Any doubts whether Jolo’s plan was working disappeared when they popped into Astid. There were eight Wasps spread out over the sector and they instantly converged on the Argossy the second the old ship showed up. They took some fire from the Wasps’ smaller rail guns, but the Argossy held and jumped out, but not before Jolo let Greeley call them all a bunch of worm-loving wussies on the Fed channel. Two gunboats had popped in just as the Argossy and her attendant Wasps made the jump out.
Two BG cruisers popped up on screen as soon as Jolo and crew made it into Duval orbit. The Wasps were already there.
“We got two BG on top, Captain.” said Koba.
“Great. They haven’t left yet. Head for the BG boats.” Koba hesitated for a split second, then thought better of it.
“Aye, Captain,” he said and headed straight for the two BG boats, Wasps in pursuit.
“Is the Fed courier transponder still active?” said Jolo.
“Yep.”
Computer, thought Jolo. Can Fed Courier class boats carry weapons?
Most Courier class ships are not outfitted with offensive weapons, though some older models do have the fittings to mount small turrets.
“The BG boats are hailing us, Captain,” said Koba.
“Tell them we are a Fed Courier with a package. That’ll give us a reason to get close.” Koba sent the message as three Fed gunboats popped in. Jolo had Koba open a channel to the Fed boats within range. “To all Federation warships in Duval space,” Jolo said. “The BG are hostile and plan to blow the planet. There are close to a million humans down there and the BG have been destroying the Duvalites’ transport ships. If you don’t believe me then hide and watch. Or run away and prove to me once and for all you are all truly worthless.” Jolo closed the comm. “Koba, head down to the deck. Just before we get out of range, hit one of the Cruisers.”
By then the Wasps were close, well within range for their small turrets, but they held off. Trant hailed the Argossy but Jolo didn’t respond. Trant would have to see for himself. The Argossy fired a volley at the Cruisers and instantly the big, black ships returned fire. The BG hit a Wasp and it limped out of harm’s way, but by then the Argossy was dropping down into the atmosphere. Jolo watched on the screen as the little blue dots continued to move towards the big red dots.
“What if the Fed don’t engage?” said Koba.
“Then we’re screwed,” said Jolo.
Jolo and Koba watched the screen as the Argossy dropped towards Duval, shaking and creaking all the way. Soon the Wasps were in range of the BG ships with the gunboats close behind. But neither had fired on the other.
Jolo called down to Barth and Hurley on the comm: “You watchin’ this?”
“Yep,” said Barth. But still nothing happened. The Fed boats had the two BG cruisers nearly surrounded, then another gunboat popped into orbit nearby and instantly unloaded on the closest Cruiser and it was on. The board lit up with activity as the three gunboats and the Wasps swarmed the Cruisers.
Everyone in the Argossy cheered.
Greeley walked in wearing the heavy armor holding Betsy. “You ready?” said Jolo.
“Yeah, Boss,” he said.
“I got a present for you,” said Jolo. He reached for the comm: “Hey Barth, bring it up.” Soon Barth came up carrying a huge gun connected to a large power pack. It had a thick barrel at least a meter long with a makeshift stock and trigger guard, a beefy cable routed out the back into the power supply, the end of the barrel had cooling fins all around.
Barth handed it to Greeley, whose eyes were as big as eggs. He was breathing heavy and held the gun in his hands lovingly. Barth secured the power pack to the rear mount on Greeley’s suit. The big marine looked down at the gun, which was a small, modified turret pulled from a C-class Fed boat. Greeley looked like Barth had just handed him a suitcase of Fed credits. “It’s a Halbrock, ain’t it? It’s got them nice heat baffles. This ain’t the one that’ll melt down on you, is it?”
Barth just grinned. “Who you talkin’ to? It’s a smaller version of the Halbrock Phase 4, but I put the new chips in it and she’ll go until the juice runs out.”
“Captain, I’m ready to party,” said Greeley.
“Koba,” said Jolo, “take us over Marco’s, a few hundred meters up is fine, over the atrium illuminators.” Koba brought the Argossy down over Marco’s. The big transport was still burning, black smoke against the clear, white sky.
“Captain, there’s a small BG transport in the bay and a few heat sigs, most likely human, inside Marco’s.”
“Open the hatch, I’m gonna jump out the back,” said Jolo.
“I’m comin’ with you,” said Greeley.
“No. I want you and the Argossy
