It took some doing, but after about two hours Skyler finally manged to convince Bubba and the small fleet massed above Planet Manhattan that; "Rushing of half assed to punish the Deshima league with a small force and without official approval will get us nowhere."
Now sitting in an office on Planet Manhattan Skyler got a message about recent events concerning the Deshima League. The League was ignoring Liberty authority and was sneaking around Liberty systems causing trouble, including making attacks against GMS, who were currently under contract to Liberty in order to pay off damages they had caused. Skyler tried to contact Karma to see what he knew, but just got the polite "I'm sorry sir, Fleet Admiral Badkarma is currently unavailable. May I take a message?". After trying to contact Walker and getting the same message Skyler decided to skip the meeting he was supposed to be attending to and head out to asses the situation from a better location...
Thursday, November 4, 2010
#12 by Kaal
Fort Bush, New York
As the pod dropped onto the loading dock Falken emerged out of the lifesaving device, running his hands through his hair and putting on his favorite cap, "that's what I get for taking off my lucky soft-top," he said to himself.
It could have been worse; the auto-ejection could have locked him in the cockpit when his fighter went down, he could have been demolished by space traffic that cruised through the Ft. Bush/Baltimore Shipyard Area or he could have been detected by Elyon's scanners and shot out of the sky for good. It wasen't unheard of, but Falken wasen't complaining.
Down the causeway leading deeper into the station Falken could see two men approaching his way. Two uniformed LPI officers, "great, just effing great," muttering just enough for a dock-hand to look up and smile.
"Well there could be worse friend," consoled the dockman, "they could be here to shackle you up."
Yeah, that they could or they can take him down to interrogation and keep him locked for 24 hours on suspicion, Falken didn't know what would have been the most preferable.
The mustached officer opened his mouth first, "Contractor Myers, we have a few questions. Please come with us."
The interrogation room it is then.
Moving down the causeway Falken took note of the boogling eyes of LPI and Liberty civilians as he proceeded down to the central offices. Behind him the silent clean shaven LPI officer shadowed his footsteps, staying outside an arms reach of Falken. The perfect distance to keep watch over a trained fighter; not too close but close enough to get in quick if Falken showed a hint of 'resisting arrest'.
They reached the elevator after a time, taking the long way to get to them. He was a dammed caged monkey, and the level D42 was the parade route.
Before reaching the elevator, a ranked Navy officer came out of the elevator. Solid posture, six something tall, lieutenant pips, broad shoulders and good taste in solarshade brand; definitely military intelligence or he one 'metro' Naval Officer.
"First-lieutenant Davenport, Naval Intelligence. This guy is with me." Bingo.
Mr. Mustache LPI wasen't buying it, "this man is under our custody for disturbing the peace over Liberty Police space, and where the hell is your credentials?"
If under perfect timing Mustache's comm unit went active. The LPI gave his companion "the look", as Officer Imposing only toughened up, eye-dogging Lt. Davenport while Mustache moved off to the side to answer the call.
"Uh huh. Sir...no sir. Yes...sir, right away." Mustache wasen't looking too pleased, as the old can says about "stuff" falling down the ladder.
"Apologies sir, I leave him to your custody." Mustache cleanly saluted along side Officer Imposing and quietly left. Falken and Davenport both entered the elevator.
Davenport issued a designation to the elevator computer, "Command Deck LN2."
As the doors closed and the hum of the elevator kicked in, Falken felt now as was a good a time as any to break the silence.
"Thanks for that Lt. Davenport. For all I know the LPI would have loved to send me to..."
"That would have been avoided if you hadn't been shot down Contractor," the officer ejected.
He may be right, but it wasen't all on Falken, "Hey I shot the guy down over by Westpoint, and for some reason or another (not naming any names), this Elyon was able to get back into New York and reengage. Either someone in Naval Intel doesn't give a rats ass or you're leaving the GMS out to dry," Falken rebutted.
Well back at square one, the Lieutenant was unfazed and quiet as Falken looked for any hint of response.
"Hold elevator," Davenport commanded. The box came to a stop. Davenport looked to Falken, and Falken balled his fist.
"Yes you are right Mr. Myers, we did leave you to 'dry' out there. Try to understand the delicate situation," the officers said as Falken unclenched his fists, "we see you, frankly, as a exploitable resource. Your unique position as a third-party employer allows us to continue operations with as little association to Liberty's military as best possible."
That was true as bad as it sounds; the beauty of contractors is that they were paid to enforce the policy of their employers, while being an expendable and deniable asset at the same time. A double-edged sword.
