Personal Log 07.12.08 // I Need a Shower...
07 Dec 2022Gaz Ubermick
+// Log Entry Start+// [Date: 07.12.3308]
+// Location: Independent Carrier Fortune's Pawn, Gliese 3318]
I'm not entirely sure about the main reason, though. It could be the hundred or so Thargoids I zeroed earlier (mostly those annoying scouts, but a couple of Cyclops showed up too). More likely it was seeing that asshat Marco Qwent. In the wake of that fight in Imeut my ship decided to have some power distributor issues, and he was the closest one I trust enough to work on the capacitors. Please note that trust does not equate to like - while Marco knows his way around (just about), he is still one almighty douchebag. The absolute state of him, with his oiled goatee, living on "Lucifer" and even trying to dress like the devil of old lore. (Of course the absolute irony is that he's one of the biggest cowards in the galaxy, and the story of Lori Jameson beating seven kinds of shite out of him in the Orange Sidewinder bar in Lave is still one of my favourites.)
It could also be that prior to all that, I was in the belly of the beast again.
I agreed to meet one of Palin's associates Lucien Rex down in Hyades Sector FB-N b7-6 to run interference with him as he penetrated the Taranis Maelstrom. I tentatively explored the Maelstrom with Kal soon after it arrived, but Rex wanted to see it for himself.
Jumping into the system, I was immediately hyperdicted. Brilliant start to our wee day trip. In a Krait outfitted without Guardian equipment I felt defenceless, especially against the Basilisk that wanted to have a quiet word. All pips to engines and boosting like a fiend, I made it out of there just before my shields went south.
On arrival, there was no immediate sign of Rex, but he dropped in a few moments later reporting of his own hyperdiction. Two Cyclops for his end. Some guys have all the luck.
We proceeded through the system towards the Maelstrom, eyes peeled for potential interdictions. Oddly none came. Maybe their focus is on the front lines in human controlled systems. Maybe Rex's luck was holding out. Either way, we dropped into that now slightly familiar red cloud of hatred, running as cold as possible. I let Rex know to proceed with the utmost caution and to not get too close to the gooey centre, and we made our way in.
His curious mind being what it is, Rex was fascinated by the Caustic Generators put-putting about the perimeter, dousing the vicinity with their noxious gasses. Despite a warning over comms to not get too close to one, he had it blow up in his face. I immediately checked the scanner to see if any of the patrolling interceptors had noticed, and warned Rex to SLOWLY move away, despite his pleas to sample the debris for research. I mean, knowledge will help win this war as much as brute strength, but you can't analyze matter in the lab if you're a corpse floating in space.
Slowly making our way through the cloud, Rex was getting closer to the centre. I warned him, but Palin needed the data... I hung back as he crept on, knowing what was coming. "You've got about 10 seconds to the energy surge. Ready your neutraliser."
Boom.
I'd ridden the rollercoaster he was on before, and I knew it was a horrific experience. I also knew he'd be ok having gotten to approve his ship's loadout prior to this, so allowed myself a small chuckle as his Chieftain tumbled back the way he came at about 3,000 miles per hour. Rex's terrified voice over the comms, hitting octaves normally reserved for opera singers in tight trousers. I turned the Vasquez around and followed him back out of the cloud, and clicked open the comms. This was my moment, I'd been planning this for the last half hour.
"You're a dinosaur!"
"What!?"
"Because it looks like Taranis saw us, Rex!"
He hadn't found it nearly as funny as I did. Meh, scientests.
At least he'd gathered some data, and I advised him to check his core for some "Massive Energy Surge Analytics" which cheered him up somewhat. He thanked me, and headed back to Arque to deliver the findings to Palin. As for me, since I had full tanks and full ammo, I headed for Imeut. Did the job there, then had to nurse the ship to Qwent. And now here I sit.
Stinking.
I REALLY need a shower.
+// Log Entry Ends