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RP: 21st Fighter Sq [Mission 8.1] A call for help

"Sounds simple enough..."

Alec responded to Atsui's plan. Mentally reviewing what he knew about the Vampire ships he pushed his Kawarime forward towards the Freighter. Figuring out where the Vampires came from was easy enough from him to deduce. Most likely pirates if anything. In a low traffic system at the edge of known space like Saiki it was hard to keep the peace. Coming out of a war the Empire was under staffed and forced to divert their supplies to many places. The Second Expeditionary Fleet had a hard time with both of those since its founding. With the war having finally wound down things hadn't gotten any easier. Pirates and other vagrants thrived in situations like these and Alec had no doubts in his mind these weren't the only ones operating in this system.

Mentally shaking his head and refocusing, Alec adjusted his grip on his controls while following the holographic display of the Vampires and the two small Clan ships. The different colors danced off of the front of his flight helm's visor, giving his face a slightly blue color.

Alec wanted to be scared, felt he should be scared. Yet a part of his mind began to detach from the fear, much like when he first learned to fly. It wasn't a lack of realizing the gravity of the situation, he was fully aware of the possible consequences . Well as aware as a rookie pilot could be any how. Rather it was an instinct that kicked in, an instinct that accepted the fear and forced his mind to rationalize around it. He could or could not die in this encounter, a fact that was even more real due to him not having a memory back up. His worrying over the possible consequences didn't change that. He had to push himself past it, to go through it because, because.....well he didn't know why. The reasoning that drove him some lost aspect of primal instinct that lacked any true logic. Only definable in the fact that he some how, in some way worked it out that it was the only way he could increase his chances of survival. It was what allowed him to be in the cockpit at that moment. Its what allowed him to excel at flight school, pushing himself harder and farther than everyone else. This strange, irrational reasoning that in order to survive he had to push himself farther. Take the fear, acknowledge it then push past it.

"Solitaire coming up on the Freighter now."

His eyes narrowed as he focused on the incoming Freighter. Finally the larger ship dwarfed most of Alec's visuals as he lead his fighter around it, letting his eyes and his ship's computer asses the damage.
 
As the Kawarime approached the Sessou it was clear that the ship had taken quite a beating. There was plasma venting from several places in the hull. Two of the externally mounted turbo plasma drives were heavily damaged and most likely in operative. Four of the emergency covers for the Ge-X3300 - Type 33 Escape Pods had been deployed but the pods were still in their berths. Two of the berths were empty so at least to of the escape pods had successfully deployed.

As they approached firing range, they saw the second Vampire fire at volley of Pulse cannons at the stricken craft. The ship went into an uncontrolled roll when the section of ship struck vented into space.

"Solitaire to Diamonds, Engaging the lower Vampire. Cannons firing. Make sure you do not hit the Clan vessels." She said across the comm as a stream of aether bolts streaked away from her fighter to the civilian craft."
 
All right time to get started then.

Alec felt the adrenaline flow through his system as the combat order was given. Adjusting his grip on the controls he adjusted his shoulders and felt the cockpit's harness tighten. Letting a sly, nervous grin cross his face he replied to Atsui.

"Solitaire this is Wild Card. I'm moving in to engage the second Vampire, this wont take long."

His reply sounded good and confident, he just hoped he could follow through just as well. Throwing caution to the wind and letting instinct take over, Alec began to move in. He flipped his Kawarime to be inverted and kicked the fighter to full speed, the V8 shooting forward like a bullet as it sped through space. Alec felt the pressure sink him into his seat as he let his eyes adjust to track his upcoming target. Coming around above the Vampire, Alec moved his V8 down into a dive, performing a slightly modified swoop maneuver. The pressure built up even further as his fighter dived, his eyes tracking the Vampires aether drives. A few seconds before he shot passed the patrol craft he pulled the trigger on his primary weapons, his turbo aether cannons flashing as they fired. He had only a few seconds, letting training and instinct guide him to adjust and compensate for his speed and the angle of the patrol craft to simultaneously guide his shots to both aether drives as well as veer his fighter around into a zoom climb upon completing his pass. Upon reaching a sufficient distance he flipped the V8 to be inverted again and did a fly by in order to both inspect damage of the Vampire and position himself for another attack.
 
