Shady project

[Fifty.]

"This better be good."
He hadn't had much sleep for the last few days and the trip seemed awful. At least the freighter was stocked on Sunbucks coffee, so John was already walking with a cup.
- Here it is, Sir.
"Looks good.", he thought.
The dry dock was occupied by a rather large vessel. A liner. But not just any liner, this was LPI's newest investment. More funding was received for surveilance and John seized the chance to organize something rather bold.
- As you can see, we are doing final touches and the liner will be ready in a few days. We received and applied the schematics you requested.. The powercore will be sufficient to sustain..your special ..equipment. - the contractor's operative said.
- That's none of your concern for now. We are glad to see there is a lot of progress on the ship. The rest of the amount will be transferred by the end of the week as agreed.
- Pleasant to hear. If there is anything else we need to install in the ship, please notify us in advance.
- Will be done, John said and sighed. - I guess it is the paperwork now?
- As usual, but it has to be done.
" That was the easy part. Getting funds for the next stage is the tricky one.."

[Fifty.]

The ship was handling well, despite the fact a lot of additional programming had to be done.
-Ah, Illinois. Finally.

The ship had just arrived and its temporary crew was doing systems check. All was fine, so the liner proceeded to Police Plaza, where it would remain still for the next few weeks, in order to fully finish it. The large station grew larger and larger, as well as the planet nearby.

The liner began mooring procedures and John soon found himself in his office. He could see the liner out of his window. Almost done.
He checked his inbox, but there was still no answer for the modules. Same for the special equipment. Funding was still lacking, but there was time. The ship still needed repairs and crew. Which takes time.

[Fifty.]

*** A few months later ***

It worked perfectly. Everyone stood in silence, looking at the monitors, breathless. The gunboat slid by, barely a few clicks away. The Revenant and it's crew were unnoticed.

John smiled, as the project was a complete success. A short encrypted transmission was sent to the nearest Navy patrol. Scouting Rheinland gunboats are something of concern. The Revenant slowly turned direction and quietly followed the Rheinlanders.

This continued for a while. The Revenant's computers were working on a possible path for the gunboat. A few possibilities, all sent to the Navy. After some more quiet,stealthy following, the gunboat went exactly where they wanted it to, and the Revenant broke off. What followed was a quick, brute, but precise ambush attack from the Navy. Job well done.

The project vessel returned to Illinois, awaiting the next mission...