The Drunken Junker

[Gypsie]

Gyp raises his glass too and toasts. To the future and it's uncertainties! He then takes a sip. You do need to catch up Mr. Trenton, hehehe...

He then put his glass down and takes out a cigarrette that was hidden behind his left ear. After lighting it he looks at Marcus. You know there are bombs the size of this smoke...

He stares switching between the man and the robot, James seems surprised. Then Gyp breaks in laughter, as so does the Junker.

I'll cut it to the point, Mr. Trenton, simply because if you accept my proposal, we can start just immediately. What I came here for is to ask if you would be interested in me writing an article about you for the No Buns No Cabbages Reports. He drinks more wine as he watches Jame's reaction. I'd like to see what a life in a Salvager is like, what the daily job of a prosper Junker as you looks like, what perils and retribution await around the corner of each new day... Would you accept me on board for some weeks to make a full periodism-ish investigation on how is it like to be James Trenton? Fnord.

---

Malaclypse Freeport

[JunkerTown]

James listens as Gypsie speaks.
Finishing the drink he's nearly choked up by the Zoner's request.
Setting his glass down he looks over to him and says..

You want to know what life on a salvager is like ya say?
I wonder if you realize just what your asking here.
Life on my salvager is very different than what you would find aboard most Junker ships.
Most are used for trade runs and making credits.
Mine hasn't moved product for profit in a very long time.
It has been outfitted with special equipment and its space allocated for armor.
The remaining cargo space is reserved for high quality fuel storage.

Pausing he reaches over and picks up the bottle and pours himself another drink.
Sitting back in the chair he opens a humidor box on the table beside him.
Inside are several hand rolled high end cigars.
He pulls out a cigar and dips it into his drink.
Using a cigar cutter he slices off the end and then strikes a wooden match.
Placing the rum soaked tip into his mouth he lights it up.
Takes a drag off the stogie and as the smoke swirls he says..

Still.. perhaps we can work something out..
IF I allow you aboard my ship you will need to follow my orders.
Even a guest would still need to behave as a member of the crew.
So tell me.. Would you be alright with that?

---

[Gypsie]

The reporter's face shows (besides the drink) his excitement about the possibility of his idea actually happening. He puts his glass down and says:

Mister Trenton, I am alright with those conditions. I promise that as long as I'm on board I will follow your orders and help with what I can. I do not know how to fly such vessel, but if the time comes for a shootout, I do now my way aiming a beam turret.

He stops for a second.

Word is that a pair of lunatic Outcasts are wrecking Havoc aroun the area. We might see some action, right?

---

Malaclypse Freeport

[JunkerTown]

James shakes his head and says..

Wow.. it truly is a small verse after all!
Word travels faster than jump drives in Sirius and yes its true.
A couple of renegade cruisers have been randomly attacking Junkers.
They've assaulted several ships working for us at Saltese recently.
Either both of them are seriously infected or they have just gone insane.
Worst part is the cruisers they are using have been identified as Corvo's.


James finishes his drink and ashes his cigar.
He looks back at Gypsie and says..

One more thing..
Look I don't plan on putting you in a compromising situation but as you know things can happen.
If something does happen that I need to be kept quiet.
Can I count on you to keep it confidential?

Gypsie nods his head in the affirmative.
He acknowledges the need for discretion and assures James he can be trusted.
Before he can finish talking tho a siren sounds and an emergency action message is heard.

PERIMETER BREACH UNIDENTIFIED WARSHIPS HAVE ENTERED PUERTO RICO!

Seconds later a loud sounding BOOM is heard as the station shakes.
Glasses and bottles from the bar and tables crash to the floor.
Another message comes over the intercom.

RED ALERT! RED ALERT!! STATION UNDER ATTACK!!! INITIATING BASE DEFENSES SHIELDS UP!!!!

Marcus moves quickly over to the table where James and Gypsie sit.
He says..
SIR! We must leave NOW!!

