hehehe i got the Zephy when i posted the pilots wanted... sea breeze will work... also just so you know Warren did an excellent job in the Disco, and will be getting a promotion.
its odd being a couple chapters ahead in game. i get stoked and wanna share whats going on, but dont wanna ruin the story lol
i will say i need more pilots.... 2 more, one for a Pericles, and another for the Disco Warren will be leaving.
i think ima keep the Harrier Raider as a personal scout/ remote mapping ship since its the fastest thing i got.
thanks once again to everyone reading, and i will attempt to do another update for tomorrow (or maybe tonight if i cant sleep)
A Story From The Void (AP DiD)
Moderators: TheElf, Moderators for English X Forum
-
Nathancros
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue, 30. Nov 10, 04:46
Ill join in if you want
I wanna use my ol favourite character tho
Name: Wingnut
Race : Paranid*but honest to gunne SWEARS he is terran)
Bio: Mad, completly utterly bouncing off the walls bat-dropping insane.
Will fly anything, had a bad record with flying tho, In every story he has been in, he has destroyed atleast 1 ship each time, shame they were all his OWN
He will take whatever ship you want.
Shipname?
Madman
I wanna use my ol favourite character tho
Name: Wingnut
Race : Paranid*but honest to gunne SWEARS he is terran)
Bio: Mad, completly utterly bouncing off the walls bat-dropping insane.
Will fly anything, had a bad record with flying tho, In every story he has been in, he has destroyed atleast 1 ship each time, shame they were all his OWN
He will take whatever ship you want.
Shipname?
Madman
Nullam et arcu vitae magna instabilitate omnia solvit
Am a recovering Addict of the CREATIVE FORUM.
Long live X3
Am a recovering Addict of the CREATIVE FORUM.
Long live X3
Don't worry about him scratching the Pericles. Worry about him scratching the Zeph when he slams the Pericles into it. ;P
A Pirate's Revenge Completed Now in PDF by _Zap_
APR Book 2: Best Served Cold Updated 8/5/2016
The Tale of Ea't s'Quid Completed
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain
APR Book 2: Best Served Cold Updated 8/5/2016
The Tale of Ea't s'Quid Completed
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain
Chapter 10: The Joys of Neutrality
While I finished my cigarette, a message notification distracts me from my grim thoughts. The Zephyrus had made it to the SPP. I ordered her to pick up 300 energy cells and to get to Ianamus Zura equipment dock. I also order the Disco to the equipment dock, as soon as the jump to Ianamus was completed. The mechanics then informed me that the Final Chance was ready. Not long after I was back in the void of space.
Figuring now would be as good of time as any to check out the war sectors, I begin heading north, to Circle of Labor. When I enter the sector, I notice quite a few Nova variants facing off with their Terran equivalents, a bunch of Sabers. I also see a Terran Heavy Load Transporter requesting an escort. Laughing merrily, I refuse and watch as a couple of Novas turn the Terran into a debris field.
After the fighting had started to die down, and the Terrans were destroyed, I begin to salvage the remaining missiles. It’s nice not having to worry about anyone trying to kill me. I finish looting the valuables from the dead, and continue flying north. Soon I pass through the gate and am in Heretic’s End. a quick check shows the Titan I use to fly protection for is no longer here. I don’t know if it was re-stationed or flat out destroyed. I do notice that the Argon are out in force though.
As I sit and watch, I see a Boreas take down an Osaka, then another Osaka got the drop on him, and the Boreas was taken out of play. The Argons were not very discouraged by this though, as a wing of three Cerberuses and two Griffon Sentinels, escorted by no less than seven Centaurs, closed on the offending Osaka. In response the Terrans fielded a Tokyo with full fighter support. As the Argon ripped the Terrans a new one, I was remote buying upgrades for the Zephyrus. Namely I purchased trade extensions and special command software, figuring a large salvage vessel would serve me well in this situation.
As the Osaka went critical and let forth a blinding explosion, I called in the Zephyrus and attempted to have her start salvaging. This of course didn’t work, since a TM can never do that while under computer control, for some strange reason. I unload everything from the Final Chance, except guns and shields, and begin looting the battlefield. The Tokyo soon is taken out of play, and the Argon forces are the only ones remaining.
It took over two full Buster cargo holds to get all the loot, but after I was done, it seemed well worth the trouble. In the hold of the TM there were multiple high explosive missiles, including four Firestorms, three Hammerheads, five Wraiths, and numerous other smaller pay load missiles. I keep the Wasps for myself, and 20 energy cells just in case. Ordering the Zephyrus back to Ianamus, I turn my fighter north once more, and was soon in Asteroid Belt.
When I entered I saw much of the same, with the exception, that here the Terrans had the upper hand. I watched a pair of Odins take out a Colossus, as a Tyr with supporting Katana bring another Boreas to its knees. Both Argon ships were soon nothing more than space dust, and the assorted fighters the Colossus fielded were being hunted down like dogs. As I watched the detached Katana escort met a wave of Novas led by an Eclipse, and took them all out. The Terran then turned and launched a swarm missile at the fleeing pilots trying to escape.
As I watched my former brothers in arms taken out one by one, a disturbing realization washed over me. I don’t care. I don’t care about the Argon dying, or the Terrans killing them. When I was in the military I had, but no longer. I had given the Federation everything I could, and now they use me as a pawn in their great games. I’m tired of being a pawn.
A notice telling me the Zephyrus finished docking broke me from that train of thought. I bring up a remote trading screen and sell off all the loot, which brings me to over a million credits. A MILLION credits. All mine. It was enough to make me laugh maniacally. Not long ago I had only a thousand, but now with no more than a crappy interceptor I have over a million. It was hard to imagine.
Still grinning ear to ear, and looking at my remote terminal, I go on a shopping spree. My Zephyrus and scouts are all fully upgraded and given any software they might need. I also snag up the only IRE the EQ dock had, and then called the TM to me, accidentally leaving the scouts. This time it only took two loads for the Final Chance to clear the sector of anything of worth. Deciding to keep the Zephyrus with me I dock the fighter at it and set a course north deeper into Terran space.
Stepping from my fighter an empty hangar bay greeted me. Taking a brief tour of the ship, I was soon amazed. The hangar bay let out on two separate levels. The bottom level led to a small hallway with two rooms and a ladder leading up. If you took that ladder you would be near the top level entrance to the bay, and two more small rooms. There was another hallway up here, this one longer. Near the one end were the two rooms, which had to be for pilots, and the ladder leading down to the other pilot rooms, as well as the door to the hangar bay itself.
Taking the hall I soon notice a set of stairs leading to the cargo hold, if the sign on the wall was to be trusted. Ignoring the stairs I made my way to the front of the ship. Soon I notice another two doors, one leading to a larger room with a kitchen and table. The other door leads to a large room with a desk and quarters beyond, separated by yet another door. This must be the Captains suits. Leaving my new office (wow never thought I would have one of those) I move back into the hall, which terminated at the ships bridge. It was extremely large compared to the fighters I was use to flying, having two chairs, and actual room to walk around.
As the still unnamed Zephyrus closed on the Trans-orbital Accelerator leading north, I sat down in the Captains chair, and took control of the ship. There was a joystick build into the arm, which could swivel around to in front of me. As well as a display screen and small radar screen, build into the other arm. The HUD on the front view screen was the only thing the same as my fighters.
The ship hit the event horizon, and was soon spat out in the Jupiter sector. Before I could even get my bearings, a Terran Military official advised me I did not have the clearance to be there. He tod me I had 60 seconds to leave before I was obliterated. Now normally I wouldn’t have thought twice about disobeying that order, but within my scanner range I could pick up an Osaka, and a Tokyo. So I made the wise choice and turned the TM around. Soon I was back in Heretic’s End.
Deciding that I should go pick up my scouts, but not having enough energy left to make the jump to get them, I plot a jump for Circle of Labor, hopping the SPP was still standing. Luckily it was. There were no traces of the massive Argon fleet that was just here however. After docking at the SPP and buying 500 energy cells, I plot another jump to Ianamus Zura.
As I enter the sector I notice a request to defend the EBC forge nearby. Accepting the mission, I order the scouts to dock at the Zephyrus, and get in Final Chance to deal with the incoming fighters. The first to reach me is a Harrier Raider, and is destroyed in one pass. Next up, is a regular Harrier, but he too is quickly dealt with.
The next target proved to be more of a problem. It is a Discoverer Vanguard. Having used most my weapons energy on the two previous marks, I was forced to use quick short bursts to take him out. Unfortunately he is just too fast, and most my shots miss the mark. Turning the Final Chance to follow the target, I hit the throttle and try to catch up. I fail to catch him until he finishes his first run on the station, and turns back towards my waiting guns. The time spent chasing him gave my guns time to recharge, so what met him this time was no sputtering of IRE, but a rain of mixed fire. My PAC and PRG rip him open, and the mission is a success.
After the skirmish was over I hop back in the Zephyrus, and order all my fighters to salvage the remains of the fight. As my fighters were salvaging I took the Zephy to the trading station, and filled out the paperwork for a police license, for Teladi space. By the time I was done there the other ships had already finished looting so, I give an order for them all to dock. As they were closing in, I notice a red blip on the edge of my radar. It was a Duke’s freighter, so I switch back to Final Chance, and plot an intercept course.
Coming within scanning range of the freighter I take a look what he has, and am pleasantly surprised. The freighter was carrying nice amount of Quantum Tubes, as well as a few hundred energy cells. Smiling viciously I open fire. The arc of my weapons strike the side of the transporter, as I cut speed and hit the strafe drive, to stay out of his weapon range. Soon his shields were gone, and I was firing short quick bursts at his hull. I order him to drop his goods, until there are none left. Then I order him to leave his ship, but laughing grimly the Paranid died with his ship.
After the freighter was annihilated I got back into my TM, and started scavenging the wreckage. After all of value was secured safely in my hold, I turn the Zephy to the EQ dock in sector, and initiate docking procedure. I sell off what I can, and buy a best selling price locater. I’ll be damned if I have to manually find someone to buy those Quantum Tubes, I think chuckling to myself.
As I begin entering the station, I turn and look back at my TM. Now that I have a mobile base of operations my life should start to get easier. My next step will be to outfit everything I have to the fullest. After that, I suppose I should start actually finishing my business with the Argon. Maybe after that I could start a new life. One free of meddling fingers, and plots that use me as a pawn.
As if on cue, a voice broke my contemplating. “You will alwayssss be a pawn to your kind young Baron,” Seer said, as she came up behind me.
Frak, how does she do that?!? “If I am a pawn to them, then what the frak am I to you?” I reply, somewhat annoyed at constantly being snuck up on.
She smiles revealing her long pointed teeth. “To me?” she asks rhetorically. “To me you are like nothing elsssse on the board. You have the potential to be like nothing elssssse thisssss universssse hasss ever ssseen.”
“What’s the catch?” I reply.
Her smile widens showing more teeth. “There isss no catch, but there might be a priccee,” she says with a barking laugh. “But that will come later. For now try not and die will you?”
“No! What fraking price are you…” I trail off, as she turns and quickly fades into a nearby crowd entering the station. Frak if she’s not magically appearing, she’s disappearing like smoke in the wind. I’m really getting tired of this…
Time to go get drunk…. Hopefully I’ll remember I have my own place to crash now.
Credits – 725,963
While I finished my cigarette, a message notification distracts me from my grim thoughts. The Zephyrus had made it to the SPP. I ordered her to pick up 300 energy cells and to get to Ianamus Zura equipment dock. I also order the Disco to the equipment dock, as soon as the jump to Ianamus was completed. The mechanics then informed me that the Final Chance was ready. Not long after I was back in the void of space.
Figuring now would be as good of time as any to check out the war sectors, I begin heading north, to Circle of Labor. When I enter the sector, I notice quite a few Nova variants facing off with their Terran equivalents, a bunch of Sabers. I also see a Terran Heavy Load Transporter requesting an escort. Laughing merrily, I refuse and watch as a couple of Novas turn the Terran into a debris field.
After the fighting had started to die down, and the Terrans were destroyed, I begin to salvage the remaining missiles. It’s nice not having to worry about anyone trying to kill me. I finish looting the valuables from the dead, and continue flying north. Soon I pass through the gate and am in Heretic’s End. a quick check shows the Titan I use to fly protection for is no longer here. I don’t know if it was re-stationed or flat out destroyed. I do notice that the Argon are out in force though.
