VC2 Chapter 16-Debriefing

Sector 2100

Planet 2101

October 27, 2052

Charlie sat at his chair looking at a photo on the wall. The photo was a group of NB personnel huddled around a NB flag being painted at the space station. At the bottom of the frame was a plaque labelled “Birthplace of Northern Base”.

“So he left us?” Charlie turned his head to look at Admiral Tarbuck who was seated in front of his desk.

“Yes Charlie.” Tarbuck replied with a frown.

“And he didn't say when he was coming back?” Charlie turned to look at the photo where Du Preez was.

“Not that I know of. It could be weeks, months, or years...” Tarbuck shrugged as he stared at the photo with Charlie.

“Or...never...” Charlie stood up from his chair and looked outside his office into space.

“He was a good man.” Tarbuck look at Charlie's back.

“Yeah, it's unfortunate.” Charlie sighed.

“Well Charlie, we're family. We've been through so much since we began this to leave it all behind. There was no way I was going to leave you guys for what you've done for us.” Tarbuck stood up and placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder.

“Yes. Yes.” Charlie turned his head.

Charlie sat back down to his desk and looked at the photo frame on his desk.

“Please excuse me Tarbuck. I need a moment.” Charlie stared blankly.

“You got to do your thing?” Tarbuck winked.

“Huh? What...God no!” Charlie was caught off guard at Tarbuck's joke.

“Hahaha.” Tarbuck chuckled as he stood up.

“It's just that I haven't heard from Sarah ever since she left the base.” Charlie looked disappointed.

“She'll come around if she's the one. Besides, plenty of girls here and you just had to choose the hardest one.” Tarbuck reassured.

“If you only knew mate...if you only knew...” Charlie reminisced.

“Come to the mess hall and have a drink with us bud for old times' sake.” Tarbuck offered.

“I'll sit this one out.” Charlie grabbed the photo of Sarah and smiled.

“Suit yourself mate.” Tarbuck walked to the door.

Tarbuck paused at the doorframe and turned around to look at his friend. He had never seen him in that kind of state before. A state that made him lost and broken not because he missed someone, but rather because he was in love.

“Hey Charlie look, I'm here if you ever need me. Families take care of each other.” Tarbuck gave his sympathies.

“Thanks...” Charlie muttered quietly.

 Tarbuck nodded in acknowledgement and then closed the door as he walked out. Charlie continued to look at the photo of Sarah with a face of sadness. At the corner of his eye, a teardrop formed and trickled down his warm face as he began to sob.

VC2 Chapter 15-Forked Roads

Sector 2300

Planet 2313

October 24, 2052

“Captain Du Preez, you are a fine gentlemen with extensive battle records.” a tall man spoke out loud casting his shadow over the tired Captain sitting at a chair.

“What do you want space pirate?” Jurie replied back unintimidated.

“Look Captain, we save you and your Admiral here from the TFD. Can't you be thankful for that at least?” the man replied with annoyance.

“Where's Tarbuck?” Jurie turned his head to look around in the shadows.

“He's resting in our medical bay.” the man replied.

“How much coins are you looking for?” Du Preez stood up from his seat when two pirates appeared from the darkness and pointed their weapons at him.

“Please, we're all civilized men here. There's a reason I didn't lock you to that chair Du Preez.” the man waved off the pirates.

“Then what is it that you want?” Du Preez replied impatiently.

“I....want you to join us.” the man revealed his face as a bald middle-aged man with a devilish smile.

“Danny Kars?” Du Preez's jaw dropped.

“Of course my friend. Look at yourself pal, staying with your group is only going to get yourself killed with these puny NB ships.” Danny chuckled.

“NB has been good to me...” Du Preez replied.

“And it's time to move on. Don't you think?” Danny finished his sentence.

“Um....” Du Preez was unsure of what to respond.

“Look mate, Black Sails could use a man of your skills flying one of our superb spaceships. Just think about it for a second. Imagine...never losing a battle.” Danny waved his hand in the air and smiled at his own thought.

“I can't...I just can't leave them.” Du Preez replied.

