The "Bon Homme Richard" has been destroyed. Suddenly it's four Junior Academy Ships against ships of Kriton warriors. Not only that, but they have to make it through the wormhole. It's time for our boys to grow up even faster. Can their street smarts be enough to overcome inexperience? There will be thrills, chills, and sadness as the Battle of the Wormhole goes full force in this chapter written by Ben.
The Boys of Lady Lex Chapter 62 "Out of the Frying Pan" Written By Douglas DD and Benjamin T. Collins
Everyone on the bridge of the "Lexington" was stunned. None of them expected to see the ""Bon Homme Richard"" be blown into smithereens by one fatal shot.
"Good night, Watson," whispered Hatcher to himself. "Masters, evasive maneuvers. Go to one half impulse and take her into a dive." Kalon Masters quickly did as he was told.
"Captain, we are being hailed by the `Monitor'," said Commander Creevey.
"On screen!!" he bellowed.
The view of the Kriton fleet remained the same. Two warships and a science vessel were headed towards the wormhole. Four other warships were headed towards the academy ships, as two additional warships stood watch in between. In the corner an image of Captain Linyu-Wang appeared.
"Captain Hatcher, as senior officer in the fleet I am assuming command," said the Asian captain. "We mustn't let those ships enter the wormholes. You are the closest to them. Chase after them. The Gettysburg' and Orion' will take care of those three warships headed away. My ship will try to keep the two gate keepers occupied." The image of Linyu-Wang flickered some as The "Monitor" took a mild hit. "Good luck Captain and don't fail for, if we fail, the Earth will be doomed." His image disappeared.
"Ensign Masters set coordinates towards the wormhole and let's show those bastards who we are."
"Aye Sir," smiled Kalon as he pressed a button that started playing some hard rock music at his station. He slipped her into gear and started towards the wormhole.
"15 minutes until intercept," said Creevey.
"How soon until that science vessel enters the wormhole?"
"If my calculations are right, the wormhole isn't stable yet for a ship to enter. But it's hard to tell since we never dealt with something like this before. I estimate 20 minutes, but it could be shorter or longer."
"Captain, one of the guardians is headed our way," said Captain McDowell, the marine assistant chief of security. McDowell was acting Chief of Security and Weapons Officer since Major Zjan-Ren was still in sickbay recovering from what could have been fatal wounds.
"Ensign Masters prepare for a Heplong Dive, McDowell lock phasers onto their weapons. I don't know what they used on the "Bon Homme Richard" but no way in hell are they going to use that on us."
"30 seconds until target is in range," said McDowell. "20 seconds...15 seconds...10 seconds...9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,"
"FIRE!!!" barked Hatcher.
"When are we going to launch?" asked RJ who was sitting at his weapon's station on the "Fagin".
"When we get the command to launch," replied Travis, the shuttle commander.
Gary sat in the pilot seat ready to launch at a moments notice. His stomach muscles were tight and his palms were sweaty, but he was ready to rock and roll.
Tyler looked over at Greg. He could tell Greg wasn't handling this situation too well. He was white as a ghost and shaking. "You ok?" whispered Tyler.
"I just hope we don't have to launch and this will end soon," said Greg who was failing at holding back his tears of fright.
"We'll be fine. You are the best science officer for the shuttle and I am the best navigator. We have Travis and Gary and they are really good and Alan is a great engineer. We have nothing to fear," lied Tyler. He was just as scared as Greg was, but he didn't want to worry his best friend.
"You really think so?" asked Greg.
"Yeah," then Tyler thought for a second. "Here, wear this." Tyler took off a chain around his neck. On the chain was a small cello. "This will bring you good luck."
"I can't take your necklace."
"I'm not giving it to you. I'm just letting you borrow it."
"Oh, ok. You don't think we will die will you?"
"I told you, we will be fine. Plus you're wearing my lucky necklace. Nothing will happen to you."
Gary and Travis continued to watch the battle between two of the Kriton guardians against the "Monitor", "Orion" and "Gettysburg". There was firing all over the place. The battle had indeed begun.
"Bring us around, bring us around!!" yelled Captain Winters of the "Gettysburg".
"We have hull breaches on decks 15 thru 18 in section D," said LT White sitting at the damage control station. "Breach shields are holding."
"Weapons, fire at will!!" ordered Winters.
"Captain Hunter, the `Lexington' is under attack and the Science vessel is making its way towards the wormhole," said LT Stokes, the Science Officer for the "Orion".
"Launch the shuttles. Have them harass that Kriton ship so the `Lexington' can try to get away."
"Aye Sir!!! Shuttles are launching."
