The 12 tales of Christmas: A race for mercy
For the third tale of Christmas, I’ve got something special for you. This request comes from Gwen from Germany. All the way from across the ocean in Europe, how about that? For the prompts in this story, they will be the number 3 and Northern Star. To be fair the second prompt is two words instead of one.
But under the circumstances I can make an exception this once. I needed someone to fill up this space and Gwen has provided me with some great inspiration. So, the prompts are 3 and Northern Star. And for this story we’ll go into the realm of Sci-fi.
The crew of the starship The Northern Star are in a desperate race for the planet Virkrause. On board their ship are three large containers of medicine that can bring an end to a terrible epidemic. But the crew have got some serious trouble to deal with. Get ready for a space opera battle of wits. A race for mercy is coming up.
“We're thirty minutes out from Space Station Zelta captain.” Harry Lark the navigator for the star cruiser the Northern Star stated.
The blonde-haired young man of 22 years looked over his controls on the small bridge of the fast cruiser. "Looks like those new security locks we put in the cargo hold are working out. The cargo is intact ma’am.” The navigator said.
Chief Engineer Brandon Mattigan looked over his controls. “All systems for the Northern Star are functioning at full capacity captain.” The chestnut-haired 38-year-old stated.
A dark blonde-haired woman sat in the command chair. Brenda Stark the 47-year-old captain of the Northern Star sighed. “Good, at least some things are going well on this mission.”
“Let’s not count our chickens yet captain,” The Chief Engineer pointed out.
“With all the reports of Raider activity in this sector we’re not in the clear yet.”
Brandon looked at the ship’s commanding officer. “Ma’am with all due respect I’m a little concerned too. These three containers of medicine we’re carrying are awful valuable.”
“What makes you say that, Lark?” the woman asked.
“Well ma’am, it’s rather odd that we didn’t get more of a guard patrol considering how precious this load is.”
Chief Engineer Mattigan added, “He has a point ma’am. The Churnos virus on Virkrause has taken a toll on the populace. This medication could help turn this epidemic around. So why haven’t we gotten a heavier guard.”
The woman’s face furrowed in thought. “Now that you mention it, it is rather odd that this vessel got sent out here on its own. The explanation that they wanted this delivery kept low profile seemed rather dubious. Despite the high pay promised as a reward.”
Mattigan thought for a long moment and said, “I have a bad feeling about this captain. It feels almost like we’re flying into a….”
Before the Chief Engineer could say anything, the ship shook from a powerful blast that rocked it. Mattigan looked at the status of the ship. “Slight damage to the outer hull of the ship ma’am. Nothing major yet but it’s obvious that was a warning shot.”
“Ships approaching behind us ma’am.” Lark stated.
“Visual,” Brenda Stark stated.
The viewscreen in the small bridge changed. It showed several ships appearing like they were ghosts. “That’s cloaking technology.” Brandon observed.
“And based on the fact we didn’t pick them up I’d say this is some of the more advanced kind the Federated Worlds use.”
“Damn it,” Captain Stark swore. “As I was afraid of this was a trap!”
On the navigation panel a light flashed as a small alarm rang from the controls. "Incoming transmission ma’am." Harry said.
"Put it through,” she stated.
The viewscreen changed from the space behind them to the picture of a large bridge. Many men in rough-hewn outfits were working the controls. A muscular young man with an eyepatch over his left eye stared at them with his one good green eye. His scarred face showed he meant business.
Brenda Stark smirked and quipped, “Well-well-well look who it is. If it isn’t Brogan Jurnow. The brat grandson of Virkrauses’ former dictator. Still sore over the fact people pushed your bloodthirsty psycho grandfather out huh?”
The man growled before he spoke. “And I see your reputation Captain Stark as a woman with quite the mouth proceeds you. So, I’ll cut right to the chase. You have some cargo on your ship that I want.
“Give it to me and I’ll take your miserable lives quick.”
Brenda’s face darkened into a nasty scowl. “I have no idea what you mean Jurnow.”
Mattigan remembered what a bounty hunter friend of his had said about this guy. He was as ruthless as his grandfather, and even smarter. That made for a dangerous combination.
Young Harry Lark for his part looked very nervous. Kid’s still wet behind the ears when it comes to the dangers of the galaxy, the Chief Engineer noted.
“You’d best answer quick because I am not a patient man!” Brogan Jurnow stated in a tone of utter finality.
