DiD: When you can't do it your way... do it the Yaki way. (Pt.II Ch.2)(Open to ALL!)

[LordForrester]

"Get you an Espresso! If you barrel roll when I am getting your espresso again I am going to dump it on your head this time!" Grumbled Alex.
Not that he really minded being picked on but he had to keep up appearances.

Derrik laughed and rocked the ship playfully but did not roll. Alex leaned over and handed him his coffee and set back down behind him.

The little ship had a very small cabin behind the cockpit. It had just two small bunks with green curtains running the length of the cabin, and a passage about two feet wide between the bunks and the wall. There was a sink at the end of the passage with a little refrigerator above it with a coffee dispenser in the wall beside it. There was even a fold down table on the wall across from the bunks. You had to fold the top bunk up and sit on the bottom bunk to use it though. It was nice for laying out Maps and eating meals.

Alex really appreciated Derrik asking him his thoughts on the matter at hand. He felt he had finally been able to contribute something. The next time they had some down time he planned on writing a nice long letter to his wife. He longed to see her but knew he was in the right place to start build his family a new home.

[Thermo18]

The Yaki Prince writes a thoughtful and inspiring reply to this:

"BOOOOOOO!"

Hah hey its just me I know! But when I got that signal from Argon One that Yaki Jumped in took over a cap ship and then jumped out of the sector and nobody has been heard of since. I have hated them ever since.

They have nice ships tho I will say that!

[dragondream]

XUN - X Universe News - presented to you by Charlene Hudson

"Rejoicing in the streets and non-stop partying at night is the result of the upcoming elections to choose the new president is drawing nearer. The age-old rivals President Mac Donald and Senator Toff E. Noze will running against each other in the elections and so far the public does not seem to be showing any particular favour to either side as there is only 1000 votes difference between them. This could be history in the making and we advise anyone and everyone to put their votes in quickly for your favourite politician.

President Mac Donald's speech yesterday has been described as a prophecy for revolutionary new times of economic prosperity and military domination across the universe. Quoted from the President: "Do not choose a ruler with who you are not familiar with and who will likely have new ideas and plans for the future, the 'Golden Times' are not far off. Do not stop the 'Golden Times' before we have even had them."

On the other hand Senator Toff E. Noze has given a speech that many witnesses have put as starting the new year 'on the right foot' and has been described to be the promise to rid the Yaki of the universe and to eliminate all those who have ever offended the Argon Senate and its government. As quoted from the Senator: "For years we have been persecuted by those with different beliefs, ideas and morals. We have begun to merely accept these as part of our daily lives, but I suggest we cleanse out all Argon Sectors and other sectors of these pests and restore justice to the Argon once more."

The Argon Senate has expressed its support for a new president instead of an old one and have encouraged the public to vote as much as they can for Senator Toff E. Noze, while on the other hand the Argon Military have openly expressed their support for the President Mac Donald as a "superior ruler and a man that actually knows what he's doing"."

[EmperorJon]

Toff-E-Noze! Toff-E-Noze!

[TTD]

luv it

[dragondream]

Chapter 10 – Mission Accomplished and a Deadly Transport Convoy

Derrik undocked the from the Pirate station after an unsuccessful negotiation with the owner to give him a discount on some of the prices of goods. He scanned the stations for a decent mission and soon found one that interested him.

[ external image ]

“One of my shipsss hasss been ssstolen,” the Pirate Teladi informed. “For some of my money I want you to retrieve the ssship to me.”

“Yesss sssir,” Derrik replied in mocking imitation.

He swung his ship in the direction of Elena’s Fortune – the place where the stolen ship was said to be located. Arriving in the target sector he spotted the Argon controlled M5 vessel flying at top speed in the opposite direction.

“Ok Alex, you’re in control of the ships weapons,” Derrik commanded him.

“Wh… what?”

“Fire the blimin’ guns!”

Alex shot an endless stream of IRE’s up the target’s exhaust and then lowered the number of IRE’s used when the M5’s shields were down to minimum while Derrik strafed perfectly round the ship’s hull without ramming into him.

“You don’t want to do that,” the Argon pilot said over the comm.

“Eh, yes I think I do,” Derrik replied tauntingly.

