I am Rand a man raised in Liberty. I was once a student at MIT on Manhattan. I was also a regular smoker of the Synthetic Marijuana they import from Kusari. One day at school I was caught with a large quantity and arrested. I was sent to Sugarland for a couple years. I have to say, I haven't learned anything that makes me want to rejoin society. The treatment in Sugarland was less than adequate. My brain has had more than it can carry, and keeps getting more everyday. Liberty has turned on its child. I am alone in the world. This is my first day out of Sugarland, and I'm meeting a guy that I met on the inside. He says he can help me get work. Says they don't care if I've been on the inside. Might prefer it. I have no other options I see. Why not, might even be fun. Several days later
My meeting went as planned. I have a nice little ship and a few toys added to it for myself. All I have to do is disrupt trade and spread the fear of the Xenos. I didn't know then they were Xeno, and by the time it came up, it was long since too late to pull out.Guys like that will kill you as soon ans talk. So here I am flying and cutting the hulls of my fellow man. I have become a Xenos. The liberators of Liberty as they call themselves. I remember sitting in class on my halo-computer doing work trading messages with friends and using lol. It has a whole new meaning now. I'm looking for a good ship, might have to go out to the Boarder lands for what I need I am told. Here's to a long flight in a tiny cockpit huh? Raises glass, and drains it.
Two weeks go by
So I met this old guy, he was sitting by himself in the bar on Frreport 9. Its not a bad place, this Freeport. They didn't even ask where I was from. Zoners are funny that way. They did however make me stow my weapons while on the station. Guess they already knew I was what I am. Or maybe they treat everyone that way. The old guy had had a few to many drinks. Said he'd grown up on Malta, made a name for himself long ago. Now he's a weapon smuggler, and it makes him rich. He never asked where I was from either. His bad. I told him I was lookin to get a better ship. I was thinking an old drunk would make for an easy target. I was about to be amazed. The old guy says he knows a person or two, and that he might could help me. No one had even looked at him twice since I'd come into the bar. I figured it might be the wine talking, but I had nothing to lose. We left for the service areas.
Having grown up on Manhattan, staying on a freeport was a bit exotic to me. Also it made me think a lot about having spent as much time in Sugarland as I had. It seemed there was more to space living than I knew, and I needed to find out more.
The old guy walked me to the ship agent there on FP9 and walked straight into the back. I followed him. Low and behold, the old guy DID know some people. I managed to get a great deal on an Eagle, and a decent loadout of the local Zoner guns. In trade for my ship, most of the credits I had in my pocket and the completion of a simple mission. Or so I was told. I jumped for the chance. I mean I was ok in my Blazer, but an Eagle? I was gonna be a GOD!
Five days later
Some simple mission. Ended up being a Bounty boy in a gunship. Had to bribe a few locals to give me a hand. Took over an hour either way. Maybe I won't be such a God in this thing. I need to find something to drop the shields on such large vessels. Sunslayers pack a decent enough punch for a fighter or even a bomber, but for the big guys, I need an edge. Time to hit the local bookstore and start learning about the options I have.
Two days later, and a large piles of books strewn around him
I have found what I want. I just have to find a way to get it. The Outcasts have developed a weapon that strictly attacks shields, but does little to the hull. The Inferno. I must have one. Maybe I can find a dealer that comes to my neck of the woods and sells them. I will see, and maybe I'll just have to special order it. Heh, special order. Who am I kiddin, the Outcasts hate us Xenos. Well, maybe I can get a unlucky bloke in a bar to order one thru some means. I will have to search for this.
Two weeks later, bandages and destruction can be seen around him in the background
So I found what I need. I local dealer of the less known arms. A guy named Kieth. Says he's a Zoner, but flies and Outcast bomber. He says his boss has access to the guns I need. For a price he might be able to arrange for info on the next shipment coming thru. Something about his boss hoarding guns and other gear, a coming war maybe. Makes no difference to me. If he can get me a time and date, I'll help in the war. For a time.
