Carnifex could feel the sound of his weapons radiating through the ship and into his controls as they spewed angry red bolts of energy at his enemies. Glancing over his shoulder he could see a Cobra following him, targeting his engines. His shields were still up but unless he could shake the Cobra soon they wouldn't be much good to him, especially since he had run out of shield batteries not long ago.
Carnifex decided to break off the pilot he'd had in his sights and start evading. He pulled his ship into a tight upward turn, strafed from side to side to dodge fire, and then veered left. The Cobra matched him move for move. He pulled into a roll and started spiralling outward before peeling off at an odd angle and could see almost directly above himself the Cobra just barely making the same turn no more than a hundred meters away. Hitting his engine kill at just that moment Carnifex continued his turn while coasting and just as the cobra pulled out of its own turn and trained its weapons on his ship Carnifex levelled his own guns with it and reengaged his engines. He slid a little bit to the right as the two ships rushed together, exchanging fire and strafing. He waited until the distance reading dropped down into the 100s, the last digit a ferocious blur, and then suddenly dodged to the right with as much force as his ship could manage before pulling back to the left and coming to a full stop. The deep hiss of his thrusters decelerating his ship filled his ears. The Cobra was now seventy meters away. Carnifex started firing as high in his firing arch as his guns would allow, turning upward again to keep the Cobra in sight, his shots curling downward from his peripheral vision toward where he was focused on the fighter.
The distance reading slowly ticked down; forty six.. forty five.. forty four.. forty three.. Carnifex saw red bolts of energy shoot toward his target from above; one volley... two... three... the shields of both ships fizzled out at the same moment. Seeing his opponent launch a mine Carnifex pushed his ship back up to full speed on his controls, his engines whining under the strain of trying to keep up. The two ships shot apart again and gained distance. Now out of sight behind him Carni checked the other ship's status with his sensors. He had scored a few hits, that much was certain.
Coming about quickly both ships started toward each other again, shields down and weapons blazing angrily. Carnifex took care with his aim, not falling back on any fancy thruster work this time he rushed forward. Guessing at the right moment to launch a cruise disruptor he fired it away and then focused on dodging as it forged ahead quickly toward the Cobra. His guesswork payed off well; the cruise disruptor struck the ship moments after the pilot launched a mine, the EM shockwave triggering its proximity detonator and damaging its user. Carnifex kicked in the reverse thrust and opened fire once again, the Cobra's shots falling short of his slowing ship. As Carni's shots collided with his target they obliterated hull, equipment and weapons alike and as it passed by his ship the Cobra began to bleed flame.
He saw the bright flash of its destruction reflect off his ship's hull and immediately checked his scanner. One of the pilots in his wing had been killed but their superior numbers had won out. The last Lane Hacker fighter, the one that Carnifex had been forced to let slip through of his fingers, was trying to cruise away but was being targeted by the other two members of Carni's wing who'd also finished off the first Lane Hacker. Their concentrated fire ripped it to shreds in seconds.
Carnifex looked through the now calm region of space toward Planet Erie and could see Scania Station, an orbitting speck. After a moment gazing he opened his coms, "Fall back to the Wapos, we'll have to repair at Ames," he said as he pointed his ship toward the ilky black dark matter clouds.
Showing posts with label fan-fic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fan-fic. Show all posts
Monday, January 24, 2011
#24 by Carnifex
Carnifex arived in Kanto somewhat on edge. The Guild attack had all the surrounding systems crawling with curious pilots and Blood Empire patrols, all trigger happy and looking for mysterious ships to shoot up. All he found on the other side of the jump hole though was asteroids floating harmlessly around his ship.
As he got closer to Ibaraki Carnifex began to relax. Kanto was truely on the farthest reaches of Kusari and it seemed that most people knew that and avoided the system. His sensors only picked up the occational lone ship at range. Ibaraki itself was a small station from the outside; nothing more then docking bays, standard living/business sections and some cargo compartments. After docking Carnifex went to the bar to peruse the local job boards and find out what organisations frequented the station.
After not too long Carnifex decided that the low profile of the base, and the system, as well as it's secluded location would make the base an excelent place to meet contacts in secret. The private Deshima League sections of Deshima were good for privacy but not everyone that could benifit from the League's services could afford to be seen in open Kusari space. On his way out of the system Carnifex would have to start making arangements to local an agent on the station as a contact and to collect intel on people at the station that had had the same idea.
As he got closer to Ibaraki Carnifex began to relax. Kanto was truely on the farthest reaches of Kusari and it seemed that most people knew that and avoided the system. His sensors only picked up the occational lone ship at range. Ibaraki itself was a small station from the outside; nothing more then docking bays, standard living/business sections and some cargo compartments. After docking Carnifex went to the bar to peruse the local job boards and find out what organisations frequented the station.
After not too long Carnifex decided that the low profile of the base, and the system, as well as it's secluded location would make the base an excelent place to meet contacts in secret. The private Deshima League sections of Deshima were good for privacy but not everyone that could benifit from the League's services could afford to be seen in open Kusari space. On his way out of the system Carnifex would have to start making arangements to local an agent on the station as a contact and to collect intel on people at the station that had had the same idea.
#23 by Mens Rea
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Kyushu system...
When the smoke and the dust cleared, thought Kakera, Kyushu hadn't fared that poorly. On a surface level, anyway. She'd been sent to defend this planet and in the end, what for? Had the planet needed defending? No, she corrected herself, she'd been sent to protect the people living there, and she's succeeded, to a degree.
The planet was still covered, here and there, by patches of Cardamine, long since converted to private plantations. The Outcast cardification process had never reached completion for reasons that Kakera wasn't sure she'd ever know. She wasn't sure she cared either. Though the planet may have been saved, insofar as such a word was applicable here, it was still a mess on the inside. The Cardamine trading had increased almost 800% and the planet was now exporting, not importing the substance.
