The Raven Talon swooped into Sigma-13, past the Yanagi Debris Field finally arriving several kilometers away from the Gas Miner Naha.
Inside the Raven Talon, a ship that was cold, and metal, and a little bit evil, kind of like it's pilot. A-55 made several rapid calculations. Wasting no time, A-55 plotted a course for Sigma-19. Most organics would consider the system quite beautiful, A-55 on the other-hand, found it to be merely a point of space that needed to be crossed in order to reach his objectives.
Flying around the dangerous Twin Suns of Sigma-19, dodging asteroids and avoiding detection. A-55 reached his destination. In front of him lay the Jumphole for Omicron-Beta. A system notorious for it's asteroid fields and radiation. Such conditions made it nearly impossible for capital ships to patrol the system, which was beneficial for A-55. A-55, performed a sensor ping, but as expected, it proved generally ineffective given the Nebula and Asteroids. While the Raven Talon was a fine ship in it's own right, it simply lacked the sensor packages to effectively deal with such a scenario.
A-55 didn't have to wait long, however. Closing in on him was a flight squadron of Outcasts bearing down on his position. Wasting no time, A-55 activated his weapons systems, targeting one of the Sabre's, his weapons tearing through space as his Codename: IRON HAMMER's tore the Sabre to pieces. If a Droid could feel pleasure, then A-55 would certainly be feeling it right now. He switched targets, repeating the action while gracefully barrel rolling out of the way of an incoming Mini-Razor. Another Sabre down, yet another kill to claim for his payment.
The other Sabre's seeing that they inflicted almost no damage to A-55's Raven Talon, began to retreat. Of course, A-55 wasn't about to let a paycheck get away that easily. Plotting an intercept course, A-55 managed to get within optimal fire-range, letting loose several rounds. To his pleasure, one of his IRON HAMMER's struck a fleeing Sabre's engines, rendering it immobile. A-55 decided to let the others go, moving slowly towards his now incapacitated prey. Moments before finishing it off, however, A-55 detected a patrol in the distance. This time, it bore the marks of a GMG Task Force and it was closing in fast.
Jin'ko Hayate stretched back in her cockpit tilting her head back and rocking it back and forth to relieve the kink developing in the back of her neck.
"Do you see anything?" she said over the comms in what seemed to have the tone of a complaint.
*No, Jin'ko*, *Nothing*, *All is clear* came the litany of responces that seemed to be the theme of the day.
A long sigh of boredom accompanied her next breathe out. Today Jin'ko was part of the first of two GMG squads patrolling in Beta that day, each squad consisting of six of GMG's top equipped ships. Each squad was 5k away from each other spread out on a horizontal plane to maximize scanner area. Any GMG going into Beta for patrol expects trouble and yet today they are finding quite the opposite. Where can they be?
They were returning from a routine short patrol. To the landmark planet known as Elysium and back. They couldn't stay in Beta too long because of the radiation's effect on the hulls of the ships despite the shields. If the Ayakashi was stationed in Beta at this time they'd be able to find shelter and repairs from the radiation but the Ayakashi hasn't returned from it's journey to the Zoners in Theta system far away.
"Alright," she responded over the comms with meloncholy, "looks like we'll be heading home to write an eventless report."
Some of the pilots may have considered that a good thing but none bothered to point that out to their fiery wingleader who was notoriously eager for battle even amongst the GMG.
"Well maybe not so eventless, we have contact," chimed the point wingman, "looks like a battle too."
The statement jolted Jin'ko forward and immediately she assumed her role and began issuing commands, "Alright form up for battle, keep me updated on our contacts and someone patch into the second squad to provide a live feed and have em stand by."
The horizontal plane of ships uniformly shifted into a vertical wall formation to increase the amount of weapons reaching firing range of the target at the same time.
"It appears to be a Talon fighting alone against a gang of Outcast Sabres, the Talon seems to be faring well" continued the wingman updating the squads on the situation.
"A Talon? What is a Talon doing all the way on this side of Sirius? Is it even equipped to handle the space over here?" questioned Jin'ko Hayate at the curious news unfolding. "Do they see us yet?"
"Well energy signatures show that the Talon has significant firepower but the rest, I just don't know." answered the wingman, "We haven't been noticed yet but we should be coming within range of the Outcasts noticing us by our estimati...oh there, the Outcasts are breaking off. Looks like he downed a few and disabled one though."
"You hearing that squad two?" piped Jin'ko knowing they are getting a live feed, "go intercept them. We'll continue forward and see this unknown pilot and his query."
