It’s been a busy few weeks for the valiant crew of The Bleeding Rose. Many of battle have been fought, many a ship have been destroyed and much loot has been plundered. Captain Ga’len rests in his quarters, weary from the long journey. As he drifts off to sleep, his mind lazily relives the battles of the past weeks.

“Sir, we have arrived in the Oipo system. Scanners report a Drake is nearby. Possibly that slippery dog Banglord. He’s been one of our most elusive targets”.

“Mr. Jemelson, let’s see if we can track this ship down. Intel says that he may be at station 3, head for it.” Captain Ga’len begins to savor the battle that is to come, “Red alert, all crew to battle stations, ready all weapons!”

As they close in on the station, it become clear that the assumption was correct, there is a target here and he is in fact in the dreaded Drake class battle cruiser.

“Wonderful, we just got the paint job finished.”

Captain Ga’len raises his eyebrows in surprise, “Mr. Hamlin, you know how much I have always appreciated your hard work, but a shiny ship makes too good of a target. We may have scratched paint, we may have dents and dings on our hull, but that’s a ship that has been lived in. That’s a ship that has seen battle and lived to tell the tale. That’s a pirate ship, scruffy and battle worn, ready to take everyone on. That’s our ship Mr. Hamlin. Remember, the chics really dig the scars, YYYHHHAAAAARRRRR!!!!”

Ceres laughs as she continues to jab a poking finger into Captain Ga’len’s ribs. “Captain, mind you get off that soap box and stow your poetic license. We have a ship to be shooting, don’t we”.

“Get me a drink wench and meet me in my quarters, I’ll show you how to do some poking”, Captain Ga’len says with a playful grin.

“I’d rather shoot the guns and poke some holes in that Drake out there sir.”

Captain Ga’len’s grin widens into a full on smile, “YOU HEARD HER YOU DOGS, ATTACK THAT SHIP!!!!!”

So, as it would be, they let loose the volleys, one after another. The return file of missile after missile slams into their hull. Soon, the paint is all gone and there are many dents and dings, just the way Captain Ga’len likes it. As luck would have it, Ceres finds a visible weak spot in the Drake’s hull and it’s all over, the flash fills the viewer and the cheers roar through out the ship. The fight was over quickly and even though it was a victory, there is just something missing. All this tracking and hunting and it was over so fast. Fortunately, there is an escape pod floating near the wreck. Yes, it’s the captain’s pod, the only survivor.

“Tractor that pod into the cargo bay, let’s see the look on that coward’s face”, orders Captain Ga’len.

Slowly, the pod moves into the cargo hold. Air hisses as the exterior hull doors close and the area is again, alive with precious atmosphere.

“Interface with the comms system on that pod, I want to talk to him. You think I was waxing poetic, wait until you see this Ceres.” Captain Ga’len has a truly evil look in his eyes, he has something special planned.

“Comms interface ready sir.”

“Thank you Mr. Hamlin. Cargo team, move that pod close to the exterior hold door and put that old wooden plank that’s laying against the wall under the pod and then everyone clear the cargo bay.” Yes, thinks Captain Ga’len, I am going to make this poor fellow walk the plank, just like in the ancient stories of our ancestors did, so many milena ago on the oceans of a long forgotten world.

Everyone looks at the captain, not sure of what’s going to happen next. Captain Ga’len activates the ship’s intercom, “Mr. Jemelson, set course for the central star of this system and engage. Put us in a position above the star and align the exterior doors of the cargo bay directly to that star. Cargo team, standby to jettison that pod into the star on my command.”

As The Bleeding Rose moves into position, Captain Ga’len engages the comms interface with the pod.

“Ahoy there, you in the pod. You are now my prisoner. A merry hunt you have led us on, but at last, you have been found. You have been weighed and measured in battle and you have been found wanting, you scury dog.”

Everyone looks at the captain as if he has gone mad, but Ceres just smiles as she too knows of the ancestral histories of the pirates of old. She too sees the spectacle that has unfolded and with delight, she listens on to her captain.

