Schrader hopped into the cockpit of his fighter and hit the comm.
"Hound Dog to bridge.", he said, powering up his engines, "I am go for take-off. Request mission plans."
"Roger, Hound Dog.", Schultz droned, "Proceed and engage Wyzenhymer Freighter. Jennings brothers will assist. Copy?"
"Copy, Bridge. I'm on my way."
The docking bay doors were barely half way opened when the lieutenant gunned his engine and shot into the vast ocean of stars. Checking his proximity read outs, he noted with some concern that Ghostrider
and Triple J were in retreat from the massive ship.
"Hound Dog to Ghostrider, what's your situation?!?"
"Currently under fire!", the other said excitedly.
"Roger Ghostrider, I'm on my way."
"Watch yourself, Lieutenant.", Ghostrider advised, "They aren't using standard weaponry."
And indeed they weren't, Schrader saw as he drew nearer the conflict. Chemically propelled rockets were issuing forth from several weapons turrets, honing in on the ships as they tried to put some distance
between themselves and the enemy vessel. The only thing saving them thus far, was their greater maneuverability, yet it was just a matter of time, as the number of missiles littering the heavens increased,
before they'd run out of luck.
Seeing no other option, Schrader engaged the hulking ship, looking for weakness in the intricate metal hull. A narrow duct seemed to run the course of the ship, large enough to fly through, and possibly close
enough to the ship to discourage them sending their projectiles his way.
He dipped his fighter down into the into the steel ravine, decreasing his velocity to avoid contact with the walls. His warning beacon blared in his ear, and he jigged left just in time to avoid being by
vaporized by a missile shot from a rapidly approaching Wyzenhymer fighter. Steadying the ship again, he tried to relax and form a plan.
