Authors Corner: Alright, this was a really hard chapter to write because i got distracted a lot and the content was also hard to think of. Nebula is getting pretty hard to write but at least i know what will happen next chapter so the next chapter or chapters will come out much faster then this one. As for those who complained about what i added to the ship, or in this case what i didn't don't worry i fixed that.
Enjoy
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I was staring upwards from the military hangar in the station and gulp at what I see.
Out in space I could see a ship. Though I call it a ship I also can’t call it one, why? Well first off that thing is bigger the Kelha Station for one, then there is the fact that it looks like a cigar with a more boat like look since the top was flat.
This was the trade ship, Nolim. It belonged to a trade company belonging to a race called the Wynebia. The best comparison I can give these guys would be comparing them to a Hutt from star wars.
Large Slug life forms that are monsters when it comes to business. This is one of the races completely blocked from playing do to the completely different body structure.
As I stare from behind the energy shield at the end of the military ship I hear Vincent, the leader of the ship builders.
“Hey kid, come here for a sec.” He called me and I turn towards him and with a few pushes from my Psi I float down and my magnet boots connect to the floor.
“What do you need?” I asked.
“I just took a look at your ship and I got to ask, not gonna put an Inertia Dampeners?” He asked.
“No because we will be traveling in a straight line most of the time.” I replied.
“Kid... “ He said and began to think a bit. “... Let me ask you, will you be doing crew missions and using your ship to travel in the nearby asteroid field and going down planet side?” He asked.
“Probably.” I replied.
“Then you need it because if you need to do evasive maneuvers all your stuff in your ship don’t go flying around. Not only that you will need them for when you accelerate to hold your things in place unless your bolt them all down. Not to mention, the way that the person from your crew that doesn’t choose a sex, drives like a maniac when fighting, will you really not go without Inertia Dampeners.” He replied.
His words slowly start to dawn on me but we don’t have the money for it for now. Even with what we have now we don’t total 11k credits after we repaired the ship to this level without counting the money to buy the parts for the Power generator and Engine.
“Well… we don’t have the money to buy it after we buy the engine and generator.” I tell him.
“How much will you have left?” He asked.
“11k, most of the money was invested in upgrades and equipment.” I said. Dad only used about one third of the money I gave him to make the barrel shelves and make new barrels and buy the ingredients. The rest I used to make a workshop out of the second floor cargo. What remained after that was around eight thousand and then we gained some from work.
“Hmm… lets do this, the rare parts normally only cause 50 thousand since there aren’t a large number of them while 100k is what we normally charge for building the engine and it common parts. Since you are buying both Power gen and engine we will cut you a deal. We take the remaining money you guys have and we will sell you a Inertia Dampener.” He said.
“Is that okay?” I asked.
“You rebuilt an entire shuttle with your crew, that amount of cash entering our pockets isn’t a small sum you know that is already nearing 700k credits.” He said.
I smiled wryly knowing full well how much we spent on the ship.
“If it's like that then we would be glad.” I said with a wry smile since we would be broke again.
“Hahaha! Don’t make that face kid, you can always get more money. Oh right!” He said as he began to type on his computer and asked his AI to help him find “That” file.
After a moment I got a message.
“I just remembered, Major Snocon sent this to me to pass to you. He doesn’t know your contact address so since he knows I have been repairing your ship extensively recently he sent it to me to pass to you. Its locked and only your own AI’s signature can open it” he said.
After a moment the message appear.
Greetings Mr Noah of the Star Comet
This is Major Snocon and I have a Mission.
This isn’t a regular Crew mission like the terraforming mission your crew took which aided in making the basic atmosphere that has begun to condense on Kelha II.
This mission is called a Raid Mission. The transmitter your crew brought back that was attached to the shuttle you used during that crew mission has allowed us to trace back the signal to a high profile bandit hideout. It is strategically hidden as they built a large circular ship and after melting nearby asteroids they made a rock shell to hide the satellite station of theirs as a large asteroid.
