Chapter 5: Two for one

We spent two weeks at the station while rumors spread about a new push by the Saints. I was working with captain Jenning and intelligence on systems I might want to hit. Lindell was the one I finally chose and we began planning. When we left the station it was actually like taking a deep breath.

I glanced at Peter in the pilot seat as he hummed and then at Tana as she whistled the counterpoint. I grinned at Lorenz in the holograph and she shook her head, “Ideal hands.”

I laughed as I stood and headed to my cabin for a few hours of rest. I had chosen a site outside the heliopause of Lindell on a jump point from a primary system. There was a lot of activity in the system with ships jumping in everyday. The first few had warships escorting them which we left alone.

Almost three weeks after we set up and a month after arriving two cargo ships jumped in together. I straightened and then hit the GQ after getting a good passive read on both. I began accelerating as everyone rushed to their stations. I glanced back and made room for Sonia in the spare seat.

I leaned back, “Samantha?”

She glanced up from the holograph, “Prepped and waiting.”

I looked at Tana, “Map them.”

She nodded and went active and the two ships began accelerating. I waited and Tana glanced back, “Clean.”

I looked at Samantha, “Put two missiles between and in front of them.”

A second later two missiles streaked out and exploded in front of the ships. I expected one of the ships to keep going or both but when we I ordered them to stop they did. I looked at Lorenz in the holograph and then grinned, “Samantha we are going to need two boarding parties.”

She shifted and frowned, “Are you sure?”

I shrugged, “We are going to take Dillon’s Choice first and if everything goes smoothly we will move to the other ship after they kick the life boat away.”

She nodded, “Copy.”

We turned to move towards the first ship and an airlock while Tana issued orders to the two ships. It seemed to take longer to dock and I sat stiffly as Peter and the boarding party swept into the first ship. I was watching the second ship with Samantha in her fire control room and sent Sonia to the airlock.

I glanced at Tana, “Tell Traveler that if there is even one trap I will blow up any life boat and space any crew.”

She nodded and turned to call the other cargo ship. It was several minutes before Peter called, “Secured Alex and the boarding party is heading back.”

I nodded, “As soon as we move away start heading out and plot your jump.”

“Copy.”

A few minutes later Sonia called, “Boarding party back aboard and the outer hatch is sealed.”

I began moving us away on thrusters and headed towards the other ship, “Anything on scan?”

Tana shook her head, “Nothing close enough to risk skipping out.”

I glanced at her, “The other ship?”

She grinned, “Already heading out and accelerating.”

I nodded and maneuvered to dock with the other ship and Tana cursed, “A destroyer is risking it and skipping out.”

I looked at her as the ships came together and we docked, “Tell the boarding party to hurry.”

I began shutting a few systems down, “Put everything on standby Lorenz.”

She looked at me and I gestured, “Now!”

She spun to do as I ordered and I looked at Samantha, “Use passives only.”

I looked back at Tana, “Get to the other ship and as soon as you kick the life boats away tell Sonia to get out.”