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+--- Thread: Karadin (/showthread.php?tid=13236)
Karadin - Stoat - 11-12-2008
Bloodied and bruised, Karadin limped to his quarters and fell onto his bed. I gotta get outta here he mumbled to himself as he passed into unconsciousness.
Waking several hours later, he dragged himself into the shower, then out of his room. Checking every side corridor, he eventually made his way to the docking bays, and his ship. He launched quickly, knowing hed never return, but as soon as he was in space he was jumped by six hunters. Try as he might he could not escape them. Every time he engaged his cruise engines they were disrupted. Eventually he lost patience.
You asked for it! Bloody fools, dont you realise when youre outgunned? Today is your day to die!. This he transmitted on an open comms link. Every hunter in the sector would know, but he didnt care. He knew the organisation inside out, having been a guild member himself, and he had scores to settle after his virtual imprisonment on Freistadt. He swung the Viper around and opened fire.
The hunters didnt stand a chance. He didnt have the best guns on his ship, but the Viper was far too manoeuvrable for the Barracudas trying to take him down. In 5 minutes all 6 ships had been destroyed. Karadin tractored in their escape pods, wondering what to do with them. He might as well hold onto them for the moment. Theyd be uncomfortable at worst, and at best he might get some sort of money for them from somewhere.
He inserted the data stick hed acquired from the drunk in the bar into his navigational computer. The data seemed legitimate, which he hadnt expected. He decided to follow the route, and engaged the autopilot to take him to what appeared to be another jump hole.
Karadin - Stoat - 12-08-2008
Following the co-ordinates supplied by the data stick led him first to Omega-11. Despite giving the Neutron star there a wide berth, the radiation soon started eating into his hull. It was a fair distance to the Omega-47 jump hole, according to the data stick, and he knew he couldn't afford to hang around for long. The minefields he ran across didn't help him to speed his transit up, either. As he picked his way carefully through the second field he'd come across, his scanners picked up a weak signal, what appeared to be a derelict ship.
As he crept closer to the ship, he was able to pick out it's name. The Volsung. It was a wreck. Whatever fight it had got into was nothing compared to the damage it had since taken from the radiation emitted by the neutron star. As he started to thrust away, shock waves from his engines seemed to knock free some old equipment, which he quickly tractored in before heading towards the jump hole again.
Several Corsair patrols crossed his path, but they seemed fairly disinterested in him, merely asking his business in the system and his destination. One even started chatting to him about Omega-47 and his time stationed aboard the Corsair battleship on the other side of the jump hole, fighting off the Hessian threat. Karadin then launched into his own tirade against the Hessians. Then he started in on the Bouty Hunters. By the time they'd finished talking Karadin felt a strong sense of comradship with the Corsair. Given the rumours that circulated about the Corsair peoples, they were proving themselves to be every bit as normal as any other. Their war with the Hessians was further reason for his respect.
He soon came to the jump hole and engaged the sequence. The sensation of jumping was beginning to make him feel distinctly queasy. He hoped to God that it was something hed get used to. Compared to the jump gates it was like taking an extreme white water ride.
As soon as he appeared in the Omega-47 system he picked up the Corsair battleship on his scanners. He quickly hailed them, advising he was en route to Omega-49, and reinforcing that he was no threat to them. The last thing he needed was for a battleship to decide he was an enemy. He wouldnt last a second. Their response took him by surprise.
Karadin - Stoat - 12-08-2008
Ahhh, Karadin. Yes, Chico Gonzales advised us expect you. You are welcome to dock here at any time. If you get any troubles from the Hessians, or Bounty Hunters that rove this system, let us know the coordinates and a wing will be dispatched to assist. Chico has vouched for you. As long as you do not betray that trust, we Corsairs are your brothers, amigo.
Chico Gonzales. The Corsair hed just been chatting to in Omega-11. Karadin smiled broadly. Friends appear out of the most unexpected places sometimes.
Roger, Fes. Its nice to have some friends out here for a change. Karadin laughed as he engaged the autopilot for the next coordinates on the data stick. Was his luck actually changing? The Corsairs, one of the most feared groups in Sirius, were his friends. It didnt get much better than this. He laughed again as he imagined returning to Solarius with a bunch of his new friends at his back.
