The US-Opportunity - A Biography

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Panic stations

The dilapidated transport meandered into high orbit of the proud Liberty capital - New York. The elite of the elite. The previous meeting with Navy forces in Bering still fresh in his mind, he relaxed as the scanner came up clean. Just a Freelancer civilian near the station, probably a hired escort. They were here for more supplies, Jimmy dismissed the gunboat with out much thought - after the previous encounter he felt almost invincible, the rush having sustained both himself and Harold for 32 hours to get to this new destination. It sounded like suicide, but that's exactly what he wanted them to think. It was the ultimate prank.

Sidling up to one of the Trenton cargo terminals, Harold feed the docking and licence registration codes through. They knew one day they would just be rejected and a hasty getaway would be their only recourse. But it wasn't today.

The new sensor array began beeping continuously. Harold kept his eyes on the console before him while the ship was loaded. Another good thing about this oversized pod-runner. Very easy and quick to load or unload.

"They are hailing us" he said as Jimmy looked on.

"Hold it." said an unknown voice. Ship was showing as a Freelancer licensed vessel.

"Ignore him" Jimmy said quickly. With no Liberty frequencies or insignia on the ship, Jimmy's disposition was sour enough as it was without someone trying to push him - and a supposedly still legal commercial transport - around. Word hadn't filtered through from the Navy activity in Bering yet. There was still time.

"Gonna have to ask you to stay here!" The weapon placements on the large gunship came to life, tracking the naked Stork.

Then a slight pause. And then a prolonged exchange as the Freelancer told a dangerously accurate tale. Turned out the Police had already been onto them for some time. Damn mercenaries... Some were wannabe detectives like this one. Soon the scanner was beeping even louder. More incoming ships.

Jimmy's blood turned cold, sending a chill down him. Looking to the plasma pistol again as the unknown gunship began broadcasting its position and intentions, it wasn't long before Navy fleet vessels arrived. Enough time to load the last pods...

He looked at Harold and said softly "You know I won't shoot you, right?"

"Yeah. I know" then,

"You really think this'll work? Again?"

"Not really. If we are captured, you can fully blame me. I'll do hard time this time, and you can tell them that you are an actual hostage. Just make sure you get back to the Creek if I don't make it, well, maybe I'll see ya." He pulled the mask on, his voice changing to the synthetic intimidating rasp that he hoped would unnerve these curious ships.

Harold hailed the vessel, trying to appear calm and collected. The Freelancer continued to disrupted the engines, soon the lane was blockaded. Nothing, it seemed, would deter him.

"But we have no choice right now," Jimmy observed, "in fact we are surrounded."

It was true, three - Liberty - Navy ships had descended upon the exposed train, scouring the vessel with scans and hailing calls. Jimmy keyed the communications array to locally broadcast his intentions. He loaded the plasma pistol loudly, a distinctive clicking noise that spoke volumes in any language. Jimmy took a few deep breaths to calm himself before he interrupted them.

"Everything you have heard is true. So you will be responsible will you? For the death of this crew? There are no escape pods left. In fact, the whole back section is depressurised. You had better cut us loose I think! If you want them to live, that is..."

This threw the Navy formation into disarray. Was this really a terrorist act? Right here at the capital? Surely not. But soon Jimmy had twisted the tale. To attack the stricken craft would surely result in civilian deaths without any escape pods. A Navy formation destroying a unarmed and unshielded transport would create a huge incident and stir unrest.

However with no Police vessels nearby to corroborate the story, the ranking Officer must have thought better of being the one explaining those deaths to a court marshall judge, and gave the command to let the Red Serpent dock with the lane. He could imagine the gunship pilot, fuming in frustration in his cockpit. But this incident would be sure to put an end to any future supply runs to most Liberty bases. Word would spread. The deed was done.

A feeling of pure joy and elation came over Jimmy then. He may as well make the most of it, if this was to be the last legal run. He was suddenly drunk on this feeling of euphoria, and opened the system communications as the ship left New York.

"Let it be known, you have been played by Jimmy of the Xeno Alliance."

He cut the channel, turned back to Harold who was still calm and completely focused in navigating the hyperspace jump, and drew in a huge breath, the mask roaring as if in triumph. He pulled the mask off and threw the pistol on the plush console seating, letting out a huge sigh of relief and bewilderment. He felt as if years had suddenly vanished from his lifespan. Far too close.

Soon he relaxed as the ship drew closer to its destination, disappearing into the murky underbelly of Liberty again, safe - for now.