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Wing Commander - Senshi Squadron
Part I - Thrakhath's Wrath
Episode 3 - Inside Job


Stardate 2665.115
TCS Concordia, Niven System


Barracks

"Attention Lt. Tsukino, please report to the flight deck for immediate launch" said
the comm officer through Usagi's bunk comm link.
"Geez what would that be for?" said Usagi.
"You'll get your orders after launch. Now get to it!" said the comm officer.
"Alright alright already!" wailed Usagi, who quickly suits up and heads for the flight
deck.


In space after launch

"Moonhopper, you have a special assignment. You need to head for the Niven 3 space
station and pick up a message pod." said the comm officer.
"Got it." said Usagi.
"Your flight path has been programmed. Try not to deviate. Since you have no wingman
you're on your own should you encounter enemy fighters" said the comm officer.
"I see. Why is Maverick unavailable?"
"He's on a solo assignment of his own, orders from the Admiral"
"Alright. Moonhopper out".
Usagi hits the autopilot and heads for the first Nav point. Enroute she is ambushed
by 4 Sarthas.
"Shit! And how am I supposed to handle this!?!?!?" said an exasperated Usagi.
"The Imperial Guard will kill you!" said one of the Sartha pilots.
"Gah! Drakhai!" blurted Usagi "Oh great! Guess I have no choice"
Usagi hits afterburner and dives into the Sartha formation, breaking them up.
"You're mine now!" said Usagi lining up one of the Sartha "Splash one!"
"You cannot defeat the Drakhai!" taunted another Sartha.
"Says who?" replied Usagi, firing at the Sartha "Gotcha!"
"I will clean my claws on your turf!" said a third Sartha.
"Bite it!" yelled Usagi. "Splashed three"
"You are not worth the fight!" said the last Sartha, making a hasty retreat.
"Hey you! Come back here!" said Usagi. "Hmmph! Coward!"


Niven 3 station

"Niven 3 this is Moonhopper requesting clearance to dock"
"You have clearance Moonhopper" replied the station's comm officer. "How was your
flight?"
"Encountered 4 Sartha. Destroyed three of them. The last one chickened out."
"Good work"


Concordia comm station

"Hashra nikta rakna" said an officer, talking to a Kilrathi.
"Narga kakra iktra" replied the Kilrathi, as the doors opened and another comm
officer walked in.
"Hey thanks for watching the comm station for me" said the comm officer.
"Back so soon?" asked the first officer.
"Yep, it doesn't take too long to get coffee... Hey isn't that a Kilrathi???"
"Why yes" the first officer turned, then a sharp and muffled "Bang" sounded off,
and the second comm officer collapsed as the former, now touting a pistol, finished
"I believe it is". He then placed an id plate on the dead officer's hand before
saying "You should take longer breaks". He then turned to the Kilrathi on screen.
"No problem. Kirah natra afka Kilrah. Concordia coordinates as follows..."


Niven 3 station barracks

"Hey! Aren't you Lt. Tsukino?" said a blue haired female pilot.
"Um, yes, have we met before?" replied Usagi.
"I've seen you in the briefing room on the Concordia but never had a chance to
meet you. I'm Lt. Mizuno Ami, callsign Frostbite."
"Lt. Tsukino Usagi. Callsign Moonhopper. So you're also based on the Concordia?"
"Hai. I'm on a special non-combat misson here, assisting with intelligence
gathering before the next major strike. How about you?"
"Sort of the same here. I'm supposed to pick up some message pod to take back to
the Concordia."
"Ah, then this is what you're looking for?" said Ami, holding up the message pod.
"That must be it then. What's in there?"
"Latest intelligence report from Ghorah Khar. I can't say much though, it's supposed
to be level 5 classified."
"I see, so only the Admiral can look at it..."
"Mizuno-sama! Shall we go?" said a petite dark haired girl approaching the pair.
"Yes. We will. Oh by the way, Tsukino Usagi, this is 2nd Lt. Tomoe Hotaru, callsign
Firefly. A fresh graduate of the academy. She's also based on the Concordia."
"Oh hi!" began Usagi.
"Hmm, so this is who they call the Crying Klutz of Niven?" began Hotaru.
"WHAT??? Why you---" scolwed Usagi.
"Now now don't be rude Hotaru" said Ami.
"Nothing personal. I only mentioned what I heard from others, not that I believe in
them. In fact I don't think she's what everyone thinks she is." said Hotaru.
"Just watch it." said Usagi with a menacing look.
"Anyway we'd better go. One more recon mission before returning to the Concordia,
and I think you're supposed to head back there, right Usagi-san?" said Ami.
"Uh yeah. See you back on the Concordia then?" said Usagi.
"Sure thing."