The "Lexington" shook as they took a hit from the Kriton guardian. The bridge started to smell of burnt wires with a smoky haze filling the bridge.
"Starboard Weapons off line!!" said McDowell.
The "Lexington" took another violent hit. It almost threw Commander Creevey from her station. "We lost impulse engines," said Kalon, who was working frantically to control the ship.
Hatcher pressed his com button on his command chair. "Hatcher to Engineering, report." There was no reply. "Engineering, report!!" Still nothing. "We've lost communications?"
"Affirmative Captain, I am trying to reestablish it," said LT Anderson, who was sitting at the Engineering station on the bridge.
"Come on old man, don't let me down. Give me power," muttered Hatcher to himself as if he was talking to Captain Storm.
"Captain seven minutes until the science vessel and its escorts enter the wormhole. The `Orion' is launching her shuttles," said Creevey.
"Give our shuttles a green light. Objective, stop that science vessel."
"Aye Sir," replied Creevey.
"Captain, the Kriton guardian is launching shuttles too,"
Hatcher watched the view screen as it was being filled with JSFA and Kriton shuttles. Some of them were already firing at will.
"GO!!" yelled Trevor with excitement caused by the adrenalin flowing through his veins. All six Birds of Prey, Brian included, were wearing their black shirts and make up. They were six boys with a mission and they weren't about to fail.
Kyle slipped the Raptor into gear and took off like a bat out of Hell. All the boys were ready for action. This is what they lived for. This is what their hearts and souls yearned for; excitement, chaos and danger. Most of the Birds of Prey loved living on the edge of things, and it had been too long since they had. And now they were back on the edge, juggling life like they did when they lived on the streets.
"The guardians are launching star fighters," said Brian as he monitored his station.
"I have some in sight," said Dylan, eager to fire his weapons.
"We don't have time to play with those assholes," said Spencer.
"Condor's right. Do what you have to do to keep them off of us. Our goal is that science vessel," said Trevor.
"Hang on, the fastest shuttle is about to burn space rubber," and with that Dylan floored it.
Trevor knew that the Raptor was once the fastest shuttle on the "Lexington", but since the Savoy Special became a part of the "Lexington", it bumped the Raptor down to second. Jake Masters modified his shuttle to travel fast. He had too. All smugglers did.
Greg felt his stomach wrap around his spine as the "Fagin" launched. He was already feeling sick to his stomach and this space travel wasn't helping matters any. He tried to take his mind off of his wooziness by focusing on his monitors.
"We got company," said Gary as he took a hard turn.
"RJ, do your thing," ordered Travis.
"With pleasure," smiled RJ. He immediately started firing at the on coming Kriton fighters.
"You missed all your targets," said Greg who was getting more worried by the second.
"Shit!! This is a lot different then in the capture the flags game."
The "Fagin" shook as it took a minor hit to the port side. Alan, the engineer, immediately started compensating for the light damage they had suffered. Sweat was poring off of Gary's brow as he tried to maneuver around the oncoming Kriton fighters.
"Here they come again," said Greg.
"I'm not gonna miss this time," said RJ.
"Tyler, I need coordinates for the wormhole," yelled Gary, who was trying to not lose control of the "Fagin".
"I'm working on it, but the wormhole is unstable and not giving me proper readouts to fix coordinates on."
"Here they come," yelled Greg.
"Ben, take us out now!!" Shouted Douglas. His order came out louder then anticipated. Ben took a deep breath and shot out of the hangar. There was a horrible screeching sound as Ben scraped across the entrance to the "Lexington".
"Shit!!" yelled Ben.
"You side swiped the `Lexington'," yelled Andrew.
"I didn't mean too. I am still trying to get used to her. She's a bit touchier then the `Wonder Boy'."
"Damage?" asked Douglas.
"It looks like just cosmetic damage," said Jesse who was working frantically at his station.
When they finally cleared the "Lexington", they were greeted by a welcoming committee of Kriton fighters. They could see that some of their sister shuttles were already engaged in dog fights.
"Douglas, it's a mad house out here. Everyone is engaged in battle," said Nipper.
Out of nervousness Andrew fired off a few rounds. They weren't close to anything, but he was overanxious.
"Andy, we aren't even close to a target," said Nipper.
"Sorry," said Andrew.
"Only fire when we have too. We have to conserve our power," said Douglas.
"The Raptor broke free of the swarm," said Nipper. "They are headed to the wormhole."
"Ben, start making your way to the wormhole. We can't lollygag around," said Douglas.
"I'm on it," said Ben.
"Incoming," yelled Nipper.
"Fire at will Andrew," ordered Douglas.
