Dervin Malfient

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]I was born on the arid world of Houston to a ex convict mother. I've never met my father.
To get by, I worked the deserts to produce the fertilizers that Houston is famous for. As a
typical child, I longed for more, but atypically, I achieved it. I taught myself mathematics,
physics, and advanced computer science while I wasn't laboring, and Ageira took note. I was
hired in a whirlwind of excitement that died out as soon as I arrived at Pueblo Station. Life
was monotonous, but it was better than the deserts of home, and living in space has it's perks.
I worked on jump gate software and was damn good at it. Let's fast-forward several boring
years to the point where I had had enough. I was just finishing a new piece of targeting tech
for improving the defense systems of lane gates and was awaiting a meeting with the head of
my department. The new software would bring the accuracy up by a full ten percent. I was
called into his office, excited to present my work.

After laying out my proposal and detailing the technology, the director called in his previous
appointment and claimed that my software was stolen. A coworker had lifted my code and
claimed it as his own. A rage consumed me, the likes of which I had never before known.
Within minutes, the lifeless pulp that used to be my coworker was bashed against against
the table and his blood coated my body. His blood. And security fought to contain me. It
was to a cell that I was taken, to await a prison ship. And then to Sugarland.

Fortunately, I was able to hack the security protocols to the cell I was being held in. I made
good my escape and hijacked a starflier and destroyed all the backups of my project, even
attacking computers containing the stolen code. It was a simple matter to run a detailed
search of the network when being caught was no longer a concern. If Ageira was to take my
life from me, I'd take something in return. I blasted into the black in my fragile ship and left
everything that I had ever known behind.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]After escaping, I was desperate. Nowhere to turn, I flew randomly and hid in the asteroid fields
of New York, fighting off Xenos; the only ships that I met. I spent my time hacking the neural
net, looking for a place to turn when I found a recruitment page for the Lane Hackers. I did
some checks to make sure it was real and couldn't find a thing. Whoever made it was talented,
I'll give em' that. So I followed the directions. I was already near the coordinates they provided
for Rochester base, so I flew there directly and helped as I could until they trusted me enough
to point me to the next leg of my journey: Buffalo.

The journey was not a pleasant one, as I had to cross open space. I knew that Ageira had
not forgiven me. The postings on the bounty boards spoke to that. They were calling for
my head. Sure enough, as I passed close to a lane, a wing of bounty hunters managed to
spot me and gave chase. Their formation swung around and followed me into the Badlands.
I couldn't outrun them while I looked for the hidden Buffalo Base, so I broke behind an
asteroid and waited for them to pass and attacked from behind. I had one sucking vacuum
in no time, but the rest were already on me. Xenos scouts having been my only combat
experience, I was panicked against trained Bounty Hunters. I swooped close to an asteroid,
losing a wing, and throwing debris into the trailing Hunter's engine. His ship lost control
without the engine, and hit the next asteroid and cracked his cockpit. One left. It was a
game of cat and mouse with him chasing me as I sweated and panicked.

It was a group of Rogues that saved me. Their signatures appeared on my radar, converging
on the hunter. I killed engines and swung about to watch a hyena finish it off.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]

The Rogues identified themselves and led me to Buffalo. Something about enemies
of Liberty being their friends. What little money I had stolen went into buying a Dagger,
as suggested by the Lane Hacker neural net, and the money from my Flier went into
outfitting it. I spent just enough time at Buffalo to thank everyone and share a few
rounds at the bar before heading to Mactan in Magellan. I knew that I had to pass through
California and a lot of open space before my trip was over. That, and I could feel the
Bounty Hunters closing in; I knew they wouldn't let go the fact that I had left three of their
pilots floating in the Badlands.

Passing through California ended up being fairly simple as I took the long way around
south through the asteroid field rather than to chance an encounter in the lanes. As I sped
through the jump gate, an uncivilized looking system opened before my eyes. Before I had
a chance to get my bearings, a Navy boy caught sight of me. I was chased a short distance
and decided to try my luck at the lanes rather than fight him. I'm sure he would have had
backup in no time, so I fled as fast as my Dagger could take me. Mid flight, I sent a message
that I had prepared to the Hackers, asking for admittance into their ranks. I had a good
general idea as to where Mactan was located, thanks to the Rogues, so I exited the gate
early and blew it with a mine.

The page was correct! The neural net didn't lie! Mactan revealed its self, emerging
from the surrounding asteroids as a large rocky base. I immediately landed and was
advised to meet a few people in the bar. After introductions, I was told that I would
have to wait for the upper echelons of the Hackers to accept me into their fold. I
needed this. I wouldn't survive without their help, so I decided to take on a couple of
missions to increase my chances. They were dangerous, but I had some other
recruits to join me and we prevailed. The days grew long...

