Simon Black

[SimonBlack]

Part 3: Rights and responsibilities.
-Planet New Berlin-


Simon was at his apartment in a hostel on Planet New Berlin. Monotonic pacing in the corridor was left unheard as he was sitting at a desk opposite the door, making some notes, making some calculations. It was a few days after the bounty and Simon consequently was counting his income and expenses. Suddenly he realized that hes not out of the financial struggle yet and it left Simon wondering. The Guild took thirty percent of the bounty and the remaining credits were split between Simon and Python. All in all, Simon still had over million credits to earn. Isnt a mans life worth enough?

Suddenly the door slashed in with a noise. A man with a gun was standing at the doorstep aiming at him. Simon was terrified by the intrusion and jumped out of his chair and grabbed upon the table consequently. The man turned his head on side by 45 degrees, closing one of his eyes.

Boom. He said blinking in a rather calm manner and started to giggle.

Simon had a closer look onto the man. It was Pancamo. He started to laugh heartily as Simon sighed in relief.

You scared me to death! Simon said catching his breath.

Still day dreaming arent you? Pancamo ignored Simons words, putting his weapon to his shoulder. He giggled once more Relax, this time its good news

Oh? Simon answered, he was recovering from the shock. Pancamo sat nearby and put his gun on table.

Yeah. Pancamo nodded Congratulations, kid. You have been given a clean apartment on Sheffeld and your ship will be moved out of the grey area to the main docks, once aboard the station.

Ha Simon made an artificial laugh. He did not believe a word Pancamo has said And why do you think I deserved that?

Pancamo smiled sarcastically.

Abilities of tactics and combat He quoted.

Right

Aha Pancamo smiled and confirmed it in a nod You should read your own reports more often.

He continued the speech.

Three escorts. All successful. No casualties. One bounty. Escort scattered, target annihilated. Blah, blah, blah. That beauraucractic nonsense...

Latest statement got Simon interested.

But I did not encountered any resistance on the escorts

You dont have to run into anyone to have an escort job completed Pancamo laughed again The escorts were successful nonetheless.

But the bounty? Python did all the dirty work

So? The bounty was executed anyway. Luck or not, face it, Simon. Your ratio of successful missions is at one hundred percent.

Perhaps, so Simon was getting convinced. Pancamo interrupted him and pat on shoulder.

It would be foolish not to accept whole deal, you know. You could use a private shower.

Silence settled, but Simon came up with a new question and asked anxiously.

Did you know Python is in a command of a thing? He asked.

No. Hes not

But I heard an executive saying

Simon was interrupted again.

Python climbed up the ladder recently. He was given full group to command on his latest contract, thats three wings of total nine people, you know... Appearantly previous mission with you got the guild's staff convinced. It's also no coincidence that you were given more rights as well. Simon, you climbed the ladder too. Pancamo smiled.

Now Simon understood what Pancamo was going on about. They had a few drinks to celebrate the occasion. A new conversation evolved around the table.

I dont think you came here to celebrate with me, Pancamo. There must be another reason why you got called to Berlin. You don't just visit your pals, unless its business Simon put his glass of water down. He always abstained from alcohol.

Yes youre right. There is matter involved Pancamo had a drink of his own.

And what would that be? Simon questioned.

Have quite a few questions about it, havent you? Pancamo wondered.

Yes and I want answers. Simon paused What is it that you got called here?

Its because of one of your side jobs as you like to call them.

Oh?

Pancamo stood up.

Come outside, youll see


-New Berlin Shipyard-


Pancamo and Simon were standing on launching ground in spaceport of New Berlin. Many ships were passing by.

This is the reason why I flew all my way up to here

I dont see anything Simon looked around. A lot of ships, dusts and smoke. Nothing of an interest caught his eye.

Do you remember Pancamo said and continued his speech there was this ground combat machine, called Cabal, that we could never assembly into an artificial space craft

Simon wasnt sure what was Pancamo speaking of.

In one of your logs you proposed to sell the machine to scrap He continued and discharge it of its weapons and mount them on our fighting vessels.

Pancamo smiled sarcastically. Simon seemed to recreate the event. Pancamo continued.

Well, our engineers figured even better. We mounted the weapons on this gunboat and modified it according to Cabals programming and frequencies. Pancamo pointed to a vessel a few steps away The gunboat is being monitored on ground by Cabal from a distance.

I remember now, but what does it have to do with me? Simon asked.

Well Since it was you who proposed this ingenious solution, Cabal was put under your hand for further analysis in space combat for an unlimited testing period Pancamo explained And it seems like I am the man to monitor and watch over your progress.

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Character background summaries:
Red Hessians Major Matthias Schwarz
Golden Chrysanthemums Chusa Fumiko Shimazu