York was sitting in command room of Ouray base. He was informed about Rohans return, but now he didnt have time to deal with that.
Like many days recently, this one was rather peaceful. He was listening conversation of two Xeno pilots who were passing near Ouray.
- Howdy, Dick, where are you heading.
- Greetings Will. I am heading to Nome base. There are some news about Xenos forces going on stronger there. So i am going to take a look my self.
- Really? I didn't heard anything.
- Ya...some of my friends hacked into some network array and found some info about it. It seem that religious part of our small comunity is getting more supporters. One man stands out as their leader and high priest.
- Hmmm...i will join you...i am heading to Tau 45 anyway. I can make little detour to the Nome.
Slowly two fighters left the range and rest of conversation was smuthered by noise. York was thinking deeply.
- I think i too, will fly to Nome....if anybody would try to organize Xenos there, he should appreciate all the help he can get.
Bar was full. People dressed in black were celebrating. Large force of foreign vessels were driven out of New York, and in some part Xenos helped with that.
York was sitting in far corner of the bar, at his usual table. Bernadotte entered the bar and walked straight to the York, forcing his way trough the crowd.
He just sat when Colonial News Service announced news bulletin. York shouted to the bartender to increase the volume so everybody can hear it.
" Today massive attack of joint outcast, liberty rouge and molly forces stormed trough New York system. Liberty security force accompanied with South alliance tried to stop them but they were semi successful. Few scattered rouges and Molly battleship survived. Liberty forces suffered heavy damage and they couldn't go against remaining enemies.
Then stroke of luck for Liberty. People who we are afraid the most, and people who we consider our enemies fought our battle today. Xenos, accompanied by one merc stood against foreign threat. Infamous Xeno Richard York lead few of his trusted Xenos into fight against strong Molly/Rouge forces. Fast and light Xeno forces ripped apart super heavy Molly battleship. Rouge destroyer however managed to damage York's ship so he was out of the battle. Battle wasn't much longer, rouge destroyed was destroyed and remaining fighters scattered and damaged. Xenos suffered heavy damage too, but they prevailed as winners. Liberty asked why Xenos did this and we got answer from York himself:
- Why we did save Liberty?...This is our home. We live here, we were born here. Despite that we have issues with corrupted government, we always try to protect little people. And today they were in danger. Maybe it would seem that we did a favor for LSF or SA, but we didn't. While they are lead by corrupted leadership controlled by mighty companies we will fight against them too. People of Liberty look at us like we are some kind of criminals, just cause we are not afraid to fight for our own and we don't dance how companies say. I would like to thank our brave pilots today, namely Wednesday and Rohan, and also one merc who's name i don't want to mention on news.
And that was short recorded message we got from Ouray base, somewhere in Colorado. Reporting for CNS this was Julia O'Brien."
York smiled to Bernadotte and ordered new round of drinks. People in the bar started to sing.
Days passed in peace on Ouray. Few donations from passing traders were enough to sustain Xenos for some time. York and Tex were hanging around the bar most of the time, only stopping to read occasional report from new recruits. Things for Xenos started to look better, at least that was general opinion of Ouray folk.
Till today.
Thompson ran into the bar calling for York and Tex. There were on their usual place in the back of the bar.
- Ya, were over here!....Whats with the noise? - Tex answered...
- Come to command room, you wont believe what i am about to show you.
Without the word they stood up and started to push their way trough the crowd. Once they got in command room, Thompson pointed to large screen on the wall...
- Mollys are attacking Liberty. Again. - Thompson said
York stood in disbelief. Tex's eyes darkened.
- This wont be tolerated. Issue general order for our boys out there. Any sight of Mollys in Liberty must be reported to Ouray so we could organize strike back. Defend Liberty from foreign entities at any cost. Molly intrusions wont be tolerated. - York ordered
Tex still stood by the screen. - I can't believe that last time we fought in Liberty wasn't warning enough.
York smiled. - Ok Tex, it seems we go in fight again.
For several weeks now fight between Xenos, and Liberty forces is gaining on strength...fights are more often with large loses on both sides.
Days have passed in that same tone.
York just docked his Eagle from daily patrol when sirens went off...ALERT!!!!
- Oh come on...not again...-York said
He mounted in his cockpit and undocked the Ouray. His wingman was in bomber and they went to investigate what set alarms off. Soon, their scanners showed one boogie, known gunboat, Maverick. One of the best gunboats that LSF had. York warned the bomber to be careful, that he isn't alone...
- He must have a escort....
He didn't finish his though, when scanners picked up two more enemie ship. Two raven claws...one of them was infamous Liquid, known among Xenos for being average pilot, but one who uses missiles to his advantage...
Both Xeno ships attacked Maverick. It captain did try to avoid torpedoes from bomber, but had little success...Maverick exploded and Yorks eagle flew right trough the debris...
Micheal, bomber pilot said to York that his ship is falling appart and York ordered him to eject.
