[IC] Swords and Snakes

[Kid Firestorm]

(OCC: this is my roleplaying of my Cmdr in Elite: Dangerous. I'll be posting fictional accounts tied in with my gameplay. However others are welcome to join in with the fun. My character is mostly serious in nature but there's room for comical relief in the RP as well. My brief character info is listed here for more infomation. https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23854&page=14 See you in the void Commanders)

6/1/3301
Wohler Terminal: Kremainn System
Federation Juristriction

Nearly two months had past since the Admiral freed me from Ross 128. Short on cash an looking to keep my distance from my old known hunts I made my way to across the stars taking on odd job after odd job until I found myself at this lonely station. After several hard fought battles in this Eagle I realized I was burning through the cash I was making on repairs and fuel. I knew I needed a more suitable ship for my style of combat but knew I couldn't afford it. I was barely making enough to keep my head above water.

As I sat at the controls my thoughts began to wonder back to my mission. My father, what happened to him? Is he still alive or not. I thought about how my mom would take all this. Mom. She didn't know I was free. But she was still on Mars High in Sol. I couldn't risk going there could I? But then again the feds knew I was free anyway. The Admiral had to clear my release legitimately. Plus, I still had my old Viper back home. I was basically waiting for the Admiral to give me a mission but so far nothing. I made up my mind.

Galaxy Map, Destination: Sol. Time I really get the ball rolling. I'm taking a risk here but I had plenty to reasons to take the chance. I launched from the station. This wasn't going to be a quick trip. But it was well worth it. I didn't bother checking to number of jump. I knew I could manage 5 before refueling. As I cleared the mass lock of the station and charged the FSD I thought again about my father. I needed to do this. I needed to know the truth. But first things first. The ship counted down to the jump. 4, 3, 2, 1, boom.

Next stop, home.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

7/1/3301
Sol System
Federation Jurisdiction

It took a lot longer than I thought to get to Sol. Several interdictions during fuel stops and an unexpected encounter with a lost Cmdr lead to my spending the night in Barnard's Star. But this morning, the big jump. I hyperspaced into the system and after turning towards Mars I froze slightly. I realized I hadn't been here in 5 years. I wondered how my mom would react when she saw me. I set my sights for the station cautious of my situation dealing with the federal forces but mostly excited.

Mars High: Sol System
Federation Jurisdiction

I dropped out of supercruise overlooking the terraformed red planet 9 clicks out from the station I first called home. Memories gave way to tactics as I approached. Trust was all but gone so I decided to pull an old trick I used to pull with my old Sidewinder as a teen. I waited for a larger ship to head to the dock before requesting docking. A Type 7, perfect. I pulled the eagle up along side the freighter as tight as I could as the security vessels moved in for their scans. Holding as close as i could I tucked in in front of the ship avoiding the scans and slipping into letterbox. Feds still haven't caught on to that trick, which is sad being Sol is the capital of the Federation. Setting the ship down on the pad and killing the engines. I found myself feeling like a kid again briefly. Home sweet home.

Mom had moved down to an apartment on the low gravity levels near the docks. After my dad's disappearance and my imprisonment she sold my kitted out cobra and bought a Type 6. Partly for work but mostly to keep herself busy. Losing dad really took a toll on her and then what happened to me... well who wouldn't need a change. As I reached the apartment I was stopped by a man in all black.

"Commander Sword."
"Who wants to know?"
"Agent Grey. I work for Admiral Michele. He told me you'd be coming here."
"Of course he would have a tab on me. Probably bugged the ship too."
"I'm here with a mission."
"Here? Why?"
"The Admiral would prefer you kept away from your mother and this system. But knowing you have a combat ship here, he figured you'd come back here sooner or later."
I looked at the door of my mother's apartment then back at the man. "Why keep me away from my own mother?"
"Because the assignments you are about to take part in will make you a lot of very powerful enemies."
I paused for a second then remembered I was working from the Admiral as a mercenary. I realized there was truth to his words. "What's the mission?"
The man looked around to the door of my mother's apartment. "Are you sure you want to have this conversation here?"
"No big details, just the basics. What am I doing?"
"A group of bounty hunters in LHS 3505 are suspected to be working for an Imperial Spy by the name of Nicolas Mandrell. The band are Federation citizens but seem intent on causing trouble for us. We need to collect Intel on the group from the inside. Your goal is to locate Mandrell."
"LHS 3505? I was just there. Why not give me the mission there?"
"Because of your Viper. All of the pilots in the group are skilled Viper pilots and will be more excepting of you with such a ship. That and the Adimal wanted to see just how long it took you to come here."
"He's testing me... fine. I'll play along. For now."
"Good. Your ship is ready for you. The Admiral has already arranged for you to pick it up. Your mother thinks we've confiscated it for evidence. Make sure it stays that way."
"Fine."

The man walked away and left me staring at the door. I knew now I couldn't contact my mom. Maybe it was for the best but it still felt wrong. I turned and walked away, heading for the hanger to claim my Viper. I had a mission. I had a better ship. But I realized I wasn't free. Not just yet. But that will change. One day, I'll be able to come home for real.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

9/1/3301
LHS 3505 System

Hunting for pirates was pretty easy, just hang around locations where traders and miners gathered and you'd pick up a few in good time. But how the hell does a bounty hunter hunt bounty hunters? I figured I'd hang in to extraction sites and wait for bounty hunters to show up to protect the good people then lend my assistance. Problem is not a single pirate made a move on anyone in the area. I spent more time sitting still on a rock than I did getting here from Sol.

