Beyond the Law: A Star Citizen Tale

Chapter 2: Face to Face with Death

     Anthony's heart was racing, no way out of this situation other then talking.. and even if he spoke, there was no guarantee his words would mean much.. but he had to try.
     "L-Look, I am a delivery boy. I deliver cargo for a living.. but it hasn't been paying well.. I need to make money somehow.. someway to pay for my monthly bills.. please" He said
     "What makes you think we want a delivery boy on our team?" Anthony had to think for a moment, scrambling for the words to say as the barrel tapped his knee once again
     "A delivery boy means nothing to people like us.. only for stealing cargo and that's that" Anthony then got an idea, his eyes widening a bit
     "And yet.. Y-You and the people at Grim Hex have failed to take the cargo of one.. A delivery boy that flies a Cutlass Black.. that would be me Mr. Thatcher." He could see the crew turning to face him, even the member behind suddenly turning to him. Another barrel now pressing up against Anthony's hip.
     "The Cutty Black pilot.. I should kill you right here and right now" The member from behind said. It was then that Thatcher raised a hand to him, signaling he back off. The barrel slowly was pulled away as Thatcher grew a smirk on his face
     "You've got balls kid.. I'll give you that.. coming face to face with people from Grim Hex after all that. I can give you a chance with us but under one condition" Thatcher would say, a voice would ring up behind him
     "Sir you can't possibl-"
     "I'm making the decisions here Marigold" There was a silence now before Anthony spoke up.
     "What's the condition?"
     "Consider this your death row sentencing by Grim Hex.. If you dare try to turn on us.. you will surrender your life in a gruesome death that will be displayed to the family and friends of those you killed in them dogfights" Anthony had no other choice now.. no means of backing out.. he either did this, or had to fight his way out. Anthony would nod and feel the gun flip underneath the table
     "Better take this Delivery Boy.. Security knows we are in city limits, and are closing in on our position.. Consider this your training.. and your chance to show we can trust you" He said with a grin, giving the pistol to Anthony. At a closer glance, it was a Cobra hand cannon, fully loaded and ready to be fired. The smuggling crew would stand and remove their cloaks, revealing the Dustup armor beneath and rifles attached to their thighs, putting their helmets on as guards rushed in to take down the crew. Thatcher looked over his shoulder at Anthony
     "12 bullets.. make them count delivery boy" with that being said, chaos ensued. The crew of 4 grabbing their rifles and moving in formation, firing at the guards. Firing with precision as Anthony would watch in fear, catching himself and jolting out of his chair. He followed the crew from behind and kept an eye out for any coming up from behind. Catching one moving in and firing a round, missing and firing another. The bullet landing in the guards neck. He gasped before continuing to follow the crew.
     They fought their way to the tram, getting in and taking off to the space port. From above two Warden ships flew by, seeming to circle around and preparing to fire upon the tram.
     "This doesn't look good Davis!" Marigold yelled
     "If this thing moves and faster we can make it under that cover before they strike again." Leo stated, reloading his Nightstalker Rifle. Thatcher was silent, watching the Warden ships flying by. Growing closer to the cover of the space port, but the Wardens grew just as close
     "Get down!" Thatcher yelled, everyone dropping to the floor as the Wardens fired their turrets upon the tram, bullets flying through the exterior walls and shattering the glass. The tram found its way under cover and stopped at the next stop. Leo lifted his head up to find no guards were there.
     "We have time, we need to run to the hangar" Leo stated as he and the crew stood up and rushed out the tram. Anthony followed soon after, groaning as he came to find his hip was bleeding, a bullet having grazed his hip. James would notice and nudge Thatcher
     "Delivery boy is hit" James said. Thatcher looked at it and nodded
     "He will live, now let's go!" Everyone followed Thatcher, finding customs and security checks were empty. This was easier then thought, but it didn't least long. Marigold called the elevator to the hangar as gunfire broke out, firing down the hall at them. They all hid behind the slim cover of the boxes in the hallway. Anthony would see his gun was still practically full, looking at the crew and then the gun
     "You guys get in the elevator first, I'll suppress fire so you all can get in safely" Anthony said, the crew nodding at him as a ding sounded. The door opened and Anthony stood up, firing at the guards as the crew got in the elevator. As his pistol ran out of rounds, he was grabbed by the back of his undersuit and pulled into the elevator right as the doors were closing, going up to Hanger 11. The hangars known for holding the larger ships. The doors opened and the crew ran out, Anthony stopping as he laid his eyes upon a C2 Hercules. It was the first time he had seen one up close, and he was about to fly in one.
     "You better get on or we are leaving you!" Thatcher yelled as the ramp opened. Anthony caught up with them and saw a Gladius ship inside, one of the greatest designed fighter ships in the system.
     "Marigold you work as our air guide outside the ship, James I need you to keep the ship repaired at all costs, Delivery Boy and Leo take control of the turrets and help Marigold incase things get tight. Go Go Go!" The crew ran in and got to their positions, Leo pointing to one of the turrets as he went to his own. Anthony climbed in and powered it up As Thatcher had the hangars open and started to take off. Immediately the ship was under fire, Leo and Anthony firing at the enemy ships flying by. Once we were high enough, the Gladius flew out and would fight with the other ships as Thatcher flew the Hercules up and out of the planets atmosphere. Everyone played their role, a missile soon striking the side of the Hercules
     "Shit! Delivery boy! Go help James fix that up!" Leo yelled. Anthony nodded and climbed out, running down to the cargo bay, suddenly feeling like he was in zero gravity before dropping down and tumbling down the stairs. Anthony was quick to get up, running to James and crouching down
     "Here take this!" James said as he handed Anthony a Tractor beam multi tool.
     "I've got the cover on it, but it will take two if we want to close off that patch!" Anthony would nod and start welding the cover with the damaged area. The two soon covering it up. The ramp would open as the Gladius flew in and landed almost gracefully, the ramp closing up behind it as a voice came over an intercom system
     "Hang onto something boys and girls!" Thatcher said leaving no time to think as suddenly, the ship felt like it was in free fall, sending Anthony and James into the wall once Quantum travel took effect. Anthony would breath heavily, wondering if it was over yet when he would hear James laughing to his right.
     "Hahaaaa! We did it!" James said as he stood up and helped up Anthony. The crew would meet at the Gladius. The crew all hugged and laughed in joy before looking over to Anthony, Thatcher slowly making his way over, taking off his helmet and holding it up on his hip. There was a pause before he put his hand out to the delivery boy, a smile on his face
     "Welcome to the Black Nebula Delivery Boy.. you are one of us now" They shook hands, Anthony smiling softly.
     "I won't let you down.. I won't let any of you down." Anthony said