“You fought well and for that I will give you a choice. Either join my crew, provide us with intelligence of your corporation, location and strengths of your fleet and you will be rewarded. However, if you wish to remain the cowardly dog you are, I will be more than happy to leave you adrift in space, subject to the perils that await you. The choice is yours, decide now, you have 1 minute.”

Tick…….

Tick…….

Tick…….

Tick…….

“Times up, what’s you decision!!!”

Captain Ga’len waits for Banglord’s response, then, the alarms go off.

“SIR!!!, He’s engaged the self destruct on his pod!!!”

“Calm down crewman”, Captain Ga’len reassuringly says, “He’s made his decision, he chooses the perils of space. Open the outer doors, jettison that pod!”

The outer doors open and a road of air escapes out into the vacuum of space. The blinding light of the star fills the cargo hold. Captain Ga’len grins and watches the pod bounce along the plank into the void, bouncing as if it had legs shaking in fear, walking the plank to fall into certain oblivion.

Then, out of no where, a shot fires from one of the ships guns and the pod is vaporized.

“Ceres, what is the meaning of this!!!” Yells the captain.

“Well sir, with the star and it’s gravity well, being stuck in a pod and with all the pirates that roam the system, it seemed to me that a splinter in that pod’s butt would not be the kind of peril you were looking to loose him into. So, I shot out the wooden plank. I am sorry, I guess I missed.”

Captain Ga’len’s face relaxes and he lets out a laugh. “Don’t drink and fire the guns next time. Alright!!! Resume course, we have targets to hunt!!!”

"Terr Quan’s failing crusade"

Captain Ga’len was relaxing in his quarters. His ship, The Bleeding Rose, has faired well over the past few months. His crew, even more so. Having recently returned to the ranks as a pirate for TRAPS, there have been many battles, many explosions and much loot. Yarr.

As Ga’len lazily recollects the most recent battle, an alarm begins to blare. “RED ALERT, RED ALERT, CORPORATE WAR TARGETS ENGAGED!!

As Captain Ga’len arrives on the bridge and steps back into his capsule, Mr. Jemelson sets a course for Ebtesham and looks to his captain.

“Jemelson, go ahead and engage. What is going on?” Asks Ga’len.

“Sir, we have received word from Captian Ceekt that he has engaged members of our mark, Veyr”

Ga’len thinks to himself, “So, it has begun at last. We have found them”.

“ALL CREW TO BATTLE STATIONS, LOAD ALL WEAPONS, READY ALL DRONES,” the order rumbles throughout the ship. Shaking to the core, each member of the crew holds at their stations as the warp engines push the ship harder and faster than before.

“Ceekt must either be in trouble, which is highly unlikely, or he has found a bunch of juicy targets captain”, Ceres excitedly remarks as she readies the ships guns for the wonderful dance she so loves.

A few moments later, The Bleeding Rose drops out of warp to find 3 battleships staring her in the face. A Raven, Hyperion and a Abaddon.

“Wonderful, we have a fight on our hands, “Captain Ga’len shouts as Captain Ceekt welcomes everyone over the comms.

“This is Captain Ceekt, we have 3 targets, lock weapons and open fire, the abaddon is the primary target”.

Ceres dutifully and with much glee, locks turrets on the abaddon and releases the swarm of drones.

BOOM!!! “Captain, we are taking heavy fire from all three targets, shields are failing, we are entering armor!!!!”

Captain Ga’len raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Well, that was fast, thank you Mr. Hamlin, ensure that your damage control teams remain as safe as possible as they work to contain the damage. Ceres, continue firing all weapons. Mr. Jemelson, come to heading 090, mark 26. Increase speed to full.”

The gang presses on, unleashing volley after volley of turret fire into the abaddon and then, after what seems an eternity, the viewer flashes with a bright light as their prey falls victim to the onslaught

“WELL DONE!!!!”, thunders a voice over the comms. Captain Ceekt is pleased that one of our targets has been dispatched. “Warp scramble the Hyperion and the Raven, Raven is now the primary, lock all weapons and fire!!!”

Ceres gets an evil grin on her face, “Sir, there is a 4th ship here now, a frigate. Shall we dispatch with it quickly?”

