Marine Data Archive - Terrel Hang
Moderators: TheElf, Moderators for English X Forum
-
SOTS
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Sat, 25. Mar 06, 12:52
-
X1000
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon, 22. Jun 09, 16:59
![[ external image ]](http://requiem.seraph-inn.com/links/banner468.jpg){kind=link}
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Personal Entry Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
Running back up to the bridge I noticed the three rifles sitting on the UV Map table. Etmanckosset had apparently been telling the truth. His own brother didn't even trust him to watch his back in the takeover and planned to sell him out with the rest of us. Maybe he would sue for pardon later but his immediate plans included hostaging Etmanckosset to keep him out of his affairs. All the better he's dead.
Reaching the bridge I saw Etmanckosset had taken the knife out of his brother and had moved his body out of the way. "Here Terrel," he said "this is yours." He handed the knife back to me and I looked at him sorely. "It's alright Terrel." he said before turning and joining Gu at the captains chair.
Our employer had started moving the ship towards the East gate. We were actually closer to the South at this point but it would lead us right into 'The Wall' and from there we were pretty much trapped in Argon space. My guess was that we would go through 'Atreus' Clouds' and into 'Farnham's Legend' where the influence of the Argon abruptly ceased. We still had a problem in 'Atreus' Clouds' though. It was under the control of the Boron who would most likely assist the Argon in their endeavors. If we were lucky the Argon hadn't yet exerted their influence through the channels of the Boron military and we would cross relatively unmolested.
But now I noticed an even bigger problem, our hull was at 49% and we were traveling at a sluggish 56 m/s. I then pieced together what had happened. When Gu, Fui and Etmanckosset got locked out of the bridge they had most likely commed our employer to notify him of the situation. Our employer probably summarized that if Olmanckarsat had control of the ship he would fly straight into the arms of the Titan battle group. Therefore our only real hope lay with me in the bridge and our employer did the only thing he could think of, he rammed the ship. While it did save my ass and get the ship back under our control it had severely inhibited our ability to escape. While the Titan still couldn't catch us it's two Centaur escorts definitely would. All three ships were just under 10 KM away, still flying in formation lucky for us. But it was only a matter of time before the Titan commander would tell the Centaurs to break formation and come after us.
"We'll never be able to outrun the two Cent's." Fui aptly pointed out. "Hang, see what you can do about the ship comms." Gu ordered. "We need to be able to communicate directly with other ships. I'll get in touch with boss through my suit comm and find out what we're going to do here. Etmanckosset and Fui, make another run over the ship and make sure it's clear. Salvage what equipment you can and get back here." We all immediately got to work. Fui and Etmanckosset disappeared down the steps, I started on the comms terminal and Gu made contact with our employer.
Damn this thing was a mess. Olmanckarsat had managed to hit almost everything of importance. The antenna gain was fried, the main board had a hole in it and the capacitor coils had been melted. Someone actually wanting to sabotage the terminal couldn't have done a better job. I got up and checked the freight listing on the ship. Finally a bit of good luck, they actually had replacements and spare components. "Fui." I commed.
"Go ahead Hang."
"I need you to bring me back some components and equipment for the comms terminal. I'm sending you a list of what I need."
"Got it. Maybe you want me to bring you back a scruffin fruit too, or a bagel with some cream cheese?"
"Just get the damn parts." I said. I looked up to see Gu staring out the window. I went and stood next to him. "What's the plan?" I asked "Move as fast as we can towards the east gate. Boss is going to cut across our 6 and try to delay the Cent's." he said blandly. I could tell his mind was somewhere else. We stood quiet for a mizura before I asked "What's troubling you?"
"Besides our current predicament and this op?" he said. He looked at me and sighed. "You know the Split won't back down from a war, especially with the Teladi. My people are quick to anger and eager for confrontation." I nodded but said "We have proof of what's happening here. If we can expose the Argon and Paranid war might be averted." He looked at me doubtfully before saying "That depends on our employer and what he wants to do. We're just marines Hang, but that doesn't mean I forget my heritage or stop caring about my people." I looked at Gu respectfully. I had never known him to be concerned with much outside of himself and the team, but now I knew there was more going on behind those eyes than I gave him credit for. I looked back out the window. "We'll see what happens." I said.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
Running back up to the bridge I noticed the three rifles sitting on the UV Map table. Etmanckosset had apparently been telling the truth. His own brother didn't even trust him to watch his back in the takeover and planned to sell him out with the rest of us. Maybe he would sue for pardon later but his immediate plans included hostaging Etmanckosset to keep him out of his affairs. All the better he's dead.
Reaching the bridge I saw Etmanckosset had taken the knife out of his brother and had moved his body out of the way. "Here Terrel," he said "this is yours." He handed the knife back to me and I looked at him sorely. "It's alright Terrel." he said before turning and joining Gu at the captains chair.
Our employer had started moving the ship towards the East gate. We were actually closer to the South at this point but it would lead us right into 'The Wall' and from there we were pretty much trapped in Argon space. My guess was that we would go through 'Atreus' Clouds' and into 'Farnham's Legend' where the influence of the Argon abruptly ceased. We still had a problem in 'Atreus' Clouds' though. It was under the control of the Boron who would most likely assist the Argon in their endeavors. If we were lucky the Argon hadn't yet exerted their influence through the channels of the Boron military and we would cross relatively unmolested.
But now I noticed an even bigger problem, our hull was at 49% and we were traveling at a sluggish 56 m/s. I then pieced together what had happened. When Gu, Fui and Etmanckosset got locked out of the bridge they had most likely commed our employer to notify him of the situation. Our employer probably summarized that if Olmanckarsat had control of the ship he would fly straight into the arms of the Titan battle group. Therefore our only real hope lay with me in the bridge and our employer did the only thing he could think of, he rammed the ship. While it did save my ass and get the ship back under our control it had severely inhibited our ability to escape. While the Titan still couldn't catch us it's two Centaur escorts definitely would. All three ships were just under 10 KM away, still flying in formation lucky for us. But it was only a matter of time before the Titan commander would tell the Centaurs to break formation and come after us.
"We'll never be able to outrun the two Cent's." Fui aptly pointed out. "Hang, see what you can do about the ship comms." Gu ordered. "We need to be able to communicate directly with other ships. I'll get in touch with boss through my suit comm and find out what we're going to do here. Etmanckosset and Fui, make another run over the ship and make sure it's clear. Salvage what equipment you can and get back here." We all immediately got to work. Fui and Etmanckosset disappeared down the steps, I started on the comms terminal and Gu made contact with our employer.
Damn this thing was a mess. Olmanckarsat had managed to hit almost everything of importance. The antenna gain was fried, the main board had a hole in it and the capacitor coils had been melted. Someone actually wanting to sabotage the terminal couldn't have done a better job. I got up and checked the freight listing on the ship. Finally a bit of good luck, they actually had replacements and spare components. "Fui." I commed.
"Go ahead Hang."
"I need you to bring me back some components and equipment for the comms terminal. I'm sending you a list of what I need."
"Got it. Maybe you want me to bring you back a scruffin fruit too, or a bagel with some cream cheese?"
