CMDR Eldrich Thames Logbook, entry #7, February 19, 3303
19 Feb 2017Eldrich Thames
After making a lot of cargo and data delivery runs - and a lot of palm greas... err... donations! - the message I was waiting for finally arrived this morning!
"CMDR Thames: I'm glad to report I've received word from my contact in the Navy. There is a job available for someone with your skill set. The details are being uploaded to your ship's computer as you read this. Complete this task, and you'll get a promotion to Rear Admiral. Good luck, Commander!". Signed by Rodrigo Sykes, Vice President of Kokojina Operations, Chowei Purple Major Group.
I finished my breakfast as fast as I could, and headed to the docking pad where Greedy Mamba was berthed. I sat in the pilot's chair and opened the comms console, and there it was! A shiny Federal Navy requisition for a pilot willing to transport an encrypted data file to Filter Station, located in the neighboring Aeternitas system. Payment of 75,000 Credits upon successful delivery of file.
This must be the easiest promotion to Flag Officer in the history of the damned Navy!
Well, I only took Greedy Mamba a centimeter away from the safety of Ali Ring's No Fly Zone when a wing of three EGP Eagles approached and proceeded to scan her.
"Our scans show your ship's computer core carries a file whose check-sum corresponds with known Federal Navy encryption protocols, Commander.", the leader of the wing said over the comm. "We will proceed to escort you to Clayakarma where your ship will be examined by EGP security personnel and you will be questioned by our Intelligence operatives. Please acknowledge."
Yeah, right... no way I'm going to Yuri's gulag to be interrogated by these guys, let alone put a finger on my precious ship!
"Acknowledge this!", I replied as I put full pips to engines and the other two to shields, and hit the boost.
As Greedy Mamba rushed forward, the three Eagles kept tight pursuit. My computer warned me they were deploying hardpoints, but by the time they started to open fire my FSD was halfway in its spooling cycle. These guys were equipped with only lasers and multicannons, and couldn't get past my shields. They kept firing and demanding me to abort my jump, but soon Witchspace opened before me, and I laughed.
But when I dropped next to the Aeternitas star, I was greeted by two EGP Anacondas, which promptly proceeded to interdict me.
"Cease and desist, Commander, and you will not be harmed.", the interdicting Anaconda's pilot remarked.
I tried to evade it of course, but the guy was skillful. I decided to submit and try to escape once back in normal space. But these guys weren't falling for that one. As soon as as we dropped from supercruise Greedy Mamba was greeted by one of Grom's signature FSD crippling torpedoes, knocking the drive offline. It would take a full minute to be back up, and by then my ship would be a pile of junk. The second Anaconda soon joined us.
"We are aware that you are carrying Federal Navy classified information, pilot." the Anaconda commander said. "We suspect the files contain critical information that compromises EGP's operations in several systems. Either you come with us to Clayakarma, or we destroy your ship. Make your choice, and make it quick!"
There was no way I could escape, and Greddy Mamba was equipped to deal with small-fry pirates, not two 'condas armed to the teeth. But going to Clayakarma would be worse. Grom does have a reputation for dealing with his enemies in... let's say very interesting ways.
So I decided to go with the third option: self-destructing my ship. With luck my escape pod would take me back to Kokojina safely, or EGP could manage to capture it. In any case the data would be lost. too bad this would set me back 4+ million Creds, not to mention the reputation hit. It will take months to get another chance like this one. Damn...
But when I was about to authorize the self-destruction sequence, out of the blue came the cavalry! the FNS Cataphract, a Federal Corvette, escorted by two Gunships and one Assault Ship, emerged behind the EGP 'condas, and started to rain lead upon them. The 'vette and the Gunships launched their Condors, overwhelming their prey within seconds. They managed to destroy one, and the other, badly damaged, surrendered.
"Commander Eldrich Thames? This is Captain Miranda Keyes of the FNS Cataphract. We were sent to escort your ship to Filter Station."
"Yeah... I could definitely use some escorting, Captain!", I replied, letting out a big sigh of relief. "I owe you guys big time!"
"Just doing our job, Commander."
(Image by Daryl Fearon)
We arrived at Filter Station without further incident, and as soon as we docked and the ship's computer confirmed our location, the file was pulled from outside.
"Confirmed reception of file, check-sum OK.", Captain Keyes informed. "Good job, Commander Thames. The Federation owes you for your service."
"Sure it does!", I chuckled.
Aside from the promised 75K, the Feds paid for the repairs to my ship, mostly a few bent bulkheads and broken pieces of armor, fortunately. I decided to spent the rest of the day in the station, making sure to fill Greedy Mamba's hold with the finest local liquor and beer to bring back to Ali Ring. While I was checking Galnet for news and other stuff, this message arrived to my comms panel:
Not even a thank you for basically putting my life and ship at risk? Oh well...
At least I got what I wanted. Rear Admiral Thames... sounds great! Maybe one of these days they let me take a Farragut for a spin...
A sweet 'vette will do for now!
CMDR Thames signing out!