As the light faded, the space before me materialized slowly.
"Wooooooo! I love that shit!" There was nothing like the adrenaline rush of jumping through unstable space. No gates. No regulations. No idea if this time is it. Pure blindness and hopes that you don't warp into the center of a star.
I punched the warp drive into action and my Claw lurched forward once again. It was all manual on this side. Stupid cosmic anomalies always screwed up the NAV systems so a series of short hops were the only way to go. Quite the pain in the ass, but quite a secured system as well. Nobody would be able to navigate such a place without months of extensive research and resources at their disposal.
Communications weren't even an option until you get within earshot. Another 'precautionary' measure I'd assume.
My last warp was fairly long. Always was. To the point of making your brain think it's too long. Just when you think something has gone wrong...
"Finally." My comms break the silence. It was him. Still that calm and collective voice. Never rattled. Still amazes me how he does it.
"Yeah yeah. Can't say that it was an enjoyable trip, but here I am none-the-less."
"Fair enough. Same bay. Make it snappy. We have a fair bit to discuss before things start to happen."
"Happen? What's happening?" Silence... he wasn't going to indulge me over the comms and I knew it. But I still liked asking just to annoy him anyway.
"Make it quick will you?"
"Yup. I'm on it." I swung around the small asteroid belt and made straight for the hidden base.
"Hey hotshot, you wanna slow it down a bit before you sink the entire east wing?" The comms burst alive again. It was Harry. Always good to hear Harry.
"Harry-Monster! Still around are ya?" He hated that name. Almost as much as he hated my heated approaches. Timid. He'd never last.
"Can the shit. You wreck, and I'll not wash your smudge off the deck for a month just as a reminder to all the others."
"Ahh.. Hairy-Monster. Angry as ever. Right then.. Incoming!" I punched straight in and dropped to the deck as always. It's always a delight to see people scampering away when I come in this hot. Light as a feather. Perfect as always.
"Touchdown. Have the guys start unloading the hold will ya Hairy-Monster?" I chuckled as I switched off the comms and dropped the cargo-bay doors. The crew was already approaching with their normal eagerness.
"Full one boys. And don't be too hasty eh? Don't want any fresh marks on my baby."
The crew stood a moment and surveyed the ship. She'd obviously seen quite a bit of action in her day. It was no secret that Concord would probably give their right nut to catch this one. The ship alone had been involved in more pirate activities than could be counted. The scars on her hull were wounds of survival and pride. Notches in her belt.
I made my way through the corridors to the main lobby. Might as well have a drink before getting into it with him again.
"Schmee!"
Cleared for publication by: Ander
Schmee was the barkeep. Always eager to serve a patron in turn for some deep space story. He loved all my stories.
"Back already eh? I got a new one for ya. Fresh off a looted hauler just last week." He jerked a bottle from the rack behind him and sat it on the bar.
"What's this? Any good?" I eyed the bottle and broke it's seal. Tossing my head back and letting the sweet-harsh rum flow down my throat.
"Everyone seems to love it. The latest craze in Empire." Schmee chuckled.
"Ahh! That's some good shit!" I recapped the bottle and passed it back to him.
"You'll be around tonight then?" Schmee was already hurting for his stories. He just couldn't get enough of them.
"Yeah yeah. Just gotta settle up some business with the boss-man." I smiled at him, then spun on my heels and started off towards the REC room.
As I approached the doors, I could hear the voices inside. Slightly muffled by the walls, but obviously heated enough that some sound still trickled out. I smashed through the doorway with my normal loudness just to break any tension already brewing.
"Take a seat. The others were just leaving." He gestured towards the chair across from him. The others rose from the table, and began making their way towards the door.
"In a good mood is he?" I asked one of the pilots as he passed by.
"Sheesh. You know the drill. Don't push it today man. Not today. A lot of shit has gone down since you were last here." He exited the room and I sat down.
"So how goes it out here? Boring as always I see."
"You see very little then."
