Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer

[Darth_Icy]

Chapter 5: A Not-So Family Reunion

We both launched into space and I began reading the note that was in the ship,

Thank-you for your purchase, everything you need is aboard this ship as well as your transponder being up-to-date, your callsign is Red Dawn so be alert to any pilots trying to reach you.

I linked to her navigational computer as she began setting our waypoints it was going to be a long trip and it was going to be a quiet one at that. we shared a few words about the view and everything but it wasn't until we made it to Magellan that we started really talking.

"So we are going to meet up with a few Liberty Rogue pilots near our destination they will provide the distraction so we can focus on the freighter. Once we have the ships main engines destroyed they will eject and so will your parents escape pod, we will only have a few minutes to get into the asteroid field and out of scanner range of the backup that will arrive from there I will take your parents back to the Rogue base and await further orders and you are free to do what you want. I have a small freighter waiting to take you back to Manhattan as your ship may be flagged so the choice is yours.

"I understand, I do ask you take care of them for me. I want to see them before you take them though so I can say good-bye."

"That is fine Charlie, my parents and I will take good care of them I promise we owe them our lives. I just wish you would come back with us."

"I can't do that Sarah, I don't want this life."

"I will miss you Charlie."

"I will miss you too Sarah."

We arrived at the jump gate into California, and proceeded through. There was no turning back now, I knew what was needed to be done to save my life and start anew. it was quiet through California minus all the radio calls from different trade ships passing through. When we got to New York it was like a welcome home party without the celebration. I was finally home but not in a good way. As we past West Point it brought back memories of flying with my parents to the Pennsylvania system to visit my aunt on Planet Erie, good memories were all I had left to hold on to. Before I could snap out of it a call came over the comms.

"Attn: Red Dawn and Blue Arrow, please proceed to the new waypoint we have given you."

"That is the Liberty Rogue raiding party that will be assisting us Charlie, just stay cool and this will be over very quickly."

"Understood."

We followed the waypoint to the edge of the asteroid field and could see the trade lane from where we were, the Liberty rogue pilots proceeded to the trade lanes and told us to wait till the trade lane dropped and then come in to finish the job.

"This is Liberty 112 Police Freighter we are on our way to Sector 1414."

"That is them, now just wait till they drop the lane."

There was a huge flash as the trade lane dropped, and before the Freighter could call for help the Liberty Rogue pilots began firing on the escorts. We both rushed in flying full speed and guns at the ready once the freighter came into view we opened fire. The escorts changed targets and began firing on us.

"This is Liberty 112 Police Freighter we are under attack near the....."

"We took out their comms relay we have only a few minutes before they figure it out."

We opened up everything on the freighter than without warning the ship jettisoned two escape pods. I tractored in my parents escape pod, and we headed back towards the cloud, the Liberty Rogue ships finished off the escorts and tailed us right as back up was arriving. Once we made it to safety I set the ship to autopilot and proceeded to the back of the ship where my parents were. I opened the escape pod and their my parents stood, both in shock and happiness.

"Son, how did you? why did you? We didn't want you to get involved."

"Its to late for that, Sarah's parents have sent us to bring you back."

"So that means its begun, oh Charlie we are so happy to see you."
"We've missed you son, I can't wait till we get back to Dublin so we can catch up."

"I won't be going back with you, you will be escorted back with Sarah. I am staying here in Liberty. I don't want this life I truly am sorry."

"Oh Charlie, we love you so much. We understand I just hope you will come visit us once things have settled down."

"I will do my best mom, I promise."

I moved in to give them both hugs and slipped the tracker on my mother. you both will need to get back into the escape pod, I will jettison you and Sarah will take it from there. I hugged them again and told them I love them. They entered the escape pod and I launched them out.

"Sarah, I will miss you. Please take care of them."

"I will miss you too Charlie, just take care of yourself from now on okay."

"I always do."
"Hey Sarah, I love you too."

I closed my comms and took off back towards west point, I now had to figure out what to do from here. Before I could even get my head wrapped around on what happened I was hit with a CD.

"Attention Red Dawn, please hold still while we run a scan on your ship."

I was nearly out of my seat, when it happened, was it to late to change my mind. I'm as good as a criminal now. It came to me maybe I can do something about this.

"It appears your ship has been flagged for suspicion regarding a police freighter that was attacked and two criminals escaping."

"You are right, I was involved but I wasn't the one that did it. I was getting an escort to Texas when we were caught in the miss-fire of the Liberty Rogues I assure you I have no intention of taking on the Liberty Police."

"Reports indicate your ship not only opened up but tractored in the convicts."

I had to think quick otherwise I was a goner.

"How bout I make you a deal, I have fifty million credits that say you can make me disappear off that report."

It was silent for a few moments and than a message came up on the computer, it was an account number.

"Once I receive payment, you will be clear."

I transferred the rest of my funds into the police officers account. Once he verified it, he held up his end of the bargain and flew off. I was now a free man, I knew I had to go back to where it all began. I set my course for Manhattan and would begin my journey on this new life.