The beep of an alarm clock is the one of Cruikshank's pet peeves. Especially when he is in a foul mood. "Right...interrupting my vacation I swear.." Cruikshank mumbles to himself as he tries to get up. Cruikshank remembers late last night, an old friend he was hoping not to see for a long time called via a secure comm network. 'I was supposed to be given a few months of vacation damn it, now he wants me to listen to him ramble about how he's got it big this time.'
Cruikshank spends most of his morning enjoying a mix of Rheinbeer and Vodka, a mix odd to some, but Cruikshank likes trying new things. This mixture being one of his favorites, he has it quite often. Probably too often. 'Of all places I have been, I won't forget our times in Rheinland, probably best thing we ever did.' During the routine, the comm line rings and requests for a security lockdown code. "Ugh, this better... better be good." Cruikshank gets out of the bed and walks over to a small stand where the mobile comm system is sitting. Seeing who was calling made him only frown. Cruikshank dials in the code to grant the caller access and a secure network then waits for establishment.
The caller didn't have time to speak first, because Cruikshank did. "What the hell do you want now? Don't you remember I'm supposed to be off on leave?! I'm sick and tired of you calli-" "I suggest you shut your mouth and listen." The caller interrupted, "You know your "vacation" is only allowed as long as I allow it, right?" Knowing that his caller was right, Cruikshank takes a moment to calm down then replies, "Yes... yes... Sometimes I try to forget that fact, but sadly it comes with the fine print." The caller then replies, "You bet, and you know I don't keep important figures such as yourself off duty for long, especially in times like these." 'In times like these...' "What do you mean by, "Times like these"? You were always strange with words but this time you are worrying me." The caller takes a minute, then another one, then finally says, "Sorry for sudden silence, I must go, will call you in a few hours, *click*" Cruikshank hangs up on his end and sighs. "Ridiculous, he wants me back and didn't even manage to tell me why, what the hell is he doing I wonder."
He glances over towards his shot of Rheinbeer and Vodka. After staring at it for some time, he finally decides he doesn't need another shot, and heads on over to the ship dealer.
Coronado, Barrier Gate, 9:31 A.M Manhattan time
A few hours have passed, and with those hours some productive work has passed too. Cruikshank has a routine to follow and knows it well. Sell your current ship to an independent dealer, all codes and clearances wiped, travel data, and comms recordings and previous communications wiped etc. Pack your things, buy a new ship with an incognito card, pay them extra to keep their mouths shut and prepare to leave without a hitch. Sometimes the procedure consists of being picked up, but that is only on very relaxed matters, in dangerous places like the Barrier, no amount of security is enough to keep you truly safe.
Sitting in the cockpit of a CTE-1440AV series is very familiar, a very standard and common civilian ship commonly seen for sale whether used or new. Having to have to buy a new one every now and then makes Cruikshank very familiar with its controls and internal systems. "Check... check.. Yeah this ones used... Eh it will do." muttering away to himself as Cruikshank is scratching at some unknown and dried residue on the seat. Being satisfied with this purchase, (even though he was ripped off at the fact that this was "new") Cruikshank sends in a request for takeoff, leaves Barrier station, and makes his way for Curacao in the Cortez system.
Curacao, a luxury planet within the Cortez system. From big casinos to fancy yachts, everything in terms of "fancy" could be found here. Rumor has it that a few illegal items are sold here even at high prices. 'I've never liked this place, full of spoiled people and some that are just straight up rotten.' To some this is paradise, to Cruikshank, it's just a scamming money-making planet full of idiots. His mission doesn't consist of idiots or money-making schemes though. 'Damned this cipher, why is it even more complicated than the last one? '
Even though it is annoying, Cruikshank knows that this is part of the protocol for security reasons. Each new text-based communications always come with a new cipher to decode, some are short, others really long and confusing. Usually, the decipher is sent by an unknown courier which is also never the same. A few moments past of staring at the chipher before hearing an engine roar. Up in the sky above the spaceport was an incoming V-7, or "Raven's Talon" fighter craft preparing to land.
Cruikshank gets the feeling that this is the courier then hits a button on his wristband. The signal is only sent to those who can receive it, a one-way transmitter. A very weak signal, and very short range of only a few hundred meters. Because of those things however, the signal is nearly impossible to pick up even for a split second. The fighter circles overhead the spaceport a few times, then flashes a red light three times in a row. 'Bingo.' With the courier target confirmed, it was safe.
The V-7 begins landing procedures after given permission on landing pad five, a few meters away from where Cruikshank was standing. 'If this ship was hijacked, I still got my good ole sidearms with me.' But it wasn't, a single man dressed in a black and red space suit walks down the exit ramp of the ship and heads towards Cruikshank. "You, what's your name?" Said the pilot once he had reached Cruikshank. "C-man." Cruikshank replies, "Do you have it?" The pilot had been carrying a medkit with him when leaving the fighter, "Yes, take it, might be some random bandages in there still but it has the documents. Once you are done using them, burn the entire case with the documents."
Cruikshank nearly smiles at this notice, "I've been through this many times, don't worry about me." The pilots nods in acknowledgement, and gives a short salute while saying, "Very well then, honorable skies to you, C-man." After all was said and done, the pilot enters his ship and takes off. "Honorable skies, indeed." Cruikshank whispered to himself.
Cruikshank waited a few hours before opening the med kit, thinking there might be something good. He was only to find a paper note reading thus. "Cruikshank, sorry for the hangup but things got underway pretty fast here. Project "Revival" is now finished and I have moved location. Took a few months longer than I wanted, but nobody can expect perfect all the time. Anyways, I need you to move underway to the Cologne system, and fast. I have a special prize waiting for me there but obviously I can't get to it myself. I need you to bring it to Noshima Freeport in the Shikoku system. It has proven to be quiet here, nobody is bothering us and if you don't pull the wrong looks, nobody will ask you any questions. You've been there before, you should remember where that is.