As I sit and watch, I see a Boreas take down an Osaka, then another Osaka got the drop on him, and the Boreas was taken out of play. The Argons were not very discouraged by this though, as a wing of three Cerberuses and two Griffon Sentinels, escorted by no less than seven Centaurs, closed on the offending Osaka. In response the Terrans fielded a Tokyo with full fighter support. As the Argon ripped the Terrans a new one, I was remote buying upgrades for the Zephyrus. Namely I purchased trade extensions and special command software, figuring a large salvage vessel would serve me well in this situation.
As the Osaka went critical and let forth a blinding explosion, I called in the Zephyrus and attempted to have her start salvaging. This of course didn’t work, since a TM can never do that while under computer control, for some strange reason. I unload everything from the Final Chance, except guns and shields, and begin looting the battlefield. The Tokyo soon is taken out of play, and the Argon forces are the only ones remaining.
It took over two full Buster cargo holds to get all the loot, but after I was done, it seemed well worth the trouble. In the hold of the TM there were multiple high explosive missiles, including four Firestorms, three Hammerheads, five Wraiths, and numerous other smaller pay load missiles. I keep the Wasps for myself, and 20 energy cells just in case. Ordering the Zephyrus back to Ianamus, I turn my fighter north once more, and was soon in Asteroid Belt.
When I entered I saw much of the same, with the exception, that here the Terrans had the upper hand. I watched a pair of Odins take out a Colossus, as a Tyr with supporting Katana bring another Boreas to its knees. Both Argon ships were soon nothing more than space dust, and the assorted fighters the Colossus fielded were being hunted down like dogs. As I watched the detached Katana escort met a wave of Novas led by an Eclipse, and took them all out. The Terran then turned and launched a swarm missile at the fleeing pilots trying to escape.
As I watched my former brothers in arms taken out one by one, a disturbing realization washed over me. I don’t care. I don’t care about the Argon dying, or the Terrans killing them. When I was in the military I had, but no longer. I had given the Federation everything I could, and now they use me as a pawn in their great games. I’m tired of being a pawn.
A notice telling me the Zephyrus finished docking broke me from that train of thought. I bring up a remote trading screen and sell off all the loot, which brings me to over a million credits. A MILLION credits. All mine. It was enough to make me laugh maniacally. Not long ago I had only a thousand, but now with no more than a crappy interceptor I have over a million. It was hard to imagine.
Still grinning ear to ear, and looking at my remote terminal, I go on a shopping spree. My Zephyrus and scouts are all fully upgraded and given any software they might need. I also snag up the only IRE the EQ dock had, and then called the TM to me, accidentally leaving the scouts. This time it only took two loads for the Final Chance to clear the sector of anything of worth. Deciding to keep the Zephyrus with me I dock the fighter at it and set a course north deeper into Terran space.
Stepping from my fighter an empty hangar bay greeted me. Taking a brief tour of the ship, I was soon amazed. The hangar bay let out on two separate levels. The bottom level led to a small hallway with two rooms and a ladder leading up. If you took that ladder you would be near the top level entrance to the bay, and two more small rooms. There was another hallway up here, this one longer. Near the one end were the two rooms, which had to be for pilots, and the ladder leading down to the other pilot rooms, as well as the door to the hangar bay itself.
Taking the hall I soon notice a set of stairs leading to the cargo hold, if the sign on the wall was to be trusted. Ignoring the stairs I made my way to the front of the ship. Soon I notice another two doors, one leading to a larger room with a kitchen and table. The other door leads to a large room with a desk and quarters beyond, separated by yet another door. This must be the Captains suits. Leaving my new office (wow never thought I would have one of those) I move back into the hall, which terminated at the ships bridge. It was extremely large compared to the fighters I was use to flying, having two chairs, and actual room to walk around.
As the still unnamed Zephyrus closed on the Trans-orbital Accelerator leading north, I sat down in the Captains chair, and took control of the ship. There was a joystick build into the arm, which could swivel around to in front of me. As well as a display screen and small radar screen, build into the other arm. The HUD on the front view screen was the only thing the same as my fighters.
The ship hit the event horizon, and was soon spat out in the Jupiter sector. Before I could even get my bearings, a Terran Military official advised me I did not have the clearance to be there. He tod me I had 60 seconds to leave before I was obliterated. Now normally I wouldn’t have thought twice about disobeying that order, but within my scanner range I could pick up an Osaka, and a Tokyo. So I made the wise choice and turned the TM around. Soon I was back in Heretic’s End.
Deciding that I should go pick up my scouts, but not having enough energy left to make the jump to get them, I plot a jump for Circle of Labor, hopping the SPP was still standing. Luckily it was. There were no traces of the massive Argon fleet that was just here however. After docking at the SPP and buying 500 energy cells, I plot another jump to Ianamus Zura.
As I enter the sector I notice a request to defend the EBC forge nearby. Accepting the mission, I order the scouts to dock at the Zephyrus, and get in Final Chance to deal with the incoming fighters. The first to reach me is a Harrier Raider, and is destroyed in one pass. Next up, is a regular Harrier, but he too is quickly dealt with.
The next target proved to be more of a problem. It is a Discoverer Vanguard. Having used most my weapons energy on the two previous marks, I was forced to use quick short bursts to take him out. Unfortunately he is just too fast, and most my shots miss the mark. Turning the Final Chance to follow the target, I hit the throttle and try to catch up. I fail to catch him until he finishes his first run on the station, and turns back towards my waiting guns. The time spent chasing him gave my guns time to recharge, so what met him this time was no sputtering of IRE, but a rain of mixed fire. My PAC and PRG rip him open, and the mission is a success.
After the skirmish was over I hop back in the Zephyrus, and order all my fighters to salvage the remains of the fight. As my fighters were salvaging I took the Zephy to the trading station, and filled out the paperwork for a police license, for Teladi space. By the time I was done there the other ships had already finished looting so, I give an order for them all to dock. As they were closing in, I notice a red blip on the edge of my radar. It was a Duke’s freighter, so I switch back to Final Chance, and plot an intercept course.
Coming within scanning range of the freighter I take a look what he has, and am pleasantly surprised. The freighter was carrying nice amount of Quantum Tubes, as well as a few hundred energy cells. Smiling viciously I open fire. The arc of my weapons strike the side of the transporter, as I cut speed and hit the strafe drive, to stay out of his weapon range. Soon his shields were gone, and I was firing short quick bursts at his hull. I order him to drop his goods, until there are none left. Then I order him to leave his ship, but laughing grimly the Paranid died with his ship.
After the freighter was annihilated I got back into my TM, and started scavenging the wreckage. After all of value was secured safely in my hold, I turn the Zephy to the EQ dock in sector, and initiate docking procedure. I sell off what I can, and buy a best selling price locater. I’ll be damned if I have to manually find someone to buy those Quantum Tubes, I think chuckling to myself.
As I begin entering the station, I turn and look back at my TM. Now that I have a mobile base of operations my life should start to get easier. My next step will be to outfit everything I have to the fullest. After that, I suppose I should start actually finishing my business with the Argon. Maybe after that I could start a new life. One free of meddling fingers, and plots that use me as a pawn.
As if on cue, a voice broke my contemplating. “You will alwayssss be a pawn to your kind young Baron,” Seer said, as she came up behind me.
Frak, how does she do that?!? “If I am a pawn to them, then what the frak am I to you?” I reply, somewhat annoyed at constantly being snuck up on.
She smiles revealing her long pointed teeth. “To me?” she asks rhetorically. “To me you are like nothing elsssse on the board. You have the potential to be like nothing elssssse thisssss universssse hasss ever ssseen.”
“What’s the catch?” I reply.
Her smile widens showing more teeth. “There isss no catch, but there might be a priccee,” she says with a barking laugh. “But that will come later. For now try not and die will you?”
“No! What fraking price are you…” I trail off, as she turns and quickly fades into a nearby crowd entering the station. Frak if she’s not magically appearing, she’s disappearing like smoke in the wind. I’m really getting tired of this…
Time to go get drunk…. Hopefully I’ll remember I have my own place to crash now.
Credits – 725,963
Chapter 11: A Cook and a Madman
I awoke with a pounding headache, and an infernal beeping, coming from somewhere nearby. My mouth was dry, and tasted like an ash tray. I rolled out of my bed in the Zephyrus. Each piercing beep from my message notification felt like a needle being shoved into my brain. As quickly as I could I check my logs and find something from my old friend Toki. Apparently he found a pilot willing to work for me. All I have to do is stop by Enduring Light and pick him up. That was good news but did nothing for my hangover. Leaving my room, still not fully dressed, I head into the kitchen and get some food.
About an hour later the Zephyrus was leaving the equipment dock, and plotting a jump towards Light of Heart. Even though I have someone waiting for me in the other direction, I have other things that need taking care of first. As soon as the warp tunnel closed, I send the Discoverer to pick up a Jumpdrive at OTAS. I stay in sector only long enough for the scout to return, and then I jump again.
Entering Argon Sector M148, I switch to the Final Chance, and send the Disco to meet the Vulture at the shipyard. I think it’s time to go shopping. No use having a pilot with a toothless bird to fly. My first stop is the equipment dock to pick up 8 IREs, enough to fully arm both my scouts. I then swing by one of the military outposts in the sector, and purchase three PACs, and another PRG for the Buster. By the time the shopping was done the Vulture had a jumpdrive, and had purchased 200 energy from the local SPP. I send it to PTNI for repair and software, as I get to outfitting my small fleet.
I gave both scouts four IREs, which is as many as they can hold. The Final Chance is packing double PRGs, IREs, and PACs. The Zephyrus has two PACs in the main guns, and two IREs in each turret. Everything was fully shielded, with the exception of the TM, which only had one of its 200mj slots filed. Moving towards the north gate, and looking like someone who actually did need pilots, I order my newly outfitted Vulture to go buy 1500 energy.
Entering Enduring Light, I move quickly to the trading station, where I sell off my quantum tubes and buy a transporter. As the software was loading I move into the station, and meet with my friend Toki Fisty. This time instead of an office I meet him at a small bar, in the upper levels. I easily spot him in the nearly empty bar, and take a seat next to him.
“How’s it going Tokes?” I ask, clapping him on the back.
“Going good Baron, going good,” he says, as he motions the bartender to pour us both another. “I figured I would give you the rundown, on the merc you were looking for…” he pauses as the drinks are placed in front of us, and takes a drink.
“What is it some hard case criminal or something?” I ask as he was drinking.
Laughingly he replies, “Ha! No I’m just not sure how much good he will be. He’s ex-Federation, but he served as a cook. He says he has been in simulators, but has never actually flown a ship before.”
“Frak Toki, I thought you were getting me a pilot, not a fraking cook.”
“Hey,” he interrupts. “If you don’t remember there’s a war going on right now. The Federation takes all the good mercs, around these parts at least.”
“Yea, yea, Toki, I get it. I guess I’ll take a look at him at least.”
We sit drinking our drinks, waiting for the recruit to show. A few minutes a Argon came up to us. His name was Warren Jay. After the introductions were out of the way, I tell him I need a cook, and if he will supply these services, I will let him try his hand at being a pilot. He agrees, so after finishing my drink with Toki, I bring him to the still unnamed Zephyrus. I show him the Discoverer he will be flying and tell him to pick a name. He replies with ‘Sea Breeze.’ I tell him to pick a room, and prepare for live fire exercise.
As my new recruit was picking his room, I undock, and set a jump for Omicron Lyrae. If this was going to be the kid’s first time flying, then I might as well make it fun. As I enter the sector I ignore the Terrans and instead head for a Paranid weapons dealer. Opening up with my PACs I strip his shields, and cause him to turn red on my display. He returns fire, the white bombs from his FBL arc through the void and causes my front turret to begin open fire.
As his shields are stripped away, and his hull begins to drop, he launches a wave of fighter drones. Eight of them are ejected and turn towards me. Luckily this time I wasn’t in a lightly shielded interceptor. As the drones close on me and open fire, I launch my own fighters. Warren, flying Sea Breeze, was being backed up by the Harrier Raider and Final Chance, both of which were flying via computer.
Letting them deal with the drones, and hopping for the best with Warren, I stay focused on the freighter. Soon his hold was empty and he was nothing but debris. Checking on my fighters, I notice none of them even had a scratch. Heh, looks like those simulations paid off. Ordering my fighters to salvage the remains, I turn my attention to another Paranid in sector. It was another weapon dealer. This one however only had 48% hull and an empty hold. Stripping his shields I quickly put it out of its misery.
Once the fighters were done looting I turn the Zephy north and enter Circle of Labor. The only thing I notice in here is an extremely large Terran force. It was completed by two Valhallas sitting in the middle of the sector. Of the Argon, there was no trace. Seeing no work I jump to Treasure Chest to hopefully find something profitable. It didn’t take long before I saw something. It was another Paranid, this one a transporter in a buzzard.