"I see what I want to see."
"A problem in itself. At any rate, we have a few things that need sorting immediately. While you were gone, those visitors in the other system seem to be getting restless in their waiting."
"What does it matter? They don't know about the gate, and even if they did, they couldn't activate it from their side anyway. So where's the problem?" I hate how he's always so paranoid.
"Whether or not they can and will is irrelevant. We cannot have them out here any longer. It's already brought more attention than was originally anticipated. Their 'luck' in finding the resources was stellar. They obviously intend to harvest it all, and they are also getting more and more interested in the surrounding systems. It's only a matter of time before they find the gate. Once that happens, they will not rest until they are able to get it working."
"Ok. So what then? You want to invite them to dinner and kindly ask them to move along?" I know he already has a plan. He always has a plan. The man was a plan.
"Not quite what I had in mind. But I do have a plan."
"Of curse you do!" I couldn't resist.
"I've obtained a few more pilots recently, and even more ships. Disposable."
"The ships or the pilots?" I was joking.
"Both." He wasn't joking.
"Pawns in the greater game I assume?"
"Correct. At any rate, I've already taken the necessary actions. I've positioned 3 separate squadrons in remote areas. They are small enough, and currently unmanned."
"Won't they be found by your friends out there?"
"Not likely. I've positioned them in such a way that the anomalies are obscuring any valid readings from pretty much all angles. I've programmed the ships with specific waypoints. Each will be set on a timer and activated in the appropriate time-frame. Timing is essential here. Everything must go exactly according to the plan."
"Ok. So what do you want me to do?"
"I would like you to gather the team and get them to the ships. You will only be taking 1 pilot to each squadron. Each squad has only 1 ship that has a viable hull intact. The pilots are to board their respective ships, and await further instructions. They are to know nothing of the remaining unmanned ships. As far as they know, you are transporting them to an active squadron that they will be 'in charge of' for this operation."
"Fodder for the masses eh?"
"Something of the sort, yes. The pilots have already been briefed to the situation, so do ensure you don't slip with the information."
"Perfectly clear. This is all to happen when?"
"Tomorrow."
"Perfect. Are you actually going to attack the fleet?" I knew he wouldn't answer, but I had to ask anyway.
"That will be all for now. We'll meet again tomorrow prior to your departure."
So that's it then. Another 'secret' mission. He's full of them. It's kind of a pain not knowing what's really going on, but in a sense, it's a bit relaxing really. My days as a lone-pirate have taught me many things, but the most important lesson was one I'd never forget... I'm always on the lookout. Actions and reactions based on tidbits of information. Great way to make some great cash, but stressful as hell.
At least here it's all laid out for me. If I'd had to guess, I'd bet this is what military life feels like. Only without the satisfaction of taking what you want when you want it.
The night was a restful one. I hadn't slept that well in quite some time. Something about the area out here. Calming.
"So what are we waiting for?" One disgruntled pilot was pacing back and forth.
"Jittery eh? No good that'll be. You need to calm yourself mate." Another responded.
"Blow it out your ass. We are all ready and waiting on him as usual." The first pilot retorted.
"Hey hey boys. That's no way to show your respect to the man now is it? He's brought you more victims and wealth than you could have managed in an entire year of your own efforts. Right? Besides, he is the boss, and you are the pilot." I laid it out plain enough for them to understand.
"So?"
"So shut the fuck up already. Nobody here is interested in you ranting at the moment." I've no patience for timid pirates. He's obviously not happy with me, and that's the way I like it. Keeps them all on their toes.
The far doors opened and in he walked. Strolled was more like it. Not a care in the verse it seemed. He passed a few of the deck workers and uttered a few words which sent the scrambling in different directions. Most likely with some mundane task that he fluffed so they'd eat it up in a moment. It worked.
He approached our group and eyed each one of us individually.
"You are all aware of what is taking place today. It is essential you follow the directions to the millisecond, otherwise your frozen corpse will join the wreckage outside. Is this understood?"
