CHRONICLES OF HOPE:EP 4

Door Hope

Episode 4: Escape and Evade

“My lord I’ve got a possible identification,” buzzed a voice from the admirals desk.
“Excellent captain move the ships into position and contact the general,” came a deep and non hesitant reply.
“As you wish my lord, Captain Riley out.” The admiral sitting in his office called up his tactical display and watched with interest as the black fighter skimmed through the asteroid field towards his cruiser. Excellent he thought, if this was her he knew that the Grand Lord would reward him well.

* * * * * * * *

Elana Hope carefully negotiated her way through the lengthy asteroid field. While nearing the end she could make out the distinctive cruiser hull in the distance.
“Incoming fighter this is Harmonic Balance Cruiser “Chimera” you are in range of our scanners identify yourself.” buzzed the com unit.
“Chimera this is H78-F5 on my way from Morning Beta to Terra Alpha.” she quickly replied. She wasn’t in much of a position to broadcast her real identity as the massive silver bulk in front of her wasn’t going to let her go if they happen to get ideas.
“H78-F5 we are requiring all civilians to check point before continuing, dock 5 is clear. Chimera tower out”. She didn’t have much power to argue so she unwillingly landed in dock 5 took her belt and headed for the civilian control room.
There were more than 500 people lined up in the hall all talking amongst themselves all as she was curious at the reason why they were stopped. She respectively took to the back of one of the lines and waited for her time to be checked so she leave. After almost an hour long queue she was finally checked.
“Hello Miss…?” said the customs officer.
“Miss Marinal, I’m sure my papers are in order.” She said as she handed over several documents.
“Ok one minute Miss Marinal.” After about 5 minutes 3 people were checking the papers in a worryingly large amount of detail. She looked around the room, her adrenaline beginning to build. Several armed men were inching slowly but surely towards her pretending not to take an interest in her. Everyone looked around and she followed their gaze to a largely built man entering the hall.

* * * * * * *


“Someone take him away!” shouted general Leanard to his surrounding body guard.
“You took this one step too far Leanard!”
“That’s General to you, Private 144753 I am charging you with treason against the Confederation. You will be imprisoned until your trial, after which you will be executed.” the general signaled to the two bodyguards restraining the struggling soldier.

There were few cells onboard the cruiser so 144753 was locked in his own room with 2 armed guards outside the door. He sighed, how could these people be so stupid for firstly allowing Leanard to get away with this and secondly for locking him in his own room. He reached for his emergency kit underneath his bed and after having decided which instrument to use he began work on the door. This took less than 5 minutes and after taking out both the guards he was off down the corridor.

* * * * * *

“Ah Miss Marinal I presume, been flying long have you” said the new entrant in a sweet voice. Now she was in trouble, she recognized the tone and the look of the guards who were focused on her. Her hand crept down to her belt in a non deliberate fashion; she was getting ready for the strike. Do not let them find who I am she prayed.
“Perhaps I should call you Miss Elan….”
“Stop it’s a trap” came a shout from behind everyone, a confederation soldier appeared around the corner and ran towards her still shouting. This distraction was all she needed and she grabbed the 2 flash bangs from her pocket, threw them, turned and ran not bothering to see where they landed. The distinctive explosions from behind her and the screams made her grin. They were smart she thought, as she un-holstered her gun. A sideways glance showed her that the earlier distraction maker was running next to her.
“Let’s go” he yelled in a desperate voice as they dived round the corner. He strafed to the wall and fired into the confusion that they had left behind. “Can you get us out of here now!” he continued.
“Wait I don’t even know who you are” she shouted above the firefight that she had just joined in as she fired blindly round the corner.
“Right now I’m the only friendly person aboard this ship.”
“My ships in dock 5 come on then.” They both hurried off towards the fighter Elana had arrived in. The soldier grabbed a grenade looking thing and lobbed it behind him without slowing down. Both ran into the ship with the walls shaking from the grenades explosion behind them.
The engines slammed into full reverse as they burst out of dock. “I hope you know some way past the tractor beam” she shouted as he familiarized himself with the hyper jump computer and plugged in a random coordinate.
“Don’t worry Elana I’ve been very busy” he winked at her.
“That’s Miss Hope to you” she smiled back “Who are you then..?”
“I’m private 144753, or you can just call me Alec. Prepare for hyper jump, 3, 1, initiate.” The ship disappeared into the stars leaving the Chimera behind.

* * * * * *

“Captain Riley what just happened” the admiral demanded. Sweat was pouring off Riley’s face as he answered.
“I’m sorry my lord but she saw through our ship deception and was aided by a renegade soldier.”
“Be glad we are not in a confederation cruiser instead of this HB one, as there would have been a large change in the command hierarchy with you moving a long way down.” So she was going to play cat and mouse, she wouldn’t get far away from us he knew. They are always caught, rebels are there to be crushed.
“Captain start a track on 144753’s suit chip.” he ordered.
“Already done my lord, we are preparing for a jump in pursuit,” Riley replied.
The chase had begun.