The Children of Malta

[Zero755]

Samantha Martinez scanned the area again, still nothing, even with the newest scanner aptly named the Discovery Scanner it was still a nightmare trying to cut through all the interfearance cast off from the black hole that shared the system with them. Her team had been out here searching for a single modified Falcata for almost 5 days. At this point it was more of an effort to find the remains of the ship to determine what went wrong more than a search and rescue effort. The pilot, and his passengers, a Doctor Guevara and two children that were described in the mission report as being "Of the utmost importance to Maltese Planetary Security" were persumed dead due to lack of Cardimine. She tapped into her Comm system, Alpha lead to Alpha flight, anything new?

This is Alpha two, SSDD.

Alpha three, ditto.

Alpha four here, I may have something, but it may just be a sensor ghost. Im showing a highly degraded ion trail, but it is way off course for the Falcata. Although its halflife suggests that it originated around the same time our Falcata went missing. Do you want me to follow it?

Samantha made another quick pass over her scanners, still noting. This ion train was the first gleam of hope in the search effort so far, and it was worth persuing. All ships rendezvous with Alpha four, this is the first clue weve gotten. Alpha four lead the way. She pulled her ship hard to the left, bringing it into formation with Alpha four. She was now picking up the trail also, and it was leading away from the Omicron Alpha Jump Hole. In fact it was three sectors off course at this point. But as they followed the trail it got stronger.

This is Alpha two I have a metallic object at 042.56 off our Starbord side, distance 3 kilcks, profile matches that of a fighter sized craft. Shes drifting away at 6Kps.

All ships alter course to intercept. Samantha didnt hold her breath, this could just be the remains of some explorer that got caught here by the 101st. The neared the corrdinates, and to her surprise it was a Falcata. She quickly ran a scan, multiple hull fractures, main power off line, minimal life support, and two very weak life signs. We have survivors! Break and take up escort positions. Samantha changed her comm signal, Corsica control this is Alpha flight, we have found the Falcata, and there are two life signs aboard. I repeat there are survivors.

Understood Alpha one, you are hereby ordered to eject the modular cargo bay of the Falcata and tractor it to your ship link up your life sup

This is Alpha three, Sam, two escape pods just launched!

Samantha hit her tractor beam, bringing the pods into her hold. She immeaditly flooded her cargo bay with oxygen. Command, they ejected, I have them in my cargo hold.

Understood, tractor the Falcata back to Malta, the Battleship Maltas Glory is standing by on the other side of the jump hole.

Roger that command, Alpha One out. She switched comm signals back to her teams frequency. Alright you heard them Three and Four get beams on that ship, Two take point and Five cover our six.

This is Five Im picking up some strange readings. Standby Im isolating. Neutron Cannons! Corsairs!

Alpha Fives communication cut out as his ship burst into flames and exploded. The next volley destroyed the stricken Falcata. All ships break, I show four Titans and a Praetorian Bomber. Does anyone have Fives Escape pod? Samantha yelled into the comms as she accelerated to full speed, pulling a sharp right.

This is two Ive got him, but one is right on my six!

Samantha switched to the emergency channel, This is Alpha flight in sector Delta 3 we are under attack by a wing of Corsair fighters and a bomber, requesting immeadite assistance.

This is Corsica Control, we hear you Alpha Lead, we are dispatching two 101st wings to assist. You are ordered to head to the Jump Hole, have your team cover you those children cannot be allowed to fall into enemy hands.

Sir I cant leave my team like this! Samantha replied.

Sam go we dont have time for this! Itll take more than a few cannibals to take us out. Get the cargo to safety!

Ok, Im heading to the hole. She killed her weapon systems and diverted the extra power to the thruster. Trying to cruise would be a rookie mistake. She dodged enemy fire and asteroids with the skill of years on the front lines. Two of the Titans were right behind her. They must really want her cargo for the Corsairs to come here and face certain death. She neared the Jump Hole. Martinez to Maltas Glory Control, I am coming through hot, stand by to engage! She hit the Jump Hole docking sequence as a Salamanca shot took out her thruster. Red light began flashing across her console. (I hope they have a nice welcome party for the scum behind me of this will be over quick.) She exited the Jump Hole and her canopy was filled with the green bulkheads of the Battleship. Its turrets turned in her direction and fired, making quick work of the persuing Titans that had followed her through the hole.

This is Maltas Glory control, Alpha One you are cleared to land, port side docking doors are now open, and medical personnel are standing by. Oh and the Titans in 85 were taken out and your team is alright, they are a resilliant bunch. The 101st is escorting them to Malta.
Samantha sighed, another battle ended, and her team was alright, and they had found the missing Falcata with survivors, this was a good day after all. Understood control, Im engaging auto dock. Alpha One out.

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