This station is considered high profile only because of its size but it is possible that this can also be considered low grade and a larger organization is backing them and this is a simple outpost for basic raids on ships around the station.
This raid mission requires the minimum 5 official crews to join and add diverse specialization to accompany our guard unit to capture this outpost.
There are two objectives, first is to subject the bandits and clear the outpost. Second is to retrieve any valuables, this is personal and each crew can get what they can hold. Finally we require information on the higher ups or larger outposts that may be around Kelha II and possibly Kelha Solar system.
This mission is high level priority with a difficulty marked as 4. As such the reward for participating in this mission if it is successful will be 30,000 credits and a newer model communicator for your entire crew.
This message will automatically transmit your answer to me after you accept the mission by pressing the “accept” button below.
I hope you will aid us to make the planet a bit more safe.
Major Marcus SnoconDo you wish to accept this raid mission on behalf of our crew?YesNo
I read the message and am a bit shocked at what I read.
”So that transmitter caused a new quest. Wait… why didn’t anyone else get attacked until this moment, don’t tell me this is a chain quest that only those who complete the terraforming quest get?” I though.
“Why did he send this message to me and not my father who is the de facto captain as well as a member of the guard unit?” I asked.
“I think it was you that gave him the transmitter right? Also I think he saw you as more responsible then your father maybe.” Vincent replied making me chuckle.
“Yeah… that makes way too much sense.” I said knowing full well my dads personality. The “responsible” adult he is can be reduced to a teen at the peak of his puberty where he can’t control himself. Still, when he is serious he can be quite charismatic.
“Sir, the freight ship to the Nolim is ready. We are just awaiting those who wish to go purchase.” A guard said.
“Great, come Noah we must head to the freight so that we can go get the needed parts. Still we might be stuck in there for several hours since this ship doesn’t come around that often and they have a large amount of things we need.” Vincent said and I nodded following him off and entering a huge freight ship that was half the size of the hangar.
***
My jaw was nearly falling on the ground as I look out the window.
Me and Vincent were currently in the freight ship bridge.
Because vincent was the chief builder of ships it's mostly allows him that goes to the trade ships for his part of the trades.
Besides him there was Gunner, Colonel, Major Marcus Snocon and an elder man with a polished wooden cane with a metal handle.
This elder's name was Mores Cane. The owner of the entire Kelha Space Station as well as CEO of the mining company that is located in this system. To put everything in its simplest terms, this is the overlord of Kelha Solar System and the richest man sitting in her.
I can only thank god the man isn't ruthless to those he likes.
"Hehe, I have always enjoyed the look that a novice gives when he sees a ship of this size?" Mores Cane said.
"It isn't too unexpected, the young man has only see the station and believes it is already large so what is there to expect." The Major said.
I snap out of it and scratch my head embarrassed.
"I kind of underestimating the size of the ship. I thought it was at least only doubt the stations size... I never expected it was nearly ten times that size." I replied and looked up again to see the massive behemoth.
"Don't worry, there aren't many ships this size in the galaxy because of its maintenance cost and price to build it. Still the Wynebia are a ruthless businessman race and they believe themselves above all others. This ship would probably hold around 30% of their entire races population not to mention the hundreds of thousands that work for them." Major Snocon said.
My eyes bulge hearing the numbers then I began to think.
"This ship has 30% of the race doesn't that mean they have a low population?" I thought.
"If you're wondering, yes the race is small in number but nearly all of them are filthy rich and are backed by several organizations including many underground." Colonel said reading my expression.
"So will I have to bargain with them?" I asked.
"Of course not!" Gunner said making me sigh in relief. "There is no bargaining with them. You either accept their rather fair prices or you get blacklisted." Gunner said.
I slump down a bit depressed having to meet something that may be the equivalent of a Hutt.
"Don't worry young man, your purchase is marked as low priority so a normal vendor will attend to you so don't worry." Mores said.
