Deep Six Chapter 7

[Ed Man]

I Need a Crew
Chapter 7 Deep Six

Simon looked at Gabe. “I can’t believe what I just seen happen? I mean I like the outcome just don’t involve me in another deal like that. I know my heart stopped when you two got in each others face.”
[Gabe] “As soon as we sign the papers we need to go and find some Crewman to help with our new ships I want to leave before this all blows up and we get caught in the backlash.”
[Clerk] “You’ll be fine Mr. Lander ounce the Director signed off on the order it’s done. [A Aid rushed in with a sealed folder.] And here’s the papers for you two to sign read them carefully and make sure everything is correct.”
After reading and signing the papers Simon asked the Clerk. “Just who are you anyway I know you was left in here to watch us.”
[Clerk] “Lets just say I’m just a man at the right place to help out. I won’t be here when you return and remember this never happened and tell your Grandfather not to ever mention this! No need in dragging him in this mess I understand just make sure he does.” The Man turned and left with the papers.

The two watched as the man shut the door behind him then Gabe stated. “Like I said we need to go.”
As soon as they hit open space and scanned to make sure the ship clean form bugs Gabe asked. “Do you think he knew Pop knew all about it?”
[Simon] “No he said that to try and get a reaction out of us. What are you going to do with the Tanker?”
[Gabe] “We’re way out on a limb here I know. I want to start it trading but without a jump drive it’s going to be slow go for a while. I want to get back and search the other Split Sector if it is half as full as the last one I’ll be happy plus we got a list of sectors to search now. How many people do you think we need to hire?”
[Simon] “We can double up the search and use the new Disco Hauler I just got and save time. So two crewmen with pilots license for the Magnetar. Then at least four for the Tanker a Captain a pilot and two crewman just to start. Then went the Credits start coming in double both the crews so they’ll be running around the clock.”
[Gabe] “I like your plan but I know what to do. Hire a Captain and two Pilots, three crewman and four worker drones for the Tanker to keep it going around the clock. Then two for the Magnetar.
I need the Tanker going around the clock which means we’ll have to take it in shifts or buy a Android.”
[Simon] “I vote buy the Android do you have the credits to do all that?”

Gabe pulled up his account. “No I don’t! But I do know where a small load of ore is we can pick it up and sell in the sector I was planning on searching. A Captain, one Crewman and two drones will have to do for now on the Tanker and one Crewman with a pilots license for us. I’ll transfer all the credits I can over into a account for the Tanker to start trading with but it won’t be a lot but it will have to do.
I wasn’t thinking at all when I told the Security Director of the Shipyard I wanted a Tanker I kind of feel like a crook now that I thank about it. The whole thing just made me mad. When he came in barking out orders at me something inside me snapped. The Teladi and everything that went on with them then I was drilled by the Split for half a day. Then I come home to the safety of our home Sector and find a thief in the most secure Shipyard in the universe and he starts bossing me around because he wasn’t doing his job!
I don’t fill bad anymore now.”
[Simon] “Thanks for getting me that Disco and you got a Tanker and whether out of control or a genius move It’s over with now. But you got some real issues you need to deal with when’s the last time you took a break?”
Gabe started trying to remember when he had did something or anything for himself. “Not since we took that long taxi mission that started this all.”
[Simon] “When we get the Magnetar fitted and in that sector you want to search why don’t you stay onboard it and let me fly the RT and our new crewman can take the new Disco I just got and we’ll scan the sector while you take it easy.”
Gabe started thinking it would give him time to look over the new sector map. “I’ll think about it.” Gabe said as the RT taxed into the Temple.
The two got off the RT and after telling one of the workers what there business was at the Temple he showed them to a room where a Goner was setting in his long brown robe. And after checking out Gabe’s background and the ships at the shipyard he handed Gabe a list he recommended hiring with their backgrounds, qualifications, status and pay rate they were seeking. After two hours of interviewing several they decided on three. The papers were signed and Gabe transferred the placement fee and sing on bonus and thirty minutes later they were loaded and on their way back to the shipyard.
[Simon] “Gabe you’re going to tell Pop about the Director and how you got the Tanker and new Disco Hauler for me! And again thank you very much! How do you want to work this out?”
[Gabe] “We’ll take a tour of the Magnetar and get our crewman settled in. Next we’ll tour the Tanker and set up a account for the Captain to use shake his hand and wish him and his crewman well and send them off to start trading.”
[Simon] “What about Pop?”
[Gabe] “I’ll send Pop a message when we get to open space and Bit gets finished installing the new unit and building Pops. How long will that take Bit?”
Bit answer back in the cockpit so Simon could hear. “About thirty minutes Commander.”
[Gabe] “Simon I’ll fly us on in go see how the new guys are doing and talk to them they don’t know we’re family.”
[Simon] “Do you mean spy on them and see if they’re as crazy as you?”
[Gabe] “Yap that’s sounds about right.”

When Simon left the cockpit Gabe was starting to realize how far he had come in just a few short time and how unfeeling his emotions were. The pirate he had killed in battle and all the cruelty and fighting had just made him bitter and harsh. Maybe taking a break and staying on the Magnetar wasn’t such a bad ideal Gabe thought as he hailed the Shipyard and taxied the RT back inside and docked.

