- Sir, we have picked up something on long range scanners.
- Explain! - Yord said
- It may be Pride of Kusari. Scans give it 90% chance.
- Good! Set course thru Kepler system. Stop at Nome base for restocking. Then proceed to Shikokou. I will be in my ready room.
____________________________________________________________________
Prospector entered Shikokou system.
- Open com!
- Com opened sir!
- To whole system. This is captain York from aboard Prospector. I demand release of KNF prisoner William Patrick. If my demands wont be met i will destroy every military vessel i see.
For few moments only thing you could hear from speakers was low humming noise.
- This is Igor Svaldi. Commander of cruiser deLuna. Prisoner is safe in our prison. Your demands wont be met. Leave this system at once or be destroyed.
- Have it your way. - York said. - Close com.
Prospector entered trade lane to Deshima station. deLuna was already there. York attacked deluna with all weapons. Cruisers shields were dropping fast. deLuna is much bigger and slower ship then Prospector and York took advantage of that. Although Prospector dropped cruisers shields Svaldi fought brave.
- Sir we have another contact. VHF on seven o'clock.
Prospector turned his guns to new target. It seems that fighter pilot didn't expect such maneuver cause he didn't dodge first few volleys. When he did, damage was already done and Prospector finished him fast. During fight between fighter and gunboat cruiser managed to drop Prospectors shields.
- Reload shields! Damage report! - York ordered.
- Shields back up. Only minor damage to aft plating. Sending repair crew.
After fighter gone deLuna was prime target again. Under constant fire cruisers shields dropped again and its hull started to feel the power of Prospectors turrets.
- We have them now - York smiled.
- Sir, they have engaged cruise engines.
- Fire cruise disrupters. NOW!
- Sorry sir...they are gone. -technician said with fear in his voice
- Bloody hell!!!...He eludes me once again! Do we have any engine trail to follow?
- None, sir.
- Damm...set course for Nome base. We have failed again.
In the mess hall on Ouray base important meeting took place. There were five people present. York, Thompson and three Thompson's trusted guards.
York was speaking.
- You are all aware that in order to fulfill our goals we need to drive Junkers out of New York, and eventually out of Liberty space. If our goal of taking over contraband shipping thru Sirius, is to be done, we need to put them out of business. I came up with a plan on how start doing it. Our terrorist acts are not enough. I don't say that we will stop doing it. I just say that we will take our part of the cake. I have made very useful contact with certain smuggler on Ibiza base. He is willing to buy light arms from us. More we can provide, more he will buy. Also, from there we can smuggle back cardamine drug. That alone will make big blow on Junkers monopoly here in Liberty.
- Sorry to interrupt sir, but which ship we will use. Our fighters cant hold much cargo. - Thompson said
- Yes, i was hoping that you would ask that question. We still have that repair ship we used to retrieve my fighter from Kusari. We will use that ship. It has nice cargo hold and it is ready to start right away.
- Yes sir, but who will fly it?
- You will Thompson. You will be pilot of that ship. I need somebody sneaky, somebody who knows back doors to systems. I think that you are that man.
- Thank you sir. I will do my best.
- But that is only part of my plan. I already sent spy's thru Sirius to investigate black market. When we collect enough money i wish to buy bigger freighter. But not to big. Our ship needs to be nimble and fast, with decent weapon systems. More we can ship out, more we can ship in and more money we earn. Money we will put into better equipment and soon we will be ready to fight Junkers openly.
Thompson, i already ploted course for you to use to get to Ibiza base and back. You will go first thing tomorrow morning. Get ready, check out the ship and see if you need anything. You wont be escorted to keep low profile. Good luck.
- Very well sir. I will do it like you said.
- And be very careful. There are some very dangerous systems to pass thru. Oh i almost forgot. Ships name is Barge of Doom. It has trader identification number. Ok. That was all. Dismissed.
York was sitting in the bar on Ouray base talking with Thompson.
- You will never guess what strange patrol i had today.
- Hahahaha, - Thompson laughed, - I bet...Bartender one more round...i have a feeling this will be good.
- Well it was like this. The moment i began my patrol i got distress call for Shikokou system. It was Domingo Lopez. He is no good Corsair that i know for some time now. He was attacked by KNF and SA ships. It was nice chance to damage KNF fleet so i went there. When i have arrived KNF was taken care of , but SA fighter was too fast for Lopez's gunboat. You know how my fighter can be fast. Lets just say, that now SA knows that too. He fought with honor and courage. He even did some minor damage to my fighter before he busted in flames by my guns.
