Hello, and thanks for returning to Lady Lex. This chapter is by Ben. We still have a flag to be captured, or not, as the case may be. We hope you enjoy the action.
The Boys of Lady Lex Chapter 53 "In the Heat of the Action" Written By Douglas DD and Benjamin T. C.
Brian McDowell stood in the small morgue off of sickbay. He was staring at the lifeless body of Stan Lewis. There was a phaser burn and some blistering around his right temple. Even dead, he didn't seem at peace.
"A friend of yours?" asked Chaplain Kyle as he entered the room.
"No, I didn't really know him. I saw him in hall a few times but we never spoke."
"Yet you come to pay your respects, which is very kind of you."
"No, I just wanted to see what it looked like to have the courage to do what he did."
"Courage?" asked Chaplain Kyle.
"I would think it would take a lot of courage to take your own life. I mean..." Brian paused a brief second, trying to gather his thoughts. "I mean, when I tried to take my own life a few weeks ago, I couldn't do it. I was too scared."
"I think you are wrong Brian. It takes more courage face your problems than take your own life. Suicide is an act of cowardliness. One doesn't kill himself because he feels there is no way out of his problems. One kills himself because he doesn't like the options that are before him to get out of the problem. It is so much easier to take your own life then it is to stand tall, with your sword drawn, and fight what you think will be a losing battle."
"But maybe suicide is the only option."
"You really believe that? That suicide is the only option?"
Brian thought for a minute and then looked down to the ground. "No."
"Brian, look at it this way. Say you give someone a very precious gift, something that means a lot to you. Then after awhile that person decides it's not worth having anymore and instead of giving that gift to someone else who could benefit from it, they destroy it. How would that make you feel?"
"Mad, I guess."
"That is what life is. A precious gift that was given to you. And when you commit suicide, you are destroying that gift basically telling the person who gave it to you that what they give you doesn't matter. You weren't given life just to destroy it because you ran into a few bumps in the road. You were given life to share with people, to give them something special, a piece of you that people will treasure always. Your love, your warmth, your friendship. But if you kill yourself, you're pretty much spitting in the face of those who love you. Is that the way you want to be remembered?"
"No, I guess not."
"I didn't think so," said Chaplain Kyle.
Trevor scurried down the corridor. He was wearing his long black T-shirt and his face was covered with "hawke" makeup. Time was running out. He turned the corner to see two figures emerge from sickbay. The taller figure had his arm around the shorter one and they headed into the opposite direction. The shorter figure was hobbling a bit and carried a cane.
"There he is," mumbled Trevor to himself. He ran quickly up to them. "Brian!! Wait up."
Brian and Chaplain Kyle stopped and turned around. "Trevor?"
"I've been looking all over for you. We launch in ten minutes."
"Well good luck. I am sure you will do great out there," said Brian.
"Don't you get it? You're coming with us."
"I am?"
"Brian, we need a science officer for the `Raptor' and you're just the guy for the job. After all, I did make you a Bird of Prey."
"Trevor, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but it won't work out. The other guys hate me and I would just cause more friction then what you guys need."
"I don't care what the other guys think. I am in charge, and what I say goes. Now you get your ass on the `Raptor' in five minutes, before you have to face the wrath of the Hawke." Trevor said it with great emotion and authority. He then headed back down the corridor to get ready himself.
Brian looked up at Chaplain Kyle.
"It's easier to run away then it is to face the problems head on."
"I know, but it's hard to fit in when no one wants you there to begin with."
"The Hawke wants you there."
"I know, but what if I let him down like I let all the guys on the fencing team down?"
"Brian, I will answer your question with a question. Is it better to try and fail, or fail to try?"
Trevor looked at the empty science station onboard the "Raptor". It was hard to believe that just a few short hours ago Stan was sitting on the cold, hard deck just below it. Trevor was thinking how all along Stan had been trying to hurt the overall mission of the Lexington, but his final act, that almost shattered all hopes completely, actually helped them all the more. The boys of Lady Lex wouldn't let Stan stop them in completing their mission.
"Looks like he isn't going to show," said Spencer in a `told you so' tone.
"He'll be here," assured Trevor.
"All systems are go. We have permission to detach," said Chandler the Falcon.
"Seal the hatch, Eagle," ordered Spencer.
