Chapter Text
“So… how did you know about me?”
“Well- I didn’t really. It was an honest mistake… I was just planning on fucking over the Dominion.”
“Exiting Warpstream in 1 minute.” Julieta called over the intercoms of the bandit ship.
“You heard her.” Morgan yells to the 10 crewmates in the ships drop bay. “Get your boots ready and stay behind the Villain. We’re going for a spacewalk.” The boarding crew quickly do a few last-minute checks as Morgan hurries past them and climbs up the arm of their MEX.
The Villain is a stolen Brave 11 that’s been retrofitted and upgraded to fit its newer role- banditry. As a Brave 11, it was designed as a frontline all around combat vehicle with titanium alloy armor plating, a carbon fiber chassis, modular equipment systems and a blocky but flexible, 31-foot-tall humanoid frame. However, this particular MEX was designed for training purposes and was missing a lot of the standard loadout. That’s where the customizations that Morgan has gathered over the last 7 years come in.
It’s been painted a camo green with 31 tally marks painted white on its left upper arm’s armor, each one denoting a successful raid against the Dominion. For this particular mission (and most missions for that matter) Morgan has attached a Tower Shield to the left forearm and a deployable plasma wrist blade on the right. The shoulder, chest, and hip modules are all repurposed vector thrust systems from a gunship that allow the Villain more mobility both in atmosphere and space. The weapon of choice for Morgan is a Piranha light rail pistol which is currently holstered on the interior of the Tower Shield.
Morgan hauls themselves over the shoulder of the Mex and drops into the cockpit. They start turning the Villain’s systems on and doing their own final diagnostic checks. The mech whirs to life as the cockpit seals behind Morgan. “Villain is ready to go- Julieta?” Morgan calls over the intercom.
“30 seconds to Warpstream exit.” She calls out again.
“Excellent, we’re on schedule.” Morgan adds looking at a status panel on the lower right of the cockpit. The Villain's cameras finish orienting and several screens flicker to life showing Morgan a near 360 view of their surroundings. They disengage their docking clamps and rise to their full height before walking toward the drop bay and standing just off the doors. They grab a side bar with their free hand getting ready for the vacuum of space to take over
One of their crew, Samuel, gives them a thumbs up signifying that everyone is ready to go. Morgan gives them a thumbs up with the MEX right back. Samuel locks into their vacuum seat alongside the others.
“Exit in 3… 2… 1…”
Only 40 feet away from a Dominion Cargo vessel, a Warpstream rips open and Morgan’s ship, The Intent to Steal, barrels out of the tear. The base of the ship is long and narrow, 230 feet long but only 40 foot wide. It’s a stolen patrol frigate, Jason Class, painted dark grey with 5 brilliant red stripes on the wings and 3 more on the top of the ship. The bottom however features an angular skull and crossbones in the same crimson hue. The hull is overall squared with slopes and raised turrets bases. The long wings are attached to the lower rear of the ship’s stern. They’re narrow and triangular, reaching forward to the same length of the bow. Automated point defense turrets line the edge of the wings while larger manned rail cannons and torpedo tubes reside bristled around the body.
The Intent to Steal matches the Dominion vessel in length but is dwarfed by the bulk of the cargo ship. Normally the size disparity would scare of the smaller ship but in this case it just means there’s little risk of destroying ALL the goods.
The Intent to Steal spins as they exit the Warpstream so their dorsal side faces the cargo ship as they fly over the targets own dorsal side. A barrage of point-blank rail shots, torpedoes and PD rounds rip through the armor of the ship even before the warp panels on the Intent can finish retracting. Almost immediately the enemy's sparse defenses, which are now even more sparse from the attack, come to life and begin to return fire, colliding with the Intent to steal as it spins again and continues its trajectory around the target to its rear where the cargo is located.
Inside the docking bay, Morgan feels the ship buck under the attack, and looks surprised. They open a private channel to Julieta. “What happened, there’s no way they’d be returning fire that quickly?”
