Alpha Security Chapter 18

[Ed Man]

Replenish the Ranks
Chapter 18

Josh had docked and was fast asleep when Saran woke him. “Time to get up Josh the new ship is ready to be deployed. And Mimi has asked to please speak with you.”
[Josh] “Is she able to walk?” [Sarah] “Yes she can walk and her reconstructive surgery has been completed. She still has some bandages on her face but she is in good physical condition.”
[Josh] “Good have her meet me on the observation deck so we can watch the ship being deployed.”

Josh grabbed a cup of coffee and headed for the observation deck. The deck was empty as Mimi walked in.
[Josh] “Sarah secure this area so we can talk in private and watch the ship deployment. Mimi please join me I’m sure you have a lot of questions and I have the answers I hope. We are about to deploy a new ship. The room is secure so ask anything you want.”

[Mimi] “Who are you and what happened to Rock and why am I in such jeopardy I have to disappear?”
[Josh] “First I am the Rock I was undercover on a mission and needed a way into the base and you and your crew was it. I had nothing to do with the destruction of the base or the survivors being killed.
I later found out to late for the others that the plan was to kill everyone involved. When we escaped to the next sector and had to sell the ships, sign the nondisclosure agreement and take the payoff I thought that would be the end of it. The Job was to gather Intel on the Shredder Clan and they were all killed when the base was destroyed so I thought it was over.”
[Mimi] “Who is it?”
[Josh] “You don’t need to know who is responsible all you need to know is that life is over now you have a new face a new name and a new life. I’ll help you get set up in anything you want or you can work for Me. That’s your cover story any way.”
[Mimi] “Are they after you to?”
[Josh] “Yes but they’ll have to get in line first. I have to watch my back all the time anyway it’s a downside of my position and lifestyle. I’m sorry for your loss I can’t change what happened but I can help you.”
[Mimi] “Thank you. Is anyone else still alive?”
[Josh] “Yes the Teladi female that bought your weed business. I sent her a message telling her about the danger. At first she did nothing then she sold out and disappeared into hiding.”
[Mimi] “What’s next for Me? My brother and friends are all dead.” As a tears ran down her face as she looked at the floor. [Josh but his are around Mimi saying.] “Mimi I’m your friend. I may not look like the Rock on the outside but I’m the same Man on the inside. You can have any job my companies offer. You can get any kind of training you want. I do suggest you take some classes at Fortress Rock to improve your talents.”
[Mimi] “How long can I say here?” [Josh] “For a few more weeks till you’re fully recovered. Then you can say in one of my quest rooms in my quarters at Fortress Rock as long as you need till you fill like doing whatever you want.”

The two watched as a large section of the new ship was positioned away for the TL in open space. The assembly drones working like little ants all around the ship as pieces of the ship were being delivered from the TL. [Mimi] “Who’s owns that ship and what kind of vessel is it?”
[Josh] “It belongs to me and it’s going to be my personal flagship.” [Mimi] “Is it a war ship a super freighter a yacht or something else?”
[Josh] “It will be well armed but that’s just for protection and defense if need be. It’s for exploration and research. It has a medical center a docking bay that will hold four large fighters a covered docking port for a TS. I wanted a ship that would fill the need for my companies growing needs an mine. Like right now this TL could be used elsewhere and that ship could do this job.”
[Mimi] “What are you going to call it?” [Josh] “I don’t know I haven’t decided. You think of a good name for it and I’ll use it so make a list out and I’ll look it over.”

Mimi smiled a little as she looked at the ship trying to think of a name for it captivating her thoughts on something other than the hardship she just came through.

Josh watched the ship construction with Mimi for a few more minutes then told Mimi he had to take care of some business and headed for the door.
[Josh] “Sarah reopen the observation deck up to the crew and where is the Chief at I need to speak to him?”
[Sarah] “He’s on the flight deck do you want him to stay there or meet you some where?”
[Josh] “Ask him to meet me in the officers lounge. And contact the Argon Security Director with a request. Tell him I need to find some heavy fighters and need to leave the sector for a few days to get them.
And would it be alright to leave the Chief in charge till I return?”
[Sarah] “Message sent. The Chief is on his way to the lounge.”

[Josh] “Sarah I want you to observe Mimi for her own safety while she’s onboard she seems to be taking it all well considered what has happened but I want to be on the safe side so I want you confidentially monitor her at all times.” [Sarah] “Understood Josh.”

Josh was about to enter the lounge when Sarah replied. “The Director has approved your request and ask that you stop in at your convenience after you obtain the ships you need to brief him on the battle and damaged Gate.” [Josh] “Tell him thanks. I’ll stop by as soon as I can.”

