Smuggler Shuttle Pursuit (LT Honor-Scar Log)

[STSF Jumper 0]

January 20, 2261 (Stardate 2261.21)

Aquarius Major Sector

Aero Wing Patrol Team

Pursuit of Unauthorized Flight Shuttle

 

The smuggling situation on Aquarius Major was beginning to die off, due to the continued presence of the Starfleet Border Patrols FTR* Division ships. The removal of Captain Ron Tracey from command of the USS James Walking Bear had helped, cutting off the supply of medicine and cargo that the commanding officer should have been funneling towards the struggling infrastructure of the planet. Instead, Tracey had chosen to abuse his position and enter into black market dealings with the local pirate subculture.

 

The situation was well above Lieutenant ‘Jumper’ Honor-Scar’s pay grade and she hadn’t asked too many questions. The lower decks rumors were off the charts of course, the former captain’s lack of judgment and state of mind chief among them. Not her problem and the felinoid wasn’t one to dwell on matters out of her purview.

 

“What have we got, Blue Boy?” Jumper spoke into the helmet to helmet wireless, more focused on the matter at paw.

 

Her blue-skinned Wizzo* was quiet for a moment as he entered coding into a console and then answered. “Maintaining speed, making for the sector dead line. They’re running.” The Andorian man re-checked a few more scanning programs and then continued with, “No deviation from course, total straight line. Do they think they can outrun us? A Tomcat on drag detail and two Hornet starfighters on the forward interception point? Truly?”

 

“Of course they do. Weapons?”

 

“None that I can detect and I’m fairly certain they aren’t utilizing launch ordnance.”

 

A Comanche Creek SAR shuttle fell into a parallel flight course, shadowing the Tomcat and flashing running lights in a visual greeting. The SAR’s hard point pods had been converted to reflect the mission at hand – planetary assistance and a heavy hitter when and if needed. A transmitted ID code pinged the Tom indicating a friendly. Hornet Patrol Charlie as well indicated that they were in position on the forward vector intercept. Blue Boy acknowledged the signal from Charlie Squad on the secure EC* channel.

 

“Jumper, we’ve got company. It’s Heavy SAR Two. Charlie is also in position forward.”

 

The young mercenary-turned-pilot purred in contentment and answered with, “Excellent and return the greeting. They must have really after-burned to arrive out sector so quickly.”

 

 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Vulture-class this old. But, that’s the way Cyodyne Corporation builds them - to last. This one looks like it could be a…2240’s model?” Honor-Scar cast a critical eye over the shuttle outline set just in her digital crosshairs.

 

The question was rhetorical; Blue Boy indicated that the on board computer systems couldn’t narrow down an exact year without a legitimate transponder code and Honor-Scar had already guessed that the code had been changed many times over the years. Favored by independent transport contractors and smugglers, the Vulture courier class shuttle had hard points that could accommodate cargo pod attachments and for the extra credits, you could have weapons ports installed. Crews varied from one to four, depending on the interior configuration. A hidden ‘drop deck’ cargo area could be installed with after-market parts, and Jumper was betting this one had a smugglers drop deck.

 

The Caitian officer activated the all wireless signal and spoke over the broadcast frequency. “This is Lieutenant Jagrissa Honor-Scar of the Starfleet Border Patrol vessel USS Comanche Creek. You are in violation of flight clearance, as in you do not have one. I suggest you slow your velocity and allow us to board you for inspection.”

 

No response.

 

“This is Lieutenant Jagrissa Honor-Scar of the Starfleet Border Patrol vessel USS Comanche Creek. You are in violation of flight clearance. I suggest you eject your cargo if you don’t want to have a meet and greet with our SAR’s Mister Tractor Beam and spend the next six months in a holding cell at the Nova Prime Penal asteroid.”

 

…two cargo pods were ejected begin a slow float rotation away in the vacuum of space...

 

Blue Boy laughed. “Those were the magic words, weren’t they Lieutenant?””

 

“That they were!” Over the shared team wireless, the felinoid Team Lead instructed “Let them go Charlie Lead, return to your original patrol route. Blue Boy, scan the interior of the pods so we don’t have any surprises. SAR Two, when clear tractor the pods back to the barn for further inspection.”

 

It was just another day at the 214 Black Sheep Aero offices, indeed.

 

*First Threat Response

*Weapons Systems Officer

*Search and Rescue

*Electronic Countermeasures