Hans turned around in his metallic chair as he viewed the smaller confines of the room they took him to. There were no bars or security fields but it was apparent to the increase of security around his guest quarters, that he was always watched. The message displayed from the station Commander, a bit less cheerful than he remembered him, but he paid little notice to it. The message was short and seemed almost an abridge to the other comments made to him these last few days. Even his patience was wearing out.
He pressed the communication switch and began to record
I do find it rather extraordinary that you on one hand stress the exercise of diplomacy, restraint, and neutrality and yet with the other you dictate consequence, distain and destruction.
You would have made a fine Rheinland officer.
You ignore the points that we are still here. That I came to you. That I moored the Cygnus here. All with the understanding this would be a possible outcome. Perhaps it was, after some consideration, opened a dialogue with you and your esteemed collogues and yet you consistently remind me the seriousness of the situation we now find ourselves in.
How many times must you repeat this? Ahhh I see. Still undecided if our intentions meet with the criteria of the Zoners I presume?
You continue to conclude I am ordered to be here, that I am under some constraint to remain here at the, what have you said, orders of a freelancer?
I believe I have explained myself to such an extent my very core is revealed and yet you continue to threaten and extort.
I may ask you, how many have come before you with such a, dialogue?
From the extent of the rapport I am seemingly inducing, not many.
From the security that circles around this old man like a pack of sharks waiting for their chance, I simply wonder why you even devote the time to this prolonging of an issue you have already deemed unworthy of your attention.
Now some of you say you are listening, so then listen.
The Cygnus has a purpose. I have explained this in great detail.
I have a purpose, by wich I have expressed the sins of my past and the remaining chance I have to make a difference with the Cygnus in a way fleets never could.
And yet you desire more proof.
I have expressed a course of action, the limits by which adhere to the Zoner philosophy and where one should and should not be in such a ship and yet you continue to ask for more.
Rheinland frequencies show of yet another ship of this class venturing into their space.
Have you questioned this Captain as soundly as you now I?
I have made my self vulnerable and I have left a ship I had hoped to call home. And yet you wish more.
What compels you to this point where you again ask superfluous demands.
Ahh'¦..I see. Was there yet another of you who so betrayed you? Is this why you question the validity of my words, my actions? I wonder.
Will you see my violent, chiding actions from a nearly confined room as yet another brazen act of defiance against the Zoners? He expressed with an lethargic sigh.
Again you demand my indoctrination into the Zoner clans and even then will you deem me capable or even worthy of the Cygnus command?
I believe you have already determined your course of action and only seem to delay this even further.
I have gone back to the wall as far as I can and none of you have displayed much in the way of any hope of reprieve.
No one commands me, and I have not taken an order in a long time.
If my actions up to now have meant nothing, then there are no more words to convince you otherwise.
Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.
To : Hans
*You can hear the noise of a mechanic clock, the time between each noise seems regular but something seems to be wrong*
Quote:I do find it rather extraordinary that you on one hand stress the exercise of diplomacy, restraint, and neutrality and yet with the other you dictate consequence, distain and destruction.
You would have made a fine Rheinland officer.
That maybe comes from my Outcast blood, but that's an other story. *laugh*
You know where you moored ? You think it's nice place like the million tourist who go here? Not really.
We have the Coalition and the 'sair who claims this system. And a problematic capital ship can lead to more than diplomatic problem.
Also you came to me ? I never talk to you until the last transmission, the officer you let dock though you was a Zoner ship.
You said I should know your story, no I'm not aware of it. The only data I have is what Mr Malrone said.
Then as far I know. No move was made and due to some unexpected event the Omicroners left Sirius.
And Since you never docked at Livdia I guess your ship are under some trouble.
So I can't find the whole story from A to Z some much encrypted data.
You are now under my jurisdiction. No one can harm you expect me.
So have a breath calm down and explain me everything.
Captain, we're on final approach now. Station Control has asked us to take up a over watch position.
"Do as they ask, lieutenant and have Midnight squadron deployed also." Tapping the comm unit on the arm of his chair, "Mr. Cross, we've arrived. A shuttle is ready for you in docking bay 3. Midnight squadron will provide security for you."
"Thank you captain, I'll be leaving shortly then. Please, contact Captain Trogdor and have Onyx squadron transferred to the Burninator. Remind them they are under his command until they are recalled."
