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April 9, 2342 - The Luxuria: Near Federation Starbase-11

(1:12PM) {Four Months Ago}

It had only been a couple weeks since the Luxuria left the Darwin above Falora. Before departing however, Lliam had gone down and checked up on his sister. In doing so, he ran into both David and Ada and informed them on what he planned on doing; omitting some details as to not get their hopes up or to worry them too much. The only thing Maya told him was to make it back home in one piece, with Sara and Aurora.

After their hour was up, Lliam was beamed back up to the Luxuria which departed shortly after. Once under way, it didn't take long for the Luxuria's sensors to pick up the trail of the Outcast ship to start the pursuit. Once they were on the trail, James and Albert then asked for the info Lliam hadn't gave them on the Darwin. Once revealing all the facts including those about Rrahkarr, both of them were even more willing to help them; of course with the promise of some combat.

During the past two weeks the guys had refreshed their knowledge by practicing general combat in the Luxuria's only holosuite. James and Lliam also had to learn how to pilot a mech while in zero gravity and took more time in the holosuite to do so. The first few tries were quite comical and had Albert, Kathy and the two kids laughing when they found out. While both were quite familiar with piloting mechs, the first few days were used to re-familiarize themselves with basic mech operation. They then started to practice flying in space and having mock battles with each other in the holosuite. They were now all sitting on the bridge while heading towards the Federation's starbase eleven.

While one of eight the Federation still controlled, starbase eleven was in the center of the only sector of space that connected the two larger sections of space the A.T.W.F controlled. It had gained a major role as it was the only base with enough firepower to protect the sector from the Humanitist as well as being the resupply line for Federation forces in both of the larger sections of space they controlled.

"Can you tell me again why we're heading for starbase eleven?" James asked as he leaned back in the chair he was sitting in.

"I got a message from your Admiral saying there were a couple people stationed there that he said could join us. He said if we were close enough to the starbase that we could refuel there as well as pick them up. Weren't you paying attention when I said that the first time?" Kathy said.

"I guess we're a little lucky that the Outcasts came this way then. Though from what the sensors are saying... I'm wondering if their IFF is set to mimic Federation signals. Why else would they come this close to the starbase?" Lliam asked as he looked at the sensors again.

Lliam had also taken the time to clean up a little the first day aboard. The wounds he sustained were already healed and gone; with no marks left to show otherwise except the scar on his muzzle. He had trimmed his hair to clean it up from looking ragged and wild and also put his hair back in a low ponytail to keep it out of his face for he had grown accustomed to having long hair.

"They probably changed course close to the station but the stations sensors may not have picked them up. Do you remember when we hailed the Darwin and they couldn't even detect us? Well seeing as there are True Outcasts on that ship, they may be using the same tech." Kathy said.

"How could they be using the same tech you use?" James asked.

"Believe it or not the tech has been around for quite a long time. While not publicly known, the Freelancers have more advanced technology then the Federation or the Humanitists, these stealth systems have been in use since before the Freelancer Civil War." Kathy said.

"And the Outcasts took it with them when they split." Albert said to which Kathy nodded.

"I'm guessing the sensors on this ship can detect them where the Federations can't?" James asked.

Kathy nodded again and added "We have the stealth systems so we know how to detect them."

"I noticed you're only running them on passive mode. Care to explain?" James asked.

"Well all Freelancer ship sensors are just as powerful in Passive as the Federations sensors while Active. The only differences between our Passive and Active modes are that; while in active, our sensors can scan everything in an enemy vessel down to the exact weapons a person onboard is holding and detect weapons fire from out of the system we're in. Passive we can only detect weapons fire when we're within four hundred thousand kilometers of the weapons fire." Kathy explained.

"So they're a hell of a lot more sensitive than the Federations?" James asked.

"For the most part." Kathy agreed.

A beeping sound was emitted from the flight controls; signaling that they would soon drop out of hyperspace. They all turned their attention to the view screen as they dropped out of hyperspace. A look of shock and surprise lit up on all of their faces at what awaited them.

*************

Federation Starbase-11

(1:15 PM)

The sight that greeted the Luxuria as she dropped from hyperspace was not a good one. The starbase was a hulking wreck. The damage the station sustained suggested that a small fleet had attacked, but while there were destroyed enemy ships floating lifelessly near the station, there were no allied forces in the area. The station looked as if most of its defenses had been destroyed but otherwise it was left mostly intact.

"I can't believe it, what happened here?" James asked in shock.

Kathy didn't answer him; instead she looked at Lliam and told him how to change the sensors from Passive to Active mode. Lliam complied and soon they were all looking at screens that were more advanced then they had ever seen. The guys couldn't read the info that her tactical screens showed but Kathy called off what she figured they should know.

"I'm seeing two retreating ships on the edge of the sensors range. Hmm... it may have only been a forward advance force that attacked." Kathy said.

"So we can expect company soon?" Lliam asked to which she nodded.

