4207: January 1st:
Lieut. Commander James Madiosn always considered himself a cunning man (though many would disagree.) James considered his transfer to E-12342 to be one of the highlights of his career. Four greedy corporations in conflict. James laughed with joy at the amount of bribes he could receive.
A banquet was prepared for the launching of the ships tomorrow. Space colonies being what they are, the feast was basic rations, and was held in the mess hall. However that did not prevent all the stops from being pulled, few they may be. The captains and the commander had their own table, and the cutlery had been polished. The commander was seated in the center of the table, of course. Ben Beardlacking was seated at the far left, in a green PSI jumpsuit (‘U’ having more important things to do than design uniforms.) Next to him was Bob Smith, dressed in a more stylish ensemble. To the right of James was Richard Yates, in the militaristic uniform of the Aeon Security Services. Richard was currently arguing with Galen White, who was seated to his right. The only way that one would associate Galen with Westar Intergalactic was the boar sewn upon his heart, the only piece of uniform that Westar requires.
Suddenly, two figures burst through the doors. “What the hell are you doing here?” James demanded when he recognized the faces of Jacob Valence and Alice Valent.
“This is a banquet for the captains, is it not?” replied Alice. “So I figured me and Jacob ought to be here.”
“What are you talking about?”
And aide whispered to James through his implants. “They’re right. I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to secure the rights to mine E-12342. Forms just came in through the hyperrelays.”
James forced a smile before replying. “Well, it looks like you are correct. While we were not prepared for your arrival, I’m sure we can order something from the kitchens?”
Jacob snorted. “Like we’d ever eat anything you offered us. Nah, we just came to see your ugly little face again.”
As they left, James wondered if his old post in Bernia was still open.
Funds: $5 000
Name of ship: Ad Mortis Nos Bibendum
Captain's name: Ted the Automaton
Type of ship: Girder
Armour: 10/10
Equipment:
Level 5 engine
2x light vacuum
1x Prospector
Cost; 190.000
Name of ship: Lasius Flavus
Captain's name: Bill Beardlacking
Type of ship: EN-42(ant)
Armour: 6/6
Equipment:
Level 5 engine
Tiny Canister
Cost; 105.000
Flavour:
Ben staggered back to his quarters, glad to have the rest for tomorrow, when he had to endure living in the Lasius Flavus. As he staggered inside his quarters, the intercom buzzed. “Not thinking of sleeping when we have a job to do, are we?” ‘U’ said.
“Damn it, the ships aren’t leaving til eight hours from now.”
“I hear that certain men of Glaider can do miracles in ten minutes.”
“I’m up, I’m up. What do you want me to do?”
“Go to the Lasius Flavus. All the guards along your route will be bribed to ignore you. The ship is ready to take off as soon as you arrive. The Ad Mortis Nos Bibendum has left already.”
Grumbling, Ben stumbled to the Lasius Flavus, yearning for the eight hours of sleep he wouldn’t be receiving anytime soon.
Funds: $60 000
Name of ship: Galen's Flush
History: The captain won this ship in a 24 galactic hour long poker tournament. It's been with him ever since, and shows signs of obvious battle damage and hasty repairs. Can you guess his winning hand?
Captain's name: Galen White
Type of ship: MOD-02, 2C:
Armour: 12/12
Level 5 engine
Equipment: (4/4)
2x Light Canister
2x Tiny Vacuum
Cost; 240.000
Galen thought something was up when he saw Richard in the uniform of an USEC officer. In no time he and his crew were sneaking around the ship, and reading Galen’s flush. As soon as Galen was in it, he began to give orders to his crew. “Don’t undock the ship til the fusion reactor is warming up, we don’t want to alert anybody until we’re ready. Someone scan for the Pioneer and bring it up on the left view screen if you spot it.” When the Pioneer was brought up, undocked, Galen smiled. Whatever trap Richard had laid, Galen knew he would not be in it.
Funds: $55 000
Name: The Jolly Dwarf
Captain's name: Bob smith
Type: Girder
Armour: 12/12
Equipment: Level 6 engine
Prospecting equipment
2 light mining tools
Small container
Cost: 245,000
Bob Smith was not looking forward to working in E-12342. While being a fairly good Skimmer pilot, Bob had little knowledge about how to run an mining ship. The only reason he had the job was because he knew Julius Wilder, and was too much of an idiot to refuse the job. Bob had ordered his crew to head to the Jolly Dwarf after the feast, he wanted to fly the ship around some more, get more experience running her. This was why he was surprised when he saw the rest of the ships undock and speed away.
“What the hell are they doing?”
“Looks like they’re trying to get an early start or something, sir.”
“Well don’t just stand there! Get moving! If they’re jumping the gun and getting away with it, we have to too, damn it!”
Funds: $55 000
Name of ship: Pioneer
Captain's name: Richard Yates
Type of ship: Girder
Equipment: Level 6 engine
Prospecting equipment
2 light mining tools
Small container
Cost: 245,000
Richard Yates confidently marched along to the Pioneer, in the stolen uniform of an officer, his crew in tow. He noted with satisfaction as the soldiers cringed when he looked at them. Few guards stopped him, and those that did were cowed into letting him, and his crew, past. Soon enough, the Pioneer was undocked from the Austin-Ega, its fusion reactor warming up. While Richard was changing into his proper uniform, he smiled at the thought of the other captains remaining locked in their quarters, through the virus that he had released into the station. With luck, it would be days before they were freed, and by then the Pioneer would have a sizable lead on them.
Funds: $1 000
Name of ship: Clever Dream
Captain's name: Alice Valent
Type of ship: EN-42
Armour: 6/6
Equipment:
prospector unit
speed 5 engine
Cost: 100k
Name of ship: Samson
Captain's name: Jacob Valence
Type of ship: MOD-02
Armour: 12/12
Equipment:
1 miner tools
small container
speed 3 engine
Cost: 199k
“What are you waiting for? We already welded that Aeon scum’s door shut.”
“Yes, but James is right beside it... There. Done. That’s the last of them. We can leave now.”
“Good, it’ll feel good to get back on the Clever Dream again.”
“I wish I could see their faces when they realize that they’re welded shut, and we’re already several light-seconds to the nearest field. Come on, we’re wasting time as it is.”
“Says the man who welded the door that didn’t need it.”
“Yah, but it will be worth it. Now are you moving or not?”
@SHADOWdump: We'll need to find some pirates first.