The Zephy took care of the target quickly, waiting only long enough for the trader to give up all his Stott Spice. Next up is a Paranid military transporter. I close on him and open fire, quickly casing him to go hostile. Stripping his shields I fire swift bursts of PAC fire. While my front turret blasts away with IRE. As his hull starts dropping, he launches 10 fighter drones, hoping they would deal with me.
I launch my fighters to kill the drones once again. Ignoring the swarming machines, I keep steadily dropping the targets hull, while ordering him to drop cargo. He complies, but that doesn’t stop me from obliterating his ship. The fighters once again suffered no damage, whether beginners luck or sign of skill, I could not say. I call in the Vulture to come scavenge the remains of the dead. Huh, kind of fitting that. As the freighter appears at the gate, I rename her to ‘Scavenger.’
Leaving Scavenger to her work, I jump to wastelands, seeing what trouble I can get into. It didn’t take long before I had another Paranid under the gun. This one was fresh foods transporter, and had no cargo to steal. Not that it saved him, as I wanted the ship. He did not want to comply to my wants, and died for the trouble. When I saw the next target I knew I would have to take a different approach. Because, even though it was just a regular ‘Nid freight transporter, it had an escort. Four ships followed the trader, two Pericles’ and two Pegasus’.
Getting in the Final Chance, I order Warren to cover me, as I launch my small surplus of Wasp missiles. Two fire at each fighter, and three at their charge. As the warheads begin take out hulls, I hear a pilot give up his ship. Not having time to see which one, I close on one of the Pericles and finish the job the Wasps started, quickly taking him out. I hear another pilot die by my missiles, as I turn towards the last Pericles. Warren on my wing I begin, laying down fire, my quick PRGs mixing with the PACs, and IREs to cause a torrent of punishment. The Paranid pilot, faced with such an onslaught chose the coldness of space, over the warmth of my guns.
The escort finished I close on the freighter, ordering the TM and Harrier to all open fire. The pilot, seeing four ships closing on him, was shoveling loot out so quickly he fell out himself leaving the ship ownerless. Solving that problem I claim the Demeter SF for myself. Repairing it to 50% I send it to M148’s shipyard. I also claim and repair the Pericles and a Pegasus. The Pericles I have dock at the Zeph, the Pegasus went with the Demeter to M148. As I was repairing the ships I had Scavenger jump in and begin looting.
After everything was repaired and I was back in the Zephy, I swiftly got back to work. I locate a Paranid trader in a unarmed Falcon, and have him give up all his valuables, before causing his ship to go critical. I then see another in a Pericles, and eliminate him as well. Seeing no more three eyes in the sector I begin searching for work. While being hasty I accidentally gave permission for a Teladi to hack a nearby station, which one I have no clue.
Feeling mildly stupid, I plot a jump back to Treasure Chest. I take out a Terran M5 while flying through the sector, not finding anymore targets of opportunity, I turn north. Entering Elysium of Light, I pick off another Terran scout, and move deeper into the sector. Seeing no Terrans or missions I begin to turn around and leave, but stp when I notice something. It was a Paranid weapons dealer in a M3. Being in Goner space killing him had no real purpose, but I had a feeling I needed to attack.
So trusting my gut I close in on him, and open fire. A quick scan shows he is packing PBGs so I try to stay behind him, as I take out his shields. After I start biting into his hull, the pilot goes coward, and ejects from the ship. Smiling joyously I quickly claim my new M3 fighter and repair her. After the repairs are done I look at my new Medusa. Still smiling I order Final Chance to me, and let the Medusa take her spot in the TM.
Once inside the Final Chance I order the Zephy to dock at the Goner Temple. As the ship was docking I remotely sell off the random junk Scavenger was collecting. I then dock the fighter at the Temple so I could get a plan together for outfitting the M3.
As I was making my way across the hangar to where my Zephyrus was docked I hear a commotion. There were a group of five Goners in white robes attempting to restrain a large Paranid. He spoke like a human, and was swearing at them to let him go. The Paranid started swinging about, knocking three of the Goners out cold. One of the monks took out a large syringe and advanced on the Paranid.
The Paranid now having the upper hand took out another Goner, before turning on the last, which held the needle. “I won’t go back to that padded cell!” the Paranid yelled, as the Goner closed in on him needle first. As the Paranid swung a massive blow that connected to the monks face, the monk slammed the syringe in the Paranid’s arm.
The drugs took a hold quickly making the large ‘nid slump to the ground, surrounded by the knocked out Goners. Not quite knowing why I rushed forward, grabbing his arm I press a button on my control pad, and we are suddenly transported aboard the Zephyrus. I have Warren help me drag the, now unconscious, Paranid to an empty room, and lock him in.
Moving down the hall, I enter my office, and pull out a bottle of whisky. It seems like this ship is becoming an asylum, for the rejected and insane.
And with that thought the Zephyrus got her name.
ASSETS:
Asylum – Zephyrus
Final Chance – Buster
Sea Breeze – Discoverer *Warren Jay
Harrier Raider
Medusa/Pericles – both need to be outfitted
Scavenger – Vulture
Demeter SF/Pegasus – on the way to be scrapped
Credits – 402k
I awoke with a pounding headache, and an infernal beeping, coming from somewhere nearby. My mouth was dry, and tasted like an ash tray. I rolled out of my bed in the Zephyrus. Each piercing beep from my message notification felt like a needle being shoved into my brain. As quickly as I could I check my logs and find something from my old friend Toki. Apparently he found a pilot willing to work for me. All I have to do is stop by Enduring Light and pick him up. That was good news but did nothing for my hangover. Leaving my room, still not fully dressed, I head into the kitchen and get some food.
About an hour later the Zephyrus was leaving the equipment dock, and plotting a jump towards Light of Heart. Even though I have someone waiting for me in the other direction, I have other things that need taking care of first. As soon as the warp tunnel closed, I send the Discoverer to pick up a Jumpdrive at OTAS. I stay in sector only long enough for the scout to return, and then I jump again.
Entering Argon Sector M148, I switch to the Final Chance, and send the Disco to meet the Vulture at the shipyard. I think it’s time to go shopping. No use having a pilot with a toothless bird to fly. My first stop is the equipment dock to pick up 8 IREs, enough to fully arm both my scouts. I then swing by one of the military outposts in the sector, and purchase three PACs, and another PRG for the Buster. By the time the shopping was done the Vulture had a jumpdrive, and had purchased 200 energy from the local SPP. I send it to PTNI for repair and software, as I get to outfitting my small fleet.
I gave both scouts four IREs, which is as many as they can hold. The Final Chance is packing double PRGs, IREs, and PACs. The Zephyrus has two PACs in the main guns, and two IREs in each turret. Everything was fully shielded, with the exception of the TM, which only had one of its 200mj slots filed. Moving towards the north gate, and looking like someone who actually did need pilots, I order my newly outfitted Vulture to go buy 1500 energy.
Entering Enduring Light, I move quickly to the trading station, where I sell off my quantum tubes and buy a transporter. As the software was loading I move into the station, and meet with my friend Toki Fisty. This time instead of an office I meet him at a small bar, in the upper levels. I easily spot him in the nearly empty bar, and take a seat next to him.
“How’s it going Tokes?” I ask, clapping him on the back.
“Going good Baron, going good,” he says, as he motions the bartender to pour us both another. “I figured I would give you the rundown, on the merc you were looking for…” he pauses as the drinks are placed in front of us, and takes a drink.
“What is it some hard case criminal or something?” I ask as he was drinking.
Laughingly he replies, “Ha! No I’m just not sure how much good he will be. He’s ex-Federation, but he served as a cook. He says he has been in simulators, but has never actually flown a ship before.”
“Frak Toki, I thought you were getting me a pilot, not a fraking cook.”
“Hey,” he interrupts. “If you don’t remember there’s a war going on right now. The Federation takes all the good mercs, around these parts at least.”
“Yea, yea, Toki, I get it. I guess I’ll take a look at him at least.”
We sit drinking our drinks, waiting for the recruit to show. A few minutes a Argon came up to us. His name was Warren Jay. After the introductions were out of the way, I tell him I need a cook, and if he will supply these services, I will let him try his hand at being a pilot. He agrees, so after finishing my drink with Toki, I bring him to the still unnamed Zephyrus. I show him the Discoverer he will be flying and tell him to pick a name. He replies with ‘Sea Breeze.’ I tell him to pick a room, and prepare for live fire exercise.
As my new recruit was picking his room, I undock, and set a jump for Omicron Lyrae. If this was going to be the kid’s first time flying, then I might as well make it fun. As I enter the sector I ignore the Terrans and instead head for a Paranid weapons dealer. Opening up with my PACs I strip his shields, and cause him to turn red on my display. He returns fire, the white bombs from his FBL arc through the void and causes my front turret to begin open fire.
As his shields are stripped away, and his hull begins to drop, he launches a wave of fighter drones. Eight of them are ejected and turn towards me. Luckily this time I wasn’t in a lightly shielded interceptor. As the drones close on me and open fire, I launch my own fighters. Warren, flying Sea Breeze, was being backed up by the Harrier Raider and Final Chance, both of which were flying via computer.
Letting them deal with the drones, and hopping for the best with Warren, I stay focused on the freighter. Soon his hold was empty and he was nothing but debris. Checking on my fighters, I notice none of them even had a scratch. Heh, looks like those simulations paid off. Ordering my fighters to salvage the remains, I turn my attention to another Paranid in sector. It was another weapon dealer. This one however only had 48% hull and an empty hold. Stripping his shields I quickly put it out of its misery.
Once the fighters were done looting I turn the Zephy north and enter Circle of Labor. The only thing I notice in here is an extremely large Terran force. It was completed by two Valhallas sitting in the middle of the sector. Of the Argon, there was no trace. Seeing no work I jump to Treasure Chest to hopefully find something profitable. It didn’t take long before I saw something. It was another Paranid, this one a transporter in a buzzard.
The Zephy took care of the target quickly, waiting only long enough for the trader to give up all his Stott Spice. Next up is a Paranid military transporter. I close on him and open fire, quickly casing him to go hostile. Stripping his shields I fire swift bursts of PAC fire. While my front turret blasts away with IRE. As his hull starts dropping, he launches 10 fighter drones, hoping they would deal with me.
I launch my fighters to kill the drones once again. Ignoring the swarming machines, I keep steadily dropping the targets hull, while ordering him to drop cargo. He complies, but that doesn’t stop me from obliterating his ship. The fighters once again suffered no damage, whether beginners luck or sign of skill, I could not say. I call in the Vulture to come scavenge the remains of the dead. Huh, kind of fitting that. As the freighter appears at the gate, I rename her to ‘Scavenger.’
Leaving Scavenger to her work, I jump to wastelands, seeing what trouble I can get into. It didn’t take long before I had another Paranid under the gun. This one was fresh foods transporter, and had no cargo to steal. Not that it saved him, as I wanted the ship. He did not want to comply to my wants, and died for the trouble. When I saw the next target I knew I would have to take a different approach. Because, even though it was just a regular ‘Nid freight transporter, it had an escort. Four ships followed the trader, two Pericles’ and two Pegasus’.
Getting in the Final Chance, I order Warren to cover me, as I launch my small surplus of Wasp missiles. Two fire at each fighter, and three at their charge. As the warheads begin take out hulls, I hear a pilot give up his ship. Not having time to see which one, I close on one of the Pericles and finish the job the Wasps started, quickly taking him out. I hear another pilot die by my missiles, as I turn towards the last Pericles. Warren on my wing I begin, laying down fire, my quick PRGs mixing with the PACs, and IREs to cause a torrent of punishment. The Paranid pilot, faced with such an onslaught chose the coldness of space, over the warmth of my guns.
The escort finished I close on the freighter, ordering the TM and Harrier to all open fire. The pilot, seeing four ships closing on him, was shoveling loot out so quickly he fell out himself leaving the ship ownerless. Solving that problem I claim the Demeter SF for myself. Repairing it to 50% I send it to M148’s shipyard. I also claim and repair the Pericles and a Pegasus. The Pericles I have dock at the Zeph, the Pegasus went with the Demeter to M148. As I was repairing the ships I had Scavenger jump in and begin looting.
After everything was repaired and I was back in the Zephy, I swiftly got back to work. I locate a Paranid trader in a unarmed Falcon, and have him give up all his valuables, before causing his ship to go critical. I then see another in a Pericles, and eliminate him as well. Seeing no more three eyes in the sector I begin searching for work. While being hasty I accidentally gave permission for a Teladi to hack a nearby station, which one I have no clue.