“Yes, why not”, Captain Ga’len remarks, “Captain Ceekt, that frigate off your starboard bow, it looks ‘menancing’. Why don’t we take it first?” As soon as the suggestion is made, it seems that the weapons officers for Captains Ga’len and Ceekt took that discussion as an order, for that poor ship did not last long.

“Uh, Captain Ga’len, can we get back to the Hyperion now?”

“Yes Captain Ceekt, I think we can. Let’s finish that dog!!!”, Captain Ga’len yells. “Mr. Jemelson, close distance to that ship!! “Ceres, lock weapons and…oh well…you know what to do!!!”

As the torrent of weapons fire pours into their next victim, the shields, armor and hull quickly evaporate into fireballs and gasses. Space is getting a good feeding today. Their enemies return fire does some damage, but it’s far too late for them.

Three down, one more to go. Captain Ceekt and his gang make short work of the Raven, it lasts almost as long as the frigate lasted. Almost, but the resulting explosion was a sight to see. Not much was left of that ship.

“Well done all!!! Collect the loot and depart from the system immediately. Meet up at m1 Kal in TMP, we will divide up the loot!!!”

Captain Ga’len has a wonderful smile on his face. “Captain Ceekt, acknowledged. See you there!!!”

Thoughts of riches from the full loads in their cargo holds fill the various crews and captains of this gang. They have done well. They have dealt a serious blow to their enemy. They have taken the day.

"There are bold pirates and there are old pirates, but there are few old, bold pirates"

Treasure, adventure and combat. Ah, the life of the pirate. Captain Ga’len and the crew of The Bleeding Rose are on their long journey home. Along the way, they see what every pirate knows to be another source of income, danger or both.

“Sir, we are seeing a large amount of debris in one of the belts in this system. Initial scans show a number of useful and expensive modules in the various wrecks that are littering the belt.”

Captain Ga’len thinks out loud, “Free stuff and it’s on our way…Mr. Jemelsen, alter course for the debris field.”

As the EVA crews are working, salvaging what they can, the proximity alarms begins to sound.

“Captain, three ships are inbound to the belt, one tristan class frigate and two coercer class destroyers!!!”

Captain Ga’eln smiles, stands up and yells, “YARR!!! Red alert!!! Ready all weapons and drones, prepare to return fire when they fire upon us!!! Oh, and recall the EVA crews, they don’t want to be in the middle of a firefight.”

Just as the first volley hits the shields, the airlock door closes and the EVA crews are safe inside.

“Captain, we have targeted the closest ship and it’s going to explode soon….” a bright flash and weapons officer Ceres is cut off.

“Sir,” she continues, “Ahem, there are two ships remaining. Shall I attack the frigate or the destroyer.”

Suddenly, the coms kick in, “Hahahaha, you may have destroyed one of my ships, but I will win this fight!!!! I am Captain Panzars and you shall know my wrath!!!!”

Captain Ga’len turns towards his weapons officer, “Ceres, show him the meaning of wrath, would you? Lock weapons on that frigate and fire.”

“With pleasure sir.” Ceres does as her captains orders and a few short seconds later, another bright flash fills the view screen.

“Hail the last remaining destroyer, tell them to surrender” orders Captain Ga’len. It’s too late though, the last ship fled the scene.

“Nutz, oh well. Stand down from red alert and keep an eye on the scanners for that last destroyer. EVA crews, resume recover of salvage”

Several hours later, as The Bleeding Rose nears it’s home, they come upon another ship in a belt.

“Sir, the ship seems to be on auto pilot. It must be running one of those salvager programs. Wait…incoming hostiles. Sansha’s Nation pirates. They are firing on the ship sir. Will those rats never learn, a Harbinger class battle cruiser can easily defeat them. Captain, what do you want to do?”

Captain Ga’len thinks for a moment and then makes his orders known. “Move closer to one of the rats, when the ship is destroyed, deploy an EVA team and recover what we can from the wreck. Yes, I know that it’s an act of aggression to steal this person’s loot, but if they are in fact using a automatic combat program, we need to learn as much as possible so that our fellow ships in our corporation can know what we are dealing with. That level of automation is unheard of for a ship of war that size.”

