*somewhere in the Delkar system*
“Commander, we’ve got high priority comms coming in. There’s been news of a destroyed ship in the Col 70 sector.” Leana said.
“Pass it through.”
Reading the few details that were provided, he knew this was one of those requests. Xeres hated cutting mining expeditions short, but comms like don’t land every day. “It was estimated to be an old Cobra, could it be?” He thought to himself.
“Yeah, pack it up. We’re going to have to cut this trip short.”
“But sir the hold is barely at 25% capacity,” she questioned.
“That was an order. I signed you on to fly support, not question orders.” Barked Xeres.
“Aye sir.” She said meekly.
Commander Xeres killed the mining lasers, and allow the drones time to finish their task. The Type 9 class mining vessel was a beauty. She could sit in a ring for hours before being at capacity. The amount of ore she could carry was nearly unmatched, even with a full complement of mining equipment.
“Set course back to Jameson, and notify Galactic Logistics. I need the Dauntless shipped to Shinrarta. Need to move fast on this. I’ll fill you in once we’re on our way.”
“Right away.” Leana was still a low ranking fighter pilot, but she needed the experience and running support on a quiet mining mission seemed like the right choice.
The Dauntless was a highly modified Imperial Clipper. Xeres had spent many week begging favors from the hermit-like engineers to maximize her range and speed. With a cruising speed of 470, she could still turn on a dime. The Dauntless sported a cool 33 light year range as well. I’d love to see a more capable Clipper with that range.
Back at Jameson Memorial, Xeres carefully maneuvered the Type 9 toward the mail slot.
“Gotta be careful at these busy ports. Speed restrictions are in place for a reason.” Xeres said looking over at Leana. As he was looking away, Xeres was promptly cutoff by a Federal Corvette cutting in the queue to get into the station. A quick reverse thrust saved them from any real danger. “Pfft, Feds think they run the place….”
The Dauntless was due to be delivered soon, so Xeres had time to offload what little minerals they had recovered. He also turned in the nearly two hundred mining drones they still had on board.
“Your painite is always welcome here!” the shifty looking clerk said through the holo-communicator.
“ off, the load should have been much bigger. Just get the hold cleared.” Xeres grumbled and killed the comms link.
“Leana, you are free to tag along for this little ride, but we might be out in the black for a few weeks. There’s no fighter support in the Dauntless, but you’ll see some of the best sights in our galaxy. We’ll be headed straight toward the Witchhead nebula. The Col 70 sector is huge. Recon missions can be tedious but necessary for proper intel.”
“Honestly, I’m looking forward to the trip. I’ve wanted to see the sights of the galaxy. Being limited to short range fighters has never given me the opportunity to explore deep space.”
“Then, you are in for a treat. The Dauntless will get us there in no time.” Xeres said as a message scrolled in. “and there she is. Logistics just delivered her. Let’s move. Looks like they got her on pad 39.” He ran a couple commands to have the station move the mining vessel into long term storage. The two of them left the Type 9 and made toward the proper pad.
Coming up to the ship, Leana’s jaw slipped. The Dauntless was a jet black Imperial Clipper. The exquisite blue highlights just pop when you first see it.
“There’s really nothing like Imperial luxury.” Xeres said grinning at her. “But it’s what’s on the inside that makes her special.”
They got onto the ship and started making preparations to leave at once. Xeres plotted a route directly toward witchhead. He requested launch permissions and heard the resounding cha-clunk of the dock releasing the ship. Xeres took a moment to orientate himself to the Clipper’s highly sensitive controls.
“Mmmm, how I love this ship. Always feels so good to be back in her.” Xeres cooed. “So different from that beastly Lakon.”
Leana raised a curious eyebrow. She never understood why Commanders get that look in their eye when they get back in the seat of a ship they love. She’s seen it numerous times over the years.
Xeres was far more fluid with the controls in the Dauntless. After aligning to the mail slot, he dropped the hammer on the throttle. The G force absorbing seats really felt the push on this one. They were clear of the station and ready to engage the frameshift drive after only a few seconds. Xeres nodded to himself quietly and muttered, “Palin might be a crazy old hermit, but damn does he know his thrusters.”
“No time to waste.” Xeres engaged the frameshift spool up. “We are looking for something, Leana. Something or someone, could be wreckage, could be escape pods, who knows. The job is long range recon regardless. My sources say there’s something going on in Col 70. And we’re being asked to assist.”
As the witchspace tunnel opened up, Xeres grinned knowingly. He lived for the void. And he loved the adventure of the unknown. He only hoped he would be in the right place at the right time.