"We were hoping to avoid further direct incident with Deshima League and Liberty Navy and allow the GMS to handle that side of the affairs, but with this Elyon entering deep into New York twice to target you," Davenport paused, "...makes this a bit more complicated and harder to ignore."
The lieutenant had a point, this was going to lead to something bigger in the future and whether Falken liked it or not, the GMS had a role to play.
"So what is gonna be our next move," Falken asked.
"Our 'move' is to get you to a secure terminal and secure a debrief with Naval Command," Davenport answered as he ordered the elevator computer back on the move.
As the doors opened, Falken saw the hustle and bustle of the Ft. Bush Liberty Navy CIC; crewmen and officers alike moving efficiently through the chaos of the mass movement of bodies. Everyone had a job to do, and getting that job done was built in clockwork. Falken angled and curved his body bumping a couple of individuals as he followed Lt. Davenport through the crowd, admiring how the Lieutenant walked straight through the mass of bodies that either gave way or stopped to salute him.
Reaching a room down the hall from the busy CIC, the Lieutenant opened the doors and in-parting words offered his last advice, "Contractor Myers, whatever they ask tell the truth as clearly and honestly as you can. The less you bullshit the more efficiently we can work to get this sorted and the sooner you can get on your way."
Falken mouthed a thanks and looked to the large vid screen as he took as sharp intake of air and sat down.
The vid-monitor flickered to life as the faces of the leaders of the Liberty Nation and her Military filed up in front of Falken.
As soon as the links stopped uploading into the video conference, one of them began with a chilling grin "Mr. Zack Myers, the Deshima League have an interesting way sending their messages don't they. Let's start at the beginning shall we?"
As the pod dropped onto the loading dock Falken emerged out of the lifesaving device, running his hands through his hair and putting on his favorite cap, "that's what I get for taking off my lucky soft-top," he said to himself.
It could have been worse; the auto-ejection could have locked him in the cockpit when his fighter went down, he could have been demolished by space traffic that cruised through the Ft. Bush/Baltimore Shipyard Area or he could have been detected by Elyon's scanners and shot out of the sky for good. It wasen't unheard of, but Falken wasen't complaining.
Down the causeway leading deeper into the station Falken could see two men approaching his way. Two uniformed LPI officers, "great, just effing great," muttering just enough for a dock-hand to look up and smile.
"Well there could be worse friend," consoled the dockman, "they could be here to shackle you up."
Yeah, that they could or they can take him down to interrogation and keep him locked for 24 hours on suspicion, Falken didn't know what would have been the most preferable.
The mustached officer opened his mouth first, "Contractor Myers, we have a few questions. Please come with us."
The interrogation room it is then.
Moving down the causeway Falken took note of the boogling eyes of LPI and Liberty civilians as he proceeded down to the central offices. Behind him the silent clean shaven LPI officer shadowed his footsteps, staying outside an arms reach of Falken. The perfect distance to keep watch over a trained fighter; not too close but close enough to get in quick if Falken showed a hint of 'resisting arrest'.
They reached the elevator after a time, taking the long way to get to them. He was a dammed caged monkey, and the level D42 was the parade route.
Before reaching the elevator, a ranked Navy officer came out of the elevator. Solid posture, six something tall, lieutenant pips, broad shoulders and good taste in solarshade brand; definitely military intelligence or he one 'metro' Naval Officer.
"First-lieutenant Davenport, Naval Intelligence. This guy is with me." Bingo.
Mr. Mustache LPI wasen't buying it, "this man is under our custody for disturbing the peace over Liberty Police space, and where the hell is your credentials?"
If under perfect timing Mustache's comm unit went active. The LPI gave his companion "the look", as Officer Imposing only toughened up, eye-dogging Lt. Davenport while Mustache moved off to the side to answer the call.
"Uh huh. Sir...no sir. Yes...sir, right away." Mustache wasen't looking too pleased, as the old can says about "stuff" falling down the ladder.
"Apologies sir, I leave him to your custody." Mustache cleanly saluted along side Officer Imposing and quietly left. Falken and Davenport both entered the elevator.
Davenport issued a designation to the elevator computer, "Command Deck LN2."
As the doors closed and the hum of the elevator kicked in, Falken felt now as was a good a time as any to break the silence.
"Thanks for that Lt. Davenport. For all I know the LPI would have loved to send me to..."
"That would have been avoided if you hadn't been shot down Contractor," the officer ejected.
He may be right, but it wasen't all on Falken, "Hey I shot the guy down over by Westpoint, and for some reason or another (not naming any names), this Elyon was able to get back into New York and reengage. Either someone in Naval Intel doesn't give a rats ass or you're leaving the GMS out to dry," Falken rebutted.
