Deep Six Chapter 3

[Ed Man]

Go Get Simon
Chapter 3 Deep Six

Gabe headed out to the next sector he knew there were solar power plants in the sector form the scanning they had done when they searched the sector. The ship cleared the Gate and Gabe looked at the HUD for red dots. It was clear so he pulled up the trading system one of the power plants was at 8 credit’s a cell so he hit the auto pilot and checked his cargo hole as the ship docked.
The hole was half loaded with missiles. If he had checked before he left he could have swapped the freight over onto the freighter. Gabe didn’t want to return to the station and off load the missiles and look like a stupid young kid so he pulled up a sector map on the screen there were solar power plants in jumping distance.
Gabe loaded the hole with energy cells and jumped to Split space and headed for the Power Plant.
He checked the price it was at 10 credit’s a cell which was still a good price so he hit the auto dock.
“Docking not allowed.” Gabe hit it again. “Docking not allowed.”
“Computer why can’t I dock?” Gabe asked not knowing what or why he couldn’t dock.
The computer replied. “Your status is to low with the Split they will not allow you to dock.”
Gabe asked the question anyway knowing what the answer was. “How can I raise my status with the Split by showing them you are a friend.”
[Gabe] “And how do I do that computer?”
With the unwavering tone of a computer he got. “The most common way is to help them by destroying a enemy in Split Space.”
Gabe knew what the answer was going to be and he didn’t like it the last battle he was in he had killed a Pirate and was still troubled about his death. “Computer closest power plant in Teladi Space.”
The sector map came up showing the plant but there was a Pirate Base between him and the plant.
One thing the Split didn’t like was enemies and had a shoot first position on them and anyone that got in there way. Gabe eased into the next sector and seen a Equipment Dock and decided to try and sell them some of the missiles he had in his hole but as soon as he hailed them and said what he wanted to do the Split quickly replied. “We no need you missiles or your kind here leave our space!”

That was not the reply Gabe was expecting as he turned away from the Dock and headed for Teladi Space. Before he got to the gate he seen a pair of Pirate ships coming through the gate and then a pair of Pirate Falcons bringing up the rear. Gabe slowed the ship to a craw as he waited to see where they were going. The two Harriers were making a wide run to the North Gate while the two Falcons were headed for the South Gate and the Pirate Sectors.
Sector defense was racing on a intercept course for the Harriers while the two Falcons were making a bee line for the South Gate. Gabe scanned the Harriers as they swooped overhead and got a nasty reply from the Pirates telling him to stay out of this. The two Harriers were Raiders and could outrun the defense ships but they were holding back. Then it hit Gabe the two Harriers were decoys so the two Falcons could get through. He watched as the two Harriers lead the Split ships around just staying out of firing range the whole time until the Falcons made it through the Gate then they sweep wide and opened them up heading back into Teladi space. Gabe moved out of the way of the action as he watched the two Harriers make it back into Teladi Space ahead of the Split fighters.
One of the Split ships went to the South Gate while the other stayed close to the West Gate and started scanning ships while telling Gabe to move on. It didn’t take long until a pair of Pirate ships came through the West Gate. The lone Split Ship turned to a intercept course and attacked one of the Harriers while a third Pirate in a Buster exited the Gate and opened up on the Split Scorpion dropping it’s shields down before he could get out of the way as the Buster exited right behind him.
The second Split ship was headed to help but the Pirates were making a quick job of the lone Scorpion.
Gabe heard the call. “Split ship under attack assistance needed.”

The magic words were sent now the time was at hand help him or wait till they attack the other Split ship and then help or don’t do a thing. The two Harriers were tag teaming the Scorpion while the Buster keep on his tail driving shots in when he turned to fire on the Harriers.
Gabe needed to decide what to do go through a Pirate Sector he knew he would have to fight his way through or a Teladi Sector with a known Pirate Base near the Gate maybe the Teladi would help or not when some Pirate decided to try and take his new ship or help the Split any way he went he knew it involved a fight and helping the Split meant increasing his rep and this time he wasn’t going to kill anyone he could just out run them if he had to.
Gabe made the call. “I’m in route to assist Sector Security.”