James smirks as he stands up and looking at Gypsie he says..
Well you asked for it!
C'mon Gyp follow us to the ship.

Looking to Marcus he says..
Alright bud lead us outta here!

The trio move quickly to the door and back into the bar.
Patrons are scrambling as the lights flicker with each blast to the station's shields.
Alycia sitting down behind the bar has a small cut on her head from a falling bottle.
James bends down to check on her.
You ok babe?
Groggy she says..
Uhm.. ya honey I'll be alright.. justa cut.
Don't mind me I'm fine.. You gotta go and stop those bastards!!
Security personnel enters the pub and James signals for them to come over.
Guys get her to medical now!
They rush to her side as James helps Alycia back to her feet.
Giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and a small wink he hands her over to the guards.
Marcus, James and Gypsie move fast and board the salvager JunkTown.
Entering the bridge James says..
Release docking locks and power up the engines!

As the ship begins its powering up procedure a call comes into the bridge from Captain Murphy aboard the Claymore.O'Gordon.

Sir! We 'eard da alarms an jus arriv'd 'ere frum Vieques.
Enemy ships sight'd an were engagin!
Roger that Murphy fire at will!
James slides into his command seat and says..
Engage cloaking device!
Looking at Gypsie and pointing at the chair just behind him he says..
Have a seat and buckle up Gyp!
The docking bays open as the ship begins to move out of the station.
A large bright light emits over the entire hull of the ship as the cloak powers up.
James smiles over to Gypsie and says..
So you ever been on a ship with a cloaking device before?

---

[Gypsie]

Gyp watches amused while the light covers the entirety of the ship. As the vessel comes out of the station, a beam rain is seen around the station. Anti-snub rapid fire beamed ferociously from beyond, the Salvager and the other ship dodging their way around.

So... you sure them boogies can't see us... right?

Gypsie looks with fear at the capital ship couple of Outcasts. He desperately grabs a smoke from his shirt's pocket and lighting it with a strong puff. He then sits at a turret's chair, studying buttons and levers.

From one to ten, how different would flying this be compared to fly an Order Hathor? Forget it, that question didn't make sense. Let's see... valves... giroscopes.... trokelins up, that's not too hard.... now I aim and press this red button or does it have a catch?

---

Malaclypse Freeport

[JunkerTown]

James smirks watching Gypsie engage the turret controls.
Leaning slightly in his chair towards Gypsie he says..

Easy now cowboy we ain't equipped to shoot these bad boys.
That doesn't mean were out of the fight though.. stand by Gyp.

Sitting back he turns his attention to his bridge operators.
Alright people lets stay frosty out here!
Give me a status report on LF.
Sir station's shields are holding but its still taking hull damage. At Ninety six percent integrity and falling.
As the plum of blinding light generated by the cloak dissipates the situation outside the ship becomes clear.
Two renegade corvo cruisers using false credentials and signatures circle La Fortaleza.
Firing cannons and mortars they repeat bombardment attacks while avoiding fire from the weapon platforms.
James says..
Get Murphy on the Hom!
A second later a holographic image appears in the center of the bridge.
Its the captain of the Congress flagship Claymore.O'Gordon, Robert Murphy.
Ok Murph you have your targets lock on to the closest cruiser and fire!
O'ight boss firin on da slippery bastar's noi!
The Gordon unleashes a volley of heavy fire attracting the cruiser's attention.
With their focus on the battleship, base personnel begin analyzing the damage to La Fortaleza.
The fight rages on and the cruisers manage to remain just out of range of the Gordon's big guns.
Still with their attention directed elsewhere the problem on board the station is identified.
James orders Vieques to assemble a team of emergency response technicians.
With Puerto Rico on full alert Director Barret is also found staying at the shipyard.
Climbing into his bomber he flies out of the hangar and heads into the fight.