As he exited the asteroid field, his scanners picked up two Bounty Hunter Hammerheads, which immediately moved to engage him. He swore and tried to evade. These were powerful ships, and he simply didnt have the firepower to take them on. They launched cruise disrupters at him, but his countermeasures took them out.
Them six more Hunters appeared in scanner range, and all of them were in Hammerheads. He was in real trouble now. More cruise disrupters were fired at him, and this time the countermeasures failed, landing him right in the middle of a fight for his life. Now the Viper really showed its worth, as he jinked and dived and rolled to avoid the incoming fire. He opened a comms link with the Fes.
Fes, this is Karadin. Ive run into a group of eight, I repeat eight Hunters in Hammerheads. Requesting immediate assistance!
Karadin, this is the Fes. We have a patrol just short of your position and they are moving to intercept. Hang in there, amigo. Theyll be with you in seconds.
The fire from the eight Hammerheads was ripping away his shields, despite his best efforts to evade. Just as they were about to fail, he kicked in the emergency batteries. He knew he couldnt last much longer, when four Titans popped up on his scanners.
Hola Karadin! This is patrol Gamma 17. Get your tail out of the fire, amigo, were coming in! Enganche, mis hermanos!
The plasma bolts from the Titans ripped through the unsuspecting Hunters. Two were destroyed almost immediately, and five of the remaining six turned to fight the new threat. Karadin was easily able to evade the one ship still chasing him, but his feeble guns could do no damage to the well shielded Hammerheads.
Gamma 17. I cant even scratch their shields with these guns. Im going to have to pull out. My thanks for your timely intervention, my friends. I owe you one, for sure.
No problemo, Karadin. We will see you again, amigo. Adios!
He ran, and the remaining Hunter quickly dropped off, returning to try to assist his beleaguered comrades. As soon as theyd left his scanners he re-engaged his cruise engines, and headed for the jump to Omega-49 and Gran Canaria.
Karadin - Stoat - 12-11-2008
The rest of the trip to Gran Canaria was uneventful, and Karadin was soon landing on the planet. A quick look around the space docks revealed a multitude of Bounty Hunter ships, everything from Sea Serpents to Battle-cruisers. He took one of the Zoner mechanics to one side.
My friend, I have, ahm .. some escape pods in my hold that I need to get to the relevant authorities, but Im .. worried about repercussions. Whats the deal here?
The mechanic smiled broadly. Mister, if I had a credit for every time Id heard that question Id be..well, Id still be skint, but Id have drunk more! Theres an office over there that will happily mediate the return of any captured pilots to their comrades. The office will take a smaller percentage of any ransom payable to you, and complete anonymity is assured. Believe me, before that office started up, things could get a little heated around here. It has helped to stop almost all the trouble that we used to get.
My thanks, friend. Thats good to know. He shook the mechanics hand, then headed towards the offices that had been pointed out. Once inside, he was greeted by a row of soundproofed cubicles, some of which were empty. Entering one of the empty cubicles, he was greeted by an ethereal voice.
Welcome to Gran Canarias prisoner exchange facility. Please take a seat, and one of our officers will be with you shortly.
Slightly bemused, Karadin sat himself in one of the large, comfortable chairs. A few seconds later, a middle aged man entered the room.
Welcome, sir, to Gran Canarias prisoner exchange facility. My name is Kent Hughes. Have you used our facilities before? Karadin shook his head, and he continued. Well, in that case, may I take your name?
Karadin looked slightly alarmed. My name? I thought this was anonymous?
Well, yes, it is to those we return prisoners to. Of course, we require your details for our own records, and to allow us to ensure any payments due you can be honoured. Minus our very reasonable fee, of course. Kent Hughes smiled obsequiously, as he smoothed his hair back from his forehead. Here, you can enter your details yourself, if it will make you feel more comfortable. He handed a portable data terminal over to Karadin. He looked at it briefly. He needed money, that was certain, so he entered the data required, while offering a silent prayer that it didnt get into the wrong hands.
How many prisoners do you have to exchange? asked Hughes, as Karadin returned the terminal.
Ahhh, six.
Excellent! What affiliations do they have, and are they all healthy?
Ummm, Bounty Hunters. Readings on the pods say theyre all alive.
