Peace(s) of Eight - DiD [TC 3.0] (Inactive - Saves Lost)

[Libelnon]

a lizard called Yahondras Yahandis Yahinussos the fourth and I reckon this one's tough enough to give Huritas a run for her money!

Huritas gave Kirlack a seething look. "One doess not ssimply 'besst' an assssassssin, misster Kirlack."

[Triaxx2]

Ah. I guess I'll have to install that, once I complete all the plots.

[46_n_2]

@Kirlack you can keep the cookie since you guessed it was another language to begin with

@Triaxx every time i see your sig it makes me wish it was January already... the epic will finally end :')

[Kirlack]

You could get around it with Cycrow's cheat package Triaxx. Just use the 'force boarding on target' script that's part of the pack, it'll do the job just as well. That way you don't have to have finished the plots first.

One of the other reasons I installed it was that I've done the plots in TC so many times already... I didn't want them to be a part of my DiD.

@46_n_2: I watch a lot of Stargate, all three shows, and the language of the Ancients has more than a few similarities to Latin, so it wasn't too hard to work out. Still, I'll keep the cookie, cheers!

[Triaxx2]

I know, it comes out just a few days before my birthday. I intend to have that book to read on my birthday, whether or not the world has ended in december.

Somehow it figures that fans of Wheel of Time would also be X players. They take roughly the same amount of time to get anywhere.

[Kirlack]

Chapter 16: Building bridges with the Boron, and a bonus to boot!

Once we're all settled in with drinks at the trading station's bar I start getting questions and grief from my crew. It seems Huritas has taken offence at my comment that Yahondras might have the skills to best her, whereas Sam is looking in combined shock and disgust at the toothbrush I just handed him. For the next few hours at least he's going to be repeating the mantra 'Don't blow up the ship Sam'. He knows what's at stake. Scrubbing the outside of a capital class vessel would take an age even with the right tools, and a toothbrush most certainly ain't the right tool.

“Sssso when do I get to sssspar with thissss 'Yahondrassss' Kirlack?” Huritas hisses at me over the lip of her glasssss. Sorry, glass. Bloody lizards!

“Gunne damn, you really took that personally didn't you?” I ask, trying not to laugh as she nods at me silently.

(sigh)

An honourable Teladi assassin. Who'd of thunk it?

“Alright, look. If you really want to then you two can go claw to claw after he finishes his training, but you gotta promise NOT to kill him Huritas. Understood?”

“Then how will we know which of ussss issss better?”

“I don't know. I don't much care. But with the cash I've funnelled into his training if you kill him I'm taking recompense out of your scaly hide. Deal?”

“Deal.” She hisses at me quietly, and I can see the anger in her eyes. You know what, I got just the thing for that.

“Here,” I laugh, passing her my weed, “smoke some of that and chill the frak out.”

“Work out a points system.” O'Leary offers as Huritas rolls her joint. “Something like a single point per hit scored, with bonus points for sensitive areas, head, abdomen, etcetera.”

“Sounds good to me,” I say taking the weed back from her as she lights her spliff, “sounds good to you?”

“It will sssssuffissssse.” She hisses at me through a cloud of smoke. “After all, one doessss not ssssimply besssst an asssassssin Kirlack

“Good.” I grin, pulling my own ready rolled joint from my coat pocket and lighting it. “That settles it. Oh, and Huritas? Maiming is just as bad as killing. If he's too badly injured to do his job your ass is still on the line, you get me?”

“I underssstand.”

“Okay then. Now, maybe Sam can explain to me why I'm short one firestorm torpedo?”

Heh. I ain't ever seen anyone go that pale that quickly. Not even when I told O'Leary I'd blow Giggity if he tried to steal it.

“Ch-chief I swear I-”

“Forget about it Sam,” I cut him off smiling, “just try to stick to the more common missiles. Firestorms ain't easy to come by ya know.”

“Y-you got it chief.”

“Alright. You might want to consider something with a slightly lower yield as well mate....”

So, with Huritas' smouldering rage and Sam's explosive compulsion temporarily placated we turn our conversation to our next targets. With a full crew for my little fleet, plus my pilots, I'm going to be shelling out a fair amount on wages every day. Oh, and the marines I've hired. They're not cheap. Whilst I'm supremely confident that the Nostroplex can more than cover it should it have to, I'd rather pad out my bankroll a bit. At some point I'm going to be looking at stealing a capital ship for myself, which means more crew. I'm also giving serious thought to getting Huritas and the boys set up with a full wing of Tenjins, but just buying seven of them is going to cost me in the thirty five to forty million range. Then there's weapons and equipment, targeting software...meh. So yeah, lots of credits.

“Alright folks.” I say, taking a swig of my beer. “We'll take a cruise up through the pirate sectors looking for paying work Along the way I want you all to keep your eyes peeled for ships we can steal, strip and sell. For now we're going to confine that to TLs and missile frigates. We don't have the kind of firepower to stand against anything more serious.”

“And just how in frak's name do you expect us to stand against a missile frigate?” Thane thunders across the table before slamming his whiskey. “Those things can take us apart from the far side of a sector and you know it.”

“We don't mate. If there's going to be an attack run on anything like that I'll be leaving you guys on defensive duties for the Ryu and taking the Eclipse, alone. It's the most heavily shielded ship I own that carries Ions and they're the single best missile defence I can think of.” For a second the big man just blinks at me, then grins and starts shaking his head.

“You're frakking crazy man!” he laughs.

“It's gotten me this far.” I laugh back at him. “Alright, alright, let's move. Shift your asses people!”

With that we head down to the docking bay and head out into space. Freedom's Reach is offering nothing at all, which is unusual considering the normal amount of traffic the sector sees, so we shoot into Danna's Chance and immediately pick up an assassination gig from the rehab facility. He's flying a Gladiator up in Bala Gi's Joy....nuts. I'm not sure ten minutes is enough for me to get there and find the lizard I'm looking for without bouncing, and once again I'm the only one with enough jump fuel.

(sigh)

I'm going to have to remember to slap my guys the next time they forget to refuel. With little choice other than to abandon the mission I set my jumpdrive and tell the guys to meet me there. I hope this feller doesn't have too many friends. When I arrive in sector and pick him up I see he does, but mainly M4s and M5s. There's a Falcon and a Nova variant as well though. If they're packing PBGs and I'm concentrating on them I could easily miss an incoming missile lock from my target. Lucky for me, I have a plan.

The whole group is flying in a fairly tight 'X' formation around the M8. One of the Busters is marginally faster than one of my Hammerhead missiles, but since he's following the bomber it should be able to catch him....

Worth a shot, right? Fox one!

Heheheheh.

Mission complete and one point six million credits better off I take a little tour around the sector looking for more work while I'm waiting for my pilots to catch up. Pickings are slim though, even the pirate base has nothing of note to offer, so I make the trek back across the sector and meet up with my crew.

Now, I knew this last mission was going to piss off the pirates, but I hadn't noticed it was a Boron government contract. Suddenly I'm no longer an enemy of the species. This presents an opportunity. One of the things I'm short on, other than cash, is Ion Disruptors for my boarding attempts. If I'm going to take a Heavy Centaur Prototype I'd like to have at least ten, if not the full twelve, to kit it out. I can't buy them from the Argon, who are the only other race likely to sell them, so that means working for the Boron.

Yeah. I know. Bad ain't it.

We shoot across Farnham's Legend and into the filthy green goop of Atreus' Clouds, where I immediately spy a Khaak Cluster, one of the big ones. Not wanting to have to tangle with it if the locals offer me a patrol mission I lob a remote guided warhead at it. Tracking.....contact! Heh. I've decided that until I can find something better the RGW is my dedicated 'Cluster Buster'.

A quick zip around the sector revealed no work worth our time or effort. Now, I don't know what it was, but some....instinct, some sixth sense, call it what you will....something was telling me to head west into The Hole, Argon territory, and not deeper into Boron space. I've never been one to ignore my instincts, so I swing west and blaze into the event horizon. When I appear on the far side, I discover this.

Like I said, instincts.

