This is a triumph
15 Jul 2022Sumurai8
13 July 3308, aboard Chain Lightning, a short distance from LHS 3872
"Governors in and around LHS 3872 have sent President Hudson's a forty-three page open letter with grievances and problems, following his speech last Sunday where he outlined minor problems in distributing material and resources meant to improve the infrastructure and well-being of the citizens in their systems. The office of the president was quick to dismiss the contents of the letter as over exaggeration, but experts on the matter confirm that progress has been up to 50 percent slower than estimated in certain systems. In an interview with Governor Perro later tonight we will discuss the ramifications of the president's failure to deliver on his promises so soon after dropping the ball just a month and a half prior, resulting in the secession of 600 systems. This has been Eva Leese for Freedom Network."
A hand flicks a switch; with a click the screen goes dark and the intro music of the news program abruptly stops. The flickering of the tv screen is replaced by the light of an orange-red star. "The loss of hundreds of ships and escorts being a described as a little problem surprises me everytime", CMDR Sumurai8 says, "but it shouldn't. Not really. Hudson's legitimised spy network is very capable of suppressing the actual information. At least places like FN give a small glimpse behind the curtain." He looks over to the person in the seat to the right of him, "Are you ready to cause little problems?"
A Krait Mk II slowly glides through normal space. From the fighter bay a small attack craft shoots out, and gets in formation. "Ready to turn on the emitter when you are." says CMDR Sumurai8.
The plan is always simple. You send out a series of beeps suggesting to ships in hyperspace that there is a beacon, but you do that a little bit away from the actual beacon. Then you turn the ships of the few unfortunate fools that fall for it into many pieces and get out before the cavalry arrives. Then you repeat. "Bird ready. Let the show begin." responds the fighter pilot.
The emitter turns on, and just a couple seconds later the first victims arrive. A wing. "Sensors show an Asp, two sidewinders. Standard pattern. They just don't learn, do they?" says CMDR Sumurai8.
"Makes it easy pickings for us. Engaging right escort first in 3.. 2.." responds the fighter pilot. Beams lash out towards the sidewinder, followed by a shudder in the Krait as four high velocity packets of plasma are released into the exposed side of the escort. The fighter banks sharply, getting into the blind spot of the second escort: "One down, circling around". The second craft rolls away, trying to get in an advantageous position, but it is too slow and completely outmatched. A second explosion marks the end of another crew. "Supply ship at 45 degrees, 10 up, doing attack pass." the CMDR says. The fighter pilot snorts and responds: "Like usual. They do not even try to get out." A couple of railgun volleys later the hull of the Asp has decidedly more holes than it is supposed to have, and ruptured fuel lines mixed with escaping air barbeque the crew. *Medium rare.*
13 July 3308, concourse of Gabriel Dock, Haroingori
Later that night the two sit down at a bar in the concourse of Haroingori. "We dealt a decisive blow again. This should be a celebration, but it feels hollow." The commander plays with a pen. "The federal army sends its weakest ships for these supply runs. You would think they would be able to spare a few combat wings to scare people like us off, but they don't. Just try to get through by sheer numbers. The lives of thousands reduced to a resource that can be freely spent." He sighs. "I don't know how to feel about that Hosea."
The two sit in silence for a while. "It's best not to think about it too much.", the fighter pilot responds at last, "Those people chose to be part of the military, to subjugate otherwise free people. Not that the Empire would not do the same if given the chance. I take an effective method over a fair fight any day. I like to live."
He continues: "It doesn't matter if it is overconfidence that makes them stay until it is too late, sense of duty or fear of a court martial. The only thing that matters is that their goal of conquering more space threatens the Empire, and that this method is both an effective and risk-free way to turn their own people against them and stop them from accomplishing their goal." He places his fingertips on the table, mime-ing pulling a cord taut. "The Empire and the Federation are in a perpetual tug of war, and in a war people die. If they were content holding on to their current territory rather than creeping towards and over our borders we would not be in this position. The best we can do is define what is morally right and morally wrong, and live by those rules. And maybe find an ally or two to share our burden with."
The commander looks up and responds: "I signed up with Prismatic Imperium back in Cubeo. Just a loose agreement for now that I will uphold their values. They have their own mini economy with diamonds. Pay me in it for tasks that align with their goals. I am considering joining up with one of their branches. I should head over one of these days; find an information broker that can give me the lay of the land before I run head-first into a minefield." He motions towards the barkeeper to bring two more drinks. "You are right though, even if we won't celebrate widowing hundreds of spouses, we should at least celebrate being alive and look toward the future."