Francisco de Orellana

[Francisco_de_Orellana]

The Grudge
The Cryer doctors had finally given Orellana clearance to leave the Atka facility. The treatment had been long-winded and painful, the extra days separation from Crete feeling longer than years of Maltese mistreatment.
Finally released from the lab, he had spent the past two days in a guest room, living as what could almost be described as a human existence, but for the hourly scans, checkups and injections.

The comms screen pipped in the corner of the room. An incoming message. Benitez encryption.
The face of Commandante Ronaldo appeared on the screen.
"We're coming to retrieve you. Be ready to leave within the hour"
"For Crete?"
"No, you'll be travelling to New London"
"The Challenge?"
"Yes. You'll demonstrate your loyalty to the familia and your skill as a pilot before you truly return to our fold."
"Si Commandante. An understandable precaution."

A large group of Benitez ships, including a Raba transport, crept silently towards Atka. As they neared it, the fighters slowed to a stop as the Raba surged on. It moored with the station and began to unload a large package.
Ronaldo appeared on the viewscreen again.
"Francisco, we have arrived. Head down to the docking bay. You'll be met there."
As he entered the bay, a tired looking Corsair wearing full dress uniform introduced himself.
"Francisco, I am Trueno Benitez. We've waited a long time for this day!"
As they walked around to the other side of the Raba. Stood in sharp relief against the dull steel plating of the docking bay was a newly painted M3 "Legionnaire" light fighter.
"It's yours until you're killed, or you're awarded something better. I suppose you'd best have this too"
Trueno handed Orellana a new combat helmet bearing the markings of his old recon unit.
"The boys were keen for you to have this, it's not every day that a man comes back from the dead. Now kit up, we'll be opening the bay doors in ten minutes. I recommend you're in your cockpit before the atmosphere vents."

Orellana nodded, and climbed into the cockpit. By the time he'd familiarised himself with the controls, the docking bay doors were open and Orellana followed the Raba out into space.
Surrounding the station were ten ships, a mixture of Titans and bombers.
Ronaldo opened a channel to the group:
"Escort group, we will be heading to Cadiz with Francisco de Orellana. Closed loop comms only. I do not want his location or destination leaked."

Heading out of Sigma 17 they traversed Omicron Theta, O-41 and arrived at Cadiz.
"Challenge party, switch to Legionnaires. The rest of you will remain as security".

The large party headed through Cambridge and Leeds then jumped into New London. As Orellana arrived in the system, Ronaldo and the security section of the flight were already facing off two large Molly ships.

An irish voice crackled over the radio
"You'll hand over the pilot Francisco de Orellana, or we'll take him by force, your choice"
Ronaldo broadcast over group comms
"Challenge party continue on mission, Security party remain with me until we've dealt with these clowns"
Francisco, Sula and Trueno headed for Trafalgar to begin the Challenge.

Half an hour later, Ronaldo appeared on the viewscreen, a ship to ship transmission.
"The Mollys have been dealt with. It appears that someone has arranged to have you killed. Until further notice you are not to move without an escort."
"Understood Commandante. What I don't understand is that no-one outside of the Benitez knows of my survival. No-one outside of the Benitez Elders knew that you planned to move me to Trafalgar at this time. With the greatest respect, you have a leak."
"We will investigate how this happened, rest assured"

Orellana looked troubled and transmitted his final message before beginning the Challenge.
"I will find the man who intended to have me murdered."