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Escape Velocity
Volume one
Seamus flew his new Shuttlecraft into the space Dock of Zaxted Starport, looked around, and decided to go to the shipyard and check out the prices for when he bought a new ship.
He started looking around, and finally after about an hour, he decided that his next step would be either to buy a Scoutship, a Courier, or a Defender, but the reason he took so long was because he spent about 30 minutes dreaming of flying an Argosy. He was about to leave, when he heard a call:
“There he is! Get ‘im!” Instinctively, he reached for his Proton pistol, but It was too late.
SMACK! He was hit to the floor. He had a few last fleeting glimpses of cops with hand held Neutron Blasters arresting the men, and then fainted. He woke up in the Zaxted Starport hospital a few hours later and was informed that the men had been pirates, looking for his money, and that they had been arrested and were in a jail cell. Satisfied, he got up and started walking toward the Spaceport Bar. When he got there, he walked in, bought a drink, and seated himself at a table. Suddenly, an alarm rang and a voice came on over the intercom saying,
“All hands to ships! Pirate raid approaching!”
Quickly he ran to the Outfitter and purchased a laser cannon. Then he ran to his ship and blasted off. Soon, he saw a group of pirate ships coming at the last-minutely organized militia. There were ships of all sorts including: Defenders, Argosies, a few Corvettes, a Kestrel, and even a few Scoutships, plus himself. He thought: Man, I must look crazy out here in my Shuttlecraft amongst all these other much more powerful ships trying to defend a space station from a pirate raid. He picked a pirate Defender to kill, and using a maneuver known as the spearhead, he destroyed it.
Finally, after hours of fighting, the pirates were gone, but so were a few of the other ships including: some Defenders, most of the Scoutships, and an Argosy. Oh, too bad, he thought, and landed on the station.
A group of men rushed at him, thanked him very much, and gave him a credistick for 50,000 credits. “
Wow! For me?” he asked.
“Uh huh” one man grunted. He decided to go to the mission computer and start scrapping up money. He had decided that he would buy a scoutship when he had enough. He saw: Rush delivery to Palshife in the Satori system, and immediately accepted it. He went to The outfitter, and bought two external fuel tanks and a ramscoop. He went to the shipyard to find out the price of a Scoutship. It was 80,000 credits.
“I have 30,000 left, and the mission pays 60,000 so I’ll get the ship after this mission.” he said. He left and took off.
He accessed his map, and plotted a course from Zaxted to Satori. Then he hit the jump button, and started going. At first he couldnÂ’t get used to it, but it eventually became soothing and made him fall asleep. he awoke some days later to the sound of the voice of his ships computer.
-You have arrived at Palshife in the Satori system. -
“Be quiet!” he snapped, but realized that he was there. He sent out a hail to the planet and asked traffic control for clearance to land. Soon a voice crackled over the intercom saying,
“Ok you’re clear for landing. Welcome to Palshife.” He landed and a group of dockworkers rushed at his ship and unloaded the cargo. Then an important looking Rebel official walked up and asked him,
“Would you like to be paid now, or would you like it directly into your account.”
“Account on Zaxted Starport please.” he answered eagerly.
“By the way,” asked the official. “You probably know the Confederation hates you by now,” he said. “So you might as well join us and help with combat. We received a report containing something about you helping fight off a pirate raid.” he said. Seamus said,
“If it’s OK, I’d rather wait and get at least a Clipper before I help with combat, but I’d be happy to do some more deliveries.”
“Well that's OK with me. Just come to the spaceport when you’re ready to start the real battle.” he said and walked away.
Seamus ran back to his ship and took off.
“Computer: set the shortest course you can for Zaxted Starport.” he said.
-Affirmative.- He went to his quarters on the ship and decided to eat a LOT and then sleep the whole time. He did so and then when he woke up to the voice of his computer saying:
-You have arrived at Zaxted Starport in the Zaxted system.- He jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran straight to the shipyard.