Alex let another stream of IRE’s pummel the M5 just when the Argon pilot launched a missile. The IRE’s blew up the missile before it could leave the vicinity of ship that launched and destroyed the enemy target instantly. Derrik tilted his head back against his seat.

[ external image ]

“Well that’s one way of doing it.”

Alex looked disappointed. “How was I supposed to know he was going to launch that thing just when I fired off another round?”

“Don’t blame yourself kid, I’m not either, it wasn’t your fault.”

Just then a comm. message came in from the mission giver.

[ external image ]

”The ssship was destroyed along the way by hostilesss. Here isss 88 creditsss for your attempt.”

“Unusual for a Teladi to part with any money like that,” Derrik admitted.

Alex looked stunned. “Why did he pay us after we destroyed his ship?”

“Well, because we didn’t,” Derrik said. “At least not in their books, that is. The missile did, after we destroyed the missile. The new mission system is, fortunately, very messed up. You can very easily find loopholes in the system and fool the mission giver into actually thinking you did something for them. Commonsense has become a rarity in the universe, everything has become automated.”

“Well, doesn’t that make it easier for us?” Alex supposed.

“Of course it does.”

“What now?” Alex asked.

“Now, my friend, we look for another mission.”

Derrik flew back to Split Fire and accepted a Taxi Mission for a Pirate in need to deliver some important documents.

“I don’t think I want to know what kind of documents he’s talking about,” Derrik said while shaking his head.

He docked to the station and met up with the client.

“What kind of joke is this?” the rather pompous Paranid said to him. “I requested a ship for TRANSPORT, which means not a tiny M5 – without even a Cargo Lifesupport System!”

“Why you pompous dweeb, if this wasn’t in a public place I would…”

Alex coughed to cut Derrik short. “Um, let’s just look for another mission, Derrik.”

Derrik sneered shortly at the Paranid before turning away and heading back to the ship again. He undocked his ship and sped towards Brennan’s Triumph and accepted two other missions: one to destroy a fleet in Duke’s Domain and another to fetch an unclaimed ship and bring it back to its owner. Before he left the sector he quickly picked up a few missiles to sell off at another time.

[ external image ]

In Priest’s Pity he found the small, unclaimed M5 and claimed it and sent it back on its way to the owner.

[ external image ]

[ external image ]

“I have no need for another M5 ship,” Derrik explained. “And it was only a Pirate that wanted it back anyway.”

Then he turned towards the South Gate and began the journey to Duke’s Domain. Before he could enter the West Gate of Emperor’s Ridge the entire convoy he was assigned to destroy came flying through the gate and Derrik began firing at the nearest one.

[ external image ]

However, with such poor shields and weapons, a Fujin is hardly the weapon to inflict damage on a better shielded, PAC equipped Cayman – not to mention the other 3 TS’s within firing range of Derrik. So, to Alex’s prediction, it ended up a one-way battle with Derrik on the losing end. He fired off the Disruptor Missile he had captured earlier but it was shot down before it reached its target.

“Darn this ship!” Derrik cursed. “What was I ever thinking that the Gobanis did me a favor by passing this atrocity on?”

“Well, at least one mission will be completed,” Alex said thoughtfully while checking the Universe Map. “The captured Harrier is on its way to Split Fire.”

After reaching Duke’s Domain, Derrik ejected from his ship and quickly patched up the damaged hull with his repair laser.

[ external image ]

(You’ve admit from a certain angle it looks like he’s doing his ‘business’ on the ship)

“Now, how about we…”

“Go accept another mission?” Alex said, cutting Derrik off.

“No,” Derrik answered calmly. “I was gonna say go get a drink...”

[ external image ]

[ external image ]

Assets:

1 x Yaki Fujin “Fudge”

Credits: 30,780
Game Time: 10:27:07

[dragondream]

As you may have noticed it's been a little while since my last chapter added to my DiD, but I hope it's been worth the wait.

I also thought it would be a good idea to add a character list of the DiD so far, so you can remember all the characters in the storyline.

Character List

Derrik "the Dragon" Dream - Main Character
Alexander Corstorphine - Partner, Co-Pilot of Derrik Dream
Gobanis Gustiosanis IV - Yaki Prince
Senator Hughes - Member of the Argon Senate
Senator Rolland - Member of the Argon Senate
Charlene Hudson – XUN News Presenter
President Mac Donald - First Argon President in DiD
Senator Toff E. Noze – Argon election rival, member of the Argon Senate

There are some other important characters in the story line such as the two Split men that disappeared in the station Derrik was on and the anonymous threat he received later on.

