"Captain! This is a losing battle. We need to give the order for evacuation!" The personal advisor to the Captain of the MNS-Basilisk.
I wheeled on the Advisor, and slammed the ship-wide comm's, "We will finish this fight!!".
Releasing the button, the Advisor's eyes widened substantially. "Sir." escaped his pale lips while he shakily pointed out the main viewport.
"*slam* All hands! Brace yourselves!!"
I woke up, covered in wiring and scorched paneling as well as laying atop a more extensively scorched Advisor. "Damn. Ensign, Report!"
"We have taken a direct hull hit from their forward Mortars, three of them'¦..Breaches on the lower decks, and fires are being contained on 2. Weapons are good, shields will be back online shortly'¦.maybe."
I walked to the Captains chair and contacted Gunnery. "Gunny, we need those Legates out of Commission!"
"Aye, Captain. We are maxed out, usted. The backup energy cores are rupturing, and our energy production is plummeting, I suggest more'¦..indirect tactics, sir."
The screen flickered off, and I sat down wearily. "All batteries cease fire, pulse batteries focus on this target." I selected coordinates on the war-panel, which transferred the target to the batteries targeting mechanisms.
"Aye, firing!"
"Heavy batteries, charge it up! Fire on my mark."
"Aye, sir."
The large discharges of de-polarizing energy surged towards the damaged Legate. "Sir, their shield efficiency is dropping dramatically. They have 34% shield strength'¦20%.........they're out!"
"Mark!"
With a single word came the "Dies Irae" of dozens of Corsair crewmen. A magnificent blue and red explosion erupted from the enemy ship.
"Yes! *slam* All hands, keep it up, that Legate is going down!"
"Sir, two Legates are attempting to pull out. Our snub's are takin' em to town!"
"All batteries, I'm selecting your targets, once one is dead move on to the next."
*Incoming Torpedo Salvo, Origin displayed*
"Bomber squadron detected, sir."
I opened a channel to the Tactical Bridge, "Zaine, what options do we have?"
"You've got to be kidding me!? A whole squadron is after us and you're asking for OPTIONS?! We need to get out of here, Adain!"
"I asked for options, hermano, not complaints."
"Screw you!"
The screen once again flickered off'¦.-He's never been that subordinate before-'¦. "Recall some fighters to cover us. Engineering! Give us all you got, we need to take out those targets."
*Impact of torpedoes: 10 seconds*
"Brace!"
The shields failed with half the salvo, while the remaining three projectiles proceeded to the "Support Bay", where the reserve energy canisters were stored. The resulting explosion was substantial but since all the canisters were empty, no secondary damage was sustained.
*Explosion on the Tactical Bridge, Damage Control being dispatched*
"*short gasp* Zaine'¦"
"Sir, the fighters are 60 seconds out'¦.sir?....sir!"
'¦'¦'¦'¦'¦'¦'¦'¦'¦'¦
The shuttle-craft landed on the platform. Two navy officers stepped out and led the Thompson Family into the craft. "Good flights Mr. Thompson."
My father nodded silently at the Officer and proceeded down the entry ramp. "Adain sweetie", my mother chimed, "are you excited to see your daddy work? He's very important y'know! Keeping me and you safe, and making sure mean criminals don't hurt other people too."
I nodded while watching the officers step off the platform and joke around with each other. I was never much of a talker like my mother, I would not usually listen to what she said. Unless she was being stern, of course.
The shuttle's engines hummed to life, and the pilot came over the speakers. "Alright. We will be lifting off and headed out to Hudson in a moment."
I looked at my father, wonderingly; as I usually did when I had a question that was often random.
"Daddy'¦."
"Hmm?"
"How do you keep the bad guys from us'¦..if'¦you don't carry a gun?"
He laughed slightly, "Well, it's one thing to fight with weapons. I fight in a war where the weapons are respect, debate, and other peaceful ways of keeping Liberty safe."
"Is that why you have to meet with all those people in suits, and sign all those papers?"
"Mmhhmm"
"See Adain? The fights between people's governments is what ends the battles between their armies. It's what saves lives and is in the best interest of both societies."
