Danny continues to lay on the deck and bleed....

Erin pauses for a moment before realizing that if not for the actions of Os and Danny her own vessel might be sharing the fate of the INTREPID.

"Absolutely. See if you can raise him on bridge to bridge. If you can, the Coast Guard RHIB is still alongside. They may be able to effect a rescue."

"Cheers," Os says, as he goes about trying to raise Schnell on the radio.

The call comes in over the coms as the MORGENTHAU pulls away, but Schnell pays it no mind, already buried deep in the network of the cutter, tweaking fluid flows on the engine, and helping to direct it over the waves. The call is noted, logged, and promptly ignored.

Dumped me and left my comrads for dead...least they can do is help to finance the new life they've guided me to.

"Count me in Os," Danny says from the rail. The ork is holding his riffle in one hand, and his ribs in another, "just a flesh wound," he says through a toothy smile.

As Danny shows up, Os says to him, "If you says so, mate, but there's no answer, which means he's either dead or not onboard. If he's not onboard then my guess would be he's in control of the MORGENTHAU and was the one who took a shot at the INTREPID. And in the unlikely situation that he is dead I don't see the point in trying to rescue him.

"I'm still open to paying a visit, mind you, to reacquaint myself with all the shit I left on board. Either that or we try to track down the ol' MORGENTHAU, and see if Schnell's there."

"I would like to get my riffle back...."

"That settles it then," Os says. "We'll wait for Sam and then head off. Do you think Ichiro or Meryth would be interested in coming?"

Sam walks over to the ruined bridge, where Danny and Os are standing, with a group of sailors behind him. "I got dese guysh to help ush. Jusht tell dem what you need help wit."

"Okay, guys, we're going to pay a quick visit to the INTREPID to pay a little revenge to the people who boarded your ship and to retrieve armaments and equipment.

"Anybody who's not interested, speak up."

LT Prescott offers Os the pair of low-light binoculars he's been using to scan the horizon.

"I think a rescue mission is a forgone hope at this point."

He gestures out across the waves towards the INTREPID. The once sleek salvage tug is now awash with flame and listing heavily to port. As the gathered crew watches, the vessel gives one last, great shudder before succumbing to her wounds. Even at this range, the sharp cracking of frame members is audible, as if the sea itself were trying to suck the marrow from her steel bones. Wreathed in steam and hissing like a hydra, the INTREPID slips beneath the waves.

"Well, I guess thats it then, can we use the whips to call for another CG ship to rescue us and take care of the wounded?"

Sam says, "We should do dat A-ESH-A-P. No telling what dey're planning to do wit dat cutter. We better report that it was shtolen sho dat dey can't do any more damage. I'm worried about what plansh dey might have for ushing dat ship. Why would shomeone want a Coasht Guard boat unlesh dey were gonna do someting bad?"

"Arse," says Os. "Well, I'm fresh out of ideas. Call me if something interesting happens." With that he heads off to find Erin.

"Poor guy, too bad we couldn't get word. Ok lets get moving on the repairs and wounded see if we can't help out."

1100 16 Oct 2062, Greater Port of Los Angeles, C.F.S.

Stricken Tanker Docks
Matthew Sanchez, AP

Under the watchful gaze of the CFS Coast Guard cutters RELIANT and DAUNTLESS, the Shiawase supertanker HOLLAND SKYE limped into port today. Reports were sketchy about the exact cause of the damage to the vessel, and Coast Guard officials refused to comment. In a brief, prepared statement Shiawase spokesperson Bonn Eritrude praised the crew of the HOLLAND SKYE for "displaying bravery and fortitude above and beyond the call of duty, for unswerving dedication in the face of great personal danger." Receiving special notice was Acting Captain Erin O'Neal, who credited the damage control actions of the crew for the successful return to port.

Officials at Shiawase were understandably tight lipped about the nature of the accident on-board the supertanker, saying only that it was the result of 'mechanical failure'. Shiawase stressed that at no time was there ever a danger of a leak or other environmental contamination.

The HOLLAND SKYE will remain in dock in Los Angeles for at least a month while repairs are being effected.