AWF Chpt 120

-----
=Chapter 120=
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
-----
===Can't Catch a Break===
Black Lion Class Battlecruiser, CSS Veil of Light
Jump Point
St. Ives System, St. Ives Compact
June, 3030
----
Anastasia heard the klaxon go off. The Warship had come to a full stop to start the K-F battery recharge sequence. This meant that the pseudo gravity had stopped with the engines. Anastasia and Victoria were moving heavy equipment which was now relatively simply since all they had to do was push the equipment in the right direction. The difficulty was ensuring they had good leverage and keeping the equipment from hitting the wall.
"What does the alarm mean" Anastasia asked.
"I'm not sure." Victoria said. She made a similar noise to the alarm. "That's not the alarm for a system malfunction or a hull breach." Victoria continued to vocalize the alarm. "I'd guess it means the prisoners escaped."
Anastasia panicked for a moment and then remembered that the prisoners were her friends. "Oh." Anastasia stopped herself and thought for a moment.
Victoria pushed herself to a communication alcove, and began to access the systems. Anastasia joined her as she went through the warship's security systems. She brought up the camera of the hallway where the Mercenaries were fighting the ROM agents. Anastasia saw Hap get tackled, but deliver a devastating blow to a man attacking him.
"Will your crewmates come for you?"
Anastasia nodded. She couldn't imagine Hap leaving her, even if he had to fight every member of the warship's crew. She also knew if they had any chance to escape they'd have to disable the warship's ability to move and fire weapons. "I'm certain they will come to engineering for me, and to disable several key systems." Anastasia realized as she spoke this would probably result in her having to do something unpleasant to Victoria.
Victoria motioned for Anastasia to follow her. Victoria pulled herself down the comms tower back to her personal work space. To Anastasia it felt like a private area, but Victoria didn't seem to mind Anastasia's intrusion. Victoria turned and motioned for Anastasia to get closer to her, "You'll take me with you, right?"
"Yes. I mean, are you serious?"
"I'm surrounded by idiots and Blake's will is stupid." Victoria said as she started to access her console. "I figure you're from the Inner Sphere, so it can't be that bad."
"The Inner Sphere has its share of idiots, but no one really speaks about Blake's will."
"Sounds amazing. I'll take it." Victoria answered.
Anastasia watched in wonder as Victoria began to go through the warships primary systems and sub systems searching for the ways to disable the warship and make sure it gave them enough time to escape.
"Corvus, what are you doing?" Tempes voice called out and Anastasia jumped as she turned around to see him pull himself into view.
"I'm preparing the ships long range sensors for the ECM suite." Victoria lied."However I'm having trouble finding the exact system menu."
Tempes seemed uncertain of Victoria's response. "Is now the right time to do that?"
"I'd show you that is the next item on the installation checklist, however the last time I attempted to show you information from the installation guide you sent it flying across the passageway."
"I don't appreciate your tone acolyte."
"I don't appreciate that I'm significantly smarter than all of you, but I'm subservient to everyone's foolishness because I don't think Blake's teaching are that great."
"Victoria no." Anastasia whispered
"What did you say acolyte?"
"I was commenting on how I need to do a better job of following Blake's teachings." Victoria said, sounding defeated.
Tempes regarded Victoria for a long moment, then he smiled slightly, "You and I will talk later about the teachings of Jerome Blake and the future of our order." Tempes looked back at Anastasia and his smile melted.
"You, however, should not be viewing any of these ships' systems or sub-systems."
Brother James floated to the trio, "Did these old ears mishear, are you denying knowledge to this young acolyte?"
"Again, she," Tempes motioned toward Anastasia, "is not an acolyte. She is an officer in the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth and a noble woman. She has no loyalty to Com Star, and will, if given, the opportunity betray us. Wouldn't you agree, lieutenant?"
"I do have certain responsibilities to the federated commonwealth, however I would note that when it comes betrayal, or the desire to harm one another, our negative relationship was initiated by you."
"Blake teaches us that forgiveness and restoration are the height of civility and culture." James said, "I don't know what injury or offense has occurred between you, but I implore you to forgive each other."
"He had my father executed." Anastasia said.
"That is a serious charge to lay at the demi-precentors feet. I'm certain-"
"I'm certain I answer to none of you." Tempes motioned to Anastasia to follow him.
