With a few more keystrokes the Master Chief Fian Vel Steyr handed over whats left of the ship's system to the IPG.DroogNET as he was instructed. The lights on the bridge dimmed to nothingness as a remote crew took over, though the processors continued to hum as the IPG operators quickly got to consolidating and protecting the ship's databank for further study.
The Nepleslian let the blackness fall around him as he paused in a peaceful, silent self-reflection. Compared to the noise and bright flashing lights of combat, the darkness seemed to add a finality to the mission. Perhaps it was like the darkness of death adding a finality to life, which a good number of people on all sides today experienced... The marines, the Alder, the hostages, the pirates and the Mishhu. These deaths, while tragic, were unavoidable even on his watch, but the Vel Steyr had managed to keep these from nibbling at his sanity not with an empathetic outlook, but with the effort of keeping casualties as realistically low as possible and the knowledge that he too might buy the farm one day. As for the latter, he is grateful to the Maker for his continued survival.
There were a glowing pair of red dots that didn't belong amongst the console lights. Fian could see them filtered through the mesh of a grate, suspended on the wall on the far side of the room. With a quick spoken command the MC locked up his AIR-R and hurried outside the room, he had enough surprises for one mission.
Later...
While the MC wasn't paying attention, a connecting airlock-bridge has been established between the NSS Acadia and NSS Emden. In this the marines including their wounded were making their way back to their mothership, with some of the captive pirates and the remaining hostages in tow. Through the semi-transparent and flimsy looking bridge Fian could see a medical shuttle finally landing on the Acadia's deck after some great difficulty, fighter and shuttle capability were only added as an afterthought to the S1 design, and the Acadia lacked the add-ons that the late NSS Alder had that made it easier. Fian waved the mob through the tunnel for a while, and then grabbed the nearest enlisted he could find to do the waving, he still had matters to settle.
In the Emden's hangar bay, a few marines and pirates that were picking themselves up quickly redoubled their efforts and got out of the way as a black-painted shuttle flew in through the gap that Trey Penton made. The expert pilot executed a well rehearsed landing, hitting the reverse thrusters and the right moment and then plodding down firmly in the middle of the bay.
There was not a soul in sight as the shuttle's ramp came down, revealing a squad of NAX-A-1b Britva light Power Armor equipped IPG operatives led by a NIGHT2. The Britvas fanned out, taking up positions on all the doors and all the hatches in the bay. One had a weapon pointed at Trey while two stood at the sides of the Master Chief, waiting for the NIGHT2 to complete the triangle by looming over the front of the MC.
A trickle of sweat ran down Fian's temple, was he about to be arrested again? But after an antagonizing silence it seemed like they were waiting for him to say something. In the end, Fian piped up. "The level under us is not secure, we've still have knocked out POWs in the bunk rooms, my men are moving back to the Acadia with the hostages we have rescued so far and I think there is something you might be interested in the vents of the bridge."
At this the NIGHT2 signalled his men to move out and produce a number of wicked looking electrified sticks, and then he turned around to slap the MC on the shoulder. It wasn't at the level of force that said 'Move out of the way!' so Fian assumed that it was a congratulatory slap, but a Power-Assisted slap is still very painful. When the IPG had left the hangar the MC examined the palm-shaped imprint to find a small Data-Chip containing their next assignment and the schematics of a lot of new gear.
"Penton! Lets go!" The Vel Steyr called out while making his way back to the bridge.
