... A 34 year old Man with short brown hair, red shorts and a blue T-Shirt is standing in the Buffalo Bar. A small amount of pirate children is sitting in front of him.
"So you want to know why i am a Pirate? *cough*" He asks, and the children are nodding. "Well it all started in my childhood. *cough* I was playing with my friend behind a dumpyard at Manhatten. But some ALG idiots moved their poison waste to the wrong place. So it was standing unsecured *cough* behind the yard, just there where we were playing. My friend kicked the ball near the large Container and i was going to get the ball back. I was fascinating by the size of that Container. It was huge. *cough cough*"
He empties his drink and orders a new one.
"So, i was fascinated by that Container, there was a small lack and some slimy and evil smelling stuff was coming outside of it. *cough* I didnt see that the lack was slowly getting bigger and when i was close enough to touch the small amount of that stuff the container break and all waste flooded over me. Into my eyes, my nose, my ears, my mouth. And my lungs. *cough* My friend called for help and the dumpyard workers heard him screaming."
He coughs, takes a bit of his drink and breaths heavily.
"I woke up 3 days later in a Hospital. The doctors said my lungs were full of poisoned waste. My lungs are damaged pretty hard, and they gave me medicates, painkillers and drugs. *cough* By the way Medicates, i need to take them again."
He takes a glass of water and 3 Pills, two in white the 3rd is dark red.
"Whua they are so bitter. So where did i stop? Ah yes, when i woke up in the hospital and got all those drugs. The doctors said i am not allowed to *cough* overwork my lungs anymore. Even a little bit of running was making me breathless. I hated my life. No more playing, no more running. I had to sit at home the whole time. I was reading about ships and guns and dreamed about working *cough* for the Liberty Police when i was older. "
He looks out of the windows and sees the three Bloodhounds patrouling around Buffalo.
"And then...when i was old enough, i applicated to the Police. But they just refused to let me in. They said my lungs are too bad that i can control even a Starflyer. *cough* I was angry, really angry. I tried it several times. And after the 7th they said "We are sorry Mr. White. But we cant let you join the Police" I tried it at other companies. I tried the Bounty Hunters Guild, I tried the Security Force, I even tried to work as an escort for Universal Engeneering. But I always got rejected. i was despairing, I didnt want to live anymore. There was no sense in my life. But then i saw Rogues fighting *cough* against the Police. My grudge against the Police was still there. So i stole me a StarFlyer and searched for Rogues in New York. Until i finally found a Bloodhound *cough* wing near the Badlands. I told them my story and they brought me to here. They said they dont care about my Lungs, they need pilots. Good Pilots. So they gave me that Bloodhound and sent me on a Patroul. It was my first time working for someone. And i was glad. *cough* Glad to have a sense in my life"
Danny takes another drink and coughs into his hand.
"So i was patrouling, fighting agains the Police, the Navy, the Security Force and taking out Traders of companies which refused to recruit me. My anger at them wont be over soon They should feel what they missed. *cough*"
He stands up and looks at the children ahead him.
"I am sorry kiddos, but the work is calling. *cough* Some Cops are making trouble again"
He leaves the bar and enters the Hangar, takes on his Suit, looks at his Bloodhound and says:
"Lets go Adish, lets take them out."
"Who is it doing this synthetic type of alpha beta psychedelic funkin'?"
Danny enters the Buffalo bar. Wearing an old jeans and a white, dirty T-Shirt. The free arms show a new Tattoo going from the right shoulder down to the ellbow. He chooses the table next to the window, pulls out a little dose and puts it onto the table. He orders a water and takes two pills out of the dose. They are now lying open on the table next to the dose.
He hears a quiet, high voice behind him:
"Hey Danny! Tell us 'nother story!"
He turns around and sees 5 children. Three of them in the age of 7, one in the age of 10 and a small boy in the age of 4 with a big scar all over the face.
"Another Story you want to hear? *coughs* Hmm..let me think. Did you hear my Mastodon story yet?"
One of the children shakes his head.
