PARIAH: AP Peace keeper start. (DID)

[Sabrina Bergin]

There was a voice in the darkness that drew him from where he knew not it reached into him as a force that could not be denied. He was restrained he struggled to free himself tearing aside the shadows heedless of the harm he wrought both to himself and those who sought to keep him in darkness. Instead he reached out to the beacon that filled his senses and gave him hope.
The room was dimly lit yet still the muted lighting hurt it took a moment for me to recognise Xarrisse who sat in quiet slumber near my side. I was safe I realised but my thoughts were filled with dread. "Where is Bekka" I whispered surprised at the effort those few words cost me.

Xarrisse heard my words and took my hand "Your lady and your son are safe Kert I have kept my promises to you she comes".

I slipped back into sleep for a time I could not encompass till I felt her presence she was the beacon that had brought me back from that darkness I reached for her hand fearing that this was delusion till I had her hand in mine.

"Bekka" I whispered at her touch unable to speak further as I felt her love wash over me like a balm healing those hurts I had not perceived by her very presence it was enough I was home.

"What's wrong" Bekka demanded as Kert slipped away from her.

"He sleeps Rebekka no more his injuries are severe yet his awareness of you gives us hope that he will recover" Xarrissse answered.

"There are however questions I would ask of you Bekka Kert is not as other men I have seen that which I do not understand and that gives me cause for concern".

Bekka could not evade the question implicit in Xarrsses words. "This was done to him without his consent first by the terrens then by the Argon he has been much abused Xarrisse but still he is himself and it is this that he held true to himself that first gained my respect and then my love. Do not be frightened by him Xarrisse in his heart he is a true patriot for our people despite what they have done to him".

Xarrisse gave much thought to Bekkas's words that she loved her chosen was without doubt she had born him a son.
Xarrisse left them alone being joined by her husband just beyond the room where Kert was being treated limited though that care was.

"He endures then" Ch t'nn noted concerned at the worry his lady's face bore seldom had he seen her so troubled.

"He lives but not thanks to our aid I am worried husband that in aiding him I bring danger to our people possibly to all the races".

"When was it ever not thus beloved act with honour and as your heart dictates whatever you will you have my trust".

Xarrisse was humbled by her beloveds words and saw the plain truth in them she owed much to this man Dannar not least that of the lives of herself and her family she would not turn aside from him now in his moment of need no matter the cost.

"As ever you speak words of wisdom and shame me for doubting myself ward him and his lady husband we are indebted to him without question and for a moment I forgot that".

"None shall intrude upon them" Che t'nn promised giving her a rare smile indicating his approval of her decision.

Xarrisse glanced out the view port where his ship waited indifferent to attempts to move it away from the station allowing none access to it after they had recovered Kert. Again she began to doubt herself but her husbands words gave her the strength to honour her promises to the man for good or ill she would hold true to herself in this she would not make of her life a falsehood by ignoring the debts she had incurred.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Kerts recovery was rapid astonishing those who were tasked to treat him Xarrisse felt that his recovery was due as much to his ladies presence as anything else. So it was she found her self waiting for them in her own rooms. Her Guards admitted them and she was taken aback by the change a few days had wrought in him. He walked easily at his ladies side this was not the man she had seen hovering at deaths door so short a time before. Her Technicians had made much of his recovery and had seen the means of it nanites that whilst they were known and used the ones that ran through this mans veins made them seem primitive in comparison.


"Kert you seem much recovered please take a seat would you or your lady care for refreshment".

Kert accepted the coffee her servant placed before him Bekka asking for water only.

"there is much I would know of your journey Kert"

"There is much to tell Xarrisse the jump was unplanned and I found myself in an unknown sector my ship badly damaged I saw a xenon it scanned me and the ship then moved on allowing me time to explore the sector I found myself in. It was a graveyard Xarrisse that is the best I can describe it I saw the shattered remnants of what I think was the first Xenon fleet I felt it was almost a sacred place to the Xenon they kept back at first leaving me time to explore it but then they came in numbers I could not count they must have decided then I was alien they attacked me relentlessly whilst I struggled to repair the jump drive to be honest I almost gave up at that point, till I remembered I had made my lady a promise".

