Hi I've been a busy bee and now have half of this chapter done to. I would welcome comments on people's views so far into the story. Hopefully there are few typos as spell checkers are a constant companion.
GG
Prologue
http://www.egosoft.com/x2/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74847
Chapter 1
http://www.egosoft.com/x2/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74982
Chapter 2
http://www.egosoft.com/x2/forum/viewtopic.php?t=75228
Chapter 3
http://www.egosoft.com/x2/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76650
<EDIT> Rewrite of the first section as well as addning a ending so you might want to reread as it develops an important part of the plot.
Chapter 4 – Trade Agreements
Dentill gave a wide yawn; he had given up any pretences of feigned interest hours ago. The constant bickering of the various delegations at the trade summit seemed to be going nowhere. So far he had gathered that the Split were demanding new trade rights, something about Split families being given the rights of corporations in trade deals. The Teladi however seemed particularly determined to undermine the proceedings. Their concern was simply for their own profits.
“It seems to me that it can only be of benefit to the Teladi, that the Split economy improves as it would ensure a boost in demand from tradable goods on both sides of your borders.” William Horace, senior ambassador of the Argon Federation replied to the latest rebuttal from the Teladi ambassador.
“Yes, Split tired of selling our guns and shields. We sell other things now. Split need trade deals with families. You take our goods when much cheap surplus. We want fair trade or No more shields.” The Split ambassador shrieked excitedly in broken Argon.
Dentill began to comprehend the situation. He had only limited understanding of economics but new that most trade between sectors was by standing contracts between corporations. As the Split have no corporations, all stations being owned and run by the Families, it was clear that their main exports would consist of their ready supply and surplus of much sought after twenty-five megawatt shields, missiles and other military hardware. He new that independent traders might choose to long haul the perishable Rastar Oil, Chelt and Scriffin fruit to Argon and Boron markets but only when the prices were cheap and demand was high. Trade deals between factory and the Argon market could become a boon to the Split economy. With a smile he thought it would also help improve the diet of the average argon spacer.
As the arguing between the Teladi, Split and Argon raged on, Dentill closed his eyes and let the noise of the debate wash over him. He wondered how his new colleagues were faring, probably just as well as before he joined the GDI. Still he couldn’t see his contribution to the summit.
Shacklock turned to him. “Wake up Rick, we are recessing for lunch.”
Dentill’s eyes opened. “I wasn’t sleeping, although if this is how exciting diplomacy gets then I soon will be!” he replied with a grin. The pair followed the small cluster of diplomats as they entered a large hall arrayed with a buffet table and filled with dignitaries and their aids. Dentill gave a sigh; he had never liked this kind of shallow social function.
“So how is the summit going?” Dentill asked Shacklock.
“Better than I had expected.” Replied Shacklock. “The Split are trying to improve their trade deficit and I am inclined to support them in this.”
“Why is that? Historically we have never been allies and they do not border us in any significant way so trade might not pick up all that much.” Dentill countered.
“There is really more to it. If we can develop stronger trade relations between the five races, then there is a chance that we can begin working together much more overtly. We are looking at the big picture here, the only way we can win the Khaak war is to unite against them.” Shacklock was growing more passionate. “At present the Split feel isolated and thus they are more prone to remember the past, their war with the Boron for example. What we need is to grow together, the foundation and profit guilds need to work closer together, and maybe one day a new guild can be created which spans the races, creating a united species council even.”
As Shacklock’s passion grew, his voice raised and other dignitaries became more blatant in their eavesdropping. Dentill was amazed at how fired up his normally quietly cheerful employer was.
“Wow, I’ve never even thought about that level of unity. Sure maybe on a small scale, but it seems that only the pirate clans are able to have cross species cooperation.” Dentill replied in awe.
“Well if the pirates can do so outside the law, why cannot we within it.” Shacklock answered. “Small steps though, right now we need to focus on equalising trade.”
“So enters this conference?” Dentill enquired.
“Yes absolutely and I think we might achieve something. The Teladi are the only stumbling block. We the Argon support the Split motion and the Paranid will do so too due to their old alliance with them. The Boron maybe difficult but I think we can persuade them it might help close some of the old wounds and to mend the rift. They desire peace overall, in fact I see the Boron ambassador talking to William, I think we maybe able to twist his arm.” Said Shacklock.
“You mean tentacle.” Dentill replied full of mirth. “you’d better hurry then, I’ll help myself to some lunch, it might give me the strength to get through this after all.”