The EVA crew works quickly and recovers a small about of booty from the wreck. Not that they needed to rush, the robotic Harbinger just continues on it’s slow route around the belt.

Ceres speaks up, “Sir, I have noticed something interesting. That ship will not lock it’s targeting scanners on a hostile until it’s been fired upon. We have been here over 10 minutes and the Concord rules of engagement give that ship 15 minutes to fire on us under law. Perhaps, if you wish to test our mettle again, we should lock our targeting scanners on the ship and loot another wreck.”

“Hmm…very intriguing Ceres. Relay your observations to the corporate office in case we do not survive testing your hypothesis.” Ga’len says, “approach the next wreck and loot it, then lock weapons on that battle cruiser. Standby all weapons and ready the drones, this is going to be another rough ride.”

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

“Uhm, sir? I may have been mistaken,” Ceres says 12 minutes after looting the wreck.

“No Ceres, I don’t think you are mistaken,” says Marklin, “You said that the ship would fire back when it was fired upon. We have only locked our targeting scanners actively on that ship.”

Captain Ga’len sits in his chair, mashing his teeth. “Why doesn’t he fire. He has us out gunned. Perhaps that program is…” BOOM!!!!

“Sir, we are taking fire, a destroyer just warped into the belt and has opened fire on us from off the port stern!! Wait, Concord just warped in and is firing on the destroyer!! WOW, he’s gone, that was…”BOOM!!!!

“So, there is someone awake on that battle cruiser after all,” remarks Captain Ga’len, “Return fire on that battle cruiser, all weapons and drones. Close to optimal weapons range and orbit that Harbinger of DOOM!!”

Several minutes pass with the exchange of several volleys from each ship. To Captain Ga’len’s delight, his damage control systems and armor repair module are holding his ship together nicely. As the last shreds of hull evaporate under the heavy fire of The Bleeding Rose’s blasters, a huge fireball erupts where the battle cruiser was in space. Then silence.

“Sir, EVA crews have deployed to both the battle cruiser wreck and the destroyer. They have secured the useful items that were recovered in the cargo hold. What do we do now?”

“Mr. Jemelson, head for home. I don’t know about the lot of you, but I think we have all earned a respite from our travels and I am anxious to update our corporation members with this news. While we were victorious, “Says Captain Ga’len, “this is disturbing that the computing power needed to fight small engagements has evolved to the point that battle cruisers can now do so.”

"Routine patrol"

With the agent work completed, The Bleeding Rose, under command of Captain Ga’len, heads back to his home. He and his crew have worked hard, made a lot of money and are eager for a rest.

“Captain, scanners have detected a mining ship nearby. The ship configuration and transponder code match those of a ship that was seen stealing loot from us a few days ago!!”

“Mr. Jemelson, I think you know what I am about to say?” Captain Ga’len mumbles under his breath, “Mr. Jemelson, set course for that target, YARR!!!”

The Bleeding Rose thunders down into the belts and they soon locate their prey. It’s just sitting there, oblivious to the world around it, mining away.

“Captain, scanners are picking up a jettison canister nearby. ID transponder shows it belongs to Kayson Corporation, same corporation that owns that Hurricane class battle cruiser directly ahead.”

“Hmm, time to return the thieving favor? ” Captain Ga’len thinks to himself.

“RED ALERT!!! Move in and recover the jet can, prepare all drones for launch and ready all weapons. Standby damage control, that class ship will pack one hell of a punch!!”

The EVA crew recovers the jet can and calls the bridge. “Captain, our cargo hold is full, we can’t take on any more ore. We are preparing a new jet can and will have to move this ore from the old jet can to the new one as the old one was damaged. You know, we just can’t add anymore litter to space, Concord will fine us again!!”

“DAMN!!! We can’t take on any more ore. Oh well. Set course for the station for docking and engage as soon as…..”

BOOM!!!

“Captain, we are taking fire!!! Incoming missiles!!!!!”

Captain Ga’len orders, “Lock all weapons and release the drones!!!”

BOOM!!!!

“Captain, we have lost all shields and are taking armor damage!!!”

