Goin' Commando

[RAdm S.Coyote 0]

Voice booming out from the ships intercom system, Captain Calestorm issued orders to her crew.

 

“We have hard contact with unknown assailants. They appear to be dressed as Ninja and no we have not collectively been drinking. Phasers and energy weapons are inoperative; our internal and external defenses are somehow allowing access to our ship...”

 

Colonel Craig Tigard threw a glance over his shoulder. “Well, she’s ticked off; accent’s full blown and she’s using sarcasm in her ‘the odds are not against us’ speech to the crew.” He then turned his attention back on the corridor, projectile pistol drawn and down.

 

An answering snort was the only immediate comment from Rear Admiral Shauna Coyote. Her communicator held to one ear, she was busy establishing a comm link with the Nova AC authorities.

 

“…all essential personnel are to remain at general quarters stations. Other personnel are to remain in their quarters. Weapons are anything you can get your hands, paws, or other on…“

 

Coyote paused in her conversation with an on-site administrative assistant and glanced at Tigard. “Did she just say ‘other’?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“…stay away from the larger areas of the ship if you are able to avoid them; these sections seem to be prime targets for our Ninja…“

 

“Admiral, not that I have any opinion on my awesomeness or anything, but do you think these…Ninja are targeting you and me?”

 

It was a fair question, and the two senior officers were high value targets: Coyote was the officer in charge for the First Threat Response program and Tigard was SOCCENT. Both had been instrumental with the launch and completion of Operation: Whiteout.

 

“I’ve thought about that. If these Ninja really wanted us? We’d already be dead. As it is, they keep popping in and out, which means they can’t get a full target lock on the ship. And, the corridors aren’t over run when they do beam in.”

 

“Small assault group? Black Kris?”

 

“Assassin SOP, I assume for hire. Using EMP tech that took out the phasers? Black Kris? Not sure, unless it’s a minor faction cell. From what Crash’s told me, this fast and furious doesn’t seem like something the new Big Mama would pull. We’re not in over our heads, at least not yet.”

 

It had started out to be a helluva morning…and it wasn’t even 6 AM yet.

 

Clad in off duty clothing, Coyote and Tigard had been rousted from sleep like much of the crew when the red alert had sounded. On Calestorm’s orders, they’d been escorted by security from the VIP deck to a more secure area below decks.

 

“Ah also suggest y’all locate rebreather masks…”

 

Craig and Shauna looked at one another.

 

“Hell, is she gonna gas the ship?”

 

“If these hooligans tick her off enough she will--” Coyote cut short her answer to the marine officer and turned her full attention to her iComanche. “Yes, Chief? This is Admiral Shauna Coyote on the USS Comanche Creek…”

 

Tigard continued to keep watch on the corridor while she gave the Nova AC Police Chief the rundown on their situation. After a short conversation, the admiral signed off and he could tell she was speaking to someone else. Coyote’s tone was familiar, and the overhead announcement had gone mute, so he was guessing it was Calestorm.

 

Shauna finished and turned to Craig. “Okay, the over our heads factor just went up a notch. The Washington Crossing is broadcasting an emergency beacon – they’re getting hit too.”

 

Colonel Tigard swore a blue streak. Commander JoNs was one of his people. He’d assigned her directly to the mission.“Casualties?”

 

“None, they’re holding out for now”

 

“What about the Hard Six?”

 

“Captain Mitros contacted ‘Creeks bridge. His ship remains uncompromised; he’s moving into a position to protect us and JoNs. The Nova police department is mobilizing, they’re gonna sweep ground locations while the Nova space port authority handles any ships in sector.”

 

Tigard worked through the info quickly. “Nova PD thinks this assault is from a civvie location?”

 

“Affirmative Colonel. The working theory is either from one of the warehouses or a cargo ship.”

 

“Well, that’s interest--“ Craig was interrupted when his name blared from the intercom system.

 

“And Admiral Coyote and Colonel Tigard, if the two of you do anything even remotely crazy and go all commando on our guests, you’ll deal with me. Stay undercover, stay with your escorts, and that’s an order. Calestorm out.”

 

The two senior officers stared at one another.

 

“Admiral Coyote, I must throw her in the gym pool when this is all done.”

 

“Permission granted, Colonel Tigard.”