Kakera wasn't sure if the government was intentionally turning a blind eye or if they just didn't care anymore. Did she even care anymore? She couldn't find herself hating the new government, despite what they'd done to their people, but she couldn't join them either. She found herself shying away from politics. As such, the natural choice had been the Bounty Hunters. She always told people she'd done it for the money, but this simply wasn't true. She had more of it than she could ever use.
Then the revolt on Deshima had occured, and her comfortable bubble of neutrality had been burst. She found herself once again entangled in politics, this time as one of many deciding figures, not just a mere soldier. She had considered leaving many times, running to the Taus or the Omegas, getting a new ship and a new name, but she couldn't do it. More than anything, Deshima had become a home.
A blip on the HUD indicated that her target was in-system. An Order spy, coming in from the Taus. Kakera powered up her cruise engine and headed straight for the target. His scanner would not be able to pick up any identifying characteristics on her new, custom-built fighter and the ship's minuscule profile at this angle would suggest a small vessel, posing little threat.
3000....2000....the Order pilot decided the ship was definitely headed toward him. His scanner was bugged, couldn't identify it, but it appeared to be something small like a scout, or maybe an interceptor flying at just the right angle. But this pilot had been flying long enough to know that even Interceptor pilots could be deadly. He double-checked to make sure his Prometheus missile was armed and proceeded along his route, acting as if the incoming ship wasn't important enough to pay any mind. The Combat Interceptor turned turned away at the last moment. The Order pilot breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it had been nothing. Some dumb Kusarian kid...
"...I repeat, the bounty is off. Our intel suggests the Order is unaware that our agents have followed this operative. We may have a chance to find out the true purpose of his visit to Kusari. Pull back and await further instructions."
So that's how it is, thought Kakera as she widened the gap between her and the Order ship, everyone wants a piece of the action in Kusari. That's fine. More work for the League.
When the smoke and the dust cleared, thought Kakera, Kyushu hadn't fared that poorly. On a surface level, anyway. She'd been sent to defend this planet and in the end, what for? Had the planet needed defending? No, she corrected herself, she'd been sent to protect the people living there, and she's succeeded, to a degree.
The planet was still covered, here and there, by patches of Cardamine, long since converted to private plantations. The Outcast cardification process had never reached completion for reasons that Kakera wasn't sure she'd ever know. She wasn't sure she cared either. Though the planet may have been saved, insofar as such a word was applicable here, it was still a mess on the inside. The Cardamine trading had increased almost 800% and the planet was now exporting, not importing the substance.
Kakera wasn't sure if the government was intentionally turning a blind eye or if they just didn't care anymore. Did she even care anymore? She couldn't find herself hating the new government, despite what they'd done to their people, but she couldn't join them either. She found herself shying away from politics. As such, the natural choice had been the Bounty Hunters. She always told people she'd done it for the money, but this simply wasn't true. She had more of it than she could ever use.
Then the revolt on Deshima had occured, and her comfortable bubble of neutrality had been burst. She found herself once again entangled in politics, this time as one of many deciding figures, not just a mere soldier. She had considered leaving many times, running to the Taus or the Omegas, getting a new ship and a new name, but she couldn't do it. More than anything, Deshima had become a home.
A blip on the HUD indicated that her target was in-system. An Order spy, coming in from the Taus. Kakera powered up her cruise engine and headed straight for the target. His scanner would not be able to pick up any identifying characteristics on her new, custom-built fighter and the ship's minuscule profile at this angle would suggest a small vessel, posing little threat.
3000....2000....the Order pilot decided the ship was definitely headed toward him. His scanner was bugged, couldn't identify it, but it appeared to be something small like a scout, or maybe an interceptor flying at just the right angle. But this pilot had been flying long enough to know that even Interceptor pilots could be deadly. He double-checked to make sure his Prometheus missile was armed and proceeded along his route, acting as if the incoming ship wasn't important enough to pay any mind. The Combat Interceptor turned turned away at the last moment. The Order pilot breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it had been nothing. Some dumb Kusarian kid...
"...I repeat, the bounty is off. Our intel suggests the Order is unaware that our agents have followed this operative. We may have a chance to find out the true purpose of his visit to Kusari. Pull back and await further instructions."
So that's how it is, thought Kakera as she widened the gap between her and the Order ship, everyone wants a piece of the action in Kusari. That's fine. More work for the League.
#22 by Carnifex
Carnifex sat in his cockpit, blacked out and silent, all of his systems in ‘silent’ running mode to avoid easy sensor detection. The only light still operating on his console flashed on and off lazily, illuminating in a dim blue the thick haze of cardamine that swirled through the air in swirling patterns that reminded Carni of the dark matter clouds smeared through the surrounding system. The cardamine had been bought from a trader who was the official dealer of cardamine on Deshima and who had obtained it right from the growing source on Planet Kyushu, or so he had said. Carnifex wasn’t convinced that the growth of cardamine grass on Kyushu was as rampant as the trader had suggested. But that didn’t matter, cardamine was cardamine.
Suddenly, through the haze, Carnifex spotted what he was waiting for. A freelance pilot judging from the IFF, the ship was a small freighter that had just dropped out of the trade lane nearby. Any pilot headed away from Liberty was a potential nomad infection threat and would bring in good money from the Blood Empire if they were dealt with and even more if they were bought back alive for ‘study and questioning’.
Turning on his quiet systems Carnifex flew toward the slow vessel as it moved in the direction of the next trade lane and powered up his coms. “Reppu Bend is a nastily lonely place for a single freelancer...”
Having returned to Deshima with a prisoner and received his payment Carnifex decided to become better acquainted with recent events and checked the League HQ information centre. The Order were still making a mess of Liberty and pushing Lane Hackers to pirate in Shikoku more and more and there were still no jobs against the LWB to speak of. Carnifex was more interested in internal matters.
