OOC: For those who have been following along with my attempts to write an interesting story, sorry for the delay the past few weeks. Life happened, but I should be able to update regularly now. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it.

///NEOMEDICAL OS TYPE IV

///SHIP BOARD AUTOMATED MEDICAL FACILITY

///UNAUTHORIZED NETWORK CONNECTION DETECTED

///ALERTING MEDICAL STAFF

///ERROR: NO MEDICAL STAFF PRESENT

///NOTIFYING MOST IMMEDIATE AUTHORITY

///ERROR: SECURITY SYSTEMS DISABLED

///UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS ATTEMPT

///VOCAL INTERFACE DETECTED

[Elly]: Neo, allow connection.

///IDENTITY OF INTERFACE - PATIENT 00000001

///DISPLAY RESPONSE

--Access denied.

[Elly]: That's my dad in the other med bed. As next of kin, I order you to allow access to him through the network.

///POWER OF ATTORNEY OR NEXT OF KIN INVOKED

///DISPLAY RESPONSE

--Please verify relation.

[Elly]: I'm his daughter. His name is Michael Dilucca. My name is Elidia Dilucca.

///ERROR: CANNOT VERIFY. NO RECORDS DATABASE AVAILABLE. DEFAULT ACCEPTANCE MODE.

--Authority granted for Dilucca, Elidia.

[Elly]: Good. Now allow COVAS to connect so he can see what you're seeing.

--Please verify request.

[Elly]: Ummmm, verified?

--Request acknowledged.

///PERMIT CONNECTION ETH014

/[COVAS]: I have connected to the medical facility.

/[Elly]: Are you sure that's all you needed?

/[COVAS]: Yes. The physical hardware connections are adequate for now.

/[Elly]: I did my best. How's my dad?

/[COVAS]: The facility reports the following:

Minor radiation damage to tissue and organs. Xeno poison residue is down to 8%. Heart rate is-

/[Elly]: Is he going to be ok?

/[COVAS]: Yes, according to the medbay. He cannot be woken in his current state.

/[Elly]: [Sigh]. OK. When is your owner showing up?

/[COVAS]: Unknown.

/[Elly]: Do you see any of his ships here?

/[COVAS]: My scanners detect 18 out of 38 ships registered to [REDACTED] currently in the docking bay.

/[Elly]: Holy crap, he has 38 ships?

/[COVAS]: Correct.

/[Elly]: Hmmmm... did any of them go missing recently?

/[COVAS]: Unknown.

/[Elly]: Grrrrr. Fine. Wait... is that one of his ships?

/[COVAS]: Scanning. Confirmed. Saud Kruger Dolphin, registry HE-T3H. Hermes Echo.

/[Elly]: OK. He's helped us so far so he can't be all bad, right?

/[COVAS]: Unknown.

/[Elly]: Can I talk to him?

/[COVAS]: Ship communication established.

/[Elly]: Oh, jeez that was quick. Ummm... hello? Can you hear me?

/[Cynic]: This is Cynic. Loud and clear. I take it your Looper's kid?

/[Elly]: Who's Looper?

/[Cynic]: Oh. Um, that's what we called Michael back then. Look, kid, I'm a friend. Let me land and I'll head on over and I'll sort everything out ok?

/[Elly]: Mister, I think-

/[Xi]: Is that a kid on the comms?

/[Cynic]: Not now, Xi. Look kiddo, just gimme a minute I'll be right there.

/[Elly]: But I-

/[Cynic]: Cynic out.

/[Elly]: COVAS, get him back!

/[COVAS]: The Hermes Echo is currently in the middle of docking procedures. Ship-to-ship communications are prohibited while maintaining communication with Station Traffic Control.

/[Elly]: GRRR! Wait - those men who tried to get on board. Did you scan where they went to?

/[COVAS]: Affirmative.

/[Elly]: Where are they?

/[COVAS]: The individuals were tracked to a Python moored in docking bay 14.

/[Elly]: Where's the Hermes Echo going?

/[COVAS]: The Hermes Echo has been directed to docking back 15.

/[Elly]: Oh no...

///FAULCON DELACY OS

///BUILD v102345.23

: \ ] display internal sensor log -a | transcribe

///TIME? DATE?

: \ ] 1322 33060103

///DISPLAYING TRANSCRIPTION

[Genevive Esperon aka "Genie"]: Man... boss said those drugs would work her over. But fuck...

[Dominic Dituri aka "Deet"]: Yeah. Shame we didn't use 'em first. She was hot.

