The Runner

Posted on Wed Mar 4th, 2020 @ 2:10am by Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen & Staff Warrant Officer Hana "8-Ball" Nakamura
Edited on on Wed Mar 4th, 2020 @ 2:16am

Mission: Mission 52: The Astral Winds
Location: Deep Space
Timeline: 1100Hrs - December 8th, 2391

Rachael Yamaguchi was adjusting to life as she found herself being called 'Ripcord' instead of 'Firebird' which was the callsign that she had come to prefer, this only added to her anger over recent events. However Ripcord and Eight Ball were presently on a routine patrol. They were clearing out another empty system along the Neutral Zone.

"Oh, this is so boring." Eight Ball looked at her sensors.

Ripcord responded. "Keep your eyes peeled Eight Ball... I don't like this..."

"Wait, I have disrupter fire at two o'clock!" Eight Ball stated.

Then several Scorpion class Romulan fighters turned the back side of a planet. One fighter was out in front. It was dodging wildly as the other fighters tried to hit it with gunfire.

"What do you make of that?" Eight Ball asked Rachael.

Ripcord narrowed her eyes. "Mmmm... I have no idea..." she responded. "Where is that happening?" as she regarded the display before her.

"It's happening very near us." Eight Ball replied. "We can be there in a couple of minutes."

"Alright... Lets head on over that way then.... You got lead. I'm your wing." Ripcord responded.

"Roger that." Eight Ball told her.

The two fighters sped towards the Romulan fighters. In the distance they could see about six fighters in the rear trying to shoot a Romulan fighter towards the front. The fighter was zig zagging wildly. Then, a shot grazed the fighter and the fighter started to move more randomly.

"What should we do?" Eight Ball asked Rachael.

"Move in closer.." she paused. "Let me hail them..." Ripcord responded quietly. "We need more information." she paused as she tapped the com. "Attention Romulan fighters... you are committing acts of aggression inside Federation space... either break off or we'll drive you out."

"Stay out of this Star Fleet. "One of the fighters warned. "She is a traitor and none of your concern."

"This is Decurion t'Tahn." A female voice came over the comm. "I wish to defect to the Federation."

"Are guess we are committed to a fight?" Eight Ball asked.

Ripcord paused, she was out of her league but that didn't show in her voice. "Romulan pilots, break off and withdraw at once... you are violating Federation space and have committed hostile acts while in Federation space... Decurion... Head towards our position."

The lone, wounded fighter headed towards the Star Fleet fighters. The others were still giving chase and shooting.

"I don't think she can last much longer." Eight Ball stated.

"Alright... Eight Ball... move in and kill them.." Ripcord sighed softly as she switched to warheads. "Going for a missile lock on the lead guy. Target the flanker..." she said quietly before her targeting system went red. indicating a solid lock before she fired off two warhead, one of which was decoyed away but the second turned the Romulan into an expanding gas cloud.

Three of the fighters broke of pursuit to go after Ripcord and Eight Ball. Not wasting time, Eight Ball opened up with her phasers and shot up the Romulan flanker. One fighter was left chasing the defector while the other three were on the girls.

"Alright, lets try to get behind them." Eight Ball told Ripcord .

"We're outnumbered.... but we got better ships.." as she swung her nose about before she opened fire with her phasers, demolishing her second kill then she turned back to her original heading. "Watch it, you got a bandit going for a missile lock on you." Ripcord responded as a warhead shot past her, her eyes blinked as she snapped her stick to the right to evade.

"Good shot Ripcord!" Eight Ball shouted over the comm.

Another Romulan Scorpion pulled in behind Eight Ball. She drifted her fighter back and forth evading as the Scorpion fired on her. She finally maneuvered behind the Scorpion and fired off a micro torp. The Scorpion exploded. The last two Romulans broke contact and ran.

Ripcord smiled. "Thanks... Thats two each." she turned her attention back to the Romulan pilot between her and Eight ball. "Romulan Pilot... What exactly was all this about?" she asked over a secure channel.

"Than.." Static "Saved my li..." Static "Fighter not..." Static "ing correctly. Need a ..." Static.

Any visual inspection of the fighter it would be obvious that it had been damaged.

"Do want me to tow it back or do you want the honors?" Eight Ball asked.

"I'll tow it..." Ripcord responded. "Keep us covered." she added as she turned her attention back to the Romulan. "Shut down your engines... I'm going to take you under tow."

"Got you covered." Eight ball replied. "I'll call in a flash report. I'm sure command will be thrilled." She added in a sarcastic tone.

The Scorpions drives shut down. Given the damage to the fighter it is unclear if it was intentional.

Ripcord sighed softly. "Well this patrol got.... downright... cruel." she let out a soft sigh.