[TC] FROM NOTHING, A Rogue's Tale - Book I [COMPLETED]

Kirlack · Post by **Kirlack** » Wed, 5. Jan 11, 20:16

Best o' luck then, I hate doing OS re-installs. Question now is, how do I amuse myself of an evening if I can't read your latest exploits? (Actually that's a sad statement on the state of my life :-p)

Next stop: N-Ss Wanton use of nukes.... then more pirating of my own

Triaxx2 · Post by **Triaxx2** » Wed, 5. Jan 11, 22:58

I assume you tried reinstalling the game before moving to drastic measures.

@Kirlack: Wait you mean some one was actually reading it? Maybe I'll pick it back up. I only stopped because I didn't think anyone was.

Scion Drakhar · Post by **Scion Drakhar** » Wed, 5. Jan 11, 23:16

Triaxx2 wrote:I assume you tried reinstalling the game before moving to drastic measures.

@Kirlack: Wait you mean some one was actually reading it? Maybe I'll pick it back up. I only stopped because I didn't think anyone was.

Smartass.

Yeah, I've tried all sorts of things. I uninstalled the game, deleted the folder and then re-installed it three times. I've updated all of my drivers. I've uninstalled several dozen programs. I've run Norton half a dozen times. I've even bought a new sound card. It keeps crashing. Something has slipped into the system and I don't know where or what it is. Hell it may have even been one of the windows updates, in which case I'm severely screwed.

The guys over in tech support are still working with me. In the meantime I'm backing up all my data and getting ready to do something absolutely dreadful, namely re-format the hard drive and start over. I hate doing it cuz I always forget SOMETHING.

Anyhoo. I'm not gonna actually start on it until tomorrow sometime, so maybe the Tech guys'll come up with something. IDK.

Triaxx2 · Post by **Triaxx2** » Thu, 6. Jan 11, 00:05

I know many people, some who are even intelligent computer users that jump straight to 'Reformat' without trying the necessary possibilities in between.

Have you tried using a System Restore?

Scion Drakhar · Post by **Scion Drakhar** » Thu, 6. Jan 11, 01:56

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php? ... sc&start=0

If you're interested that's the thread where some very smart people are helping me try to narrow it down. I'm not going to actually go through the r-eformatting bit until at least tomorrow and that's only if these guys can't help me.

Vim Razz · Post by **Vim Razz** » Thu, 6. Jan 11, 09:08

Here's hoping you get it cleared up before having to deal with a full system wipe. You mentioned that you hope it's not a Windows Update issue -- have you checked the dates of updates your machine has downloaded recently?

Jawms · Post by **Jawms** » Fri, 7. Jan 11, 00:08

After reading that thread, sadly, it seems that it is neither a hardware nor a software problem, but a corruption with your save. You should check if any other saves give you the same crash.

Scion Drakhar · Post by **Scion Drakhar** » Fri, 7. Jan 11, 00:47

You may be right. After reading your post I loaded an earlier save and did everything I could think of to create the same crash and wasn't able. I'm not sure, though. The coincidence between the exact nature of the crash, namely the exception code and the fault offset, being exactly the same as TomWilson's. I may be looking at a gremlin.

The other problem: I haven't been very dilligent about saving ...

Next post to come.

_Zap_ · Post by **_Zap_** » Fri, 7. Jan 11, 06:15

Kirlack wrote:You've gotten me hooked on DiDs, just dowlnoaded A Pirates Story and read it all in one hit, could still cry at the ending.

You really downloaded it? Then why says the counter on the page still only 5 downloads... who knows.

Krilack wrote:Next stop: N-Ss Wanton use of nukes.... then more pirating of my own

Actually I made a pdf for this too. i couldn't upload it to the same hoster where i host a pirates story cause its bigger then 15MB, so I uploaded it elsewhere. Unfortunatly i somehow managed to break my source file fpr this, so i cant just split it into two parts... Link should be on the last page of the wanton nukes thread (Page 190?)
Edit: Now also with (hopefully) working mirrors.

Scion Drakhar wrote:You may be right. After reading your post I loaded an earlier save and did everything I could think of to create the same crash and wasn't able. I'm not sure, though. The coincidence between the exact nature of the crash, namely the exception code and the fault offset, being exactly the same as TomWilson's. I may be looking at a gremlin.

The other problem: I haven't been very dilligent about saving ...

Next post to come.

I Hope you wont have to load from an older Save.

Anyway, i cant wait to read more from your Stuff!

Kirlack · Post by **Kirlack** » Fri, 7. Jan 11, 18:10

Actually _Zap_ I've now downloaded both those PDFs (Kudos for making the pdf versions, I could kiss you!) Since both make for brilliant reading and inspiration I thought it best to keep a copy on my rig for when I'm "bored"

Are there any plans to make any other PDF versions of popular DiDs? I'd quite like to read "Zen and the art of running away" but my rig gives me grief everytime I get past chapter 1

Also, I don't have the superbox, but I suspect either (or both) of those stories would have fit well. I for one would have celebrated having some great pirating tales on hand

Triaxx2 · Post by **Triaxx2** » Fri, 7. Jan 11, 18:16

The PDF of Zen is giving you trouble? Or the story itself?