"Just get the damn parts." I said. I looked up to see Gu staring out the window. I went and stood next to him. "What's the plan?" I asked "Move as fast as we can towards the east gate. Boss is going to cut across our 6 and try to delay the Cent's." he said blandly. I could tell his mind was somewhere else. We stood quiet for a mizura before I asked "What's troubling you?"
"Besides our current predicament and this op?" he said. He looked at me and sighed. "You know the Split won't back down from a war, especially with the Teladi. My people are quick to anger and eager for confrontation." I nodded but said "We have proof of what's happening here. If we can expose the Argon and Paranid war might be averted." He looked at me doubtfully before saying "That depends on our employer and what he wants to do. We're just marines Hang, but that doesn't mean I forget my heritage or stop caring about my people." I looked at Gu respectfully. I had never known him to be concerned with much outside of himself and the team, but now I knew there was more going on behind those eyes than I gave him credit for. I looked back out the window. "We'll see what happens." I said.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Personal Entry Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I turned to see Fui and Etmanckosset come back up the steps. "Here's your parts Hang. No scruffin fruit though." "Har har, you're just killing me here Fui" I said. He handed me the parts and I got to work on the comms terminal. Gu brought them up to speed on the plan, sat in the captains chair and lit up some space weed. I continued my work, tedious as it was while the three exchanged small talk, everyone trying to be sensetive to the fact that Etmanckosset's brother was laying over in the corner. Beyond that it was pretty much quiet, there wasn't much else we could do. Just try to outrun Titan and pals and stay alive. I saw Etmanckosset kneel down next to me. "Need any help?" he said.
"Nah, pretty much a one man job." I responded. "Ah..." He continued to hover next to me and with a sigh I dropped what I was doing and pulled my head out of the terminal. "Look Etmanckosset" I said "I really am sorry about your brother, but if you have something you want to say to me, say it now. If this is going to cause problems between us I'd rather get it out in the open.
He stared at me and then looked over at Olmanckarsats body. "It's nothing like that Hang, I just wanted to talk for a mizura." I laid my tools down and leaned against the terminal. "So talk" I said.
"I can't help but feel guilty for what my brother has done and for what has happened to him. He wasn't always like this Terrel. He was a good being, fun to be around and laughed a lot. Even in the academy we had some great times. I remember this one time..." He paused for a sezura and looked at me intently. "Those two years in the PSS changed him. He came back a different person. The warmth and joy he once possessed had been replaced by sternness and a fervor for Paranid politics. He started accusing me of not taking enough interest in our own people, that we should care more about the Paranid empire and spend less time joking about. The Olmanckarsat you knew was not him at all. What you and the rest of the team got was a brainwashed, diluted husk of his former self. I just wanted you to know, he wasn't always like this."
I looked at him and said "No one starts off that way Etmanckosset but that's often how a lot of us end up. This business we're in has many avenues and many doors that are not seen on the surface. We're exposed to a lot of unpleasant things and it's hard to hold onto your values sometimes." He looked at the floor and raised his hand to his eyes. "Your brother chose his own path Etmanckosset, there's nothing you could have done. Best thing to do with death is to put it behind you and move forward." We both sat there quiet for a sezura before I slapped him on the arm and said "Look on the bright side. We could all die in the next few mizuras and no one would ever know your brother was an asshole." He smiled and chuckled. "Thanks Terrel." Gu then came over and crouched down next to us.
"What are you two sissy Borons talking about?" I looked at him sarcastically. "We want to paint the ship green." I said. Both Gu and Etmanckosset laughed. "How you holdin up there Etmanckosset?" Gu asked. "Pretty well" he responded "besides my brother being dead over there I can't complain." Gu chuckled and said "Well here, a toast to remember him by." He took a drag off his weed and then passed it to Etmanckosset who looked at it curiously before taking a long drag. Me and Gu looked at each other and smiled as we watched Etmanckosset make funny faces before coughing uncontrollably. We both started to laugh. He tried handing it back to Gu who insisted he keep it. "Hows the terminal coming Hang?" "Should be good as new in the next few mizuras." I said. He stood up and went back to the captains chair while I got back to work.
I finished the terminal and packed up my tools before joining the rest of the team around the captains chair. "Something's not right" Gu said. "The Titan and Cent's are still in formation, now lagging more than 10 KM behind us."
"What the hell are they waiting for?" Fui said.
I looked at the gravidar and then back out the window towards the East gate. "They're driving us."
"What?" Fui said as he looked at me.
"They're driving us." I said again. "They're driving us towards the East gate. They want us to go where we're going." Gu slowly tilted his head back before saying "I think you're right. I got a bad feeling about this."
Apparently our employer felt the same way as Gu because the newly repaired ship comms crackled and came to life. "There's something going on here." he said. "Hang thinks they're driving us towards the East gate." Gu responded. "I think Hang's right. I'm handing over control of the ship to you Gu. If something happens we need to react fast. Slow your speed to match that of the Titans, that will buy us some time. I'm going to jump a Kestrel into Atreus's Clouds and see whats on the other side."
We waited as we drew ever closer to the East gate. We were about 6 KM away when the comms blared "CUT YOUR ENGINES! CUT THEM NOW!!"
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I turned to see Fui and Etmanckosset come back up the steps. "Here's your parts Hang. No scruffin fruit though." "Har har, you're just killing me here Fui" I said. He handed me the parts and I got to work on the comms terminal. Gu brought them up to speed on the plan, sat in the captains chair and lit up some space weed. I continued my work, tedious as it was while the three exchanged small talk, everyone trying to be sensetive to the fact that Etmanckosset's brother was laying over in the corner. Beyond that it was pretty much quiet, there wasn't much else we could do. Just try to outrun Titan and pals and stay alive. I saw Etmanckosset kneel down next to me. "Need any help?" he said.
"Nah, pretty much a one man job." I responded. "Ah..." He continued to hover next to me and with a sigh I dropped what I was doing and pulled my head out of the terminal. "Look Etmanckosset" I said "I really am sorry about your brother, but if you have something you want to say to me, say it now. If this is going to cause problems between us I'd rather get it out in the open.
He stared at me and then looked over at Olmanckarsats body. "It's nothing like that Hang, I just wanted to talk for a mizura." I laid my tools down and leaned against the terminal. "So talk" I said.
"I can't help but feel guilty for what my brother has done and for what has happened to him. He wasn't always like this Terrel. He was a good being, fun to be around and laughed a lot. Even in the academy we had some great times. I remember this one time..." He paused for a sezura and looked at me intently. "Those two years in the PSS changed him. He came back a different person. The warmth and joy he once possessed had been replaced by sternness and a fervor for Paranid politics. He started accusing me of not taking enough interest in our own people, that we should care more about the Paranid empire and spend less time joking about. The Olmanckarsat you knew was not him at all. What you and the rest of the team got was a brainwashed, diluted husk of his former self. I just wanted you to know, he wasn't always like this."