Now alone against two fighters, York concentrated to weaker target. Juni soon felt full power of York's eagle. One well placed mine rendered his ship totally useless. His entire weapon array way destroyed and ship barely held together. Juni stayed in fight for some time, but after a while seeing that there is no use, he left the scene of battle.
One versus one...York against Liquid. York knew there is no way for him to go head to head with Liquids Raven. Three missiles are too much for damaged eagle, so he used eagle's agility against ravens power...he circled Liquid carefully shooting from time to time...York was calm..time was on his side..he knew Liquid slowly will get damaged...
But, then, one SA fighter came along. York knew this pilot from before...so he engaged him head to head...both fighters sustained heavy damage when one more Xeno showed up to help Yorks efforts...He was in his light fighter...By strategic moves from both xenos, Yorks ship could sustain more damage and soon SA pilot lost his fighter under him, leaving him in his escape pod...
Two more Xenos showed up. Now Xenos were much more dangerous, and Liquid choose not to fight, but rather to dodge until his help arrive..
And it did...first one to come was USS-Midway...Liberty cruiser class vessel...but even that ship couldn't sustain fire from 5 xeno fighters...It got heavy damage before yet another ship came in...Liberty carrier. Zone21...still, xenos keep pounding on Midway when one of the CORE ships, BHG battlecruiser stormed in the fight...soon one more Aegira fighter pilot choose to help the LSF...
Two Xenos fighters got destroyed, and York order remaining fighters to retreat...He stayed alone until all of them were clear and then he retreated himself...
Later on Ouray base, pilots were patrolling in near vicinity of the base, just in case of new attack, when one lonely outcast pilot attacked Xenos. After long fight, York managed to plant one mine who dispatched his sabre to oblivion...
Tex and York were in the bar. York was still under impression from last fight against the LSF...They decided to get drunk...Tomorrow is new day and Xenos will prevail...
Billy Tranton delicately surfs through his illegal encryption device, searching for a special setting only a few would know of. Electronic signals interpreting cosmic phenomena occasionally sound on the 'Bay's speakers. The former Junker turned pure smuggler scratches his head for a minute:
"Now what the hell was that number?"
It took another 10 minutes of tinkering before Billy found what he was looking for, a low frequency pulse that was unmistakeably artificial. He then transmitted the following message:
"I have a job for you guys that just may save your bank. Reply on the following channel and I'll give you the details:"
The cold space around Ouray base was quiet and stationary. Nothing insinuated what will happen in next few hours. Something fatal.
The bay door on the station opened slowly and let a gunboat leave station’s safety. Behind the gunboat’s heavy turrets, metalic armour plates, covered by an interesting collection of black scars, Rogue-made systems, fuel pipes and other equipment, Richard York was checking Prospector’s scanners.
- We do need some more money.. With some luck, we won’t encounter too many navy targets. – York was thinking loudly.
After Prospector entered New York, He got contacted by another Xeno ship: Micheal Scofield, who joined him soon. Two more Xenos – RodenT and James Cripps in his Arrow interceptor met them near West Point Military Academy.
Sons of Liberty easily distrupted the Trade Lane system and waited for what will end in their trap.
- Scanners showing ships attacking us from West Point! – Yelled Micheal to the comm.
- Set course to West Point. - Richard stayed calm.
All Xeno ships powered up weapons and rushed into station’s vicinity...
***
After about 3 hours, all four ships were cruising through Silvetron asteroid field. Ouray was a little dot in the distance at the moment.
York checked some of the system panels and opened the comm. He was in very good mood.
- So, what have we done today, boys? -
- Let me summarise. – RodenT spoke. – Three of the traders donated and left in peace. One was foolish enough to attack. -
- James Cripps continued: - We have a new wreck in the Badlands. Maybe we would be able to trap some junkers there. -
- Actually, that is a good idea. I like this young guy. - Micheal spoke to mainly himself.
- And you have some new scratches on the engines, Mr. York. -
York’s face gained darker expression. – That damn battlecruiser attacked from behind without warnings. Anyway, he payed more, than just some scratches. -
The crowd laughed.
- The other cruiser was a lot easier to shot down. - RodenT told, like they were chatting about weather, not killing.
- Fool. Zoner in a Corsair cruiser, or what the black thing was... Anyway, this guy is dead too. -
- And...Yes, there was a Navy fighter too, wasn’t there? -
- Yes, but only <was>. -
They laughed again.
Ships neared Ouray and all docked finally.
Gunboat was safely docked in dock bay 4. York was walking around Prospector. He gently touched new scars on gunboat's hull. Once brownish color of general rouge design, darkened in time from numerous hits that gunboat took.
In any other fleet, this gunboat would be already dissmantled. But York went trough hell and back to aquire this ship. To him it was his trusted friend, friend who saved his life in numerus fights, not to mention it was strongest and largest ship that Sons of Liberty had.