“Think of it as a way to improve your combat skills when NB needs your help. Surely you want to help them out when they are at war? They could use the better ships and skills you could have potentially gained flying with us.” Danny nudged Du Preez as he grabbed a chair beside him and sat down.

“What about Admiral Tarbuck? What does he want?” Du Preez asked.

“That's his decision and his future to decide. I can fulfill your dream of becoming a better pilot.” Danny grinned.

“And if I say no or he say no?” Du Preez looked suspiciously.

“I will return the two of you back to NB, but this offer will expire unfortunately.” Danny stood up and looked at his watch.

Du Preez stared at his feet uncertain of which decision to make.

 “Hurry now. I don't have all day.” Danny walked out of the room.

VC2 Chapter 14-Marginal Escape

Sector 2300

Planet 2303

October 21, 2052

“Launch escape pods now.” Wicker flew his frigate beside the unstable Exodus cruiser.

“Sir, we're taking heavy...” an officer transmitted halfway before his Nighthawk exploded by the incoming fire.

“Captain Wicker, we've lost ship two and five now.” an officer alerted his commanding officer who was busy looking at the escape pods launching out of Stein's ship.

“Hurry man.” Stein transmitted as his escape pod flew aways his fiery ship.

“Lock on the pods and get out of here now.” Wicker watch another ship of his get pelted by projectiles.

Wicker's Nighthawk flew towards the pods in empty space and began to attach cables to pull into the ship when an explosion rocked its hull. A grey-striped Apocrypha had made its way past the small Nighthawk blockade and began firing scatter missiles.

“Shields at 50 sir!” an officer shouted from his station.

“Are the pods locked in place for warp?” Wicker gripped his seat as his ship shock.

“Yes Captain.” an officer aboard a nearby Nighthawk reported his visuals.

“Punch it!” Wicker ordered as he pushed the engines to warp.

Wicker's ship jumped out first beside two damaged Nighthawks also joining in on the warp. As the last frigate was about to jump to safety, the Apocrypha rammed itself into the Nighthawk splitting the hull in pieces denying its freedom.

“Where's ship four?” Wicker watched as one Nighthawk exit out of warp near the NB outpost.

“They didn't make it sir.” the officer aboard the other Nighthawk reported.

Stein made his way into the bridge and looked at the quiet crew. Three Revelation cruisers approached Wicker's fleet from the NB outpost and went into escort formation.

“This is Commodore Moxness bringing you guys home.” a muscular Caucasian man of some age appeared on the battle screen.

“Copy Commodore Moxness, we're heading home.” Wicker acknowledged.

“Debrief at HQ in twenty.” Moxness ended the transmission.

Wicker left his command seat and saw Stein standing next to the bridge entrance behind him.

“Hey.” Stein walked with a big grin on his face showing gratitude.

“He lost lots of his men.” Irene walked up behind Stein and whispered.

“Oh...oh...” Stein's grin faded as Wicker walked towards him.

“Good to see you Stein.” Wicker patted Stein's shoulder and walked out of the bridge.

“Uh...you too bud.” Stein stared blankly not knowing how to respond.

“It's been a rough day.” Irene sighed.

 “Yeah, no kidding.” Stein took a deep breath of relief.

VC2 Chapter 13-No Man Behind

Sector 2300

Planet 2303

October 21, 2052

Wicker sat in his command chair in his Nighthawk frigate as he waited for Johnson and Papagiannis' ships to arrive.

“Captain Wicker, we still haven't received contact from Tarbuck, Du Preez, or Stein. What should we do?” an officer informed his impatient commanding officer.

“You have got to be kidding me. TFD will be arriving any time now with reinforcements.” Wicker got off his chair to look at the incoming NB and VEGA ships.

“Captain Wicker, we have the blueprints and are ready to proceed to LZ Mike.” Johnson sent a transmission.

“Copy that Johnson.” Wicker replied back.

“Sir?” the officer reminded Wicker of his presence.

“Proceed to LZ Mike, let's hope that they are there.” Wicker barked and then went back to his seat.

“Aye aye sir.” the officer walked back to his station.

