The Dangers of Greed
05 Jan 2021Timbirk
Good afternoon Commanders,128 tons in the cargo hold & 8 tons in the refinery slots. 136 tons total at over 900,000 CR per ton. Approximately 130,000,000 profit last night!
I decided to pick up my wingwoman Mavis Allison for a celebratory night out. As we were leaving Gaiman Station, we noticed that a civil war had broken out amongst two opposing Superpower minor factions. Being the opportunists that we are, we decided to postpone our dinner plans and head over to the Conflict Zone.
When we first moved into Gaiman Station, it was being managed by an Independent faction. Later during a previous Civil War, a Federation backed faction gained control. Life was still good for Mavis and I. There was still plenty of work for us from each faction - including the defeated Independents. But now, the two Empire resident minor factions were making a move towards upgrading their status within the station against the remaining Federation factions. Mavis and I saw a chance to make a difference in things by siding with the Empire.
Which brings us to the second Civil War between an Empire sub-faction and a Federation sub-faction. Once we got to the Conflict Zone, Mavis and I signed up to battle Federation ships. We were issued electronic Friend or Foe Identifiers for the Krait and Mavis' fighter and wished the best of luck.
Our first kill was a Federal Dropship. We managed to take him out without damaging our Krait. Our confidence was boosted enormously, so we took on a couple of Pythons. We lost about 25% hull integrity during the battle, but still had no worries. The battle was evenly matched. We decided to go after a Federal Gunship.
Just when the scent of the Victory Roses began to blossom, an announcement blared over the radio from the Battalion Commander: "WE'VE LOST!!! ALL UNITS RETREAT IMMEDIATELY!!!"
Right before this announcement, Mavis had gotten her fighter knocked out of action. She was on board the Krait, waiting for a spare fighter to be prepped. We both looked at each other with disbelief! How had this happened?!? I had gotten the Gunship down to 50% hull integrity and didn't want to leave a wounded animal in the woods. As the rest of our comrades were retreating, I decided to stay and finish off this last ship. Mavis realized what I was doing and begged me to reconsider. In a fit of rage, I ordered her to go to her quarters.
I set my sights on the Gunship and opened fire. I had whittled it down to 45% integrity. Gunship armor is thick! While I had narrowed my sights on the target in front of me, I couldn't see the numerous amount of enemy fighters amassing behind my ship. They all opened fire on me. I tried evasive maneuvers and put all power to my rear shields, but it wasn't enough. I was the last Empire backed fighter on the field with about 10 Federation wolves nipping at my ankles. As a last resort, I engaged the FTL Drive. It charged up quickly, but needed an escape vector! There was no time left for calculations! Mavis had left her quarters and was standing behind me. She smacked me in the back of the head with her shoe - then hugged me. We both watched the integrity indicator count down to zero....
...We both awakened in Resurrection Chambers at Gaiman Station. After paying my 11,000,000 insurance deductible, I sent Mavis back to the Crew Lounge to rest. I returned to my quarters to reflect on my actions.
It's a good thing the Resurrection Chambers restore one's memories too...
Along with the sizable deductible, we lost out on a few Combat Bonds, along with a slight reputation reduction on both Federation and Empire sides. I'm not too worried about my Federation standing. That will make itself up very quickly. Before going to sleep, I made some electronic "donations" to some Empire charities, which quickly restored my Allied status.
Other than making Mavis angry with me, I went to sleep worry-free.
Tomorrow is a new day.