|
0
|
|
|
“Hunter, we need to chew through the pirate bounty list aggressively. Bigger ships, especially ones ...
|
No audio
|
|
1
|
|
|
“Bigger ships may have better information. Going after the pirates and not just their bounty list is...
|
No audio
|
|
2
|
|
|
“More than they already are. It is time to stop avoiding the fight. The bounty hunters trying to kil...
|
No audio
|
|
3
|
|
|
“I have sorted the list we have and need your input. Do you want to start in a new system or go to a...
|
No audio
|
|
4
|
|
|
“I want to start with the system where that news reporter is located. We make a statement. Then we g...
|
No audio
|
|
5
|
|
|
Four cycles later, Deal Hunter and four attack ships jumped into the Wuhan system.
|
No audio
|
|
6
|
|
|
They all shut down lights, transponders, and engines and waited.
|
No audio
|
|
7
|
|
|
Kainda says,
|
No audio
|
|
8
|
|
|
“I want to map pirates in the system as much as we can. We will pick one or two targets and then pla...
|
No audio
|
|
9
|
|
|
In the next cycle, Hunter is providing an analysis of the area.
|
No audio
|
|
10
|
|
|
“Captain, we have detected no pirate activity from this location. They are not usually broadcasting ...
|
No audio
|
|
11
|
|
|
“Do you have a recommendation? Maybe we need to go to another system.”
|
No audio
|
|
12
|
|
|
“There is no information that any other system will be better. We need to gather more information.”
|
No audio
|
|
13
|
|
|
“Okay, Hunter, let’s do something different. We have four attack ships with us. What if we send them...
|
No audio
|
|
14
|
|
|
“That is viable, Captain. Shall I send them?”
|
No audio
|
|
15
|
|
|
“Yes.”
|
No audio
|
|
16
|
|
|
After the next cycle, the fighter ships returned with information.
|
No audio
|
|
17
|
|
|
“Captain, from the information the attack ships provided, we found pirate activity. Based on the loc...
|
No audio
|
|
18
|
|
|
“I don’t want to just jump into a swarm. Have one of the attack ships jump close and evaluate.”
|
No audio
|
|
19
|
|
|
“I will send one. How long do you want them to monitor before returning?”
|
No audio
|
|
20
|
|
|
“I’m anxious to do something, but I don’t want to be reckless. Have them wait for a full cycle.”
|
No audio
|
|
21
|
|
|
One cycle later.
|
No audio
|
|
22
|
|
|
“The ship has returned, and there are nine ships at the rendezvous point. Four freighters, four figh...
|
No audio
|
|
23
|
|
|
While they wait, she removes her space armor to be more comfortable in just the thermal underlayer.
|
No audio
|
|
24
|
|
|
When the attack ship returns, she knows it is time to get the armor back on.
|
No audio
|
|
25
|
|
|
First, they need to agree on a plan.
|
No audio
|
|
26
|
|
|
“The fighters won’t have pilots just sitting there. The pilots will probably be on the transport.”
|
No audio
|
|
27
|
|
|
“Agree, and one freighter is probably to support the fighters with parts and missiles. The other thr...
|
No audio
|
|
28
|
|
|
“That is fine; they can become part of the salvage fleet. If the pilots can’t get to their fighters,...
|
No audio
|
|
29
|
|
|
“Agree.”
|
No audio
|
|
30
|
|
|
“Deal Hunter, you will jump in ready to deal with fighters if any have a pilot. If not, then focus o...
|
No audio
|
|
31
|
|
|
“This is a workable plan, Captain. I would like to point out that we don’t have the necessary equipm...
|
No audio
|
|
32
|
|
|
“I remember. We have robots that can serve as pilots if the ships are still operational. If we are l...
|
No audio
|
|
33
|
|
|
“Yes, Captain.”
|
No audio
|
|
34
|
|
|
<<<>>>
|
No audio
|
|
35
|
|
|
The attack works.
|
No audio
|
|
36
|
|
|
The four attack ships converged on the transport, making multiple holes in its hull.
|
No audio
|
|
37
|
|
|
There was no movement from the fighters.
|
No audio
|
|
38
|
|
|
After the shooting stopped, Deal Hunter moved close to the fighters.
|
No audio
|
|
39
|
|
|
Worker robots with jetpacks needed to take the Warbots to the fighters.
|
No audio
|
|
40
|
|
|
The Warbots need to plug in coordinates to use the jump network back to the base.