I had a run in with a couple LSF pilots. Copeland and some other guy in a Gunboat. Later a Cruiser or something of the like joined them. I was forced to retreat. Unfortunately, my ship is beat up pretty good. I should have bought the insurance.
Four days later
Today I managed to get a passing trader to pay for his passage. A quick mil helped reoutfit and repair my Eagle. I hope the info comes thru soon, now that I can act on it.
The big day
Today Kieth sent me a flight plan and time frame for this weapons shipment to be passing thru New York to Rhienland. If his info is correct there is a half a dozen guns of unknown design and an Inferno. All I have to do is crack the Armored Transport and they are mine. According to this, the Transport should be thru in a couple days.
Three days later
I embark this morning to attempt a hijackin of an Armored Transport. This could be my last action as a Xones, or a living person for that matter. Jasper, a former pilot of the Reapers of Sirius, an Outcast wing, is to be passing within 30K of my location. I will be taking his cargo and destroying the rest. If this is the last transmission on this, it didn't go well.
That night
I have been successful. I now have a load of Archangels and Thors hammers. Also MOST importantly I have aquired an Inferno, and mounted it on my ship. Tomorrow New York will learn to fear me.
Tomorrow
I am seeting out from Ouray Base to attempt to blockade the Junker base for a time in New York. Time to try the new toys!
3 days later
I went out and got in my Eagle this morning and did some maneuvers for keeping myself sharp, as well as to get used to the new toys more. They work great, especially the inferno. A great find. Drops the shield of most trade vessels faster than I had even dared hope. I will be unstoppable.
Today
I went out to my Eagle today only to find that my Inferno I spent all that time aquiring had been stolen from my ship. Nothing else, just that. I guess I'm not the only one that wants to have that edge. I wonder if I can reach Kieth to get another set up. Bet its askin too much tho. Just wait till I find out WHO took my Inferno. I'm gonna slag 'em.
So its Monday night. Time to go do some foraging, amybe a little pillaging. See if any of them Depot have any decent cargo inside this time out too. I've finally found another guy that might make my day. Since I haven't been able to find old Jasper. Three days and still nothing. Maybe he finally bit it. Oh well. But this Scrappy guy or some such. Seems a shady type to me, but if he can bring me an inferno? Hell, I don't care if he's shadow incarnate. I offered the guy 10 mil, that's a friendly enough profit margin. Heh, maybe I'll get lucky and find me someone before he gets back with one, for cheaper! Heh, can't count my chickens tho. Well, its show time.
So I just got hauled back to Ouray by a friendly enough bloke. Happened to hear my comm chatter as I was investigating a Keeper infestation in New York. Well I asked where the squids were to the locals and nearly got my head bit off. Some blather about they are the spirits and gaurdians. Of what the invasion of the next round of Squids tryin to subvert and destroy us all? Heck, I don't know whats hoin on in Liberty these days, but if the Squids are getting a welcome mat? I'm gonna look into buyin a condo on New Tokyo. Maybe I should talk to a few of them Order guys, they know about these squids. Good as anyone does I gather. Huh, I'm keepin a tally you Blue Space Jellyfish. You got one on me, but as soon as I can get another fighter outfitted, I'm coming for you!
Guess this wasn't what you'd call a productive night after all.
So, I got word my package is on its way. I'm launching form Ouray now to go to meet my contact near Ontario. Japer seems to be alive and kickin after all. Just takin his time. Finally I will have my Inferno back. Ten Million credits. A lump of cash I hate to part with. But no better reason have I heard to spend it on.
Target on radar. Heading 02.47.53.
Incoming Hail....
Channel opened....
"Greetings, you are Rand?" Comes the voice over the private comm link.
"Aye, I be he. You have it? You have my Inferno?" Rand's voice is obviously strained, barely restraining his eagerness.
"You have the 10 million as promised?" The cool voice replied. No emotion at all. He could have asked the weather.
