Interlopers
15 Jun 2020Ironwatsas
Ehwaz 3A
Ehwaz system
The Era of the Second Omen
“You were Followed.”
A strong undertone of displeasure and annoyance could be heard, filtered through the local communications. Two ships were supposed to be here this day. Now there were four.
A Krait Phantom and an Eagle Mk2 bore down, unfolding their hardpoints and initiating the attack with little warning. A fusillade of fragment cannons and pulse laser bursts lashed out, but hit little as the pair of Krait Mk2’s gathered together over the endless Sea of Ehwaz 4A, lurched sideways and began to jockey for an advantageous position.
The first of these, was the innocuously named ‘Rock Wrangler’. Despite being outfitted for mining and asteroid demolition, the humble miner still had teeth. Unladen and lightweight, it was easily able to maneuver into the Phantom’s blind spot, lashing out with it’s pair of Beam Lasers.
From another angle, a pair of plasma accelerator bolts and a hail of cannon shells came from the second Krait. This one was a far different beast, being none other than the infamous Heingst’s Revenge, closing in and easily outmaneuvering the less-equipped and less-skilled Phantom. The Eagle then rolled into the fray, diving in on the Heingst’s revenge, and unleashing a salvo of pulse laser fire and rockets. The barren space which had probably never seen a human vessel before nor would it hence was lit up by the fiery spectacle of battle.
---
One week Earlier
Tapimas Ring – Docking bay 21
Moram System
“Hail the Emperor. Bask in her Glory. I bid thee good day.” The hologram of Iron spoke, his modulated voice filtered through speakers at the foot of the emitter.
“Indeed. Hail the Emperor. I bid you a good day as well. I would introduce myself, but I surmise that won’t be necessary.” The infamous Imperial Corsair, Tharik Otoli, spoke. The many, many medals pinned to the chest of his ostentatious outfit jingled, as he planted his sheathed cutlass on the metal floor of the station. It was a fine blade, forged by the swordmasters of Shinigami and festooned with gold organic patterning, and a large diamond in the pommel. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Sciamach of Borrego Orbital in Hip 114367, servant of the local governor there. You may call me and I have a business proposal. You see, I've heard about you. That you have a propensity for 'liberating' various goods from various parties.” Iron spoke through the telepresence. The hologram stood at ease, with his hands clasped behind his back. ”All for the greater benefit of the Emperor, of course.”
“Ahh wonderful news. I see my reputation precedes me! Certainly I am intrigued. Do tell me more.” Spoke Tharik, his tone upbeat and jovial. He was the walking stereotype of Her majesty’s sanctioned privateers.
“Now then. I had previously conducted business with the Darkwater Authority and Imperial Hattori clan. During my time with them I gained access to the archives of Shinigami. Therein, I found something intriguing. A 'Perfect Memento' of sorts. The existence of which also implies the existence of a number of other artifacts. Pieces of the Old World, so to speak. Some of which may be in private collections or otherwise lost. Due to my position I cannot be seen acquiring such items personally. That, I am told, is your specialty.” Iron spoke, pacing back and forth, hands still behind his back. His appearance becoming fuzzy when he strode to the far edges of the emitters’ detection range.
“Surely a gentleman of your cultured reputation appreciates a little bit of archaeology and history, no?”
“Certainly, and I'd enjoy the challenge. No doubt the interested parties will generously contribute to my estate?” Spoke Tharik. Rubbing his hand along his bearded chin, clearly intrigued.
“Indeed. Obviously, I cannot be seen leaving any incriminating paper trails. So payment will be made in precious minerals. Void opals. Diamonds. Whatever is most practical. Word of note though, some of these 'artifacts' may be of a, how shall I say... more than mundane nature.”
“Payment of that nature would be most welcome. More than mundane? Dangerous? Need I ensure my cargo bay is protected from corrosive materials, or do you mean something else?” Tharik seemed curious at the latter part of that statement.
“It would be wise to keep some hazmat cargo racks in stock, though I suspect most of the items I will have you look for are perfectly safe to be handled by those who have not properly interpreted their origin and nature. Interpretation is a powerful Axiom, don't you agree? If enough people believe in something, does that not make it true?” There was more than an air of ominousness in the last part of that statement, understood even through the voice synthesis.
“Ahh, but I digress. It is simply the way of things that time erases memories. Especially of things that were hidden to begin with. Best to start small and work our way up. Besides, I still need to do more data mining to locate anything particularly important.” Iron continued. “Tell me, are you aware of an incident that happened a few weeks ago, at Schroder Gateway?”
“A few weeks ago? I am afraid not sir, truth be told I have been busy involving myself in the politics of Moram and the diamond rush in Borann. Kindly enlighten me.” Tharik responded.
“The personal vessel of Capt. Roger Blumberg of the Imperial Security Force was apparently sabotaged, causing it to crash on Schroder gateway in Ocairi. His entire family was killed. Tragic, but that is no concern of mine. As a result of his death, his estate is being liquidated soon, and I believe he may be in possession of some old artifacts or literature pertaining to the early nobility of the Empire. Nothing particularly groundbreaking, but that may contain clues to further discoveries down the road.
For this I will be willing to pay you the equivalent of ten million credits in Low Temperature Diamonds. Plus, an additional five million if you happen to find anything. And I will have more work for you at a later date.” Iron raised his index finger, making several gestures to emphasize the amount of money involved.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Yes sir. These terms are acceptable.” Tharik spoke, in acknowledgement. When he did, the temperature in the docking bay may be felt to increase a few degrees. “When is the auction, and do you have intel on when the items will be transported and which ship they will be on?”