Brandon noted captain Stark’s hands moving and recognized the gestures. One of the advantages of having deaf parents is Captain Stark learned sign language. These bozos can’t read it, but we can.
The gestures she made with her hands spoke volumes. She was saying, “Be prepared to fire weapons and kick the engines into overdrive on my mark.”
Brandon’s hands flew over the controls as he thought, I sure hope you know what you’re doing boss lady.
Lark didn’t say anything, but he understood what Captain Stark was saying as he moved to his controls. Jurnow snapped, “Delay any further and I’ll blast your ship once more for good measure. Give us the medicine and I’ll make your deaths quick!”
The crew looked surprised at this. The man smirked and said, “A little birdie told me about the plague medication you have."
Oh hell, Mattigan thought as he saw Brenda Stark’s face pale.
It was obvious she had figured out what the Chief Engineer had. This explained why they hadn’t gotten a better guard detail. Someone had sold them out and that meant Jurnow had influence in the Federated Alliance. That wasn’t a good sign.
“Now!” Captain Stark commanded.
Brandon tried to fire the weapons. But a high-pitched shriek blared from the ship speakers. The weapons controls of the ship exploded as Mattigan covered his ears. He felt his heart sink into his stomach as he recognized what had happened. Damn it, that’s E.M.P. technology, he thought.
Jurnow smirked and said, “Did you think I wouldn’t expect what you were planning Stark. I’ve learned a thing or two about that sign language stuff you use.”
And now we’re in the crapper big time, the Chief Engineer thought.
“I’ve disabled your weapons systems, controls and…” The raider lord began.
“You’re not the only one who thinks ahead kid,” The 40 something captain quipped.
“Mattigan full power to the engines!”
Brandon looked at his controls and realized the engines were still working. Then he remembered something. Holy, he realized. I forgot we updated the E.M.P. resistance measures for the engines and life support.
We’d have done the same for the weapon systems if that merchant back at Gardon Space Center hadn’t been in short supply.
The scene changed back to the front of the ship as it zoomed away. Lark looked over his systems as his hands flew over his controls. “Enemy ships are opening fire, shields holding…for the moment.”
“Without our weapon systems we can’t do much captain.” Brandon noted.,
But a sly smile crept on to the woman’s lips. "Continue dodging their fire. Let’s see if we can get some of those fighters around Jurnow’s cruiser to follow us. I recall there's an asteroid belt in this area.”
Harry looked over his controls. “It’s a short flight away from where we are ma’am. But…how’d you know?”
“All I’ll say for now is…family connections.” The woman answered with a knowing smirk.
“What a way to spend Christmas! Fleeing for our lives from a raider fleet. Carrying needed medicine for Virkrause.
"And it’s obvious someone set us up for failure.” Brandon snapped.
"Hold on Lark those piloting skills are about to get put to the test kid,” Brenda Stark stated.
“Why me?” the young navigator moaned.
“No disrespect captain but I hate it when you flash that Cheshire cat smile.”
But the woman watched the screen as the ship bobbed, weaved and dodged the laser blasts that fired at them. Then the alarm bell rang out. “Missiles incoming ma’am,” Harry warned.
But Stark was intent on the asteroid belt they approached. She pointed towards one of the larger asteroids. Take us into the tunnel right there.” She ordered.
“Captain, do you know how crazy you sound?” Brandon Mattigan yelped.
“Yeah, like a fox,” She answered.
“Compliance ma’am.” Harry said guiding the ship towards where she pointed.
Brandon looked at his controls and said, “Engines at full power and still in the green.”
“Now you see why I asked Cullin Burke for that upgraded engine he pointed out." Stark quipped.
The Chief Engineer let out a snort. “With all due respect captain. Might it not also be due to the fact Cullin is your fiancée.”
“It doesn’t hurt,” she quipped.
Mattigan groaned wondering not for the first time why he’d agreed to be chief Engineer of this cargo ship. If I get out of this in one piece, I’m going to head back to Earth for a while. I haven’t seen my brother and his family in ages. He thought.
“Missiles closing in Captain,” Lark warned.
“How close are we to that big asteroid?” she asked.
“We’re almost on top of it ma’am.” Harry called
“Zoom into the cave system and everyone pray.” The captain said a tone of grim determination in her.
Then Lark looked at his own screen. “We’ve got two sets of fighters closing in on us from different angles.” He called.
“Perfect,” Stark stated.