"Aye, prepare for tractor and we can exchange by way of Airlocks." Rand replied. If anyone could have seen his face they would have thought he ws Death himself. The gleam in his eye was NOT a comforting sight.
The fighters maneuver close and lock for the transaction. Both airlocks *whisk* open, each man standing with a blaster in his fist. They may be on the same side, but 10 million credits is 10 million credits. Ya just can't be too careful. The man is in a solid black flightsuit. He steps back to push forward a hovercart. Sitting on top all shiny and clean is an Outcast Inferno. An immensely powerful shield busting unit. Previously only available to Outcast and their allies. Rand had been able to set up a deal with a Retired and scorned Outcast pilot, a chance meeting. But a fortunate meeting all the same. He held out the case with the cash in it. No credit cards here. Only the legit wanted to take the risks with Credit Cards. Most criminal and weapon dealers preferred hard cash. And 10 million credits made for a large suitcase, and some serious scrambling to gather that amount of cash. He was sure it would raise red flags. But, It was worth the challenge. The man took the case and slipped back into his airlock. The door *whisk* shut behind him. Rand pulled the Inferno in and set an autopilot course to dock with Ouray. He had a long night of tinkering to make this thing work. The outcasts didn't happen to send a set of brackets to mount it with. And Jasper seemed to have overlooked that small detail in his discription. No matter. He knew his way around a bay, better than some. He stood there staring at the Inferno and rubbing it like any boy would a new toy. Only this toy would make him a name to be feared.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For those that wonder if I can back up my story this time, I took Screenshots for security.
Purchase by Jagger's agent from Jasper's delivery ship.
Purchase from Jagger's Agent by Rand on Car 'a Carn.
Rand spending time working on old Sunslayer unit to build brackets for Inferno to sit on and work properly.
Rand finally getting the Inferno to mount on his ship, after a night of working non stop in the bays of Ouray.
Weeks Later.....
So...here I am, blown off course AGAIN by these strange Ion Storms we've been plagued with. All systems were green, I was doing fine then....
Blackness. Alarms screaming near my head. Life support failing, Computers crashing one after another. Nothing works as its supposed to. So I'm floating, digging for all I'm worth for my emergency O2 dispenser and my pipe. May as well use the last of my air for some good Synth.
Months have passed....where do I start? A breif recap to refresh myself I guess...
I woke on a table in a medical ward. I was restrained by thick straps of a plastic fashion used in ER's across the systems. I didn't know if I was planetside somewhere, or in a medward on a ship. My clothes were gone, and I was wearing this white robe thing. Common enough, I guess.
In the end I was on a passing medical ship, and had been brought to New Haven as that was where my ID showed as my residence. Jagger had been called and I was given decent treatment. Pam came in shortly later and alerted the doctor I was awake. I guess I'd been out for a couple days. The doctors came and looked into my eyes and the rest of the usual pokes and prods. I guess I was ok, they let me up and even fed me. My clothes were returned, and a couple hours later I was cleared to go home.
Jagger and Pam had taken care of everything. Jagger explained that he had a place for me to do my studies. I had mail waiting for me as well. I had been found by one of the delivery guys that flew for Jagger.
My mail was from the Alliance. Aparently I had what it took. My answer letter was simple. My commission started quiet and flew by.
I put my work on hold. My ship's remains and what was left of my weapon array too had been hauled in. It took a long time to repair my private ship. Much of my own funds had depleted and I was still not fully functional. I asked Jager for a loan. He told me that he would fund my work, in exchange for help with his wares maintenance.
I couldn't handle the non-stop flying and pulling ratchets day in and day out, on top of keeping up on my own work. I had to make a decision. I decided to dock my Alliance ships and work on getting my own research going.
Its been almost half a year now. My research is finally complete. Or as far as I can go for now, and with the current tech at my disposal. I can't replicate the Inferno but I have made a mounting bracket that has extrordinary potential. Until I can make these guns I have designed a way to utilize them.