Stepping off the shuttle and onto the Boa Vista Station, Victor Cross looked around as tourist from other shuttles made their way to the stations main trade bazaar; sure to return with empty pockets. "We should have gotten into this business sooner" he scoffed to another suit that was accompanying him.
Victor made his way to a little coffee shop on the third level of the trade bazaar and took a seat, ordering a double shot of espresso with cream. Activating his personal comm unit he had the station's comm officers open a private channel to Captain Trogdor, "Captain, where do you wish to meet?"
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It is agreeable that you do not seem to jump to conclusions as some of your other collogues.
Very well, the tale is this. The Cygnus was originally the ZNS-Hunter. It was in a state of dissray and holding at port, I believe in Omicron Delta's Freeport. A freelancer purchased the Hunter from him as the ship was in need of upgrades, repairs and an overhaul. Instead of taking the carrier to this base everyone insists the ship return to, the ship was ferried out to deep space. There were immediate issues with the ship such as power distribution and couplings that would explode when powere was shunted from the shields to the Cruise engines and guns. The more parts we replaced, the worse the ship became. Eventually, the Cygnus was adrift and hovering in the middle of Omega 15. Needless to say when he was open with the Zoners, they were, for the lack of better words, irate. The banter of ownership, how the Hunter was sold to a freelancer, and how it now was flying around in space, with no refits was intolerable to the Zoners. Eventually the ship was, inspected by a Zoner repair ship. The problem resulted from Sirius parts being modified to work with Zoner components and it cause cascading affects on the ship to the point we were working with no shields and no cruise engines and only 2 or 3 turrets working. The freelancer managed to convince Samura and other transport companies they delivered parts and equipment to make more repairs. They would again be temporary as the programming which was equally needed was foreign to our few technicians.
The freelancer returned to Rheinland and I remained aboard to command the Cygnus. The Cygnus could not exists in the state. We would not return to the station they suggested and to say your station was incapable of assisting in repairs I thought to be foolish. At the same time, docking at a Zoner port would generate unwanted attention, again, but it was going to happen eventually and this was as good a time as any. Upon docking I and my crew surrendered to the stations docking manager. He was surprised I and thirty others managed to even fly the ship to the station.
The Cygnus now finds itself here, at your station.
I am a relic from a war my people would rather have forgotten and yet I am here.
I do not desire power or stature, but the idea of using the Cygnus other than to wage war is something this old man would like to try before time catches up with him.
We have already stated we would uphold the principles of the Zoner consortium but I feel I would make a poor Zoner.
The thought of returning home concerns more than elates me and to bring a ship like this into Rheinalnd space would be yet another fault I would avoid.
But it is late. I will discuss the matter with you further tomorrow in your good time.
Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.
The Captain tensed for a moment when his communications officer suddenly piped in and relayed that Cross's ship was approaching. He was beginning to think the man had fallen down a well.
On the bright side, the delay had given him plenty of time to prepare.
Ah, Mr. Cross. Good to hear from you. Mr. Vetinari and I have put together temporary quarters for our guests and a conference room. A small security desk is set up outside the door, equipped with storage containers and a weapons detector. Please check any personal arms at the desk before you enter, they will be returned when you leave. I know you've brought your own escort, but I don't want anyone to feel intimidated during the meeting, so I'm only having one armed guard keep watch inside once we begin. I hope that's acceptable.
You didn't mention any guests.. I take it you weren't able to track down Adam Spire, then? Ah, well.
I've already briefed the others. One of my men will meet up with you shortly, and when you're ready, he'll guide you there. See you soon.
He taps a finger against the side of his helmet, switching his comm over to the channel his marines are using.
Men, it seems our last guest has arrived. Security, report to your posts. Escorts, meet with your charges. When they're ready, escort them to the meeting area. Gently, please. Mr. Cross is on Bazaar level 3. Everyone else, report to the standby room next door.
To : Hans
*You can hear the noise of a mechanic clock, the time between each noise seems regular but something seems to be wrong*
Well, I have now more info. I have more piece of that complex puzzle.
The main problem seems that you don't want to be Zoner and that you have trouble with the ship.
