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+--- Thread: Karadin (/showthread.php?tid=13236)
Karadin - Stoat - 10-22-2008
Karadin walked into one of the shadier bars on the lower levels of Freistadt base. It had been yet another hard day mining the Ebersfelde cloud, and he was knackered, sore and in need of a diversion. This was certainly the place to find that diversion. Folks from all walks sat at the bar or tables, talking, laughing, gambling, drinking and fondling the many "ladies" that wandered the area looking for work. He breathed deeply, and moved to the bar for a drink. Best to start the evening slowly.
Beer in hand, he scanned the many tables looking for a likely candidate. There were the usual suspects, mostly miners like himself, with a few escort pilots, bounty hunters, mercenaries, thieves, traders and body guards thrown in. His eyes settled on a card table seating a couple of miners he recognised, vaguely, and a stranger in an unusual brown uniform. He was sure he'd seen a few of them around over the past few months, and they'd certainly had plenty of money to throw around. There was even a spare chair at the table. Perfect.
"Evening lads," he said as he laid his hand on the back of the spare chair. "Mind if I join you?"
Karadin - Stoat - 10-23-2008
The night was going well so far, at least as far as Karadin was concerned. The two miners had been cleared out fairly quickly, and it was just him and the stranger left at the table. The stranger was running low on money, and high on alcohol, and his betting was becoming more and more irrational. Karadin new it was only a matter of time before all the money would be his. He was already a few thousand credits up, and several people had gathered around the table to watch.
The stranger dealt a new hand, and Karadin carefully studied his hand. It was good, and worth betting heavily on. The odds were stacked in his favour anyway. The stranger instantly matched his bets as cards were drawn and discarded. The pot quickly reached 7,000 credits, and with the stanger eagerly throwing his credits into the pot, Karadin decided to take the big gamble.
"All in!" he called, pushing all of his credits into the center of the table. The pot was now 16,000 credits, and the stranger, now well and truly drunk, was short a good 7,000 to be able to call. It was a cheap move, over betting like this, for it forced the stranger to insantly lose the game as he was unable to match the bet. The stranger looked at him, and smiled. He reached slowly into his jacket and withdrew a key of some sort which he waved at Karadin.
"Mah ship ter match yer!" he slurred, and threw the key onto the table.
Karadin turned to the audience, looking for one of the bar workers. "You okay with that?" he asked. He'd learned long ago to check with the house before accepting a drunks bet. Always best to get their okay first, then there was always backup if things turned bad. One of the heavies spoke into a communicator briefly, then nodded acceptance to Karadin.
As the stranger laid down his cards, Karadin showed his hand. A suited running peacock, the third best hand possible in the game. He smiled broadly as he surveyed the strangers cards. It was a good hand, usually good enough to win, but not this time. The stranger jerked back on his chair as he realised he'd lost. He stared up at Karadin blankly, then back at the cards as things started to sink into his addled mind. He looked back to Karadin, pure rage in his eyes, and his seat flew back as he stood. Karadin watched in disbelief as the stranger went for his gun, everything moving in slow motion. He knew he was probably dead. Dammit! Too cocky. Too cocky by far. He should have seen this one coming a mile off. He cringed away from the gun as it rose higher. But the shot never came. Something smacked hard into the table instead.
As he opened his eyes, he spotted the stranger slumped, face down on the table, slowly slipping backwards and off the table. One of the heavies of the establishment was stood behind, brandishing a large wooden bat. He looked at Karadin and said, "I reckon you'll be wanting to take your stuff and leave, mate. We'll deal with this one when he wakes up, but probably best if your not on the station when he does, ey?"
Karadin nodded quickly, raking the money and keycard into his pockets. "What about the sip? he asked quickly. "There's no way they'll let me leave in it without his say-so."
"Oh, don't worry about that, mate" grinned the heavy. "You just make sure you get to the docking bay in 4 hours, and we'll make sure you get to leave."
Karadin nodded again and left the bar, heading straight for the nearest lift. Time to make a hasty escape, before any of the folks in the bar remembered that he was carrying over 10,000 credits and the key to an as yet unknown ship. He checked his watch. 03:21. He'd need to be at the docking bays by 07:00. He knew the heavy would be there, waiting for him. They survived on their reputations, and that was their word, backed up by extreme prejudice.
Reaching the level his rooms were on he was able to relax just a bit, and the reality of his situation started to sink in..................
