The path of Prospector

[Doom]

Chapter II

The Path of Prospector
New dawn is upon Xeno people. There were only few of them, but under corrupt Liberty government more and more automated and robotic work force was used, leaving numerous people without the job, their families with out the basic necessities of life. Government called this progress.
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Among many, there was one. One who organized twenty of his former coworkers and their families. Together they left in search of a better life. They sold all their property bought one small and rusty Rhino freighter. In hope of better life ahead, and in search of new prospects they christened new ship "The Prospector".
But luck wasn't on their side. Soon after they entered California system and group of five Liberty Rouges attacked small freighter. They tried to run, but fighters were faster. In terrible fight freighter was badly damaged and there were seven casualties. Five dead and two badly wounded. By pure luck freighter managed to escape. While cooling liquid was leaking, life support failed. Small freighter stumbled upon uncharted jump hole, in their desperation they jumped thru. System was empty. They were lost.
Time was running short. Oxygen deficiency only increased panic among passengers. Pilot needed to act fast, so he did. He programed ships nav computer to systematically search empty system hoping they will find another jump hole. After two more hours of searching oxygen ran out and people lost consciousness. Ship guided by nav computer continued on its way.
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Pilot of the small freighter called Prospector woke up in small white room surrounded by few other people also in their beds. He was only one awake. He tried to stand up but he was to weak.
Nurse entering the room

- Ah, sir you are awake.

- Yes. Where am i?....Who, who are you?

- Stay calm sir, you are safe now. You and most of your crew are safe. Unfortunately few were find dead on your ship.

- My ship....my friends...Who are you?!

- You are on Ouray base. In sick bay. This is Xeno base.

- XENO!!!...a terrorist base?....

- You will find that things aren't so black and white sir..calm down...soon you will know everything.
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Days have passed. Pilot and his crew got better every day. But their movement was limited to sick bay only. Finally, one day one man, dressed in black entered the room where pilot layed.

- Greetings stranger. My name is William Patrick and i am commander of this station.


- Greetings sir. My name is Richard York. I wish to thank you. We all are in debt to you. But i cant not to wonder....why did you rescue us?...I never heard anything good about Xenos...

- Dear sir, - said Patrick while laughing - many things about us are not true, but i will leave you to get opinion of up on your own...then we will talk about Xenos...until then do you wish to know how u end up here?

- Yes, that would be good. We were wondering about that for days now.

- Hmmm...it is quite simple...Our patrols found your ship drifting in space close to Ontario Jump hole, how it got there we really don't know. As you probably know it was heavily damaged and without life support. Our pilots dispatched distress call and few more of our fighters showed up. Each of them took few of your passengers on board and brought them here.
Here they received medical attention and they all are well now.

- I wish to thank you again...you and your pilots...

Nurse entered the room

- Sir it is time for your last shoot, tomorrow you will be released from hospital

Nurse gave the shoot to York and in moments he fell a sleep.

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