Log 006B: first combat aftermath
26 Mar 2023James M. Bailey
Above Raibinan 11Rainbinan System
Contested Space
I fire the powerful beam lasers again in an attempt to slow down the spinning of my Keelback. I am alone in the cockpit now - Tom got into one of the fighters, this time in person, and launched into the void to get back to his ship. We managed to contact Kistsi Confederation HQ in this sector and call for help - so they should hopefully pick him up soon.
The continuous shooting somewhat helped and the whirlpool I found myself in after Elite Vulture destroyed my thrusters is much slower now. Fortunately the power plant still works at full efficiency so I should not run out of energy for the lasers or for the life support.
As I watch the stars turn outside my cockpit I can't help but wonder how did I get myself into this mess. Pilot's Federation basic training gave me some rough understanding of space combat, but there is a good reason why Tom or I are classified as "harmless", while others are "dangerous" or "elite"... and we surely should not go against them in a Keelback, no matter how well outfitted.
I lost track of time, so Tom's voice over the radio frequency startles me.
"James, do you read? Come in!"
"Yeah, got you loud and clear. Where are you?"
"Trying to pinpoint your beacon, on my way to your location with some repair limpets. Hope they will do the trick!"
"Hope so too. If not, I'll have to get out the same way you did and claim the insurance money.. but I like this ship".
"Maybe it won't come to this. I've got you on my scanner, bro."
Sure enough, Tom's 'Collector' appears in view soon after. He positions his Keelback close to mine and launches the limpets. I wait watching the progress bar on my HUD - and then grin wide.
It works! The menu is no longer frozen and I can command emergency shutdown and repair. As I do so, emergency life support kicks in as system by system gets deenergized. I never quite understood how it all works, but it must have something to do with some parts of the ship cannibalizing others in order to repair themselves. After several minutes of waiting, everything comes back to normal. The thrusters work, although barely, and I'll be able to get back to Hambly Keep for proper maintenance...
