"... we need a Bigger Boat"

Posted on Tue Jun 29th, 2021 @ 7:12am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Clara Lawson & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Black watch Asteroid base
Timeline: MD 15 02h00
1305 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Lily pulled everyone out of bed and into the hanger bay on the asteroid. The crew were sitting on crates or leaning on them as Phoenix and Sasha held a quiet hurried conversation. Turning she studied them. "I know its early. But we may have a problem. Sasha?"

"Comm chatter is rife after the destruction of Cragen's Palace and Arena on Rigel IV. So far the culprits remain unnamed but we can all guess Cragen knows it was us. He is putting it out that Lady Karlyn tried to kill off the competition. I have been putting it back out there that Lady Karlyn was no where near involved, after all they had just completed a deal, to their mutual benefit. Cragen my sources tell me isn't buying it. What he is buying however is more slaves and a new base of operations. Location still to be determined. He has however marked the Black Watch to be shot on sight, massive bounty. Your shuttle was tracked back to it after the raid." She pointed to their craft.

"Which means, if we are going to catch the big fish and the bigger one behind him, we are gonna need a bigger boat." Lily stated. She looked at Gwynn "Did I get the reference right?"

"Pretty much" the other Blond replied.

Sasha continued "I have several lines on several different vessels but with the shuttle our only option, any team we send to liberate a vessel will need to be smaller than normal. Thus, our best bet is a ship known as the Equinox. Its slated for mothballing by its current owners. They brought a bigger version for their business."

An image appeared of the ship. "Yes it is way too big for us. But it will fit here in the hanger. And allow us to store the shuttle inside it as well." Now Sasha smiled. "But that said, we all get our own rooms now. No more sharing." She shot a glare at Anna.

"Not my fault you don't keep your things in your bunk." Anna replied coldly.

Lily held up a hand. "Okay no more fighting, how big a team?"

"I estimate, maximum 6 people. Two of who need to be pretty good pilots. So You and Jaxon, Lily. And 4 others."

Arrianna kept herself at Lily's side and spoke. "Three others." She had volunteered, She made herself seem quiet... Calm.. But with the black leather clothing, She presented a sleek and deadly air. She didn't have to say much. She let people know she was at Lily's side, and she was always watching.

"I'll go." Malakai spoke up. "So two more."

Kara knew Malakai would hate it but she spoke up anyway. “Count me in, my senses might come in handy.”

"yeah no" came the reply from Lily. "Nope no way. You are staying right here.." She told Kara. "Remember last time?"

“I know I messed up” Kara sighed. “Just don’t put me back into the guise as Lady Karlyn and we’ll be fine.”

"Kara, I remember the situation somewhat... You tempted Cragin." Arri noted. "I lost someone important because she indirectly tempted Cragin. You have to be more careful."

“Josie...” Kara nodded. “I heard your voice in my head when we brought you here, talking about Josie. I don’t intend to put myself, or my baby in danger.”

"Kara, let me be your agent in this. Keep your medical bay at the ready, you are our only qualified medic, and an asset we cannnot lose. I'm good. But you're way better than me. My senses will be enough for this team." Arri gave Kara reassurance.

Kara nodded. “Alright, I’ll stay” She looked towards Malakai. “You’d better come back to me unharmed!”

Slowly making his way out toward the group, using the crutches that had been built for him, as his legs were recovering slower than the rest of him, Mattias said, trying to sound strong. "I'll go..."

“Ohh Hell no!!” Kara shook her head. “You’re still recovering from you’re wounds, another injury and it could kill you! You’re staying here with me.”

"Mattias." Arri noted. "We need people who can handle a rifle, you are handling a crutch."

"I can still fly a ship." He looked over at Jaxon. "That's right, Tinkerbell, the ground pounder knows how to fly." Looking at Lily, he said, I started flying my family's merchantman class frieghter when I was ten. If I go, I can fly our ship in, then Tinkerbell can fly the new one out. I don't need my legs to fly this old girl, or even a shuttle."

Jaxon merely snorted. "Lily do me a favour, next time you have him tied to the bed for sex play, dress him as a fairy and take photos." He smirked at Mattias. "I think with him like this I can take him."

"It would be your only shot, bucko. You wanna dance? Lets go." Mattias's anger was spiking primarily due to the pain in his back. He wobbled slightly on his crutches.

Jaxon smirked. "I could blow you over easily. But it would hurt you more and Lily would get pissy again."

Lily sighed. "Ok Jax, thats enough."

"Aww Lils!" He mock moaned.

"While Mattias does look wonderful in green and i am sure a short skirt would show off his legs," Lily smirked now, "Doctor's orders Matt, she is not going to let you go and I am not going to argue."

"Mattias." Arri approached him and whispered. "You are very important to Lily, and Lily is my best friend. Therefore you're very important to me. You will stay here and mend your wounds or I will help Kara strap you down."

Mattias started to say something. Anything. But, he could find any words to argue with. The warrior inside of him was screaming that he was weak, a failure, a hibderence to the team. That is thecreason why Saundra and Charlie were killed, because he was weak!

Hanging his head, a single tear breaking free, he replied quietly. "Okay." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke. As he started to turn and hobble away, he said softly, "I'll be in my bunk room if anyone wants me. Then, as painful as it was for him to come out there, he went right back inside.

Lily watched him go and knew she would go after him after this. They needed to discuss this. Instead she turned and said "Clara, Joshua, you make up the rest. The rest of you will remain here and monitor via comms. Now lets strip the Black Watch down. Everything comes out. It should be a shell with life support and a pilots console."

Kara stood up and looked at Lily. “I’ll be right back to help, I just need to speak to Matt.” With that she headed to see him. She didn’t bother to knock she simply walked inside. “Hey... I’m sorry! You’re in no fit state to go. You’re in pain, that I can sense, and besides someone is going to have to be here to protect me and your niece or nephew growing in here.” She patted her stomach and grinned.

Mattias looked at his sister and smirked. "Oh, that's a low blow, Little Girl, using my niece or nephew to get what you want." He gave her a weak smile as he spoke.

Kara simply looked at Mattias and smiled.

Meanwhile, Lily and the rest began to unload the Black Watch. It would be tight but the more they could save the better they would be. A lot of stuff they beamed into a storage buffer, which Sasha maintained They would be able to reassemble it together when they had the new ship and space.


TBC