The Bear and the Dragon.

[mtjsmith]

[font=agency fb]Location: [color=#FFFFFF]Somewhere in Omega-11.
Date: 12th June 819 AS

"There we go. Right where it's supposed to be. Saddle up!"

[color=#FFFFFF]The Xi'an glided out of the asteroid field towards the Hegimon miner. The radiation alarms blared as the computers realised where the Xi'an was heading.

"Steady as she goes. We have but one chance at this."

[color=#FFFFFF]The Xi'an entered the inner asteroid field and charged down at her prey. The Hegimon tried to bank away, but amongst the fields of asteroids - It was just too slow.

"Within Cruise Disruptor range!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Cut the engines, direct power to the launcher. Fire!"
"Si.. 10% power available.. Firing!"

The ship shuddered as a missile was fired, and again when another and another were launched in quick succession. The first couple of missiles missed and hit asteroids, while the 3rd hit the starboard engines perfectly and the Hegimon lurched as it's cruise engines were killed as they were mid-charge.

"She's dead in the water!"
[color=#FFFF00]"Boarding party! Let's move!"

The Hispanic Lieutenant did something right for a change, he mused. He jogged to the docking port where several marines were stood to attention. He addressed the men as he checked his rifle.

]"Orders from the top, keep it clean. Minimal casualties, these are civilian miners after all. Tear gas and flashbangs first. Anyone who shoots back, drop them in as non a lethal way as you can. Understood?"
[color=#FFFFFF]"Yes comrade Major!" - Was the unified reply

He popped his helmet on and fastened it tight. He checked his rifle one last time and stretched his arms out in his flexiarmour. He enjoyed these skin-tight suits. Not only where they light and extremely effective in their protection of him, they projected a level of fear and dread in enemies. Exactly the notion which was required today. The green light flashed on.

"Hard seal, cut her open!"

[color=#FFFFFF]A man surged forward with a plasma cutter and started cutting through the Hegimons hull. Speed was key here as if the miners got their engines up and did a quick sharp turn, The Xi'an would be pulled any which way they wanted. Potentially into one of those larger asteroids.

"Quickly!"

[color=#FFFFFF]A hiss and a clang followed the successful penetration of the Miner's skin. The marines armed and threw flashbangs and tear gas through the hole and saw them drop onto wall and explode.

"Gravity's to the side sir, that's the floor as we see it now."
[color=#FFFF00]"Lijie. We'll hold you and throw you down feet first. Move!"

Readjusting themselves, the marines "dropped" the first man down the hole and the rest of the party soon followed.

"Movement 10 o'clock!"

[color=#FFFFFF]A short burst of rounds later and the miner had metal in his legs. The party quickly moved forward and up towards the main control room.

"You two, cover the rear. Lt Vega, Blow the door."

[color=#FFFFFF]The door, much like the ship, was not designed to withstand this type of boarding. Xu kicked it in and threw a flashbang in. Disorientated and confused, the miners were quickly smacked to the ground.

"Don't move. If you do, you get shot. Vega, secure the engineering station. Tomaz, give me helm control."

[color=#FFFFFF]The remaining marines cuffed the miners, put them against the far wall and raised their rifles. Within a few moments, helm was restored and the ship was under their control.

"Excellent. Perfectly executed. Now - Let's get back to 52 before the big guns get here."

[color=#FFFFFF]He then turned to the miners.

[color=#FFFF00]"Now, we're going to drop you off in the lifepods very close to Solarius Station, or you could work for a better life in the Coalition. A life which will see you all live free from oppression! I will have Lt Tomaz give you all the relevant info. Xu to CPW-Xi'an, The ship is ours. Lead the way home."

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