Karadin

[Stoat]

This is the Garban. The transmission broke across Karadins thoughts. Were about to set out for New Berlin and require an escort. We have a full load of Beryllium, and have heard pirate activity in the Omegas and Stuttgart. We were wondering if we could make reports of use of your sevices.

Karadin checked the comms array. The message had been targeted directly at him. He checked his scanners to see a contact just off his stern. He swung the Viper around to see a large transport approaching. A quick scan revealed it to be a Gateway vessel. The comms crackled into life again. Karadin, please respond.

Surprised, Karadin opened a channel. Garban, why are you asking me? Im sure youre aware of my standing with the Bretonians. Why on earth would you take the risk?

We are indeed aware, Karadin. However, the reports of pirate activity point directly towards Hessian involvement, and your reputation would put you as an enemy of theirs. This would lead us to believe that you would be unlikely to sell us out, and to be honest, you are the only option available to us within this system, and we have to leave immediately. We cannot wait. So, if youre interested, please advise. We will reimburse you handsomely for your time.

He came to a quick decision. He needed the money. Very well, Garban. I will be happy to escort you to your destination. I will meet you at the Omega-3 jump gate. I have to give the Norfolk a bit of a wide berth!

Roger Karadin. Well rendezvous with you there.

Karadin kicked in the cruise engines, which sputtered into life. He veered around the Norfolk, keeping just out of scanner range, and then rejoined the trade lane through the ice clouds to the jump gate. The Garban was there. Karadin proceeded to escort the transport through the Omegas.

Scouting ahead, Karadin picked up a small group of ships at long range. As he got closer he was able to detect two Falcata bombers and a pirate transport. Garban, this is Karadin. Hostile contacts present at the Wilkes Ice Field. I suggest a detour around the sun. Itll take a while longer but itll be worth it.

Roger Karadin, Thanks for the heads-up. Detouring now. Well rendezvous again in sector F5, and continue from there.

Will do Garban. Ive got an idea for getting rid of those pirates. Shouldnt take long.

Karadin set his comms unit for the Battleship Norfolk, but scrambled his comm. ID. He opened a channel.

Norfolk?! Come in, Norfolk! This is Gateway escort 51X7. We have encountered pirates at the Wilkes ice field. We are under attack and require urgent assistance. ID signatures of the ships involved are being transmitted to you now!

Roger, escort 51X7, came the clipped response. We have a patrol jumping into the system right now. They should be with you shortly. Please identify yourself to them at the earliest opportunity.

Karadin engaged his cruise engines and headed towards the pirate group. It was a risk, but he reckoned it unlikely they would be interested in his Viper. As he closed to within a few hundred meters of them, he killed his engines, targeted one of the Falcatas and opened fire. Hed got their attention. The two Falcatas swung about, and moved to intercept, while the transport headed to cut off his apparent escape route via the trade lane to the Omega-7 jump gate.

He reversed thrust, and sped back the way he had come, diving right between the two bombers. They both opened fire, and as they turned in towards Karadin, they found themselves firing at each other. Both ships broke off, giving Karadin just the opportunity he required to dock with the trade lane running back to Freeport 1.

Damn it! Get him! Get him! screamed one of the pirates over open comms. Before he makes it to the Freeport!

All three ships joined the lane just behind Karadin. He was sweating now. He mouthed a silent prayer that the patrol from the Norfolk would be arriving at the Freeport at about the same time as he did. The timing of his next manoeuvre was going to be tight.

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