Log 012: A call for help
23 Apr 2023James M. Bailey
Asteroid RingBrestla System
Imperial Space
I wake up and the restraints on the bed quickly remind me that I am in deep space. This will be third day spent in the asteroid ring, hunting for Alexandrite to fulfill the contract for the Ghost Foxes. Magnetic boots clamp to the deck as I leave my cabin and make my way to the Python's cockpit. As soon as I get there, a priority message alert flashes on the top panel - which I accept immediately.
Now this is interesting. I have good relations with Heilelang Patron's Principles, but why they couldn't send one of their own ships to Kartenes system is quite difficult to understand. Still, somebody needs help and if they think I am their closest available asset, I probably should respond. I confirm reception of the tasking and set the jump coordinates. The Alexandrite can wait.
Deep Space
Kartenes System
Imperial Space
"Warning. Interdiction in progress" - my onboard computer informs me the moment everything around me turns blue. My Python shakes violently as I try to fight the force trying to kick me out from the supercruise.
"Identify hostile ship" - I command Celeste and soon after my sensors lock on the aggressor. I open my eyes wider in disbelief.
He is from the same faction that just hired me to find the escape pod on one of the planets in this system. Could it be a trap? A mistake? I try to call him on direct channel, but to no avail. For a moment I consider submitting and taking a fight to him, but I would be at a disadvantage with two hardpoints taken by mining equipment. Plus he has higher federation classification than I do. A "novice", but still much better than "harmless"... I decide to try to shake him and I finally succeed, leaving his vessel tumbling in normal space.
I run a quick system scan and find data matching the ID codes sent to me by Advocate Dennis on planet Kartenes 6a. When I get closer, I switch to surface scanner and send a volley of probes into the icy surface, waiting for the results. Bingo! Again, perfect data match.
As I approach my objective, yet another surprise. I was prepared to find a crash site or just a lonely pod buried into the ice and sand.. but I come across something that looks like a stash of stolen cargo with escape pod in its midst and guarded by four security skimmers. I try to outwit them and send a collector drone from above, but it just crashes into the ground.
"OK, let's try something different..." - I say and set my beam turrets to direct fire. I carefully aim at the closest hovering sentry and pull the trigger. Its shield shimmers blue and mere seconds later the skimmer explodes, its armour no match for grade 3 laser. I repeat the process three more times and after checking that the site is clear, I touch down nearby and approach the pod in a Scarab.
It is my first ride outside of the sims and I feel awkward as I hit the landing gear of my Python, and then fall upside down after driving on a particularly large rock. But I finally manage to get to the pod and I exit the SRV to check the vital signs of the inhabitant. I sigh with relief seeing that they are in the green.
"Alright, you'll be fine" - I tell the person inside, though I cannot see who it can be through the heavy glass - "I'll get you back to Brestla now. And then we'll talk, because I have a few questions for you..."