Now, this is going to be more of a fictional story with the AP X-Universe as a backdrop, so I'm not going to run it as a strict DiD (wouldn't want the silly mistakes coming from not having played a long time to kill the story), however, anything happening within the confines of the story goes. This game is also not going to be vanilla, again, for story purposes. No cheating myself an ATF battlefleet (or anything similarly ridiculously overpowered) though
Oh, yes, SPOILER ALERT (though I probably won't be doing the plots), you have been warned, dear reader.
The direct introduction to this story can be found here. Now, with all that information out of the way, I present the first real bit of story:
1. A rough ride
Tasha was looking at the sensor readings. Malcolm was still asleep in the back. He was right, she did have some experience with surviving in a hostile Commonwealth environment. And that's what they needed right now. So, she headed for Yaki space - the only really organized pirate clan that didn't double-cross anyone. So far. Working for them would eventually get Malcolm and her a Chokaro-class TM, from where they could then conduct their business. It sounded like a good plan in her head.
What's this then, Tasha thought, as she checked her sensor readings again. A ship classed as an M5 and called a 'Scout'? I thought they were all cleaned up by Operation Final Fury? She changed course to intercept - this was worth investigating. There still might be something valuable aboard... And she was right, a Kha'ak beam weapon. If only they still had their R&D facilities ... Oh well, she thought, let's order it to dock at the nearest military base. She then reset her course for Yaki space.
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'Alert- Alert, missile closing.' Betty's matter-of-fact voice finally woke him up.
"Whnnnngggh?" He felt the unmistakeable tug of acceleration that always set in in fighters before the inertial dampeners kicked in. At least in all the fighters he's been in, maybe it was his bad luck.
"It's ok, Mal", replied Tasha to what she guessed, correctly, was a 'what?'.
"Missile warnin'? Where ar' we?" Malcolm was rushing through his usual wake-up phase, leading to some confusion in his brain.
"Empire's Edge."
"Righ'... Going to the Yaki?" His brain was finally getting to grips with being awake.
"Yep. Only ones who didn't cross us in the past."
"How'd you know they won't do it in the future?"
"I don't. But that's our best chance right now, what with being hostile to slightly more than half the Universe and all that." Tasha replied, focusing on avoiding being hit by missiles. Not that it was particularly hard when sitting in the cockpit of a missile yourself, but still. "Go back to sleep, we still have a bit of a flight ahead of us."
"Right... No. You go rest once we're out of 'nid space. I'll find somewhere to dock."
"Ok."
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Savage Spur. Not officially claimed by anyone, but apparently the Yaki have taken a liking to this sector. This interceptor patrol is proof enough as far as I'm concerned. Also, one huge asteroid field. Nice place to lose someone if you're being chased. Now, where's this gate into Yaki territory ...
... Ah, there it is.
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So, turns out the Yaki have set up their own stock exchange in the meantime. But that's not where I'm headed right now. No, it's their shipyard. A passing Ruy captain told me where to find it after me politely asking. Looks like they might be interested in some of the software aboard... So, I request docking permission, which is granted.
"Tasha, we're there."
"We are? Great. Now, we need to find someone willing to trade in ships - we have to get rid of this Kestrel, it's tracing us back to Drakhar Enterprises. It practically has it written all over, and we don't want to be associated with a recently destroyed pirate organization, now do we."
"Yes, we don't. So, what do you suggest?"
"I suggest you go talk to that ship dealer over there and see if you can trade."
Sound suggestion. Dear me, am I not fully awake yet? So yeah, let's see what can be done about getting a brand-new ship. The man in question is a rather old Argon wearing a black patch over his left eye. Wrinkled skin. Missing teeth in the smile he's offering me as I approach. I imagine people dressed in a uniform (well, sort of) aren't seen all that often in the fighter docks.
"Got a mighty fine ship over yonder, lad. So, what can I do fer sumone with such a fine lady?"
"You wouldn't happen to have a cheap scout ship, would you?"
"Why'd ye want one? You got her already, don't ye?"
"I'm looking to sell her, actually."
"Sell?! Lad, do well by yer ship and she'll do mighty fine by ye! And I'd wager ye do well by her, judging by her looks."
Think, Malcolm, think.
"Well... it's an inheritance. From a recently deceased uncle."
"Ooooh. So why'd ye want to get rid of her?"
"It wasn't my favorite uncle. In fact, this ship bears some rather unpleasant memories."
"Right, right ... So, ye be lookin' for a scout ship, aye?"
"Yes."
"I say, for such a mighty fine ship such as her I'll offer you a special. I don't normally stock 'em, but I'd say this occasion warrants an exception, no?"
"One condition: I want some of the equipment transferred over to this new 'special'. Would you trust me to not run off with your ship while I transfer the equipment?"
"Trust ye, lad? You be no runnin' off either way until you get clearance. And ye only geddit after we're done with our trade. In my line a business, trust is somethin' of a luxury, ye see."
"Ok then. I'll just head back over and finish the transfer, then the Kestrel is yours."
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Ok, so, I'll want the turbo booster. I'll want the boost extension. I'll want the fight command software suite. I'll really, really want the CLS system. I'll want the scanner suite and the vid goggles. That should do. Wait, I forgot one: docking computer. The less old equipment we have, the less are the chances we're tracked back to Drakhar Enterprises. This Fujin Raider will do nicely.
"Tasha, you ok with this?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. In fact, just drop me off at the Stock Exchange when you head back out, maybe I can learn something useful in the meantime. Plus, if you need me, you know where to find me." She's trying to hide her annoyance of not being out there, I can see that ... but oh well. We'll get the Chokaro soon enough. In fact...
"Right. Will do."
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"So, what'd you give me for that Kestrel?"
"If it were not a hot ware, probably in the region of 2,5 million credits."
"What do you mean, 'hot ware'?"
"Look, lad, I been in this business long enough ter know when a ship's hot. And this beauty has it written all over. Haven't ye heard? Terrans went after Drakhar Enterprises, and then the Commonwealth? And your beauty has 'Drakhar Enterprises' printed all over her signatures."
"... Right ..."
"Nice try, though. Tell ye what, I give you the Fujin, ye get to keep some of the hardware, I give ye 20k credits on top of it. Jus' ... don' touch the salvage claim suite or the firewall."
"Deal."
"Off you go, then. And remember to do good by yer ship!"
"Goodbye."
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I'll update with pictures when I'm not in somewhat of a hurry. Also, updates may be few and far between, but unlike previous times that I literally had a DiD drop due to lack of plot ideas, I have something in mind here, so an abrupt ending should not be happening. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
.I swear i have nearly cracked ribs laughing.