No turning back
12 Apr 2022Claude Lecardunoie
Two days left before I was supposed to take off to Ehecatl on behalf of the Pilot's Federation. And my decision was made, I would use that mission paper work and clearance to leave for good.First, I went to Mawson Dock Pilot's Confederation Headquarters. Juts a smalltalk with Rob Timlson, my mentor. Then I went to the docks, asked Ahmid Svensonn, the local Confederation best mechanic to equip my Sidewinder with extra cargo and extra fuel tank modules. "I am going to Ehecatl, so I want to be sure nothing bad happens", I told him. I even asked him to buy commercial intel on Ehecatl for 100 CR. "You never know", I said. He quickly did the request and said that I'll have the info on my onboard com system in 24 hours.
Now that I have everything ok in Mawson Dock, I have to do my farewell to Aitkins Hub.
First, I dropped by the Aitkins Taverne. One of the only bars there and where me and my friends used to meet No surpise, they were all there. Mick and Mircia, my neigbours, Sean, Benny, Lucie, Soledad, Yin Shen. Fatou and Nikolaï were there too, but at the other table, they were arguing, as usual.
We all met some 20 years ago, at the AgriCoop kindergarten. AgriCoop, it has many names here in Aitkins Hub, "Coopérative", "Kibboutz", "Kolkhoze" or "Kooperatifi", depending on your family antique tongue. Generation after generation, it seems that we settled for AgriCoop, but my folks, they still speak some antique french, so I am used to call it Coopérative.
After some time at the bar, I realised that the atmosphere was really explosive. People in Aitkins Hub were more angry than usual against the Dromi central authorities of Mawson Dock. It seems that in order to help Matet agricultural exports, they decided to cancel Aitkins Hub Controlled designated system of origin for all local production. And, well, like a lot of people here, my friends relied on that. I couldn't let them down, and two hours later, we all squeezed in Lakon type-6 on our way to Mawson Dock to have a big demonstration there.
It started as usual, Aitkins Hub people chanting and demonstrating in front Dromi Central Senate. As usual, the Dromi Security Brigades (DSB) charged under a cloud of tear gas. But this time it went out of control. Mircia was being handcuffed and beaten by two DSBs, so Mick and Benny grabbed clubs and started beating them, to set Mircia free. That is when I saw a third cop pointing a gun to them, Nilolaï and I ran to tacle him and he fell hard on the corner of the sidewalk and seemed dead. I ran away and lost the others in the station corridors. I got lucky to find Rob Timlson appartment open.
I told Rob, my Confederation Sponsor what happened. He thinked fast: "You have a flying permit to Ehecatl, a ship ready to leave, so go to the docking pads area and leave. Wherever you are me and Ahmid we still can ship the rest of your modules. Now run".
On the landing pad of le "Petit Baigneur", Ahmid was still working on it. I explained him the situation. "Your ship id ready to go, no problem". He even gave the name of acquaintance in Ehecatl. I turned the engine of my Sidewinder, Ahmid had already asked the take off permission. I planned to leave anyway, but not like that and as I took a last look at Mawson Dock station, I started to think about the next coming days.
I first stopped at Coelho Station, Matet. I received the commercial info about Ehecatl in time. I filled my ship 6 tons of leathers. According to the commercial data I received, I could make some decent benefit out of this in Liebig Station in Ehecatl.
Escape from Matet
After a quick lunch while my ship had a refill, I took off, direction Ehecatl this time. Just before my jump, I received a message. I displeyd it on my Com Terminal. It was from Rob and Ahmid. "No turning back", they said, "you are identified as a criminal and political dissident in Dromi, Otegine and Matet. As for your friends, they have all been sent to Wolfsegen Detention Center, wihout any trial". "Ok", I thought, "Jump to Ehecatl"!!