the Death of another Pirate
18 Feb 2024112DavidL
We exit out of the Mail Slot of Holden Dock and engage our super cruise drive. I'm navigating to the jump point, charging my FSD for jump, when Athard Evard, the pirate that interdicted me earlier, rips me from supercruise and starts attacking my ship. He's flying a Viper MkII, fast and agile, but lightly armed. He fires his lasers and missiles at me, trying to take out my shields and engines. I defend as best I can, firing back with my turrets and chaff, while trying to evade his attacks. I fire off a radio call to Dragon for help."Dragon, I need backup. I've got a pirate on my tail. It's the same one who attacked me before landing. He's in a Viper MkII, and he's not giving up." I say, hoping she hears me.
"I'm on my way, kid. Hang in there." She replies, sounding calm and confident.
I check my radar and see her blip approaching fast. She's in her Python, a powerful and versatile ship, armed with gimballed weapons and shield boosters. She slams out of her supercruise behind the pirate and opens fire with her pulse lasers, multi-cannons, and rail guns. She rips his Viper MkII apart, shredding his hull and systems. He tries to flee, but it's too late. His ship explodes in a ball of fire, leaving behind a cloud of debris and a faint scream over our comms.
Dragon then asked me who he was and why he attacked me.
"Who was that guy? And why did he have a grudge against you?" She asks, sounding curious.
"He was Athard Evard, the brother of Phardy Evard, another pirate who interdicted me three weeks ago. I was able to break the interdiction lock, and it destroyed Phardy's ship in the process. The gravitational forces ripped his FSD drive through his ship from back to front, and through Phardy's cockpit, killing him instantly. Athard must have tracked me down, seeking revenge." I explain, feeling a mix of relief and guilt.
"Damn, what a way to die." Dragon says, sounding impressed and sympathetic.
"Yeah, I know. I didn't mean to kill him, but I had no choice. He was trying to rob me, or worse. And Athard was no better. He was a ruthless killer, who preyed on innocent traders and explorers. He deserved what he got." I say, trying to justify my actions.
"I know, kid. I know. You did what you had to do. Don't let it get to you. You're a good person and a good friend." She says, comforting me.
"Thanks, Dragon. You're a good friend too. And a great partner. I don't know what I would do without you." I say, feeling grateful.
"You're welcome, kid. And I feel the same way. We make a good team. Now, let's get out of here. We've got a date with Felicity Farseer. We need to get our FSD drives engineered, and fast. Who knows what else is waiting for us out there." She says, changing the subject.
"Right. Let's go to Deciat." I say, nodding.
We re-engage our FSD drives and jump out of the system, heading for Deciat. We leave behind the broken burning wreckage and bloody remains of Phardy's older brother, Athard Evard.