“I’d like to purchase a scoutship please” he said and bought it with 10,000 credits leftover.
Seamus decided to go to the outfitter and buy proton cannons instead of laser cannons. He did so and then went back to the mission computer. In it was: Rebel delivery to Turin V, and Rush delivery to Palshife. He immediately went for the rush delivery planning on getting an easy 60,000 and start saving up for his Clipper. He accepted it and went back to his ship. He once again plotted a course to Satori. He then was about to hit the jump button when suddenly, His red alert button began to beep, the siren began to wail and his computer repeated:
-Cod Red.- -Enemy vessel sighted.- -Code Red.- -Enemy vessel sighted.- -Code Red.-
He jumped to the tactical section of his ship and powered up the proton cannons.
“Computer,” he yelled. “Visual on the enemy ship!”
-Acknowledged.- It was a defender.
“Whew, what a relief,” said Seamus. He aimed his hull towards the attacking defender and started firing. The ship came incredibly quickly and ran right into the cannon shots. It passed and turned around for another run. He looked at the defenders shield reading from his sensors. They were at 37%. He turned to match his hull to the defender again and fired over and over again. This time the defender was destroyed. His computer said:
-The enemy ship(s) have been destroyed.-
“Good,” he said. Then he looked at his own shields. Instead of a percentage, it said: “Shields Down.” He then landed.
A group of dockworkers, politicians, and repairmen came rushing at him.
“We saw you on our traffic control sensors having a bad fight with a pirate defender.” said the politicians.
“Are you OK?” The dockworkers kept asking. The repairmen started to inspect and fix his ship.
“I’m fine,” Seamus said. Then an important looking government official walked down to him accompanied by two security officers.
“I’m a bounty hunter by the name of Stud Beefpile,” he said. “And you are?”
“Seamus,” he said. “Seamus Harper.” Stud said, “We got wind that you just destroyed the long wanted pirate known as “Junkyard Dog.”
“Well I did just destroy a defender, but I never looked at what the ship was named,” he said. Stud said,
“Whatever you say, but there have been posters for a 400,000 credit reward to whoever destroyed the Junkyard Dog.”
“Well it was only a defen-” Suddenly the repairmen interrupted saying, “Your ship is now in perfect condition sir.”
“Not a scratch on it” added another.
“Good,” said Seamus. “Now as I was saying, it was only a defender, so I don’t think I deserve 400,000 credits.” Stud said,
“He has been known to attack and raid in all ships including Kestrels.” “Well if you insist...”
“I do” He then shoved 400,000 credits into Seamus’s hand.
Seamus took the 400,000 credits completely amazed at his luck.
“It was a Defender,” he said.
“But it was a very long wanted pirate!” objected Stud Beefpile.
“OK, I’m going to the shipyard to buy a Clipper, and thank you for the money,” said Seamus hesitantly. He rushed to the shipyard and bought himself a Clipper. Then he ran to the outfitter and bought one more proton cannon so he had four, and more javelin rockets so he had 400. He had 70,000 credits left. Then he blasted off from the starport.
Suddenly he remembered that he had a rush delivery. He said, “Computer, set a course to the Satori system, maximum speed, shortest route.” Affirmative. He hit the jump button and when he got to there, there was a small dogfight going on between two patrol ships and a manta. He ran to the tactical section of his ship and yelled to his new crewman named Bellerophon,
“You! Take the helm. Bring us around to the patrol ship that is now threatening the manta!”
“Aye captain!” He powered up the proton cannons, and armed the javelin rocket pod.
“Pointing our hull at theirs!” shouted Bellerophon. Seamus started firing javelin rockets and proton cannons.
“Full impulse at the patrol ship!” he yelled.
“Aye captain” Seamus kept firing. Suddenly the alarm began to wail as one of the patrol ships turned to space dust.
“Sir, the other patrol ship is heading for us!” said Bellerophon. “Computer, visual on the attacking ship!” cried Seamus.
-Acknowledged.-
“Bellerophon, get our hull pointing either away from theirs or into theirs!”
