VC Chapter 28-Collateral Damage

Sector 1600

Planet 1604

January 25, 2052

Tarbuck ran across a debris-filled corridor as sparks of electricity ignited from the broken overhead lights.

“Oye! Get these non-essential personnel evacuated!” Tarbuck peeked his head into a room of scientists.

“Yes sir.” the guard nodded and began mustering the civilians.

Tarbuck continued down the corridor when a loud vibration rippled through the building. The path ahead of him collapsed as the ceiling appeared to be penetrated by projectiles. Fire ignited and sent an explosion knocking him to his feet.

“Tarbuck!” Jaimes dashed towards the fallen rear admiral and dragged him to safety.

“Mate, I want you get the Apocrypha out of here.” Tarbuck wiped his face with his charred uniform.

“What about the base sir?” Jaimes asked.

“How many turrets are operational?” Tarbuck picked himself up and looked outside.

“Two coil drivers left, sir.” Jaimes pulled up his datapad and glanced at the readings.

“Bloody bollocks! Leave them on auto and get off his station.” Tarbuck spat on the ground.

“And you sir?” Jaimes placed his datapad back to his belt.

“I'm blowing this facility up. Give as much collateral damage I can to the enemy. Now, go! That's an order commander!” Tarbuck shouted as he made a mad dash for the command bridge.

* * *

“I didn't sign up for this! This is a death wish.” Matthew grabbed a helmet and ran to a docked Talon frigate.

“Matt, get back here!” Chase shouted as he watched his friend walk up the landing hatch.

“Suit yourself. If anyone is coming, I'm leaving right now.” Matt hollered as he climbed up the ladder.

Chase watched as two pirates ran towards Matthew's Talon hoping to hitch a ride out of hell.

“Well shit...” Chase looked at Badyr as the Talon flew out of the ship bay.

“You will know a person's true colour in times like this...too bad...” Badyr shook his head.

Chase looked at the hangar and saw one Apocrypha cruiser and two Talon frigates. Before he could choose which ship to use to fight, Jaimes and a few soldiers dashed into the hangar.

“Hold it!” Jaimes shouted.

“Jaimes, what's going on?” Chase asked the panting man.

“We need to get the Apocrypha to safety. This is the future of winning wars.” Jaimes breathed heavily.

“Apocrypha it is! Come on men!” Chase waved at his crew.

“Better hurry, Tarbuck is blowing up this station.” Jaimes ran alongside Chase towards the Apocrypha.

“Badyr, grab a Talon and escort us out of here. We'll leave one Talon for Tarbuck if he has enough time to get out.” Chase pointed at the nearest mass driver Talon.

 “Aye Captain.” Badyr waved two pirates to follow him.