And just like that, we're on. I've got the ships, I've got the tools and I've got the people. A quick illegal scan reveals a worrying arsenal that I'm going to have to defeat, but I reckon I've got the ship for the job. I pull up and put the ship on one of my monitors in case it moves out of sector, and call in Long Term. Huritas and the boys are sitting this one out whilst I go at it with 'Lost in Translation'. My Eclipse has been kitted out with four EBCs and enough ammo to make use of them, four Ions and a pair of PACs, a load of wasp missiles to keep his turrets busy and enough energy cells for a few short jumps if he starts kicking my ass. I've also got the Mk 1 turbo booster in case I need to get out in a hurry. I'm lucky that this HCP hasn't been tuned all the way to it's maximum 154m/s. As it stands even my slow Argon Eclipse can outrun it. Just.

Puddle Jumper gets loaded up with my six most seasoned marines, Ha t'Plp, my squad leader, Mayenne Cruise, his second in command and the four grunts, Almanckuttall, Imanckelttak, Tracie Kult and a lizard called...Yahandis....somebody. The ninth. Bloody Teladi. I've still only got the one disintegrator rifle other than my personal one, and the close quarters of an M6 don't really call for it anyway, so my boarding crew are running with two pistols each and some of their home made grenades, which they assure me are flashbangs for distraction only....bloody well better not bust up my new ship, that's all I can say.

With everything in place it's time for me to order Long Term to a safe distance and make the first run on my quarry. The captain of the HCP is a bit slow to notice that I mean business, and his shields are down to almost fifty percent before he finally flips his IFF and goes hostile on me.

So I twist and turn, strafe and roll, rippling wasps to keep his turrets busy while I bring his shields down. Making the switch to Ions to fry out his equipment means I can't launch any more missiles, so now it's a question of dodging CIG fire. It takes a few minutes but he finally catches me out and lands enough hits to drop my shields and put dents in my hull, forcing me to short jump to the north gate. I don't have ten seconds to wait for my drive to warm up though, and since the energy for the jump is already burned I use the rest to boost away from him.

Seconds later and I'm nearly forty kilometres away and have a moments peace. I knock the dings out of my ship and give my shields a minute to recharge before heading back in to see where we're at. Nice, he's down to one shield, that should make stripping him a bit easier, and the sentry lasers and firewall software have been burned out. He's down three CIGs and one of his PBEs, so with some more solid hammering he'll eventually be toothless.

I did say 'eventually', right? Oi.

It takes almost an hour and a half of constant frying, dodging and boosting. As he gets lower and lower on weapons he starts lobbing the odd missile at me, even the two firestorms in his hold, but I'm lucky and both times I'm far enough away that I can shoot them down without risk to myself or the corvette, but finally he stops dead in space, completely unarmed and unable to fight back. Heh. Time to call in the 'specialists'.

Puddle Jumper bounces up from Senator's Badlands and I switch back to my EBCs to manage the HCPs shields while my guys are making contact. It sounds a bit shaky as they're fighting their way through the command deck, but eventually....

I have a flagship.

And all it cost me was a large portion of my sanity, some eighty odd wasp missiles, forty odd units of EBC ammo and a couple of hours of my time! All six of my mercs survived and on closer inspection it looks as though Tracie Kult, one of the 'grunts', is my expert hacker. She's hacked the core computer of both my targets so far. I may have to invest in some more training for her at some point.

As the adrenaline rush of the extended battle starts to fade I bring in Long Term, keeping a close eye on the sector activity. Amazingly not one Argon ship is flagging hostile to me. Their security forces leave a lot to be desired. Still, works out for me. With a jumpdrive and some fuel transferred my new ship gets bounced home for refit and repair. After docking Lost in Translation to the Ryu I switch over to Puddle Jumper and send my TL home as well.

The Argon government doesn't appear to care that I just stole their ship, as I'm still considered a Federation Guardian, meaning I can still hire personnel from them. Sweet! I don't have quite enough crew to get my new ship up to speed, so I hop over to Cloud Base South East to meet a military transport. There's only two gunners aboard though, so I'm forced to bounce across the universe to Black Hole Sun, where I pick up the rest of the crew I need, and four abandoned freighters, all Mercury variants. Nice! That's a job for Chop Shop and Miss Cornell's repair crew. Since the Ozias is here I dock Puddle Jumper and wait for the freighters before bouncing us all back to Senator's. With a new crew to settle in and repairs to oversee I'm going to be doing a lot of administrative crap.

(sigh)

Keller and Almanckatsalss get assigned to the HCP while I oversee the transfer of weapons, shielding, software, equipment and personnel. My flight team, Jako Springer and Flot Marval, get to work tuning the ships systems to improve her handling and responsive times, while my Machinist, Liom Claassen, works with the engineers to bring the ships maximum speed up to a hugely impressive 169m/s. Gunnery crews are assigned to their stations and after about an hour and a half the ship is set up and ready to go. One minor oversight in the HCP is the size of the cargo bay. With a full crew aboard, full shielding and a versatile weapon loadout there's not much space for missiles or jump fuel. I might set up one of my trained CLS pilots as a tender, but for now we're set to take 'Maniac Vengeance' on a little tour through Boron space. Before we leave though I pull another of my freighters out of storage, my last Caiman Super Freighter XL, and set it up as a local trader over in Family Whi, before replacing my pilot down in Weaver's Tempest. With everything set up we're good to go.

I jump to the south gate of Atreus' Clouds and pull up and away from the gate before calling in Long Term Plans to drop off my flight wing. I think a Heavy Centaur Prototype, four Mambas and three Mamba Vanguards should be quite the effective force. I'd like to find at least one more pilot though, and get that fourth MV I've got up and running. An eight strong fighter wing would be better than seven, right?

We move across the sector looking for work, but find nothing here, or in Rolk's Fate. When we reach Menalaus' Frontier though I get a call from a desperate Boron wanting us to hunt down a thieving Teladi over in Kingdom End. I'm not too happy at the prospect of entering the Boron home system, but money's money, so I agree to the job and make the jump.

Unfortunately for us the local defence forces, including a Ray, a Kraken and the OWP, have also spotted the Pirate Peregrine we're after, and they get to it first. Nuts. Still, the sector is at least offering some work. There's a station needing to be built in Rolk's Drift and even with the initial payout to buy the factory the contract is still worth almost three and a half million credits in profit, so I take it and move for the east gate, sending orders for Long Term to jump to Seizewell for the pickup.

Once we're in Rolk's I pick up another station construction contract and almost immediately a third. It takes a fair bit of mucking about, but eventually I'm back in Kingdom End with three completed contracts under my belt. My efforts have paid off some and the squiddies now consider me a 'Noble Peer'. Heh. Me, noble. At some point I might have to teach them a thing or two about me. With that in mind I briefly consider stealing the Kraken defending the system, but after a quick look at its loadout I decide against it. Maybe once this HCP is fully kitted out with Ions, but not right now.

We pass back into Rolk's Drift and pick up another contract from the Teladi CIG forge I dropped a little while ago, which is worth about a million and a half. I'm just ordering Long term to the shipyard in Cho's Defeat to collect one when the owner of the station calls me saying pirates are coming to attack his factory. Not wanting to see my efforts wasted , and not quite being highly enough thought of to buy Ions from the squids, I agree to the mission. Sadly, the CIG forge is right next to the west gate and we're not close enough to engage both of the bombers that jump in....and then the forge is no more. Bugger! Well, at least I got paid for building it, if not for protecting it. With the loss of the station though my contract for the satellite factory is null and void, as there's nobody left to pay me for my efforts. I did get one bonus though, the bomber we did manage to hit was damaged enough for him to bail, so there's another Gladiator for me to claim.

We move on into Queen's Space, where there's work defending one of the local mines from another group of pirates. My pirate rep is already in the gutter, so I take the job. This time we're close enough to the gate to catch both of the incoming bombers before they can fire off a hail of nukes, forcing another Gladiator pilot to bail! So I collect that and send it to dock at the trading station. I'm going to have to hire some CODEA pilots at some point and get all my bombers rounded up so they can be repaired. I'm not sure if even a CODEA bomber can dock with a TL though.

My standing amongst the Boron still isn't high enough for me to buy Ions from them, so I fly back into Rolk's Drift to see if they've got any more work, only for the locals to tell me the Xenon are coming. Ah, at last! Something the Maniac can really sink her teeth into! As the first wave shows up in the south of the sector I order Mr. Springer to bring us about ready to head in and engage them.