JunkTown arrives at Vieques just as Barret's bomber streaks by heading to the fight.
The salvager cuts its engine and then docks at the base.
The engineers are rushed over to the ship and loaded up.
Cloaking device powers up once again as the docking locks release and the ship pulls out of the station.
By this time the fight has taken its toll on the Gordon and the ship is taking on heavy damage.
James orders..
Murphy on the hom!
Murphy's image appears..
We be tak'n a beat'n Boss! Dun wurry tho Oi won' run.. gunna kee fight'n to da end!!
HELL NO MURPHY!!
Get your ass outta there RIGHT NOW!!!
Ya sur Boss we moight be able to hol em noi tha Barret's wif us?
A bridge operator speaks..
He's got a point sir better not to divide our forces.
James reasserts his order and says..
Yes I am sure!
Now jump to Texas IMMEDIATELY!!
Roight'o Boss jump'n to Texas.
The Gordon enters the jumphole into the Texas system.
A cruiser follows him through as Barret jumps right behind them.
One cruiser stays behind and proceeds to bombard La Fortaleza again.

Analyzing the attack pattern the cruiser is using James identifies a weak spot in the stations defenses.
He says..
Move our ship to that cruiser's last known trajectory.

The cloaked ship moves into the flight path of the cruiser as it begins its next bombing run.
With it's cloak on the cruiser cannot see its heading straight into JunkTown.
Crew on the bridge seem on edge as the large ship moves closer and closer to the salvager.
James says..
Open channel to LF!
And relay our exact coordinates to them.

The operators open communications to the command center on La Fortaleza and send over the ship's position.
Defense fire grid at those coordinates..
FIRE FOR EFFECT!!
Looking back at his bridge crew he continues..
FULL SPEED!! MOVE OUT NOW!!!
The salvager moves out of the way just before the cruiser rams into it.
Suddenly the weapon platforms all direct fire at the coordinates.
Now in range of the guns the cruiser takes heavy damage and is forced to retreat.
Barely escaping the cruiser flees and jumps into Texas.
A loud resounding cheer rings out as the ship leaves Puerto Rico.
James says..
Well done everyone!!
Get these technicians over to LF and get to work fixing the station.
Have them power down the shield and proceed to dock.


The operators issue the commands and brings JunkTown into dock on La Fortaleza.
As the crew rushes the technicians off the ship and onto the base James looks at Marucs and says..
Ok ole friend I need you to stay here and make sure the station gets back to full strength.
Then load up on your gunboat and wait for my orders..
Marcus nods affirmatively and leaves the ship.
James returns to his command console and says..
Lets go people it ain't over yet!
JunkTown lifts off from the station and engages its cloak.
Once outside the ship enters the Texas jumphole and leaves Puerto Rico.
In Texas the fight rages on as the Gordon struggles to flee as the cruisers engage.
Cruise engines from the Gordon power up and the ship begins to increase speed.
Just then one of the cruisers lines up and fires a full volley complete with a cruise disrupting missile.
Barret seeing the Gordon in trouble says over comms..
Ah hell.. She ain't gonna make it!
GONNA TRY TO BLOCK IT!!
Barret thrusts his bomber in behind the Gordon and the diversion works!
As the disruptor missile misses the flagship and hits the bomber instead.
Sadly before Barret's ship powers back up from the disruptor.. he is hit by the volley of fire following the cruise missile.
The small ship is torn wing from wing as the auto ejection pod rockets away from the explosion.
JunkTown moving fast is not far from Barret's ship as it explodes.
James yells..
TRACTOR IN THAT POD!!
The salvager still cloaked out emits a tractor beam and pulls in Barret's escape pod.
The Gordon steams away from the fight at full speed now heading towards Beaumont.
James issues a system wide warning about the attacks attracting other Junkers and the Liberty Navy.
All the while following the cruisers as they attempt to hide in a nearby scrap field.
The Gordon makes its way to Beaumont and is restocked for battle.
JunkTown relays the renegade cruisers positions to Murphy along with other Junkers and LNS in the area.

