howlofthewolf:
fleet-admiral-red:
howlofthewolf:
fleet-admiral-red:
howlofthewolf:
Wolf’s eyes widened at the sound of the events that had occurred.
“Oh… Okay…. I’m just going to say… While what happened wasn’t undeserved… I believe you’ve suffered too much.” Wolf said, “If this had been told to me five years ago… I would’ve been a lot harsher in my judgement… But by the sounds of it, you guys sound like you’re about to implode.”
Wolf looked to her.
“Aegis… If Red sent you here to check out how things were going… I hope this isn’t overstepping any boundaries by saying this, but it almost sounds like a cry for help.” He said, “Don’t worry about the TD Gate on your end. I got one on mine, or at least, the ruins of it. If what my scientists are saying are correct, it’s still reading the frequency of your dimension, it’s just getting onto the Gate to repair that’s the issue. Seems not all the demons went back, as there’s one at the gate.”
Wolf put a hand on her shoulder.
“I need you to do something for me, Aegis…” He said, “when you get back to Altia, go straight to your father. Tell him that old war dogs never break their bonds. He’ll know what that means. I need to get in touch with Astrid.”
Noriega looked apologetic, the AI bowing her head. “I’m sorry, sir. Aegis specifically requested no visitors. But I can say that she is currently sleeping in one of the guest quarters on Deck 5.”
A gesture beside herself, and a 3D map of the Sumeragi’s layout appeared, a route being highlighted to that particular quarters.
“If you wish to travel there, you may, but be aware that Aegis has engaged the privacy lock in her quarters, so you won’t be able to enter.”
Noriega laced her hands behind her back. “I can, however, help you to leave messages for her when she awakens.”
“No.” Wolf said, “I’ll talk to her when she’s ready.”
Turning around, he walked back aboard his shuttle, when he got a message from aboard Yumi.
“Sir, several signatures coming out of hyperspace, Carrion-class cruisers.” The comms person said.
“Goddamn pirates…” Wolf said, then switching the channel to that off the GDI’s, “We’ve got pirates incoming. They more then then likely have orders to try to keep the Bouzac separated from the Coalition. We’ll deal with them, you keep working on the Gate.”
“Copy that. Going to Yellow Alert,” Came the reply.
Immediately, the PA rang with the chime of an alarm, along with a calm, automated voice. “All hands, Yellow Alert. Shields raised. Repeat, Yellow Alert…”
Out in space, the Sumeragi began approaching the ruins of the Gate, starting to deploy several repair craft and engineer teams.
The Carrion-class cruisers came out of hyperspace, opening fire on the Wolfsclaw-class dreadnought within mere moments. Wolf growled as he came aboard his ship.
“Did you call for the rest of the fleet?” Wolf asked the captain of the ship.
“As soon as we got the signal, we sent a message. They’re sending three star destroyers.” The captain said. Yumi’s turbolasers opened fire on the pirate cruisers.
“Dad, you need your fighter?” Yumi asked, appearing on a viewscreen.
“Yes, sweetheart, get my fighter ready.” Wolf nodded.
While the Bouzac were engaging the pirate forces, Aegis remained fast asleep in the guest quarters she’d been given on the Sumeragi.
A few missed shots from the pirate cruisers hit the first layer of the support vessel’s shields, barely dropping its integrity by a few percentage points before it regenerated back to full.
Barely a tremor passed through the ship, and Aegis merely mumbled in her sleep and hugged her bolster closer.
A few decks deeper within the ship’s CIC, Captain Andrew Thompson was more focused on other matters. “Noriega, status on the Gate.”
The AI’s reply was succinct as she took in the data from the Sumeragi’s sensors. “As expected, the Gate is a near-total wreck. Vital systems and components are all completely beyond repair, as per self-destruct protocols.”
“Show me.”
In response, a full display of the ruined Gate appeared before Thompson. He grunted as he glanced at the angry orange glow of the now-gone components. “We’ll need to manufacture the new parts and systems on-site, then. And we’re the only GDI ship around. Just great. Any estimate on repair times?”
Noriega’s reply was tinged with concern. “With just us? Two months, three if we want to restore all the automated defenses. Are you sure we can’t ask Aegis to make trips back for more support?”
Captain Thompson shook his head. “Not if it tires Aegis this badly with every trip. We’re on our own until the Gate’s back up to minimum functionality. Did the trip damage anything aboard?”
Noriega’s avatar appeared, folding her arms. “Fortunately, no. All industrial replicators and foundries are at status green. But it’s a lot of work ahead of us. Engineer teams are reporting heavy damage to the Gate interiors. We’re lucky it’s even holding together at all.”
Captain Thompson sighed before opening the Sumeragi’s general channel. “Best we get started, then. All hands, this is Captain Thompson. We’re beginning repair operations in T-minus 30 minutes. Ready all industrial rigs for deployment. Let’s get this done. Thompson out.”
Initiative Archival Network 