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So Long and Thanks for All the Fish
"So long and thanks for all the fish"
As he finished typing it, he pressed send and then entered the command to wipe the data terminal. The Tunguska Centaur Agresso was already waiting in the docking bay of Dau K-10, loaded with the remainder of his personal effects.
He was done with TGFT and those who were apathetic to his cause. He personally suspected that the tendrills of the Itani government were already infiltrating and tightening the noose around TGFT, but he no longer cared. It was no longer his fight. No longer would he protect the weak and whinny traders, who couldn't be bothered to even try to defend themselves, nor would he serve an apathetic and duplicitous leadership council.
Punching in Edras G-11 as the destination on the Nav computer, he set course for an area of space where he was both well know and often feared. The sector Governor owed him many favors and was deeply in his pocket...
***************************************
'Vardonx? Yeah, he always comes in here. Sits in the back booth, there by the exit,' said the barman to a man so non-descript that he had "UIT Internal Security" written all over him.
Following the barman's jerk of a thumb, he took stock of the man sitting at the booth. Tall in height, and of large build, he was dressed in a black flight suit with red piping. The twin sidearms he wore were hung butt-forward, indicating both speed and proficiency with them. The man was casually polishing a large assault plasma rifle, while watching the comings and goings of the bar in a seemingly disinterested gaze. Their eyes met and with a jerk of his head, he motioned to a seat across the table.
***************************************
Coming to attention, Draugen began, "Admiral Sheffield, sir, I must request leave for a week to present a matter of personal interest to the Security Council at Sky Command in Sol II. Here is my authorization from the Council to attend them, pending your approval, sir"
Sheffield glanced over the documents, "Interesting. This will come as a suprise to many involved if it holds true. You have my permission to leave at once."
"Thank you, sir," replied Draugen.
"Oh, and Draugen," Sheffield said in a stern tone, "I need not remind you that your conduct with the Security Council and at Sky Command reflects directly on [ONE], and that you are to conduct yourself appropriately at *all* times. Dismissed."
***************************************
The man slid a high capacity data card across the table. In return Vardonx slid a 10 million credit cred stick to the security man.
"Esolus Domingo, I need not tell you what will happen if this information ends up anywhere else...," began Vardonx, patting the assault rifle meaningfully, "If you have copies of it, I would advise destroying them, now that you have been paid in full." With a have of his hand, Vardonx dismissed the agent, "You may leave me now."
Esolus got up slowly, and with a slight bow replied, "Of course, sir. Always happy to be at the Governor's and your service, sir." And with that he turned, left the bar, and disappeared into the throng of Edras Command station's promenade.
When the man was gone, Vardonx slipped the data card into a pocket terminal, "Hmmm, just as we were told. I must send this out immediately and set the plan in motion...."
***************************************
Draugen was in deep space in Betheshee when he received the grainy transmission. "It is confirmed. Set our plan in motion. I am sending the details that confirm the story we were told and more now...."
***************************************
Vardonx was once again at his customary table at the bar in Edras Command. As he slowly nursed another beer he recalled his childhood in Azek...
Being the son of a minor independent trader, he rose remarkably fast in the profession, and even faster yet once he had been admitted to TGFT -- eventually rising to the council.
He remembered when his parents had adopted another son -- an orphan of Serco birth, and he remembered how his "brother" had gone off at an early age to join the Serco military, nearly breaking his mother's heart.
Now he recalled the rage both he had felt upon hearing the news of his parent's death at then hands of an Aeolus pirate. He had sworn a personal oath to eliminate any member of that foul corporation whenever he encountered them.
As he pondered all of this, he now knew it all to be a ruse. He, and his brother, were in fact of the same blood, manipulated from birth by a powerful Itani faction within the UIT and several of it's guilds. His Serco family forced to give him up as an infant, and then his brother as well. Only a mistake had seen them raised by the same UIT parents -- parents who were used as much as they were and then killed when they accidentally stumbled upon the truth.
Draining his beer and signaling for another, Vardonx remembered receiving the data card a month after his parents death. It had been from a close associate of his UIT father and had contained the details discovered so far. With data delivered by Esolus, he knew far more now -- more than enough to set in motion his plan of revenge against all Itanis...
***************************************
"Pilot Draugen, the council will see you now," announced the master at arms.
Draugen entered the chamber, came to attention, and saluted smartly, "SkyProm Pilot Draugen, reporting as requested."
"At ease. Pilot Draugen, you certify that this information is correct?"
"Yes sir. I am quite satisfied, considering the quality of the document copies and the source they were obtained from, sir."
"Very well. We will contact the individual directly. You are dismissed back to your squadron."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," replied Draugen saluting once again before leaving the chamber.
***************************************
"Your petition to meet with the Security Council at Sky Command in Sol II has been approved. Show the attached authorization to all security forces you encounter. An escort will be provided to Sky Command upon entering the Sol II system."
