Ted’s Run
Chapter 5
A week has passed and Argon Security contacts Bob. “Mr. Vent we have just discovered a DNA fragment of you missing employee Helen. She was blown up in the Station explosion in Hatikvah’s Faith. You have the right to request a copy of the investigation reports. The Argon Government is sorry for your loss.”
Bob studied the report over and over again. It said the blast centered at or near the Mandalay. Was Helen trying to escape and set something off or was a bomb onboard the station? A primary explosion took out a bar killing the Mercenaries along with everyone in or around the bar. Ten seconds later a massive explosion took out the docking bay and the docked ships. As the docked ships exploded doing even more damage rendering the station a total loss. The Mercenaries were most likely the targets. Some of the details didn’t seem right. The Mandalay came from the direction of the gate but no record of it entering. The Mandalay also docked several minutes after the Mercenaries had docked but it showed as theirs.
Bob read a little more of the record entrees. A drone had delivered a case to the bar right before the first explosion.
Bob dug a little deeper and discovered the drone and case came from the Mandalay.
Bob felt the anger rise up everything pointed to Ted. But he had to be sure.
He had been sure Helen had taken the credits that started this mess in the first place and was wrong. Bob decided to get facts right first then act.
Bob found a freighter Pilot that had been flying for the station several years. The Man was helpful after Bob helped him find a new job and 1000 credits. Ted had a friend called Dolly that was the ex-wife of the bar owner she was a drug runner for the clans and the barkeeper. Ted and Dolly had attacked and killed a small group of bandits in retaliation for their attack on Dolly.
Not long after that a hotshot Pilot that bought the old Disco Ted had decided to start a one-man war with the clan. Then came the two mercenaries into the game. They killed the Disco Pilot. Went to Split space and killed Dolly while making a run.
The pilot said the two mercenaries had powerful ships and ruthless reputations for being killers.
Bob asked the Pilot what he thought of Ted? “He’s ok if you’re on his side. He runs a halfway legit taxi service. It’s the other half that bothers me.”
Bob left and docked at the Trading Station in Company Pride and went into the bar Ted took him into. After asking the waitress for some information she sent a Teladi over. “I find anything you need for small price.”
Bob asked. “Were can I get a bomb?” The Teladi held his claws up. “No talk here Human. We go to docking bay we talk on ship walls have ears.”
Bob took the Teladi onboard and had to pay him 5000 credits to set up a meeting with the aid of a bomb maker onboard a Pirate Station hidden above the North Gate and out of censer range.
Bob got a top of the line Security Android for protection and left for the meeting.
After finding the Station and getting docking authorization Bob docked onboard a Pirate Station for the first time in his life.
No one checked for weapons as Bob and the Android walked of the ship. Everyone had a weapon of some kind on them.
Bob got directions to the bar from a station guard. Going to the bar Bob took notice of all sorts of shops, pleasure rooms and weapons dealers. Anything a criminal would want Bob thought sarcastically.
After setting for about an hour looking at a drink he was afraid to drink a large Split sat down. “What do you want Human?” “I’m looking for information about a ship used to blow up a station that killed a girlfriend of mine.”
The Split looked at Bob with a pistol in his hand. “We don’t sell information! Tell me why I shouldn’t just kill you here a now?”
Bob tried to keep calm replying. “Because my Split friend I have a pistol aimed at your pride and joy. Besides I have no dispute with you or your boss. I want to make sure I’m killing the right man. And I want one of your bombs to do it with. So please sit back and lets talk I am willing to pay well for the right answers.”
The Split eased back in his chair as Bob showed him a picture of Ted.
The Split snarled at the picture asking. “What do you have in mind?”
Bob explained he was up for suggestions. Ted was working for him on a regular basis.
The Split replied. “The information will cost 50,000 then we’ll talk.”
Bob transferred the credits over to the Split. The Split revealed what Bob all-ready knew.
Ted was the one responsible for the explosion killing Helen and over three hundred more that day.
The Split told Bob several different ways of killing Ted. The Split favored the strait forward attack. Just walk onboard his ship and take a pistol and blow his brains out fly off and throw his body out into space.
Bob wanted an untraceable method. “Ted likes bombs so well I want to give him one.”
The Split smiled at Bob’s reply as he explained some of the options he had in using a bomb.