“They appear to have had their systems at the ready…” She responds similarly confused but much more hopped up on adrenaline. “We’ve still dealt a massive blow and projections of success remain high at 83%.”
Morgan’s hums at that. “Okay, continue as planned.” They add before closing the channel. The projections were at 91% earlier. They planned this heist for months, getting everything perfect, even down to the EXACT position of the cargo ship in space. They suppose it’s better that the weapons were online rather then the ship being 40 feet closer but still this error could cost them some money. Granted this is less about money and more about sending the message that the Dominion couldn’t even defend their ships inside the Trinity of Systems- the core planets of the Dominion.
Julieta’s voice chimes over the intercoms again. “Doors open in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…Open!” The docking bay doors open wide and the vacuum of space begins to pull at the Villain and the crewmates, but they’re safely locked in position by their weight and vacuum seats respectively. As the doors finally completely open and reveal the target’s cargo section. The boarding party begins to unlock themselves and begin getting ready to make the jump.
“Ready?!” Morgan says over the coms. Various fist bumps, thumbs up and nods greet them as they grin and push Villain forward into space. “Follow me!” They say as they officially exit the docking bay.
The Intent to Steal barrels away as the boarding party all descend into open space, keeping the attention of the cargo vessel. While Villain uses it’s thrusters to position itself unto the hull of the ship, the boarding crew fire magnetic grapples unto the hull and drag themselves closer. Once close enough they all latch on with magnetic boots. Villain however deploys piercing claws and spikes on their feet to keep themselves attached.
“Remember, we only need to break one lock on each container. The emergency release system will activate and we’ll be scot-free.” Morgan reminds everyone as the crew all begin to take cover around and behind Villain. Villain fully deploys their shield which covers a considerable area before walking toward the first clamp. The turrets on this part of ship are offline fortunately to it looks like this will be a clean-
“Incoming Shrikes!” Samuel yells over the coms causing Morgan to quickly scan their screens where they find two top of the line Space Mechs have been deployed. Villain quickly turns and its shield absorbs the oncoming hail of rounds. Morgan’s next goal is to find cover for their crew and they find it in the form of a damaged turret.
“Take cover behind the turret!” They order pointing with their free hand before grabbing the holstered rail pistol. Once the crew all reach safety Villain retracts the extensions on the shield for more mobility and begins it offensive.
The Shrikes quickly approach, their twin rapid rail cannons dinging against the Tower Shield. Designed with space combat in mind compared to the retrofitted Villain, they’re going to be a challenge. The two MEX split, planning to flank Villain which is precisely what Morgan was hoping for. They quickly reextend the shield- temporarily nullifying the threat of one mech while taking aim at the other with the pistol. A moment later 3 heavy slugs blast out and each land their mark perfectly. Two hit the joints of each rail cannon while the third directly pierces the cockpit. The Mex continues to fly forward before colliding with the hull and bouncing off into the emptiness of space.
Now on even ground, Morgan quickly matches the remaining Shrike’s position with Villain’s shield. “Samuel- can you give me a shot?”
“On it!” Samuel calls out before reaching over his shoulder and unfurling a comically long anti-tank rifle. He quickly deploys it, using the turret to steady the bulky rifle and begins to line up a shot.
“Any day now Samuel!” Morgan calls out.
“I can’t get a read without hitting you!” They call out. The shrike is moving too fast.
Morgan lets out a noise of disdain before an idea pops up. “Shoot at my shield on my mark!” they order. Samuel grunts an affirmative and aims, trusting his boss completely. “Mark!” Morgan barks and Samuel fires. The shot bounces off the shield and hits the Shrike square in the chest sending it flying back from the force and crashing into the hull.
