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JonasHudson

Part V:
Striking Back

Hudson was sitting back in his seat with his feet kicked up. He was in the pilot's seat of the Stratocastor, and his lady pilot was doing the work of bringing them in for a landing on Leeds. The ship was flying low across the desert towards their hideout in the mine. It had become a fairly routine run. He was paying most of his attention to a pad he was holding, watching a news broadcast.

NEWS REPORT

The freighter pulled into a gorge that was an entry way into a rocky area littered with cliffs. The ship zipped along the ground down between the cliffs until it came to a more open area at the base of a small mountain. It lumbered slowly as it slowed down, dropped its landing gear and settled onto the ground.

Hudson glanced at the report one last time, smiled a bit, and then pocketed the pad. He sat forward and nodded at Butterfly, checked some of the instruments, and unbuckled his seatbelt as she shut down the engine.

The sound of the rear cargo ramp lowering could be heard all through the ship. Everyone knew the drill. They all gathered in the cargo bay. They had a few crates of side arms strapped to the deck, and Bulldog and Jumpstart were already unstrapping it and activating its antigrav fields.

He walked past them down the ramp onto the ground. The mine was above them, and a few soldiers were standing guard while a small party was clamboring down the rocky path that lead up the hill. They left a trail of dust as they descended, and Hudson noted that it had gotten dry again, and hot, so best not to linger in the sun unless necessary.

He signalled to them, and they arrived at the ramp as the crew was pushing the crates, now hovering freely, down to ground level. Hudson watched them take control of the crates, and push them up the hill.

A uniformed marine flanked by two armored ones approached Hudson.

"Report" Hudson ordered.

"The operation was a success. We dumped the envoys into the civilian population easy enough. The rest is up to them. Status of the mine is unchanged. But we're still operating as a temporary encampment sir. Amenities are limited. We have utilized the space as best we can, and have stockpiled everything as neatly as possible. Otherwise, no action, no casualties." The marine replied.

"Roger. Alright good work Major. Things on our end remain unchanged, for now. With what's gone on in Tau-31... well who knows. I'll be keeping my eye on the Guillestre for now, but in the meantime, I want you to start sending out reconnaissance patrols. Use drones to scout the surrounding area, search for any wrecks, document whatever you find. Scout some routes to the cities we could use, and try to gather any info you can on enemy activity still operating in this area. I'll be back in a couple days. Questions?"

"Uh, well, I, uh -" the marine stamored.

"Good! Carry on soldier!" Hudson said with a big smile and patted the man on the shoulder, shaking him a bit, as he continued to have a slightly confused look on his face, "Remember what the pay is for soldier! One day we can get outta here!" he said with a laugh as he turned to Bulldog and gave the 'roll out' signal with his hand. Bulldog put his hand to his earset and said something, and within a couple seconds the engine on the Stratocastor could be heard revving up.

Air wooshed around them as intake vents began to breathe in air, and the noise increased. The soldiers stepped back and Hudson stepped back onto the ramp of the ship, as did the rest, and it began to raise. He gave a slight salute to the men on the ground as they watched the ship lift a bit, and the ramp closed. The ship then turned and moved back into the canyon, and dissappeared.

Jonas let the crew drop their gear and settle in again, while he made his way to the common room that linked the crew bunks, where there was a small table with a few seats. Everyone continued to go about their business as he sat back again. He turned on a display and pressed a few buttons that routed the scanner information to that screen, so he could sit there and watch the radar.

Bulldog appeared with Jumpstart in the doorway suddenly, taking Hudson by surprise. He was a little startled from his thought.

"What's up boys?" he asked.

"Uh hey cap, whats the plan. You never gave a destination to the lady flying the ship yet. We're just getting a little anxious is all" Bulldog replied, leaning up against the bulkhead for a moment, with a slight nervious smirk on his face.

"Right, no worries boys, we're sticking to the game plan. We'll hit the BAF base, take on some refugees again, and fill up the liner. Arms in, refugees out." Hudson explained, but he almost sounded bored.

"Gotcha. Uh, just one more thing cap, the Repulse just signalled it's returned to base. Orders?"

"Tell them to hold posiiton for now, I'll perform an inspection when we get back ourselves. The bases have been reactivated for the time being, if things go south for Gallia in New London finally, we could wind up back in the front lines again, so I want everyone in tip top shape!" Hudson rambled.

The others looked at each other, Bulldog silently rolled his eyes in Jumpstart's direction. They both nodded and slipped out, and Hudson went back to being distracted by his notepad and the scanner.

He leaned back again and pulled out his flask, and a tin case. He opened it and pulled out a smoke, lit it up and had a puff, then followed by a swig of the flask, before setting back in his inside pocket. He sat and thought silently to himself... Guess it ain't over til its over...

Leeds Resistance Forces | Tales of a Renegade |The Freelancer

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