Ricky Bolt
Caldari Provisions
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Posted - 2008.05.17 16:58:00 -
[2]
ôBuzzard team entering warp. Give us 30 seconds to reach the gate.ö
The two small frigates turned into a white blur before disappearing towards the Vouskiaho jump gate in the distance. Ricky made a quick check of his radar to make sure the convoy was in formation. The large Hulk exhumer and two Covetor mining barges held at the center of the fleet, a pair of Merlin combat frigates were waiting approximately 5 km on each side of the ORE vessels, and about 20 km back, Ricky hoped, the Manticore hid under its cloak. Ricky himself led the formation in his Caracal cruiser, the Tigerbarb. Being the only pod pilot among the group, Ricky had been assigned to command the escort for the ORE ships. They were returning from an expeditionary mission in the Geminate region. Ricky didnÆt like taking the exact same route home as they did going out, but the miners wanted to get into CONCORD space a.s.a.p.
ôGate is secure. 2 jumps to go.ö
The all clear came over RickyÆs radio, and he sent out the word to enter warp. Due to their faster speed, the Merlins entered warp before Ricky did, but the blue streaks of faster-than-light travel soon engulfed the feed from his camera drone. He picked up some chatter between the miners.
ôI still say we shouldÆve done another sweep of the 3rd belt, Captain.ö
ôWell youÆre not the one who sets our timetable. Sandre wants these samples back before 14:00, and weÆre running close enough.ö
ô*huff* Rookies are all the same.ö
ôHey!ö
ôCalm down, Rabea. You know heÆs just screwing with you.ö
Ricky interrupted ôHey you three, keep it down. We never know who might be scanning for groups like us.ö
There was a momentary break in communications as they passed within .5 AU of the systemÆs star. An energy warning came on, but Ricky dismissed it as radiation from the star. As they passed the 3rd planet, though, a velocity warning suddenly flared up in RickyÆs view. He checked the system readings which all showed normal output. Watching helplessly as his ship slowly came out of warp, the only possibility left came into though; Interdictor.
ôAll vessels, be alert. SomeoneÆs pulling us out of warp. Everyone get to the minersÆ location and standby!ö
The Tigerbarb returned to sub-light speed, and Ricky quickly began checking for his captors. He spotted a destroyer-sized ship some 50 km away. Several radar lock warnings came up after just a few moments.
ôHostiles spotted! Large group of Cladari frigates at 4:30. I think theyÆre Gruistas.ö
The alert came from one of the Merlins. Upon checking his scanners, though, Ricky found that he was alone, save for the interdictor.
ôRicky where are you? WeÆre being engaged and canÆt hold out fo-ô
The message was suddenly cut off as RickyÆs communications were jammed. He ran over the chaotic situation in his head, trying to make sense of the confusion. Setting the interdictor as a priority, Ricky activated his micro-warp drive and charged towards the small vessel. The vessel took notice, and began to flee the incoming cruiser. Not having a significant booster, the interdictor didnÆt make it very far before salvos of heavy missiles from RickyÆs bays began pounding away at the small craft. A quick engagement left the Tigerbarb alone among a field of debris. Ricky quickly began scanning for the rest of the fleet. He picked up several explosions several AU from him, and immediately put the ship into warp.
Ricky emerged about 20km from a small fur ball of Condor and Merlin frigates. Several Kestrels could be seen heading at max speed for the ORE ships, of which one of the Covetors was missing. Ricky immediately locked onto 3 ships fighting the Merlins and 2 of the Kestrels. The first volley came as a surprise to the Gurista fighters, but they quickly organized and sent several fighters in RickyÆs direction. Communication was still jammed, so RickyÆs attempts to organize a retreat were futile. |
Ricky Bolt
Caldari Provisions
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Posted - 2008.05.17 16:59:00 -
[3]
Two more explosions signaled the end for the Merlins, and the rest of the Gurista fighters turned towards RickyÆs lone cruiser. Several webers stopped any chance of Ricky reaching the miners. The Tigerbarb was quickly overwhelmed by the small fighters as they swarmed around it. A lucky shot destroyed RickyÆs camera drone, at which point he was too focused on fighting to launch another. Visually blinded, Ricky only lasted as long as his radar did. A jammer finally managed to block the targeting systems, leaving the mighty cruiser helpless. Ricky watched was the warnings of first shield, then armor, and then hull fell to the onslaught of rockets and lasers. Defeated, he ejected his pod just moments before the bridge was separated from the rest of the ship, and an explosion sent the egg-shaped ship tumbling. Without a camera drone, Ricky couldnÆt know if the Guristas had noticed him eject. As he tried to stabilize his ship, though, a sudden impact, of what Ricky never knew, jolted his body against the side of his pod with enough force to render him unconscious.
RickyÆs eyes slowly opened. Having not been used in some time, his natural eyes had a hard time adjusting to the dim light. When they did finally manage to make sense of the area, Ricky realized he was in a small holding cell. Still weak from being improperly removed from his pod, Ricky was only able to slump his head over to the side. He spotted several guards outside his cramped quarters. On their shoulders was a patch bearing the Gurista symbol.
ôCrapö
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