Chronicle of the Unknown Sector. (#Wattys2015)

Part 21: Fortuna.

Just over a week had phased by since the events that took place on Earth, whilst Pablo had returned unharmed he was still under watch of the officers distrusting his being suited for combat leadership resulting in Gab taking up the mantle of Serpent Company Commander in his absence with strong aid of both the Abaconda's Captain and Infantry Major.

Every night without their knowing however she'd sneak her way into Pablo's quarters to spend time with him and consult on what he'd do when stress got the better of her, she also felt that he had now been reduced to a prisoner within his own company.

One day, the Abaconda whilst traversing Pirate occupied space became surrounded on both sides from a pair of Rogue strike cruisers who began to open fire with a barrage of the massive guns on the ships hull forcing the Company to divert their own guns in two directions returning half as much fire-power at the enemy vessels, "Status!" Gab screamed out as the Abaconda took hit after hit shaking from the impacts.

"Shields failing ma'am, batteries four through eight are also down." the Captain reported gazing over at the main screen, "Dammit, they're deploying their fighters for the kill. Orders milady?" he later added turning his attention swiftly to her in which she displayed a look of thought trying to think what would her betrothed do.

"We'll have to fight them ship to ship if we're gonna have a single chance, get the Hydra's starbourne" Gab stated departing the bridge with the Captains acknowledgement soon after as the call went out. Meanwhile Pablo simply stared outward at the chaos narrowing his eye with folded arms, turning his gaze over his shoulder seeing Vera walk in as he turned around.

"Vera, I need you to watch Gab's back okay. You'll be the Annihilator's weapon control, so be safe okay, both you and her" he uttered lowly knowing whole hearted it was near impossible that he'd be given a green light returning his gaze to the chaos. Vera walking over to him giving a quick hug before running off caused him to peer back exhaling a sigh as he watched ships being destroyed in dogfights and explosions erupting off enemy strike cruisers, feeling every shake of damage to the Abaconda, the departing sight of the Annihilator making his sight fixate as he uttered "Stars protect them."

Whilst the combat ravaged outside with Gab at the forefront of command the Captain still remaining aboard the Abaconda directed the strike cruisers every action by the numbers and books, as crew members became wounded or died in unison with pilots either being shot to bits or forced to pull-out. The pressure kept building in everyone's head with the only people not showing fear being those among the Crimson Scales who too were in fray of dogfights alongside Vera and Gab, the last remaining calm minded member was Pablo simply staring at death around him.

A sudden opening of his room door caused his gaze to slowly turn seeing a runner out of breath then mustering the energy to speak, "Commander, you've been deemed combat active. Please hurry, everyone needs you now more then ever." being the words Pablo eagerly had been waiting in solitude to hear as he turned calm and slow walking his way out.

"Attention, this is Commander Modoon. All Hydra pilots close in on the starboard enemy vessel and force their own fighters into a crossfire, Abaconda focus all fire power able to port side priority aim for the engines and life support systems." Pablo issued orderingly over the intercom system before turning to a handful of troops "With the enemy fighters in a crossfire their guard should be down, prep for boarding party." he added heading off to the armoury.

Although a sound tactic, boarding of enemy vessels had been dangerous every since man set sail on ocean waters, the space conflicts made this tactic a death sentence however in the state Serpent Company was in several officers supported this choice as troops boarded a gunship followed by Pablo boarding a normal star-fighter, "Serpent to Annihilator, Gab you read?" Pablo called out over his ear-comm being answered shortly after by Vera.