Not taking any chances, Villain takes aim and sends a few rounds into the shrike before being content that it’s no threat. “Okay… we’re good.” They say, relieved. Shrikes? On an average cargo vessel? Something is wrong, Morgan thinks. They shake away the concern however. “We don’t know if there’s gonna be more. We need to move quickly.” Morgan says causing the crew to break cover toward the first lock.
Once they arrive Vinny and Nicki, two bomb specialists, begin setting charges as everyone else watches for more Shrikes. During the relative peace Morgan takes the opportunity to contact Julieta. “How’re things looking?”
“Shrikes were deployed on the opposite side but were intercepted by PD fire. They’re willing to die for this cargo, boss.” She responds. The crew of the vessel seemed extremely willing and ready to fight. Especially, considering this in one of the least raided areas of the Dominion.
“Okay, keep this line open and give me any and all updates.” Morgan responds just as Vinny and Nicki step away from the charges. “Blow it.” Morgan orders and the charges pop the lock open. Just as predicted the other locks for the container release as per emergency protocol.
“We’ve got a container floating free.” Morgan tells Julieta.
“Okay- all enemy defenses have been neutralized; we’re releasing shuttles to- wait.” Julieta cuts herself off.
“Wait? I don’t like ‘wait’, what’s happening?” Morgan asks, trying their best not to let panic set in.
“Large energy signature- they’re preparing to open a Warpstream!” Julieta calls panicked. “They’re panels are too damaged! They’re going to rip the ship apart!”
“What the fuck! Everyone, grapple onto the container!” Morgan calls out and the crew all quickly scramble to do so. The ship begins to crackle with warp energy as the remaining warp panels begin to unfurl all across the hull. The energy starts to mess with Villain’s systems but they should be good. “Everyone on!?” Morgan calls
“We’re all secure!” Samuel responds quickly as the crew finish magnetizing themselves on.
“Okay! I’m coming!” Morgan calls before jumping off the vessel toward the container. Their thrusters kick on and they collide into the container sending it hurtling away from the ship. Once they get their bearings they quickly get back with Julieta. “Is that shuttle coming?”
“Yes, but we won’t have time to dock-”
“Patch me through too them!” Morgan interrupts.
“Patching.” Julieta says quickly, not really caring about the interruption.
A moment later, the shuttle pilot chimes over the comms. “This is Socks, I’m on my way boss, but-”
“I know, just fly REALLY close to Villain, I have a plan!” Morgan interrupts again.
“Not my fault if I take, you’re arm off.” Socks snarks as it quickly approaches.
Morgan doesn’t give it a response as they spot the small shuttle approaching rapidly. It’s about the size of the Villain and is meant to grab onto the container so this will be weird. “Don’t stop! You’re gonna feel something hit your grabber!” Morgan says as the shuttle continues approaching.
“You’re not-” Socks tries to say just as Villain reaches out and grabs the clamp of the shuttle. “I was joking about the arm!”
“It’s working though!” Morgan responds with a laugh as the shuttle drags the container away via MEX.
“The ships gonna go!” Julieta calls over intercoms as a warp stream opens in front of the cargo vessel. Without the panels necessary to stabilize it, the tear begins to pull apart the cargo ship and within seconds the ship has been split in half and pulled through. As soon as it enters fully, the Warpstream closes and space returns to normal as if nothing happened. Only pieces of debris and one disabled shrike are left floating through space.
The shuttle turns to reunite with the Intent to Steal as Morgan speaks on local coms. “Well… that wasn’t a total loss. Everyone alive?”
“All accounted for.” Comes a very tired Samuel’s voice.
Morgan nods inside the Mex, relief filling their body. “Cool… cool. Cool. Cool cool cool cool…" They say before switching channels "Julieta? Status?”
“Minimal damage to exterior plating, one PD turret’s gonna need repairs but no causalities.”
“Nice… we’re gonna need to figure out what the fuck just happened,” They respond before adding on “but first- lets find out what’s in this that’s so valuable that they were willing to kill themselves over it.”