Alpha Man Chapter 13

[Ed Man]

Sector Trading
Chapter 13

Josh worked on adapting the drones with the new technologies while the ship unloading. Just as he had the specifics worked out Sarah replied.
“Josh the Excel is unloaded and the drones are onboard and secure. The supplies have been restocked on both ships and systems checked and ready for launch.”

“Good take us to the Lifter and contact Robert then transport the drones over. Then take us out and jump to Kingdom End to find Ann and some bargains.” Josh ordered as he went to freshen up and use the head.

As the Excel entered Kingdom End Sarah hailed Ann telling her Josh was ready to start trading. The Vulture had already starting trading and Rious Shipping was starting to show good earnings.
Josh told Ann about Roberts’s request for the ships. They agreed to send him the ships as soon as they could so he could keep his customers happy.

Josh and Ann had been jumping from sector to sector trading as they entered Teladi Gain Josh noticed a three team unit of Pirate light fighters headed for Family Whi.

“Ann we need to increase our reputation with the Split and me taking out the three Pirates entering their space will give us trading rights.” Josh explained.

“I wish you wait but it’s your call just don’t get killed doing it!” Ann said in a reluctant voice.

Josh transported to the Zipper and headed for the gate giving the Pirates time to go through first.
Ann was docking to trade at a Flower Farm and was to wait for Josh at the Trading Station.

Josh entered behind the Pirates they were still red meaning enemy of the Split. Josh scanned the ships and seen weed they were drug runners.
Josh closed to firing range and fired a missile at the slower ships and fired on the faster one dropping its shields fast as he turned to elude Josh. One of the missiles hit the ship with the weed damaging it severely.
As Josh rotate the Zipper back on target and fired blowing the ship up. The other Pirate was closing on Josh and fired a missile.

Josh evaded the missile as his turret blew it up. As the Mandalay soared under Josh the Pirate opened fire on a Sector Security Wolf coming to assist then fired a missile to finish off the Wolf as he run for cover.

Josh seen that the Wolf would be destroyed ordered. “Sarah transport the Wolf Pilot onboard!” The pilot was ejecting and would be killed in the explosion.
“Got him. He’s all right but disoriented. Am informing him we are friendly and to strap in we are still under attack.” Sarah explained.

Josh went after the Pirate that had destroyed the Wolf he was running for the South Gate.
The damaged ship was headed for the other gate trying to slip away with the weed as his friend lured us away.

Josh closed to range and opened fire until the ship exploded. Turned the damaged ship. He was to close to the Gate to be caught.
Josh ordered. “Sarah jump to the West Gate so we can cut him off!”

The Zipper exited the Gate in front of the Pirate who tried to run when he seen the Zipper emerge.

“Stand down Pirate or face the same fate as your friends!” Josh stated as he moved to fire on the ship.

The Pirate ejected as another Sector Security Wolf hailed and thanked Josh for his assistance as he picked up the Pirate.
Josh saw his standing was now friendly with the Split.

“Sarah I see space-weed onboard the Mandalay clam the ship eject the weed and destroy it. Then dock it at the Equipment Dock for repairs.
Inform Sector Security we have there Pilot and that he’s ok and where do we take him?” Josh asked.

“They want you to land at the Trading Station with the Pilot.” Sarah explained as the Mandalay headed away.

Josh docked at the station as a Split Security Officer was waiting as the Pilot and Josh exited the Zipper.

“You come to spy on Split Argon!” The Officer asked gnashing his teeth.

“No I’m just a Businessman willing to show the Split I want to be their ally and to trade with Split.” Josh explained.

“Them why Argon have technology Split and Argon not have. I think you Argon spy.” The Officer said.

“I helped design the technology these are my prototypes. If you want my friendship and business and you speak for the Split Government then welcome me.
If you don’t want my friendship and help or business tell me to leave and I won’t be back.” Josh stated.

An Officer stepped out and said. “Please forgive my Officer Mr. Galen I asked him to do that. I needed to be convinced about your intentions. I believe you have spoken the truth.
I do speak for the Split Government and want to welcome you.
We have been keeping track of you since you fought the Pirate scum called Dragon. The Split Government is thankful for your help in detaining this criminal. We enlist the help of men of your abilities to help the Split.”

“What kind of help I’m a businessman not a mercenary. If I can help the Split save lives or stop a killer I will, but nothing illegal or hostile to another Race.” Josh declared.

“The Split Government will never ask you to do something dishonest or treacherous.” The Officer said with a frown.

“I would be glade to help the Split if I can.” Josh said with a smile as he held his hand out and shook the
Officers hand.

The officer increased Josh’s reputation so he could buy and trade easily in their Sectors. Josh thanked the Officer and obtain a Police License as he left.

Josh docked at the Equipment Dock and paid for the repairs on the Mandalay and left. Josh thought it felt good to be able to trade with the Split as he headed to meet up with Ann.

Josh sent the Mandalay to Salas to upgrade after the Exaireo was finished.
The freighters were finished and trading local and long halls.
The drones were concentrating all their efforts on the Exaireo now. The Exaireo design was extensive and would take a while to complete.

As Josh landed Ann was waiting to quiz him. “So how did it go? Are you all right?
Did the ship get damaged? Did you get trading rights?”

“Woe calm down, I’m fine. The ships all right. Yes we got trading rights. And I captured a Mandalay to boot.” Josh replied with a smile.