+++
The blue swirl of the hyperspace tunnel faded as the shipboard flight computer droned “Entering system Aldna Hill.” Dureena Fielding breathed a sigh of relief, the trip had been uneventful and she hated the boredom of long flights. She checked her gravidar and noted that all of the three other ships in her flight group were also now in sector. Moments later one after another four more Buster fighters jumped into the sector.
“All ships,” she called over the comm. “Form up and head for the Euripides. ETA is twenty mizuras.”
The flight seemed to pass rapidly as Dureena made use of her ship’s Singularity Drive to alter her time perception. As they closed with the Mammoth transport ship, she activated the comm. once again.
“Euripides, this is Squadron Leader Dureena Fielding of the GDI Lightning squadron. Is Captain Tambla available?” She enquired in an eager voice.
“Tambla here, good to see you are here Fielding, we are about to head out to Hatikvah’s fate, if you could form up with us we can be on our way.” Tambla’s voice was warm and inviting.
“What’s the mission Captain?” Asked Fielding.
“We are heading out to set up a Computer Factory in the sector. We have recently opened up a silicon mine in Hatikvah’s Fate and are looking to use the sector as an ideal place to develop new markets with both the Split and Teladi.” Tambla replied.
“Sounds dangerous, using the unclaimed regions, we won’t receive any support from the races and pirate attacks may be heavy.” Fielding’s tone suggested anything but concern. In fact she thought there might be a possibility of advancement through volunteering for command of the sector defence squadron.
“It could be a problem but it is an ideal sector for expansion and we have ordered a whole squadron of mambas for the sector patrol.” Replied Tambla. “They should be able to deal with any potential pirate threats we might face. Speaking of which, we are approaching the gate now, would you mind leading a patrol to ensure the coast is clear.”
“I’m on my way Captain. Fielding out.” Fielding switched off her comm. and headed for the West Gate. As she entered the event horizon of the wormhole, she was just beginning to reflect further on the new possibilities.
The passage of time through hyperspace is hard to understand or pin down. Some pilots say that they can tell that time has passed, others that they exit the wormhole with the same thought that they went in. In Fielding’s case it was the latter, she had barely considered the joys of commanding a powerful fast squadron of Mambas, when her ship exited wormhole and entered Hatikvah’s Fate sector. Scanning quickly through the list of ships she could see no pirate vessels in evidence. Over her long-range communications system, she transmitted the all-clear signal.
As her flight group patrolled the immediate area, a flicker appeared within the ring of the gate. A wormhole exit point began to spiral out from nowhere growing until it filled the entire gate. Through the event horizon, the nose of the massive transport began to emerge. Due to the confusing nature of wormhole physics the speed of exit is the same as that of entry, which is fine for fighters, but unfortunately the larger the object the slower it had to move to enter the wormhole in the first place. Fielding watched as the blocky hull slowly crept forwards, revealing the immense bulk of the super sized container capable of transporting the largest prefabricated station components. Finally the powerful engines emerged plasma exhaust blotting out the view of the gate temporarily with their glare as they strained with the acceleration of the ship to move it out of the way of the gate ensuring no collisions might occur with further existing craft. As the ship passed the blinking beacon lights along the hates expansive arms, four more buster fighters jumped in to form a rearguard for the small convoy.
“Ok Felding, we are going to move to position 10 by 17 by 22.” Tambla indicated the location they would be deploying the station.
“Roger we are setting autopilots now.” Fielding Replied.
The ships accelerated to the Busters’ top speed and headed to the rendezvous. As the ships approached, the eight fighter craft split into four pairs and began patrolling the vicinity of the Euripides.
The cavernous doors of the Mammoths cargo bay opened and a hoard of small construction drones spewed forth. Each drone followed set pre-programmed procedures. Several re-entered the ship to return hauling bundles of giant girders. The remaining droids began welding these together and slowly the form of the station began to take shape. The structure resembled a wire frame model of a cuboid box with smaller boxes attached as supporting structures. Into the centre of the construction site a squadron of drones delivered a refuelled power plant, read to generate the energy necessary to power the huge banks of shields, defence systems and the life support of the large station. Within a couple of stazuras the framework was complete. As the drones began to start work on constructing the hull and inner corridors and chambers of the station, the four pairs of fighters took it in turns to take some rest aboard the Euripides.