The lead Ns fall rapidly to PRG and then PBE fire, my gunnery crews making the switch as the scout ships move into range. The Ms get raked with HEPT and PRG and finally the Ls get taken down by dual CIG rounds from my main guns. That's it though for the mission and we take a nice little payout. More importantly, my efforts have paid off and the Boron now list me as a 'Queen's Guard', high enough that I can buy those long awaited Ion Disruptors. About bloody time!

So I make pit stops at the equipment docks and military outposts in Kingdom End, Rolk's Fate and Atreus' Clouds, which nets me a grand total of two more Ions.

(sigh)

I can see this taking a while. While I'm docked at the outposts I notice they have boarding pods for sale, but my reputation isn't quite high enough for them. Eliminating that Xenon threat up in RD has left me at 'Queen's Guard' 98%, meaning one more mission ought to give me the standing I need for the pods. Luckily there's a squiddy wanting another factory built which should tip me over to 'Queen's Knight'. So I send Long Term to collect the MDS forge and turn north to oversee the construction, which has the desired effect. I can now trade for boarding pods with the squids!

Sending orders to Yahinussos, my CLS logistician, to add the outposts at KE and RF to his list I call in my flight wing. With the Boron now well and truly on side we're going to take a little tour into the eastern sectors and see what trouble we can get into.

Destination: Shareholder's Fortune!

Assets:

Stations:

• Nostroplex – 2x Flower farm L / 3x Sun Oil Refinery L – Profit Centre Alpha – 9,407,538 Credits

• CAG 01 - Caiman Tanker – Major Dealer Trantaeos Hilibis Luuligos III
• CAG 02 - Caiman Tanker – Major Dealer Gobanis Yahinussos Wegoras IX
• CAG 03 – Demeter Tanker – Major Dealer Libaras Ganatos Rudilis IV
• CAG 04 – Mercury Super Freighter – Major Dealer Gobanis Foologos Gogoeolos IX
• CAG 05 – Mercury Super Freighter XL – Major Dealer Yoyunis Hebalisos Rusiris VII
• CAG 06 – Caiman Super Freighter – Trader Thalia Kayean
• CAG 07 – Demeter Tanker – Trader Thalia Gusta
• CAG 08 – Demeter Super Freighter – Trader Jako Slamer
• LT – Blue Profit - Mercury Super Freighter – (20) Major Dealer Yagosias Trosulis Hurillis VI
• LT – Family Pride – Demeter Super Freighter XL – (20) Major Dealer Yalamandis Joranas Yayagios VII
• LT – Family Whi – Caiman Super Freighter XL – (15) Small Trader Kriss Keswen
• LT – Profit Centre Alpha - Demeter Super Freighter – (20) Major Dealer Foologos Joranas Ganatos IV
• LT – Rhonkar's Fire – Caiman – (20) Major Dealer Ganatos Yoganis Hilibis IV
• LT – Seizewell – Vulture Super Freighter – (20) Major Dealer Hebalisos Yoganis Gradias VII
• LT – Spaceweed Drift – Caiman Super Freighter XL – (19) Dealer Tomes Jorwan
• LT – Tharka's Sun – Caiman Miner – (20) Major Dealer Hirussusis Yosulis Yagaios I
• 'Giggity' – Discoverer Vanguard – Cargo Messenger Gantelios Yahinussos Hintorias X
• 'Problem Solved' – Discoverer Vanguard – Cargo Messenger Wegoras Gutosos Yahinussos V
• 'CLS – Boarding Pods' – Demeter – Logistician Yahinussos Hoaeos Yuyamandos I

Ships:

• 'Unexpected Perks' – Cobra
  'Strictly Legitimate' – Minotaur
  'Long Term Plans' – Ryu
  'Chop Shop' – Ozias
  
  'Maniac Vengeance' – Heavy Centaur Prototype
  
  'High Profile' – Fujin Sentinel
  'Indie Cypher' – Tenjin
  'Pocket Aces' – Nova Prototype
  'Lost in Translation' - Eclipse
  'Good Intentions' – Ranger
  'Swag Bag II' – Mistral
  'Tidal Traveller' – Advanced Express
  'Puddle Jumper' – Express
  'Double Helix' – Chokaro
  'Lunacy Veil' – Chokaro
  'Special Delivery' – Hades
  
  ST – Weaver's Tempest – Caiman Miner – (10) Senior Paymaster Pael Slamer

My Crew:

• 'Fightin' Irish' – Mamba Vanguard – Stephen O'Leary
  'Questionable Content' – Mamba Vanguard – Jim 'Baritone' Marchetti
  'The Bad Touch II' – Mamba Vanguard – Thane
  'Problem Solved III' – Mamba – Sam
  'Dark Days' – Mamba – Sark Rossi
  'Goshawk IV' – Mamba – Huritas Galos Yayasios II 'The Huntress'
  'Burning Wish' – Mamba – Ardentes Somnium 'Flame'

Pilots Required:

• Blastclaw Prototype
  Falcon Hauler
  Mamba Vanguard
  Medusa
  
  Solano x5

Refits:

• Hades 48%
  Gladiator x3 - 7% / 26% / 37%
  Viper 56%

Freighters:

• Caiman x2
  Caiman Tanker
  Demeter
  Demeter Hauler
  Demeter Super Freighter
  Demeter Super Freighter XL
  Dolphin Hauler x2
  Dolphin Super Freighter XL
  Mercury x2
  Mercury Hauler
  Mercury Super Freighter x5
  Mercury Super Freighter XL x4
  Mercury Tanker
  Mercury Tanker XL
  Vulture Miner
  Vulture Super Freighter x3
  Vulture Super Freighter XL x 8
  
  Express
  Hermes x2
  Toucan Hauler

Credits: 10,542,008

Time: 768-05-04 21:00

[Zaitsev]

Great chapter, Kirlack

And ... did someone mention a pilot? This one just sort of popped up in my head a couple of nights ago, so if you want her she's yours (I seem to have a thing for screwed up female characters ).

Name: Kayla. Don't ask if it's her first or last name, she won't answer. And she'll probably gut you if you push it.
Age: about 20 jazura, or a little over 27 terran years.
Gender: Female.
Race: Argon.
Callsign: Asura.

Description: Fit, sinewy woman, about 5'9" tall. Pale skin and long, chalk white hair, usually worn in a loose pony tail. Multiple scars across her back. Tribal dragon tattoos on her forearms.

Personality traits: Cold, cunning and extremely ruthless. Doesn't care much for her own safety and will do just about anything to reach her goal - revenge.

Story:
Kayla was kidnapped by pirates when she was fifteen years old, and although information is scarce rumor has it she was sold as a slave to the Crimson Skulls and forced to fight in arenas as entertainment. What is known is that they ripped her tongue out as punishment, making her a mute. She eventually managed to escape, and started a one woman war against the Crimson Skulls. Thanks to the skills she learned in the arena they haven't managed to kill her yet, and as rumors start spreading fewer and fewer were willing to try. She is able to speak through the use of a voice synthesizer, but she doesn't normally say much unless spoken to and any response will usually be short and to the point.

Needless to say, she doesn't harbor any love for the Crimson Skulls, and she'll hunt them when ever the opportunity arise. She's a good pilot, an excellent fighter and especially skilled in the use of the arian da'rije, a Paranid weapon consisting of a slightly curved shaft, about sixty centimeters in length, with a blade resembling an oversized spear tip attached to one end. The length of the shaft can be altered through the use of molecular compression technology, from a minimum of about sixty centimeters to a maximum length of about two meters. She's also a good shooter, wielding twin phase pistols customized for increased range and accuracy, but she prefers to get up close and personal if she can.

[Sabrina Bergin]

Nice work Kirlack can't wait for the next instalment

[Kirlack]

Great chapter, Kirlack

And ... did someone mention a pilot?

