Alpha One - Chris Burton [144]
He found himself heading towards the main hangar bay, partly because it was the part of the ship where he was based but also because the Sabre 4 was housed there. He didn’t really have a plan and would look at his options when he got there. As he rounded the corner into the CAG command area, he was surprised to see Commander Hoskins standing talking to his CAG and gesturing towards Jake’s Sabre 4.
“Enson Carter, please join us. I have just received Major De Vere’s report. Witnessing the loss of all those troopers must have been unpleasant.”
“Yes, sir, although seeing Carla and her sister being taken by Winterburn again is equally distressing. I was hoping...”
Jake was interrupted by Hoskins, “You were hoping to take the Sabre 4 and carry out a daring mission to rescue your girlfriend plus bring back Winterburn and his crew with you. To what end? Do you really feel that you—on your own—could take out Winterburn and all his fellow Kryls armed with a hypercannon and a couple of stun grenades?”
“I don’t know, sir. I am still trying to comprehend what happened. Surely you don’t want Winterburn to get away.”
“No, I don’t. You are right. We will need to deal with the Eagle and prevent it from getting away. By deal with I mean destroy. I am going to ask you to come to terms with this as quickly as you can, Jake. Carla and her sister are as good as dead. We need to act quickly to take the pain she would ultimately experience away from her. I need you to pilot the Sabre 4 and destroy Winterburn’s Eagle.”
“Sir, there is enough room in the cabin for up to four troopers. It would be a tight fit but we could dock and take out the other Kryl one by one. Then I can bring the Eagle around and return to the Halo 7.”
“I cannot allow that, Jake. Having Winterburn alive would be useful, but not imperative; making sure he and his men don’t get back to their fleet is. We are short on ships and pilots. At present all we have is you. Your orders are to seek out and destroy the Eagle. Is that clear?”
“Commander, sir. Can we have a go? Perhaps Lieutenant Temsouri could join me and we can board the ship together. Surely they are still of some value to you?”
The Halo 7 was under constant barrage. The threat from the mini-Kryl fleet was considerable and yet Hoskins initiative began to pay off.
Hoskins knew this was the last chance. He must persuade Jake Carter, and if he was not willing to move then the alternative was to take the Eagle out with a teutonic missile.
Hoskins sighed. Not for the first time today, he was heavily influenced by his crew. He knew he could not send Jake alone. Perhaps sending Obeya with Carter would be a better combination.
“Very well, Lieutenant Temsouri and Enson Carter. Please go about your business. I am giving you one chance to be successful. If you are unable to board, take out or capture Winterburn you must use the Sabre to destroy the Eagle. If you can bring back your friends that will be a personal bonus for you.”
Obeya started to protest, but Hoskins would have none of it. “We don’t need you on the hangar deck right now, Lieutenant. Get the job done, get back here and by then we will have finished off these bastards and we can get ourselves home.”
Jake took control when they first launched the Sabre 4. Obeya assumed command and familiarized herself with the new variant’s controls. Jake could tell she was impressed, but he could also tell she was good, very good.
“You’re not totally human are you?” he asked Obeya.
“Is that a problem for you?”
“No. Your control and response times are remarkable.”
Changing the subject, Jake looked at Obeya and said “Lieutenant, I really do need to rescue Carla and her sister.