Quote:MacRae: "Or if my father, the Duke MacRae, would still be here with his miner ..... I hope he will be located soon ....."

*After waiting for some minutes MacRae realized that Alexander Sarand did not notice him and even started to snore a little bit*
MacRae: "Hey Alex, sorry to disturb you, but I want to know if everything everything is ok with your ship and your crew? You know, after that encounters with that Corsair captain and after his attack and the destruction of John Frusciante's Hegemon ....."

*The Lord nervously tapping on the table*
MacRae: "... I just want to know if you are safe out there? I really do not want to loose one of you guys! I was so happy that every John's crewmembers was able to jump into an evacuation pod before the Hegemon exploded .... but perhaps next time ...."

*Behind the Lord's back a new visitor arrived in the T'n'P, walking towards the bar, Jim changing the silent ambient eletronic backround music to an ancient rock song, from a time long ago when people were not yet able to shave their skin*
MacRae: "So if you need anything, Alex, please tell me and I will arrange it if I can. But I am sorry in addition to transport all the supplies and the bureaucratic efforts, I can not also jump into a figther to defend you miners ... I hope you anderstand that."

*Jim turning up the music volume of the rock song, MacRae turning his head towards the bar, recognizing Mr. Lugo, a new freelancing Fortitudine defender and transport escort*
MacRae: "Ah Alex you see this person? There are still some honest and reliable peeps in Sirius. This man is a really excellent escort and he risks his life for us, for you miners, for all inhabitants of this base and even for the transports of our customers. I am so glad he came to Fortitudine to assist us."

*MacRae keeps on watching Mr. K.J.Lugo having a chat with Jim Bean*

*Simultaneous with Alxander Sarand standig up and going to Jim to pay his bill, the Lord suddenly nearly jumped out of his skin as Mr. Lugo staggering towards him shouting something like "Beers, Buddah, Iloveya, Wurst" in a microphone*

*With all other visitors raising their glasses for a toast, he realized that one of the best figthers for Fortitudine's safety just wanted to honour him*
MacRae: "Oh Joel, thank you very much sir! But listen to me, without you this base would be a nothingness. Everyone here, fighters, miners and transports made this place this lovely and nice heaven for our wifes, children, friends and ourselves."

*After this words the whole bar suddenly was silent ... breathing was the only noise to hear*
MacRae: "Two fighters died today in while defending Fortitudine against some pirates, we have been attacked by a fleet of 5 Destroyers without any warning, .... my cargo ship was nearly destructed by a Corsair during my transports of 180.000 tonnes of Reinforced Alloy. We can not stop, we have no time for a rest, we keep on constructing this place, for us and for every lawful Sirian, with Fide Et Fortitudine! "

*Seconds passing .... everyone in the bar astounded what just happended. First the funny and nice toast of the Faze mercenarie and then this serious reaction of the Lord.*
MacRae: "BUT to achieve our ambitions .... we must not sit around sadly in that terrific bar ... LET'S PARTY!!!"

*As if Jim knew what will happen, he turned up the volume of the eletronic music and activated the laser and stroboscope illumination, all visitors cheering and dancing, the Lord whispering to himself*
MacRae: "Exactly what I was talking about ....."

*The party was iniciated and noone is going to leave it soon, no chance to have no headache the next morning*
Jim: "Free drinks for everyone! The Lord is paying the bill, hahahah!"

*Lord MacRae entering the bar two days later, Jim polishiong the tables*
MacRae: "Hello again Jim, a littel uncrowded here lately ...."

*Jim turning his head, still polishing the tables*
Jim: "Hello Mylord, hm ...., yes it is kind of silent. Perhaps that big party was too much for some of our regular customers. But I think Mr. Lugo had his fun that night."

*The Lord nodding and smiling*
MacRae: "Ha, yes, I really believe he had. Did you see our new weapon platforms. Have look Jim, here and over there."

*MacRae pointing with his fingers to some destinations outside the windows, Jim trying to follow his lead*
Jim: "Ah over there, yes Sir, I see them. Really impressive. I hope they manag to keep us safe from attacks and that the miners can do their job without interruptions."

*Duncan MacRae shaking his head, sighs*
MacRae: "There will be no trouble in the future. I think a massive force would be needed to hurt our lovely bases! Who is willing to invest so much money for the needed battleships, so much time for a siege and to risk his life just to kill some miners and their families?"

*MacRae sitting down in a lounge*
MacRae: "The amount of materials needed for that platforms was again impressive. I think, because I flew so many parsecs with my Shetland, ... I need a new ship soon as my old ship will not be repairable anymore perhaps. I hope our docking crew can manage to let it survive some days again but I really doubt it."

*The Lord sighs again*
MacRae: "You know Jim, we have two new customers for our base building service, also a captain from the Cruzados Maltesas, whoever that is, asked us for some supplies. Without my Shetland .... I do not want to think about my transport being irrepairable. Please Jim, serve me a Mojito, I stay here for a while to decide what to do next."