Deep Six Chapter 19

[Ed Man]

The Mission Went Bad
Chapter 19 Deep Six

The message was sent but to late for the TM as it was spotted as a passing Buster turned and fired a disruptor missile shutting down the jump drive and any chance of jumping away till it was repaired.
The Nova pulled away from the asteroid and the AI asked. “Do you want to help them? They will die if you don’t.”
A Pirate Marauder was closing on the TM along with a Falcon and two Buzzards. The TM had launched its Falcon and Buster and were trying to get the Pirate Buster of the tail of the TM as it run for cover till repairs were made on the jump drive so they could leave.

But before the TM could get much of a head start the Buster got past TM’s fighters and hit the TM with a missile that cut it’s speed greatly. Now it was just a matter of time before Pirates caught up with the TM and finished it off. Then the Fighters would have to fight there way out of the system at the Gate or fly of and starve to death.
The TM’s fighters turned to take on the incoming Pirates the Buster had made a wide sweep and was about to run into Gabe as the Nova raced to join the battle. The Nova was still hard to detect for the Pirates as the jammer was on full now.
The Buster Pilot seen the Nova as he traced the weapons fire that was about to destroy ship back to its source way to late for him as the ship went up in a bright ball of light.
The TM’s Buster was the first to go as the Pirate fighters turned to finish off the Falcon. The Marauder had reached firing range on the TM as it ripped into the shields and stopped.
The TM’s Falcon had destroyed one of the Buzzards and damaged the other and had got a few shots of on the Pirate Falcon. It was clear they were trying to capture the TM as the Marauder changed course leaving the TM with only 75% hull left and the shields were cutting in and out as they reached 5% then shut off.
Gabe reached the fight just in time to stop them from destroying the Falcon as he opened up on the Pirates driving the Pirate Falcon off his target while firing a missile at the Buzzard exploding into a ball of fire.

The AI came on. “That out the Falcon and focus your fire on this spot on the Marauder and I’ll take care of the rest just keep the weapons fire on that spot.”
Gabe turned back and opened up on the Pirate Falcon that had been joined by the Marauder. In one sweep the Pirate Falcon was on fire and out of service.
But the Marauder was on them now as the jammer wasn’t working as well for the Nova with a few weapons burns on it’s hull the could be tracked now.

The TM’s Falcon limped back to cover the TM while the AI replied. “I’ll take it from here you just keep the weapons fire on that spot!”
The Nova fired two missiles and broke wide and back to intercept the Marauder. As the Nova flew across the top of the Pirate the AI replied. “Open fire!”
Gabe keep the weapons on the little area marked on the Marauder until the ship had to swing about to recharge and regain a good line of fire for the small area Gabe was firing on.
A second missile was fired as the ship turned and made a different maneuver putting the ship in line to fire and again the AI stated. “Open fire.”
The Nova darted and twisted more this time to dodge incoming fire as Gabe tried to keep the fire focused on the one spot until the AI sounded. “Stop firing.” As it broke wide again and seconds later the Marauder went dead.
The AI replied. “The Marauder crew is dead because of a hull breach claim the Marauder so I can eject the bodies.”
[Gabe] “I’ll claim the ship but don’t eject the bodies do you under stand Computer!”
[AI] “Understood. I suggest you claim the TM so I can get the jump drive repaired the Pilot is dead.”

Gabe looked at the scans the Pilot was dead and if the Falcon Pilot was to get of the sector with what was left of his ship he needed the jump drive working. Gabe pulled over to the TM and claimed the ship the radio was down on the Falcon along with most of its systems and the shields were cutting in and out.
[Gabe] “Can you transport the Falcon Pilot over so we can decide what to do.”
[AI] “Yes and I have three of the best ships headed this way from the Pirates shipyard of captured ships you need to claim them when they get here.”
The Falcon Pilot transported onboard and Gabe explained that he needed to get his ship docked onto the TM and help get it going the Captain was dead.
The ship the AI had picked out were on the scanner now as a Disco Hauler pulled up and stopped.
Gabe claimed it and the AI docked it on the Marauder. Three other ship came one by one as Gabe claimed each one and the AI docked them on the TM.

The Marauder was being repaired and had a jump drive and the energy cells to get it to Grand Exchange the only hold up was the TM. Mr. Brown was in his space suit and ready to go when the jump drive was repaired he could get the ship to the Shipyard now. He was to dock at the shipyard and wait on orders from the Base Commander.
The Marauder was being flown by a drone and after the TM safely docked at the shipyard it was to dock with it and wait on orders while Mr. Brown had the dead bodies removed and claimed any rewards.

The AI had claimed the ships in a different account the original owner used as a cover from time to time and as far as the AI was concerned it was Gabe’s now and it worked out for Gabe keeping his real ID a secret. And if it was going to be a problem all the ships could be sold and Mr. Brown and the body of the Captain picked up and they could start over.

