The Dawn of the Relentless

[DualKatanas]

815 A.S, Southampton Shipyard, New London.

The brand-new Bretonian gunboat stood proudly in the middle of the hangar. The red-gold paint was unblemished, its fearsome weaponry shining in the lights. The hanger doors slid open, and an assorted group of people stepped in.

There she is, in all her glory, said the leader of the group, a Lieutenant Commander in the Bretonia Armed Forces by his uniform. Brand new, never flown except for testing.

The man next to him nodded, taking in the gunboat. He ran an appreciative eye over the weaponry. He turned to the people behind him and asked: What do you think?

They were an assorted group, ranging from a Libertonian grease monkey to a Bretonian built like a boulder. They murmured appreciative comments.

Well, shes yours, said the Commander. You have clearance to leave. Keep up the good work, Katana. He turned and walked out of the hangar. Katana turned to the rest of the group.

Okay, take an hour or two to go over her, get settled in. Meet me on the bridge in an hour.

The bridge had an excellent view, being at the extreme forward position of the ship, below the huge forward gun. The view came at a price, however, as the bridge was vulnerable to attack from the front when the shields were down. However, the significant armour plating and the fact that all seven turrets could fire forward discouraged frontal assaults.

Katana sat in the captains chair, reading the documents that had come with the ship. He was huge, his 6, 4 frame bulked by muscles. Dreadlocked, flaming red hair hung to his shoulders, framing his hard face with its stubborn jaw. He had a right to be proud of himself. For a freelancer, being granted the right to fly a Bretonian gunboat was a huge privilege. Katana had earned it, however. Over the past years, he had destroyed over 3,000 Corsairs in Southern Bretonia and the Omegas, a massive achievement. The Corsairs feared his name, for a good reason.

Katana had also distinguished himself in the war, destroying several wings of Kusarian Chimeras in Tau-31. He had also combated piracy on special occasions, such as protecting gold shipments and ambushing ace pirates. The higher-up decision makers in the Armed Forces had obviously thought that he deserved this gunboat, and had approved his request.

Katanas reason for requesting the gunboat was simple. He needed more firepower. Often in Omega-49, he had been forced to flee when confronted with a gunboat or overwhelming numbers. He could have brought more like-minded individuals along with him, but he was never comfortable that he could be left at the mercy of the Corsairs. Therefore, a gunboat was the logical choice, and the Bretonian gunboat had a good reputation.

These controls look easy to learn, and I think shell handle well for her size, said Edward Ed Wright, whom Katana had appointed as the navigator. I just uploaded my nav map data, so weve got all the locations. A map appeared, showing the Sirius sector, dotted with visited systems. There were few systems Ed hadnt been to, and Katana had filled in the blanks.

Remember, let me take over in dense asteroid fields and combat, reminded Katana. Its not that I dont trust you, but...

Youre the superior pilot, finished Ed. I know I wouldnt entrust my ship to a ham-fisted baboon. Shows that you trust me. I appreciate your confidence in an ex-smuggler.

Katana smiled. Youre the best navigator in the business, and a damn good pilot. I wouldnt choose anyone else, not even Rock, to fly my boat while I cant be bothered.

What was that? asked what seemed to be a human boulder as he stepped onto the bridge.

He said he wouldnt entrust his ship to anyone but me, said Ed, grinning at his captains confidence in him.

George Rock Stone shrugged. Dont blame him, he said. Both of you are better navigators and pilots than me. He had got his nickname as an ensign for being almost as wide as he was tall, all of it muscle. Next to the slim, New London-born Ed, he looked gigantic.

Katana stood up, easing the hilt of his katana out of his ribs. Has Taz checked out the engine yet? he asked Rock.

She was fiddling around with it.

Id better go check. You know how oblivious she can get when doing her thing. Tanya Taz Gold was fascinated with engines, and loved to fiddle with them from a young age. Katana treated her like his little sister, a replacement for the one that had committed suicide all those years ago.

Heading into the belly of the gunboat, Katana passed Oscar Oz Walker on the way.

Ill set up my equipment on the bridge, Katana. That way, its easily accessible, and you can contact me easily. Who knows, might save us one day. Katana nodded and continued on past the ex-Lane Hacker and into the engine room.

The mighty engine had its protective cover off, and a young, pretty Libertonian girl was leaning into it, using a torch to probe something or other. She jumped when Katana tapped her shoulder.

Oh, hey Katana. Just checking it was all right and...

Is it in the best possible condition? Katana asked, cutting her off. He had to stop Taz before she began rambling on about her beloved engines.

Uh... yeah, actually, I cant find many ways to improve it...

Katanas thick eyebrows rose in surprise. There werent many engines that Taz couldnt find 101 ways to make better. The Bretonians made their ships well.

Well, see what you can do about making it better. Get parts at the dealer here if you need them. We leave in four hours.

Katana headed back up, and went to the infirmary, in between the bridge and the living quarters. The slim, attractive Bretonian doctor looked up as he walked in.

Got everything sorted, Nat? asked Katana. Natalie Nat Owen was a first-class doctor, in the top five percent on New London, and was mentally gifted. However, in no way had it gone to her head.