Josh had just sat down at a table when the Chief walked up. “You wanted to see me Commander?”
[Josh] “Yes please sit down I need you to watch after the sector for a few days while I go to get some M3 ships to replace the ones we lost in the battle. The Director has already approved it all I need is your ok and you’re in charge for a while again.”
[Chief] “I’ll be glad to Sir. And can I give the crew any specifics on the new ship?”
[Josh] “I’ll take care of that now. Sarah post a general outline of the ships design. Just show the basic points of the ship no details on load out and nothing on the advanced technology. Show the areas in question as multipurpose supply and storage compartments. It is a support ship after all.”

Josh ordered some breakfast while the two sat and talked about the Xenon battle and the new sectors that were opening. Every race had new sectors to open up leaving regular security force patrols to a minimum.
The last big expanse was after the Xenon war when the Ancients opened up new sectors as a gift for not destroying the Xenon. At least that’s the way Josh seen it. This was a small expanse with only a few sectors opening up and the Argon had just cleared the Xenon out of theirs Destroying every one without any protest from the Ancients.
Josh explained that the Ancients must have not been worried about that collection of Xenon as far as anyone could tell they were isolated from the other Xenon. The damaged Gate was the question on everyone’s mine where did it go? Just then the Chief got a page and had to leave as Josh finished his breakfast and headed for the Exaireo.
Josh engaged the jump drive to Montalaar as soon as he cleared the TL. “Sarah contact the Director at Fortress Rock.” [Sarah] “The director is on the COM.”
[Josh] “Director I need you to have two escorts on standby to escort captured ships. I’m going to embark on a little operation to replenish the ships we lost in the battle.”
[Director] “I’ll have them ready Josh. I have been able to get four S class Nova’s from the Shipyard in Light of Heart. I have sent a freighter with four pilots and 25meg shields and weapons for the ships. They should be back before the next shift.”
[Josh] “Good job that will help out a great deal. We still need six more heavy fighter to replace all our losses in the Xenon battle and to Pirates.”
[Director] “Do you need a wingman I have one of our best Pilots about to be sent out on a mission.
He has the best capture rate off all the Pilots without damaging his ship his call sign is Cutter.”
[Josh] “Load his ship up with energy cells and send him out. Two is better than one any day.”

A few minutes later the Cutter was on an intercept course with Josh.
[Josh] “Welcome Cutter we’re going hunting. Sarah scan for nearest hostile M3 fighter.”
[Sarah] “I have a M3 and M4 just exiting the South Gate in Thurk’s Beard closing on an freighter. Sector defenses is currently engaged with a pair of fighters at the North Gate.”

[Josh] “Cutter we’ll jump in you take the Bayamon. I’ll take the Orinoco. Remember we’re on a capturing mission.” [Cutter] “Understood Sir.”

Josh exited the Gate to a distress call from the Freighter. “Heavy Fighter I’ll pay you 100,000 credits to protect me from these Pirates.”
[Josh] “I’ll take that reward Pilot.” [Pirate] “You’ll die with him then you brainless /////xxx.”

[Josh] “Freighter pilot make a run for the Trading Station.”
Cutter was on the M4 now as the Freighter Pilot set course for the Trading Station. Josh was on the M3 slashing his shields away with every blast. As a Pirate Falcon followed by two Pirate Buzzards entered the Sector behind them. The Pirate in the Orinoco was blasting a long list of names at Josh as his buddies entered the sector. The Pirates quickly opened fire on Josh as he evaded the onslaught of fire from the attacking ships.
Josh turned firing on the incoming Fighters as the rear turrets blazed away at the Orinoco as he opened the com. “Cutter waste the Bayamon and pick up the Orinoco.”
[Cutter] “Under stood Phoenix.” Cutter opened up fire on the Bayamon till the pilot ejected from the ship.

The fight was on now as the Orinoco turned to run as Josh lined up on one of the Buzzards raining fire on it till it blew up in a blazing fireball trying to drop a mine. The rear turrets had been firing a steady rain of fire on the pursuing Buzzard as Josh weaved the Exaireo dodging the oncoming fire from the last Buzzard.
As the first Buzzard blew up the pursuing Buzzard turned to recharge his shields as the Falcon took its place trying to get onto the tail of the Exaireo. Josh turned and dove in a corkscrew move placing himself on the tail of the Falcon. Locked a wasp missile onto the Buzzard and fired in keeping the Buzzard busy as he fired on the Falcon trying to escape the steady blaze of weapons fire dropping his shields at a steady rate.
The pirate weaved and dodged trying to escape hoping for a break as his wingman was trying to evade the missile as it hit its mark sending the last Buzzard up in a ball of fire. All hope of escape was lost when his wingman’s ship exploded. The bargaining started as he offered credits for his escape as the Falcons shields dropped ever closer to zero.
Until he replied. “Don’t kill Me the ship is yours!” As he ejected into space.