"Right, then let me tell you this one. It all started normal. Only, i had this new ship. A Greyhound the replace for my Bloodhound. I wasnt really used to fly it, *coughs* even after reading the handwritten manual for four times. So i undocked from the Drunken Codger where i bought my new Guns and started a patrol route around the Pittsburgh Debris field. You all know that one. It's a big fu-*coughs* scrap field around the Planet Pittsburgh. Well i made that patrol and the first positive thing was that the scrap floating around wasnt hurting my shield at all.*coughs* "
Danny takes a nip of his water
"While i was doing that patrol i got a signal of a DSE Vessel. DSE is Deep Space Engineering is a Liberty Company building ships,*coughs* and they have a Base on Planet Pittsburgh. So i wasnt really surprised that there is one of them, but when i came out of the cloud. I was shocked. It was a huge ship, the Mastodon. Liberty's biggest Transport. It's even bigger than *coughs* Buffalo or the 'Drunken Coder'. If you see them, dont be scared of their size. Just tax them fore a few Million Credits"
Danny tries to laugh, but he starts to cough really bad.
"So i saw that ship. And guess what i was going to do, yes tax it for a few Million. Who is going to pay my medications eh? With that one i would have *coughs* enough medications for a year. I was going to talk to him, i dont remember the captains name anymore, but i still know the ship's name: 'Grey Hope'. I know that name is funny. But i am hoping for some new lungs aswell. I flew towards it, and the scrap field protected me. He couldnt see him on his scanners, i felt like a 'Guazino' hunting a little 'Fellabo' both are animals on Manhatten. So i flew towards it, slowly 10 Klicks, 8 Klicks, 6 Klicks, 4 Klicks *coughs* and finally 2 Klicks. He still didnt see me, but then i fire a Cruise Disruptor. Just to be sure he wont run away. 'Howdy Mate' i said. And the Captain was shocked: 'A, a R-rog-g-ue'. I never saw a pilot scared like that and i laughed, well i tried you know."
He takes one of the pills and spills it down with water.
"*coughs* There i was, me in my Greyhound and the Mastodon 'Grey Hope', Liberty's biggest Transport. I started to talk to him. And finally came to the taxing. I thought 2 Million are enough, because he was standing, and being nice to me. But then..the captain *coughs* started to shoot at me! With his one Turret! I accidently hit the Mine trigger, and Nuke mines are dangerous, very dangerous. First of all, the Mine took out my own shield and the detonation made a lot of scrap moving around like missiles. One hit my Cruise Disruptor, another one hit a wing my window started to crack and i had to jump out of the ship with my escape pod. I *coughs* saw my new ship blowing up in front of my eyes. But it wasnt over yet. Escape Pods are ridiculous weak and the whole scrap floating around. But the 'Grey Hope' tractored me inside the ship. And now boys, Rogue lesson #23: Always have a Blaster *coughs* "
Danny grins and continues the story.
"I was inside the ship and *coughs* two Members of the Crew were coming to get me, but never underestimate a Rogue with a Blaster. I shot one into the chest and the other one into his belly. They were both down, i dont know if i killed them or not, but i had no other *coughs* choice. I was sneaking around, for about one hour, hiding in the shadows. I thought 'What now? What now?' They were probably alerting the police that they have a Rogue on board. So i had to hurry. i searched for a darn rescue ship, but they only had escape pods. *coughs* So i had no other choice. I was going for the captain of the 'Grey Hope'. Sneaking around for another hour, this ship is also huge from the inside, i found their Cargo List and it were 5000 Units of Engine Components, enough to build an army of Greyhounds. Now i was sure, i am going to hijack this Mastodon. On my way to the bridge i had to take out 3 other *coughs* Members of the Crew and i saw: The Captain's crew is too big to kill everyone of them. I had an idea. I ran to the vent system and i had my medications in *coughs* my jacket. Do you boys know why i only take two pills each day and not more?"
"Because they make you dizzy?" One of the kids asked. But Danny shakes his head and gives the dose of medications to the 10 year old.
"Read it *coughs*" and the boy starts to read it quietly: "Warning: Using too many pills may have side effects: Sleepiness, Dia-rrh-ea and Sickness."
Danny grins
"Well done, i smashed all my pills and threw them into the Vent System. I covered my mouth with the jacket and after 30 minutes i heard the first one throwing up in the room next *coughs* to me. People were no busy being on the toilet or sleeping. I locked up all the bathrooms which were like five of them. The people inside, but there was nothing they could do. I arrived at the Bridge, six of them were still there, but sleeping. One of them was the captain, *coughs* a overweighted guy in a dark blue uniform. I said 'Ya fault shootin' me' and roped them. Now i was taking course to the 'Drunken Codger' which is not far away. And they were surprised. *coughs* They never saw someone who stole a Mastodon. Well they denied my docking request, the ship is just too big. They told me i should go to Cassini, there is the Terre Haute Shipyard, where they also need the Engine Components."
