An Outcast among Outcasts

[Cat]

Distant past,
LNS Guardian,
Hudson system

- Overlord, this is Lambda-1. I'm taking Lambda-4 to sector 4C for a quick scouting trip, over.

- Affirmative, Lambda-1. Be advised, our long-range scanners indicate movements several sectors away from us. All Liberty forces are on yellow alert, there have been reports of provocations by Rheinland forces in New Hampshire. Keep your guard up, but don't initiate hostilities. We're dispatching Lambda 2 and 3 as well; they will be on standby just outside of direct scanning range, if you need any help.

- Roger that, Overlord. I won't risk getting the rookie into any trouble on their first actual flight. Lambda-4, do you read? No Wild West for you today, Kyle.

- Understood, sir. It's better that way. And hey, Norman, enough with the official warnings, and open the bay doors already, I want to see what's out there.

- Cut the chatter, Lambda-4, and stick to the protocol. Launch bay clear, no personnel inside. Venting atmosphere... Done. Opening launch bay doors... You're good to take off, Lambda squadron.

- Understood, Overlord. All Lambdas, on me.

The four new Guardian-class fighters left the safety of the launch bay of the Liberty Assault Carrier straight into the field of rocky asteroids, as the launch bay doors closed behind them. Flight control officer O'Connor, fresh off West Point, just like pilot Kyle Cross, observed from the bridge as the four ships engaged the cruise engines and headed towards the frozen planet called Atka. "We're not the only ones watching what's out there, Kyle" - he mumbled to himself.

---

Not so distant past,
Barrier Gate Station,
Coronado system

- Are you sure you want to do this, Kyle? I mean, it's your call but I have a bad feeling about that job. Remember, the last time I told you that same thing, when you went to rescue your friend David Gee from LSF custody? You ended up on the run and on Liberty's wanted list. Well, I have this feeling about this job too.

- Relax, Carl. It's not the same. Firstly, it's for the Crayterians. Secondly, it's against the Outcasts. See? I won't end up on a wanted list now. And that job in Liberty went well, my help was enough to get David to Kusari safely, out of LSF's reach. Besides, I was probably already on the Liberty's wanted list for desertion.

- I think you were considered MIA, and ended up as a criminal. And now you're going up against the most dangerous criminals in the sector. And on behest of the Crayterians, no less. I thought you didn't like them.

- You're right, I still don't. They ran from their Tau-whatever down to Coronado, and now they're trying to boss people around here, as if it has always been their turf. But I'm not exactly rolling in it right now, and the Crayterians have a simple job. Capture any Outcast, deliver him back to Pecos for questioning, get the cash. Piece of cake for someone like me, don't you think?

With that, Kyle jumped down into the pilot's seat of his battle scarred Sabre and sealed the cockpit. The man he spoke to remained standing on the floor next to the ship. In a few moments the engines of the Sabre came to life, and the man took a dozen of steps back, still looking at the ship of his friend as it took off and headed towards the blast doors leading to the launch bay. "Someday there won't be a miracle like in Hudson to save your behind, Cross."