I have recently applied for access to the Research Department on The Alamo. Not to mention my wings back. I took my Eagle out for some testing to make sure the circuits all work properly. Unfortunately, due to the limited armaments on my vessel it received major damage and is currently in the repair bays on Ouray Base. A definite upgrade in firepower and a missile or Disruptor may be needed. I like the Minirazor, it packs a punch, but against missiles it leaves me a sitting duck.
I've gone into hiding. My research into the Outcast Inferno seems to have gotten some attention. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Outcasts have heard of my flying with it, and sent a squad to try to dispatch me. I was able to escape, but I didn't dare take the chance they knew where I was staying out at the Alamo, and didn't want to lead more if there were more to it. So I went underground. Arranging for my money to be forwarded wasn't as easy as I'd hoped, but I managed at an outrageous price. I headed to Bretonia.I have only my Eagle with my prototype at the moment. I will have to find a way to get my other ships. My extra Eagle is on Ouray Base. Maybe Jagger can help. Since his stores were raided he's had lots of time on his hands. If I can judt get in touch with him.
In a bar on Freeport 6. Days later...
Well, I managed to shake the pursuit for now. It seems word hasn't reached the boarderworlds between Bretonia and Kusari. I heard about a group that might have a place I could be safe. If I can get in touch and find out where to go that is. I'll have to look more.
In another bar, on Battleship Hood. A week has gone by.
I seem free of hassle in Bretonia, and have followed my rumors to Dublin. There seems to be an uncharted Jumphole to a dimly lit Zoner system, Omega 49. I have met many people looking for this underground revolution. Few have a clue of what I am even talking about. However, I got lucky and ran into the legendary Hovis. He said if I could best him on the course he would direct me in the right direction. It only took me 4 tries over 4 days, and a small fortune in bar fees. How can any man drink that much and then fly so well? Oh well, at long last I did manage to win one. He told me of this Omega 49 and that he had heard of there being a small pocket of these people I was looking for. That there was a planet there and I should look there. After a few more days racing with Hovis and his constant challengers I managed to recompense for much of my spending with him. Also to my great relief once I had one, Hovis picked up MY tab. I was impressed. Well, off to this Omega we've never heard of in Liberty in the morning.
Weeks have gone by...
I had a few scrapes along the way, but I've finally found the planet Hovis was talking about. Molly patrols were steady and fierce. I had to resupply in a bad way when I spotted an Unknown Base on the scanners 20K out or so. I headed for it hoping that the Corsairs I'd been running past at the least owned it. I'd had enough Outcasts after me to make my name if poorly known among the Corsairs. I figured I should be able to talk my way into at least minimal resupplying. To my luck and surprise, I found Lanzarote Base, a Zoner operation. One of the few that don't hate us Xenos, not that we are good friends, but at least they will treat us politely. Docking was almost as easy as back home. I guess little traffic got this far out.
A while after landing, and setting up resupplying to be done while I shopped, I went into a local bar to get some info. The bartender was a wealthy, if spendy spring of knowledge. He said indeed the people I was after had been on the planet, and often passed through Lanzarote, up till a month or more ago. There had been fierce fights as the rebels pulled their people off the planet and flew off toward the far star. Or so the accounts he had heard stated. I thanked him and ate a meala nd had many drinks. He helped me find lodging nearby and I found I liked the man. I left the next morning.
Planetside, Gran Canaria.
Wow, it's huge here. Skies. Man, I had forgotten what it looked like at night on the planet. Its been so many years. The people here are still in a frenzy. There are regular departures of civilians en masse. It makes the remaining people seem a small thing compared to all the open space. I rented a hoverbike and headed out into the countryside. So many farms. I'd seen them before of course, flying into the planet and as a kid. I'd never actually been TO one though, so I stopped at one that had a lot of bustle around it. There were more people than I'd expected. I asked if I could get a tour of there farm, and got a blank stare for my effort. The woman recovered well, and told me she could do one better. She pulled a rake out of a passing lads hands and handed it to me and bustled me off to help work in a large building. I later learned it was called a barn. There were many animals, most of which I had no idea what they were. I learned them over the next few days. Elsie, I learned was the wife of the landowner. She ran the day to day duties on the farma dn she hired me for as long as I wished to stay. She gave me great home cooked meals and a bed, plus 75 Credits a day, she said. In exchange I figured out how to work on the mechanical tools used on the farm, and managed to get one of their old tractors working again for them as well. Elsie made me a pie just for me for that one. Cherry Pie at that. Replicators have NOTHING on Elsie. I stayed working there for a couple weeks.
