User blog:1hs444/The Heist of Unicorn Hydra: Part 11 (Finale)

The Grafton narrowly escapes Unicorn Hydra VII with survivors from the Heist. Most systems on the Grafton, including her primary engines, are damaged.



==Part 11 (Finale)==



RTA: "Everyone okay?"

Fox: "I'm good, how about you Ricardo?"

Ricardo: "Still have my head... so... good."

Bishop: "Safe over here too."

RTA: "Picking up a warning over here!"

Fox: "What is it?"



RTA: "That Saratoga Battlegroup. We are somewhat beyond escape velocity at this point, but we can't outrun them."

Bishop: "T-Minus 30 seconds until detonation."

RTA: "Keep climbing..."

Ricardo: "We're approaching the ODP's sir!"

Fox: "Computer, all power to remaining engines!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Anything over 10% power output from the fusion reactor will overload the core."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Then give it 10% power!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The Graftons engines glowed a light burn, and started gliding at an increased pace from Unicorn Hydra VII.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "10 seconds..."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Warning. Hostile Heavy-Cruiser has targeted the Grafton."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Uh..... oh."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The timer reaches 0, and suddenly radioactive monitors go haywire.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ricardo: "That was it?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "No..."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">A massive fireball shoots out from the broken airlock, and a mere second later the entire planets crust breaks up, and the exploding star engulfs the ODP's.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "So much for their precious defense fleet."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "Sir, the supernova is catching up to us!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The Grafton is engulfed in the rim of the supernova.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Warning. Shields are destabilizing, and are expected to fail in approximatel-"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "All power to engines and shields!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "Gentleman, it has been an honor."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA: "Likewise."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ricardo: "We're almost clear of the supernova!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "Sir, I don't think we're going to make it. Shields are... toast as of now."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Damage report?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA: "Overall battleplate damage! She won't hold too much longer, sir."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ricardo: "Sir, I might suggest leaving the command bridge."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Nonsense. We stick here."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">A warning siren starts screeching through the command bridge, and the ship computer hastily starts barking out warnings.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Battleplating insufficient. Sub-deck 4 is breached. Blast doors in section 7 are closed, but won't hold for approximately 30 more seconds."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "I need an ETA on... well, escaping!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA: "Uh... a minute!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "We don't have a minute!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox ran over to the main observation window, and closed the blast door over it, just as it began to crack.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Computer, latch down all blast doors!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Action requires authentication."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox walks to the entrance of the bridge, and drags the Captain to the control console.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Well then authenticate it, for gods sake!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Authentication... Granted."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ricardo: "ETA, 15 seconds!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "Everyone hang on tightly!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The bright orange fireball spits out the Grafton, and the sole surviving Saratoga Class frigate from the pursuing battlegroup, moderately intact.