I looked at him and said "No one starts off that way Etmanckosset but that's often how a lot of us end up. This business we're in has many avenues and many doors that are not seen on the surface. We're exposed to a lot of unpleasant things and it's hard to hold onto your values sometimes." He looked at the floor and raised his hand to his eyes. "Your brother chose his own path Etmanckosset, there's nothing you could have done. Best thing to do with death is to put it behind you and move forward." We both sat there quiet for a sezura before I slapped him on the arm and said "Look on the bright side. We could all die in the next few mizuras and no one would ever know your brother was an asshole." He smiled and chuckled. "Thanks Terrel." Gu then came over and crouched down next to us.
"What are you two sissy Borons talking about?" I looked at him sarcastically. "We want to paint the ship green." I said. Both Gu and Etmanckosset laughed. "How you holdin up there Etmanckosset?" Gu asked. "Pretty well" he responded "besides my brother being dead over there I can't complain." Gu chuckled and said "Well here, a toast to remember him by." He took a drag off his weed and then passed it to Etmanckosset who looked at it curiously before taking a long drag. Me and Gu looked at each other and smiled as we watched Etmanckosset make funny faces before coughing uncontrollably. We both started to laugh. He tried handing it back to Gu who insisted he keep it. "Hows the terminal coming Hang?" "Should be good as new in the next few mizuras." I said. He stood up and went back to the captains chair while I got back to work.
I finished the terminal and packed up my tools before joining the rest of the team around the captains chair. "Something's not right" Gu said. "The Titan and Cent's are still in formation, now lagging more than 10 KM behind us."
"What the hell are they waiting for?" Fui said.
I looked at the gravidar and then back out the window towards the East gate. "They're driving us."
"What?" Fui said as he looked at me.
"They're driving us." I said again. "They're driving us towards the East gate. They want us to go where we're going." Gu slowly tilted his head back before saying "I think you're right. I got a bad feeling about this."
Apparently our employer felt the same way as Gu because the newly repaired ship comms crackled and came to life. "There's something going on here." he said. "Hang thinks they're driving us towards the East gate." Gu responded. "I think Hang's right. I'm handing over control of the ship to you Gu. If something happens we need to react fast. Slow your speed to match that of the Titans, that will buy us some time. I'm going to jump a Kestrel into Atreus's Clouds and see whats on the other side."
We waited as we drew ever closer to the East gate. We were about 6 KM away when the comms blared "CUT YOUR ENGINES! CUT THEM NOW!!"
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Personal Entry Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
Gu immediately brought us down to 0 m/s and our employer pulled right up along side us. The comms came online, "I'm going to transport a 200 MJ shield, my Jumpdrive and 100 energy cells over to you!" he said.
"What the hell is going on?" Gu asked. "We don't have time for explanations! I want you to jump to Seizewell and dock at the shipyard, you'll be safe there. Get the ship repaired and buy any 200 MJ shields the sector has available."
We just received the energy cells when a Hyperion came flying through the East gate, followed by an Agamemnon and a Deimos. "Holy hell..." Etmanckosset said as we all looked on in fear. Then came the flashes off the front of the Agamemnon and glowing yellow orbs came hurtling our way.
"IBL'S!!" Our employer shouted. "EVASIVE ACTION! AND START THE DAMN JUMP!!" We started moving again and Gu took us down and to the left, towards the North gate. But the Hyperion was closing too fast. CIG fire started pouring down on us and I could feel the ship shake as our starboard side took the beating. "EVERYONE STRAP IN!" Gu wailed.
"Jump device charging at 10%, 20"
Our shields were dropping rapidly and the ship was shaking violently. 'Damn this chick needs to count faster' I said to myself. "40". Our shields were nearly gone. Flashes of blue strobed into the bridge as I looked over to see Fui and Etmanckosset gripped with fear. So was I. This was it, we weren't going to make it. "50%" I looked over Gu's shoulder from the co pilot chair to see the last sliver of blue come off the shield gauge. "THIS IS CRAZY! WE'RE GOING TO DIE!!" Etmanckosset screamed. Just then, off the starboard side, I saw our employer fly his ship between ours and the Hyperion. "ALRIGHT!!" I shouted. But the final CIG rounds hit home and I could hear the grinding of metal. The ship rattled and moaned and our speed dropped abruptly to 23 m/s. Then came the list of components we had lost, but it was interrupted by the most beautiful word I have ever heard.
"Jumping..."
Arriving in Seizewell we had 26% hull integrity, no shields, no Duplex Scanner, no software of any kind and barely any rudder control. I saw Gu pull up a list of the ship extensions and the only thing I see, sitting pretty all by itself, is the Jumpdrive.
"HO LY CRAP!" I said.
"I can smell puke." Gu said, "we're alive". We all laughed, relieved that we had made it. I looked over to see the puddles in front of Etmanckosset and Fui. I couldn't blame them. I almost felt like I had to puke too. The thrill of being alive mixed with the terror of almost dying was just about overwhelming. I couldn't believe we had made it. It was probably one of the closest calls I have ever had. I leaned back and let out a long, exhausting sigh. I saw the others felt the same way, none of them very anxious to continue with the mission. We all sat still and relaxed for a moment, none of us speaking as we enjoyed the silence and tranquility of Seizwell.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
Gu immediately brought us down to 0 m/s and our employer pulled right up along side us. The comms came online, "I'm going to transport a 200 MJ shield, my Jumpdrive and 100 energy cells over to you!" he said.
"What the hell is going on?" Gu asked. "We don't have time for explanations! I want you to jump to Seizewell and dock at the shipyard, you'll be safe there. Get the ship repaired and buy any 200 MJ shields the sector has available."
We just received the energy cells when a Hyperion came flying through the East gate, followed by an Agamemnon and a Deimos. "Holy hell..." Etmanckosset said as we all looked on in fear. Then came the flashes off the front of the Agamemnon and glowing yellow orbs came hurtling our way.
"IBL'S!!" Our employer shouted. "EVASIVE ACTION! AND START THE DAMN JUMP!!" We started moving again and Gu took us down and to the left, towards the North gate. But the Hyperion was closing too fast. CIG fire started pouring down on us and I could feel the ship shake as our starboard side took the beating. "EVERYONE STRAP IN!" Gu wailed.
"Jump device charging at 10%, 20"
Our shields were dropping rapidly and the ship was shaking violently. 'Damn this chick needs to count faster' I said to myself. "40". Our shields were nearly gone. Flashes of blue strobed into the bridge as I looked over to see Fui and Etmanckosset gripped with fear. So was I. This was it, we weren't going to make it. "50%" I looked over Gu's shoulder from the co pilot chair to see the last sliver of blue come off the shield gauge. "THIS IS CRAZY! WE'RE GOING TO DIE!!" Etmanckosset screamed. Just then, off the starboard side, I saw our employer fly his ship between ours and the Hyperion. "ALRIGHT!!" I shouted. But the final CIG rounds hit home and I could hear the grinding of metal. The ship rattled and moaned and our speed dropped abruptly to 23 m/s. Then came the list of components we had lost, but it was interrupted by the most beautiful word I have ever heard.
"Jumping..."
Arriving in Seizewell we had 26% hull integrity, no shields, no Duplex Scanner, no software of any kind and barely any rudder control. I saw Gu pull up a list of the ship extensions and the only thing I see, sitting pretty all by itself, is the Jumpdrive.