Alec and Atsui's assault on the Vampire had definitely wounded the Vampire. Their cannons has pierced the hull of the ship in several places. From the largest rents in the hull that the fighters had made, plumes of plasma and debris were being ejected. The pirate ship was starting to yaw from the explosive outgassing. The engines of the craft started firing in an attempt to alter the ship's position and attitude.

"Good shooting Wild Card, let's make a second run and target the engines. Once she's dead in the water she won't be a threat any longer." Atsui sent.
 
"Roger that Solitaire."

Alec maneuvered his V8 for another swoop. Placing himself above the rear section of the Vampire before diving, Alec made sure to key in visually on the engines. Allowing only a moment of pause, Alec pushed on the controls of the Kawarime, sending it into a dive. The pressure pushing him into his flight seat as the enemy ship began to grow through the view of his canopy. Just like before he waited till the right moment for optimal shooting, keeping the engines in his site.

Got you now.

Right as he came upon the patrol craft he unleashed his aether cannons right on the engines, first targeting the left then the right. His eyes maintaining contact with the targets as he mentally made calculations in order to compensate for speed, angle and distance between the two engines. Shooting past the patrol craft, Alec's V8 moved into a zoom climb in order to re-position himself for yet another attack if necessary.
 
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As Alec surged towards the Vampire multiple Superconductor mobile gun turrets on the top of the craft opened fire unleashing a torrent of destructive energy towards the fighters. The Kawarime shielding flared from the barrage and started dropping rapidly. As he shot past a number of the bolts succeeded in piercing the shields damage indicators started showing on his HUD. One of his plasma cannons was damaged only 50 percent operational. His shields were down to 15 percent, but starting to recharge.

Atsui had followed Alec on his attack run, she had been expecting the pirate ship to try something and was not surprised. She switched her targeting from the engines to the now active turrets. This was what she had anticipated and within seconds she had neutralized the turrets. A quick check showed that Alec's attacks had damaged the engines enough that the ship was effectively dead in space. Especially when a section of the engine area exploded.

She took a moment to look at her HUD. Shields were recharging, minor damage to the hull, and wings. Her left engine was down by fifteen percent. She made an adjustment to the controls to balance the engines.
 
Alec started flying through his checks as he went through the indicators on his HUD to find out how bad the damage was. Silently cursing himself for his carelessness and sloppy flying he then made a check on Atsui's ship. Seeing she too suffered some damage from that last attack he mentally face palmed. After he was done Alec radioed Atsui.

"Solitaire this is Wild Card. I just finished checking the damage to my Kawarime. I'm still flyable over here...."

Alec paused for a moment, his pride slightly damaged. He sighed to himself before continuing.

".....Solitaire umm sorry about that last run. I was careless. I should have coordinated with you before attacking."

Idiot!

Alec thought before halting that line of thinking and mentally chided himself.

Hey enough of this, now isn't the time! Get your shit together Alec! Think!

Getting himself out of his mental funk, he shook it all off with a smile. Allowing himself to start thinking clearly once again he noticed the three Clan ships still engaged with the other Vampire. Weighing their options and the conditions of their V8 Kawarimes Alec began to develop a strategy. Thoroughly satisfied that the strategy was perfectly crazy and dangerous he shot it by Atsui.

"Okay Solitaire I think I got a plan for this next Vampire. I say we come in at first in a classic Combat Spread, you fly perch I will fly defender. I'll go forward, ahead of the Vampire and then pull an Immelmann. It's a maneuver that makes sense in this situation and if they know anything about fighter maneuvers they will know it and set their cannons and turrets up on me. This should open them up from behind so you can take out their engines. I'll take out as many of their defenses as I can while still trying to stay in one piece."

Alec made a grimace that looked close to a smile at the tactically effective and slightly crazy plan he came up. It would be tight and everything would have to fit together right. But Atsui was one hell of a pilot and he knew he could count on her to take those engines out in time.

"What do you say Solitaire? You up for this?"
 
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Atsui listened to the suggestion made by Alec. It was audacious, but it was nothing she had not done in her early days.

"Okay Wild Card, we will give your plan a try. Just make sure to focus your shield energy towards the Vampire, to compensate for them being weakened and shift it when you pass. Let's take out that second vessel."
 
"You got it Solitaire, let’s set this up then."