“Ahh, therein lies the problem. All of Mr. Blumberg's possessions are likely currently in an ISS evidence locker somewhere, at least until the investigation wraps up. When that happens, they will likely be moved to the nearest auction house. And as you know, ISS is very tight-lipped about its investigations. I am using my own networks to see if I can know when the parcels I require are going to be moved, but there is a limit to how forcefully I can probe without raising eyebrows. You understand...” Iron ceased his pacing, standing right before Capt. Tharik.
“Ahh but no one will suspect any other than what it appears on the surface if those inquiries were made by the odd buccaneer or corsair! Very shrewd, my good man!” The Pirate lord spoke. Iron detected an air of sarcasm in his voice, behind that boisterous nobleman’s wit.
“That is a concern. However, I suspect there are members of the media with their fingers on pulse on the situation. Vox Galactica was the first to break the story. I will attempt to contact them and inquire on the matter. If that fails, I will attempt to co-opt Governor Weston's security forces' credentials to see if the local ISI branch will talk. And failing that... you will simply have to sweep the system and wait until you hit the right transport.”
“Right then! I shall await further communications from you. The war is Riedquat is nearly won. In the interim I will remain here in Moram.” Tharik spoke.
“Good. I will keep in touch and contact you when the goods are about to be moved out. Farewell.” Iron spoke, before his image faded from view.
The covenant had been made and Iron begat his eyes and ears across the territories. He would see if this Pirate’s reputation was well earned.
---
A week later, and Iron had not been disappointed. His contacts in Conjunct Security Group had relayed the information to him as soon as it happened. “A convoy was attacked in Ocairi, carrying a large amount of ISS property to the local auction block. The escort was destroyed and only one occupant was found aboard the ship, dead.”
With word that Prince Tharik held his end of the bargain, it was time for Iron to do the same. He quickly arranged the location of the meeting. A system called Ehwaz. One of those uninhabited seam worlds scattered throughout the bubble, which no one had yet bothered to colonize.
After gathering sufficient Diamonds, Iron arrived at the meeting place, above a nameless ocean moon. Tharik was approaching, complaining of having trouble locking on to Iron’s wing beacon. That meant the electronic countermeasure systems were in effect and operational. That the duo would not be watched as they made the exchange.
---
And yet they were.
Iron had detected no additional Frame Shift contacts in the system, which left more questions than answers. The pirates must have been waiting in realspace to make a quick jump when they detected Tharik and Iron decelerate from Frame Shift space, or otherwise possessed some advanced military stealth technology that neither party was unaware of. The latter and unlikely prospect.
The Pirates were otherwise woefully unprepared for what awaited them. Both Iron and Tharik were far superior pilots with better equipped ships. They jockeyed into the Phantom’s blind spots, tore through its shields, and ravaged its hull. The thrusters of the would-be raider burst, leaking fuel into space. Radiators fizzled and the ship’s electrical system soon began to fail, leaving it drifting.
The smaller Eagle saw the writing on the wall, and began spooling up it’s frame-shift drive, using it’s superior maneuverability and speed to evade attacks, until it was able to high-wake out of the system. The curses of the Phantom pilot could be imagined, as he prepared to eject from his dying vessel, which was breaking apart around him. A final pair of plasma accelerator blasts from Tharik’s ship provided the coup de-grace.
It is entirely unclear what they had intended to achieve.
“What is this, Iron?” Tharik asked, clearly rethinking his trust of the man floating a few hundred meters away.
“Interlopers. Though one got away. Unfortunate, as this could prove problematic later. No matter, the deal still stands as long as the nature of this meeting remains between you and I. Half of the Diamonds now, then you give me what I seek.” Iron spoke, coldly. But a deal was a deal, and regardless of his suspicions regarding this ‘Gentleman Pirate’, it remained a sacred pact.
The rest of the transfer was without incident. Iron released his cargo of blood diamonds. Tharik released the late Captain’s possessions. Iron released the remainder of the diamonds. And it was done. Though it was clear some tension still lingered. That Pirate raid was too convenient.
“Do tell me, Lord Iron. What exactly was it that my crew were risking their lives for?” Tharik asked, clearly puzzled that a dead-man’s knick-knacks were worth all of this.
“Books. Items. That is all I can say without posing a danger to yourself or your crew. The information that lies within is… hazardous. Both to know and to possess. I do you a favor by keeping it to me. However, you have kept your word and held up your end of the bargain. I am confident those pirates were not your doing. No… there are other parties at play here.” Iron replied.
“Right… so I take it our business here is concluded?” Tharik asked.
“Correct. You have proven yourselves competent. I will have more lucrative and complicated jobs for you in the future. For now, let us depart before anyone else decides to visit this system.”
“Aye. I will be in Moram.” The Pirate nodded, before throttling up with his payment, and departing the area.
Iron remained behind. For just a moment, as the Pirate departed, his attention turning to the wreckage of the Phantom. Among the broken pieces of cockpit struts and canopy glass, a single escape pod yet floated. Now Iron was a practical man, rarely electing to inflict any drawn-out torments on anyone, unless he needed to send a message. It would obviously make sense to take this pod and interrogate its occupant, before turning them over to security, or else executing them.
But the nature of this meeting precluded such niceties. A swift death being bisected by one of his ship’s lasers would be the most practical method, but in this case, perhaps something more artful was in store.
The Rock Wrangler spooled up a single mining charge, firing it directly at the pod, and hitting it squarely in the center. The impact denting it and sending it flying backwards at considerable speed, directly into the gravity well of the endless ocean moon below. Remlok brand escape pods were sturdy things, easily capable of surviving planetary re-entry and splashdown.
It would give its occupant time to think.