[dragondream]

XUN - X Universe News - presented to you by Charlene Hudson

"A local science fare on Argon Prime ended in disaster after gunmen approached the building and took several visitors inside as hostage. After torturing their victims the gunmen have claimed to be part of a campaign against the government to stop "cruelty to animals".

President Mac Donald has admitted this to be one of the most absurd and illogical campaigns he has ever witnessed. "How can they say stop cruelty to animals when they will happily torture fellow humans?" he asks to the public. "This is a clear example of twisted ideas and cruel motives that has begun to poison society." The gunmen responsible for these atrocities have been promptly arrested and sent to ten years imprisonment.

Elsewhere in the news, one of the Senator's has proposed the idea of 'banning' dogs from all Argon owned planets, as he has claimed that "too many victims fall too scars, injury or even death from dogs biting them". However, although this may have been brought up in the Senate, it seems unlikely that it will be added as a law and the President has personally denied any further discussion of the topic within the Senate."

[LordForrester]

Dear Dorry,

We had quite a day today. After a few days just flying with Derrik he asked me to be the gunner so he could focus on flying. I cannot tell you how nice it was to have that trigger back in my hand. Even if the ship we are flying in is weak it is still nice to pull that trigger and feel those 4 IREs come to life. In a ship this small you can feel the whole ship decelerate just a little bit.

We did a few missions today. Two of them went well. Derrik is getting more and more frustrated with this ship. He keeps taking on more than we can handle. If we can get a few jobs done and can get an m4 I know we will be able to start capping some shipping.

I was telling Derrik today that I know the Terran’s are always looking for escort pilots for there ambassadors. As much as I don’t like the current government they do pay well for sub contract work. Don’t worry about me I would stay with the ship and stay out of sight. The way I am dressed now I don’t think anyone would know me.

It would also give me a chance to look for Master Chief Edwards. I suspect he and his family went to the Pluto sector. The local government there is sympathetic to our people’s plight.

The Terrans don’t care one little bit about the Yaki and would help Derrik as long as it was of benefit to them. I am not sure if Derrik will go for the idea but he said he would think about it.

I have been watching the news on the argon government. It looks like there is a strong party of the same sort that ran us from our home. I am glad we did not settle there. If they get in power then we would have had the same problems.

I hope you are doing well and that you got my first pay check. Tell everyone I said hi and that I love them.

Love,
Alex

[dragondream]

My apologies for not posting in so long for my DiD. As I said in another thread, I don't have plenty of free time to do this at the moment, but I haven't deleted the saved game and there's still a chance for me to continue it sometime in the future.

[TTD]

"Yer know what? Oi waz just a thinkin' yesterday,Oi @avent 'erd vrom dat Yaki prince vor a whoil. 'is Hoshi 'ee let me buy still serve me well.Oi'm 'alve a temptid te buy another." ~ Norman

Not easy to find time for these,is it?
Last night I was going to do some more to mine,but there was so much internet activity and forum gossip etc .,it was gone 2000 before I realised.

Similar tonight.
But our readers will wait for a while.

Well I'm waiting for your next bit.

[LordForrester]

I am still around Dream if you want to continue. If you still want Alex in your DiD.

[Trigger1112]

Just wanted to say that I'm still waiting for an update.

[dragondream]

Don't worry fellas, I've got some free time today... (and tomorrow) so I'll get this DiD back on its feet. LordForrester, you are welcome to write something as Alex or so in the meantime - if you want of course.

[dragondream]

Chapter 11 – Headaches and “Hey Guess What, Lizardboy’s Got A Surprise...”

Derrik tried to lift himself from his seat, but the fuel had gotten too far into his bloodstream by now. His head felt separated to his body and he more rolled out of his seat than got up. He looked at Alex, who was fast asleep on the bar table, drink spilt over his lap. By now, Derrik knew what a distressed man looked like, and Alex had obviously not drunk that amount for pleasure. He put his hand on Alex and shook him in order to wake up him up.

“Alex,” he said loudly. “Alex, wake up.”

