Castaway Chapter 9

[Ed Man]

Ben’s Dig
Chapter 9

Ben checked in with Digger and set down enjoying a cup of coffee and a snack with Peter he ask. “What will you charge me to get that old Demeter out of that hole and help me get the crystals out of that rock?”
[Peter] “I can’t stop my mining I have a contract to meet but I can help you.”

Peter and Ben scanned the ship and asteroid and looked at a 3D image on the monitor.
[Ben] “You help me get my ship out of that asteroid and help me get the crystals out and escort me back to the Trading Station and I’ll give you my lease to this area I just signed and get you a new freighter and M5 to mine it with.”
[Peter] “That’s a generous offer are you sure you want to do that?”
[Ben] “I know there’s at least 20 million credits worth of crystals in that hole maybe more and me giving you a little to make sure I make it out of here with my old tub of a ship it’s well worth it to me! I plan on retiring and buying myself a nice piece of land on that new planet and parking my old ship on it and watch my house get built while my servants wait on me. Maybe fine some gold digging woman to marry with a bunch of snot nosed kids.”
[Peter] “I’ll help you.” [Ben] “So it’s a deal then?” [Peter] “Yes it’s a deal.”

They spent the next three days getting the freighter out and repairing the systems and patching the holes.
Sam sent a fighter drone adapted with a scanner out to look for any enemy ships hiding in the distance and found the Harrier dead in space.
[Peter] “The scouting drone I sent out just found a derelict Harrier.”
[Ben] “Is it that snake I hit with the drilling system?”
[Peter] “The Freighters weapons are working and your radio and most of the systems are fixed do you want me to go check it out?”
[Ben] “If I knew it was him I would rest a lot better knowing he’s not out their plotting on how to kill me and take my crystals. He had a blazing red bird painted on the top of his Harrier his call sign was red.”
[Peter] “Do you think I should contact Digger first?”
[Ben] “No Digger would claim the ship fix it and sell it to some poor sap. You go and claim it if it’s got a dead body in it then call Digger he’ll come out and look it over and take the body and release the ship to you there and try and get you to fix it at the Outpost.”

Peter left to go and check out the Harrier. While Ben supervised two drones outfitted with mining lasers cutting the crystals out of the asteroid.
Peter seen the Harrier on the long range scanners, it was setting on its side on a asteroid made up of dust and unusable material. The ship was completely dead as Peter scanned it while looking for the marker on top. It was the Harrier Ben hit with the drilling system as he seen the bird on top. The ship was full of fractures that vented the air out of the ship making the Pilot put on his suit. The mans dead body was in a spacesuit in the engine room. He died trying to repair the ship in his suit and when the air run out it was over for the would be Pirate.
Peter clamed the ship then called Digger and told him about the ship he just clamed and the dead Pilot.
Digger had the report Ben filled on the attack and the ship and Pilot was found closing the case the only thing left to discuss was if Peter wanted the ship repaired at the Outpost and after a little haggling Digger was on his way to pick up the ship.
Peter returned to the Demeter and told Ben about he ship and Pilot while Ben watched the Drones cutting the crystals out piece by piece.
[Ben] “Peter I need you to pick up some cans of packing foam from the Outpost for the crystals.”
[Peter] “I can replicate that in my ship if I go and buy all the foam you’ll be needing people will start asking questions then they’ll start wanting to go and look. Are you rich yet Ben?”
Ben looked up with a smile. “At the current price and quality I have about 15 million credits worth and I’m only halfway done.”
Peter smiled as Ben set there overjoyed at the one in a million find he was loading into his Demeter.
Most men spend their lives looking for what Ben had found. Peter transported the foam over as the two ate and watched the drones cut the crystals out and load them up.
[Sam] “Peter you just received a message from the Trading Station.”
Peter opened the message on his PDA it was from the Argon Security department asking him to stop in and pick up his package they were storing for him. Peter remembered the weapons they had seized. His rank was now high enough to get them back but Peter knew their was more to it than that it always was. Argon Security didn’t set and keep an eye on Peters rank so they could return his weapons they wanted something.

