Ramblings of an Argon Nephew-(Trader's guide)

[TTD]

Just keeps it in line with the current part of the story...Corporations want a slice of the cake.

[EmperorJon]

But won't it look bad when you...

eviscerate

the Teladi?

[TTD]

I was thinking more along the lines of using them for educating student surgeons...giving the students an insight of what they might have to do when they qualify.

[EmperorJon]

Teladisection?

Anyway.


Hope you've slept well, you're probably not awake yet. But anyway.

I've come up with a new complex you could build.

Here's the picture:

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/EmperorJonTC/Chips.jpg?t=1269162268

Oops! Wrong link.

Never mind.



(So much for breaking it to you gently )

[TTD]

New complex for Atreus HQ.

4x Bio Gas Factory L
4x BoFu Chemical Plant L
1x Computer Plant
3x Crystal Plant L
1x Massom Mill L
1x Ore Mine L 4y
1x Plankton Farm L
1x Quantum Tube Fab
1x Scruffin Farm L
2x SPP L
1x Soyery L
1x Soyfarm L
1x Wheat Farm L

Completed.


OTAS HQ

4x Cahoona Bakery L
4x Cattle Ranch L
3x Crystal Fab L
1x Ore Mine L 13y
1x Quantum Tube Fab
Rimes Fact L
Silicon Mine L
2x SPP L
1x Weapon Component Factory
1x Wheat Farm L

Completed

[TTD]

Norman took control of Ryu 1.
It had been very busy for a while.Two corporations left to build for,but the Duke's have to have some stations there to build for.He had only put one station for them there so far.No...that place is full of problems.No 'roids.Regular skirmishes with Paranid ,not many stations.

However,he went to Home of Light.Plenty more stations there...and his favorite coffee....

...Glancing around the lounge he found a nice quiet alcove in which to savor the flavor...

Less than 10k silicon to find.Not bad,considering he was not actually planning to start so soon on the Hub project.But that Mahi Ma friend of his is so impatient!

A nice place to find out about the rest of the universe.You never know who will be talking to you next , or about what they are about to tell you..
especially when you think things are going smooth...

[EmperorJon]

[TTD]

"Er.hem." A slight cough and the gentleman continued..." Mind if I join you?" he asked,already drawing out the seat to place himself in.

Norman looked up a bit startled.He had been a sector away ,in his mind,thinking of home and how life had changed from when he was there,before his uncle had been put out of business.

"Help yourself,erm...friend? It's always good to find out how other people view the universe."

Whoever it was,seemed to be either Argon or Terran.He wore ill fitting clothes that seemed have been worn longer than intended,but neat-ish,although patched.He had obviously seen better days.

"Thankyou.Your face looks familiar.My name is Tolgarth.I was never given a second name,but that's another story.You looked a bit lost in your own little galaxy there,so I thought you might like a little company."

"Ok,Tolgarth.I may seem familiar to you as my picture was all over Argon space recently.My name is Norman.Norman Feisty."

"Yeah..Now I remember...You're the guy with some new design in factory complexes...Wow!"

"Point is,it was not my design originally.Many people before me mused about the idea.Other dismissed it as something fanciful.can't happen,won't happen,and even if it did it would just blow itself up.
I just thought about it a bit further and discovered that it can be done,if you are careful and quick enough.
Our usual New-Tech plexes are 5 station blocks,but rumors are that someone did 12 before reaching critical."

"So what brings you to Home of Light when you have explored west to east of the southern universe?"

"One final complex before I start on my original quest...and my favorite coffee.of course "

At that point two Yaki stepped to the table.
"Excuse me gentlemen,but we need to discuss something...in our ship's office." The larger of the two said,exposing his side arm to show this was not just an invitation.

"But...but...but"stammered Tolgarth.
Norman said"Looks like you've had an adventurous life.Come.this may prove interesting."

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Sometime later ....

Comms Officer calls in on Dermot.

"We've got some bad news Sir !"

"Oh,and just as things were going so well.What is it?"

"It's the Captain of Ryu 2"

"Demanding his paycheck or asking for a refit?"

"Neither Sir.
He's report that Norman has possibly been abducted sir.Last seen leaving Home of Light docked in a Chokaro.The Chokaro was not ours ,sir and he has remained radio silent.Apparently he left Julian's bar with three others.
Two were Yaki,and the third did not seem to fit with them for some reason the captain could not explain."

"Ok. Cancel all shore leave until further notice.And send word to our freighter captains to be careful around the Yaki.All contacts to keep a good eye out for any activity that may lead us a clue."

"Right you are sir.As good as done."

Dermot looked at his life-partner.She looked worried...

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... "Yes sir. One of our freighter captains report having seen Norman's personal ship cruising under autopilot.It is programmed to dock at our base in Duke's vision....No life-signs on board sir."

"ok. Send word to the base and get the Techs to see if Norman has left any clues.This does not sound good...not good at all."

He looked at Ann.
"Well " she said,"Might be a good time to get those Military staff off their seats and back to work.We have an abundance of M4s through to M3s.We have over 200M credits for refits"

"Yes,but do we have the time?"