Alex’s eyes opened as painfully and hard as two bits of sandpaper sliding past each other. His pupil were dilated and his eyes bloodshot. A drop of the spacefuel dripped slowly down his chin.

“Where are we?” he barely managed to mumble.

“We’re in a bar. You just had a bit too much to drink, that’s all. Listen, you stay here – not that I see another option – but I’m just going to the reception and see if there are any messages for me.”

Derrik wasn’t sure how much Alex had heard, but Alex was snoring deep in a long-awaited sleep. Derrik made his way to the reception where a kind, female Argon had been left in charge – not a usual sight in Paranid space. He smiled warmly at her.

“Derrik Dream. Any messages for me?”

“Let me check, sir,” she said kindly back. “Yep, two messages. Here, you can read them.” She turned the screen for him to read.

Message 1 - Gobanis Gustiosanis IV

“Greetingsss Derrik Dream. I am pleased to hear that you have managed to successsfully carry out my asssignment for you. Yesss, we know what you are doing and where you are, but have no fear. We only keep track of all our new Yaki members to make sssure they are sssafely following out their tasksss. I have a little presssent for you at Yaki Shipyard, be sssure to visit soon. It isss an M4, barely shielded and unarmed, but I am sssure you will find some use for it, Derrik.

Honour the Kingdom.”

An M4, wow. Derrik was pleased. Although, it was becoming noticeable to him that they were always minimum shielded, badly dented and scratched and barely armed. Weird. Derrik stood against the railing of a platform directly above his ship. He looked at his “Fudge” – as he like to call it – and wondered what he was thinking when he thought he could go taking on ships more than five times bigger than his own. He leaned over the railing and inspected the perimeter of the ship, half of his body now hanging over the railing of the platform. Suddenly, a strong hand jabbed him in his back sending him flying over the railing and falling several feet down onto the roof of his ship. He tried to look up to spot his attacker, but the agony was too great. His eyes closed as he fell unconscious, only moments before a crowd gathered round him and began calling for help.



Derrik felt his eyes being grinded open against his will and a flashlight shining into one and the other. He shifted uneasily from the pain.

“Just relax,” a kind Boron voice said to him. “That was quite a fall.”

Derrik wanted to close his eyes, but the cold rubbery fingers of the Boron doctor held the in place. He shifted again.

“Hmm, no permanent damage done. Mind you, you took quite a blow.”

“Some idiot attacked me and pushed me over the ledge,” Derrik groaned.

“I know,” the Boron said, its voice still friendly. “I caught a glimpse of the attacker, but he moved to quick before I could see his face. I’ve already reported it to the Police.”

Derrik tried to sit up straight, but the pain overtook him and he lay paralyzed. “Why would you do that?” he asked crossly. “I don’t need a bunch overenthusiastic cops on my back about an attacker I don’t even know what looks like. “

“They are smarter than you think. They’ll find him, don’t worry.”

Derrik sneered. “I’ll bet they will.”

The Boron doctor eased Derrik up into a sitting position and placed his long rubbery tentacles around Derrik’s arms and shoulders and carried him cautiously into the Fujin. He placed Derrik in his small bed – more like a cot – and eased his head down on a pillow.

“You need some rest. Is anyone else with you?”

“My friend, Alex, is still in the bar. You’ll know him when you see him; he’s the one that’s sleeping soundly on the bar table with a drink spilt on his lap.”

“I doubt he’ll be the only one,” the Boron said smilingly – if fish could smile. “But I’ll have a look for him and bring him to the ship as well. Make sure you don’t fly that ship until you’re well.”

The kindly Boron left the ship, leaving Derrik feeling dizzy and unwell from a mixture of spacefuel and falling a several feet onto his own ship. Minutes later Alex was eased into the bed opposite him. He was more asleep than Derrik was. Both were fast asleep until the effect from the fuel eventually wore off and both grinded their eyes open – spacefuel has the tendency to dehydrate the moisture from your eyes.

Alex saw the wound on Derrik’s forehead. “What happened to you?”

“Don’t you mean the other way round?” Derrik said, his eyes shut.

Alex felt the moisture on his face; a mixture of fuel and sweat. “Ok, let me rephrase that. What happened to us?”

“Well, you were drunk. I was also drunk, but fell – well a let’s say a few more feet than you did when you rolled out of your chair.”