Feeling mildly stupid, I plot a jump back to Treasure Chest. I take out a Terran M5 while flying through the sector, not finding anymore targets of opportunity, I turn north. Entering Elysium of Light, I pick off another Terran scout, and move deeper into the sector. Seeing no Terrans or missions I begin to turn around and leave, but stp when I notice something. It was a Paranid weapons dealer in a M3. Being in Goner space killing him had no real purpose, but I had a feeling I needed to attack.
So trusting my gut I close in on him, and open fire. A quick scan shows he is packing PBGs so I try to stay behind him, as I take out his shields. After I start biting into his hull, the pilot goes coward, and ejects from the ship. Smiling joyously I quickly claim my new M3 fighter and repair her. After the repairs are done I look at my new Medusa. Still smiling I order Final Chance to me, and let the Medusa take her spot in the TM.
Once inside the Final Chance I order the Zephy to dock at the Goner Temple. As the ship was docking I remotely sell off the random junk Scavenger was collecting. I then dock the fighter at the Temple so I could get a plan together for outfitting the M3.
As I was making my way across the hangar to where my Zephyrus was docked I hear a commotion. There were a group of five Goners in white robes attempting to restrain a large Paranid. He spoke like a human, and was swearing at them to let him go. The Paranid started swinging about, knocking three of the Goners out cold. One of the monks took out a large syringe and advanced on the Paranid.
The Paranid now having the upper hand took out another Goner, before turning on the last, which held the needle. “I won’t go back to that padded cell!” the Paranid yelled, as the Goner closed in on him needle first. As the Paranid swung a massive blow that connected to the monks face, the monk slammed the syringe in the Paranid’s arm.
The drugs took a hold quickly making the large ‘nid slump to the ground, surrounded by the knocked out Goners. Not quite knowing why I rushed forward, grabbing his arm I press a button on my control pad, and we are suddenly transported aboard the Zephyrus. I have Warren help me drag the, now unconscious, Paranid to an empty room, and lock him in.
Moving down the hall, I enter my office, and pull out a bottle of whisky. It seems like this ship is becoming an asylum, for the rejected and insane.
And with that thought the Zephyrus got her name.
ASSETS:
Asylum – Zephyrus
Final Chance – Buster
Sea Breeze – Discoverer *Warren Jay
Harrier Raider
Medusa/Pericles – both need to be outfitted
Scavenger – Vulture
Demeter SF/Pegasus – on the way to be scrapped
Credits – 402k
-
Nathancros
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue, 30. Nov 10, 04:46
thanks 
also i will say one thing.... i think that Wingnut is cursed... lets just say im glad i didnt let him fly untill his ship was fully shielded... im also glad the Asylum isnt fully shielded either.... you'll learn why in chapter 13
i looked into KSP but decided to not pick it up... might try it later if i have time. hopefully it goes well(horribly?) lol
also i will say one thing.... i think that Wingnut is cursed... lets just say im glad i didnt let him fly untill his ship was fully shielded... im also glad the Asylum isnt fully shielded either.... you'll learn why in chapter 13 i looked into KSP but decided to not pick it up... might try it later if i have time. hopefully it goes well(horribly?) lol
Sounds like you were looking for the Best of the Best -- but ended up with the Best(?) of What's Left instead.46_n_2 wrote:“Hey,” he interrupts. “If you don’t remember there’s a war going on right now. The Federation takes all the good mercs, around these parts at least.”
Good luck! I'm glad Warren managed to survive his first engagement.
More like the The Best of What's Been Scraped off the bottom of the barrel.
Frankly, Wingnut is a bit of a lost cause. He did well in the two fights I put him in, then vaporized himself on my shields.
Frankly, Wingnut is a bit of a lost cause. He did well in the two fights I put him in, then vaporized himself on my shields.
A Pirate's Revenge Completed Now in PDF by _Zap_
APR Book 2: Best Served Cold Updated 8/5/2016
The Tale of Ea't s'Quid Completed
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain
APR Book 2: Best Served Cold Updated 8/5/2016
The Tale of Ea't s'Quid Completed
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain
-
Nathancros
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue, 30. Nov 10, 04:46
Triaxx2 wrote: Frankly, Wingnut is a bit of a lost cause. He did well in the two fights I put him in, then vaporized himself on my shields.
Ahaha bout the same with GOSNELL, Wingnut was in a cuda, went great for a few fighters, then smashed into a gate superstructure.. twice.
Ya got yourself a wildcard there XD
good luck
Nullam et arcu vitae magna instabilitate omnia solvit
Am a recovering Addict of the CREATIVE FORUM.
Long live X3
Am a recovering Addict of the CREATIVE FORUM.
Long live X3
in fighting he has survived... its the docking he has a problem with apparently....
last night i attempted to write and got distracted by real life... after that i was too inebriated to write, so i played... got 4 chapters worth of notes and still going strong.... after i go to the park with the kid today i'll attempt another chapter
last night i attempted to write and got distracted by real life... after that i was too inebriated to write, so i played... got 4 chapters worth of notes and still going strong.... after i go to the park with the kid today i'll attempt another chapter
Chapter 12: Branching Off
I stay in Asylum, only long enough to order Scavenger to buy 25mj shields. I then transport to Final Chance, and order the TM to M148, to buy energy. Deciding I should expand my maps, I set the Harrier Raider to map east of Wastelands. I then leave the Goner Temple and head north, hopefully before someone started looking for the crazy Paranid I just picked up.
Frak, why did I even do that? I just had a feeling, like when I attacked the Medusa. A feeling in my gut that puts my body into motion, logic be damned. It’s not something I’m use to, and I’m not sure if I like it. Fortunately so far it hasn’t gotten me killed and maybe has even benefitted me. I do now have a Medusa after all. As for the Paranid, I haven’t figured that one out yet…. Guess we’ll have to wait until he wakes.
Hitting the northern gate I was soon in Homely of Perpetuity. I move deeper into the sector, and see nothing, at least no stations. I do spot a few traders, mostly Argon, with a mix of Boron, but they seem to just be floating around not going anywhere. By now Asylum has finished getting energy, so I have her jump to me. As I wait for my TM to get to me, I illegally scan a Boron flying a Nova, and am disappointed when he doesn’t turn Pirate.
Leaving the fish with an odd preference in ships alone, I dock on my Zephyrus, and plot a jump to Enduring Light. There I meet Scavenger, and get my M3 fully shielded. I do not have weapons for it yet, and it’s not upgraded. For now I have decided to fly Asylum in combat. Warren will fly the Discoverer still. I will have Final Chance back him up, until I decide if he has skill or is just lucky. Scavenger will be used to trade with remotely, as well as loot battlefields when necessary. The Raider I have mapping will allow me to expand my trade range with Scavenger, as well as give me a larger product market in whole.
Wow, would you listen to me? Give me an office on a ship, and suddenly I sound like a fraking trader. I sigh heavily; guess it’s time to go find something to kill, before I contemplate running stocks. I order a jump to Circle of Labor, and am soon there. Seeing no Terrans and an awful lot of Argon battle ships, I move on, heading south. On the way to the gate I spot another UFO, moving north. As I close on the gate I wonder, where are those things always heading off to? I bet they have some kind of hidden base somewhere… but I doubt if I’ll ever find it.
Hitting the event horizon, and entering Omicron Lyrae, all thoughts of mythical UFO bases vanish from my head. Directly in front of me there is a Terran scout, a Valkierie, which is quickly destroyed by my dual PRG fire. The swift red dots, race towards the target, and easily shred it into debris. I then turn Asylum towards a Scimitar, and with the help of local police demolish it.
As Final Chance loots the remains, I remote sell my two ships sitting at the shipyard in M148. Once the looting was done and my Buster back in the TM, I move north. Soon I am back in Circle of Labor, now instead of a practically empty sector, there was a battle going on. An Osaka, two Yokohamas, with Katana escorts and a Claymore, were rampaging through the sector. An Argon RRF taskforce, comprised of a Titan and Colossus with full fighter support were in route to suppress them. Keeping away from the battle I cut speed and watch the show.
The Titan closes in on one of the Yokohamas ignoring the corvettes. It quickly shreds the ship making it go critical, and produces a blinding explosion. The Claymore however used the distraction to launch a barrage of deadly warheads, knocking the Titan’s shields down and blasting it down to 67% hull. In response PPC fire obliterates the Claymore, as the Titan turns towards the Osaka.
The Osaka opens fire, and causes the Titan Captain to panic. Soon the Titan disappeared in a flash, jumping away from the battle. This cowardly act leaves the Colossus and fighters alone, against the remaining Terrans. I ignore the ensuing massacre, and begin looting the sector using both my active fighters, and Scavenger.
While my ships are salvaging the battlefield, I see a Paranid energy transporter, and quickly close on him. I open fire, and order he drop cargo. After his hold was empty I keep firing, hoping I will force him to abandon ship. My hopes were, unfortunately, not rewarded, as the trader’s ship was destroyed.
Turning from the debris of the Paranid, I notice the tides of the battle have appeared to change. Another RFF force has entered the sector. This one comprised of two Minotaurs, which easily wipe out most of the Terran forces. Seeing the added loot pile up, I decide to pass the time with a patrol mission here in sector.
I move into the middle of the sector, and wait for some more Terrans to show up. After a while sitting I see nothing, and get notified the mission is complete. For my trouble I am given 9k, gotta love that easy money. My ships finally finish the salvage procedures, which consist of the fighters filling their holds and dropping off loot at either Asylum, or Scavenger, while Scavenger also loots.
I order Scavenger to leave the war sectors, and after my fighters are docked, jump to Treasure Chest. Upon entering the sector, I notice a Rapier, which is quickly dealt with. Noticing no other Terrans I move towards a station offering an assassination mission. The target is a Terran in Wastelands, and the pay is 206k. Setting my course I soon arrive in Wastelands and turn towards the target.
As I close on the Sabre, I give an order to Warren to launch in Sea Breeze and take out the escorting fighters. I send Final Chance to back him up, and open fire on the target. My first volley misses the mark, but my guns quickly correct themselves, and begin striping his shields. As I continue to close on the target I notice he is not attempting to evade me, so I ram his ship, causing it to vaporize instantly. Mission completed.
Turning back to my fighters, I see Warren and Final Chance obliterate the last escort. As I begin to order them to loot the remains, I notice Sea Breeze was sporting some brand new holes. Ordering Warren to come close to Asylum I patch up his ship, before sending him back to looting. Damn rookies… but to be fair they were outnumbered. Ah well the ship is still flying.
As my fighters return I notice some Paranid freight traffic, and decide to terrorize it. I order Warren and Final Chance to protect the Zephyrus, as I pick my targets. My first target is a food transporter, which is forced to drop all his Chelt Meat, before meeting his three eyed god. The next was a meat transporter, which managed to launch drones, before spilling his cargo, and being obliterated. The fighters deal with the ten or so drones, Sea Breeze once again coming back with a few holes.
Calling in Scavenger to loot, I decide to leave the war zones for a time, and plot a jump to Belt of Aguilar. Entering the home of Jonferco, I notice a return ship mission for 205k and accept it. Bringing up my mission log I see that it’s for a Caiman SF XL, and start laughing. I comm. the person who gave me the mission, and still laughing told him to go frak off. I then accept a mission to protect a local ore mine.
I was not in a good position to protect the mine, and most of the lighter M5s get there before I can. I do manage to close on a Buster Hauler and destroy it before it can fire a shot. The rest of the Pirate forces are killed by the local police, unfortunately. Finishing the mission, I notice a Paranid Military transporter, and decide to take him out. I close on the target and notice he has no loot, but open fire anyway. Stripping his shields, and biting into his haul. The pilot decides I can have the ship and leaves his Demeter SF XL a floating derelict, which I soon claim, and repair.
Sending the freighter to M148, I start moving east, and am soon in Teladi space once again. Grand Exchange is a big sector, and is in big trouble from what I can see. A Xenon K is currently sitting near the middle of the sector, along with a Q, and about 15 assorted fighters. Not wanting to get anywhere near the slaughter, I turn the ship south, towards a distant gate. As I near it, I get a notice telling me the Harrier Raider I was using to map the sectors, was killed in Albion Gamma, by a Pirate Scorpion.