“Aye!” They pointed away from the direction that the patrol ship was charging. It came in for a run, and hit their engines with proton cannons. They only had to sustain minor damage. When the patrol ship had passed, Seamus fired. The patrol ship was annihilated. Seamus powered down the proton cannons and disarmed the rockets.
“Bellerophon, from now on, call me Seamus.”
“Yes sir.” Then he landed.
A group of dockworkers and a few military officials walked towards Seamus. He noticed one of them was the rebel official that had offered him into the rebel military.
“So you have a Clipper now,” he said.
“Yes,” replied Seamus.
“Plus you just beat down on pretty bad odds.”
“Yes.”
“So would you like to join the military now?”
“I might as well.”
“Good. Welcome to the official military of the Rebellion.”
“Thank you.” Then the dockworkers shuffled past with boxes of whatever equipment was in them. And that was how Seamus became a great asset to the rebellion.
Seamus and Bellerophon went to the spaceport bar. They bought drinks and settled at a table. They had learned that the military officialÂ’s name was Rick Hardslab. He came walking up and started briefing them on their next mission.
“Now remember,” he said. “This is a spying mission. If at all possible do not engage the confederation. If you must, use only proton cannons in the air, and a very low setting on your proton pistol on the ground. The mission pays 600,000 credits if completely successful,” he said. “OK, when do we start?” asked Bellerophon. “Tomorrow,” replied Rick.
The next day, Bellerophon and Seamus sat in the new Clipper.
“OK, you’re cleared for takeoff!” said Rick. They blasted off and plotted a course to the planet earth.When they got there, they put on the disguises that Rick had provided for them. They landed in a place in the outskirts of the continent called Australia. They walked into the bar, and started asking questions about any new weapons that might be being developed. After a few hours of this, they finally wormed a bit of information out of a security officer. He said that they were making a new weapon that they were going to call the “Particle Beam.”
They ran back to the Clipper that Bellerophon and Seamus had agreed on calling the S.S. Supernova. They plotted a course back to Palshife and when they got back, they changed out of the confederation delivery suites, and ran to the bar looking for Rick.
“They are making a new beam that they are calling the ‘Particle Beam!’ they both burst out.
“They are?” asked Rick.
“Yes!” replied Seamus and Bellerophon.
“OK, I’m going to get two things.” said Rick. “A fleet of powerful Rebel Flagships, and 600,000 credits for you.” “I am also going to get you a Rebel Destroyer for aid to the fleet. And if we succeed in stealing the technology, It will be 2,000,000 credits for everyone. We will attack at dawn!”
Training practice was going hard in SeamusÂ’ rented Rebel Destroyer. He was used to being the one pushing the buttons, now he was the one giving orders as he had a crew of 250 people. Furthermore, he was used to cannons, not turrets.
“Warm up proton turrets! Fire on that asteroid!” he would yell, only to get a response of,
“Sir, our turrets are designed to target ships, not asteroids.” Eventually though, he got used to it, and reported his progress to Rick. “I think I’ve got the hang of it now.” he said.
“Good,” replied Rick. “I think you’re ready for the surgical strike.”
Meanwhile back at the Confederation HQ, the guard was reporting the “extremely nosy people at the bar.”
“I was at my post and I saw these people talking to several different people. Then they started asking me questions about ‘anything new going on?’”
“Rebel spies no doubt. Did you tell them about the Particle Beam?” The guard fidgeted nervously in his seat. “YOU TOLD THEM?” The official demanded. “Hurry, we need some things. Prep the guards stationed at the science facility. And assemble a blockade of Cruisers, Frigates, Patrol Boats, and anything else you can think of!”
“Aye sir,” the guard said.
“OK, this is your Wing Commander, Rick Hardslab,” he said. “Does everyone copy?”
