More than expected
13 Apr 2024Ryuko Ntsikana
More than expected
Colonia Region
_____________________________
I leaned back at the controls of my Krait, sipping on my coffee with my feet propped up on the dash. Tara made faces as I scanned my data tablet for the second time. Old Kagehiro and Sakura were deep in trouble again, embroiled in wars that had become the norm for this sector. It seemed if someone wasn’t in a war, they were either recovering from one or on the brink of another.
The downside was that the loot from haulers tended to be less lucrative, To lend credibility to Aby's adjustment of our flight logs, we made a point of being seen around the two ringed gas giants in the system. Every manifest scan we conducted, whether on miners or local pirates, turned up nothing but the cheapest goods. Even a trip to a nearby planetary settlement yielded similar results; the most valuable item seemed to be the escape pods themselves, jettisoned before the ships disintegrated.
“Whatever those two are up to, it’s not in our favor,” Tara remarked, peering over her nose at me.
“I wouldn’t be so sure. They seem to be looking for someone to disrupt a small industrial complex, offering a generous one million credits, plus the spoils of any loot or data as the prize for whoever takes up their offer.”
Aby lifted his gaze from the ship’s scanners. “Then what the captive bandits said holds water. Though not direct, the circumstantial evidence is compelling.”
I pulled up a system map, zooming in on the moon in question and the targeted installation—a low-threat site with a small landing pad.
“Expecting a handful of technicians, maybe a couple of skimmers, and one or two security squads.”
Tara’s smile widened. “A straightforward in-and-out job, plus whatever we can haul. I’m in.”
I glanced at Aby, who mirrored the installation's image on his screen. “The statistical probability of success is quite favorable.”
I took another sip of coffee, pondering the layout.
Tara secured her magnet boots to the deck. “There’s bound to be traffic nearby. If we take down the installation for a quick payout, we can also scout for any worthwhile cargo. Ring hunting hasn’t been profitable lately.”
Aby remained focused on the scanner. “We could leave some of the bandits' gear as a decoy. It wouldn't do Shinkai Industries any favors if they trace it back to them.”
Tara and I exchanged surprised looks. Aby was becoming increasingly resourceful, first using the battle androids for intel and now suggesting a bit of subterfuge to turn the tables on Shinkai.
I dropped my boots back on the deck, turning in my pilot seat to begin plotting the course. "We're going shopping then. Suit up, everyone."
***
Ryuko slowly climbed out of the Scarab vehicle, tucked away in the Krait’s vehicle hangar, as Aby piloted the ship away from the planet toward deep space. Tara stood in the hangar doorway, waiting.
“There was nothing on that Viper that was salvageable, and its pilot didn’t survive the ejection.”
Ryuko smirked, removing his Dominator combat suit's helmet. He had been knee-deep in a skirmish with a group of pirates who had overtaken the small industrial base from its current owners when a group of reinforcements in a Viper-class ship began its descent—either oblivious to or unconcerned about Tara in the Krait. The fireball it created on the far side of the facility illuminated the area, distracting several of its comrades, who paid for their lack of attention with their lives.
“Inside the building, there were only the bodies of the facility's technicians, and all of the machinery had already been disabled. It looked like we interrupted their attempts to dismantle and steal it.”
Tara leered.
“Do you think Shinkai Industries knew about this?”
Ryuko huffed as he stood up, eyeing Tara.
“It’s possible. They do business with anyone, regardless of their political affiliations.”
A twinkle appeared in Tara’s eyes as she stepped aside, letting Ryuko pass out of the hangar and into the corridor.
“Sounds like we need to interdict a few of their ships and see what they’re carrying.”
Damn if she wasn’t becoming a proper pirate.
Ryuko smiled, placing a gloved hand on her shoulder.
“They may come looking for us. I downloaded all of the facility's data, including the blueprints.”
Tara didn’t need a separate communicator to contact the bridge; the growing smile on her face said it all.
“Aby, navigate toward the main shipping channel.”