DSM/HF Relations

[Deep Space Solutions]

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3 months earlier

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A transport ship flyes through an asteroid belt, carrying workers and higher ranking member. Its course is set to vector B6 in the Kansas system. Transport is being escorted by Hellfire Legion remaining pilots, their ships heavily damaged from combat.

Legion pilot: " Captain Brax, this is pilot Rangus speaking. Our fleet sustained heavy damage, is everyone on board your ship well and safe??

The DSE transport designated Constellation has just cleared the asteroid field. People on board are still in shock to what happened just half an hour ago, they are reluctant to even talk to one another. Captain Brax opens the comm link to the Hellfire Legion pilot:

" This is captain Brax. Yes pilot, everyone is alive and well, although people are in shock. We saw you did your best out there but it looks like we were heavily out numbered. Pilot Rangus, i express my condolances for the lost lives of your dear friends, you cant imagine how this makes us feel. "

Pilot of the burning fighter craft is silent for a while, no doubt recolecting memories from just a few moments ago: " Roger captain Brax, it is hard indeed and i thank you for understanding, the bastards were just too many, but they will pay for this some day, mark my words, they will pay. Over and out."

Captain Brax and all of the crew remain silent. No one can grasp the terror they were subjected to. And no one dares to speak about the situation at hand.
A few minutes later, Constellation and all of its escort enters vector B6 approaching the jump hole.

Captain Brax opens a comm link to all decks: " This is captain Brax addressing all hands!! Prepare for space jump, i repeat, prepare for space jump!! All decks, status report. "

The crew is busy for a few moments reporting the captain about the ship's readieness.
Navigator Hannah: " Captain! All decks report ready for space jump. My scans indicate a 97% jump hole stability. We are ready as we will ever be. "

Captain Brax: " Roger that Miss Hannah. Bridge!! Prepare for space jump in 10, 9, 8, 7..... steady as she goes...6, 5, 4, 3, 2.......................

With a flash of blue neon light, the ship is pulled in to the unknown. The Lansing cause is lost, and the DSE has to look forward in to the future but recent past will linger heavily upon their tired bodies and restless minds. For just a single moment captain Brax hopes this day was just a bad dream, just for a moment...................

2 weeks earlier

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Mr. Gunsmith is pacing his office with a glass of Sidewinder Fang in his left hand. He stops by the window and looks at the asteroid concentration. A brief moment of memory passes him and as he turns around he notices a slight smile on his friends face:

" What are you smiling about Lourens?? "
Mr.Lourens: " Oh, nothing in particular Dan, i was just wondering how long will it take. Not everything is on you, you know.
Mr.Gunsmith: " Always with the mistery ah my dear friend?? What do you mean??"
Mr. Lourens: " Come now Dan, i mean your constant worrying about everything, well you know all this, wa talked about it many times. You need to let it go. You havent had a good night sleep in...well i dont know how long but its been a long time. And not everything.......
Mr.Gunsmith: " But it is on me Louren, i am the one who should have anticipated what is going to happen. I was second in command for crying out loud. I should have known the Communes next step way before then i did."

Lourens gets up from his chair and grabs Dan by his shoulder:
" Dan, all im saying is that you cant carry this burden on your shoulders any longer. It is what it is and thats that. Not to sound emotionless, but you did the best you could, and so did we all. Turn to the future ahead, just take a look at everything we accomplished here, in our new home. Plus i have been recieving preliminary reports that DSM is growing exponentialy. The workers are happy, business with other companies is flourishing, you made Hellfire and Crayter talk for the first time in years. You did good, we all did. Stop blaiming yourself.
Thats all im saying.
Mr.Gunsmith smiles slightly: " You know what?? Sometimes i forget why your second in command, but your logic and reasoning never fail to remind me my dear friend. You are right as always."

With this notion both men sit down and drink their Fangs. Both bewebbed in distant memories and bright new futures.
" Now Dan, i think its time for you to make that formal communication we discussed earlier, the path is prepared, people are eager to see a delegacy of that magnitude aboard Elysium."
Mr.Gunsmith: " Yes, its been long overdoe."

President Gunsmith gets up and walks to the computer on his office desk. He sits down and thinks for a moment. With the last sip of his Sidewinder Fang, he opens the comm link to Communitation's officer Norton: " Officer Norton, please open a secure channel to Hellfire High Command. Put me through to the Fleet Admiral Smith please. "
Officer Norton: " Yes sir, rght away sir."

Communication is established. First part consists of President Gunsmith reporting on Elysium work and contacts with Hellfire pilots, an over all integration in the Commonswealth society. Personal experiances are shared aswell since both President Gunsmith and Fleet Admiral Smith made it to became friends in recent time. Afer the personal talk Mr. Gunsmith makes it official:

" Mr.Smith, at last i have to inform you. The preparations have been made. Your arrival is expeced in 3 days as we agreed in our prior comm, i think you will find it most pleasing. "

Fleet Admiral Smith: " No special preparations were necessary Mr. President, i am a sodier after all, but i thank you for the gesture anyway. " He smiles slightly, " We have much to discuss Mr. Pesident, my arrival will be as agreed upon, please have the quarters ready for my men, since we have also decided to accept your 2 day invitation. Have a good day Mr. President. "

Mr.Gunsmith: " Have a good day Fleet Admiral. "

Mr. Gunsmith looks at Lourens who is still smiling slightly, he canot resist not to smile back.
He pours himself and Lourens another glass of the sweet-bitter Sidewinder Fang...............

3 days ago

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