Karadin - Stoat - 10-23-2008
Lying back on his bed, Karadin studied the ceiling as he tried to recall where hed seen the strangers uniform before. But try as he might, he couldnt place it. Hell, hed hardly been out of Omega 7 for the past 5 years, barring a trip to Cambridge and one almighty bender on Baden Baden with a few of his fellow miners. He gave up on the uniform. Itd come to him eventually.
He smiled as he considered how fate moulded his life. Hed been getting itchy feet for a few months now, and now he had a nice load of credits and, it seemed, a ship. Still, he knew something would come up to throw a spanner in the works. It always did. That was how hed ended up on Freistadt in the first place. He rolled over at set his alarm for 06:00. Might as well get a couple of hours kip before the next chapter of his life began.
Karadin - Stoat - 10-23-2008
As the alarm went off, Karadin got out of bed and headed for a shower. Twenty minutes later he was packing his few possessions and looking around at what had been his home for the last few years. Now that it was upon him, he felt excited. Buoyed up by the possibilities that lay before him he strode out the door and headed for the docking bays, and his future.
As he approached the bays, the heavy from the bar appeared at his shoulder. Well, the ships yours, mate, he said, grinning again. All you have to do is walk in there and claim it. But I warn you now, you might not like what youre getting. Still, too late to back off now, ey? With that he disappeared down a corridor, leaving Karadin staring at the entrance to the bays. He swallowed and pulled out the key to the ship. An encoded data crystal. Taking a deep breath he walked into the bays and up to the service area where he gave the crystal to one of the mechanics. The crystal was placed on a reader. The mechanic glanced once at Karadin, then picked up the key and walked around the end of the counter.
Follow me, Mr Karadin. Now, weve been able to make some repairs to the ship, but a lot was beyond our skills Im afraid, and has had to be removed. The weapons are all kaput, as is the additional armour that had been fitted. Weve had to strip them all out, but youll be glad to hear that the mountings are still in working order. The comms unit, scanner and navigational computer have all been repaired and are in full working order again, but your countermeasures and mine dropper are also shot. We can, however, make use of those items that are beyond repair ourselves, so are willing to make a reduction to your bill to take that into account. Your thrusters have been repaired successfully, but their power drain has increased, so youll be wanting to replace those at some point in the future, no doubt. The damage to the cargo bay, hull panels and wings has been fully repaired. Youll be glad to know that your cruise engines were completely undamaged, as was the shield generator. Given the amount of damage the ship took, youre lucky the damned thing is even capable of flying. And, of course, there was the re-fuelling. Anyway, the upshot is a bill for eighteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty five credits all told. We have an old countermeasure dropper, and a couple of old Vampire mark ones we can fit in about an hour, whichll knock the price up to twenty five thousand, but thats your choice. However, given the Hessian activity around these parts, Id call you a damned fool to your face if you were to go out there without any weapons on your ship. The mechanic finally stopped talking, stopped and turned to face Karadin, a sympathetic smile on his face.
Twenty five thousand? he echoed. Bloody hell! Thats every penny Ive got! This was just typical. Nothing ever went smoothly did it? Paying for the ship repairs would leave him penniless, save for about 50 credits or so, but he knew he wasnt exactly in a position to be able to refuse. Sighing deeply, he reached into his pockets and withdrew all the credit cards hed accumulated. Yup, exactly twenty five thousand credits. He looked up into the expanse of the hangar workshop and sighed again.
This better be worth it! Karadin said. Get the guns and measures mounted too. In for a penny, in for my damned life savings I guess.
No worries, Mr Karadin. Ill have her fixed up within the hour. Just ask for George if Im not at the desk when you get back. He said, offering his hand. Karadin shook it and George turned and trotted off.. He rubbed his face with his hands, and headed back the way hed come. There was a little cafe not far from here that did a fine fry up, and he could just about afford a cup of tea to go with it.
Karadin - Stoat - 10-23-2008
Returning just over an hour later, Karadin waited patiently at the counter. Five minutes later he spotted the mechanic, George, walking across the workshop floor, so he headed to intercept. Spotting him, George started walking towards him, and started talking as soon as he was in range.
Ah! Mr Karadin. The work is all finished, sir, so if youd care to follow me I can take payment, and we can get you on your way. He swept Karadin back towards the counter. If you dont mind waiting here just a sec while I get the paperwork sorted out? he said as he disappeared into an office before Karadin could get a single word out. He leant back against the counter and watched the world go by.
Shortly, George reappeared, and exchanged the bill for all of Karadins credits.