"I'm also counting only fifteen enemy ships that were destroyed, no allied ships within the vicinity. Scans of the station show no power and that most of the defenses have been destroyed." She added before looking closer at something. "Ah... that may be the reason why there are no allied ships near. It looks like the communications arrays were destroyed... and the damage suggests it was sabotage."

"Sabotage!?" James said in surprise.

"Are there any life signs?" Lliam asked.

"Yes but with no power, the life support is non-operational... uh... scratch that looks like they got emergency power up at least. But I'm detecting weapons fire from within the station." Kathy said.

"So the Outcasts are onboard and yet their ships retreated?" James asked.

"It would support my theory of the force being only and advance detachment. Those two that escaped are going to bring the main force with them and take the starbase." Kathy said.

"You said the communication arrays were destroyed? I suggest you connect to the FTL network and send out an emergency signal to any nearby Federation ships and alert them to what has happened here." Albert said to Kathy.

"Hey Lliam... you up for some real flight time and combat in those Predators?" James asked.

Looking over to James with a grin, Lliam said "Sure thing."

"I won't be able to beam you two over. You're gonna have to go over the old fashioned way and knock. But don't expect the doors to open, while running on emergency power the bulkheads will have to be manually opened." Kathy said as she turned to set up the emergency message.

"I'll try and give you tactical information from here." Albert said as he took control of the sensors.

"Right, we'll be counting on you." James said as he followed Lliam; who had already taken off to his mech.

***************

Luxuria Cargo Hold

(1:18 PM)

The two of them quickly suited up in the survival suits required for piloting anything in space. Lliam's suit was different from James; not counting the allowance for a tail or the helmet meant for furs. Lliam's suit seemed to be lighter and thinner then James' so as to not affect him and his fur but was just as strong. James's suit actually covered half of his face; on the sides leaving the front bare so he could talk and breathe, as well as being thicker than Lliams. The only other thing they needed was a wrist pad; a device that could be used to hack into other devices, store information, show three dimensional maps as well as monitor the pilots status.

Once suited up, they both opened up their mechs with the personal security code they each had set on their mech. They were both half way into their mechs when James looked over to Lliam. With a grin he said "Hey Lliam how about a race... first one to the station owes the other a beer?"

Looking over to him, Lliam said "Sure... why not" before he finished getting into his mech.

Once fully inside and strapped in, the mech sealed itself behind him. Once it was sealed, Lliam powered the mech up. As the gentle blue light of the HUD lit up; showing what weapons the mech held as well as charge the weapons had left, remaining flight time and others, Lliam quickly ran through his checklist. A good sized display opened to the right of Lliam's face that was connected to James' mech. He was on the display and going down his checklist as well.

"You ready James?" Lliam asked.

After a few moments James replied "I'm ready now."

Just as he said that another display opened up on the left side while another slowly lit up in front of him. The one on the left scaled down as it showed Albert on the bridge; Kathy could be heard behind him talking, while the one that James face was shown on scaled down too so that the one in front of him as well as the two on the side showed the mech James was in as well as the hold that both the mechs were in on all three.

"You both ready?" Albert asked.

"Of course we are." James answered.

"Alright, cycling the air out of the hold. One minute till the bulkheads open." Albert called off.

They waited till the bulkhead had opened fully before heading towards it. The open bulkhead at their feet showed noting but the pure emptiness of space. They were standing at its edge; as well as standing at the edge of the gravity field. One at a time they exited the gravity field and used their thrusters to exit the Luxuria.

James was the first one out and waited till Lliam had exited as well before they both charged off towards the station; their thrusters set at full power. Once close enough to the station, their own sensors started picking up weapons fire from within the structure. Lliam was the first to spot an easy access airlock large enough for them and the mechs they piloted.

They reached the airlock within a few moments; James making it there first. He immediately went to work on the emergency bypass controls. He didn't have to do much, only raise the mechs right arm for a small cable like extension to guide itself to a plug in port and insert itself.

"Okay Albert, send the override codes." James said as Lliam waited by the airlock.

"Codes sent." Albert said as the panel near the airlock showed the words 'Code Accepted' on its display.

"Okay Lliam, give me a hand here." James said as both he and Lliam gripped onto handles that appeared on the doors once the codes were accepted and started pulling them apart.

Once the doors were open, the two of them stepped into the airlock. Again they had to grab hold of the handles that had appeared so they could close the doors and seal them. Once sealed they opened the second set of doors; which were easier to open then the heavy bulkhead doors they had to force open.

Once inside the station they closed the second set of doors and sealed them, in case the bulkheads failed the atmosphere would not be sucked into the vacuum of space. Once they were sure the second set of doors were sealed they ventured deeper into the station.

*********

Starbase-11 Main Control Room

(1:18 PM)

"Hurry, seal the door!" A soldier yelled as several men ran into the control room.

Two men went to close the door but the incoming fire from energy weapons killed one of them before the doors were fully shut. The man who ordered them to seal the door was their commanding officer and he too was killed before the door was closed. Once the door was closed, the surviving man managed to seal the door just as banging on the door was heard. The other men in the room started to panic due to the loss of their commander.

"The commander's dead!"

