Settling a Grievance: Chapter 6
11 Jul 2016LordPsymon
Previous chapterSettling a Grievance: Chapter 6
Sitting back and watching holovids in the living area aboard a ship is an excellent way to make the time pass incredibly slowly, especially when you are waiting on something. I had been sitting around for at least 24 hours, interrupted only by falling asleep on the sofa. With all the flaws I had become accustomed to with White Pearl, she was definitely a ship designed with comfort in mind, and she was growing on me. Unfortunately, she was likely to remain docked for a few days at least whilst I pulled off a heist against one of Rosa’s ships.
The mundane droning of Galnet reports was interrupted by a beep from my comms. Stretching my arms out, I swung my legs off the couch, lurching myself toward the coffee table where my datapad was sitting.
***Incoming Transmission - Benito Santiago***
My voice carried a moody, slightly bored tone as I answered the transmission. “What have you got for me Benny?”
Benny’s tone was more enthusiastic. “Come meet me in docking bay 25 amigo. I got you a ship, and I think it’ll suit you.”
“Alright, I’ll head over there in a moment, just let me freshen up a little.”
My eyes widened as I entered Benny’s docking bay, amusement and disappointment fighting for control of my emotions. On the landing pad sat an Asp Scout that looked like it had seen better days.
“What a piece of junk!” I exclaimed as I slowly strode toward the ship.
Benny, leaning against one of the landing gear shot a highly amused expression. “What, you don’t like it amigo?”
I scoffed. “Not exactly a ship I want to be seen in, no.”
Benny turned and patted the landing gear. “You expecting a luxury yacht or something? This piece of junk will be plenty enough to get the job done. It has all the equipment you need to pull your heist.”
My face turned to a frown. “As long as you’re not expecting me to keep the damn thing.”
Benny shot me a mischievous smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it, but you should get ready to head off. When you find the cargo Rax wants, come back here and I will have some people assist with moving the cargo to your ship. Good luck, amigo.”
“Ummm, just one more thing. How will I know if a ship is one of Rosa’s?”
“Her ships are tagged. Her organization does some legit business on the side to cover for her black market dealings. You’ll know when you spot one.”
“Thanks… Amigo.” I said as I headed to the boarding ramp of the ship.
What exactly is amigo anyway? Must be a Fed thing.
I felt very exposed inside the large glass bubble of a canopy.
I might as well just paint “shoot here” on the damn glass. I thought as the ship cleared the mailslot. Its controls were not as responsive as they should be and overall it felt like I was flying a brick with an engine.
The ship probably already had a name, but I decided to unofficially name it Resentment, because that was what I was feeling since sitting down on the pilot’s seat.
If there was one thing I hated about this whole excursion, it was hanging around Eravate. But I also don’t like starting something and not finishing, and I travelled a long way to see to it that Reck gets what is coming to him. Perhaps then I could find a little closure, and redemption for those who died because of him. The shipping lanes were swarming with ships going about their business, making it difficult for me to single out any that might work for Rosa, let alone one carrying the computer components that Rax wanted. I was also unsure of how this damn ship would hold up if the unfortunate soul I dropped from supercruise decided to shoot instead of drop their cargo.
Hell, they’ll probably just laugh at me when they see this goddamn ship.
After about an hour of circling around established shipping lanes, I spied a Type-6 transporter belonging to Rosa’s network, heading rapidly toward Akerman Market. It appeared to be in a hurry so I swooped behind it as rapidly as this Asp Scout would allow and engaged the FSD interdictor. The ship rattled uncomfortably as the tether connected with the Type-6, struggling to escape the interdiction. To my surprise, the interdiction succeeded, sending both ships spinning out of control as we dropped from supercruise. The Type-6 came to a stop as the pilot’s disgruntled voice came through the comms.
“The hell are you people doing, interdicting me? I work for Rosa, damn it!” the pilot yelled.
I remained silent, keeping the ship in my sights as the cargo scanner searched the ship.
Narcotics… Damn it.
“You haven’t got what I am after. Get the hell out of here, chump.” I said, frustrated.
The pilot yelled further. “Just you wait until Rosa hears about this. You lot will be a sorry bunch!”
His ship disappeared in a blue flash.
Well, on the plus side, that’s one extra person to tell Rosa about “our” activities against her crew.
I resumed my search among the busy shipping lanes near Akerman, slowly scanning through the traffic while trying to remain as inconspicuous as I could. Another couple of hours of fruitless searching passed and my window was growing thin, as the guy I had let go had no doubt cried home to Rosa by this point. My luck had spiked when I spotted a larger Type-7 transporter leaving Akerman, heading to one of the more distant planets. I positioned Resentment behind it and fired the interdictor. The Type-7 submitted to the tether rather than attempting to flee, gently bringing us both out of supercruise near the orbit of a small, orange world. Immediately the Type-7 fired up its engines trying to flee. In an attempt to intimidate the pilot, I hit the boosters on my sluggish Asp Scout and let off a relentless volley of laser fire to deplete the slow moving cargo ship’s shields.
“Pilot, power down your engines and let me scan your cargo.” I yelled over the comms.
They did not respond, instead a warning flashed on my HUD.
Frameshift charge detected.
“I guess we’ll do this the hard way then.”