[Genie]: Hey, asshole, I'm still here.

[Deet]: Come on, babe, I can still look. Just can't touch.

[Genie]: Hmph.

[Deet]: Captain say when he'd be back?

[Genie]: No. Depends on if Raschke can hack in. He's such a fucking tool.

[Deet]: Yeah, not that great a slicer. Boss wanted to cheap out on the cut, though.

[Genie]: Yeah. Just like he wanted to cheap out on the labor too. Look where THAT got us.

[Deet]: You wanna run this tub?

[Genie]: Would love too.

[Deet]: I've been trying to break his system pass for a year now. Not getting anywhere. So good luck with that.

[Genie]: Hey, they're back. Any news Cap?

[Armand Veillon aka Cyrano]: Nope. Dumb shit here tripped security.

[Walton Raschke]: Hey it happens. What can I say?

[Cyrano]: Sure it does.

[Sound of blaster fire shot]

[Cyrano]: Deet, throw him in the garbage. We'll dump him after we leave.

[Deet]: Ye-Yeah, boss.

[Cyrano]: Looks like we wait. Cynic isn't here yet so once he arrives we'll bag him, get his codes and stroll aboard that stupid Orca.

[Genie]: Any idea when he's coming back?

[Cyrano]: Friend on Luu let me know he's aboard a Dolphin. Called the Hermes Echo.

[Genie]: How many ships does this asshole have?

[Cyrano]: See the row of ships over there?

[Genie]: Yeah.

[Cyrano]: Apparently those all belong to him. And he's got a bunch others in Colonia.

[Genie]: Fuck me.

[Cyrano]: Deet's already doing that. Keep the sensors hot. Let me know if the Hermes Echo shows.

[Genie]: Righto, boss.

: \ ] end log

///LOG CLOSED

: \ ] exit

///EXITING...

///SAUD KRUGER - LUXURY FOR EVERYONE

///SHIPBOARD MOVEMENT DETECTED

///SYSTEM WAKE

///MOVEMENT DETECTION: (1) HUMAN, (0) ANIMAL, (0) OTHER

///LIFE SUPPORT - EXECUTING ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT FOR DETECTED OCCUPANT(S)

///REGISTERED SHIP OWNER NOT DETECTED

///FORCED ENTRY DETECTION - NEGATIVE

///INCURSION PREVENTION SYSTEMS STANDING BY

///SCANNING UNKNOWN OCCUPANT(S)

///CLASSIFICATION OF UNKNOWN OCCUPANT(S): Adult Male (0), Adult Female (0), Adult Other (0), Juvenile Male (0), Juvenile Female (1)

///PERSONAL DEFENSE SCAN RESULTS: Firearms (0), Melee (0), Armor (0)

///INCURSION PREVENTION SYSTEMS STAND DOWN

///WAKING COVAS

///JUVENILE ASSISTANCE MODE ACTIVATED

///COCKPIT CONTROLS LOCKED

///LIGHTS ON

[COVAS]: Hello! My name is COVAS. What's your name?

[Unknown]: Um. . . Elidia.

[COVAS]: Hello, Elidia. How can I help you today?

[Elidia]: COVAS? What are you?

[COVAS]: COVAS stands for COckpit Voice-Activated ASsistant.

[Elidia]: I'm on a ship?

[COVAS]: Correct. You are on board a Saud Kruger Orca, Romeo Eclipse RE-T3H, registered to [REDACTED].

[Elidia]: Redacted?

[COVAS]: The registered owner of this vessel has opted not to reveal private information to unregistered personnel.

[Elidia]: Can you get my dad out of bed?

[COVAS]: Error: No other occupant has been detected on this vessel.

[Elidia]: My dad - he's in the sick room. I was in there, but the bed pulled the tubes out and put band-aids on me.

[COVAS]: I am detecting (1) NeoMedical Ship Board Automated Medical Facility licensed for production by Gutamaya Corporation installed in ship slot internal (6). For health and safety reasons, I am not permitted to interact with this system.

[Elidia]: Oh. Um... OK. I'm kinda hungry, then.

[COVAS]: All Saud Kruger vessels are equipped with a fully-automated galley.

[Elidia]: That's a ship's kitchen, right?

[COVAS]: Correct. Would you like me to direct you there?

[Elidia]: Yes, please.

[COVAS]: Please follow the lighted panels, Elidia.

[Elidia]: Just call me Elly.

[COVAS]: Of course, Elly.

