was too small so he thought the attack came from the other side of the station. He took his rifle and a flashlight and went down the dark corridors until he could find a terminal of the internal neural-net. There he checked the structural damage...
Nothing new. So, what was that noise? Oh... there it is. Another ship just came in and parked right next to my Black Sea. This place will be crowded like it once was.
With that he went back to his quarters, equipped himself with the flight suit and went to his ship. With slow moves, he managed to detach from the mooring fixtures without damaging any of the ships around him.
[color=#FFFFFF]Sonya told me when all this started that she's coming back from Gallia. If no one from the station responded to her calls, she will probably hide in one of the clouds to avoid detection. I hope her scanners will detect my ship. I hope I find her in one piece. A carrier and several fighter wings will be useful.
Black Sea speeds up to Orinoco cloud where it receives a transmission.
Mao, is that you?
Hearing that familiar voice, Mao shouted in the microphone:
Sonya! So good to have you around. How are you? How's your ship, your crew, your fighters? We're all alright and we have some supplies for you. What's up with Freeport 9? It's a total radio silence.
Black Sea starts the mooring procedures to transfer the goods while the two captains continue to talk about what happened. When the supplies are on the whale, Mao and Sonya agreed that Sagitara, the carrier, must remain hidden and only send fighters and bombers if situation calls for it.
I will probably start doing some supply runs for the Freeport. I would appreciate if you can give me a couple of fighters to escort me tomorrow. Of course... meanwhile, we will wait here.
With that said, Mao powered up the cruise engines and headed back to the Freeport. He managed to park his ship in the exact same spot. The connection to the Freeport's computer was established and he sent the data regarding the supplies he brought. While some of the folks from his crew were unloading the cargo, he went directly to the Cafeteria. There he saluted the others and started to talk:
I have great news. An Aquilon filled with fighters and bombers is hidden in the Orinoco cloud. The captain is Sonya Te, a good friend of mine. She brought us some supplies and if we're in trouble, we have a place where we can evacuate, [color=#99FF99]takes a little break, hope that won't be necessary. Yeah... well, I'll be in the Bar if you need me.
A tall, dark haired, and tired man walks into the room. Just after arriving from the chaos that is Omicron Theta. Walks over to get a cup of coffee, but disgusted because well...he doesn't find any.
"Greetings gentlemen. I would ask how you are all doing, but that would just be a stupid question considering all that has happened."
"The natives are restless Mr. Pushkin and we need to find our solution to this matter." Let me just give my two cents.
1. We now know there are only 14 people on this station. Out of these 14 we need to set up some type of council. Maybe of about 5. I will help in any way I can. Since you have taken the lead on this situation I do not have a problem with you being one of them. I will also offer my services too.
2. I still have contacts around Sirius when I was running around trading. I will contact some and see what I can do about the food, water, and oxygen situation. If nothing else I can acquire a ship and do it myself if I have too.
3. I agree with Mr. Argus that repairs on this station should be at a minimum. Only repair what we need for us 14 to survive. Lets not fix this thing up so it can be destroyed in the next attack.
Mr. Argus, I will say I disagree with you about the Sairs needing this station to protect there home system from their enemies. Why do I say that? Well it is because they have a station in Omciron Eta not more that a few K away from the Theta jh. The only enemy they really need to worry about are the Outcasts and well, they have that entrance to the Theta system covered now don't they? Also, what about their enemies that can come thru Omega 41? Again, same scenario they have it covered because of Leon base just a few short K away from the Gamma jh.
Also, they are not able to just take this station. For you to say that the force that has protected us so far cannot do much against the Corsairs is well....totally inaccurate sir. With the Outcast help yesterday we more than did enough damage to them. Let me also say this, we can surround them you know. Seal off the Gamma jh in both Theta and O41. We have enough allies to do that. Do I think that is good? Yes and no. Why you ask? Because the Corsairs need to know they just cannot resort to violence and war to get what they want. Will it escalate things: Absolutely it would. However, how long can they stand without any supplies since there is only 2 ways into Gamma?