Alec steered his Kawarime into a classic Combat Spread formation with Atsui. His V8 set itself up about one mile horizontal and around 457 meters (1500 ft.) vertical from Atsui's, giving her a clear vantage above him from the 'perch' position. The Combat Spread served the tactic of having Alec fly 'defender' a position which would have him lure out the enemy for his wingman, so that they may find an opportune time to engage them. Now that they were in position it was time for Alec to move in. He looked out his canopy at the battle that was being waged between the Clan ships and the Vampire. This was going to be a tight maneuver, everything had to fall into place just right. A cold shot of fear started to try and shoot through his system. Alec took a deep breath and slowly blew it out as if performing a ritual that would expel his trepidation. He looked at the meter that displayed his recharging shields in his cockpit. They were only at 35% but were still rising slowly. He knew a maneuver like this shouldn't even be tried unless your shields were at 60%. There wasn't time to turn back however. He knew this time he had to make his flying flawless, to be the ace pilot he so aspired to become. 'Fake it till you make it' his brother would say. With one last slowly exhaled breath Alec tightened his grip on the Kawarime's controls.


"Solitaire this is Wild Card....I'm moving in. Commencing attack run."


Alec increased the throttle on the V8, sending it shooting towards the Vampire. His hands moved deftly over the controls as he set the maximum charged capacity of his shields to the front of his ship. His fighter zipped by, the distant stars nothing but white streaks outside of his canopy. As he came along the rear of the Vampire, he kept himself low. He could see its superconductor mobile gun turrets where already in use. Waiting to be an appropriate distance to the patrol ship, Alec urged his fighter to rise. In order to make this plan work he had to make this attack run and the next look deliberate but frantic. The damage on his craft had to make it look as though he were very green and following text book maneuvers. Essentially that he was panicking and trying to let his training take over. The fact that the attack run was also supposed to be effective had to look a matter of chance with a mix of desperate. Which oddly enough it was in a way.


Well here goes nothing.


Alec thought while getting into position. As his V8 rose to be parallel with the Vampire, Alec flipped open his trigger cover and squeezed the trigger. Teal aether flashes shot out of the front of his fighter towards the patrol craft. He was targeting the turrets that were near the rear section of the ship first since they would pose the most danger to Atsui when she attacked the engines. He made sure that he only properly targeted them every couple of volleys in order to make the shots look desperate and sloppy.


Alec shot past the vampire, working the controls to move the focus of his shields around to the rear of his fighter as he did. He then positioned himself for the Immelmann. The maneuver traded speed for altitude, having his V8 Kawarime perform the first part of a loop. Alec maintained eye contact on the Vampire as he did the turn. The patrol craft was suddenly both above and ahead of him as his fighter became fully inverted. He then shifted the fighter to a roll so that it was once again in the upright position. Now that he was both above and in front of the pirate ship it was time for him to engage in the second and most dangerous part of the plan.


Keeping with the same strategy he implemented when approaching the patrol craft from behind he began to place some sloppy shots in order to conceal his well-placed ones. Due to performing the Immelmann Alec's V8 suffered a great reduction in speed. He knew he would be unable to fully recover it by the time the Vampire's weapon systems locked onto him. He opted instead to pull something slightly more crazy but with a chance of success. He focused all of his shields to the front of the V8. Knowing that an incoming retaliatory attack was imminent he 'revealed his hand' so to speak on this gamble of a plan. He started by launching a Ke-Z1 anti-ship torpedo at the Vampire's medium positron cannon. This served two purposes. The first was that the positron cannon served the highest danger to both the freighter and the main Clan ship. The second was that the Vampire would have to focus some of its weapon systems on the torpedo in order to try and shoot it down before it hit. Taking advantage of this Alec used the Ke-T8-W3103 countermeasure module installed on his craft in order to create and area in front of his fighter that would hopefully make it harder to target him.


He finally began to engage the patrol craft head on. Alec's aether cannons began to flash as the bolts streamed towards ship in his attack, doing his best to cripple the Vampire's combined pulse cannons as well as its defensive turrets. At this particular moment Alec was on. He put all of his up to this point developed skill and talent towards handling the fighter in its VTOL mode, using the maneuvering thrusters to move him in all direction in order to try and avoid the incoming attacks. He hoped his strategy succeeded in making him as big a target as possible so that when Atsui moved in she would be all but invisible. There was nothing else he could do now but hang onto the attack and hope that his gamble worked. Feeling the desperateness of the situation really hit him Alec screamed in retaliation at the pirate ship.


