After leaving Kayan Outpost 2D, Thunder made a quick stop at Freeport to pick up the last 6 F-25 upgrade packages stored there. Though he had stop(ed production and research on the devices, as he promised the Voinians he would, the Kayans already had quite a few in stock, half a dozen of which had been left on Freeport for Thunder. The halls and corridors of the station were strangely empty as Thunder walked to the storage bay. All the personel there had already been evacuated, and the last of the supplies were just then being removed on transport vessels. After retreiving the F-25 upgrade packages, Thunder prepared to return to his ship. He stopped one last time in the bar, looking out the viewport on the system that would soon belong to the Captains of S-570. There he was met with an awesome sight as ten crescent warships and nearly 50 Kayan aradas could be seen leaving the docking bay. By their markings Thunder could tell that they were the Freeport Defense Fleet. After watching the ships blast off and gather into their formation, Thunder returned to the Storm, where he promptly recieved a comm message.
"This is Freeport Defender Alpha 1 to Thunder. All personnel, technology, and supplies have been evacuated from Freeport. We are preparing to evacuate the system as well. I figured you'd like to do the honors."
"I'll get right on it." Thunder replied. He turned to his computer console and interfaced with the Riomir computer database. After establishing a stable link, Thunder uploaded the entire computer database and all the information stored in it, and transferred it to a data module aboard the lead defender's ship. After completing that task, he sent a transmission that wiped the system and all it's memory clean, and then re-initialized the computer system and reset it to its original state, leaving only the files necessary to run the station and maintain its systems.
"Thunder to Freeport Defenders: I've reset the computer core. The files are stored in the data module aboard your lead ship. Set course for Mavs and ofload the technology and the computer database there. We'll transfer all operations from Freeport to Histiri Station in Mavs. Those of you with the space mines on your ships, be careful, those things are quite volatile..."
"Yes, sir." The lead defender answered. With that the entire fleet jumped into hyperspace, embarking on the two jump journey to Mavs.
Thunder and his arada escorts were now the last Kayan ships in the Riomir system. He initiated a scan of the station, and determined that there was no supplies or technology that had been left behind; the station was clear. Dutifully, he opened a channel to Captain Carnotaur.
MESSAGE TO CAPTAIN CARNOTAUR<<<
Encryption code 221-03-Red confirmed
The Kayan Alliance has finished clearing its people, technology, and supplies from Freeport. As soon as you transfer the 3 million credits to me your forces are free to take control of Freeport.
(out of character: The latest version of the map works for me. I don't know what was wrong with it last night, but it's working now.)
Thunder out.
END MESSAGE<<<
With that done, Thunder turned his attention to some more secretive buisness. With his escorts in close formation, he powered up his hyperspace engines and set course for the Feviry system.
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I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair,
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires...
(This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 02-02-2001).)