After several hours and 5 location changes I decided to call it a day and set course to Olivia's City. I was beginning to think Admiral Michele was toying with me. But just before the I fired up "The Strike's" engines, jackpot. A pair of Adders began opening fired on a lone Type 6. I kept my engines cold and tried to wait for my own prey to make their move. The distress calls from to freighter echoed throughout my Viper and I did my best to hold back the need to help the defenseless vessel. Sure enough and much to my own relief an orange Viper darted into the fray forcing one of the Adders to break away. Powering up the Strike and deploying hardpoints I engaged the second Adder. I opened comms with the Viper stating quickly "I got your back Commander." and went to work. I had forgotten just how good I had it with my ship after being stuck in that god awful Eagle for so long. Within moments I laid the poor Adder to waste and doubled back to cover the escaping Type 6 as my potential partner claimed the second bounty with little trouble. After the Type 6 jumped away to safety I met up with the lone pilot of the Viper. My ship scanning his id as Johnny Black
"Nice flying Commander." I said hoping to befriend him.
"You too, sir."
"I figured I'd back you up seeing there were 2 of em."
"Thanks. I usually have a team but It's just me today. Good thing things are so quiet at the moment."
"I'm usually a solo pilot but these aren't my parts so I not too sure to the Pirate levels. What'll you say we team up to a bit till I need to refuel?" I asked hoping the seeming young pilot bites.
"Well normally I'd be fine on my own but my weapons layout is buggy at the moment so why not."
I nearly let out a sigh of relief but merely replied. "Cool. Split the targets 50/50. I'll buy you a drink afterwards. Hehe."

For the next 2 and a half hours my new partner and I chatted small talk and engaged several targets. Though this was a mission, I had more profit today from this new partnership than I had on my own from the work in the eagle. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

Olivias City: LHS 3505 System

I find myself in one of the local bars keeping the promise to buy the pilot a drink. Several other pilots, mostly traders and miners filled to establishment. In an attempt to learn more about the bounty hunters I told the young pilot bits and pieces of my story surrounding the disappearance of my old man. It seemed to do the trick, for Johnny let his guard down a bit.

"Space is a cruel place." He replied "I myself lost my family. I spent most of my childhood on a Type 9. My mom and Dad put everything they had into moving cargo. Until one day a band of pirates attacked and boarded us. My folks tried fighting em off as best they could but It was no good. My dad was killed onboard and my mom and I ended up as slaves being sold around from system to system. She died from the sheer labor years later."
"I'm sorry to here that."
"Yeah." He said before taking another sip of his drink. "My folks were decent people. This galaxy screwed us over."
"How'd you get out?"
"Ah yeah. Was being traded again. The ship was attacked by my boss. He rescued all us slaves and tried to drop me off in Uzumeru. I begged him to let me help him out as repayment for freeing me. I worked onboard his Cobra until I hit 18 then he trained me to fly one of his old Vipers. Been flying it with his crew ever since."
"Sounds like a good guy."
"Yeah. Manny's the best around."
"Manny?" I asked hoping for progress.
"Ha. yeah. Commander Mandrell. But I've called him Manny since I was 14."
Pay dirt. I had the right crew and now just needed a way in. "How big's this crew?"
"We just brought in 2 more guys making it 11. We're a bit scattered out right now though with the fighting in Ho Hsi and HR 7327. Right now there's just me and 2 others."
"Spread a bit thin don't you think?"
"Yeah. I thought so. Glad you showed up though. I wasn't doing to good a job today beforehand."
"Like I said. Just passing through."
"You know we could use a guy of your skill. Curve some the crime around here. Plus I could use a drinking buddy."
A bit of guilt crawled up my spine before I answered. "I could probably hang around a few days. At least till your crew's back together."

 

[Kid Firestorm]

10/1/3301
Olivas City: LHS 3505

As I sat in the bar reading Galnet news I felt my talents could be put to use elsewhere. I figured the Admiral wanted me away from Panem situation for a reason. After reading the latest I gathered he wanted my mind off the conflict, knowing I'd hate the idea of simple farmers dying for what seemed to be an excuse to raise taxes. I wondered what my dad would think. My thoughts where interrupted by Johnny's arrival.
"Aye, kid."
"Kid? You're like what 5 years older than me."
"5 years in space, makes me like 20 years older."
"Hehe. We then gramps, you care to join me clean up the Nav Beacon? Got word some Cobra pirates are causing trouble out there."
"Gramps? Walked right into that one." I said and stood from my seat. "Let go get paid."