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<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Bye-bye Unicorn Hydra!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">As if at once, fleetwide communications went absolutely crazy, as confused orbiting fleet personal realized their imminent demise.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ricardo: "Sir, Saratoga Class inbound!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "There's nothing we can do to stop it."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Friendly craft in attack position. Captain, it is highly recommended to open fleetwide communicati-"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "I need a status report on that Saratoga!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The Saratoga Class frigate nears the Grafton, to reveal how damaged it was from the escape.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA: "Sir, enemy shields are down, engines and weapons systems are intact. Heavy hull damage, massive casualties if I'm assuming correctly."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "What's our status report then?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Chat Frigate Grafton status report: Shield systems damaged, will not recharge until repairs are made. Hull plating is severely burnt, likely to not withstand a salvo. Main reactor giving 5% expected power output. Engines offline. HACK round, offline. Surviving defense turrets ready. Surviving missile pods, ready. Atmospheric controls, active."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: What about that nuke we still have?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Missile systems for Silva-ion Warhead disabled in previous damage to the Chat Grafton."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Well, then lets give them what we got. FIRE EVERYTHING!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">''Point defense turrets aim and fire, and missile pods eject from the Grafton, and make a trail through space towards the Saratoga Frigate. The frigate retaliates by launching a superior missile count, and the Graftons point defense turrets are re-tasked to shoot them down.''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "Wait for it..."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The missiles, or those that actually pass the Saratoga's point defense guns, blanket the ship with fiery explosions.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Direct hit! Good work team!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The ships counterattack nears the Grafton, and impacts with overwhelming force to the rear of the ship.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Status!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Point defense turrets active, missiles exhausted."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "They don't know that."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ricardo: "Sir, enemy ship appears to be retreating."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop: "Did we actually... live?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA: "Something tells me we're not out of the woods yet."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">A flashing red warning comes on the control console of the ship.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Ship Computer: "Warning. Superior Star Banhammer Destroyer Class vessels en route. Estimated time to conflict, 2 minutes.''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Well, crap."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Bishop and Ricardo frantically attempt to bring the ships engines back online, to no avail, while RTA fiddles with a radio near the prisoners.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Computer, open comms link with the inbound vessels.''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">A holographic projection comes on screen.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Banhammer Captain (Radio): "You brutes! Look at the awful mess... Expect no mercy from me."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox (Radio): "Well, expect no mercy from us either!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Banhammer Captain (Radio): "What do you possibly have to offer at this point in the game?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA runs to the front of the bridge, and yells at the top of his lungs.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">RTA: "Only this!"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">''The NR Goldeneye uncloaks from near the Grafton, and fires its extended supply of warheads at the incoming Banhammers. The explosion flares up, and leaves the battlegroup in pieces.''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Waits (Radio): "Nice seeing you all again."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox (Radio): "Likewise. Now can you dock so we can get off this bucket?"

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Waits (Radio): "Right."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The Goldeneye docks to the tumbling Grafton, and the team narrowly exfiltrates into the Corvette before more Chat vessels approach.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The Goldeneye re-cloaks, and drifts into slipspace.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Waits: "Well, look at that. You guys did it."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "I couldn't have done it without your brave soldiers, to be honest."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Waits: "RTA, Bishop, and hey, your guy Ricardo did pretty good."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Nova, sammie..."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Waits: "They'll be honored. In a private ceremony. No one will know."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Terrific."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Waits: "Maybe the NR and the Resistance are closer than we thought."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox: "Well, it's now brutally clear to me. We've got a common enemy, and somewhat similar morals."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox shakes Waits hand, as they depart Unicorn Hydra VII for the Resistance Space Base #0014.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Fox (Thinking): "So, Space Base #0014... I wonder if I could reassign Verlaine to something more... hands on."

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">The end.

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<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">''3 days later. Fox, Waits, and the rest of the crew for both the Goldeneye and Great Fox III have departed from Space Base #0014. Verlaine walks to her office, where Samuels has a cup of coffee at her desk. She notices a letter addressed to herself, and opens it.''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">''"Dear Commander Verlaine. I am writing this on your behalf, as I am concerned for your well being in that well aged station of yours in the middle of nowhere. I am concerned about your general distrust in my faction, my military, my navy. You see, after all of the bloodshed on our last operation, it has become brutally clear to me, that the Resistance and the New Republic are not just forced allies, but we have something in common that we wish to fight for.

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

''<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Peace. It may seem a bit odd, given how these last months have been, consistent infighting in our controlled planets, brutal naval warfare resulting in nuclear barrages, often maiming sections of space and land for thousands of years to come, but I want to assure you, that we are fighting for a cause. This is not oppression. This is revolution. ''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

''<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">Your commander, your, shall I say "team" of misfits, all of them, are invaluable fighters for not only the Resistance, but for also the New Republic. ''

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom:0in">They're the hero this galaxy deserves, even if the galaxy doesn't know it yet. And so we'll let them fight, because they can take it. They're not famed heroes, not looking for money, well, other than one of them. They're silent protectors, watchful enforcers. They're the Team Heretic Dinofox.''"

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-Captain Waits, Commanding officer of the NR Goldeneye

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