This time Andrew fired when the target was in range. Douglas watched the monitor at his station. The red blip that represented the Kriton fighter disappeared. Andrew just earned a notch in his kill belt.
"Way to go, Andrew," said Douglas.
Andrew smiled and giggled with glee. The reality of him killing lives hadn't hit him, yet.
"Nipper, patch me through to the `Fagin'," said Douglas.
Nipper quickly did as he was told. "Communications established."
"Travis, what's your situation?"
"We have one of these pesky bastards on our tail, but we will shake them."
Douglas could see them in the distance, flying to shake the Kriton fighter loose.
"Ben, go in and help out. We need the `Fagin' as our wing man."
"On it," said Ben. He quickly turned the shuttle around and headed towards the "Fagin".
"We're coming Travis. As soon as we nail that bastard, join us as our wingman and head to the wormhole."
"Roger that, we almost got..." The communication turned into static and the silence. Douglas's heart stopped and his stomach became sick as he saw the `Fagin' turn into a fiery ball and then nothing.
Andrew wasn't paying attention to what was happening outside. He was monitoring his station. He saw the red blip that represented the Kriton fighter that was chasing the "Fagin". He locked on target and he fired. He earned himself another kill.
"SHIT!!!" yelled Ben as he shifted the shuttle to avoid the flying debris of both the "Fagin" and the Kriton shuttle. There was some racking and thumping on the hull as they flew through the debris.
"I lost navigation," said Scottie.
"Shit, what happened?" asked Douglas.
"I think something knocked out our navigation dish when we hit the debris," said Jesse.
"We got to do something guys. I'm flying blind here."
"Nipper, are we clear of the swarm?" asked Douglas.
"Yes we are."
"Ben, stop here. Andrew, be on alert and fire on any approaching Kriton fighters. Jesse, we need to fix that navigation ASAP."
"I'm working on it," said Jesse.
"Nipper, get me communications with the Buford', Caulfied', and the Musketeers."
"Working on it," a few minutes later Nipper spoke up again. "They're all on Comm."
"We are dead in the water. You six need to head to the wormhole to stop that science vessel from going in. The raptor is on its way and they will need plenty of back up."
"You need us to cover you?" asked Mike over the comm. System.
"No, we will be ok."
"If you say so," said Mike. Mike knew better, but he also knew that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the one.
The "Caulfied", "Buford", "D'Artagnan", "Aramis", "Athos" and "Porthos" all headed to the wormhole while the "Moonduster", "Cape Crippleshaw", "Gandolph", "Voldermort", "Sherlock Holmes", "Medea", "Sinbad" and "Hari Seldon" stayed behind to give them cover.
"Jesse, our navigation?" asked Douglas hurriedly as he terminated the communications with the other shuttles.
"I got good news and bad news. The good news is that the dish is still intact. The bad news is that there is something hung up in it that is causing us to lose navigation."
"So what do we do?" asked Nipper.
"I go for a walk," said Jesse.
"You crazy!!!" said Scottie.
"There is no other way. I have to go out there and undo what ever is hung up on the dish."
"I'm going with you then," said Scottie.
"I will be ok, Scottie."
"You can't go out there by yourself."
"Scottie's right," said Douglas. "You need a buddy."
"It's a simple space walk. It should only take ten minutes. You throw another person out there and it will take longer. And time is something we don't have. Besides, I will be wearing my safety harness, so it's not like I will go floating off in space. Now, help me get into my suit."
Douglas knew Jesse was right. But he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. It was telling him that something wasn't right. A voice was talking to him, but he couldn't hear it. His mind was in a blur. He couldn't stop thinking about Travis, Gary, Tyler, Greg, RJ and Alan all losing their lives.
"We just lost the `Voldermor't," said Andrew.
Andrew's voice brought Douglas back to reality. "Alright, let's do it. Help him out."
"That's eight kills," said Rad, the weapons officer on the "Ramses". "Two more and I got double digits."
David sat in his command chair barking out orders. They had taken some damage, but nothing that was crippling. All in all they were holding their own. Mark was busy piloting, showing off the genes that he inherited from his father. Parker worked harder to keep damage to a minimum at the engineer station. Brandon, the Navigator, was working with Mark to show who the best shuttle was from the "Orion".
"The science vessel is entering the wormhole," said Rabbit the science officer.
"Status on the `Lexington' shuttles?" asked David.
"The Raptor' just entered the wormhole after the science vessel. The Buford', `Caulfield', and those musketeers shuttles are almost to the entry point," replied Rabbit.
"What about the `Savoy Special'?" asked David.
"They are dead in the water."
