Departing; chapter 7/7

Three risky low sec trips have been completed. After the loss of Orca I, a fourth trip seemed not worth going back again.

Merchants from as far as Jita had come to pick up Transporters full of modules and ships. Some had made the journey with simple Shuttles, picking up the more valuable blue prints only.

The three Orca loads were ferried directly to Ammar and sold off in bulk.

The Iges hangar only received one Orca to offload items. Four Laches Recons, 2 command ships, 12 Battlecruisers, 6 cruisers and an assortment combat gear was sold directly on the local market.

All that remained in evati where 6 containers, mainly ammo and 38 ships, most were fitted. Nashh loved those ships. Nearly half of the ships had faction or complex modules, either to enhance performance or to assist in fitting. Most vessels had been recommended by his good friend Lady Shaniqua and fitted to his specifications.

Nashh stood in the giant hangar, it felt empty.

‘Cyber has been paid’. Morrigan stood a few feet behind him. She understood he needed his personal space right now. ‘Moo is on his way home’. ‘We have made more than we need in sales Nashh…’

‘Ok’, Nashh replied solemnly.

‘What do you want to do with the rest?’

‘Contact the Bastards, sell it to them cheap’. ‘All of it’.

‘Pirate Commodore Tibbs just popped by to say hello, do you wish to see him?’

‘Yeah... Sure’.

Tibbsy hadn't waited for permission and was already browsing the remaining gear.

‘You can go now’, Tibbs spoke directly to Morrigan.

Morrigan looked over at Nashh for confirmation.

He simply nodded and dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

‘So what is for sale then big boy?’ Bastard legend Tibbs laughed out loud.

Nashh sighed… ‘That Worm over there is a gift for Hermit, the rest is for sale’.’ What do you want?’

Tibbs looked around for a few seconds then placed his right arm around Nashh's shoulder.

‘I'll take it all….’

-=o0o=-

Nashh had gathered his crew around him; Getsum, Beaute, Morrigan, Aether, Moo, Alison and Dragon.

He stood up as he addressed the group in front of him.

‘As of today this Corp owes no money, we are a standalone venture and we are breaking even’.

‘Not bad, but the time has come to expand. Over the last few weeks preparations have been made with the help of our good friend Hermit and we are ready to receive our first recruits’.
Nashh nodded in the direction of the ever optimistic Beaute; ‘Beaute Suprenate will be promoted to director and assist in keeping this station running, I would appreciate your support in this’.

‘Morrigan and I will start making preparations for the colonisation of a higher class wormhole system’.

‘Moo will base himself in Hek, highsec, and coordinate our combat excursions there. I have Contacted an old buddy of mine, Dame Death, she will look after you there and provide you with the basic training required to participate in the Minmatar war effort’.

‘A fresh start ahead of us, now let's make some isk!’

Departing; chapter 3/7

‘Mr Flashfresh? There is a lady here to see you’.

‘Does she have an appointment?’

‘No sir but she says it's urgent’.

‘Who is it?’

‘Er.. Dirty hands?’

There was a pause on the other side of the intercom. 'Send her in'.

As Morrigan entered the CEO's office, Flashfresh stood up from his seat and smiled.
'Long time no see!' flash started, 'grab a seat, care for a drink?'

Morrigan didn’t sit down; she didn't care for a drink. She never did.

‘I wish to resign, I no longer feel qualified to spy on Nashh’. ‘Things...’ Morrigan paused.. ‘Things have gotten personal’. ‘I simply...’

Flash raised his hands, signalling for her to be silent. He sat back slowly in his large dark office chair, gently rocking it.

The office was only dimly lit; too dark to see what was in the shady parts. Flash still wore his trademark aviator sunglasses regardless.

Morrigan shuffled uneasily.

‘You have something I would like to know about, yes?’

‘Er…’ Morrigan started.

Flash raised his right hand again, demanding her silence.

‘Ok here is the deal; you tell me what I need to know and you will be discharged from your duties’. ‘Consider it your contract fulfilled’.

Morrigan looked down to the floor, before clearing her throat.

‘I need your word that no harm will be done to Nashh’.

‘Of course’, Flashfresh signalled for Morrigan to continue, ‘of course’ he repeated.

‘It appears Nashh is planning to empty the Bastard hangars’. ‘He has done extensive research into what the value of all the contents both here and in Iges’.

‘And?’ Flash quizzed.

‘Well that's it’. Morrigan was a little surprised by Flash's reaction.

Flash removed his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. He regarded Morrigan for a moment before he continued.

‘Pirate Commodore Nashh Kadavr, awarded with 14 medals, served for nearly 2 years, loyally!’ Flash rose up from his seat and slammed his fists on the table.’In a single donation he has been one of our biggest contributors in the history of our glorious corporation’. ‘And now... you care to tell me he is going to rob his beloved brothers and sisters?! With just that as proof!’

