The drives for each of the three warships had an extra charge available for an immediate jump, but the jumpships they were escorting had to stop and recharge. After leaving Anteres, this jump was the only one that could cause trouble for them before reaching Lyran Space. Would they be safe here? would they have to fight? Run?
Covanent Battle Group
Robert Davion Battle Group
Bump - The fedsuns charge thier dives.
I know. There is another mission bound to this. However, I do not think you will be attacked here.
"Stravag freebirth cowards of the suns! Go away." SaKhan Connor Rood was enraged seeing those Battle Groups before him. Just as he had squashed 2 brigades of them, they dared to show up. But where from? Antares? Why were they not sunk there?
"Get me an uplink to the Ravens!", "Ready."
He spoke: "Clan Snow Raven. Two months ago, the Camels tried to take Antares, now you are in charge with this operation. Why is the battle group that was found there not sunk but crosses our borders?"
A clear image broadcast to the Ice Hellion vessels from the bridge of a York Class Destroyer, the CSRS Corvidae. The man in the image was shorter and bald, but not old enough to say that his hairlessness was anything but his choice. His stocky frame was plenty wide with muscle while his dark eyes pierced out like charcoal from skin so pale it belayed someone who missed growing up in the sun, any sun, for most of his life.
"OvKhan Rood, I am Star Admiral Thomas Waters. It seems you are not satisfied with the systems we have cleared on behalf of the Clans. The last I checked there was not a system that we have been assigned to acquire that we have failed to do so."
"I am certain that your greivance lies in our method. Let it be known that it is the perogative of our Khans, backed by our Warrior Council, to save our strength for our fights against the Terran Fleet. If an adversary runs, we let them, if they bar our way, we crush them. If you have issue with this, our Khans have not shied away from their duties and can be hailed at their terminals in the Grand Council at any time."
OOC: There wont be a fight by the Hellions, but I have an RP Hook coming up. Dunno about it but I would try it. So, dont just jump out yet. Later more.
Noted.
There was no communications by the Hellions, the fleet closer to the planet remained on guard, it seemed. A lone shuttle flew to the main Ship, then moved towards the Davion Battlegroups.
Shuttle 53: Former Lt. Dan... Coyle, as was his full name, the last months had him nearly forget it, as bondsman, sat in the cargo bay of the shuttle, one of the Brigade's that had been captured by the Ice Hellions. He had to oversee this action and to guard the body of General Edwin May. He had been washed and put on his full dress uniform and then laid into this unadorned coffin. When docked at the "Eisfluch", one Warrior had put a small envelope to it, with orders not to look into it. Former Sergeant Major Steve Bornell flew this Shuttle and they had talked about it briefly. Could it be that it was a message by the Khan or saKhan? It was said that the saKhan had overseen the battle, and beaten them. Both had a white bodscord on their wrist and had endured some interviews and work. They had behaved and both didn't know why they were chosen for this mission. At least those Ice Hellions were not that terrible as it was said. They even had rebuilt some infrastructure. As far as Dan could see, the Civilians were not harmed either, but his bondsmaster, Star Captain Tula, had given him not much spare time to prove that. She even was there when he flew away.
They would have to deliver the body to the Battle Group at the Jumppoint, if they were not shot out of space before, but had no orders what to do then. Perhaps they were released? Dan could not make up his mind, if he should go back, or go with his old comrades to the Suns again.
The Comms crackled and warned them not to close without being allowed. He swallowed and answered with his codes he still remembered. Would they let them through? Of course, he told them what they had on board, but would they believe it?
OOC: Fate, its your turn now.
Bump.
Fate, any reaction on that? :(
(Sorry about the long delay :P)
Two dropships broke from the floatilla, in the lead was a sleek Claymore, it's stabalizing wings gave the ship the impression of a swooping bird as it lined up with the shuttle. Sitting in the overwatch position was an older model Avenger wich still had all the punch of an Union class dropship, but without sacraficing the speed. Together they manuevered to the shuttle who was making contact.