Fielding sat in the officers’ mess, discussing the defence of the new station. “It seems to me that given the importance of this sector especially if it is developed a much stronger presence and a good commander is needed.” Fielding said to Tambla.
“You don’t need to tell me” Replied Tambla. “Still twelve heavy fighters should be able to hold their own against a pirate attack.”
“Maybe but without a major race fleet presence there is a possibility of a Khaak build up which could play havoc with shipping and even with the stations.” Continued Fielding.
“That’s an interesting point of view I’d better bring it up with Petre Shacklock and Wing Commander Dentill when they return.” Tambla could see Fielding flashed in irritation at the mention of those names. He wondered what issue there was there. Before he could ask, Fielding received an alert on her pager.
“Sorry Captain, it looks like a pirate squadron has entered the sector I am going to have to leave you now.” Fielding look relieved as she rushed to her ship, though mostly for the chance of action.
As she entered her pre-flight checks, she examined the sector map in detail. Freighters were dashing for cover within the stations dotted around the sector. None of the stations were deploying any particular strength of defence ships. It looked like the GDI flight groups were on their own. As Fielding and her wingman exited the Euripides, the patrols from the rest of her squadron formed up on her wing.
Against the backdrop of the West Gate, Fielding could see that there were at least twenty pirate ships entering the sector. Most of them seemed to be Mandalays and Bayamons, however three seemed to be the heavy Orinoco fighters and there appeared to be four pirate freighters. Hopefully they were just a large convoy carrying narcotics thought Fielding. She activated a wide band communication towards the pirates.
“This is Lightning Squadron leader to unidentified craft please state your intentions in this sector.” Fielding asked.
“Our intentions Luv are this. You’re in our sector and since you aven’t bovered to pay yer taxes, we’re ‘ere to confiscate yer ships and stations.” Replied the pirate commander in guttural tones. “We’ve ‘ad enough of the GDI’s tricks.”
“You can try, but I warn you, you will pay dearly if you come any closer to our ships.” Fielding warned before switching to her squadron frequency. “Lightnings, this is Lightning leader, all ships stay together and watch each others sixes. We’ll try to take them out in waves. Go for the fastest ships first and we can make a fighting withdrawl, that should string them out so we can go for them piecemeal.”
As she explained the plan, Lightning Two interrupted. “Excuse me ma’am but I’m reading powerful emissions from the freighters, they maybe carrying hornets.”
“OK Two, thanks there also still the slowest so hopefully we can worry about them last.” Fielding felt less confident though than she sounded. She called Tambla. “Captain, We have a heavy pirate raid coming in from the West Gate, I don’t suppose you can rustle up some support.”
“I’m monitoring the situation Captain, I have called in the support fighters from our silicon mine, but they are pretty shredded from engagement’s with the Khaak.” Tambla reported, “They are sending a pair of Mako fighters and also three Discos to provide the Euripides with antimissile support.”
“I still don’t think that will be enough, I am counting a dozen Bayamons, three Orinocos five Mandalays and four pirate ships. That’s two to one even discounting the M5s.”Fielding replied.
“I’ve got people trying to negotiate assistance from the stations but things don’t look promising. Do what you can.” Tambla’s voice was strained, things looked grim.
++++
The conference had continued for several sessions. The only progress that Dentill could see was the lack of opposition from the Boron ambassador. He had lapsed into silence and Dentill could have sworn he was sulking, although reading alien emotions were not a strong point. The Teladi were still haranguing anyone who tried to reason with them, demanding trade concessions from all the other parties. Tiring of the constant circular conversations, William Horace, the Argon ambassador stood up.
“I believe that further debate will produce no noticeable development in the agreement. The case is simple. The Split wish to have their family clans recognised with corporate status and this is the central motion which I now call us to vote upon.” Horace interrupted the Teladi ambassador, a grumble of assent from the Paranid party, cut short the rebuke of the Teladi.
“The Split forward the motion.” The Split ambassador screeched in his high pitched accent.
“The Paranid support the motion.” The Paranid ambassador stated regally.
“We of the Argon Federation are always ready to welcome the advancement of fair trade, we support the motion.” Said Horace firmly.
“The Boron though having misgivings in this matter are prepared to offer the Split our wish for friendship, we support the motion.” The Boron ambassador was formal though tried to appear friendly.
The Teladi ambassador stood and paused. The room was silent in anticipation. “The Teladi sssee where thisss isss going and therefore we choossse not to vote. It mattersss not which way we vote so I ssspoil the Teladi vote.” She took a deep breath. “Know thisss we have long memoriesss and though we lossse here we will one day demand a price for our ssssuport.”
