This is a rather long one, written over the past few years in dribs and drabs. I started it shortly after I finished "Chaos Over Hades!" but have only completed it in the past few weeks. I am currently in the middle of an extended space combat sequence. I should be done with it shortly.
124-1120
Hassan’s prize crew returned, aboard the Joey, after placing the Glycon under guarded seal at the downport. A few vital circuits were removed, preventing operation of the power plant and maneuver drive, and placed in a safe with the Starport Warden. The port security officers accepted custody of the prisoners, and read them rights under the High Laws. Not that it really meant anything, as all three only said things relating to their own health. They did have Imperial IDs, or at least high-quality forgeries. The records sent out here didn’t mention anything, but this is the edge of the Imperium, and information gets here in dribs and drabs. The flight back to the Boxing Kangaroo is the routine sort spacers fall asleep on.
However,
Sublieutenant Hassan’s section has the first watch, and he’s spent much of his
rest period working on the paperwork required in this case, including his
section of the libels that would be made regarding the Glycon, and sent
to the Admiralty Court. He managed to get some of it done, but knows at least a
short nap helps before standing the watch. Along with generous amounts of
coffee. His hopes for a quiet watch are dashed, when one of the fuel shuttles
starts sending out “Pan-pan, panpan, pan-pan! All stations, all stations, all
stations! Fuel shuttle 1171 has a medical emergency, requiring assistance. The
pilot just had a heart attack! I am inbound to Hades Orbital.”
The
standard emergency response kicked in, and Hassan started noting where everyone
was, and Castillo came into the bridge with Lieutenant Brickley. “Status?”
“Sir, we
can intercept, I’m generating a solution right now.” A display showed how the Kangaroo
could conduct an intercept for the wallowing shuttle, and provide the first
aid needed. The Kangaroo maneuvered to enter a matching orbit, and
launch the Joey to reach the shuttle, returning to the high port with a load of
fuel, including a massive external tank that operated on a ballistic path
normally.
|
Assistance Bill |
Section III |
|
Boat Pilot |
|
|
Copilot |
|
|
Engineer |
MNE Franke |
|
Medic |
MNE Yap |
|
Extra crewman |
SA Owen |
Chishan and
Afari inspected the boat, and crew, and Joey dropped from Boxing
Kangaroo perfectly, in a ballistic arc to meet the boat. As they moved in,
orbital maneuvers to get the boat to the match the shuttle and dock were easily
done. Chishan went aboard, with Yap and Owen, to speak with the shuttle
co-pilot.
Yap began by hooking the pilot up to
a medical kit, and revied him. The co-pilot said she could get the shuttle in
to the high port, without a problem. The traffic controller came on and
required the medical assistance to stay with the victim. They took him back to
the boat, and flew in formation to the high port with the fuel load. After
getting him on the gurney for the clinic, they went back to the Joey,
and returned to the patrolling Boxing Kangaroo.
A few hours later, after section 2 took the watch under BM3 Zabiyah, a scout ship jumped in. The Sulieman class transmitted a code, and flew down to the main port. Quite possibly regular mail, as it was in fact, armed.