The double side doors of the Claymore opened up and two pairs of guards poked out, the exterior lights glowing off their shiny faceplates.
OP: Hath the Claymore a small craft bay? Or what will your intention be?
'I guess it is time for the suits', Dan thought. If they were to come through the Airlock, thinks could get problematic, without prior preparation. Anyway, he again made sure to carry no weapons as he was no warrior by now, but also to and especially not to trigger any bad reaction by the prize crew.
There they came. *Clonk* The Shuttle was 0G since 10 minutes. Hopefully the body would not float around. As it was suited for 0G transport, it was not likely.
*Static*
*Beep*
A voice amplified thru the electonic component clicked to life. "We were told you have a delivery for us?"
"Indeed we have. You may check it freely, but please, do not harm the insides. I would recommend landing in a Shipbay, though.", Dan spoke, then he opened the way for the inspectors. If the Claners did not lie to him, there was no danger for anybody here and the delivery was already dead.
"This Dropship has a bay. We will take it." To of the men slung their weapons and hopped across the vacuum to the shuttle, a line follwed one of them. When they touched down, their boots clicked as the magnets secured their footing to the hull. Kneeling, one of the men reached his hand into the shuttle door as if to ask for the cargo. "You gents aren't clanners are you?"
"We.. are bondsmen. Survivors from the 4th Crucis Lancers." Dan sheepishly raised his arm to show the bondscord as if it would explain everything, cursing his fate once more.
"We are ready to deliver the body to a bay. Shall we fly it or do you want to take over from here?"
"We'll ferry it across, bring it to the door." As the soldier waited for those inside, his curiosity peaked. "So, you wear their colors now huh? Don't suppose you know when they'll stop and go home do you?"
"I must protest this decision to move him through vacuum. This coffin is build for Zero G Transport, not for Vacuum transport. What is your rank, soldier." Despite his last comment, Dan could feel his rank kicking in, seeing that they were so stupid to harm the delivery.
"You cannot put it through Vacuum!"
"Coffin?" the soldier looked at his lancemate. "John go get one of the vacumn bags. We'll seal the outter hull of the coffin and pressurize it. Don't forget the pump." The soldier kept his position on the hull as his lancemate bent his knees and cancelled the charge on his magnetic boots. He shot out from the shuttle's surface at slow speed and made contact with the rope, following it back into the Dropship. While he was gone, the soldier at the door repositioned himself at the door with his weapon at the ready. "BTW, I'm a corporal. Ted Collins from Allerton.How about you?"
"I ... am Lieutenant Dan Coyle. I need to talk to your superior." Dan's facial expression was tense.
"You know who is in this coffin, do you? I want to deliver him with dignity, not in plastic bag! Do I reach through to you, Corporal?"
The soldier was starting to pick up the vibe that he was being tossed. "Well, if your still using your Fedsuns rank, perhaps you might want to talk to the Captain. But there's no docking bay here. We'll have to inspect the ship before we can let you dock with anything other then us." The soldier looked over his shoulder and motioned for John and the others. Soon, John and the others were bounding their way into the shuttle "So Lt., who'se in the box." ...
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After a thurough search including checking on the body artificial gravity on, the shuttle was on it's way with it's crew to dock with the Covanent...
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The massive Kurita built Cruiser filled the viewports as they touched down in Bay 3.
Inspection was expected for Dan.. Lt. Dan as he had to remind himself. His mind was kind of on autopilot. As Bondsman, his rank was not supposed to exist anymore. But letting that Corporal defile the General's body was out of question as well. And at least Dan could follow orders.
At least now his mission was mostly over. Who would be now in charge?
The Corporal seemed to have fulfilled his mission, one way or the other. No word was spoken again, Dan would let a higher authority reveal who was that body. General May deserved to go back home. Did Dan as well? He did not know if Steve Bornell wanted to go home, but he knew from the short talk they had while flying towards the Covenant, that he had family back on Syrtis.