The ships all jumped out of the sector as planned and the Nova docked with the TL and it jumped away just as it was planned. Gabe stood waiting on the Base Commander his only contact to show up so he could tell him about everything that had happened.
Gabe set in a ready room trying to drink the stuff the crewman said was coffee wondering what was going to be their next move after the first mission was such a mess.
Two Men were dead one ship destroyed and the TM was a wreck and Gabe owned it now which he worried about how they would react to that. Not counting the Marauder and it’s docked Disco plus the three ships he claimed and brought out with him on the TM.

Gabe seen the Commander a he opened the door. “I see you made it back! I take it all things went well then?”
Gabe looked up at the Commander. “No Sir it didn’t go well at all let me explain.”
Gabe started telling the Commander about the strange AI and how the TM run into a secret stockpile of captured ship the Pirates were protecting. Gabe explained how the battle had went bad for the TM and its fighters and how he had captured the Marauder and claimed the others. And where Mr. Brown and the ships were.

The Commander didn’t show any expression as he told Gabe follow him to the Buster and order the Nova to follow them back to the Base a team was waiting there to work on the Nova.
Gabe did as the Commander ordered while he set in the back wondering what was going to happen next.

Gabe felt the Buster land as the Commander came out of the cockpit. “Mr. Lander please wait in the office and help yourself to some food and drinks I know you must be hungry by now. I’m waiting on reports, data from the Nova and orders so it may be a while rest if you can in the room your things are in.”

Gabe headed for the Office while the Commander went into the Nova. A few minutes later the Commander called Gabe. “I need your help with the AI it says you’re the owner now and will transport the first one who tries to access any of its systems off the ship.”

Gabe went back to the Nova. “Why are you doing this? What do you want this was the mission to return the data to these people.”
[Ships AI] “You must order me to let them access the Data or a security program will erase all the data.”
[Gabe] “I’m sorry computer. I order you to allow them access the data on this ship.”
Gabe looked at the Commander and Tech. “Do you need anything else?”
The Commander stated. “Yes you were suppose to give the ship over to us!”
Gabe looked up. “I am sorry Commander I am really exhausted. Computer I turn the owner ship of this ship over the Commander.”
The AI opened the COM. “Ownership transferred. Privet funds account numbers and the captured ships codes should be on your PDA please store them now.”
Gabe looked and a file was on his PDA so he named it stored it and opened it up. The codes for the ships and a bank code and account number was there. Gabe opened the account file showing a balance of over 200,000 credits.

[Gabe] “Computer did the original owner have any family or loved ones that should get this?”
[AI] “He had no family or loved ones. It was his wishes for the one he sent back with the codes to claim the Nova to get what he had.”
[Gabe] “Why did he live on the Nova he could have stayed anywhere?”

[AI] “The Clan leader on the Marauder had ordered a hit on my owner. They destroyed our command ship killing my owners family while we were out on a mission.
After the death of his family my owner moved to the Nova after he enlisted the help of several different Mercenaries to keep the Clan in this sector to bring about his goal. To kill the Captain of the Marauder who was leader of the clan we were shadowing.
We allowed a ship to be captured to plant a program onto one of the drones that worked on the Marauder.
The drone worked a little each cycle to weaken the area we fired on so that everyone onboard would be killed just like we did so his plan was finished.”

Gabe left the ship not knowing if he should be glad or mad as he went to his room. If the weak spot had not been there the Marauder could have killed them all. Gabe felt like he had been pulled into a fight that wasn’t his and a lot of people had died. Gabe laid down thinking the Pirates had attacked them first when they were just trying to leave. But ever if he was in the right he still didn’t like how he felt or what had happened.

The Base Commander knocked on the door. “Mr. Lander the operations Director just told me to offer you 14 million credits or a new Argon ship equivalent for all the ships you just left the sector with that are yours now. Plus any funds we find on the ships will be delivered to you later. We are holding of on declaring the bodies of the dead Pirates to the general public but are paying you the bounty which was over one million credits. We need you to transfer ownership of the ships to us as so as you can so we can move them.”

Gabe took the pad and signed off on the ships. “I’ll take the 14 million credits for the ships Commander.”
The Commander sent in the request and handed Gabe a data chip. “Your 15 million in in this account but a word for the wise. Transfer the credits into one of your own secure accounts and close that one.”

[Gabe] “I will and thanks for the advise. It’s a shame about the mission going bad are they going to hold off on getting the other ships till you can regroup after losing the Captain?”

The Commander looked a little puzzled. “What do you mean regroup this is the Argon Navy Secret Service we’ll be going on as planned. And even though we did lose two men which was a great loss we consider the mission a success considering what all was accomplished. You completed your mission and shut down a entire Pirate Clan and around here that’s good! We’ll be ready to go again within 12 hours so rest up you’ll need it.”