|
No audio
|
|
41
|
|
|
Hunter says,
|
No audio
|
|
42
|
|
|
“The four fighters have jumped away, heading to the base. The current evaluation of the other ships ...
|
No audio
|
|
43
|
|
|
“Is the freighter that supports the fighters working? And does that freighter have any navigation pa...
|
No audio
|
|
44
|
|
|
“Yes, that freighter can navigate and jump. We will have to search it for navigation equipment.”
|
No audio
|
|
45
|
|
|
“We want those parts that support the fighters, for sure. If the support freighter has repair parts,...
|
No audio
|
|
46
|
|
|
“It will take some time to get one freighter working. The bridge was heavily damaged when it started...
|
No audio
|
|
47
|
|
|
“Hunter, I have another idea for the freighter. Can we put one of the attack ships into the cargo ar...
|
No audio
|
|
48
|
|
|
“Starting an evaluation. It will take a few minutes.”
|
No audio
|
|
49
|
|
|
After several minutes, Hunter says,
|
No audio
|
|
50
|
|
|
“The only freighter with enough cargo hold space is the ship with the fighter spare parts and missil...
|
No audio
|
|
51
|
|
|
“How long will that take?”
|
No audio
|
|
52
|
|
|
“Moving the cargo and removing the navigation equipment to repair the other ship will take almost a ...
|
No audio
|
|
53
|
|
|
“Okay, stop that idea. Do normal salvage on the transport. Strip it down, and we will leave the rema...
|
No audio
|
|
54
|
|
|
When the salvage is done and the freighter repairs are complete, the ships all jumped.
|
No audio
|
|
55
|
|
|
Deal Hunter and the four attack ships remain with the remains of the transport ship.
|
No audio
|
|
56
|
|
|
Kainda says,
|
No audio
|
|
57
|
|
|
“Have one of the attack ships stay somewhere around here to monitor who shows up and what messages a...
|
No audio
|
|
58
|
|
|
“Will do, Captain. Shall we head back to the base?”
|
No audio
|
|
59
|
|
|
“Yes, Hunter. We will get back and evaluate any information we gathered from this trip, restock our ...
|
No audio
|
|
60
|
|
|
Deal Hunter says,
|
No audio
|
|
61
|
|
|
“The salvage from the transport is the correct size equipment. The parts will allow us to finish the...
|
No audio
|
|
62
|
|
|
“That sounds great.”
|
No audio
|
|
63
|
|
|
<<<>>>
|
No audio
|
|
64
|
|
|
“Captain, the fighters can be used like an attack ship when they have a Warbot pilot. I understand w...
|
No audio
|
|
65
|
|
|
Getting back to base, Kainda wants to discuss any new information, and Hunter wants to talk about th...
|
No audio
|
|
66
|
|
|
They now have five, which they haven’t used in a fight.
|
No audio
|
|
67
|
|
|
“I know. We need to prioritize robot parts in our salvaging. I am not opposed to using the Warbots a...
|
No audio
|
|
68
|
|
|
“The situation is different. They used a nuclear device to try to kill you. The pirate clans are muc...
|
No audio
|
|
69
|
|
|
“Hunter, pause this for a minute. You said, Clans. How do we know the three major clans in this sect...
|
No audio
|
|
70
|
|
|
“There are over ten clans we have seen in this sector over the last few years. A clan is considered ...
|
No audio
|
|
71
|
|
|
“Three casino stations mean three major clans, but others could be just as strong.”
|
No audio
|
|
72
|
|
|
“Correct. Clans each have a designated emblem to distinguish them from one another. The ships we jus...
|
No audio
|
|
73
|
|
|
“They are working together?”
|
No audio
|
|
74
|
|
|
“That is not uncommon when there is a common target, and they can share the benefits. Also, to answe...
|
No audio
|
|
75
|
|
|
“Back to your discussion. Activate more Warbots and get them as fighter pilots. Now, what informatio...
|
No audio
|
|
76
|
|
|
“We have a recent bounty list which has several new bounties we can pursue. There is a reference to ...
|
No audio
|
|
77
|
|
|
“A new frigate? Do we have any information on that?”
|
No audio
|
|
78
|
|
|
“The reference has a date which is several weeks from now for the new frigate to be available.”
|
No audio
|
|
79
|
|
|
“Where is this frigate now?”
|
No audio
|
|
80
|
|
|
“It is not specific. It lists a rendezvous in the system where we did our first ship bounty.”
|
No audio
|
|
81
|
|
|
“That is the system with the space docks. One dock had a frigate. Could that be the frigate they are...