- I knew it. You really don't have any mercy when you fight.
- Heh, i do...I am such a nice guy. But listen story isn't over. When we finished with SA and KNF we went to New Tokyo to pirate. Luckily for us a lonely trader passed by. We asked nicely for 2 mill for safe passage. Just to point out how serious we are i knocked out his shields. He payed and left by his own business. I had enough of Kusari space for today so we returned to Colorado. And then, a surprise. SA battleship payed us a visit. We gave him a warm welcome. Lopez has fought good, but SA battleship was too much for his ship. His ship was crippled and he needed repairs. I was left alone against battleship. Odds were against me. And then my luck changed. To worse. SA fighter joined the fight. By some miracle i managed to escape (server got laggy and we all lagged out). Back here, at Ouray i restocked my ship and together with Lopez i entered California. There we engaged LSF cruiser and SA gunboat. Soon SA got reinforcements. But so did we. In matter of minutes both fleets got bigger and, what was intended to be small annoyance, turned to battle of epic proportions. Both fleets were huge. It was a mess out there. Somehow, fleet joined of AW, HF, corsairs, Bs and me managed to defeat joined fleet of SA, LSF and SF. We were very strangely looking fleet. Once an enemies, today we all joined our forces to defeat common enemie. And we did. After the fight our fleet divided to small groups and each group took its separated course. We have returned home with over 3 mill in loot and money. Strange day.
Days have passed and Thompson and York didn't see each other. It was early in the "morning" when Thompson docked with Barge Of Doom to Ouray base.
- Unload equipment, and deliver it to my quarters. Prepare ship for next shipment.
Thompson, went to the bar for one quick drink before next shipment. He met some guard in the corridors and asked him about York and Prospector, but guard couldn't say much. Prospector is often on patrol and doesn't come to dock very often.
Thompson was sitting in the bar when he heard some mess in the corridors...He looked at the door and there he was... York just entered the bar.
- Old friend, Thompson said - where have you been these days.
- Ah, here and there, some pirating...we brought valuable loot home. And you?...Did you get bigger ship like i told you? Repair ship payed off?
- Well, i think you will be satisfied when you see her. It is quite a beauty. Money started to poor in.
- Great. Will you show me your new ship or i need to beg?
- Hahahaha...please, do not beg!...Lets go!
York and Thompson passed thru two corridors before they got to the window near the moor. And there it was...Barge of Doom was docked at moor 2.
- Isn't she a beaut?
- I must admit, it looks great. How does it handle?...Did u have any problems on your first trade route?
- It handless great. She is narrow ship..works well in asteroids. Shielding is great too. Nomads can be annoying but she can handle it.
- Excellent!...
- And you?..You didn't told me what have you been up to!...Except that lame excuse.
- Lets go back in to a bar. You know i cant talk with my throat dry.
_________________________________________________________________________
Back in bar York and Thompson continued their conversation.
- I heard that Patrick is scheduled for execution. So i went around asking questions, making friends so i can organize big attack on Kusari navy if they proceed with that plan. Today i was even in Bretonia space. Me and on of my new friends were engaged by one SF gunboat and two FEAR...one VHF and one bomber. SF GB did bite the dust, but Prospector was damaged during that fight so i needed to retreat. FEAR took some damage too, but not very much.
After that i got back to Colorado and i was patrolling when i picked up signal form some trader at Pueblo station. I rupted trade lane to New York gate and waited...it didn't take long and trader dropped out of trade lane. Naturally, my CDs didn't work so i started to chase him. Finally he managed to fly to New York. I stayed at NY gate. Prospector was drifting with engines shut down when one SA gunboat dropped out of NY gate and started attacking us. Our shields were half way down before engines got back on line. Once mobile, Prospector showed how fast it can be. SA GB fought good, but it was destroyed after fast fight.
You know, man would think that was enough to keep SA out of Colorado. But no. Soon after GB was destroyed LSF frigate Chancellor jumped into Colorado. Immediately it started attack on me. But, since we were faster then frigate we managed to dodge most of laser beams and missiles. Soon LSF got reinforcements. Another GB and fighter. Fighter didn't last long against my missiles, so i turned Prospectors guns on SA gunboat. It was very nasty fight since frigate didn't stop firing at us. We were hammered by its missiles. Despite the odds Prospector damaged SA gunboat to 10% of it hull and he retreated to New York. We were only slightly damaged, nothing that 5 botts couldn't take care of. Now only frigate and me were left there. I engaged cruise engines and went to Ouray. There is no point in attacking such a big target. It cant do damage to us cause we are fast, and we cant do damage to them cause they are too strong. So why waste time. In short that was what happened last two days.
