posted March 24, 1999 09:49 PM
Here is the current nCSA run-on story. All nCSA members should continue with it! A brilliant flash of red light strikes past the portside of the critically damaged Marauder Corvette. The corvette in turn banks hard, returning its own bright volley of turbolaser fire into the engines of the attacking Nebulon-B Frigate. The perplexing turn ripped off the already severely damaged Maneuvering flap of the corvette, sending into an unstable spin, veering the ship of course. More turbolaser fire follows its erratic behavior while it descends into the gravity well of the chilling, icy planet Gylados.
Enemy troops storm the small cargo ship, which was carrying ship parts, recently delivered by the MIST Corporation for Security use. The pirates easily overpower the workers and small contingent of Espos stationed on this small ship, and get to work preparing the cargo for transport.
The pirates Z-95 Headhunter is no match for the Authorities IRD fighters, which the pilot brutally demonstrates as he blows the aging fighter craft to molten debris. More of the 8 remaining IRD fighter's poor their fire into the pirate's fighters, which consist of aging Z-95s, R-41s and a few Uglies, made in out-of-the-way shops.
A lucky pirate got of a good shot at one of the IRDs, blowing of its starboard nacelle, which in turn ignited the rest of the now doomed fighter craft. 7 Authority fighters remain, but hold their ground, not willing to give up to these savages. They continue fighting until their lasers run dry, destroying most of the in-experienced fighter jockeys.
Like lightning, 4 unidentified fighters scream up behind the prevailing Authority craft, firing their laser cannons in such a rapid fire it would make your head spin. The IRD fighters are blown to fiery scraps in just a few seconds. The battle is over.
The pirate Captain looks out the bridge window at the falling corvette, which burns up in the atmosphere of Gylados. He then cocks his head slightly, viewing the barely visible specs of the remaining enemy fighters. He smiles slightly, a thin, cold smile. Turning with military proficiency, he walks over to his command chair, and sits down. "Navigation. Set a course for home as soon as the fighters return and after support finish's unloading the cargo from that freighter." The nav officer nods, and punch's the keys of his control panel and leaves the bridge, leaving the Captain and a few other officers.
Smiling again, the Captain looks out the viewport, much like Vader did on that brutal day for the Rebels at the Battle of Hoth. The floating debris quickly turns into the vast unknown of hyperspace.
The Gengar, the military's flagship, an old 2250 meter Invincible Class Dreadnought, receives a transmission from its scout ship surveying the debris at Gylados. The information makes its way up the bridge, where the droid known as T-3ee gathers the information and takes it down the Captain's private quarters.
The Captain of the Gengar, who is also Viceprex of Corporate Security awaits the return of his droid. The door chime rings, and he beckons the visitor to enter. T-3ee enters the dark room, only illuminated by the glow of the computer panel, and two very alien eyes. A few feet above, two more glowing eyes suddenly fill the room. "Good evening master. I am afraid I have here the reports of another successful pirate attack." The eyes shrink into slits. Any being would know this as anger. But the anger was not directed to T-3ee nor the pirate attacks themselves, but at his own inability to resolve this situation.
The lights return to their normal glow, and the Viceprex stands before T-3ee. Konthra clan Khim'bar, (more often known as Bloodhound) of the Noghri race, very short in height, but as aggressive as the Wookie species takes the report from the droid. The other eyes that appeared belong to that of Night Shade, the Noghri's "ghostly" creature. Found on the distant planet of Mimban, its ability to slip through block walls and ability to defy gravity gives Bloodhound the assumption that this creature is from another dimension. The creature then floats to its master's side, disappearing. Reading the report from T-3ee, he makes a double-click of his teeth, the Noghri sign of frustration. He puts down the pad and takes out his knife. Bloodhound studies it for a moment, its texture, its sharpness, oh how he would love to sink this in the heart of the enemy. He then puts the knife back and says, "Get me the ExO." T-3ee nods and sends the message to ExO Silver Fox. A few moments later, his image appears on the holo projector.
