...But down. As the two fleets clash, Dash pulls down and hits the afterburner. His friend, Stud Beefpile, is over in the distance in his corvette. Dash quickly hyperspaces out.
When he reaches Yemuro he finds another large Rebel fleet gearing up. It appears this is a new Rebel offensive, and that the battle he just left was part of it. The Rebels are so far creaming the Confeds, and their objective, capturing Capella and Matar, seems very likely.
Beefpile guides Dash down to Spica's shipyard. There Beefpile goes up to a Rebel officer and shows him a passport and ID. The officer then says "Ahhh, I see. Your ship is this way."
Riprock is lead through the rather large shipyard to a brand new Corvette. Beefpile turns to him. "Its free. I decided to get you one."
"You work for the Rebellion?" Riprock asks.
"Sort of. I kinda work as a mercenary, and so I did a mission a few days ago, got some extra credits, remembered you, and so decided to get you this. Climb in."
Riprock climed in, examined the entire ship, thanked Beefpile, and then readied the ship for takeoff. Once he was in orbit, however, Riprock suddenly noticed a hyperspace signature! Ships were exiting hyperspace!! They might be Confed!
Suddenly, a Confed fleet hyperspaces in and starts to charge at the Rebel fleet in the system, making Dash be right in the middle!
(someone else continue)
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To Escape Velocity: Nova and Beyond!