Thanks mate, both for the praise and the pilot I'm really looking forward to meeting Kayla

Nice work Kirlack can't wait for the next instalment

Thanks shaun I'm sorry it's taken so long to post, but here's chapter 17

Chapter 17: Knock out

It takes us over an hour to cross from Boron space, through the northern Teladi sectors and the Spilt border, before we finally reach Shareholder's Fortune. Despite being connected to Family Whi I've always thought of this sector as being on the eastern side of the universe. We'd had a couple of job offers along the route, but nothing worth our time, assassination missions that only paid a few hundred thousand credits, station builds for factories I can't buy....you know. Why the hell would the Split want an Argon cattle ranch built in Family Zein anyway?

We dock up at the local trading station and make our way to the restaurant. It feels like hours since I last ate. I need to be thinking about shutting this stimulator down soon. I must be getting close to that 'losing-the-plot' stage that O'Leary told me about when he gave me it. But I want to make some connections out this way first, get a feel of the region. From what little I know already, these frakking Crimson Skulls I keep hearing about might have some local interests. I've travelled all over the 'verse in my days, but I don't know many people out this way, so I reckon we look for some work and get the locals on side. Maybe then I can get some information, if there is any to find.

As the eight of us are settling down for our late meal I ask the guys if they know any more pilots out this way. Thane and Sam both shake their heads, as does O'Leary, which doesn't much surprise me. Being from Earth I'd be amazed if he knew anyone beyond this table, much less in another sector. Flame and Baritone both nod sagely and hint that they might have contacts, but I get the impression they'd rather not have to try to reach them. Some bad blood there perhaps? Rossi tells me there is, or at least was, a pirate base out in Mines of Fortune that might have some worthwhile pilots available, but we both agree there's no way to know if that base is even still there, and if it is whether or not it's free of the Skulls influence.

“What about you 'Huntress'?” I ask, pouring my beer from bottle to glass and catching her eye. She's been strangely silent throughout the conversation so far, which in itself isn't out of character, but now she seems....not nervous, but not far off.

“There might be one, maybe even two that I can reach,” she finally hisses at me, “but it would mean travelling back to Rhonkar'ssss's Cloudssss's and the pirate basssse there.” Damn. She doesn't know.

“There ain't no pirate base there Huritas.” I say quietly, leaning back in my chair and swallowing the last bite of my steak and salad. “Or at least, there wasn't when I was through there a couple days ago. Is it possible your er...'friends' might be elsewhere?” For a moment I can see the unbridled rage in her eyes, then...sadness perhaps? I wonder who she might have lost if the base is gone?

“It'ssss possssible.” She hisses quietly, thinking for a moment. “Sssshe might be working out of the military bassssse at Ghinn'ssss's Esssscape if the sssstation at Rhonkar'ssss's Cloudssss's has been dessstroyed.”

“She?”

“My wing pilot, Cho t'krrt. Many timesss's we have flown together in battle.”

“Pfft.” Thane huffs from my left. “Split women do not fight. Their men won't allow it.”

“What would you know, foolissssh human?” Huritas hisses at him angrily, and for just a second I get the feeling the big man's about to pull Dorothy and blow the lizard's head off, but seeing my raised hand he eases back down into his seat.

“Let's not be turning on each other, okay?” I say quietly, and even to me my voice sounds suddenly icy cold. “You ALL work for me, that means we work as a unit. If you guys can't get on then consider yourselves unemployed.” There's silent stares across the table for a few moments, and I can feel the hostility between Thane and Huritas, but eventually they both nod. “Good. Let's finish up our drinks and get out there. We've got work to do.”

Back in the long dark we make a move for The Vault where I'm immediately offered a used Mercury Hauler at a decent price. It gets sent up to the local trading station to await collection by Chop Shop whilst we scout out the rest of the sector. This looks like a good sector for trading, and with the several SPPs in Shareholder's and Family Whi my local traders should have plenty to keep them occupied.

With the sector scouted we break for the gate and pick up an assassination mission along the way. For one point seven million credits I'd be mad not to take it, so I agree and my contact gives me the details. Bah, Home of Opportunity. It'd take me too long to fly down there with my wing and I don't have gate coordinates for a direct jump, so instead I jump gate to gate and order my guys to follow me down.

When I reach the sector I spot my target and a few of his buddies along for the ride.

“Mr. Springer,” I say from the comfort of the command chair, “bring us into weapon range of the Gladiator. Gunnery crews, I want missile defences at peak, even two nukes from those bombers landing on target means we're toast.” A quick chorus of 'Aye Cap'n' and we move into position. As CIG fire starts ripping into my target and my gunnery crews deal swift and violent death to several of the scouts I notice the Viper pilot and it's crew have bailed under PRG fire from my port turrets. I might have to give my gunners on that side a little bonus.

Then the unthinkable happens.

Apparently oblivious to the fact that there's an assassin on his back, my target bails from his ship and attempts to flee the scene in his space suit! Fool! A quick burst of concussive rounds from my main guns and his suit goes up in smoke, leaving us one point seven million credits richer, and with another bomber to claim! Astounded by the squid's sheer stupidity I order a quick clean up of the remaining hostiles and claim the two bombers, sending them on their way to dock at the local trading station.

I spend a little time scouting around the sector while waiting for my fighter wing to catch up and spot a couple of used freighters for sale, a Vulture Miner and a Caiman Hauler, both of which I snap up and send on their way to the trading station. By the time my fighters show up I'm ready to move on, so we head further south into Split territory, the home of Family Tkr. The locals don't have anything to offer us in either work or ships for sale, so we push on, through Tkr's Deprivation and into Ghinn's Escape, where I give Mr. Springer and my fighters the order to dock up at the military outpost. Once we're all aboard the station I give my guys a bit of time off, with strict orders not to get drunk, and collar Thane and Huritas. I want to spend a little time with these two and work out what their problem with each other is.

“You two. With me. Huritas, we're going to see if we can't find your mate Cho. Thane, you've got our back, keep the girls to hand.” The big man just nods at me. He's clearly still pissed at Huritas for the kicking she gave him at the Freedom's Reach trading station, and I catch him scowling at the back of her head a couple of times while we're making our way through the corridors. That at least explains the hostility on his part, but I'm having a harder time working out why she's got the arsehole with him. I get the feeling that she's just looking for the biggest, strongest target she can find, someone she can goad, someone she can antagonize.

Someone who's skin she can get under.

Thane certainly fits the bill. He's the biggest guy I've ever met, and given the way he handled himself in that bar brawl at Hatikvah's Faith I know he can lay out a thorough beating to anyone he's of a mind to. He's also bad tempered and cranky, like the guy's got a head full of bad wiring, but he's proven consistently solid on my wing. Apart from maybe O'Leary and Sophia I can't think of anyone I'd rather have at my side in a ruck. But the guy also oozes this....'warrior spirit', for lack of a better description.

I wonder if maybe getting his backside kicked by a lizard half his size has injured his pride?

We make our way to the fifth floor and find an information station open to civilian access, so I run a subtle hack to get a little deeper into the system. There's no listing matching the name Cho t'krrt. Nuts.

“Would she work under an alias Huritas?”

“It'ssss possssible.” she hisses, stroking her chin with her claws. It's a very human gesture to see on a Teladi, and I had to fight to keep from smiling in case I ended up laughing at her. After a few heartbeats she smiles and says “Try Hin t'cct.”

So I run the name and...hello. “One listing. She's working as a freelance engineer here on the outpost. We can probably find her down in the maintenance bays.”

“Sssshe alwaysss wassss handy with a wrench.....”

“That settles it then. We'll go find her.”

“Kirlack. Wait.” She hisses as I turn back the way we've come. “Let me go alone. It will be a lot eassssier for me to contact her without you and Thane attracting attention.” I feel my eyes narrow instantly at the thought. Letting her go off on her own after she tried to kill me doesn't seem like the most sensible of ideas. But like Thane, Huritas has that 'spirit', that sense of honour about her. I genuinely don't believe she would stab me in the back now, not after working by my side. I can see it in her eyes every time I look at her. I wouldn't go so far as to say we were friends, but for some reason I can't explain....I trust her. I know. Weird huh?

“Alright. Meet us in the bar when you're ready.”

As she disappears round a corner Thane and I step into the lift to head for the bar. Once we're on our way down I turn to the big guy.