An independent Junker flying a bomber is the first to arrive.
He bravely commences to engage the pair of cruisers parked in the field.
Dodging wildly he keeps them busy while reinforcements race to respond.
Seconds later the Gordon arrives and the cruisers set their sights on the flagship.
After several minutes of fighting a Liberty Navy patrol arrives.
James contacts the leader of the LNS capital ship and explains the situation.
The Navy ships lock onto the cruisers and begin their attack.
Outnumbered and outgunned the renegades get separated.
Cheers can be heard as the first cruiser falls.. and grow even louder as the second one explodes.
Gratitudes are exchanged as the Navy leaves and the Gordon returns to Puerto Rico.
James says..

Alright lets head home fellas..
Celebratory cheering continues as the ship jumps back home.
James looks over to Gypsie.. giving a sly little wink he says...
Sometimes I do my best fighting without ever firing a shot!
SO would you like to head back over to DJ and finish our drinks now?

---

[Gypsie]

As James turns to speak to Gyppo, he realizes the Zoner reporter has released the grip from the turret control. With a totally surprised face he then smiles and laughs desperately.

That was the most thrilling experience in my whole life James! I mean... Mr. Trenton. Why would I want to go back to La Fortaleza, it seems the fun is all on board this fine craft!

He then takes out a cigarette, lights it and start speaking rapidly and in a low voice, as if talking to himself. With crazy movements of his arms in the air as he waves the lit cigarrete back and forth, the argue with his own self continues in a mumble.

This could be the story of my life! I'd earn a Pullitzer! Or even better... a Pulloutzer! I wan't to write down all the details... where's my pen.... where's my notepad?!

He then stares with the cigar bitten between his teeth, at a laughing Trenton.

My friend, if we are gonna do this, I'll need to stop to buy a few hundreds more sketchbooks.

---

Malaclypse Freeport

[Tyber.Zann]

There's a good crowd at the Drunken Junker tonight. The sound of laughter, the smell of sweat, oil, smoke.. a strong air of camaraderie. It feels like home. Alycia's tending bar.. must be Alfred's night off. Easing through the crowd I work my way up to the polished oak bar. Leaning over I say just loud enough to be heard.. "I'll have my usual darlin".

Smiling politely she looks up to put a face to the request.. a moment of confusion, then recognition.. elation... 'Tyber! Oh my god Tyber!' ... elation gives way to anger... 'Where the frack have you been! You've had us worried sick.. Disappearing without so much as a word!'

"I'm sorry. I had some unexpected business... I had no idea I'd be gone so long... I missed y'all something fierce".

Calming noticeably she takes a deep breath.. 'Well, it's good to have you home. Really good. We've missed you too.' Noticing the slumped shoulders, dark circles under the eyes, and the look of downright weariness she smiles warmly. 'There'll be time to talk about it later. You look in dire need o' some rest. I'll bet some warm food and a soft bed'll do you wonders.'

Thankful for the understanding I reach across and take her hand. "It's so good to be home!" Turning to leave I pause, "Do me a favor darlin and let the fellas know I'm back."

[Lythrilux]

George Masters entered through the doors of The Drunken Junker. He'd recently been sent an invitation to attend the pub for business. He knew he'd be waiting for Arbiter James Treton, however George could not spot him amongst the patrons in the pub.

George proceeded towards the bar, he ordered a glass of water before sitting down at a nearby table. He took his data pad out of his pocket and began to slowly type away in isolation, patiently waiting for his host.

---

[Zahir]

The crew of the SF Libeccio is in one of the boxes, and they seems very loose, they are celebrating something important. Mostly they speak in mixed italian (Maltese dialect) and common english. But as it seems, their captain has just become a congressman, and the crew and their ship is before the inauguration to the fleet of the Junker Congress.
A young girl, named Flavia, kind of engineer and a big sized military type guy, as resulted called Rusty are arguing continuously, and the new congressman, a thin and almost tall guy in an old fashioned and worn suit, smokes relaxed with a glass of whiskey in hand and is listening his mates whit a sneer.

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