"Oh'¦"
The craft lifted off the ground and proceeded to the planet-space terminal for Officials of the Government.
As I gazed out of the viewport, I saw the buzzing cities of Manhattan, slowly getting smaller. The flashing lights and alluring ad-boards captivated my young mind, the awe of Liberty's society was too complicated for me to understand'¦but yet, I knew of it'¦..I knew of the impact its economy and commerce had on other places. After all, my father was a diplomat.
Eventually we passed through the exit ring and proceeded, with two Avenger class Fighters on our wing. The pilot of one Avenger looked at me and saluted slightly, I looked on with an envious feeling. -Thats what I want to be.- My father fought wars peacefully'¦.I understood, but I wanted to fight like those big tough guys did! To zip around in a fighter making my dad smile, and helping Liberty at the same time. -This House is perfect-
I still had the mind-set of a child, indeed. What I thought then; the incorruptibility of Liberty, would be the downfall of my family'¦'¦.
"We are approaching the trade-lane. Vector is clear and buoy's show no pirates."
"Alright, Gyro Leader heading through."
My mother stroked my hair as I peered out the viewport. Our speed doubled....tripled....the hair on the back of my neck stood up. -So fast-
"Alright, Shuttle One you are clear to enter the trade-lane."
"Roger."
"2, on their six."
I marveled at the calm in their voices. Those pilots must have had nerves of Duranium! The rings flashed by as we approached the Texas Jump Gate, a large structure that would warp us into a completely different part of space.
"Shuttle 1 the way is clear."
"Engaging polarity stabilizers, there's a fluctuation in the docking relay."
"Alright."
The shuttle shuddered slightly and then the speed skyrocketed, it happened so fast that the inertial dampeners didn't kick in for a moment. As suddenly as we entered, the shuttle shot out of the exit with equal speed.
"Engaging jump brakes."
"Proceed S-1."
"umm...Leader, we are picking up some Rogues off to starboard. We'll go check it out, S-1 proceed to Houston."
"Roger that 2, Shuttle departing."
My father stood up and walked over to a sensor panel. "2, we need you to get our back-path clear."
"No can do sir, we count three Rogues and Leader isn't going at it alone."
Our pilot spoke up, "Don't you worry Mr. Thompson, I'm capable."
His chuckle was cut off as soon as the computer chimed, "Trade-lane disrupted"
"Locking down!"
I was trembling as the view port suddenly shut and my mother grasped me to her body. "Jay?!"
"It's alright Honey....*sigh*"
"Five Outcast Sabres, time to leave. Opening channel."
*Outcast vessels we are on a diplomati-*
The shuttle was slammed with three Kraken Type II particle beams, "Pilot, open the hatch. I will speak with them."
The door to the cockpit hissed open and then shut, swallowing my father. Mother was praying for our safety as tears welled up in my eyes and the negotiations commenced.
"I need a secure channel."
"Yes, sir" The two chairs were suddenly separated by a barrier that allowed the diplomat to speak in privacy with the attackers.
*What is it you want Outcasts?*
The faint crackling from empty comm's was all to be heard from the mysterious criminals. Then, the computer beeped. The escort was back.
*Leader?*
*Great'¦.Mr. Thompson you must leave the area'¦.immediately.*
The shuttle began to move forward but two civilian Mini Razors battered the shields, causing the pilot to automatically stop.
*Don't think that La Nacion has forgotten about your end of the bargain Senor Adams. Where is the cargo?*
The squadron leader paused'¦*On the shuttle*
*WHAT?!* My father roared. *Sgt. this better not be what I'm perceiving! My family is on here!*
*Be quiet Ambassador. You don't know anything of what is happening.*
*We don't mean to cut into your dispute senores, but'¦.we will be needing that cargo.*
*Yes, you will. Shuttle pilot, shut down propulsion systems. Prepare to jettison all cargo.*
*Hermano, do you see that? The'¦que..es'¦Ha! 24'¦.the cargo is short almost one hundred units! Did you think we wouldn't further investigate the goods, senor? It is your time, amigo. Adios.*
With that, the Outcasts began pulling away and faded off sensors. My father whispered to the pilot, "Get us to Houston, I need to talk with the Admiral." The Shuttle's engines flared to life, to be stopped by a train cruise disruptor. "Origin: Avenger Class Fighter" The computer chimed.