"HO LY CRAP!" I said.
"I can smell puke." Gu said, "we're alive". We all laughed, relieved that we had made it. I looked over to see the puddles in front of Etmanckosset and Fui. I couldn't blame them. I almost felt like I had to puke too. The thrill of being alive mixed with the terror of almost dying was just about overwhelming. I couldn't believe we had made it. It was probably one of the closest calls I have ever had. I leaned back and let out a long, exhausting sigh. I saw the others felt the same way, none of them very anxious to continue with the mission. We all sat still and relaxed for a moment, none of us speaking as we enjoyed the silence and tranquility of Seizwell.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
-
X1000
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon, 22. Jun 09, 16:59
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Personal Entry Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I have always loved Seizwell, it's one of my favorite sectors to visit. I don't know the name of the planet but it's beautiful, a pristine blue pearl framed by the many asteroids found around it. There's something I have always liked about them, asteroids I mean. They seem very calming somehow and make me feel safe and grounded. If indeed you can feel grounded in space.
We had arrived at the North gate and about 45 KM from the shipyard. "Great." Fui said. "Traveling at 23 m/s it will only take us about a jazura to get there."
"What are you griping about?" Gu responded. "You're alive aren't ya? Start cleaning up your mess." He then started us on a course towards the shipyard and asked me to join him in the lower bridge. We walked down the steps and stood by the UV map table as he lit up some weed. He leaned with his elbows and forearms on the table and his head down. I could tell what he was thinking. "You think he made it?" I asked. He shrugged before looking at me and saying "Who knows. He's pulled us out of plenty of messes, I wouldn't put it past him." He took another drag of weed and looked back down at the table. "Though without a jumpdrive..." I sighed and said "Yeah." We stood there for a mizura, pondering the fate of our employer, each of us reading the others mind. I finally spoke. "If he really is dead that means we're free of all obligations." Gu looked at me sharply "I know what you're thinking and don't. There's only two avenue's for marines without an employer Terrel. I will not go back to rot in a military outpost for another four jazura's." He stood up straight, "And you know a marine can't hold a pilot license, or any kind of license for that matter. I refuse to be a pirate."
"What the hell do you think we've been doing all this time?" I said. "Following orders." He replied. "You know marines aren't tried for the crimes of their employers. And it's not exactly as if our employer is Yaki. He's in high standings with all the commonwealth."
"You mean he used to be. This little stunt probably hasn't landed him in the best of terms with the Argon and Paranid. If we're caught one of two things will happen: we'll be acquitted, dismissed and shipped back to the nearest military outpost or we'll be killed." I cocked my head downwards and to one side "Come on Gu, there's really only one option and you know it."
"You talk as if you already know he's dead." I looked at the floor. "I'm just thinking here. Weighing our options." I said. "You think too much. Don't get ahead of yourself. Right now we're going to the shipyard and then the equipment dock. Until we know otherwise we follow the last orders of our employer." I looked up at him and nodded. "Good." he said. He took a long drag and ground out his weed on the table before walking past me and back up to the bridge.
He was right of course and I knew it. I would rather be employed than be a pirate. It's no way to live. Constantly hunted, at war with not only the commonwealth but with other pirates as well. As if there aren't enough enemies out here already. Between the Xenon and the Khaak I'm surprised anyone even considers being a pirate at all. Although no one really wants to become a pirate I suppose, it's just something that happens. Low rent smugglers will often use taxi's and passenger liners to transport their goods. They hire out the pilot and load 5 - 10 of their fellow smugglers on board with cases filled with whatever illegal substance they happen to be dealing in. The ship gets scanned, the pilot get's scared and before he knows it he's a pirate. Sad, but it happens all the time. That's when it hit me. Although not common in the least, cloaking devices are probably one of the most taboo items in commonwealth space. We weren't exactly in an innocent looking vessel either. A Heavy Centaur Prototype in Teladi space with 26% hull and 4 marines on board. You'd pretty much have to be a complete idiot to not suspect something. But I knew there was nothing we could do. We would either get scanned or we wouldn't.
I walked back up to a now clean bridge and sat down in the co pilots chair again. Fui and Etmanckosset were getting along quite well it seemed as they were now discussing which race had the better females. When they started getting into specifics I stopped listening. Forget the rough skin and however many openings a Paranid female has. Give me a well rounded Argon or Terran woman any day.
Gu sat silent and stared out the window. I guess he had a lot on his mind. If our employer really was dead he had to decide what would happen to us, he was next in the line of command. He would also be the one to talk to the Teladi if we were scanned, and without our employer there to back it up they probably wouldn't buy the story. Too many responsibilities. Exactly why I never wanted to be a commander of a team. I had been offered the position several times and had once briefly been forced into it, but I never wanted the role. I got up and decided to start poking around the bridge a little.
Most of the small storage crates in the bridge were empty so I went back down the steps and behind the UV map table to the captains quarters. I opened the door to a mess. Things were everywhere which was no surprise. I scrounged around a bit and found some Argon intelligence and a few other odds and ends but nothing really all that interesting. A typical captains quarters, filled with charts and logs and some personal items. Though if it was truly a typical captains quarters there would be a bottle of spacefuel in the footlocker. I walked over and opened it and sure enough, as if it were some unwritten rule, there was a bottle. It was Black Label which meant it was either Argon or Terran. Terran's made the best spacefuel for sure. I don't know what it is but Terran Black Label is heads and tails above the rest. My people make some pretty decent stuff too but in my opinion it's not as good. I got a glass and poured myself a drink. I swirled it in my hand gently before raising it to my nose for a smell. I took a sip and felt a smile creep across my face. 'Definitely TBL' I said to myself.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I have always loved Seizwell, it's one of my favorite sectors to visit. I don't know the name of the planet but it's beautiful, a pristine blue pearl framed by the many asteroids found around it. There's something I have always liked about them, asteroids I mean. They seem very calming somehow and make me feel safe and grounded. If indeed you can feel grounded in space.
We had arrived at the North gate and about 45 KM from the shipyard. "Great." Fui said. "Traveling at 23 m/s it will only take us about a jazura to get there."
"What are you griping about?" Gu responded. "You're alive aren't ya? Start cleaning up your mess." He then started us on a course towards the shipyard and asked me to join him in the lower bridge. We walked down the steps and stood by the UV map table as he lit up some weed. He leaned with his elbows and forearms on the table and his head down. I could tell what he was thinking. "You think he made it?" I asked. He shrugged before looking at me and saying "Who knows. He's pulled us out of plenty of messes, I wouldn't put it past him." He took another drag of weed and looked back down at the table. "Though without a jumpdrive..." I sighed and said "Yeah." We stood there for a mizura, pondering the fate of our employer, each of us reading the others mind. I finally spoke. "If he really is dead that means we're free of all obligations." Gu looked at me sharply "I know what you're thinking and don't. There's only two avenue's for marines without an employer Terrel. I will not go back to rot in a military outpost for another four jazura's." He stood up straight, "And you know a marine can't hold a pilot license, or any kind of license for that matter. I refuse to be a pirate."
