Stranded

[Cat]

Day 1, 4:53 am
Hangar Bay, LSF Carrier "Freedom"
West Leeds Smog Cloud, Leeds System

- Shuttle Ajax, you’re clear to go, over.
- Affirmative, Freedom, we’re on our way.

The shuttle slowly flew out of the hangar bay. The Liberty carrier, a grand and sophisticated vessel, probably the largest ship ever produced by the Republic, remained cloaked, with only some flickering giving its location away. However, that flickering wasn’t distinguishable, mainly because of the fact that nobody would try to distinguish some flickering on the far end of the smog cloud.

As it left the hangar bay, the “Ajax” engaged its own stealth systems and headed for Leeds, the only habitable planet in the system. The pilot disabled the external radio transmitter and turned on the intercom:

- Welcome to Bretonia, ladies and gentlemen. This tour is generously provided to you by the Liberty Security Force Spa & Cruise. Now please, take a look through the illuminators. To the left and to the right, as well as above and below you, you can see the illustrious West Leeds Smog Cloud, one of the true marvels of…
- Shut up, Morrison. Just because the flight lasts one hour doesn’t mean that we should be listening to your annoying speeches all the way.
- As you wish, Lieutenant-Commander Sunderland. The princess is so touchy; she didn’t have the time to sleep, so I comply with her will. Good night, Ash.

The intercom was then turned off, both to Ashley Sunderland’s disappointment and pleasure. Jeffrey Morrison was always looking for an opportunity to annoy her. This time he succeeded, and Ashley didn't have the time to retort the joke. She only glad that it didn’t last any longer. Jeff was right about one thing: she could use some rest, and there was time for it. That’s why she fell asleep without even removing her light armor’s helmet. Her “Brute Mk.II” shotgun occupied the seat next to her.

In the meantime Commander William Jacobs, the group's CO, was checking his “Thunderer” heavy machine gun. He had already looked through the briefing and imagined what he should expect. That’s why he attached a silencer and a collimator scope. Then he went on to check his armor. Light and convenient, the “Shadow” was an example of the 3rd generation exoskeleton with inbuilt shielding, cloaking device and a grappling hook. It was expensive, but the Agency always settles for the best, especially when necessary.

The third operative was reviewing the briefing on his portable holocomputer again. That was Lieutenant Ryan Cooper, the group's sniper and tech expert. His “Ranger”, a multi-purpose rifle, was lying on the seat next to him, as well as two “Stinger” pistols. After looking through the briefing once again, Cooper went on to study the maps of the area where the team was heading. He wanted everything to be done by the book, without any complications, so he needed all the info he could get. Information is power. After all, that’s why the Agency sent them to Leeds.