They all nodded and waited.
"Very well. Make it happen and I'll see you upon your return." He handed me a portable NAV computer and turned on his heel heading for the far door he entered not 3 minutes prior.
"A man of few words." Replied one pilot.
"Weird." Replied another.
"Ok boys, on ya go. Load her up and lets be on our way then." We all climbed aboard the provided ship. I'm entirely comfortable in anything other than my Claw, but I can fly just about anything. Just as well. Wouldn't want to be taking my baby out on a suicide mission anyway. Not to mention there isn't much room for 4 people.
We boarded and promptly took off. Spat out of the bay like an shell from it's artillery counterpart. People hated flying with me. Too fast, to abrupt, to reckless. I've heard all the excuses. Point is, I'm still alive, and most of them are not.
"Ok boys. We're off. Who's first?" I asked.
I ignored their ranting as they bickered back and forth as to why each of them should be first. It didn't matter. But I wasn't going to be the one to tell them.
"Ok then. Rock/Paper/Scissors?" I hit the warp drive and made way for the first waypoint. As we approached the ships, it was quite a surprise. I know he said he'd come across more ships, but I didn't expect this. There was easily a dozen ships sitting in a nicely packed formation. A few inties, frigs, destroyers, and even a dictor!. Amazing really. He spared no expense on this one. I guess he really does intend on 'attacking' the fleet after all.
"Would you look at that?" One of the pilots replied.
"Nice setup for an ambush. This should be cake-walk." Replied another.
"Here we go boys. First up get ready.... and... GO!" I swung the ship around just as the first pilot used the small jet pack to propel his way towards his 'squadron' of death dealers. Tossing the out the cargo hold was fast and efficient. Once I saw the pilot gliding towards his ship and making contact with the cargo doors, which were already open, I punched the warp and headed for the next waypoint.
After depositing the remaining two pilots at their destinations, I made my way back to the compound. It would be interesting to see it all unfold. He always watched from the compound. He had a way of pulling off the most spectacular operations and always having it documented. He was always overly prepared. Camera drones, stationary probes, extra ships. He'd always thought of it all.
I came barreling in as normal, but decided to pull back a bit. After all, this wasn't my nimble baby I was in... this is a hulk of shit that is as easy to steer as it is moving a moon.
I made my way back to his office, and waited. A moment later he buzzed me in. Bottle of rum in hand, I sat down at the table and popped the top of the bottle once again taking a long and deserving drink. It went down so well.
A moment later, he approached and sat down beside me. Pouring a bit of the rum into his glass, he flicked a button and the overhead monitor sprang to life.
there sat multiple screens of his plan. The action about to ensue. One couldn't help but be impressed.
"You really amaze me at times boss."
"Indeed." Was all he replied.
"Almost time then. Here's to another successful operation." I raised my bottle, and he raised his glass. One would consider it bad luck to toast a victory before the battle started, but his operations never failed. It was almost as if it were fate. Besides, it wasn't so much a toast to victory as it was to the men he'd just sacrificed. He truly was a sinister man.
The clock on the main monitor was counting down. When it reached zero, all of the ships suddenly came alive powering up in unison. The first squad raced off towards its destination. Moments later the second and third did the same. It was only a matter of time now.
The fleet never knew what hit them until it was too late.
"Back already eh? I got a new one for ya. Fresh off a looted hauler just last week." He jerked a bottle from the rack behind him and sat it on the bar.
"What's this? Any good?" I eyed the bottle and broke it's seal. Tossing my head back and letting the sweet-harsh rum flow down my throat.
"Everyone seems to love it. The latest craze in Empire." Schmee chuckled.
"Ahh! That's some good shit!" I recapped the bottle and passed it back to him.
"You'll be around tonight then?" Schmee was already hurting for his stories. He just couldn't get enough of them.
"Yeah yeah. Just gotta settle up some business with the boss-man." I smiled at him, then spun on my heels and started off towards the REC room.
