These are the voyages of the MULE in a short time....

[Byblos 0]

Little Robe Creek, and the Strike Eagles from Harrington were beginning to push what was left of the Dragoon fighter force back towards the Dragoon Cruiser. Little Robe Creek was even firing her primary weapons repeatedly against the Dragoon Cruiser which seemed to have a deathwish to destroy the Comanche Creek.

 

The Mule's rushed SAR sortie had picked up numerous pilots from all three Federation Units involved. The Mule was now behind the Strike Eagle Flight Line when one of the Security Officers entered the cockpit.

 

Byblos had to look at his uniform to see which Quadruplet had news to pass on. It was Charlie, and his uniform was covered in patches of blood. "Byblos we have a problem..."

 

"Close the hatch and make it quick. We have to move back into the fighting wedge developing in front of that Dragoon Cruiser-"

 

Byblos was suddenly interrupted as the cockpit door slid shut and Charlie took a seat. "Some of those pilots we picked up are going to die if they are not treated by doctors..My Brothers and I can only do so much..some of those pilots are missing limbs..they need treatment in a medical bay not a heavy transport."

 

Byblos heard the missing limbs comment and to think quickly. "The Comanche Creek's landing deck has been compromised according to squadron chatter. We cannot land there.

 

"Nor should we...Time to visit the Little Robe Creek Big Ugly." Charlie offered the suggestion.

 

Byblos gave the Mule an immediate 180 turn with an eased angle. "See if you can raise the Little Robe Creek."

 

Charlie immediately made the COMM call. "Little Robe Creek this is Comanche Creek Heavy SAR we need to immediately land on your deck. Critically injured pilots aboard. Do you copy?"

 

The COMM came to life quickly. "Copy SAR Heavy. Flight deck is currently full with Replenishing fighters...standby..."

 

With that response Byblos immediately jumped a bit promptly hitting his head on the overhead LCARS display. "What the $^&%! kind of answer is that! I am going to-

 

Charlie cut Byblos off again and risked putting his arm on his shoulder.."Get us in for approach."

 

Byblos followed Charlie's commands as two Hornets closed in and escorted the Mule into a final approach vector. In the distance he could still see the Dragoon Cruiser firing on ..what appeared to be a listing Comanche Creek.

 

+Comanche Creek Heavy SAR+ ...Sorry for the delay..we had to clear some items off the deck for a quick medical evac of your passengers. Captain has granted you an immediate clearance to land but be in dust off ready incase of more Dragoons arriving."

 

Charlie replied "Copy...Little Robe Creek we are already on approach be notified that I think you will need a triage."

 

"Copy Comanche Creek Heavy SAR"..

 

Within five minutes the Mule was on the deck of the Little Robe Creek, her aft ramp door open.

 

Byblos chose to keep the MULE in Dust off mode as mobile pilots disembarked and doctors quickly removed the pilots in litters. This took ten minutes.

 

A Doctor ran up the deck of the Mule and was immediately greeted by Charlie. The Doctor was quite animated about something, before he was restrained by flight deck personnel. Another Knuckledragger began giving hand signals Byblos knew. Charlie immediately ran up the ramp in the process of closing and to the Cockpit while his brothers strapped themselves in back.

 

"What was that about? Byblos queried as he gunned the impulse engines and sent the MULE back into Space...and was instantly greeted by Four Hornets as escort.

 

Charlie answered. "Nothing we can do about what his objection was... Let's get back to the combat zone just in case.

 

The radio crackled to life.

 

"Little Robe Creek to Heavy SAR This is the Captain. Our fighters will escort you to into the condensing fighter action. Frankly If I were you I would wait outside the Fighter Perimeter we are setting up to contain what is left of the Dragoon fighter ranks. I know it it tough to see your own ship beaten up like that. But if I know Crash Caelstorm she is not going to go down that easy. Thank you for saving our pilots. You have my thanks..Good Hunting SAR Mule."

 

Byblos looked at Charlie, with Charlie giving a nod and a quote. "One big Happy Fleet."

 

Byblos looked back forward again seeing the profile of the Dragoon ship. "Charlie, I don't know who these Dragoons are, but they are no mercs or pirates. And that is all the help I can provide intelligence wise for this one. Whoever is in charge of this attack against us has his fighters operating like yours except he isn't allowing retreats and they are following his orders on almost a fanatical level. Kinda scares me."

 

Hearing Byblos make that statement sent a slight chill down Charlie's spine as they approached the battle ahead.