Sunny thinks again a little though and then shrugs. "Actually ... no ... I retract that statement. That's where all the Nox comes from. I heard the government there had made it illegal just... 5 decads ago." He shrugs. "Perhaps... the people are just quite grumpy." He chuckles.
"Anyway, Sir... I had contacted you initially for the request of those Bustards to be built. Is there anything I suppose... that is needed greatly?"
Matok nodded, "I gave you my word on the Bustards and you shall have them. We probably already have one or two docked, awaiting sale already."
Then he thought a moment and chuckled, "Gallics.....grumpy. I see them more as oppressors."
"Oppressors?" Sunny shrugged and sipped the drink again. "Perhaps... but I do find that other houses too have some form of oppression. Gallia seems to just be I suppose... more oppressive than others.
"Take Liberty for instance. Read their laws. Full of oppression. You'd be busted for flying while a little drunk in open space... bah..." He waves his hand a little. "The war between houses just makes it like it is... be what can you do." He shrugs.
"Yes, I guess all of the houses are that way," answered Matok in agreement. "We Zoner types try living in peace with all people, away from house space but then, here they come, marching in and claiming the space they weren't interested in decades before. Then, another house comes in doing the same thing and before long, they are fighting over the space and dictating to us how we will live, who we will associate with and laying claim to the base we long ago built. First it was Kusari, now it is Gallia. At least Kusari has let us be. Gallia? They "expect" that we be all nice to them even though their patrols like shooting up my patrol ships."
He sips his drink and simply ends with a "No!"
He then grins, "thanks to some friends, this base is well protected. I only have two patrol ships but for now, things are quiet....or were until Gallia came knocking again."
"Mmmeh... maybe you are over-exaggerating the situation a little. Maybe let them sniff around, get bored, and go find something better ta' do." He smirks and chuckles. "But don't let them taste your wine... or they will be sure to stick around longer. Damn good.." He takes another sip. "Ahhh..."
"S'not to say the place here is boring... though for them gallic patrols... they are looking always for someone to poke at and harass... If they dont find much then they'll run off in search to find someone else... Call it... 'playground-bully' mentality if you will." He grins.
Freeport 6 was a bit of a mess, somewhat in disarray when Blaine Chara took command of the station. With the death of Matok, his people chose to leave as well. Sadly, it was those people who were the dominant crew on station. With them went the two patrol ships assigned to the station.
Blaine was in the "Deadbeat" when the first of his new patrol ships arrived, the newly commissioned, MacDonough-A. On board was a Zoner security detachment assigned to Freeport 6 along with a few families wanting to make it home. The ship itself was a new top-of-the-line Q-ship.
Within a day of it's arrival came the new gunship MacDonough-B, again with a contingent of personnel and goods for the base. The burly administrator smiled his approval as things were starting to look up. Crews were assigned to each ship.
His new first officer, George Rice, discussed policy with his new boss.
"Perhaps a trade ship for the base?" he inquired. "I mean, sure, we buy some of what traders bring but we don't always get what we need."
"Not a bad idea," Blaine replied. Listen, I have paperwork to do. Get the ship crews rested and patrol the Taus while we chart it."
"Yes, Sir," replied Rice, "And of the Gallics and Crayter military patrols?"
Blaine snorted, "Don't instigate the Gallics but don't give them anything either. As to the Crayter patrols? We may have to have a sit down with them. THEY can be reasoned with. After all, they're victims of the Gallics."
"Will do, Sir," replied Rice.
With a handshake and a slap on the back from Blaine, the two men went about their business.
Blaine was taking a break from some paperwork in his office over a drink and a club sandwich when one of his ship commanders, Joel West, came looking for him.
"Commander," he said to his boss, "did you hear about this?" He handed him a datapad with info on it. Blaine read it. He closed his eyes, shook his head and handed the pad back.
"No," replied Blaine, "but I'm not surprised......damned Gallics. Any casualties?"