A few League pilots had been sent to scout out bases further afield then Kusari and to start gathering information. The one on the Hawaii sent back some promising reports about targets in the Corsairs and he was also pleased to note that several were making good progress toward or into the other houses where he hoped that the best options for a few ‘unfortunate accidents’ would present themselves. In more ways than one this process reminded Carni of when he’d been a Lane Hacker himself; fixing prices for commodities on New London and making trade lanes fail at just the right distance from the nearest station, all from the safety of Mactan.
Suddenly, through the haze, Carnifex spotted what he was waiting for. A freelance pilot judging from the IFF, the ship was a small freighter that had just dropped out of the trade lane nearby. Any pilot headed away from Liberty was a potential nomad infection threat and would bring in good money from the Blood Empire if they were dealt with and even more if they were bought back alive for ‘study and questioning’.
Turning on his quiet systems Carnifex flew toward the slow vessel as it moved in the direction of the next trade lane and powered up his coms. “Reppu Bend is a nastily lonely place for a single freelancer...”
Having returned to Deshima with a prisoner and received his payment Carnifex decided to become better acquainted with recent events and checked the League HQ information centre. The Order were still making a mess of Liberty and pushing Lane Hackers to pirate in Shikoku more and more and there were still no jobs against the LWB to speak of. Carnifex was more interested in internal matters.
A few League pilots had been sent to scout out bases further afield then Kusari and to start gathering information. The one on the Hawaii sent back some promising reports about targets in the Corsairs and he was also pleased to note that several were making good progress toward or into the other houses where he hoped that the best options for a few ‘unfortunate accidents’ would present themselves. In more ways than one this process reminded Carni of when he’d been a Lane Hacker himself; fixing prices for commodities on New London and making trade lanes fail at just the right distance from the nearest station, all from the safety of Mactan.
#21 by Carnifex
"That's exactly what I'm trying to ensure," replied Carnifex to Kakera, "The bombing of the Libertatum was a demonstration of our ties to the Blood Empire. They are a nation now, not a wet behind the ears power anymore,” Carnifex paused and sighed.
“If we remain neutral and the worst case for the Blood Empire does happen, with Liberty swarming all over Kusari, how do you expect that to end for us?”
“With a triumphant procession leading all the way to the Sugarland, with you in irons,” she replied in a frank tone.
Carnifex chuckled, “Always the optimist Kakera. Don’t you agree that it makes more sense to throw our weight behind the Blood Empire now, when it will make more of a difference, rather than later?”
“If Grayson hadn’t sold us out so quickly we’d still be on good terms with Liberty and we wouldn’t be in that deep,” Carnifex said thoughtfully.
“You mean sold you out,” said Kakera, “The Gunpowder Regret isn’t the safest place to divulge secrets.”
“Too true, but if Liberty does make it into Shikkoku then they won’t need a signed confession from me to attack Deshima. As for the LWB, it’s inconsequential. I don’t plan on making any friends in their ranks, jobs against them dropped off after the Dawson CM is all. Also, explaining the fight in Rheinland won’t be a problem at all. Those pilots we killed were Nighthawks, the Nomad infected kind. No one in Sirius will question that,” Carnifex concluded dismissively.
Kakera seemed thoughtful but unmoved by Carnifex’s explanation. As she looked at him stonily the two, having left the hanger, walked in a business like manner toward the Deshima League HQ where they would be able to view all the information about the jobs and general deployment of League pilots. When they reached the first security checkpoint Kakera found her voice again.
“Why did you do it?”
Carnifex raised an eyebrow, “I assume you’re referring to the bounties on Liberty pilots that I gave the GMS and which put us into both of their bad books in the first place. Well…” he paused uncertainly, “I wanted to put GMS on the back foot and I was planning on pinning the bounties on Rheinland. When Stuttgart went to the dogs Liberty stopped its investigation and the trail had stopped with us. I guess it backfired more than I expected.”
“If we remain neutral and the worst case for the Blood Empire does happen, with Liberty swarming all over Kusari, how do you expect that to end for us?”
“With a triumphant procession leading all the way to the Sugarland, with you in irons,” she replied in a frank tone.
Carnifex chuckled, “Always the optimist Kakera. Don’t you agree that it makes more sense to throw our weight behind the Blood Empire now, when it will make more of a difference, rather than later?”
“If Grayson hadn’t sold us out so quickly we’d still be on good terms with Liberty and we wouldn’t be in that deep,” Carnifex said thoughtfully.
“You mean sold you out,” said Kakera, “The Gunpowder Regret isn’t the safest place to divulge secrets.”
“Too true, but if Liberty does make it into Shikkoku then they won’t need a signed confession from me to attack Deshima. As for the LWB, it’s inconsequential. I don’t plan on making any friends in their ranks, jobs against them dropped off after the Dawson CM is all. Also, explaining the fight in Rheinland won’t be a problem at all. Those pilots we killed were Nighthawks, the Nomad infected kind. No one in Sirius will question that,” Carnifex concluded dismissively.
Kakera seemed thoughtful but unmoved by Carnifex’s explanation. As she looked at him stonily the two, having left the hanger, walked in a business like manner toward the Deshima League HQ where they would be able to view all the information about the jobs and general deployment of League pilots. When they reached the first security checkpoint Kakera found her voice again.
“Why did you do it?”
Carnifex raised an eyebrow, “I assume you’re referring to the bounties on Liberty pilots that I gave the GMS and which put us into both of their bad books in the first place. Well…” he paused uncertainly, “I wanted to put GMS on the back foot and I was planning on pinning the bounties on Rheinland. When Stuttgart went to the dogs Liberty stopped its investigation and the trail had stopped with us. I guess it backfired more than I expected.”
#20 by Kaal
Elysian Fields Cemetery, Planet Texas
Looking over the green grass Zack gazed over the countless stone-white tombstones that represented the many fallen sons of Texas that died in the line of duty protecting Liberty for eight-hundred and six years. Zack walked among the graves catching a name every now and then; Ray "Showdown" Tortellini Captain with the Liberty Navy, Samson August Field Operative for the LSF, Dustin "Buster" Harris Second-Lieutenant Liberty Navy. Countless names chiseled upon too many white stones, long worn monuments to those who gave their lives for their country, and today more of Texas' sons have come to join them.