Vardonx smiled as punched the coordinates in the nav comp. Everything was coming together as they had planned. He recalled his brother's excitement at knowing they were truly of one blood, especially at the prospect of serving together. "We shall see after all then", Vardonx thought as he punched the turbo.
***************************************
"Trader Vardonx," said the master at arms, "the council will see you now."
Vardonx entered the chamber standing straight and bowed to the assembly, "My respects to your emminences"
"Vardonx, after reviewing the information passed to us by Pilot Draugen. The Serco Dominion does hereby officially recognize the kinship of Vardonx and Draugen. To that effect, the Dominion will extend citizenship to you, Vardonx, upon your oath of loyalty.Do you still request full citizenship?"
"Yes, your emminences"
"Then we will make the proper arrangements with the civillian government. The second request was for permission to join your brother as a squadron pilot in [ONE], is that correct?"
"Yes, your emminences"
"We are of the opinion that it would be best for the Dominion to deny that request. Given your special and intimate knowledge of various UIT trade organizations and your resources as a trader in both UIT and grey space, we have a special assignment for you. You may of course assist [ONE] as required, so much as it does not interfere with your orders from the Security Council. You will be an agent of the council and report directly to this council only, is this understood?"
"Yes, your emminences"
"Very well. Your orders and the appropriate documentation will be waiting for you at your ship. You are dismissed, Agent Vardonx."
Vardonx bowed once again, "Thank you, your emminences".
As he turned to leave he heard, "Vardonx?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Get rid of those awful dark green ships too. From now on you fly Serco colors, understood?"
"Yes, sir. Right away!"
***************************************
"So we aren't to fly together, Vardonx?", Draugen asked over the comm link.
"No brother, not for the moment. But I did get my citizenship as we had hoped, *and* another assignment that will further our plans for revenge. I cannot tell you more about the assignment, but I can still help [ONE] when needed," replied Vardonx
"I understand, orders are orders after all. Speaking of which, I must get back to my duty or Admiral Sheffield will have me on KP for the next month."
"Very well, farewell, my brother!", said Vardonx as he closed the link.
Vardonx mumbled to himself as he engaged the turbo on the now red Tunguska Centaur Agresso, "Well back to grey space..."
As he finished typing it, he pressed send and then entered the command to wipe the data terminal. The Tunguska Centaur Agresso was already waiting in the docking bay of Dau K-10, loaded with the remainder of his personal effects.
He was done with TGFT and those who were apathetic to his cause. He personally suspected that the tendrills of the Itani government were already infiltrating and tightening the noose around TGFT, but he no longer cared. It was no longer his fight. No longer would he protect the weak and whinny traders, who couldn't be bothered to even try to defend themselves, nor would he serve an apathetic and duplicitous leadership council.
Punching in Edras G-11 as the destination on the Nav computer, he set course for an area of space where he was both well know and often feared. The sector Governor owed him many favors and was deeply in his pocket...
***************************************
'Vardonx? Yeah, he always comes in here. Sits in the back booth, there by the exit,' said the barman to a man so non-descript that he had "UIT Internal Security" written all over him.
Following the barman's jerk of a thumb, he took stock of the man sitting at the booth. Tall in height, and of large build, he was dressed in a black flight suit with red piping. The twin sidearms he wore were hung butt-forward, indicating both speed and proficiency with them. The man was casually polishing a large assault plasma rifle, while watching the comings and goings of the bar in a seemingly disinterested gaze. Their eyes met and with a jerk of his head, he motioned to a seat across the table.
***************************************
Coming to attention, Draugen began, "Admiral Sheffield, sir, I must request leave for a week to present a matter of personal interest to the Security Council at Sky Command in Sol II. Here is my authorization from the Council to attend them, pending your approval, sir"
Sheffield glanced over the documents, "Interesting. This will come as a suprise to many involved if it holds true. You have my permission to leave at once."
"Thank you, sir," replied Draugen.
"Oh, and Draugen," Sheffield said in a stern tone, "I need not remind you that your conduct with the Security Council and at Sky Command reflects directly on [ONE], and that you are to conduct yourself appropriately at *all* times. Dismissed."
***************************************
The man slid a high capacity data card across the table. In return Vardonx slid a 10 million credit cred stick to the security man.
"Esolus Domingo, I need not tell you what will happen if this information ends up anywhere else...," began Vardonx, patting the assault rifle meaningfully, "If you have copies of it, I would advise destroying them, now that you have been paid in full." With a have of his hand, Vardonx dismissed the agent, "You may leave me now."
Esolus got up slowly, and with a slight bow replied, "Of course, sir. Always happy to be at the Governor's and your service, sir." And with that he turned, left the bar, and disappeared into the throng of Edras Command station's promenade.
When the man was gone, Vardonx slipped the data card into a pocket terminal, "Hmmm, just as we were told. I must send this out immediately and set the plan in motion...."