|
No audio
|
|
82
|
|
|
“That is the most probable frigate.”
|
No audio
|
|
83
|
|
|
“If I want to hit them, we should take that frigate before they get it. Also, how can pirates have n...
|
No audio
|
|
84
|
|
|
“Those are two different items. I will address the second one first. This sector is considered a pir...
|
No audio
|
|
85
|
|
|
“Hunter, I want to use those fighters, attack ships, and Warbots. We jump in and clear the area. War...
|
No audio
|
|
86
|
|
|
“How will the biologicals get off the ship if we are taking it out of the dock to jump?”
|
No audio
|
|
87
|
|
|
“We don’t take it out. We cut all connections and jump from inside the dock. The only way to do this...
|
No audio
|
|
88
|
|
|
“That will take some planning. I can reference the information I have from when we dropped the fugit...
|
No audio
|
|
89
|
|
|
“Good. Let’s go back to the new bounty list. Based on the pirate extortion information we learned, w...
|
No audio
|
|
90
|
|
|
“That would be logical.”
|
No audio
|
|
91
|
|
|
“So, we can use the bounties as bait to get the pirates to come to us.”
|
No audio
|
|
92
|
|
|
“Your ideas are more aggressive. We don’t know what will happen. The last hunt, we waited while watc...
|
No audio
|
|
93
|
|
|
“You’re right. I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s look at the list again, only at what is a good op...
|
No audio
|
|
94
|
|
|
Looking at the list, Kainda asks,
|
No audio
|
|
95
|
|
|
“Why does this bounty have a special character after the name?”
|
No audio
|
|
96
|
|
|
“Checking. The bounty is large, at five million credits. It lists the bounty as a death bounty. They...
|
No audio
|
|
97
|
|
|
“Well, that is interesting to me. I want to meet the captain. Please send attack ships to systems wh...
|
No audio
|
|
98
|
|
|
“Sending four ships, Captain.”
|
No audio
|
|
99
|
|
|
“Now let’s talk about how to use a frigate. It takes more than one crew member to support and use a ...
|
No audio
|
|
100
|
|
|
“A frigate is the first-level capital ship. It will have eight laser cannon turrets. They can swivel...
|
No audio
|
|
101
|
|
|
“They need multiple crew members, so I must consider them in the total resource allocation. Hunter, ...
|
No audio
|
|
102
|
|
|
“That is why it is called command.”
|
No audio
|
|
103
|
|
|
<<<>>>
|
No audio
|
|
104
|
|
|
The fleet comprises Deal Hunter, five military fighters, fourteen attack ships, and two freighters w...
|
No audio
|
|
105
|
|
|
Hunter argued with Kainda about Deal Hunter carrying Warbots and taking her close to the dock when f...
|
No audio
|
|
106
|
|
|
In the end, there are twelve drop bots on Deal Hunter, and the ship will not approach the dock.
|
No audio
|
|
107
|
|
|
The drop bots are a backup.
|
No audio
|
|
108
|
|
|
The fleet entered the system and waited until two hours after the normal sleep cycle began.
|
No audio
|
|
109
|
|
|
They jump five kilometers from the dock, and the fighters split off toward the dock with the partial...
|
No audio
|
|
110
|
|
|
The attack ships begin running a pattern around the dock, making it clear to stay away.
|
No audio
|
|
111
|
|
|
The first freighter approaches the dock at a standard docking port for ships.
|
No audio
|
|
112
|
|
|
When the first freighter docks, ten Warbots board the frigate.
|
No audio
|
|
113
|
|
|
There is one ship bringing supplies to the frigate.
|
No audio
|
|
114
|
|
|
When it sees the attack ships, the freighter immediately stops and backs up.
|
No audio
|
|
115
|
|
|
It does not leave, but backs up to watch.
|
No audio
|
|
116
|
|
|
Four other supply ships are heading for the cruiser with construction parts.
|
No audio
|
|
117
|
|
|
All four ships turn around and accelerate away when the fighters start orbiting the cruiser.
|
No audio
|
|
118
|
|
|
The frigate broadcasts no messages.
|
No audio
|
|
119
|
|
|
The attack is fast and silent.
|
No audio
|
|
120
|
|
|
Alarms start when the Warbots enter the frigate.
|
No audio
|
|
121
|
|
|
The Warbots received plans from other ships, but they might not match.
|
No audio
|
|
122
|
|
|
Two Warbots head to the engineering section, where the main reactor and jump drive are located.
