[font=Courier New]LNS-Pacific, In Orbit of Planet Los Angeles.
[color=#FFFFFF]Matt sat his Guardian down on the docking bay. He didn't know what to think at the moment. He was relieved in that he didn't have to face the repercussions of the incident in the Missouri's docking bay a couple of days previous. He was annoyed because he knew it could get more work done there in trying to find Angelina. To top it all, he was anxious about facing Angelina's brother. He had already submitted a draft request for a deep search and rescue mission. It was refused, Angelina could be anywhere in the Sirius systems by now and the Navy couldn't waste resources in trying to track her down and effect a rescue.
"Here goes nothing."
A Sub Lieutenant greeted him and took his backpack and ushered him down to the CAP rec room. "Oi jocks! We got ourselves a new Lead Stick for Blue Squadron!"
Matt looked around nervously. He was commanding a squadron? This was an honour, but Matt couldn't bring himself to smile. Instead, he waved briefly and headed back out the room.
"Your callsign is Raptor right?" "Yes-sir-ee, I'm giving you a tour-a-round of the tub before you meet the c'p'n. "No yer not, take me to Captain Dimitrov. We have urgent business to discuss"
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[font=Courier New]Newark Station, Manhattan Orbit
[color=#FFFFFF]David Smith is speaking with his secretary when his laptop goes off.
"Yes, WHAT?!" "Things are not progressing as we agreed" "I have no intention of co-operating now! You double crossed me and I have proof!" "That's a shame. I suppose I'll have to release the details of who paid for this kidnapping and who's idea it was. Not to mention all the research you've been stealing from Ageria.. Oh yes Mr Smith - We've done our homework. Now, we have a job for you. You will tip-off the Navy to our whereabouts." David recoils, confused - he doesn't understand. "I would happily do that for you to be smashed into the ground!" "That is the point. Our own source within the Navy has assured me that the ransom demand will not be met on their end. Our chances of seeing a profit for this operation have nose-dived. As such, a private investor needs to make a donation." "I don't follow" "You are not expected to, just ensure that the Pacific arrives in Kansas. That's all you need to do. Unless of course, you want your secrets revealed?"
The transmission terminates, David leans back and thinks. Tipping off the Navy would ensure those babbling idiots were silenced. Angelina would probably be executed in the firefight, the hostages always are. They were right in that the Navy would not pay out, they don't negotiate with terrorists. David holds his head. All he wanted was for Angel to disappear for a few days for Matt to get the hint that the Navy wasn't safe anymore. Disobey an order or two in the process and be discharged. How stupid was he in dealing with these maniacs?!
Something clicked in his brain. The Pacific was commanded by that Dimitrov fellow, they come from good stock. They must have a few bucks in the bank. That's what their after!! Lure the Pacific there, threaten it - get the money. Hand back the hostage then scarper before it blows whatever ship their on to high hell. This would work to David's advantage, the only people with evidence of his treachery would be dead. His research would still go on and he could cover up what he had stolen as best he could. He could see a way out of this finally!
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[font=Courier New]Hernandez retreat, Kansas
[color=#FFFFFF]The Hernandez's have called a meeting.
"Jeffrey, Maria! Cardi cardi cardi cardi!" Both of them look at Luis in disgust and order the other men in the room to remove him "What I say wroooooooooooooong.....!" Luis is dragged out the room. "Jeffrey, The Pacific will hold our chances of being paid. It probably expects to run into a transport and fighters. Prepare that illusion. Disable her as soon as you can to ensure we get our money. Then set Luis loose on the hostage. If that doesn't make them pay up, kill the hostage. Then threaten the Captain with his life and that of his crew. Just do what you can to get access codes to that bank account! I'm afraid at the end of this, the station will either be lost or dismantled. The Navy will know we're out here either way and we won't have much time. Ensure we are fully prepared to evacuate. Go."