Okay, here are seven diary entries from our trader, detailing his encounter with pirates, told from his perspective:
Entry 1: Cycle 347, Day 12
The void feels empty today. Almost too empty. We're about a day out from the Xylo jump gate, and the comms chatter is quieter than usual. Hydra and Mule are plodding along behind me like sleepy beasts, Tanker's burn is steady and economical - bless her, that old girl never lets me down. My five little hounds, Claw, Bite, Fang, Tear, and Rip are weaving around us all, their pilots, young pups really, are probably playing tag. I sometimes envy their energy. It's a good haul this time: Xylo spice, refined in the asteroid fields. Should fetch a good price at Kepler Station. I've run this route a hundred times, but a nagging feeling still claws at the back of my mind. I'll order another system sweep… just to be sure.
Entry 2: Cycle 347, Day 13
Damn it. I knew it. The sweep picked up a contact cluster, just beyond the gas giant. Pirate signatures, definitely. Four of them, big boys, not your usual band of scavengers. Their profiles are ugly, heavily armoured, and they're moving fast. They’re not trying to hide, which means they're confident, perhaps even arrogant. I've locked their comms, but they’re sending out the same old tired threats. "Surrender your cargo or be destroyed." They underestimate the Phoenix's teeth. I've ordered the frigates to form a protective screen around Hydra, Mule, and Tanker. I've told them, protect the cargo, but if they see openings… seize them. I think they are itching to stretch their legs. Time for the Phoenix to dance.
Entry 3: Cycle 347, Day 13 (Later)
The fight started fast. They tried to isolate the Phoenix immediately, but the frigates were too quick. Claw and Bite broke off and harried the largest pirate ship, drawing its attention. That was the opening I needed. I locked onto the biggest of the bastards with my Fangs, the kinetic guns spitting out pure agony. The vibration went right through me. The bastard was slow, barely reacting as the armour shredded and melted from concentrated impacts. It’s about the only time I wish we actually had shields, not just the thick plating! I've launched a harpoon missile, a big one, aimed for the engines. It’s tracking true. Meanwhile, my point defence is working overtime, blasting apart their swarmer missiles and the small fighter craft they launched. The Vulcan cannons are making short work of those. My boys in the frigates are a bloody mess of fire and fury, swarmers lighting up their targets, salamanders melting engines. They are so much better than I gave them credit for. They are dancing with ferocity.
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Entry 4: Cycle 347, Day 13 (Later Still)
One down, three to go. The harpoon hit true, crippling that first pirate ship. It's spinning out of control, a burning wreck. The other three are regrouping, a little less cocky now. They’re trying to coordinate, using their remaining fighters to create a distraction. It won’t work. Rip went for one of the smaller cruiser classes, and its pilot, that wild kid, just kept the pressure on. It became a blur of movement, as if he was in a dogfight, but with much heavier targets, he actually out manoeuvred to get a salamander round to the rear of their ship! I caught a glimpse of the other two frigates, Tear and Fang, flanking, their guns spitting, keeping the pirates pinned. Hydra, Mule, and Tanker are untouched, thanks to my pups. I feel like a proud dad. Phoenix is ready for round two, I am just reloading my fangs. Let’s end this.
Entry 5: Cycle 347, Day 14
It's a mess. The void is littered with debris. The fight went on for a few hours. I ended up engaging one pirate ship close range, using the Phoenix to ram its already crippled hull. It felt good to hear the crunch of metal. My Fangs ripped through the other two, but not before one of them managed to get a lucky hit on Tanker. She's still functional, but she’ll need some repairs. My lads have taken a few hits: claw has some armour plating missing, but is otherwise fine. What they lack in experience, they make up in heart. They were relentless, never backing down. I watched as tear flew past an enemy fighter, as it tried to swing round, she just launched a swarmers missile out the side, completely wiping it out. They're good, really good. The pirates are done. I picked up a few escape pods, for questioning later.
Entry 6: Cycle 347, Day 14 (Later)
The jump drive is spooling up. The remains of the pirates are floating behind us like a warning sign. The comms are alive with the sound of my pilots recounting their kills - it's good to hear them so cheerful. We’re heading towards Kepler now. I’ve a few questions for those pirates. I'm a trader, not a pirate hunter, but I will be sure to understand what they’re doing here. If they have any good intel, then I'll see what I can trade for it. I think I owe my crew some new armour and an upgrade to their guns. Those kids were something else today. They earned it.
Entry 7: Cycle 347, Day 15
Kepler Station is in sight. A welcome sight indeed. I’ve started transmitting our manifest. Docking will be a few hours. The boys are getting restless and I think they are looking forward to a drink or two. I got the info I wanted from the prisoners. They are a small group, trying to make a name for themselves in this sector. It is all petty and not connected with anything bigger… yet. They won't be bothering anyone for a while. Another day, another successful run. This time with a little more excitement than usual. I am sure the story of how we tangled with pirates will travel fast. I am not sure if that’s a good thing, but I know, I would do it again. I am ready for a drink myself. I think I will give them a raise. They deserve it.