Our next stop is back in the Ropesk sector. Seeing as how we'll be examining Elgava'a records on Epitaphs, it might be helpful to have our own, right?
On our way to the Void Gate, Tatiana gains a level from random pirates. She's now level 3!
Just as we enter the Ropesk sector, the party receives a message...: Yuri, there's an IP communication coming in.
: That's weird for a communication to come in from so far away. You got any idea who it's from?
: None at all. Let's check it out.
(voice): ...read me? This is the owner of the pawnshop "Coronet" in Toropets. Can you read me?
Hey, perfect timing! See, we're on our way to pick up that thing we left off, and--Pawnshop: Pirates are attacking my shop--Aagh!
*transmission ends*
: The pawnshop in Toropets...
: But that means...My Epitaph!
: Looks like we'd better head back to Toropets.
: And fast!
Ah cashews. To Toropets!*The owner, wrapped in bandages, can be seen at the back of the pawnshop.
Pawnshop Owner: (groans) I'm sorry. What's left of the Novgorod Pirates, they came in from Lutsk and ransacked my place. They took everything in the shop. Everything!
: You mean, they got my Epitaph?!
Pawnshop Owner: Yes, that too. I'm really very sorry.
: Do you know where they headed after that?
Pawnshop Owner:
I think they ran off to the Milesk Sector. I hear they gather there a lot. It was about a six-ship fleet.
: The Milesk Sector, eh? Yeah, come to think of it, I guess there's a starlane between here and there.
: Let's go after them, Nia!
: All right. Let's go!
Odium! Scandal! These vermin dare to steal MY Epitaph?! Six ships won't be nearly enough to stop me!
Ahem. Anyway, Milesk is an empty sector connected to Toropets. Not far to go at all. We get there, power up our weapons, and--
Huh?: Who are they?
: Novgorod Pirates. And they've been wiped out.
: Who did it?
: Yuri! I'm detecting a gravitational wave! There's something really huge out there! It's more than 2,000 meters long!
: 2,000 meters?! What kind of ship is that big?!
: I've never heard of one that big, either. At least not in the SMC. Well, except for one. But...Nah! It couldn't be.
: It's heading this way
See that speck in the middle? That's the PANSY. Eep.: It's enormous! I didn't know ships could be that big.
: This is not good! I never thought we'd run into this guy in a sector this remote.
: Wait a minute. Do you know who that is?
: Yup, I'm pretty sure I do, unfortunately. That ship is on just about everyone's do-not-cross list. It's the "Corsair", and it belongs to Valantin the Pirate.
: Valantin!
Valantin? Now where did I hear that name before?
EEEEEEEEEEEEP.Valantin: Har har har! Do you read me, there, you tiny little sloop? All the treasure these Novgorod fools had on their ships...has already been claimed by me, Valantin the Pirate! You're too late to get a single farthing!
: Son of a-- Kira, open up a line for me!
: Hey, wait a minute, kiddo! What are you--?
: Do it now!
: I'm on it!
: This is Yuri, the captain of this ship. Give me back my Epitaph!
Valantin: Epitaph? So that was yours, eh?
: That's right! That's my Epitaph! Give it back to me now!
I know we're all about to die, but I gotta say: Yuri has some big brass ones.Valantin: Heh heh. Gah ha ha! All right, you're on! But if you want it back so badly, you're gonna have to fight me for it!
*BOOM!*
: Eek!
: Wh-What's going on?!
: I think they've pulled up alongside us!
:
They're gonna board for a melee battle! Hmph. A pirate through and through, that guy.: A melee?!
: That's right. Do you know how a melee works?
Well, of course I do. : Well, it doesn't look like we've got much of a choice. Come on! Let's knock 'em into Grus!