"What the hell do you think we've been doing all this time?" I said. "Following orders." He replied. "You know marines aren't tried for the crimes of their employers. And it's not exactly as if our employer is Yaki. He's in high standings with all the commonwealth."
"You mean he used to be. This little stunt probably hasn't landed him in the best of terms with the Argon and Paranid. If we're caught one of two things will happen: we'll be acquitted, dismissed and shipped back to the nearest military outpost or we'll be killed." I cocked my head downwards and to one side "Come on Gu, there's really only one option and you know it."
"You talk as if you already know he's dead." I looked at the floor. "I'm just thinking here. Weighing our options." I said. "You think too much. Don't get ahead of yourself. Right now we're going to the shipyard and then the equipment dock. Until we know otherwise we follow the last orders of our employer." I looked up at him and nodded. "Good." he said. He took a long drag and ground out his weed on the table before walking past me and back up to the bridge.
He was right of course and I knew it. I would rather be employed than be a pirate. It's no way to live. Constantly hunted, at war with not only the commonwealth but with other pirates as well. As if there aren't enough enemies out here already. Between the Xenon and the Khaak I'm surprised anyone even considers being a pirate at all. Although no one really wants to become a pirate I suppose, it's just something that happens. Low rent smugglers will often use taxi's and passenger liners to transport their goods. They hire out the pilot and load 5 - 10 of their fellow smugglers on board with cases filled with whatever illegal substance they happen to be dealing in. The ship gets scanned, the pilot get's scared and before he knows it he's a pirate. Sad, but it happens all the time. That's when it hit me. Although not common in the least, cloaking devices are probably one of the most taboo items in commonwealth space. We weren't exactly in an innocent looking vessel either. A Heavy Centaur Prototype in Teladi space with 26% hull and 4 marines on board. You'd pretty much have to be a complete idiot to not suspect something. But I knew there was nothing we could do. We would either get scanned or we wouldn't.
I walked back up to a now clean bridge and sat down in the co pilots chair again. Fui and Etmanckosset were getting along quite well it seemed as they were now discussing which race had the better females. When they started getting into specifics I stopped listening. Forget the rough skin and however many openings a Paranid female has. Give me a well rounded Argon or Terran woman any day.
Gu sat silent and stared out the window. I guess he had a lot on his mind. If our employer really was dead he had to decide what would happen to us, he was next in the line of command. He would also be the one to talk to the Teladi if we were scanned, and without our employer there to back it up they probably wouldn't buy the story. Too many responsibilities. Exactly why I never wanted to be a commander of a team. I had been offered the position several times and had once briefly been forced into it, but I never wanted the role. I got up and decided to start poking around the bridge a little.
Most of the small storage crates in the bridge were empty so I went back down the steps and behind the UV map table to the captains quarters. I opened the door to a mess. Things were everywhere which was no surprise. I scrounged around a bit and found some Argon intelligence and a few other odds and ends but nothing really all that interesting. A typical captains quarters, filled with charts and logs and some personal items. Though if it was truly a typical captains quarters there would be a bottle of spacefuel in the footlocker. I walked over and opened it and sure enough, as if it were some unwritten rule, there was a bottle. It was Black Label which meant it was either Argon or Terran. Terran's made the best spacefuel for sure. I don't know what it is but Terran Black Label is heads and tails above the rest. My people make some pretty decent stuff too but in my opinion it's not as good. I got a glass and poured myself a drink. I swirled it in my hand gently before raising it to my nose for a smell. I took a sip and felt a smile creep across my face. 'Definitely TBL' I said to myself.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
-
X1000
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon, 22. Jun 09, 16:59
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Haha flat tire. I rather dislike all the New Belgium beers. I go for Goose Island brewed in Chicago.X1000 wrote:Heheheh very funny!
One thing, Terrans dont make SpaceFuel. They make Beer!Flat Tire to be exact.
I always considered spacefuel to be something like whiskey so that's how I portray it in the story. Planet Earth has got to have the best whiskey
I also want to thank the readers who continue to keep up with the story. It's my first experience in storytelling literature so I know there are errors and what not. My thanks to SOTS (Siege is great) for the initial compliment and X1000 for posting after nearly every post I make haha.
Thanks again to the readers. Much more to come.
-
SOTS
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Sat, 25. Mar 06, 12:52
I'm still reading 
And I agree - Earth has some damn fine whiskies.
IMO, if this is your first story, you're doing very well. Siege was my first long story, though I had written a couple of short stories before it (thanks for the compliment to Siege by the way
), and when I looked back at the first few chapters I wrote I cringed a little bit at the way it was written, how stilted the dialogue was, etc. That was the reason for the partial rewrite of it I did, to address little grammatical quirks and the odd spelling error (pretty much the only word I spelled wrong was 'manoeuvres,' but I misspelled it EVERY. TIME. ).
Anyway, to summarise, I'll give whatever advice I can, if you want it, but I think you're doing quite well enough without it
And I agree - Earth has some damn fine whiskies. IMO, if this is your first story, you're doing very well. Siege was my first long story, though I had written a couple of short stories before it (thanks for the compliment to Siege by the way
), and when I looked back at the first few chapters I wrote I cringed a little bit at the way it was written, how stilted the dialogue was, etc. That was the reason for the partial rewrite of it I did, to address little grammatical quirks and the odd spelling error (pretty much the only word I spelled wrong was 'manoeuvres,' but I misspelled it EVERY. TIME. ). Anyway, to summarise, I'll give whatever advice I can, if you want it, but I think you're doing quite well enough without it
-
Killjaeden
- Posts: 5366
- Joined: Sun, 3. Sep 06, 18:19
Yeah, good stuff, keep it coming 
[ external image ]
X-Tended TC Mod Team Veteran.
Modeller of X3AP Split Acinonyx, Split Drake, Argon Lotan, Teladi Tern. My current work:
![[ external image ]](http://abload.de/img/xprivateersplitsignatr4qch.jpg){kind=link}
X-Tended TC Mod Team Veteran.
Modeller of X3AP Split Acinonyx, Split Drake, Argon Lotan, Teladi Tern. My current work:
-
X1000
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon, 22. Jun 09, 16:59
H E X E N wrote:Haha flat tire. I rather dislike all the New Belgium beers. I go for Goose Island brewed in Chicago.
Spacefuel is cheap Argon Whiskey if you read its description.H E X E N wrote:I always considered spacefuel to be something like whiskey so that's how I portray it in the story. Planet Earth has got to have the best whiskey
So i wonder if the Argon are the lost brothers of the Terran, is Spacefuel the lost brother of beer! 
'Thank the readers'? We outta thank you, its a great story. To see the life through a Marine point of veiw.H E X E N wrote:I also want to thank the readers who continue to keep up with the story. It's my first experience in storytelling literature so I know there are errors and what not. My thanks to SOTS (Siege is great) for the initial compliment and X1000 for posting after nearly every post I make haha.
Seige is great.
I am Stocking you!
-
X1000
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon, 22. Jun 09, 16:59
You also spelt 'Lieutenant' 'Leftent'SOTS wrote:I'm still reading
to address little grammatical quirks and the odd spelling error (pretty much the only word I spelled wrong was 'manoeuvres,' but I misspelled it EVERY. TIME.