P.S Oh, and the prize that you are sending me is a kitted out K13 fighter. Please, whatever you do, don't break it on the way here."
'Well, looks like boss has something interesting going up his sleeves, I better move fast to see what he wants.' Usually the caller has something important lined up every now and then, but it's never an in-person meetup. 'It's been a while since I've seen his side of things. Time to get moving.'
Cortez, Curacao, 7:12 A.M Manhattan time
The next day, Cruikshank heads to the ship dealer to buy a new ship, again. 'I hope one day we won't have to keep doing this just to remain safe... even to me this is a little bit much. But with the boss being paranoid as he is, I guess you can't argue with him about security. Being on Curacao though, choices are limited to more luxurious craft. Cruikshank wasn't really interested in buying a big liner or a Luxury Yacht, would be a waste of money and time as well as breaking security rules. 'I need a ship I can pilot alone... there has got to be something here." After aimlessly wandering the ship dealer for a few hours looking around for something small enough, Cruikshank sees someone waving him to come over.
The man wasn't familiar from a distance, but as Cruikshank got up close that began to change. "Thomas...?" Cruikshank first mentions, "Shush! If the authorities find out my real name, I will get in BIG trouble C-Man, so keep my name out of this." As a former ship navigator and comms officer, it was weird seeing him here in the far corners of Curacao. "Well, what are you doing here? Funny seeing you again from the collapse after our disbandment." Thomas shrugs at that remark and replies, "Those times might be over, but we aren't. Boss has sent me here to bestow you a new ship, it is already paid for and it's off records." To Cruikshank's surprise, there might be a ship for him after all.
"This way, over here in the hangar are some old CST-010 models laying about. It should do though, small enough to avoid getting overrun from fast interceptors and not too big for one person to pilot either." After entering the already opened hangar, a few smaller ships are present here, notably the one Cruikshank will be flying. Cruikshank prefers fighters, but a ship that flies is a ship that works on a simple level in Cruikshank's head. "Well, it will do, not too suspicious for a long voyage I suppose either." Thomas at that point was opening the ramp for entry access, "No, and it is filled with a shipment of Cigars, so your journey should look legit." Thomas walks up to Cruikshank and puts a hand on his shoulder then whispers, "Honorable skies, C-Man. Don't fuck this up."
Hamburg, Planet Hamburg, Some Time A.M Manhattan time
On Cruikshanks way to Kusari space from Hamburg, an encrypted message was sent. "C-Man, it's me again, change of plans. You are to rendezvous with our collecting forces in the Sigmas region. Where exactly I am not sure, but a second message will be sent to show exact coords. Be advised, you will have to head through both Kusari and Liberty, not just to the edge of Kusari from Rheinland. I expect you to not get caught on your way here by the police or anything. Also, I still hope you haven't broken my ship." 'Well, it could be worse...' Cruikshank takes several hours to prepare for the long journey to the Sigmas. All if not most of his Rheinbeer and Vodka is gone, but food has been restocked from Stuttgart as it is plentiful and very cheap. Now being on Hamburg, water and oxygen are being refiled at decent prices. 'Hopefully this will last me to the end, the cloaker batts back from the Freelancer base back where this ship was should be handy too.'
Sometimes shopping around in the spaceport is good, but Cruikshank prefers to get goods from market. There is far less security personnel to worry about. The market tends to be cheaper too, but sometimes faulty goods as well. Quite difficult to fault oxygen though, quite obvious if you can't breathe. Cruikshank doesn't stay for long, takes what he needs, then prepares to leave for the Sigma's. 'It is quite odd how he wants me to head through both Liberty and Kusari instead of going through northern Rheinland and into the Sigmas that way.' Cruikshank ponders a minute and is unable to think of the solution. Without wasting any more time, Cruikshank leaves the market and heads back to his ship and prepares for takeoff.
'Well, I just have to be careful of cops and all, they definitely won't like what's on this thing, better not get caught.' Being warned of warned of both Kusari and Liberty, Cruikshank believes taking local Jumpholes and hiring travelling guides will be of great use in avoiding the law.
"C-Man here, is the line secure?" Cruikshank says into the comms of the ship. "Yes, where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here a week ago." The caller end didn't sound please, and Cruikshank sounded almost as annoyed. "Look, you are trying to send me through two houses while I have low security, there is no way I in hell I'll make it without being-" "I'm going to stop you right there, you are asking for more security?" the caller mocks. "You are supposed to be our front man, I've got bigger things in mind to deal with than your squabbling of "I can't make it" bullshit." For a moment there was silence, then an irritated sigh followed by, "I'm going to give you a second chance, head through the two houses and I'll see to it that you will have a fairer assignment next time, deal?"
Being annoyed hearing this, Cruikshank mutters "Fine" while pressing his head against the seat. "Good, make this deliver fast I am already running out of patience." Replied the caller. "Since you don't know your way around Liberty or Kusari very well, I suppose I can make an effort to get you here faster." Cruikshank wasn't expecting help, his boss usually doesn't make things easier. 'Wasn't expecting this, and why is he bringing up my lack of map knowledge I wonder. "One of my forward scouts picked up your broadcast comm about "hiring guides" and relayed it to me. Honestly C-Man, I find this humiliating, but I'll give you a hand by sending you two million credits extra for that contract. I won't guide you myself as I am busy up here, but you need to find someone who can. *beep*" The comms being hanged up, Cruikshank is given a moment of peace to think.
'Two million? That is a lot of money... Where the hell did he get that founding from? Now I really want to know what the hell is going on up there.'