|
No audio
|
|
123
|
|
|
The other eight head toward the bridge.
|
No audio
|
|
124
|
|
|
On the bridge of the frigate, the pirate captain has been running through tests to make sure the sys...
|
No audio
|
|
125
|
|
|
They are behind schedule.
|
No audio
|
|
126
|
|
|
They must test almost every system before they undock in a few cycles.
|
No audio
|
|
127
|
|
|
When the alarm sounds, the captain thinks it is a malfunction and yells at someone,
|
No audio
|
|
128
|
|
|
“Turn it off!”
|
No audio
|
|
129
|
|
|
“Captain, it is a real alarm. Warbots just boarded. Eight are heading toward us.”
|
No audio
|
|
130
|
|
|
“Do we have video?”
|
No audio
|
|
131
|
|
|
“In a moment, sir. The video they are currently watching isn’t working. They have moved to another d...
|
No audio
|
|
132
|
|
|
The captain sees the video, and his face goes white.
|
No audio
|
|
133
|
|
|
The distinctive pirate princess Warbots are heading toward him.
|
No audio
|
|
134
|
|
|
He has years of experience as a captain and no experience with Warbots up close.
|
No audio
|
|
135
|
|
|
“Seal the bridge. Seal all airtight doors. Send the command for all security to attack the intruders...
|
No audio
|
|
136
|
|
|
This is the first response to the Warbots.
|
No audio
|
|
137
|
|
|
At the same time, the second freighter has docked, and ten more Warbots enter the frigate.
|
No audio
|
|
138
|
|
|
Upon hearing this report, the captain pauses and then says,
|
No audio
|
|
139
|
|
|
“Get on comms. Call for help. Tell them Princess Pirate Warbots are on my ship.”
|
No audio
|
|
140
|
|
|
The Warbots follow standard protocol and kill everyone who attacks them.
|
No audio
|
|
141
|
|
|
When they reach a closed door, they either beat it or the wall next to it to get through.
|
No audio
|
|
142
|
|
|
With another group of Warbots on board, the few security personnel are divided.
|
No audio
|
|
143
|
|
|
They also feel scared.
|
No audio
|
|
144
|
|
|
After their comms report, they killed every attacker.
|
No audio
|
|
145
|
|
|
They fall back and head for the exit.
|
No audio
|
|
146
|
|
|
On the way, they tell everyone to get off the frigate.
|
No audio
|
|
147
|
|
|
The Warbots reach the bridge and quickly break through the door.
|
No audio
|
|
148
|
|
|
No one is armed on the bridge, and they are standing.
|
No audio
|
|
149
|
|
|
Everyone is scared.
|
No audio
|
|
150
|
|
|
Every scary story from their childhood about Warbots is flashing through their heads.
|
No audio
|
|
151
|
|
|
The Warbot in front says in a simple voice.
|
No audio
|
|
152
|
|
|
“This ship is now salvaged and claimed by Captain Gina Capek of Deal Hunter. You have five minutes t...
|
No audio
|
|
153
|
|
|
The captain and crew are in shock and confusion.
|
No audio
|
|
154
|
|
|
Every Warbots lower their weapons, and the speaker says,
|
No audio
|
|
155
|
|
|
“Four minutes and fifty seconds.”
|
No audio
|
|
156
|
|
|
The crew rushes to the door to escape.
|
No audio
|
|
157
|
|
|
Status information is radioed to Deal Hunter, who tells Kainda,
|
No audio
|
|
158
|
|
|
“Captain, they have taken the bridge. They will broadcast the evacuation message with a five-minute ...
|
No audio
|
|
159
|
|
|
“Is there an estimate of how many people are on board?”
|
No audio
|
|
160
|
|
|
“We have no clue, but I will have the Warbots check the system. They broadcast a call for help. We a...
|
No audio
|
|
161
|
|
|
“Hunter, I know you don’t like me close to the fighting. Change course and head up from the vertical...
|
No audio
|
|
162
|
|
|
“Yes, Captain.”
|
No audio
|
|
163
|
|
|
The ship spins, and the main engines push Kainda into the pilot chair as they head vertically up fro...
|
No audio
|
|
164
|
|
|
“Captain, the Warbots report there are forty-seven people on the frigate.”
|
No audio
|
|
165
|
|
|
“Are there any incoming ships yet? Tell the Warbots to follow the plan. Don’t wait for confirmation;...
|
No audio
|
|
166
|
|
|
“No ships have arrived.”
|
No audio
|
|
167
|
|
|
“Have the Warbots check if the guns on the frigate are working. We can use them on anything that app...