Well back at square one, the Lieutenant was unfazed and quiet as Falken looked for any hint of response.
"Hold elevator," Davenport commanded. The box came to a stop. Davenport looked to Falken, and Falken balled his fist.
"Yes you are right Mr. Myers, we did leave you to 'dry' out there. Try to understand the delicate situation," the officers said as Falken unclenched his fists, "we see you, frankly, as a exploitable resource. Your unique position as a third-party employer allows us to continue operations with as little association to Liberty's military as best possible."
That was true as bad as it sounds; the beauty of contractors is that they were paid to enforce the policy of their employers, while being an expendable and deniable asset at the same time. A double-edged sword.
"We were hoping to avoid further direct incident with Deshima League and Liberty Navy and allow the GMS to handle that side of the affairs, but with this Elyon entering deep into New York twice to target you," Davenport paused, "...makes this a bit more complicated and harder to ignore."
The lieutenant had a point, this was going to lead to something bigger in the future and whether Falken liked it or not, the GMS had a role to play.
"So what is gonna be our next move," Falken asked.
"Our 'move' is to get you to a secure terminal and secure a debrief with Naval Command," Davenport answered as he ordered the elevator computer back on the move.
As the doors opened, Falken saw the hustle and bustle of the Ft. Bush Liberty Navy CIC; crewmen and officers alike moving efficiently through the chaos of the mass movement of bodies. Everyone had a job to do, and getting that job done was built in clockwork. Falken angled and curved his body bumping a couple of individuals as he followed Lt. Davenport through the crowd, admiring how the Lieutenant walked straight through the mass of bodies that either gave way or stopped to salute him.
Reaching a room down the hall from the busy CIC, the Lieutenant opened the doors and in-parting words offered his last advice, "Contractor Myers, whatever they ask tell the truth as clearly and honestly as you can. The less you bullshit the more efficiently we can work to get this sorted and the sooner you can get on your way."
Falken mouthed a thanks and looked to the large vid screen as he took as sharp intake of air and sat down.
The vid-monitor flickered to life as the faces of the leaders of the Liberty Nation and her Military filed up in front of Falken.
As soon as the links stopped uploading into the video conference, one of them began with a chilling grin "Mr. Zack Myers, the Deshima League have an interesting way sending their messages don't they. Let's start at the beginning shall we?"
#11 by Reaper_42
Elyon sat on Ames in the secret room he had secured back when he was with the Hunting Guild. He had made it a point to create as many hold ups and safe havens across the serious sector as it greatly benefited his ability to Hunt and at times hold up. He had successfully collected the hit on the GMS pilot Falken. It had been interesting to say the least. Elyon had sacrificed a ship to learn his fighting style before he destroying him. But this mattered not the bounty more than covered the cost of three ships and load-outs he thought to himself. Seeing a build up of Liberty forces as he had snuck in not once but twice to combat the Grayson pilot he had pulled just outside of Liberty to await further orders on what was to be done.
#10 by Carnifex
"...after all, we have to send a message to the leader of the GMS," said Carnifex as he handed the data-pad over the Elyon, "Just try not to let the Navy see you and it should be easy money."
"You go' it Carnifex," Elyon said, a hint of alcohol on his breath.
Carnifex hoped that the message would really get through to the Grayson Mercs, he considered it a duty to the League to set an example of hunters who would sell out their contacts too easily (mostly because it suited him). How Liberty would react if League pilots were observed in Liberty taking out contracts against their new pet mercanaries he didn't know, some of his contacts in Liberty had mentioned a build up of armed vessels but he wasn't sure that Liberty wanted a conflict with the Empire. They cirtenly hadn't seemed to want war back when the Empire sent pilots into Liberty to scout out its defencive capabilities.
Somehow he thought they would only want the information he was still in the process of forging.
"You go' it Carnifex," Elyon said, a hint of alcohol on his breath.
Carnifex hoped that the message would really get through to the Grayson Mercs, he considered it a duty to the League to set an example of hunters who would sell out their contacts too easily (mostly because it suited him). How Liberty would react if League pilots were observed in Liberty taking out contracts against their new pet mercanaries he didn't know, some of his contacts in Liberty had mentioned a build up of armed vessels but he wasn't sure that Liberty wanted a conflict with the Empire. They cirtenly hadn't seemed to want war back when the Empire sent pilots into Liberty to scout out its defencive capabilities.
Somehow he thought they would only want the information he was still in the process of forging.