"Leader." Bloodhound gets down on his knees, showing the Noghri sign of respect to any senior officer. "What is it my friend?" Silver Fox asks in that commanding, but friendly tone. "I have received new information regarding the pirate attacks. They have struck again in the Gylados system." Bloodhound says while getting up. "What do you plan to do about this?" Silver Fox asks inquisitively. "I plan to deal with this myself. I will gather the best soldiers I have, and we will stop these attacks." Always enjoying the fight, instead of being cooped up in an office, Bloodhound waits for the ExO's response.
"I expect nothing less. Gather you team and destroy these pirates. They are�. Bad for business." Silver Fox smiles, and nods as his image fades from the holo projector.
"T-3ee, get me Marine Command and Strategic Starfighter command." Resumes his task at the communications panel.
Above written by Bloodhound
"Sir picking up a transmission." "Patch it through to my station." Lt. Commander Varn looks at annoyance as another report of a pirate attack filters in to his station. "You figure they would have cut this out by now. Looks like the Authortiy got mauled again. Figures. Their fighters are nowhere near as good as ours. Plus our pilots have more flight time. Although they did appear to put up quite a fight. I'll forward this to the CO see what he has to say about this, but frankly I think its time that we continue the Emperors work of getting rid of these pirates. These might have been the same group that hit that convoy off of Highrno III. Put some Intel people on that. I have to go see Vader." "Yes sir."
Above written by Smasher
Hambone was on an appointed leave of absence, and was detoured to the Fairfax Nexus when the news of the pirate uprising reached the nCSA Comm Center. At first he wasn't concerned in the least, knowing full well he was safe under the growing military base of the new corporate faction. In fact, he was rather pleased that the change in plans afforded him a chance to meet one of his long time kinsmen, Spoy Fruga, who he had not seen since the two were incarcerated at the Imperial prison mines at Linares. Yet with the full details of the assault in clear view, this meeting was going to be a little less pleasant.
The travel-worn officer gazed at the holonet too long. The reports of the pirate hijacking kept flooding in, and despite the rumors milling around at the hyperspace crossroads, the signs were all too clear...he knew who was behind this. After the last hologram faded away, the officer quietly finished his Casandra Sunriseand paid the bartender his running tab in full. Despite the recent successes of the nCSA, the realities of his past where slowly creeping up on the battle-torn officer, like a stalker in the night. Liquor had become his safety valve, and with the news of the hijack, the booze was soon going to become more like an unwanted relative.
Hambone and Fruga grew up as part of a clandestine tribe of tech runners known as the Mercurial Five, which now has a number of standing Imperial death warrants. As a small child, Hambone was abandoned by his fleeing parents and was taken under the care and tutelage of the bandits. As he grew up, the two young boys became close friends and soon joined the ranks of thieves. However, when Hambone was recruited by the nCSA, the two slowly drifted apart. They still had respect for one another and the bandits still considered the rising corporate officer one of their own. Hambone agreed to cover for the group given that they avoided nCSA authority. Now, as the reports rolled in, it seemed they had broken that trust.
The officer left the tavern and slowly walked down Corridor 71-B, trying hard to overcome both the effects of the strong drink and the disorienting truth. He stopped and entered his access card at Dock 71b4, where Fruga's personal ship was refueling for its next jump. The computerized security voice suddenly wavered and Hambone fell unconscious through the access the door.
"Had a little too much to drink again my friend?" Spoy laughed as he caught his falling brother. "You humans with bellies not strong enough even to carry around your lofty ideas you feed yourselves, yet alone mild spirits!"
He slowly carried his friend to the inner holds of the courier ship and lay him down and offered some water. When Hambone finally came around, the officer promptly threw up his last dinner on his unsuspecting friend.
"I'm afraid its neither my old buddy. I was derailed here for a reason, and I think you know why." Hambone took a long drink and removed his gear.
Spoy quickly wiped up the vomit with disgust, "Don't know what you are talking about, you've had too much to drink again. What would Maloy think of you if he saw you like this? He'd open up a canister of swoop gas on you and start going on about his father and how he ruined his life for the love of the bottle. Get with it man!"
"I'm not being funny Spoy. I know the Mercurial Five is behind the hijacking."
On Dock 71b4 of the Fairfax Nexus...