"AHHH!!! COME ON ASSHOLES!!! COME AND GET IT!!!
 
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Atsui followed Alec wanting to see how he went about initiating his plan. She knew of the particular maneuver, but it was better applied when operating in a gravity well, with atmosphere. Here in the deep of space she watched Alec's fighter come screaming out of the maneuver at far more velocity than it would have planet side. She gave the boy credit that he did not pile drive his Kawarime into the Vampire, and his unexpected move and higher speed kept the ship's fire well away from him.

She made her attack run at an oblique angle to Alec's and flying at max speed. She was in her domain, she fired bolts at the engines with surgical precision. She did not need to check, where she aimed, she hit. The results were satisfying, as the explosions burst forth from the Vampire's propulsion. As she streaked by she idled her engines and flipped the Kawarime on its nose so that as inertia carried her away she was still pointing with her cannons.

Seeing the engines ablaze as it were, she took to strafing the side of vampire with her cannons. Watching them cut a swath of destruction on the craft.

She also noted the Alec's cannons were blazing and in a matter of moments the vampire exploded from within. Secondary and tertiary explosions ripped through the hull and the craft was then just a mass of debris and a dissipating sphere of plasma.

"He is not going to hurt anyone, form up and let's see if the Clan or the Freighter needs our attention." she said
 
"Whooo! That was some nice shooting Solitaire!"

Alec watched as the patrol ship exploded. Atsui was right, he wouldn't be a problem anymore. He took a moment to scan the battlefield, albeit it was small but it was his first. He felt good, no great. It was his first mission and it seemed to have finished off with success. Responding to Atsui's order Alec began to lead his V8 into formation.

"Solitaire I'm formed up on you."

This mission went great. He couldn't help but think that if the rest of his missions went this way he would be an ace in no time. The thoughts of possible future glory and the rewards that would go with this one swam through his mind. Then Alec began to wonder if this good feeling he felt was how his brother Arron felt on his first mission. These thoughts cut through his elation like a knife, sobering him up pretty quickly. He couldn't help but think of his older brother every time he got into the cockpit. The thoughts were always bittersweet, mixed with his easy voice and advice while simultaneously reminding Alec that he was no longer there.

Mentally shaking himself Alec cut out all those background thoughts. He didn't need to be thinking like this now, plus the mission wasn't over yet. Feeling the need to do something Alec decided to use a broad channel hail to the freighter and the clan ships for Atsui. She was his CO and she had done more than enough this mission. Alec figured he could handle this for her. Setting his radio to the proper frequency Alec began the message.

"Poku Degonjo Saeruo vessel and Sessou-Class Freighter, this is Star Army of Yamatai 2X-F21 pilot 0203, Wild Card. We came to provide assistance in response to a distress beacon. Do either of your ships or crew require aide over?
 
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The first response came from the Sessou-Class. A female voice whose voice had a gravely context probably from having to breath smoke. "This is the ISC Eminence, a privately owned freighter out of Kohana City. I am the Captain Jada Li. We were headed to Daichi after checking out a few worlds for anything interesting. We have injured but no fatalities. Several compartments have vented to vacuum. Our main power is currently offline, but our engineer believes he can get it back online."

A moment later from the other craft came a message in Trade. "We are the Hunter ship called Blood Moon under the command of Waoka Kamgiq. We have fought this scum vermin in accordance with the Treaty between our people. Do you wish to place a claim on the kills."
 
Alec listened to the responses from both vessels. He found himself really paying attention to the different accent and they way the commander of the Clan ship pronounced their name. He had always enjoyed new languages even since he was little. He found you could tell a lot about a language just listening to how it pronounced its names. He keyed over a private message to Atsui over their radios.

"Ma'am I am going to call this in with the Heitan and see if they can send a repair team as well as a medical team over to help the Eminence with its repairs."

Alec switched over to his V8's computer and sent the message back to the Heitan's bridge. He then radioed back to Captain Jada Li.

"Captain Li this is Wild Card. I have sent in a situation report with the YSS Heitan. They will be sending over a shuttle with a repair team and a medical team in order to help get you going. You guys just hang tight there. We'll keep patrolling the area till we know you are good to go over."

Alec then switched over to the Clan ship known as Blood Moon.