[TTD]

A few days later,Norman's Elite limped into the docking bay.
Full investigation went underway immediately.
Black-box removed and taken to the lab.

All Equipment that Norman had added,had been removed before the ship's computer had been programmed to return to base.
Two PACs had also been missing on arrival.

No forced entry and no damage anywhere.
The chief investigator was not happy."No clues here.I want that black-box decoded immediately!" he snapped at one of his team.
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Some time earlier...

"Well,well,well.Who have we here?" asked the Yaki Prince. " If it's not our old friend Tolgarth,alias Jack Brown alias Brian Applegate,alias...need I go on? Which name do you trade with now Tolgarth?"

"Just Tolgarth.The past is past and I was about to try anew start when we were interupted by your gracious invitation."

"Enough for now.You just happened to be here at the wrong time.It's your companion,Norman,whom we are really interested in,but as you are here,I'll give you a new career with Norman.We have some plans for him,and you can assist him.Shall we say as payment of debts owed by you?"

"But...but...but ...I thought we had a deal?"

"You should know by now that word of mouth is not worth the paper it's written on.The deal was canceled as you were somewhat slower than we would like.
Now my friend.Norman,I hope your two Hoshi's are serving you well?"

"Indeed.Thankyou.Noo whaat's all dis fuss aboot?"

"Well,surely you have noticed Yaki ships in your scanners nearly everywhere you have been? They weren't told to keep out of range."

"Zo?"

"We were amused by your trick of getting station masters to pay you for things you did not actually do.But when you decided to use those Hoshi's last time...Well I lost some good ships and NONE of us are amused any more.It's time you did some work for us to balance the books,so to speak."

"and if i decline?"

"well,no more Yaki ships . and I think your stations and ships in our sectors may have a few accidents."

"putting it like that,Oi think you may 'av me ear.Noo explain te me and your friend 'ere what it is you require."

"very well.Your personal ship has items you will need.We won't give you everything,but you need send your ship back to one of your stations when all transfers are complete.Your replacement ship is already docked here.But we will leave the sector before transfer.I will tell you more after your old ship is well on it's way."

[TTD]

Later,after a few jumps...

" We need to know more about the universe.There are places we have not been and do not want to take any unnecessary risks ourselves,but you on the other hand .... It's ok,I won't tell if you don't...So we would like you to explore the Teladi sectors North East section of the universe. Yes I thought that might interest you.But along with that,all the other sectors of that region you have not reached yet.
You can claim any derelicts you may find.But only use your credits through a special code I give you.No radio calls,sub space messages or message drones.We will be monitoring your progress.Only return to Yaki space when you are sure all sectors have been examined.
Dangerous ?Yes.Easy?No.
Fail me and Yaki sectors will be barred for you.
Do you both understand?"

They nodded as one in agreement.
"very well.Your ship awaits you."

[TTD]

He was shown the ship he was to use.An M5 Fujin Class.Very basic and cramped.It had a 1MJ shield and not much else.Maximum speed of over 400m/s but could not reach 120 yet.

Still he could fit two more 1 MJ shields.If only he had carried some spare.
He quickly transferred the Fujin,along with Jump-drive and anything else he could take with him.Especially the special software he'd got from the old Duke.If he was going to claim any ships,he did not want to be in space suit in hostile sectors!

"Well Tolgarth,or what ever your real name is,looks like we are company for now,what ever you are thinking.As this mission is aimed at me,I'll fly this tin bucket and you can navigate etc."

"Very well.We have limited fuel space ,so we'll jump to Empire's edge to refuel,since you did not bring much with you.Then to Queen's Space to refuel.After that you can tell it to [FLY THROUGH GATE] and select the East gate in Family Whi."

...They entered at the east gate and before they could focus on the view,the Fujin immediately turned and went through the gate it had emerged from.

Share - Holder's Fortune was a dark place.The only glimpses of colour were on passing ships. First thing was to Map Sector .Focus on map centre,pan out..."ah yes...800 radius should serve us well"

several SPPs.That would be useful....Before long they were offered a Vulture Hauler,which they sent to Kingdom End.
Then they found the gate to The Vault which they then explored.
Second pass and they found a derelict,used the software to claim it and sent it to the local EQ dock.
Another pass and they were offered Falcon Hauler (very useful) and a Vulture Super Freighter.Both of which were sent for refit.
Making sure with one more pass,that nothing else was to be found ,they also docked for refit.

The Sentinel they sent to Kingdom End after refit. the others were set to ST in Shareholder's Fortune.Did their own refit and set off again for Mines of Fortune.
Having mapped the entire sector,Norman was interested in all the roids,So he scanned them too.
"Why did you not scan the last batch of roids?"asked Tolgarth.
"Hmmm...Have you ever seen a Yaki Mine?..."

While scanning he was offered another Vulture SF ,which he sent for refit in the Vault.

Two silicon 'roids caught his attention.70 and 72 yields.
"Once this mission is over,we should come back 'ere" mused Norman,setting course for the trading station before heading south.

