Thread: Countless Stars, Unending Possibilities (The_Gladiator & darkangel76)

Youre fucking kidding me right? By my great uncles cahoonas are they really that stupid? These and other explicatives rang in the air falling like water from the wide open mouth of Captain Jason Jace Benson of the Ladywind, a freelance interplanetary freighter. The answer to these and other questions was yes, the idiots he was watching firing on an Illuminati civilian star ship, Envoy class, were just that out, crazy. Crazy, bat shit, out of their ever-loving minds crazy. Jace growled even as he threw his ship into a dive and barrel roll taking it swooping closer to the battle. And, looks like Im just as crazy as they are. He grunted as he found himself about to get involved. This was not Jaces fight. He should just turn around and walk away, pretend he hadnt seen anything and go about his own business. This was what Jaces inner thoughts screamed at him, and it was pretty much what Rafael Raff his co-pilot was screaming at him as he barreled towards the fight. What the fuck do you think youre doing man good mother of Dragonia, its one of Ironhands ships, you actually want to piss that son of a bitch off by interfering with it? Really? The longer Raff talked the higher his voice got rising in panic. Jace ignored his co-pilots rant completely focusing on his flying. Thats an illuminati vessel theyre firing on, envoy class. For fuck sake Raff that thing isnt even armed. Of course its two escort fighters had been armed, however they had been scrubbed first, a pair of well-aimed missiles taking out the unsuspecting escort fighters amateursshould not have been caught so unawares. The last thing we need out here is more Illuminati trouble, we have enough with that prick who calls himself the governor, halibut or whatever his name is. Raff cleared his throat, His name is Halmir Quin you heathen. Excuse me I didnt know you were such a fan. Jaces retort to Raffs correction was quick and biting. Im not Jace only snorted at that. But you get my point, we dont need Illuminati trouble, and Im not just going to ignore a distress signal, no matter who is sending it. And you dont think that that Ironhand battle ship out there wont have something to say about that? Im perfectly within my rights to aid a civilian. I mean come on the passengers are probably rich, just think of the reward well get for rescuing them. Yeah, you cant spend a reward when youre dead Quit being such a baby. Jace said and flicked his eyes over at his co-pilot and best friend. Now, get to the gun turret, just encase. Aye aye captain asshole sir. And after flipping Jace off Raff rose to head up the access tunnel to the gun battery. Jace could see the signal that meant that Raff was in and the guns were online. He took remote control of the belly guns and the tractor beam, this was going to be a difficult rescue as even now the disabled envoy class vessel was falling into Charons outer atmosphere, sparks beginning to form as its outer skin began to heat up from the friction. As Jace maneuvered alongside the Envoy, a ship whose AI transponder identified it as the Helios Pride could they be any more obvious from where they came the Ladywind suddenly jolted. Uh boss, Im pretty sure those pirates out there are really not thrilled that we decided to get involved Yes, thanks Raff, now, do you mind telling me something I dont know? Even as he let fly his biting retort Jace threw the ship into evasive maneuvers. He was only partially successful as a grazing laser blast punched through the ships shields and struck the ship a glancing blow. The whole ship rang like a bell and then there was a crash followed by the hiss of the ships internal fire suppression systems. Alright, thats it you stupid fucks, now youre just pissing me off. Jace growled as he changed the Ladywinds course. So Raff, about those guns, mind using them? You want to start a war with Ironhand? They shot first and now theyre going to pay. Do you seriously plan on questioning my every goddamned order? Only the ones I think are stupid. Came Raffs reply, somewhat muffled as he opened up with the dorsal canons, darts of ruby light lancing out at their attacker. Jace tightened his fingers on his yokes triggers as well. Even though the Ladywind was a freighter, Jace had had its controls outfitted with a steering yoke that would be more commonplace in a fighter. It gave him greater manual control during dogfights and the sorts of dangerous maneuvers he loved so much. The ship they faced was a boxy construction, slow and less maneuverable than the Ladywind, yet heavily armed. Even though it was heavily armed, it was no match for the Ladywinds speed and agility, nor was its pilot up to the skill level Of Jason Benson, as within minutes the ship split in half blown open wide by a pair of well-placed missiles courtesy of Jace himself. I got him. Jace crowed. Yeah, you got him. But it doesnt look good for the Lumes. Raff said using a fringe slang term for the Illuminati. Raff had slid into his seat next to Jace again and had been able to spare the appropriate monitors the attention Jace had not been able to afford. By this point the Pride was falling fast through Charons frigid atmosphere. Pull up they need to pull up, at least level off, what kind of wackjob novice is flying that thing anyway? Jace swore as he pushed the Ladywind into the atmosphere diving towards the falling Envoy Class Passenger ship. After a pause Jace answered his own question, Probably a computer, whoever thinks an AI can fly better than true flesh and blood is a fool. Jace just hoped these peoples foolishness did not cost them their lives. An AI cannot adapt to stuff like this, it has no instincts, Jace continued his swearing rant as Raff stayed silent as the two watched the impact and secondary explosions as the doomed vessel impacted the snowy wasteland surface of Charon. Wonderful, just wonderful, so much for my reward.life signs? Jace snapped at Raff even as he brought the Ladywind down to a landing some distance from the still burning wreck. Inconclusive, theres too much heat distortion from those flames to get an accurate reading. Jace only grunted, I knew I should have installed better sensors. I think you lost the money in that game of cards Did I ask for a lecture Raff? Holy hell, what are you, youre worse than an old ladynag nag nag, all you do is nag. He sighed and only chuckled as Raff flipped him off again. Watch it boy, Ill stick that finger where the sun dont shine. Clearing his Throat Jaces tone got more serious, Well have to investigate the ship on foot. There was a time and a place for jokes, and Jace and Raff had learned if you didnt laugh about stuff like this, laugh when you could life would get to you and youd go off the deep end. That being said, it was a sobering sight when the two filed down the lowered ramp of the Ladywind and they got their first look at the warped and twisted metal of the crashed Pride. Parts of the vessel were still burning, and both knew it was only a matter of time before the whole ship blew. The crash looked bad, could anyone have realistically survived that? Jace made sure that his blaster was clear in its holster, which rode low on his right thigh. Raff held the portable life scanner, and had a rifle slung over his shoulder from a thick strap, within easy reach. Keep the ship safe. Jace told the ships AI, a reprogramed battle droid with delusions of grandeur. The robot gave him the bird, and Jace couldnt help but wonder if it had learned its impertinence from his partner. Seeing the wreck from close up was a sobering experience. As bad as that first glimpse from the foot of Ladywinds ramp was, close up it was worse. We could die if that thing blows you know. Raff griped. We cant just abandon any survivors. Now shut up. Does the scanner show any life? Just then Jace had his answer as a figure crawled out of the wreck. Yeah one life sign. Raff said, stating the obvious. Jace only snorted not really having anything to say to that comment. Jace and Raff approached the ship slowly, circling it, gaging time they thought they had before it blew, the extent of the damage, was anything salvageable, and other important details, as well as if there were any other survivors other than the obvious one. As to that survivor, it seemed to be a young woman, a young noblewoman judging by her dress. More and more details came into focus as the pair of spacers approached.