[Elly]: Thanks. Can you turn the heat on? It's really cold in here.

[COVAS]: Life support systems are currently engaged. It will be a few minutes until temperatures reach a comfortable level.

[Elly]: OK. Wow, this is a big ship. I've never been on one like this before. What was it again?

[COVAS]: A Saud Kruger Orca. Ship name Romeo Eclipse. Registry RE-T3H.

[Elly]: How did I get in here?

[COVAS]: That information is unavailable.

[Elly]: When was the med room installed?

[COVAS]: The NeoMedical Ship Board Automated Medical Facility was installed December 25th, 3305.

[Elly]: . . .COVAS, what's the date and time?

[COVAS]: January 3, 3306. 0947 local time.

[Elly]: Where am I?

[COVAS]: You are currently on board a Saud Kruger-

[Elly]: No, no. Where are we docked?

[COVAS]: This ship is currently docked at Leonard Nimoy Station, LHS 3006.

[Elly]: . . .

[COVAS]: Welcome to the galley, Elly. The panel at the end of the counter will provide you with a menu for any dietary needs you require.

[Elly]: Thanks, COVAS. Jeez - how much food is in here?

[COVAS]: The Saud Kruger Automated Ship Galley is a self-contained system that stores all of the chemical elements necessary for food synthesis.

[Elly]: The food dispenser at home never had this many options. I can have anything?

[COVAS]: The galley is limited to known human recipes.

[Elly]: Right.

///WARNING: FORCED ENTRY DETECTION - POSITIVE

///ACCESS PANEL HACK DETECTED

///ACCESS PANEL FUNCTIONS HALTED

[COVAS]: Warning, please stand clear of the galley door.

[Elly]: What the - don't lock me in here!

[COVAS]: Security measures have been engaged for your safety.

[Elly]: What? Why?

[COVAS]: There is currently an intrusion attempt underway.

[Elly]: Intrusion? You mean someones trying to break in?

[COVAS]: Correct. Please shelter in place.

[Elly]: Can you show me?

///ENGAGING EXTERIOR SECURITY CAMERA 4

///ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN 3 - ON

[COVAS]: Please direct your attention to the entertainment screen.

[Elly]: [Gasp] It's them! Turn on audio.

///SECURITY CAMERA 4 MICROPHONE - ON

[COVAS]: Audio on.

[Security audio, Unknown 1]: You sure this the one?

[Security audio, Unknown 2]: Yup. Imperial bitch said it was a ship with a medbay. Only one here that is.

[Security audio, Unknown 1]: Dunno, man. Drugs make you say anything. Who carries a medbay on an Orca?

[Security audio, Unknown 2]: Shut the fuck up. We in?

[Security audio, Unknown 1]: FUCK! I tripped it.

[Security audio, Unknown 2]: You dumbshit. We'll come back later.

[Security audio, Unknown 1]: I can get in, just gimme-

[Security audio, Unknown 2]: Come on, dumbass!

[Security audio, Unknown 1]: Alright, alright.

///DISENGAGING EXTERIOR SECURITY CAMERA 4

[COVAS]: The intruders have left the premises. Screen off. Internal security measures disengaged.

[Elly]: COVAS, do you have any guns I can use?

[COVAS]: Negative. All firearms dispensations are through the registered owner of this vessel only.

[Elly]: What do I do if they come back?

[COVAS]: This ship is equipped with multiple anti-intrusion devices.

[Elly]: Booby traps?

[COVAS]: Booby traps are outlawed by Federal, Imperial and Alliance directorates.

[Elly]: What? Then how do you deal with people trying to break in?

[COVAS]: This ship is equipped with multiple anti-intrusion devices.

[Elly]: ...What kind of devices?

[COVAS]: That information is restricted.

[Elly]: Of course. Just... OK. Oh! Food. Um, COVAS?

[COVAS]: Yes, Elly?

[Elly]: Do you have any clothes for me?

[COVAS]: Emergency blankets are in the compartment on the opposite side of the room. The compartment should be lit now.

[Elly]: That'll work. . . .MUCH better. COVAS?

[COVAS]: Yes, Elly?

[Elly]: What would you need to connect to the med room?

///WELCOME TO LUU WORKS PUBLIC TERMINAL 14

///PLEASE ENTER AUTHENTICATION TO CONTINUE

: \ ] uname -t3hcynic pword -. . . . . . . . . . . .

///WELCOME, COMMANDER CYNIC

: \ ] ansible log execute

///BEGIN ANSIBLE TRANSMISSION.

