Tales of an old n00b - part 11
04 Aug 2020Runjikol
There's always contracts for Commanders. Mahon affiliated systems received the call to protect Leesti from a Federal aligned incursion. As part of my alliance with the squadron it was a simple choice to jump down there and help fill in the gaps. Running cargo, data and bounties kept me away from the big ships with the high ratings but I was still incursed by a Delaine aligned pilot. And on contract, too. He hailed me to drop cargo and warned about cascade mines & packhound missiles. Message received. Even if it was "just a Cobram Mk-III" my python could not withstand that or outrun it so I was in a pinch. Perhaps a counter-offer would work? "I'm on contract and being tailed by bounty hunters in anacondas. If you take them out I'll give you a load of gold or palladium."
There was a pause.
"Offer accepted."
We aligned comm's and before that was even done another of the lumbering ships dropped out of supercruise and started attacking me. The Cobra pilot flew masterfully and took them apart whilst I fled. Then another and a third arrived. I saw the Cobra's shields go down and hit the 'conda with a few super penetrator slugs to give him a reprieve. It worked. The Cobra's shields came back up as the packhounds wrecked the 'conda. Before long I was docked at George Lucas. There was no gold. There was no palladium.
"I'm afraid there is no gold or palladium here. I can give you 16 tonnes of peformance enhancers, if that would suffice."
The meet went well and one of my squaddies showed up in overwatch. The looming Corvette must have scared the Cobra pilot because a salvo of packhounds were launched. The Squadron leader weathered the hits and did not retaliate. I think we all know it was his restraint that allowed the freebooter to be paid. I still have a FTL-secure net key to reach that freebooter; in case I need more backup that has is looking for thrills more than fame or fortune.