“Blue Leader to Wing Commander, copy that,” replied Seamus followed by a hail of “copy that”s and “copy”s from everyone else. The Manta squad were called “Red,” the destroyers called “Blue,” and the Cruisers called “Gold.” There were 20 mantas under the command of Red Leader starting at “Red one,” all the way up to, “Red twenty.” There were 10 destroyers under the command of Blue Leader, who was Seamus, starting from “Blue one,” all the way up to, “Blue ten.” There were 5 Cruisers under the command of Gold Leader, starting at “Gold one,” up to “Gold five.” When the manta’s were launched, the would keep under the command of Red Leader unless and until a Cruiser called recalled them to the launch bay for repairs and restocks. And then there was Wing Commander in his Rebel Flagship who was Rick, with the leaders under his command.
“Now, if anyone in an original Manta succeeds in launching an escape pod to the surface, notify me and try to look inconspicuous. There was another hail of “copy that”s and “copy”s. “Good. Now, everyone plot a course to Earth, and prepare for mass destruction!!!”
The blockade was coming along very well. Already there were 6 Frigates, 2 Cruisers, a scramble of Patrol Ships and Gunboats, and a Flagship who was the Wing Commander. They werenÂ’t as organized as the Rebels, but they had almost as much firepower.
It happened out of nowhere. Planetary Traffic Control sensors detected multiple hyperspace events and identified the ships as rebel warships.
“Whoooo hoo hoo!” shouted Rick over the intercom. “Let’s give these ‘feds a piece of our mind! Not to mention taking a piece of their technology! Gold leader, launch all fighters and set them on a route to engage the Patrol Ships and Gunboats.”
“Copy that!” said Gold Leader.
“Blue leader! Harass the cruisers with missiles, and engage the frigates when your tubes are empty.”
“Copy that!” cried Seamus.
“Red Leader, send all fighters to Earth and order them to destroy any fighters or gunboats in their way!”
“Aye, Wing Commander!” replied the Red Leader.
The Destroyers were launching massive vollies of missiles at the Cruisers, and one was already destroyed. Rick came over the intercom again saying,
“When targets are destroyed, regroup at Mars!” There was a hail of “Affirmative, Wing Commander!”s from the fleet.”
The Patrol Ships and Gunboat were now attacking the Rebel Cruisers, but their Proton shots did little more that phaze the shields a bit, or for the Destroyers with their shields downed, send showers of sparks flying of the hull leaving scorch marks.
The Mantas were pursuing the fighters though and their swivel laser cannons were blasting away chunks of metal from their hulls, and all of the Confederate fighters were soon anhihlated.
The original mantas were now self destructing and launching escape pods for earth. The launched mantas were now streaking at full speed towards Mars.
Soon five out of the six Confederate Frigates were destroyed, both the Cruisers, and all of the fighters. The Rebel Destroyers were engaging the last Frigate with heavy Proton fire and it was soon destroyed.
Now all of the ships were pooled at Mars, and the Flagship, (the C.S.S. Vengeance) was lumbering towards them firing all itÂ’s torpedoes away at the mess of ships, which had little effect. Suddenly there was a swarm of shouting voices over the intercom.
“Red 3 to Wing Commander, I have safely landed on the planet!” and,
“Red 7 to Wing Commander, sir I made it, and I’m ready for orders.”
“Stand by!” ordered Rick. “Everyone, launch the best weapons you have at the C.S.S. Vengeance! When you are out, use your next best weapon!. When your secondaries are depleted, move in and blast away with primaries!”
“Copy that Wing Commander!” everyone said at once.
The Mantas immediately swarmed forwards and nibbled away at the shields while the Cruisers and Destroyers swamped it with Torpedo and Heavy rocket fire. Soon itÂ’s shields were gone, and itÂ’s armor was going fast with the viciously massive amount of Proton fire it was receiving.
Finally, the engines gave one big flare, and gave out entirely while small explosions were heard and seen outside of itÂ’s hull. All of the ships flew away at top speed as to avoid debris. The surgical strike had been successful.
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That wedge of cheese
can't hurt anyone! So
don't dread it - it even
says not to