Death Ship - SDD Five, Part Seven

Matt Bushman and Alan Erskine received permission to join the marines in shuttle number one. They had a few extra toys that might come in handy, and they had their own friend to retrieve from the ship. Raven’s shuttle number one waited quietly behind the big star freighter. When a shuttle emerged from the freighter’s hangar, Raven’s shuttle followed it at a careful distance. As predicted, Pegasus moved on without looking back. The two shuttles dove into the access tunnel of the asteroid base as Raven positioned itself to strike.
With its own stealth capability, the military shuttle was able to keep up with its target without being seen. Both shuttles came out of the access tunnel into the alien base. The inner walls were lit up showing structures bustling with activity. Just above them was the alien ship. Its hull was scraped and damaged. Alan Erskine commented, “She is a beauty. I’d love to see how its put together.”
Sergeant Wrobel smiled, “It looks like these idiots brought the ship in through the access way. They banged the hell out of it. It must have taken them hours to inch that big thing through that tunnel. You guys were right; they have no idea how to activate the portal.”
The hangar door on the big alien ship began to open. “OK, everyone hang on.” Sergeant Wrobel said as he fired a small burst from the shuttle’s thrusters. The burst brought their shuttle to a near collision with their target. The alien force field that controlled approaching ships locked onto to both shuttles as if it was one large ship. The shuttles were brought in and gently set down on the deck of the alien hangar. The hangar was totally automated and the sergeant’s maneuver did nothing to set off any alarms. The two SPINTEL agents and the marines were suited up and ready to go. They left their shuttle before the hangar pressurized, and were waiting outside the hatch of their target. Matt Bushman produced a small object and told Alan, “Kima when the hatch opens.”
Alan instructed the marines. “When the hatch opens, close your eyes and count to ten; then the shuttle will be all yours.”
When the door opened, Matt hopped in and said, “Hello there,” then a blinding white light flashed from his hand. Ten seconds later the marines charged the shuttle and took it without a fight. Everyone discarded their helmets and Sergeant Wrobel went to his lieutenant. “It’s good to see you sir.”
“Thanks sergeant. You masterminded an excellent operation, although it was quite a risk to retrieve one man.”
“You would have done the same for any of us. We know that sir.”
Alan couldn’t help addressing the senior officers on the shuttle, “Well well Commanders Preston, Rollands, and Shoemaker, I do believe the directorate would like to have a little talk with you. If I were you, I would count on a nice long stay at the Titan prison facility.”
“Where the hell did you guys comes from? “ Commander Rollands snapped, “Raven left for Earth a day ago.”
“Ah don’t believe everything that comes in on a crypto link Commander darling.” Alan smiled at Matt Bushman and said, “I always wanted to call a commander darling.”
Matt smiled back then shook the hand of Phil Baxter. “Good job Phil. I’m glad you positioned yourself to support the lieutenant.”
“Thanks Matt,” Phil answered, “I hope SPINTEL can get me off freighter duty now. I’m getting quite sick of it.”
“OK,” Sergeant Wrobel announced, “let’s get everyone out of here and let Raven take care of this ship.”
“Not yet Sergeant,” Scott said, “let’s put a guard on our friends here and send them back to Raven. I think we’d better make an attempt to disable this ship from the inside. We can’t be sure that this ship isn’t ready to go, and that Raven will attack in time to stop it.”
“Lieutenant,” Sergeant Wrobel said, “the captain gave us a total of three hours to get back to the ship before Raven starts its attack. We’ve already burned over an hour.”
Scott then turned to Matthew Bushman, “Captain would you, Colonel Erskine, and Mr. Baxter please escort the prisoners back to Raven. Thank you for your help. The marines can take it from here. Be prepared to leave. We’ll open the hangar as soon as we get to auxiliary control.”
The SPINTEL agents got the prisoners secured in their seats, and the marines prepared the assault.