Zack gazed up and saw crowds of mourners, family and loved ones of the soldiers lost in the recent Battle of Dawson. The fresh white stone, the red-white flowery of funerary sprays, and the black ribbon over the black suits and dresses of the attendees. Then there were the flags draped over the coffins, the quiet tears as the flag was ceremoniously folded and passed to mothers and wives of the fallen; a "thanks from a grateful nation". Zack wasen't here to contemplate the price of freedom, his brother was among those who paid the sacrifice on his behalf.
Zack didn't hear his mother as she laid her hand on his shoulder, "Zack its time," she said tenderly. Wiping tears from his eyes Zack made his way toward the funeral ceremony of his brother, First-Lieutenant Scott Greene, known to Zack and his fellow squad-mates as "Bandit". Scott "Bandit" Greene; Zack recalled how many times he would zero in on a Rouge or Xeno pirate only to have Greene jump in and "steal" his kill-shot. Even though he was top three on the squadron killboard, Zack and his other brother and sister pilots would never recognize the kills of a "Bandit". That only encouraged Greene, even back in the training simulators during flight school at Woodlands the Flight Instructors would chew him out constantly for his "reckless and unbecoming" tactics. "Hey as long as I'm on the top," Scott used to say. Now his buddy who used to come over to the Myers Farmstead on leave, served as "wingman" to Zack on many bar runs, and the vocal opposition to Zacks conscious when left the Navy to go Freelance...was dead. Just another name on the list of Liberty's fallen warriors.
The attention was called all around Elysian Fields as an old mournful Bugle tune was played over the cemetery for all of the fallen. Dozens of rifle-squads took their positions among dozens of new graves, and when order came the squads took aim and fired a Three-volley salute as flowers were laid into the grave by love ones as they watched the coffins being lowered into the ground. Zack took a handful of dirt from the grave-mound and slowly poured it unto his friend's coffin, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Until we meet again brother," Zack whispered, "I'll send some assholes to keep you company." The terraform units began to fill the gravesite as families turned away going their separate ways. Zack saw his mother and father in the distance comfort Scott's parents, an embrace coupled with words of sympathy; Zack shivered at the thought that it could have easily been reversed with his friend's family comforting his mother should the tables have been turned. He caught eyes with Mr. Greene and gave a sincere curtious nod, there was nothing more to say and no amount of "I'm sorry" that could bring an end to their grief or bring Scott back.
There was going to be hell to pay though: Lane Hackers, Rouges, LWB, Nippon and even a few Rheinlanders if he can get it. They would all pay for the blood spilled in Hudson that tragic day. As Zack walked towards his car he caught sight of a memorial statue commemorating another war from Liberty's past - a statue of the Goddess Nike, the goddess of Victory. On the base Zack read:
Looking over the green grass Zack gazed over the countless stone-white tombstones that represented the many fallen sons of Texas that died in the line of duty protecting Liberty for eight-hundred and six years. Zack walked among the graves catching a name every now and then; Ray "Showdown" Tortellini Captain with the Liberty Navy, Samson August Field Operative for the LSF, Dustin "Buster" Harris Second-Lieutenant Liberty Navy. Countless names chiseled upon too many white stones, long worn monuments to those who gave their lives for their country, and today more of Texas' sons have come to join them.
Zack gazed up and saw crowds of mourners, family and loved ones of the soldiers lost in the recent Battle of Dawson. The fresh white stone, the red-white flowery of funerary sprays, and the black ribbon over the black suits and dresses of the attendees. Then there were the flags draped over the coffins, the quiet tears as the flag was ceremoniously folded and passed to mothers and wives of the fallen; a "thanks from a grateful nation". Zack wasen't here to contemplate the price of freedom, his brother was among those who paid the sacrifice on his behalf.
Zack didn't hear his mother as she laid her hand on his shoulder, "Zack its time," she said tenderly. Wiping tears from his eyes Zack made his way toward the funeral ceremony of his brother, First-Lieutenant Scott Greene, known to Zack and his fellow squad-mates as "Bandit". Scott "Bandit" Greene; Zack recalled how many times he would zero in on a Rouge or Xeno pirate only to have Greene jump in and "steal" his kill-shot. Even though he was top three on the squadron killboard, Zack and his other brother and sister pilots would never recognize the kills of a "Bandit". That only encouraged Greene, even back in the training simulators during flight school at Woodlands the Flight Instructors would chew him out constantly for his "reckless and unbecoming" tactics. "Hey as long as I'm on the top," Scott used to say. Now his buddy who used to come over to the Myers Farmstead on leave, served as "wingman" to Zack on many bar runs, and the vocal opposition to Zacks conscious when left the Navy to go Freelance...was dead. Just another name on the list of Liberty's fallen warriors.
The attention was called all around Elysian Fields as an old mournful Bugle tune was played over the cemetery for all of the fallen. Dozens of rifle-squads took their positions among dozens of new graves, and when order came the squads took aim and fired a Three-volley salute as flowers were laid into the grave by love ones as they watched the coffins being lowered into the ground. Zack took a handful of dirt from the grave-mound and slowly poured it unto his friend's coffin, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Until we meet again brother," Zack whispered, "I'll send some assholes to keep you company." The terraform units began to fill the gravesite as families turned away going their separate ways. Zack saw his mother and father in the distance comfort Scott's parents, an embrace coupled with words of sympathy; Zack shivered at the thought that it could have easily been reversed with his friend's family comforting his mother should the tables have been turned. He caught eyes with Mr. Greene and gave a sincere curtious nod, there was nothing more to say and no amount of "I'm sorry" that could bring an end to their grief or bring Scott back.