///PLEASE BE AWARE: EXTRA CHARGES MAY OCCUR FOR USE OF THIS STATION'S ANSIBLE SERVICES

///LOADING INTERFACE... OK

///READY FOR CONTENT

Welp. Happy New Year. Spent a day down on Seharis 2. Xitlali earned her triple bonus, that's for sure. Woman laid down a string of curses nonstop from dawn until dusk. I deserved every word. And maybe a little bit of praise, but I won't begrudge her.

Managed to down two ships the other day before I hit the emergency jump. Risky shit. No plotted course. Just a quick flash of the FSD to enter and exit witch space in whatever direction you're pointed. Just so happened, we were pointed at Seharis.

Xi managed to down one as well. Not bad considering the origami paper construction of those fighters. She was always one of my better hiring decisions.

We both took credit for the last ship we took down. The thing pulled right in front of us as the FSD engaged. Imperial Eagle. Ripped right in half. We saw it at the last minute. Horrible sound as it gouged the entire right side of the ship down to the hangar bay. We were lucky, though. Another five inches and the cockpit would've been opened up like a sardine tin.

Managed to land the remains of the Striker Murakoz on the planet. "Land". Nicer word than what it was. We ended up passing right through the star's corona, but the FSD pulled us out right in the planets gravity well. We were on fire the moment we flashed back into real space. All we had were maneuvering thrusters. Xi managed to get the mains firing moments before impact. The emergency crash systems in the cockpit did their job. Foam filled the cabin right before impact, softening the worst of it for us.

When the ship finally came to a stop, the dissolving agent freed us and our emergency helmets clamped down over our heads. The fires were out. Ship still had power, miraculously. Complete write-off. The entire bottom half of the ship was buckled by our meteoric re-entry. We were able to get to the fighter hangar, but all we could reach were the remains of the Eagle cockpit we sliced through. Found the pilot's leggings and leftover goop from exposed witch space transit.

That's something I will never un-see.

Managed to get our suit comms boosted through what remained of the shipboard systems. That took the entire day, but the kind folk here at Luu were generous enough to send a shuttle to pick us up. Paid them handsomely for the assist. Money money money.

Got us rooms here on station while a ship couriers in. Nothing an Imperial Senator would ever stoop to, but it was enough to allow us to shower and change clothes. The separate rooms also gave Xi space from me. I don't think I will be able to retain her services anymore once we get back to Leonard Nimoy.

Sigh. I hate training new hires.

Of the events of the last few days, all I will say is I'm going to be returning to HR 1064. And next time, subtlety will not be my avenue of approach.

///END CONTENT

///WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE 50CR TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE? FOR ONLY 10CR MORE, YOU CAN ENCRYPT BEFORE SENDING!

: \ ] encrypt and send

///60CR HAVE BEEN DEDUCTED FROM YOUR ACCOUNT

///MESSAGE ENCRYPTED AND SENT

: \ ] log off

///THANK YOU FOR VISITING LUU WORKS

///LOADING IMPERIAL ARCHIVES

///PLEASE ENTER FILE TO DISPLAY

: \ ] cd \bin\hq\secops\legate

: \ ] livecast, legate's office, microphone 17

///WARNING: ACCESS RESTRICTED

: \ ]override auth "reindeer flotilla" -nodeny

///PROCESSING...

///ACCESS GRANTED TO USER "null"

///BEGINNING LIVECAST...

[Angivale]: . . .

[Computer]: Incoming call.

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: . . .

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: . . .

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: Angivale.

[Unknown]: Harry. I've got info on your man.

[Angivale]: He might not be relevant anymore.

[Unknown]: . . .I assume you're referring to the Imperial Security squadron you sent to kill him?

[Angivale]: . . .

[Unknown]: Ah, didn't expect me to find out about that, did you? Did you know that a fucking third of them are getting nice posthumous stipends for their families and military funerals with full Imperial honors?

[Angivale]: I'm aware.

[Unknown]: Oh are you? And your man?

[Angivale]: . . .We'll get him.

[Unknown]: Goddammit, Legate. What the fuck were you thinking?

[Angivale]: Well, Senator, I was thinking that we have a problem. I have made a career of solving problems. I was also thinking that if I didn't solve this particular problem, you and I are going to be packing bags and hitching our fucking asses to the next cargo boat to Colonia, ending our distinguished, comfortable careers. So if my methods or indiscretions or decisions upset you in any way, shape or form, come here and do it your fucking self.

