Rogue Elephant
Chapter 15
As Josh waited for a reply he did a deep scan on the TL and placed them on the viewer. The Pirates had placed explosives all around there position. They were held up in the command center deep within the ship. The Split had designed the ship well so if the crew were under attack and boarded they could hold out till help arrived.
The power generators were the best way to end this. Cut power and wait till they freeze or suffocate.
The Equipment Dock hailed Josh informing him that he needed to talk to the Commander at the Shipyard in Family Pride.
Josh had Sarah use the Gates to open a line to the Officer. The Split looked to be a wreck as he explained.
“My only brother and his son owned the TL you stopped. We found my brothers’ body floating it space along with most of his crew. His son is being held hostage onboard the TL. I know he is still alive and that is the only reason I don’t want that ship destroyed. The boy is the last of my bloodline if he dies so does my family. I will give you any thing I have to return him safely to me.
I can offer you 10 million credits for his return. I am in desperate need of your help Mr. Galen.”
Josh felt sorry for the Split as he appealed for his help. Josh asked the Officer. “Sir I hate to think the worst but what if they kill the boy in retaliation when they see all is lost?”
A tear ran down the Officers cheek as he said. “If he dies kill them all and keep the payment.”
Josh replied. “Sir I will do my best to bring you Nephew back to you safely. I will need five of your best men to help me.”
“Dock at the Trading Station they will be waiting and what ever gear you need they will get it.” The Officer replied as he closed the channel.
Josh flew to the station and docked a Guard was waiting on him as he walked of the Exaireo.
“I am here to escort you to security and to supply you with whatever you need. The Special Forces you requested will be here in a moment.”
The Split was well versed in the Argon language. As Josh gave him a list of weapons and supplies they would need.
“I need four armored assault Drones with hellfire weapons.” Josh stated.
The Guard replied. “The hellfire is outlawed in all Split Space Sir. We have a good weapon designed for the Drones.”
The Guard had the drones and supplies at the Exaireo as the Assault Team arrived. Josh had them check their gear and board. The team saluted Josh and boarded as the drones and supplies were loaded.
Josh undocked and closed on the Elephant as he went over the layout of the TL with the Team downloading the info on their PDA’s. The plan was to burn through hull and board and secure the area and place two Drones and a Guard. The other Drones are to clear the explosives out of their assault path quietly then move to the other side and do the same. Then cause a diversion as Josh and the Team make their assault on the control room. Two of the Team members were to cut the power going to the control room and drop the shields. The other two were to cut all the power lines from the control room. Small remote charges on the conduits would do the trick.
Josh wanted to cut off all there control and power and let them start to feel the cold thick air of being locked up not knowing what’s next.
When the shields were dropped Sarah could transport there captive out but they needed to know where he was first.
The Exaireo rested on the TL as they cut an access hole through the outer hull. They sent the Drones in first just to be sure then Josh and the Assault Team and there equipment. One team went to cut all lines to the Control Room. The other team went to cut power leading to that section and drop the shields. Sarah had the Drones on their way to remove the explosives from the access ways. Sarah was gamming all signals and scans the only scanner that would work was Josh’s and he needed to get to the wall outside the control room. Both teams ran into traps set to stop them. Josh ordered one of the Drones at the ship to help the team cutting the power and shields. Josh took his assault rifle and went to help the other team.
There was a sentry weapon in the hallway to the right. The sentry had to be destroyed. It was designed to fire on anything that moved. Josh looked through the scope he could see where Sarah had marked the place and angle to fire the armor piercing round. Josh lined up and fired taking out the sentry weapon.
Sarah informed Josh that the first access way had been cleared. And the Drones were moving to the next hallway. Josh moved to the cleared hallway and waited for others to finish. The Drone had cleared the way for the other team and they were placing charges. The other team had their charges ready and were ready to turn off the shields. The Drones had cleared both hallways and were ready.
Josh was in position with his scanner. One of the teams were waiting in the hall behind Josh. The other
Team was to go to the other side with the Drones after they drop the shields.
Every thing was in place. The Pirates knew something was going on they had to have heard when the sentry was destroyed. Josh was worried about the boy as he told the Soldiers to drop the shields.