Though I know him so little he still tries to calm me down, he really is a good man.
I look once more outside at the massive ship before going quiet and waiting.
After some time the ship finally came to a standstill in front of a space near the massive ship and moments later a huge gate began to open. Behind it was an energy shield holding the ship's air inside. This was a massive hangar but unlike what I thought the ship didn’t enter completely and instead only the front where the cargo bay main gate was located was placed into the hangar and very thick cables attached the ship and even some large robotic arms with strong magnets on them connected to the ship to hold it in place and pull it along if the ship moved a bit.
“Come on kid, lets get going.” Gunner said and he and Colonel left while the others remained.
As I was going to leave Major Snocon called.
“Noah, have you read the request I sent yet?” He asked with a flat tone and a poker face.
“I did but I received it before we boarded the freighter so I haven’t had time to talk with my crew about this.” I replied.
He quickly looked at Vincent and glared.
“What? I was busy this last week and didn’t see the kid after the ship renovations, you should have sent the message to his dad or Colonel.” He replied.
Major signs before dismissing me saying to talk with my crew as early as possible since they already had 3 other crews and were still looking for crews that qualified.
I follow the two dwarf leaders out of the ship and into the planetoid sized ship.
A ramp was opened between the cargo and the inside of the ship which we took and entered.
The first thing that entered my sights was an identity check that felt like an airport where we were scanned for dangerous items. I didn’t have my shotguns anymore but still had the laser pistol, the shotguns I had already integrated into my robot so that I can add it into my fighting style.
There was no rule against having weapons but I obviously had it registered to my name after putting it on the table. The scan apparently also had a way to check the inventory but since they can’t hold completely items like bombs and only ammo and other basic items it didn’t amount to much and we were soon through.
After the checkpoint was a tunnel we walked through and as we exit into the tunnel my jaw drops.
What comes into my view was a city, no exaggeration on that part, it was a real city with bars, taverns, work places and everything you can think of needed for a city. It was clear as day that this ship's crew isn’t as simple as a crew and instead they are the ships residents that formed a community within the ship that moves around slowly bringing in money from the visited planets.
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As I was looking in shock I see some people coming our way.
“Greetings Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Gunner, the Psionic Nerve producers are waiting to begin negotiations.” The leading man said.
He was tall, very tall and muscular but he wore a kind of butler outfit. Now for his race, its unknown but he has blood red skin with a long red tail and at the corner of his forehead bordering the hair were two obsidian black smooth horns about as long and thick as a thumb. He was probably from some demon race from the looks and was very powerful.
“Thank you for the preparations Frethir. Also can you get someone to attend to the boy, he is buying important shuttle class ship parts.” Colonel said pointing my way.
The man named Frethir looked at me before looking back at the men behind him and pointed to a really short red skinned skinny man. Similar to Frethir this man had a tail and red skin as well as wearing a butler cloth but of drastically lower quality showing that he was far below the man talking to Colonel.
“Vixdre, take care of the boys needs and don’t irritate him or else you will be punished.” Frethir said.
“Yes my lord!” The impish man said and walked over.
“Good, young man, if this incompetent being irritates you, don’t be afraid to beat some sense into his degraded head.” He said making me a bit shocked but I nod.
“Now then gentlemen shall we go.” He says and gestures for the two dwarves next to me to follow.
All the others behind him spread out and begin moving towards the people who were coming from the ship that came to buy.
“How may Vixdre serve.” The impish man asked moving forward.
“I am in need of a s-” “Scatter shot shotgun of great dwarf making?! This way!” Vixdre said turning and walking but I grab his shoulder.
“No I need a sh-” “Shield generator mark V for great battleship and can take several high powered plasma blasts. Come come!” He said.
A vein was starting to bulge in my head. I can clearly see now why Frethir told me to beat this idiot.
I grab his tail to stop him and then grabbed him by the neck and lift him into the air.
