Karadin

[Stoat]

A few hours later Karadin was launching from Trafalgar. Comms traffic in New London was light, and he thought this would be a good time to take the lanes into Cambridge, and from there to Omega-5.

He passed Southampton and started the lane sequence before the hostile BAF and BPA ships were able to get a lock on him. About half way to the lane interchange at Canterbury station his ship suddenly kicked out of the trade lanes. A quick look at his scanners showed a small wing of young corsairs disrupting the lane. He was about to curse them for their timing, when a large transport, with a BAF escort, suddenly appeared on his screens.

A quick check of the scanners showed the BAF pilot, Stanley Nelson, to be flying the standard issue Templar. Remembering Chico mentioning a bounty on BAF pilots, and the fact that he was flying alone, Karadin made the decision to engage. He swung the Viper into position.

Nelson, surprised by the bold move of the Viper now bearing down upon him, panicked. Jabbering his surprise across the system wides comms, he fled for the trade lane, along with the transport. Karadin, who had been expecting the Templar to move on him, was similarly surprised by the move, giving his target just enough time to activate the lanes. He cursed loudly, a set off in pursuit, determined to get his target, now that he had so openly moved against the BAF.

At Southampton shipyards Nelson continued to run, heading immediately for the lane to the Leeds jump gate. Karadin was sure he could catch him at the gate. His ship exited the lane seconds behind. Two BAF gunboats and a BAF destroyer were lined across his path. Before he could make a move, theyd opened fire, the shots ripping away his shielding and crippling his engines. The Viper spun, out of control, heading for the debris fields near Southampton.

Target eliminated! came the crowing report across open comms, accompanied by the laughter of the escaping Stanley Nelson. Karadin, cheeks burning with frustration and embarrassment, put in a distress call to Trafalgar. Hed been lucky to escape with his life. He swore to himself, as he drifted helpless through the debris, hed not underestimate the Bretonian naval forces like that next time.

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