I was standing in the hanger bay looking up at the mine damage to my Wrath. Last nights attack by the Hessians had left its mark. The hull was buckled in two sections and the right engine mount was cracked. However, the weapon systems were still functioning. Suddenly
The warming alarms sounded in the hanger bay. I looked at my comm-link at the incoming flash message I knew would be there.
Private Pippart, get in your ship and taxi to the launch bay. Theres a Unioner terrorizing the trade lanes in Stuttgart, signed Bureau der Marineintelligence.
I opened a channel in my comm-link to my commanding officer.
Sir, Private Pippart here. My ship is still damaged, do you want me to launch? I said.
Listen up Private. I dont care if your ship is full of holes and exposed to space vacuum, I want your ass in that ship and in Stuttgart, you got me? yelled Admiral Krieger.
Yes Sir, on my way Sir.
As I was strapping into the Wrath, I ignited the engines and powered up the navigation and weapon systems. A red flash message appeared on the control panel.
Private Pippart, Stuttgart defense systems have identified the Unioner as Frantz.Taschke, launch and engage at your earliest convenience, signed Bureau der Marineintelligence.
As I neared Planet Stuttgart, I saw the glowing wreckage of several ships just off the trade lane to my left. Exiting the trade lane at Planet Stuttgart, I found the Unioner Frantz.Taschke 15K away from the planet. Having never encountered this criminal before, I took a few seconds to access the onboard computer for information on this scoundrel:
Marineintelligence Data File on Frantz Taschke
To all military personnel, Frantz Taschke is one of the most dangerous men in Sirius. He is currently the leading ace in the Unioners. Do not engage on your own. Wait for backup before apprehending. Explosives are his weapon of choice. Exercise extreme caution.
Great, just what I needed, the Unioner Red Baron. Not wanting to risk the lives of other pilots in the system, I increased engine power to max thrust and quickly came head to head with the dreaded Unioner.
Immediately, my ships onboard warning system detected several torpedoes on my vector. I dodged and weaved as Frantz passed on my left while I released several countermeasures. After a quick EK turn I was heading back toward Frantz. I fired the Delusions. As he approached I fired the Razor, direct hit, his shields were gone. I turned again and passed Frantz overhead while releasing three nuclear mines in his path. Damn, he missed all of them.
Two ships came to assist me--Officer David Ritter and an unknown MoG vessel. I turned and fired on Frantz as he engaged the other two ships. Sadly, their ships were destroyed in less than 30 seconds. So much for the help.
I turned toward Frantz and more torpedo warning alarms sounded throughout my ship. I released more counter measures and passed Frantz without firing a single shot while dodging and weaving to save my life.
I turned again and headed toward Frantz while lining up the Razor for another shot. I fired the Delusions then released the Razor. Suddenly the torpedo warning blared
The explosion threw me into the front console. My helmet shattered as the life pod jettisoned me from the exploding Wrath. The last thing I heard from Frantz Taschke was:
