They say every star port is the same, but I have never found that to be the case. You take any port and yes, it may have four landing pads, GalNet newsfeeds, the ability to refuel and more often than not the opportunity to pick up some business. But you take the time to visit the bars or pilot lounge's and you might just get the chance to experience some of the diversity and if you are lucky you might even learn a thing or two...
Star Date January 25th, year 3302
I was just approaching Merchiston Terminal, a small 4 pad station in 31 Aquilae, ahead of me and limping towards the same station was a battered Mk III. The paint, what I could make of it, looked in pretty messed up state, but did set this pilot apart from the majority of commanders looking to make a quick credit. The Wire Frame to many is a badge of honour, and I wish I was able to secure the right to distinguish my craft in the same manner. I'm no spring chicken myself, but sadly came to own a pilots licence some time after the real old timers, those who backed the expansion of human space early.
Upon landing I handed over my cargo of gold to the Aquilae Green Party Rep, a dour faced man. Still this was a fetch and return mission, earning close to 400k in credits, this was a great deal for me, for those sorts of missions I'll take all the dour you got. It also meant I could take time out to kick back in the bar.
Upon entering the premises I found a place at the bar and ordered a Plyouth Gin. A damn nice drop after a long trip.
"Mind if I join you?" said an old timer. "not at all" I replied.
"Just returned from the other side and could do with some company" he said. "The other side?" says I
"The core, been gone more than a year and figured I could do with a cool beer, specially after what I've seen" he says.
"Well let me treat you" I say "I just got a good deal and have a few spare creds, what's it you want?"
"If they have a pint of Tribute that'll do me, if not anything on draft. I like the proper stuff, not that sinth carp". I knew what he meant by saying carp. He was old school and didn't want to offend.
A few minutes later we were both supping from a tankard this frothy broth of exquisite taste.
"So what have you seen old timer, and do you mind me asking if that your space dust warn Wire Frame I saw docking?"
"I don't mind you asking at all" he says "Yes it was. Been through hell and the empty stuff with that old girl." "I wanted to see what was on the other side of the core, most think a Cobra can't make those jumps but with the right mods (and a few tweeks of my own) she got me there."
"What did you see, I ask, more of the same or did you find a few decent habitables?" I ask.
"Plenty of beauty out there and it makes it all the more special when you travel a k of light before you find anything decent". "That hapened alot, nothing for weeks on end, then you bump into an ocean world with sea life like you couldn't imagine."
"I've been thinking of striking out myself, find a nice place that will bear my name. System Cula-ta. Has a nice ring to it don't you think?" I say
"That it does" he says "that it does". "I would highly recommend you get yourself out there, that way you might miss what's coming".
"Miss what's coming" I say "What do you mean?"
"You thought the Thargoids were trouble" he said, more as a statement than a question "On the far side I came across intelligent life, I don't think their linked to the Thargoids, more intelligent this lot." "Their ships are something else, beautful and fearsome to look at. Massive ships the size of stations with jump capability, small fast ships that can out manouver an old fox like me without any bother". "I don't want to say what happened next. But I did manage to escape. Maybe they let me go to see where I would head." "I tried to avoid returning home, thought about leading them off, but I figured I had too. They have the technology to find where I came from anyway."
I just stared, this old timer was talking almost in a trance and I didn't want to interrupt. It's been a long while since we faced any other intelligent life and this old fella just told me and the now listening barman that he had made First Contact!
"Their coming" he said after a long pause. "Their building a gate, told me themselves, it'll bring them and their ships to human space. Then we're all in serious trouble". "If I was you I would get going, head to the rim and away. You don't want to be here when they come."
With that the old timer drained his tankard and said "Got to go, need to head to Sol, bout time I showed my face there again. Plus I need to make my report". With that he swung of the stool and headed from the bar.
On second thoughts maybe its best not to visit the bars and pilot lounge's. Ignorance is bliss...
Star Date January 25th, year 3302
I was just approaching Merchiston Terminal, a small 4 pad station in 31 Aquilae, ahead of me and limping towards the same station was a battered Mk III. The paint, what I could make of it, looked in pretty messed up state, but did set this pilot apart from the majority of commanders looking to make a quick credit. The Wire Frame to many is a badge of honour, and I wish I was able to secure the right to distinguish my craft in the same manner. I'm no spring chicken myself, but sadly came to own a pilots licence some time after the real old timers, those who backed the expansion of human space early.
Upon landing I handed over my cargo of gold to the Aquilae Green Party Rep, a dour faced man. Still this was a fetch and return mission, earning close to 400k in credits, this was a great deal for me, for those sorts of missions I'll take all the dour you got. It also meant I could take time out to kick back in the bar.
Upon entering the premises I found a place at the bar and ordered a Plyouth Gin. A damn nice drop after a long trip.
"Mind if I join you?" said an old timer. "not at all" I replied.
"Just returned from the other side and could do with some company" he said. "The other side?" says I
"The core, been gone more than a year and figured I could do with a cool beer, specially after what I've seen" he says.
"Well let me treat you" I say "I just got a good deal and have a few spare creds, what's it you want?"
"If they have a pint of Tribute that'll do me, if not anything on draft. I like the proper stuff, not that sinth carp". I knew what he meant by saying carp. He was old school and didn't want to offend.
A few minutes later we were both supping from a tankard this frothy broth of exquisite taste.
"So what have you seen old timer, and do you mind me asking if that your space dust warn Wire Frame I saw docking?"
"I don't mind you asking at all" he says "Yes it was. Been through hell and the empty stuff with that old girl." "I wanted to see what was on the other side of the core, most think a Cobra can't make those jumps but with the right mods (and a few tweeks of my own) she got me there."
"What did you see, I ask, more of the same or did you find a few decent habitables?" I ask.
"Plenty of beauty out there and it makes it all the more special when you travel a k of light before you find anything decent". "That hapened alot, nothing for weeks on end, then you bump into an ocean world with sea life like you couldn't imagine."
"I've been thinking of striking out myself, find a nice place that will bear my name. System Cula-ta. Has a nice ring to it don't you think?" I say
"That it does" he says "that it does". "I would highly recommend you get yourself out there, that way you might miss what's coming".
"Miss what's coming" I say "What do you mean?"
"You thought the Thargoids were trouble" he said, more as a statement than a question "On the far side I came across intelligent life, I don't think their linked to the Thargoids, more intelligent this lot." "Their ships are something else, beautful and fearsome to look at. Massive ships the size of stations with jump capability, small fast ships that can out manouver an old fox like me without any bother". "I don't want to say what happened next. But I did manage to escape. Maybe they let me go to see where I would head." "I tried to avoid returning home, thought about leading them off, but I figured I had too. They have the technology to find where I came from anyway."
I just stared, this old timer was talking almost in a trance and I didn't want to interrupt. It's been a long while since we faced any other intelligent life and this old fella just told me and the now listening barman that he had made First Contact!
"Their coming" he said after a long pause. "Their building a gate, told me themselves, it'll bring them and their ships to human space. Then we're all in serious trouble". "If I was you I would get going, head to the rim and away. You don't want to be here when they come."
With that the old timer drained his tankard and said "Got to go, need to head to Sol, bout time I showed my face there again. Plus I need to make my report". With that he swung of the stool and headed from the bar.
On second thoughts maybe its best not to visit the bars and pilot lounge's. Ignorance is bliss...
