Beyond the Law: A Star Citizen Tale

Chapter 4: The Skeleton Key

The crew prepared, knowing full well they were what they were getting into, ready to become the richest in the galaxy. Leo and Marigold were making sure their Dragonfly's were in working order while James was making final touches on the Ballista. Bringing the missiles on the back to working order. Anthony would be sitting by himself, looking through different attachments lying around in a box. Throwing a reflex sight on his custodian and Lumin, but also putting a Suppressor on the custodian, incase things had to get quiet. The intercom then pinged on, Thatcher speaking from it.
"We are 5 Mill out from Hurston, Make sure you are locked and loaded and please buckle yourselves in for entry into atmosphere." Thatcher said before the intercom went silent. The crew would go and grab their weaponry, loading them with magazines and then making their way to the seats around the cargo bay, buckling in. Once out of Quantum Travel, the ship would shake a bit, hitting certain turbulence points. Anthony looked around to see the battle hardened crew seemingly not phased by all this. He wanted to be prepared, but all and all, he didn't truly know the mess he was getting himself into. The ship shook one last time as it landed, everyone unbuckling as Thatcher made his way down, whirling his hand around.
"Stations now! You know the drill!" He exclaimed as Anthony followed James and Thatcher into the Ballista. Leo and Marigold would power up their hover bikes and fly on out, the ballista following behind. Thatcher would talk into comms once more
"Alright Black Nebula! We aren't far out, but they sure as hell saw our Hammerhead land nearby! Prepare for some possible retaliation!" Up ahead we could see the turrets powering up. James would power on his controls and aim the missiles, shooting multiple out and destroying them.
"Nice shot back there, no sign of bogeys around the perimeter." Marigold would say over the comms. The crew would park outside, the three climbing out of the ballista with guns trained on the door as Leo and Marigold were watching the door already.
"Everyone file in behind me, I need someone ready to send some smokes into the building" Thatcher said
"On it!" James chimed in as the crew followed in behind their captain. The building was one that held an underground base of operations with an above ground made for protecting those below. The door was an airlock, The crew filing in and pressing their backs to the walls as it cycled. As the doors opened to the other side, James sent in smoke grenades as bullets shot into the airlock, just barely hitting the crew. As the smoke filled, everyone filed in and took out the guards inside by hand, a voice would ring from one of their comms as Leo picked it up, listening in.
"Answer me! Is it clear to come out now!?" The officer said on the other side. Thatcher would nod at Leo.
"It's clear sir, was just a couple pirates looking for some trouble. Safe to come up now" Leo said. There was silence and then the elevator went down, causing the crew to hide. They waited, soon hearing the elevator come up, and footsteps coming down the hall. Thatcher would step out and elbow him in the mask, cracking the glass and then motioning for Marigold to blow the airlock door open with her rail gun. Thatcher would approach the guard as she did so, light from outside glowing into the building. You could see the man was starting to choke from loss of oxygen. Thatcher looked him in the eyes, grabbing the key from the officers hip.
"When you enter hell, I want you to remember this face as the last you'll ever see! You governed son of a bitch!" Thatcher said with anger. The officer would die then and there. Thatcher stood up and sighed in relief.
"James, get the ballista started for me" He would say, James nodding and running outside to the Ballista. Anthony would just stare, seeing the man with a smile had a cold heart deep down.
"You good captain?" Marigold asked
"Yeah, let's just get out of here before it's too late." They all started walking out of the building, the mission not being over just yet. Anthony was looking at his feet as they left, looking up and his heart dropping at the sight in the distance.
"A2! BOMBER INBOUND! GET INSIDE!" Anthony yelled out. The crew scrambled, the ships swooping overhead as time seemed to stop. Everyone was running in, except for James, who was still inside the Ballista. Thatcher would reach a hand out, trying to run to the ballista when Anthony grabbed onto the handle on the back of Thatcher's armor, and pulling him. Then.... BOOOM!!!..... Multiple explosions blew up the vehicles.. taking James with the vehicles in the explosion. It would send everyone flying back inside, some slamming into the walls. Anthony was still trying to catch his bearings as the crew was quicker with getting up then him.
"James... I.. No.." Thatcher was sat up looking out the door as Marigold and Leo were scrambling to find the key. Leo picking it up and coming over to Thatcher.
"Get yourself together Captain! We may not be getting out of this one, but we need to hide the key! You remember the backup idea for keys correct!" Leo yelled out at him. Thatcher would slowly nod. Taking off the armor on his forearm and handing Leo his knife. There was no emotion coming from Thatcher, only grief flowed through the man's blood.
"You might start losing oxygen fast, so I'll try to make this quick sir." With that being said, Leo would cut open the undersuit, blood spewing out as Leo cut deep. Behind him Marigold was warming up a piece of metal, while Leo began sticking the key into Thatchers forearm, the captain yelling out in pain. Marigold would hand Leo the metal and he cauterized the wound closed and use the hot metal to weld the undersuit closed. Thatcher reached and put his armor back on his forearm, still groaning from the pain. It was then that soldiers filed in, one in particular walking in, one they had seen before.. It was Porter and Jango Org who held them all at gunpoint. Porter looked us over, before chuckling.
"Black Nebula of all people here to come after an officer.. how sad" Porter would say. His eyes fell upon Thatcher, moving closer and crouching in front of him.
"Arrest the crew.. take them to the ship.. I have eyes on this one.." The guards then fired electrical charges at the crew, disabling them entirely and dragging them to the ship. It wasn't long till Anthony would awake around the crew. They all were stripped of their armor and weapons, leaving only their under suits. They were restrained by their hands and feet, a metal bar keeping the two restraints held together. A door would open and Thatcher was thrown in next to the crew. Anthony picked up what one of the guards was saying.
"Can you believe it? We caught Calico." The Guard would say. Anthony was too weak to express to this revelation.. Their captain was Calico all this time.. he knew so and yet he lied to their faces.. Anthony would pass out once more.