Thomas shook his head. "By the time that message reaches the Isis, we will already be at our destination."
He looked a little sad at the thought, walking back and keying a code into a weapons locker, sliding the slats up to reveal the rack of assault rifles and pistols.
"I know you Order types like your blasters, ray guns and other fun things... but in the Coalition we keep things simple. Not much can go wrong with a chemical propelled ballistic weapon." he pulled out a sleek, drum loaded bullpup weapon, sighting down the barrel and quickly switching the drum magazine, pulling back the bolt with a satisfying click-clack.
"It's important that you familiarize yourself with one of these, where you are going. I have orders from General Alvarez himself to ensure that you have a fighting chance where you are going. That means giving you a gun, and teaching you how to use it."
He spun the rifle in his hands and demonstrated the scope.
"Full optics, semi and fully automatic modes... though if you are going to use the latter. Short bursts, and aim for the stomach... you'd be surprised at how fast one of these can chew through a magazine."
He ejected the magazine, and tossed the rifle over to Jerry.
"It's a good gun, reliable and it works. Not what you are used to, I am sure. But at the very least... you might be able to affix an escape... well, you can try."
He turned back to the rack and pulled out a .60 assualt pistol, "favourite of the Commissars, this one. Will take a man's head clean off at close range. Though... not all that useful where you are going. Good back up weapon for you to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have let go of in the first place."
He nodded, "Do you require body armour? Or have a preference for anything else?"
The intercom beeped, "Captain we're docking now."
"Well, guess the time is up, either way. I told you it wouldn't be long. Keep your head down, and keep moving, son. Shoot things before they can shoot you, and pray you last long enough to make it out alive." Thomas stepped back and shrugged.
"And for the record, when all this is over, I want you to find the nearest Order Admiral and slug them in the face. Damn idiots should never have stolen those artifacts from us, and should never have dissolved our Alliance... we were better friends than we are enemies. Damn fools."