“Listen you idiot! I need a-” “Now armor and psionic parts for great dwarf robot!” Vixtre interrupted again. Veins bulge on my head as psi quickly rushes to my left fist and become topaz reinforced and then floods my muscles on the arm and back.
I wind up my arm and punch him in the gut but to not do much damage I slam him into the ground making his gasp for air.
I grab him once more this time he was clearly dazed.
“I will say it once more, Listen before your you talk. I need a Standard Shuttle Engine and Power generator, if you are too incompetent to know what those are then get me someone who can!” I said extremely pissed off.
“Sir?” I head a gentle female voice call from the side.
When I looked, there was a beautiful young woman that wore a secretary outfit. She had light red skin with two small black horns on her head and unlike the men she had a thin sleek black tail on her back. Her proportions would shame most normal woman because she had very tempting curves and was very voluptuous backed by the secretary cloths and the pair of glasses in front of her eyes gave her an extremely sexy aura.
It was clear that she was some kind of succubus like variant of her race. Vixdre was without a doubt an imp or something.
“Do you need something miss?” I asked without dropping the idiot.
“Yes, you said that you needed a ship engine and power generator correct?” She asked.
I nod back confirming what she said.
“I see, then Vixdre doesn’t have the clearance to sell those, I shall take his place as you seller. If you can please release that incompetent pile of trash I would be thankful.” She asked with a smile.
The smile clearly showed that she enjoyed insulting this idiot and seemed to look like a refreshed smile probably from watching me beat him senseless.
I pull him back and slam him on the ground before leaving him there gasping for air.
“Please lead the way miss…?” I inquired.
“My name is Havic, please follow me as the location for purchasing these important ship parts needs clarence of slightly higher class to enter.” She said and turned around.
I followed behind while I tried not to look at the very wide ass and the pair of small bat wing tattoos near her but which I can see since her tail was lifting her shirt just enough.
I noticed some differences between men and women. Men were separated into three categories that I can split into Imp, human, and demon. Imp is like Vixdre and was small, annoying, stupid and were extremely large in number. Human is like Frethir, smart, cunning, cold. Demon was a really muscular and dangerous looking guard that had large natural plates over his body backed by armor and weapons gained from the job.
Women on the other hand were all human and very human at that. Their only difference between actual terran was the tail, horns and skin color. They didn’t have any kind of other distinguishing features like rough jaw line or anything like the men.
I kind of wondered how the imp class ones mate but I bet there is a female for them as well.
“I see you are interested in our race?” Havic said.
“Yes, this is my first time meeting your race.” I said.
“I see, then let me share with you the basics.” She said and had her AI send me the information.
ZastrosThe Zastros were once a highly territorial and aggressive race. Because of their outward appearance when they were originally discovered religious groups considered them demons and mindless beings but it was quickly found they were sentient. With the coming of space travel they tried to expand and conquer but were beaten back by the Holy Federation due to still considering them demons and the few that survived escaped to the Liberation and Dominion for refuge.
Since then the race developed two kinds of cultures. The original aggressive nature was cultivated in the Dominion because of the races hate for the Holy Federation while in the Liberation they were taken in and now serve as part of all the largest merchant ships and have develop a passive cold calculative way of life as merchants but they all still hate the Holy Federation and you will only find a Zastros in the Holy Federation if their trade ship travels into it but they will never be courteous towards those in that faction due to their animosity for them.
Racial Trait:
Dominion: Innate Berserker (When entering combat against equal or stronger foe they combatant will instantly enter berserk state and will only get stronger the more injured), Innate Warrior (bonus to all combat skills by 20%)
Liberation: Natural Merchants (Bonus to all Merchant class skills), Innate Warrior (bonus to all combat skills by 20%)
Weakness: -------
I read over the information while following Havic through some security doors heading deeper into the ship and stopping in a large factory.
“The weakness is blank?” I asked.
“Now we aren’t about to go showing everyone our weakness now would we?” She said with a smile and I nod understanding that it was smart to keep that quiet.
