Federal Operation Cycle 25: how to perform an emergency refuel
06 Dec 2015Arkadi Kreven
Logbook: late afternoon on Dashalli 1. I have the feeling of constant sleepyness. Deep in Imperial space I can see the beauty of the planets and some distant nebulas. I think its Orion. The forms of the nebula seem to change shape and colour as I watch. Maybe my mind is starting to melt. Maybe there is some Unknown Artefact nearby. But this is not the Pleiades but who knows where such an artefact may land. I heard rumours of blackmarket requestes fulfilled and Dr. Palin calling out in GalNet to stop those doings. Why do I care? I havent seen one of those artifacts ever. Still I am enthralled by the strangeness of those stories...The planetary transit infront of the system-star lets me smile into a space-sunset, making me forget all the silent laserbeams and multicannon rounds, all the sparkling plasma balls and railgun bolts I have been seeing much to often in the past days.
I was undermining a controlsystem of the Empress. Things went wild this time. My wing-mate stranded with depleted fueltank, my ship got shredded by turrets of an empire station. My bounty in Arissas domain must have risen to astronomical hights. I had to learn that the arms of "Andonnus Empire Assembly" reach out quite far. But still - the space rescue worked out.
Now I know how to refuel in open space. Get a fuel-limpet, have some empty space in your cargo rack, get refuel cartridges into the cargohold, bind limpets to firegroup, deploy hardpoints, make shure cargo hatch of target ship is powered, target cargo hatch, fire limpets. Success!
Maybe I could join the fuel-rats? I feel so drained by the powerstruggle. I think I need some nice long hollidays, and a good glass of Centauri Mega Gin.
The people here in Reeves Dock seem to glare at me when I pass on my way to the mall. From theire looks they know I am a federal pilot. I dont try to hide it. We are not at war, so what? At the bar I ask myself if I am served by an Imperial Slave. But I dont have the will to ask him. He looks quite content but as I linger longer I notice how he turns his head nervously everytime he hears a loud and demanding voice. Somethings not right here. Or is it just my mind melting from all the space dust and the Mega Gin?
Suddenly there is some noise in the mall. A group of pelted two legged beasts run into the mall shambeling and growling. Children screem and theire parents grab them and shelter them. I grab my glass of gin tight an look up alarmed. Follwoing the mob of hornded and pelted creatures is an enormous fat man with a long white beard. He is calming the scared children giving them sweets and little presents.
I take a deep sip. Damn it. Its Sankt Nikolaus Day. This time of the year again...
Location <Dakshalli: Reeves Dock>
Associated Planet <Dakshalli 1; High Metal Content; Argon Rich>
Demographics <large population>
Jurisdication Data <high security; imperial, dictatorship; Constitution Party of Dakshalli: influence 89,2%>
Dependency: <Zemina Torval: exploited>
Relationship <neutral>
Station service <full service: blackmarket closed>
Economy <extraction; industry>
System message <Only Imperial Slaves Allowed>