Thank you kindly, sir. Your business is most appreciated. Now if youll follow me right this way, Mr Karadin. and he swept off across the workshop floor. Lets get you to your bird and get you flying again, ey? Ill bet you cant wait to get off this station and back into the trouble that brought you here in the first place, am I right?
Errr, yeah. I guess. was all Karadin managed before George launched off again.
So what exactly were you doing to get yourself so shot up? Blasting them damned Hessians? Fighting off the blasted maskers? I can just picture the battle, swinging one way and then the other, before an unfortunate turn takes you directly onto an enemy mine! Or did the bastards ambush you? Caught unawares by the lowly dogs, and blasted before you could get a shot off, just managing to limp back here before you were space dust? Anyhoo, here we are, sir. Your ship, good as new..er, almost.
Karadin looked up at the ship in question, and drew in a sharp breath. Things had just got more complicated
Karadin - Stoat - 10-24-2008
Now he knew where hed seen that uniform before. The Colonial Remnant. He was now the proud owner of a Viper, it seemed. He shook his head, disbelievingly. They were a touchy bunch, the CR, from what hed heard in his time working with the IMG. Highly unpredictable was how most of the miners on Freistadt described them. And now hed probably have them chasing him around, demanding their ship back. Fate was definitely playing its games again, but this time he was at a loss to its devices. What the hell was he going to do with a Viper? And how was he going to stay under the CRs radar? One thing was for sure. He was going to have to learn to fly the ship in short order.
Cheers, George. I think my life has just become a lot more interesting. he said, offering his hand to the mechanic. George took it, grinning.
Not seen your ship before then, ey? Hah! Thought so. You didnt look like a Viper pilot when I first laid eyes on you. Your face is a picture, mate! So, did you steal it or win it? George raised his eyebrows expectantly. Nah! You dont need to tell me! None of my business, mate. I just fix things. Long as I get paid, Im happy. So youll be wanting to know how to start this baby up, I reckon. Well, this shouldnt take long. You piloted a fighter before?
Karadin nodded sharply. Working as a bounty hunter was what had got him stranded on Freistadt five years ago. Yeah, I can fly, though Im rusty. Just need to know how to launch her. The rest I can discover for myself.
Cool. So, press this here to open the cockpit. Dont worry though. Theres sensors that make it impossible for the hood to open when youre in space. Cant have that happening, can we? Heh! So, climb in. George was nearly bouncing from foot to foot with excitement. Karadin couldnt help but smile, and felt his own excitement rising as he climbed up to, and then into, the cockpit. The adrenalin really strarted flowing as he scanned the dials and displays. It felt good to be back in the saddle.
Damn, Ive missed this feeling! Its been too damn long since I was last in the saddle! George! he shouted. Get up here and explain these controls. Georges head appeared before hed finished the sentence, and he quickly showed Karadin what he needed to know.
Listen, mate, Id suggest you head away from here for a bit. You never know how the CRll take the loss of a ship, so youd be advised to make yourself scarce for a while. Learn the ship well. Vipers can be twitchy, but shell hold her own against anything once you know how she moves. With that he disappeared, leaving Karadin alone in his new ship. He looked around, took a deep, calming breath, and initiated the launch sequence.
Karadin - Stoat - 10-24-2008
Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooo!!!! he screamed, as the Viper exited the station. This was what it was all about. This was worth any hassle he got from the CR. He was back at last. No more mining. Never. He kicked in the thrusters, and the ship careered out of control, heading right for the storage compartments. He fought the controls, trying to right the ship, but slammed into the structure. The shields took the brunt of the impact, and the storage compartments were undamaged.
Twitchy?!!? Thats more than sodding twitchy! He hit the comms button, keeping the transmission one way. He didnt need the lecture that he knew was being screamed at him. Sorry about that, Freistadt. Zero damage to the storage compartments. Ill be heading out of your vicinity.
Ever so gently he manoeuvred away from Freistadt and towards the trade lane that led to Omega 3. There was a good region of clear space on the other side of the jump gate that would give him the space and visibility he needed to learn how to control the ship.
Karadin - Stoat - 10-24-2008
A couple of hours in Omega 3, buzzing the passing transports and their escorts, gave Karadin more confidence in the Viper. It seemed a really tight, aggressive ship, now that he understood how responsive it was to the thrusters. He headed back into Omega 7, thinking to get to Briesen Base. As he sped along the trade lane to Freistadt, his sensors registered some unusual signatures in the nebula. He kicked out of the trade lane, and headed towards them, intrigued. As he got closer, the sensors identified the ships as what appeared to be three disabled Corsair fighters sat in the middle of a gas field.