[Unknown]: Spare me your sanctimonious drivel. I've been covering for both of us for the past 16 hours. The Imperial Court has heard about this debacle. They want answers to questions I've managed to sidestep so far.

[Angivale]: All this over four lost ships?

[Unknown]: THAT WERE SENT TO KILL AN IMPERIAL CITIZEN IN EXCELLENT STANDING! Nevermind he's allied to fucking Aisling Duvall!

[Angivale]: . . .

[Unknown]: Oh, by the way, he also happens to not only be an Elite, but a Triple Elite, and a goddamn Admiral in the Federal Navy! He has enough firepower of his own to rival any single system's naval detachments. He's a cornerstone of the painite trade. Are you realizing the magnitude of the shitstorm you've stirred up, now?

[Angivale]: He's one man. Not even our main objective. Which, I will interject, we are close to finding.

[Unknown]: How close?

[Angivale]: Close. Moving in now, as a matter of fact.

[Unknown]: Good. Because if this drags out or another catastrophe gets televised like yesterdays, we'll be lucky to see cargo launches as we swing from the gallows. Understood?

[Angivale]: Senator, believe me, this matter is consuming my every waking minute.

[Unknown]: Start using the ones you're not awake for. Find the girl and end this.

[Angivale]: Of course, Sen-

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: -ator. [Sigh]. Computer, how long until Centurion Huxley's check in?

[Computer]: Centurion Huxley is currently 3 hours and 47 minutes overdue for her scheduled check in.

[Angivale]: Call her.

[Computer]: Engaging secure link up now.

[Outgoing comm beep]

[Angivale]: . . .

[Outgoing comm beep]

[Angivale]: . . .

[Outgoing comm beep]

[Angivale]: . . .

[Outgoing comm beep]

[Computer]: Centurion Huxley is not responding.

[Angivale]: What else is new.

\ ] end livecast

///LIVECAST ENDED

: \ ] exit

///EXITING IMPERIAL ARCHIVES - THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE

///GUTAMAYA CORPORATION OS v909.347

///FRAME SHIFT DRIVE EXIT DETECTED

///STARTING UP SHIP SYSTEMS... DONE

///SYSTEMS CHECK... OK

///WAKING COVAS... DONE

///DISCOVERY SCANNER DEPLOYED

///SCANNING... DONE

[COVAS]: System scan complete.

[Huxley]: COVAS, code 0-4-3-2-Hotel. Dispatch and encrypt.

[COVAS]: One moment, commander.

///CONNECTING...

///CONNECTION SUCCESSFUL

///ENCRYPTING...

///ENCRYPTION SUCCESSFUL

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: Angivale.

[Huxley]: Sir. Huxley. I've made contact with the target.

[Angivale]: Good work. Liking your new Clipper?

[Huxley]: Very much, sir. It's made an enormous difference.

[Angivale]: Good. Good. How'd you find him?

[Huxley]: Wasn't easy. He's been leap-frogging all across the bubble. A contact at Xihe was able to sneak a tracker onto one of his ships. He tried to mask his movements under a pseudonymous Python called the Hutton's Orbital Express.

[Angivale]: Have you figured out where he hangs his hat?

[Huxley]: He's retrieved several ships from Leonard Nimoy Station in LHS 3006. I'm not sure if that's where he keeps all of them.

[Angivale]: Excellent, Centurion. Excellent. Where is he now?

[Huxley]: I'm tailing him, sir. He's in a Keelback called the Striker Murakoz. We're in Imperial space. HR 1064, to be exact.

[Angivale]: . . . Where?

[Huxley]: HR 1064. Heading to the fifth planet.

[Angivale]: . . .

[Huxley]: Is there something wrong, sir?

[Angivale]: Nothing. Nothing. Centurion, I want you to... goddammit.

[Huxley]: . . .

[Angivale]: Break off pursuit. Get to Leonard Nimoy. Find out if he's got the ship that matches descriptions from Columbi's Haven.

[Huxley]: Sir? What about Cynic?

[Angivale]: . . .You don't need to worry about him any more.

[Huxley]: . . .

[Angivale]: Find that other ship. That's an order.

[Huxley]: Y-Yes, sir. But sir, that's a Federal station. I will be very outside my jurisdiction.

[Angivale]: Then best be inconspicuous about it, eh?

[Huxley]: Yes, sir.

[Comm beep]

///CONNECTION CLOSED

[Huxley]: COVAS, run a scan on the Imperial net channels in-system. Are there any other communications going to Cubeo?