- Interesting story. Bartender, bring us one more drink, and make it fast. I need to go soon...your friend on Ibiza base wont wait for us too long.
Prospector was drifting above Ouray base. Richard York stared thru the window from his ready room into distance...From look on his face you could tell that he has a lot of his mind.
commander log:
- Today, i got cease fire proposal from South Alliance. Personally i can live with that. SA never was our prime target or biggest enemie. However, i don't think they will meet my demands. Until this matter is resolver Prospector wont attack any SA unless provoked or attacked first. But SA isn't important to me now. Today we went to New Tokyo to try an negotiate Patrick out of prison. Negotiation failed horribly. Prospector was attacked the moment that KNF had hit on scanners. We fired warning shoots but they still attacked. Soon VHF patrol that attacked us was joined by KNF destroyer and untagged cruiser. All of them attacked Prospector without any word. We defended. VHF patrol was destroyed. untagged cruiser shields dropped and he sustained some damage. Greatly overpowered Prospector shields have collapsed and we took heavy damage. One inferno turret and thruster were lost during the fight. When thruster was lost we retired from battle for repairs. While repairs were under way i called Domingo Lopez for assistance against KNF. He responded immediately. Together, we attacked New Tokyo defenses again. Again, VHF patrol was destroyed, but this time KNF destroyer sustained very heavy damage and was forced out of the fight. Some SA aided KNF but they didn't do much damage to Prospector or Lopez's ship. I didn't want this to happen. Things should have gone in different direction. Oh yes...Prospector was attacked by one lonely junker gunboat. After short demonstration of Prospectors power junker took off. We didn't pursue.
I got word from Thompson that trading goes well. Soon we will have enough money to reinforce our fleet.
End log.
York turned away from computer and looked thru window again.
COM ID: Commander Richard York aboard Xeno vessel Prospector
TO: All Sirius
From this day I, for behalf of all Xenos under my command, declare open war to all Junkers and allied factions.
Junkers are our biggest enemies and time has come to drive them out of Liberty space. Also, all traders from Rheinland and Kusari
will be attacked on sight.
Meeting took place on command post aboard gunboat Prospector.
- York, today while i was on my regular trade route i found out disturbing news. None of that what i heard isn't confirmed yet, but i am afraid that it will be.
Yorks face darkened. It looked to Thompson like somebody pulled a shadow over it.
- What did you heard that is so bad?
- I heard that SinTech got hold of Patrick. There are some rumors that he will be...hmmm....how to say it...reprogrammed...
- Bloody hell!!...I knew that they are up to no good, but this?...this is insane...and those bloody Kusarians...they will pay for this...SinTech is too powerful for us to attack...so, instead Kusari will feel my wrath...there are no safe place for them anymore...
York was red in face from rage. He barely controlled himself.
- And that bloody cruiser deLuna will be our first target. Thompson, tell me how do stand with funds...?
- We stood very good until late today. We were in the middle of money exchange when we got attacked by Bounty hunters...one of my cargo pods was destroyed in the attack. The very same that contained Sirius credit cards...50 million of them...
- What'..and u stood and didn't do nothing?- York was furious...
- Sir...all enemies were destroyed but so were credit cards...
- Excellent, one good thing after another...today just isn't my day... Thompson, return to trading...you have two days to return every single credit that you lost, or you will lose something else...Now, get out of my sight.
Thompson left Prospector in a hurry. Not five minutes passed and Barge of Doom was on the way to another trade run...
York turned to nav officer and spoke with much calmer voice:
-Lieutenant, plot course to Kusari...inform me when we get there...i will be in my quarters.
- Yes sir....
Slowly, York went to his room. By his walk you could tell that he is hurting.
Both, Prospector and Nusebull attacked Shikikan. KNF cruisers shields were dropping real fast when one Junker gunship came to assist KNF. Soon after Junker freelance FGS gunboat of liberty design arrived, also to assist KNF. Fight was fearsome...shots were fired from both sides...Although it seemed that Xenos were out numbered they managed to stay in battle. Nussebull and Prospector with joint efforts damaged KNF cruiser out of battle. Nusebull suffered moderate damage to hull.
While they attacked Shikikan, Junker gunboat Night bringer and FGS liberty GB fired at Nussebull. York turned Prospectors guns on FGS gunboat and it took heavy damage and started to burn. FGS retreated to New Tokyo planet. While Nussebull went in search for damaged Shikikan, Junker stayed and attacked Prospector...That was heaviest fight today and York used all his skills to avoid deadly Junker guns. It worked, and although Prospector was damaged, Junkers ship finally was caught on fire and Night Bringer was forced to retreat out of battle.