The Ben was finished gathering the crystals and stored say and sound in the hole. No one knew about the crystals and there was two reasons to stop at the Outpost. To pick up the Harrier for added protection and give Ben a chance to say goodbye and sign the area over to Peter. The old Demeter was fast compared to the newer model but lacked the cargo space of the newer ships. The small fast freighters had been replaced with a slower version with twice the cargo space and super freighters with four times the space.
To the Pilots it meant a longer trip but to the companies that were buying the larger ships it meant more profits. Peters new Miner could hold over three times the ore but as long a smaller, older, low-priced ship could be bought and used you would see them.

Ben made his stop quick to the point taking a last drink at the bar with the owner. Telling Digger goodbye and signing the area over to Peter and going back to his ship and eased out into space to be alone.
Peter paid for the repairs on the Harrier downloaded Sam onto the ships AI placed the drone onboard and left. Ben was slowly easing away from the Outpost when Peter joined up with the Harrier and got a call.
[Ben] “I’m ready to ditch this place for a piece of land Peter. I got the course laid in and the speed set to full try and keep up will you!”
Peter let the Harrier follow up the rear as Sam repaired the rest of the ship and upgraded the systems. Two of the shields were damaged only one weapon worked and the engines and all the generators power, shields, and weapons were just working at about 60%. The spiders were crawling all over that ship like a jar of bugs trying to get out moving from one thing to the next. By the time they reached scanner range of the Station the Harrier would be back to 100% with all four shields and two APAC weapons.

Peter transported over with some food to the Demeter. After they ate Ben was watching a long range news feed on the monitor. “Peter I guess I had better get caught up on all the latest things going on in this part of the system. Peter you seem like a nice guy how long are you going to be a space jockey running the race do you have a goal set or a time to stop trying?”
[Peter] “I’ll give it up someday.”
[Ben] “When? I lucked up Peter and caught the prize and get to stop. I seen a lot of good people keep running after that big prize never stopping until they were dead and gone. I don’t want to end up like them Peter. Come with me Boy and take the credits I promised you and settle down you could sell them two ships and have over a million credits to live on.”
[Peter] “I’ll settle down someday Ben just not now my wheel just started turning up for me.”
[Ben] “I guess it is you own the fancy Miner two, how did you get that fancy thing anyway?”
[Peter] “Did you hear about the woman that was on the Outpost that owned the Shipyard.”
[Ben] “Yes I did the last trip in do you know her?”
[Peter] “I was the one that gave her a ride back to the Trading Station.”
[Ben] “You’re the one Peter! You’re the one that wins the lottery then play for the fun of it and wins again. You’re that Man Peter! Why did I find the crystals and needed help why were you the one to show up and save the day. You’re that man Peter every time I seen anyone that just seams to fall into a pot of gold theirs a reason for it what’s your reason Peter?”
[Peter] “I wish I had a good answer for you Ben but right now I’m just trying to survive what life throws at me!”
[Ben] “I don’t think it’s that simple you decided to help that woman just like you decided to help me. I’ll make a deal with you to show you something. I’ll pay you what I promised you but if the crystals sell for over thirty million credits I’ll give you everything over that or the original offer which ever is higher. I’m counting on the big sell now it’s a win, win deal for you Peter. I get thirty million and get everything above.”
[Peter] “I don’t like betting like that it just don’t fill right Ben.”
[Ben] “You’re not betting anything Peter I’m trying to prove a point. You’re blessed I’ll do one better anything over thirty for me and two for you go’s to charity is that alright with you?”
[Peter] “I think you’re missing the whole concept of how that works. If you want to do something promise me right now that you’ll give 10% of you total sale to charities that help people right now and you owe me nothing.”
[Ben] “You are a one of a kind Peter it’s a deal but anything over thirty million after the 10% is yours.”
[Peter] “I’m fine with that deal, will you be alright if you don‘t get the big sale?”
[Ben] “Yes I’ll be more than alright! I made my mind up over a year ago if I got five million credits I was going to retire.”
After taking shifts sleeping then eating a meal together setting and watching the news and making small talk with Ben the Station was only six hours away so Peter transported back to the Buster. “Sam how’s the repairs on the Harrier going?” [Sam] “The Harrier will be finished in two hours.”