“So,” I start, lighting a cigarette, “what's the problem with you and the lizard?” I almost didn't notice the slight change of stance as he shifts his weight, but it's enough to let me on to what's bugging him. “You're still sore about having your ass kicked on the Freedom's trading station ain't ya?”

“And you just had to bring it up didn't you?” he growls at me, still facing the doors and keeping his eyes offa me.

“Well, yeah actually I did.” I say through a thick cloud of smoke. “If you two are gunning for each other all the time then it's gonna be hard having you both fly on my wing. I need all of you working as one.”

“Then maybe you shoulda just let me kill the bitch back at the trading station, boss.” He grunts.

“Look mate,” I say, somewhat exasperated, “I hired you both because you're damned good at what you do. If you can't work together I'm gonna have to get rid of one of ya, and given that you both know so much about me, and the Yaki, that probably means a bullet to the head.” By now I've moved round in front of him so I can see the reaction in his eyes. At first he seems to think I'm joking....but after a few seconds he realises I'm serious.

“Alright Kirlack,” He says quietly, “I'll drop it. But you need to talk to the lizard as well. It's not been a one way thing you know?”

“I know, and I will be speaking to her. Between you and me though Thane, I think she just does it to niggle you.”

“No doubt,” he says, nodding, “but I'm making it easy for her by taking the bait ain't I?”

“'fraid so big man.” I laugh. “But don't worry about it. I'll sort her out, you just concentrate on keeping your shit together. I like having you on my wing man, or by my side in a ruckus. Wouldn't want that to change.”

So, with one half of my pilot problem sorted the pair of us finish our journey to the bar in silence. I really meant what I said though, I like having Thane by my side. The man's like a frakking guardian mountain as he walks with me, and I can feel his roaming eye, keeping watch of every shred of corridor we cover, always on the lookout for trouble. Besides, who wouldn't want a heavily armed giant watching their back?

My pilots have been hard at work attacking the bar's beer reserves by the time we arrive and are making merry, for the most part. We make a brief stop at the bar before sitting at the table, where Sam and Flame are in the middle of an argument as to which is better, Tempests or Thunderbolts. Sam insists that the Thunderbolt is a better choice with it's longer range and higher yield, but Flame's argument for the Tempest's re-targeting ability is sound.

“I gots to agree with Flame,” I say taking a swig of my beer, “Tempests are bloody brilliant. And If you lot are too drunk to fly, I'll be launching some at you when we leave.” I finish, winking at Sam.

“Awww, we're not drunk chief! Seriously, to a man, we're sober as judges.” He says with a wild grin.

“Mate, I happen to know a Boron magistrate so corrupt I could get away with shooting you in the head, right in front of him.” I reply, returning an equally wild grin. “All it'd take is a reminder that the Yaki know all his dirty little secrets.”

“Frak man.” He laughs, taking a pull on his beer. “You can be a scary motherfrakker sometimes.”

“Part of the job description mate.” I shrug. “I'm all cute and cuddly on the inside.”

“Besides,” O'Leary chimes in, “I doubt you've got enough Tempests for all of us.” Which draws a laugh from everyone. Just as I'm about to take another swig of my drink, Rossi nudges me and points towards the door, where I see Huritas and an attractive female Split wearing a grease stained overall. Right then. Show time.

“You must be Cho.” I say as the pair of them walk up to our table and the boys make space for them both to sit down.

“That's right.” She says, squinting at the mad little human sitting next to her. “Huritas tells me you're looking for pilots?”

“Aye,” I says taking a swig of my drink. “especially those that knew Cali Le.”

So we spend a little time chatting and drinking and within minutes it becomes clear that Cho fits in with my crew. She laughs and jokes with my guys, and it's instantly obvious to me that she's going to be a worthy addition. I just hope her flight skills are as sharp as her wit.

“Has Huritas given you the heads up on our activities out of the cockpit Cho?”

“Fist fights and dodgy dealing you mean?” She replies without missing a beat. Ok, she knows what we're about.

“You know that doesn't pay any extra though, right....?” I ask, to which Cho simply nods. “Okay, good. Now while we're on the subject of money, I've been thinking. Since we're up to an eight strong fighter wing I'm upping everyone's basic daily wage to two hundred thousand. I'm also reducing your cut to one percent of any mission that you fly on my wing. Anyone got a problem with that?”

“An extra hundred grand every day?” O'Leary asks, smiling. “Nah, I think we're alright with that boss.”

So, with our new pilot settled into her temporary quarters aboard the Maniac and all round smiles from my guys at the increase in wages we head back out into space. We'd not taken time to look around Ghinn's on the way in, but the locals are offering a station construction contract which I happily take. Only there's a problem. Checking my on board computer I can't find a single Split shipyard that sells HEPT forges. Bugger!

“Miss Marval,” I say to my Goner navigator, a pretty, petite blond woman of maybe twenty two jazura, “where is the closest Split shipyard that sells HEPT forges?”

“Well Captain I'm not sure, but I think we'd have to head south east and make for Zyarth's Dominion. I believe the sector houses a super shipyard, one of the ones that sell almost everything.” Yeah, that's what I thought. Zyarth's borders Xenon space, but then the whole region from Family Njy to Zyarth's and north to Menalaus' Paradise is rife with machine activity. Still, I don't want to abort this contract and lose my good standing amongst the Split, and taking a tour out that way will give us an opportunity to take some more work, maybe capture some more ships, and make some more contacts. Hmm.

“Mr. Springer, set course for Family Njy.”

“Aye Cap'n.”

We slip through the gate and start moving south across the sector. I find a used Mamba for sale at one of the stations, which I buy, and then get a ridiculous offer on a Mamba Raider. I'm not a huge fan of the Raider variant of the Mamba at the best of times, so I sure as hell ain't gonna pay almost four million credits for a second hand one! Then I get a call for another station contract, which I agree to and send orders for Long Term to collect one from the PTNI shipyard. I'll get that built on the return trip.

We keep heading south, intent on picking up the gate to Thyn's Abyss, when I spot a flurry of activity and a ship exploding a little below us and to starboard. Calling up the sector map I see the machines are visiting Njy. Now, there's not many, even among the Split, who'd willingly defend Njy. Something to do with them being lying cheating bastards? Well, I'm a lying cheating bastard too, so maybe if I get on their good side...

“Bring us in to fifteen kilometres Springer. Gunners, ready Typhoons.”

“Aye Cap'n.”

We're gonna cook us a Q. I've managed to stash a few typhoon missiles over the last couple of days. A full spread hit from a single missile can do up to 240k damage to a a target, and a quick look at the encroaching frigate shows me it's slightly under shielded. I may be able to do this and still have some missiles left, nice. Working on the theory that not all my warheads are likely to hit I decide on a sixteen missile volley and let loose. Heh. I love it when the bad guys go boom. With the capital ship out of the way I pull back and let my fighters get to knife range with the machines, and they don't disappoint, dispatching the three Ls in moments. I only had time for that one pic.

With the machine menace dealt with we bring the Maniac about and start on our way towards Njy's Deception. There's a few missiles left over from the battle that I want picked up, so I call in Swag Bag II to collect. I've also fitted the Mistral out with explorer software and a few of the advanced satellites I've bought, so once it's done looting the wreckage of our little scrap with the Xenon I'm going to send it up to Shareholder's to start laying a network out. Whilst I'm at it I also arrange for Chop Shop and Miss Cornell's team to jump up this way as well and start repairing some of those freighters I've picked up. I'm also going to load up the Chokaros with jumpdrive equipped fighters and enough energy cells to get my newly acquired bombers home. In order to get my M8s docked at one of my carriers I'll need a CODEA pilot of at least Lieutenant rank, so I hire a Split from the Yaki military outpost, one Sao t'Llt. He's going to be tasked with getting all eight of my bombers set up and repaired so I can put them to use. I've decided I'm going to get the Gladiators repaired first and then sell them off. The two Vipers and the Hades are all faster, so when the repairs on them have been completed I'll see about setting them up with Special Delivery as my bomber wing. Long term I'd like to have more of the Split M8, but for now a mix will have to do. Speed isn't crucial to bomber operations, but it's always something to consider. In a worst case scenario I'd rather my ships have at least some chance of getting away.

