CMDR'S Log 10
15 Aug 2024Eric Vonsa
02/16/331003:30 Galactic Standard Time
Location: Senatorial Palace, West of Leeson City, Chione, Prism System
CMDR Eric Vons POV
I head back through the palace as Tetco goes to inventory the medical bay. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the room. I knock on the door and announce myself. "Enter." Comes a voice from within. I key the door open and step through. "My Lady, you wanted to speak to me?" I said greeting her. "Yes." She answered. "As I am now the senator of the Prism system I require your services." She continued. "What services do you require?" I asked. "I require a pilot. Someone who has a capable ship and is able to provide me with protection." She answered. "My Lady, if you don't mind me saying so with respect. You would be safer here rather than on any spaceship." I stated. "I would." She agreed.
"However, I need a ship so I can travel. And a pilot who is capable of flying it. And flying it well." She continued. "Well, I can do that. I do have a capable ship. However, it's not exactly what you are thinking of." I explained. "What do you mean?" She demanded. "It's not a Gutamaya vessel." I said. "So what sort of ship is it?" She asked. "It's a Falcon Delacy Cobra mk lll." I said. Her face showed me that meant nothing to her.
"Let me show you." I said. I reach into a pocket and pulled out a commtab. I turn it on and then pull up and diagram of the Hubward. Then I pass it to her. "It's not graceful looking at all. I can't ride in this." She exclaimed. As she saw how large and clunky the landing gear looked. Before looking at the rest of the trapezoidal shaped outside. "It's designed to be functional. It wasn't designed to look elegant. Besides, it's a Falcon Delacy vessel. The design has been in use since the 3100's, and the Federation, Alliance, and Empire have all tried and failed to acquire exclusivity contracts with Falcon Delacy. There's a reason why all three superpowers would want those contracts as well. It's because they are good at making ships." I said. "Maybe so. Why, can't you use a Gutamaya vessel?" She said. "I didn't say that." I answered. I said. "So you will be my pilot and fly a Cutter?" She asked. "No. I will be your pilot. However, I would rather fly my Cobra. If you really want it to be a Gutamaya vessel then I can make do with the Imperial Eagle." I said. "Clipper." She said. "No." I answered. "Fine, Courier then." She negotiated. "No. Besides the Cobra mk lll has more room than the Courier or the Imperial Eagle." I said. She grimaced. "Do you realize how that will affect my reputation?" She demanded. "Yeah, it will not be big and flashy like someone with your status deserves. But I can make sure that is 'compensated' for." I said stressing the word compensated.
"How?" She asked. "It's simple. I have access to... 'resources' that you won't get with any other pilot. And the flying skills to qualify me for the job and show off." I said with a grin. "Show off? How exactly?" She asked. "Well, I would come in fast. Most likely full speed followed by a few graceful banks and turns as I throttle down before setting down gracefully on the pad." I explained grinning. She looked at me in disbelief. "Really, that is how you would make up for the determent to my reputation that flying around in a Imperial Eagle or worse, a Cobra mk lll would cause. Showing off like some hotshot who just got their license to fly as a fighter pilot in the Imperial Navy?" She scoffed. "Hey, I don't show off like some hotshot pilot. I fly with style. The fact that I can do it while going fast is a bonus." I replied indignantly. "Tell me why you would only use one of those two." She said. "They're small and can land anywhere. They are fast and maneuverable. And they pack a punch." I said. She glared at me. "That's it?" She asked with disbelief. "Yeah, well and I have my Cobra MK lll, Hubward, partially engineered already. I would have to buy, upgrade, modify it for two, and then engineer a Imperial Eagle." I explained. Aurora glanced at me. "And how long would all that take." She asked. "That depends. I could get the Imperial Eagle and get the upgrades and modifications done in a week. But the engineering is going to take longer. I would have to get the materials and then get to the engineer. Then I would have to have them engineer components. And that can take some time. So at least a month minimum, maybe even longer." I answered.
"Ugh, no." She sighed. "So then my ship, Hubward, is the only option you have with me as your pilot." I said. "I could get a different pilot." She suggested. "Sure, and I am sure they will do fine. But I have things that they probably don't." I said. "Such as?" She asked curiously. "A very advanced medical bay. And some top notch security." I answered. "So you have a great medical bay and good security? I can find a pilot to fly a Cutter and have those things added to it." She said. "I also have access to other resources that I am not at liberty to disclose." I added. "Yes, you have mentioned that earlier as well. But if you can't talk about them then they may well not exist." She said. "Then I believe that I have nothing else to offer you." I said. I waited for her response.
"Fine, the Ambassador has advised me that you do help out the Prism system a lot. Said you refer to it as your home system. And that you are really the only commander who is frequently seen around by Loren's Legion. Additionally he said your a member of Lavigny's Legion. So I guess I can trust you. I need a pilot and you have proven yourself if not loyal to the Empire, at least loyal to this system and it's current government." She said with a hint of reluctance in her voice. "Meaning?" I questioned. "Meaning that I want you to be my pilot and I will allow you to use the Hubward to transport me across the galaxy when I need to travel." She said. "Very well. My Lady, Aurora Rebia. I accept your generous offer." I said in a formal manner. I bowed and she flicked a hand towards the door indicating that I was dismissed.