Sarah scanned the room as Josh held the scanner on the wall. And the Soldiers moved into position in the other hallway. There he was standing with an empty pistol over a Pirate sitting in the floor.
“I have the boy and he is in good condition.” Sarah replied.
“Blow the charges on the conduits Sarah!” As Josh ran to take shelter with the other Soldiers.
“Now blow the doors!” The doors blew off as the Soldiers shot stun grenades into the room from both sides. The blast was devastating from there position. The Drones rushed in first to a room of wounded and unconscious Pirates. The team quickly disarmed and restrained the Pirates.
Josh had the shields turned back on and the power to the rest of the ship so worker drones could clear the dock for the TS that was coming for the Pirates. The Drones repaired the hole they came in through and started searching the ship for explosives and traps. The Exaireo released the TL and moved to a safe distance as Josh had Sarah informed the Officer at the Shipyard that the boy was all right and he would be leaving as soon as everything was secure.
The Soldiers secured the Pirates and the surrounding area as they waited on the TS coming for the prisoners to dock.
Sarah notify Josh that someone was alive in a room the Pirates had thrown the dead crewmembers in.
Josh took one of the Soldiers with him as they rushed to get him out of there and give him medical aid.
The room was gut wrenching as the entered and seen the dead bodies laying everywhere. There he was under a dead crewman.
As they helped him out of the room Josh noticed is wounds were not life threatening.
Something wasn’t right as Josh examined the crewman closer. His wounds were fresh and his boots were a little different from the dead crewmen.
Josh realized as he stepped back and drew his pistol saying. “This mans a Pirate. Search him for weapons then scan him.”
The Officer scanned the man to discover he was a Pirate with a bounty on his head. The Guard sprayed the Pirates wounds with a disinfectant sealer to stop the bleeding. As he set him down with the other Pirates. The Guard wasn’t easy with the Criminal as he pushed him down on the floor. The Guards were looking at the Pirates hoping one would do something wrong so they could shoot him.
The dock had been cleared and the TS had docked but Josh was waiting for the Drones to finish checking the TL before he moved out.
The transports Guards had started loading the prisoners when Saran stated. “Josh the TL has been cleared and secured. Sector Security have taken control of the Elephant and you are cleared to leave.”
“Transport me out.” Josh replied wanting to leave the blood-drenched area they were in.
“The TL has buffers that make it hazardous for transporting. I have docked with the TL my position is on your locater.” Saran explained as Josh headed for the landing bay.
Josh took the Exaireo out and jumped to Family Pride the Boy was in good shape physically but the trauma of seeing his Father killed. And having a gun pointed at you knowing he could pull the trigger any minute was starting to show. The Boy was strong and this all would be over soon.
Josh docked at the Shipyard the Commander was waiting as he docked. “Please use my ship Sir to talk to your Nephew he is still dazed.” As Josh escorted the Commander onboard to his Nephew. The Commander helped his traumatized Nephew of the Exaireo and asked Josh to wait till he returned from medical and not to talk about the mission to anyone.
Josh entered the Exaireo and cleaned up and tried to relax and eat a bite as he waited on the Commander to return.
Ann has sent you a communication stating. “The Carrier is operational and on route to the Shipyard. Please respond when you can.”
Josh sent a message to Ann saying. “All went well. Don’t dock the Carrier with the Shipyard but take up a safe position in space out of the travel lanes near the Shipyard. I’ll be in contact soon.”
The Commander returned to talk with Josh as he came onboard with his data pad to pay and conduct a debriefing with Josh on the mission.
He explained that everything was classified until an investigation was conducted. The Split Government was very upset about the entire incident and wanted anyone involved in the attack captured or killed.
Further missions may arise or your assistance may be needed. The Split Government is thankful and will contact you at a latter time.
The Commander stated fulfilling his duty as an Officer of the Split then turned to Josh and said. “Thank you for returning my Nephew. My family is indebted to you he is the last in our line and no amount of payment could replace him.” The Officer stated as he handed Josh his PDA to make payment.
Josh asked the Split about the condition of the TL and would he be willing to sell the TL and the station onboard to him?
He took his PDA and checked the condition of the TL and Josh's reputation.
