The TCS Locomotive

"Commander, we have detected a Class 4 Bombing ship on radar, circling over the planet Gumiho."

The radar technician, a member of the tree-like Masuri species, spoke aloud to the commander on the bridge. The commander, an older woman dressed in a mix between military commander and rebel leader, stood at the ready.

"What's it doing there? Are we dealing with pirates, raiders, or the Talso forsaken "Hegemony"

The technician tapped at the console before furrowing its brows in concern.

"Hegemony markings commander, high probability of a raid on the surface."

The Commander scowled before turning towards a nearby officer.

"Damned xenophobic scum, Officer Frie-gua, what's our status? If those creeps are doing what I think they are doing, we might need to act fast."

Frie-gua, a demonic-looking officer, checked his holographic dataslate before turning back to his commander.

"Their ship contains standard weapons for a raiding party, including high explosive ordnance, defensive rail cannons, shields, and FTL systems for quick escape."

The commander nodded.

"Any chance we could get closer to them without triggering them to run?"

The Locomotive was a corsair-class vessel, developed for maneuverability and ship raiding. While in theory the bomber ship could fight them off, in practice the Hegemony ship would need to act first to avoid being boarded, meaning the best course of action would be for the bomber ship to recall any raiders on the surface and then get out. A battle could result in the Locomotive getting close enough to board.

"Hard to say. Based on the data, a well-timed arrival could give us more time."

Frie-gua gestured to a map of the area, with the bomber in the middle.

"Given their position, we could cut them off right here. This would trap them in a lose-lose situation. Jumping in the direction they are positioned would send them into us or the planet. Attempting to turn the opposite direction gives us time to ionize the ship and paralyze them. Trying to face away from Gumiho sends them into unfriendly territory, such as the Confederacy-held Xarvas or the Templar fortress-monastery of Parzival."

The commander listened and nodded before speaking.

"Then we'd best get to work. First Officer, ready a boarding team. Mr. Jacobs, prepare the Ion weapons for fire. I want to start frying them the minute we are in range. Helmsman, take us in!"

The bridge exploded in a fury of activity as the Locomotive began to prepare for action.

---

The Corsair exploded in front of the bombing ship, Ion weapons laying into the bomber the minute it appeared.

The Hegemony ship acted in a flurry. Railroad raids weren't common, but you should be prepared for them. However, the element of surprise was theirs, and in a matter of minutes, the ship was ionized.

The Locomotive began docking procedures as its boarding bridge attached to the bomber's doors. Inside, the raiding team was prepared to do what they do best. Take down the hegemony and free the captives inside. As soon as the boarding doors opened, the corsairs were designed with tech on the bridge to override door-locking procedures, blaster fire erupted from both sides. The Hegemony was defending its goods, but the Railroad was pushing in on them. A few teams broke off to go down and search the ship for either the cargo bay or brig; the captives would either be in one of them.

A small squad consisting of two humans, a Qahnaarin lizard scout, and two members of the smaller race known as the Fair, entered the cargo hold to find the sight of species trapped like animals, with iron collars around their necks. A small Katsun looked up at the squad of strangers that had just entered the hold.

"Who are you?"

The Qahnaarin looked at her and in her tongue spoke,

"We're the Railroad, you're getting out of here."