THE MAULING ZONE
Part II: The Calm Before the Storm
Some 12 hours later...
Commodore Ostend (Cynthia-class Destroyer): Neptune Airspace Headquarters, this is Commodore Ostend. For the confrontation with this alleged "extraterrestial" threat, I have brought three destroyers and twelve Katies.
NAHQ: Thank you for the assistance.
(Internal)
Official 2: (Urgent) Three destroyers and a dozen fighters will not be able to save Neptune from this enemy.
Official 1: We must do the best we can. Is the Arion repaired?
Official 2: Yes, sir.
Official 1: Tell her to pick up the civilians in the area and make haste back to Mars. She MUST notify the High Chancellor of this issue. Have her leave as soon as possible. Go.
(The Arion
leaves)
Admiral Monroe (Helena-class Cruiser): Did somebody ask for me help? Admiral Monroe, reporting.
NAHQ: Monroe! Thank God for some firepower and bulk. How many have you brought with you?
Admiral Monroe (Helena-class Cruiser): Jest me, sirs.
NAHQ: Great. We were hoping for more.
Admiral Monroe (Helena-class Cruiser): I brought ye sumthin' good.
NAHQ: And what's that, your lucky charm that failed you at Nyro?
Admiral Monroe (Helena-class Cruiser): Nooo, nooo. Not that. Two beautiful gals that'll definitely charm the enemy.
(Cruise Missiles, pretty ladies, indeed.)
NAHQ: It can't be. My eyes must be playing tricks on me.
Admiral Monroe (Helena-class Cruiser): Yes, sirs! Newly obtained from Swordsman Enterprises. They willing to help destroy whoever destroyed their assets here.
NAHQ: Well, these will be quite handy.
Admiral Monroe (Helena-class Cruiser): These missiles have a range farther than your Enke cannons or MAW-shots. This missile is to be detonated in the middle of their ranks, rather than on a single ship.
NAHQ: Let's just hope it does its job.
Jewels of Diem (Vicki-class Transport): Jewels of Diem, code 7742, reporting.
NAHQ: Access denied, Jewels of Diem. Transports are not allowed here. This is currently a warzone.
Jewels of Diem (Vicki-class Transport): We acknowledge your situation and have come specifically for that purpose.
NAHQ: We?
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): Star of Aven, code 7741, reporting.
Treasure of Riea (Viki-class Transport): Treasure of Riea, code 7740, reporting.
NAHQ: What's with this?
Jewels of Diem (Vicki-class Transport): We have brought you treasures that may turn the tide of the battle.
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): Energy disruptors. Otherwise known as industrial-grade EMP generators.
NAHQ: (Incredulous) EMPs? Are you mad? EMPs are the toys of pirate scum!
We have no need for those. And where are your escorts? Transports
never brave these areas alone.
Jewels of Diem (Vicki-class Transport): They went on a diversionary mission so that we could proceed with all due haste.
NAHQ:
(Internal)
Official 2: Sir, this just came in. That LSK assault on CHQ a few years back, remember?
Official 1: Yes, I remember that. Hacked into the Mainframe and messed things up. Bloody hell of a job to clean up, so I heard. It's been five years, we still haven't gotten to the bottom of that.
Official 2: Well, sir, these codes that these transports bring us... The 7700 series... We've discovered that these code entries were created exactly at the time of the hack.
Official 1: (pause) Are you certain?
Official 2: Well, we've also recently recovered beacons containing the codes 7783 and 7728 on a pair of captured Hunters.
Official 1: Christ.
(Announces over broadcast system) All systems, target the three transports. I repeat, target the three transports. They are members of the traitorous League of Silent Knives! Open fire on my mark. Three...
Official 2: Sir, do not destroy them!
Official 1: Two... And why shouldn't I,
colleague? One...
Official 2: For if you fire at them, then all is lost. If they blow an EMP where they are, they will incapacitate every ship here.
Official 1: (reluctantly, but resolute) Stand down! Stand down! I repeat, stand down and safety all weapon systems!
To the Jewels of Diem, Star of Aven,
and Treasure of Riea
(Snarling) Why have you come?
Treasure of Riea (Viki-class Transport): We mean you no harm. You may have been our oppressors, but you are also our salvation, and we, yours.
Official 1: Blasphemy! The LSK have always been and always will be an enemy of the state!
Jewels of Diem: No. We know your enemy better than you do. Your nuclear-tipped shells are useless against their shielding systems. Their electrical equipment is sophisticated, but fragile. Our EMPs will incapacitate them, but we do not have the armor to withstand their firepower.
Official 1: What heresy are you conjuring, traitors?
Star of Aven: An alliance.
Official 1: NEVER! The power of the Navy and the Will of the Dominion is enough for victory.
Jewels of Diem (Vicki-class Transport): Do you not know your enemy? The enemy that confronts us both will offer neither leniency nor mercy. Their green fires burn to destroy us all, pirate and politician alike. There is no other objective, and in order to survive this murderous arson that eclipses all of our transgressions, we
must unite!
Official 1: I will die a dozen deaths before I condescend to fight beside murderers, rapists, and robbers.
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): Your absolutism alienates your allies. Is your cause so righteous? Are your ways completely blameless? You spare none in your conquests: at least we offer our captives a chance for redemption. You have ordered the unilateral destruction of solar fortresses and civilian centers alike. Your heart of stone sees no difference between a soldier and a woman with child!
Official 1: (disturbed)There is no mercy... only judgment for those who disobey. I... I... follow my orders.
Jewels of Diem (Vicki-class Transport): With a white-hot passion and hatred...
Pilot 1 ("Katie" Scout Craft): Sir, the Star of Aven has some words scratched out on its hull. It says "Arms of Molly".
Official 1: (Suddenly pale) Are you certain?
Pilot 1: Affirmative, sir.
Official 1: (quietly, yet terribly) This... is why I have hated your kind so much. The Arms of Molly... that was my brother's ship. His name was John, I called him Jonnie. I loved my brother, I looked up to him...
(voice cracks) Then one day... I got a letter... from the Navy... he was slain by pirates.
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): (silence) Your brother, I knew him. He was not slain by us.
Official 1: ...what do you mean?
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): You were fed by the propaganda machine of the Dominion. Your brother was never slain by pirates.
Official 1: They showed me pictures! Video clips!
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): Lies. Your brother is alive. I know your Jonnie.
Official 1: Do not tempt me with empty words. If he
is alive, then give me proof!
Star of Aven (Vicki-class Transport): (softly)You do not recognize my voice, do you... Sonny?
Official 1: Jonnie...?