Well, it took me a few months to write this, and I guess I'll post it up here now so here goes:
(The *'s represent a picture that could not be copied or pasted.)
Escape Velocity
Volume One
CHAPTER 1
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.
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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.
CHAPTER 2
SMACK! He was hit to the floor. He had a few last fleeting glimpses of cops with handheld 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!
CHAPTER 3
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 the last-minutely organized militia. There were ships of all sorts including: Defenders, Argosys, 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.
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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.
CHAPTER 4
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 Ill get the ship after this mission. he said. He left and took off.
CHAPTER 5
He accessed his map, and plotted a course from Zaxted to Satori. Then he hit the jump button, and started going. At first he couldnt 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 youre 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 its OK, Id rather wait and get at least a Clipper before I help with combat, but Id be happy to do some more deliveries. Well that's OK with me. Just come to the spaceport when youre ready to start the real battle. he said and walked away.
CHAPTER 6
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. Id like to purchase a scoutship please he said and bought it with 20,000 credits leftover.
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CHAPTER 7
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: Red Alert. Code Red. Red Alert. Code Red.
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CHAPTER 8
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.
CHAPTER 9
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. Im fine, Seamus said. Then an important looking government official walked down to him accompanied by two security officers. Im 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 dont 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 Seamuss hand.
To Be Continued...
in Volume Two of the Escape Velocity Series
So, tell me what you think! 
good, 
bad, :frown: in between, :rolleyes: and please be honest. You probably couldn't offend me if you tried because I would most likely get you back with an insult that would get me banned.
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That wedge of cheese
can't hurt anyone! So
don't dread it - it even
says not to
(This message has been edited by disco (edited 10-16-2002).)
(This message has been edited by disco (edited 10-16-2002).)