‘I... But...’Morrigan stuttered.

‘You may go’. Flash retook his seat and pointed at the door.

Morrigan was stunned, her mind racing to try and grasp hold of what had just happened.
This conversation was over, the outcome not clear. But she knew she was no longer welcome.

As the door closed behind her, Flashfresh sat in silence.

After deliberating for a considerable length of time he used the neo-com on the corner of the desk.

‘Hermit?’

‘Yessir?’

‘Don't ask me why right now but revoke Nashh's hangar rights, effective immediately’.

‘Er.. Sir, he has just resigned’. ‘He has no access’.

‘He what?... Is there anything missing?’

‘Let me check sir’.

A moment passed before Hermit returned.

‘No sir, everything is still here...’

‘Thank you Hermit, over and out’.

Flash sat in his heavy leather chair. He poured himself a small glass of rum from a bottle hidden in the bottom drawer of his oak desk.

Before sipping the golden liquid he raised his glass and muttered to himself; 'good luck, you'll be back'.

-=o0o=-

With an uneasy feeling Morrigan returned to Nashh Kadavr's luxury apartment in Evati VII.

Nashh was dressed in full pilot gear, nothing unusual, although the Bastard logo was missing from the back of the jacket.

'we need to talk' Morrigan urged.

‘Yes, I have something to tell you, follow me' Nashh interrupted.

‘I have an orca pilot on standby in case you don't want to come with me’, Nashh explained in the elevator on the way down.

‘Don't get me wrong, you are invaluable to me but I am not sure if this is the kind of adventure you wish to be part of’.

‘I.. Er..’ Morrigan started.

With a loud hiss the elevator doors opened on level B691; Nashh's personal hangar.

Alison Virpio awaited them. ‘Good morning CEO’ she smiled, saluting him as he walked past.

‘CEO?’ Morrigan asked, ‘what is going on?’

‘Are we ready Alison?’ Nashh demanded.

‘Yessir!’

‘Ready for what?’ Morrigan desperately wanted to know.

Alison handed Morrigan a neo-pad. The information shown on the first page showed the contents of the Orca parked at the far end of the enormous hangar.

‘Large ammar pos, ship-maintenance array, fuel...’Morrigan read aloud. ‘What is this?’

‘We are Kadavr Conglomerate’, Nashh smiled, ‘wormhole explorers, are you coming?’

Considering her options quickly Morrigan replied;

‘Fuck yeah...’

Fiction; Congrats Hermit

It was rare for this many Bastards to be together all in one place. Word got round that there was some important news to be heard. No doubt, there would be some sort of address from their CEO with free beer to ensure a decent turnout. Most of the more well known Bastards were there; Fenneck, Fizzix, InterDict, Vig, Silv, Arrhideaus, Hermit, Tibbsy, Raven, Jaba, Jman, Jmarr, Blackler, Persephone and Nashh. Even z0de had made a guest appearance although he didn’t stick around and left early. Other Bastards’ pirates, too far away to come back had arranged for camera drones to be made ready to relay the information back to them.

The rowdy bunch had gathered in the old cargo container they had made into their impromptu office and meeting room. It was located at the far end of hangar B-6. Loud talking about nothing much at all was the order of the day, pirates swapping tall tales in response to even taller tales of daring do’. Nothing unusual in this part of low sec space and certainly not for this crowd.

‘Atten-shun!’ Viginti shouted over the loud hubbub; making some Bastards chuckle as Vig was almost like an Uncle to everyone here. Though one would add it was of the cuddly Uncle-with-the-shotgun hidden under the sofa, type of uncle. Everyone went quiet so as to listen to what their CEO, Flashfresh, had to say.

“Thank you Viginti”, Flash nodded for Viginti to take a seat. “I’ll keep this short and sweet. As most of you will have noticed Raelyf has been less active over the months gone by and this morning he regrettably resigned as a Bastards’ Director”.

There was a silence in the room. Glances were exchanged between some of the pirates.

Flash continued, slowly taking in the assembled pirates around the room. “Raelyf is not leaving, Raelyf is not dead, Raelyf will be back. Raelyf is doing something that hasn’t been witnessed for a long time in any profession certainly not ours: he is relinquishing some power. He has observed each and every one of you and he made the decision for Hermit to take his position. He submitted the nomination to me this morning and I support this decision, in full”.

A buzz sounded around the room as Bastards whispered to each other and some began clapping. Two of the camera drones, hovering bumped into each other with a clang. Flash raised both hands, silencing the room before he continued.

“I am sure you will all agree that Hermit is an excellent choice: he is active, leads by example, is well liked and has the right pirating spirit! Now please join me and raise your glasses in celebration of Hermits promotion!” Flashfresh smiled his big smile.

The Bastards stood up from their seats, cheering and clapping.