Danny looks at his new Tattoo, its slightly itching.
"I got this small escort *coughs* of Hyenas and Bloodhounds and we flew to the Colorado Jumpgate. Taking the Jumphole would have been too dangerous, because *coughs* we would come too close to Fort Bush. We flew all the way through the scrap field. We could finally arrive the Gate and jumped to Colorado, directly into a LPI Wing of Upholders and Guardians. They already heard of the missing DSE Transport and directly started to attack my escort. *coughs* They fought brave, with losses on both sides. I couldnt do much with one turret, but i took out an Upholder with crashing into him. The 'Grey Hope' was slightly *coughs* damaged and we could finally escape."
Danny takes the second pill, spills it down with water, and orders a drink and 'Caracca Juice' for the children.
"So i arrived in Cassini, even the Guards *coughs* were shocked about the ship i got there and they brought us to the Shipyard. I never saw such a big station before and i could finally dock this ship. Its really hard to fly this alone. They repaired the 'Grey Hope' and *coughs* gave me a new Greyhound and also this new Pirate Transport. And after this, we all had a big Party at Attica. If you want to know what with the crew happened, just say they live at Malta now.*coughs* "
Danny chuckles and coughs a bit.
"Mike, Richard. Come leave that uncle alone now" one of the women said. Appearantly a parent of two of the children. They started to leave, Danny looked at the 3 year old Kid walking hand in hand with the 10 year old. Danny grabbed the old kids shoulder and asked:
"What happened to him?"
The Kid looked at the little kid's face and aswered:
"Our Transport was attacked by Bounty Hunters, we were buying food at Alcatraz and on our way back they just attacked us."
Danny lets them go, looks out of the window. His face is now angry and full of anger.
"Who is it doing this synthetic type of alpha beta psychedelic funkin'?"
Out of the dark purple cloud rushes a Barghest, chased by three Liberty Police Liberators heading towards the Detroit Debris field. One of the Pilots of the Barghest, Danny White coughs into his left fist, while he is pressing a button. Counter Measure drops out of the Barghest and hits one of the Liberators windows, the formation breaks. The Fighter turns left and explodes silently in a bright red. The other Liberators continue to follow the Barghest.
All three ships are passing the lane, a small Deep Space Engineering Convoy flying through it. The Barghest makes a hard turn, towards the lane gate and a short blast with the Energy Cannons make it shut down. One of the Police Pilots didnt notice the convoy, as well the Lane shutting down. The convoy suddenly slowed down and the Liberator crashes into the Rhino Freighter. A silent crash, flames and floating hull panels in the space. The Rhino Freighter's side having a big hole, the Liberator on the other side changed into scrap. The half upper body of the Pilot hits one of the Escorts Wings. Both of the Eagle Fighter Escorts change their course towards the West Point Station. May be to inform what happened to their Freighter and the Officer, or they run off because they are scared.
The last and probably best Pilot who was chasing the Bomber is still behind the Ship heading into the Debris field. Danny thinks the ship would quickly be destroyed by some floating scrap, but the Liberator fast as it is dodges every piece. Even after he tried to bomb a bigger piece with a Counter Measure to make it move, the Liberator dodges and continues. Now, first time one of the two copilots raises his voice. "Danny, we should take care of this one. Or the guy will call renforcements." Danny was a bit scared, sure he could try to fight that little and fast bugger. But the chance to even hit it was less, really less. The percentage almost zero. In despair Danny hits the Mine button and the Barghest launches five of them. Directly after that he hits the smashes a big red button on the edge on the Console and the engine stops. The Bomber floating in a Scrap Field, the Liberator with its speed dodging scrap and Screamer Mines. Within the time, the Barghest turns, facing the Liberator and thrusting. A few quick blasts with Energy and EMP Cannons, but the Liberator dodges again and again.