“The station and TL are not worth the payment I promised you. But if you want I can sell you the salvage rights to the TL and its contents for the payment. I will leave two of the Assault Drones onboard for you and the ships protection. Control and ownership of the TL and its contents are now yours. You must start repair or dismantling the ship in the outskirts of the sector away from travel lanes. And you must be finished or out of the sector within 120 days. Good luck and thank you for your help.”
The Officer transferred ownership of the TL to Josh and returned to his Nephew.
Josh undocked and jumped back to have Sarah take control of the TL and move it to a safe location and start repairs.
Josh had the ships he had captured from the Pirates repaired so they could protect the TL as it was repaired.
Josh watched as the thrusters moved the TL slowly out to the specified area they were shown by Sector Security to move to.
Josh then jumped to PTNI HQ to relieve Ann so she could go get her fighter that was about ready. Ann asked Josh what Exaireo stood for as he entered the sector. Josh asked Ann how long had she looking for the meaning of the word with a smile.
Never mind just tell me Ann said shaking her head.
“It means rescue. It’s an old Earth language. What are you going to name your ship?”
Josh asked smiling at Ann.
“I want to name it Eagle. How do you say that in that language Josh?” Ann asked with a grin.
“Aetos is the name of your ship do you like it or do you want to try another name?” Josh explained.
Ann liked the name and titled her new fighter the Aetos.
Josh explained about the TL and Solar Power Plant onboard to Ann. Ann was overwhelmed with the fact they now owned two stations and a shipping company. Ann made Josh promise not to start anything else till what they had going was established and self-sufficient. Josh agreed with Ann as she left to get her new ship and check up on their shipping business. Leaving Josh to deal with the Carrier and the ships onboard and the repairs on the TL.
Josh gazed at the Carrier as he tried to place a value on the untouched Xenon fighters onboard. After a while Josh contacted the Sector Trading Representative for the Teladi Company. After Josh informed her of his plans she had Sector Security the Trading Station and the Shipyard on a Conference Channel.
After a discussion that turned into a debate and ended in an argument.
Josh told the Teladi to forget his offer he would take the Carrier and go to Argon Space!
The Teladi Rep was the only one speaking now. “You no have to leave we work with you. Teladi will sell ships for you.”
“Teladi will not just sell. Each Race can purchase one L, one M and two Ns for 31/2 million credits. There are 5 sets and if any race doesn't want there set you can sell them. And you can sell the Carrier after each race has a chance to study it. I am willing to give the Teladi 10% of ship sales. All of your increase in sales and proceeds from the rooms and markets because of the auction of my Carrier and ships are yours. I want a impartial and honest auction and I trust the Teladi Company so I ask do we have a deal?”
Josh asked looking at the Rep on the monitor.
The Teladi Rep turned to Her Assistant and muttered back and forth with each other for a moment. Turned and said. “The Teladi Company accept we do business together. Dock at Trading Station and we sign contract.”
Ann had all ready sold Yakima shields and equipment then delivered the rest to Salas and Robert and had started trading when Josh informed her of the Auction.
Josh then had Sarah load all the extra equipment, materials and supplies on the Excel. Then all the shields but one 125meg then all the worker and repair Drones onboard.
Josh had Sarah replicate the parts for a construction unit that could make the parts needed in the repairs on the Elephant. Then gave Sarah orders as he headed for the Trading Station.
“Sarah take the Excel and Zipper and jump to the TL and start the repairs and assemble the construction unit and but it service making parts we don’t have. And build a transporter and jump-drive with its own power unit for the TL. I want the all systems on the TL repaired to operational status. So we can deploy the station. Then we can refit the TL to our liking.” Under stood Josh Sarah replied. As the ships jumped away.
Josh thought another Station and no crew a TL and no crew man what was I thanking Ann was right. No more.
Josh jumped to The Wall and looked at the Wheat Farm the lights and shields were on. The drones and work crews were about finished. Then a safety and operation inspection and the station is ready to move into.
After a update on the station Josh told Robert to take the ships waiting at the Equipment Dock and start using them to do his trading. And to start filling the Wheat Farm ships with energy cells.
Alpha Man Chapter 15
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