|
No audio
|
|
168
|
|
|
“Confirmed. There are eight laser cannon turrets on the frigate, and they are being programmed.”
|
No audio
|
|
169
|
|
|
“Evacuation time?”
|
No audio
|
|
170
|
|
|
“Two minutes remaining. We just detected ships jumping in. They are ten kilometers from the cruiser....
|
No audio
|
|
171
|
|
|
“Interesting. That could be because they know they can’t keep the frigate and want to prevent us fro...
|
No audio
|
|
172
|
|
|
“The most logical answer is they know there are multiple Warbots on the frigate, and they can’t get ...
|
No audio
|
|
173
|
|
|
“No. Don’t engage. Have them consolidate around the frigate dock like we are going to protect it whe...
|
No audio
|
|
174
|
|
|
“One minute until evacuation time expires, Captain.”
|
No audio
|
|
175
|
|
|
“Any movement toward the frigate?”
|
No audio
|
|
176
|
|
|
“No movement.”
|
No audio
|
|
177
|
|
|
“That is not normal. They should at least be trying to get to the frigate. Do they have a booby trap...
|
No audio
|
|
178
|
|
|
“Everyone is off the frigate. However, they are still connected to the dock structure.”
|
No audio
|
|
179
|
|
|
“Can the frigate just jump, anyway?”
|
No audio
|
|
180
|
|
|
“We can try. The frigate may separate from the space dock, or the space dock may jump as well. The l...
|
No audio
|
|
181
|
|
|
“We can’t wait. Send the jump signal to the frigate, then to the other ships five seconds later.”
|
No audio
|
|
182
|
|
|
Four seconds later, Hunter says,
|
No audio
|
|
183
|
|
|
“Four fighters landed from a jump two kilometers from us.”
|
No audio
|
|
184
|
|
|
They change course and fire missiles.
|
No audio
|
|
185
|
|
|
Deal Hunter changes course and accelerates.
|
No audio
|
|
186
|
|
|
Hunter says,
|
No audio
|
|
187
|
|
|
“We were wrong. The waiting ships were bait to determine our location. The fighters are after us, no...
|
No audio
|
|
188
|
|
|
Kainda’s vision has narrowed because of the acceleration.
|
No audio
|
|
189
|
|
|
With her training, she doesn’t pass out immediately and feels the acceleration is getting harder.
|
No audio
|
|
190
|
|
|
She has tunnel vision; she will pass out soon.
|
No audio
|
|
191
|
|
|
She hears,
|
No audio
|
|
192
|
|
|
“Twelve times standard. We are jumping.”
|
No audio
|
|
193
|
|
|
Kainda wakes up in the captain’s chair with Nanny standing next to her.
|
No audio
|
|
194
|
|
|
“I did better that time. The training helps.”
|
No audio
|
|
195
|
|
|
“Yes, Captain. The suit system showed that you made it to 12.5 times standard before you passed out....
|
No audio
|
|
196
|
|
|
“Hunter, did we get the frigate?”
|
No audio
|
|
197
|
|
|
“It jumped away. We will have to return to the base to confirm its condition. As you requested, it w...
|
No audio
|
|
198
|
|
|
<<<>>>
|
No audio
|
|
199
|
|
|
Ruler says,
|
No audio
|
|
200
|
|
|
“Another failure on your part.”
|
No audio
|
|
201
|
|
|
The pirate clan leader replies,
|
No audio
|
|
202
|
|
|
“This is not working. Keeping everything clandestine instead of openly calling for war is stupid.”
|
No audio
|
|
203
|
|
|
Ruler replies,
|
No audio
|
|
204
|
|
|
“Declare war on the bitch. Go after her. She has provoked you, and there is no reason to hold back. ...
|
No audio
|
|
205
|
|
|
The leader says,
|
No audio
|
|
206
|
|
|
“Threatening me is not a good strategy right now.”
|
No audio
|
|
207
|
|
|
“The way I see it, your clan is getting chopped to pieces by a princess brat with no real navy. She ...
|
No audio
|
|
208
|
|
|
“You’re smug for someone who will be destroyed if that brat finds out what has been happening in the...
|
No audio
|
|
209
|
|
|
“I will give you a perfect opportunity if you are ready to commit. I will get the brat to the king’s...
|
No audio
|
|
210
|
|
|
“I can have my forces assembled and ready.”
|
No audio
|
|
211
|
|
|
“I will send the details when I confirm that she will attend.”
|
No audio
|