The two friends were finishing the final adjustments to a new hyperdrive coupling Fruga was installing on his courier ship Blue Moon. The old transport ship had seen its fair share of close calls, and this new component was sure to be a welcomed upgrade. Although Hambone was pardoned after his escape from the imperial prison, Spoy was only given a head start to "freedom" before vengeful garrison officers and thirsty bounty hunters were unleashed on his tail. Since that time, which was about 2 years ago, the tradesman has been a wild goose chase in an attempt to recover his lost share of the black market. His visit here on the Imperial hyperspace crossroads was only to be a brief stop, giving him enough time to make the illegal transaction, acquire the component, and high-tail his wares to the other side of the galaxy. Now, besides the Empire after him, a close friend was pursuing a touchy subject he'd rather not waste his life on.
"I don't know what you're talking about," retorted Fruga, who had just shocked himself during a circuit relay he was attempting in order to increase the drive's performance.
"Don't deny the obvious Spoy, the attack on the nCSA convoy had our clan's fingerprints all over it. Don't tell me some local riff-raff has caught on to the K'deekoi Split!" Hambone shouted as he handed over a wrench. "Besides, we always have maintained a cordial party of four was enough to finish a well-prepared meal and leave a generous tip. The pilots of those four fighters knew all to well where that convoy was going and what it was carrying. I'm beginning to wonder if you and the Mercurial Five are going behind my back and accessing my data files."
"You are treading into a delicate situation and the future of the clan will be put in the balance if you decide to intervene," Fruga replied in a dark tone. "And you know as well as I do that our kinsmen would do nothing of the sort. Betraying your loyalty. Ha!"
"Enough with the smoke and mirrors Spoy, I deserve the truth, especially when it concerns my family as well as the Authority I'm loyal to."
Fruga had just applied the final torque to the bolts on the component frame when bolts of
a different nature rattled against the hull of the ship.
"Imperials!" "Hammie, take this blaster and hold 'em down while I fire up this old banshee!" yelled the frightened pilot as he rushed up towards the cockpit. His old friend was a great fighter pilot, but he always wet his pants when the fighting became too personal. Hambone grasped the gun and ran down the plank until a laser bolt stopped him in his tracks. Hambone returned the volley and struck a stormtrooper in the leg, wounding him. This wasn't his fight, and he wasn't going to kill anyone, even if it was one of the Emperor's cloned henchmen. More troops filed in behind the fallen invader and began to
Fire half-hazardly amongst the smoke screen Hambone's grenade had created. What was taking Spoy so long, Hambone thought as he struck another trooper in the shoulder.
"Get on up here you space cowboy, let's take this show on the road!" yelled his friend from within the safe confines of the transport. In a matter of seconds the Blue Moon was in hyperspace...
Above written by Hambone
Silver Fox sighed as he reclined in his office chair, looking out the viewport. He saw the massive hull of the Solaris, with small transports buzzing all about and the bigger shuttles and cargo vessels lumbering slowly about. All of that was just a portion of his Authority, which spread across many systems in space. Nothing could threaten it. At least, almost nothing. Frowning, he turned back to his computer screen, and re-read the pirate activity report. It angered him that such low-life scum would dare attack his empire, and with success at that. He slammed his fist into his arm-rest as yet another report came in. Scowling, he got up and stormed about his office, shredding up a stuffed stormtrooper he kept for venting his frustration.
His desk beeped behind him. "What? Another report??" He walked over and pressed the button. A vivid-message popped up on the screen. He saw one of his officers, Martes, who started talking: "I've got some pretty bad news for you..." SF almost switched off the screen. Now what cargo shipment had been blasted? Martes continued: "Fortunately, it's not about pirate attacks." SF blew out a long breath. "Unfortunately, it's much harder to deal with than a few pathetic pirates. Remember that project that I started a while ago? The employees I've assigned to it haven't done squat. I even caught them playing a combat simulator over the network they had assigned to them."