I enter Merchant Haven, and quickly make for the Equipment dock. Landing at the station I set to reorganizing my fighters. I strip the Sea Breeze, and have Warren take control of Final Chance, telling him it will only be until I find him something bigger. I then outfit the Pericles with guns and shields. By the time I finish my orders, I finally hear something coming from the room I locked the Paranid in earlier. Having Waren back me up I move outside the locked door and hit the comm. button.
“Hey in there, my name is Baron, and I rescued your sorry three eyed ass from those Goner monks. Now if I let you out will you play nice, or will I have to transport you out into space?” I ask, sounding harsh.
“Who the frak, are you calling a three eye? I am a Terran merc. Not some damn Paranid,” he replied, confusingly.
Looking at Warren, and mouthing Terran, with a befuddled look, I release the comms. “Did that Paranid just say he was a Terran?” I ask my pilot/cook.
“I… I think he did,” Warren says, looking as puzzled as I felt.
Taking a deep breath I hit the comm. again. “Ummm…. Okay…. Well Mr. Terran merc, like I said I rescued you from the Goner, and want to make sure you not going to go crazy before I let you out.”
“Crazy?! No I assure you I will not go ‘crazy.’ The Goner though I was crazy, but thanks to you, I am free. Why would I be mad at that?!?! HA!”
With another steadying breath, and a last look at Warren, I unlock the door. The large Paranid was sitting on the bunk, and I soon found out his name was Wingnut. As he joined us for dinner, we soon realized he was indeed insane. He also said he was an experienced mercenary, and was looking for work. I decide to let him fly the Pericles. I don’t know why exactly, but my gut said to trust him, just as it had me rescue him in the first place.
After that was settled I sit in my office, and go over my situation. I need to finish outfitting the Medusa, and the Pericles. Right now neither have any software or tunings. I also want to extend my sector map to allow Scavenger a larger range for remote selling. Quietly sipping from a glass of whisky I suddenly remember the compass that has been sitting in my pocket, and take it out.
I place it on my desk and open it, watching the needle spin; I begin planning my next move.
ASSETS
Asylum – Zephyrus 2 PRG main 2 IRE in each turret
Final Chance – Buster *Warren Jay – 3 PAC 3 IRE
Pericles (needs software/tuning) *Wingnut 2 PAC 4 IRE
Medusa (needs outfitting)
Sea Breeze – Discoverer (stripped)
Scavenger – Vulture (MORT/looting)
Credits – 618k
I stay in Asylum, only long enough to order Scavenger to buy 25mj shields. I then transport to Final Chance, and order the TM to M148, to buy energy. Deciding I should expand my maps, I set the Harrier Raider to map east of Wastelands. I then leave the Goner Temple and head north, hopefully before someone started looking for the crazy Paranid I just picked up.
Frak, why did I even do that? I just had a feeling, like when I attacked the Medusa. A feeling in my gut that puts my body into motion, logic be damned. It’s not something I’m use to, and I’m not sure if I like it. Fortunately so far it hasn’t gotten me killed and maybe has even benefitted me. I do now have a Medusa after all. As for the Paranid, I haven’t figured that one out yet…. Guess we’ll have to wait until he wakes.
Hitting the northern gate I was soon in Homely of Perpetuity. I move deeper into the sector, and see nothing, at least no stations. I do spot a few traders, mostly Argon, with a mix of Boron, but they seem to just be floating around not going anywhere. By now Asylum has finished getting energy, so I have her jump to me. As I wait for my TM to get to me, I illegally scan a Boron flying a Nova, and am disappointed when he doesn’t turn Pirate.
Leaving the fish with an odd preference in ships alone, I dock on my Zephyrus, and plot a jump to Enduring Light. There I meet Scavenger, and get my M3 fully shielded. I do not have weapons for it yet, and it’s not upgraded. For now I have decided to fly Asylum in combat. Warren will fly the Discoverer still. I will have Final Chance back him up, until I decide if he has skill or is just lucky. Scavenger will be used to trade with remotely, as well as loot battlefields when necessary. The Raider I have mapping will allow me to expand my trade range with Scavenger, as well as give me a larger product market in whole.
Wow, would you listen to me? Give me an office on a ship, and suddenly I sound like a fraking trader. I sigh heavily; guess it’s time to go find something to kill, before I contemplate running stocks. I order a jump to Circle of Labor, and am soon there. Seeing no Terrans and an awful lot of Argon battle ships, I move on, heading south. On the way to the gate I spot another UFO, moving north. As I close on the gate I wonder, where are those things always heading off to? I bet they have some kind of hidden base somewhere… but I doubt if I’ll ever find it.
Hitting the event horizon, and entering Omicron Lyrae, all thoughts of mythical UFO bases vanish from my head. Directly in front of me there is a Terran scout, a Valkierie, which is quickly destroyed by my dual PRG fire. The swift red dots, race towards the target, and easily shred it into debris. I then turn Asylum towards a Scimitar, and with the help of local police demolish it.
As Final Chance loots the remains, I remote sell my two ships sitting at the shipyard in M148. Once the looting was done and my Buster back in the TM, I move north. Soon I am back in Circle of Labor, now instead of a practically empty sector, there was a battle going on. An Osaka, two Yokohamas, with Katana escorts and a Claymore, were rampaging through the sector. An Argon RRF taskforce, comprised of a Titan and Colossus with full fighter support were in route to suppress them. Keeping away from the battle I cut speed and watch the show.
The Titan closes in on one of the Yokohamas ignoring the corvettes. It quickly shreds the ship making it go critical, and produces a blinding explosion. The Claymore however used the distraction to launch a barrage of deadly warheads, knocking the Titan’s shields down and blasting it down to 67% hull. In response PPC fire obliterates the Claymore, as the Titan turns towards the Osaka.
The Osaka opens fire, and causes the Titan Captain to panic. Soon the Titan disappeared in a flash, jumping away from the battle. This cowardly act leaves the Colossus and fighters alone, against the remaining Terrans. I ignore the ensuing massacre, and begin looting the sector using both my active fighters, and Scavenger.
While my ships are salvaging the battlefield, I see a Paranid energy transporter, and quickly close on him. I open fire, and order he drop cargo. After his hold was empty I keep firing, hoping I will force him to abandon ship. My hopes were, unfortunately, not rewarded, as the trader’s ship was destroyed.
Turning from the debris of the Paranid, I notice the tides of the battle have appeared to change. Another RFF force has entered the sector. This one comprised of two Minotaurs, which easily wipe out most of the Terran forces. Seeing the added loot pile up, I decide to pass the time with a patrol mission here in sector.
I move into the middle of the sector, and wait for some more Terrans to show up. After a while sitting I see nothing, and get notified the mission is complete. For my trouble I am given 9k, gotta love that easy money. My ships finally finish the salvage procedures, which consist of the fighters filling their holds and dropping off loot at either Asylum, or Scavenger, while Scavenger also loots.
I order Scavenger to leave the war sectors, and after my fighters are docked, jump to Treasure Chest. Upon entering the sector, I notice a Rapier, which is quickly dealt with. Noticing no other Terrans I move towards a station offering an assassination mission. The target is a Terran in Wastelands, and the pay is 206k. Setting my course I soon arrive in Wastelands and turn towards the target.
As I close on the Sabre, I give an order to Warren to launch in Sea Breeze and take out the escorting fighters. I send Final Chance to back him up, and open fire on the target. My first volley misses the mark, but my guns quickly correct themselves, and begin striping his shields. As I continue to close on the target I notice he is not attempting to evade me, so I ram his ship, causing it to vaporize instantly. Mission completed.
Turning back to my fighters, I see Warren and Final Chance obliterate the last escort. As I begin to order them to loot the remains, I notice Sea Breeze was sporting some brand new holes. Ordering Warren to come close to Asylum I patch up his ship, before sending him back to looting. Damn rookies… but to be fair they were outnumbered. Ah well the ship is still flying.
As my fighters return I notice some Paranid freight traffic, and decide to terrorize it. I order Warren and Final Chance to protect the Zephyrus, as I pick my targets. My first target is a food transporter, which is forced to drop all his Chelt Meat, before meeting his three eyed god. The next was a meat transporter, which managed to launch drones, before spilling his cargo, and being obliterated. The fighters deal with the ten or so drones, Sea Breeze once again coming back with a few holes.
Calling in Scavenger to loot, I decide to leave the war zones for a time, and plot a jump to Belt of Aguilar. Entering the home of Jonferco, I notice a return ship mission for 205k and accept it. Bringing up my mission log I see that it’s for a Caiman SF XL, and start laughing. I comm. the person who gave me the mission, and still laughing told him to go frak off. I then accept a mission to protect a local ore mine.
I was not in a good position to protect the mine, and most of the lighter M5s get there before I can. I do manage to close on a Buster Hauler and destroy it before it can fire a shot. The rest of the Pirate forces are killed by the local police, unfortunately. Finishing the mission, I notice a Paranid Military transporter, and decide to take him out. I close on the target and notice he has no loot, but open fire anyway. Stripping his shields, and biting into his haul. The pilot decides I can have the ship and leaves his Demeter SF XL a floating derelict, which I soon claim, and repair.
Sending the freighter to M148, I start moving east, and am soon in Teladi space once again. Grand Exchange is a big sector, and is in big trouble from what I can see. A Xenon K is currently sitting near the middle of the sector, along with a Q, and about 15 assorted fighters. Not wanting to get anywhere near the slaughter, I turn the ship south, towards a distant gate. As I near it, I get a notice telling me the Harrier Raider I was using to map the sectors, was killed in Albion Gamma, by a Pirate Scorpion.
I enter Merchant Haven, and quickly make for the Equipment dock. Landing at the station I set to reorganizing my fighters. I strip the Sea Breeze, and have Warren take control of Final Chance, telling him it will only be until I find him something bigger. I then outfit the Pericles with guns and shields. By the time I finish my orders, I finally hear something coming from the room I locked the Paranid in earlier. Having Waren back me up I move outside the locked door and hit the comm. button.
“Hey in there, my name is Baron, and I rescued your sorry three eyed ass from those Goner monks. Now if I let you out will you play nice, or will I have to transport you out into space?” I ask, sounding harsh.
“Who the frak, are you calling a three eye? I am a Terran merc. Not some damn Paranid,” he replied, confusingly.
Looking at Warren, and mouthing Terran, with a befuddled look, I release the comms. “Did that Paranid just say he was a Terran?” I ask my pilot/cook.
“I… I think he did,” Warren says, looking as puzzled as I felt.
Taking a deep breath I hit the comm. again. “Ummm…. Okay…. Well Mr. Terran merc, like I said I rescued you from the Goner, and want to make sure you not going to go crazy before I let you out.”
“Crazy?! No I assure you I will not go ‘crazy.’ The Goner though I was crazy, but thanks to you, I am free. Why would I be mad at that?!?! HA!”
With another steadying breath, and a last look at Warren, I unlock the door. The large Paranid was sitting on the bunk, and I soon found out his name was Wingnut. As he joined us for dinner, we soon realized he was indeed insane. He also said he was an experienced mercenary, and was looking for work. I decide to let him fly the Pericles. I don’t know why exactly, but my gut said to trust him, just as it had me rescue him in the first place.
After that was settled I sit in my office, and go over my situation. I need to finish outfitting the Medusa, and the Pericles. Right now neither have any software or tunings. I also want to extend my sector map to allow Scavenger a larger range for remote selling. Quietly sipping from a glass of whisky I suddenly remember the compass that has been sitting in my pocket, and take it out.
I place it on my desk and open it, watching the needle spin; I begin planning my next move.
ASSETS
Asylum – Zephyrus 2 PRG main 2 IRE in each turret
Final Chance – Buster *Warren Jay – 3 PAC 3 IRE
Pericles (needs software/tuning) *Wingnut 2 PAC 4 IRE
Medusa (needs outfitting)
Sea Breeze – Discoverer (stripped)
Scavenger – Vulture (MORT/looting)
Credits – 618k
Chapter 13: Second Thoughts
After about an hour of sitting and looking at the compass, I get up and go to the command chair. I need to start making more money, if I was going to get everything set up and combat ready. So I undock from the military outpost, and quickly find a Teladi transporter requesting escort. Accepting the mission, I catch up to the freighter, and follow him through the north gate, back into Grand Exchange.
Not long after entering the sector, I spot a group of Xenon moving towards my charge. I break formation, and select the nearest target, a N fighter. As he closes the gap, I open fire. My PGRs quickly strip his shields, and fry the CPU leaving the ship floating in the void. Targeting the next Xenon, another N I open fire, and destroy it swiftly.