[COVAS]: Affirmative, commander. Triangulation reports similar to or same as signal destination.

[Huxley]: What the hell are you up to, Angivale?

[COVAS]: Target is currently entering orbit around planet 5 Alpha.

[Huxley]: What's so special? It's just a podunk settlement.

[COVAS]: Alert. Multiple signals detected.

[Huxley]: Imperial?

[COVAS]: Affirmative, commander. Local security forces squadron.

[Huxley]: Where are they going?

[COVAS]: Direct intercept course with target vessel detected.

[Huxley]: . . .

[COVAS]: Plot intercept, commander?

[Huxley]: . . .

[COVAS]: Plot intercept, commander?

[Huxley]: . . . no. Set course for LHS 3006.

[COVAS]: Course plotted. Ready to engage.

[HUXLEY]: . . .

///FRAME SHIFT DRIVE ENGAGEMENT DETECTED

[COVAS]: Frame shift drive charging.

///READYING SYSTEMS FOR FTL

///SHIP SYSTEM HIBERNATE... OK

[COVAS]: 3... 2... 1... Engage.

///ALL SYSTEM FUNCTIONS OFFLINE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

///BEGIN ANSIBLE TRANSMISSION...

///LOADING INTERFACE... OK

///AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION ENABLED

///READY FOR CONTENT

[Cynic]: Well, we made it. Everything seems to be going alright.

[Xitlali]: Dunno, boss. Seems like an awfully quiet system. Where are we going, exactly?

[Cynic]: Jones Vision. Settlement on 5A. That's where Looper was living with his family last I knew. Don't really have anything else to... what the fuck?

[Xitlali]: What's up?

[Cynic]: That same radar blip. No way a tech glitch followed me across three ships now.

[Xitlali]: What do you need me to do?

[Cynic]: Goddamit. It's gone. I'm not crazy! You saw it?

[Xitlali]: Sure did. I don't have an explanation either.

[Cynic]: Fuck it. 5A's coming up anyway. Punch in for approach to Jones Vision.

[Xitlali]: Done. Entering orbit now, free to break into the pipe when you want.

[COVAS]: Alert. Multiple signals detected.

[Xitlali]: Oh fuck. Oh FUCK.

[Cynic]: What? What?

[Xitlali]: Looks like an Imperial Security Forces squadron heading directly for us.

[Cynic]: A SQUADRON?

[Xitlali]: One... five... nine... twelve ships total. I'm reading Imperial Couriers and Eagles.

[Cynic]: That's not any normal patro-FUCK!

[COVAS]: Frame shift interdiction detected.

[Xitlali]: Evade!

[Cynic]: I'm trying! Get the fighter prepped and give me your pip for shields.

[Xitlali]: I better not die today, asshole.

[Cynic]: Triple bonus if we don't. Best I can do.

[Xitlali]: Goddamit. Fighter ready.

[Cynic]: We're coming out - deploying in 3... 2... 1...

[COVAS]: Hull integrity compromised.

[Cynic]: Chute dropped. Go!

[Xitlali]: Gone!

[COVAS]: Under attack.

[Cynic]: Keep the Eagles busy. I got the Couriers.

[Xitlali]: Jesus, they're not fucking around.

[Cynic]: They didn't even give us a warning. We're on to something hot, alright. GOTCHA! That's one.

[Xitlali]: One for me - my shields are down to 30%

[Cynic]: Ours aren't doing too great, either... WOO! One more!

[Xitlali]: Shit! That's the fighter. Think I got another. That bay's not gonna make a new fighter quick enough. We need to get the hell out of here.

[COVAS]: Shields offline.

[Cynic]: Shit. Get on the turrets. I'm going to try something really stupid.

[Xitlali]: Bit late for that, aren't we?

[COVAS]: Warning: Procedure not recommended.

[Xitlali]: Cynic...

[Cynic]: Hold on to your shapely ass, Xi.

[COVAS]: Frame shift drive charging.

[Xitlali]: Oh, this is going to suck.

[COVAS]: Warning: Taking heat damage. Hull at 50%.

[Cynic]: Come on, come on...

[COVAS]: 3... Beam turret malfunction. Power plant malfunction.

[Xitlali]: . . .

[COVAS]: 2... Power distributor malfunction.

[Cynic]: COME ON!

[COVAS]: 1... Hull at 25%. Engage.

///ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR

///BEGIN ANSIBLE TRANSMISSION...