This bloody infirmary doesnt have enough medical supplies as standard, she sighed. I need a...

Whoa, dont tell me what you need, just get it, replied Katana. Pull strings if you have to, I dont want anyone rudely dying on me.

Katana made his way back to the bridge, where Oz had just finished setting up his equipment. It was versatile, made with all the knowledge of an ex-Ageira employee with the expertise of a Lane Hacker. It could scramble comm. signals for hours, which Katana could testify to, and could track a transmission within minutes, depending on the distance.

Katana, you thought of a name for this yet? asked Rock. Not nice to fly a ship with no name.

I already sorted it out with the Commander. Its the Relentless. Callsign: FG|Relentless.

Four hours later...

This is Southampton Shipyard to FG|Relentless. You are cleared for undocking. Good luck out there.

Katana closed the comm. channel and eased the Relentless out of Southampton. As captain, he had the honour of launching for the first time. The Relentless powered clear of Southampton. Katana slowly turned for the New London trade lane and engaged the afterburners. The gunboat surged forward, at a speed of 145 m/s, 5 m/s more than usual due to Tazs engine tweaking.

Not what Im used to, commented Katana. I guess Ill grow into it. They entered the trade lane, the controls automatically moving back to their original positions. Ed, take the helm, instructed Katana.

Ed was just settling into the seat when the Trade lane ungraciously expelled them. Four Molly Bloodhounds were waiting in front of the next ring. A squeak and an oh, crap came over the comms.

Ed... take them out, commanded Katana, smiling, as he settled down in the captains chair.

Due to the weapons centralisation system, all seven turrets could be fired at once by the pilot, who had a targeting screen that showed everything around the gunboat, so anyone could be targeted, wherever they were. The forward gun had a separate button and aiming system due to its uniqueness.

Ed squeezed the button on the control column. Deadly blue bolts shot out of the turrets at incredible speed, with a good refire rate. The Mollys shields were taken down with a few hits, and their weak light fighters stood no chance. Within seconds of turning to run, they were all eating space. Ed grinned.

Okay, tractor in the pods, said Katana, also grinning. Im starting to like this ship...

Two days later, Leeds system.

So, over the past two days, weve captured eighteen Mollys, thirty Gaians and about fifty Corsairs? asked Oz counting them of on his fingers. Not waiting for an answer, he went on: I somehow think weve proved that Bretonias trust was well placed.

Weve got a lot more to do yet, replied Katana as he watched Ed program a course for the Tau-31 jump hole. Those damn Kusarians dont give up. We get in, and grab a few higher-ranking prisoners for interrogation onboard the Macduff. That might mean taking on a gunboat, maybe even a destroyer.

Oz sucked his teeth. Will we have backup? he asked nervously, already knowing the answer.

Nope. Were alone out there, unless a BAF patrol comes across us.

The Relentless jumped to Tau-31. The three men on the bridge immediately shielded their eyes from the intense light of the jump sequence, bright after the yellow-brown background of Leeds. Within seconds, they were deposited in Tau-31.

Looks like we wont have to wait long, remarked Katana.

Bretonian gunboat, deactivate your engines and shields and stand by to be scanned, ordered the captain of the Kusarian gunboat hovering above the jump gate, with two Chimeras flanking it.

Katana took Eds seat quickly and took hold of the control stick. He looked at the screen that showed the face of the Kusarian gunboat captain and said: Sorry mate, this fish bites back. Static filled the screen, and Oz gave Katana the thumbs-up. All the Kusarians comms had been scrambled.

Katana aimed for the Chimera on the left, which was still waiting for orders and so was completely still as the Relentlesss turrets went into action. As its shields dropped, Katana fired the forward gun. The resulting explosion shook the Kusarian gunboat and it jolted into the other Chimera. Taking advantage of the confusion, Katana laid into the second Chimera while thrusting rapidly towards them. The second Chimera blew up just as the gunboat opened fire with turrets and forward gun.

Katana threw his entire weight into shifting the control stick to the extreme right. The Relentless responded by strafing right, avoiding the gunboats fire and causing Rock, who had just rushed onto the bridge, to fall over. Katana continued to strafe, laying into the Kusarian gunboat as it flew past him. Ed had successfully tractored in the escape pods of the Chimeras pilots before the Kusarian vessel could.

Katana afterburned after the Kusarian, who was vainly trying to turn around, hitting him with all arms. The gunboats shield was rapidly dropping, down to about a third already. Abruptly, the bar on Katanas HUD was fully blue again. Rock shook his head. The idiots used his shield batteries too early, he remarked in disgust. This looks to be easy.

The Kusarian had completed his turn, only to have Katana strafe past him again, keeping all seven of his turrets going. The Kusarian could only bring three of his five turrets to bear, and he started another turn, while thrusting away from the Relentless. Katana followed him round, firing all turrets and the forward gun whenever the Relentlesss energy levels allowed. The Kusarian could only reply with three of his turrets, so the Relentlesss first-class shields were barely dented.

The Kusarians shields dropped, and he flung the gunboat in every direction possible in an attempt to shake of Katana. The Relentless lived up to its name, doggedly following the gunboat no matter how hard the Kusarian tried, and Katana was such a superb aim that most of the forward guns shots landed on the Kusarians hull.