#9 by Kaal
GMS Command Cruiser, Unknown Location
"Are you kidding me sir!? That's just all we have to do? If I wanted to work 'pro-bono' I would have stayed with the Navy. At least they had health benefits."
Zack was not at all pleased that they had to work off reparations for their actions against Liberty, even worse was that he wasn't the one who pulled the trigger in the first place. A deal is a deal, and as far as the Commander was concerned, orders are orders.
"Don't have a choice Zack, we either fess up or we get the hell out of Dodge. And I'm not lookin to get on Liberty's Most Wanted."
Commander Grayson was serious - no matter what the charges Liberty put against him it was still home. Zack wasen't keen on leaving Houston forever either, and the Grayson knew that.
"So what's it gonna be Falken: you in or you out. I wouldn't blame you if you left this whole ordeal behind, it wasen't your fault and you deserve a place to settle down and get fat."
Falken wasn't buying it - he didn't fly out on his own to grow old. The freedom he sought was up at that wide open sky, and now one was taking that away from him.
Falken turned towards Grayson and took a breath, "respectfully sir, go to hell. I know yer pushin my buttons but that's just fine. I'm with you Commander. Just point and I'll fire."
Military to the very end, some would say its a mindless thing but for a mercenary Commander honor, duty and discipline is an indispensable asset you can't put a price on.
Grayson couldn't help to smile. Extending his hand forward he grasped Falkens' in a firm shake,"whatever happens we're doing this together. We'll find a way out of this mess and have our cake too. Audentes fortuna juvat, Falken."
Fortune favors the bold.
Words carried on from a lost world, it was a military maxim known to every soldier that ever had the doubt to move forward; a promise of victory where there is none.
In a curt nod Zack turned along side the Commander and viewed out of the command ship's bridge viewscreen. Space was dark and unknown, but there was always a glitter of the stars that cut through the darkness.
"Are you kidding me sir!? That's just all we have to do? If I wanted to work 'pro-bono' I would have stayed with the Navy. At least they had health benefits."
Zack was not at all pleased that they had to work off reparations for their actions against Liberty, even worse was that he wasn't the one who pulled the trigger in the first place. A deal is a deal, and as far as the Commander was concerned, orders are orders.
"Don't have a choice Zack, we either fess up or we get the hell out of Dodge. And I'm not lookin to get on Liberty's Most Wanted."
Commander Grayson was serious - no matter what the charges Liberty put against him it was still home. Zack wasen't keen on leaving Houston forever either, and the Grayson knew that.
"So what's it gonna be Falken: you in or you out. I wouldn't blame you if you left this whole ordeal behind, it wasen't your fault and you deserve a place to settle down and get fat."
Falken wasn't buying it - he didn't fly out on his own to grow old. The freedom he sought was up at that wide open sky, and now one was taking that away from him.
Falken turned towards Grayson and took a breath, "respectfully sir, go to hell. I know yer pushin my buttons but that's just fine. I'm with you Commander. Just point and I'll fire."
Military to the very end, some would say its a mindless thing but for a mercenary Commander honor, duty and discipline is an indispensable asset you can't put a price on.
Grayson couldn't help to smile. Extending his hand forward he grasped Falkens' in a firm shake,"whatever happens we're doing this together. We'll find a way out of this mess and have our cake too. Audentes fortuna juvat, Falken."
Fortune favors the bold.
Words carried on from a lost world, it was a military maxim known to every soldier that ever had the doubt to move forward; a promise of victory where there is none.
In a curt nod Zack turned along side the Commander and viewed out of the command ship's bridge viewscreen. Space was dark and unknown, but there was always a glitter of the stars that cut through the darkness.
#8 by Carnifex
Neither of the other SDN member states had been attacked, Carnifex double checked that to make sure. 'Perfect,' he thought, 'That could come in handy.' Carnifex's focus was now on dealing with the immediate damage which would have been much less if those Grayson boys hadn't sold him out on the spot. However perhaps he could even use that to his advantage. Liberty surely wouldn't rest untill they had someone's head on a plate, what's more he knew he was their target at the moment. If he didn't give them something when they came looking then they just might follow through on their threats, even if it meant an all out war with Kusari. That was to be avoided at all costs.
#7 by Skyler
As Skyler came out of the trade lane above Planet Manhattan he could see something was going on. Bubba's liner and a group of fighters where organizing and preparing to head into Colorado.
"Hey Bubba, what's going on here?"
"Hey Bubba, what's going on here?"
#6 by Bubba T. Fyyff
Planet Manhattan
"Did they think we wouldn't do any thing?"
