28. Between a rock and a hard place

[dakota]

"Yes sir." McKenna replied, getting nervous as she could see her breath. She wished she had worn something, and preferably vacuum proof, as she made her way back to the bridge.

[Renekin Skywalker]

Bridge

A little fastforward...

Mensk and McKenna returned with their own do-withouts, as well as the medical gear and some things for Foreman.

When they came to the bridge, they saw Tawfeek handing Jessica a data key, and having a conversation. She was well-armed, and the pod pilot was tied to a chair. He looked bored.

They all looked up.

"Alright," Tawfeek explained. "You are abandonning the ship."

Not that they didn't already guess that.

"I still have time, I can send the Galaxy to the fragment, and have it push the fragment out of the way. The calculation bear it out. The ship might even make it through. The write-off that it is."

He paused, to watch the Pooh Jihad fly overhead and align with the ship. "Rather than have you all fly over, we're docking. Once the transfer is complete, you will go to Freedom. You should have no trouble, from there. Jessica will stay with you, until then. I don't expect a problem, but they are pirates."

The pod pilot was about to look offended, but then nodded his head.

[dakota]

McKenna did not know what to say. Despite his gruff demeanour, she had begun to see the ship as home and did not really want to leave it. "And then what? Surely you can't plan on riding this out, are you?"

[kurff]

"I see there is no convincing you otherwise. I would recommend easing into the push and let the momentum do most of the work for you." Mensk said with a neutral tone as he did a check on his vital items which were mostly in one pocket. He was rather like a certain captain hunting a whale. The chances of survival were slim if any at all. The engineer was used to seeing hard cases..it was why he quit corporate and was not about to start worrying. Besides that the captain seemed more prone to listening to rest better than him. Typical treatment given to engineers..

[Renekin Skywalker]

Tawfeek nodded at Mensk.

"I always wanted to die rich," he said. "But it's the spins that will need to be calmed."

The Galaxy let out the tell-tale clunks of ship-to-ship docking.

A moment later, Jessica came in. "Captain, they're here." She said.

Tawfeek nodded. "Just a moment, then come out."

He closed the door on the way out. Jessica blocked it from the inside. The pirate in the chair looked out the window, failing to look like he didn't know what was about to happen.

There was a gunshot.

A moment later the door opened, and Tawfeek walked in.

[dakota]

McKenna flinched at the sound of the shot. As Tawfeek returned, she scowled, " Was that necessary? Sir, why don't we ask the captain of the Jihad to help? We split the take 50/50 and both of you get rich without anyone committing suicide over a damned rock."

[Renekin Skywalker]

"The rock is too heavy for the ships to tow," he explained. "And the tortional forces would wreak havoc on the hull. Blowing it up would create a travelling debris field. And I'm not doing it for a rock. I'm doing it so that the Dominion won't get the chance to."

He handed the gun to Jessica, who holstered it.

"And yes, it was necessary," He explained. "According to the rules by which the event occurred. Their crew will handle it. Foreman remains your responsibility."

[kurff]

"They would have killed us in all likelihood if they did help at all. That rock would set them up for life." the engineer noted, "Remember controlled bursts out of the engines will be more efficient if you can use them." he looks at his watch/oxygen read out.

"Can we get whatever plan you have going on the move?" Mengsk stated, "That rock is not slowing down. I should have grabbed some paint and stencil letters." he shrugged as he moved on.

[dakota]

McKenna nodded. She knew they were out of time and options. "Of course Captain. I'm make sure he's ok. But," she pointed at Tawfeek as she started to follow Jess towards the other ship," I expect my quarters to be upgraded when you fix up this tub." She winked, then guided Foreman towards their ride to safety. "Too late now Mensk, give me a hand please."

[Renekin Skywalker]

Mensk's watch indicated that it was 7:23 PM, and this is blood Oxygen level was where it should be.

Tawfeek grinned. "Right. With pink lace."

Jessica pointed the pirate out of the bridge.

"We'll keep in touch as long as we can," he said. "And there is no plan. You guys saved Mars. Now it's my turn."

[kurff]

Mengsk assisted best he could since the captain was seemingly trying to make up for someone or something. Better to let the man deal with his own issues. Though the idea of using the pirate ship might have been a plan now that they had it instead of that their's. The big bonus of a new ship meant they would be harder to track and have a rep that might protect them.

[dakota]

"Pink lace? what do I look like, a seven year old?" McKenna replied with a nervous smirk before pushing The gurney towards the relative safety of the pirate vessel

[Renekin Skywalker]

The group angled Foreman around to the dorsal airlock.

A fellow of some disrepute had been waiting for them there.

"Welcome aboard the Pooh Jihad," he said, with a wave to the airlock.

There was blood on the floor in the hallways just past.

[dakota]

McKenna looked at the bloodstain on the floor and scowled a bit, " Well, this isn't the exclusive cruise liner we were told to expect. Is there somewhere we can take our pilot so I can monitor his condition?"

[Renekin Skywalker]

The pirate at the airlock gave a confused look at mcKenna.

"The med bay, my good man," explained the pirate they had taken prisoner. "Our dear doctor, here is referring to the med bay."

"Ahhh," The airlock pirate said, an enlightened understanding crossing his face. "Can't. Busy. In you go."