Salvage. He thought, and headed in. The Viper was exceptionally agile, allowing him to avoid the pockets of explosive gas. As he approached the fighters he could see the damage inflicted. There was not a lot left, but as he nudged one of the wrecks, several bits floated loose. He quickly tractored the stuff in, then headed for the other wrecks, repeating the process. Each one released a few bits, but then the gas pockets started to destabilise and explode, quickly eating away at his shields. He thrusted out of the gas field and plotted a direct course through Omega 7 to Briesen, engaged the autopilot, and scanned through what was now in his hold. A few guns was all hed found, but at least he knew he could trade them for some credits when he got to Briesen.
As he neared the Briesen coordinates, his sensors picked up something new. Some sort of energy signature he immediately recognised as a jump hole. Making a snap decision he altered course for the jump hole and punched through
.right into the middle of a large Red Hessian patrol. He spotted a small planet through the asteroid field just as the Hessian ships started to engage. Completely outnumbered, and heavily outgunned, Karadin fled, using the asteroids as cover and dropping what few countermeasures he had as his cruise engines engaged. Luck was with him, he realised, when the patrol failed to pursue. He was soon picking up a station on his scanners. Solarius. Maybe this could be a safe haven for him, at least for a while. He opened a comms link to the station.
Solarius station, this is Karadin requesting permission to dock. Sending data file now. There was a brief pause.
Received Karadin and permission granted. Welcome to Solarius. Please proceed to dock 1.
Karadin - Stoat - 10-28-2008
Running empty, as far as his finances were concerned, Karadin headed for the bounty boards soon after docking. There was plenty of work here, and it paid well, so he decided to take on a routine clearing mission against the Red Hessians. He was quick to notice the looks of the hunters stationed on Solarius, as soon as they realised he was not a guild member. As he headed from the boards, they made their feelings clear, as several turned their backs on him, and others jostled and bumped him as he headed back to the docking bays. Muttered insults were almost audible, and he felt his hackles rising.
As he launched from Solarius, he began to relax again and engaged his cruise engines. Heading for the sector advised, he soon moved out of the shadow of the planetoid Solarius orbited. Instantly the solar wind generated by the sun pummelled his ship. As he neared his target, he also spotted the damage his hull was taking from the radiation given off by the sun. It was astounding.
As he picked up a group of six Hessian ships on his scanners, a data feed from Solarius allowed him to identify his primary target. He engaged, hoping to be able to eliminate his target quickly, but he lacked the necessary firepower. As the dogfight continued, his hull integrity deteriorated, and he had to engage his nanobot repair system. More Hessians joined the fight, but his superior shielding gave him the edge, and his targets were finally vaporised. Tractoring in what salvage he could, he turned and headed back to Solarius.
Solarius, this is Karadin. Mission completed and data files sent. Im heading home.
Received, Herr Karadin. Congratulations, and our thanks for eliminating the threat. Payment will be readied for your arrival.
Karadin - Stoat - 10-31-2008
How much?! he exploded when the mechanic told him the estimate for repairs. Youve gotta be yanking my chain!
I am very sorry, Herr Karadin. Most of the cost would be the repairs required by your shielding unit. It is a top of the line piece of equipment, and we simply are not set up for repairing that level of technology. We would have to order in all the necessary parts, and they are not cheap. Without the repairs required by the shielding unit, we could fix you up for about 20,000 credits.
Good god! I only earned 40 grand on that job! Do the repairs you can, forget about the shields. Im off to the bar! He stomped off, determined to drown his sorrows. A hundred an twenty five thousand credits! he muttered repeatedly as he headed for the nearest bar. Its a bloody joke! Im not hanging around here.
Once seated in the bar he continued his complaints to a few Daumann workers. Most quickly bored of his tirade, but some were more sympathetic. As they descended deeper into their cups, Karadin started to pick up some useful snippets of information. One weather beaten old trader offered him a data stick apparently carrying a route through the borderworlds to the Zoner stronghold of Gran Canaria. He wanted free drink for the data. Karadin, a fair distance away from sobriety himself, readily agreed, and deposited a fairly large sum of money at the bar. It was enough to keep the trader drunk for the next week. Karadin finally stumbled off a few hours later. As he reached the area his room was located in, two large men stepped out of a shadowed corridor and threw him against a bulkhead. He was in no condition to defend himself and was soon punched and kicked him to the ground. Landing a final kick in Karadins stomach, one of the men leaned over, spat in his face, and whispered Verdammt Soeldner! Take your foul stench away from here. If we see you again, well kill you.