 

[Kid Firestorm]

12/1/3301
LHS 3505 System

The last few days have been fairly quiet. Combat was low and most of the presence of pirates had dropped dramatically. I found most of my actions were more towards actual bounty hunting than the mission at this point. I had yet to hear from the Admiral since the mission started. Still I stayed with it. Johnny hailed me as we started to head back to the station after another day's work.
"I just heard from my boss. He's calling for a gathering."
"Gathering? Your crew on the way back?"
"Looks like it."
"I guess my work is done here then."
"Wait, Sword? I couldn't have done as good a job here without you. Manny would want to thank you."
The mission was going well but it was getting harder to lie to Johnny about my real intentions. Part of me just wanted him to just tell me good luck on my travels and Hyperspce away. "Johnny, you did quite a good job before I got here."
"I do alright. But look around. Things couldn't be more peaceful around here."
He really wasn't making this easy for me. But I needed to at least get the Intel. The Admiral freed me from that hellhole. I can't just bail because I like this kid. "Well I guess I could have a drink with the guy. As long as he's buying. I've had you swimming in booze all week."
"Ha. Well it's either Jax or fuel if I was alone out here. Tell you what. Stay and meet the crew and I'll buy the drinks. Just 2 round though. Or 1."
"Hehe, alright. I better agree before I'm buying again. Ha." I said and laughed then we both dropped out of supercruise to dock

 

[Kid Firestorm]

Olivas City: LHS 3505 System

Nicolas Mandrell, my main objective, born on Azeban City, 6 feet 7 inches, 235 pounds, blonde hair, Blue eyes, Scar over his left eye from an accident as a child. Before now he was just a file on my ship's display. But now I find myself sitting across the table from a real human being. To his left a man nearly double his size, brown hair and eyes and a thin beard named Mike Blake. To his right sat a nearly wasted Johnny, and to the drunken kid's right, an amazingly beautiful, 5 feet 4 inches, slim figured brown haired brown eyed young lady by the name of Demi Hunter. 4 of the Bounty Hunters of a team of 11. These 4 were my mission. But as I chatted with them, as I drank with them, I felt something off about this. This mission to gather information, to infiltrate their group, it didn't seem as though they were a threat to the Federation as I was lead to believe. All I knew at this moment that they were working to some end goal. What that was was beyond me at this point.

"So I've been hearing a lot about You, Commander Sword." Mandrell addressed me as he called for a round drinks.
"I was just passing through. The kid here looked like he could have used some help." I replied with a slight smile gesturing over to point out Johnny slumped over on the table still trying to drink from a bottle of Laveian Brandy. The group laughed and Demi collected to glass and bottle away from the kid.
"Sober, Johnny can hold his own with the best of em."
"Thanks to your training from what I hear."
"Hehe. So what brings you to this neck of the woods?"
"Honestly, just looking to start over somewhere. I just kinda wondered out here. No real goal. just point my ship in a direction..."
"And see what happens." Mandrell said finishing my sentence for me. "Yeah we've all had our fair share of that." He said looking and at the woman at Johnny's side as he spoke. She glanced back at him briefly before propping Johnny back up.
"I guess so. Funny how that works once you got a ship and a few hundred credits." I said quickly after.
"Yeah. You soon find out how harsh being alone in the void can be." he said then stood, taking a final sip of brandy. "Walk with me, Commander."
I stood and finished off my glass as well. "You 2 can handle him, right?" he asked his crew.
"Sure thing Cap." The bigger man said with a salute.
The Commander and I them proceeded to leave the bar.

As we walked down the corridor towards the dock the Commander lit a cigarette and took several puffs before speaking again. "So what exactly did my man back there tell you about us?"
"Not much, just you guys flew wings together to watch each other's back." I replied which was was the truth. Though we flew quite often the last few days together, Johnny really didn't explain why there was such a large group of them flying one system.
"We work a bit of a network within my crew. You see lone pilots don't really do much to curve violent acts in most cases. But many can make a difference. You see, we're here now for more or less to gather and gain equipment and such. The entire federation is really our goal. We in groups of 4 for the most part to both put a stop to crime and make a sizable profit as well through a joint credit venture. We all share the profits, up our earning and in turn protect each other." He explained
"Sounds like a decent arrangement."
"There is a lot we can do as and an unit, and a greater amount of money to be made as well." he stated then stops putting his hand on my shoulder. "We can use another capable pilot. But I need to know 2 things."
I paused for a moment before I responded. "Okay. Which is?"
"For one I need to know just how good a pilot you are."
"And the other?"
"If you can be trusted."
Trust. From the sound of things I'd be the one that couldn't be trusted as it stood. And at that moment I felt worse than I had before.
"Trust is something earned, not handed out." I replied. "If I'm going to work with you I expect to earn that."
He grinned for a second. "Okay, Commander. Fair enough. So allow me one thing simple to build trust."
"Sure."
"Show me your ship."
I laughed and replied "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

 

[Kid Firestorm]

13/1/3301
LHS 3505 System

The last 4 hours I had spent flying wing with Mandrell and his team I befriended the day before. The Commander got plenty of chances to witness my combat abilities while we criss-crossed the system dealing with the few brave pirates remaining in the system. Seemed Mandrell was right about large groups making real changed. The more time I spent with these guys the more it seemed the Admiral was wrong about them. Nothing they said or did made me think otherwise. What also made me wonder about the info was the fact that Mandrell wasn't flying a Viper but a Black Wire Framed Cobra.

As I found during our flight, in sudden battles one of the four would fly extremely close to my ship, sometimes flying across my bow in the line of fire. First Mike in his standard painted Viper, then Demi in her gold one. When Johnny then did the same I realized it was a test to see how I responded. Luckily I was so used to flying around federal police it was fairly easy for me to adjust to the seemingly erratic behavior. I nearly called them out on it after Mandrell to did the same but chose not to while in combat.