Gabe opened his ship up and was on the Buster in seconds as he fired a wasp causing the Buster to turn off the Scorpion to evade the missile. Gabe relocked onto one of the Harriers and fired a second wasp while turning to fire on the second Harrier that was about to open up on the Scorpion. Gabe hit the harrier with a round of direct hits sending the harrier off to recharge his shields. The second wasp hit its mark sending the Harrier into a tail spin.
The Buster had shot down the wasp and had fired a missile at Gabe. The computer sounded incoming missile the rear turret locked on and fired exploding the missile into a fireball. The Scorpion was turning around to fight now as he opened up on the Buster as he tried to get a few shots off on Gabe as he opened the ship up to catch the fleeing Harrier. Gabe closed to firing range and opened up dropping the shields down to nothing then hailed him. “Pirate ship surrender or be blown out of the sky.”
The Harrier keep going so Gabe fired a few more shots into the Harrier ripping into the hull. The Pirate ejected into open space. Gabe turned to return to the battle just in time to save the Scorpion as he got onto the tail of the Buster and opened up. The Busters shields were already low and dropped quickly below zero as Gabe stopped firing. “Surrender Pirate Ship.” No reply as the Buster keep trying to evade Gabe as he fired a few more into the Ship eating away at the hull this time. “Last chance surrender Pirate Ship.”
Still no answer Gabe backed off incase the ship blew up because he was about to fire two more shots into the Buster. Gabe placed his hand on the trigger as the Scorpion Pilot fired exploding the Buster into a ball of fire.
Gabe turned to catch the last Harrier before the Split ships blew him out of the sky. The Harrier was limping away trying to make open space then try and slip out later.
Gabe closed on the Harrier and opened fire. “Give up at least you’ll live.”
No answer came as the ship keep to its heading. Gabe scanned the Harrier the ship had suffered damage and the Pilot had set the auto pilot to take it out to open space and had went into the engine compartment for some reason and was dead.
Gabe packed away and opened up sending a few shot into the ghost ship as it exploded shaking his ship. The ship had been rigged to explode and would have damaged his ship if he had been closer.
Nothing was left of that ship but dust the other Harrier had dropped a crate and Gabe was headed back to pick it up. When the Scorpion Pilot hailed Gabe. “Split thank Argon Pilot for help is your ship damaged?”
Gabe scanned his ship. “No just a little weapons fire marks on my hull.”
“You can dock at Equipment Dock if you need repairs.”
Gabe asked. “Can I sell some of my extra missiles I need to open up some space?”
“Split buy from Argon if Equipment Dock need missiles.”
Gabe scanned the crate and seen it was two more wasp. He hit the freight transporter and the missiles were in his cargo hole. He moved to the Pirate Harrier and scanned it. The scan was clean so Gabe used a new toy Snake had installed and claimed the derelict ship remotely and sent it to the Equipment Dock and this time he got access granted.
Gabe looked at his status that was just now barely enough to dock but he could dock so he set the auto pilot for the Equipment Dock. Gabe liked not having to pick up the freight or do a space walk and claim the ship these new toys Snake had installed were great.
Now it was time to meet the Split as the ship docked. The Split officer waiting to meet him just ordered him to follow him and leave all weapons onboard. Gabe put his pistol back in his ship an fell right in behind the guard. Dirty looks was all he got on the way as he went into the office where a Split officer stated. “Human you need to buy a police license transfer credits.”
Gabe pulled out his card and handed it to the Split as he scanned the card and transferred the funds saying. “You have two bounty’s to claim on the Pirates.” The Officer put the bounty into Gabe’s account and asked. “What do you want us to do with your Harrier when it gets here?”
Gabe tried to be brave as he stood up tall being a head shorter and smaller than the Split in the room saying. “I want to sell it if I can and I have some missiles I need to sell to open up some cargo room in my ship.”
A Guard whispered something into the clerks ear and he was a little more pleasant now as he asked. “What missiles do you want to sell?” Gabe showed him a list of the missiles and the deal was made. The Clerk told Gabe to return to his ship and one of the dock workers would get the missiles and transfer the payment and after that wait on the harrier to dock them empty it out and tell one of the dockhands your ready to sell the ship. Gabe did as the clerk said and when the Harrier docked he went right over and started to go inside. A old split stopped Gabe. “Human better scan ship for traps before going in if you want to stay alive and live long life.”
Gabe thanked the old Split and pulled out his scanner and slowly moved on a little at a time. The ship was clean but Gabe felt like he was intruding in someone’s home as he searched through the Pirates personal things still onboard the ship. Then he found a secret compartment in the frame of the ship between two bulkheads. Gabe scanned it looking for any traps he knew it had a couple of pistols a scanner and some tokens in a bag. He tried to open the lid but no such luck it was locked and he knew the Pirate wasn’t going to tell how to get inside. So he went outside the ship and asked to see the clerk.