SF scowled, turned off the message and stared out the window. He had gotten complaint after complaint about inactive members. He knew that something needed to be done, but he didn't know what. Sighing, he turned away from the viewport and brought up the Vast Empire contract summary. He decided that he would build a few models of the Vandal, to see if it was combat-worthy. Looking up the designer's name, he found Hambone, whom he called over the holo-net. His Solaris quarters were empty. OK, maybe he's at MIST HQ. He wasn't there either. Oh well. SF brought up the plans for the Vandal, planning on shipping it to Fire Star Fleet Systems, the best ship chassis engineers in the galaxy, but his computer beeped at him. "Access denied". What?!? He opened the file again. "Access denied." SF was really, very annoyed. He entered the super-user password, giving him absolute access to every file in the whole nCSA, and opened the file. "Access denied----- File not found." SF stared at the screen, not understanding what was happening. How could the file have disappeared? Nobody who had full access to it would be stupid enough to delete it... Unless there was a traitor of some sort in their midst. SF shifted his eyes over to the holo-net communicator, which was still trying to find Hambone. Where was he? And why did the ship
disappear at the same time he did? And, most importantly, how did the file disappear?
Above written by Silver Fox
Martes was sitting in the cabin of his personal Corellian Transport, that he considered the safest place in the whole Authority. It's cargo bay was full with one of the best multi-processor computers in existence, and the security systems ensured this to be totally safe. But now, in the middle of nowhere, when the closest system was at least 1 hour of hyperjump... Martes had a strange feeling, like something
wasn't right. It was very annoying, especially after receiving an encrypted message from Solaris, about problems with secret files in nCSA computers. It was about an hour already while the PF-198 main system ran a through check of all log-ins to the level-Alpha partitions of the nCSA network. And still nothing. All authorized. "Too strange...", he said to himself, "There must be something... Let's see it again."
He typed something on the control pad of the PF. A list has appeared on the screen:
User Name ID Log-in Log-out HQX Terminal
Bloodhound 784:A 1857.7 1858.1 rx-dr AFR-846
Hambone 986:A 1857.9 1859.4 rx-dw STT-009
Silver Fox 741:A 1858.0 1860.0 rx-dr SFT-997
Hambone 986:A 1858.5 1858.6 fw+dw AWQ-019
Silver Fox 741:A 1861.8 1862.0 rx++w SFT-997
And that's it. By call of Silver Fox the access was closed�and no line to go on. But... "Wait a minute..... Terminals STT-009 and AWQ-019 are on totally different decks... This means Hambone logged on from both of them? And after he closed the AWQ-019 the file was gone.... That's it! I need to see him, and as soon as possible.... "Martes opened the comlink and issued his guard immediately take Hambone
under arrest and bring him to interrogation quarters. "But act as politely as you can, and silently!"
And then he keyed the hyperjump parameters for Solaris. Two minutes, and the Corellian Transport faded into hyperspace.....
Above written by Martes
The night shift was always the worst. Jonas Teranick knew it, but his grade 4 classification required that he work the night shift, nothing ever happened on the night shift. Jonas reached into his jumpsuit pocket and pulled out the portable combat simulation he had been playing in his leisure time. The game would provide a useful distraction to eleviate the boredom, Jonas wished that they'd just shut the communications centre at night, Jonas reclined back in his chair turned
away from his console and puched start on the game, the console flicked to life with static, Jonas turned back to it in surprise, for once something was actually happening on the nightshift.
The screen cleared and the logo of FireStar Fleet Systems filled the screen the priority
designation was marked urgent, Jonas activated the record and called his supervisor,
Grade 3 here I come he thought.
Silverfox was rudely jarred from his slumber by his comm channel alarm, he turned an checked the time 4 in the morning."On" he slurred, the screen jumped to life and filled with the image of Martes."Could'nt this wait until the morning Martes?" "I'm afraid not SF, this requires immeadiate attention, meet me in your office ASAP." SF switched off the screen and started to get dressed.
Entering his office SF saw Martes was already waiting for him. "SF sorry to waken you but this can't wait." started Martes. "What can't wait?" asked the still half-asleep SF. "Around an hour ago the communications center recived this" Martes turned the screen around to face SF, the blackness disappeared, and the FireStar Fleet Systems logo appeared. "FireStar!! We ain't heard from them in months." Exclaimed SF "Just watch." The logo faded and the features of Kasei head of FireStar Fleet Systems appeared. "Attention all vessels within range of this transmission." the picture shook, covered over with static and regained its composure as did Kasei, in the background activity was frantic and turbolaser fire could be heard ". This is the FireStar Fleet Systems research vessel Prometheus, we are under attack by assailants unknown, our deflector shields are down, our defense capabilities are minimal, and we've been boarded. We request immediate assistance from any nCSA military vessel in the vicinity." the picture rocked again "I repeat we are under attack." the transmission ended. "Do we have fix on the transmission source?" asked SF. "Yes it came from the Kraydor system a small uncharted system on the edge of our space. We need to dispatch a task force to investigate." "Very well keep me posted."