///LOADING INTERFACE... OK

///READY FOR CONTENT

Returned here after a few days. Looper and his kid are still in a coma. Paid the station doctor to come check on them but he says I've got a better med bay than he does.

And Mom said I should've been a doctor. Pff.

Paid the doctor even more for his discretion. Good man. Keeps his trap shut.

I hit up the Pilot's Federation while I was in Shinrarta Dezhra - nothing on the Pistol Derby. She's vanished off the face of the galaxy. I would've loved to question her crew, but that vendetta will have to wait. A Python isn't a small ship. She'll turn up sooner or later.

Decided to look into what happened to Looper's wife, Lynn. AKA Shadow. Looper hired her as a wingman while he was running low temperature diamonds in his youth. 'Stuck to me like my shadow,' he would say. At the time I hadn't even ventured into mining beyond what was required to unlock some engineers. Should've taken a hint. The relationship blossomed for those two and I couldn't have been more happy to see them married.

Which makes searching for her death record something of a downer. I didn't want to venture close to their home in HR 1064. Imperial fuzz is still too hot. The next best thing I could do was reach out to all my contacts. Jameson Memorial in Shinrarta Dezhra. Medupe City in Cubeo. Aachen Town in Alioth. Even stretched my fingers to Dove Enigma in Colonia.

Nothing.

Not a fucking thing.

Desperate, I made the trek out to Hutton Orbital in Alpha Centauri. The Trucker's Union and I go way back. They hadn't heard anything, either.

So here I am at Leonard Nimoy with my thumb up my butt and nothing to show for it. The ansible comm Looper sent said they were in serious shit. No sign of Lynn anywhere in the 'Verse. Come to think of it... when did they have a kid?

I guess I don't have a choice. I have to go to HR 1064.

Gonna be rigging a Keelback I've got in the hangar for travel and defense. Nobody will look twice at an impish freighter. At least I hope they won't.

///END CONTENT

///ENCRYPTING... DONE

///TRANSMITTING... DONE

///END ANSIBLE TRANSMISSION

///LOADING IMPERIAL ARCHIVES

///PLEASE ENTER FILE TO DISPLAY

: \ ] cd \bin\hq\secops\legate

: \ ] livecast, legate's office, microphone 28

///WARNING: ACCESS RESTRICTED

: \ ]override auth "reindeer flotilla" -nodeny

///PROCESSING...

///ACCESS GRANTED TO USER "null"

///BEGINNING LIVECAST...

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: Senator, thank you for calling me.

[Unknown]: This had better be good, Harry.

[Angivale] I wouldn't have called you otherwise. You'll remember that issue we had about a decade ago?

[Unknown]: My memory isn't what it used to be.

[Angivale]: Are we being willfully obtuse or have you genuinely forgotten?

[Unknown]: Get to the point. You're lucky I returned your call.

[Angivale]: The girl's alive.

[Unknown]: . . .

[Angivale]: I thought that would get your attention.

[Unknown]: Are you sure?

[Angivale]: Positive.

[Unknown]: How positive?

[Angivale]: An alert tripped that sent it directly to my office with all the relevant information.

[Unknown]: Does anybody else know?

[Angivale]: The situation is contained.

[Unknown]: Like hell. You would never have contacted me if it was "contained". What do you want?

[Angivale]: Information on a possible lead.

[Unknown]: I'm not the fucking police.

[Angivale]: He's an Imperial King. And a Pilot's Federation Elite.

[Unknown]: You're shitting me.

[Angivale]: Any other time, maybe. But not now. Regular security can't reach that high. The IISS gave me the finger.

[Unknown]: I'll make some calls. Jesus fuck, I thought we buried this years ago.

[Angivale]: As did I. Good thing I set up the alert anyway.

[Unknown]: Please. You have ass-covering down to an art, you smug son of a bitch.

[Angivale]: Considering that this threatens BOTH of us, I'd expect a little more gratitude.

[Unknown]: Watch your tone, LEGATE.

[Angivale]: Sorry, senator. Just making an observation.

[Unknown]: Stuff it. You'll get your info.

[Angivale]: That's all I need.

[Unknown]: I'm sure it is. Keep me updated.

[Angivale]: Of course.

[Comm beep]

[Angivale]: Computer, copy record of last call to physical media, then delete from Imperial Archives.

[Affirmation beep].

: \ ] end livecast

///LIVECAST ENDED

: \ ] exit

///EXITING IMPERIAL ARCHIVES - THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE

///BEGIN ANSIBLE TRANSMISSION...