Ian looked up at Trevor. He liked Brian just as much as Trevor did, and he wanted Brian to join them, but it didn't look like it was going to happen. Trevor let out a defeated sigh and nodded his head. Ian turned his attention to his station and pressed a button. The hatch began to close.
"Wait!!!" came a voice that was closing in on the moving hatch.
Trevor looked up and saw Brian half hobbling half running towards the hatch. Then the hatch closed with a thud. The monitor indicated that they had a tight seal and ready for launch.
"Phoenix, launch," ordered Spencer.
"Don't. Brian is out there. Ian open the hatch back up."
"Hawke, I am giving orders here. The `Raptor' is my shuttle, not yours. You are just in charge of the mission, not the craft. Now Dylan, launch the goddamn craft."
Brian looked out the porthole and saw the "Raptor" take off. If only he arrived earlier. He started blaming his crippled leg for being late. If he could have run like everyone else, he would have made it in time.
"I didn't want to do it anyway," said Brian trying to convince himself that without much success. Brian turned his back to the bulkhead and slid down to the deck, wishing he had arrived sooner. The entire time Trevor was pestering him to join the Birds of Prey he didn't want to do it. But now, it was different. Now when it wasn't his any more, he wanted it more then he knew. He wanted to be on that shuttle.
Brian's thoughts were interrupted by a loud banging and thud on the outside of the ship. Then the hatch he was sitting next to opened with a hiss. Brian looked up to see Trevor staring down at him.
"What are you sitting around for? We got a flag to capture."
Other then giving routine orders during the trip to the starting point, Spencer Harris didn't say a word. He sat in his chair so pissed that he kept quiet. He kept wondering how this little kid became in charge. He wanted to wring his neck for attempting to contact the bridge of the Lexington to inform them that he was relieving him of command of the "Raptor" if he didn't turn her around to go pick up Brian. "You might have won this battle, but I will win the war," said Spencer to himself.
Brian felt awkward and uneasy sitting at the science station. He wasn't sure if it was because four of the six Birds of Prey didn't like him and didn't want him there, or if it was because only a few hours ago Stan sat in this very chair, and now he was lying on a cold metal table in the morgue on board the Lexington, or maybe a little bit of both.
Brian stuck out like a sore thumb among the other "Raptor" crewmembers. He was the only one who wasn't wearing a long black T-shirt and make up on his face to look like a bird. He just worked his station wearing a plain white T-shirt, a pair of white sweat pants and shoes. Brian thought about wearing shorts, but he didn't want to show off his scars on his leg. It was bad enough that he couldn't hide the scars on his face.
"Game time!!" said Falcon as his game panel came to life.
"You know the plan, carry it out," ordered Spencer who was still sulking over what happened earlier. Trevor might not have taken away his position, but he did take away his authority. Sure he could still give orders and was in charge of the "Raptor"' but he had lost all sense of authority. No one would respect him as a shuttle commander again.
The Musketeers Wing zoomed through the vacuum of space. They had their orders to be the scout ships and they were determined to find the Kriton's flag beacon. They had no doubt they could find it; they did have some doubts if they could find it in time.
Brad Keenhole sat in his command chair onboard the "D'artagnan". His arrogant and confident attitude had gone up a few notches when his shuttle and wing captured the Monitor's flag earlier that day.
"Brad, I am picking up the Kriton's beacon signal," said Tyson, the weapons officer.
"You have it pin pointed?"
"Not yet, I am getting some strange interference."
"Gavin, see if you can determine what is causing that interference while Tyson tries to pinpoint the beacon."
"Aye Sir," said the Science officer.
"Conner, I am sending you coordinates to plot for Jerry. I know the beacon is in this general direction, but as soon as I find out the exact location, I will let you know," said Tyson.
Conner the Navigator acknowledged and went to work, feeding Jerry the Pilot the coordinates. Jerry pulled the shuttle around and started to head in the direction specified.
"I think I found out what is causing the interference. The signal seems to be traveling though some sort of disturbance in space," said Gavin.
"A jamming system?" asked Brad.
"I don't think so."
"Shit!! Brad, I figured out why I couldn't pinpoint the beacon. It's a decoy. It's not the right signal," said Tyson.
"Quick, Jerry turn her around."