"Demi-Precentor, we all answer to the will of Blake though, if this acolyte-" Brother James said.
"She's not an acolyte." Tempes reminded him.
"If this lost child looking for wisdom and guidance believes that you made her an orphan-"
"I haven't done that…yet." Tempes growled, "You are dangerously close to preventing me from doing my duty, adept." Tempes grabbed Anastasia by the arm again and pulled her away from Brother James and Victoria.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Just to the main juncture." Tempes answered as he pushed off the wall but kept ahold of Anastasia. He effortlessly pulled Anastasia down the length of the tower.
Anastasia could see that he was taking her to the base of the comms tower. There were four ROM agents wearing body armor and wielding needle pistols floating near the base of the tower and at the main junction.
"Would you be willing to share whatever pitiless act of violence you're about to visit on my person?" Anastasia asked.
"Anastasia, my dear, I still need you to help me, and so I need you to stay motivated." Tempes tone sound playfully hurt.
"You told me you wanted me to be afraid."
"Yes, and for fear to work, you actually need something to lose. I know I assured you that I would do appalling things to Hazelhurst and your mother, but I worry that may seem to far removed." Tempes tone was patronizing, and Anastasia felt even more dread.
Henry and Hap floated into view, quickly followed by Mags and Joker holding Selene under his arm. Selene seemed to be trying to swim as Joker kept a tight hold on the coyote.
"Is that a dog?" One of the ROM agents asked
"It's a Coyote." Anastasia said
"Is it trained for zero gee fighting?"
"She's a quick learner." Anastasia said
"What sort of idiots bring a dog to fight in zero gee?"
"Coyote" Anastasia corrected.
"If only you'd seen the security footage" Tempes said grimly, "Those 'idiots' hurled that beast down the p-way. When the coyote managed to sink her teeth into one of your peers it caused enough chaos and confusion that it allowed them to get this far. These are very desperate and resourceful people. I have consistently underestimated the lengths they will go to survive. I do not intend to make the same mistake." Tempes said. His tone became harder as he added, "and nor should you".
Anastasia felt bad for Selene, and already knew that it had to have been Joker that launched her poor confused coyote down the passageway. Still she smiled thinking about Selene sinking her teeth into Tempes arm.
"Won't matter, because I guarantee that dog isn't needler proof." a ROM agent said.
Anastasia's smile faded as she corrected him again, "She's a coyote."
Tempes pulled Anastasia into the center of the passage and gave her a slight push so she was left floating helplessly with nothing to reach. He then took the needle pistol from the nearest ROM agent and braced himself against the comm tower. He pointed the pistol at Anastasia. "That's far enough." Tempes called out, "surrender any weapons you might have, and keep your Coyote under control"
There was a long moment where the mercenaries weighed their options, then Hap sent his stun stick gliding down the passage toward one of the ROM agents. Henry and Mags did the same.
"Approach us slowly and controlled." Tempes said as one of the ROM agents began to collect the floating stun sticks. The mercenaries used the passage's built in arm-holds and railing to pull themselves to where Tempes and his men were waiting with Anastasia.
"I must congratulate you on getting this far. Tell me did you kill the men that were guarding your cells?" Tempes asked.
"No" Hap said
"Ye have to understand, we were runnin' short o' time.". Henry said defiantly
Tempes smiled threateningly, "Very well, the Captain of this vessel made it clear if your escape attempt didn't kill any of us, we wouldn't kill any of you. Eye for an eye as you might say. So you've done well, you've attempted to escape, you've done your duty as soldiers. I've sent another team to intercept your cohorts. Now you can see it's impossible."
"So you're just going to send us back to our cells?" Hap asked.
"Everyone but you, Captain Calahad. You I'm keeping next to me, so the very moment I suspect that either your wife isn't performing her tasks to my satisfaction, or if your associates attempt to escape again, I will execute you on the spot."
As he spoke one of the ROM agents pulled Hap away from the others and handcuffed Hap's wrist to his own.
Tempes turned back to Anastasia, "The next time we talk this ECM suite will be operational, and I'll consider re-evaluating this situation. Until then I suggest you do the most optimal work you can as quickly as you can."
Tempes motioned to his men and they began to move the prisoners away.
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
120, Chapter