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]...and they the days turned into a week. I had had enough waiting. A new cardamine
addiction and an ever increasing sense of paranoia gripped me to the core. The fear had
turned from a tingling wind in the back of my mind to a full blown storm. I thought that
everyone was out to get me. By this time, I had become fairly proficient in piloting my
Dagger, and was quite confident. I had flown several solo missions and had come back alive
with captured bounty hunters to turn over to Mactan officials. I had even met the mysterious
friends of the Lane Hackers, the Hellfire Legion, and flew with one of their ace pilots. He told
me about their history, how the Hackers had taken them in when they needed help the most.
Well, THAT sounded familiar, except the taken in part. I'm sure you can tell how desperate I
am from that statement alone. With no other choice, I went back to waiting.

A few more days with no answers came and went. With my paranoia at an extreme level, I
turned back to the Neural Net for help as I had in New York. In a Cardamine haze, I spent
hours of time looking for ways out. I posted to secure areas of the Net about my plight,
and was finally approached by one man. He was a bit strange, but I was able to take any
helping hand that I could get. I don't know if you realize how desperate a man can get whilst
drowning in fear. Grasping my chance, I applied to the Liberty Rogues. They were
friends of the hackers, so I didn't have a lot of work to do to get on their good side. I didn't
even have far to fly. The message that I received in turn told me to meet Andrew Mort at
Montezuma Base in California. I had flown by it during my flight to Mactan, so I was able to
locate it with ease. This would be the second time that the Rogues had saved me.

I sold my beloved Dagger and armor for the required Greyhound; kinda like a uniform for
recruits I guess. It was time to pay my dues. Eight hours I was told, not a drop in the bucket
compared to the time I had killed, waiting at Mactan. I launched my new boat to get a feel and
started pounding the lanes for cash. A bit heavy, but the guns left more than the scratch that
my Dagger dealt. And soon enough, I'd get to load up a new Barghest, the best of the best.

My career had begun. I was a part of something now. Though it was comprised of blood
thirsty and credit hungry killers. At least I didn't have to fend for myself anymore and the
waiting was over.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]It's been some time since I've keept track of my comings and goings, perhaps
an update is in order? I've paid my dues with the Rogues and have been rewarded
for it. I now fly a Barghest along with my Greyhound. Finer pirate vehicle there never
were. Barghest is a bit slow to turn, but it makes transports soil their pants. Keeps
the hunters at bay too. I am now a Veteran of the Liberty Rogues, not that it means
a lot. Not like many would take my orders, but a title is something. Allows me another
ship at least.

The Cardamine addiction has... got better? At least, I enjoy it. Wine, cardamine, and
credits, what more do I need? Well, perhaps I'll find myself a lady friend. I hear that the
Navy girls are crazy for a dashing young Rogue. Spending most of my time in California
now, hanging around Alcatraz or fishing the Mojave lanes for fatties. Oh, I do have something
interesting to report; Mort made a bit of a deal with the Liberty Navy and Police forces.
They lay off a bit in exchange for some support. What kind? The explosion kind! My favorite.
Basically, we get called on from time to time to help our Rheinland neighbors suck some
vacuum. In the process, we get to chase down other more interesting fare, Keepers, for instance.

Keepers; they're nomads of a sort, or so I've heard. At least they fly alien ships, and organic.
I'll not underestimate them when next we meet. I tried to do some talkin' and what do I get but
nonsense and two SNAC type blasts up the tail pipe. Well, I didn't like that Barghest anyway.
I've got my newly issued beast all in order and ready for revenge. Until then?
More pirating. More slavery. More profits.

Now if only I could find that Navy girl I made giggle today...

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]Seems about time I made another journal entry. I'm gettin' lazy as of late.

Some developments.

First and foremost, I have been labeled the new recruit master of the Liberty Rogues. It's an
honor really. That also means that I've more work. Is it five or six new recruits now? Perhaps
more, I can't rightly remember em' all. But the upside has been more Rogues out to watch your
back.

The pirating has been great, but I'll tell ya, them bounty boys are sniffin' me out. I've lost
a few good ships to them and theirs. I'm not fond of them for it. Most seem to be quite
good pilots and flying fighters that can spin circles around Beggar's Behest. It's part of being
a pirate, but I can't help hating them for it.

I'll tell ya one thing that's got me all tickled though, my personal fleet. I own five ships now,
Five deadly ships to earn me a profit. And the aforementioned Beggar's Behest to lead them.
My skills improve, and my profits go up.

Mort has me working on a manual now. It's to be a handbook that tells our rookies the basics
of our pirate life. Tactics, rules, that kind of thing.