The next N to fall into my crosshairs was a bit trickier. After the first pass he sped off, and by the time I could chase him down, another Xenon group had spawned. Finishing off the scout, I turn back just in time to watch an M destroy the Freighter. Sighing, I target the M and close on him. He cuts speed attempting to change direction, but is not fast enough. The Asylum rams into him, leaving nothing but space debris.
After finishing off the M, I go and claim the bailed N. as I am claiming, and repairing the scout, I notice quite a bit of bright flashing near the sector center. I send the scout to the shipyard in sector, and fly north to investigate the flashes. It seems that Grand Exchange is in trouble no longer. The Xenon armada that was just here was now being obliterated by a RRF taskforce. I watch as a Shrike with Peregrine wing obliterates a K, as a pair of Phoenixes, take out a Q.
Calling in Scavenger and sending out all fighters with Special command software, I begin salvaging the battlefield. As I sit in Asylum watching the progression of looting, the N arrives at the shipyard. I open up a remote trading window, and go to sell the scout, when I realize the shipyard has L stock available. Smiling, I place a request to buy a Kestrel, but receive an error message. The message stated that because of pending investigations of the Argon Federation, I was unable to buy Military class ship.
Frak, the Argon must have forgotten to lift the restrictions on my license, which was instated upon my arrest. There apparently is a loop-hole in the restrictions though, since I can claim ships still. Great, a Kestrel would have made mapping a cakewalk. Guess I will have to find one used, hopefully. Selling the N, I close the remote terminal, and wait for the salvage to be complete.
Once it is, I send Scavenger off to continue trading, and move east, after the fighters return. Enter the sector Tears of Greed, I begin mapping but find no work. I then move south into Bright Profit, and while mapping find a transport personnel mission. Landing at the trade station long enough to load up the 15 Teladi workers, I quickly leave, and plot a jump back to Tears of Greed. Not long after I was dropping them off and getting some credits.
Heading south, back into Bright Profit again, I spot a patrol mission. I accept the mission, and pull out to the middle of the sector. I order Warren to protect the Asylum, and remind him, if he crashes my bird he better not eject first. The first enemies show up on radar, a Xenon light fighter group, and we close on the first target. I open fire, my PRGs, obliterating an N’s shields, and making the ship explode. Next up is an M, which between me, and Final Chance was quickly eliminated. We then split up each closing on, and annihilating another N.
By the time the fighting as over, Warren had been banged up, but was still in one piece. I guess he really does have skill. I need to look into finding him something better to fly. He says he likes Argon ships, so maybe an Elite, or Nova. As I am contemplating this, the mission log updates to compete. Total four kills pay 61k credits. I quickly repair the Final Chance, and then move south, into Company Strength.
As I was mapping and fighting, Scavenger had been busy. Calling her to me, I unload three HEPTs, and shields for the Pericles, which Wingnut informs me will be called ‘Madman,’ unsurprisingly. This will bring Madman up to par equipment wise, but lacking software, the ship will still be grounded. The Medusa will still need more guns, which I send Scavenger off for. After the outfitting is completed, I begin mapping the sector.
Soon I get a notice requesting I help protect a Teladi at the local Seeker missile forge. I accept, and tell Warren to attack anything that shows up red. I close in on a Discoverer Raider, as Warren takes on a Disco Hauler. We both finish our respective targets almost simultaneously, and both turn towards a Harrier. The scout didn’t last long under our combined firepower, and was swiftly destroyed. turning as one, we target another Discoverer Raider, and open fire. This pilot, after watching his squad be shredded, decided frak the pirate thing, and bailed.
The last target on the radar was a Falcon Vanguard. The Final Chance, sped off towards the target, and unleashed a stream of IRE fire, mixed with PAC. The Falcon did not like this and turned to obliterate the small fighter. This move, unfortunately for him, opened his flank up to first punishing PRG fire from Asylum, and secondly Asylum herself as she rammed into the M3 causing it to vaporize against her shields. Mission complete 42k credits.
As Warren loots the battle, in Final Chance, I move to claim and repair the bailed Disco Raider, and send it off to Grand Exchange’s shipyard. Once Warren was back onboard the Asylum, I start heading west, and soon enter Sanctity of Corruption. I begin to map the sector, and soon stop, noticing a Duke’s freighter leaving a bliss place. I turn towards the pirate and scan him, grinning widely at what I see. I open fire, and demand he drop his cargo, until all 85 crates of space weed were floating in the void. I then destroy the freighter, and loot the weed.
Still smiling, and sampling my new cargo, I head south into Boron space. Entering Queen’s Retribution, I see something I had been looking for, an equipment dock. I map the sector, and order all fighters to the shipyard. It’s time to see if Wingnut can actually fly or if he really is just mad. As I finish mapping, all the fighters arrive safely, and I dock at the equipment dock. I purchase what software I can bringing Madman up to par, and sell off Sea Breeze, taking any extra software off of her first. I also remotely sell the Disco Raider, and sell what loot I can.
As I wait for the installation, and sells to go through. A face suddenly appears on my view screen, it was the Admiral I had last seen at the shipyard in Argon Prime. The man sneered at me and spoke, “I see that you managed to survive this long. I had hoped otherwise.”
“Luckily not everyone can get all they hope for,” I reply with a scowl.
At that the Admiral smiled. “Oh, but from what I hear I may soon get my wish. Commander Derik has sent word that you are not giving your all in the war effort, and soon the higher ups will have no option, but to order me to hunt you down.”
“Hey, I’ve been trying, but that Buster I was given is no match for most Terran ships. Plus I can’t even buy military ships, because you have a hold on my license.”
The Admiral’s grin widened. “Oh, you just found that out did you? Yes there is a restriction on you, and it is my doing. Scum like you shouldn’t be given a second chance.”
“Frak you, Admiral,” I reply angrily. “When I am done with this, and with the Federation, I will find you, and show you what scum like me is capable of.”
“Done? When this task is done you will be issued another and another after that, until the Federation is done with you. As for showing me what you can do, please do. I would relish venting your lifeless body into space.”
Knowing this was a waste of time I reply, “Oh no, I will be free of the Federation, sooner or later, and when I am…” I pause and smile evilly. “When I am, I’ll be seeing you again,” I finish, cutting the line. Frak, I need to get back to the war. Scavenger has been selling and buying, picking up what weapons I need for the Medusa. As soon as she is done I need to stop mapping, and get back to fighting it seems.
After everything was installed, I leave the equipment dock. Pulling below the elliptical, I order my fighters to dock. Cutting engines to zero, I bring up a remote screen to manage Scavenger, while waiting for them to return. As I order the freighter to go get more guns, I hear a loud banging noise, and quickly close the screen. I see nothing nearby but my fighter, one of which was down to 15% shields. I comm. Wingnut and ask; what the frak just happened? He tries to play it off, but Warren cuts in laughing, and says the “Terran” just missed the docking port, and bounced off the ship.
What The Frak?!? How do you miss a docking port? The Paranid/Terran told me it was a mistake and wouldn’t happen again; complaining about inferior Paranid tech. Sighing, I cut the comm. just great, my mysterious new pilot is not only nuts, but also might have been lying about being able to fly. Who knows? Maybe he can fly and just got distracted by voices or something, fraking crazy people.
After everything manages to land, I start moving east, and soon enter Hollow Infinity. Seeing this is a dead end sector, and finding no work, I turn back around, and re-enter Queen’s Retribution. This time I see a request to transport to Boron to a Teladi station, and quickly accept. Scooping the squids up, I jump to Sanctity of Corruption, and dock at a SPP, for an easy 196k. I then head south, and passing through Queens Retribution, am soon in Queen’s Harbor.
Seeing no missions, I head west, and enter Faded Dreams. There is mostly just rubble in this sector, debris from the Boron-Split wars. I do spot a Military outpost in the distance, and head that way. Nearing the outpost I am offered another transport job, this one involving 14 Boron, going to Menelaus’ Oasis. I accept the mission, and pick up the Boron. I plot a jump to Queen’s Harbor’s east gate, and when I arrive turn the ship around and head into Menelaus’ Oasis. I order Scavenger to me and transfer some things over, before heading towards the destination. A short time later I was pulling into the light shield complex, and getting paid 262k.
I equip my M3 with the goodies my freighter brought, and tell my pilots to get some rest. I soon follow, after smoking some more. Tonight we rest, because tomorrow…. We go to war.
ASSETS
Asylum – Zephyrus
Medusa – (unnamed) – 3 EBC, 5 HEPT, and 1 IRE in each turret
Final Chance – Buster *Warren Jay
Madman – Pericles *Wingnut
Scavenger – Vulture – (MORT/looter/seller/go’fer)
Credits – 555K
Game time 2 days 8 hours
After about an hour of sitting and looking at the compass, I get up and go to the command chair. I need to start making more money, if I was going to get everything set up and combat ready. So I undock from the military outpost, and quickly find a Teladi transporter requesting escort. Accepting the mission, I catch up to the freighter, and follow him through the north gate, back into Grand Exchange.
Not long after entering the sector, I spot a group of Xenon moving towards my charge. I break formation, and select the nearest target, a N fighter. As he closes the gap, I open fire. My PGRs quickly strip his shields, and fry the CPU leaving the ship floating in the void. Targeting the next Xenon, another N I open fire, and destroy it swiftly.
The next N to fall into my crosshairs was a bit trickier. After the first pass he sped off, and by the time I could chase him down, another Xenon group had spawned. Finishing off the scout, I turn back just in time to watch an M destroy the Freighter. Sighing, I target the M and close on him. He cuts speed attempting to change direction, but is not fast enough. The Asylum rams into him, leaving nothing but space debris.
After finishing off the M, I go and claim the bailed N. as I am claiming, and repairing the scout, I notice quite a bit of bright flashing near the sector center. I send the scout to the shipyard in sector, and fly north to investigate the flashes. It seems that Grand Exchange is in trouble no longer. The Xenon armada that was just here was now being obliterated by a RRF taskforce. I watch as a Shrike with Peregrine wing obliterates a K, as a pair of Phoenixes, take out a Q.
Calling in Scavenger and sending out all fighters with Special command software, I begin salvaging the battlefield. As I sit in Asylum watching the progression of looting, the N arrives at the shipyard. I open up a remote trading window, and go to sell the scout, when I realize the shipyard has L stock available. Smiling, I place a request to buy a Kestrel, but receive an error message. The message stated that because of pending investigations of the Argon Federation, I was unable to buy Military class ship.
Frak, the Argon must have forgotten to lift the restrictions on my license, which was instated upon my arrest. There apparently is a loop-hole in the restrictions though, since I can claim ships still. Great, a Kestrel would have made mapping a cakewalk. Guess I will have to find one used, hopefully. Selling the N, I close the remote terminal, and wait for the salvage to be complete.
Once it is, I send Scavenger off to continue trading, and move east, after the fighters return. Enter the sector Tears of Greed, I begin mapping but find no work. I then move south into Bright Profit, and while mapping find a transport personnel mission. Landing at the trade station long enough to load up the 15 Teladi workers, I quickly leave, and plot a jump back to Tears of Greed. Not long after I was dropping them off and getting some credits.
Heading south, back into Bright Profit again, I spot a patrol mission. I accept the mission, and pull out to the middle of the sector. I order Warren to protect the Asylum, and remind him, if he crashes my bird he better not eject first. The first enemies show up on radar, a Xenon light fighter group, and we close on the first target. I open fire, my PRGs, obliterating an N’s shields, and making the ship explode. Next up is an M, which between me, and Final Chance was quickly eliminated. We then split up each closing on, and annihilating another N.
By the time the fighting as over, Warren had been banged up, but was still in one piece. I guess he really does have skill. I need to look into finding him something better to fly. He says he likes Argon ships, so maybe an Elite, or Nova. As I am contemplating this, the mission log updates to compete. Total four kills pay 61k credits. I quickly repair the Final Chance, and then move south, into Company Strength.
As I was mapping and fighting, Scavenger had been busy. Calling her to me, I unload three HEPTs, and shields for the Pericles, which Wingnut informs me will be called ‘Madman,’ unsurprisingly. This will bring Madman up to par equipment wise, but lacking software, the ship will still be grounded. The Medusa will still need more guns, which I send Scavenger off for. After the outfitting is completed, I begin mapping the sector.
Soon I get a notice requesting I help protect a Teladi at the local Seeker missile forge. I accept, and tell Warren to attack anything that shows up red. I close in on a Discoverer Raider, as Warren takes on a Disco Hauler. We both finish our respective targets almost simultaneously, and both turn towards a Harrier. The scout didn’t last long under our combined firepower, and was swiftly destroyed. turning as one, we target another Discoverer Raider, and open fire. This pilot, after watching his squad be shredded, decided frak the pirate thing, and bailed.