Bejkka grasped his hand at his words her love for him clear in her eyes.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Kert spoke frankly of all that he had seen in that strange sector not least of which had been the Xenon mother ship itself. Xarrisse did not miss the awe he had felt in that things presence perhaps she considered that that part of him that was xenon tech coloured his perception of it, a point he readily admitted might be true.

His open manner and the ease with which he answered her questions did much to alleviate her fears of and for him. He was happy to grant her technicians access to the ship and sent a transmission to it to order it to lower its shields so that they might begin making repairs. She had no doubt he knew her people would take advantage of the access he granted to investigate the ship thoroughly yet his unconcern at this gave her hope that he was himself.

"So what now Kert" Xarrisse asked

"First I have to go back to lost order so that Ho t'sht might recover the data the ship acquired that will fulfil the promises I have made to Rhonkar after that we will return to our lives to protect our own and the peoples of the commonwealth".

"Your words give me hope for you then Kert I will have your ship repaired till then I ask that you avail yourselves of what comforts my father house posses. Rebekka if there is aught you need to see to the comfort of your child please call on me".

"I will" Bekka replied "and I would ask you to be present at his naming in Elena's Fortune. Too long have Kert's parents awaited this moment I would have you there at our side as a true friend".

"You honour me with your words Bekka but I am Yaki to travel to Argon space would prove difficult".

"Kert has friends in high places Xarrisse he will ensure such a journey would be untroubled and perhaps give you a chance to demonstrate that the Yaki are not pirates but rather a proud people deserving of recognition".

Xarrisse was stunned by the words Bekka spoke that looked to her fathers greatest hopes for his people to be recognised as a nation hiding no more from the gaze of others or to be hunted unjustly.

"Then I would be honoured to attend bekka but it must be with my lords consent".

"I was rather hoping your Lord father would join you as our guest Xarrisse"

"I will forward your invitation Kert but do not guarantee his acceptance he would be a target for our many foes beyond Yaki space" Xarrisse warned.

[Sabrina Bergin]

The ceremony at the small chapel in the settlement where I had been born did not go unnoticed by the media the population doubled overnight when they learnt of my visit and the reason for it. What they did not see were the meetings with Ban Dannar and Hilan Tagar that were made aboard the Argon one making a rare journey beyond Argon prime. The Celenteree did however invite much speculation as it orbited my home world escorted by wary sector defence forces. Xarrisse especially attracted the attention of the media when she made her appearance at the space port her beauty and air of mystery made her the focus of much speculation which she did nothing to dispel I got the impression she was enjoying herself under the medias gaze and I told her as much when we met after the christening.

"Of course I am Kert, rare it is to be the centre of attention and whilst the cameras are fixed on me they are turned aside from the presence of my father who speaks with the leaders of the Argon and other races this was the reason you invited us here was it not".

I could not refute her words it was my hope and I think her fathers that recognition of the Yaki as a nation would end the races view of them as outcasts they had great potential and we could learn much from them.

"So this is all just an act on your part Xarrisse".

"Of course it is Kert though I admit to being flattered at the attention I ever serve my people and my father which leads me to ask what you will do next you bring changes to the verse that give my father hope what other changes do you plan".

"I have no plans Xarrisse beyond speaking to Ho t'sht and completing the promise I made to Rhonkar".

"Then I shall join you on your journey Kert my father has taken an interest in your actions seeing that whilst you might wish otherwise you impact on all the races and he would be aware of what you do".

"You mean you intend to spy on me" I asked.

"That is a harsh description Kert let us say rather that my father would be aware of what you do as in as much it affects my people".

That was putting it plain enough and I had no doubt Xarrisse would be dogging my steps in the days ahead. "Then I may as well tell you that tomorrow I go to lost order and then home Xarrise you are welcome to join me though I caution you it may be you find it boring".

"I doubt that Kert Dannar. Now let us dally no more where is your Lady it is she and Joren I came to see not you".

I could not help but laugh t her directness and led her through to the patio where Joran was cradled in my mothers arms whilst Bekka looked on with joy in her eyes.

My father was starled by Xaririsse's presence and seemed unsure how to address her till she offered him her hand and assured her that she might call her by her given name.

My father seemed pleased at Xarrisse's easy manner but he gave me a look that told me clearly that he would speak with me. There was nothing I would have hidden in this company so I told him to speak his mind.