Kinda like how i just mispelled spelt. and misspeeled! i did it again! ahhh!
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Personal Entry Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I woke up to see Fui standing in the doorway. "Here he is!" he yelled over his shoulder before looking at me sarcastically. "You Argons are the biggest addicts. Just look at you, strung out in the captains chair, drunk off your ass..."
"Shove it Fui. Don't you have something better to do than bug me?"
"Actually no. Gu wants everyone up in the bridge for dock. We're about 10 KM from the shipyard."
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stood up and stretched. "Had yourself a long little nap there huh princess?" I was about ready to tell him to piss off when I heard Gu's voice echo down from the bridge. "Don't let him give you any crap Hang. He fell asleep too. Bring the bottle up with you." I smirked at Fui before grabbing the TBL and walking out the door.
I got to the bridge and stood over Gu's shoulder. "What you got there Hang, anythin good?" "Only the best." I replied. "TBL" I handed him the bottle and he took a swig before handing it to Etmanckosset who took a swig and handed it to Fui. "So whats new?" I said. Gu began talking over his shoulder, "Well we're almost there as you can see, we havn't been scanned so that's a bit of good luck and something else." He turned the chair around to face me. "About two mizuras ago me and Etmanckosset saw a Heavy Centaur dock at the shipyard. It was too far away to get an ID and we don't know if it's a proto or not but it did beat us here from the South gate judging from it's approach vector." I looked out the window at the ship yard. "Hell, anything could beat us here." I said. "True" he replied "But it did look like it was flying fast. Faster than 115 m/s anyways." He was of course referring to the max speed on the normal HC. "Interesting." I replied. "In any case, we'll know when we arrive" he said as he turned the chair back around.
We lumbered along, watching gradually as the shipyard filled our entire field of view. "I hope this place has a bar." Fui said. Gu opened comms with the interactive computer and requested to dock. "Please dock as soon as you get green position lights." "Thanks asshole" Gu said to a dead comm. We all chuckled. He brought us in smooth, lights flashing evenly on both the starboard and port sides. He decreased speed and with a thud we were docked. Gu flipped the comms off before the computer could extend it's greeting. "Aww come on Gu, talk to the poor ol toaster." I said. He grunted and immediately pulled up a list of docked ships. "That's an HCP alright" He turned the chair around and smiled "and one that only has 600 MJ of shielding." I laughed. "Sonofa bitch." I said. "This will be one hell of a story." Gu turned the chair back around and pulled up the comms list. He scrolled down and then back up before saying "He's not here."
"What do you mean he's not here?" Fui asked. Gu leaned back in the chair with a thud and waved his hand at the screen "Just that. The ship was remoted in." We all sat there silent, wondering what could have happened. I didn't know what to think or say, no one did. We all just sat there. Finally Gu sighed and stood up. "OK. I'm goin to walk over to the other ship, see what I can find out. Hang, you get on the comms and contract the shipyard for repairs. Also, keep an eye on the docking list. I want to know when ships land and leave. Fui and Etmanckosset, go find out from any of the station personnel if our employer was ever here or even made contact." We nodded in confirmation as he turned and walked down the steps. I got up and took his place in the chair as Fui and Etmanckosset turned to follow him, "Don't think you're walking off with that TBL Fui. Hand it over Split." He turned and tossed it to me without stopping. "I don't like that rancid garbage anyway." he said with a smile. "Later Terrel" Etmanckosset said.
So here I was, all by myself with only a bottle of TBL to keep me company. I contracted the shipyard and they got to work so I just pulled up the docking list and relaxed. I looked over and saw Etmanckosset had removed his brothers body and had cleaned up the blood. I took my knife out and began to thumb the blade, replaying the event in my head. I chuckled as I thought of all the advanced weaponry out there, PBE's, CIG's, Remote Guided Warheads, Plasma Blasters, IBL's, Ion D's, Hornets, Disintegrator Rifles, Firestorm Torpedoes. What ended up saving our ass? A piece of metal with a handle on it. I chuckled again as I put it away, remembering my studies of Earth and of the warriors of old who fought with nothing but their bare hands and sword. I leaned my head back and rolled my eyes over the interior of the ship. 'How far we have come for nothing to have changed but the sword.' I thought. I looked back out the window to see the repair drones going to work. I watched as they scuttled about the hull, hovering meticulously over one spot before moving to another. I got up, realizing I had left my glass down in the captains quarters. I was the only person besides our employer who had enough respect for spacefuel to actually pour it before drinking. You don't get the taste from just pulling from the bottle like all the rest of the savages.
Returning to the bridge I sat down and poured another drink, again swirling it in my hand before taking a sip. 'Ahhh can't be beat' I said to myself. I then saw that a Kestrel had docked while I was away. I pulled up the comms list and saw there was a new contact, Ionis Meddrall, our employer.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I woke up to see Fui standing in the doorway. "Here he is!" he yelled over his shoulder before looking at me sarcastically. "You Argons are the biggest addicts. Just look at you, strung out in the captains chair, drunk off your ass..."
"Shove it Fui. Don't you have something better to do than bug me?"
"Actually no. Gu wants everyone up in the bridge for dock. We're about 10 KM from the shipyard."
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stood up and stretched. "Had yourself a long little nap there huh princess?" I was about ready to tell him to piss off when I heard Gu's voice echo down from the bridge. "Don't let him give you any crap Hang. He fell asleep too. Bring the bottle up with you." I smirked at Fui before grabbing the TBL and walking out the door.
I got to the bridge and stood over Gu's shoulder. "What you got there Hang, anythin good?" "Only the best." I replied. "TBL" I handed him the bottle and he took a swig before handing it to Etmanckosset who took a swig and handed it to Fui. "So whats new?" I said. Gu began talking over his shoulder, "Well we're almost there as you can see, we havn't been scanned so that's a bit of good luck and something else." He turned the chair around to face me. "About two mizuras ago me and Etmanckosset saw a Heavy Centaur dock at the shipyard. It was too far away to get an ID and we don't know if it's a proto or not but it did beat us here from the South gate judging from it's approach vector." I looked out the window at the ship yard. "Hell, anything could beat us here." I said. "True" he replied "But it did look like it was flying fast. Faster than 115 m/s anyways." He was of course referring to the max speed on the normal HC. "Interesting." I replied. "In any case, we'll know when we arrive" he said as he turned the chair back around.
We lumbered along, watching gradually as the shipyard filled our entire field of view. "I hope this place has a bar." Fui said. Gu opened comms with the interactive computer and requested to dock. "Please dock as soon as you get green position lights." "Thanks asshole" Gu said to a dead comm. We all chuckled. He brought us in smooth, lights flashing evenly on both the starboard and port sides. He decreased speed and with a thud we were docked. Gu flipped the comms off before the computer could extend it's greeting. "Aww come on Gu, talk to the poor ol toaster." I said. He grunted and immediately pulled up a list of docked ships. "That's an HCP alright" He turned the chair around and smiled "and one that only has 600 MJ of shielding." I laughed. "Sonofa bitch." I said. "This will be one hell of a story." Gu turned the chair back around and pulled up the comms list. He scrolled down and then back up before saying "He's not here."
