22. Back on duty
A hunting we shall go, a hunting we shall go!
After returning to Teladi territory, I hook back up with Sabre Sqadron. Who were busy taking some R & R in the local Trading Station in Profit Share. Jack greeted me as I entered the bar.
"Hi Boss" He said, with a smile. "Nice work on those Kha'ak. I guess those Silkworm's came in handy after all!"
"Indeed they did." I replied. "Where's the other lads?"
"Over in the corner, discussing what we might be getting up to next"
I followed Jack to the table that the rest of Sabre Squadron had taken up residence on. They all stood up as I approached.
"Now don't bother with that crap fella's. I know most of you have a military background, but I ain't an officer........Just your boss!" I said with a wink. "Now I take it you lot are all acquainted with Cryo here?" I said pointing at our newest recruit.
They all nod.
"Good. Then as long as you've taken care of anything else you needed to do. Who's up for another patrol."
Mckenna immediately gets up out of his chair. "Its about time you put us back to work. Lets go!"
"Kinda impatient there eh Mck?" I laugh.
"Yeah, well, I don't get paid for sitting around now do it?" He smiles back.
"Ok then, lets get to our ships.
We all undock and form up, as we head East towards Greater Profit.
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We were almost at the East Gate, when my intel network beeps a warning. Checking the satellite network, I notice a lone Pirate Nova crossing Ceo's Buckzoid. I instruct Sabre Squadron to plot an intercept course and were off to catch our first Pirate of the day.
We all arrive in Ceo's Buckzoid, Just in time to see the Pirate on approach to landing in a Mercenary Guild Shipyard. Sabre Squadron tear off, in the hope of catching him before he docks. I head in the same direction. After a few Mizura's. I notice we are too far away. So I lob a Silkworm his way to grab his attention! Unfortunately for us, the Pirate must have had his rear turret activated. As it blasts the Missile from the sky on approach to it's target! Shortly after this, he docks. Bugger!
"Never mind lads. Plenty more fish in the sea. Or in this case, plenty more Pirates in the void!" I laugh over the comm.
We set off again, to continue our patrol route. After managing one full circle, I begin to get a bit impatient. Looks like the Pirates don't want to play. So, I start to look for escort jobs. Since nothing was on the offering in Ceo's Buckzoid, I decided to head South, to see if one would turn up else where.
On the way through Profit Share, I notice the local Flower Farm has a full stock of Sunrise Flowers, just waiting to be snapped up. So I make best speed for the station. Sending Sabre Squadron on ahead. However, by the time I dock, I find another trader has just bought a load! Resulting in a slightly higher buying price of 7 Credits per unit. Still worth it in my opinion, so I fill the hold and undock.
It wasn't untill we got to Spaceweed Drift, that an Argon Ore Transporter Mercury started chattering for an escort. As luck would have it we were already in his destination sector! We only had to make sure he got safely to Silicon Mine L Alpha and he would pay just over 35K. Easy job!
So I form up behind him, then instruct Sabre Squadron to form up behind me. Things went smoothly, until I noticed a commotion over the comm between Sabre 3 and Sabre 7. A Quick check of the sector map reveals....
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Looks like those 2 have had a coming together somehow! "oh boy! It's always the new guy" I think to myself.
The pair are shouting obscenities at each other, before I decide to cut in.
"Right if you 2 don't stand down, you'll both have me to answer to! Look, no damage was done and your shields are already charging back to full strength."
Frozen snaps back. "I ain't flying with this green Bastu boss! Where did you find him? Xenon space!?"
Cryo bites. "Shut your trap Frozen. Unless you want to be eating my PAC's!"
"Bring it on greeny!"
I decide to close the argument. "Both of you SHUT THE HELL UP!!. Unless you want to be floating home? Your forgetting those ships are mine!"
Silence fills the comm channel.
"OK. Now that you ladies have finished, can we get back to our escort job please?" I ask.
As we approach the Silicon Mine, another warning goes off. This time a Pirate Falcon has been spotted crossing Teladi Gain. I turn on the comm again.