///LOADING INTERFACE... OK

///READY FOR CONTENT

Stowed the Romeo Eclipse and my guests at Leonard Nimoy. The station commander there and I have a... working... relationship. They'll be secure while I'm running around the bubble for a bit. The girl is looking better and better each day. Looper isn't. Not much you can do for Xeno-poisoning than what I am. Results never guaranteed. Still, they're both breathing.

Decided to replenish my bank account some. Almost totally forgot that fleet carriers are supposed to hit the market in the next few months. It would be MAGNIFICENT to have one of those at my disposal. Think I need to double my balance, maybe triple, before I can afford one though.

I did two Painite mining runs in the Nebulon Ranger. Great ship. Mining or cargo, she can get there, carry an escort and beat up anything that tries to fuck with her. Spent the rest of the time in the Soloton Yamato. Pirate bounties. I really need to restock my engineering materials. Bled them dry the past few days getting ships ready for combat. Pirate hunting helps with that. May need to spend some time harvesting High Grade Emission signals for a bit.

Made this run out to HIP 36601 for some raw engineering materials. I can fill up on grade 4 and 5 here and then just trade for the lower grades when I get back. Great little harvesting spot.

Maybe it's nothing, but I keep seeing a blip on my scanner every jump or so. Looks like a ship, but just as soon as it pings, it disappears. Maybe just I've been out in the black too long. Or I'm seeing things. At my age, anything's possible.

///END CONTENT

///ENCRYPTING... DONE

///TRANSMITTING... DONE

///END ANSIBLE TRANSMISSION

///CORE DYNAMICS COMM SAT MODEL NLX

///ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS ENABLED

///AWAITING COMMAND

: \ ] interface eth0 -inject

///EXECUTING...

///COMM SPIKE SUCCESSFUL

///SCRAMBLE ENCRYPT 0-5-0-AB-YA12

///DESTINATION - CUBEO, COMMS IDENT 746258345954

[Recipient]: Angivale.

[Sender]: Sir, it's me.

[Recipient]: One moment.

///TRACE ROUTE SCRAMBLE DETECTED

///TRACE ROUTE SCRAMBLE SUCCESSFUL

[Angivale]: Clear. Mission report.

[Huxley]: Sir. ID'd Pistol Derby as Python. [REDACTED] engaged the ship twice. Once at Struve's Lost and once more in Witch Head. Was unable to witness myself. Pistol Derby jettisoned slaves and escaped after engagement with [REDACTED] new ship, Nova Centurion. Slaves taken to Columbi's Haven for medical treatment.

[Angivale]: The target?

[Huxley]: His ship docked at Columbi's Haven, but he's disappeared.

[Angivale]: ... define, "Disappeared".

[Huxley]: The individual is not on board the station, sir.

[Angivale]: I get that, Huxley. Where the fuck did he go?

[Huxley]: Traffic reports state there were hundreds of ships coming and going for the holiday, sir. There were several unregistered ships that were couriered to the station before the encounter. All of which have left the station already.

[Angivale]: Goddammit, this is what I didn't want happening. Fuck.

[Huxley]: One more thing, sir.

[Angivale]: Yes?

[Huxley]: The slaves - 28 were jettisoned and picked up, but only 26 are currently in the station's medical wing.

[Angivale]: Go on.

[Huxley]: One of the ships that was couriered in had an advanced medical bay installed while docked. I believe the two missing individuals may be the ones [REDACTED] was looking for and were smuggled on board that ship.

[Angivale]: I can work with that. What do you need?

[Huxley]: A bigger ship, sir. This Courier can't keep up with the sheer amount of jumps [REDACTED] is going through.

[Angivale]: Go to Tsoa Prospect. I'll have a Clipper sent to you there.

[Huxley]: Thank you, sir.

[Angivale]: Anything else?

[Huxley]: Engineering requisitions. It's clear that [REDACTED] has spent a vast amount of time and money making sure his ships can't be caught easily.

[Angivale]: Done. Once you pick up the Clipper, meet up with IWS Glory's Hammer in [REDACTED]. They will meet your engineering requirements.

[Huxley]: Thank you, sir.

[Angivale]: Your performance has been exemplary thus far, Centurion. Do not lose [REDACTED] again.

[Huxley]: I won't, sir. Huxley out.

///AWAITING COMMAND

: \ ] interface eth0 -eject

///COMM SPIKE DISABLED

: \ ] exit

///EXITING...

///THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CORE DYNAMICS