The end was near. The Kusarians engine ripped itself away from the hull, effectively paralyzing the ship. Turret fire ripped through the bridge, killing most of the crew. The Kusarian gunboat drifted helplessly, with no power and multiple hull breaches.

Well, we got prisoners, said Katana, cracking his knuckles. I wonder what the BAF will make of a mostly intact Kusarian gunboat. Rock, get her ready to be towed. He leaned back in his chair, cracking a satisfied smile. That was easy.

A week later, Omega-49, Edge Worlds.

Katana threw the Relentless sideways, and turned in time to rake the passing Titan with turret fire, a wing was ripped off, and the pilot ejected just as it exploded.

Ha! You werent expecting that from a gunboat, were ya? shouted Katana as he tractored in the escape pod. He joined the other three from his wing in the spacious cargo hold. Katana set the autopilot on a course for Gran Canaria, left Ed on the bridge, and went down to the cargo hold, passing Nat on the way.

Cant you fight in a way that doesnt make me feel sick? she groaned. Katana laughed and entered the cargo hold. It was large, nowhere near a transports capacity, but it outdid quite a few freighters. The only thing Katana used it for was for storing necessary supplies and prisoners.

He walked up to the prisoners, fingering his katana. Rock had already got three of the Corsairs out of their pods after stunning them into unconsciousness, and he was about to do the same when Katana stopped him. Katana released the seal and ripped open the pod.

The Corsair, the first one tractored, had had time to recover from his ship being destroyed, and lashed out at Katana. Katana caught his fist and swung him to the ground, then twisted viciously, causing the Corsair to scream in pain as he was lifted off the floor by his wrist. Resistance remained, however, as the Corsair attempted to kick Katana. Katana simply swung the Corsair into his old pod with enough force to snap ribs.
Katana drew his namesake weapon and advanced on the Corsair, who scrabbled backwards, wincing in pain. Rock kicked him into Katanas path, and Katana grabbed him by his hair and pulled him up so they were face to face.

You will be released on Gran Canaria, said Katana coldly. The Corsair sagged with relief. You let the rest of you know that Katana has a gunboat. Tell them that the captain of the Relentless will be a thorn in their side until his dying day. Just a reminder. He let the Corsair drop.

What about my comrades? asked the Corsair.

I turn all other criminals over to the BPA. But Corsairs... I kill Corsairs. No mercy for them, as they showed me none. They never show any mercy, so they deserve none.

The Corsair launched himself at Katana with a wordless howl. Katana simply swung his katana, neatly removing the Corsairs right arm. The howl of rage turned to one of agony. Make sure he lives to report to his superiors, reminded Katana. Rock nodded and dragged the sobbing Corsair back to the infirmary.

A few minutes later, Planet Gran Canaria, Omega-49.

The three executed Corsairs were handed over to the morgue. Katana had a friendship with the official there, who turned a blind eye to Katanas killings and incinerated the Corsairs corpses for a small bribe. Rock oversaw supplies going onboard, and the Relentless was leaving the atmosphere a few minutes later.

Set a course for the luxury liner Shetland in Edinburgh, Katana told Ed. I think weve earned ourselves a break.

A week later, Luxury Liner Shetland, Edinburgh.

After several days of alternate relaxing and partying, the crew of the Relentless dragged themselves out of their hugely comfortable beds and back onto the Relentless. They only one not bleary-eyed and wincing at every noise was Nat, whod had the wisdom and foresight to avoid alcohol on the last night.

I swear, sometimes people just dont think, she muttered as she adjusted the cloth covering Katanas forehead.

Last night, I couldnt think, mumbled Katana. Did I do anything embarrassing?

Only as much as the others.

Did I sleep with anyone?

You came close a couple of times, but as far as I know, no.

A few minutes later, the Relentless squeezed out of the Shetland and moved off. Ed was in his bunk with the worst hangover on board, so Katana was at the controls. He admired Planet Gaia as they passed it, and for a few seconds understood some of the Gaians policies. This understanding was shattered when four Gaians showed up on the scanners, all hostile, and all flying in the opposite direction as fast as they could.

Treehugging cowards, growled Katana. I hate cowards.

Er, I think its just common sense to run if you see a gunboat while piloting a Startracker, put in Oz.

I guess, conceded Katana. Aint they meant to have an alliance of some sort with the Corsairs? What would the Corsairs have to gain? I dont...

He was cut off by a transmission from the nearby Gaian stronghold, Islay base: World-ruiner! Polluter! Killer of rare species! Rapist of Gaia! Blind... The base was cut off as Oz scrambled their communications.

I just thought of a new reason to hate treehuggers, commented Katana as they continued towards the Leeds jump gate. He turned the autopilot on and settled down to read the Relentlesss logbook. In the sixteen days of his ownership, the Relentless had destroyed thirty-three Mollys, a hundred and sixty Corsairs, fifty Gaians, seventeen Outcasts, two Junkers, and fourteen Kusarians and had crippled and captured a Kusarian gunboat. Not a bad start...