There was going to be hell to pay though: Lane Hackers, Rouges, LWB, Nippon and even a few Rheinlanders if he can get it. They would all pay for the blood spilled in Hudson that tragic day. As Zack walked towards his car he caught sight of a memorial statue commemorating another war from Liberty's past - a statue of the Goddess Nike, the goddess of Victory. On the base Zack read:
When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.
#19 by Mens Rea
Sometime later...
"You weren't expecting that," says Kakera as they set their ships down in the League's private hangar. Carnifex raises an eyebrow quizzically.
"The LWB," clarifies Kakera, "their ceasefire with the Rheinland military. Hiring us, the hackers, and even SSI to defend Rheinland targets. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bretonians turn on Liberty before long."
Carnifex seems to ponder this for a moment.
"Are you sure this isn't slipping out of your grasp," continues Kakera, "Or are things still going, 'according to plan?'"
She pauses for effect, then continues, "who will Liberty come after first? Will they try to bruise the powerful Houses stacked against them, or will they go after the smallest, most bothersome enemy?"
She pauses again.
"Do you kill a battleship or its escort first? Think about it. The Seijaku Maru maybe be a deterrent against smaller strike sqauds, but when Liberty comes in force, our employers better be there for us."
"You weren't expecting that," says Kakera as they set their ships down in the League's private hangar. Carnifex raises an eyebrow quizzically.
"The LWB," clarifies Kakera, "their ceasefire with the Rheinland military. Hiring us, the hackers, and even SSI to defend Rheinland targets. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bretonians turn on Liberty before long."
Carnifex seems to ponder this for a moment.
"Are you sure this isn't slipping out of your grasp," continues Kakera, "Or are things still going, 'according to plan?'"
She pauses for effect, then continues, "who will Liberty come after first? Will they try to bruise the powerful Houses stacked against them, or will they go after the smallest, most bothersome enemy?"
She pauses again.
"Do you kill a battleship or its escort first? Think about it. The Seijaku Maru maybe be a deterrent against smaller strike sqauds, but when Liberty comes in force, our employers better be there for us."
#18 by Carnifex
Carnifex paused meaningfully before continuing with the original conversation, however his mind was now elsewhere. The League had come a long way in such a short time. Granted they had a good position to start with but he'd never thought he'd get away with some of the under the table work he'd lined up for his own hunters as well as aranging the death of a few prominent house pilots while leaving no solid trail for them to follow.
After a few minutes the two bounty hunters left the Gunpowder Regret and started to discuss business.
After a few minutes the two bounty hunters left the Gunpowder Regret and started to discuss business.
#17 by Mens Rea
"I have."
Carnifex and the bartender turn to see Kakera who has just strolled in through the door to the Gunpowder Regret.
"Make it the usual," she says dismissively, then sits down at the bar.
"Long day. I've been messing around with some of the Liberty pilots," she says grinning wearily, "and it looks like they REALLY don't want us in New York. I left before they got ticked enough to take potshots at me, but it looks like attacking us may really be in their agenda. I wonder if they'll consider us a serious enough threat to bring a capital ship. The Seijaku Maru can use some target practice."
She exchanges a quick glance with Carnifex to see if he had caught the hand signals under the table. He had.
Carnifex and the bartender turn to see Kakera who has just strolled in through the door to the Gunpowder Regret.
"Make it the usual," she says dismissively, then sits down at the bar.
"Long day. I've been messing around with some of the Liberty pilots," she says grinning wearily, "and it looks like they REALLY don't want us in New York. I left before they got ticked enough to take potshots at me, but it looks like attacking us may really be in their agenda. I wonder if they'll consider us a serious enough threat to bring a capital ship. The Seijaku Maru can use some target practice."
She exchanges a quick glance with Carnifex to see if he had caught the hand signals under the table. He had.
#16 by Carnifex
The Gunpowder Regret was, like most of the station after the initial mess had been cleaned up, almost unscathed by the change in administration of Deshima. Carnifex sat again at the bar nursing an untouched drink with an expression as though he were very seriously evaluating the existance of the grime on all the surfaces in the Regret.
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were almost disappointed that Liberty didn't come charging up into Shikkoku to attack you when you refused to give them those names," said Charles, the bartender, as he ferried a number of empty glasses back and forward nearby. The Gunpowder Regret was almost empty at this hour.
"Hmm?" mumbled Carni as he came out of his reverie, "Well... there is still time," he said with a sly smile, "and even if they don't then at least Grayson ended up with a shiny new leash and I have managed to achieve something."
"You?!" said Charles, "The way I hear the story it was more like chance than anything you planned. It's not like you had anything to do with the bounties or Grayson accepting them," he said dismissively as he cleaned a particularly dirty glass with a cloth.
Carnifex, hunched over the bar, looked up at him and raised an eyebrow knowingly. Charles' cloth began to move slower and slower before coming to an eventual stop as he turned to look Carnifex full in the eyes, as though sizing him up. His expression slowly gained a surprised note to it.
"You... you offered to pay that Merc... the secret client..." his voice trailed off.
Carnifex simply shook his head slowly in response to the last part and smiled a rare broad smile that showed a missing tooth or two.
"The Empire of the Rising Sun has its roots in the Blood Dragons, the Blood Dragons have been partners in crime with the GC for all of living memory. There aren't many real internal threats to the Empire any more. Most of the Deshima League's contracts are now in the Border World systems; it wouldn't hurt to have some... fresh meat," said Carni.
The bartender seemed thoughtful. "You're playing a dangerous game with the station that my bar is on mate," he finally said with a chuckle, "You're lucky that Stuttgart started to go up in flames when it did."
"Perhaps. None the less my plan paid off in some small degree, and there's still time for more side effects as yet i think. As for Deshima; ideas about placing a few of our pilots at strategic locations elsewhere around Sirius have been on the table for a while. Furthering our practical reach of influence can only do us some good."
"Well Ames would be a start I'd say," Charles said.