"I dunno Boss im just here to do what you ask me"
"Lets get battel fleet together I want Carni to see us coming. Im sure you can find a couple officers who want blood but keep karma out of this don't even bring his Flag ship well take my My CC and crap load of fighters and Bombers. Enouf to take ames if need be"
"alright boss"
"Did they think we wouldn't do any thing?"
"I dunno Boss im just here to do what you ask me"
"Lets get battel fleet together I want Carni to see us coming. Im sure you can find a couple officers who want blood but keep karma out of this don't even bring his Flag ship well take my My CC and crap load of fighters and Bombers. Enouf to take ames if need be"
"alright boss"
#5 by J.Walker
Jason flew his defender back to the Missouri, where he decided to maintain his government office as the Secretary of Defense. He was the only man to hold the position and still maintain his positions within the Armed Forces.
He was fuming. So much so he had to let the Ships AI fly him back. After docking he headed straight for his office , slamming the door as he walked in. "F****** Pompous, Arrogant B*****s" he yelled at no one. He pulled his gloves off and slammed them down on his desk, then poured a drink.
He sat down and began reviewing the reports from the days activities. There was something he was missing, but he could not put his finger on it. He brought up the known profile for Carnifex and noticed gaps in the record. After a lengthy search, he did find more, but they were sealed so tight not even he had access. He hit a comm button and appearing on screen was a young naval lt. "I need access to this file" he paused to type the number in "it is sealed, i need it open".
after a few minutes the young officer relied " Sir, that file is classified beyond top secret " he began
"No DAMNED excuses, get me that bloody file or i will have you escorting rubber dog shit to new berlin. Understand?"
"Yes sir, it will take time sir"
"JUST DO IT!" he yelled and closed the comm "Who are you , you b******." he asked himself out loud.
He was fuming. So much so he had to let the Ships AI fly him back. After docking he headed straight for his office , slamming the door as he walked in. "F****** Pompous, Arrogant B*****s" he yelled at no one. He pulled his gloves off and slammed them down on his desk, then poured a drink.
He sat down and began reviewing the reports from the days activities. There was something he was missing, but he could not put his finger on it. He brought up the known profile for Carnifex and noticed gaps in the record. After a lengthy search, he did find more, but they were sealed so tight not even he had access. He hit a comm button and appearing on screen was a young naval lt. "I need access to this file" he paused to type the number in "it is sealed, i need it open".
after a few minutes the young officer relied " Sir, that file is classified beyond top secret " he began
"No DAMNED excuses, get me that bloody file or i will have you escorting rubber dog shit to new berlin. Understand?"
"Yes sir, it will take time sir"
"JUST DO IT!" he yelled and closed the comm "Who are you , you b******." he asked himself out loud.
#4 by Reaper_42
Elyon shoots upright in his bed pulling out his pistol and scanning the dark room. Glancing over at the clock blinking 12:00 at him over and over Elyon pulls himself out of bed.
“Computer Time”
The seductive lady voice responds instantly
“Three Zero Five A - M”
Dragging his feet over to the kitchen in his quarters on Deshima Elyon clicks on his data screen and grabs a beer out of the fridge. Turning back to the screen he almost drops his drink.
“Bloody hell ive been out for two blimy months. That carni fella is gonna be rip roarin pissed that he dragged me arse out of the Hunters and ive been asleep for two months”
Suddenly his memory rushes back; remembering crashing his ship into one of the supply depots while he was drunk. And he starts talking to himself as he pulls on his flight suit.
“Silver lining be at least he wonna be mad dat ive been asleep all dis time. Computer Display Updates”
Plopping down on the chair behind his console Elyon starts reading over what he’d missed out on.
“Computer Time”
The seductive lady voice responds instantly
“Three Zero Five A - M”
Dragging his feet over to the kitchen in his quarters on Deshima Elyon clicks on his data screen and grabs a beer out of the fridge. Turning back to the screen he almost drops his drink.
“Bloody hell ive been out for two blimy months. That carni fella is gonna be rip roarin pissed that he dragged me arse out of the Hunters and ive been asleep for two months”
Suddenly his memory rushes back; remembering crashing his ship into one of the supply depots while he was drunk. And he starts talking to himself as he pulls on his flight suit.
“Silver lining be at least he wonna be mad dat ive been asleep all dis time. Computer Display Updates”
Plopping down on the chair behind his console Elyon starts reading over what he’d missed out on.
