The shuttle breaks from the shielded maintenance channel beneath the coastal launch complex. Floodlights flare across an active orbital cradle while beam fire stitches the service apron.
Karaba mobile suits hold the launch-control towers, exchanging missiles and rifle fire with Neo-Zeon raiders surging between fuel gantries. Stray beams slash across the approach lanes.
Rina Reese
That is not a dormant spaceport. Karaba is defending the cradle, and Neo-Zeon is trying to take it.
Rina tightens her harness and brings the tactical display alive. Red and blue markers overlap around the only functioning route to orbit, while the encrypted drives remain locked in the shuttle’s cargo bay.
Toma Sera
The launch-control towers are still transmitting. If either side reaches the cradle controls, our route disappears.
A Karaba mobile suit stumbles across the flight path, shield scorched, as a beam impact detonates against the apron behind it. The shuttle’s warning systems begin counting down collision hazards.
Rina Reese
Devin, we are inside the battle zone. Where do you want to take us?
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure access to the orbital cradle
✓ Quest Accepted
Get the Sera siblings safely into space
“Devin rolls the shuttle into an evasive maneuver and opens a com channel with Karaba.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Piloting, rolled +3)
Devin rolls the shuttle hard between two fuel gantries. Beam fire flashes across the canopy, but the craft slips beneath it, banking low over the service apron.
He stabilizes inside a narrow dead angle beneath the launch-control towers and opens the encrypted communications channel. The Karaba frequency answers immediately.
Karaba
Unknown shuttle, your channel is clean. Identify yourself and follow the blue guidance strobes to the western cradle lane.
Rina locks the blue strobes onto the navigation display while Toma marks the western lane. Their shuttle now has a protected approach through the crossfire.
Rina Reese
They have us. The western lane is open, and Karaba is routing us directly toward launch control.
Toma Sera
Their controller also says the orbital cradle is still functional. We can launch as soon as the tower confirms our clearance.
Karaba guidance strobes pulse through the smoke, forming a bright corridor toward the functioning cradle. The shuttle settles onto its assigned vector while friendly mobile suits close around it.
“Lewis transmits his credentials and the letter of introduction from captain Silver Fox. He says he has two rescued cyber-newtypes he needs to get to the A.E.U.G. in space. He's willing to give them whatever they want from him in exchange.”
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Devin Halbolt
Karaba control, this is Devin Halbolt, second lieutenant, Silver Hawk. I am transmitting my credentials and a letter from Captain Silver Fox. I have two rescued cyber-newtypes aboard and need passage to the A.E.U.G. in space. I will give you whatever you require in exchange.
Devin pushes the credential packet and Captain Silver Fox’s sealed letter through the encrypted channel. The shuttle’s transmitter burns through its reserve encryption key, leaving the channel permanently exposed to anyone monitoring the battle.
Karaba
Silver Fox’s signature verifies. Your credentials are genuine, and the rescue claim matches our intelligence. Bring the shuttle into the western cradle. We will transfer your passengers to the A.E.U.G. under Karaba protection.
The blue guidance strobes change pattern, opening a direct corridor through the crossfire. Karaba mobile suits shift around the shuttle, shields raised, while the launch-control tower authenticates Devin’s passage.
Karaba
Your payment is information, not lives. Surrender your flight logs, Federation access history, and the drive inventory when you dock. You retain your weapons and your mobile suits for the approach.
Devin Halbolt
The A.E.U.G. will receive Toma and Rina, but the shuttle’s encrypted channel is spent.
The cradle clamps open beneath the shuttle, its launch-control lights turning green. Devin has secured passage to orbit and an A.E.U.G. handoff, though Karaba now holds a copy of his transmitted trail.
Quest Complete
Secure access to the orbital cradle
Skill Upgrade: Command Good→Great
“Devin agrees and transfers the data as the booster pods are attached and he preps the shuttle for assisted atmospheric escape.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -2)