"You have a talent for stating the obvious," Carnifex replied sourly, "and perhaps soon I will be going back there but for the moment the League needs more secluded locations, places that will be well out of sight for the most part. The Hawaii or Planet Harris..."
After a pause Carnifex continued, "Have you been to Ibaraki Station in Kanto before?"
"Me? No, I'm just a bartender remember."
Carnifex began to look more thoughtful again, "Me either."
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were almost disappointed that Liberty didn't come charging up into Shikkoku to attack you when you refused to give them those names," said Charles, the bartender, as he ferried a number of empty glasses back and forward nearby. The Gunpowder Regret was almost empty at this hour.
"Hmm?" mumbled Carni as he came out of his reverie, "Well... there is still time," he said with a sly smile, "and even if they don't then at least Grayson ended up with a shiny new leash and I have managed to achieve something."
"You?!" said Charles, "The way I hear the story it was more like chance than anything you planned. It's not like you had anything to do with the bounties or Grayson accepting them," he said dismissively as he cleaned a particularly dirty glass with a cloth.
Carnifex, hunched over the bar, looked up at him and raised an eyebrow knowingly. Charles' cloth began to move slower and slower before coming to an eventual stop as he turned to look Carnifex full in the eyes, as though sizing him up. His expression slowly gained a surprised note to it.
"You... you offered to pay that Merc... the secret client..." his voice trailed off.
Carnifex simply shook his head slowly in response to the last part and smiled a rare broad smile that showed a missing tooth or two.
"The Empire of the Rising Sun has its roots in the Blood Dragons, the Blood Dragons have been partners in crime with the GC for all of living memory. There aren't many real internal threats to the Empire any more. Most of the Deshima League's contracts are now in the Border World systems; it wouldn't hurt to have some... fresh meat," said Carni.
The bartender seemed thoughtful. "You're playing a dangerous game with the station that my bar is on mate," he finally said with a chuckle, "You're lucky that Stuttgart started to go up in flames when it did."
"Perhaps. None the less my plan paid off in some small degree, and there's still time for more side effects as yet i think. As for Deshima; ideas about placing a few of our pilots at strategic locations elsewhere around Sirius have been on the table for a while. Furthering our practical reach of influence can only do us some good."
"Well Ames would be a start I'd say," Charles said.
"You have a talent for stating the obvious," Carnifex replied sourly, "and perhaps soon I will be going back there but for the moment the League needs more secluded locations, places that will be well out of sight for the most part. The Hawaii or Planet Harris..."
After a pause Carnifex continued, "Have you been to Ibaraki Station in Kanto before?"
"Me? No, I'm just a bartender remember."
Carnifex began to look more thoughtful again, "Me either."
#15 by Kaal
Honshu System, Kusari Space
Falken’s target had him on a chase, from Rheinland through the Sigma Border Worlds up into the Dragon’s nest of Kusari. He had to go low key and quick in dispatching his target, he didn’t want to attract the attention of the local Nippon security forces.
Coming in from Sigma, Falken stuck close to the GMG station in Honshu knowing that as long as he did not disrupt their activities, the gas miners would let him be.
Pulling up his nav map Falken began to plan out his insertion into New Tokyo, taking note of any possible areas to pull him closer to his target while covering any likely escape routes his target might take.
Just then a contact-alert went off on his scanner: Bounty Hunter IFF with the ship registry traced to Deshima Station. A League hunter had arrived. From the approximate area of contact, Falken estimated the DL ship was around Honshu. More pressing, Falken was unable to discern if the DL pilot had known his presence in the area.
He had two options - ditch the target for later, or take on the DL pilot and hope he was alive to stick around another day.
A feminine voice all too recognizable came over the comms, “Hey are you even going to say hello, Falken, its rude to keep your host waiting.”
Crap, out of all the hunters in Deshima, Falken was dealing with the one of the most tricky Hunters in Kusari; the pilot known as Kakera. To underestimate her just because her reproductive organs were on her inside was a folly was a mistake that few repeat.
“Hey I swear I’ll pay you back another drink, I’ve just been busy with all that’s going on and your boss kinda made life a tad bit more thorny than usual,” Falken explained.
Kakera laughed away; she always laughed everything away. “Not my problem, I can take this issue of the pirate bounty off your plate. Just walk away Falken, piloting in combat with those chains won’t help your flying."
“Chains, what the hell are you talking about missy,” Falken asked puzzlingly.
“Oh don’t be coy, everyone knows GMS is running on Liberty’s leash. Word they have you chained up to a slave contract,” Kakera said with a hint of satisfaction.
Those chains. “Hey they aren’t bad, you should try ‘em. These cuffs have nice fluffy padding, and I’m sure Liberty has some that are in pink just for you,” Falken teased.
Kakera couldn’t help to chuckle, “No thanks Falken. So are we gonna dance?”
It was go time, “Yukawa Shipyards, five klicks center,” Falken responded. Moving towards the coordinates, Falken set his weapons system to active and his emergency ejection on standby as Kakera’s signal moved closer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The battle was rough; Falken lost a mine dropper and a his counter-measures. His battery storage was dry and he barely had any bots left, but he looked better than Kakera’s ship. Falken wasn’t sure if she was alive or dead, ejection pods were usually near-fail proof, but in the midst of combat stress ship systems never ran their 100%. Surveying the area one last time, Falken laid out a SOS beacon just in case.
“Well guess you owe me my drink Kakera,” he said.
Jetting towards the New Tokyo system a priority communication flared to his HUD:
Falken’s target had him on a chase, from Rheinland through the Sigma Border Worlds up into the Dragon’s nest of Kusari. He had to go low key and quick in dispatching his target, he didn’t want to attract the attention of the local Nippon security forces.
Coming in from Sigma, Falken stuck close to the GMG station in Honshu knowing that as long as he did not disrupt their activities, the gas miners would let him be.
Pulling up his nav map Falken began to plan out his insertion into New Tokyo, taking note of any possible areas to pull him closer to his target while covering any likely escape routes his target might take.