So, with a willing pilot, the right equipment and a mechanic and technician aboard, the first of my bombers is ready to be beamed into one of the docking bays aboard Lunacy Veil. Three more of my engineers have finished their training so their first assignment is to get my bombers up to scratch. That'll take them a little while, and by now we've crossed the event horizon into Deception, where I'm offered another station contract, again one that I can't acquire anywhere but Zyarth's, but I'm going that way anyhow, so I take it. By the time we've crossed the sector and found the gate to Family Ryk I've been offered a used ship for sale and Long Term has reached PTNI to pick up the drone factory. I've enough jump fuel for a quick hop to Tkr's Deprivation and back, so I bounce and send orders for my TL to meet me there so I can oversee the construction, which nets me a quick three point nine million credits.

Once that's done I send Long Term to dock at the Njy shipyard and am just about to bounce back to my fighters when I spot an abandoned Iguana. Well, that's a nice little bonus. With my business here complete though I bounce back to the Deception east gate, hook up with my crew and start the long flight across Family Ryk. Halfway across the sector I get offered another Iguana and then the single cheapest second hand ship I'm ever likely to get. It may only be a Disco Hauler, but it's less than two thousand credits! Sweet! There's nothing else going on across the system though, so we push on, south into Family Zyarth and finally east to Zyarth's Dominion, where we do indeed find one of the Split super shipyards. I'm down to about forty minutes to get the HEPT forge built, so I order my guys back aboard the TL, beaming Cho across as well, and restock my M6 with energy cells before making the jump back to Tkr's Deprivation. Once my fighters are safely docked Long Term Plans stops at the shipyard, picks up the factory and meets me at the drop, where I get paid a pitiful four hundred thousand credits or so for my efforts. Oh well, you win some you lose some.

Sending Long Term back to the shipyard I jump to Ghinn's to await delivery of the tornado missile factory which earns me a far more respectable five million credits. With no more contracts to worry about I get my fighters back on task and send the TL home. With all the time spent running about and building factories, the repairs have been completed on the first Gladiator, so that's been stripped and sent down to the shipyard whilst Lieutenant t'Llt and his crew move on to the second. Swag Bag has had time to lay out satellites from Shareholder's all the way down to Zyarth's Dominion, and even scouted out Hila's Joy for me, so that's my next destination. If the Boron need half as much done out this way as the Split have I might be able to buy that wing of Tenjins by the time I reach Menalaus' Paradise.

As soon as we cross the event horizon into Boron territory I get commed for a transport mission, which for that kind of money I'd be insane to pass on, so I agree. I'm not sure how big Ocean of Fantasy is or where the mine is that my passengers are headed to, so I call in Long Term, with High Profile docked aboard, and switch over to my Fujin. A quick pit stop at the chip plant to collect my fare and we're soon blazing for the east gate. As we pass the military outpost I pick up another construction contract and send Long Term to collect the factory from PTNI, whilst the local light shields complex offers a military transport and a second personnel transport! It'll cut into my time to arrange pick up for the two groups, but I'm confident that High Profile can make the deadline on my original fare, so I call in the Traveller to meet me there and blaze for the complex. With my second and third groups of passengers safely aboard my TP I send it on it's way to Ghinn's Escape, and am just about to undock myself when I'm offered another construction contract. I guess my working to make some local contacts has paid off. Seems as though everyone and their dog wants me to work for them tonight.

So I agree to the SPP contract, undock and blaze for Oceans. By my calculations Hila's Joy has just offered me in the region of twelve million credits worth of work. From what I made on the trip down here, plus the sales of the Gladiators when they're all fixed up and whatever my fighter wing will be worth when it's all stripped down, plus whatever profits the Nostroplex has generated, I should have more than enough to buy and properly outfit eight Tenjins for my pilots! I think after this run of missions is complete we're due for a jump back to Senator's Badlands.

In the meantime I drop off my four passengers, collect my four point nine million credit payout and have a quick scout around the sector. There's a used ship for sale at the shipyard, an Octopus Raider, which is slightly overpriced in my opinion, but I buy it anyway. Why? So I can justifiably own a ship called 'Pussy Raider' of course! It's puerile I know, but it makes me laugh. So there.

Tidal Traveller informs me that it's dropped off the group headed for Ghinn's Escape, so I jump it to Ocean and send it to the same mine I dropped my first group of passengers at before accepting another construction contract and buying another used ship for sale. With my last fare dropped off and money in my account I busy myself zipping between Hila's and Ocean setting up factories for the Boron, until finally my mission sheet is clear and my bank account has swollen to a massive thirty eight million. The second Gladiator is ready for strip and sale, so that gets sent down to the shipyard while the third gets started on. I meet up with Long Term in Hila's Joy, give my fighters orders to dock for the jump home and switch back to the Maniac. Sending the TL on ahead to make sure there's no gate accidents I let them get a decent way into the sector before Miss Marval plots our jump course.

Back on familiar ground I arrange to have the fighters stripped of shields, weapons and missiles before sending them all off, four Mambas and three Mamba Vanguards, to be sold at the Yaki shipyard. Alongside the sale of my two Gladiators and the profits from the complex that puts me up to a massive seventy one million! Almost reluctantly, I lay out the forty five million or so for eight Tenjins, and several million more for upgrades, software, shields and weapons. Yeah, I know I've probably got weapons to spare, but I wanted to kit all the new fighters out identically. Call it a compulsion.

Anyway, with each of the new fighters kitted out with quad HEPTS, two PBEs and a trio of EBCs each, plus PACs in the turrets for missile defence I get them all docked aboard Long Term and beam over to present my purchases to my pilots.

“Suit up boys and girls. You've got brand new fighters to break in.” There are smiles and chuckles all round, Huritas is looking especially pleased as she admires the standard Yaki paint job on her new ship. Baritone and Thane are both nodding approvingly,obviously aware of the Tenjins hard earned reputation. Sam....Sam wants to know what kind of missiles it can fire....

(sigh)

….and so does Flame. Oh for frak's sake! Would it have been too much to ask for some sane pilots? Really? Meh. Rossi, O'Leary and Cho are all laughing and nodding their appreciation, and O'Leary finally turns to me and says:

“Thanks boss, she looks great! I was wondering when I'd get to fly the Cypher...”

“Oh no no no.” I says, all traces of humour suddenly banished from my face and voice. “Indie Cypher is my ship mate. Ain't no other pilot but me getting in her cockpit, unless they do it over my cold and bloated corpse.” Fighting the urge to giggle at Stephen's suddenly ashen white face I glare at him, as stone faced as I can manage.

“But....but you've got the Maniac boss....I....”

I can't hold it any longer and burst into laughter at his floundering, laughing even harder as his face adopts a quizzical expression. When he finally catches on he glares at me for a moment, then grins.

“Bastard.”

“Damn straight.” I reply without missing a beat, and turn to face the rest of my pilots. “Alright folks, why don't you all take your sexy new fighters for a spin. As of now you're operating as 'Blue Wing'. You're gonna keep using Long Term as a homebase, and I want you all to keep a stock of EBC ammo, mosquito missiles and energy cells aboard. They're all jumpdrive equipped, so when you're tailing me you can just hop when I do. Get into the practice of keeping your ship stocked. A hundred cells, thirty mossies and fifteen units of ammo.”

“Fifteen?” Rossi asks suddenly. “That ain't gonna last too long mate.”

“It shouldn't need to. With Long Term to fall back to for reload and re-arming you can carry smaller amounts, leaving room for missiles when we need 'em, or for swag when we don't. Besides, with the HEPTs and PBEs you'll be packing enough firepower to collectively take down frigates. Don't worry about running out of ammo.”

“So whilst we're out butchering some poor soul who's gonna be keeping an eye on the Ryu?” he replies, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes.” I say, grinning. “I'm going to hire four dedicated CODEA pilots from the outpost here and set them up in the Solanos. Once they've worked their way up to decent skill level I'll see about fixing them up with something heavier, like your new Tenjins. Now will you lot get the frak out of my hair and gimme some peace?”