“Anyway, this is the ship factory, you said you required Standard shuttle engine and Power generator?” She asked and I nod. “Then you are probably looking for the parts that are made from materials not found in this system right?”
“Of course.” I replied.
“Then it is 50 thousand for each machine and we don’t build the two engines.” She replied.
“I already heard from Vincent at the station. As long as I get the parts it’s enough to pay him to build it.” I reply.
“Good.” She says and starts to type something.
The next moment a hologram screen appeared on my communicators. I read it over and it seems to be a contract.
“This is a standard contract that will should be signed by you and it will be used as a guarantee that you are the proper owner. This contract will also be the key to unlock the containers holding the parts and it will be located inside your communicator and only your AI can access it.” She explained.
I understood but even so I began to read over it to make sure there is no fine print and even had Lia examine it thoroughly. She was quite serious at this time because she knew the importance of this.
Contract is clean, no fine print, not hidden codes keeping something hidden and the contract itself is fair and only guarantees that you will pay or will be arrested. Also you must pay in advance and this contract will keep the merchant ship from cheating you because it is a contract of their own making and it unforgeable as each contracts coding is unique from one another.
Seeing her say that I visibly relax and sign the contract and take out the 100k to pay for both.
“Thank you for your patronage, the containers will be moved to the freight ship after all the parts are counted and organized and it should take between 2-4 hours to completely prepare the parts and another 20 minutes to move them to the ship.” She explained and deposited the money and a copy of her contract into a computer that took the money and counted them and put a quere for my order.
“There, your order has been made, we can now leave and you will not have to worry about it being left behind since your ship shows all the items that will be loaded and time it takes to prepare and if its been loaded onto the ship so there is no danger of forgetting.” She explains with a smile and leads me back to the city area and bows towards me after guiding me to the original gate I came from.
I looked around not knowing what to do so I started to walk around.
I saw lots of merchants calling out their wares. It wasn’t just the Zastros but there were all kinds of races from fantasy cat girls or more animal like beast men but there were huge guards that with four arms and blue skin to big blue skinned psychic races that were floating around like sentries.
As I walk around I notice something else, floating in the air were drones. They were rare in Kelha Station and were used for guarding the station but these I saw were daily use drones as they followed some people from the ship with some kind of tractor beam under it and a hologram of some kind of race which I guess were the AI.
Get one! Get one for me! GET ONE! I want a body even if its a simple drone!
Lia was really hyped to see a drone.
“No, did you forget we don’t have the money for it.” I reply.
*sob sob* .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·. ｡ﾟ( ﾟஇ‸இﾟ)ﾟ｡ ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚
“When did you learn those Emoticon?” I asked.
I found them when surfing the web a few days ago. Have a lot stored up. (*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑
I sigh and shake my head a bit as I look around.
After a while I reached an area that had food items as well as ingredients.
I went to a place that had stored fruits and herbs I told the clerk I was just checking them out and wasn’t buying today.
The fruits and herbs I looked over where to check out the smell and color since I wanted to know what kind of exotic fruits I could get access to in Kelha. Sadly these were very exotic since they came from far off planets but were planted and gathered on the ship in an artificial farm.
There was no way we could get enough to make a stable supply of any alcohol from such exotic fruits and grains.
Our drinks will totally be dependant on the local goods.
Well I left and head back to the ship and waited until my goods were finally in the ship. I made sure to check when they were loaded before relaxing and then went to wait for the ship to finally leave.
Most of the goods the station purchased was psionic parts and nerves, a really huge amount of important ship parts and some exotic foods that have been preserved.
After the ship was loaded we left and returned to the station. My ship was already in the hangar and the parts were simply transported there and finally the engine and Power generator as well as inertia Dampeners were built into the ship and tested finally having the ship 100% built and ready for space travel.
After that I talked with the rest of the crew about the mission. After talking about the pros and cons we accepted the mission and began to get ready to help out when Major Snocon called us to go raid the outpost.