Peter had been remembering bits and peaces of his life and now he was starting over again maybe Ben had the right ideal about starting a new life on the planet or maybe ties to both space and planet side jobs.
Peter decided to try and fine a profession that would meet his needs. Sam pulled a list of careers up and it didn’t take lone to find out that to have the freedom Peter wanted he would have to start his own business.
So next was what would be a good business to get into so Sam pulled up a new list. One stuck out like a flashing light to Peter. The Shipyard had started a small Company that built vehicles for industrial and personal use.
Peter sent Dana a message explaining how he was interested in the Company. One hour out from docking at the Trading Station he got a reply. “Please stop in and talk to me about the Company it is operating in the red and needs new talent to turn things around or the company will have to close.”

Peter docked and headed to see what Argon Security wanted while Ben took care of business.
Peter walked up and asked the Woman behind the disk about picking up his package and like he thought he was asked to step into the directors office he needed to talk to him.
[Director] “Please have a seat Mr. Stone.” Peter knew that he wanted something for sure now when he said please instead of have a seat.
[Peter] “You have a package for me Director?”
[Director] “Yes and a job I need you to do for the Argon Government. The man that rescued you has been killed by a sniper. The sniper was set upon a ridge near the landing when the crew and Pilot stepped out the owner was shot one of the crewmen was wounded if it had not been for a sudden wind of sand and dust making the targets impossible to hit they all would be dead. Their objective was to capture the supper freighter they were in. We have a agent that is working the Alpha sight mining Station and surrounding sights and this is the second reason we want you to help us. Klope and these Men are the ones behind the shooting killing the owner and injuring the crewman. Klope was also the one who gave the ones that shot you the codes to the Harrier we have all the proof needed to convict Klope of this crime but we can’t go get him because he’s out of our jurisdiction. The mining Station, Moon and all Outpost every last one maintain a self-governing status under Teladi decree. And the Teladi refuse to get involved in Argon affairs or to go after Klope because the Shipyard and surrounding Argon settlements along with this section of the Station all belong to the Argon Government and fall under the same decree.”
[Peter] “And what do you want me to do?”
[Director] “Let’s say you were to spot Klope on a business trip and demand your right to justice to make Klope pay for the injuries he caused you he would have to pay or you could take him as a indebted worker until his debt was paid. A little amendment the Teladi placed in the same decree granting self-governing status. Ounce here the Teladi would place him in one of their work houses and Klope being the bad egg he is has made a lot of enemys just hoping to get a hold of him.”
[Peter] “Why Me?”
[Director] “Because you fit the scheme of how we need to carry this out. Besides do you realy just want to let him get away with what he’s done?”
[Peter] “No! But I realy don’t want to get tied up in this kind of work.”
[Director] “Want to or not you’re already involved. Let me know something I’ll give you a few days to think about it and pick up your package on your way out Mr. Stone.”
Peter left the office and told the Woman behind the desk which ship to send it to and left.
Peter was setting in the lounge looking at his drink when Ananeoo came in and set down with him.
“Peter good to see you.”
[Peter] “Good to see you Ananeoo did you get the Disco fixed?”
[Ananeoo] “No fix Disco yet. Peter have Harrier you sell to Ananeoo and take Disco. Disco human ship Harrier Teladi ship trade work for both of us.”
[Peter] “I just fixed that ship and it’s maxed out I need to keep it Ananeoo buy the one Kea has.”
“Kea no sell she keep ship. Ananeoo pay Peter 30,000 credits and Disco for Harrier.”
[Peter] “No deal Ananeoo.” “Ok Ananeoo pay 50,000 and Disco.”
[Peter] “I’ll take that.” “Peter try and take Ananeoo.”
[Peter] “You made the offer Ananeoo not me.” Peter got up and started to leave.
“Wait, wait Ananeoo want ship me just no like pay. Ananeoo pay Peter 50,000 and Disco we make deal?”
Peter bumped fist closing the deal with Ananeoo and went and did the paper work and removed Sam form the ships AI and instaled a normal AI for Teladi.
Peter left the Station and went to the Shipyard on the Planet to look over the Disco he really didn’t want but needed to fix up now. “Sam transport the drone and spiders over to the Disco and start the repaires build what we don’t have in the Buster and have the drone transport it over so it looks like we brought it with us. Give the ship the same weapons load out as the Pirate Harrier and add a forth shield slot with added power generators for all the systems. Add a rear turret with a B.I.R.E. installed.”
[Sam] “May I suggest to place a turret on the Buster also. Are you plaining on going to look for Klope? If so you need to upgrade to a M3.” [Peter] “Yes I’m going.” [Sam] “Should I look for a ship to repair?”
[Peter] “I need to buy a freighter and small fighter to mine the area Ben signed over to me by the time I hire a crew it will take all the credits I got. I was going to use the Disco as a wing man that was my plan.”
[Sam] “Peter Ben just sold the crystals of in four lots for 37 million credits. He just placed over 3 million into your account so you now have the credits.”
[Peter] “Well lets look for a freighter and a M3 then I’ll send the Disco back with the freighter to mine.”

