A new Beginning
15 Jan 2016Jim Beaumont
I finally made it back to the bubble last night, after a long trip home. Not that it will be home anymore. With a 1000 Ly to go, I got Merc on the Comm channel, and got him to meet me just outside habitated space, to act as an armed escort for me. I didn't fancy risking the journey in unarmed with all this data stored in the Cartography Unit. So he duly came and met me, and we travelled unimpeeded back to the station.We landed in the docking bay, secured the ships and made for the bar where Oppo was going to be waiting. Time to have a drink and reveal the grand plan to them. I hope they have the same inclination as me, but I can't force them into anything. But we have made a good team up to now, so it would be a shame for us to all go our own ways.
I took a quick diversion via the Universal Cartograhphers Office. I had no intention of selling all my data there, that would only serve Duta and his cronies. No, I shall keep that for the Commies, help what will become my new home in the pusuit of grander things. I purchased a small system map, defining the local bubble and systems that sit in and around to about 150Ly. I love the paper maps. Just something about them that can't be replicated on some dumb computer screen.
And so in the bar, we got drinks (after saying hello to Samson) and found a quiet spot to have a chat and get down to business. I explained to Oppo the full story, of the recent conversations me and Merc had been having. Although he knew the whats, I never thought he was aware and understood the why's so far. I splayed the map out, which raised the eyebrows of Merc and Oppo.
'Oo old style Jim' offered Oppo.
'Yeah old style. But you can see things easier this way. Hopefully it'll be easier to understand with this.'
'I'm not stupid!'
'Never said you were. Just this way it will be clearer. Right, this is where I'm going' and I highlighted on the map my new home. The Communist system.
'Now after doing some stuff over there Oppo, the Commies Workers Party (Com WP) now run the place. Which is good. But that is where Duta and his double cross comes in. He's been playing me all the way.' I then went on to explain my thinking of a few nights back. Nods all around. Good.
'No shipyard there though, so I'll be parking the fleet here' and pointed on the map.
'It is close in to home, there is a pristine metallic here, and is only 40 ly from the bubble for decent trade runs. I'm sure the BB will have some missions back into Fed space too. It had some courier and small cargo trips before the commies took it over. But i'll let you know when I get over there.' More nods. Still good.
'I have been checking local systems Jim. Everything as we thought the other night. Limited stuff available at your proposed shipyard though. Here (and he pointed) is a better bet for me. The tech is higher, the prices on offer for metals is better and it's closer to the pristine rings we've identified. I've already moved my fleet over to it. It's still close enough to your home though for ease' Merc interjected.
'What the fuck! You've been quiet on this Merc' snapped Oppo. 'When were you planning to tell me?'
'It isn't meant to be keeping it quiet from you, but while Jim was working his plan, I preempted and made a move. I can keep an eye on those two systems, planetsides only and just give gentle nudges when needed for the WP'
'Its all good Oppo. Your fleet is still housed here right?' as I pointed again on the map, hoping to sooth his mild anger. He nods.
'Good.' I then chatted about how I intend to help the Com WP gain greater influence, and then expand into where I have my fleet housed, should the plan work.
'So the choice is yours Oppo. This is what I will be doing. If you want to help me, thanks. No expectations from you fella though. Same for you Merc. Your not bound to me in any way.'
'I'm good with it Jim. I'll come across from here to pick up some missions and trade. I've seen the odd mission from your fleet holding back to the Com WP which I can always do to help until they have expanded. And from my reckoning, my new gaff is next on the list should it happen has hoped for' said Merc.
'I'll leave my fleet where it is Jim. I'll do the odd thing here and there for you. I'll drop in on the planet side things too. That's what I've been doing the last few days while you were messing around in the void. I'm also running in the bubble a lot at the minute doing Fed work. Deffo hit up any CZ you need me to.' said Oppo. I got the feeling he felt he had been pushed aside a little.
'Thats fine mate. As I said, your under no allegiance to me. And i'll be grateful for the help you give. First sign of a CZ, and your the first to know. Right, I'll make off now and sell this data to the Com WP. It should make for a good start. And stay in touch. Both of you' as I stared at Oppo.
'Will do' said Oppo, and he offered me his hand. Reconciliation I think.
'I'm gonna need that Anni at some point' I smiled back.
So I swapped into the Infante Henrique, I can defend myself in that, and made for my new home with the Com WP. I'll have to come back for the Magellan via Hauler taxi. When I reached the dock, I realised I also had the new Python I bought for trade runs sat here too, the Pedro Alvares Cabral. How can you forget where you've left assets of 92 Million cr?! It needs a decent outfitters to get it up to spec still. The data Cr should help with that.
I arrived and sold the data to the Universal Cartographers, the Com WP hopefully liking what I got. 28 Million Cr. Not quite as much as I had hoped for, but then my trip was a little curtailed. And so the new work begins. Goodbye Duta, Pastolis and such. For now at least.