Ann had been worried about Josh. The Split Government has been brutal to outsiders before and She was excited to see Josh was all right. Ann asked that they go onboard her Dolphin to eat and hear the story then get some rest. Josh was exhausted and hungry and needed a rest so they called it a day and went to the Dolphin.

Josh was refreshed and started an outline to refit the Mandalay to a fighter worth keeping. As the design was about finished Ann brought Josh a cup of coffee and looked at Josh and asked. “Where to now? Don't you ever just rest?”

“I’m sorry did I wake you?” Josh asked.

“No I thought I would get up early and find some bargains.” Ann replied with a grin.

The two ate breakfast as they talked business. Josh showed Ann the refit on the Mandalay the first two were intended for Robert Josh explained.
They looked at the listing and found deals in one sector and buyers in the Split sectors above the Xenon.

As they jumped to Family Rhonkar there was a Pirate Mandalay and Vulture coming through the South Gate.
Josh replied. “Ann do you see them? I’m going to scan them and see what they’re hauling? We could use either ship if they decide to run or fight. Go ahead and trade I‘ll be back in a minute.”

Josh transported to the Zipper and headed to intercept the Pirates as Ann directed the freighters to the stations to trade.
Josh scanned the Pirates and seen weed, space fuel and sunrise flowers on the Vulture. They were headed to a Pirate Station in Rhonkar’s Clouds.

“Pirate Vulture drop your shields and surrender!” Josh ordered.

As the Vulture run for the North Gate the Mandalay Pilot replied. “You surrender you stupid -----//////!”
As he fired his weapons at the Zipper.

“Sarah cut his COM. Can the Mandalay or Vulture Pilots be made to eject?” Josh asked as he maneuvered onto the Mandalay.

“Yes their auto eject system is on both ships. When their shields drop to 2% and weapons fire is coming they will be ejected.” Sarah explained.

Josh was behind the Mandalay as he opened fire and dropped the shields to 10% and switched to one weapon. Firing dropping the shields as they neared 2% he fired and turned slightly to miss and fired two more shots.
The Pilot was ejected as Josh dove under the Mandalay saying. “Sarah claim the ship and send it to the Equipment Dock the other side of the South Gate. And inform Sector Security about the Pirate.”

Josh moved behind the Vulture as the Pirate was weaving out of control not knowing what to do. Josh fired till the shields were at 5% and said. “Eject and surrender or die!”

“The Pirate shouted I give up.” As he ejected.

“Sarah claim the Vulture and eject the contraband.
Tell Sector Security the contraband belongs to the Pirate.
Then send Vulture to the Equipment Dock with the Mandalay.” Josh ordered as he set course to regroup with Ann.

As Josh transported back on the Excel and rechecked the rate for the wares they had the price had increased. They jumped to Family Njy and delivered the much-needed wares to the factories. No many ships made it through the Xenon Sector.

Many Pilots were lured to their deaths trying to get to the Northern Sectors above Xenon Sector 472.

Ann and Josh decided not to fly into these sectors if the Xenon were active. They loaded the wares they could sell and jumped back to the Split core sectors.
After selling the wares Josh needed to go to the Equipment Dock and get the ships to Robert somehow.

“Sarah give me some options on how to get a jump-drive on the Mandalay.” Josh asked.

“The best option is a transport ship. One could be built to transport any known ship using one of the extra jump-drive onboard in storage. Or max the cargo space and install a bigger power unit and install the jump-drive.” Sarah explained.

“Have the power unit increased and max the cargo space on the Mandalay.” Josh stated as they headed to trade till the Mandalay was ready.

After a few runs of trading Sarah replied. “Josh the Mandalay is finished.”

Josh and Ann finished their runs and jumped to Thurk’s Beard to install the jump-drives.
The sector was a beehive of activity for Pirates passing to and from the Pirate Sectors. Josh noticed two groups off Pirate ships in the sector. The two gropes were hurling obscenities at each other over the COM.

Josh transported to the Zipper to intercept a Lifter and Mandalay headed to the South Gate. As Ann docked with the freighters so Sarah could install the jump-drives.
Josh scanned the Lifter She was hauling weed and side arms to the Pirates. The Mandalay had weed and two mines.

Josh closed to range and hailed the Lifter. “Pirate Lifter drop your shields and surrender.”
The Lifter was running to the South Gate as the Mandalay turned to fire on the Zipper. The ship was fast and a shot hit the shields of the Zipper dropping them a little.

Josh lined up on the rear of the Mandalay and fired as the ship exploded into a fireball.

“What just happened?” Josh asked.

“The Pirate dropped a mine just as you opened fire destroying himself and the ship.” Sarah explained.

Josh quickly moved on the Lifter and opened fire stating. “Sarah I want to capture this ship! Find a way!”

“Drop the shields to 0% and She will be ejected.” Sarah replied.

As the shields dropped the Pirate shouted obscenities at Josh till She was ejected.

“Sarah claim the Lifter and drop the weed and dock it on the Equipment Dock.” Josh ordered as he headed to dock.

Sector Security flew by and picked up the Pirate and did a barrel row as he passed.
Josh docked and transferred payment to the station for the repairs on the Vulture and Mandalay.
Then informed the representative about the Lifter and to make it flight ready.

The jump-drives were installed and ready to go. Sarah informed Josh that that the Exaireo was ready.
The ships left the station Josh and Ann jumped to Kingdom End while the Vulture and Mandalay went to the Argon Prime Equipment Dock for Robert.