HOPE ETERNAL: THE ACCESS CODES
2347.137.01
We were called by our contact in the Phoenix Quadrant warning us to stay away as a large Pirate faction were currently making repairs to their fleet at Risen Docks, and their command were asking some quite pointed questions about Einherjar ships that berthed there.
The fleet were to be at Risen for at least 10 days, possibly more, she said so we had time to burn and she had a job for us.
Nothing spectacular but should be a good payday nonetheless; a simple data grab from a town in the back of beyond, supposedly linked to a high profile prisoner.
All we need to do is get in, get the access codes, up-link to the patron and away.
2347.139.11
We wondered into town separately in pairs and slowly made our way to the entrance gates to the central compound. There was a lot of opposition scattered around and plenty of nearby buildings which most likely contained more.
We were fairly confident of a quick job and that was the plan – my error was in not sticking to the plan and trying to get more loot than required to get the job done.
Greed I suppose, and it could have really ended badly.
I initially tried to get into the compound via the East gate, sweet talking the guard who was having none of it.
Meanwhile, Svend tried the West. I’ve no idea if it was Svend’s poor communication skills or if the guard as just jumpy but suddenly klaxons were sounding all over and more Ruffians appeared to join the 8 we had already noted.
We rushed getting into the place now and I was fortunate to locate the data packet almost immediately, albeit guarded by 2 Pirate Troopers.
A firefight ensued and 3 Ruffians were killed along with one of the Pirates, unfortunately Svend and 2 of our Troopers were hit in the process, the latter badly.
As our Codebreaker unlocked and up-linked the data the rest of us fought to keep him safe and a path to the dropship clear.
As the second Pirate Trooper was eliminated and the path out of the combat zone was cleared I made my mistake.
I called for the crew to hold, destroy the Ruffians in the compound and bag the physical loot stored there.
The firefight to achieve this left me with 3 crew out of action, one loot had been secured and Svend badly wounded.
Ordering a move back to the dropship we fought for each metre of ground gained, finally leaving the combat zone with a valuable looking crate and the satisfaction of a job completed.
Unfortunately another 3 crew, including Svend, were put out of action and only 4 of us left the field relatively unscathed.
I commit to a full review by the Council as to my actions and will abide by their punishment if warranted.
On a brighter note, the data was successfully received by our patrons, all crew made a full recovery and we have a little more cash in the bank, First Mate Svend Ageson has learned a new skill and Trooper Ochreson has been promoted to Gunner.
As is my wont I have included some images taking by my personal combat recording drone; they’re not particularly useful for mapping the progress of the battle but do show the forces we were up against.
20221003_110046 by
markndebs, on Flickr
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markndebs, on Flickr
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markndebs, on Flickr
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markndebs, on Flickr