Finding the Booper
24 Jul 2024JoseMose
JoseMose had been on the hunt—not for a person this time, but for a ship. His reputation as a private investigator and privateer had earned him many enemies and a few steadfast friends, the latter often proving crucial in his line of work.It was during a casual conversation with an old friend at a bustling spaceport bar on the outskirts of the Core Systems where the name "Lil Booper" first reached his ears. His friend, a grizzled old trader named Harlan, mentioned the ship in passing.
“She’s an old Faulcon DeLacy Anaconda, battle-tested and a bit rough around the edges,” Harlan said, sipping his drink. “But she’s been through the fires of hell and come out still flying. Last I heard, she’s up for grabs somewhere in the Draconis system. A relic of some forgotten skirmish.”
The idea of acquiring such a ship intrigued Jose. His current vessel had seen better days, and the reputation of the Anaconda as a reliable and formidable ship fit well with his needs.
Jose made his way to the Draconis system, a sector known for its mining operations and the occasional brush with pirates. As he approached the coordinates given by Harlan, he switched the Shadow Sovereign to silent running to avoid drawing too much attention.
The station that harbored the Lil Booper was a decommissioned mining outpost, now used primarily as a shipyard for buying and selling older vessels. The outpost, named Echo's Haven, was a floating graveyard of ships with stories etched into every hull.
Upon landing, Jose was met by a wiry man with sharp eyes, the shipyard’s manager. "You here for the Booper?" the man asked, as if he’d been expecting Jose.
"Yes," Jose replied, his interest piqued by the immediate recognition. "Heard she's quite the survivor."
"That she is," the manager confirmed, leading Jose through the maze of old ships. "Been through more skirmishes than most have had hot meals."
They stopped before a large ship whose hull bore the marks of numerous battles. The Anaconda loomed like a beast, dormant yet majestic. "Lil Booper," the manager announced with a mixture of respect and nostalgia.
As Jose inspected the ship, he could tell she was indeed battle-tested. Scorch marks from laser fire and dents from physical impacts told tales of countless encounters. Yet, her structure was sound—remarkably well-kept for a ship her age.
"How much are you asking?" Jose queried, his mind already racing with the possibilities that such a ship could offer.
"Given her history and capabilities, it won’t be cheap. But for you, someone who knows the value of good steel and reliable firepower, I can make a fair offer," the manager replied.
After some haggling, they settled on a price that was fair but steep. It would dent Jose's finances significantly, but the potential of the Lil Booper was worth it.
With the deal concluded, Jose officially took possession of the Anaconda. He decided to keep the name Lil Booper, a tribute to her resilience and quirky legacy.
After acquiring the Lil Booper, an old but venerable Anaconda, Jose Mose knew he needed a skilled hand at the helm. The ship was powerful and had a storied past, but it would require more than an average pilot to tap into her full potential. His current ventures, often skirting the edges of legality and danger, demanded precision and experience.
It was during his search for a capable pilot that Jose heard about Wilton Cunningham through a contact on a bustling mining outpost in the Riedquat system. The contact, a seasoned miner named Edda, spoke of Wilton with a mix of reverence and camaraderie.
“He’s been dodging pirates and navigating asteroid fields since he was a lad. Wilton grew up in Biggs Colony, piloting fighters to protect mining convoys,” Edda explained, her face illuminated by the glow of her datapad.
Intrigued, Jose decided it was worth the detour to meet this Wilton Cunningham.
Biggs Colony was not what one might call a welcoming place. Situated on a rugged asteroid in a system known for its rich mineral deposits, it was a community hardened by constant threat and a relentless environment. The colony's structures were burrowed into the rock itself, providing shelter against potential pirate attacks and the harshness of space.
Upon arrival, Jose made his way to the local tavern, a hub of activity and the best place to find anyone in such a tight-knit community. The tavern was dimly lit, filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses.
He found Wilton Cunningham exactly where Edda said he would be, at the end of the bar, nursing a drink, his eyes scanning the room with a cautious awareness.
Jose approached, taking the seat next to Wilton. “Heard you’re the best pilot this side of the core systems,” Jose started, his voice casual but carrying an underlying measure of assessment.
Wilton looked him over, his expression unreadable. “Depends on who’s asking and what for,” he replied, his tone guarded.
Jose introduced himself and laid out his need for a pilot capable of handling the Lil Booper. He didn’t sugarcoat the dangers involved, nor did he embellish the potential rewards. Wilton listened, his gaze never wavering, absorbing every word.
“What’s in it for me?” Wilton finally asked, after a moment of silence that stretched between them.
“Fair share of profits, a chance to pilot one of the finest ships still capable of flight, and more adventure than you’d probably like,” Jose offered, a faint smile breaking through his otherwise stern demeanor.
Wilton considered the proposal, his eyes drifting to a viewport where the stars beckoned. “Alright, I’m in. But I fly her my way,” he stated firmly.
With an agreement reached, they shook hands, sealing the deal. The next few days were spent preparing the Lil Booper for departure. Wilton took to the ship with a respect that spoke of his deep-rooted love for space and the vessels that traversed it.
As they left Biggs Colony behind, heading towards the uncharted territories that Jose often frequented, Wilton proved his mettle. His instincts were sharp, and his handling of the Lil Booper was nothing short of impressive. Jose knew he had made the right choice.