"Your people came here Kert they offered to take us to a place you have made your home they said we would be safe there but we can't go Kert we have our friends here we thought we had lost you once and it is our friends who helped us then we won't desert them Kert no reflection on you I do not doubt that you have your best wish's for us in your heart but we are staying put".

My mother took his hand to affirm her acceptance and support of his decision it was one I had not expected. His mind was made up and I would not ask him to change it now.

I did try to of course and joined my mother as she prepared drinks for us in her kitchen. She was not surprised at my joining her as I helped her prepare breakfast. "Kert I know you want him to change his mind and want me to help you do it but that is not going to happen I made my vows to him over thirty Jazura ago as you have made yours to Bekka do you not see his pride in you and his joy in your son do not take away the meaning of his life Kert.

She would not be moved that was clear to me and I saw the steel in her I had never suspected till now. She shooed me out of the kitchen putting plates in my hand and giving me directions on who to serve first.
It was an interlude and I let go my fears for my families safety and enjoyed the moment wondering at the strange tableau the media might see if they had the chance to see us there myself and Bekka and a Yaki princess enjoying our eggs on toast as if we had not a care in the verse.

We took our leave the next day with my mother reluctantly giving Joran into Bekka's arms and urging her to be safe. My father was his usual gruff self giving no overt sign of what he felt yet I felt his love for me and my family though he tried not to show it.

Amidst a media circus we took the shuttle into high orbit before beaming aboard the Accinonix I would have preferred Bekka travel on the Sword but she had refused point blank when I suggested it so I made the jump to the Redoubt alarmed at our arrival there directly having failed to make a jump via an unknown sector as I had intended.

Xarrisse jumped in on our tail as I set course for our headquarters alarmed at this unexpected breach of the security I had thought kept this sector hidden.

[Sabrina Bergin]

I had the ship checked out whilst I got up to speed with matters here in sector and with the Company there had been some attacks on our stations but these had been easily dealt with by our own and sector defences.


It seemed Hurmillitas had perished in one of the final attacks news that seemed to please news that seemed to please Xarriesse.

Bekka meanwhile was busy showing Joren to our friends and delighting in being the centre of attention.
That made it a little easier for me to return to Lost order without her given Xarisse's promise to ward me when I made the journey there I would also have the Sword accompany us despite the fact our satellites showed only a light pirate presence there.

Our technicians had determined that it was the unusual construction of the jump drive that had robbed it of the ability to make unfocussed jumps and I was hoping Ho t'sht could fix it.

Shesoon disabused me of that notion telling me that the tech would have to be looked at by the Goners who had helped her with the design. She was also pretty upset with the condition of the ship despite the repairs that I had carried out before returning.
I thought she seemed a mite ungrateful considering that she had basically forced me to be her test pilot and that I had nearly been killed thanks to her fancy ship.

She seemed unconcerned at that but told me she had no further use for the ship and that I could keep it providing I transported the Xenon code to the Goner Temple. As I was planning on going there next it was not a problem.
Our business concluded we jumped for the Goner Temple where I was met at the dockside offices by the man who seemed to be the new spokesman for the Goners Isiah. He was fascinated by the ancient Xenon code they had recovered and had his men swarming over the Acinonyx as they studied it minutely. It took a while so he granted us quarters aboard the station which I accepted determined to have the UFJD restored to the ship.

I was anticipating his success in this when he called on me two days later but it was not to be the drive would reinstate it self over a period of time but he had discovered far graver information from being able to decipher the Xenon code.

It seemed the Xenon were planning a massive attack upon the commonwealth having determined that the races had weakened themselves to a point that they were more vulnerable now than they had been for a
millennia. Then he got to the bit I definitely did not like and I point blank refused to help the Terrans.

"You must Dannar for only by uniting all the races can we hope to defeat the Xenon. further if the Xenon succeed in their plans how long do you think your own people will endure in a verse filled only with Xenon, do not condemn your people to that fate Dannar for whilst you may be confident in your defences they would not stand against a determined assault from all the Xenon combined who care not the time it takes to destroy non xenon races".

He had a point and it was galling to me on a lot of levels. Plus there was the small fact that for me to attempt to travel to mars was tantamount to suicide.

"Have no fear Dannar I have sent word to the Terren ambassador she will allow a Transport ship to meet her at her Base there it might however make matters easier if you were to demonstrate your good intentions by disrupting the preliminary attacks the Xenon are beginning in Segaris".