Cutter had dropped the shields on the Orinoco down to zero and was trying not to damage the hull as he was firing control blast holding the shields around zero.
Josh collected the missiles and sent the Falcon to the Equipment Dock with the Bayamon then hailed Cutter.
“Keep his shields low till I get there I’ll lead him and blast him out of the cockpit with my turrets.”
The Pirate hurled a long list of obscenities at Josh and Cutter as he surrendered his ship and ejected.

[Josh] “Well that’s two heavy’s down and a Bayamon. Good job Cutter! You know that last guy called use a few names I never heard before.” As the two laughed at the remark.
[Cutter] “I want to thank you for bringing me on this mission Commander.”
[Josh] “I’m glade that you and others of your quality have chose to work for us Cutter.”

[Josh] “Contact Alpha Security and tell them we have two M3 fighters and a M4 at the Equipment Dock to pick up. Inform Sector Security to pick up the Pirates. And search for our next target.”

[Sarah] “Sector Security is requesting support at the North Gate to intercept two Buzzards and a Orinoco are about to enter the sector through the North Gate. Their Fighters are engaged in a battle with Pirates in the fare north east sections of the sector. The Split are offering a healthy bonus for the capture or distruction of the Pirate in the Orinoco.”
[Josh] “Tell them we’re on our way. Cutter head to the North Gate we just been hired by the Split to capture or destroy a Orinoco headed for the North Gate with two Buzzards as escorts.”
While they headed for the Gate the Pirates entered the Sector climbing to a high flight path to avoid any traffic. Josh and Cutter set their ships on an intercept course leaving no questions in the minds of the Pirates a fight was coming. No dought the Pirate Ships keeping the Sector Security busy was a trick used by Pirates to slip things throuth a sector. This time it didn’t work.

Josh scanned the ships they were loaded for a fight. “Pirate Ships stand down we have been given orders to capture or destroy your convoy at all cost.”
[Pirate leader] “You’ll both be dead in a few minutes so who cares about your orders you /////----!”
[Josh] “Don’t worry about the ships! Don’t stop fireing till there stopped take the last Buzzard. I’ll take the lead Buzzard. Fire a wasp at the Orinoco then I’ll fire one of our new missiles and with any luck it will take him out.” [Cutter] “Understood”

The Pirates fired missiles then split up. Cutter fired a wasp then Josh fired a new missile at the Orinoco. Cutter and Josh fired taking out the oncoming missiles as they in return fired wasp at their enemys making them dodge and fire at the missiles as Josh and Cutter used the distraction to line up on their marks.

As the missiles were destroyed Josh and Cutter were already behind the Buzzards fireing away as they dove and swooped from side to side trying to shake the weapons fire as their shields dropped ever closer to zero.
The Orinoco turned in time to take out the wasp only to explode the missile Josh had fired catching his ship in the shockwave damaging it badly.

The Buzzard Josh was on exploded as he turned away to help Cutter the other Buzzard Pilot ejected.
Both ship raced to intercept the Orinoco as he headed for the gate at half speed.
[Josh] “Cutter stay back I’m going to us my Ion Disrupters to disable his ship.” Josh closed and let the sparks fly till the ship came to a stop.
[Josh] “Give up Pilot it’s over.” Josh seen a blast come from the cockpit of the ship.
[Cutter] “Did he just shoot himself?” As Josh scanned the ship the Pilot was dead from a shot to the head.
[Josh] “Yes he did. I quess he didn’t want to be captured alive. The Split are not known to be kind to their enemies. He knew they would kill him after a few days of torture.”
[Josh] “Sarah sent the Ship to the Equipment Dock and have the whole cockpit replaced. Well Cutter we now have half of the ships we need. Lets dock at the Equipment Dock and take a break meet me onboard the Exaireo.”
[Cutter] “Roger that Comander.”