The big Split came back again. “What do you want Human?”
[Gabe] “I found a lockbox inside the ship and I want it to get it open.”
“Hold on I send worker over to give you a price on opening box.”
A Split man came over with a scanner and PDA. “Where’s the box Human?” Was all he said. Gabe showed him the box and he scanned it and said. “500 credits to open the box.”
The big Split stood looking at Gabe waiting on a answer. Gabe didn’t know how many or the value of the credits and the pistols could be junk of a real prize and only one way to find out.
Gabe handed him his card. “Open the box.” The split transferred the credits and went to work . A few minutes later he handed Gabe a paper. “Here is the code Human if you want the box removed to take with you I’ll remove it for a hundred credits.” Then the Split turned and left.

Gabe took out his PDA and entered in the code and a open box came up on the screen and Gabe pushed open. The lid came up to reveal the goods. A large blaster, a solid projectile pistol, a hand scanner and a bag of tokens. Gabe scanned the contents and they were clean so he picked up the bag and opened it up and counted the credits. They were different values but just added up to 450 credits. The tokens didn’t even cover the cost of opening the box but the pistols and scanner were worth a lot more than 50 credits so it was worth it. Gabe pulled up the price of the lockbox and you could by a new one for two hundred credits. He closed the lid and put his goodies into a box and put them in his locker onboard the Kestrel then he asked to see the Clerk. The big Split came back again. “What Human want now?”
“I want to sell the Harrier if I can.” The Guard snarled a little. “Come with me Human.”
Gabe followed the Guard back to the Clerks office again. The Guard spoke to the Clerk and left the room telling Gabe to set and wait pointing at a seat.

Gabe knew Pop would be worrying because to much time had went by and he hadn’t picked up Simon yet. Gabe was looking at the local market hoping that someone was selling energy cells on one of the stations but no such luck their wasn’t any deals in the hole sector.
The clerk looked at Gabe. “Come here Human.” Gabe stepped up to the counter. “Yes Sir.”
“Split no Sir just Sergeant. Split buy Harrier for 12,000 credits this no Shipyard take offer or keep ship.”
Gabe looked the Split in the eye. “I’ll take your offer. I meant no disrespect by calling you Sir Sergeant.”
“None taken Human. You leaving sector now?” The Clerk said it in a way that suggested Gabe should be moving on. “Yes Sergeant I’ll be leaving your space as soon as I get some energy cells for my jump drive.”
The Clerk called a Guard into his office. “Human you can buy energy cells in the sector to the north. I have a rider looking for a fast ship to power plant in north sector you give her a ride and I’ll increase you reputation with Split so Split won’t shoot you on site.”
The big Split laughed at the remark and looked at Gabe smiling. A Split woman came into the office and started arguing with the Clerk looking back and forth at Gabe till she looked like she wanted to kill someone and the Clerk said. “Split female take ride she no like humans but she need to get to station now. She pay you 1000 credits for ride to power plant.”
Gabe looked at the Clerk and Woman that was looking at Gabe like she hated to be in the same room with him.
Gabe thought this just keeps on getting worse but knew not to make the Sergeant mad and it was going to help his rank. “I’d be glad to give her a ride we can leave now if she’s ready.”
The Sergeant smiled as the woman left the room. “Split remember Human I increase reputation with Split.”