I got the feeling that it was a matter of some urgency so I contacted Jako and let him no I would be delayed before assuming command of The Sword and jumping to Segaris.

We Jumped in at the West gate and I could clearly see the battle raging in the centre of the sector where there was an expanding cloud of debris as ships died.

"Uma I want you to target only Xenon ships here no downing Terrens by mistake".

"Understood sir destroy only Xenon hostiles" she replied launching the first in a number of Barrages.


The Battle ended shortly after that once we had cleared the Capitals the Terrens were able to mop up the remaining fighters. Uma stopped firing at that point to avoid any friendly fire issues.

We sat there near the Gate as the remainder of the terren fleet approached us to come into com range, not firing but keeping their weapons hot.

"We are being hailed Captain"

"Put it on screen I ordered".

"Captain I am... " I began as the screen switched to a view of the man on the bridge of the Osaka.

"I have no Doubt of who you are Captain Danna, in fact I have shoot on sight orders regarding your ship. I would know your intentions here Dannar the only reason I am not following orders to engage you is that by your actions you have saved a great many lives here today".

"I am afraid I do not bring good news Captain we have intelligence that the Xenon are about to launch a major campaign here and in commonwealth space the fleet you have seen is but the beginning of that assault on your people as well as mine. I am willing to transmit that information to you it is vouched as accurate by the Goners and they have also included the raw data from which it was derived".

"That you come here to deliver it despite the risk to yourself is telling in it self Captain Dannar and the Goners are respected for their veracity. Very well I will accept the transmission and forward it to my superiors Captain Dannar for the moment given what you tell me I shall be sending for reinforcements here. For the moment you do however have my thanks".

I jumped out at that point sensing that whilst he might have reason not to engage me if reinforcements arrived they might not be so constrained.
I headed then to Black hole sun and gave the same warning to the Argon ambassador at the military outpost Having taken the precaution of having a TL ship loaded with missiles and a mistral freighter positioned in Enduring light a short distance from the east Gate.

Again a sizable Xenon fleet arrived in the Black hole sun shortly after we had taken the Ambassador to safety in Enduring Light. I was glad then I had taken the chance to have a large quantity of missiles to hand.

[Sabrina Bergin]

I called in Jako in a second Cobra and together we jumped into Black hole sun and cleared the sector of Xenon ships. The I's were the most difficult to take down requiring multiple barrages of Hammers to destroy them. It was a long day before we finished with both Cobra's having to be restocked.

Once the hostiles had been eliminated I transferred to the Phantom and jumped for the Asteroid belt to find the Terren ambassador.

The Terrens shadowed us all the way to the huge station in Mars apparently the Goners had arranged diplomatic status for us but the terrens made it clear they were not pleased at our intruding into their space.

The Ambassador was reluctant to place herself in my care but given the urgency of the message from the Goners and the reports she had received from Segaris she did come aboard making it clear she wanted minimal contact with myself or crew.

I jumped for the Meeting place Isiah had selected in the unnamed sector east of Legend's home. I had the Sword Jump into meet us as we made our way to the huge Goner ship I was a little surprised at the Celenterees arrival alongside the Sword so assuming she had received information I had not been aware of I slowed our pace to match hers.

I was grateful I did as she was followed into the system by strong arm mercenaries who set a course to intercept us. "We will hold them hwere match pace with the Sword and make best speed for the Ozias" Xarrisse ordered turning to engage our pursuers even as the Sword began launching missiles at them.

I got a demand from the Terren ambassador asking to know what was going on sending a tactical feed to her quarters and advised she was welcome to join us on the bridge an offer which to my surprise she accepted. Her attitude me was still cool but she was somewhat mollified to note that it was my ships that were defending her.

"I find your presence disconcerting Mr Dannar given your reputation amongst my people".

"No more than I madam but I am assured by the Goners that both our peoples face a threat that if we do not turn our full attention to may bring about our extinction as a species".

"The people attacking us have vested interests in preventing a truce lacking the information we now have".

"And what if we are unable to reach a truce what then Mr Dannar".

"Then Ma'am I will do my utmost to defend my people but I am fearful for their future".

"Given your reputation in defending your people so far Mr Dannar I find that admission troubling are you so certain you will fail".

"I know not what the future holds ma'am but given the scale of the Xenon forces I have encountered so far both in terren and commonwealth sectors bordering Xenon ones I have reason to fear for our future".