“On the stairs?”

“No. I was attacked. Fell with my head flat on the ship.”

“Our ship?”

“Yes, our ship.”

There was a punctuated period of silence. Derrik turned his head by the few fractions the pain would allow and looked at Alex.

“Lizardboy has given us a ship. M4, to be precise.”

“The prince? An M4, we could get some more use out of that, at least, than this tiny flying bucket.”

“They’re both flying buckets.” Derrik was in a correcting mood. “One is just bigger than the other. We’re going back to homebase to pick it up.”

Alex pondered for a minute. “Who’s going to fly there?”

Derrik felt the wound, still bleeding, on his head. “I was thinking you.” He made eye contact again with Alex. “Do you think you can handle that?”

Alex wanted to point out his superior experience in flying M7’s but decided against it. “Sure, I can fly this?”

“Just make sure you let that whiskey wear off. You don’t want the cops stopping us for Drink and Flying.”

Alex nodded, got up, and sat himself in the pilot seat. The double-vision had by now worn off, mostly. He flicked on the controls and made his long way back to Yaki space. He enjoyed every minute of it.

[ external image ]

[ external image ]

Ahhhh, so good to be back… home – I guess.

[ external image ]

Assets:

1 x Yaki Fujin “Fudge”
1 x Yaki Raijin

Credits: 30,780
Game Time: 10:48:14

[dragondream]

XUN - X Universe News: SPORTS - by Ricky Road

'Hello and good afternoon to Ricky' Special Sports News from all across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Games are nearing this year and major preparations from all races have been executed in the hopes of winning this year's prize of 100.000.000.000cr!!! Pirate and Yaki clans have been denied entry to the competition for their "incompetence" and "disrespect for the law". The Teladi - who were previously denied from the Games for bribery reasons - have been re-allowed to enter only specific events, such as: Station Sprinting, Asteroid Climbing, UFO Targeting, and Marathon events. M5 Racing has still been reserved from the Teladi. Donald Thomasson has this to say on the matter: "These imbeciles, the Teladi, have gone too far with their persistent bribing that is poisoning our sports that have been so highly regarded for so long. They have been given enough kindness already, but Racing will be kept off-limits and for good reason. Racing is already a banned sport, and we are only allowed to hold these events under special permits and regulations that the Teladi seem to have no problem breaching." And now we go back to regular new with Charlene Hudson.'

'Good afternoon and this is News by Charlene Hudson. Further in the news: Derrik "the Dragon" Dream - loved, adored and an idol to his people - has been claimed, by several witnesses, to have been seen on various stations ranging between Argon Prime and Trinity Sanctum. Claims of Derrik still being alive have been dismissed by the Police, however several of the reported stations where Derrik supposedly was seen has been investigated thoroughly by Military Officers. The Argon Military denies that this is the case and have promised that even if Derrik was alive he would never return. All ID and papers of Derrik Dream has been burned and destroyed by the Senate and they have assured us that the "traitor" - as they so unsympathetically call him - will never return to our Argon homes, alive. Thank you for watching and keep up to date with our regular news updates. This is Charlene Hudson saying: if you think the Senate is paying us quarterly with large sums of money to spread their propaganda and repeat everything they tell us to, written out on a script and prepared in advance, and that this news thing is just a big hoax... it's not true. Good afternoon and goodbye.'

[dragondream]

Pilot Needed - APPLY NOW!!!

That's right! The Yaki Prince has given everyone a fair chance to Honour the Prince and His Kingdom by accepting this position as M5 pilot of a used, but in good condition, Yaki Fujin. The position is Wingman and you will be under command of Derrik Dream and his Co-Pilot Alexander Corstorphine. You must listen to only what they say and salary will start off at 120cr a day. Salary might be subject to increase based on experience/skill. Honour the Prince!

State your details as follows!

Name: ...
Time serving the Yaki: ...
Fighting Experience: ...
Trading Experience: ...
Building Experience: ...
Ships Boarded: ...
Do you honour the Yaki Prince: Yes/No
Do you promise never to betray the Yaki: Yes/No
Will you boldly fight against our sworn enemies: Yes/No

We may or may not accept your application for this position. The Yaki Kingdom does not hold any accountability for any deaths or injuries caused by, for or during this occupation.