In the mean time Battleship Victory arrived to assist broken KNF defenses. While Nussebul chased FGS GB and finally destroyed it Prospector was chased around New Tokyo system by Battleship Victory, junker GB and KNF cruiser. York played cat and mouse with them in efforts to locate Nussebull cruiser. However, his efforts didn't bring any results. He went to cruise when on he got message on public channel. Nussebull announced that his cargo hold is filled by MOX and that he will ram into planet New Tokyo.
York was amazed. That took great courage. Prospector, now free from his "escorts" was drifting close to planet awaiting to see big blast on planet surface. Blast never came. But RACS cruiser disappeared from scanners. Then news was announced thru public channel. Battleship Victory and Shikikan managed to destroy Nussebull in space. Planet was safe. York had a feeling that captain of that cruiser didn't make it. Nobody will ever hear of Nusebull...Shocked by those events, York turned his ship and headed home.
All the sudden Junker gunboat appeared along with Battleship Victory. They were on his tail, but he managed to lose them using trade lanes. Junker said over public channel that he will make his revenge on Nome base in Kepler system.
When York got at Nome Junker ship was all ready there. Prospector engaged him. Another hard fight, and another success. York managed to drive away Junker gunboat. Nome base was safe again.
Prospector sustained significant damage, lost cruise disrupter and thruster. Battle was good, enemies damaged or destroyed. Xeno power was shown, but what was the price. One good cruiser with whole crew was lost.
The ex.Coalition captain Nusston walked around in the Ouray bar with a beer in his hand,
he was devastated over the loss of his cruiser.
Nusston heard some Xenos talking.
"Good work in Kusari, York, that taught them not to mess with us."
Nusston reacted, he approached the Xeno.
"You must be the pilot of that gunboat back in Kusari, well, I was in command of the cruiser,
doesn't matter now, she's gone. Nice to meet you by the way."
York was in the Bar on Ouray station having his first cold drink of the day. Thompson was standing left of him talking with bartender.
-Finally some rest. After that hell in New Tokyo, God knows i deserve it.
- Yes i heard about that, Thompson turned to York, - you made quite a mess down there.
- Well i wasn't alone. Allied cruiser under command of some cpt. Nusston came to aid me against KNF forces. He fought with honor and bravery. And died that way. I am really sorry for not be able to meet that man face to face.
While York was saying that he noticed that one man across the room shows strange curiosity for their conversation. Man took his drink and slowly approached two Xenos at the bar.
- You must be the pilot of that gunboat back in Kusari, well, I was in command of the cruiser,
doesn't matter now, she's gone. Nice to meet you by the way.
- Captain of that gunboat actually. You?..You are the captain of that cruiser?...Let me shake your hand. I though you were dead...no one could survive that blast above the atmosphere. Your rescue pod would burn in it.
- Well yes...although my ship was heavily damaged i still had few tricks up in my sleeve. I ejected long before my ship reached the atmosphere. I drifted for hours in space until one blood dragon picked me up. I had some money on me so i payed him to fly me here. Last credits i have i used to buy this bear. Heh..i better start look for a job.
- Job?..You don't need job while you are on Ouray base. Thompson here will attend to your needs. He will show you your new room. Dont go look for a job just yet...have a break from all that. Here, at Ouray you will find every thing you need. And once you decide what you wish to do next i can help you get fighter or even gunboat...
- Wow. Thank you very much. You are too kind.
- Kind?...Dont let anybody hear you..it will spoil my reputation, York laughed - I need a way to repay you for your help that you provided for me in New Tokyo. At this moment we cant replace your cruiser, but we will try to help you in any way we can.
- Then i accept your hospitality. Until i decide what to do next i will remain here.
- Excellent! Thompson, show him his new courters and show him around the base. Now, gentlemen if you can excuse me i really need to rest for a while. That fight was very tiering. Oh i forgot, Thompson, about that money you lost...any updates on that matter....two days have passed...
- Yes sir. I do have updates. I took the liberty to earn 100 mill instead 50...all funds are being transfered to Prospectors vault as we speak...i intended it to be a surprise...
- Hmmm...very good...Good job...keep up the good work and you may earn your self command in one of new gunboats...That reminds me...SA didn't return any answer to my demand regarding cease fire...They have one day left...if they don't answer tomorrow hunting season begins again...Now i really must leave..i barely keep my eyes open...