1stLTs Woolheater & JoNz & ENS Ragh - 3:10 to Butler (Part 5)
Kansz JoNz
Part 5
The shuttle chase through the lower atmo had been going on for quite a few kilometers by this point, the cracked and dusty land below them and the black of the upper atmosphere above them. JoNz was flying, while Ragh and Woolheater hung out the open access ways and fired at the shuttle Wade had nicked.
JoNz: Hang on, I need to restabilize Wades shuttle!
By “restabilize”, the Caitian meant that she gently swerved the shuttle they’d commandeered to the right and directly behind Wade's shuttle, intending to ram him; it was a surprisingly gentle bump, intending to get the outlaws attention.
They definitely had Wade's attention. He fired off his extra fuel reserve pod right at the pursuing shuttle; the pod hurtled right at the Marshals’ shuttle. JoNz quickly swerved the shuttle out of the way of the hurtling pod, jostling her deputies as they tried to maintain their footing at the rear of the shuttle.
Sam hung on to the frame of the door by putting his leg against the frame and pressing outward to "lock" him into the frame as he fired his rifle out the open doorway. The wind was hot and dusty. The shuttle that Wade was using must have rear shields in place. Sam's shots were hitting but they weren't doing much damage.
Woolheater: Marshal! ::yelling:: Get closer and along the side!
Sam intended to put a few holes into the hull to keep them from escaping to higher in the sky. Samuel reached for the rifle that was slung in its holster on his back and brought it out before him and took aim.
JoNz: On it!
Ragh was not used to this type of combat, and had clutched onto the shuttle tightly. He took shots at the ship in front of them but his efforts seemed fruitless.
Ragh: Our guns are useless!
They had to figure something out. Ragh looked over at Woolheater, who continued to fire away. The dusty wind was harsh, and cut their visibility sharply. Still, he thought he saw something flying behind them, some distance away. They were catching up quickly. Could be nothing, but could be..
Ragh: Possible hostile ship approaching on our rear!
JoNz: Hang on, lemme try and get behind them! Sam, brace!
Woolheater: We've got company!
The Cait jammed on the thrusters, reversing them; the shuttle jerked to a stop, hovered and then shot backwards straight towards the now tailing shuttle.
The second shuttle had no choice but to adjust their course or risk being smashed by the backward maneuver. As a result of the chaos, the second shuttle was now in front of the Marshals’ shuttle along with the first shuttle.
JoNz smiled, a feral grin that was borderline cray cray. She re-implemented the thrusters to account for the position change and simultaneously smoothed out their backward dash; their shuttle was now pursuing both of the outlaw shuttles.
Warning shots fired from the Marshals’ shuttle peppered the air around the outlaw shuttles.
JoNz: Woo!
The aerial maneuver was impressive. And the Marshal was making the shots count. Sam watched as the Marshal took another shot at the pursuing shuttle as it tried to get behind them again.
Woolheater: Hold her steady for thirty seconds!
Kansz did just that, lining up their shuttle right behind Wade’s.
Whomever was piloting Wade's shuttle wasn't very good; they were, however, reckless and dangerous. Sam got an idea. They were all wearing a standard loadout that included their boots being able to magnetize.
Wind screamed through the open accessway. Wade’s shuttle bucked ahead of them, engines flaring hard as it tried to climb for thinner air.
Woolheater: If we keep shooting we're likely to shoot them down. They may not survive! I have an idea.
JoNz: What do you have in mind?
Ragh: I'm open to anything at this point!
Woolheater: Their shield generator is damaged. I can see the field forming and failing. Another shot and it'll be down. Marshal? Do you remember the 'Knock-knock' maneuver?
The Klingon was unfamiliar with the maneuver, but at this point in the chase he was willing to try anything.
JoNz: Absolutely! That's a good one, Sam!
Woolheater: Unless someone has a better idea. Get us over Wade's shuttle. I'll take out the shield emitter, extend our shields to block the wind. We jump and land on the hull. Set two thermal charges and open the outer door. Board and take Wade back into custody and safely land the shuttle.
JoNz: Let's do it. And activate those mag boots.
This was far from what Ragh was expecting, but to say that he was excited to try it out was an understatement. If Sam gets them killed, well, they could fight about in Sto-vo-kor.
JoNz quickly set the programming on their shuttle, opting for an autopilot that would kick on as soon as she entered the necessary command to execute the code.
Ragh: We will take them on like true warriors! ::laughing heartily::
Woolheater: Can you get us over Wade long enough for us to jump?
The gray-furred Cait nodded and did exactly that, changing the flight path and maneuvering up and over the stolen shuttle. It was then that she activated the autopilot and moved away from the console, switching on her maglock boots via the wrist control bracer that she wore.
Ragh: :: unintelligible yell::
The three law officers jumped one by one, hitting the mark and sticking to the top of the fleeing shuttle like ticks on a sehlat. JoNz landed and stayed down in a crouch, the Manul cat’s golden eyes bright with excitement.
They had to move quickly. When the two shuttles grew too far apart the shield extension would fail and they would be exposed to the atmosphere and the rushing wind.
From Sam's bandolier, he indicated for a thermal charge grenade. He indicated the pin and the short delay. The best access, now that they were actually on Wade's shuttle hull, was on top. Through the emergency accessway. Sam looked to Marshal JoNz and then to Ragh. One of them had the phaser ready and would jump in right away to take the element of surprise. And the other two LEO's would follow. The plan was to disarm whatever crew was left and land the shuttle.
How they would do all of that…they'd have to figure out as they go.
Sam counted down.
Woolheater: Three…Two!......One!
He armed the thermal grenade and slapped it onto the hull above the access way and moved away and out of the way.
Kansas ducked even lower, almost laying down on the durasteel surface of the shuttle, wind buffeting against her fur and clothing as she waited for the charge to go off and blast open their entry point of choice.
BOOM!
The access hatch peeled back like an onion, allowing the Marshals access to the interior of Wades shuttle..
===CONTINUED IN PART 6===
A COLLABORATIVE POST BY:
= = = =
First Lieutenant Kansz JoNz
Pilot/Comms/Transporter Officer
Marine Detachment
USS Octavia E Butler NCC-82850
E240208KJ1
“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." - Ray Bradbury
= = = =
Ensign Ragh
Medical Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240212R13
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1stLt Samuel Woolheater
Scout Sniper / Infantry Officer
MARDET, Starfleet Marine Corps
USS Octavia E. Butler NCC-82850
O240111SW4
“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." - Ray Bradbury