“The motion is therefore passed, four votes to nil.” Turning to the Split ambassador, Horace continued. “We will have the documentation finalised by the end of the Tazura, but since these events have been recorded, you may tell Lord Rhonkar that the agreement has been made.”
As the Split ambassador stood to express his thanks to the assembly, an aid rushed into the room carrying a message for him. He scanned the message with a growing look of concern on his face. Addressing the assemblage he began. “Split offer small gratitude for agreeing to rightful demands of great Split Empire. You very wise to support us. Small issues back home so Split now leave you all.”
The Split delegation stood up and as one gave a slight bow, before imperiously marching out of the room. Shacklock gave a low sigh of relief. “Phew that went better than I hoped. We should be able to bring the Teladi on board if we give them some concessions.”
“Great, does this mean we can get back I am eager to check on how things have been going on in my absence.” Replied Dentill with enthusiasm.
++++
In the heart of the Hatikvah’s fate sector, Fielding piloted her ship through the scattered debris of the battle. Half of her ships had been destroyed although all but one of the pilots had ejected and were safely aboard the Euripides. The pirates had taken a beating. The impetuous flight of Mandalay pilots had surged ahead of the main body to be quickly eliminated by her group of Busters and Makos. As the two wings approached they had fired volleys of missiles at each other. The pirates had taken the brunt of the fire, losing six of their Bayamons. Unfortunately the Orinocos seemed t have been loaded with an unending supply of the powerful silkworm missiles which could destroy any of Fielding’s squadron with one hit. Four of her ten fighters had fallen leaving her outmatched by the remaining pirate fleet. She had formed her ships into a delta vee formation in the hope that she could slam her way through and perhaps draw the pirates back through the gate, when a heavy Centaur class corvette jumped into the sector. The corvette was emblazoned in the colours of the bounty hunter guild. He had sent a tierce command to the GDI squadron, informing them to keep clear of the pirate ships. Fielding had been about to give a retort when the Corvette opened up on the pirate fighter escort destroying each of the Orinocos in rapid succession. Within moments the remaining Bayamons were colliding with each other in their attempt to escape. As the Corvette’s heavy plasma turrets turned menacingly to focus on the pirate transports, cries of surrender came across the intercoms on a broad bandwidth. There had been cheers across the sector at the retreat of the remaining pirates. Fielding had cursed the stations for their cowardice.
Now in the aftermath her remaining ships were scanning through the debris collecting any of the salvageable equipment before the scavengers flew in to steal it. She hailed the Corvette. A grizzled face appeared on the small video monitor on her HUD, it was strangely familiar.
“Thanks for your help, Captain..?” She paused not having been introduced.
“Call me Captain Graaf, it’s as good a name as any.” The Captain grimaced. “I wasn’t helping you anyway, I was just here for the bounty. I made a lot of money here, so I guess we can call it even, you held them up for me else I might have lost them in Loomanckstrats Legacy.”
“Can I offer you and your crew dinner at least.” She asked.
“No thank you I need to get this scum back to Argon space and collect my reward. Good hunting to you.” Graaf’s face disappeared. As the Corvette headed out of the sector with the transports in tow, Fielding scanned her memory trying to remember where she had seen him before. With no memory surfacing she restarted her patrol of the sector hoping the station would be completed soon.
Destiny's Dawn Chapter 4 - trade agreements (completed)
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Graf_Grau
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Destiny's Dawn Chapter 4 - trade agreements (completed)
Last edited by Graf_Grau on Tue, 22. Feb 05, 16:20, edited 2 times in total.
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KiwiNZ
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Graf_Grau
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THanks for Feedback KiwiNZ,
I have finished this chapter now, there is a complete rework of the first part so y'all might want to reread the whole thing. I have mega trouble coming up with dialogue so it took a while to develop the conference.
It can be a tough time writing vaguely realistic battles as I'm so used to being able to take on whole pirate fleets with one fighter in the game as a player.
I have finished this chapter now, there is a complete rework of the first part so y'all might want to reread the whole thing. I have mega trouble coming up with dialogue so it took a while to develop the conference.
It can be a tough time writing vaguely realistic battles as I'm so used to being able to take on whole pirate fleets with one fighter in the game as a player.
-
KiwiNZ
- Posts: 3512
- Joined: Wed, 6. Nov 02, 20:31