Comm chatter was restricted during our runs within the extraction sites to just targets, positions, flight and attack pattern and kills. Outside of the sites we chatted as usual. But then things changed when Demi went silent and broke off from the wing.
"Demi, report in. What's your situation?" Mandrell called out. No response. "Demi, I repeat, What is your status?"
"Nick... Reports from Home Base. It's Derrick." She finally replied.
Mandrell's Cobra broke formation and pulled out of the rings then suddenly he too went silent over comms. The rest of us broke from are flight patterns and followed up after the Cobra. After a few minutes they reopened comms with the rest of us. "Sword. What did you say was the jump range of that snake of yours?"
"14.7 LYS." I replied.
"Boss, What happened at Home Base?" Mike asked
"I'll explain once we get there. Mike, link up with Ryan and head to Home Base. Johnny you're with me. Demi, Take Sword back to Olivas to armor up then meet us there. I'll put up the cash myself." Mandrell ordered. The crews responded with a unit styled Aye Sir and Mike's Viper turned and jumped in one direction, followed by Mandrell and Johnny disappearing into another. Demi and I headed back towards the station. For the first time since meeting them all it felt far more serious than beforehand. Demi remained quiet. "What happened?" I asked hoping to at least get confirmation of what I was already thinking.
"One of ours went down." she said.
"Escape pod?"
"No. He didn't make it."
"Sorry."
"Can that ship make 13LYS if we up it to military grade?"
"Yeah I can do that. Where is this Home Base?"

 

[Kid Firestorm]

Olivas City: LHS 3505 System

Demi stood by her ship waiting as my ship was being armored up. She hadn't said a word since we arrived at the station. I walked over to her and stood next to her.
"Sorry about your friend."
"Thanks." she said after a long pause.
"Were you close with him?"
"Yeah. Known him a years."
"Sorry. Any leads?"
"Don't know yet." she said then took a few steps away. "Look, since we just met I and all I'd like it if we didn't talk about this."
"I understand."
She turned and looked back at a her ship then at me again. "He saved my life." She said and leaned back against the hanger wall. "I was working a job in Imperial space when I was attacked by three clippers. I managed to just cripple 1 before they shot out my canopy. Derrick saw me get interdicted and dropped into the battle. Be bought me just enough time to supercruise away. He ended up rescuing me as my ship ran out of oxygen. He flew wing with us ever since." she explained.
"I see."
"When I find the guy that did this..." she said just as my wrist comm sent the alert my ship was ready. "Time to move."
"Right. You still haven't told me where we're headed."
"My home. Dalton Gateway."

 

[Kid Firestorm]

"It wasn't just some regular pirate, we were on a job." the man told us as we circled around the dead Viper adrift in the void. "There was a mission to track down a group of smugglers working with a pirate leader working in this region of space. They were smuggling weapons, drugs and slave into the system to Lawson Orbital. The Feds lose track of their movements after that point. They were using a pair of Type 7 transports to haul their major loads in. Derrick and I found them in route and pulled them out of supercruise but were met by their leader's Conda and 3 escort Cobras. We put up a fight and managed to just barely get away but not for long. Another ship was waiting for us, a Python. It pulled Derrick out of FSD. By the time I was able to drop in to the fight it was too late. His ship's cockpit had been destroyed completely. He never had a chance." the bounty hunter explained to us.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

15/1/3301
LHS 3447: Dalton Gateway

We had been gathering data regarding the crew that killed Derrick Stone days earlier. From what we found it seems as though the group operates using the independent stations in the system. The trail goes cold beyond that. We began patrolling the system to fine the type 7s that they used to move their product but to no luck. Demi and I had returned to dock while the others continued to search. She stormed into the closest bar pushing 2 pilots out of her path. She sat at the bar and order a bottle of Lavian Brandy as I sat beside her.
"That's a bit much don't you think?" I said. She glanced at me briefly displeased and continued to pour herself a drink from the bottle. She rose the glass to her lips and I took it from her. "Look, I know how you feel. Trust me, but right now we just need to be patient." She looked off to the side as though she agreed but then slapped me and took the glass back. "Or we can get drunk. Whatever."
"Look I know you're trying to help but don't pretend to know me."
"I'm not. I don't know you and I'm not pretending to. But I can still care."
She put the glass down, shaking her head in frustration. "We have know idea where these guys are. This is starting to..."
"I get it. When my dad died I wanted hell to pay that day."
"Your dad? How did he die?"
"Feds claim is was an accident. I found out otherwise."
"Sorry."
"Yeah. Look it's only been a few days and we know part of there trail. We just need to hang around for awhile. We'll find them."
I took the bottle from her and poured myself a drink.
"Wait what are you doing?"
"Well you already payed for it. So..." I said and smiled. She smiled slightly and downed the brandy.