If someone was looking at David, they would have caught a glimpse of a smile. David was happy that Douglas was down. He might have shown them up in the capture the flag game, but when it came to a real battle, it was the "Ramses" who had what it takes.
"Brandon, set a course for the wormhole. They will need all the help they can get."
"Aye, Sir."
"Mark, take us there at full impulse. There is no time to waste."
"Not a problem," said Mark. He slipped her into gear and started towards the wormhole. But a part of his mind was on the "Savoy Special". What was wrong with her? Why was she dead in the water? Was Jesse ok?
Jesse looked through the little peephole in the hatch that lead into the cabin. He saw a worried Scottie on the other side. Scottie placed his hand on the small circular window and Jesse did the same with his space protective glove covered hand. There was a loud hissing sound as the outer hatch swooshed opened. Jesse took a deep breath and started crawling out to the skin of the ship.
"How's it going?" asked Douglas over the comm. System.
"I'm ok," said Jesse, whose heart was pounding heavily.
"Jesse, you need to slow down your breathing some," said a calm and collected Scottie.
"Ok," replied Jesse. He slowly climbed around the ship, making his way towards the navigation dish. "I see it. Something is hung up in our dish," He continued to climb the skin of the Savoy Special. "Looks like a piece of metal or something. The dish seems unharmed though." Jesse slowly made his way to navigation dish. He was breathing rapidly with excitement. Jesse grabbed onto the piece of metal and tried to pull himself closer to the dish, but he didn't budge. He pulled again and again and still he wasn't going any farther. He looked behind and saw that his harness was taut. He reached around with one hand and pulled on the safety harness, but it wouldn't give. He ran out of line. "Guys, I have a problem."
"What's wrong?" asked Douglas.
"My harness isn't long enough. I am about three feet from the dish."
"The `Gandolph' was just destroyed," Jesse heard Nipper say in the back ground.
"I'm disconnecting myself from the harness."
"Jesse, you can't. It's too dangerous," said Douglas.
"It's our only option. We don't have a lot of time here. It is just a matter of time until a Kriton fighter finds us and shoots us out of the sky. I'll be ok." Jesse unhooked his harness and fastened it to the skin of the shuttle, so he could reconnect himself once he accomplished his mission. He slowly crept the three feet that seemed like three miles to him, making sure he didn't lose his grip.
"I've made it to the dish. I can't tell what it is, but I am attempting to move it now."
"Ok, be careful," said Douglas over the comms.
Jesse reached down and grabbed onto the debris. He yanked and pulled, and it came loose. Jesse screamed when he realized that what he was pulling was not a piece of metal but a body, charred beyond recognition. Jesse was starring into a charred skull of one of his friends. Jesse pushed the body away and it broke apart and floated off. A necklace with a cello on it floated into Jesse's face shield. Jesse's heart began pounding more rapidly then it had before. The fright startled him, and caused him to lose his grip. Jesse just stared at the body floating away from him. He felt himself shaking like a leaf.
"Jesse?" yelled Douglas.
"I'm ok," said Jesse trying to convince himself more then Douglas. "I lost my grip and I am floating away." The sound of Douglas's voice brought him back to reality.
"We will rescue you," said Douglas.
Scottie frantically worked at his station. "It's not working. The navigation system is still off line. Damn! I knew I should have gone out there with him."
"It's ok, he is just floating. We'll get him," said Ben who was helping Scottie to get the system running again.
"Jesse, the navigation system is still not responding," said Douglas.
"Reboot the system. It will take about 5 minutes."
"He said reboot the system," said Douglas.
"Shit, there is no time for that," said Scottie.
"There is no other way. Let's do it," Said Ben.
Jesse could feel tears rolling down his cheeks as he tried to stay calm. The "Savoy Special" was growing smaller and smaller. But he had faith in his friends; that as soon as the navigation system was back online, they would save him.
"Umm Douglas, the two escort ships just entered the wormhole. It's starting to close," said Nipper.
"Shit!! Well it's up to them; there is nothing we can do about it without our navigation system."
"It's up and running!!" shouted Ben.
"Let's go get Jesse," said Scottie.
"Douglas, if we go get Jesse we won't make the wormhole. But if we go now, we can still make it before it closes."
"Fuck you, Nipper," said Scottie. "We are getting Jesse. No one is left behind."
"David, the wormhole is closing fast. We will never make it," said Rabbit.
"Mark, haul ass. We have to make it," said David.
"The `Savoy Special' is up and running again. But they have a crewmember floating away in space."
Mark quickly turned his head to Rabbit. "Who?"
"It's...It's...Jesse,"
"David, the coordinates are coming out right. We won't make it in time. We are too far away. The `Savoy Special' can make it if they leave now, but we won't be able to make it," said Brandon the navigator.
