The Den, Oyster Creek [XA- or Allies only]

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One month later...

The communications console, spitting and hissing as usual with all the interference, brought Deidre to full awareness. Things had been quiet at the Creek, Jimmy had been learning the last of the fine controls for the Serpentis train, and that meant more time for Deidre on her own.

"This is the San Antonio, we are under attack!"

The San Antonio was a stolen Hegemon class mining vessel being used to pull in the valuable scrap found a short distance from Oyster.

"We read you, San Antonio what's your status?"

"We have one of those big Junker things hitting us hard, we'll never make it to Milford! Requesting weapons cover from the Creek!" An explosion could be heard, then the sound of klaxons sounding.

Deidre hesitated for a second. She had been told to never allow this, no matter how dire the situation might be. But those were hard working Xenos on that ship, she couldn't leave them to die.

"Bring it in, Captain. We will ambush those damned Junkers."

"Copy! If she holds together we'll be in range in a few minutes". Then more quietly, as if shouting over his should can be heard "You hear that boys?" and some relieved but enthusiastic cheering.

Deidre scooted over a few seats to the defence console and waited. Sure enough, within minutes a large bulky shape loomed out of the scrap towards the station, with a Junker Salvager picking pieces off the back end of the ship weapons fire flashing between the two vessels. The San Antonio was in deep trouble and the Alliance could not afford to lose any assets. Marred by scrap and snared by cruise disruptors, the vessels progress was painfully slow, but soon the ship was within range of Oyster Creek's weapons array. Deidre punched a few buttons, targeting the chasing ship, then drew power from non essential systems, bringing the grid online. Soon, the cloud lit up, the cocktail of weapons fire putting on a multicoloured light show for the occupants of the station.

The Salvager, now identified as a Junker Marauder ship with "Hammertime" plastered across it, tried to evade, but pressed its attack. Soon, a stray shot triggered the automated shielding system, preventing the San Antonio from mooring. Forced to evade, the Hegemon sluggishly circled the installation like a wounded whale. The Salvager was also in trouble, and soon the weapons system found its mark. The Junker ship broke apart, a fiery end to the combat. The San Antonio had been saved.

Deidre breathed a sigh of relief, flopping back in the chair. Within minutes the damaged Hegemon would be unloading its cargo, and the crew would be neck deep in drinks recounting their narrow escape in the Den.