Scan Detected
21 Dec 2020Elkyri
McArthur Landing, G 173-533306.12.19
Piracy. It's one of a trader's occupational hazards.
I've mentioned I've never seen a need for a point defense system guarding my cargo hatch. A PD system is the last line of defense and, fortunately, I've never let things get that far. The first line of defense is speed. Not speed as in velocity but speed as in haste. Don't dawdle or loiter. Jump into your waypoint, get away from the star so your ship cools while the FSD does its safety reset, then engage the drive and jump to the next waypoint. In and out as quickly as you can. Give the pirate as little time to catch up to you as possible.
But that was all back then, when I was only a simple trader. Things are different now that I've taken to running a full spectrum scan every time I jump into a new system. I can often get the system scanned while sitting at idle near the star's corona, aft thrusters facing the star so nothing can squeeze in behind me. But sometimes I have to move out from that position to get to signals hidden behind the star. Then there is mapping planets with the detailed surface scanner -- sitting motionless with nothing guarding my six.
It was Yalena's maiden voyage. I had a full load of bauxite going to McArthur Landing when I jumped into a system the FSS showed was worthy of some scans. I had my head down over the DSS screen -- concentrating on my aiming point so I could use gravity to pull the probe around to the far side of the planet without hitting the rings -- when the comms speaker came to life.
"The rumour was right. I've come a long way for what's in your hold, don't try to run." The signal was strong and clear. He was close.
I pushed the DSS hood away and hit the throttle to pull a high-G turn away from the planet before dropping back to maneuvering speed. If he got the tether established I didn't want be be forced to steer into the planet's rings while trying to break it. A glance at the radar screen showed he wasn't behind me yet. A bit too cocky -- he had played his hand before he was ready.
I opened the contacts panel. Three ships in the system but only one identified by name. I locked onto that one so I could track his progress on the radar as I put more distance between us and the planet. When I felt the margin was safe I cut throttle. Yes -- I cut throttle so he could catch up. "Let's get this over with." I tell myself I'm talking to Yalena to avoid admitting I'm talking to myself.
When the radar showed he was sliding into position behind me I throttled up to maneuvering speed and waited. "I have you now," he claimed as he launched the tether. I kept Yalena steered into the tunnel she projected onto the HUD and we easily made that a lie, forcing his drop into normal space while we turned back to finish our mapping -- this time with one eye on the radar.
"Scan detected." I'm sure you've heard that from your COVAS as often as I have. When I'm going into a station I reckon it's system or station security checking to see if there are any open warrants on the ship. Or maybe it's the station's customs office checking the cargo manifest for contraband. All on the up and up. But what about those scans as you're leaving the station? Who is doing that scan? What are they looking for? And, to the point, what are they doing with the results of the scan?
"The rumour was right. I've come a long way for what's in your hold," he said. He came looking for me. The question is who tipped him off and when.