CONTACT LOST
19 Aug 2022Jav Marlo
CONTACT LOST11 JUN 3308, HIP 96456.
Are you sure about this?
Totally. This is your mission. You should record the log.
Mmnnn… let´s see… this is Ayumi, flying the Electra along with commander Jav Marlo, recording this log at HIP 96456 system.
Ayumi and Jav Marlo onboard the Electra
We have spent the last months on the Pegasi Sector, trying to find my sister Liz, I mean Elizabeth. Years ago we were enslaved, along with our family, by pirates and brought to the domains of Archon Delaine and the Kumo Crew. They sold me at the Chang-Diaz Colony, a remote outpost in the Mu Capricorni system. I was separated from my family and never saw them again. I presumed they were all dead until Admiral Denton Patreus, from the Empire, provided some intel that said that my sister could have survived.
Ayumi recording a log on the Electra
I have busted my ass trying to find any trace of Elizabeth. I crushed bones, slashed faces and stole diamonds to become a pirate and rise on the ranks on the Kumo Crew in order to access to their files. That is how I found out that there used to be slave trade route from the Empire systems to HIP 96456 long time ago. This is our best clue so far… wait… I almost forgot, the Kumo Crew has lost contact with the system.
The Electra at HIP 96456
How I did?
Good, on your own style… and… Ayumi… it’s nice to see you back… I mean… without the pirate paints and that.
Thanks. I am glad to leave the Pegasi Sector. That place makes me no good. So, where do we start?
I suggest that we do not announce our arrival by flying to the beacon. Let´s scan the system.
Good idea. Let´s see. I can see some minor settlements in the different moons, but nothing on space. No outposts of any kind. Wait… there is something… looks like a base, on the asteroid ring of that gas giant.
I see. The settlements and the base are active. I can see their power signature. But there is no comms in the system… I mean, no communications noise at all. Like a lifeless system. This place is dead.
Planet HIP 96456 ABC 1
This is very strange. I want to take a closer look to that base, it looks to be inside and asteroid. That could be the gallite mine operated by slaves that Patreus mentioned.
OK, but we should approach from the rear side, masking ourselves with the rocks.
Roger.
The Electra navigating the ring of HIP 96456 ABC 1
See. There are traces of recent mining activity. But no ships nor patrols around. The beacon of the base in the asteroid is active, but the landing protocols are off. Stay sharp and be ready to run. We do not know what might be lurking on those rocks. Perhaps we could land in one of those moons, find a settlement, look for intel from the locals…
We have no time, and I have not come here to run at the first sign of peril… it took so much… damn… screw this… I´m calling them.
NO!
(Comms buzz) This is the Electra, calling Lemmy´s Rock. Lemmy´s Rock, please respond. (Comms buzz)
Ayumi and Jav Marlo on the Electra calling to Lemmy´s Rock
…
No response. Be ready to…
Wait… look… a signal… outside… on the ring.
It´s more like an echo.
A laser bolt striking the Electra
DAMN! WHAT WAS THAT?
A LASER. AND A BIG ONE.
A huge laser beam firing
FROM WHERE?
THERE, ON THE RING, OVER THAT ROCK.
IS THAT A…?
A CUTTER.
A Cutter emerging after a rock
A CUTTER? HERE? WACHT OUT! ANOTHER BOLT!
Shields down. We won´t be able to hold it much longer. We must withdraw.
NO!
Are you crazy? That is a military grade huge beam laser. The next hit could melt us.
The Cutter firing
Can we outrun it?
I think so. The Electra is one of the fastest ships on the Bubble. But there is no way we can approach that base without being obliterated by the Cutter. We are no match for it. Not in a Cobra. We must come back with a bigger ship.
Elizabeth could be dead by then. She might be in trouble.
We do not even know if she is alive… sorry… I did not mean…
WAIT! Give me sec.
WE DO NOT HAVE A SEC!
The Cutter firing again
It cannot be. Look… the beacon… the ID… IT´S THE PRETORIAN.
The Pretorian?
The ship that brought me and my family here. It´s changed. Old and rusty. But it is the Pretorian. We cannot leave.
Well, then we are going to die.
The Pretorian firing the Electra
I need… I am calling them.
Ayumi, what the …!
(Comms buzz) Imperial Cutter. This is the Electra. I have been commanded by the Kumo Crew to know why Lemmy's Rock ceased contact. (Comms buzz)
No response. They are closing on us. We are mass locked. We won´t survive another bolt. We must run!
The Pretorian closing on the Electra
(Comms buzz) Imperial Cutter. My name is Eveline Hutchinson. I was enslaved with my family and carried to the Pegasi Sector on board the Pretorian. I am looking for my sister, Elizabeth Hutchinson. Please, cease fire. (Comms buzz)
Ayumi we need to run. Another hit and we are doomed.
Wait! They ceased fire.
They are approaching us. They are aligning to obliterate us with a final bolt.
Shss! They are calling back.
(Comms buzz) Pirate ship Electra. Keep your weapons retracted and hold position. Do not comply and we will destroy you. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) Roger Pretorian. We are holding position. (Comms buzz)
Why are they holding fire? They can destroy us anytime.
Please wait.
The Pretorian approaching the Electra
(Comms buzz) Electra. You have permission to land at Lemmy´s Rock. Enter the base and wait to be boarded. Do not attempt anything or we will open fire. (Comms buzz)
(Comms buzz) Roger Pretorian. (Comms buzz)
I don´t like the look of this.
Listen Jav, I do not want to push you, we still can try to run.
I think it is a little be late for that. But it is your call. I am with you no matter what you decide.
Thank you.
The Electra approaching the entrance to Lemmy´s Rock followed by the Pretorian
I just hope you are right about this.
Yeah. I hope that too.
End log.
Lemmy´s Rock