If it's the latter, you might just have a bad copy.

Kirlack · Post by **Kirlack** » Fri, 7. Jan 11, 19:54

Lol, neither

Sorry I wan't being very consice.

Every time I try to read the thread my rig locks up (I have no idea why I just don't think my rig likes that page). And I didn't even know Zen was available as a PDF. That being the case I'd better go D/L it and get reading! Although, if the link is in the original thread that might be an issue...

Triaxx2 · Post by **Triaxx2** » Sat, 8. Jan 11, 01:06

There might be, but it's not a problem. N-S has a link to it in his sig.

_Zap_ · Post by **_Zap_** » Sat, 8. Jan 11, 04:33

yep, and this pdf looks ways prettier then mine.

DL-Link from N-Ss Sig

if i come across to any nice storys without a pdf, i would possibly make one. copy some chapters and pictures and then press a button isnt that hard :-)
if you got any ideas, tell me. I'd like to read moar! :D

Kirlack · Post by **Kirlack** » Sat, 8. Jan 11, 11:08

Dowloaded and being read right now

I feel a bit like I'm reading about a ghost since I've read Wanton Use first lol.

I know what you mean about it being "prettier" _Zap_ but honestly after a while that background makes my eyes go funny, yours didn't do that

I'm on a hunt for truly gripping DiDs now, if I spot any that don't have PDFs I'll be sure to let you know

EDIT: Well, I've finished reading Zen now...laughed myself silly. Trouble is i feel this burning urge to re-read Wanton Use <sigh>

Hurry back Scion!

Scion Drakhar · Post by **Scion Drakhar** » Sat, 8. Jan 11, 22:38

All righty then. Just so you all know what's going on I'm going to tell you. I have loaded an earlier savegame, costing me about 5 hours of gameplay and forcing me to abandon the chapter which would have been posted here. I tend to post about a day or so behind my actual gameplay. Now I don't know if the problem has been solved or not. I did experience a single crash since loading the earlier save so I may have to simply accept having a gremlin. As a result, although I would normally eschew the use of salvage insurance in a DiD game I've been forced to start using it. I promise I'll be honorable.

Please forgive the lack of polish in the following chapter. I just finished it and like I said, normally I hold back a day or so to allow myself to go over the writing once or twice to edit grammar and eliminate typos and the like.

At any rate, without further ado:

9. A Very Profitable Day

768-05-02 14:53
Well, um, I didn't quite get that Paranid over to the pirate base. You see I was passing this Split, see, and I checked his hold and the guy was carrying nearly 200 wasp missiles and I sort of, well, decided I wanted 'em. There was only one problem. This Split, right, he wasn't flying a freighter. He wasn't even flying one of those pussy M4's. He was sat in a Mamba and he kinda took exception to me being a bit pushy about those Wasps. Now, he was lightly shielded and only had a single High Energy Plasma Thrower to defend himself with … and all those wasps which he did start using after a while. I'm still here, though, so he obviously didn't kill me. He did manage to nick me with some HEPT fire, though and it did sorta knock out my shields and manage to singe my hull a bit. Nothing too serious, mind you, but aah, well, it kinda knocked out my cargo life support system. Yeah. So.... you can imagine what happened to that Paranid. I didn't bother looking into that crate. I figure it's a bit gooey in there and I just ate so … I just kicked it out of the airlock. It's too bad, really. I was looking forward to watching that SoB get humbled through the generous use of electric prods and high pressure water hoses. On the plus side that Split turned out to be a bit twitchy. I didn't get those wasps but I did get:

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l55 ... 4/NICE.jpg

Ooooh. So what do I do with this?

768-05-02 16:21
So, I've been hard at work. I've decided I like Boron Military Transports. I mean what's not to like, right? Unarmed freighters carrying really tasty goods through pirate sectors. They're sorta like free meals. Why they send these guys out without so much as an escort or a pop-gun to defend themselves with I have no idea. I'm not complaining mind you. I've been profiting rather heartily from the Boron Military's oversight. Also, while I've been terrorizing the trade lanes I've had my new Demeter “Beggar's Solace” selling Spacefuel to the pirates. My new Mamba has made it's way to the shipyard in Ceo's Sprite for repairs then down to the EQ in Company Pride where I've completely tricked it out with the best engine, rudder and cargo bay plus a whole bunch of the goodies I've managed to accumulate through my illegal activities, including a pair of PACs, 4 MDs and even a pair of Pulsed Beam Emitters (PBEs) I picked up from this Split who had five of them but was rather determined not to let them go. I managed to convince him to drop two before he, aah ... yeah. Exploded.

Anyway, I've now got a fully equipped heavy fighter! Now I've just GOT to take her out for a spin.

768-05-02 16:34
Well, I have to admit going at about a third the speed of the Kestrel is a little disappointing. It just seems to take forever to get anywhere now. On the other hand I do have ten times the shielding and a LOT more firepower which is rather nice. Ok, so that's a bit of an understatement. I feel both much more secure and very dangerous in this thing.

