Blakelisted! - Novella VI in the Chronicles of the 69th VXF

Blakelisted!

Talisker
3046
Draconis Combine

Precentor V-Rho Abilard Hesse stood on the bridge of the Skeiron, the Invader-class JumpShip that had the honor of carrying his Level III-Zeta. They had just emerged from hyperspace at the zenith point of the hidden world of Talisker, their home base. No sooner had they materialized than the bridge was suddenly bathed in red as proximity klaxons wailed.

He turned to Demi-Precentor X-Theta Ramsheki Valon, the captain of the Skeiron, his question expressed by only the arcing of his eyebrow.

The Captain quickly answered, "Precentor, there is an unidentified Scout-class JumpShip off of our starboard side. No DropShips are docked with it. We are running a full scan of it now."

Hesse nodded, "Scramble the ready fives. This is likely the JumpShip used by the invading force we were warned off. Get me the Caduceus."

Adept IV-Alpha Douglas Wilder, the communications officer, entered the conversation. "I've been trying to raise the station, Demi-Precentor, but there is no response and it appears the Caduceus's transponders are all out."

Valon ordered, "Adept, run a full spectrum electromagnetic scan of the Caduceus and route the visual of it to the secondary display. I want the unidentified JumpShip on primary. Also see if you can raise Krocylea."

"Yes, Demi-Precentor. It will take an estimated five minutes for our signal to reach the planet's surface."

Precentor Hesse cut in. "Open a hailing frequency to the unidentified JumpShip."

Precentor Abilard Hesse smoothed out his robes. "This is Precentor V-Rho Abilard Hesse of the ComGuards. Identify yourself immediately or be destroyed."

Seconds passed with no response.

Demi-Precentor Valon turned to address Hesse. "Precentor, there is no sign the JumpShip is preparing to engage its K-F drive. It's JumpSail is still deployed, although it is possible to jump with the sail deployed."

Adept Wilder reported, "The Caduceus is on secondary. It has sustained massive structural damage. The bridge appears to have been destroyed and the starboard small craft bay has also been severely damaged. I am, however, getting a low level electromagnetic reading from it. There is likely at least one power generator still operational."

Valon interjected, "The Tomahawk and Rogue are now clear. What are your orders, Precentor?"

Precentor Hesse smiled. "Alpha flight, weapons free. Have the Apheliotes and Aparctias initiate undocking procedures. Where there is a JumpShip there must also be a DropShip. Anything from Krocylea, Adept? "

"No, Precentor. It is still too soon to have received a response yet from the planetary surface."

Valon watched the primary display. "The JumpShip is making no effort to evade, Precentor. Or even communicate."

Adept Wilder cut in. "Demi-Precentor, long range scanners have just picked up a spheroid class DropShip, likely a Union-class based on its mass. It is not transmitting any IFF codes. I'm working on determining its course now."

Precentor Hesse's smile grew larger. "Excellent work, Adept. I want a full report once you have determined their exact position and vector. Alpha flight, make a single pass over the Scout. Maybe that will spur them into action."

Precentor Hesse watched in satisfaction as the two AeroSpace fighters strafed the JumpShip.

Apheliotes, a Leopard-class DropShip, and the Aparctias, a Leopard CV which served as their AeroSpace fighter carrier, drifted into view as they undocked from the Skeiron. His own flagship, the Nessus, a Union-class, remained docked with the Skeiron.

Valon spoke up. "Still no response from the JumpShip, Precentor."

The Precentor nodded. "Very well. Alpha flight concentrate fire on the small craft bay door. Demi-Precentor, prepare the NL-42 boarding transport with two platoons of marines and have the Aparctias launch Beta flight as soon as she's clear."

Adept Wilder, the communications officer, interjected. "Precentor, I have a preliminary on the unidentified DropShip's course. It appears they are in the process of changing their heading. Initial scans show they were heading towards our current position at the zenith point. It now appears they are turning around and heading back to the planetary surface. They are approximately half way between our current position and Talisker."

The Precentor allowed himself a short laugh. "Of course they are. They have nowhere else to go now do they? What is that old Terran expression? Like shooting fish in a barrel."

Demi-Precentor Valon turned to him. "The NL-42 is standing by. Alpha flight has breached the small craft bay doors. The Aparctias is deploying Beta flight now. There is still no sign of any activity from the Scout."

Precentor Hesse nodded. "Launch the NL-42 and being boarding operations. Have Beta flight cover the Scout and direct Alpha flight to conduct a detailed scan of the Caduceus."

Hesse stood like a statue as he watched the 200-ton spheroid assault transport burn towards the Scout escorted by a pair of aerospace fighters. The JumpShip remained stationary even as they approached. It deployed its magnetic grapples, pulling itself alongside the JumpShip as it prepared to use its tug adapter to breech the hull and enter the ship.