Simon Black

[SimonBlack]

Part 9: Public secret
-Above Freeport 1, Omega 3 system-


The four fighters and gunboat Cabal were hanging above Freeport 1 after a lane jump leading from Cambidge gate. Pancamo was getting impatient.

We cant afford to idle any longer He said, checking something under his belt Delorme, take Cheshire and Cabal together into Wikes field. I and Simon will see this Zoner, he sent us a transmission telling to meet him on Freeport. We will fill you in once we meet him and acquire accurate coordinates.

Alright then, boys, have fun. Cheshire, lets take off. Simon, how do you make that thing She pointed at Cabal Follow you anyway?

The group splitted and advanced towards the Ice Field in front. Pancamo contacted Simon once they were left alone.

I dont like the look of this. The Zoner It was something odd about him. He told us to meet him in a warehouse.

Keeping low profile, perhaps?

I hope so


-Freeport 1, the docks-


Simon climbed down his Manta as he pushed ships hangar away. The small docking bay was operated artificially. Few spotlights, a lot of machines. It was no unordinary thing, or so it seemed. The Zoners did not have enough workers capable of doing all the work themselves.

Simon proceeded out of the docking bay. He passed a narrow corridor, thin connecting shaft, filled with various boxes, cases and equipment and then he advanced to the main dock through the door. The main dock was round, with multiple doors leading to separate hangars and of course, elevator to the upper level of the facility. Simon looked back to see if Pancamo was on his way through another of these corridors, but it seemed quiet. Having in mind that his friend could already be on the other side of warehouse door, Simon decided to go through.

As Simon closely paced forward, he noticed the warehouse to be filled with heavy docks machinery on the sides and a large row of containers put on each other, forming two levels of staircase in the middle of the warehouse. Simon walked up to front. There was this man in Zoners gown sitting right in front of him in the middle of the warehouse. Simon tried to approach him, as he heard steps behind his back. He thought it to be Pancamo and turned around anxiously, but instead he saw a Hessian aiming a blaster right at him. Simons face turned pale as the Hessian pressed the trigger. He quickly bounced to side, only to make sure that the shot wasnt actually aimed at him, but at the Zoner himself. The Zoner fell dead along with the chair. Appearantly he was tied up with it from the beginning. That Hessian was here first, waiting.

What do you want!? Simon shouted and took cover behind the containers. The Hessian tried his luck shooting again, but the shot only went as far as floor.

Oh, I will tell everything to you He said hiding on the other side of the boxes My name is Schneider. I am Red Hessian and you are my safe passage, dead or alive.

Schneider reloaded his weapon. You could hear a click.

Why would you need me Simon replied in a calm manner, he was winning some time, taking out his Buckshot, giving it to his legs.

Oh, so you do not know? The Hessian giggled That bastard, Buffalo planned it well. This may have leaded you straight to him

Schneider crouched over the boxes, but the other part of the containers showed no sign of his opponent as he landed. Simon may have as well made his way around to the other side.

I dont understand

Nor would you. Have you thought that the Hessians were after that Bounty Hunter, friend of yours? Nonsense! He would never care about him. Buffalo organized the ambush for your friend, knowing that you would come to his aid. The ambush was of course only a scam. You see, I and Buffalo never got along very well, especially after that time when I took a team out of patrol to the Abgrund in search for Diamonds. The bloody revolutionist swine wanted to get rid of me and persuaded many others to put me in charge of this ambush, saying that it would be a good chance to get rid off a quickly rising Bounty Hunter scum Python. He wanted to do both, get rid off me and lure you at once. Double gain, ha! All was a trick, a trick that was supposed to end it with my death! Schneider seemed paranoid as he continued But I oversaw his plan! Ha! No way will he have my corpse! Never!

Knowing that Simon moved around the containers and will attempt to approach from the back, Schneider changed his direction and took cover behind the corner, where Simon was.

Why would anyone like Buffalo want me?

I do not know and I do not care, kid. All I know is that he wants you and thats my runaway ticket. The bastard only wanted to get me killed, leaking information to that pathetic excuse for a Zoner. He knew the Corsairs wouldnt miss a chance striking both Bounty Hunters and Red Hessians gathered at one spot. Buffalo used the information of our positions to manipulate Corsairs and strike right at his own comrades! Corsairs striked from behind and not on Bounty Hunters, but our line. Buffalo, it seems, did not care about Python or even wanted him to survive, he was never a figure here, only a tool. The charge obliterated Hessians in seconds, but I knew better! Ive escaped to go after you. Buffalo wanted to kill me, that is true, but it seems that finding you was no less of a priority. Schneider uncovered I know all about you, Simon. Ive seen your official statistics by the Guild, which are impressive, but I also know much more. I know that you were never a warrior like me, Simon. All of the stats are the consequences of your friends Pancamo experience combined with Cabals armoured plate. But they are not here now, are they Simon? Pancamo is being held off by two boys of mine. And alone you are vey assailable. This shall be the end.

Saying these words Schneider confidently turned around the corner aiming straight ahead. To his surprise there was no one standing there. His face turned pale as he felt a Buckshots edge on his temple. Schneider did his calculations right, he came around right and approached Simon from the back. What he failed to perceive was that Simon could have climbed on a container and lurk for the moment of when Schneider turns around the angle.

Schneider let go of his Nattertum Zwei as it hit the ground. He knew this mistake would cost him his life and he fell into tears.

It is true that Cabal, Pancamo and even Python compensated my poor combat abilities, but dont you think it wouldnt have been only a matter of time before I improved over all this time that I spent with such skilled companions? Simon pressed the trigger and it was over.

He ran out of the warehouse and into the hangar, where Pancamos Manta landed, in fear that something would have happened to him. Simon approached the door to the connecting corridor leading to the bay, but before he would press the right buttons to open it the door slammed wide and a Hessian felt out of it with a burned hole in his chest. To Simons surprise it was not Pancamo, but Python who was standing on the other side with a blaster in hand. Another Hessian was lying close to Pythons feet.

These guys would not let him pass Python said as he pointed towards Pancamo.

Pancamo was knocked out, being treated by Sabine from a head injury made by a handle of a blaster. They have returned just in time to save him.

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