My return to Canaria City Space Port was eventful however. The rental shop I had rented the bike from had called it in to the local authorities. I'd been gone for weeks, and only paid for a few days. After a night in the local jail and paying the fees the next morning and a steep fine to the courts, I was released. I went back and paid my docking fees and launched to head for the far star.
In an empty uncharted system...
So I found a hole going to yet ANOTHER Omega unknown to us back in Liberty. I'd never known the universe was so large. I've been wandering for days looking for kind of life. I don't know how much...::A pause:: A hole just came up on scanners, Poole. Hmm, never heard of it. I guess I'll hop on in and see what I can find.
::Alarms start blaring and multiple missile warnings whine. The sound of fire impacting with the fighters shields is all but drown out in the noise. Then, like a goddesses caress you hear the soft drawl, "Docking Commenced"::
Holy crap! What the hell was THAT? It looked like police of some bretonian kind according to playback. Some unknown Bretonian force. Systems read minimal damage to port fin. I guess I know where I'm not welcome. I'll have to get a stronger shield, if I want to look in there any deeper. ::Beep Churp:: What's this? A ship on scanners. gotta close this for the power to sheilds just in case.
I got a promotion. Can't say why, of course, but I got given full bars. I'm a Lieutenant now. I get to fly me a bomber and get a copilot and all. Never had a copilot. I'm off to go get my new bomber now. I'm stoked, can't wait for training exercises. Well, all for now.
Rand plops at his desk, tired and content. He reaches for his diary, knowing it has been so long since he opened it, it will be covered in dust. He blows a small cloud away as he pulls it to him. Enters his security code and begins to talk.
So I finally got the last of the vessels out for the fleets in each sector. My job is finished for the most part, and I have replaced the Tech staff with those that need to begin learning to do the jobs. This will leave me free time to get back into the simulators and see if I can't get my wings back. I know I came to play with the cool tech they have, and I am, and have been for a long time now. I miss the thrill of combat. The knowledge that at anytime my skills might not be enough. I want to feel my cockpit hum around me as I fly toward my prey and feelt eh entire carriage rock as the torpedoes fire! I love my science and toys, but there is little thrill in it. I want the thrill back. I just hope I can get clearance. I should, I've been here long enough they don't even have the spy following me around anymore. Heh, I mean my co-pilot...heh. Good enough guy, but not the most creative.
Bah, I just want to fly again. *Yawns* Wel, I'm off to bed for now, I sent my request in, we'll see what comes of it.
Rand walks into his quarters, sweaty and spent. After some time he reaches under the bed and pulls out a notebook. He opens it and begins a new entry.
So, its been almost two weeks since I put in for my permission to fly. I'm torn between my desire to fly and waiting for a response patiently. I would usually just go get my personal fighter back in the day. But I have long since donated all of that stuff to the Revolution, and even the large stash of money I had brought, for 'Emergencies' I have long since given over. So, I can't, even if I wanted to. So I keep doing my part in the shop and help where ever I can.
Heh, on a side note. I got a ping from an unusal woman. Or rather I pinged her, one day in my random investigations from our Observatories. I caught a glimpse of a commotion just within sensor range. An Xenos IFF'ed 'Eagle' Class fighter. It was under minor fire from a passing patrol. I made no contact, and it never came close enough for cameras to pick it up. I have to write this up and report it I guess. Maybe it will help me to get my clearance.