Gritting his teeth, Captain Ga’len quickly considers his options and decides to stay in the fight.

“All crew, continue fighting. Damage control, do what you have to. Pull crew from the galley, from the brothel, from anywhere, keep this ship together!!! Coms, hail any friendly vessel in range, request assistance immediately!!!”

The Captain hears two different responses:

“Sir, the coms are down”

“SIR!!! His shields have failed and his armor is almost gone!!!”

“Recall any damaged drones and launch the reserves!! Reload all weapons and continue firing!!” shouts Captain Ga’len.

The Bleeding Rose continues to take a huge amount of damage but the damage control crews and able to keep up. In fact, they are making headway.

“Sir, our armor is holding at 75%, drones continue to press the fight. We may actually win this!!!”

As the weapons officer announces that the blasters will need to reload soon, a familiar bright flash fills the view screen and then, silence.

“Sir, drones are docking, all weapons are reloading and damage control is standing down as armor is at 100 percent. Sir, we have won?!?!?!”

“Captain, the EVA crew reports that they are filling the jet can with all the ore from the cargo hold and are loading the salvage from the wreck, unless…, you wish to leave the booty behind?”

Captain Ga’len sits down and lets loose a sigh of relief. “No, take all usable salvage aboard and then fill every nook and cranny in the cargo hold with what ore we can take on. Destroy the jet can once we are finished, we don’t want to leave anything behind to be stolen again. Mr. Marklin, You mean to tell me that through all of that, we were actually holding our ground?”

Mr. Marklin stands proudly, “Yes sir. Our enhancements to damage control and armor repair as well as our newly enhanced weapons allowed us to do more damage and absorb more damage than we have every before.”

“Captain, EVA crews report that all salvage has been taken aboard as well as a nice take of ore.”

Captain Ga’len orders, “Destroy the jet can and head for the nearest station so that we can celebrate. All of you have earned a respite, we will get back underway tomorrow.”

"The trip back home, part II"

We left our captain Ga’len and his valiant crew as they were resting from their latest battle, an engagement with a raven class battleship. Slightly tired and very wide-eyed, they returned home and began to supply their Enyo class assault frigate, the Bleeding Rose, for a tour of New Eden.

They left port with the hopes of every pirate crew. Adventure, excitement, battle and of course, the spoils of a fight. They began their trek north, which on a map of space, makes absolutely no sense, so we must be more precise. They headed for the Lonetrek region, to meet with an agent for some work.

As the crew settles in for a long trip, the coms come alive.

“Captain Ga’len, this is Captain Beleti Ninhursag. I could really use your help. I am engaged with a cerebus class heavy assault ship in TMP and I am starting to loose armor. If you can render assistance, it would be most welcome. Of course, if we win this fight, you and your crew will get a share of the booty!!”

Before Captain Ga’len can order to come about, his trusted helmsman has already turned the Bleeding Rose around and headed for the Tash-Murkon Prime system at top speed.

“Mr. Jemelson, I would appreciate it if you would at least let me give the order to come about and engage at full speed every now and again, your telepathic abilities sometimes are a bit unsetteling,” Captain Ga’len remarked.

“Telepathy has nothing to do with it Captain, it’s all about the booty!!!”

Well, you can’t argue with that. A few moments later, the Bleeding Rose arrives in the belt where Captain Beleti and his Curse class recon ship are engaged in a tough fight.

“Lock weapons and fire!!” The Bleeding Rose works hard to continue to earn it’s rightful name and this time, there is no question. This ship has the right name. After a few minutes of taking serious damage to shields and armor, both captains are rewarded with a large explosion and a field of debris.

“Thank you Captain Ga’len and thanks to your crew. Please meet me at the M1 Kal station, I will be happy to share this loot.”

Our captain and crew, now happily a bit battle tired, return to their base to unload the latest riches. Captain Ga’len makes the decision that the damage to the Bleeding Rose is a bit more than he wants to contend with.

“We will remains here for a day or so and let the station repair crews work on the old girl.” So again a few days later, the crew boards their favorite Ishkur class assault frigate, taking care to ensure that the drones are properly loaded and begin the trip to Lonetrek.

"The trip back home, part I"