Green sundown

[Sturmwind]

The ion-powered missile was released from the launcher's tube, targetting the Sabre-class Very Heavy fighter. The rebel pilot didn't have time to notice, so he was hit by the rocket straight away, loosing the whole of his shield. He now found himself facing a Rheinland corvette and two of his escort fighters, with a key portion of his defence down.

"You ignorant slave! Your aggression will doom Rheinland!"

The rebel ship fired its engines up, in order to get cover by the other members of the raiding party. Major Meyer didn't have time to warn them again, he had to act.

"Grau Einz and Zwei, lock in targets and engage. Landa, lay suppressing fire with the plasma turrets and cover their advance."

"Grau wing, carrying out orders."

The two heavy fighters left the escort pattern of the Hansa and broke off to attack. Under the suppressing fire of the gunboat's rapid-fire turrets, they shredded the rebels' vessels to pieces. The opposing force consisting of militiamen wasn't particularly trained and most of their fighters were already damaged while battling the convoy's previous escort, as well as disabling the transport turrets themselves. The only tougher opposition was their leader, the one flying a Sabre-class very heavy fighter.

"FUER RHEINLAND!" he shouted as his ship's reactor core exploded.

Major Meyer, who usually faced such opposition without the slightest regret, was now filled with doubts. There was a green substance of some sort, leaking into space from one of the Kusarian main transport's tanks. He had a sudden chill running through his spine, he realised that the rebels they shot down were trying to tell something. It was too late though, Meyer always preferred dealing with such unconvincable militiamen with weapons.

"Grau Einz reporting all targets destroyed."

"Jawohl, Grau wing. Gute Arbeit, Piloten. Return to escort pattern."

The Rheinwehr fighters flew back to the Hansa, both unharmed. Major Meyer now began addressing the transports.

"Kishiro convoy, this is the RNC Hansa from Grenzposten 3. Report your status, over."

The comms remained silent. No response came from the ships, even though they were all intact.

"Kishiro convoy, this is the RNC Hansa. Please report your status, over."

The lack of response that followed, made Meyer nervous.

"Schroedinger, are their comms down?"

"Nein, Herr Major. Their transmitters seem to be damaged, but able to broadcast. I am getting a line with them."

The comms now switched to ear-tearing static, then finally someone responded.

"This is Kishiro transport KTT Meiji. We read you loud and clear, RNC Hansa. Thank you for the assistance, we will now be returning to our mission."

The response shocked Major Meyer. It was apparent that the transports have taken heavy damage, also suffering hull breaches and cargo leaks, but the Kusarian transport captain seemed to be utterly calm, not even being aware of his cargo hold leaking into space. Above all, the green liquid-like substance flowing into space bothered Meyer the most. It could have easily been some sort of harmful substance.

"KTT Meiji, this is Major Meyer from the RNC Hansa. You seem to have a cargo leak. What is the material you are carrying?"

"Cargo leak? Cargo leak. Oh, yes," the Kusarian paused.

"Mein Herr, please respond. What is the content of your cargo hold?"

"The content? Well. The content of our cargo is simply H-Fuel."

Meyer facepalmed as a response to the level of how obvious the lie was. H-Fuel was not even remotely similar to the thick, green liquid floating into space. As soon as he was opening his mouth to respond, Gruenwald, the Hansa's radar officer interrupted him.

"Major! We have a wing of incoming fighters on sensors."

"More raiders?" Meyer asked.

"Not at all. They seem to be Kusarian fighters."

Meyer lowered his eyebrows. The whole situation was getting dire and difficult to understand. Before he could react, he was interrupted again, but by the approaching ships this time.

"Rheinland gunboat RNC Hansa, this is Dairigyousha Shimizu of the Kusari Kempeitai. These ships are under our command, we are now assuming control of this operation in the name of the Emperor."

The Major was stunned.

"We just rescued this Kusarian convoy from pirates, mein Herr. This is Rheinland and as long as you are enjoying our hospitality, we are in charge here."

"I'm afraid not, *mein Herr.* Our operation has been authorised and classified as top secret by several of your commanders. Please move along."

"I demand evidence!" the outraged Major replied.

A red light lit up on the comms console, moderated by Feldwebel Schroedinger. It indicated incoming communications, originating from a long range.