N.S.S. Watchman, pt. 1

As a capsuleer, there is nothing more thrilling than getting to know a new ship. Alas my  crew doesn't always see it that way. Recently I... acquired through various means the N.S.S. Watchman, a Scorpion hull, Gurista-modified Rattlesnake class ship. The big brother to the N.S.S. Kitty Jay.

So to help keep the crew happy, I bought them all a little present. I could, of course, have hired a new crew. Most capsuleers hire separate crews for each ship. I can certainly see the sense in that. Nonetheless, I want to keep my crew together. Better the devil you know, as the Amarrians say.

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Gicodel
Undarum: "Welcome to your new home. Well, workplace. The N.S.S. Watchman, half a kilometer of some seriously lethal technology. I strongly recommend you acquaint yourselves with the new systems now. Most have had an upgrade of one form or another."

Anuken: "Hmmph. Damned pirate technology."

Ikai: "Hey it works don't it?"

Undarum: "Sogeria, you have some new duties too. I need to use your propulsion jamming expertise. I'm going to take delivery of a new module and I want you up to date with the specifications."

Sogeria: "Well that makes up for the... poor electronics I've got down here. A little. Advanced webifier?"

Undarum: "Federation Navy issue. You should find the specifications in your personal data archive. Anuken, you should find that your new Seige launchers are now installed. I suggest you take a look."

Anuken: "State issue. Impressive. Something actually worth a damn on this rustbucket."

Undarum: "Ikai, I need you working over time. We've got a mixture of Guristas and State gear on the shields and I want you to make sure it all runs perfectly. You might need to get creative with some of the engineering."

Ikai: "Sounds like fun. I'll get on it."

Anuken: "Are you sure you've got the right gear in cargo here? Says you've got State issued torpedoes. Not like you to splash out on launchers."

Undarum: "That's right. Being a capsuleer has it's benefits. One of which is access to such impressive weapons technologies, at reasonable prices. Ida, not much is changing for you. I suggest you all familiarise yourselves with your new work areas quickly, because I have several jobs that need doing as soon as possible and I can't afford to be playing catch up."

Idavolle: "What, no new toys for me? I'm hurt."

Undarum: "Ida, you've always had the best equipment. Everyone else is just playing catch up. Besides, I have a surprise for you when we dock up."

Idavolle: "That can only be a bad thing, when a pod jockey has a "surprise" for me."

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Computer: "Docking request accepted."

Undarum: "Take some time folks. Your usual boarding arrangments have been seen to. I expect you all back at 1900 standard time. Ida, meet me on the gantries when we dock."

Anuken: "Taking your boyfriend out huh Ida?"

Idavolle: "If we were that close, I wouldn't be flying about in this shit heap, I tell you that much."

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Undarum: "Ida, I know you have had some... family issues. And that you haven't always been happy with my decision making. So, as a gesture of good will I wanted to do something for you."

[Now at this point I should take some time to introduce Idavolle's brother, Andre. This guy is the epitome of what is wrong with Gallentean kids. Faux Minmatar tattoos, gaudy fashion, the works. This kid wouldn't know class if it came up and kicked him in the arse. The strong Gallente accent doesn't help his case.]

Andre: "Ah Idavolle, it's been too long!"

Idavolle: "Fucking hell."

Andre: "Now, that's no way to treat your dearest brother. Why not come have a drink?"

Idavolle: "What's the quickest way to get rid of you? And Undarum, remind me to thank you personally later."

Undarum: "I will be on board, as always. Don't get too wasted, I need you capable tomorrow."

Idavolle: "Oh don't worry. I wont be out with this clown long."

Andre: "Come now, your Captain has been gracious enough to pay for my trip here. I just want to have fun!"

Idavolle: "That's always been your problem, Andre."

[OK, at this point I leave, but given their relationship I pay some... associates to keep an eye on what they're doing. I'm well known to the station staff so it's not hard to get regular updates on what they're up to. Or live camera and audio feeds, for that matter.]

Camera A19-D46
Push - Gallente themed bar, bar area

Idavolle: "So what did you do now, Andre? You didn't come all this way just to share a drink."

Andre: "Why so cynical? Actually I did a deal so that my debts are all clear."

Idavolle nearly chokes on his drink.

Idavolle: "Oh fucking hell, what sort of deal?"

Andre: "I just have to work off the debt moving some stuff around. You know how it is."

Idavolle: "Who the fuck is offering this work? And why are they paying you astronomical sums of money?"

Andre leans in to his brother, his face awash with excitement. He whispers.

Andre: "Serpentis corp. They want me to move some product for them."

Idavolle: "You utter moron. You do realise that what they want you to move?!"

Andre: "Of course."

Idavolle: "Then why the fuck did you offer to do it. Where are you supposed to be taking this stuff?"

Andre: "Where do you think?"

Idavolle looks at his brother, bewildered and scarlet with rage.

Idavolle: "You brought Serpentis shit onto a fucking SoE station you fucking numpty! Don't you realise...."

Andre: "Keep your voice down!! You're going to get us both caught."

Idavolle: "Caught?! You're working for the Sarpati family and you're worried about getting caught?! Just how stupid are you. We're leaving, now. Get your coat. We need to get you off this station."

[They promptly leave the bar. I track them to a quiet section of the corridor and get exactly what I was expecting.Idavolle gets in touch.]

Idavolle: "Captain, I need your help."

Undarum: "I know. Get Andre on board now. I have got the rest of the crew en route to the ship. You're lucky Ikai hadn't found the bar yet because otherwise we'd all be screwed."

Idavolle: "How did you.... never mind I don't care. I just need to get him some place safe."

Undarum: "I know somewhere the Serpentis don't show their face too much. I have an in with the Sisters, I can get him refuge, I'll make the arrangements."

Idavolle: "Thanks, I guess I owe you one."

Undarum: "By my count you owe me two, but I'm not keeping count for now. Just get back here in one piece. And make sure he doesn't bring the contraband on board. Otherwise I'm going to get a serious fine."

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Computer: "Undocking sequence initiated. Request processing."

Undarum: "Lady and gents, we're making for Simela. Ikai, plot a course with the auto-pilot. Cut through low-sec if you have to. Fire up the I-fields and make sure you're prepared. This could be a rough ride. Idavolle, make sure Andre is sedated. I don't need someone with jump sickness running about causing issues."

Idavolle: "Done, he's out."

Undarum: "Right, course plotted. No quicker way than through high sec, so chances are we'll be good. Stand ready people, I don't want any unpleasant surprises."

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Bherdasopt

Undarum: "Almost there people, one more jump."

Sogeria: "I'm picking up multiple jump drive deactivating right on top of us!"

Undarum: "How the fuck.... Ida I though I told you to make sure he go rid of anything he was carrying! Ikai, get us aligned, now!"

Idavolle: "I did, I swear!"

Undarum: "Well these guys didn't track us without help."

Ikai: "Serpentis frigate locking us down.... and we're scrammed. No way we're warping out of this one."

Local Broadcast: "Notice Serpentis vessels, cease and decist all hostile actions at once."

Undarum: "Buckle up people, this is going to be close. They brought out several battleships and plenty of support. Ida, when we're done kicking their arses I need a word with your brother. Whatever it is he's carrying, these guys are serious about getting it back."


[Continues soon]