Return of the VCS-Nightmare

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Vieques Shipyard, Puerto Rico System

Billy walked down the corridor, passing a group of Aquila Defense Systems engineers in their maroon overalls. Reading his datapad as he went, he looked at the latest status report of the Nightmare. The Junkers had finished most of the major external work, and the reactor had been replaced. By the initial reports at least, Rell's new reactor technology was working properly. Combat system installation was on schedule, and the new artillery pieces where in the process of being mounted.

Pausing at the hatch that lead to the Nightmare, Billy had a flashback of the last time he had stepped foot on the Nightmare. Shaking the memory away, he opened the bulkhead and walked down the access corridor and boarded the Nightmare. Breathing in the recycled air, Billy slowly walked down the corridor, ducking between Junkers, Octavarians and assorted engineers working on the various components. As he walked, a smile etched across his face as the memories flooded his mind. Quickly finding his way to the Captains quarters, he entered and closed the door behind him. Setting down his pack, he drank in his surroundings. The repair crews had finished with the Captains Quarters, keeping the old Vagrant Raider theme while adding some new amenities.

Sitting at the desk, he heard a small buzzer ring. Quickly recognizing it was the entrance chime, Billy tapped the console to unlock the door and indicate the person that he could enter. Five seconds later, the Nightmare's XO Roy Gibbons entered. Walking in, Roy stood at rigid attention.

Motioning to an empty chair, Billy spoke. Roy, please sit! Fill me in, how's everything going. I know I've been away for a bit, but it looks like everything is going great!

Roy sat down, still at attention. Sir, repairs are on-schedule. In your absence I have hired a bridge crew, as well as all division leads. They have hired the rest of the crew and have been training on their subsequent areas of responsibility.

Billy leaned back in his chair, putting his feet on the desk. Alright, first off please don't call me Sir. While I understand you come from a Navy background, this isn't a Navy ship. Now, I'd like to meet my crew, starting with the bridge personnel. Set something up in the Conference Room in ten minutes. In the meantime, give me a full brief on our new weapons system.

VCS-Nightmare Conference Room

Billy and Roy walked into the Nightmare's conference room. Scanning the room, Billy nodded at his Chief Engineer Evan Baldwin. Moving to the seat at the head of the table, he stood behind the chair. Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome. My name is Billy Xae, Captain of the Nightmare. You've already met the XO Mr. Gibbons, and I'm sure you have already worked with eachother while working to get the Nightmare operational. Unfortunately however, I've been away working on the various political bits to get the gears turning. Now I'm sure you may have done some research on what the Nightmare once was, so here's the abbreviated version.

The Nightmare is an Outcast RM-2A Destroyer, sold to the Vagrant Raiders, a Pirate and Smuggling organization operating out of Liberty. Her previous role was both as a heavy support platform when combatting Liberty Navy warships, as well as a rest stop for Raider pilots coming home from patrols. She served in some of the more pivotal moments of the Vagrant Raiders history, however she was thought to be lost after an operation in Coronado. After finding her hull, I started working to save her and get the ship operational, hence why you all are here.

Anyway, I'd like to get to know all of you. I guess I'll go first. Well you already know my name...so... I'm a retired Vagrant Raider. Used to be a pilot, hung up my wings when the Vagrant Raiders shifted leadership. That's really about it. Sitting down, Billy glanced over to his XO, who stood.

I'm Roy Gibbons. Former Commander in the Liberty Navy... dishonorably discharged for refusing to fire on civilians. I have been informed that this is not a Navy warship and won't be operated like one, however for all intents and purposes I expect only the best from those under Billy's Command. Scanning the room, Roy sat down.

Looking around, Evan Baldwin realized nobody else wanted to speak up so he stood up, his exoskeleton rig making minimal sound. Aw' hell. Guess I'm up. My name is Evan Baldwin. I'm the Chief Engineer of this fine technological terror. Born and Raised on Houston. Let me know if y'all need any bits fixed and I'll send someone over.

As Evan sat, a woman with electric blue hair stood up, making sure everyone could see the gun strapped to her hip. Hola. I'm Isabella Sanchez. I'm the Tactical...Officer. I'm in charge of the Ordinance onboard. Used to be an enforcer for the Outcasts, until I got bored. Also, don't call me Blue Devil. I don't like it. Making sure to make eye contact with everyone in the room, Isabella sat down, and started fiddling with a knife.

Standing up, the Ops officer spoke. I'm Perry Cook, Operations Officer. I handle the boring stuff on the bridge like Comms and other Miscellaneous things. Used to do the same job for a Bretonian shipping company onboard a Shire transport. Oh and Captain, I won't get you Coffee. Ever. My last captain made me do it every day, and I'd rather jump out an airlock. Billy chuckled, Making a motion with his hand as if to say don't worry

Looking around uneasily, the last man stood up, H...hi everyone. I'm Xander Crawford, Helmsman. Looking around sheepishly, Xander quickly sat down.

A little suprised by the brevity of Xander's introduction, Billy brushed it off and started to speak. Awesome. It may take me a few days to learn everyone's names, but I'll learn them. So Once the Nightmare is complete, I don't intend on bringing the Nightmare entirely back to its roots. By that I mean I don't intend on operating a pirating group. However, there is a rather important niche that I believe we can capitalize on. There are various organizations in Sirius that have a substantial lack of firepower, either from a lack of facilities or external pressure. I Intend on using the Nightmare to...equalize the balance.

Our first assignment once all of our systems are online will be assisting Malta Imperial in an Operation called Orange Hammer. Don't know when that will be kicking off, but until it does I want everyone training and preparing. Once we are all checked out I'll see about getting some supplies for some short hops around Liberty. Malta Imperial will pay for any destroyed Navy ships so it might be worth testing our weapons out a bit.

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Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.