"What do you mean he's not here?" Fui asked. Gu leaned back in the chair with a thud and waved his hand at the screen "Just that. The ship was remoted in." We all sat there silent, wondering what could have happened. I didn't know what to think or say, no one did. We all just sat there. Finally Gu sighed and stood up. "OK. I'm goin to walk over to the other ship, see what I can find out. Hang, you get on the comms and contract the shipyard for repairs. Also, keep an eye on the docking list. I want to know when ships land and leave. Fui and Etmanckosset, go find out from any of the station personnel if our employer was ever here or even made contact." We nodded in confirmation as he turned and walked down the steps. I got up and took his place in the chair as Fui and Etmanckosset turned to follow him, "Don't think you're walking off with that TBL Fui. Hand it over Split." He turned and tossed it to me without stopping. "I don't like that rancid garbage anyway." he said with a smile. "Later Terrel" Etmanckosset said.
So here I was, all by myself with only a bottle of TBL to keep me company. I contracted the shipyard and they got to work so I just pulled up the docking list and relaxed. I looked over and saw Etmanckosset had removed his brothers body and had cleaned up the blood. I took my knife out and began to thumb the blade, replaying the event in my head. I chuckled as I thought of all the advanced weaponry out there, PBE's, CIG's, Remote Guided Warheads, Plasma Blasters, IBL's, Ion D's, Hornets, Disintegrator Rifles, Firestorm Torpedoes. What ended up saving our ass? A piece of metal with a handle on it. I chuckled again as I put it away, remembering my studies of Earth and of the warriors of old who fought with nothing but their bare hands and sword. I leaned my head back and rolled my eyes over the interior of the ship. 'How far we have come for nothing to have changed but the sword.' I thought. I looked back out the window to see the repair drones going to work. I watched as they scuttled about the hull, hovering meticulously over one spot before moving to another. I got up, realizing I had left my glass down in the captains quarters. I was the only person besides our employer who had enough respect for spacefuel to actually pour it before drinking. You don't get the taste from just pulling from the bottle like all the rest of the savages.
Returning to the bridge I sat down and poured another drink, again swirling it in my hand before taking a sip. 'Ahhh can't be beat' I said to myself. I then saw that a Kestrel had docked while I was away. I pulled up the comms list and saw there was a new contact, Ionis Meddrall, our employer.
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
-
X1000
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon, 22. Jun 09, 16:59
-
H E X E N
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Tue, 19. May 09, 17:35
Personal Entry Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I walked into the station atrium and saw the rest of the team crowded around our employer. I could tell Gu was relieved, most likely thrilled he didn't have to call the shots anymore. I stood back for a moment and watched them all. As our employer talked I saw their faces change from excitement to disbelief. Fui just shook his head and jabbed Etmanckosset as if to say "I told you so." I smiled. It felt good to know we had direction again. I was glad Ionis was alive. I walked up behind him, "Glad to see you could join us." I said. He turned around with a serious look on his face and we stared at each other. A few sezuras passed before we both started smiling and shook hands, "Good to see you again Hang. Glad you boys made it." He took a deep breath and looked over our faces and especially at Etmanckosset before saying "Well, lets go relax for a mizura. Drinks on me."
I'll write what I can about Ionis, I know more than most but thats still not a lot. Ionis Meddrall, formerly known as Neil Karreth, was an Earth baby born and raised. He joined the Terran military young and left young, something about not liking how the system operated. He had participated in the defense of Heretics End in the 'Battle of Teltriath' named after the commander who lead the Terran forces. Teltriath used Ionis's wing as bait under the guise of poor intelligence. It worked, but at a cost, as Ionis was the only survivor. When he found out a few days later he punched her in the face which she didn't take all that well and immediately had him court marshaled. But before he could stand trial he disappeared along with his Sabre. In his locker they found twice the ships worth in credits, his uniform along with all of his medals and his resignation. He has since not dealt with Terran forces. From Heretics End he traveled south and took odd jobs in the surrounding Argon and Teladi sectors. The Teladi especially warmed to him because of his knack for killing "problems" their business practices seem to create. He also dabbled in trade and helped supply several stations in Grand Exchange and Merchant Haven during a ware shortage at the time. Before long he was summoned to PTNI Headquarters and bestowed the rank of Company Director. He supposedly declined an offer by Chairman Ceo himself to join the Board of Directors, but none the less still sits very high among the Teladi people and is always received with welcome in their sectors. Shortly after the offer for the Board of Directors position he began flying West into Split territories and received immediate praise. His spontaneous help in the Battle of Rothdar against the Boron in Family Whi earned him enormous respect. He has since dwelt mostly in Split territories, trading lightly where he could and helping where his services are required. He is received graciously by all the high families of the Split Dynasty and given free roam across their sectors as well as a considerable jazural payment for his execution of high priority and shadow op missions, one of which I mentioned before. I do not know his current rank among the Split but I assume it is rather high. His standings with the other races are not as amiable but still in fairly good standings, or at least they were. Beyond his history he's extremely crafty, can steal almost anything and is one hell of a pilot. He's calm, collected and extremely intelligent but also often extremely blunt and right to the point, leaving no room for speculation. He prefers to be left alone and as such dwells mostly in the shadows and off the record, away from big business, events, military and government action. He's no pirate, but he's not exactly the spitting image his record makes him out to be either. He is an asshole sometimes and has most likely rubbed everyone he's met the wrong way at some point or another but he's loyal and can be trusted which I guess evens it out. This is about all I know of our employer.
The bar we ended up in was poorly lit as is the Teladi fashion. Smoke hovered in halo's around the lights and neon signs glowed through the haze. It was relatively quiet and uncrowded, a few unsavory characters sat at the bar but that was about it. We all sat at a table kind of tucked away in the corner and sent Etmanckosset to fill our orders. When he returned our employer began to speak. "Well, I'm sure you're all wondering how I made it so I'll tell the story in full. With that said if you all shut up and don't interrupt me we'll get through this a lot faster and we can all get some much needed rest. We have a big day tomorrow." He smiled and took a long pull from his mug before he began.
"Before I transferred any equipment over to you I had already ordered the Kestrel that I used to scan Atreus' Clouds to jump to the North gate of The Hole. About three mizuras after you had jumped, the Kestrel reached my position. I had cut up the center of the Paranid and Argon forces but I knew I couldn't outrun the Hyperion. It was right behind me and chewing away my shields fast. Therefore as soon as the kestrel came within range I transferred it's jumpdrive over to my ship and transferred myself to the Kestrel. I then plotted a jump for my HCP to the South gate of Seizewell and sped off in the Kestrel towards the North gate." Etmanckosset started to speak but Ionis put up his hand and started again.