Above written by Kasei
Not long after�
Bloodhound's shuttle left the Gengar and traveled towards the Solaris. As the shuttle came to a stop in the large hanger bay, Bloodhound looked out the window at the greeting party laid out before him, as was standard corporate procedure when a member of the Direx Board entered their presence.
The ramp slowly descended, and Bloodhound descended with it, along with T-3ee, his personal aide, and the semi-intelligent Night Shade, Bloodhound's "ghostly" pet. Captain Dark Viper, of the Fallen race waited in the center of the greeting party, saluting proudly.
"You may relax friend. It is good to see you again after all these months. We must go hunting together again soon, when this crisis is over." Bloodhound looks up at Dark Viper and shakes his hand. "Walk with me. We have urgent business to discuss." The Noghri started to walk out of the hanger bay with his droid and pet in tow, and Dark Viper quickly followed. "I am gathering my best people for a strike against these bothersome pirates. Without exception, you are one of them. I need you to get to find CEO's Kasei and Stalker bring them to Briefing room 465-e on the Gengar in 2 hours. I will explain everything then. I must now find the Auditor-General and Major Hambone." "Yes sir!" replied an enthusiastic Dark Viper.
Bloodhound and his pet made their way to Hambone's quarters, while T-3ee went off to fetch some juri-juice. Once at the suite door, Bloodhound noticed that it had not been open for quite awhile. He pressed the door chime, although not expecting an answer. He didn't get one. "I must look into this, but first I must see Martes." He thought to himself. Traveling to a turbo-lift, he made is way to one of the many research centers on the Solaris. This is where Martes was supposed to be working on his "big project". The door opened, and to his amazement, found Martes employee's playing Sabbac, as well as holo-graphic chess.
"What do you think you Bantha Fodders are doing!?!" Bloodhound yelled across the large research area. Every employee froze, as if time itself stopped. Each one had a look of shock and terror on their face. "I expect an answer! Fall in right here!" Bloodhound screamed as he pointed to a spot on the floor. Catching their breath, the employee's made a sloppy, but passable attempt at a proper right-dress. "Now, who is the highest ranking officer here?" Bloodhound said more calmly. A pudgy man raised his hand. Bloodhound moved closer, and saw his rank and name, Chief Engineer Bronstan. "Is this how a Chief Engineer and his men are supposed to act!?!" "Nooo�siiirrr." Said the frightened CE. "So you do know something after all!" Bloodhound took out his knife and held it before the man. "I don't like it when employee's are inactive. If you all were not 'specialized' in your fields, I'd skin every one of you! But, I'll have to settle for this!" Bloodhound gestured to his right, and Night Shade appeared. Most of the men had the same look of terror on their faces when he came in, as this ghostly creature floated before them. It made a high pitched scream, and the employee's clamped their ears shut in agony. Suddenly, Martes entered the room. Bloodhound turned around and saw his friend. Night Shade stopped its screaming, and disappeared.
Note: The above was not intended to offend anybody. If you are offended by this, start getting active and this won't apply to you. :P
"Ahh� Martes. Just the man I wanted to see." Bloodhound beckoned for Martes to follow him out the door. He did so, and they where soon walking down one of the Solaris' long hallways. "I need your experience Martes for a special team I'm putting together. We are going to find and destroy these pirates in a carefully planned series of attacks." "I'm always up for a little combat, but also concerning with the pirates, I think Hambone might be connected, or know someone who is connected to their attacks." Bloodhound stopped in the hallway, looking up at Martes. "You don't think he's a traitor do you?" Bloodhound replied. "No I don't. I think he knows who's behind these attacks, or knows someone who has information. I've ordered my Intel agents to arrest him and bring him to interrogation." Martes looked down at Bloodhound just as the Noghri grabbed his arm and pulled him down to his height. "Interrogation of Hambone? I don't think so. He's a respected member and a friend. I don't want one of those ITC droids probing him." "They won't. I've ordered my men to arrest him because we need to talk to him. He isn't answering any of our communications, an this is the only way I can see that we can keep this quiet." Martes replied while standing up again. " We also have another problem. We recived a communication from FSFS, the Prometheus is under attack. SF has sent me to tell you we need the Gengar and its support ships." "What are we waiting for then?" Bloodhound replied. They both ran towards the hanger bay.