"None, Sir," replied West, "shall I send a communication to the Gallics and Crayters?"
"No," instantly replied Blaine, "We......." Blaine looked around and said to the bartender, "I'll be back. Watch my food." He took West to his office and locked the door behind him.
"The Crayterian government just gave us use of their shipyard should we need it so leave them be," he explained, "Don't take sides but I'd rather keep things quiet. The Gallics? Well, they'll respond with some sort of Zoner bash, how we "Sirians" need to be put in our place. You know, crap like that so there's really no point."
"Understood," replied West. He then quipped, "You COULD challenge one of them to some hand to hand."
"Nah," replied Blaine, "I gave up all of that special ops anti-guerilla warfare stuff years ago. After twenty four years of it, I've had enough."
With that, the two men went back into the cafe where Blaine finished his meal and West prepared for a Tau patrol.
Blaine was having some dinner when his second in command came looking for him.
"Hey, Boss," he said taking a seat, "So uh, I hear we have a new Administrator at 10?"
"Yes," replied Blaine, "Her name is Diana Kohl." Blaine showed him a picture and a brief bio.
"Pretty lady," replied West.
"She is," answered Blaine, "but we are going to treat her as the professional that she is. If there is one thing I hold dear after twenty four years of special ops service in Liberty is the value of respect and honor."
"No problem," replied West putting his hands up as if to tell his boss to relax, "we will."
"Good! Now, I want to finish eating, I'll see you in an hour in conference. We have a few things to figure out," ordered Blaine.
West left as instructed and Blaine went about his dinner.
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It had been some time since Doc visited Freeport 6. He was always a welcomed guest there, especially when he had a load of iridium for the base. His visit was business as he had some goods for the docked nearby Med Force Two, undergoing some improvements. A glass of Scotch and water in hand, he took time to chat with administrator Chara.
"It's good to see you again, Old Friend," stated Doc with a smile. "Blaine, how about your office for a minute."
Blaine nodded and the two men headed for his office. Blaine knew something was up.
Sitting down, they spoke. "First of all, Blaine, your dockmaster is off loading a full shipment of iridium so you should be set there for awhile. I can bring more if you need it. Secondly, I have some goods for Med Force Two so I need to transfer them over but lastly, I figured you might like this. I was told to keep quiet but....we just can't have people taxing us and then expecting docking rights now can we?"
He handed him two camera shots.
There was a pause while Blaine looked at them and nodded before looking up at Doc.
"No, we can't," he replied. "Anything else?"
"Nope," Doc answered, "Just what we spoke of. I just didn't want prying eyes seeing these."
"Very well," stated Blaine, "I'll address this."
The two men returned to the bar where they took a seat, had a few drinks and dinner and a few laughs to boot.
Captain West returned to Freeport 6 to meet with his boss. His head was low knowing full well that he wasn't going to be happy. He said nothing when they met first in his office, only handing him a battle report.
Blaine just looked up at him, his mouth shut tight to reveal the cleft in his chin and worse, his displeasure.
"So Bretonia now owns Canaria," he commented.
"Apparently so, Sir," replied West, "We were outmatched and outgunned. The cruiser is heavily damaged but is being repaired." He swallowed hard. "I lost some crewman in the fight. It's a first for me and I'm sorry."
Blaine stood up and put an arm around him. "Well, we made a stand so they didn't die in vain. All is not lost. Now I have reason to enact a few plans of my own." He then lead him out to the bar area and ordered drinks.
"I hardly feel like celebrating, Sir," commented West.
"We aren't," replied Blaine, "we are remembering. Believe me, losing men under your command is never easy. The best tribute you can give them is to remember them."
He raised his glass, "To those lost in 49. May they be remembered well and those who killed them burning for it."
West looked at him and shrugged as he raised his glass, "To those who fell and to a new cause."
Blaine smiled at him, "You are learning. Take a day or two off and let's meet to figure out a new approach."