"What are we gonna do?!"

"We're all going to be killed!"

The soldiers were now in a panic; both fur and human alike. There was only one person in the room who was not panicking and he was in the room prior to the others running in. He was a red fox standing at five feet nine inches tall with short brown hair, twenty six years old and had brown eyes. His fur was a deep hue of red, white fur started under his jaw and continued further down his chest and stomach. The tip of his tail was white but his gloves and socks as well as the tips of his ears were black.

He was wearing black pants and a white T-shirt; he was also wearing over the T-shirt a slightly tan-gray trench coat that stopped around his calves. The rank of Captain was shown on the collar of the trench coat. The name tag 'Barker' was above the right breast pocket, ribbons were proudly shown above the left. But the thing that separated him from Star Fleet was the letters 'P.T.T.C' (Psychic Telepathic Telekinetic Corps) on both his shoulders.

This fox stepped forward and said "Alright, everyone settle down! I'll be taking command of you. I know the P.T.T Corps, Fleet and regular military don't mix well but we have to put that aside if we want to survive."

The others soon calmed down after he spoke; whether it being due to his rank or possibly the tone of his voice. Once he had them calm he started issuing them orders to take their minds off of their impending fate.

"Sir, those doors won't hold long and we're running low on ammo." One of the men said.

"I'm not regular military so please, just call me Nate. And for the ammunition issue..." Nate said as he headed to another door in the room. "Just because this is the control room doesn't mean there aren't any weapons or ammo here." He said as he opened the door which led to a small armory.

"Okay I want everyone to grab some extra power cells and heavier weapons if they can handle them. Next I want you to use whatever you can to make some cover and set up some cover to make this a better defensible position." Nate said as he grabbed a phase rifle and loaded it.

Once everyone was busy with what he said, Nate suddenly sensed something. He looked around for a moment as if the answer was in the room before smiling. Another one of the men noticed the smile and asked "Sir... err, Nate? What are smiling at?"

"It seems we just gained two heavily armed allies." Nate said.

"And what good will that do us!? In an hour or so those Outcasts will be back with reinforcements and we can kiss our asses' goodbye!" A skeptical soldier said.

"Well first off, by saying we 'gained' two allies that would mean they just got here. If they just got here, that means they came by ship... of which should have a working communication antenna." Nate said before going quite for a second. "And though I'm surprised at who they are... I know these two who just entered the station. I'm pretty sure they've already sent out a distress signal to any allied forces, so we should be seeing our own reinforcements soon." He added.

**********

"Hey Lliam, did you get a weird feeling just now?" James asked as he stopped.

Looking at the screen that showed James, Lliam said "Yeah, it felt like... someone was in my mech with me for a second."

"Shit... heads up, looks like we got company." James said just as a group of Outcasts rounded the corner.

Due to where they stopped, the Outcasts didn't notice them. Though when they changed direction and started heading towards the corridor they stopped in, the chances they would be spotted grew.

"Hey Lliam what do you think?" James asked as the Outcasts neared them.

With a chuckle Lliam said "We got the element of surprise here so... I think this will be like shooting fish in a barrel."

"Hmm..." James nodded before smiling. "I couldn't agree more." James said as both of them raised their weapons and flew out of cover.

The Outcasts eyes went wide once they saw the mech's and that their weapons were raised and aimed at them. They tried to run but the area they were in had no cover for them. They were torn to pieces when the mechs opened fire on them. The most that was left of the Outcasts was a giant puddle of blood and flesh.

"Luckily we got them all before they could signal any of the others." James said as they both started heading further into the station.

"I just had that feeling again." Lliam said.

"Yeah?"

"This time though, I got the feeling we should head towards the control room."

"You sure that's a wise idea?" James asked.

"No... but when has anything we've done been a wise idea?" Lliam said with a grin as he headed down a corridor.

After about five minutes and finding out which way they had to go, they heard gunfire from around the next corner. Once they came to the corner they witnessed station security and Fleet personnel who were stationed at the station trading fire with Outcast forces. The room was the main commons area; used primarily for crews to buy refreshments or relax while on long journeys between space stations. Phase rounds and energy rounds flew through air only to collide with objects that were set up as cover or walls on opposite ends.

"Whoa... that's a lot of Outcasts." James said.

"So far the mech's already picked up over seventy of them." Lliam said as the mech continued to lock onto more enemy positions.

"Hey look on the far side over there. Is that Sylvia?" James asked as he relayed where he was looking to Lliam's mech.

"Yeah that is her... oh shit. One o'clock high, on the walkway." Lliam said.

When James looked at where Lliam had pointed out he saw around twenty Outcasts trying to get above Sylvia and the other Federation personnel. "Damn, we can't a good shot at them from here." James said.

"Who said anything about hitting them directly?" Lliam said with a grin "This weapon ought to do the trick." He added as he switched to a heavier weapon.

"Oh that's going to be loud. Just make sure the settings are set to high... don't won't to blow a hole in the hull of the station now do we?" James said with a grin as they prepared to fire on the unsuspecting Outcasts.