Just then a contact-alert went off on his scanner: Bounty Hunter IFF with the ship registry traced to Deshima Station. A League hunter had arrived. From the approximate area of contact, Falken estimated the DL ship was around Honshu. More pressing, Falken was unable to discern if the DL pilot had known his presence in the area.
He had two options - ditch the target for later, or take on the DL pilot and hope he was alive to stick around another day.
A feminine voice all too recognizable came over the comms, “Hey are you even going to say hello, Falken, its rude to keep your host waiting.”
Crap, out of all the hunters in Deshima, Falken was dealing with the one of the most tricky Hunters in Kusari; the pilot known as Kakera. To underestimate her just because her reproductive organs were on her inside was a folly was a mistake that few repeat.
“Hey I swear I’ll pay you back another drink, I’ve just been busy with all that’s going on and your boss kinda made life a tad bit more thorny than usual,” Falken explained.
Kakera laughed away; she always laughed everything away. “Not my problem, I can take this issue of the pirate bounty off your plate. Just walk away Falken, piloting in combat with those chains won’t help your flying."
“Chains, what the hell are you talking about missy,” Falken asked puzzlingly.
“Oh don’t be coy, everyone knows GMS is running on Liberty’s leash. Word they have you chained up to a slave contract,” Kakera said with a hint of satisfaction.
Those chains. “Hey they aren’t bad, you should try ‘em. These cuffs have nice fluffy padding, and I’m sure Liberty has some that are in pink just for you,” Falken teased.
Kakera couldn’t help to chuckle, “No thanks Falken. So are we gonna dance?”
It was go time, “Yukawa Shipyards, five klicks center,” Falken responded. Moving towards the coordinates, Falken set his weapons system to active and his emergency ejection on standby as Kakera’s signal moved closer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The battle was rough; Falken lost a mine dropper and a his counter-measures. His battery storage was dry and he barely had any bots left, but he looked better than Kakera’s ship. Falken wasn’t sure if she was alive or dead, ejection pods were usually near-fail proof, but in the midst of combat stress ship systems never ran their 100%. Surveying the area one last time, Falken laid out a SOS beacon just in case.
“Well guess you owe me my drink Kakera,” he said.
Jetting towards the New Tokyo system a priority communication flared to his HUD:
BOUNTY REVOKED. KSP ON HIGH-ALERT. VACATE TO NEURAL SPACE.
“Dammit to all hell,” Falken cursed. After all that his target bounty was withdrawn and now the Blood Empire’s Police was looking for him. He moved towards the Sigma jump gate, dodging Kusari police in the process. As he linked with the gate and prepared to enter the event horizon a message came through his system comms:YOU OWE ME A NEW SHIP FALKEN. -K
Falken smiled to himself as he felt his ship catapult into the Sigma system.
#14 by Kaal
Freistaldt Base, Omega 3
The laughter of the bar was the roaring as the crowd shared jokes among endless cups of drinks,
"...and that is why the chicken crossed the road"
Zack thought he was rather clever with that; the best joke was one that was recycled over and over again.
Problem would be though if none of the Independent Miners on Freistaldt knew what a chicken was,
"Vast ist a chicken," asked one of the Rheinish patrons. Another roar followed the query, while the Rheinlander was visibly perplexed.
"You dumb knob, everyone knows that a chicken is a big fat turkey," said one of the Bretonnians.
"Nein, a turkey you say is not a chicken, but the one that flies around but cannot because it's claws are too heavy," as another patron jested by flopping around the floor, doing his best to imitate a lame bird before falling under his own weight.
The merriment of the patrons was a wonder to behold, and although the joke was lost Zack couldn't have thought of any bar in Sirius he would rather be.
*Beebop* *Beebop*
The vibration, green light and pip of his Grayson Comm let him know a contract was just activated was waiting for his attention.
Grabbing another swig of beer and taking a gulp down, Zack shook his head in to see if his head was up for contract job.
"Alright, feel a bit of a delay in that," he thought as his head still felt like jello even after his head shaking stopped.
Reaching in his belt he pinched out a pill of Roprerin; a drug that was commonly distributed among combat pilots to accelerate the liver's breakdown of alcohol among beer-binging soldiers, and swallowed it down with a bottle of water he grabbed off the edge of the bar. But Zack knew he would need more than that to get his head out of inebriation. Picking out the the most visibly gruntled out of the crowd, Zack slowly slacked towards him and moved close until they were face to face.
Making sure his mark had traces of alcohol on his breath, Zack suddenly slapped the patron on his back, "Hey are you my son," he asked loudly.
The sudden shock of such a random question asked by a complete stranger had the man confused to say the least, "What the hell, get off of me mate."
"Good, that got his attention," thougth Zack as he smiled to himself.
"Naw, I think you are my son," moving pulling the confused man even closer, "I'm sorry boyo for not being there for you, growing up 'n all" as Zack gingerly faked sympathy.
The man was getting annoyed, "look kid I'm more your age so get away and enjoy yourself another drink before you make a mess of things."
Zack took his cue as he swaggered back, "Oh, I'm sorry I was mistaken. You see here I had a hell of a night with a 'couger' of a gal last night, and I swore she must be yer mother and you could be yer daddy with all the fun we had last night."
In a fuming rage threw himself off the bar he was leaning on and swung widly at Zack, "You little **** red-dogged tosser, imma get you!"
Swinging to and fro, dodging the man's right and left throws, Zack had the man where he wanted him. Stiffening up for a blow, the red-faced man's fist connected square on Zack's cheek. Shuffling back he looked to the crowd and locked eyes with a group of cheery Bretonnian miners, "That man right there just called the Queen a poopy-cocked-hussy," as Zack pointed at the angered man who just laid him out.
"Aye, boyo's no one calls her Majesty a poopy-cock whore," rousing the nearby Bretonnians, "lets have at 'em, for Queen and Country!"