Brandon looked at his controls and noted how all engine systems were reading green still. This new engine for its first major workout is proving to be worth everything we paid for it.
And then the ship flew into the cavern. Lark’s hands flew over the controls as his face glistened with sweat. Mattigan found himself on edge as he saw the ship dodging protrusions and walls of the cavern. Brandon pressed his own screen which showed the back of the ship.
Two of the fighters crashed into the walls of the cavern and exploded. Others had to perform some fancy tricks to avoid the walls and protrusions.
The missiles crashed into the walls and exploded. “Mister Lark hard to port on my mark!’ The captain stated.
Brandon Mattigan felt like screaming at that moment. They were close to death and yet Captain Stark wanted to pull some kind of maneuver in what was a cramped space. ‘Hard to port!” The captain called seconds later,
The young man’s hands flew over the controls. The ship turned into position and flew into another cavern. The other fighters tried to adjust, ended up colliding with each other, and blowing up.
It was then that Mattigan understood. “Luring them into this cavern and using their aggression and momentum against them.” He noted.
“That sneaky bastard Jurnow took out our weapons, so we have to improvise.” The captain noted.
They saw the clear shot out into open space. “Mister Lark take us out of here and make a bee line for the station.”
“Yes ma’am.” The Navigator stated as his hands flashed over his controls.
The ship zoomed out of the cavern and the asteroid belt. They had gotten mere centimeters away when another alarm went off. “Incoming jump ma’am.” Lark warned.
A large and well-armed cruiser zoomed from out of nowhere to them. The ship was mere inches away from them. The loudspeaker of the ship flared to life as Jurnow’s voice rang out. “Very sneaky Captain Stark, but not sneaky enough!”
The Northern Star bobbed and weaved as the ship opened fire. “You can’t dodge forever, and you’re dead Stark!”
Then a new voice came over the loudspeakers. “Hey tyrant’s grand brat, hands off my sister!”
Another alarm rang out as a large force of cruisers appeared in front of the two ships. Mattigan recognized them immediately. “Federated battle cruisers!” He yelped.
Then he saw the Lion insignia on the lead ship. “That’s the 99th Fleet the Lion’s Pride!”
The visual changed to the sleek bridge of the dreadnaught leading the vessels. A maple brown haired man who looked to be in his early fifties dressed in the garb of an admiral stood on the screen. In the background various men and women worked the controls.
“You’ve crossed the line for the last time Jurnow! Back off, or I’ll blast you to kingdom come!” The Admiral said in a tone that showed he meant business.
The Raider lord's voice growled and snapped, “This isn’t over Stark!”
Mattigan checked his screen and saw the Raider large cruiser turn and flee. “They’re running,” the Chief Engineer called.
The Admiral sighed and said, “Glad to see we got here on time. And looks like the reports I got were true. it seems the Federated Merchant’s Guild has a traitor in its midst.”
Brandon Mattigan said, “Um Admiral sir, we appreciate the help. But how did you know we’d be here?”
“Old-fashioned gut hunch Chief Engineer Mattigan, old fashioned gut hunch.”
He then looked at his sister. “We’ll escort you and your ship to Virkrause. That medication will be a God sent. Also, sis would you and your crew care to join me and the command staff for Christmas dinner?”
The woman nodded and said, “You know it big brother. And thanks for helping us out.”
He nodded and answered, “Not a problem. My superiors have noted Jurnow was getting a little too big for his britches. This gives us an excuse to take him down.
“I’ll have the Alpha Lion guide you into the docking bay. It looks like your weapon systems got knocked out by something.” The Admiral noted.
“E.M.P. attack from Jurnow's ship bro.” Brenda stated.
The man’s face furrowed. “An E.M.P. device?”
He whistled and nodded. “That tears it, that kind of tech makes it clear Jurnow’s getting outside help. Don’t worry sis we got you.”
Lark looked at his controls and said, “Tractor ray has locked on to us captain.”
Brenda nodded and said, “Stand down Mister Lark let them guide us in.”
Harry nodded and said, “Yes ma’am.”
Brandon Mattigan for his part sighed in relief. What a way to celebrate Christmas, he thought. At least now I can have the chance to go home to my family for a while.
And so, another of the 12 Tales of Christmas comes to an end. A simple action-packed story of cat and mouse. And the stakes were very high indeed. I hope you’re enjoying these stories. If you do like them, please hit like and share these stories across social media.
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Next: Story #4 - Target: Christmas
Precious: Story #2 - More precious than Gold