Final Approach ...

[Shalin 0]

"USS Imperious: you are cleared for arrival. Your assignment is docking bay 94, beacon AA-23."

 

Shan noted the beacon signature and followed in on approach. The ship was fully equiped with an automated docking system, but he didn't trust it. If he switched over, they would be handing control of the ship over to the docking authority. Shan didn't know how many mercenary crews would do that, but he sure as heckfire wouldn't.

 

"Forty Kilometers ... closing."

 

As he looked down upon the world below, Shan grew ill. As he was growing up, he had made a point of avoiding the darker parts of the Spaceport district. Here *everything* was the spaceport district, and people died in the darker parts.

 

"Twenty Kilometers ... closing."

 

How had he managed to end up here? Shan was a helmsman and pilot; he knew nothing about clandestine operations. Now he was piloting a vessel deep in enemy territory - what if the Captain expected him to do something? The last thing he needed ... the last thing anyone needed ... was for him to be on an away mission. He'd screw it up; that was just a given.

 

"One thousand meters ... closing"

 

Shan slowed the vessel to thruster speeds, allowing the navigational scanners to feed back how well he was doing. It wasn't a perfect approach, but it was well within tolerance. Even better: the navigational scanners were rigged to provide the tactical station with critical data. Within moments they had a read on the docking bay, along with all docking clamp mounts and any defensive capabilities.

 

"Five hundred meters ..."

 

He hoped that Tactical would be able to digest everything. Even more importantly, he hoped that they had enough weapon mounts to clear the moorings in case of a speedy get-away. He wouldn't want any of the fighter crews to have to launch in a fire-fight.

 

"One hundred meters ..."

 

The spindly frame of the docking bay loomed about them, all but completely surrounding them. They would be clear underneath: a typical configuration suited to space vessels, allowing shuttlecraft to move swiftly without obstruction. Simply 'dropping' wouldn't be an option, though: they were too far out.

 

"Final maneuvers ..."

 

Shan settled the vessel in position, noting as the docking clamps shot out magnetic grapples. Within moments the ship was secured in position; hopefully they had funds to pay for docking fees. If they didn't, he'd have to tear their way out, and he was pretty sure the dock was prepared for that eventuality.

 

With the ship docked, Shan eased back in his chair. The Captain would provide instructions: either than or he would make himself useful as a transporter chief or a shuttle pilot. In either case his personal plan was clear - stay on the ship as much as possible and stay out of trouble.