The Split explained that Bob’s drone had been deactivated. [As he held up a electronic device.]
“Anything electronic can be disrupted or turned off if you know how.”
Bob was impressed as he picked an exploding missile. The bomb would be disguised as a mosquito missile in a set of five. All Bob had to do was get the missiles onboard Ted’s ship open a COM link and send the code and one minute later the bomb would explode.
Bob paid the Split and returned to the docking bay as a drone had the missiles waiting to load them. Bob was ready to leave filling exposed after seeing the Security Android he had paid so much for as protection being turned off like a light leaving him in the dark!
After returning home and waiting for a week Bob flew to Lucky Planets to set the trap.
Bob bought a selection of supplies from the Equipment Dock to large for the Disco then had the missiles added to the container for shipping.
Bob then flew to the Great Trench Equipment Dock not to arouse suspicion and returned home.
The trap was set now to get Ted to pick up the supplies in his Piranha.
Bob contacted Ted and as that he escort his Lifter to Great Trench and pick up some energy cells.
And I need you to pick up some supplies at the Equipment Dock in Lucky Planet’s. And we need them quick so when you hit Boron Space send the Lifter to get the energy cells and you go after the supplies. Boron Security is looking for the Lifter to give it safe passage. You should be safe but I’ll send a Disco for added protection. It will meet up with you in Rolk’s Legacy so hurry.
Ted left the Pegasus with the Lifter Pilot so he could run taxi missions till he returned. And headed for Boron space just as he was hired to do.
Bob waited for Ted to leave went to the Trading Station and picked up a Disco he had docked and waiting for him.
Bob was in Rolk’s Legacy waiting on Ted as he entered the sector the Lifter had already taken up a holding pattern behind Bob.
As soon as Ted make contact with the Disco Bob sent the codes and pulled away. One minute later the missile went off.
Ted was still alive his ship was badly damaged. His weapons and COM were offline but his ship was still flying.
Ted was turning to go back to Lucky Planet’s for repairs.
Bob heart was racing as he thought how could this be happing! I can’t let him go!
Bob hurled the Disco in behind Ted and opened fire! Ted made the jump with Bob right behind.
Bob and Ted are in Lucky Planets now as Ted try's to escape Bob firing on him as he heads for the Shipyard and safety.
Ted looks for help as his shields are about gone and the ships taking damage.
Bob hears a message Argon Fighter stand down and stop firing as a ship closes.
Bob keeps firing Ted is all but gone his ship on the verge of exploding as Ted starts to fill the heat of the flames.
Ted sees a ship closing as the heat gets worse! Ted knows he’s not going to make it as he makes sure the drone is ready.
Bob keeps firing! The closing ship fires warring shots into his ship.
Bob keeps firing as Ted is consumed in the flames!
The closing ship fires on Bob trying to protect the Piranha causing Bob to be ejected out of the Disco.
Bob looks as a fighter drone ejects from the Piranha and closes on him!
Pain rips through Bob’s body as he screams while the drone fires on him turning his body into burnt flesh!
Boron Security quickly shoots the drone down and takes control of the fight.
Security forces moved the ships to the Shipyard for inspection.
The official ruling reads. “Pirate activity between two Argon men ends in their deaths.”
Ted’s memorial service was held in a small room where the Pilot he had hired sat waiting as a young woman came in to collect his ashes. Ted had loved her mother a long time ago and promised to look out for her when she died. Leaving everything he owned to her.
The Pilot smiled as he looked at the woman saying. “I worked for Ted as a freelance freighter pilot and now I’m willing to work for you if you need me.”
Ted had bought a new Lifter right before his death hoping to expand his business. The two left together and started a new business.
I see that Bob had a lovely memorial service as over a thousand people showed. I know he will be greatly missed.
I wished my findings had been a little more pleasant but you asked for the truth.
The first time Ted landed onto your station was when he picked the young man and robbed him and sold him to Dolly.
“Sarah send the report to the Woman and request payment. Inform Argon, Boron, Split and the Teladi Security about the bomb makers onboard the Pirate Station.”
“I’ll send them right away Josh. How do you want to address the messages?” Sarah asked
“Send it under Alpha Security. ”
[The next storyline is Alpha Security.]
Taxi Man Chapter 5
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