Our friends our numerous. I hear that the TCG, Cerberus, NTF, RHA, Outcasts, GMG, and many others are willing to help. We just need to talk with them. Solidify our relationships with them. Then talk with the Corsairs from a postion of strength and not of weakness as they see it. Just look outside, there are Order ships, zoners ships, hessian ships, and many others that stand guard over this station daily. Is it going to be easy...no, no it will not. But what is the alternative? Give up and send a message to all that if you just attack us we will turn over our bases to you? Certainly not!! What does that say to all who already died here at Freeport 9 and Freeport 1? Or to the many brave men and women who have died defending us?
We have more on our side than you think. Ways in which to defend and bring an end to this mess. We have to start now. Decide on our leadership here and now before it is to late.
"Woah there," Yevan exclaimed, "I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. Firstly, a few members of the Senior Council are still aboard the station. If anybody is going to be making any leader-like decisions, it's going to be them.
Now when I talked about getting a representative, I did not mean for him to be anything but that. All of us here have an equal voice. And since we all chose to stay behind, we're all going to make decisions together. A democratic vote is the best way to go and has always been the best way to go. I've no doubt that the Seniors will side with the majority as they often have.
But, if you guys are itching to pick a rep to speak on our behalf, then I guess there's nothing for it. If everyone else is alright with it, we can begin casting our nominations. Everybody can nominate themselves for the position of a representative. If you want to, you could make a small speech talking about your past experience as a negotiator. So on and so forth.
I will suggest that we don't stretch this too long and begin the voting in a few days. That should give everybody plenty of time to put their name on the ballot."
Descending into one of the Whale's storage compartments, Gheis grabbed a rucksack and threw some food ration packets, a few bottles of water, and a bottle of wine into it. He slung it over his shoulder, climbed back up to the living area, and punched a few buttons on the control pad next to the airlock door. The Resolute's side opened noiselessly, but the Freeport's groaned about it. He stepped through.
The lights were still on down here, but the air was stale - clearly the ventilation systems were offline and with the biodomes gone, there probably wasn't too much new oxygen being generated, but the stale air still being present was a good sign that this compartment was still pressurized. A few of the light panels and some of the wall plates had fallen free of their fastenings, and the hallway was a couple meters narrower where the Resolute had pushed it in. "Whoops."
The transport captain made his way down the hallway, a sample of his cargo over his shoulder, not entirely sure where to go. "If I were stranded on this station, where would I want to congregate?" he mused to himself. The mess hall seemed as good a place as any to start. Someone had to be there. At any rate, at least the occupants would like what he'd brought.
After finding a station map, hanging crooked on the wall, he managed to find a path to his destination.
As he paced down the corridors, he began to hear voices from further down. "Good, looks like I'm moving the right direction." He finally came to the cafeteria's entrance and leaned against the doorframe, watching two men debate the finer points of station representation. He waited until the two were finished, glancing around the room and spying the people sleeping wherever there was open space.
Once the pair were done, Gheis spoke. "Uh, hi there. I'm Gheis, and I think I might have something you'd be interested in." He slid the pack off his shoulder and proffered it to the two men. "I've got plenty more of this, too."
Yesterday I left a small shipment to you in FP9:
2000 units of construction equipment and spare parts (liberty friends)
1000 units of food (from Stturgart with love)
380 units of pharmaceutical products (Cambridge we love you)
I sincerely regret not being able to bring more material, but my Tonterias las Justas has no more capacity. The shopping list give me the Captain Mannock, if you need some more tomorrow (when the Blockade loosen) let me know.
Hoping to not have to deliver to you nothing more just because this stupid war is over. Always yours,
Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba
PS: it's fun to dodge those brits (when I was carrying supplies to Crete or FP1), but more fun is to prevent Sairs patrols. I think that I may not return home for a while.