Valerie kept herself busy on the bridge. They monitored all of the signals and sensory emissions from the asteroid base. But Valerie’s mind reached out to touch Scott. Knowing he was so close, yet out of reach, was driving her crazy.
Valerie caught her breath when Amy called to the captain, “Captain, a shuttle is coming out of the asteroid, but it’s not ours.”
“What do you mean not ours?” Valerie blurted out almost accusing her friend of teasing her.
“It’s the shuttle from Pegasus Commander.” Amy said almost apologetically.
“I got them,” Steve announced, “I’ll put them on for you Captain.”
Alan Erskine’s voice came through the speaker, “Captain we have a few prisoners for you, and you’ll be happy to know that we have also retrieved Phil Baxter. Lieutenant Bort and the marines are making a stab at disabling that alien monstrosity from the inside. They swore that they’d be out in time.”
Everyone on the bridge let out a breath as Captain Merriel answered, “We’re glad to hear from you Colonel, and give Phil my best. We’ll give the marines the remaining time, but then we have to go in. Welcome back, and thanks for your help.”
Amy suddenly said out loud, “What the. . .”
Captain Merriel turned to his sensor officer. “Amy, what’s the problem?”
“Captain, there’s another directorate ship on course for the asteroid. It’s S.D.D. Gambrel. She’s on a direct course like she knows exactly where she’s going.”
The captain called to helm, “Tom back us away a bit.” Then he addressed the bridge in general, “Go back to full stealth mode. Let’s see what Gambrel is up to.”
“Captain,” Valerie called, “S.D.D. Gambrel is listed as disabled and in space dock.
“I see,” Captain Merriel responded, “the directorate is going to have to clean out the personnel at the Tau Ceti Four space dock. OK, she’s probably in hostile hands, but let’s wait a bit more before we jump to conclusions.”
“Captain,” Steve called, “they’re sending a signal to what must be a relay point just inside the access way.”
“That’s it,” the captain announced, “we can’t let them enter the asteroid. We’ll have to risk them warning the people inside the asteroid base. Sound general quarters; Steve, get me communication with that ship, and jam all other communication frequencies. Valerie, target the relay antenna on the asteroid that Gambrel is using and destroy it. Then tell me who is in command of marine shuttle number two these days?”
A quick burst from the forward lasers took care of the antenna, but Valerie had to check marine roster for the most senior marine. The recent shuffle left the chain of command in a rather confused state. “It’s Corporal Mimbosa sir. Shall I have him prepare a boarding party sir?”
“Exactly Valerie,” the captain answered.
“Captain,” Steve called, “I have a Lieutenant Commander Russo on the line.”
Captain Merriel did not waste time, “Commander Russo, have Gambrel maintain station and prepare to be boarded. Where is Captain Ishikawa?”
Russo responded in defiance, “I don’t recognize your authority over this ship Captain. Captain Ishikawa was taken ill. I’m in command of Gambrel.”
“The only thing that’s been taken is that ship Commander. Stolen by you and the crackpot bunch you hold allegiance to. We’ve recorded your transmission to the asteroid, and we’ve watched your approach. We have plenty of evidence to prove our charges now, surrender your ship or I’ll blow it out from under you.”
Russo shut down communications. “Gambrel is making a run for the access way.” Amy called out.”
“Tom, cut him off.” The captain growled, “Valerie target that ship’s engines and fire when ready.”
Raven swooped across the asteroid field like a giant black bird of prey. Its lasers struck the older ship time and time again. Gambrel fired and tried to maneuver away. Already damaged, Gambrel was clumsy and slow. Captain Merriel ordered a halt to the attack and asked Steve to reestablish communication with the damaged ship.
Instead of answering, Gambrel made one more desperate maneuver to get away. The move took the ship into the path of an approaching asteroid. With its directional control failing, Gambrel could not avoid the collision. Space lit up bright white for an instant and Gambrel was gone.
“Get us back to station Tom.” The captain ordered.

The six marines moved through the alien passageway on the engineering deck. Suddenly lights started to flash and odd noises echoed through the passageway. “I remember that, Pat Wrobel said, “That’s the ship’s alert signal. It started after Jackson shot up the hangar the last time I was here.”
“What happened after that?” Nick Blazina asked.
“The ship started moving.” Pat Wrobel answered.
“OK, guys let get moving.” Scott ordered.