The last target on the radar was a Falcon Vanguard. The Final Chance, sped off towards the target, and unleashed a stream of IRE fire, mixed with PAC. The Falcon did not like this and turned to obliterate the small fighter. This move, unfortunately for him, opened his flank up to first punishing PRG fire from Asylum, and secondly Asylum herself as she rammed into the M3 causing it to vaporize against her shields. Mission complete 42k credits.
As Warren loots the battle, in Final Chance, I move to claim and repair the bailed Disco Raider, and send it off to Grand Exchange’s shipyard. Once Warren was back onboard the Asylum, I start heading west, and soon enter Sanctity of Corruption. I begin to map the sector, and soon stop, noticing a Duke’s freighter leaving a bliss place. I turn towards the pirate and scan him, grinning widely at what I see. I open fire, and demand he drop his cargo, until all 85 crates of space weed were floating in the void. I then destroy the freighter, and loot the weed.
Still smiling, and sampling my new cargo, I head south into Boron space. Entering Queen’s Retribution, I see something I had been looking for, an equipment dock. I map the sector, and order all fighters to the shipyard. It’s time to see if Wingnut can actually fly or if he really is just mad. As I finish mapping, all the fighters arrive safely, and I dock at the equipment dock. I purchase what software I can bringing Madman up to par, and sell off Sea Breeze, taking any extra software off of her first. I also remotely sell the Disco Raider, and sell what loot I can.
As I wait for the installation, and sells to go through. A face suddenly appears on my view screen, it was the Admiral I had last seen at the shipyard in Argon Prime. The man sneered at me and spoke, “I see that you managed to survive this long. I had hoped otherwise.”
“Luckily not everyone can get all they hope for,” I reply with a scowl.
At that the Admiral smiled. “Oh, but from what I hear I may soon get my wish. Commander Derik has sent word that you are not giving your all in the war effort, and soon the higher ups will have no option, but to order me to hunt you down.”
“Hey, I’ve been trying, but that Buster I was given is no match for most Terran ships. Plus I can’t even buy military ships, because you have a hold on my license.”
The Admiral’s grin widened. “Oh, you just found that out did you? Yes there is a restriction on you, and it is my doing. Scum like you shouldn’t be given a second chance.”
“Frak you, Admiral,” I reply angrily. “When I am done with this, and with the Federation, I will find you, and show you what scum like me is capable of.”
“Done? When this task is done you will be issued another and another after that, until the Federation is done with you. As for showing me what you can do, please do. I would relish venting your lifeless body into space.”
Knowing this was a waste of time I reply, “Oh no, I will be free of the Federation, sooner or later, and when I am…” I pause and smile evilly. “When I am, I’ll be seeing you again,” I finish, cutting the line. Frak, I need to get back to the war. Scavenger has been selling and buying, picking up what weapons I need for the Medusa. As soon as she is done I need to stop mapping, and get back to fighting it seems.
After everything was installed, I leave the equipment dock. Pulling below the elliptical, I order my fighters to dock. Cutting engines to zero, I bring up a remote screen to manage Scavenger, while waiting for them to return. As I order the freighter to go get more guns, I hear a loud banging noise, and quickly close the screen. I see nothing nearby but my fighter, one of which was down to 15% shields. I comm. Wingnut and ask; what the frak just happened? He tries to play it off, but Warren cuts in laughing, and says the “Terran” just missed the docking port, and bounced off the ship.
What The Frak?!? How do you miss a docking port? The Paranid/Terran told me it was a mistake and wouldn’t happen again; complaining about inferior Paranid tech. Sighing, I cut the comm. just great, my mysterious new pilot is not only nuts, but also might have been lying about being able to fly. Who knows? Maybe he can fly and just got distracted by voices or something, fraking crazy people.
After everything manages to land, I start moving east, and soon enter Hollow Infinity. Seeing this is a dead end sector, and finding no work, I turn back around, and re-enter Queen’s Retribution. This time I see a request to transport to Boron to a Teladi station, and quickly accept. Scooping the squids up, I jump to Sanctity of Corruption, and dock at a SPP, for an easy 196k. I then head south, and passing through Queens Retribution, am soon in Queen’s Harbor.
Seeing no missions, I head west, and enter Faded Dreams. There is mostly just rubble in this sector, debris from the Boron-Split wars. I do spot a Military outpost in the distance, and head that way. Nearing the outpost I am offered another transport job, this one involving 14 Boron, going to Menelaus’ Oasis. I accept the mission, and pick up the Boron. I plot a jump to Queen’s Harbor’s east gate, and when I arrive turn the ship around and head into Menelaus’ Oasis. I order Scavenger to me and transfer some things over, before heading towards the destination. A short time later I was pulling into the light shield complex, and getting paid 262k.
I equip my M3 with the goodies my freighter brought, and tell my pilots to get some rest. I soon follow, after smoking some more. Tonight we rest, because tomorrow…. We go to war.
ASSETS
Asylum – Zephyrus
Medusa – (unnamed) – 3 EBC, 5 HEPT, and 1 IRE in each turret
Final Chance – Buster *Warren Jay
Madman – Pericles *Wingnut
Scavenger – Vulture – (MORT/looter/seller/go’fer)
Credits – 555K
Game time 2 days 8 hours
-
Nathancros
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue, 30. Nov 10, 04:46
Chapter 14: Killing With Style
I awoke, and dressed silently. I had slept like a rock, a side effect of the weed no doubt. My small crew was still asleep, and I left them that way, as I moved like a shadow from my quarters into the galley. I grab a small bite to eat, then head to the command chair. Sitting in the chair, I hit a button for the ship-wide PA system. “Alright gentlemen, get your sorry asses out of bed. Starting now you have 15 min to be fully suited and ready to fly,” I said, before closing the intercom.
Fifteen minutes later I was undocking from the shield complex, and plotting a jump to the war zone. My destination is Circle of Labor, and there are no Terrans I can get to before the local forces deal with them. I do however stop a Paranid energy transporter, and close on the target. Deciding this was a perfect chance for a test flight; I get in the Medusa, and am amazed at how different the Paranid make their ships.
The basic layout is the same, stick in front, radar to the right, throttle to the left, and a front view screen. That was where the similarities ended however. Where the Argon ships are Spartan in design, the Paranid ones are luxurious. The seat was some kind of plush leather, with piping that matched the outside of the ship. The cockpit was more spacious, and was also done up in the same design. A man could get use to flying around something like this.
I begin closing on the energy transporter, after I was finished marveling at my fighter. I switch my weapon loadout to only fire the High Energy Plasma Throwers. I plan on saving my EBC ammo for more dangerous foes than a simple freighter. Falling into weapon range, I open fire, the green bolts of plasma arc through the void, and slam into the side of the Demeter. His shields fall quickly, and his hull soon begins dropping as well. I order him to drop freight, but he hysterically says he doesn’t have any, a pity for him. The Medusa continues the rain of green fire, and soon the transporter was no more.
After the freighter was dealt with I begin looking for any work in the sector, and locate a patrol mission going north. I accept it, and order my pilots to leave the Asylum, and back me up. I fly patrol in sector and spot no enemies. Soon the log updates and after docking the fighters, I am moving north into Heretic’s End. Here there is an armada of Terran ships, sitting in a blockade formation around the gate. Luckily for me, they are not flagging hostile, and the Asylum casually moves past.
As I move past the large Terran force, I stifle a laugh, as one of the Katana runs into a station, and explodes. After a few minutes of moving into the sector, the mission log updated again, this time saying mission completed. I was given 30k credits for my trouble. Seeing no opportunity for money or rep, and not being stupid enough to tangle with the Terran forces in sector, I head back south, into Circle of Labor.
Unlike the last time I was here, the Terrans were now out in force. There was a Tokyo with fighter support, as well as a Yokohama with M6 support. The Argon were fielding two Minotaur, and were obliterating everything in sight. I call in Scavenger to loot, and suddenly see something interesting out in the void. There were two spacesuits out there. It seems the Argon had attempted to board one of the Terran ships, and either failed, or had the pod shot down. Dodging heavy fire in Asylum, I scoop up the two marines. The two rescued Argon thanked me profusely, and readily accepted a job in my employ, which was good because I didn’t want to sell them as slaves, after saving them.
After rescuing the Marines, I receive a request to assist in a patrol. I accept and am soon in the Medusa again, with my pilots covering me. I see a Mjollnir, and close quickly. Still using only my HEPT I demolish the smaller ship in one pass. I see no other Terrans and soon the mission is over. One kill, 70k credits. I move towards my TM, and beam aboard, ordering all fighters loot while I get energy from the SPP. By the time my fuel reserves were topped off, the looting was finished. I order Scavenger to go about its remote trading, and have all my fighters dock. I then jump to Treasure Chest.
Entering the sector, I was greeted by fighters battling. Not wanting to miss the fun I get in the Medusa, and order my pilots to protect me, once again. The closest fighter was a Terran Thor. I change my weapon setting to full attack, and unleash hell. The small swift green dots of EBC fire mixed with the larger green bolts of HEPT fire, and quickly reduced the heavy fighter to nothing more than floating scraps. So swift was my attack, the Terran pilot didn’t even have time to go hostile before he was dead.
Moving on to the next target I once again switch my guns to light mode, and open up on a Rapier. My HEPT fire makes short work of the scout, so I look for something else to kill. It didn’t take long to spot another Thor, and begin closing the gap. As I neared weapons range, the target landed a killing blow on a helpless Nova pilot. If the foolish Terran wasn’t so engrossed on the spreading fireball of the Argon ship, he might have stood a chance. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t, and was soon caught off guard by a mix of EBC and HEPT fire slamming into his flank, and stripping his shields. he soon joined the Nova pilot in death, but unlike him I was already looking for the next target.
Finding none I get back in Asylum, and order the fighters to loot. As soon as they finish, I move west and enter Omicron Lyrae. I do not see any Terrans in sector, but I do spot a few three eyes in the trade lanes. Entering my heavy fighter once more, I close on the closest one. It was another M3, so I opened fire with all guns. Once his shields were gone, I switched loadouts again, and slam his ship with HEPT fired in bursts. After his hold is empty, and he is no more, I move to the next Paranid target.
This one is a freighter labeled as a weapons dealer, but with an empty hold. The lack of loot doesn’t discourage me however, as I begin putting holes in his hull. He refuses to give the ship up however, and dies for his stubbornness. The next target is food transport, which I make spill his cargo before he meets his three eyed god. I call in Scavenger to pick up the meatsteaks, and order my fighters to loot the missiles that have been dropped so far.
I then spot another Paranid, this one in a Pericles, with an escort. I close quickly on the targets and obliterate the escort in seconds. The trader’s ship lasts longer, only because I needed him to eject his loot first. After they were nothing but space debris, and there were no more potential targets in sector, I get in my Zephyrus. I sit and watch as my fighters pick up cargo, and drop it off to either me or Scavenger. After the sector is clear of floating valuables, I order my pilots to dock, and Scavenger to go about its business.
I continue north and soon enter Circle of Labor again. I spot a few Terran fighters, and get in the Medusa. I ambush an unsuspecting Thor, and annihilate it before the pilot knew what was going on. The local sector forces destroy the other fighters, so I get back in Asylum, and continue north, into Heretic’s End. This sector was empty of Terrans, so I move on to Asteroid Belt. Here I manage to get the drop on a Valkyrie and destroy it without leaving the Zephyrus. The only other ships in sector are a Tokyo, and Osaka, so I plot a jump to Elysium of Light.
Seeing Terran fighters, I get back in the Medusa, and close swiftly on a Thor. This pilot was wiser than the others, and switched to red after only a short amount of fire hit. The Thor reacted quickly and launched a missile at me, mere seconds before his ship failed, and was reduced to space dust. My turrets managed to shot down some of the swarming warheads, and my shields easily took the rest, without coming close to failing.
Getting back in the TM I head south, and enter Treasure Chest. There is a mix of Terran fighters in sector, so I enter my fighter once more. I attempt to close on a Mjollnir, but it is killed by missile fire, before I reach it. The next target is a Scimitar, which I manage to close on, and flay its shields with my guns. After his shields drop I switch to HEPT only, and begin a series of burst fire. After only two bursts the plot panics, and ejects from the ship, leaving it derelict.