But it was too late. Six Kriton vessels decloaked and fired immediately upon the four musketeers, causing each one to be put out of the game almost instantly after contact.
"We just lost the musketeers," said Brian, still feeling a little uneasy, even nauseous about being here.
"How many Kritons did they take out?" asked Trevor.
"None."
"None? Did they disable any at least?"
"According to the sensors, the Musketeers didn't even get a fire shot off."
"That's ridiculous!!" barked Spencer. "How can a whole wing be taken out without one of the shuttles getting off at least one shot."
"I don't know. Maybe they ran into some sort of trap or something and were caught off guard."
"I know Brad Keenhole and he is never caught off guard. No one gets the better of him," defended Spencer.
"Then why is he out?" is all Brian said. It was all that he needed to say. Spencer knew it was a point well taken.
"See if you can find out what happened." Spencer changing the topic.
"Douglas, I am picking up a faint beacon single from where the Musketeers went off line," said Nipper as he scanned his monitors.
"Musketeers, must have found the honey but ran into the swarm," said Douglas.
Ben looked at his readings and immediately began to head towards the signal. "Now let's go raid that swarm."
"Hold up Ben. We just can't just head in there half cocked. These read outs say that the Musketeers didn't get off any shots before being taken out. That's odd that something like that would happened."
"You think it's a trap?"
"I don't know, but we will proceed with caution. Nipper sent the Caulfied' and Buford' a message telling them to hold their position here while we go with the Fagin to investigate this."
"Ok."
"Condor, it looks like that the Wonder Boy' and Fagin' are heading into the same area where the Musketeers went down," said Dylan.
"Harrier, I want you to follow them, but stay a safe distance behind. If they are heading into a trap, I don't want to get caught in it too."
"Roger Dodger".
Ben sat there with his body being flooded with disappointment. One second, he saw space, the next second he was looking down the barrel of a Kriton shuttle and the second after that he was looking at space again, but this time dead in the water.
"I don't believe this. Aren't we ever going to get to play?" said Scottie in disgust.
"They're cloaked," said Douglas in disbelief.
"Not only that, but the beacon signal being transmitted is a fraud," said Nipper.
"There's no way we will be able to beat cloaked shuttles that are sending out bogus signals," said Jesse.
"And we didn't even come in third place for this event either," said Andrew who was getting depressed.
"Just because the `Wonder Boy' is done with the game, doesn't mean the others are," said Douglas, trying to hide his own disappointment.
"But figure the odds of us winning," said Nipper. "It's hopeless."
"You're forgetting one thing, Nipper," said Ben.
"What's that?"
"We still have seven shuttles out there and one of them is the `Raptor'."
"Pull back!!!" yelled Brian. "The `Wonder Boy' is under attack!!"
"We need to go in and help them!!" yelled Trevor.
"No, it's too late. Both the Wonder Boy' and Fagin' have been destroyed. They're out of the game."
"Damn it!!!" cursed Trevor under his breath.
"Harrier, I want you to fly in random pattern that takes us to where the others went down. The flag must be in that area," said Spencer.
"No!" said Brian.
"What?"
"Listen, I was monitoring the `Wonder Boy's' systems when they were attacked."
"Who told you to monitor their systems and why would you do that to begin with?" asked Spencer who was showing some frustration in his tone.
"I took it upon myself. I did it to piggyback them. I know our sensors can't reach as far as theirs, so I piggy backed off of them."
"Good job," said Trevor who shot Spencer a look as in "my choice is better then your choice" expression.
"The beacon signal that is being transmitted is not the true beacon signal. It is being transmitted from one of the Kriton Shuttles," said Brian.
"But there are no shuttles there,"
"Yes there are," confirmed Dylan. "They're cloaked."
"Cloaked? That's impossible."
"There are rumors that the Kritons were playing around with new technology.
Maybe they did find a means to cloak. If that is the case, we're screwed," said Falcon.
"How many shuttles are at that point where the others went down?" asked Trevor.
"According to the readings from the Wonder Boy, six total.
"Condor, the `Caulfied' is hailing us," said Dylan.
"Don't answer it. We can't give away our position," said Trevor.