The ambassador kept any thoughts she might have to herself as the Phantom moved into transport range of the Goner ship and our guests were beamed aboard. I beamed back aboard the Sword and after eliminating the few remaining hostiles and ensuring the security of the sector whilst the Ambassadors were negotiating aboard the Goner ship I returned to Enduring light to restock our ordinance then jumped once more for Black hole sun where we were warned a second Xenon task force had entered the system. Once again we jumped into the system where the sector defence forces were fighting a retreating action towards the west gate.

We moved only a little way into the sector before we started launching at the heavier Xenon ships. I was pleased to note a rapid response fleet jumping into the sector at the north gate between us we managed to attack the Xenon from both directions with devastating effect as we moved northwards. Jako dropped into system behind us and added his firepower to the fray. It seemed this was their main push into commonwealth space as they kept sending reinforcements through the north gate regardless of the losses they were suffering.

Argon fleet command must have thought so as well as they diverted fleets from the front to counter the threat calling in help from all the Races. I was a bit disconcerted at the absence of Split ships till I received news from Rhonkar that they were attacking the stations in the Xenon sector and Ships jumping into the sector which they were clearly using as a staging area before moving south. He also told me of similar attacks going on in other Xenon sectors with a large Terran fleet having left Segaris by the east gate into the adjoining sector to attack the Xenon shipyard there.

Having a vested interest in that area of the verse as soon as I judged the flow of Xenon ships had been halted in Black hole sun I restocked with missiles for the fifth time before jumping to the North Gate of that sector where we added our strength to theirs. Jako joined us a sew moments after we had secured the gate area and we aimed directly for the shipyards calling in support ships to keep us supplied. and protected from the swarms of fighters in system. once we got in range we started attacking the Ship yard the Terren Claymore bombers adding their missiles to ours in the assault.

[Sabrina Bergin]

With the Destruction of the shipyard I turned my attention to The Xenon ships that were driving the Terrens back towards the west gate. Our attack did not halt them but with each ship we destroyed it eased the pressure on the Terrens. I sent an urgent signal advising them to withdraw to Segaris Where the Argon fleet should by now be in place to lend assistance.
They got the signal and their fighters and corvettes ran for the gate whilst the capitals fought a valiant rear guard action only jumping out once their lighter ships were safe.

We took our advantage of our position to unload all our missiles into the Xenon forces. My hope was to make them jump to Segaris where they would be surrounded by the Argon fleet at either gate with the Terrens reforming to assist them. I had satellite information giving me the Intel and whilst we were being replenished with missiles I waited to see what the Xenon would do.

Their only response was to send a quartet of scouts towards the Sword and they launched a salvo of missiles at us which we took out before destroying the scouts.

"That was weird Uma" commentated

It was the attack must have had some purpose but it had failed as the last of the Xenon heavies committed themselves to transiting the gate I gave the signal to Jako that we should jump to the west gate of that sector that would give us a chance to orient ourselves without coming under immediate fire.

It was as we jumped I realised we were in trouble the jump took too long and the reactors screamed in protest as the field engaged. We emerged in Segaris with alarms screaming as our reactors started to go critical that Squad of N's they had done something I knew not what but it had damaged the containment fields.

I activated the distress beacon and tried to clear the nearby Fleet ships not wanting them to be caught in the blast. and ordering the crew to the pods.

The bridge crew hesitated waiting on me "Dammit get out of here I'm going to set her to jump to an unknown sector then I'll join you now go". I screamed "we have no time to discuss this people". They cleared the bridge I listened and watched as the pods were fired clear then set the jump timer before running for the nearest escape hatch locking the hatch as I felt the world twist away from me as the ship jumped for somewhere else.

"Sir the Sword she's in trouble" Gilek his tactical officer warned "the ships going critical and he's launching escape pod's".

"Get some transports in here" Jako ordered moving his own ship clear of the stricken ship then watching in disbelief as it jumped out with a massive resultant energy burst.

"Alright people our transports are in system they will recover the crew for the moment we have a job to do to ensure their safety".

Jako's words got every bodies head back where they needed to be. They began selecting targets and firing Salvo's of missiles with the support ships keeping pace with his rate of expenditure.