York, like many other Xenos didn't liked Liberty rouges, but he couldn't deny that despite all odds they know how to build tough little ships.
During the time, trough several years, York invested a lot of stolen money and parts to improve this ship. It may not look like much from out side, but improved equipement gives upper hand in large fights, and York knows how to take advantage of that.
After making full circle around the ship, York took one last look at it before he left the hangar.
York was minding his own business flying around New York, when he picked one faint signal on his radar. Signal was to weak do precisely detect what ship type was in question, but York set course to it to investigate it further. He knew that ship carried powerful radar jammer, after all, his own ship was equipped with one, so it was clear to him that captain of that ship wants to remain hidden.
Soon, York knew why. Strange ship was flying towards Zone 21...restricted Liberty space. Well, restricted for any law abiding citizen...Last time he checked, York wasn't one...
There were other hostile contacts on radar but York ignored them completely. Slowly, strange ship made its way towards Alaska jump gates. As it approached the gates, it slowed down and York was able to get visual information. It was pirate transport, clearly a smuggler. York acted fast...it was his chance to earn some money...He followed trader whole way trough Alaska to Omicron Minor...
Both ships jumped in Minor, and York fired salvo of CDs. They stopped the transport. York was now close enough to get conclusive information from scans...Strangely, ship was transporting passengers...It was one of those adventure, adrenalin tourist shipments...People who get a rush of transpassing trough navy space. They must have real adrenalin rush when they saw York's gunboat in front of their ship.
Without rush, York contacted transport captain.
- Greetings sir. I think that your passengers might be scared of my ship. I can assure you that there is nothing to be afraid. Well, nothing, if you comply to my demands.
- I don't care if they are scared or not...they paid for that..i just care for them to be alive so i can collect on my money.
- Good. But you see, i will need some of that profit for my needs. Since i am reasonable man, lest say 500 000 credits shouldn't be too much for man of your wealth... - York smiled while making demand...
- Hmmm...Very well...this may better be first and last time i pay you...
- I really doubt it will be... - York laughed...
Upon receiving report of money deposit, York turned his ship and flew back towards Alaska.
He was on return to Ouray, course set to New York jump gates, when two bombers intercepted his ship. South Alliance bomber piloted by Leo Goodman with help of local mercenary attacked Prospector. York responded with full weapon array. After few twists and turns York managed to cripple SA bomber so pilot was forced to eject. Mercenary, treacherous scum as they are, ran when he saw that his employer was destroyed .
York resumed his way to Ouray with few new scars on his ship. But old thing still held his own ground....
Prospector was under weekly maintenance, turrets were cleaned, engines checked and few scratches on the hull re painted. York was overseeing the works. Day way slow, quiet. Only laugher of children from deck above could be heard in the hangar bay. Even base generators sounded muffled today.
York was sipping his drink and carelessly walked around the ship. Workers and technicians worked without many words.
- "Richard York please report to base command post" - base internal communication announced...
- What now?....can't one day pass without trouble?
York went to see what is going on... - Boys, patch her together...i think we will be needed her...
In the base command post, one technician was waiting for York.
- Sir, sorry to disturb you, but there is something that you need to hear.
- What?...Show me!
Young officer gave head phones to York...
- Now sir, just listen.
York stood and listened...few crackling sounds, like somebody is speaking from the distance...
**Ma...ay...my rad.. is wre.ked...nee...as..tance...net....usto...n**
- This is surely call for help...can you pinpoint location?
- No...not precisely...only that it originates from Texas.
- How do you know it is meant for us?
- It used our encryption.
- Ok then...i fly to Texas...on my way to hangar...inform workers to finish up...
When York entered the hangar, worker just finished last touches on the ship...
- Call the crew...we are flying in 5 minutes...-York ordered
______________________________________________________________
Texas looked grim as always...York opened comms and listen will distress call will repeat...Nothing...all was quiet...
York raised the ship above the Planet Houston, when his radars picked up friendly contact.
- Ok boys...lets fly..full speed...get weapons on line and give manual control to me...
_______________________________________ ______________________
Back at Ouray base York was sitting in the bar...
- Whats with the grim face? -asked bartender
- Ah...another day of fighting...i went to Texas to help one of our own...we managed to save him, destroyed fighter and two bombers in the process...and this started to be such a peaceful day...
- So how fight ended?...
- Ah...same old stuff...we had them on their knees, when one battlecruiser moved into the fight...i brought its shields down just to show him that i can and scratched his hull a bit...but in the end, i didn't want to risk damaging my ship any more...so after our fighter made safely out of the fight, i moved Prospector out of the range of the battlecruiser and slowly drifted away...LSF forces didn't pursue...
- Hmm...well...good that you got back with head on your shoulders...
- Hehehe...yes...head and one million in loot, and 3 in taxes....we are safe for time being, and food wont be missed on Ouray for some time...
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