***************************************
Draugen was in deep space in Betheshee when he received the grainy transmission. "It is confirmed. Set our plan in motion. I am sending the details that confirm the story we were told and more now...."
***************************************
Vardonx was once again at his customary table at the bar in Edras Command. As he slowly nursed another beer he recalled his childhood in Azek...
Being the son of a minor independent trader, he rose remarkably fast in the profession, and even faster yet once he had been admitted to TGFT -- eventually rising to the council.
He remembered when his parents had adopted another son -- an orphan of Serco birth, and he remembered how his "brother" had gone off at an early age to join the Serco military, nearly breaking his mother's heart.
Now he recalled the rage both he had felt upon hearing the news of his parent's death at then hands of an Aeolus pirate. He had sworn a personal oath to eliminate any member of that foul corporation whenever he encountered them.
As he pondered all of this, he now knew it all to be a ruse. He, and his brother, were in fact of the same blood, manipulated from birth by a powerful Itani faction within the UIT and several of it's guilds. His Serco family forced to give him up as an infant, and then his brother as well. Only a mistake had seen them raised by the same UIT parents -- parents who were used as much as they were and then killed when they accidentally stumbled upon the truth.
Draining his beer and signaling for another, Vardonx remembered receiving the data card a month after his parents death. It had been from a close associate of his UIT father and had contained the details discovered so far. With data delivered by Esolus, he knew far more now -- more than enough to set in motion his plan of revenge against all Itanis...
***************************************
"Pilot Draugen, the council will see you now," announced the master at arms.
Draugen entered the chamber, came to attention, and saluted smartly, "SkyProm Pilot Draugen, reporting as requested."
"At ease. Pilot Draugen, you certify that this information is correct?"
"Yes sir. I am quite satisfied, considering the quality of the document copies and the source they were obtained from, sir."
"Very well. We will contact the individual directly. You are dismissed back to your squadron."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," replied Draugen saluting once again before leaving the chamber.
***************************************
"Your petition to meet with the Security Council at Sky Command in Sol II has been approved. Show the attached authorization to all security forces you encounter. An escort will be provided to Sky Command upon entering the Sol II system."
Vardonx smiled as punched the coordinates in the nav comp. Everything was coming together as they had planned. He recalled his brother's excitement at knowing they were truly of one blood, especially at the prospect of serving together. "We shall see after all then", Vardonx thought as he punched the turbo.
***************************************
"Trader Vardonx," said the master at arms, "the council will see you now."
Vardonx entered the chamber standing straight and bowed to the assembly, "My respects to your emminences"
"Vardonx, after reviewing the information passed to us by Pilot Draugen. The Serco Dominion does hereby officially recognize the kinship of Vardonx and Draugen. To that effect, the Dominion will extend citizenship to you, Vardonx, upon your oath of loyalty.Do you still request full citizenship?"
"Yes, your emminences"
"Then we will make the proper arrangements with the civillian government. The second request was for permission to join your brother as a squadron pilot in [ONE], is that correct?"
"Yes, your emminences"
"We are of the opinion that it would be best for the Dominion to deny that request. Given your special and intimate knowledge of various UIT trade organizations and your resources as a trader in both UIT and grey space, we have a special assignment for you. You may of course assist [ONE] as required, so much as it does not interfere with your orders from the Security Council. You will be an agent of the council and report directly to this council only, is this understood?"
"Yes, your emminences"
"Very well. Your orders and the appropriate documentation will be waiting for you at your ship. You are dismissed, Agent Vardonx."
Vardonx bowed once again, "Thank you, your emminences".
As he turned to leave he heard, "Vardonx?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Get rid of those awful dark green ships too. From now on you fly Serco colors, understood?"
"Yes, sir. Right away!"
***************************************
"So we aren't to fly together, Vardonx?", Draugen asked over the comm link.
"No brother, not for the moment. But I did get my citizenship as we had hoped, *and* another assignment that will further our plans for revenge. I cannot tell you more about the assignment, but I can still help [ONE] when needed," replied Vardonx
"I understand, orders are orders after all. Speaking of which, I must get back to my duty or Admiral Sheffield will have me on KP for the next month."
"Very well, farewell, my brother!", said Vardonx as he closed the link.
Vardonx mumbled to himself as he engaged the turbo on the now red Tunguska Centaur Agresso, "Well back to grey space..."
Heh , good writing
Aye, good read.
I just wish I knew what he meant by fish.
you'll miss the next 'Prometheus Ferry Pilot's Association' bash....
The fish reference is from the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.
"UIT Internal Security", eh? Sounds right up my alley =^p.
That was really rather good.
Thanks for all the positive reviews...perhaps I will write more as the brother's struggles to avenge themselves upon the nameless evil continues...
please do Vard.
Oh I DO hope you write more, I promise not to pester you about it too much in chat..lol.