An hour passed as we drank and shared stories about the 2 people we lost. Before long a loud pair of pilots entered the bar. One of them said the name of the Pirate leader sparking our attention.
"Yeah this guy's paying me to move a group of slaves from Lawson to the rings in a few days. For the about of money he's giving out I'd drag the whole station if he wanted."
Demi started to stand but I quickly pulled her back down and whispered to her to hold on. "I just need to get my ship ready before then. Cargo bay in my Asp is full of food right now. I'll make a run to drop it off after this drink."
Demi and I looked at each other and I couldn't help but say "Told ya so."
"Yeah yeah. Shut it before I slap you again." She said with an slight grin.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

16/1/3301
LHS 3447 System

We now had a seemingly solid lead on the group we were after with Demi tailing the trader flying the asp. But since he was yet to make a move I decided to look for other possible leads. After spending a few hours moving from station to station and spending quite a lot of time waiting to dock at 2 of the outposts I finally made some progress. A trader flying a hauler had been attacked my a Cobra pilot at Lawson. The ship's paint scheme matched one of the ships that ambushed the crew. Hoping the pilot would launch soon I waited outside the station at a fair distance with my engines cold and shields down. As I drifted in the void in wait I received a massage from Admiral Michele.

'Commander, mission update: You are to head to LHS 3447 A8 and kill the pilot "Gold Eye" afterwards you are to return to Dalton Gateway and alert Nicholas Mandrell of a possible connection of his comrade's death and Gold Eye then deliver to him the file being uploaded to your ship. Contact Agent Grey after you deliver the file.'

Is he serious? He set this up? Why? I couldn't re-read the message to get my head around it but sure enough he wanted me to kill a pilot and make it look like he has ties to what happened to Derrick. With a great deal of hesitation I broke from my original plan, re-powered everything and headed to the icy world to do the job.

When I arrived still in supercruise I was greeted my a wanted golden stripe Eagle piloted by my new target. The size of the bounty was pretty high at 125k not the highest I've seen but still made me think a bit less bad about the task at hand. I activated the interdictor as normal but this was no normal pilot and he fought long and hard to escape the tether. After finally forcing the bird out into normal space the man quickly deployed his hardpoints and was facing me before I could blink. With the Eagle more nimble than Strike I was hit hard on the first couple passes nearly losing my shields. I quickly got him in my sights and put the full power of my burst lasers on him, disabling Flight Assist to keep him aligned as I ate away at this shields. He then suddenly boosted straight for me and fired a round of missiles at me. Before me or my point defenses had time to react they crashed into my shields, knocking them out and causing damage to the hull. I boosted to gain distance and turned to face him again. As he fired more missiles this time I was ready, using my multi-cannons to take them down. As I finally got his shields down the battle turned and the pilot began to bug out. Determent to not lose him I split the power to engines and weapons, boosted and fired all I had ripping the hull of the eagle apart. The exploding bird was so close parts of it crash into my canopy, cracking it quite badly.

"This better be worth all this" I said aloud as I flew past the wreckage. I jumped back into supercruise heading back to Dalton to repair Strike and find Mandrell. My gut instinct screaming at me this was not going to end well. What the hell has the Admiral gotten me into?

 

[Kid Firestorm]

17/1/3301
Dalton Gateway: LHS 3447 System

Mandrell was furious after looking through the file. I myself couldn't make much sense of it but clearly he knew what it all all meant. He turned off the display and powered up his wrist com.
"Yeah boss?" the voice belonging to Mike on the other end stated.
"Get here now. Bring Ryan with you. We got trouble." Mandrell said and cut the call short before mike could respond. He then turned to me. "Who else knows about this?"
"Just me to my knowledge. It seemed like the Gold Eye guy was looking for Derrick. I couldn't make out why."
"Nah if he was looking for anyone because of this, it would be me he was after. Are you sure he's dead?"
"Pretty sure parts of him are lodged into my ship's hull."
Mandrell stared at the drive containing the file. His face couldn't hide his anger in the slightest. "If Gold Eye was looking for us, Sword, you seem like a good man so I'll warn you. You might want to consider bailing out now." he said still staring at the drive.
"What's this file about?" I asked
"A few years ago my crew and I were working as mercenaries and did some work for man with some strong connections. Turned out he was working as a spy for Senator Patreus and had us doing his dirty work for him. Once we found out we tried to get word back to the Federation but the man made sure we'd go down for treason if they ever found out." He explained. Suddenly it made sense. Admiral Michele learned of their involvement in spying for the Empire. Question is if he also knew about this man and if so why is he still after Mandrell? " We did some blockading of his corporation afterwards and tried to bankrupt him but then he placed a kill order on me. Yamato apparently is still looking for me."
"Yamato? Korosaki Yamato of Falcon de Lacy?"
"The one and the same."
Korosaki Yamato used to run a corp on mars before buying into Falcon de Lacy stock and making billions from it in part from the development of the MK3 of the Cobra. If Mandrell was on his bad side then he's sure to have made plenty of enemies from it. After learning this I was surprised all of them were still alive. So I understood why he wanted me to cut and run while I still had a chance.
"Thanks for the warning but now I really can't stay out of this. Plus I already killed one of his ace pilots so I'm pretty much all in." I responded and shook his hand.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