"Blood Moon this is Wild Card. Thank you for the assistance with the...vermin scum. We greatly appreciate it."

Alec pondered it over and listened to the Clan member's choice of speech. What little he could determine they were a warrior culture. Best to try and relate as well as empathize with the culture in order to facilitate good relations between their peoples.

"We will claim these kills. It was good hunting with you. Perhaps next time we hunt together it will be with a more worthy adversary."

Alec said it while thinking it. He then realized that he perhaps should have run this by Atsui first. Realizing how deep he could be in it here he silently hoped he said the right thing. He then switched back to a private message with Atsui. He felt himself wanting to wince as he realized he had completely jumped the gun with this situation. It was an aspect of his personality that he had always had. Alec just naturally took charge in situations. He was never to under cut anyone or to cause disrespect. It was just a natural reflex, a part of his personality.

"Umm Solitaire...I uh. I kind of jumped out of my pay grade there, sorry about that. I know what you are going to say, I should have talked it over with you first. I....there isn't a good excuse for it ma'am. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

Alec then waited silently for the admonishment he was certain was coming his way.

Way to go idiot.
 
Atsui counted to ten, then counted to ten three more times before she activated her transmitter. She was livid at no only his presumption, but wondered what kind of political mess he just made for her. She keyed the communications system to encrypt so only his fighter would be able to decrypt it.

"Wild Card. Right now about the only thing keeping me from ordering your Kawarime to eject your sorry butt into space and return to the Heitan. That is the amount of paper work I would have to fill out. There is a very good reason why the Star Army leaves interaction with new races to senior members. You were fine when you requested assistance for the Eminence. That is where you should have kept your damn mouth shut.

You see Officers and other who have been in the service awhile receive briefings on how to deal with our new allies. New alliances require care in every encounter. The Poku Degonjo Saeruo have a very direct way of dealing with things. If they attack a ship and disable it, or kill it. It is theirs to claim and salvage. Which is important to them, because processed materials and cargo are valuable commodities.

They also have a very strong sense about sharing with those who help.

So when the commander of the Blood Moon asked if we wanted to place a claim on the kills. That meant did we want a share of the spoils. Which by the way as members of the Star Army we would not accept. But you in your infinite wisdom, and obviously still on a major adrenaline high, say we claim the kills. You idiot, you just told them after they fought the pirates before we got here, rendering aid to civilians that we want all of it. That leaves them two choices, if they accept that, their commander loses face. If he decides to take offense, he kills us and takes the salvage.

Perhaps you failed to notice that is a Wings of Hawk - Class Ship in our language. With fire power comparable to a Plumeria-Class and we are just two fighters. Stay off the open communication channel while I try to resolve this." she said.

She opened the open communications channel. "Tin-Ta'a Waoka Kamgiq. I am Numa Atsui-Shosa, Tin-Ta'a for the YSS Heitan. Please disregard the foolish words of my subordinate. He will be disciplined upon returning to our ship. In his defense it was his first time in true battle, I fear the rush has caused him to behave foolishly.

These kills belong to the Blood Moon, Star Army of Yamatai places no claim upon them. For in truth, those of us in the Star Army of Yamatai are not permitted to accept such a generous offer."

Atsui waited for a response. After a minute or so, the Blood Moon signaled.

"Tin-Ta'a Numa Atsui, I accept your words, and assurance that your subordinate will be dealt with appropriately. It has been a good to help protect our allies citizens. Perhaps sometime the Heitan will come into our territory and we may show you our hospitality. Our
Wadâmo'a-Class ships will be here shortly. They will collect the wreckage. If any of the scum vermin survived. Shall we turn them over to you or deal with them in our ways?" came the voice of the Blood Moon's commander.

Atsui keyed her communications, "If your ships arrive and find any pirates who have survived. They may be transferred to our Search and Rescue ship. Otherwise their fates are in your hands."

She opened the squadron channel. "Start your calculations for a return course to the Heitan Wild Card. We will pull out once the YSS Naoshi arrives."
 
Alec winced as Atsui's comments thoroughly dressed him down. He knew he was in big trouble and wasn't looking forward to landing on the Heitan. Images of what would happen to him raced through his mind. In one he is relieved of his flight wings and kicked out of the Star Army. In another Atsui keeps him on but reduces him to a new rate, that of the Star Army Janitor. When he questions that he believed it was usually robots who did this work Atsui curtly replies that this new rate is reserved for those who are below robots and automated systems. From there the images got worse and more degrading. The one thing they all had in common was they were all bad.

