Naval Operations Headquarters [Message Dump]

[Malaclypse 666]

Message to: Kusari Naval Command
Comm ID: [KNF]~Chijin~
Subject: Pirate Vessel Shadow[lite]

Received word this evening from Celine Squadron Leader LoTeK_ of an untagged pirate vessel breaking the Honshu/Akita trade lane, and harrassing traders, most notably a well-known friendly face in Honshu, the vessel OsoRojo~Trading/Co.

As Senior Officer on Watch, Captain Svaldi of the destroyer deLuna intercepted and identified the pirate as a Hawk bearing Freelancer ID. (lvl 37). Shadow[lite]'s pilot was informed of Kusari's zero-tolerance policy regarding piracy, but he continued to harrass traders.

With the help of Trader Oso-san, a cunning trap was developed for the pirate. He was allowed to demand and receive money from the Trader, which immediately made him a legitimate target (lvl 42). Upon next sighting, the deLuna warned the vessel once again, emphasizing the warning with brief turret fire. The brave but foolhardy pirate returned fire, and was severely damaged by the deLuna's missile batteries. (1X).

However, the Shadow[lite] repaired and persisted, returning to the same area of previous harrasments. Comms problems (game crash) had grounded the deLuna, so the Chijin took up patrol along the route. Visual sighting was swift, and Chijin engaged the Hawk fighter. Chijin reports the pilot flew well, and dropped his shields several times during the dogfight, inflicting minor hull and structural damage as well. But Chijin prevailed in crippling the fighter badly (X2), and rescued several captured pilots as well.

While completing paperwork on incident at Honshu, sensors detected the Shadow[lite] once again. This time, Chijin-san followed Oso-san at cruise parallel to the tradelane towards Akita at a distance of 2Km behind. The pirate was soon evident ahead of our Trader friend, who politely killed engines and offerred himself as target while Chijin closed. Another brief battle ensued, until the pirate engaged cruise, and headed towards the Honshu/Yukawa lane.

Chijin pursued but the Shadow entered lane and escaped towards Yukawa Shipyard. Suspecting that the Shadow would return through lane, Chijin stationed where he could use emergency disabling of a trade ring to stop the pirate. This proved unnecessary, as the pirate approached at cruise directly towards Chijin, headed again for Honshu. Chijin dropped the pirate's shield as he passed, and was able to pursue closely enough to render the final blow to the fighter (X3).

There is suspicion from later comms chatter that pilot of the Shadow[lite] was picked up by a passing Stone Sister, who gladly took him home to Ainu Base. Expect to see this brave but foolhardy pilot again, Warriors.

Hai!
Chijin-san

*( ooc: This rather new and brash lad did return after three deaths, but was very receptive to an explanation of the rules, and was aware that he would now need proper ID.. thanks to Oso.. heh. He also promised to glow ruby in my HUD next time we met.

Actually, I recommended Ainu as a home for him.
Though he can be annoying, perhaps he is just what our pilots need as a next-door neighbor/gadfly.
Cheers, Shadow. Well fought. I'll keep you to those promises! Mal.)*

---