I left the station to contact Agent Grey and it took some time to get a signal. Strike clearly needs more work done after the last fight but that was something I'd take care of later. I finally got the agent on the line after dropping out of supercruise.
"Commander Sword reporting in."
"Status."
"Gold Eye is dead. File has been delivered."
"And Mandrell? What is your status with his crew?"
"I'm in but there's a problem."
"Which is?"
"Mandrell was set up to look like an Imperial spy by Korosaki Yamato of Falcon de Lacy who was working for Senator Patreus at the time. Mandrell and his crew are loyal to the Federation."
"We don't care about the rest of his crew. Mandrell himself has other crimes against the Federation among spying. Your job is to gather information on him for more reasons and not to question us."
I nearly lost my temper after that statement. "Why are you keeping me in the dark if I'm doing all the work?"
"Because you aren't a trained agent nor do you have high enough clearance for most of the details. This was part of your deal to get out of prison."
"You don't need to remind me."
"By the way, you will be receiving a package for your ship in the next few days. You'll know it once you get it. Use it well and within the law this time. Grey Signing out."
"Wait What? This time? Wait a second?" I shouted at the agent but to no use. He signed out before I could get the words out fully. I was starting to wonder if this feeling I had was anything like what it would be like to be a slave. I needed to vent and engaged the FSD heading to the Nav Beacon at Gliese 7462 B.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

18/1/3301
Dalton Gateway: LHS 3447 System

Work of an economic boom spread through the system this morning. Sounds like good news but in truth it was bad timing for us. Traffic in the system was already high and with us conducting a man hunt, the last thing we needed was more ships in the area. Hopefully Demi will be reporting back with good news. So far we hadn't heard from her since she began tailing the Asp pilot believed to be working with the pirates. Johnny and I met up at the bar. We were supposed to discuss our plan on counter tactics dealing with the potential number of ships in the upcoming battle but he had become distracted. A young woman had entered the bar moments earlier and the kid started flirting with her, all be it badly.
"Kid!" I shouted at him trying to regain his attention. "Focus up. Our lives are on the line here."
He turned briefly to shush me then turned back to the girl, offering her his contact information. She smiled taking the paper then proceeded to exit the bar. Johnny turned back to me sulking at the fact the lady left.

"Ugh, Sword, ya killing me here." he said and signaled to the bartender for a round of Jax.
"You'll really be dead if this plan fails. We could be out gunned here."
"More reason for me to talk to her then. Could me my last day." He replied
"I'm serious here. Now from what we know there were 5 combat ships in their group."
"Yeah..." he said before knocking back the glass of alcohol. "Um. 3 Cobras a Python and the big boss flying an Anaconda."
"So if we rule out the Asp there's at least 7 known ships they're using. Now assuming the Type 7s are both geared for defense, we really just need to distract the Cobras long enough for the others to take down the to bigger ships." I explained.
"Easy enough. Me, you and Mike can deal with those 3. Manny, Kaz, Luke and Ryan can take the conda."
"Leaving Demi and the rest of your crew for the Python. Things can go a lot faster if use 3 take down those Cobras first."
"I'm armed to the teeth with burst lasers. I'll make quick work of the shields of anything. Just need to concentrate my fire after that."
"I actually think and all Multi-cannons setup would be best for me with the number of us in the fight."
Johnny looked over at me sharply forgetting his second drink in the process. "Multi-cannons? Against shields?"
"Constant attack with little power usage. A bit costly but this was never about money." I explained.
"You're money I guess. Question though."
"Yeah?"
"Why risk it all for us?"
I paused for a second. Not sure how to answer. I had an answer but It probably wouldn't make much sense to him. "I know the 2 aren't connected but... If I could make things right here, maybe I can do the same for my dad." I responded.
"We owe you our thanks Commander." Mandrell's voice echoed in from behind us. "Not many would take up arms for our cause."
"Just doing what I can."
"Gentlemen, we have word from our little spy. The Asp just returned to LHS 3447 and is in route to Dalton." Mandrell state.

Johnny scrambled to finish his third drink as I paid the tab as usual. The three of us then left the bar to head for the Hanger to meet up with Demi.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

19/1/3301
LHS 3447 System

The crew had scattered to different parts of empty space after receiving word the Asp pilot was preparing for his meeting with the pirates. Demi had been trailing the trader using a Hauler Mandrell had purchased to lower suspicion but now she had switched back to her Viper knowing she'd need it for combat. Since the system had more that one ring system and several possible locations for the meet, each of us were spaced out pretty far from each other to make sure at least one of us could back up the woman if trouble rose before she found the meet. Mandrell told us to remain in radio silence until Demi found the location. Mandrell's crew operated like clockwork. Tactics I only saw from military units, even Johnny who usually carried himself like a college frat boy was very professional when it can't down to the job at hand. As I sat there in my Viper laying in wait I started to think about the last few weeks with them. The more time I spent around them the more I started to admire them. The more I started to care what happens to them and with this fight. Soon there would be a fight. I just didn't realize how important this fight would be for me as well. We soon received the message over com of the location. She simply sent the coordinates which led to icy planet of LHS 3447 A8.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

Rings of LHS 3447 A8

The crew gathered in supercruise and locked on the the low energy wake left behind by Demi's ship and one by one dropped into rings. Once there we navigated through the rocks to find several ships surrounding the Asp we had been tracking for days. As expected there were the 2 Type 7 transports, 3 Cobras and the Python. But from what any of us could see, no sign of the leader's Anaconda. After a few moments 2 more Asps dropped in followed by a Type 9 Heavy. The asps and began moving their cargo to the Type 9 as the 4 snakes circled. Demi broke the silence among us. "Where's the Conda?"
"We got the other 4. We should move on them and cripple the transports." Mike followed
"This doesn't make any sense." I added
"Agreed. 4 escorts to protect that many transports? something's off." Mandrell stated.
"Nick, if we don't move now we'll lose em. I agree with Mike. Cripple the freighters and get answers from them." Demi said. Mandrell held back on a response. "Nick?" she added.
"Demi, babe, we don't know where that Conda is. We can't just hit them." Mandrell responded.
"Then I'll draw them out."
"Demi..."
"They killed Derrick! I am not losing that Python!" she shouted.
"Alright but not alone. Sword..."
"I'm in. Count on it." I responded before he could finish.
"Okay. Mike, Sword, fly Tri-Formation with Demi. Everyone else hold back until I give the order." Mandrell ordered.