"Right. Mck. You take Sabre Squadron and go investigate that contact in Teladi Gain. He's heading for the West Gate, so you should be able to cut him off in...."
"I know, I know, Ceo's Buckzoid. What about this escort job though? Sure you can handle it?"
Smart arse!
"I'll be fine. Just get going"
"Will do. Mck out"
I watch as the boys peel off and disappear into the distance. I then return my attention to the slow, lumbering Mercury in front of me. Wish I knew why these freighter Captains never utilise the maximum power of their ships engines. Meh. who am I to argue? Although I begin to wonder whether or not I should ask the Merc. Captain, as we approach the Mine. The bloody docking clamps are on the opposite side we're facing! Oh joy of joys!
Several Mizura's later and were only just over half way around the mine, when the proximity alarm goes off!
"Oh sweet Sonra! Yaki Harrier closing in fast! Escort. Are you sure you can handle him?" Comes the voice of a panicky freighter Captain over the comm channel.
"Oh bugger! Why did I send Sabre Squadron away!" I mumble to myself.
"Of course I can!" I reply, in my most confident voice.
I whack the Boost Extension and point the nose of "Lazy Geordie" towards the offending Yaki Harrier.
"This is where I find out if the weapon's I bought for this thing were worth it." I think to myself, as I turn to the weapon control on the console.
I set all turrets to "Attack my target" and tighten my grip on the flight controls. Since I was aware that the Harrier could more than easily out manouver me, and I wasn't too sure how the AI would handle my turrets, I sent a gift of a Silkworm in his direction.
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Unfortunately, I fired the Silkworm off too close to the Harrier and he easily dodges it. I'm also still too far away for effective weapons range. So this allows him to empty 1 full laser bank into the side of the Mercury, before I get near him. Needless to say, my contract did not approve of this!
"Get him off me! What am I paying you for?!?" came the angry sound from the comm channel.
"Take it easy big guy. You just make best speed for your destination and I'll take care of him"
Betty tell's me the Silkworm has self destructed, as the Harrier comes into view again. He was just veering away from the Merc as I approached. The front end of "Lazy Geordie" lit up, as my front mounted A-HEPT's let rip into his shields. Obliterating them. I pass him, and turn away slightly, to let my dorsal and aft guns get some action. Sure enough....
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(I love the XTM's explosions. Much better than the vanilla ones.)
PHEW!
I check my log, to make sure it was actually me who got the stupid Bastu!
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll3/ ... n00216.jpg
Yup. There's the Harrier in the list. I quickly turn back to my contract, checking him for damage. His shields have taken a beating, but he is in one piece.
"Thank you escort. Your ship is surprisingly capable for a military transport."
"Your welcome Argon Mercury ATSEP-96. She surprised me to!"
I keep 1 close eye on the Gravidar after that. To make sure no other aggressors show up. Thankfully, none do as my contract docks and I receive his thanks.
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Game time = 4D 21h 35mins
Ranks = Graduate/Master Broker
Cr = 1.2 Million
Non combat orientated assets:
1 x Silicon Mine L "TigerInc Silicon Mine 1"
9 x Advanced Satellites
1 x Mercury "TI-SM1-T1"
1 x Caiman Super Freighter "Profit Maker 1"
1 x Discoverer "inferno"
1 x Terracorp Vulcan "Lazy Geordie"
1 x Octopus Vanguard "Universe Explorer"
Combat capable assets:
7 x Harrier Sentinal "Sabre Squadron"
"Ascendant"
"Dragonfire"
"Damnation"
"Shoot that Guy"
"Oops"
"Warbird"
"Frozen Dream"
TigerInc TopGun Rankings
Rank-------Pilot------------No. of kills
1st--------Frozen---------------4
2nd------Jack Jomar-------------2
3rd--Speedy + Fendalis----------1
OMG! a pilot application! Oh joy of joys! 
XD
) So I'm trying to use up as much of my notes as I can. Plus I need to keep you lot entertained! 