Later on the Gengar�
"I'm sorry to call you here earlier, but the Prometheus is under attack by unknown forces. They've been boarded, and we need to get their ASAP." "We are to retake the ship, if it hasn't been destroyed already. Stalker, Dark Viper, you two will lead the fighter attack; Martes, and myself will conduct the boarding operation. Hopefully, we'll be able save the ship and its crew." Bloodhound gets up from his chair, and heads towards the bridge. "When do we leave?" Dark Viper asks. "Now."
The Gengar, the military's 2250 meter Invincible Class-Dreadnought, with its support ships, the Victory-II Star Destroyers Hyperion, Zoltri, the Dreadnought Asylum, and 4 Marauder Corvettes enter hyperspace on rote to the Kraydor system.
On the other side of CSA space�
The Blue Moon exits hyperspace above Plymouth, a forgotten Corporate Sector colony world, unmanned by the Authority. "What are we doing here?" Hambone asked his long time friend. Approaching the planet, the Blue Moon is about to descend into the atmosphere when ion cannon fire engulfs the little freighter. In no time, all of the Blue Moon's systems have been disabled. The attacking Nebulon-B frigate locks on with a tractor beam and pulls the battered ship to its docking port�
In the Kraydor system�
The M/VSD Prometheus has been boarded. A few remaining fighters from the ship keep fighting, destroying the some of the enemy fighters before they are destroyed themselves. Just in view of the melee, 8 ships exit hyperspace. Reinforcements have arrived.
"I see the Prometheus!" Stalker shouts as he points out the view port. "Its being attacked by Imperials!?!" An Imperial -I Star Destroy can be seen, as well as 2 Nebulon-B Frigates. "Launch all fighters." Nodding at Bloodhound's request, Martes presses a button on the panel and 6 squadrons leave the Prometheus, with 7 more leaving the other ships. "Alright people charge your lasers!" Dark Viper orders as his fighter moves into attack position.
"Our turbolasers are in range." Martes reports. "By all means�FIRE!" The Gengar and its support vessels fire barrage after barrage of yellow-green turbolaser fire, only to be answered by that other the Imperials. Heavy blasts roar against the hull of the ISD, taking the shields down 15%. In the distance, an enemy frigate goes up in flames.
"Dark Viper, have your squadron take out the shield generators on the ISD ASAP!" Bloodhound yells through his intercom. "Roger that. You heard the man, Diamond formation�go!" Dark Viper's squadron form up, avoiding the enemy ships turbolaser fire. One of his fighters gets blasted by a TIE Fighter who got a good shot, only to have that fighter hit in a cross-fire. "Fire Proton torpedoes!" The 11 fighters launch 2 torps each at the shield generator domes. The shields flicker, and they go down. The already deadly turbolaser fire from the Authority craft punch through the hull. The left side of the ship is soon all but destroyed.
"We don't want to destroy the ship. We want their Captain alive! Fire Ion Cannons!" Martes nods, and issues the order. The turbolasers quickly turn into Ion fire, and the ship is soon disabled. "Send a boarding party, and get mine ready to go to the Prometheus!" As Bloodhound walks out of the bridge, small explosions of fighters being blown to scrap can be seen. A Marauder Corvette was hit by fire from the remaining Nebulon-B frigate, and the ship engulfed into a bright fireball. The frigate in turn had the same fate, as closing Victory Star Destroyer blew of its mid rim. Dark Viper and his fighters begin cleaning up the rest of the remaining Imperials.
Above written by Bloodhound
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New Corporate Sector Authority Amabassador
Viceprex of Corporate Security
SEO of MIST
[This message has been edited by Bloodhound (edited 03-25-99).]