This first part is odd, so if you're confused, tell me and I'll explain better.
"Mariva, this is Twister. Do you copy?"
"Twister, Mariva. Coming through loud and clear."
"Dynasty, this is Twister. Do you copy?"
"Twister, Dynasty. We read you."
"Quicklance, this is Twister. Do you copy?"
"Twister, Quicklance. We copy you."
"Cambion, this is Twister, code 9-4-Alpha-Green. Do you copy?"
"Twister, Cambion. 10-7-Zeta-Green, we copy."
"Command, this is Twister. We are just outside the Carrotan system. We have made contact with Cambion. Repeat, we have contact with Cambion."
"Copy, Twister. This is Command. Report in."
"This is escort frigate One Mariva. All in the green."
"This is troop carrier One Twister. We are good to go, repeat good to go. Troops have been up and running for three hours and ten minutes."
"This is troop carrier Two Quicklance. Ready to begin landing."
"Troop carrier Three Dynasty, ready to disembark any time."
"Cambion here, Wave One has landed. Repeat, Wave One has landed."
"This is Command. Cambion, you are authorized to return to Shellia any time. Repeat, return to Shellia."
"Copy, Command."
"Command, Twister. What are our orders?"
"This is Command. Carry on to Carrotus."
"Copy that, Command. Following course to Carrotus."
"Ah ... Captain? I think you'd better see this."
Captain Lyan of the CASD CSO 1 came over quickly.
"What is it?"
"The long range scanners indicate unauthorized craft entering Carrotan space, sir."
Lyan took one look at the scanners and went cold. He cursed softly and fluently under his breath for a full minute before he recalled himself.
"Lieutenant Niatan, what's the patrol craft closest to sector 19-D?"
A young rabbit looked up in surprise. "The Outrider, sir."
"Inform them of possible - probable - hostiles in the area. Tell them to send out a flight group to investigate. Commander Tyvak, I want all forces on standby. Got that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Sir, if I may inquire - " the first rabbit said nervously. Lyan spun.
"Think, man! The space lanes are closed!"
"Invasion?" the youngster whispered, sudden alarm in his eyes.
"Top marks; of course this is only a possibility. Commander, get me CASD Command."
"Right away, sir."
The image of a bored looking receptionist flickered on Lyan's screen.
"Carrotan Aerial and Spatial Defense."
"Captain Lyan of Carrotan Space Outpost One. We have a situation."
"Talio Leader, reporting."
"Hey, Lead, where ya been? You're late."
"The Commander detained me. You wanna tell me how far we are from our target, Four?"
"We'll be there in a few seconds."
"Excellent." Dyriana Taral, Talio Leader, sat back. The blue and silver feline was used to missions like these.
"Lead, we're entering the sector."
"Copy, Three. I've got a visual contact with our targets. Let's do a quick flyby and transmit our data back to the Outrider."
"Copy, Lead. I'm your wing."
"Copy that, Two. I count five, you?"
"Five here, too."
Dyria pulled her fighter ot the left, looping over the nearest vessel. Her scanners registered it as the Cambion, purpose and destination unknown.
"This is Three, my target is Quicklance, and her cargo is definitely troops!"
"Copy that, Five, I'm picking up the same thing on the Dynasty."
"This is Six. Twister is definitely carrying a small army."
"Copy that, Six, this is Ten. Mariva is deploying a screen of fighters, and is not carrying troops. She is definitely hostile."
"Got that, Ten. Seven, can you transmit the data to the Outrider and CSO 1?"
"Will do, Lead."
"This is Ten! I have Shellian starfighters firing on me!"
"Aw shoot. Ten, evade! Nine, cover him!"
"Copy that."
"Lead, this is Twelve. Dynasty is opening fire."
"Ditto for the rest of 'em, too. This isn't a convoy, it's a blasted army!"
"Fleet," Dyria corrected absently. "Talio Squad, engage enemy fighters. Outrider, this is Talio One. Do you copy?"
"Talio One, this is the Outrider. We copy and are on our way. CSO 1 is sending reinforcements."
"What are your orders, Outrider?"
"Take out as many fighters as you can, and stay alive until we get there."
"I copy. Talio One out."
EDIT: Forgot a small few sentences. Gah.
Last edited by Coppertop; Nov 28, 2003 at 11:26 AM.
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