With the combined Argon and Terren fleets working together the result of the battle which whilst protracted was inevitable. Jako had time to wonder why the Xenon had not withdrawn given their loss's elsewhere that had been significant. He could only assume they were unaware of them and had followed their battle plan intending to cause such losses here that their other fleets would have a significant advantage thanks to Kert that would not happen his recovering the xenon could that had warned of the attacks had prevented a disaster. He turned his thoughts to the sword and checked in system to see that all their escape pods had been recovered and suspected the transports were on their way back to Headquarters.

Jako waited till the Argon fleet had dispersed and jumped out of sector then ordered a final sweep of the sector to make sure they had missed nothing. escorted by the local sector defence forces who were making their own checks.

Finally satisfied he jumped for the Redoubt and headed straight for the base finally realising how tired he was no doubt his crew were similarly tired and he looked forward to making dock.

It was when he stepped onto the dock and saw bekka anxiously awaiting him that he began to worry.

"Did you find him Jako" she asked

"Kert no surely he was recovered with the others we checked every pod that launched was picked up and we've just completed a full sector sweep to make sure no one was left terren or Argon. Our search was thorough Bekka he must have been on the ship when it jumped.

"We've already checked every system there have been no reports of the Sword arriving anywhere in either known or unknown sectors".

"We'll find him" Jako promised stepping forward and leading Bekka of the docks to her quarters".

[Sabrina Bergin]

Sorry DP.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Over the few next few Mazura they launched hundreds of search ships to unknown sectors for any trace of the Sword with the Goners also giving their help in the search.

Eventually the main races who also participated in the search determined that with no trace and so many unknown sectors visited the Sword must have been destroyed during its final jump that had left a massive energy signature when it had occurred. They promised to keep looking but they could not maintain the initial intense effort they had made to find the Sword and intimated that Bekka should accept the sad fact that Kert was gone. There were other theories put forward when they learnt that Xenon technology had been used in the making of his prosthetics and that he had left to join with the other Xenon who after their defeat had vanished from all known space with no trace of them being found even in sectors that could only be reached by unfocussed jumps. So it became a matter of intense speculation amidst the media and the public as one of those mysteries that occasionally arose to confound peoples preconceptions and beliefs and thus Kerts disappearance was assured its place in history.

Bekka said nothing but Jako knew she would never accept that she endured the ceremonies held to honour Kert for his actions in fighting the Xenon and helping secure a lasting peace between the terrens and the commonwealth peoples even traveling to Earth to accept the Hero of sol award for his services to the Terren people. She had made clear her dislike of the media circus but participated to ensure the peace Kert had given so much effort to seeing brought about was maintained.

She did not turn aside from company matters and worked hard to expand the growing number of factories and complexes they now owned across the verse but still Jako was worried that she was using this a a shield to hide a deeper problem it was for this reason he invited Xarrisse to visit her on the planet within the redoubt where she now preferred to spend her free time with Joren.
He spoke quietly with Xarrisse as she returned from meeting with Bekka on the rocky heights overlooking the shore fearing for her health.

"She is not lost to reason as you might have reason to fear she is to strong for that Jako she simply refuses to accept that Kert perished she is certain that if he had passed she would have felt his loss and in this I believe her. I am fortunate in knowing this as a certainty as I would know if the gods forbid my Che t'nn was taken from life".

Bekka watched Joren as he splashed in the surf she was aware of Jako's concerns and that was the reason for Xarrisses surprise visit. The fact that they discussed her did not distress her as she looked up at the darkening sky where the first stars had started to appear.
She rescued Joren from the cooling waters and held him tightly in her arms as she looked up to the stars making a silent promise. I will find you beloved sending all her love to him to comfort him till they met again.

THE END.

Well finally that was harder than I thought it would be, I hope hat those of you that have read this in part or in whole enjoyed it as much as I did in the writing of it. All questions comments and criticisms are welcome.

PPS I have left the ending open deliberately and have kept the save game files should I decide to return to It later but at the moment I have little idea how that might evolve.

[blazermick]

Very nice Shaun

I enjoyed this story and your story telling got better as it went on. Looking forward to the next yarn.

Thanks

[Sabrina Bergin]

Blazermick, Thanks for the praise I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I seem to have got the bug to write more and have started a new game with the intention of it being more a vehicle for the story than a mad dash through the missions that places limits on where the story goes. I hope it meets with your approval.

Shaun.