Close to home, The Bleeding Rose is doing something it it rarely does, not attacking people. Captain Ga’len was lucky enough to secure a Letter of Marque for Sansha Nation’s pirates from Concord. Yes, they are on a mission to hunt them down.
The mission done, weapons officer Ceres has asked for permission to recalibrate the turret tracking systems. So, we find our ship and crew out and about in the belts in TMP, spotting the few Sansha Nation pirates that continually attempt to raid those poor miners who are just trying to eek out a living.
“Ceres, are you finished yet? Those last few popped rather quickly.”
“Yes captain, we are finished. I could have had that last one, but someone else is in the belt, attacking Sansha Nation pirates as we are.”
“Mr. Jemelson, close in on each wreck. Salvage crews, you know the drill, clear the wreck of anything useful”, Captain Ga’len orders his crew. The ship moves towards each wreck and Captain Ga’len’s orders are followed. Yes, they are efficient, they are all veterans at this.
“Sir, this wreck is not ours and as per Concord rules of engagement, it belongs to the other captain in the belt. Concord camera drones have tagged it for a one, Captain Terr Quan .”
“So, we have a competitor in the belt, eh? Is Captain Terr Quan still in the belt?” Inquires Captain Ga’len.
“No sir, I do not have him on scanner.”
“Thank you Mr. Jemelson, move in and loot the wreck”.
A few moments later, Captain Terr Quan warps into the belt, locks his targeting scanners onto The Bleeding Rose and opens fire.
“SIR! We are under attack!!”
“Ceres, return fire, all weapons!!”
As the turrets tear through the armor, Captain Terr Quan’s voice can be heard over the comms, “You have stolen from me!! You shall meet your maker!!!!
“Sir, he has initiated his self destruct!!!, should I move the ship away?”
“No Mr. Jemelson, keep engaging him!! Ceres, reload all weapons and continue firing!!
As the crew follows Captain Ga’len’s orders, the destroyer under command of Captain Terr Quan explodes.
“Ladies and gentleman of The Bleeding Rose, that was a job well done”. Captain Ga’len pats Ceres and Mr. Jemelson on the back and takes his chair on the bridge.
“Sir? Why is this ship, a Rifter, as well as our Dominix, Ishkur, Brutix and whatever other ship we fly called The Bleeding Rose?”
“Ceres, I LIKE THE FRAKKING NAME, OKAY?!?!?!?! Ahem,….now, salvage what we can from that wreck, set course for Emrayur station and engage warp engines”.
Captain Ga’len relaxes in his chair as the ship casually travels the short distance to the jump gate and from the gate to the station. Suddenly as they close in on the station, a Harbinger locks weapons, opens fire and sends a wave of drones toward them.
The comms kick in, it’s Captain Terr Quan’s voice, “Well, well, well, you have come to fight me again, eh? Well, now you shall die!!!”
Volley after volley are exchanged, shields and armor begin to fail on The Bleeding Rose.
“Ceres, target the drones, take them out before they take us down!!”
One by one, Ceres targets, fires and destroys the drones until there are none left. She then goes after the Harbinger.
“Good job everyone, he’s going down, keep on him. Ceres, if you have to reload then I suggest you reload. Mr. Hamlin, how are the damage control teams holding up, that’s a battle cruiser out there pounding on your ‘paint job’ and it’s leaving dings and dents on the hull.”
“Captain, I thought you liked the dings and dents?”
“Yes Mr. Hamlin, I do like the dings and dents, just as long as they don’t go all the way through the hull and kill us.”
Volley and volley continue to be exchanged, damage control on both ships is working hard to maintain the armor and ultimately keep the ships together. Captain Terr Quan makes a run for the station, but alas, it’s too late.
“YES, The Bleeding Rose wins another battle!!” yells Ceres, “It is The Bleeding Rose, right captain?”
Captain Ga’len lets out an exasparated sigh, “Yes Ceres, it’s The Bleeding Rose. It will always be The Bleeding Rose.”
“But sir, if I may ask, why do you like the name so much?”
“Well Ceres, I will tell you the story. Get me a drink wench and meet me in my quarters, I will be happy to tell the tale.”
They walk off the bridge, Captain Ga’len begins, “You see, I was in port and there was this girl…….”
More of The Bleeding Rose
May 14th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
“Sir? Why is this ship, a Rifter, as well as our Dominix, Ishkur, Brutix and whatever other ship we fly called The Bleeding Rose?”
this makes me cleareron some things i was gonna ask keep the storys coming
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Galen Reply:
May 14th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Well, I like the name. It all started with the Ishkur, but it's what he likes to call his main ship.
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