*Leader what do you think you are doing?*
*We will not let you saying anything to the Admiral about this, Thompson. 2, with me.* They surrounded the shuttle and waited'¦.
"Raising shields, let's'¦.erm'¦leave."
My father rushed to the back and secured my into a strapped seat. "Daddy! Don't go!"
"I'm right here buddy. We're not going anywhere." Him and my mother enveloped me, comforting me and stroking my dark hair. "Everything will be alright, son." My mother said whilst tearing up. "My sweet, sweet boy."
*FIRE*
The shuttle began to shudder and quake. "Shields are holding. Trade lane 2k away. Retaliating!" My mother was sobbing now and my father vigorously slamming commands into the panel. I began crying, what was happening? Why had this happened? "Shields at half!" Amidst the chaos, the pilot missed the eight blips, signaling the entrance of eight Outcast Sabres.
*Target acquired, switching to group systems. Weapons primed. Alright hermanos, let them have it.*
*This is Sgt. Adams get in here boys!*
"They're not switching targets! An-'¦oh my'¦"
Four more Avengers came onto scanners. Both sides had planned an ambush, this was a battle.
*Officers take out the shuttle. Enlisted, provide cover support!*
"Shields are failing, sir! We can't get out of here, we can't win!"
*Hug the shuttle. The 'casts might help some.*
"Mr. Thompson!" the pilot peered back for a moment, fear had snagged his throat. "We ne-"
"Incoming Torpedo" The computer monotonously issued my family's fate. As the cockpit door hissed shut, there was a sharp shudder and loud explosion there-after.
My father gasped. "He ejected the cockpit in place of countermeasures'¦..*quick sigh* Honey get over here'¦." my parents met in each others arms as my father whispered into momma's ear. Her eyes closed tightly and she sobbed heavier, then nodded. Dad approached me; tears streaming down his face. "Goodbye son. We love you, " he hugged and kissed me, "and we'll see you again soon. I promise! Be good now'¦ok-'¦o'¦okay?"
"Daddy! Daddy don't leave!! Stay with me Daddy! Momma! Come here momma! Why won't you listen!! Come back!" I reached as far as I could, they were only 8 feet away, but the distance was like miles. I screamed, relentlessly; wishing my parents would come and comfort me. Hold me in their arms, and soothe my despairing heart. But they stood with their backs to me, sobbing'¦.wailing'¦.they had to leave me.
The computer beeped and a metal door slid directly in front of my hands. I screamed louder'¦louder'¦stronger'¦harder. It was just not enough, no matter what they couldn't hear me. I clawed at the metal casing that was eating me alive, to no avail. My parents approached the container'¦.
"We lov-"
*ZZPHTT*
My vision blurred and tunneled from the enormous jolt that signaled the pods launch. I stared onward towards the shuttle as the hole I just emerged from ignited and the hull flashed white and red. The ship quaked left and spun as a hole was ripped through it. I closed my eyes, praying that I would wake up from this nightmare, laying in my bed on Planet Manhattan. When I opened my eyes'¦I almost thought I was right. There was no more lazers zipping past or ships nearly missing my pod.
As the pod drifted I saw debris. Parts of Avengers'¦and Sabres. Pilots that were exposed to dead space, littered the area around. The shuttle was farther away still spinning slightly'¦and a hole punched right through. I saw a briefcase close to the breach. -Daddy?....Momma?- Tears came to my eyes again'¦.my face flushed red, I wanted to scream'¦but'¦couldn't'¦choked spurts of unintelligible phrases pierced the silence. Minutes'¦.hours'¦.days...perhaps years, passed and I cried'¦I sobbed and grieved until the dreadful blackness enveloped my mind. Easing my frail figure into sleep.
![[Image: Adain-1.png]](http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j390/UriahFutch/Adain-1.png)