A Rep was waiting to meet Gabe as he stepped of the RT. “Your ships are ready Mr. Lander I’m here to show you your ships. If I may suggest lets start with the two Discos they’re closer and will be faster.”
Simon nudged Gabe. “Did he just say two Discos?”
[Gabe] “Can I see the work order please we want to look it over to make sure it’s what we wanted.”
The Rep handed Gabe the work order and their it was the Disco the salesman had signed over to Gabe plus a new maxed out Disco Hauler a Tanker and his Magnetar and a zero balance due.”

Gabe handed the Rep back the form saying. “It looks to be in order a quick tour of the Discos first will be fine. Can I speak with the salesman that took our order when we’re finished with the Discos?”
[Rep] “That was one of our Supervisors that took your order. [The Rep paused for a few seconds wanting to say more but stopped.] And he has left the Station on business but he told me to take care of you do you need anything else?”
[Gabe] “No I just wanted to thank him.”
[Rep] “I’ll pass that along to him as soon as he gets back.” The Sales Rep replied with his phony smile as he directed the group over to the Discos that were side by side.
They took a few minutes looking at the new hauler and just glanced at the other Disco. The Rep loaded the group up on a small car and away they went to the other side of the Shipyard and stopped at the Tanker and pointed at the Magnetar one bay over. The Rep walked them the half way down the side of the Tanker explaining the design and standard features of the ship. Then the inside tour came as he lead them through each section stopping to tell how great each section was all the way from the bow to stern.
The Captain and his Crewman stayed onboard the Tanker while Gabe, Simon and their Crewman went on to the Magnetar. The tour of it was a little faster the inside was a different style and was a little larger and nicer than the Tankers as they looked at their rooms. The features were different as the Rep pointed out to them the access hatches to each docking bay as he went down the main hall section by section.

Gabe looked over the list of features on all the ships and handed it to Simon to look at. Simon bulled Gabe of into the control room and asked the Rep to give them a minute. “Gabe sell the Disco the Clerk had and transfer the shields over onto the Tanker and use the extra credits to upgrade the extensions and leave him enough starting funds to trade on. The Tanker is way to slow and your funds are low. And we both thought it was already gone anyway.”
Gabe thought for a minute. “Pop was wanting to add a extra Disco on to his taxi service. I’ll give him a call and see if he wants it first besides I need to tell him about all of this and now is as good a time as any.”

Gabe sent the Rep on back to his office while he sent Pop a message asking him to meet him in the docking bays lounge at the shipyard.
A half hour later Pop walked in. “What’s wrong Gabe we were going to meet at Terra Corp?”
[Gabe] “Set down Pop I need to tell you what happened.”
Gabe told Pop the story from start to finish as he set there trying to take it all in then asked. “Let me see if I got it right. You got a Tanker and a Disco Hauler for Simon out of the Security Director and he let you keep the first Disco and you want to know if I want to buy the Disco before you sell it to the shipyard because you need the extra credits to fund the Tanker?”
[Gabe] “That’s the story Pop. You know it’s not fare to you just take the Disco you should get something to it’s yours just take it. I’ll stick to my original plan.”
[Pop] “That a generous offer but no you done gave me a Buster remember and I’m not taking another ship from you but I will buy it. I want Simon to show it to me I want to talk to him. Do you still need the energy cells?”
[Gabe] “Not if you’re buying the Disco.”
[Pop] “Well I’m buying it so I’m sending it on trading till you get ready to go to the Terra Corp Station. Gabe I don’t know what to think about all of this just take me to the Tanker and Magnetar I want to at least look at them and meet you new Crewmen.”
Gabe took Pop to the Tanker and gave him a quick tour and introduced the Captain and his Crewman to him while they were loading up supplies and storing their gear. Then they move over to the Magnetar while Pop looked it over and talked to the new man then he took Simon to look at the Disco and asked Gabe to meet him at the sales office.
Simon gave his side of the story to Pop then Pop asked him what he thought about Gabe?
[Simon] “I don’t know Pop he didn’t do anything wrong but at the rate Gabe’s going he’ll own a sector before he’s thirty. It’s like it all just fell in his lap. I mean look I got a new Disco out of it.”
Simon stated as he pointed at his New Disco sitting right next to the one Pop was looking at.
[Pop] “I know Simon I just don’t want eather of you to get hurt or killed so be careful. It’s better to walk away and live another day than to take a chance and die.”
[Simon] “I know Pop we’ll be careful. What do you think about the Disco do you want it?”
[Pop] “I’m buying the ship I just wanted to look at it and talk to you. Don’t let him do anything crazy either you two take it easy for a while till you make some since out of all this nothing happens by chance.”
[Simon] “Will do Pop that is the plan anyway just empty space and long borring searches for dropped freight.”
Pop turned around and headed to meet up with Gabe in the titles office. “I’m here Gabe sign her over her over to me.” Gabe signed the Disco over to Pop then they went to their bank and Pop transferred what the Disco was worth over into a account for Gabe and the Tanker.
[Pop] “I’ll meet you at the Terra Corp Station later is everything ready?”
Gabe checked with Bit on his PDA. “All set Pop I’ll see you there.”

