Sir, the helmsman said. We have reached our first waypoint. No Sign of hostile activity.
Excellent, Proceed to the next waypoint. Asher said.
Aye sir.
Asher Grey, the youngest Liberty Cruiser captain on record. No less impressive is that he is the son of the leader of the famed Greys Gunners, Gideon Grey. Asher had been a Captain for a very short time but had proved his worth many times so far.
The door to the bridge opened and an ensign entered carrying a box. Sir, as we were processing the supplies we picked up back on Manhattan we found this in the bottom of a container. It says its to be sent to you.
Well lets see it then, Asher said moving to retrieve the box. Thank you ensign, thatll be all.
Aye sir.
Asher took the box and sat it down in his chair. He released the latched on the small metal box releasing the seal. Making a hissing sound, Asher felt the cold air from inside the box hit his hands on the latches. Puzzled, Asher slowly lifted the boxes lid. The lid was spring loaded so once the lid was about ? of the way open it opened the rest of the way on its on.
Asher took one look in the box and gasped. He stumbled back two steps and fell into a sitting position, a look of total shock and horror on his face.
Inside the box was the severed head of his father Gideon Grey.
Your father couldnt cut it apparently, so I cut it for him.
Yours Truly,
MonStar
Thats what was written on the note inside the box that Asher had opened 2 months ago. Similar boxes with similar contents had been sent to the families of other members of Gideon Greys team.
Shortly after Asher received the box, he resigned from the Liberty Navy and headed back his home on planet Houston.
A few days later, there was a knock on his door. Through the peep hole he could see a familiar face. Hey Joe, Asher said as he opened the door, you sure are a sight for sore eyes.
The short stocky man gave a smile that nearly swallowed his face. Boston Joe was his name. A close family friend and best mate to Ashers late father Gideon. Asher me boy!
And with more of an attempted tackle than a hug. Asher grabbed Joe. When I had heard you had to stay back from dads last mission, Asher paused, it took some of the sting away knowing you were alive.
Aye, tis truly heartbreakn that what happened to yer pa. But let us not speak much about that right now. I came to see ye about a bit of the business. Put yerself some walkn attire on and lets go fer a stroll.
Huh? Asher said a bit confused.
OI! Whasmatter are ye deef? Put on yer feet coverns and lets be gon. and with that Boston Joe turned and walked away.
Asher hesitated for an instant but trusting Joe he pulled on his boots and headed out the door.
Asher followed Joe for what seemed like ages. They walked up and down alleys with turns left and right. All the while Joe was telling stories about when Asher was gone to the academy and how proud his dad was of him and all the time Joe and Gideon talked about him.
Asher enjoyed the fond memories of his father however sad it made him feel, somehow afterward he felt better.
Finally they came to an old rusty door leading into what looked like a condemned hanger.
Well this be it youngn, come inside. Joe said as he pushed the door open.
It was dark inside and Asher couldnt see a thing.
See me boy, the whole reason I didnt get to go with ye pa is he asked me to oversee dis little operation here. With that Joe flipped a switch that turned on the lights in the hanger. The lights revealed a large ship in the hanger. A Rheinland Gunboat.
Rheinland? Asher said a bit sarcastically, Are you joining Rheinlands military Joe?
Boston Joe laughed hard and slapped Asher on the shoulder, nearly knocking him over.
No dadjim ye. This here boat was bought by yer daddy after it was decommissioned and scheduled for scrapn. He put me in charge of Retrofittn it and getn her ready for active service in the Gunners. She may not look like mucha nuttin but shell have enough bang to turn a few heads I reckon.
Whats this all about Joe? Asher said giving Joe a curious look.
Well, not all us Gunners were killt by that MonStar fella. The ones who were here helpn yers truly are still about. Joe gave a whistle which made heads start popping out of hatches and looking through windows of the ship.
Asher saw a lot of familiar faces looking out at him and waving with big smiles on their faces. So, where do I fit in this? Asher said returning the waves.
We Gunners aint got no social skills me boy. Only thing we be good at is mercn. We thought that seen as you aint no Navy man no more. You might be wantn a profession yerself. Wes be thinkn of startn the Gunners again. We figured yer pa woulda wanted us to keep on truckn and hes always spoke of you taken over us rascals one day. Just seemed a fitn time to do it.
Asher stood and tried to let it all soak in. Will she fly?
You bet yer windbreaker she will. Now this bunch aint no fleet of fighter pilots that the others were so well be flyn on the solo side. But after workn on this hunk fer as long as they have, they know it inside and out.
Asher looked over the ship. Hed thought of taking over the Gunners one day but never dreamed it would happen so soon. He had wanted to wait until his father retired to do it. But now its different. His father was murdered by a maniac still on the loose. The thought of avenging his father was enough by itself to accept the offer. Though the more he thought about it rationally its be a good way of making a living. And seeing as he didnt have a job right now, he was in the market.
Im in, Asher finally said.
Thats me boy. Boston Joe said giving Asher another hard slap on the back with the same effect as the first one.
What her name? Asher asked
Ah yes, well we be thinkn of let ye be the one to namer
Asher thought for a second, the thought of the mighty Iron Heart and decided on a similar name. LeadBelly.
Joe thought for a second, GGS LeadBelly? HA! Ye name ships like yer pa thats fer sure. LeadBelly it is then, Ill best go tell the others the good news
Joe walked off leaving Asher to contemplate the recent events that had occurred in his life. When will the whirlwind stop and where will it leave him? With a deep sigh, Asher resigned to just wait and see what happened.