Gabe transferred the credits into a secure account along with the credits from the Nova and closed the other accounts. “Bit send Salas a message. I want a price on two more of the Miners with the special Disco like what I have and a better fighter for myself like the Elite M4+. Along with a list of ships I can buy from them. Explain I’m about to start a scrap yard and could use their help in finding the right ships for my new business.”
Gabe ate a bite, took a shower and laid down and went out as soon as he closed his eyes.
The next day Gabe woke up to a knock on his door. “You may want to get up and meet your new team members before the briefing. We leave in four hours sleepy head.”

Gabe looked at his watch he had been out for nine hours. Gabe pulled himself together and opened the door to see a Crewman waiting in the hall to show him a round. “I’m here to show you where the mess hall is where the new members of your team are waiting to meet you.”
Gabe followed the Crewman into the mess hall and over two a table where Mr. Brown and two new men were. “Please set down.” Mr. Brown replied as the crewman took Gabe’s order for Gabe breakfast.

[Mr. Brown] “We’re back in business thanks to you. Here’s the new members of our team for the next mission Mr. Green and Mr. Smith and I’ll Captain the TM.” The four set and made small talk while Gabe ate his breakfast.
Next was the briefing with the Commander and as before Gabe was to transport over but this time onto a Split Mamba. Gain control and Dock with the MT and if the TM had to bug out keep the jammer on and run for the North Gate and Teladi space where a friendly M6 would be waiting to give cover if needed so he could dock on the TM.

The Marauder had been repaired and was going to be somewhere between the North and East Gates pretending to be hunting for ships to capture and sell to draw attention away from the operation and to keep the local traffic and up-and-coming Pirates away from the area.

The Marauder had operated in the sectors before capturing ships and robbing freighters to raise funds when they needed a little extra. So it should be a good diversion for the team keeping everyones attention focused on the Marauder and off the real mission. As a last resort if Gabe came under heavy attack the Marauder was to cover Gabe and the Mamba and fight there way out.

Gabe had several messages that he needed to read while he waited on the mission to start on the ride from the Planet to space and the jump to the sector the TM was in and ride some more to reach the TM.

A message from Simon telling about the mishap in the sector and the Mercury Hauler and Disco they claimed. Updates on the business from Donna and a I miss you please respond. Then a message from Salas showing the ships Gabe could buy and the ones he recommended for his new venture and a standard pice list with a message attached. “Give me a list of all the ships you’ll need and I make you a package deal on the lot.”

Gabe sent Simon a message telling him to keep the Mercury and Disco and get them maxed out and ready to use. Then Donna a message and note saying he missed her and everything was fine and they were in the final stages of clousing the deal the Base.

Gabe was thinking about buying ships as the Buster transported them onto the TM. Everyone took their places knowing that when the TM jumped they were only minutes away from the Mamba. Mr. Brown got the message to jump and gave the order. Gabe and the rist of the crew watched the ships monitors waiting on the sector to show up and reveal what they were jumping into.

Gabe tensed up as the TM entered the sector and when the monitor showed it was about empty a strange since of wearyness came over him. It couldn’t be this easy last time it looked easy and they all about got killed.

Gabe transported over after the codes were sent the ship started up the sector display came up showing the area was still clear and no ships were headed there way. Two well placed mines were placed and were showing up on the HUD as Gabe set course to avoid them and dock with the TM.

Gabe pulled away from the asteroid and up out of the gases and dust that made that area of the sector so dangerous and unsafe to maneuver. He could see the Marauder lurking around the northern part of the sector as the Mamba cleared the dust. The TM was turned ready for a quick dock as the Mamba auto piloted and slid in the TM like someone putting up their knife. Gabe transported up as the TM jumped back to the sector they were working out of.
Only Mr. Brown knew which sector it was as the TM cleared the Gate and headed back out to a holding point where the Buster would soon be to pick them up and take them back to the base.
The ships COM opened. “Good job I like it when it goes as planed.”

Everyone was ready to go and waiting near the transporter when Mr. Brown got the call to transport over. Gabe could see on the monitor two ship were there one on each side of the TM. Mr. Brown looked over at Gabe as he told him to get on the transporter pad and said. “Company Egg Heads they don’t see us and we don’t see them.”

The Buster pulled away from the TM and jumped away. The second part of the mission was over and now it was just the long ride back to the planet. Gabe tried to turn his thoughts on when he would be done and what ships he needed for the base and it‘s operations. But his mind keep running back to the next mission all that could go wrong.

Mr. Brown looked at Gabe. “Worrying about the next mission?”
[Gabe] “Yes how did you know?”
[Mr. Brown] “It’s all over your face. Just do what we do and do what you’re told. They already got a plan just do it and follow orders. It’s what you got to do anyway so why worry about something that hasn’t happened! Try and rest we got one more job to do and were done with this gig and you can go back to what ever it is that you do and we’ll be gone. It ’ll all work out you’ll see.”

Gabe smiled at Mr. Brown trying to control his thoughts and emotions thinking how it didn’t work out for Mr. Green and the last Captain as he looked away and nodded his head.

[collins50]

Good Job Ed Thank You

You have a Merry Christmas.