“Aye aye Cap.” he laughs, and I watch, smiling as my crew climb into their cockpits. As they're being lowered into the launch tubes I start the long walk from the hangar to the bridge. It's late now, almost 02:00, and the crew are sleeping, leaving me alone on the darkened bridge. Just how I like it, going about my filthy business in the night. Heh. With a little time on my own I busy myself with some administrative work. My sector trader down in Weaver's Tempest is ready for his own patch, so I pull one of my freighters out of storage and send that up to Company Pride for all the relevant software and upgrades, before bouncing it down to meet it's pilot at the Weaver's SPP. Once the pilot is all set up I give him orders to start trading from Mines of Fortune, all the way down to Family Tkr and as far west as Family Whi, giving him six sectors to play with. I'm not really sure I want to push any further east than that though, on account of the Xenon activity in that part of the 'verse. Given my current high standing amongst the Boron I might risk setting up some traders n their territory, although knowing me there'll be some juicy squiddy targets that I can't ignore and I'll end up an enemy of the species again. I suppose I could try pushing into Terran space and seeing if they've got any worthy trading opportunities...hmm. Think I'll talk to O'Leary about that first though.

So, with another local trader on the go I go about hiring a new pilot for the Weaver's operation before setting Long Term's autopilot to head for the military outpost and hiring four CODEA pilots to set up in my Solanos. They're going to spend some time patrolling Senator's Badlands until they're all up to Lieutenant rank, after which I might just buy them all Tenjins and set them up as interceptors for the Ryu. Between it's own defences, which now consists of four flak cannons, four IBLs and a smattering of CIGs, and the backup of four heavy fighters I think she'll be well enough defended. In a worst case scenario I can always call in Strictly Legitimate for heavy fire support. That though, raises another problem. My Minotaur needs a captain. It's all well and good her being fully crewed, but I want someone in the big chair that I can rely on, somebody I trust. Hmm. I wonder if O'Leary wants the job? Something else to talk to him about I reckon. I also need a permanent captain for Perks, maybe even one for Long Term. If I start doling out new assignments to my fighter pilots though, who's gonna cover my ass?

Whilst I'm thinking about it all I leave the ship and make my way down to the outposts barracks where I meet up with my four rookie pilots and spend a little time settling them in. The Solanos have been kitted out with six PACs apiece, which should give them enough of a bite to hurt something quite considerably, should the need arise, and using the TLs CODEA console I've got them all set up to cross defend against missile attacks using a healthy stock of mosquitoes. Considering how many of them I seem to be getting through it's likely going to be worth my time setting up a mossie factory of my own. I'm also considering building an EBC ammo factory to keep Blue Wing topped up, but first I need money. If I'm going to be building factories for my own fleet to source equipment then I'd like it to be self sufficient, and that costs. A lot. Hmm.

For now I happily pocket the seven million odd credits for my last two Gladiators and arrange for my second Hades and the two Vipers to get fixed up and fitted for combat, whilst I make my way to the outposts mess hall for an early breakfast. And bump straight into Sophia.

(sigh)

That's something I could've done without today....

“Captain!” She says, and for the first time since I've known her she actually looks flustered. Something's up.

“What is Sophia?” I ask, eyes narrowed. “What's wrong?”

“I need your help Kirlack.” She says quietly. “We need your help.” Now, this isn't the usual with Sophia. Usual would be 'Do this.' 'Yes boss.' This was not a command. This was a plea for help.

“Sophia,” I say, reaching out to take her hand and bringing her eyes to mine, “I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong.”

“There's a Paranid Deimos patrolling Savage Spur. It's just wiped out most of the sector patrol force. Seventeen of my pilots Kirlack. Gone.” Shit. I don't know how substantial Sophia's forces might be, but to lose seventeen pilots and their ships, for a single engagement, is a heavy price. Worse yet if you lost. Frakking three eyed motherfrakkers!

“I'll let you know when it's done.” I growl, furious and ready to ruin. Seventeen of my brethren. Seventeen. As I'm turning to walk away I feel her hand on my arm, and turn back to look at her.

“Thank you, Captain.” She whispers and the sound of her voice, her proud and often mighty voice, seeming so humbled....that just felt wrong. I think this is the first time I've ever seen her even remotely vulnerable and it's.....weird. For almost twelve jazura this woman has seemed tougher than steel. And that, more than anything, made me run to my ship. I wanted blood.

“Up!” I roared as I passed the crew quarters. “Up you bastards! Get outta ya bunks and haul ass or I swear by Gunne I'll space the frakking lot of ya! Move!” Slightly rattled, but professionally competent, my crew scurry off to their stations, most of them taking a moment to marvel at the raging madman speeding towards the bridge. Heheheh.

As soon as we're clear of the station's docking clamps I order Blue Wing back to the hangar bay and my helmsman aboard the Maniac to prep the ship for jump to Ocracoke's Storm. With my fighters docked we make the jump, I beam across to my M6 and break for the north gate, calling my fighters in behind me. As we clear the gate and the guys form up around me I spot our target idling on the outer edge of the asteroid cloud. There's still the occasional explosion as the last of Sophia's patrol force try to escape, but the Deimos is swatting them with flak fire. Damn.

“Blue Wing, hold position here. Mr. Springer, take us in for a closer look.”

Hmm. I don't much fancy committing Blue Wing to engaging a frigate equipped with PSGs. Okay. Change of plan. Putting in a swift call to the bridge crew of my Minotaur, Strictly Legitimate, I order them to jump to the sector south gate to rendezvous with us. It's time we showed the 'nids why they're not welcome in our territory.

Ordering Blue Wing into a defensive position to keep Strictly covered I beam across to my frigate and start raging at the gunnery crew. They're a little slow to respond but between me foaming at the mouth and pulling my pistols with threats of castration for anyone not following orders, they soon get themselves in position and we launch the first missile barrages. Contact.... contact..... BOOM!

Well, that's not done my Paranid reputation any good. Meh. So be it. If the 'nids are prepared to come into my home and attack my brethren, they're going to get what's coming to them.

War.

With the immediate threat dealt with I beam back to the Maniac and send Legitimate home before sending Blue Wing back to their hangars. Since I'm now considered a 'Tainted Wanderer' by the 'nids I probably can't get away with flying through Empire's Edge, so I jump my corvette to Freedom's Reach and give orders for Long Term Plans to follow me in. I think I'm going to take my fighters for a little wander into pirate turf before they turn in for the night. Since my recent spate of missions has left the clans with a taste for my blood I think it's high time I at least tried to get them back on side.

Once my fighters have formed up behind me we break for the gate and into Danna's Chance, and I'm just about to comm the local stations when I notice there's one missing. There definitely used to be a PBG forge there. Nuts. I can only assume that one of the races militant patrols finally got the better of the station's crew. I sure hope Ban made it out in one piece. He may be a coward and a royal pain in the ass, but good hackers are hard to come by.

So, with the revelation of the missing station I push on looking for targets, and almost immediately spot this Paranid weapon dealer, complete with four PPCs! We were clearly so convincing in our arguments that he decided to kick the lot out of his cargo bay. Heheh. I think war on the Paranid might prove quite profitable. For now though I call in Swag Bag II to clear up the spoils whilst we make our way east into Nopileos'.

As we cross the event horizon I pick up an Argon Military Minotaur making it's way towards the Aladna Hill military outpost. I'm tempted to make a play for it, right up until the moment that I scan it. Buggery. I seem to be having little luck in finding poorly armed targets. I suppose I could have set up Ions in my turrets and gotten my gunnery crews to work on anti missile duty, but those fifty three hammer torps could have caused us some serious trouble, so we let him carry on with his business.

There's no other immediate targets in sector, so we push on into Hatikvah's Faith, where I happen upon an abandoned Nova Sentinel which is claimed and sent on it's way to the FR trading station where it can wait for the repair crew to get to it. In the meantime we push on across the sector....and spot a Carrack....

I don't know what it was, but for some reason as soon as I saw it I wanted to either steal it or blow it up. Damn thing wasn't even hostile to me at the time.

Now....what happens next is kinda....foggy. There I was, screeching and howling at my crew, and my pilots, to prepare for a run on the pirate frigate....when suddenly O'Leary appears on my bridge, beamed directly here from his cockpit. I'm about to turn my howling on him, when he calmly reaches out his hand and runs his fingertips across the left side of the stimulator...