Before Kal could say another word a man named Gheis standing in the doorway spoke. Walked over and put his bag on the table.
Kal reached for the bag, opened it and looked inside. Very nice he thought. He was a little disappointed because there wasn't any coffee. He saw the bottle of wine and asked, "May I"? Gheis nodded and Kal opened it and poured 3 glasses.
They each took a few drinks. Then Kal started the conversation again about representation. "I had no idea that some of the senior council were even onboard" he exclaimed. "I apologize for that misunderstanding I was under the impression it was all up to the 14 still here onboard the station."
Yevan gave him a perplexing look. Kal kept speaking. "Look, I did not mean to insinuate that all 14 of us would not have a vote. I was just offering my advice because everyone is on edge and we need to get this done. The sooner the better."
Kal finished his glass and poured some more. Gheis exclaimed, "Hey take it easy on that" Kal set the bottle down.
"Yevan, you are the one who mentioned about finding a representative, what do you think that representative would do? I understand it to mean he would speak on behalf of this station. After everyone votes of course on who that might be. Also, the other 4 would give advice to him. That is all I meant. I know how hard it is to get 14 people to agree on anything. The council will only discuss and then pitch it to the rest onboard for all to discuss."
A Corsair gunboat emerges from the Gamma Jump Hole in the Napo Cloud, and stops at 5 klicks from the cloud's edge.
Santiago: Condition yellow. Engines halt. Rodriguez, let's have a look around.
Rodriguez: Sì senora! *the officer at the sensors nods and performs a deep scan* Range clear, no contacts except some ships docked at the Freeport - or what's left of that... *he turns to the gunner* We really showed them, amigo! *they both start laughing, only to be frozen in place by a cold glare from their captain*
Santiago: Gracias, Rodriguez, that will be enough. *she turns to the bridge window for a moment, then picks up the interphone* Logistics... Herrero, is the package ready?... *pauses* I have my good reasons, and I do not really have to explain them to you... *takes a deep breath, listening to the voice on the other side of the intercom* There are survivors there, hermano. Civilians, that is. "They" are not our enemy... *her expression hardens at someone the other man must have said* I won't tolerate any more discussions. You have your orders.*Slams the intercom down and turns to the pilot* Engined half forward, take us to 10 klicks from the Freeport.
The pilot nods silently, focused on the ship's controls, and the gunboat comes out of the Napo Cloud, slowly drifting towards the crippled station.
As soon as the Corsair ship becomes visible, some of the ships docked at the station begin to move, quickly followed by some fighters undocking from the hangars (and sometimes coming straight out of the holes in the hull).
Santiago: Engines halt, condition red. *takes the intercom again* Logistics... Herrero, send the package now.
The gunboat's cargo bay opens, and a small container emerges from it, propelled by short bursts from several tiny thrusters attached to it; a white light on top of the container starts flashing, and the thrusters push it in the direction of the Freeport.
Santiago: Rodriguez, can you confirm that the package in on course? *waits for a nod from the officer, then turns to the main window* Muy bien.... *Stares at the crate as it flies towards the small flottilla of defending ships around the Freeport* Vaya con Dios... *whispers, then turns to the pilot* Set course to the Gamma Jump Hole, engines full! Let's get away from here.
The corsair gunboat turns around and quickly disappears into the Napo Cloud. A minute later, the container reaches the Zoner ships and is recovered by a Dromedary. Once opened, it reveals to be containing several canisters of chemicals for atmosphere regeneration, a set of ventilation filters and ten capsules of industrial grade nanobots (tagged as Kruger, probably part of some piracy loot). When the Zoners remove all the goods from the crate, on the very bottom they find a data disc. The handwritten label on it says: The content of this disc travelled all the way from Earth to here; it was recovered from salvaged datacores from the Hispania - along with not much else. May it be a symbol of a legacy not forgotten. Corazon Santiago.
The data disc contains a very old compilation of hispanic music from various now-totally-unknown artists, as well as a collection of pictures of Earth.