Alpha One - Chris Burton [145]
“What makes you think that you are immune?”
“Something he once said, and just a general feeling I have. I don’t know why, but I didn’t want to mention it in front of Hoskins, he doesn’t seem to be the most tolerant of commanders.”
Obeya let it go. “As Commander Hoskins said, Enson, we only get one chance. If we get in close enough to dock and you can access the Eagle, your primary objective is to capture or kill Winterburn. I won’t wait around if I feel our objective is in jeopardy.”
Jake acknowledged Obeya’s comments. They sat in silence as they continued their pursuit, a job made much easier by the Eagle’s lack of stellar drive capability and range. Once they determined which direction the Eagle was heading and the NAVCOM determined a fixed position, it was an easy task for the Sabre, at SD velocity, to catch the Eagle.
“There she is in front of us, Carter. You’d better get suited up and prepare the docking clamps.”
Jake set about the arduous task of putting on the radiation-proof exterior suit and helmet he would need to manually attach the Sabre’s docking clamps to the Eagle’s bulkhead. They would need to get in close, which was in itself dangerous. The Eagle was equipped with thirty-two cm Laser cannons, which at close range could penetrate the Sabres shields.
* * * *
The Kryl pilot aboard the Eagle saw the Sabre coming and tried to out run it, but this was futile. The Eagle opened fire on the Sabre as it began to close to within two meters. Obeya was wise to the Kryl‘s tactics and she deployed additional shielding to the Sabre’s vulnerable areas.
Jake readied to commence the clamping procedure. He waited patiently for a lull in the Eagle’s close range offensive tactics, and then, having sealed the Sabres inner hull, he opened the canopy outer door and stepped out on the wing. Immediately he felt the force of the two ships’ propulsion systems tugging at him, trying to release him of his grip and allow the two ships to part. Jake had some practical experience of spacewalks, but only in a controlled environment. This was different.
The clamping column was recessed into the wing structure. Jake pulled the column release button, and a recess within the wing opened, allowing the column to push out into Jake’s hands. He gave the thumbs-up to Obeya, who pulled the Sabre to within thirty centimeters of the Eagle. Jake then reached out and clamped the first of the three clasps and locked it in place. With the second and third clasps then in place, the two ships were connected. By now, the two ships were travelling at a nominal thruster velocity, but the repetitive Eagle laser cannons’ firing made the process infinitely harder than it should be.
Jake knew the setup of the Eagle like the back of his hands. His first two years at the academy had seen him complete hundreds of simulated and actual Eagle flight hours. Jake must open the bulkhead doors. He opted for the fastest method by firing a single blast from his hand laser to the doors’ locking mechanism and, within moments, he had access to the Eagle’s inner door. It was just a case of blowing the interior blast door inwards and he would have access to the interior of the Eagle.
* * * *
Winterburn watched the progress being made by Carter. It was clear his new adversary was confident. So he should be, he thought.
“Please leave the crew of the jump ship to me. Your chance to feed will soon be upon you.” The Kronan was situated in the aft passenger area of the Eagle shuttle. This particular variant was fitted as a troop carrier, with two passenger compartments, a holding cell and the cockpit. The blast door was situated towards the rear of the main compartment, which was currently occupied by three Kryl. The remaining Kryl drones were in the cockpit. Carla and Joely were in the holding cell. Winterburn released his influence on both of them the moment the Eagle took off, now that their part in all of this was over. Once again, the two sisters