Book 3: Chapter 86: Coups

Book 3: Chapter 86: Coups

USD: 65 days after the battle of Dedia IV

Location: 92 Pegasi, Ackman Orbit, A3123Y Orbital

Several armed MilTech guards stood around idly on the Mooring arm as Amy watched the shuttle carrying Port Master Whitely come in for docking. They had been in contact and finally had a reasonable plan for integration of the older Ackman station.

One of the major decisions Amy had made was to maintain Ackman as the primary habitation and port station in the system. It would be self-sufficient on its own, but not have the extensive industrial apparatus that A31 possessed.

The old station was only marginally capable of what Abbey and she envisioned, so they would rebuild it once tugged into a rendezvous with A31. The preference for a rebuild instead of outright scrapping was partly to the stations already established legal framework and recognition by the IFRB.

The new schematics that Abbey had designed were vastly different compared to the stations original configuration. Legally, it would still be considered the same. Although the construction process would stretch that rationale for anyone paying attention since Abbey was already building the new station alongside the new cruiser.

Once it was done, the two stations would be welded together, then the old one scrapped as people transitioned across the connection to the new one.

It also wouldnt have the military capabilities. It was Amys opinion that keeping most people away early on would be a lot safer for Starlight Revolutions facilities; safer for Abbey as well. She understood the grumbling about her authority over operations and the need for some to vent because of her relative inexperience and youth, but it had become slightly tinged with a vitriol that she didnt like.

The automated robotics extended the gangway and feedlines to the vessel and a few minutes later Whitely emerged from the airlock. Amy put on a smile and moved to meet him as he exited the gangway.

Welcome to A31, Portmaster Whitely. Im glad you made it. We have a lot to go over.

Whitely nodded, glancing around at the clean metal of the mooring arm. Seeing it for myself in person is quite something. I didnt think wed see something like this in 92 Pegasi.

Amy gestured toward the central station. As they walked down the mooring arm toward their destination, they discussed some minor details about the integration plans. The armed MilTech guards filed in behind them as an escort.

As they reached about halfway to the central module, a distant explosion shook the corridor. Sharing a startled look, Whitely and Amy both paused. Their security guards didnt hesitate, grabbing them and herding the two to the side of the corridor where some steel crates were made for small cover.

Whats going on? Whitely asked.

Gunfire sounded down the corridor, and Amy reached up to tap her ear comm.

Abbey? Whats going on?

Static was briefly interrupted by a robotic sounding Abbey, There is a coup attempt in progress. Various miner groups are attempting to storm the central ShipCore unit and various other control points on the station. Security protocols are now in effect.

A siren blared, and spinning red emergency lights came to life.

We should go back to the shuttle, Whitely said, but as he turned to look back the way they had come, a group of men came into sight approaching from the mooring arms end.

A guard cursed as the new arrivals took aim and opened fire at them. Amy grabbed Whitelys shirt and pulled him down behind the crate beside her.

Dont think thats a good idea. Abbey will activate security drones, and MilTech will deploy from the central module.

The MilTech soldiers moved to hold the attacking miners off, firing back with blind fire from behind whatever cover they could find. Amy and Whitely huddled and tried to stay out of the line of fire. A spray of bullets smashed into the metal crate across from them, sending sparks flying into their faces as the bullets ricocheted in random directions.

We have to get out of here, Whitely said, his voice urgent.

Amy frowned, looking at the guards who had their hands full. Doing anything to distract them seemed like a bad idea to her. Whitely wasnt waiting to see what they thought though, crouch walking to the next set of crates and disappearing behind it.

Portmaster! Amy hissed as she followed him, not wanting to leave the man alone. She looked over her shoulder at the guards. We are falling back!

Going around the crate, Amy slammed into Whitelys back, bumping her nose. Owh!

They are coming from both directions. Whitely said.

Amy slid behind the crate and poked her head up to look. A half dozen armed miners were slowly approaching, moving carefully from cover to cover.

Her heart raced as she realized they were trapped.

Another loud explosion sounded through the station and then, to Amys relief, a group of combat drones flew into the mooring arms main corridor from the central station.

[Informative: 244 hostile actors detected.]

Abbey picked up a pulse rifle from one of the weapon racks and made sure it was charged. An electric whine confirmed the weapon was operational.

I wont put myself at risk, but I still need to go make sure they dont get in the ShipCore section.

As much as she wanted to go help Amy, she knew A31 was right. If she got knocked out again, all their defenses would go inoperative.

That couldnt be allowed to happen ever again.

USD: 65 days after the battle of Dedia IV

Location: 92 Pegasi, Ackman Orbit, A3123Y Orbital

They had taken cover in an empty room on the outer station ring. Amy wasnt sure it was the best place to be, but the guards were probably right that it was even worse to be moving around. The main concourse had hundreds of ruptures through the floor, ceilings, and walls. The shimmer of the blue hued I-field indicated why the atmosphere hadnt vented them all out into space.

Debris floated out and off the station in an enormous cloud anyway, and several ships had been annihilated by the stations defenses for whatever reason. She had no access to a tactical map.

Dozens of civilian ships were detaching from their moors and burning away in a mass exodus from the station.

Whitely brought her attention back to reality when he handed her a canteen of water. Young lady, we are going to have a serious conversation when this is over.

Amy furrowed her brow. I think they timed it for your arrival. That group that came after us was a hit squad.

Do you have a report on the status of the situation? It would tell us if staying here or moving on would be safer.

Amy tapped her ear comm again, calling for Abbey with no response. She didnt understand; the defense was still ongoing, and Abbey should have been able to answer her!

One guard had a radio and came over to talk with them.

Our boss is on the way with extraction.

Amy frowned. Your comms are working?

The man nodded.

Amy pulled her ear comm out. The muted sound of gunfire and distant explosions suddenly raised in volume considerably. Turning over the piece of hardware in her hands, she spotted the problem. The receiver was cracked.

Fuck. No wonder I cant get through to Abbey. Do we have a spare?

Sorry Maam. But I recommend you keep that in. If we get into another firefight, youll go deaf without hearing protection.

She did so and went back to waiting. It wasnt long before Wyles pulled up outside the compartment in one of the MilTech APCs. The rear hatch opened and the large man stepped out.

Need a ride?

Amy looked at the APC without amusement. Driving through the station should be illegal.

Maybe put in some tramlines then. Wyles chuckled, but Amy shook her head in disbelief.

You realize people were just shooting at us, right?

Wyles slapped the APCs side and a pop-up turret rose from the chassis. Time to shoot back.

Just take us to the command module. I need to get to Abbey.

Sure thing, hop in. Keep in mind thats likely where the fighting is going to be heaviest, though.

Amy looked up at the damage wrought all across the station. It wasnt the fighting that worried her; it was what could happen after.