"Aye,"
"Still nothing on the sensors, Bryce?" said Mike as he looked at the view screen of the `Caulfied' with a watchful eye, hoping to catch a glimpse of something that would help them out of this.
"Not that I can tell." This was Bryce's first day as Weapons Officer on the "Caulfied". When Stan was promoted to the Raptor, Mike had to chose someone who wasn't already assigned to a shuttle to fill in the empty spot. Of all the candidates, Bryce seemed the most qualified and had the most potential. Not to mention, Mike thought he was totally hot and sexy.
"What's your orders?" asked Eric, the pilot.
Mike thought for only a second. It he thought any longer then that he would get a severe migraine. "Proceed with caution, but fly a random pattern."
Eric slipped the "Caulfied" into gear and headed towards the direction where the other ships went down in a around and about way. The Buford followed suit in a defensive formation.
"Anything on sensors?" asked Mike.
"Just a faint signal of the beacon. I can't pinpoint it, but it is coming from the direction where the others went down."
"The beacon must be there then. Send a message to all remaining shuttles and give them the coordinates for the vicinity where the beacon is at. Tell them to run the Bowl of Grapes pattern."
"Aye Sir," said Carson. "What about the protectors?"
"Tell the Crippleshaw' and Moonduster' to stay behind to keep protecting our own flag, but send in the Gandolph' and Voldermort'."
"The Holmes', Medea', Sinbad', Crippleshaw', Moonduster', Gandolph', Vodlermort' and Seldon' all acknowledge your orders," said Carson.
"And the `Raptor'?"
"Not responding."
"I figured as much. They went silent running. Alright, Eric, take us in."
"Trevor, all but two of our shuttles are heading in to the dead zone," said Brian as he watched his monitors.
"We need to break off silence and warn them that it's a trap and the beacon isn't there," said Ian.
"We can't Ian. The Kriton's can't know that we know."
"Then why are we waiting around here?" said an impatient Kyle.
"To collect data," said Spencer. "I take it you are piggy backing the other shuttles?"
"Yes," said Brian who was keeping really busy, trying to keep track of all the information that was feeding into his station. "We just lost the Buford," said Brian.
"Same place as the others?"
"No, about 1500 kilometers from where the Musketeers went down."
"Did they fall for the false alarm?" asked Trevor.
"According to the readings, yes."
"Trevor, we really need to warn the others before it's too late," said Ian.
"Not yet Eagle. They are flying in a bowl of grapes pattern. So the Kritons can only knock out one shuttle at a time. Brian, keep monitoring see if you can find a way to beat their cloak."
"I think I found out a way," said Brian.
"What is it?"
"For both the Wonder Boy' and Buford', the beacon started when they were about 1000 kilometers from the dead zone when they picked up the false signal. Now the signal is surrounded by interference, no doubt caused from being cloaked."
"Are all the Kriton shuttles transmitting the false signal, or just one of them?" asked Trevor.
"I think only one ship, otherwise we would figure it out too soon that they are false signals," said Brian. "Wait! The Gandolph' and Voldermort' are going in from different directions. They both picked up the signal."
"They're toast," said Dylan.
"I'm crossing their signals and...there, the signal is coming from right about there!!" said Brian.
Trevor was smiling. "We got them!! Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead."
"Mike we getting an incoming transmission," said Carson. "From the `Raptor'."
"'The Raptor'? What are they saying?"
"That the beacon was found and all shuttles need to head for this point immediately. The Beacon is unprotected and we can go in with battle ports closed. But we must hurry because six Kriton shuttles are closing in on our own flag."
"Battle ports closed? Carson, what channel is the Raptor transmitting from?"
"An open broadcast channel."
"SHIT!!! Eric, full speed ahead and make it quick. Bryce, power up your weapons and stand by."
"But why? They said the beacon was unprotected and we can go in with our battle ports closed."
"Because we are about to face the enemy!!"
The "Gandolph" and "Voldermort" arrived in the same section from different angles about the same time. But before they realized what was happened, six Kriton shuttles were decloaking and firing upon them.
"TAKE THAT YOU KRITON SONS OF BITCHES!!!" yelled Dylan with a mischievous laugh. He aimed his weapons onto the decloaking shuttles and fired. Luck had it, that their shields weren't raised due to the transition of cloaking.
