The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Tuatha de Danaan
Main hangar bay,

The Thunderhawk fell to rest on its landing struts, hydraulic gasses depressurizing in large columns of steam venting out into the atmosphere of the hangar bay area. The main access ramp fell down to the deck with a clang and a number of marines began walking out. Klaus Reinhardt exited the ramp with a young woman in tow. Her wrists were binded and she had a nasty bruise on the side of her head. A detail of internal security marines met him as he strode down the ramp, supporting stubbers and shock-sticks.
Take this prisoner down to the brig, Reinhardt ordered, shoving the woman over to them roughly. I will be down to question her shortly.
Understood sir, Two of the marines broke off, the pirate in between them. They made across the hangar for the large exit and briskly marched her off down one of the corridors. The other marines began mingling with the troopers coming off the transport, some friends reuniting, others curious to hear about what had gone on down on the surface. Several of the Sadukar Units marched directly past the hub of activity and made directly for the hangar exit. Klaus couldnt blame them; they probably had new duties of their own to attend too.

Alright come on, you can talk over a hot coffee in the canteen later, He yelled over the crowd, Get back to your posts, everyone. Those who came up on the Thunderhawk with me report to your nearest duty post for a new assignment.
His orders met a number of groans and complaints, as many of the Freedom Fighters didnt like being ordered around by a lone mercenary. But Admiral Scarman had vouched for the Rheinlander, so the others had no choice but to obey.
Reinhardt watched them break up and start walking towards the exit, some of them still walking in couples, talking about the action down at the Spaceport. Reinhardt sighed and shook his head, turning back to the Thunderhawk. The pilot stood in the doorway, awaiting orders.
Get her refueled and rearmed, ready for another drop. Reinhardt said.
Understood sir, The pilot replied before turning back around into his ship.
At that moment, Reinhardt communicator began to chime. He pulled up his sleeve and activated it, Reinhardt here,
Klaus, this is Kurt. Mannings voice replied over the speaker. We have reason to believe some of the Black Flag Corsairs smuggled themselves on board your Thunderhawk. I want you to check every single marine and Sadukar Soldier you flew with.
Klaus froze, staring across at the hangar bay exit. ****.
Im on it, He cut the communicator and began to sprint across the hangar bay towards the exit.

---

Somewhere on board the Tuatha de Danaan,

Tyrant Marcus Scarman ducked down into the maintenance hatch and closed it behind him. Hurst and Connors crouched next to him, their two carbines loaded and ready. Marcus plan was going better than he expected, but he knew that he mustnt let it get to his head.
Weve played the Freedom Fighters on the surface into our hands, but they arent stupid, He began, his voice a whisper. We have the advantage of them not knowing we were in the Spaceport in the first place, but if those four incompetent idiots I freed down on the planet manage to escape, the Freedom Fighters will think of all possible escape routes. One of them is the Thunderhawk we came aboard.
What must we do, Hurst asked, the devotion in her eyes plain for Scarman to see.
I will remove this uniform and find my way to the Senators chambers, the sacrifice I ask of you two will not be in vain.
Anything my lord and Tyrant, Connors bowed his head.
Elude the Freedom Fighters; take the trail if an investigation is undertaken on board this vessel. If you are caught you must not make any hint of my presence on board! To do so would compromise this entire mission.
Your will is understood, Hurst said, turning back to the maintenance hatch. Marcus placed his hand on her shoulder.
You are both dear to me, of late my trust for my pilots has been dropping, but you are prize examples of excellent Black Flag Corsairs. You do not understand how it pains me to lose you.
We will do you proud Tyrant Scarman, With that, Connors and Hurst made their way back through the hatch and out into the corridor. Hurst closed the hatch behind her and Marcus found himself alone in the dark once more.

---

Los Angeles orbit,

Liz Gaunt slammed two Phoenix missiles into the spinning Black Flag Corsair. The Sabre had been damaged in her previous volley and now was open to a direct assault. The explosion of the detonating ship rocked her cockpit as she blasted through the fire. Adrenaline surged through her blood as she swooped around in her agile Typhoon to face another of the pirate fighters. A blood red Titan bore down on her from above, its numerous weapons lighting up the darkness of space. Gaunt gripped her control sticks as plasma fire lanced across her bows, rocking her ship violently.
Umbra five this is Umbra leader, Im under heavy fire!
I see you Commander, Im moving to assist. Charlotte Yorkes voice crackled over the communicator.

Several clicks away, Yorke spun her Typhoon around in the direction of her squadron leader. She saw the Titan spraying fire in every direction and the small shape of Gaunts Typhoon swing from side to side as she avoided the flak. Charlotte growled to herself and kicked her thruster pedal. In an instant the top speed of her Typhoon was boosted to almost triple its regular speed. The interceptor dived down in the direction of the enemy fighter, its cannons blazing as it went. Avenger fire tore into the aft section of the Titan and set of a series of miniature explosions. The Black Flag Corsair pulled away, trailing smoke.
Thanks Charlotte, Gaunts voice spoke over the comm., I owe you one,

---

Los Angeles orbit,

Sayne Jyant Jadyn grinned with glee at the carnage the Black Flag Corsairs were creating over at the docking ring. He flew his Ravens Talon down below the underbelly of the Tuatha de Danaan once more and strafed across the underside with a barrage of deadly plasma fire. One of the Danaans defensive turrets exploded in an angry fireball as a couple of his missiles slammed into it.
All too easy, He said under his breath as he came out of the other side. His sense of victory was short-lived however as he saw a fleet of Liberty ships heading directly for him.
Jadyn to all Darkside fighters, the local law enforcement has decided to include themselves. Sayne gritted his teeth as a wing of Patriots fired across his bow.
Commander, the Freedom Fighter ship is also spewing out more fighters! Sayne checked his aft monitor and saw that a second wing of Typhoons was launching from the Danaans hangar bay.
Damn it,

Sayne, Sayne, His communicator crackled. He looked down at his communications unit and saw that the hail was coming in on a secure channel; the secure channel he had set up with Tyrant Scarman only hours before.
Scarman, you better have good news for me, He said as he slammed his fist down on the receiver.
I have infiltrated the Freedom Fighter vessel; you may pull off your attack. Scarecrows voice grated through the speakers.
Not a moment too soon either, Sayne said bitterly as he looked up in time to see a Liberty Cruiser drop out of the trade lane. He switched channels and spoke again into his commlink. This is Jadyn to all Darkside and Black Flag Corsair pilots, our goal has been achieved, pull back immediately.
After a series of confirmations, Sayne spun his ship around to face the planet. He boosted his speed and slammed on his thruster pedal. Whilst his comrades scattered all around to divert the aim of the Liberty forces, he would stealthily make his way back down to the planets surface using a little atmosphere-skimming technique he had picked up back in the last dimension. Grinning to himself, Sayne made his way back to Los Angeles. His plan was coming along nicely.

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."