Commander's Log: 10 August 3302
18 Aug 2016T J Stable
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10 August 3302
I figured I owed Alfredo a small slice of the profits I made from the exploration data, as a finders fee. I headed over to his usual locations, but there was no sign of him.
By the forth outpost i was starting to worry. Alfredo is never out of contact for too long. I asked around - discretely - and heard a disturbing rumour.
Apparently he had been apprehended by Federal Enforcement Agents! The woman who gave me this information told me where he was possibly being held and which system he was going to be taken to.
I left to get a drink and gather my thoughts.
Should I do anything? On one hand I've always known - as has anyone who has had dealings with him - that he didn't work within the law, and sooner or later he would have to answer for his crimes. But on the other hand I considered him a friend. But going against the Federation would weaken my slowly strengthening relationship with them.
I took a trip out from the outpost to a Li Yong Rui system. A plan was forming in my mind.
There I made contact with a ship yard. I told them what I needed - although not the full story.
What i needed was a fast and well armoured ship that couldn't be traced back to me. I didn't tell them the last part.
I paid for a fairly well defended Vulture, then headed off to find the local black market.
I was able to purchase a new transponder for the new ship, it as beaten up and may not last long, but as long as the Federation Agents can't trace the ship back to me, I should be fine.
I wired the transponder in and set off.
I arrived in the system about 10 minutes before the ship was due. My palms were sweating and I could feel the adrenaline surging in my body. I still had no idea if the information was reliable. I guess I'd find out soon enough. I took the waiting time to plot an escape route, in case everything went wrong.
Sure enough, pretty much on time, a wing jumped into the system. 2 Federation Eagles and a Type 6 transporter. I guess they didn't think Alfredo much of a risk. I increased my speed as I came up behind them and prepared myself.
Targeting the Transporter, I fired up the Inderdictor. I had never had much practise at this, but I managed to rip it out of super cruise. I had a few seconds before they realised what was happening, so I targeted the power unit and fired my two huge hardpoints.
One of the Eagles sent me a message, telling me to cease and desist, but I ignored it and continued taking down the main power unit. I kept one eye on the shields, flicking full pips to Sys to give me a few more moments.
Then there was an explosion and the power drive went. The ship was disabled! I turned onto the two eagles, sadly knowing I'd have to take them out. I saw the pilots eject as each ship was easily destroyed.
I headed back to the disabled transporter and came along side.
EVA is dangerous in normal circumstances, this close to a hostile it was deadly. I left my vulture and launched myself across the short distance. With no power I was easily able to get access the back of the ship and quickly found the prison hold. Alfredo shook his head with surprise. Fortunately he was already equipped with a space suit - it was standard proceedure for the Federation.
We left quickly, getting back into the vulture, and I jumped off for the dock I originally left, taking an indirect route to avoid being followed.