#3 by Kaal
Freeport 1, Bearing System
The public access terminals always smelled funny, more so here than elsewhere it. Zack turned to the terminal screen, he knew he was going to miss birthdays but not like this.
"But Zack you promised. You said you were gonna come by for my birthday! And what about my present, you said you were gonna get me that Rheinmetall Blaster so we can go huntin for wild scruffs," whined Zack's little brother, Mitch.
Sincere sadness went over Zack's face, he missed one to many birthdays, family reunions and holidays as a Navy pilot, even when he swore he was going to be his own man and dictate his own plans, the fates seem to think otherwise.
"Mitch, look I can't come home because I'm in lotsa trouble right now. But I'll to be there Christmas and I'll wrap up a nice Detroit Regulator for you and Chris, and we'll all go shootin for big bears," promised Zack.
"No you won't, you never come by. You never keep your promises. You never...," Mitch was holding back tears, even Zack couldn't help his eyes from watering. Before Mitch could finish he quickly left the vid screen, as he heard his mother try to plead with him in the background,
"Mitch don't leave you're brother like that. He's only trying to do his best ya know that. Come back and talk to him"
He heard his brother yell clearly over the vid comm, "I don't wanna, he's a liar! He promises to come but he don't ever come by, not even on my birthday. Not on Chris's birthday, not even for Christmas!"
Too many birthdays missed, too many broken promises, thought Zack.
Zack's mother came up on the vid screen, visibly shaken, "I'm sorry Zack yer brother he..."
"Yea ma, I heard," Zack said.
There was a moment of silent as Zack looked at the vid screen, overtaken by the deep thought of guilt.
"Zack are you okay," his mother asked. Zack snapped to, "Naw ma, I'm not. Mitch is right, I am a liar. I said I was gonna come back home for Chris's birthday and I didn't. I promised I was gonna come by for Mitch's birthday, I didn't. I lied to them, I always say I will but I never do nuthing."
Zack's mother wasen't having any of it, "Yea, but you can't help any of it - you were stationed everywhere but Texas when you were with the Navy and you can't come home now because of what's happenin n' all. It ain't your fault," she said.
"Yea, sure doesn't feel like it," Zack added.
"So how's pop? How's he takin' it," he asked.
"Oh, you know your dad. He's takin' it like nothing's happening. He's in town right now comin' home for cake and all later in the evening. As long as you don't get your face on the news net it'll be fine."
Zack's dad never took a liking to Zack leaving the family buisness to find a life among the stars. To his dad, Zack was a grown man who made his choice, and living with the consequences was all part of life as far as he was concerned.
A green-lighted bleep came across Zack's GMS-linked comm unit. Business was calling him back, family would have to wait if he ever planned to see home again in the future.
"Alright ma, I have to go. I guess Commander Andrews is ready to give me a word on what's gonna happen."
Zack's mom straightened up on the vid-screen, "you take care of yourself, ya hear?"
Putting on a serious face becoming of a Grayson Contractor, Zack responded, "Yea mom, I love you. Tell the boys and pop that I love them too and that I'm sorry."
Zack's mom smiled over screen, "don't you worry 'bout nothing here, just fix up what you need to and get back home. I love you too Zachery, take care."
With that the vid-comm clicked out. Zack turned out of the booth into the promenade, running into a Junker waiting in line for the now unoccupied public terminal.
With a cheeky grin the Junker smiled, "who was that pretty lady there, you gonna give me her comm number?"
In one fluid motion Zack brought his elbow into the Junker's face, connecting with a fully weighted knee-strike to the man's solar plexus. If the Junker was smiling, that smile was lost as he collapsed to the floor.
Looking at the staring eyes of the passing pedestrians and those pausing their conversations over the neighboring terminals, Zack joked, "he stank up the booth."
Heading towards the docking bay ignoring the laughs and glares by others, Zack popped out his GMS-comms unit and gave his response, "I'm heading toward my fighter, tell the Commander I'll contact him there. Falken out."
The public access terminals always smelled funny, more so here than elsewhere it. Zack turned to the terminal screen, he knew he was going to miss birthdays but not like this.
"But Zack you promised. You said you were gonna come by for my birthday! And what about my present, you said you were gonna get me that Rheinmetall Blaster so we can go huntin for wild scruffs," whined Zack's little brother, Mitch.
Sincere sadness went over Zack's face, he missed one to many birthdays, family reunions and holidays as a Navy pilot, even when he swore he was going to be his own man and dictate his own plans, the fates seem to think otherwise.
"Mitch, look I can't come home because I'm in lotsa trouble right now. But I'll to be there Christmas and I'll wrap up a nice Detroit Regulator for you and Chris, and we'll all go shootin for big bears," promised Zack.
