Ramblings of an Argon Nephew (Page 23 of 35)

Written by TTD



The next days all went smoothly and Norman was well pleased to at have achieved one of his goals.

By order of Public Decree the president of Argon Prime declared...

" .... and along with the highest honour for scientific research as bestowed upon each individual involved in experiment, including researchers who gave to you the ideas, the Argon Senate has voted 100% in favour of you and your extended family have the right from this day forward to use the name Fiesty, which had been taken from you generations ago...."

...and so it went on....

"Norman Fiesty...." he was thinking to himself " noo Oi've got it. it'l tek a woil te git used te it..."

"I'm glad all that fuss is over with." said Dermot as they moved towards the hotel again.

"Aw,come on Dermot. That shiny medal and lovely plaque? You didn't want it sent to you in the back of an old beaten up Teladi Vulture or Mercury would you?" Anna teased.

"Ah, but where will we put them?" asked Terry. "There's hardly any space on my desk as it is."

Next morning they met for breakfast. Someone even had organised a special delivery from Julian's, so Norman could have his favourite coffee.

"About that Blastclaw Prototype..." Norman was saying, " Oi think I'll let you three go on ahead in me Advanced Eclipse while Oi try her out. Oi've 'ad her decked out with a bit more fire power, and she's a bit faster too."

"Just be careful Norman. Things are not so calm just now. Just make sure you have enough e-cells to jump out of danger", advised Anna.

The journey was getting a bit dull. He had exhausted the thrill of a new ship and was just thinking of jumping the rest of the way when his equipment picked up a distress call from a crystal fab. They were being attacked by pirates.Just two...a disco and and a Nova Raider. All other ships in the sector were ignoring them.

"Can't let this 'appen ..." thought Norman as he checked his scanners and saw the station was already down to 40% hull integrity. "Toim te test de guns."

Straight in he went. Straight at the Disco. It was out of action and turned to space dust before he could even se the shape of it. But it was a heart stopping moment as he heard the last scream of an argon woman "Oh NO! NOT like THIS! uch..."

He nearly forgot the Nova for a few seconds but pulled round to engage when he saw more explosions coming from the Fab.

Straight in again. Shot the shields down to 50% Then all hell broke loose as the Nova spun round and fired back. His shields zero'd out and Hull integrity dropped to 94%.Upwards thrust...full speed ...over and beyond the Nova... Full stop.Spin round and engage again.Just enough time to get some shield up before the Nova spun round again for another volley. This time Norman had already delivered his and dived out the way quicker than the Nova could adjust. Again and again this went on. Each time ducking or climbing and taking little damage.

Eventually things went calm. The Nova turned blue on the radar and a Split said he wanted to live and fight another day.

"At least he was a bit more sensible." thought Norman as he turn once more, but this time to claim his prize. " I wonder how the authorities will treat him went he docks at the crystal fab in his space suit?"

He sent the Nova for a complete refit and set it to dock with the rest of the fighters at his Home Base in Duke's vision.

So he got paid for destroying one ship and claimed the other. Not bad for a little craft that was outgunned! But he was missing his Eclipse.So he sped onwards to be reunited with it.

At Hollow Infinity he recounted his little adventure and changed ships, Then he went to see the progress at Thyn's Excavation, but not before noticing someone had been busy changing his name plates here and there.

On arrival at his Liason Office, which his Construction Manager had place where a South Gate might have been,had there been one, Norman called for his CM and local Chief Engineer and other high ranking officers involved.

"Oi've 'ad a look at the two plexes." He'd lost some his accent due to recent activities at Argon Prime. "...an' Oi notice you 'ave em well separated. But I see you 'ave bought the Crystal Fabs [stage I] units. You know how tricky this situation is diplomatically! We need to seem to favour the Split first. Doo Oi mek mesilf "

The CM spoke up... " Sorry sir.We knew you were keen to get the complexes working, and we need crystals to make the energy we need for the ore mines, which will support the Split."

" Beaten boi logic am Oi?I hope the Governor sees it your way Exclamation Just mek sure your next phase iz on the Ore plex and mek sure you are always further forward with the Split side of construction.Do you understand?"

"Yes sir" , they all said in unison.

"Good." He turned to the CM, " Next time ask if in doubt. You next shore leave you go to Argon Prime. I believe there's somethin' a waitin for ya. Wink And Now we need to discuss the rest of this project here......"

After a long meeting Norman got back in his Adv Eclipse and called into the Governor to explain things, before going back to Hollow Infinity. He might have just found a good trade route for his Teladianium...Two split factories here needs it. There might be others here abouts or he might do some build missions for the Split that include_once stations that need it, if he's lucky.

The split Supply station, an open loop complex , had been completed ahead of schedule and in preference to Norman's main complex in Thyn's Excavation. The CM was looking forward to completion of this latter complex,as he long for the fresh open air of Argon Prime,his home world. He would finish off here,take a well earned shore leave and pick up his gift from the Argon Senate ,when he found the time.

Norman, meanwhile had organised a continuous feed of Teladianium to the Split. He did via computer command.He informed two captains that they were now Home Based to the Teladianium producing plants in Hollow infinity. commanded "sell ware..." Selected thee Split station to sell to and the product Teladianium. Then gave the number of times as -1, as he had done with the Ore Haulers. NOW the Foundries were working again. "phew! What a relief! Oi really thought Oi'be a stuck ther. Yes, " he thought, things were coming together quite nicely now. But looking at the Universal news, he found the Qs were still spoiling his plans in the east and northeast sectors. Plus for some unknown reason his ships were no longer allowed to fly into Mealstrom.The Terrans had blockaded it. The only way to trade with the pirates in Gaian Star was to jump straight in and make sure you had enough e-cells to jump out.

"Funny. They must have found zom rich mineral 'roids Oi didn't zee when Oi was up there. Else woui else wud em do dat?!?!?"