This continued until They had mapped Tkr's Deprivation when they encountered their first problem.There was a derelict rough north of the centre,but the was a Kha'ak cluster that had just dispersed.
Norman quickly docked at the trading port to evaluate the situation.

Local militia solved the problem.
Scanned asteroids and claimed ship.(Buzzard Hauler)

,,,Sometime later and they were in Thyn's Abyss...

"Ok Tolgarth.Any good with PACs?"

"Fired a few volleys in my time.Why?"

"You'd better be good.We have only two on board and we are about to go through that gate to the west."

Tolgarth gulped.His face lost colour."Are you serious?" he asked.

"Oi be as serious as the Yaki Prince askin' us to."

" Get us some jump fuel for emergencies then" Tolgrth replied,not at all happy about it.

[TTD]

Norman could hardly stop laughing all the way back to the Split trading Port.

"That was...was..was not my idea of a joke Norman!" stammered Tolgarth.
"Did you not tell me what your plan was?Yeah we went through that gate,but you did not tell me you meant from the other side of that sector!"

Norman had memorized his uncle's sketched maps and decided to make good use of his memory.They jumped to Black Hole Sun just after a Q raiding party had emerged,thus they were behind the convoy.Then they doubled back into Xenon Sector 472,which according to his uncle was very small between gates.

Tolgarth had recoiled when he saw the Q raiding party and had barely recovered when the Fujin had spun round and entered Xenon 472.Then faced almost head on the full Xenon fleet that remained there.Sweat had poured from his face as Norman spun the ship round to face the east gate and quickly circumnavigated the Xenon.

"Zoory ol'chap.You must agree it waz exitin' tho'"

[TTD]

For those interested I have just completed The Hub requirements and Mahi Ma is in Kingdom End,being transport by his former Enhanced Dolphin.

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"Where is my friend , Norman?He was supposed to give me transport to Kingdom End." Mahi Ma asked.

Dermot replied that" Norman has gone missing,I am one of his closest friends,so I felt it my duty to perform this task in his absence."

"Oh..Seems all my friends go missing lately.Hope you find him soon"

Later they said their farewells.

Now to decide what to do with the third set of gates.

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So far,all had gone well.He was making sketched maps,like his uncles to compare later,in case the Yaki prince decides mot to let him keep the computer data.
They had not seen ANY Yaki ,that is ,until now...A Yaki Rajin Raider,piloted by Almanckamstras.
"Maybe he is intersted in the Pirate Base I found @ -133 , 18.2 , 24.3
Hmm...why now?"

They were in Zyarth's Dominion,and had seen a couple of Q raiding parties,but managed to avoid them.

Xenon sector 695 was too difficult to get into with the Fujin,so they ordered a Split Jaguar @ over 500 m/s. maximum speed.Meanwhile they proceeded to Ocean of Fantasy.where they were hailed by Humi Wi.

"No radio messages".... Oh well,they were too busy anyway to get involved with other projects.It might be important , but they can come back anytime.

Suddenly ship's computer started to blast..."DANGER...ENTERING ATMOSPHERE !!! ...DAnGER...ENTE..."

Norman had been so used to just entering the sector radius ,without problems that this caught him out.Nearly fatal.
Some of these ships might look like atmosphere capable,but without shielding they would burn up in no time.

66% Hull integrity remaining.

"PHEW That was close." It was Norman's turn to sweat this time."

Tolgarth just sat there grinning..."You didn't fool me that time Norman "
"You WHAT "
"Well there is a Shipyard here and we're out of coffee."
"FOOL. We were nearly roasted too,then!"

They made their way to the station.

...A quick repair and restock of coffee,and they were on their way to Hila's Joy where they found an Advanced Baracuda ready to claim.

[TTD]

"You did not tell me that there were not even IREs installed!"

"Did we need 'em Tolgarth?We went into every Xenon sector ,North-east of the universe centre.Even that last missile barely burnt the hull and that was only with it's thrusters."

"But...but...but you did not tell me.That's the point."

Point is Tolgarth,is we are both alive and ready to re-board the Fujin and return it to the Jolly prince.Now nip back and get me a coffee."

[TTD]

Meanwhile..

Security Chief Stafford was sat at his desk staring at the black box placed before him. The note attached said [ No further information found ].

Then he got a message...

"... Rare ships and some other fighters have docked....No pilots....All with Norman Feisty as owner....Details of where they have come from have been erased..."

More information was needed.What was his employer up to? Why the secrecy?How were the Yaki involved?

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All heads of departments were ordered back to Duke's Vision.

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Norman and Tolgarth returned to Getsu Fune.
All needed equipment was transferred from the Jaguar .
Then they made a tour of the EQ Docks with the claimed ship on "auto", in preparation for their journey back to the Prince.
He gave the Jaguar to Tolgarth to pilot.It was faster,but the Fujin did have the jumpdrive.The last few sectors he resorted to normal thrusters,giving Tolgarth time to catch up.

They docked at the Yaki Shipyard almost together.
Yaki security invited them to remain at some quarters that had been set for them,for a good rest.Meanwhile the data recorded on their ships would be collated and removed.
the Prince would call for them the next day.
Time for some much needed rest.