Hunters, eh? We get a lot of them passing through here! Hughes laughed, and the skin on Karadins back crawled. Hunters have a set return of fifteen thousand credits per head, so you will be credited the sum of ninety thousand credits once we have retrieved the pods from your hold. The retrieval is done from all ships at the same time, and no-one is allowed to be present, again to protect your anonymity. The next retrieval is scheduled to take place in 2 hours. You will receive your payment shortly thereafter. Hughes stood and offered his hand, so Karadin rose and shook it. It has been a pleasure doing business with you sir. We look forward to you using our services again.
With that he turned and disappeared out of a door. Karadin was about to follow, when a different door opened automatically, and a green neon Exit sign flashed above it. Walking through it he proceeded down a short corridor to another door. As he approached, the door opened automatically and he stepped out into the docking bays again.
Karadin stood still for a minute, while the figures settled in. Ninety thousand credits! For a few poxy Hunters that had been stupid enough to take on a ship far superior to their own. He chuckled, and set out to find a bar to wait in until he got paid.
Karadin - Stoat - 12-22-2008
Armed with a fresh load of cash, he returned to his ship to examine what he had shook loose from the Volsung. Most was junk, but a couple of items looked useful. He collared a passing technician for assistance, and soon discovered he was in possession of a Paralyser missile launcher and some sort of prototype weapon.
He had the launcher fitted to his Viper immediately. He was not so sure what to do with the prototype. The mechanic pointed him towards a weapons dealer, who offered him 2 million credits. Karadin was amazed at the price. He quickly agreed. As he left the dealers he was smiling broadly. Now he had the money to fit out his ship properly.
Three days later he departed Gran Canaria, his ship fitted with a Sidewinder missile launcher, a set of Furies and a low grade armour upgrade. Armed with the co-ordinates of a jump hole to the Dublin system, he was already planning a short stay on the Hood, when two wings of Bounty Hunters intercepted him. Eight Hammerheads. They were ripped to pieces just a few minutes after engaging. Karadin was laughing hard. It was like taking candy form small children! He tractored in what valuables there were in the wreckage, but left the escape pods. Let fate decide what happened to them, he no longer cared. They had made their intentions clear.
From here on in, no Hunter shall receive any quarter from me. He vowed.
He reset his course for the Dublin jumphole, and from there, the Hood.
Karadin - Stoat - 01-06-2009
Basing himself on the Hood, Karadin roved Bretonian space. Work was scarce, however, and he soon found himself drifting towards the Taus. His repeated run-ins with the Bounty Hunters soon began to affect his reputation with the Bretonian Police and Armed Forces, and he was treated with suspicion and mistrust, if not outright hostility.
Holmann outpost in Tau-31 provided no security, stuck in the middle of the war between Bretonia and Kusari. That was something he definitely wanted to avoid getting sucked into. So he headed for Tau 23, and Java base.
He spent a few weeks running missions against the Outcasts in Tau-23 and Tau-37. It was easy money, but he soon got bored of the monotony of it all. It all seemed for no purpose. Unable, or unwilling, to make friends, Karadin soon found himself drifting again, passing back through Bretonian space towards the Omegas, and the only people to have shown him any friendship and comradery, the Corsairs.
Karadin - Stoat - 01-06-2009
Karadin docked at Trafalgar base in New London. Bretonian space was crawling with police and the armed forces, and he didnt fancy trying to explain his presence to over-eager, and trigger happy navy pilots. The Junkers were a very useful group to know, and had provided him sanctuary on numerous occasions.
He strolled into the bar on G deck and bought himself a drink. As he leaned back against the counter he spotted a small group of Corsairs laughing at a table on the far side of the establishment. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to their table.
Hola, my friends, he said as he approached. May I join you? Four heads turned to face him.
That they were drinking, and were in good moods anyway, helped. After a quick glance at his friends one of them spoke. Why not?! Come, take a seat, join us! Perhaps you can entertain us with some stories? We are very fond of stories, eh, mis amigos!
They laughed and pushed a chair towards him. Karadin smiled with relief as he sat. Many thanks. It has been a lonely time for me. It seems that most people have forgotten the enjoyment to be had from new friendships and shared experiences. My name is Karadin, and it is my pleasure to meet you.
Karadin? asked one of the Corsairs. I have heard your name before, hermano, though, for the life of me, I cannot remember where. I am Chico, and this is Juan, Hector and Pepe.
