Ralph was born on planet Curacao, Cortez system. At the age of eighteen, his mother, Sarah Sun died because of a disease caused by excessive synthetic weed smoking.Due to his father's job, Ralph had to take a job down on Curacao, working as a baggage carrier for the tourists.
Six years had passed since he had received a sign from his father, who was working as a piloton a Junker affiliated Salvager named "Dirty Rose". But one day, Ralph got an announcement from the postal office that he had to pick up a package from his father.
He went to the postal office where he met the dealer, an old friend of Ralph's father, who handed him the package. The dealer, looking sad, said: "I'm sorry, Raphael! Your father was a great man. But he didn't listened to me. And he took that job."
Ralph was looking at that man very confused. Wondering what happened and where that guy knew him from. He asked: "Excuse me, sir. Did we meet before?" "Oh, Ralphy, you were just a little boy." said the dealer chuckling. "Your father was like my brother. Now take this box and go make something with your life" he continued.
Ralph took the box and went back home. When he opened the box, he found a digital message carf and a digital device illustrating his family having fun. He put the device aside and inserted the message card into the reader. A hologram of his father appeared speaking to him:
"Oh son... I'm so sorry that I couldn't be with you these years.
I hope you will forgive me and that you will understand that I've tried to make a better future for us... for you.
...
If you see this message, that means I failed and succeeded at the same time. This job which the captain took was very dangerous.
...
We have delivered the cargo in time, but... but we've been followed.
Our ship has been heavily damaged.
The threat has been destroyed but our ship's life support isn't working anymore and we are out of range of any radars.
Nobody will receive our S.O.S. signals. In a few hours we will be without oxygen.
...
Anyway... I was able to buy a ship.
A ship which was meant to be under our command, but from now on, under your command.
...
I sent a few credits into your account so you are able to take the first ship to Barrier Gate, Coronado system.
Once there, go find the ship dealer and tell him that you're my son.
Tell him that you are there for "The Patience".
He will know what to do.
...
Take care son!
...
Go take your ship and love it like it's your wife.
...
Stay away from troubles and try to not venture into the edge worlds by yourself. Be blessed, son!"
After he heard these words, Ralph started to cry and laid on his bed.
The next day, he packed his baggage and took the first ship to Barrier Gate Station. Once there, it was easy to find the dealership who gave him the ship and flying licenses.
After he had spent a few hours learning the basics about his ship, he went to the bar. There, Ralph met two freelancers who were looking for a job, the Glau siblings: Jenny, the pilot and Charles, the mechanic.
Ralph said to Jenny: "Okay, here is the deal: I have a ship which is well armored. It works fine.
I just need a pilot to fly it. I don't have credits to pay you, but we will find
some jobs and we will split the profit. Are you in?"
Jenny looked at her brother smiling and then said to Ralph: "Captain, Firefly models are old ships. You'll need a good mechanic. Fortunately,
my brother is the best in the whole of Sirius. If you want me in, you will have to hire us both."
Ralph considered Jenny's words and hired them.
With a small crew, and a lot of ambition and courage, Ralph decided to take the beast out and started to look for jobs. He said: "Okay people! This is captain Sun speaking. Let's move to New York system. May God be with us!"
It seems nobody needed us. The message on Sirius-wide channel was a fail. We had nothing to do but to invest all credits we had in Basic Alloy. Ageira Technologies
requested this Basic Alloy to be transported to Camrose Supply Depot, Alberta system.
Credits we've taken from them was enough to refuel and go back in Ontario system at Fort Severn. There a guy asked us to transport a few military vehicles to planet Harris, Tau-31 system. *sighs* We just need an well paid job. Transporting legal goods won't bring us so much credits.
So I've decided to take Gaian Wildlife for Aomori Station, Honshu system. Good for us that there wasn't any officers patrolling the area. I hope this time we will find a real job...
Jenny's diary
Uhm..What could I say? The captain is crazy. He turned us from lawful freelancers into crazy Wildlife smugglers. *laughs* I hope he know what he does.
On our travel from New York to Alberta I didn't take any trade lanes. I love to fly free in the open space. Without being monitored by corporates or lawful institutions.
Most of time, the captain was in his room. So I had no nagging mouth around to tell me where to go and how to fly. That made my day better. I just enjoyed the fly.
We had no hostile encounters and I hope to not have them in future...
Charles diary
Well, well, well... This piece of junk looks to work fine. I thought I will have to fix it daily. But, to my surprise, all engine pieces are together. *laughs*
If it will work like this all the time, I'll get paid without moving a finger.... *chuckles*
Ralph: Let's have a toast! We had a profitable day, lads! *and he rises a cup of tea* Jenny: That's right, cap! *she said smiling* Charles: We had, indeed. I just hate to never see what's happening. *he said shaking his head*
Ralph: Charles, without you in the engine's room, we were dead already! Jenny: Oh, really?! It's useless to have the full power directed to engines if the ship isn't piloted well. Ralph: Oh Jenny, Jenny, Jenny... You are so cute when you get mad! *he laughs*
I have to say that you're the best pilot I've ever seen. Dodging these torpedoes... Wonderful! Charles: She did a great job. But was enough to not dodge a single torp, cap! Our disruptor was heavily damaged and we need a new one. Not to say about how much work I have to fix the cannons. Ralph: We have enough credits now, gents. We will buy new cannons and a new disruptor. Charles, fix that cargo door before we go up there again. Charles: Sure, cap!
Jenny: So, what about that mercenary? Ralph: Don't worry. I have already spoken to Rheinland Federal Police. It seems they have no proof against us. And better than that, they are focused on that merc now. We can do our job better now. Helping those pirates will makes us rich. Sometimes we will have to get done some non-profitable jobs. We need to stay clean. Jenny: I understand, cap! I'm off to sleep a few hours now. Ralph: Okay, Jenny. Sleep well!
And Ralph remained alone in the kitchen with a large smile on his face. He knew that doing dirty jobs will bring them more credits and more foes as well. He drank his tea and went to the cargo's room. Ralph: Charles, after you finish here, go and rest. I have a feeling like we will need to go out there soon. Charles: Okay, okay, Ralph! I need just a few more minutes.
Ralph nodded and went to his room to take a nap.
This was a great day for The.Patience's crew. Smuggling contraband goods, stolen high valuable ores, tea for bretonian officers... Nothing of this would happen if they were just a normal crew of a normal trading ship hauling diverse goods from station to station, from planet to planet. The only thing that Ralph didn't knew was that more credits means more troubles.
One day has passed and The Patience's crew didn't moved a finger. Jenny and her brother, Charles went to the bar while the captain stood on the ship's deck trying to find a new job. When they came back, they met Ralph on the deck. He looked so confused and depressed.
Jenny:Hey, cap! You missed all the fun! she said. Charles:Ralph, are you okay? he said seeing Ralph in that bad mood. Ralph:Guys, we don't have too much fuel and the food reserves are almost done. I've been contacted by a guy, but... I don't know... He is a bit mysterious. You two should go to sleep. Tomorrow we will take the first job, first opportunity to get us out of here and to earn some credits.
Charles, grabbing his sister hand said: Did you heard captain's words, Jenny? Let's go to sleep. Jenny:Okay, okay... Cap, have a good night! she said smiling.
Ralph nodded and turned his view to the communications screen. Charles and Jenny went to their rooms. Jenny was too distracted to understand the gravity of the problem while Charles seemed to be much worried.
Would Ralph take a job which may lead him and his crew in more troubles? This has to be seen. But running out of food and fuel makes people to take critical decisions in these critical times...