I've found that Navy girl. Her name is Rachel Baker. Cute little thing from a situation like mine.
But she went to the Navy instead of my hedonistic life. I wonder if that'll ever work out. Most
likely, I'll get myself killed with this fool notion of uniformed women.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]Perhaps it's time for me to append another update the journal. Seeing as there's been
some developments, I think I should record them. Lest I forget.

It seems the Boss failed. There was never any agreement with the Navy, was all a figment
of Mort's imagination. Well, leave it to Dervin to find out. I was enjoying a fishing session
with Danny near Planet Mojave when the friendly local navy decided to drop in. At first, the
encounter went as usual and they ask us to leave, but seemed to change their mind. Danny
had the right idea, good kid. He just booked it while I played stupid. Stayed to hear
them out. Seems that all they wanted was to jam a SNAC or two up the back of my Barghest.
Turned out, the one that cracked my Barghest was the leader of the Navy an' he didn't know a
thing about any agreement. Well hell. Behest will be in the shop for weeks.

Well, let's just say that I'm not too pleased about the situation. After some discussions
between the leaders of our respective factions, it seems that it was only us Rogues that
knew anything about any agreements. Mort was the center of my fury.

I left the Rogues after that. I didn't feel that Andrew Mort could handle the job. And I knew
that the Rogues would suffer for it. Didn't want to be a part of it, so I took the Behest
and left to try and go it alone. Perhaps someday, I'll lead them to glory. But for now,
the only concern I had was for Dervin.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]I'm not dead. Almost, but not yet. The life of a Rogue isn't an easy thing in a group,
much less by yourself. After a few close calls with bounty boys from the guild, I wisened up
and headed to more familiar ground. Roots put down before even my time with the Rogues.

I had saved only Beggar's Behest. After I fled Alcatraz, word was put out that I wasn't
welcome. Some of the Rogues loyal to me tried to set things right, but the situation was
too far gone. Dervin's got a bit of a mouth on him.

I do hate it when memories flood back. They've a habit of doing it when you need it
the least. Mactan. At least the hackers remembered me. The base was a roller coaster of
the worst kind, but I settled in. A steady feed of cardamine kept me numb, but I felt safe.
No one could touch me here, so long as I played it safe.

The hackers provided for my needs, and I went on jobs with them to pay the bills. It's quite
and experience, leaving a family like that. A arm cut off, but I still feel it. I couldn't stay
at Mactan long. Thankfully, good news caught me while I was preparing. Sylpheed had
returned and Andrew Mort had fled into hiding. A way back into the Rogues had opened. Now
I just needed to play it right.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]It all changed for me when Sylpheed began exercising his control again. Mort was out of
the picture. It's time that I took what's mine. I've got a plan too.

I knew he'd be on his way shortly. Predictable. Always rolled through Alcatraz bar after
a slave run. I've been watching one particular Rogue.Clif. And Sylpheed had recently
decided to make this Clif an underboss. I could tell that the boy was weak. I'll make the
Crime Boss see it, too. And he'll learn of Dervin.

And sure enough, Clif's ugly mug pops in the door. He floundered around as if he were
embarrassed and moved to a corner of the room. Well, this happened to be my corner of the
room, a pleasantly dark one that usually allows me to watch the room unobserved. But
this was my chance.

"You wanting something from me, worm? Have I done something to glean your favour?" I
ask him with a smirk.

While he stammered apologies over bothering me, I made my plan. I assured him that
everything was fine, and took him to where I kept my ship. I gave Clif the Beggar's
Behest today, but still have ways to disable the security systems. The benefit of
a hacker skill-set. The Behest will do what it's best at, killing people. The
limelight of Clif's position won't last him long.

[ryeguy146]

[font=Garamond]The trap was set. And none too soon, despite the obvious ineptitude of Clif, the man had
somehow been tipped off. Sneaking around was never my thing, but electronics... that's
another story entirely. Using my knowledge of Beggar's Behest, I've managed to
install a virus. Bit of a back door, if you know anything about computers an' security.

He setup a security camera. A pitiful job of hiding it. I'll give the boy credit for trying. It
was a simple task of fixing the footage of my ingression. With the virus in place, I'll be
able to control the Barghest remotely, using the neural net, but that's not the only
feature that the Behest has gained.

I'm not one to leave things to chance. Even if I don't expect Clif to survive this, or
even put up a fight, I'd prefer the transfer of his power go off without a hitch. Sitting
under his seat, is a nice little package. As much as I wanted it to be, it's not explosive;
I'd prefer to get my property back in one piece. No, I've restrained myself and simply
used a noxious gas. Again, best not to leave things to chance.

Still haven't decided when this is going down. The target seems to be quite busy with
some personal project with capturing slaves. Not a glorious task that I'd choose to
be stuck with in his absence. I think that I'll just relax in obscurity for a mite bit longer
before pulling his plug. Let him relax and think he's safe in the meantime.