"No you won't, you never come by. You never keep your promises. You never...," Mitch was holding back tears, even Zack couldn't help his eyes from watering. Before Mitch could finish he quickly left the vid screen, as he heard his mother try to plead with him in the background,
"Mitch don't leave you're brother like that. He's only trying to do his best ya know that. Come back and talk to him"
He heard his brother yell clearly over the vid comm, "I don't wanna, he's a liar! He promises to come but he don't ever come by, not even on my birthday. Not on Chris's birthday, not even for Christmas!"
Too many birthdays missed, too many broken promises, thought Zack.
Zack's mother came up on the vid screen, visibly shaken, "I'm sorry Zack yer brother he..."
"Yea ma, I heard," Zack said.
There was a moment of silent as Zack looked at the vid screen, overtaken by the deep thought of guilt.
"Zack are you okay," his mother asked. Zack snapped to, "Naw ma, I'm not. Mitch is right, I am a liar. I said I was gonna come back home for Chris's birthday and I didn't. I promised I was gonna come by for Mitch's birthday, I didn't. I lied to them, I always say I will but I never do nuthing."
Zack's mother wasen't having any of it, "Yea, but you can't help any of it - you were stationed everywhere but Texas when you were with the Navy and you can't come home now because of what's happenin n' all. It ain't your fault," she said.
"Yea, sure doesn't feel like it," Zack added.
"So how's pop? How's he takin' it," he asked.
"Oh, you know your dad. He's takin' it like nothing's happening. He's in town right now comin' home for cake and all later in the evening. As long as you don't get your face on the news net it'll be fine."
Zack's dad never took a liking to Zack leaving the family buisness to find a life among the stars. To his dad, Zack was a grown man who made his choice, and living with the consequences was all part of life as far as he was concerned.
A green-lighted bleep came across Zack's GMS-linked comm unit. Business was calling him back, family would have to wait if he ever planned to see home again in the future.
"Alright ma, I have to go. I guess Commander Andrews is ready to give me a word on what's gonna happen."
Zack's mom straightened up on the vid-screen, "you take care of yourself, ya hear?"
Putting on a serious face becoming of a Grayson Contractor, Zack responded, "Yea mom, I love you. Tell the boys and pop that I love them too and that I'm sorry."
Zack's mom smiled over screen, "don't you worry 'bout nothing here, just fix up what you need to and get back home. I love you too Zachery, take care."
With that the vid-comm clicked out. Zack turned out of the booth into the promenade, running into a Junker waiting in line for the now unoccupied public terminal.
With a cheeky grin the Junker smiled, "who was that pretty lady there, you gonna give me her comm number?"
In one fluid motion Zack brought his elbow into the Junker's face, connecting with a fully weighted knee-strike to the man's solar plexus. If the Junker was smiling, that smile was lost as he collapsed to the floor.
Looking at the staring eyes of the passing pedestrians and those pausing their conversations over the neighboring terminals, Zack joked, "he stank up the booth."
Heading towards the docking bay ignoring the laughs and glares by others, Zack popped out his GMS-comms unit and gave his response, "I'm heading toward my fighter, tell the Commander I'll contact him there. Falken out."
#2 by Mens Rea
Kakera gunned her engines out of the jump gate and didn't stop until she was in Bretonia.
"Stupid, paranoid bastards," she fumed.
She couldn't believe what was happening in Liberty. They should know that a bounty hunter cant reveal his client. Not for any price in the world. It's a matter of honor and reputation. The force of her sigh moved the microphone by her mouth perceptibly. The universe is going mad, she though, should have stayed on Yukawa. Led a nice, quiet life of blissful ignorance. She laughs uneasily at the thought. But maybe she could still...
Her contemplation is interrupted by an explosion of static over the radio. She glances at the instrumentation and reads off a familiar name.
"Falken," she says masking her frustration, "how do those chains fit? Nice and snug?"
"Stupid, paranoid bastards," she fumed.
She couldn't believe what was happening in Liberty. They should know that a bounty hunter cant reveal his client. Not for any price in the world. It's a matter of honor and reputation. The force of her sigh moved the microphone by her mouth perceptibly. The universe is going mad, she though, should have stayed on Yukawa. Led a nice, quiet life of blissful ignorance. She laughs uneasily at the thought. But maybe she could still...
Her contemplation is interrupted by an explosion of static over the radio. She glances at the instrumentation and reads off a familiar name.
"Falken," she says masking her frustration, "how do those chains fit? Nice and snug?"