"The Voldermort' is destroyed," reported Brian. "But the Medea', Sinbad', and Caulfield' are joining in the action,"
"We got them!!" said Trevor. He knew when he told Mike to go in with battle ports closed Mike would know what he truly met.
"The Kritons just lost two shuttles and a third is severely damaged." Brian was watching the action from his monitors trying to do his part to help out with the current fight. "We just lost the Gandolph' and Medea', but the Holmes and `Seldon' just arrived."
"Evasive Maneuvers Harrier!!" ordered Spencer. "Blow those bastards out of the sky Phoenix."
"We just took a hit," said Ian. "We lost port shields. I'm diverting power from minor systems to shields now."
"Kriton's just lost two more shuttles," reported Brian. "The Sinbad is taking heavy casualties."
Out of no where four more Kriton shuttles decloaked and fired upon the Sinbad, thus putting her out of the game.
"Shit!! Four more Kriton shuttles just appeared and took out the Sinbad."
"Three," said Mike.
"What are you talking about?" asked Ryan who was working his ass off to fix the systems that keep getting shot down.
"Each team must have the same amount of shuttles in the games as their opponent to start. We had 13 shuttles. We took out four and are still fighting six. There are only three left. No doubt one or two of them are protecting their real beacon and the remainder are out pursuing our own beacon."
"Seven," said Ryan. Mike looked at him with a puzzled look. "There are seven shuttles unaccounted for."
"How do you figure?"
"We have four wings with four shuttles in each wing plus the Raptor. That's seventeen total."
"Shit, you're right. Donkeys were never good at math."
"Kritons just lost two more shuttles," said Carson.
"I'm not sure how much more she can handle mike," said Ryan as he thought this felt too real, and not just a simulation attack.
"I just intercepted a transmission," said Brian. He quickly did some calculations. "There!!! If I pinpointed these transmissions right, their beacon is in this area."
"That's on the other side of the field. You sure?" asked Trevor.
"I'm positive."
"Send the info to the `Caulfield'."
"Mike, the `Raptor' found the location of their beacon," said Carson.
"GOTCHA YOU MOTHER FUCKER!!!" screamed Bryce as he took out a Kriton shuttle.
"Any signs on the other seven shuttles?" asked Mike.
"I don't know about all seven of them, but there's five more."
"Holy Shit!!! Carson, it's time to play hockey. Send the message to have the goalies try to make the goal."
"We just lost the Seldon, but the Kritons lost three more," reported Brian.
"How're the other ships doing?" asked Trevor.
"The Holmes and Caulfield are taking on heavy casualties. The Crippleshaw' and Moonduster' are heading towards the beacon."
"GOT'EM" said Dylan. "Only four more to go."
"Make that two more, the "'aulfield' and `Holmes' each took one out."
"Mike, the Crippleshaw' and Moonduster' made it to the goal. They are under heavy fire," reported Carson.
"All they need to do is hit that flag just once."
"We just lost the Holmes."
"Shit, come on guys, we gotta beat those ugly sons of bitches."
"Kriton is down to one shuttle."
The "Caulfield" shook and lost power. "What happened? We out of the game?" asked Mike.
"We are not classified as destroyed if that's what you mean. We are just disabled," said Ryan.
"Well get us undisabled," ordered Mile
"What do you think I'm trying to do? Make you an omelet?"
"No, but that does sound good."
"The `Crippleshaw' is destroyed," said Carson. "Oh shit, the Kritons are coming in towards us for the kill."
"Damn, but at least we gave it a good shot," thought Mike to himself.
The lone Kriton shuttle stormed towards the disabled "Caulfield". Just as they took aim, they were taken out of the game by the "Raptor".
"The `Raptor' saved us."
"That's great news," said Mike. "How about the goal?"
"The `Moonduster' is destroyed. But they did manage to take out one of the two goalies."
"Ryan, how soon until we can get back in the fight?"
"I think the chances are better of you going to an all you can eat buffet, and the only thing you consume all night is a glass of water, then trying to get the `Caulfied' up and running again."
"Oh, that's not good."
"No, it's not."
"Carson, send a message to the `Raptor'. Tell them to proceed to the beacon and that they are on their own."
"Aye Sir."
"Trevor, we got problems," said Brian.
"What?"