“Woot! Yeah! Good work!” Jman shouted. Persephone ran up and jumped on Hermit, squeezing him as hard as she could. She had been away for a while and had only just recently returned. Tibbs, one of Hermit’s closest colleagues thumped Hermit on the back. One pirate decided to let loose with his side-arm but he was quickly jumped on and disarmed. It looked like Captain Blackler though it was difficult to tell. Arrhideaus strolled over to where Hermit stood, now being crowded by fellow pirates; “Dude, man...” he started, “well deserved”.

Monitors, dormant until now, flickered into life as the other Bastards Captains, not physically present all linked in, eager to get their messages across.

Nashh had not left his seat and he was not cheering. He emptied the remainder of his drink, spilling some down the sides of his mouth, before letting his feet slip from the table. He sighed, wiped his face with both hands then slapped them on his knees. Stomping his feet he launched himself forward from his chair. Without stopping he marched past the group huddled around a smiling Hermit.

The newly appointed Director glanced over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of Nashh leaving. His smile faded but with many pilots wishing him well and pouring beer over his head his mood soon picked up.

-=o0o=-

It used to be his regular seat, but he hadn’t been in the ‘Long John Pub’ for some time. His assistants Morrigan and Aether had made sure to reduce his drink and drug habit.

Nashh Kadavr didn't have to look: the figure that stood behind him carried enough presence not to need any introduction.

“Is this seat free?” Flashfresh asked rhetorically.

Nashh didn't speak, he knew that it didn’t matter what answer he gave, Flashfresh would be sitting there regardless.

Flash signalled to the bartender for two more drinks. “I sense disquiet in you. You disagree with the decision?” Flashfresh asked politely as he took his seat.

“No, I do not.” Nashh cleared his throat, “He is the best man for the job”.

Flashfresh nodded as he sipped his rum, served in a two-inch high, slim shot-glass. The caramel coloured liquid was one they both enjoyed.

“Your dedication to the Corp is not doubted.”

Nashh picked up his drink and peered at it intently. “I know,” Nashh said before emptying the glass. He held the glass up, and looked at the bartender, signalling him over for yet another top-up.

“You can leave the bottle my good man, thank you.” Flashfresh smiled politely at the tender, making it clear that he didn’t want to be disturbed again. The bartender melted away.

The silence that followed made Nashh uncomfortable and he shifted uneasily on his barstool. He knew he had to explain his actions earlier that day. There was no way Flashfresh would let him get away with disrespectful behaviour like that. Flashfresh looked calm and unarmed, but that didn’t mean anything; henchmen to do unspeakable things for Flash would be hidden from view until needed.

“I…” he started, “…think I need a break for a while”.

Flashfresh didn’t interrupt; he picked up the bottle of aged rum and carefully topped up both glasses before moving one of them closer to Nashh. Flashfresh then reached up and carefully removed his sunglasses. He nodded and winked, encouraging Nashh to continue. It wasn’t often that Flashfresh was seen without his ever present aviator style sunglasses.

‘I have a lot on my plate at the moment sir.” Nashh continued, “And I don’t feel I can fulfil my duties as recruitment officer at this very stage.” Nashh paused and waited for his CEO to respond. Flash merely raised an eyebrow and motioned for Nashh to continue.

“I am considering moving to null-sec for a little while; I have some friends that asked if I could help them out with some stuff. It would give me an opportunity to practise some things....”

Flashfresh reached over and put a hand on his fellow Bastard’s shoulder and smiled at him. “You will be sorely missed my friend, but I know you will return”.

There was a pause before Flashfresh pressed the issue that was bothering him; “You understand why Hermit was chosen as a Director, yes?” Flashfresh placed the shot-glass onto the table and steepled his hands in front of his face. Peering into Nashh’s eyes Flashfresh asked the question that Nashh had steeled himself. “This has nothing to do with your desire to leave Nashh?”

“No.” Nashh replied firmly.

“Do you wish to resign your commission as a Bastard Nashh?” Flashfresh asked before pouring and sipping another drink.

“I do not.” Nashh sighed, “If at all possible I would like to keep my place in the corporation, but I understand if you wish for me to remove myself entirely”.

“I have to say that the timing of all this is, unusual.” Flashfresh sat back and looked at Nashh. He mentally recalled his first encounter with him, the explosion of Flashfresh’s own ship, the camaraderie and the laughs.
Nashh was a pirate but cut from a different cloth that most. Flashfresh also remembered the drugs; the massive cocktail of drugs that was ingested by Nashh and his frequent ‘disappearances’ for days sometimes weeks on end.

Flashfresh sighed…

“On my home planet,” Flash started saying with a far-away look in his eyes, “There is an ancient ritual called ‘Walkabout’, it is a common event among many of our tribes. This ritual requires a younger tribe member to set out on his own for six weeks or more with limited resources and go on a journey of self discovery”. “This journey of self-discovery is useful when your own life is still ahead of you or your life is so cluttered with the detritus of living that you can’t see your way anymore. One should always keep moving until one comes back.”