Gabe returned to the ship and waited on the Split woman. Gabe welcomed her onboard as climbed aboard and asked to just get on with the flight. Gabe asked her if she wanted any thing special to eat or drink before they left the dock. She muttered something he didn’t understand. Gabe’s taxi service days kicked in. “I sorry I don’t have that if you tell the supply officer what you want I’ll get it for you.” She turned around and told the worker loading the bags and he took off in a run. Gabe showed her to her seat and waited outside on her food and drink. The worker rushed the food back as Gabe paid for the stinking food she had ordered. Gabe smiled as he handed the food over to her asking. “Do you need anything else?”
“No just get going.” Was the reply and it suited Gabe fine as he locked the ship up and closed himself in the cockpit away from that stinking food she had ordered. Gabe hit open space and full speed to the North Gate the ship was fast as it eased up to make the jump. Gabe looked at the Split on the monitor she was eating the food she ordered. The jump was as smooth as silk as Gabe set the autopilot to dock on the power plant. He checked the sector prices the power plant was a little higher than the other but time was the concern now not a few credits. The ship docked getting her there in under 15 minutes. Gabe helped her off the ship with her bags and transferred payment his rank went up a few points. Gabe ordered all the energy cells he could get onboard and his rank went up two more points. The ship hit open space and Gabe hit the jump drive.
The ship emerged in Light of Hearh at the North Gate and set corse for the Equipment Dock. A message came in from Simon. “Gabe where you been you’re way over due and Pop has already sent two messages.”
Gabe made Com range and hailed Simon. “Send Pop a message and tell him I’m fine I just did a little sight seeing to try my ship out. I’ll tell you all about it when I dock.”

Simon was waiting at the hatch when Gabe docked. “Gabe I like your ship who did you get into a fight with I see weapons fire marks on the hull?”
Gabe shook his head. “Come onboard I’ll tell you all about it while I show you the ship.”
Simon snarled his nose as he entered the ship. “What’s that smell? Tell me in the restaurant while this thing airs out.”
Gabe told Simon all about the trip and what happened to Pop. Gabe looked at his PDA and seen the reminder about the drones. “Simon Pop said he wanted two of the special drones you had.”
Simon stated. “I only have three left if you have the cash you should get all three I’ll explain while you show me that ship and I’ll have the weapions fire markes removed for you. Have you named her yet?”
[Gabe] “No not yet I guess I need to it is my ship and I need to name her but I haven’t thought of a good name for her yet.”
Gabe started telling about the ship and how fast and well she handled as he showed Simon the ship. Then Simon explained about the drones and how they had been refitted from shielded assault drones down to worker drones but still had their armored shell on the outside and could be reworked back to a defense drone with the right supplies. “We’ll take all three then look at these what are they worth.” Gabe replied as he showed Simon the pistols and scanner from the Pirate ship.
Simon looked at Gabe. “You need to have them cleaned in case there is something in or on them that ties you to the Pirate. I know a man onboard that will check them for a few credits and we have time. The drones will have to be brought out of storage and that will take a while. I’ll call him he’ll pick them up and contact you when he’s done or if he finds anything to see what you want to do. And it’s not a bad ideal that you get a secret lockbox hid onboard somewhere.”
Simon called the cleaner while he looked over the ships design trying to find a place to hide a lockbox that was still easy to get to and secure.
Gabe was trying to come up with a name while Simon was looking for places to put a lockbox in both setting at the table onboard the ship.
Gabe said. “I got a name. Rapid Travel or RT for short.”
[Simon] “I like that it sounds good. Here look at the places I highlighted and pick out one and go look at the place and see if you like it and remember if you need to get into the box often put in in a easy to get to spot.”
Gabe and Simon walked around the ship looking at the marked areas until Gabe picked out a spot under a panel in the floor of the cockpit so no one riding could find it with a scanner. Simon sent Gabe to the cleaners shop to wait while he put the lockbox in the ship. And if all went well they would be gone in a few hours.

[SpitfireJB]

Nice keep it up