If there was anymore confusion, there was plenty to go around as the miners ganked the man and scores of patrons turned heads, laughed, threw punches of their own; all having a hell of a time. There was no bar Zack would rather been, or this would have been selectively possible.
"Well that was a hell of a punch," as Zack felt instantly sober, "time to take my leave of this fine establishment."
Sneaking and squeezing through the rowdy crowd, Zack made his way outside the bar looking occupied with his comm unit as base security flew past him to keep the bar-riot under control.
As he entered into the elevator, Zack played back his vid-message and read over the contract details.
"Seems that someone shot up the wrong mining-captain," as he scrolled over the info bits, "couple of million, a generic pirate and what's this," Zack noticed that he wasen't the only one that was after his target.
"And its the Deshima League once again," Zack said to himself with interest. It seemed to a lot of Mercs and Bounty Hunters that there's not many contract "pies" that didn't have dirty-League "fingers" all over it.
Zack wondered who of the Deshima League would take up the contract for their organization, was it the famed Carnifex, the brutish Elyon, the relentless Cobra, or the unpredictable viper Kakera. Any of these targets would make Liberty happy, if he was able to bag one of them.
"Time to make some scratch," as Zack exited the elevator into the flight-deck. He was shivering in anticipation of the couple of million credits to come and a chance to send a "response" to the League's message that Elyon had given to him earlier over Ft. Bush. Zack double-checked his escape pod and the emergency leaver just in case things didn't go his way.
The laughter of the bar was the roaring as the crowd shared jokes among endless cups of drinks,
"...and that is why the chicken crossed the road"
Zack thought he was rather clever with that; the best joke was one that was recycled over and over again.
Problem would be though if none of the Independent Miners on Freistaldt knew what a chicken was,
"Vast ist a chicken," asked one of the Rheinish patrons. Another roar followed the query, while the Rheinlander was visibly perplexed.
"You dumb knob, everyone knows that a chicken is a big fat turkey," said one of the Bretonnians.
"Nein, a turkey you say is not a chicken, but the one that flies around but cannot because it's claws are too heavy," as another patron jested by flopping around the floor, doing his best to imitate a lame bird before falling under his own weight.
The merriment of the patrons was a wonder to behold, and although the joke was lost Zack couldn't have thought of any bar in Sirius he would rather be.
*Beebop* *Beebop*
The vibration, green light and pip of his Grayson Comm let him know a contract was just activated was waiting for his attention.
Grabbing another swig of beer and taking a gulp down, Zack shook his head in to see if his head was up for contract job.
"Alright, feel a bit of a delay in that," he thought as his head still felt like jello even after his head shaking stopped.
Reaching in his belt he pinched out a pill of Roprerin; a drug that was commonly distributed among combat pilots to accelerate the liver's breakdown of alcohol among beer-binging soldiers, and swallowed it down with a bottle of water he grabbed off the edge of the bar. But Zack knew he would need more than that to get his head out of inebriation. Picking out the the most visibly gruntled out of the crowd, Zack slowly slacked towards him and moved close until they were face to face.
Making sure his mark had traces of alcohol on his breath, Zack suddenly slapped the patron on his back, "Hey are you my son," he asked loudly.
The sudden shock of such a random question asked by a complete stranger had the man confused to say the least, "What the hell, get off of me mate."
"Good, that got his attention," thougth Zack as he smiled to himself.
"Naw, I think you are my son," moving pulling the confused man even closer, "I'm sorry boyo for not being there for you, growing up 'n all" as Zack gingerly faked sympathy.
The man was getting annoyed, "look kid I'm more your age so get away and enjoy yourself another drink before you make a mess of things."
Zack took his cue as he swaggered back, "Oh, I'm sorry I was mistaken. You see here I had a hell of a night with a 'couger' of a gal last night, and I swore she must be yer mother and you could be yer daddy with all the fun we had last night."
In a fuming rage threw himself off the bar he was leaning on and swung widly at Zack, "You little **** red-dogged tosser, imma get you!"
Swinging to and fro, dodging the man's right and left throws, Zack had the man where he wanted him. Stiffening up for a blow, the red-faced man's fist connected square on Zack's cheek. Shuffling back he looked to the crowd and locked eyes with a group of cheery Bretonnian miners, "That man right there just called the Queen a poopy-cocked-hussy," as Zack pointed at the angered man who just laid him out.
"Aye, boyo's no one calls her Majesty a poopy-cock whore," rousing the nearby Bretonnians, "lets have at 'em, for Queen and Country!"
If there was anymore confusion, there was plenty to go around as the miners ganked the man and scores of patrons turned heads, laughed, threw punches of their own; all having a hell of a time. There was no bar Zack would rather been, or this would have been selectively possible.
"Well that was a hell of a punch," as Zack felt instantly sober, "time to take my leave of this fine establishment."
Sneaking and squeezing through the rowdy crowd, Zack made his way outside the bar looking occupied with his comm unit as base security flew past him to keep the bar-riot under control.
As he entered into the elevator, Zack played back his vid-message and read over the contract details.
"Seems that someone shot up the wrong mining-captain," as he scrolled over the info bits, "couple of million, a generic pirate and what's this," Zack noticed that he wasen't the only one that was after his target.
"And its the Deshima League once again," Zack said to himself with interest. It seemed to a lot of Mercs and Bounty Hunters that there's not many contract "pies" that didn't have dirty-League "fingers" all over it.
Zack wondered who of the Deshima League would take up the contract for their organization, was it the famed Carnifex, the brutish Elyon, the relentless Cobra, or the unpredictable viper Kakera. Any of these targets would make Liberty happy, if he was able to bag one of them.
"Time to make some scratch," as Zack exited the elevator into the flight-deck. He was shivering in anticipation of the couple of million credits to come and a chance to send a "response" to the League's message that Elyon had given to him earlier over Ft. Bush. Zack double-checked his escape pod and the emergency leaver just in case things didn't go his way.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
#13 by Skyler
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...
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...
#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"
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