Demi boost ahead with Mike and I close on her wings. As we appears on the enemy sensors they deployed hardpoints as did we. The Cobras turned to face us and the Python put itself between us and the transports. The opened fire forcing us to break formation. determined to get the other side to show their hand, Demi darted past the Cobra heading straight for the Type 9. The Python engaged her quickly after and Mike and I decided to do the same despite the Cobras in pursuit of us. Suddenly new contacts emerged on sensor, to our surprise however it was not the Anaconda but a pair of eagles and an Imperial Clipper of all things. The additional vessels proved they were more than enough for 3 Vipers as they quickly downed our shields. "All Ships engage! Go to plan B! Engage, engage!" Mandrell commanded. The eight other ships in our crew soon reached the battle, taking on the faster ships while the 3 of us regained our shields. Now on to plan B, with Mike and I armed to cause hull damage faster and Johnny fitted to take on shields Mike and I were to help Demi with the Python while Johnny made sure at least one of the transports couldn't escape. With there being 11 of us we still had a chance of pulling this off. The asps weren't our concern so as they pulled away we ignored them entirely. Johnny wisely focused on the Type 9's engines. The Python being as big as it is was constrained by the asteroids so at least one of us always had it in our sights as it twirled around to fire on us. Though the Python was limited, those cobras weren't and on several passes forces us off the bigger target before one of the others took it on.

Soon after taking down the Python's shields we thought the fight was turning in our favor. But suddenly Demi's Viper took heavy damage from shots in the distance. As he broke off her attack I found myself dodging missile from the same direction. At first I thought it was the Type 7s but both were already jumping. I then saw the massive Anaconda approaching firing another round of missiles at the 3 of us. Suddenly I realized the logo on the ship's hull. Logo I put there. That ship, here of all places, was my father's Anaconda The Eclipse. Demi turned to face the Eclipse head on but then broke off her attack, shouting over the comms. "Nick! It's The Eclipse!" to my surprise she knew the ship as well which confirmed Mandrell knew it too. Mandrell, who had been taking on the clipper broke off for us. The Python attacked us again and managed to down my shield. I turned and fired on it trying to stay out of it's line of fire. My thoughts were everywhere. Python, my dad, this mission. Nothing was making sense anymore. I was shaken out of my daze by the sound of an incoming missile. I managed to avoid it by ducking behind an asteroid before the projectile reached me. As Mandrell and the clipper reached us, the Python circled around to face me but was met by both Mike and my own multi-cannons taking it's armor down to a mere 8 percent before it broke away from us. It tore off for open space to jump but with Demi in close pursuit. She delivered the finishing blow on the Python and the ship disintegrated in the resulting blast. Her victory was short lived however as she was bombed by another missile hit nearly destroying her Viper as well. I opened fire on my father's old ship with much regret but I needed to ensure our survival. Mandrell engaged it as well as Mike took on the Clipper. Soon after we engaged the beast a new set of burst lasers collided with it from Johnny, who had destroyed the Type 9's engines and returned to support us.

Then over our comms came breaking static as the Anaconda pilot hailed all channels. "Commander Mandrell. Do not assume you've won this day. I will remember this." the voice stated before turning and firing another round of missiles in Mandrell's direction. He evaded but revealed his target wasn't the Cobra but the Type 9. The ship exploded and the Conda, Clipper and the one of the remaining enemy Cobra made a run for it. The managed to jump thanks to the larger ship holding us back then the Anaconda followed into Hyperspace leaving us behind. Demi's ship continued to drift off and we realized she wasn't following us. "Demi, Respond!" Mandrell called out. No answer. "Demi!" he shouted again as we followed the drifting Viper. "Babe! Come on! Don't you do this to me! Demi!" Mandrell cried out. Suddenly and to our relief the sounds of coughs.
"I'm... ok... Nick... my head..." she finally replied.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

Dalton Gateway: LHS 3447 System

Demi had been hospitalize following the battle in the rings. She had blood pouring from her forehead due to a panel breaking and hitting her when the last missile hit. We managed to get her and her Viper back to to the Orbis. Outside the emergency room we waited for news on her condition. Though I was worried about her, I couldn't think straight. Who was that man and how did he get my father's ship? How did they know him? How did they know about that ship. I couldn't stay quiet any longer. I needed answers. But then I looked around at the men I had flown with. The look on their faces was all of worry. I realized I felt it too. Will she be alright? I held my tongue and leaned against the wall in silence, starring at the door where the doctors tended to Demi. This mission. I wasn't cut out for a mission like this. A kill target with a man without a face I could handle. But getting involved with my targets like this, getting to know them, it just wasn't me.