Niven 3 hangar, 2 hours later

"Moonhopper ready for launch" said Usagi, onboard her Ferret.
"You have clearance, launch immediately" said Niven 3's comm offier.


In space

"Moonhopper, you are to return to the Concordia. But Commander Yakashima has a special
task for you." said Niven 3's comm officer.
"Go ahead" replied Usagi.
"A supply transport, the TCS Mambo5, is jumping in to rendezvous with the Concordia.
You are to proceed to the jump point and provide escort."
"Roger!" said Usagi as she hits autopilot. She reaches the jump point without incident.
After about 30 seconds, the supply transport Mambo5 jumps in.
"Glad to have you Moonhopper!" said the Mambo5's comm officer.
"Going into escort position" replied Usagi. Enroute to the Concordia they encounter 3
Drakhri.
"Uh oh! Enemy in sight. Engaging!" said Usagi, going for the nearest Drakhri.
"You're not taking this tub kitty!" taunted Usagi as she tailed the lead Drakhri. "Splash
one!"
"Moonhopper please assist!" said the Mambo5's comm officer.
"Moving in!" said Usagi. "Take this, catface! Two down!"
"No human will survive!" taunted the last Drakhri.
"Says who?" retorted Usagi. "Just a little more-- GOTCHA!" she finished as the last
Drakhri exploded. "Mambo5, all enemy fighters destroyed."
"Proceeding to Concordia" said the Mambo5 comm officer. They were 500 clicks to the
Concordia when they chanced upon 3 Jalkehis.
"Oh boy more enemy fighters! Engaging!" said Usagi, charging the lead Jalkehi. "Splash
one!"
"Mayday! Shields low! Please assist!" yelled the Mambo5 comm officer.
"Damn! Going after that bastard!" gritted Usagi. "Got him!"
"Enemy fighter destroyed!" said the Mambo5 comm officer, after the last Jalkehi was
taken out by the transport's turrets.
"That was close. Status report?" asked Usagi.
"Moderate damage to port side" replied the Mambo5.
"Alright let's head for Concordia" said Usagi. They finally reached the Concordia without
further incident.
"Moonhopper, report?" asked the Concordia comm officer.
"The Mambo5 is falling into formation with the Concordia, and I have the message pod
from Niven 3."
"Any enemy contact?"
"Six enemy fighters, all accounted for."
"Good work. You have clearance to land, and please surrender your sidearm upon disembarkation."
"Say again?"
"There's been a murder on board the Concordia"
"Oh. Who was it?"
"This is an unencrypted channel. Please land immediately if you need details."
"Roger."


Concordia Barracks, 30 minutes later

"Hey Usagi!" said Rei.
"Rei-chan! What's going on here?" asked Usagi.
"So you've heared? Specialist McGuffin from Communications was shot dead by an unknown
assailant"
"Gosh. Who's behind this?"
"There are many suspects, though the investigators have not pinpointed anyone in particular"
"Indeed" said a third occupant of the room, a woman pilot tuning a violin. "whoever
did this deed is elusive"
"Oh Usagi, you haven't met Captain Kaiou Michiru yet have you?" said Rei.
"Nope" said Usagi.
"Callsign Sea Star" added Michiru. "Interesting to meet you Moonhopper, or as someone
else referred, the Crying..."
"...Klutz of Niven! Have you guys had enough???" shouted Usagi.
"As I said, someone else was calling you, not myself" said Michiru.
"And who would that someone else be?" asked Usagi in a huff.
"My lover, Haruka. Don't pay attention to her. She and I may be together, but we don't
agree on everything, including what she thinks about you."
"Hmmph!" grumbled Usagi.
"Don't let them get to you Usa-chan" said Rei, trying to calm Usagi down.
"Them is right. I also got pissed by someone back there in Niven 3."
"By who?"
"Some newbie pilot"
"I take it Hotaru?" asked Michiru.
"How did you know?" asked Usagi.
"I wouldn't exactly call her a newbie. She's an excellent pilot herself, considering it's
been only a few months since she graduated from the academy. Don't worry about her though,
just like me she doesn't believe you to be as what Haruka thinks"
"I hope for her sake you're right" said Usagi, still feeling irritated.