As I approached the doors, I could hear the voices inside. Slightly muffled by the walls, but obviously heated enough that some sound still trickled out. I smashed through the doorway with my normal loudness just to break any tension already brewing.
"Take a seat. The others were just leaving." He gestured towards the chair across from him. The others rose from the table, and began making their way towards the door.
"In a good mood is he?" I asked one of the pilots as he passed by.
"Sheesh. You know the drill. Don't push it today man. Not today. A lot of shit has gone down since you were last here." He exited the room and I sat down.
"So how goes it out here? Boring as always I see."
"You see very little then."
"I see what I want to see."
"A problem in itself. At any rate, we have a few things that need sorting immediately. While you were gone, those visitors in the other system seem to be getting restless in their waiting."
"What does it matter? They don't know about the gate, and even if they did, they couldn't activate it from their side anyway. So where's the problem?" I hate how he's always so paranoid.
"Whether or not they can and will is irrelevant. We cannot have them out here any longer. It's already brought more attention than was originally anticipated. Their 'luck' in finding the resources was stellar. They obviously intend to harvest it all, and they are also getting more and more interested in the surrounding systems. It's only a matter of time before they find the gate. Once that happens, they will not rest until they are able to get it working."
"Ok. So what then? You want to invite them to dinner and kindly ask them to move along?" I know he already has a plan. He always has a plan. The man was a plan.
"Not quite what I had in mind. But I do have a plan."
"Of curse you do!" I couldn't resist.
"I've obtained a few more pilots recently, and even more ships. Disposable."
"The ships or the pilots?" I was joking.
"Both." He wasn't joking.
"Pawns in the greater game I assume?"
"Correct. At any rate, I've already taken the necessary actions. I've positioned 3 separate squadrons in remote areas. They are small enough, and currently unmanned."
"Won't they be found by your friends out there?"
"Not likely. I've positioned them in such a way that the anomalies are obscuring any valid readings from pretty much all angles. I've programmed the ships with specific waypoints. Each will be set on a timer and activated in the appropriate time-frame. Timing is essential here. Everything must go exactly according to the plan."
"Ok. So what do you want me to do?"
"I would like you to gather the team and get them to the ships. You will only be taking 1 pilot to each squadron. Each squad has only 1 ship that has a viable hull intact. The pilots are to board their respective ships, and await further instructions. They are to know nothing of the remaining unmanned ships. As far as they know, you are transporting them to an active squadron that they will be 'in charge of' for this operation."
"Fodder for the masses eh?"
"Something of the sort, yes. The pilots have already been briefed to the situation, so do ensure you don't slip with the information."
"Perfectly clear. This is all to happen when?"
"Tomorrow."
"Perfect. Are you actually going to attack the fleet?" I knew he wouldn't answer, but I had to ask anyway.
"That will be all for now. We'll meet again tomorrow prior to your departure."
So that's it then. Another 'secret' mission. He's full of them. It's kind of a pain not knowing what's really going on, but in a sense, it's a bit relaxing really. My days as a lone-pirate have taught me many things, but the most important lesson was one I'd never forget... I'm always on the lookout. Actions and reactions based on tidbits of information. Great way to make some great cash, but stressful as hell.
At least here it's all laid out for me. If I'd had to guess, I'd bet this is what military life feels like. Only without the satisfaction of taking what you want when you want it.
The night was a restful one. I hadn't slept that well in quite some time. Something about the area out here. Calming.
"So what are we waiting for?" One disgruntled pilot was pacing back and forth.
"Jittery eh? No good that'll be. You need to calm yourself mate." Another responded.
"Blow it out your ass. We are all ready and waiting on him as usual." The first pilot retorted.
"Hey hey boys. That's no way to show your respect to the man now is it? He's brought you more victims and wealth than you could have managed in an entire year of your own efforts. Right? Besides, he is the boss, and you are the pilot." I laid it out plain enough for them to understand.