Minutes passed, then an hour, then 2, then finally Mandrell emerged from the room.
"Well, how is she?" Mike asked before anyone else could speak.
"She's out of surgery. She had some bleeding around her brain and a fractured skull due to the panel but she'll pull through." Mandrell stated
"Thank the Maker." Johnny added
"That's our Demi. Not even a missile to the face can keep her down." Mike said.
"Indeed. But he'll pay for this I assure you." Mandrell said.
"Who is he? How do you know him?" I asked Mandrell
"Titus Vanguard. 'The Black Skull'. I knew him from back home In the Eranin System." It the dawned on me. Eranin, where my dad disappeared and where Mandrell is from. Is this why the Admiral sent me here? Does Mandrell have some connection to what happened to my dad. "Titus tried to killed the leaders of the Eranin' Peoples Party before the war broke out a few months ago. Before then he was a hired gun for the Federation. I knew him through my Father." he added.
"How did he get that ship?"
"The Eclipse? No clue. I do know I faced it before a few years ago."
"That ship belonged to my father. I need to know more about this guy."
"Right. I have files on him. They're all yours."
"Thanks. I don't mean to do this right now. With Demi and all."
"It's fine. After what you did for us to day it's the least we can do." he said and raised his wrist com, transferring the file to me. "Sword, go do what you will. It'll take some time for us to find Titus now that he knows we're after him."
"Okay. What about Demi?"
"I'll stay with her till they release her." He replied and shook my hand. "See you soon Commander."
"See you soon." I said and looked over his shoulder threw the door at Demi.

I turned and walked away realizing that this whole time this wasn't just a mission to get intel on a spy, but a hunt for what really happened to my father.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

(OCC: Due to my fiancee flying around my Type 6 for the last few days, I'm picking up the story at Neto where she was last docked.)

23/1/3301
Neto System

I had received word from Agent Grey that I'd be transported via Type 6 to Ising Vision to meet with the Admiral face to face. It would be my first meeting with him since being released from Ross 128. As the ship made it's final jump into the system, I found myself looking through the files Mandrell gave me on Titus Vanguard while waiting for the ship to lift off. I had discovered the man had ties to Admiral Michele through something called to Type Z Project. Type Z was some type of federal controlled prototype of some kind housed on Eranin 2. The same location of most of the fighting during the war. This file seemed to indicate that the rebels and Eranin forces used the 30th anniversary as a cover story for the real reason for the hostility. However, the file had no information on Type Z itself. It seemed only that the Federation were able to reclaim it towards the later half of the conflict. Titus apparently was assigned the task of killing the heads of the Eranin's Peoples Party in order to secure it but failed. The Federation officially denied any involvement in his actions and declared him an outlaw. Rumor has it that Vanguard operates as a Pirate now and is known to attack trade ships in the I Bootis sector.

It would do me well to search that area however I couldn't due to my current circumstances. I needed answers. Admiral Michele knew more than he was telling me. I need to know why. And as the transport docked at the station, I'd soon get the chance to ask him in person.

 

[Kid Firestorm]

Ising Vision: Neto System

I was lead from the Type 6 to a waiting Python with a heavy presence of military personal surrounding it. I was disarmed by the guards before be lead on board the ship to a chamber tucked into the cargo bay. There I was told to sit at the lone table. I waited for awhile in the brightly lit room and had flashbacks of the cell I called home for the last 5 years. I didn't need to endure it for very long for the door of the cramped space opened again and the Admiral stepped inside. He sat in the chair opposite of me and ordered the guard to insure no one entered the ship. "I'm sorry for all the secrecy involving your current mission Tyler, but it's for you own good." finally addressing me.
"Why bring me all this way just to talk? And without my ship?"
"I couldn't give you the real story without talking to you in person under total security. You were brought here on the freighter so that your ship remained at Dalton."
"You could've booked me a better ride though. Orca's need money these days."
"Hehe. Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor in prison."
"You need it if you're gonna survive in a place like Ross. So what's the deal? Mandrell and his crew? They aren't the type of people you made them out to be."
"Higher ups think you're working for me to gather intel on an Imperial Spy. Truth is, Nicolas Mandrell has ties to the events that lead to your father's disappearance. I needed a reason to get you close to him that would play well with my bosses."
"What does he know?"
"We aren't sure. We do know he fought against his own people during the Eranin conflict, but we also think he was involved in protecting the controling faction in the system."
"How does he know Commander Vanguard?"
"Ah. The Black Skull. We think he's the one that defeated him in the conflict."
I then took the drive from the file and gave it to him. "What's Type Z?"
"I shouldn't be surprised you got this." he said and stood from the table. "It's a prototype weapon. It was being developed by us on Eranin 2 long before the war. I don't have the details of the weapon itself but it was meant for our warships. I was lead to believe it was using illegal technology in it's development which is why it was being developed in Eranin, outside of federal jurisdiction..."
"Plausible deniability. And on a planet belonging to a possible enemy."
"Correct. I believe this is what lead to your father's disappearance. Ty, I need you close to Mandrell to find out what he knows. Both about your father and also Type Z."
"And Titus?"
"Titus is a major threat to us, far more so that this spy my bosses think you're looking for. He may have information on your father and Type Z. Find him. If you get the opportunity, capture him. But if need be take him out."

He hit a button under the table and the solder guarding the door opened it. I stood to leave and the Admiral shook my hand. "I want to find out what happened to your father as much as you do. Get the truth. No matter the cost." he added.