The Bomber's Shield already down to the half, Danny notices a huge piece of Scrap. As he looks closer he sees that it is an old ship. Probably left here, because of its damage. Almost a miracle that the Junkers havent seen and harvested it yet. If they would be able to move this into the Liberators way all of a sudden, even a movable ship like that wouldnt be able to dodge. Danny quickly gives orders to the Copilots and flies closer to the huge brick. Of course sneaky, so that the Cop wouldnt notice this. As the Barghest is facing the Liberator again, but already close to the brick one of a copilots presses the button for the Tractor Beam, target: the Brick. Thrusting towards the Liberator and pulling the brick a warning appeares, the Ship's Shield is finally shot down, but Danny doesnt care anymore. The Liberator's Pilot isnt able to see the Tractor Beam behind the Barghest, and thus not able to see the huge brick starting to move. Again with a silent crash another Liberator bursts into the open space and increases the Detroit Debris field between Westpoint and Manhatten.
The brick still floating and pushing away scrap Danny is interested what he used as a weapon. The Ship, rusty and a bit demolished is even bigger than one of their Mothers. Two Bridges and even a door for a small Hangar. Pressing a button Danny starts to talk into his Headset. "Eh, *coughs* here Danny White, pilotin' the Hole In The Wallet. I found somethin' interestin' here. Bring me two Bullmastiff Transports, dun' fo'get to bring ropes, jus' to be sure."
After some time, Danny spend it drinking some water while the others were drinking Rum the two Transports arrived. Again Danny raises his voice. "A'right boys, get this piece of crap to Terre Haute, I'm interested in it." Without any complaints the Transports started to shoot the Tractor Beams onto the old Ships, even the Barghest helped pulling it out of the Debris field.
This convoy has probably been the slowest one ever been in Space. The Tractor Beam could only stay constant with a Speed of 20 Klicks per second. Moving up to Cassini will probably take about two days. Excluding the complicated Jumps to Colorado, Galileo and Cassini itself. The tactic is fairly simple. Let one Transport pull it into the Jumphole and the others push it with bumping into the fat ass of the old ship. The first jump to Colorado works fine without any problems. Pulling the ship through Colorado and the massive asteroid field is, the Tractor Beam needs to be reactivatet a lot of times. Overheating Power Cores and Stones getting into the Beam. Finally arriving the Galileo Jumphole the first problem pops up. Stones. Everywhere, they're getting dragged into the Jumphole by the Tractor Beam, and pushed into while pushing the Ship. With a few more dents the wreck arrives in Galileo. Free way, though radioactivity licking on the hull panels the Ships are moving through the system towards the hidden Jumphole to Cassini. Again they move the ship trough a Jumphole, and again they land inside an Asteroid Field. Luckily the System isnt big as the other Systems, so the way up to Terre Haute isnt long.
After two days the Ship finally arrives at Terre Haute. Both of the Transports are pulling the wreck inside one of the Shipyards while the Barghest is docking onto the Station. Finally Danny can walk again, on save ground. Grabbing his chest he coughs out, leaving blood stains on the floor. Two engineers appear on the other side on the floor, looking at Danny they walk to him while he cleans up his mouth. "Erm, Danny wht the hell did you pull up here? That wreck...you should have brought it to the Junkers, not us." one of them says with looking at his Datapad. With an angry look Danny starts speaking "This *coughs* thin's special...Dun' ask me why or how...Jus' fix it, I dun' care what I gotta pay fo' this. Tell me if ya need somethin'..." He turns around, heading to the Elevator, both Engineers still standing, waiting until the elevator's doors are closed. "Dude, d'ya think this's a good Idea? I mean, I dun' 'ven know where this crap's comin' from." - "Well I dont care as long he is paying for that ugly thing." The workers now walking along the floor are looking at their Datapads "What'ya think we're callin' this Ugly Beast? I mean 'ven the ugliest slut's lookin' bettah than this junk out there."
Weeks and Months passed for the reconstruction of the massive ship. For Danny's likely made for a Transport, not a Cruiser. Though a high amount of Turrets wouldnt be a problem for the massive Powercore inside the Ship. The armour left away for a bigger Cargo Space. Almost like a joke the name of the ship is drawn on the left side of it. "Big Sexy Beast" written down in letters like a six year old would write. The Ship, mainly used for smuggles or slaving also operates as a small mobile Base for Danny and his upcoming wing.
"Who is it doing this synthetic type of alpha beta psychedelic funkin'?"