I claim the ship, and begin patching up the holes, that I had punched into it moments before. After she was repaired I order her to the Zephyrus to dock. I get back into the Medusa, and watch as the Scimitar moves slowly towards the TM. As I watch I notice two missiles moving quickly in our direction. Selecting one, I see it is a Tomahawk, and I also can tell it was heading towards my new fighter. Frak, one of the local bombers must have lunched them before I caused the bail. Thinking quickly I shoot one of the incoming torpedoes down, but am not quick enough for the second. As I watch it slams into my captured fighter, and detonates with a blinding explosion. Once the fireball cleared the fighter was no more.
Grinding my teeth, I dock back at the Asylum, and plot a jump to Black Hole Sun. as soon as the warp tunnel collapses I fly to the equipment dock, and land. I tell my crew I needed to get drunk, so we will be taking a small break from the fighting. I asked if Warren could go ahead and make something to eat, and then left the ship.
I move deeper into the station, until I see a bar, which I enter. I order a whisky straight, and put in a request for a few bottles to be delivered to the Asylum. I move into the crowded bar, and take a seat at one of the corner booths. As I sit drinking my whisky, I reprimand myself for not being fast enough to save that Scimitar. I take another swallow of my drink, and sit just looking at my glass, which I set on the table. When I look up a hooded Teladi is standing in front of the table, and before she lowered her hood I already knew who it was going to be.
“If you’re here to give me a cryptic message, you can just go frak off,” I say before she could open her mouth.
Seer lowered her hood, and took a seat at the booth, showing off her sharp needle like teeth, in a smile. “The time for cryptic messssagesss hasss past young Baron,” she said, smiling never wavering. “I came to inform you that the time is clossse to hand. Sssoon you will recceeive ordersss to invessstigate an Argon company. The company’sss name isss not important, but you mussst follow the ordersss. They will lead you to a revelation, and thisss revelation will shake the core of this universsse.”
She stood after saying this and made as if to leave, but paused. “There are people working againssst usss, though they do not know it. We will attempt to sssway things in your favor, but mosst will fall to you Baron,” she told me, before turning and fading into the crowed.
After she left I sit for a while, before finishing my drink. I then rise from the booth and move to my ship. Warren should have dinner ready by now, and then it’s time to go back to work….
Credits – 1.2mil
I awoke, and dressed silently. I had slept like a rock, a side effect of the weed no doubt. My small crew was still asleep, and I left them that way, as I moved like a shadow from my quarters into the galley. I grab a small bite to eat, then head to the command chair. Sitting in the chair, I hit a button for the ship-wide PA system. “Alright gentlemen, get your sorry asses out of bed. Starting now you have 15 min to be fully suited and ready to fly,” I said, before closing the intercom.
Fifteen minutes later I was undocking from the shield complex, and plotting a jump to the war zone. My destination is Circle of Labor, and there are no Terrans I can get to before the local forces deal with them. I do however stop a Paranid energy transporter, and close on the target. Deciding this was a perfect chance for a test flight; I get in the Medusa, and am amazed at how different the Paranid make their ships.
The basic layout is the same, stick in front, radar to the right, throttle to the left, and a front view screen. That was where the similarities ended however. Where the Argon ships are Spartan in design, the Paranid ones are luxurious. The seat was some kind of plush leather, with piping that matched the outside of the ship. The cockpit was more spacious, and was also done up in the same design. A man could get use to flying around something like this.
I begin closing on the energy transporter, after I was finished marveling at my fighter. I switch my weapon loadout to only fire the High Energy Plasma Throwers. I plan on saving my EBC ammo for more dangerous foes than a simple freighter. Falling into weapon range, I open fire, the green bolts of plasma arc through the void, and slam into the side of the Demeter. His shields fall quickly, and his hull soon begins dropping as well. I order him to drop freight, but he hysterically says he doesn’t have any, a pity for him. The Medusa continues the rain of green fire, and soon the transporter was no more.
After the freighter was dealt with I begin looking for any work in the sector, and locate a patrol mission going north. I accept it, and order my pilots to leave the Asylum, and back me up. I fly patrol in sector and spot no enemies. Soon the log updates and after docking the fighters, I am moving north into Heretic’s End. Here there is an armada of Terran ships, sitting in a blockade formation around the gate. Luckily for me, they are not flagging hostile, and the Asylum casually moves past.
As I move past the large Terran force, I stifle a laugh, as one of the Katana runs into a station, and explodes. After a few minutes of moving into the sector, the mission log updated again, this time saying mission completed. I was given 30k credits for my trouble. Seeing no opportunity for money or rep, and not being stupid enough to tangle with the Terran forces in sector, I head back south, into Circle of Labor.
Unlike the last time I was here, the Terrans were now out in force. There was a Tokyo with fighter support, as well as a Yokohama with M6 support. The Argon were fielding two Minotaur, and were obliterating everything in sight. I call in Scavenger to loot, and suddenly see something interesting out in the void. There were two spacesuits out there. It seems the Argon had attempted to board one of the Terran ships, and either failed, or had the pod shot down. Dodging heavy fire in Asylum, I scoop up the two marines. The two rescued Argon thanked me profusely, and readily accepted a job in my employ, which was good because I didn’t want to sell them as slaves, after saving them.
After rescuing the Marines, I receive a request to assist in a patrol. I accept and am soon in the Medusa again, with my pilots covering me. I see a Mjollnir, and close quickly. Still using only my HEPT I demolish the smaller ship in one pass. I see no other Terrans and soon the mission is over. One kill, 70k credits. I move towards my TM, and beam aboard, ordering all fighters loot while I get energy from the SPP. By the time my fuel reserves were topped off, the looting was finished. I order Scavenger to go about its remote trading, and have all my fighters dock. I then jump to Treasure Chest.
Entering the sector, I was greeted by fighters battling. Not wanting to miss the fun I get in the Medusa, and order my pilots to protect me, once again. The closest fighter was a Terran Thor. I change my weapon setting to full attack, and unleash hell. The small swift green dots of EBC fire mixed with the larger green bolts of HEPT fire, and quickly reduced the heavy fighter to nothing more than floating scraps. So swift was my attack, the Terran pilot didn’t even have time to go hostile before he was dead.
Moving on to the next target I once again switch my guns to light mode, and open up on a Rapier. My HEPT fire makes short work of the scout, so I look for something else to kill. It didn’t take long to spot another Thor, and begin closing the gap. As I neared weapons range, the target landed a killing blow on a helpless Nova pilot. If the foolish Terran wasn’t so engrossed on the spreading fireball of the Argon ship, he might have stood a chance. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t, and was soon caught off guard by a mix of EBC and HEPT fire slamming into his flank, and stripping his shields. he soon joined the Nova pilot in death, but unlike him I was already looking for the next target.
Finding none I get back in Asylum, and order the fighters to loot. As soon as they finish, I move west and enter Omicron Lyrae. I do not see any Terrans in sector, but I do spot a few three eyes in the trade lanes. Entering my heavy fighter once more, I close on the closest one. It was another M3, so I opened fire with all guns. Once his shields were gone, I switched loadouts again, and slam his ship with HEPT fired in bursts. After his hold is empty, and he is no more, I move to the next Paranid target.
This one is a freighter labeled as a weapons dealer, but with an empty hold. The lack of loot doesn’t discourage me however, as I begin putting holes in his hull. He refuses to give the ship up however, and dies for his stubbornness. The next target is food transport, which I make spill his cargo before he meets his three eyed god. I call in Scavenger to pick up the meatsteaks, and order my fighters to loot the missiles that have been dropped so far.
I then spot another Paranid, this one in a Pericles, with an escort. I close quickly on the targets and obliterate the escort in seconds. The trader’s ship lasts longer, only because I needed him to eject his loot first. After they were nothing but space debris, and there were no more potential targets in sector, I get in my Zephyrus. I sit and watch as my fighters pick up cargo, and drop it off to either me or Scavenger. After the sector is clear of floating valuables, I order my pilots to dock, and Scavenger to go about its business.
I continue north and soon enter Circle of Labor again. I spot a few Terran fighters, and get in the Medusa. I ambush an unsuspecting Thor, and annihilate it before the pilot knew what was going on. The local sector forces destroy the other fighters, so I get back in Asylum, and continue north, into Heretic’s End. This sector was empty of Terrans, so I move on to Asteroid Belt. Here I manage to get the drop on a Valkyrie and destroy it without leaving the Zephyrus. The only other ships in sector are a Tokyo, and Osaka, so I plot a jump to Elysium of Light.
Seeing Terran fighters, I get back in the Medusa, and close swiftly on a Thor. This pilot was wiser than the others, and switched to red after only a short amount of fire hit. The Thor reacted quickly and launched a missile at me, mere seconds before his ship failed, and was reduced to space dust. My turrets managed to shot down some of the swarming warheads, and my shields easily took the rest, without coming close to failing.
Getting back in the TM I head south, and enter Treasure Chest. There is a mix of Terran fighters in sector, so I enter my fighter once more. I attempt to close on a Mjollnir, but it is killed by missile fire, before I reach it. The next target is a Scimitar, which I manage to close on, and flay its shields with my guns. After his shields drop I switch to HEPT only, and begin a series of burst fire. After only two bursts the plot panics, and ejects from the ship, leaving it derelict.
I claim the ship, and begin patching up the holes, that I had punched into it moments before. After she was repaired I order her to the Zephyrus to dock. I get back into the Medusa, and watch as the Scimitar moves slowly towards the TM. As I watch I notice two missiles moving quickly in our direction. Selecting one, I see it is a Tomahawk, and I also can tell it was heading towards my new fighter. Frak, one of the local bombers must have lunched them before I caused the bail. Thinking quickly I shoot one of the incoming torpedoes down, but am not quick enough for the second. As I watch it slams into my captured fighter, and detonates with a blinding explosion. Once the fireball cleared the fighter was no more.
Grinding my teeth, I dock back at the Asylum, and plot a jump to Black Hole Sun. as soon as the warp tunnel collapses I fly to the equipment dock, and land. I tell my crew I needed to get drunk, so we will be taking a small break from the fighting. I asked if Warren could go ahead and make something to eat, and then left the ship.
I move deeper into the station, until I see a bar, which I enter. I order a whisky straight, and put in a request for a few bottles to be delivered to the Asylum. I move into the crowded bar, and take a seat at one of the corner booths. As I sit drinking my whisky, I reprimand myself for not being fast enough to save that Scimitar. I take another swallow of my drink, and sit just looking at my glass, which I set on the table. When I look up a hooded Teladi is standing in front of the table, and before she lowered her hood I already knew who it was going to be.
“If you’re here to give me a cryptic message, you can just go frak off,” I say before she could open her mouth.
Seer lowered her hood, and took a seat at the booth, showing off her sharp needle like teeth, in a smile. “The time for cryptic messssagesss hasss past young Baron,” she said, smiling never wavering. “I came to inform you that the time is clossse to hand. Sssoon you will recceeive ordersss to invessstigate an Argon company. The company’sss name isss not important, but you mussst follow the ordersss. They will lead you to a revelation, and thisss revelation will shake the core of this universsse.”
She stood after saying this and made as if to leave, but paused. “There are people working againssst usss, though they do not know it. We will attempt to sssway things in your favor, but mosst will fall to you Baron,” she told me, before turning and fading into the crowed.
After she left I sit for a while, before finishing my drink. I then rise from the booth and move to my ship. Warren should have dinner ready by now, and then it’s time to go back to work….
Credits – 1.2mil
-
Nathancros
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Tue, 30. Nov 10, 04:46
yea, i wouldnt have been able to outfit it easily enough, but the extra cash wouldve been nice.... ah well i know the risks of missile spam AI in AP lol
also i have noticed, reading my notes for the next few chapters, that i ignore scavenger. if anyone wants to know exactly what my trader is doing lemme know, and i'll start adding it, or just explain it out of story.
also i have noticed, reading my notes for the next few chapters, that i ignore scavenger. if anyone wants to know exactly what my trader is doing lemme know, and i'll start adding it, or just explain it out of story.
Don't worry too much. If you try and keep perfect track of everything and write it all down, you'll go crazy. Believe me. I think it's one of the things that ultimately caused Nuklear-Slug to stop, because it's so hard to keep everything reported to the level that we really want to do. That's why I stopped trying to do the asset list all the time. Because the few times I do write it up, I do it very thoroughly, and don't do any gameplay during the time I'm recording.
Probably time for another one, now that I think of it.
Probably time for another one, now that I think of it.
A Pirate's Revenge Completed Now in PDF by _Zap_
APR Book 2: Best Served Cold Updated 8/5/2016
The Tale of Ea't s'Quid Completed
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain
APR Book 2: Best Served Cold Updated 8/5/2016
The Tale of Ea't s'Quid Completed
Dovie'andi se tovya sagain