Ranov'la Aran entered John Cabot's office with a broad smile on his face.
"You look satisfied, Ranov'la. What is it?"
"Well, these are strange times, John. But funny times nonetheless.", Ranov'la sat on the couch and continued, "Remember that incident in Liberty a couple of days ago?"
"Of course."
"The whole point of me and Prudii entering Zone 21 the other day was because we were tracking that pirate Gunship, the Black Pearl. Our informants in New York reported the ship was trolling inside New York for some two or three hours that day, so I decided to try and catch it. I called Prudii in to help me with it and at a certain point she had a hint that it might be hidding inside the minefield."
"The navy and the LSF are being particularly protective of that area these days, Ranov'la. You should've been more careful, or at least requested permission to go there."
"Not really the point, John. Not a week ago I went to Alaska to aid Liquid against a Corsair. I mean, they must make up their minds already. They allow us in, don't allow us in... Also, how could we know that they recognize that rogue band, the USS, as a legitimate part of the navy?"
John shrugged.
"Then we enter there and the guy starts shooting at Prudii. He could have at least ordered us out as we entered the minefield. I probably would not have listened to him anyway, but there were SA in New York at the time, and if they intervened I would."
Ranov'la got up and went to pour himself a drink, "The guy shot Prudii without any warning. A freaking capital vessel against a fighter! If we weren't old time colaborators of Liberty that would still be criminal. To put a golden cherry on top of it all, as me and Prudii were there arguing with the whole SA, LSF and USS force in the system, the Black Pearl just passed us by. They did stop it, but the guy managed to get away with some sweet talk about meaning no harm. A pirate, John, a freaking pirate and they let it go! If there was any one day I felt like an idiot helping Liberty against pirates that one was it."
"Well, from the original mood with which you entered my office today I take it you didn't come here to rant about Liberty law enforcement, am I right?"
Ranov'la regained his light expression from before, "Yes, John, you're right. Here's what I was laughing about."
The Consul tossed a folded newspaper over the Mandalore's desk.
Quote:Rheinland Military seize control of pirate ship, arrests captain and crew
A pirate gunship crossed Rheinland space today. Military pilots chased the vessel down to the Stuttgart system where they managed to stop it and seize control of the vessel. The ship was escorted to the Brandenburg station where both captain and crew were disarmed and arrested.
"This was the Black Pearl?" John asked.
"I confirmed it, yes."
Ranov'la Aran laughed, joined shortly by his Mandalore.
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