So I have 2 solution. The first one is I buy the Cygnus. So you will be able to set up a new ship such as a Renzu liner as example. The second is more technical. Boa has you know can sustain capital docking. But can't do major repair. Until some weeks ago. I wasn't on board due to a meeting with some other scientist, and after they created the structure you see. Like the huge they use at the ring at new berlin, this one is able to build, repair any type of ship whiteout being that huge and all of that twice faster. However it's a prototype and need to be tested. But In what it's your concern ?
To fix all your current issue I propose to 'rebuild' the Cygnus. All Zoner technologies will be removed. It will still looks like an aquillon but without any Zoner technologies. So the Cygnus will be like a star fortress like the real Cygnus in the old earth film : an huge explorer. And If you are in trouble that will be easier to deny any implication since the aquillon transponder will not show Zoner code anymore.
So I hope you will choose an solution or ask something different to close that issue.
I find it difficult to imagine a man in your position must resort to a twist of words to make their point.
Did I truly say I do not want to be a Zoner or that I believe I would make a poor one? I believe the latter. The Cygnus' injuries and malformations are all but restructured and in working order, save for a mix match of parts here and there. It's shields still have a, may I say, more than average likelihood of a malfunction when entering into cruise. But it is manageable.
As far as Zoner technology, there is none, save the ship itself. The Core computer ID still is Zoner in origin and I would not believe, that after so much talk on the matter than anyone would observe the Cygnus as anything sanctioned by the Zoners. You suggest the removal of the Interships IFF transponder or its ID core or both? With the IDC removed, the Cygnus would be in such a position as to have no ability to defend itself at any cost.
Again, I am against a wall.
Perhaps a clarification as to the fate of the Cygnus again is in order.
Help me to understand the options and I will make a final decision.
Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.
To : Hans
*You can hear the noise of a mechanic clock, the time between each noise seems regular but something seems to be wrong*
The twist of word is more related to the man than to the position. Anyway.
By thinking that you will be a poor one is a the first step to never be one. They are no real Zoner, you have some who love to do business, other who create church, some who explore, some who get drunks on bar, and much more.
Also, I see something strange. You want the ship, you want to keep the Zoner Core IDC but you don't want to act has Zoner ?
Ah And I need one more Intel, what you really want to do with a such ship? Exploring ?
To better relay my thoughts, I hardly consider myself a religious man and I am no salesman and I feel my time remaining would best be served not being in a drunken stupor. To be a succinct as possible, yes. The Cygnus' primary mission is to explore and maintain a vigil watch on the outskirts of Rheinalnd. When the Cygnus discovers something noteworthy we would inform the freelancer and his group of potential threats. You did mention the SCRA did you not? When called upon the Cygnus can be utilized to ferry Zoners and their allies from system to system safely as well as maintain a neutral stance in defense of Zoner ships. We also on occasion run into Corsairs, who have shown utmost restraint in their dealings with us thus far. Something I intend to maintain as well. The other point was to allow the Cygnus a docking station for these Freelancers when and if they venture out into the Omicron regions. There has been no reason to or a need for a mass exodus but having the option is preferable.
Again, from the reputation of the previous Zoners I conversed with, I feel the mark of this 'neutrality' the Zoners constantly speak of is a flavored word for a most bitter reality. This is why I doubt I would make a fine Zoner. I know the fleeting visions and words that are spoken of great people to send fleets into the void with no conceptual idea of their actions and yet many pay the price. And yes, this is my alternative. To prove the ends justify the means. The Cygnus is a Zoner ship, to deny that would be to deny myself breath. To say I will just take what we have and go would be contrary to the current status I have allowed myself to be in. So I will make you a proposal, a compromise of sorts.
I will take the Cygnus to this ship yard so many have wished me to go to for the complete refit of the Cygnus. The Cygnus will remain an Independent Zoner ship and I will adhere to the principles and guidelines of a Zoner. I think it hypocritical for me to in one hand say I will be a zoner yet in my heart never be on. The reason being I believe there will be many who will never accept an old war relic as a Zoner. To this end I say I would not make a good Zoner. It is all a matter of perspective.
Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.
To : All
*You can hear the noise of a mechanic clock, the time between each noise seems regular but something seems to be wrong*
Well it seems that I have now all the pieces.
Mr Hans, we will conclude this story soon. Please meet me with some other peps on the meeting room. I send you right now the plan. Don't worry I hope everybody will be happy.