Chico Gonzales? Karadin exclaimed. The surprise on the Corsairs face was his answer. Maasaalla! We crossed paths weeks ago in Omega-41, near the jump hole to 47. You near told me your life story in the hour or so we were talking, and then you vouched me to the Fes! I owe you a debt of thanks, my friend.
The smile on Chicos face widened as he too remembered. It seems our paths are tied, amigo. Drink, tell. We have time to burn!
Several hours later, Karadin was the first, though not the last, to pass out at the table.
Karadin - Stoat - 01-08-2009
The dog that had been following him for the past mile eventually started to catch up. I was a ragged old mongrel with a friendly look. Karadin slowed until the dog was at his feet. As he smiled down, the dog kicked him in the shins.
Wha? Where? Karadin woke with a start.
Heh, good morning, mis amigo! said Chico, tapping Karadins ankle with his foot. You look somewhat the worse for wear!
Head pounding, and his eyes feeling like theyd been rubbed with sandpaper, Karadin looked up at his new friend. Uhnn was all he could manage. The other three Corsairs had already left.
Listen, we have to go. Heres the codes youll need to dock on Cadiz in Omega-5. He placed a data stick in Karadins hand. Well see you there, hermano. If youre in need of dinero, remember that therere bounties on Hunters, Mollies, Hessians and the BAF. Thatll help mis camaradas to trust you better as well. My word can only stand you so far. Hasta luego, Karadin! He extended his hand.
Karadin shook himself, and took Chicos hand. Til next time, my friend.
Chico nodded sharply, then turned and left. Karadin looked around briefly, then set out to find somewhere to get some food. He was starving!
Karadin - Stoat - 01-28-2009
A few hours later Karadin was launching from Trafalgar. Comms traffic in New London was light, and he thought this would be a good time to take the lanes into Cambridge, and from there to Omega-5.
He passed Southampton and started the lane sequence before the hostile BAF and BPA ships were able to get a lock on him. About half way to the lane interchange at Canterbury station his ship suddenly kicked out of the trade lanes. A quick look at his scanners showed a small wing of young corsairs disrupting the lane. He was about to curse them for their timing, when a large transport, with a BAF escort, suddenly appeared on his screens.
A quick check of the scanners showed the BAF pilot, Stanley Nelson, to be flying the standard issue Templar. Remembering Chico mentioning a bounty on BAF pilots, and the fact that he was flying alone, Karadin made the decision to engage. He swung the Viper into position.
Nelson, surprised by the bold move of the Viper now bearing down upon him, panicked. Jabbering his surprise across the system wides comms, he fled for the trade lane, along with the transport. Karadin, who had been expecting the Templar to move on him, was similarly surprised by the move, giving his target just enough time to activate the lanes. He cursed loudly, a set off in pursuit, determined to get his target, now that he had so openly moved against the BAF.
At Southampton shipyards Nelson continued to run, heading immediately for the lane to the Leeds jump gate. Karadin was sure he could catch him at the gate. His ship exited the lane seconds behind. Two BAF gunboats and a BAF destroyer were lined across his path. Before he could make a move, theyd opened fire, the shots ripping away his shielding and crippling his engines. The Viper spun, out of control, heading for the debris fields near Southampton.
Target eliminated! came the crowing report across open comms, accompanied by the laughter of the escaping Stanley Nelson. Karadin, cheeks burning with frustration and embarrassment, put in a distress call to Trafalgar. Hed been lucky to escape with his life. He swore to himself, as he drifted helpless through the debris, hed not underestimate the Bretonian naval forces like that next time.
Karadin - Stoat - 02-23-2009
A few days later, his ship fully repaired and his pride recovered, Karadin set out for Omega-5 again. This time he gave the stations in New London a wide berth. Hed heard no news about his abortive attack on the BAF pilot, but he wasnt sure he wanted to risk the attention of the authorities. Better to play safe for now, so a long, slow journey to the little known jump hole to Cambridge was the order of the day.
The trip to the jump hole was uneventful. The few patrols he spotted on his scanners were easily avoided. The time spent getting from Cambridge to Omega-5 was equally quiet, though he risked a couple of trade lanes, veering clear of Cardiff mining base and Battleship Norfolk. He was certain theyd spotted him on their scanners, yet no alarm was raised. Maybe they didnt consider him a threat. Karadin breathed a sigh relief as he slipped into the ice cloud that hid the jump hole to Omega-5.
Cadiz was calling him.