"So?"
"So shut the fuck up already. Nobody here is interested in you ranting at the moment." I've no patience for timid pirates. He's obviously not happy with me, and that's the way I like it. Keeps them all on their toes.
The far doors opened and in he walked. Strolled was more like it. Not a care in the verse it seemed. He passed a few of the deck workers and uttered a few words which sent the scrambling in different directions. Most likely with some mundane task that he fluffed so they'd eat it up in a moment. It worked.
He approached our group and eyed each one of us individually.
"You are all aware of what is taking place today. It is essential you follow the directions to the millisecond, otherwise your frozen corpse will join the wreckage outside. Is this understood?"
They all nodded and waited.
"Very well. Make it happen and I'll see you upon your return." He handed me a portable NAV computer and turned on his heel heading for the far door he entered not 3 minutes prior.
"A man of few words." Replied one pilot.
"Weird." Replied another.
"Ok boys, on ya go. Load her up and lets be on our way then." We all climbed aboard the provided ship. I'm entirely comfortable in anything other than my Claw, but I can fly just about anything. Just as well. Wouldn't want to be taking my baby out on a suicide mission anyway. Not to mention there isn't much room for 4 people.
We boarded and promptly took off. Spat out of the bay like an shell from it's artillery counterpart. People hated flying with me. Too fast, to abrupt, to reckless. I've heard all the excuses. Point is, I'm still alive, and most of them are not.
"Ok boys. We're off. Who's first?" I asked.
I ignored their ranting as they bickered back and forth as to why each of them should be first. It didn't matter. But I wasn't going to be the one to tell them.
"Ok then. Rock/Paper/Scissors?" I hit the warp drive and made way for the first waypoint. As we approached the ships, it was quite a surprise. I know he said he'd come across more ships, but I didn't expect this. There was easily a dozen ships sitting in a nicely packed formation. A few inties, frigs, destroyers, and even a dictor!. Amazing really. He spared no expense on this one. I guess he really does intend on 'attacking' the fleet after all.
"Would you look at that?" One of the pilots replied.
"Nice setup for an ambush. This should be cake-walk." Replied another.
"Here we go boys. First up get ready.... and... GO!" I swung the ship around just as the first pilot used the small jet pack to propel his way towards his 'squadron' of death dealers. Tossing the out the cargo hold was fast and efficient. Once I saw the pilot gliding towards his ship and making contact with the cargo doors, which were already open, I punched the warp and headed for the next waypoint.
After depositing the remaining two pilots at their destinations, I made my way back to the compound. It would be interesting to see it all unfold. He always watched from the compound. He had a way of pulling off the most spectacular operations and always having it documented. He was always overly prepared. Camera drones, stationary probes, extra ships. He'd always thought of it all.
I came barreling in as normal, but decided to pull back a bit. After all, this wasn't my nimble baby I was in... this is a hulk of shit that is as easy to steer as it is moving a moon.
I made my way back to his office, and waited. A moment later he buzzed me in. Bottle of rum in hand, I sat down at the table and popped the top of the bottle once again taking a long and deserving drink. It went down so well.
A moment later, he approached and sat down beside me. Pouring a bit of the rum into his glass, he flicked a button and the overhead monitor sprang to life.
there sat multiple screens of his plan. The action about to ensue. One couldn't help but be impressed.
"You really amaze me at times boss."
"Indeed." Was all he replied.
"Almost time then. Here's to another successful operation." I raised my bottle, and he raised his glass. One would consider it bad luck to toast a victory before the battle started, but his operations never failed. It was almost as if it were fate. Besides, it wasn't so much a toast to victory as it was to the men he'd just sacrificed. He truly was a sinister man.
The clock on the main monitor was counting down. When it reached zero, all of the ships suddenly came alive powering up in unison. The first squad raced off towards its destination. Moments later the second and third did the same. It was only a matter of time now.
The fleet never knew what hit them until it was too late.
Ander