"Bull shit, we will make it."
Mark looked at the coordinates and the calculations. He knew the numbers didn't match. He took a deep breath and adjusted his course.
"Where the fuck are you going?" asked David.
"To rescue Jesse."
"The `Savoy Specia'l is taking care of that. Now get back on course."
"There is no time David. Contact the `Savoy Specia'l and tell them that they still can make it and we will rescue Jesse."
"I will do no such thing!"
"Look, Jesse saved my ass once and now, not is it only time to pay him back, but we can get one more shuttle through that wormhole before it closes. There is no way we will make it."
"I don't care if Jesse saved your ass or not. We are going in that wormhole."
"Like Hell we are. Look David, you left me on the Lexington' when I was captured." The other boys looked at him in disbelief. "That's right, I was captured. I didn't get injured and I didn't need aid from my brother. He stuck his ass on the line to cover mine. Well, I'm not going to be like you and leave someone behind, especially when there is no way we will make that wormhole. Look at the numbers David. It won't happen. Put your fuckin' ego in the air duct and flush it. I know this is all about Douglas on the Savoy Special'. Fuck Douglas. Do what is right. That will make you the better man for doing the right thing, despite your ego. But, if you don't, the hell with you. I'm still going to help rescue Jesse. He's my brother, and I'm not going to let him down. Not this time!"
David sat there, silent. He looked at the panel by his command chair. He let out a deep breath and softly he said "Rabbit, contact the `Savoy Specia'l. Tell them to advance to the wormhole. That we will save Jesse."
"Aye, Sir," said Rabbit.
"Douglas, we are being hailed by the `Ramses'," said Nipper. "They're telling us to advance to the wormhole and they will pick up Jesse."
"What?" asked Douglas in disbelief.
"They're saying that they can't make the wormhole before it closes, but we still have a chance if we leave Jesse behind."
"I told you, there is no way we will leave Jesse behind," said Scottie.
Douglas thought for a micro second. His heart and conscience were being torn in many directions. He wasn't sure if they would be of any help even if they did make the wormhole in time.
"If we don't go now, we won't make it," said Ben.
"Tell the `Ramses' to back off, we save our own crewmembers. We don't leave them behind like they do," insisted Scottie.
"Ben,"
"Yeah Douglas?"
"Take us to the wormhole."
"You're nuts?" yelled Scottie. "They'll probably let his ass get fried or something."
"I don't have time to argue this matter with you Scottie. Now shut up, and start doing your job," snapped Douglas.
This shocked everyone; that Douglas actually raised his tone.
"Hang on, it will be close, but I believe this puppy can do it." Ben slipped her into gear. The Savoy Special went faster and faster, the wormhole entrance became smaller and smaller. Ben could see a shuttle from the "Monitor" up ahead, trying to make the wormhole too, but she didn't have the speed of the Savoy Special. "OK guys, this is going to be close."
The "Savoy Special" zoomed through space like the boys never experienced before in such a small shuttle. Speed was a smuggler's main defense system; always trying to outrun those who wanted to capture you. Ben continued to give the shuttle more and more power. The shuttle began to vibrate rapidly. The wormhole was closing and getting smaller and smaller. Ben kept telling the "Savoy Special" to come on. Everyone held his breath, not sure if they were going to make it or not.
David watched the "Savoy Special" speed along and pass another shuttle. David knew that the "Monitor" shuttle would make it before they would have. But he still wished he wouldn't have backed down. The "Savoy Special" soon disappeared into the wormhole.
"The wormhole is collapsing," said Rabbit. "The `Monitor' shuttle isn't going to make it."
"Tell them to back off," yelled David.
"I am, but they're not listening." And with that, David saw the wormhole collapse on the monitor shuttle giving off a faint explosion. A horrible sinking feeling began in David's stomach. If he did his math right, he would have been neck and neck with that the shuttle if he hadn't changed his mind.
"Alright guys, let's prepare for a rescue," said David.
"David, we have two Kriton fighters coming after us," said Rad.
"There are your double digits, Rad. Fire at will," ordered David.
Harrison Wolfe finished sending the messages that had to be sent. He just hoped that they made it to their destination. He walked over to the window to see how the battle was going. As of now, no ship was lost except for the ""Bon Homme Richard"". But numerous shuttles had been destroyed wiping out young lives that had only just started. Wolfe figured that the pulse that destroyed that ship took more energy then the Kritons could muster in a short time. He then turned his attention to the wormhole. He saw the "Savoy Special" slip through as it collapsed on a "Monitor" shuttle.
"Earth's fate is now in the hands of children and law breakers."
To Be Continued...