Sector Security had returned back to their patrol and was headed to pick up the ejected Pirates. After the Orinoco was apprehended the two Pirate Ships jumped out of the sector. Cutter had just boarded the Exaireo and sat down with Josh at the table when Sarah informed them. “There are two Split Guards outside the ship wanting to speak with you Josh.”
[Josh] “Is something wrong?” [Sarah] “It is two of the Guards you worked with on an previous mission Comander.”
As Josh opened the hatch one of the Guards replied. “The Split welcome you to their Station Commander. The Security Officer would like to talk to you and your wingman before you leave.”
[Josh] “Lead the way we’ll take a break later.”
[Cutter] “Should I be concerned?” The Guard looked at Cutter as they walked saying. “Our Comander wants only to ask a favor.”
Cutter was a little more relaxed after hearing that because normally when two Guards are waiting at your ship it’s not good. And these two were Special Forces that looked like giants to Cutter as they walked down the hall.
They were lead to a office and directed to sit down in frount of a large desk. A moment later a large Split Officer came throuth a side door and sat down in frount of them.
Josh stood up sticking out his hand to greet the officer saying with a smile. “Good to see you again. I see you got a promotion.”
The Officer replied as he shook hands with Josh. “Yes I did. And what is a consultant to the Argon Security Director doing in Split Space shooting Pirates?”
[Josh] “Trying to capture some heavy fighters to replace the ones we have lost.”
[Split Officer] “Yes I understand. The Split have also been in short supply because of the recent opening of new sectors. And that is why I am offering you a short term contract of 48 hours to help secure this sector untill our new ships arive. The Teladi have been selling a great deal of ships to Pirates throuth the black market. We are seeing a Pirate Falcon with escorts enter our sector about every two hours from every Gate. We have been keeping records and the number of return flights throuth our sector are way to high. The Split Government has given authorization to hire outside help and your Company is the first one I am to contact. We need two pairs of fighters flying sector patrol and two interceptors around the Stations for the whole 48 hours. We ask for Split Pilots first seeing they will be representing the Split Government. Any ships and supplies captured are yours.”

[Josh] “Let me contact my Director and see what I can do.” A crewman then escorted Josh and Cutter back to the Exaireo where a servant was waiting to give Josh a large assortment of refreshments to enjoy.
Josh took the tray and entered the ship and scaned the tray saying. “Eat up Cutter there clean. Sarah get the Director on the com.”
Josh talked with the Director about the offer and within miniutes six Split Pilots and ships were cleared and jumped into the sector. Six more Split Pilots would be sent later in a trainsport ship to relieve the first team. Each member of the team volunteered to pull 12 hour shifts to help out the Split.

Josh signed the contract as the fighters started their patrol routes. A repair ship from HQ had docked with a extra jump drive to install on the first captured M3 so they could jump to a station ready to refit and repair each ship. There first drop was HQ then Fortress Rock and so on till all the ship were delivered to a repair station.
[Josh] “Well Cutter I beleave we’re done here lets take-off. Sarah find us a new target.”
[Sarah] “There is a Pirate Falcon and Mandalay escorting a Vulture about to enter Atreus’ Clouds through the South Gate.”
[Josh] “Cutter I’ll see you there.”

Cutter and Josh captured two Falcons, two Buzzards and a Vulture in that sector. Then jumped to Menelaus’ Frountier and captured one Falcon, one Buzzard, one Buster and two Mandalays before leaving the sector. Cutter returned to Thurk’s Beard and captured another Orinoco, a Falcon and three more Buzzards before returning to Fortress Rock.

Josh went to the Director as promised and gave his report on the Battle and Gate. After returning to the TL and seeing how many ships Cutter had captured for the Company Josh had the captured Buster repaired maxed out and refitted with extra shields, added a rear turret and all the extras. Then gave it to Cutter as a bonus for the great job and his own safety now that the Pirates had placed a price on his head.

Josh sat in his room enjoying a soothing drink watching the construction of the new ship on the main viewing screen as a large section of the ship was installed. Mimi had left a list of names for the ship as Josh looked it over one seemed to jump out saying I’m the one Neptune.
[Josh] “Sarah register Neptune as the name of the new ship. I want you to expand the sides of the lower freighter docking area to keep the smooth shape of the ship. Extend it and place ship elevator between the upper and lower dock to transfer fighters back and forth between the docks if we need to. That will increase the size of the lower dock enough to add six more fighters and storage and make the ship look better.”
[Sarah] “That will add two more days to the construction date.”
[Josh] “That’s fine go ahead and do its worth the delay.”

Josh looked at the ship and smiled as he turned the viewer off and went to bed.

[collins50]

That was a good one a lot of excitement, I hope the new ship works out,
Good job

[parameter]

Nicely done! Still groaned when I reached the end
but then you have plenty more to pen. Cannot wait for the next instalment!