Peter looked over the list and decided to buy a Miner like the one he had from the Shipyard and a old Falcon body and several piles of old damaged parts needed to build the ship. Plus the hanger they were in with two building units and four drones all rented for a week.
Dana sold the Miner to Peter at the going price but let him have the rest for 500,000 thousand. When the ship was finished if it was all it looked to be on the drawing board Dana was going to give Peter a position in the company working in the small vehicle section he was asking about.

Ben came to see Peter a few days later at the shipyard while he was hireing a crew for the new Miner.
“Hi Peter I see you’re hiring a crew for that fancy new Miner you got.”
[Peter] “I have a few do you want a position?” [Ben] “No just came by to see how you were doing.
I bought that spot of land it’s not to far from here. Where you going to live when your on the Planet?”
[Peter] “You know I haven’t thought about it I guess I’ll be needing a place.”
[Ben] “I bought a big spot of land so I’d be all by myself but it would make me real proud to have you as a neighbor. Maybe even take me up with you ever ounce and a while. Here’s where my ship is stop in it‘s dry I had a large pad poured and theirs room to park. ”
[Peter] “Thanks Ben I’ll stop in before I head out.” Ben left as a batch of new people came in looking for work. “Sam how much would it coust me to get this spot of land next to Ben and have a nice modular home set on it with a landing pad?”
[Sam] “I’ll get the prices if you do buy the land do you want me to build a shelter under it?”
[Peter] “Of course we need a place.”
Within a few minutes Sam had a list of prices for the homes and land. Peter looked over the prices while the ones applying for the positions were being tested and interviewed. After two days he bought a section of land next to Ben and ordered the home he decided on and showed them where he wanted it placed.

When the crew was hired and ready to go Peter went and picked up Ben to meet the crew that was going to work his old area and watch them take off. Ben talked to them for a while and wished them luck as they loaded up. Peter and Ben watched as the big Miner took off with the Disco flying escort.
[Ben] “Ships taking off sure look a lot different from a planet don’t they. They seem like a nice crew Peter.”
[Peter] “They signed on for a four month tour I hope they work out together.”
[Ben] “I seen a work crew over at your place I’m glad you bought a place next to me. At least I won’t have far to go if the woman I find decides to kick me out for the night.”
[Peter] “Well if she does you just come on by I’ll keep a room open for you Ben.”
The two laughed as they watched the ships fade away into the distance.

[collins50]

Good job Ed Josh is doing good, but trouble likes to follow him.