Log 12: Getting Sirius
14 Dec 2020Tala Wren
It happened again; Imperial Intelligence managed to find me, despite the fact that I live on a carrier that moves around constantly. Is nowhere outside of their sweeping gaze?I was, and still am, in BD+05 1146, helping to assist other commanders in providing the things Sirius Corp needs to establish Marlinist colonies; I don't know why I let my guard down, I should've known that the Empire would've sent intelligence operatives out here, to spy and report back on things.
I guess they caught my ship ident as I was coming and going; I was in Omen, providing cover and escort for the bulk haulers unable to defend themselves, and just generally hunting down and clearing out pirates in the system. The pay is good, especially with the rise in bounty voucher value following the instability caused by the Empire and the Federation ramping up for war.
And then, as I followed my charge into Ellis Gateway (a defenseless Type 9, whose commander wasn't confident in their abilities to avoid interdiction), I spotted the two men as I set down on my pad. Almost immediately, they approached, barely even waiting for my thrusters to shut off. They asked me all sorts of questions; who I am, where I came from, any past connections I had to the Empire, stuff like that, followed by more intense and insidious questions. Am I familiar with Marlinists? Am I a Marlinist? Do I know anyone who might be involved in suspicious activity? Anyone who might be connected to the NMLA?
The questions were relentless and unending, even though I tried to shrug them off without answering; eventually I had to put my foot down.
"Gentlemen, you have no authority here, so I can't be under arrest. I have important, official business with Sirius Corp, as an independent contractor. Please step aside, and let me through."
That got them to yield, but in all of my time hunting pirates for bounties, I've developed a sixth sense for traps, and I had the sinking feeling that I was walking right into one now; and sure enough, as I entered the station interior, I caught two different men following me around, tracking my every movement. Honestly, they must have been new recruits, because they were so easy to spot; that, or maybe Imperial Intelligence isn't quite as subtle as they like to pretend that they are.....
I handed my vouchers in to the authority contacts, and was rewarded handsomely; I then did something I never thought I would ever do.
I went to the local branch office of Sirius Corporation, and asked to be hired on as an employee.
The representative, of course, was unfazed; presumably, she had seen all manner of people applying. But I was able to sell myself as someone who specializes in "asset transportation, acquisition, and protection", and I went on to both describe my efforts hauling large amounts of cargo very long distances, and through pirate-infested space, without losing a single piece, as well as my exploits hunting pirates.
I went on to talk about how I had a contract that took me to a secret pirate meeting place where, I, on my own, with zero backup on the way, took on seven pirate ships, and walked away with six confirmed kills, including the ringleader. (The seventh managed to escape destruction by the skin of their teeth.)
So, I am now an employee of Sirius Corp, in addition to my other obligations; I have been promised a shield against Imperial Intelligence as a result, and, more tantalizingly, I have been informed that, should my performance live up to my stories, I might be offered the chance to acquire a specialized weapon that Sirius Corp alone makes; the Packhound Missile rack. I already have planes to set up a new ship that will revolve around this weapon system; a Fer-de-Lance, which will have a huge beam laser to strip shields, and then four medium Pakchounds, to devastate unshielded enemies.
By the time I have that, this whole thing with Imperial Intelligence will have either blown over (I hope), or, more likely, they will be focused more and more on the impending war with the Federation.
Here's hoping that war doesn't tear the galaxy apart....