I fired a few rounds at the fleeing ships port engine, sending sparks and chips of metal flying off the ship. A small explosion ruptured the engine and the remaining one stopped glowing as the ship slowed to a halt.
“Alright! Alright! I’ll power down, just stop shooting me, shit!” a panicked voice shouted over the comms.
“That’s better. Now if you’ll give me a moment…” I replied with a sly tone, keeping my sights focused on the damaged ship as the scanners revealed the various contents of its cargo hold.
Bingo!
“Alright, chum, drop the computer components and you’re free to go.”
One by one, a series of cargo containers ejected from the vessel, slowly drifting away. The panicked pilot’s voice returned to the comms.
“Okay, done. Can I go now?”
I smiled as I maneuvered to scoop up the cargo containers. “Yes, you may leave now. Sorry about the engine.”
“Thank God! This never used to happen when I worked solo!” the pilot remarked as the Type-7 disappeared in a blue flash of light.
Finally, some progress.
The last of the containers was scooped aboard the ship and I set course back to Kremainn to transfer the goods to Rattlesnake. My success was interrupted by three flashes of light, as a wing of Vipers dropped in to investigate the scene.
“This is Federal security. We have reports of piracy in this vicinity from a ship matching your description. Power down your vessel and prepare to be boarded. This is your only warning!”
Well, shit.
Once again I engaged the boosters, hoping to gain some distance on the pursuing Vipers as the frameshift drive slowly charged.
“He’s attempting to flee! Lethal force is authorized. Blast that ship!”
The shields of Resentment did not last long against the relentless fire from the security force. I heard the sound of metal bending, twisting and snapping as one of the winglets of the ship was torn off by multi-cannon fire.
Come on you piece of shit. At least get me out of this mess!
The sound of speeding bullets penetrating the hull repeated until finally the frameshift drive finished charging. The stars appeared to stretch as Resentment zoomed into hyperspace toward Kremainn.
“What the hell did you do to the ship?” Benny exclaimed as I exited down the ship’s entry ramp.
“Had a run-in with the authorities.” I sighed, looking back to reveal the extent of the damage to the ship. “I dunno though, I think it looks better like that.”
The hull was riddled with holes and sharp, bent pieces of metal protruded from where one of the wings used to be.
“Were you followed amigo?” Benny asked cautiously.
“Not as far as I know.”
“Good. I’ll have one of my boys take this thing to a scrap yard once we’ve transferred the cargo. You look like you could use a drink or two.” He pointed toward the exit door of the hangar. “Go chill at Delinquent’s Inn while we sort the cargo out. We’ll let you know when we’re done here.”
“A drink sounds wonderful right about now.” I said with relief.
Benny met me by Rattlesnake after his crew finished loading the ship and I finished loading my insides with a few glasses of Old Sol. He shot a slight frown at me as I slowly stumbled toward the entry ramp of the Cobra.
“Come on amigo, I said a drink or two, not drink Deliquent’s Inn out of business!”
I slurred slightly as I strung together a reply. “Yeah well I got a little enthusiastic on the Old Sol.”
He rolled his eyes. “A little more than enthusiastic I think. I’ll let Rax know you’ll be heading over once you’ve had some time to sleep off the alcohol.” He threw a small packet of pills which I barely managed to catch. “That’s for the hangover.”
I smiled as I drunkenly stumbled up the ramp. “Thanks Benny, you’re the best.”
“Whatever, man. Go sleep you drunken mess.”
Rax sat behind his desk, smoking a cigar as I walked into the decrepit warehouse. He gave me a look of amusement while I sat down in front of his desk where I first met him, dry-swallowing another couple of Benny’s hangover pills.
The staunch looking man took another puff of his cigar. “Pup, you remind me so much of a newjack I knew back on Akerman a while ago, long before my accident. Every time I saw him, he was either drunk, hungover or pissed off about something. Right now, I’d say you’re the latter two.”
I let off a slow huff. “I can’t say I really enjoy piracy that much.”
He grunted in amusement as he stubbed out his cigar. “I didn’t pick you for the type, but you got the job done. At least you didn’t end up marooned on an icy moon with your engines shot up, while a pretty little gal waltzed off with your prize.”
I raised my eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”
A mischievous smile took over Rax’s face as he let off a slight laugh. “Now that is a story I will never forget, but we’ll save that one for later, pup. Now let’s take a look at your haul shall we?”
“Right this way,” I said as I signalled him to follow me out of the warehouse.
Rax popped open one of the cargo containers in Rattlesnakes hold. He smiled as he took a good look inside.
“Yep, that’s the stuff I need alright.” I stumbled forward slightly as he gave me a firm pat on the back with his metal arm. “You did good, kid. There should be more than enough here for me to get setup again. I also heard through the grapevine that old Rosa is a little pissy about her ships being targeted.”
“Aren’t you worried that this cargo is marked?” I asked as he fitted the lid back on the container.
The man scoffed, furrowing his brow at me. “Kid, I used to run a good portion of the black market back on Ackerman. Do you really think I am worried about marked cargo?”
“Point taken,” I responded cautiously.
His face returned to a neutral expression. “Good, now help me unload this stuff then go make yourself comfortable as I get setup, then I’ll help you find your buddy, Reck.” He grabbed hold of one of the containers then paused. “Oh and one more thing.”
“What is it?” I responded, not knowing what to expect.
“Learn to relax a little, buddy. You always look so tense.”