[Recognise user - HARPERDO DE LA FORTUNA]
[Begin net entry]
Harps sat back in the cockpit chair and allowed himself to relax a little now that the ship had set down on California Minor. He was happy to be back in Liberty after running around Rhineland and the Omegas far too often for his liking. His employer's seemed keen that Leeds had a well kept supply of Military Vehicles, but had to ensure that their involvement in the Kusari-Bretonia war could not be traced back to them. What's another dead Junker eh? The pay was good, and Harps kept his promise to supply TJ.
Ahh.. man Teej, where the hell did it all go wrong!
He was early, a full day early for his next cargo run. He thought about taking a quick jump to Cortez and the many pleasures of that system, but Cortez is too close to Inverness and he quickly discounted that idea. He thought that even California feels a bit too close but with Navy battleships and cruisers in the area - it would be unlikely that the Junkers of Inverness sought him harm within their own borders.
Hell, I gotta do something... 'puter Ship shutdown on my exit, lock all access points. *confirmed*
He strolled out to the dockyards
Man, fracking cold around here. They better heat this planet up when they're done. Sweet mercy what's that...
He gazed upon a ship on the landing platform. A Mammoth, and seemed to have an attraction to it
What you want Junker? The pilot remarked. Well, I've just spied your ship friend, it looks remarkable Heh, that's the EL-HiL51. Cracking ship for the price, it's not the biggest nor fastest transport going but it does me fine! You fly it by yourself?! Yup, you're supposed to have a crew of 5 but I prefer it with just me I could certainly use the extra cargo space, my CSF is only on lease and the cargo hold is good for small items but that *points* is more my kinda style Well. I'm upgrading to either a Titanic class or a Stork class next year - If you're interested in this then - I'll look you up if you want? Sure sounds good, say I've got a day to waste just now - Fancy showing me what it can do in space? Hmm... leave all your sidearms on your ship and I'll think about it.. I ain't gonna be spaced or pirated from a Junker I've just met Deal. We're not all that bad mate, and I'll pay you upfront for the trouble Alright sir, you have a deal. Name's Dennis Boston. Peeps call me Harps, my full name's too long bud
Harps and Dennis headed out to the Tahoe Ice Cloud, it was a good trip and many laughs were shared. The day was turning to night when the Mammoth began to head back to California Minor when suddenly an alarm went off
Hrrmm... Pirates. Only a few rogues. Nothing to worry about. Rogues aren't all bad, I know a few out at Rochester. They've genuinely been ripped off by the system... Incoming missile Wha... ALL DEFENSIVE BATTERIES FIRE A loud crash and boom hits the front of the Mammoth You got a gunnery station? Over there, I don't understand it.. Shields are down to 50%! What did they hit us with?!
Harps began firing on all the defensive batteries but the Rogues were too quick, another missile hit the port side thrusters which promptly exploded and left a gaping hole in the side of the ship
No warning, no comms, no issue for demand.. What's up with these Rogues.. Have YOU brought them on me?! I'm getting shot at too mate!! Nothing to do with me.... GOT ONE!
Harps shot wildly at the other two when a navy patrol entered the area and gave covering fire. The Rogue raiders promptly turned away and fled but not before firing off another two missiles
Thank the gods for the Navy... Inbound tally two.. firing... Got one... firing...
The missile smashed straight into the forward section, ripping into the cockpit area. Shrapnel spewed everywhere, lacerating Dennis and like bullets of old, boring straight into his rib cage and face. The cockpit started depressurizing and Harps ran off the flight deck into the hold, slamming the door panel behind him to stop him being dragged into space.
The Navy towed him back to California Minor where Harps was treated and questioned. He looked at the Mammoth and his CSF, unsure of what to do next. Once the police were finished with him, he looked over the cockpit of the Mammoth and what remained of the ship. It was then he decided to take on the challenge of repairing the beast, and returning the CSF to its rightful owners. Subject to anyone else having a claim of the ship. Which no-one did. Dennis was true to his word - He did travel alone, bringing cargo and goods to the far corners of Sirius for the better of the Liberty nation.