Jin'ko's squad closed in on the scene rapidly "Alright I don't want to leave big Sabre crumbs out here for the other Outcasts to find, we leave as little energy emitting signals as possible. Destroy the engines, shield emitters and weapons first and then the ship itself. I got the Talon covered."
"Hai!" shouted the loyal wingmen in confirmation and in moments of reaching the scene the Sabre was engulfed in coordinated fire, pieces systematicaly disentegrating off the ship just before the Sabre itself was destroyed.
At the same time Jin'ko's ship broke off and began to hail the Talon while circling behind it.
"This is the GMG, you are in a war zone, power down your weapons and indentify yourself or we will have to use force." began Jin'ko over the comms, "I repeat power down your weapons and identify yourself."
'Well I hope this pilot isn't trouble' thought Jin'ko Hayate to herself as she looked at the anonymous Talon and the Sabres wrecks in the area. Then seeing the other GMG finishing off the Sabre in it's display as she neared the rear of the Talon, 'for his sake.'
A-55 calculated. He was out-numbered, though he was sure he could take down several. However, the fact that they hadn't opened fire yet stopped him. He searched his database and found that the GMG hold no love for the Outcasts. Perhaps that could be advantageous to him.
"Friendly Greeting: Hello Gas Miners Guild. I am Mercenary Droid A-55. I trust you're pleased with the way Crispy Outcast turned out?"
A-55 lowered the power signatures of his weapons, effectively turning them off, but allowing them to be re-activated in mere nanoseconds should the need arise.
"Query: How can I help you today?"
"That's not a person," gawked one of Jin'ko's wingmen over the comms.
"Yes, yes, I noticed," responded the perturbed wingleader. She didn't miss the droids use of the adjective crispy when describing it's query and she could have sworn that she heard what can best be described as a gleeful tone. She shook her head, well it was cooperating, stick to protocol.
"Alright A-55, I am Ensign Jin'ko Hayate. You say you are a mercenary and I can tell your aim is set on the Outcasts. This is very well and good but we like to know what's what in our warzone if and when possible, especially when it concerns hired guns. Your continued co-operation will ensure that this will be nothing more then protocol." continued Jin'ko Hayate on the channel being used for the Talon. She was already thinking that this was already not going to be the usual protocol. Her sensei may want to know of this droid. "Please follow us to Ogashawa in Sigma 19 for a few questions and registration. I'm certain that ship would be better off out of these high radiation zones."
No sooner had she finished her transmission to the Talon when the report of the other squad returning started on her comm speaker.
"Yes they were all brought down but we lost two ships and we were only able to recover one escape pod, we lost one...." came the most significant part of the report, hitting Jin'ko's heart the way a hammer hits the war drum.
"Hai, copy that." came her forlorned responce over the comm, "get over here quick, our job isn't done yet. We will be escorting this Talon to Ogashawa as soon as it's droid pilot confirms."
"A droid pilot?"
"Hai, a mercenary too, a very curious droid indeed." finnished Jin'ko as she waited for a responce from the Talon.
"Friendly Response: But of course Ensign. I will comply."
That is what he said, but in his calculations, he knew he didn't have much of a choice. They were right, however, the Radiation was becoming quite an annoyance.
He scanned the area, along with the ships. Numerous. Heavily Armed. No Bounty on them. At this point, A-55 gathered that it would prove absolutely futile to attempt to resist. Perhaps, however, they could help A-55 accomplish his goals against the Outcasts.
The Talon entered formation with the Ensign, surrounded by the Gas Miner's, A-55 maintained formation. No words were exchanged towards A-55, no doubt they were busy talking amongst themselves.
Upon entering Sigma-19, he could almost perceive a sigh of relief coming from the comms. Indeed, it seemed that most organics found Sigma-19 to be comforting.
Soon, they were upon the Gas Miner Ogashawa, and A-55 was "encouraged" to dock. Which is to say, he didn't have much of a choice. He began the standard docking procedures, landing smoothly in the Docking Bay. Around him, the Gas Miners were docking as well. Their pilots climbing out, moving towards his ship.
"Ok there it is," called out Jin'ko to her wingmates upon receiving comliance from the droid, "enclosed escort formation, let's make the net. I need someone on long range comms and have Ogashawa order all nearby squads in 19 to make the second perimeter enclosure on the Beta hole in preparation of our exit, keep the radius on the second enclosure long and maintain it around Ogashawa after we dock. Meanwhile I need to contact Niigata Station when we reach 19."