[RyuKazuha]

_________________________________________
From: Ian "Luckshot" Oldrin
To: the most honored prince Gobanis Gustiosanis IV heir of the Yaki Kingdom etc. etc.

My prince,
I heard your call for a pilot to arm one of your new protégés with and am deeply honored to report for duty. As you may know, I served the Kingdom for roughly four Years now as a Interceptor and Fighter Pilot, who always fulfilled his assignments to the satisfaction of his employees.

I had training in flying fighters of any class for almost 15 Years now, mostly of the M4 Class, but I'm well aware of how to handle a Scout to bring out the peak of its performance. My comrades don't call me Luckshot for no reason, aside the fact they can't sort out skill from luck. I destroyed a couple of frigates and even a corvette using fighters assigned to me.

I'm not a trader though, nor have I ever been building a station. Don't know if running space fuel on a M5 and cashing in salvaged goods counts as trading. That's not what you appear to be looking for anyways.

By boarding experiences are ... shallow. I'm a pilot, not a marine, so I only get on board a enemy vessel a couple of times. Last time I lend the marines a hand, after my ship turned into a fireball.
If it counts: I convinced a good number of pilots to surrender their ship. Not sure of the count, but may well range into the dozens. Is there some kind of record?

My pride your honor, my body your sword, my loan the fear in our enemies eyes.

Ian Oldrin a.k.a. Luckshot
_________________________________________

[dragondream]

_________________________________________
From: Ian "Luckshot" Oldrin
To: the most honored prince Gobanis Gustiosanis IV heir of the Yaki Kingdom etc. etc.

My prince,
I heard your call for a pilot to arm one of your new protégés with and am deeply honored to report for duty. As you may know, I served the Kingdom for roughly four Years now as a Interceptor and Fighter Pilot, who always fulfilled his assignments to the satisfaction of his employees.

I had training in flying fighters of any class for almost 15 Years now, mostly of the M4 Class, but I'm well aware of how to handle a Scout to bring out the peak of its performance. My comrades don't call me Luckshot for no reason, aside the fact they can't sort out skill from luck. I destroyed a couple of frigates and even a corvette using fighters assigned to me.

I'm not a trader though, nor have I ever been building a station. Don't know if running space fuel on a M5 and cashing in salvaged goods counts as trading. That's not what you appear to be looking for anyways.

By boarding experiences are ... shallow. I'm a pilot, not a marine, so I only get on board a enemy vessel a couple of times. Last time I lend the marines a hand, after my ship turned into a fireball.
If it counts: I convinced a good number of pilots to surrender their ship. Not sure of the count, but may well range into the dozens. Is there some kind of record?

My pride your honor, my body your sword, my loan the fear in our enemies eyes.

Ian Oldrin a.k.a. Luckshot
_________________________________________

REPLY: The Prince personally thanks you for your application for this position. We have decided to accept your application since the fighting experience and eagerness to serve is exactly what we were looking for. Trading and Building experience was hardly needed for this occupation. You may start work tomorrow once Derrik has gotten accustomed to his new ship, you will receive normal pay. We hope to see you progress in the future as a well-trained mercenary for the Yaki Kingdom instead of a ruthless pirate such as the other scum so often try to be. The Yaki Kingdom plans to expand through the service of eager pilots such as yourself. Honour the Prince!

This message will not be repeated and must be destroyed after reading for security reasons.

[dragondream]

INTEL NEEDED! (Open to Everyone!!!)

'The Yaki Kingdom has received intel that an Argon Military fleet is on the move through Home of Light at the moment. Since there is a particular ship in the interest of the Yaki to capture, we need "visual" intel on the moving fleet. So far, we have received the following info on the fleet:

1 x Argon Colossus
3 x Argon Centaur
13 x Argon Novas
1 x Argon Mecury (carrying a full load of weapons)

The person that can best provide us with the required intel will receive a ticket to travel for 2 weeks on a luxurious cruiser through some of the most beautiful sectors in the galaxy. Food and reservations have already been made.

Honour the Prince!'

Here is what you need to do:

Set up in Home of Light. Spawn the exact amount of ships listed above in the sector. Make sure they are all visible from your position (or take several images). Take as many screenshots as required. Highlight the ships, if possible, with a red circle around each individual ship that belongs to the fleet. Post the screenshot here.