Luke McCloud, former pirate, after compounding numerous bounties, on his head decided it was time to lay low and stay out of sight. He was growing tired of the pirating business anyway, it brought him short term thrills and excitement, and he had some good times with the various members of the lowest rung of society, however it was growing stale.
It was shortly after evading several Bounty Hunters on a wild chase through several systems in Liberty, that truly began to question what his next moves should be. He lost them on his way to Freeport 4, hastily docking and quickly blending in. He laid low for several days, the Hunters pursuing him giving up for easier prey. With a sigh he ordered another drink from the bartender. That one breathe carried with it all the thoughts and worries of its host, and he pondered his next move. He was at his crossroads, continue his current life and head back to the central Liberty area and to the trade lanes ripe with traders, wallets bulging with credits? Or head out into freer, less governed space and relax. It was then that he downed his glass of gin and headed to bed.
The next morning he woke with more energy than he had known in a long while. He quickly strapped on his boots and made for his hangar, flipping the cute maid a credit chip on his way out of the lodgings, a slight giggle following him on his way out. He settled into the cockpit of his Virage for what was most likely to be the last time, and undocked from the station, and set his coordinates for the Coronado system and Barrier Gate Station.
Without any trouble he made it to the Cortez system, and his goal, Barrier Gate. He landed at the station and made his way to the ship and equipment dealer, selling his ship and everything with it, making a good chunk of money. This was what he decided, he would live out a peaceful life here on Barrier Gate.
Or so he thought.
He frequented the taverns, and rented decent living spaces, and after awhile was hired on as help in one of the bars he frequented. For awhile, he got a bit jumpy every time Bounty Hunters stepped into the establishment, but none of them seem concerned with him at all, and he doubted the recognized him. He lived a quiet existence, carving out his own little corner of the travelers here at Barrier Gate, however it didn't last.
He had heard talk of Gallia, but much of it was rumor, and before long, the Gallic Royal Empire attacked. He saw on the neural net the damage they were causing in the not-too-far Leeds system. News of fighting in the even closer Magellan system began to spread as well, seeing as how it was a key point for Liberty ships to assist Bretonia. Over the next few nights he spent his time laying in bed, that old itch of being in the cockpit beginning to crawl along his skin. He knew he could do something, he knew he should. A week later, he put in his resignation at the tavern, and the owner nodded stoically, the two having become good friends over the years. He knew of Luke's past, but never judged him, as Barrier Gate tended to be a home for ruffians, and at least this one was trying to get a fresh start. The two bid their farewells, and Luke purchased a civilian shuttle with what was left of his money, and set out to find the same model as his old ship: the beautiful and deadly Virage.
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