The pair of pirates sat in silence for a moment. Both taking a moment to reflect on the conversation and to enjoy their drink.

“How long was your walkabout sir?” Nashh Kadavr asked after a few minutes.

Flashfresh regarded Nashh with a twinkle in his eye. “I am still on it” . Flash stood up from his seat, with his glass still in his hand. “You’ll come back even better and stronger.” Flash emptied the remaining golden fluid before putting the glass on the bar. He removed a pair of aviator sunglasses from an inside pocket and put them on. “See you when we see you, son.” he smiled and disappeared.

In a strange way Nashh felt relieved, speaking to his CEO could be stressful at the best of times but there was an innate sense he just had a ‘real’ conversation with him. With his CEO’s blessing he pulled out his Neo-com and scrolled down his list of contacts, found what he was looking for and made connection…

“Rixx! How are you mate? Have you got a minute?

Project Rifter #2

Project Rifter Part #2
So how’s it going with project Rifter? Rubbish; thus far I have lost the first 6 Rifters for exactly 0 kills in return;

#1RR;
Lost this one going in on a missioning Domi and Raven. A swarm of drones is clearly too much for this Frigate. I tried to get out but as my warpdrive engaged the hull buckled. I think sticking my hand in a meat grinder would have been more fun.

#2RR;
Great fight with this one. I harassed this chap at a gate and he engaged! Brilliant stuff as I already had a comfortable orbit around his Brutix. His drones did most of the damage but they were dispatched swift enough. As I started chewing into his armour my modules intermittently switched of due to cap issues. My down-fall however was that I bumbed into the gate, breaking my orbit and being alpha’d soon after.

#3RR;
After running away from Lady S a few times I decided our duel might as well be done now, knowing his Rifter skill is far superior than mine. The result was expected however I did get him into structure. He was nuet fitted and made short work of my cap, again a NOS would have given me an extra cycle. Also the T2 Rage rockets did near enough no damage.

#4RR;
Chased this chap around for 10 minutes or so, until I found him waiting for me at the gate. He 3 volleyed my Rifter at 23k distance and for lols killed my pod too. How rude.

#5RR;
Excellent fun with these two guys in a Punisher and a Nacy Slicer. I was waiting for them in a Faction Warfare Plex but made the mistake of scramming the punisher first. This allowed the Slicer to get into a comfortable 20 k orbit. The Punisher lived with a mere sliver of hull. Close but no cigar.

#6RR;
Trying to get into a fight sometimes is not as easy as it may seem, and after some time roaming I commandeered my 6th Rifter to meet up with a (unknown) Interceptor and …oops a Myrmidon? The Inty warped off swiftly but the Myrmidon didn’t. I failed to get away in time and instead engaged his 2 sentry dones?! and some other assorted rabble. To be honest my heart wasn’t in it and I just watched number 6 fade into oblivion.

So I have made some pilot errors here and there, but on the fitting side of things I am considering a recall on the remaining vessels to refit them with a NOS. I am confident that Lady S is thinking ‘I hate to say I told you so’ with a big grin on his face. Perhaps I should not have been so stubborn and listened in the first place.

Lucky number 7?
Perhaps so; Hermit and Jabajools organised a little roam and I volunteered Rocket Rifter #7. A bit of a messy roam but I did finally draw first blood for the good of the Project.

No solo achievements perhaps, but some kills nevertheless. This missioning drake was swiftly probed out by Hermit and even faster than that; Lady S got the tackle in his shiny Daredevil. To make sure everyone would sleep a little better that night we ensured everyone in fleet got in on the kill-mail. We did attempt a ransom on the pod but our patience ran out so he got the express way out of Evati.

A few jumps in to our roam our lead scout Lady S quickly found some targets worth scanning out, initially a Drake and a Mealstrom but by the time we had probers in the system they had both disappeared.

Another vessel appeared on scan in Ualkin and with hopes of it being the Mealstrom; Lady S and myself warped in for tackle only to find it was a Hurricane instead. It would have to do and I set to work on the ECM-drones this poor fellow deployed. With the rest of the fleet hot on our heels the Cane didn’t last long.

The trip home was a little unlucky for Jaba, losing his drake (and our 30 mil loot) to a gate-camp. You win some you learn some I guess…

What next
All in all the Rifter is not my favourite ship just yet. I need some sexy kills in it before I can fall in love with it. I have started a partial recall on the Rifter fleet and am refitting them to have a NOS.

A quick thank you to the all that left comments on the previous post and those that have helped or advised so far. Even THE rifter Drifter, Mr Wensley put in his 2 cents.


More on Project Rifter soon…

Watch this space