"I knew there was nowhere to go once I entered Antigone Memorial as it's surrounded by an endless loop of Argon sectors. I therefor overshot the North gate and remained in The Hole, traveling Northward into empty space." I smiled then, suddenly realizing how our employer had made it. "However the Paranid and Argon fell for my ruse and had assumed I went through the North gate. The Paranid forces continued to pursue and ended up traveling through the gate a few mizura's later while the Argon Titan had turned and started heading towards Herron's Nebula. I patiently waited and then made a wide arc back southwards and jumped through the East gate into Atreus' Clouds. From there I went to Farnhams Legend and circled around through Pirate Alley before hitting Thuruk's Beard. From there I went West into Company Pride and from there traveled Northwards until I hit Seizewell." He then sat back and took a long drink from his mug, acting as if the story he had told was no big deal and that anyone in a similar situation would have done the same.
I just smiled and shook my head. "You sonofa bitch." I said. "I knew you were crafty but damn." Etmanckosset just looked at him in disbelief and Fui chuckled as he leaned back with his mug. "Why didn't you just transfer the jumpdrive and leave the Kestrel?" Gu asked. "It's not as if Kestrels are in short supply or all that expensive. Why risk your life?" Ionis finished his drink and set it down before looking at Gu. "I like that Kestrel." We all laughed as we looked on our employer with a new respect. "You're one crazy bastard." I said. He looked at me, "This coming from a guy that jumps out of airlocks for a living?" I smiled and nodded as he stood up and put his hand on my shoulder. He looked at us all before saying "Finish up here and head back to OUR HCP. Get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow."
End Log: - Terrel Hang -
Race: - Argon
Status: - Active
Rank: - Lieutenant - Second in command
I walked into the station atrium and saw the rest of the team crowded around our employer. I could tell Gu was relieved, most likely thrilled he didn't have to call the shots anymore. I stood back for a moment and watched them all. As our employer talked I saw their faces change from excitement to disbelief. Fui just shook his head and jabbed Etmanckosset as if to say "I told you so." I smiled. It felt good to know we had direction again. I was glad Ionis was alive. I walked up behind him, "Glad to see you could join us." I said. He turned around with a serious look on his face and we stared at each other. A few sezuras passed before we both started smiling and shook hands, "Good to see you again Hang. Glad you boys made it." He took a deep breath and looked over our faces and especially at Etmanckosset before saying "Well, lets go relax for a mizura. Drinks on me."
I'll write what I can about Ionis, I know more than most but thats still not a lot. Ionis Meddrall, formerly known as Neil Karreth, was an Earth baby born and raised. He joined the Terran military young and left young, something about not liking how the system operated. He had participated in the defense of Heretics End in the 'Battle of Teltriath' named after the commander who lead the Terran forces. Teltriath used Ionis's wing as bait under the guise of poor intelligence. It worked, but at a cost, as Ionis was the only survivor. When he found out a few days later he punched her in the face which she didn't take all that well and immediately had him court marshaled. But before he could stand trial he disappeared along with his Sabre. In his locker they found twice the ships worth in credits, his uniform along with all of his medals and his resignation. He has since not dealt with Terran forces. From Heretics End he traveled south and took odd jobs in the surrounding Argon and Teladi sectors. The Teladi especially warmed to him because of his knack for killing "problems" their business practices seem to create. He also dabbled in trade and helped supply several stations in Grand Exchange and Merchant Haven during a ware shortage at the time. Before long he was summoned to PTNI Headquarters and bestowed the rank of Company Director. He supposedly declined an offer by Chairman Ceo himself to join the Board of Directors, but none the less still sits very high among the Teladi people and is always received with welcome in their sectors. Shortly after the offer for the Board of Directors position he began flying West into Split territories and received immediate praise. His spontaneous help in the Battle of Rothdar against the Boron in Family Whi earned him enormous respect. He has since dwelt mostly in Split territories, trading lightly where he could and helping where his services are required. He is received graciously by all the high families of the Split Dynasty and given free roam across their sectors as well as a considerable jazural payment for his execution of high priority and shadow op missions, one of which I mentioned before. I do not know his current rank among the Split but I assume it is rather high. His standings with the other races are not as amiable but still in fairly good standings, or at least they were. Beyond his history he's extremely crafty, can steal almost anything and is one hell of a pilot. He's calm, collected and extremely intelligent but also often extremely blunt and right to the point, leaving no room for speculation. He prefers to be left alone and as such dwells mostly in the shadows and off the record, away from big business, events, military and government action. He's no pirate, but he's not exactly the spitting image his record makes him out to be either. He is an asshole sometimes and has most likely rubbed everyone he's met the wrong way at some point or another but he's loyal and can be trusted which I guess evens it out. This is about all I know of our employer.
The bar we ended up in was poorly lit as is the Teladi fashion. Smoke hovered in halo's around the lights and neon signs glowed through the haze. It was relatively quiet and uncrowded, a few unsavory characters sat at the bar but that was about it. We all sat at a table kind of tucked away in the corner and sent Etmanckosset to fill our orders. When he returned our employer began to speak. "Well, I'm sure you're all wondering how I made it so I'll tell the story in full. With that said if you all shut up and don't interrupt me we'll get through this a lot faster and we can all get some much needed rest. We have a big day tomorrow." He smiled and took a long pull from his mug before he began.
"Before I transferred any equipment over to you I had already ordered the Kestrel that I used to scan Atreus' Clouds to jump to the North gate of The Hole. About three mizuras after you had jumped, the Kestrel reached my position. I had cut up the center of the Paranid and Argon forces but I knew I couldn't outrun the Hyperion. It was right behind me and chewing away my shields fast. Therefore as soon as the kestrel came within range I transferred it's jumpdrive over to my ship and transferred myself to the Kestrel. I then plotted a jump for my HCP to the South gate of Seizewell and sped off in the Kestrel towards the North gate." Etmanckosset started to speak but Ionis put up his hand and started again.
"I knew there was nowhere to go once I entered Antigone Memorial as it's surrounded by an endless loop of Argon sectors. I therefor overshot the North gate and remained in The Hole, traveling Northward into empty space." I smiled then, suddenly realizing how our employer had made it. "However the Paranid and Argon fell for my ruse and had assumed I went through the North gate. The Paranid forces continued to pursue and ended up traveling through the gate a few mizura's later while the Argon Titan had turned and started heading towards Herron's Nebula. I patiently waited and then made a wide arc back southwards and jumped through the East gate into Atreus' Clouds. From there I went to Farnhams Legend and circled around through Pirate Alley before hitting Thuruk's Beard. From there I went West into Company Pride and from there traveled Northwards until I hit Seizewell." He then sat back and took a long drink from his mug, acting as if the story he had told was no big deal and that anyone in a similar situation would have done the same.
I just smiled and shook my head. "You sonofa bitch." I said. "I knew you were crafty but damn." Etmanckosset just looked at him in disbelief and Fui chuckled as he leaned back with his mug. "Why didn't you just transfer the jumpdrive and leave the Kestrel?" Gu asked. "It's not as if Kestrels are in short supply or all that expensive. Why risk your life?" Ionis finished his drink and set it down before looking at Gu. "I like that Kestrel." We all laughed as we looked on our employer with a new respect. "You're one crazy bastard." I said. He looked at me, "This coming from a guy that jumps out of airlocks for a living?" I smiled and nodded as he stood up and put his hand on my shoulder. He looked at us all before saying "Finish up here and head back to OUR HCP. Get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow."
End Log: - Terrel Hang -