Job done, on to Mandh.
29 Nov 2020Cayce Luther
Cayce stood on pad 24 of Kepler Orbital, staring up at his Anaconda, the Luther's Folly. The ship had just gone through a minor refresh, getting new Midnight Black paint, Imperial name badges and a return of the Aisling emblems on its starboard and port sides. Once again the Combat - Dangerous symbol adorns the bow of the ship. With this, the Folly was ready.Cayce shook his head, sighing. Once again it seemed Denton and Hudson were having a contest to see who had the biggest...you know what, and this time they were playing the game with capital ships. There were two CG missions available. The first was to transport supplies to Miyasaka Orbital to aid in the construction of brand new Majestic class Interdictors, the other to protect the system from pirate incursion while the ships were being built. He looked up at the Folly. "...Well, girl. Time to make back all that reputation we lost telling Denton to suck it."
Footsteps on the pad to his side alerted him and made him turn. Coming from his left was a male a bit shorter than he was, dressed in station staff attire. "Commander; your Anaconda's repairs and changes are finished. She's ready to sail when you are."
Cayce nodded, looking back to the ship. He closed his fist before releasing it slightly. "That's great, thanks."
"It's the least we can do, all things considered. Supplies have started rolling in, we can get to rebuilding."
Cayce nodded. "That's good. I'm glad I could help."
"We're grateful to all of you, even if some of the refugees were...difficult." He scratched the back of his head. "The pilot that attacked you was my brother-in-law. I apologize for what he and his boss tried."
Shaking his head, Cayce held up a hand. "Not your fault; don't worry about it. I didn't exactly come here expecting a welcoming party and champagne."
"Of...of course not." The dock worker looked up at the Folly, taking in the sight. "If you don't mind me asking; what's next for you, Commander?"
"There's enough pilots to bring supplies here to Kepler; so I'm going to head out. Empire and Federation have some contracts out."
"The Capital ship wars...I saw the news." He looked at the Anaconda for a moment, before looking down. "Tell the truth, I don't like it. Too much focus on military might, not enough done in action."
Cayce nodded, rubbing his face where he was hit. "I agree. Too busy putting on a show when there's work to do."
"I assume you'll be going to fight?"
"Yeah. Anaconda's dying for a fight, and I've done enough hauling for one week." Cayce clenched his fist for a moment. "I can't say I agree with either one, so I'm going to fly cover instead."
The dockworker nods, sitting up. "Imagine you'll be covering the Empire, this time."
"As much as I wish I could be in two places at once, I have to pick one and, well, Mandh is closer." Cayce chuckles, "It's a shame really, think of all the pirate bounties I could build up if I could.
"That would be something." He sighed and turned to face Cayce. "Well, I can't speak for everyone, but the station administration is glad your squadron arrived. As well as all the other pilots that came to lend a hand." He held out his hand to Cayce.
Cayce looked down at the hand, then turned and shook his hand, smiling. "It's nothing. Really, this is what we do."
"Still, we appreciate it. Fly safe, Cayce."
Cayce blinks, then nods, chuckling a bit. "Will do, and it's pronounced 'Casey,' not 'Case.'
"...Weird ass way to spell it."
"Hey, blame my parents. Take care."
Cayce let go of the man's hand and waved as he walked over to the Anaconda. It didn't take long for him to get to the bridge and he sat down in his command chair, pressing buttons and getting ready to launch. "Shyanne how's the fighters?"
"Restocked and ready to go, Captain. All painted to match the ship."
"Sweeeeet; ARX well spent. Strap in, we're heading out." Cayce punched the controls for the landing pad and the Anaconda slid up to the surface, light shining off the 'AO4021' Hull number, the 'DPHS' logo emblazoned on a new copper plaque just under the 'Dangerous' emblem. Cayce clicked on the ship's comms and called out, "Kepler ATC this is Anaconda Alpha, Omega Four, requesting clearance to launch."
"Anaconda Alpha Omega, permission granted. Remember auto dock capabilities are still out of order, so getting that big girl through the mail slot is on you."
"Copy that; forgive me if I miss the slot first try; I'm new to this."
"After seeing how you manhandle that Python over the last week; you'll have to try harder to convince me that Anaconda is more of a hassle."
"Heh, got me there. Take care."
"Happy trails, Kepler ATC out."
Cayce punched the 'launch' button and the Folly separated from the pad, the landing gear came up and Cayce quickly and deftly maneuvered the 150 meter ship to line up with the mail slot and after a second of observation, slaps the boost switch and the ship leaps forward. passing cleanly through the starboard side of the slot at well over two hundred meters a second. Chuckling a bit, he immediately puts the ship into a dive to avoid slower traffic and turns, aiming for the first system in his list. It was about four jumps for the Folly to Mandh, and when the Mass Lock indicator goes dark, the ship leaps ahead, disappearing from Atropos.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a few minutes, and about four FSD jumps, the Folly emerges from Supercruise outside Miyasaka Orbital. The black Anaconda approached the station quickly, and Cayce called for landing permission as soon as he crossed the 7.5km threshold. "Miyasaka ATC, this is Anaconda Alpha, Omega Four requesting clearance to land."
"Permission granted, Commander. Make your business fast."
Cayce tilted his head, then smirks. "Aw that's all the welcome I get?" He asked coyly as he manually piloted the black ship towards the Miyasaka mail slot.
"After all the mess you helped cause in LTT 1935, you're lucky you're still allowed in Imperial Space."
"Well next time tell Cyprian that jumping a capital ship in where it doesn't belong without asking clearance from the people who live there first is a great way to get sent home with your tail between your legs."
"You best watch your tongue; you're not safe and tucked away in Aisling's space."
"Look; if you don't want my help I can turn around and head back to Ember. But I did what I what was right by me and I make zero apologies for it."
"...You best bust your ass to make it up. Your reputation isn't going to recover just because you decided to help."
"Oooooh trust me; those pirates won't know what hit them." With that out of the way, Cayce let the comm channel go silent, and he finished piloting the Anaconda into the station.
Aboard Miyasaka Orbital, the ATC controller that cleared the Folly threw her headphones on the console as the communication cut and muttered under her breath. "Damn DPHS pilots..."