Shakedown Cruise
10 Mar 2020NeLs0n RaD
04.03.3306 / Aboard: Krait MkII 'Antares' 3TG2-7 /Ops Region: Fan Yin / Ops System: OPSEC Classified / Current Contract: Pirate Eradication (Massacre)Recent transport contracts have been getting larger in size, requiring the purchase of a ship capable of carrying larger payloads while remaining adequately shielded and armored for this region of the galaxy. While my Asp Explorer, the Ranger, is outfitted well, it has become woefully short on cargo space for the commodity transport contracts Trinity Galactic is now being routinely offered.
My first inclination was to go for the Faulcon deLacy Python. There is no doubt the Python is a great multi-role ship, especially if transport contracts are a primary source of business. Besides, Pythons are sleek and slick in design and a pleasure to behold, especially with a good paint job. So I bounced over to the nearest shipyard that advertised Pythons (Andel/Sharp Dock) and headed to the sales office for a look-see. The AI receptionist politely informed me it would need to see my pilot's license and would be running a credit and background check before a sales rep would be seeing me. I responded with a grunt and a nod and handed over the required card containing all my current information. A second later the machine returned my card with a polite, "One moment please."
I turned away and strolled to the shipyard overlook. As I scanned over the row of ships, my eyes lighted upon a fine looking Python. As I was admiring the lines, I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye and I shifted my attention. As I watched, a ship that looked vaguely familiar came into full view as it was maneuvered into the shipyard's outfitting bay...
"Commander Nelson Rad?" came a smooth female voice with a trace of a British-Indian accent from Old Earth. I shifted my attention to the very sharp business suit filled with an equally sharp sales woman approaching.
"That'd be me", I replied with a nod, trying to stay cool and putting on my best poker-faced trading look.
"Ah, very good", she said with a disarming smile and outstretched hand, "I'm Victoria Rahsheed, with Faulcon deLacy, and it will be my pleasure to help you with your ship purchase today."
I took the proffered hand with a slight smile and putting on my best Texas manners replied, " 'Pleasure is all mine Ms Rahsheed."
"Wonderful, Commander!" she laughed lightly with a surprisingly firm handshake. She deftly stepped around, turning us back toward the shipyard, and with a motion of her hand toward the shipyard docks, "As I understand it, you're interested in one of our Pythons?"
As I followed the direction her hand was pointing to, the outfitting bay with the vaguely familiar ship came into view again...
"Well, that I am, Ms Rahsheed, but before we get to that, could you enlighten me on the ship model that is in the outfitting bay, there?" I pointed across the shipyard.
"Oh...", she gazed intently for a moment, then turned on that smile again, "That, my dear Commander, is a Faulcon deLacy Krait Mk II. It is being fitted with a fighter bay."
"A fighter bay?..." I said, mostly to myself, as the possibilities began to present themselves for consideration in my head.
"Why yes, the Mk II can be equipped with a variety of fighter bays. I believe the one we are currently observing is being fitted with a Class 5 bay capable of carrying 6 remotely controlled fighters", she said, answering my half-asked question. To be continued...