#1 by Carnifex
The brilliant stars of the New York system were washed out by the sunlight reflecting off the clouds of Manhattan making the glints off the multitude of fighters and the LNS Libertatum that surrounded his ship all the more bright.
“We were approached with such a contract against Liberty, yes, but we did not wish to accept it because we value your house as a client,” continued Carnifex, “We also consider it good policy to direct clients to another organisation under such circumstances, a referral if you will, that we place under the context of good customer service. We merely offered to forward the contact’s details to the GMS once they had confirmed the completion of the contract, nothing more.”
“I don’t care who told who about anything. Names, we want names!” said one of the pilots with determination. If he’d had a desk in his fighter Carnifex expected he would have heard him pounding his fist on it.
“I’m afraid I can’t give you that information,” he said stonily, “The League has a reputation to protect, unlike the GMS it would seem,” he concluded with a mix of anger at being so easily sold out and glee that the GMS weren’t getting off easily.
A somewhat calm voice chirped in from a corvette class liner of some sort, “Carnifex we need those names. If you don’t give them to us then Liberty will no longer allow the League access to our space and you will get no contracts from us.”
“Quite frankly I don’t care if you tell us or not,” scoffed a pilot sporting the callsign ‘Walker’ into his com, “As far as I’m concerned the Deshima League is finished in Liberty.”
Carnifex paused momentarily and took a breath. After a short silence he made his mind up and said with confidence, “You’re not a very good poker player Mr Walker, that is not an incentive for me to show my hand. No, I’m afraid I must stand by my statement that disclosing such information is unacceptable.”
As he said these words there was a system wide alert and most of the pilots who’d had their ships pointed in his direction flew off to some new conflict. Carnifex let himself relax a bit, safe in the knowledge that he could get away easily if things went bed suddenly.
“I’m giving you free passage out of Liberty Carnifex so please leave and don’t come back. Your wingman as well.” The calm voice said with finality.
‘Wing woman.’ thought Carnifex.
Kakera left via her own rout, her mood a bit more then foul. When Carnifex dropped out of the jump gate and into the Galileo system he was alone, the ilky black of the dark matter clouds giving him a feeling of home even though he was light years from Ames.
“Well that didn’t turn out how I had expected it to,” He said into his deactivated coms, “It looks to have almost achieved what I wanted though. Losing Liberty was always a risk. No risk, no reward.”
He took another deep breath.
“We were approached with such a contract against Liberty, yes, but we did not wish to accept it because we value your house as a client,” continued Carnifex, “We also consider it good policy to direct clients to another organisation under such circumstances, a referral if you will, that we place under the context of good customer service. We merely offered to forward the contact’s details to the GMS once they had confirmed the completion of the contract, nothing more.”
“I don’t care who told who about anything. Names, we want names!” said one of the pilots with determination. If he’d had a desk in his fighter Carnifex expected he would have heard him pounding his fist on it.
“I’m afraid I can’t give you that information,” he said stonily, “The League has a reputation to protect, unlike the GMS it would seem,” he concluded with a mix of anger at being so easily sold out and glee that the GMS weren’t getting off easily.
A somewhat calm voice chirped in from a corvette class liner of some sort, “Carnifex we need those names. If you don’t give them to us then Liberty will no longer allow the League access to our space and you will get no contracts from us.”
“Quite frankly I don’t care if you tell us or not,” scoffed a pilot sporting the callsign ‘Walker’ into his com, “As far as I’m concerned the Deshima League is finished in Liberty.”
Carnifex paused momentarily and took a breath. After a short silence he made his mind up and said with confidence, “You’re not a very good poker player Mr Walker, that is not an incentive for me to show my hand. No, I’m afraid I must stand by my statement that disclosing such information is unacceptable.”
As he said these words there was a system wide alert and most of the pilots who’d had their ships pointed in his direction flew off to some new conflict. Carnifex let himself relax a bit, safe in the knowledge that he could get away easily if things went bed suddenly.
“I’m giving you free passage out of Liberty Carnifex so please leave and don’t come back. Your wingman as well.” The calm voice said with finality.
‘Wing woman.’ thought Carnifex.
Kakera left via her own rout, her mood a bit more then foul. When Carnifex dropped out of the jump gate and into the Galileo system he was alone, the ilky black of the dark matter clouds giving him a feeling of home even though he was light years from Ames.
“Well that didn’t turn out how I had expected it to,” He said into his deactivated coms, “It looks to have almost achieved what I wanted though. Losing Liberty was always a risk. No risk, no reward.”
He took another deep breath.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)