So. I've been out hunting more targets of opportunity. Nopileos Memorial was kind of a bust. It seems to have picked up an entire Boron Battlegroup what seemed to be pirate hunting while I was busy tricking out my new Mamba:

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l55 ... Borons.jpg

That was a Galleon by the way. So, seeing as Borons are currently my favorite targets (cuz they don't shoot back) I decided to try my luck elsewhere. So, Danna's Chance doesn't seem to be a good hunting ground for lack of traffic and Hatikvah's Faith is just a mess so I'm gonna cruise on down to Desecrated Skies.

768-05-02 16:34
Oh my. This is interesting.

I don't know what made me do it. I mean a Paranid Passenger Shuttle doesn't exactly hold much in the way of loot for me but I just couldn't help myself. I scanned 'em and saw that there were nearly thirty Paranid on board and I just had to mess with 'em. So I opened up with the PBE's and in no time flat that Paranid pilot bailed. I'm assuming he was trying to save his own skin by abandoning his charges. It was, however, a rather amazing bit of astronomical congruity and perhaps a fair bit of instant karma as well. See, he jumped out of that shuttle just as I was hurtling by and … well. Let's just say I'm grateful for shielding on this thing cuz otherwise that'd be just hell to clean up. In either case I found myself in possession of a new ship. It wasn't empty either.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l55 ... Hermes.jpg

Ooooh. Maybe I will be paying those slavers a visit after all.

768-05-02 16:47
My my. This is turning out to be a very profitable day.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l55 ... erseus.jpg

The only question now is, how do I get it back to anywhere safe? I've already given my jumpdrive to the Hermes.

768-05-02 17:24
Right, so I've been following this Perseus with the intent of keeping the random Pirate from blowing it to bits and giving orders to the rest of my ships … remotely. Oh wow. I just love the sound of that. “The rest of my ships.” Phew. Ok. So, I've had that Hermes fixed up and then sent it to the Pirate Base in Hatikvah's Faith. While that was going on I sent my Hot Rod hurtling across the universe to fetch another Jumpdrive. Tag Along has been, well, tagging along behind me hoovering up everything I can get these traders to drop, which has been rather substantial. I do believe I've found my true calling.

Anyhow. I just had this Perseus dock at one of the SPP's here in Third Redemption and the Kestrel is on it's way to deliver it a jumpdrive. That should get it up to the Shipyard in Ceo's Sprite for repairs or sale, depending on what I decide to do with it. I'm obviously not sure yet. It is a pretty little ship. Looks kind of dangerous and a bit evil, which I have to admit is suiting my disposition lately. I'll have to look over all of it's stats to see whether it's worth keeping. In the meantime I'm heading up to Hatikvah's Faith. I really want to be there for the introduction of these Paranid into their new lives as slaves. I don't know where it comes from but I really do hate them. The very idea of their torture and suffering just sets this furious glee running through my blood.

768-05-02 18:37
You know it's strange. I never really thought of myself as sadistic but watching those Paranid getting beaten and collared was satisfying in a way that I can't even describe. Those pirates have it down to a science too. In no time flat those 24 Paranid Passengers became 24 Paranid slaves. Heh heh heh. My slaves. Oh my, what a turn my life has taken.

So. I'm jumpdrive equipped again. Hot Rod is sitting at Terrcorp HQ with another one for my next acquisition. The Perseus is at the shipyard in Ceo's Sprite, where I still haven't decided what to do with it. I'm not hurting for money right now so I don't need to sell it, but I also don't really know yet if I want to fix it up. Maybe if I cozy up to the Teladi a bit more I'll get a clearer idea. I don't know. Right now I'm thinking about taking a respite here at the pirate base. They do seem to have a lot to offer the weary traveler. Heh heh heh.

Assets:
1 x Mamba “Mac the Knife”

1 x Perseus 61%
1 x Kestrel “Hot Rod”
1 x Caiman Hauler “Tag Along”
1 x Demeter “Beggar's Solace”
1 x Vulture Tanker “Gas Station”
1 x Hermes “Slaver”
2,102,109 credits
+ assorted goodies

Vim Razz · Post by **Vim Razz** » Sun, 9. Jan 11, 00:03

You're back!

Took your blasted time there, didn't ya?

Triaxx2 · Post by **Triaxx2** » Sun, 9. Jan 11, 02:48

Awesome chapter. See, sometimes going back is worth it. Even in DiD's, I like to keep a few what-if saves.

Kirlack · Post by **Kirlack** » Sun, 9. Jan 11, 11:04

Welcome back Scion!

I'd keep the Perseus, they make pretty good wingmen if you kit 'em out right, and with those bloody three eyed freaks on hand for merc training chances are you'll need a wingman :-p Hell, I'd sign up for the job and you'd only have to pay me in Meatsteaks and space weed

Triaxx2 · Post by **Triaxx2** » Sun, 9. Jan 11, 13:31

Oh no you don't. I'll take the job for nothing but some energy cells.