A/N: Fuck me. It's been a while.
--
Clarent has acquired the following equipment:
AESA Scanner
(70MW, 150kg)
Light Fusion Core II
(1500MW output, 1300kg)
Ishtar's Gunwale
(1300kg, 3 medium hardpoints)
Two Light Plasma Cannons - Fitted to Ishtar's Gunwale
(60MW, 400kg, small) each
Ship Summary:
Displacement: 10,100kg
Total Thrust: 13,500kgf
Energy Usage: 730/1500MW
Max Velocity: 134ms-1
Turning Speed: 0.40°s-1
Acceleration: 4ms-2
TAPS Setting: 400m, Flanking
"I motion that we aim for general improvements from now on. We can take on more targets than we could before, but our ship isn't exactly an impressive vessel."
"I think we need guns. Big guns. I've got a feeling we're going to walk into another hellhole pretty soon."
You set a course for the Ronove's location after assimilating the needed parts. The captain seems unfazed at the fact that your ship has just gained a significant amount of mass, but it's a rather nasty sight over there either way. Hundreds of disabled drones are strewn around the lifeless station.
"...looks like the droids overran the place before we shut off the 'corpie ship", the Ronove captain sighs, a tinge of regret in his voice.
"But most of the shuttles managed to get out. My Ma wasn't on any of them. Looks like she won't be at the wedding next month..."
"We're sorry we couldn't do anything more", Clarent apologizes.
"Perhaps we made a bad call back then."
"...No, no, it's alright", the captain sobs.
"You did good work here today. We'll probably be able to file a claim against the Conglomerate for damages. Just have to hope someone's listening."
"So where's my cash?", you interrupt, to Clarent's extreme chagrin.
"Sure. I'll transfer some credits to your account. Anything else you need?"
"You could also get me off of this goddamned ship", you say morosely.
The Ronove's captain seems confused at first, but you quickly explain your situation to him. Shocked, he arranges for his crew to try and release your command pod immediately. You don your EVA gear as ordered.
A team of spacewalkers with plasma torches is unable to cut through the command pod. Thus, the Ronove fires one of its mining lasers on your hull in a daredevil maneuver. Two extra mining lasers are soon focused on the same spot for additional power. Clarent eyes you nervously, but alas, her lips never part to announce the breaching of the hull. Ten minutes of lasering later, the Ronove's captain is staring dumbfounded at the spotless sheen of your command pod. Clarent passes you a shit-eating grin.
"That's just not possible. We could've cut through a six-foot thick meteorsteel bulkhead with that sort of power. I'm sorry, but it looks like you've gotten yourself stuck in some truly freaky shit, freebooter."
"Couldn't you put some more oomph into it?"
"I'm not sure you catch my drift. At the rate we're cutting... I'm not sure what could do it. Maybe a reaction warhead. Maybe six. Either way, I think you should see somebody who looks up cases like yours regularly."
"Damn", you swear, feeling vaguely discontented at this turn of events.
"Any directions in particular?"
"I'm sending you the codes for some of the nodes around this sector, seeing as you seem to be lost. Right now, you're in the Daedalus system. You can reach either Undine or Irenic from here.
Undine is the center of population around these parts, I guess. It's pretty safe with the ASN watching over it. I know a big-shot xenoarcheologist who makes a living there. Might be able to help you, if you can convince him you're worth it.
Irenic is where my girlfriend lives. Sera Kessler's her name. She works for an independent researcher who practically breathes conspiracy theories. If you hit her up, tell her Gerry's got a bit of a mess to clean up over here. That's me. Gerry.
But it's a lil' dangerous right now. Usually it's all sweet and pretty, but the Blanket of Dusk has been parking its ass there since last week."
Another unknown figure.
"The Blanket of Dusk?", you ask.
"Jeez, you've never heard of it? It's that crazy junker ship that carves up every berk who crosses its path, and a lot that don't. It never opens up a comm channel, and for all we know, its crew don't eat, shit or sleep. The ASN's been trying to take it down for... a little less than a century, actually. It's freaky."
"That's... unusual, indeed", Clarent pipes up.
"We may wish to look into it."
"Trust me. You don't", Captain Gerry warns ominously.
"If you wanna get anywhere, you'll need to stop by the Big Pig and pick up a Fold Drive. The credits I gave you should be enough."
"Ah. Alright, we'll be on our way, then."
"It's been a pleasure meeting you."
With that, Clarent plots a course for the larger station in the system. For a moment, she seems to wave her hand at the Ronove as your engines whirr to life. You are mildly disturbed at this behavior, but decide not to press her on it.
The journey passes uneventfully. You come across a massive service station orbiting a large terrestrial planet. It's bustling with activity, with mining barges and transports alike going about their work. Large, floating holopanels advertise the station's services.
Since you cannot leave the ship, it takes some awkward conversation to convince the dealerships to do business with you without meeting you face-to-face. Eventually you manage to get some arrangements down.
"I've budgeted your credits according to our needs", Clarent says.
"You can only spend a certain amount at each store. I've also saved a small amount for emergencies."
You ball your fists before realizing that they would probably phase through the hologram if you tried to punch her in the face. With that, you default to simply glancing discontentedly at her as you proceed to do business with your artificially limited finances.
APTITUDE - Vintage Items Store
The shopkeeper refuses to inspect any of his stock for fear of defiling their vintageness. You're shooting in the dark here. Choose three:
Blue ROM labeled "Guide to the Outer Rim"
Yellow ROM labeled "love 0.98b"
Old barrel labeled "Biska's SD186 XO"
Pink ROM labeled "Zero Gravity"
Barrel labeled "Vostok Biochem"
Reinforced crate labeled "launch bay 32"
PEACEMAKER - Ship Parts Dealership
Choose three, preferably including a fold drive:
Advanced Fold Drive
"This is an advaaaaanced fold drive, son. Military grade! Pocket-sized. Got stealf shieldin' too, for stealf missions."
(150MW, 600kg)
Standard Fold Drive
"It's the same model of fold drive we saw on the Renegade. It's bulky."
(200MW, 1800kg)
1/4 Gauge Siege Shotgun
"This ain't your daddy's shotgun, boy." "My daddy's shotgun was ten feet long and permanently nailed to a boat. Whenever he pulled the trigger, we would soar two meters backwards and thirty-odd ducks would go belly-up in one shot."
(120MW, 900kg, large)
256mm Heavy Rifle
"This is a cruiser-grade artillery piece for long-ranged fire. I'm a little apprehensive; these things don't normally come this cheap, 'cause the slightest hitch in the rifling could throw the accuracy off by enough arcminutes to lose a battle."
(120MW, 1000kg, large)
Messiah's Bow Section
"The junkers brought me this here flashy tidbit. Said it was from an armed luxury yacht. Can't go wrong with any of them rich folks' things."
(800kg)
Vernier Jet Set
"Itty bitty thrusters for makin' yer ship turn faster. Can't get enough of 'em!"
(80MW, 6,000kgf output, turning x1.5)
Well, /bsf/, I hope you haven't left me yet. Choose from one of the two destination systems as well. Choice is yours, as usual.