"Hai" came the dutiful responce of the wingmates as the GMG ships spread apart and formed a sphere formation surrounding the Talon. Off they all went towards the jump hole to Beta where on the other side a larger sphere was already setting into place ready to move when the group came out.
No sooner had the group emerged from the Beta system into Sigma 19 and Jin'ko was already opening a comm to her sensei on Niigata station.
"Sensei, it's Jin'ko."
"Hai, Jin'ko" came the familiar voice of Guild Master Raikoke on the comms, "what is it?"
"I've just returned from a patrol in Beta and I have had a most interesting encounter," began Jin'ko Hayate, "a Merc driven Talon fighting solo against the OCs."
"Sounds a bit unusual, Jin'ko, but not unusual enough to be bringing this to my attention it's a matter for the Commander. You know that. I'm very busy and have an upcoming meeting with Interspace Commerce and Kishiro soon." replied the Guild Master with a touch of weariness in her tone.
"I know, Sensei, but this merc isn't your typical merc." a chagrined Jin'ko explained "It's a droid tha...."
"Jin'ko..." interrupted an exasperated Raikoke who was no stranger to droids.
"No no not a normal droid, Sensei." Jin'ko quickly interjected "You would have to listen to it speak. I felt it immediately."
"What do you mean you 'felt it'" questioned the Guild Master now sounding a little more curious now. Jin'ko was her most and trusted attendant. She may be young and brash at times but Raikoke had recognized early on that Jin'ko had gift for being a good judge of character (not an actual empath but sensitive to even the slightest subtlety a person can give off) and Raikoke liked bringing her along to meetings just to watch and listen. This time the Guild Master was finding herself in similar conversation about a droid as they would normally have always had but only about people.
"Well it's something like when you and I talk. How can I explain? The droid responded to me earlier and made mention of 'Crispy Outcasts' in a tone that was assuredly gleeful. Thing is I felt that gleefulness no different then if it had been you or another GMG speaking to me. Like a karma, I guess. It was most unnerving but I think this thing thinks like you and I." explained the young woman trying her best to make sense.
"A human droid?"quipped the Guild Master.
"In a manner of speaking," chuckled Jin'ko,"I don't know it's too hard for me to say but it's something you should see. It's been compliant so far and it's focus seems to be against Outcasts. We are escorting to Ogashawa right now and I've called in for an extra security perimeter just in case."
"Alright," sighed the Guild Master, "I have to go to Okinawa anyways. Wait for me there I will be there shortly. Have the droid detained behind security shields when I get there."
"But, sensei, it has co-operated so far. It's not in the protocol to.."
"I know, Jin'ko, do it nonetheless. If it feels then maybe we'll find out how it feels about that. I'm also not gonna take the chance of having a self destructing droid going off in my face just before meeting with Interspace and Kishiro. What would they think of that?" continued the Guild Master, "It won't be long anyways, I'll be there shortly."
"Hai, of course" responded Jin'ko before ending the transmission.
Later onboard Ogashawa Jin'ko and her wingmates were quickly climbing out of there cockpits and moving towards the Talon and it's droid occupant. Other GMG personel were already filing into the docking bays along the sides as Jin'ko approached the Talon.
"You are aboard Ogashawa Station, A-55." called out Jin'ko to the droid "Please come down, my master will be arriving at this station shortly and would like to meet you. I'm afraid I'm ordered to hold you in dentention, however, as my master expresses suspicions of the motives of your unknown makers and design. I am bound by duty to do as ordered, if you will please follow me."
Jin'ko's arm stretched out to gesture towards the direction of a corridor entrance that lead deeper into Ogashawa.
The Cockpit of the Raven Talon opened. A mist escaping from it. As it cleared, one could see A-55. Slowly, A-55 turned it's head towards the Ensign. It's almost menacing Red Eyes being the most prominent feature.
In one swift motion, A-55 pick itself out of the cockpit and landed in front of the Ensign, A-55 was slightly amused at the barely noticeable flinch.
Having decided better than to resist at this point, A-55 proceeded along with the Ensign, deeper into the Station. Finally arriving at what could only be described as a brig, A-55 was asked to stand in the far corner of one of the cells.
"Query: You don't trust me?" A-55 said, almost mockingly. He knew that he must of intimidated them, if only enough to justify the extra security.
The force shield came up, and A-55 scanned it. It was relatively well built, possessing only a few, barely exploitable weak spots. A-55 had to hand it to these Miners, they built their equipment with quality.
A-55 had nothing to do except wait now, at least he had time to process his Bounty Claim on the Crispy Outcasts.