Heh - A patriot, look where it got him. Better call TJ.
[Recognise user - HARPERDO DE LA FORTUNA]
[Begin net entry]
Harps lent forward towards the viewscreen, staring at what remained of a Bretonian Gunboat. He knew that the war with Kusari was going badly but.. this badly? Kusari ships, in Leeds.. Although he is a Junker, and is flying in a Liberty cargo transport - Inverness was his home after all.
My God - What if they struck Invergordon?! They hate Junkers and are at war with Bretonia?! Would the slitty eyed pigs really push into every part of Bretonian teritaroy like they promised?!
He sat back down. It had taken him 2 months to get the Mammoth spaceworthy. TJ and Kee-Tan had towed the Mammoth into the Pennsyvania system and parked her up near the Allentown Junker base in the rings of Sayre. Hidden from all who could take an interest in the stricken cargo ship. The three of them had worked tirelessly to get the ship working. They knew that it could potentially be a huge money spinner if they could get it working once more. Harps was annoyed that it was this time TJ helping him out! He always had an idea to call all the favour's he had in at the once and make a huge sum of money out of it but.. today seeing the war effort. He decided on another course of action
Vehicles, Med packs, Guns, Aid - Leeds needs them.
Refuguees, Civilions - They need out.
He back working for a full month, secretly supplying the war effort. TJ thought he was mad, Kee-Tan being a Kusari citizen - couldn't understand. He did it anyway and the credits did start to come in. Albeit slowly. It wasn't for Leeds, or Bretonia - but for Invergordon and Inverness. Home needed to stay safe. No matter who was in charge there
## SYSTEM START.........ONLINE ## User - TJ
## Password - *********
## VERIFIED
## Backing up previous files...
## Begin text transmission...
## TIMESTAMP - 20.16 - 29 NOVEMBER 817AS
Location - New London
Midnight approaches
Well, we're still no closer to determining what the hell this message means. We took this box to Cambridge to be examined and told it's nothing more than a time capsule from the late 500's. Looks as though it's no use to anyone.
The last month has been spent trawling through the Omega systems looking for the clues that would lead us to Henry or Dad's murdered - Whichever we could find first. Maybe both at the same time. It has dawned on me a few times that Henry was certainly capable of killing Dad but.. I don't want to consider that option.
Kee-Tan has been nothing short of spectacular... Strange thing is that even though she's Kusari.. I'm being more and more drawn to her... She's realised that called Katy is a joke and she even likes it now! Her efforts in procuring newer and more powerful weapons has given us the edge in more than one occasion. The SNAC I am particularly liking. That thing I could sell on its own, make some of my fortune back and retire! No matter though, We have only fired it in anger once after a Rheinland Gunboat decided it didn't like a Junker crawling around Dresden and shot at us. It drained the ship dry shooting the SNAC but the boom was certainly worth it. We quickly made our goodbyes to Rheinland at that point.
We met up with Harps earlier. He was speaking about the impending doom of Invergordon and has upped the Mammoths shields/weapons and armour. What's he on about?! I swear he's gone mad. That thing certainly isn't a normal Mammoth anymore and with Harps at the helm.. God forbit he actually does something stupid like try to take out the whole Kusari fleet.
INCOMING TRANSMISSION TJ - It's Henry
YOU... Where are you?! Come out from where you are hiding and face me now you... Rant later, this is important
Like what's happened with Dad... with Mum.... WITH ME?! More than that. Meet me in Sigma 19. We need to talk. TRANSMISSION LOST
To Sigma-19 then... Why did he sound so, solemn, sad... determined? I don't get it... Whatever he says - He had better make it quick.
Better tell Kee-Tan to warm up the SNAC.
## LOG OFF
## USER TJ HAS LOGGED OFF
## Begin silent encryption...
## Transmit to Arecibo Base...
## Transmission successful... ## SYSTEM CLOSE.........OFFLINE