Gabe saved the funds he needed an used the rest to upgrade the speed a rudder to max and the rest on cargo bay extensions. Then sent them out to start trading.
Gabe took the Magnetar out to open space and autopileted the Disco to dock while Simon flew the RT. Next stop Terra Corp and two transporters and a jump drive taken out of the RT and put into the Magnetar then open space and a add on put in Pops Vulture.

The Magnetar was big and slow like the Vulture but it felt good to Gabe as he set in the Captains seat of his own ship as he carefully watched the ships around him knowing that two one meg shields wasn’t much
protection.
After docking the Terra Corp techs went right to work and were even able to install a transporter on the Disco while it was docked on the Magnetar. Gabe and Simon watched at how well they did their jobs and agreed that the Argon Shipyard better hope that Terra Corp doesn’t get into building ships or they’ll be in trouble.
Gabe sent Pop a message as soon as they were done and pulled of to a safe place to wait and got a reply.
“Just loaded up for a delivery and won’t be able to make it for at least two hours. I thought it would take you longer I’ll be there as soon as I can. Pop.”
[Gabe] “I’m going to take the RT and go through the South Gate into Ore Belt and look for goodies around there Gates why don’t you take your Disco and check the east, west and north Gates here I’ll check the South on my way back. Maybe we’ll find something it beats setting here waiting. We’ll meet back at the Magnetar in 90 minutes.”



Gabe entered ore Belt and set the RT to search the North Gate and ten minutes into the search a crate.
Gabe slowed the RT and closed on the crate and scanned it. It was full of credits! Gabe transported the credit onboard and moved on to the next Gate amazed at the find. The West Gate was clear but the East Gate had a pair of Hornets and a Dragonfly. Gabe searched the South Gate as he reentered the sector but it was clear so he headed back and docked.
Simon was getting something to drink and was about to set down at the table when Gabe stepped off the transporter and asked. “What did you find?”
Simon looked up smiling. “I found two Wasp a two Mosquitos what’d you find?”
Gabe tried to look disappointed then said. “I found a Dragonfly and two Hornets.” Gabe paused a second when Simon cut in. “That’s a lot better than what I found.”
Gabe waited a few seconds then said. “There’s more I found a case full of credits.”
Simon was shaking his head. “Real funny Gabe a case full of credits! Ha! Ha!”
[Gabe] ‘Bit transport the case in here we need to count them.”
The case showed up on the transporter pad and Gabe put it on the table and opened it up saying.
“Do you believe me now?” Gabe removed the pistol on top of the pile and put it in a bag and handed it to a worker drone so Bit could scan and clean it. Then the three started counting and stacking the tokens and bank cards on the table totaling up to one hundred thousand credits.
[Bit] “You are receving a hail.” [Gabe] “Put it on.”
“Gabe this is Pop I’ll be in transporter range in a few seconds.”
Gabe mashed his head gear mike. “All right Pop see you in a minute.” Gabe let go of the mike. “Lets hurry and put the credits back into the case and store them in the locker for now and not a word about the credits to Pop he’ll just worry.”
The new crewman Luke stored the case and went to his room while Gabe and Simon went to meet Pop at the transporter pad. The repair drone walked up with the equipment ready to transport over to the Vulture just as Pop transported over. “Hi boys sorry I had just took a pickup and delivery job for a station that was out of supplies.”
[Gabe] “Not a problem Pop we looked around and found a few goodies. You ready for the drone to install the equipment?”
[Pop] “All set how long will it take Cherrit wanted you to show him your ship.”
[Gabe] “We got time and how about lunch while you’re here we just filled the galley and we don’t have what you want the food processor is top of the line.”
[Pop] “Sounds good to me Gabe.”
The drone transported over to the Vulture to get started installing the unit and Cherrit transported back. After a warm welcome for his cousine Gabe gave him a tour of the ship although some of it was still new to Gabe as Bit helped with the tough questions.
The part was installed and the four were still at the table talking when the first mate on the Vulture hailed Pop. “Sorry Captain we just got a message form one of the stations we do business with they are asking to speek with you about finding them some supplies.”
[Pop] “Well Gabe that means we need to go and perfect timing for that new toy. I’ll send you a message about how it works. We’ll see you two later and be careful out there.”
Gabe stook his hand out to shake Pops like he did Cherrit as he transported back to the Vulture but Pop grapped him and gave him and Simon a hug then stepped on the transporter pad.
The green light came on showing Pops transport was a success whe n Simon asked. “What now move on or what?”
[Gabe] “Lets jump to Snakes dock and see if he can get me a bigger shield and all his upgrades. We can sell him the missiles and deposit the credits there and we need to get two freight transporter upgrades.”
Gabe knocked on Lukes door. “We’re about to jump to The Vault last chance to change your mind.”
Luke opened the door. “I’m good to go Captain ready when you are.”
[Gabe] “Then lets go to the cockpit and get going.”

[Ed Man]

Thanks for the replys and I'm to many ahead so here's another one

[collins50]

Ed Is that boy lucky or what. Good job