“What the frak are you....oh.....” I groan, sinking to the ground, suddenly wanting nothing more than sleep. “You.....” I hiss at him, “you bastard! You're gonna steal my ship and.....”

The punch he landed on my jaw knocked me out cold.

Assets:

Stations:

• Nostroplex – 2x Flower farm L / 3x Sun Oil Refinery L – Profit Centre Alpha – 8,332,749 Credits

• CAG 01 - Caiman Tanker – Major Dealer Trantaeos Hilibis Luuligos III
• CAG 02 - Caiman Tanker – Major Dealer Gobanis Yahinussos Wegoras IX
• CAG 03 – Demeter Tanker – Major Dealer Libaras Ganatos Rudilis IV
• CAG 04 – Mercury Super Freighter – Major Dealer Gobanis Foologos Gogoeolos IX
• CAG 05 – Mercury Super Freighter XL – Major Dealer Yoyunis Hebalisos Rusiris VII
• CAG 06 – Caiman Super Freighter – Dealer Thalia Kayean
• CAG 07 – Demeter Tanker – Trader Dealer Gusta
• CAG 08 – Demeter Super Freighter – Dealer Jako Slamer
• LT – Blue Profit - Mercury Super Freighter – (20) Major Dealer Yagosias Trosulis Hurillis VI
• LT – Family Pride – Demeter Super Freighter XL – (20) Major Dealer Yalamandis Joranas Yayagios VII
• LT – Family Whi – Caiman Super Freighter XL – (20) Major Dealer Kriss Keswen
• LT – Mines of Fortune – Demeter Super Freighter XL – (12) Trade Negotiator Pael Slamer
• LT – Profit Centre Alpha - Demeter Super Freighter – (20) Major Dealer Foologos Joranas Ganatos IV
• LT – Rhonkar's Fire – Caiman – (20) Major Dealer Ganatos Yoganis Hilibis IV
• LT – Seizewell – Vulture Super Freighter – (20) Major Dealer Hebalisos Yoganis Gradias VII
• LT – Spaceweed Drift – Caiman Super Freighter XL – (20) Major Dealer Tomes Jorwan
• LT – Tharka's Sun – Caiman Miner – (20) Major Dealer Hirussusis Yosulis Yagaios I
• 'Giggity' – Discoverer Vanguard – Cargo Messenger Gantelios Yahinussos Hintorias X
• 'Problem Solved' – Discoverer Vanguard – Cargo Messenger Wegoras Gutosos Yahinussos V
• 'CLS – Boarding Pods' – Demeter – Logistician Yahinussos Hoaeos Yuyamandos I

Ships:

• 'Unexpected Perks' – Cobra
  'Strictly Legitimate' – Minotaur
  
  'Long Term Plans' – Ryu
• PAT Solano – Petty Officer Taimanckardet
• PAT Solano – Petty Officer Ha t'Nst
• PAT Solano - Recruit Leo Springer
• PAT Solano – Recruit Calon Brano
  
  'Chop Shop' – Ozias
  
  'Maniac Vengeance' – Heavy Centaur Prototype
  
  'High Profile' – Fujin Sentinel
  'Indie Cypher' – Tenjin
  'Pocket Aces' – Nova Prototype
  'Lost in Translation' - Eclipse
  'Good Intentions' – Ranger
  'Swag Bag II' – Mistral
  'Tidal Traveller' – Advanced Express
  'Puddle Jumper' – Express
  'Double Helix' – Chokaro
  'Lunacy Veil' – Chokaro
  'Special Delivery' – Hades
  
  ST – Weaver's Tempest – Caiman Miner – (10) Senior Paymaster Janit Keswen

My Crew:

• 'Fightin' Irish II' – Tenjin – Stephen O'Leary
  'Questionable Content II' – Tenjin – Jim 'Baritone' Marchetti
  'The Bad Touch III' – Tenjin – Thane
  'Problem Solved IV' – Tenjin – Sam
  'Dark Days II' – Tenjin – Sark Rossi
  'Goshawk V' – Tenjin – Huritas Galos Yayasios II 'The Huntress'
  'Burning Wish II' – Tenjin – Ardentes Somnium 'Flame'
  'Shadowfang' – Tenjin – Cho t'krrt

Pilots Required:

• Blastclaw Prototype
  Falcon Hauler
  Mamba Vanguard
  Medusa
  Harrier x2
  'Pussy Raider' – Octopus Raider
  
  Solano

Refits:

• Hades
  Viper x2
  Nova Sentinel 30%

Freighters:

• Caiman x2
  Caiman Hauler
  Caiman Tanker x2
  Demeter
  Demeter Hauler
  Demeter Super Freighter
  Dolphin Hauler x2
  Dolphin Super Freighter XL
  Mercury x2
  Mercury Hauler x2
  Mercury Super Freighter x5
  Mercury Super Freighter XL x4
  Mercury Tanker
  Mercury Tanker XL
  Vulture Miner x2
  Vulture Super Freighter x3
  Vulture Super Freighter XL x 8
  
  Express
  Iguana x2
  Toucan Hauler

Credits: 13,362,192

Time: 768-05-05 03:10

[46_n_2]

treachery! can never trust one of those damn Terrans i always say

hanging in suspense until next update

[Triaxx2]

Blasted fools! Betrayal is my job!

[Khayul]

Awesome stuff there

[Vim Razz]

Solid cliffhanger. It's been a blast catching up on these -- jeez, you guys are prolific.

And very neatly done with that HCP. (what? me? jealous? noooo... of course not... )

But most of all, grats on Little Kirlack! With a mentor like yourself, I'm sure he'll be swiping his first Hype V in no time!

[Kirlack]

Hey folks

Firstly I'd like to apologize for the complete lack of updates, I've been uber busy these last few weeks, and finding time to play X has been somewhat challenging. I've also been cut off from the internet whilst I'm at home, so even if I could get anything written I can't post it unless I make the trip to my mothers and use her connection.

(sigh)

But, fear not, there will be some updates coming soon (hopefully), I've not abandoned my guys or forgotten about you, my beloved readers At first opportunity I'll be back to update.

I did have a scary moment last night though. Went to load my game and it came up as corrupted save file I think my attempt to install the Advanced Complex Hub mod somehow screwed with it. So, I've removed the files and tried loading again, which worked fine. I was really worried that I'd have to abandon this DiD for a while

Anyway, I'll catch up with you all as soon as humanly possible

[Triaxx2]

Excellent, can't wait.

There's something about this time of year, it's always a little slow.

[Libelnon]

Great to see you're still plugging away, Kir. Looking forward to the next update.

[Scion Drakhar]

Hey hey,

I just finished Chapter 12 and am still very much catching up. I've got to tell you bud, you have an incredible imagination for details. I love the Paranid Dune Flute and all these conversations between the pilots. And Shinzo! I could practically see the guy standing there just burning with savage intensity. Yeah, all those different personalities just bring the story to life.

I will definitely continue to read and post more when I catch up. Good stuff!

Cheers.

[Scion Drakhar]

All right. I finally caught up. Awesome stuff, bro. I can't wait for more ... unless of course you've been lobotomized by the cortical stimulator and O'Leary is taking over ...

[Scion Drakhar]

I'm thinking of Wash staring at an unconscious Jayne, "Did he just go crazy and then fall asleep?"

Simon, "I told him to sit down."

So is the mad pirate lobotomized? Will Thane and the Huntress kill each other? Will no one joke with O'Leary any more? WHO WILL BUY THE BEER?!!!

[Kirlack]

So is the mad pirate lobotomized? Will Thane and the Huntress kill each other? Will no one joke with O'Leary any more? WHO WILL BUY THE BEER?!!!

Lobotomized? Nah, just sleeping Chapters 18 and 19 are coming along nicely now, so expect updates within the next week or 2. Chapter 18 is entitled 'Origins' so I'll leave that for you lot to think about

I'm considering changing the rules some to make things a bit tougher for myself, going Mak style and cutting out any trade with the races, and only taking missions from Pirate and Yaki aligned stations. What do you think guys? Yes, I realise that will entail me getting rid of the Nostroplex, but it might be worth it. Not sure though lol. I've also given great consideration to adding the Improved Races script and playing the 'Hot War', so every time I take a mission for either the Yaki or the Pirates my rep will drop with everyone else