This wasn't the first time his 'assume control' impulses had gotten him into trouble. It had often been his trouble with some of the instructors at the flight academy. He was a Santo Hei that acted like a Taii was often the remarks that were said about him. He knew he needed to get it under control but it was just something that seemed to happen with him during the heat of the moment. He didn't freeze up like most recruits, which was a problem.

Alec made sure to listen to everything she said. When she mentioned the cultural beliefs and codes of the Poku Degonjo Saeruo and how they handle joint operations Alec couldn't help but think.

Weren't we the ones that did all the disabling and killing?

He quickly gave up on that line of thought. He knew it would only serve to get him in more trouble then he already was and make that Janitor rate all the more likely. He knew instead there was only one thing he could do right now.

"Yes ma'am...."

Alec then began keying in the coordinates for the dreaded return trip to the Heitan.
 
As Alec was preparing for his return trip. The civilian ship signaled, "Star Army fighters this is the Eminence. We will leave a gift for the two of you on with the S&R vessel. A bottle of fine Nepleslian whiskey for each of you. We have already offered the Blood Moon a case for taking care of the other four ships by themselves. If you are ever on leave and we are in port, give us a call and we will get you the best meal available." Jada Li broadcasted.

The Blood Moon opened a channel, "Soldiers of Yamatai, I am Tin-To'a Keoulai Tisa. We have determined that on our prior kills there are a number of scum vermin aboard. We will remove them and turn them over to your ship when it arrives. Since this is neutral space we defer to the fact that your citizens were attacked to determine who has jurisdiction. The two ships you finished off we have found no sign of life. " came a different voice.

Atsui keyed her mike, "Eminence, that you for your generous offer. Hope you won't mind that we will probably share the whiskey with the rest of our squadron."

"Tin-To'a Keoulai Tisa, we will notify the Search and Rescue vessel to be ready to receive them when they get here. Thank you again for aiding our citizens." she transmitted.

She opened a channel to Alec, "Wild Card, notify the YSS Naoshi about the prisoner transfer and the gifts from the Eminence."
 
Alec was just about finished keying in the Heitan's coordinates when Atsui radioed back in with him and gave him another set of orders. He managed to clear his head from his haunting visions in order to respond to her.

"Um..Roger that Solitaire, commencing transmission."

Alec started a separate secure channel to notify the Naoshi.

"YSS Naoshi this is 2X-F21 pilot 0203, Wild Card. We have just completed an engagement with hostiles. I am sending attached mission code that can be confirmed with the YSS Heitan. Requesting transportation for prisoner pick up as well as supply pick up over."

At least I didn't blow that...

While waiting for a response Alec looked out at the space surrounding his V8. He wondered if perhaps this was not only his first but last battle. To have come so far just to be demoted and taken off of flight duty. Could he live with that?
 
Atsui pulled up the data from their skirmish. She noticed the wreckage when they arrived, but it was only now that she realized what else was going on.

She decided to see if Alec could see what she saw. She opened the encrypted channel to him, "Wild Card, given what I told you about the fire power of the Wings of Hawk - Class Ship. Add to the fact that they had already destroyed four why do you think they allowed us to engage the other two after they had damaged them?" she inquired.
 
Alec pondered what Atsui said for a moment. If what she said was true about the Clan ship it shouldn't have had a problem dealing with six vampires plus it also seemed capable of launching smaller ships which might serve as fighters/gunboats depending. Thinking it over he gave his answer.

"I would say perhaps it was so the Star Army could save face by defending its own territory. The crew of the Eminence will undoubtedly talk and it could be detrimental to the Star Army's political image if it seemed we couldn't defend freighters in our own territory. Is that the correct answer ma'am?"
 
Atsui smiled and thought, 'So he's not just a trigger happy fly boy. There is brain in there when he keeps his hormones in check.'

"That is half the equation. The Clan are very big on maintaining a balance in relationships and encounters. Unless there is something to be gained by not. So yes, they probably did let us kill them to save face, even though we are not technically in our territory. But there is another reason. What do they gain by letting us appear to save face? Sitting back and letting us take those two ships out?"
 
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