"I am tracking that lone Kriton Shuttle. He left the building and is headed over to our place."
"He's trying to get to our flag before we get to theirs. Harrier, fly this thing like you never flew before."
"We don't have time Trevor. By the time we get to their beacon, they would have already gotten ours, regardless how fast we go."
"SHIT!!! I'm not about to come this far just to lose. There has to be a way to beat them."
"We can try to intercept them before they reach our beacon," suggested Brian.
"What are the chances?" asked Spencer.
"Slim, but better then if we would shoot for their beacon."
"Falcon, plot an intercept course for the Kriton Shuttle," ordered Trevor.
"No Hawke, we need to run for their flag," said Spencer.
"There's no time."
"Course plotted, but it's cutting too close for comfort," said Falcon.
"Plot a course for their flag," said Spencer.
"I already did Condor. We won't make it in time," assured Falcon.
"Harrier, floor it!!" ordered Trevor.
The "Raptor" soared through the darkness of space, trying to save their flag. The chance for them to win lay completely on their shoulders.
"Two minutes until intercept," said Brian.
"Come on Harrier, faster," said Trevor under his breath.
"The Kriton shuttle is powering up weapons,"
"Phoenix, prepare to fire on my word," said Spencer.
"We're not gonna make it in time, are we?" asked Ian to Brian.
Brian looked at Ian and shook his head to confirm the answer. They were so close to winning, yet so far.
"Harrier, adjust to these coordinates," said Spencer as he quickly typed them into his panel.
Falcon looked at the coordinates. "Condor!! That will.."
"I know, but it's all we can do to survive."
"How can we if we..."
"FIRE!!!" yelled Trevor and Spencer in unison.
The "Raptor" flew in between the Kriton shuttle and the beacon just as the Kriton fired upon the beacon. The Raptor took the hit for the beacon, but not before destroying the Kriton shuttle first.
"It's official, we're dead," said Brian. "But at least we saved our beacon."
"But there is no way we can win the game," said Ian.
"Sure there is," said Spencer. "We still have one shuttle left to capture their flag."
"What's the story Ryan? Can we get this thing going?" asked Mike.
"If I take all systems off line, which isn't many to begin with since most of them are blown out anyway, I can throw some thrust spurts that will take us to the beacon."
"Great, let's do it."
"Just one problem."
"What?"
"The weapons system is FUBAR."
"You get us there and we will find another way to capture the flag."
"How Mike?" asked Bryce.
"As soon as I figure it out, I will tell you."
Eric, Ryan, Cody and Carson watched out the window as they were floating in the void of space near the beacon. Ryan was able to get them there, but as predicted, the weapons systems was down hard.
"You think this will work?" asked Carson.
"If it doesn't then I don't know what we will do," said Ryan.
"There they are," pointed out Cody.
The four boys watched as two figures dressed in space suits and jet packs hurled towards the beacon. Once they were close enough, they both held out four phaser pistols, one in each hand. A small beam of light emitted out of the pistols. The game panel on the dashboard of the shuttle beeped and posted that the game was over because the Kriton's flag was captured.
"They did it!!" said Eric.
All the boys cheered. They did what they thought was the impossible. Bryce and Mike made it back to the shuttle. Ryan helped Mike off with his hood.
"Now, earlier you mentioned making me an omelet," smiled Mike.
All the shuttles were restored their power and made it back to the Lexington. The Raptor and the other shuttles docked. The boys flooded the hangers cheering and screaming with victory. They had beaten the Kritons and got to move on for the championship game.
Spencer went up to Brian. "Hey you."
Brian was all smiles and happy that they won. He was so glad he went along for the trip. "Hey Condor, we did it. We won."
"Don't Condor me. I don't care what you did out there. In my book, you're still not a Bird of Prey."
Spencer's harshness just ripped away all the victory glory from Brian in a single sweep. Brian was heartbroken. He wanted to cry. He thought he proved himself to everyone that he did have what it take to be a Bird of Prey. But he thought wrong.
Johnny Cooper entered the Hanger high fiving all the shuttles crew. "You guys were fucking outstanding. Wait until tomorrow's game. We are going to blow them out of the water."
"Hey Johnny, do we know who we are playing against yet for the title?" asked Douglas.
"Yeah, the `Orion'."
To Be Continued...