The fleet of ships steered away from the planet and headed towards deep space. Wicker led the group in a tight formation and shut off the ship's engines as they reached their checkpoint.

“Captain. What's going on?” Irene expressed her concerns.

“Half the team is missing.” Wicker stared blankly into the open space.

“Sir! We are detecting multiple warp signatures closing in on our vector.” an officer shouted as he looked at his computer.

“Friendlies?” Wicker pointed at a seat nearby for Irene to sit.

“Negative sir. That's not our guys.” the officer replied.

“Captain Wicker, we need to go now! TFD reinforcements are here.” Johnson broadcasted his concerns as the space began to warp a blue glow.

“Johnson and Papagiannis, go go go! Warp out now!” Wicker watched as more spots in space began glow blue.

Johnson and Papagiannis' ships began to warp out one by one leaving Wicker's frigate fleet still stationary in space.

“Sir, we have one Exodus cruiser with an NB tag flying toward us in serious condition.” an officer looked at his radar.

“Wicker, this is Stein. We have sustained heavy damage and can not warp. Wait for me man.” Stein's voice sounded on the communications.

“Shit shit shit.” Wicker pounded his chair as he watched Apocrypha cruisers with grey stripes warp out of space and the last ship from Johnson's fleet warp out.

“Hold on Stein. I'm going to get you buddy.” Wicker steered his frigate out of formation and towards the fiery Exodus cruiser.

“Shall we buy you time with the remaining ships?” an officer aboard another Nighthawk frigate sent a transmission.

“The mission is complete. You way warp out now and there will be no repercussions, but I'm not going to leave friends behind.” Wicker broadcasted to all his ships as he watched more and more Apocrypha cruisers jump into space.

“We leave no man behind Captain Wicker. We're with you.” the officer replied.

 “Got your six Captain.” another officer turned his ship to engage the enemy.

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VC2 Chapter 12-Touchdown

Sector 2300

Planet 2304

October 21, 2052

“The facility is right over there.” Papagiannis saw a distant base hovering in the sky.

“Let's get moving. That one hour countdown has begun already.” Johnson ordered as he steered his ship toward the massive base.

“Incoming fighters launching from the base. Two waves of Harrier frigates!” an officer reported as he scanned the radar.

“Harriers? These guys are amateurs.” Papagiannis laughed as his Revelation cruiser quickly made work of the Harrier spam.

“Combat turrets are activating.” Johnson noted as fusion torpedo turrets fired a wave explosives towards them.

“Captain, what's that odd looking weapon that's charging red?” Papagiannis watched as a turret turned and aimed at his ship.

Before Johnson could reply back, the turret fired a steady red beam onto Papagiannis' ship instantly holding it in space.

“Engines overloaded. This looks like a weapon designed to hold enemy ships.” Papagiannis looked at his own ship's status.

“We have multiple ships, it can't lock all of us at once. Full speed ahead.” Johnson broadcasted to the ships.

Johnson's fleet moved to engage the nearby turrets instantly wiping them out with concentrated fire. Papagiannis' fleet circled around to take out the other turrets. In a matter of minutes, the base was occupied with VEGA and NB fleets with a few ship losses.

“Papagiannis we have found a complete set of Hydra missile blueprints.” Johnson watched his men hurry out of a lab with a giant metallic crate.

“What about the new weapon Captain Johnson?” Papagiannis pointed at the dead turret outside the base.

“Looks like a prototype of some sort. There's nothing we can do to reverse technology on a dead weapon turret. We need to get out of here now. Something tells me this was too easy.” Johnson patted Papagiannis on the back as he hurried back to his cruiser.

The remaining ships launched and exited the planet encountering zero resistance from the rear side of the blockade.

“Du Preez and Tarbuck, do you copy?” Johnson sent a transmission.

“Shall we wait for them?” Papagiannis looked in the distant space for signs of battle.

“Du Preez or Tarbuck, are you there?” Johnson transmitted again.

“I think I see enemy ships inbound.” an officer alerted Johnson as ships appeared from the sides of the planet.

 “Local units, move to LZ Kilo.” Johnson made the call uncertain on the whereabouts of Admiral Tarbuck and Captain Du Preez.