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I here by dedicate this story to the Columbia, its crew, and their families. May the Columbia fly higher than any bird, plane, or star.
Peter's Flight II
The Desert Son maneuvered away from my guns. The sleek class IV valkyrie slipped between my blaster bolts and missiles, attempting to get on my tail. A few shots from its turreted rail guns ricocheted off my shields, as he futility attempted to shake me. It had been four months since our last bout, and now Jarsad was mine. His shields went down with a wave of blaster fire to his rear. I fired on still, and fire flared inside the craft. Bohn's e-pod fired away as the valk began to detonate. The next explosion tore a hole in the side of the ship, and then the entire structure disintegrated in an orange nightmare of flame.
The e-pod still flew away from the furious mess I had caused. The boosters burnt out and it floated aimlessly, awaiting a good samaritan to stop and rescue the survivor. I pulled up, matched its roll and velocity and docked. I turned my class D starbridge 180 degrees and thrusted her to a stop. I then grabbed a blaster and a bottle of scotch and proceeded to the airlock. I opened the outer door, and the inner one slowly to make sure the seal held. I banged on the e-pod door with the butt of my blaster.
"Hello there young Locke!" said Jarsad from the cramped interior of the e-pod.
"Bohn? You mind if I come in?" I replied.
"Only if you brought some of that fabulous scotch that you Irish make so well!"
I chuckled a little and said, "You bet! So are you going to open up?"
"Patience, young one," he said. A moment later the airlock opened, and there he was, this was the first time I had seen him, though we had fought before. He was about the same age of my father, rather tall, with a single prosthetic ring finger on his right hand.
He caught me staring at his finger and said, "Ah, it wasn't a big deal. A piece of fiber steel console tore off during a fight with, naturally, your old man. No hard feelings though."
I paused a few moments before asking, "How did you know my father?"
"Well, as if I'm the only one! He's pry known throughout Polaris space, Auroran space, Pirate space, but tragically little Fed space. I was one of the lucky people who actually knew him personally-and happen to still be alive, I might add. He was a good friend, though he killed many of mine, and me his."
"Yeah, but whose cause was more noble?" I inquired.
He laughed, "Son, what you don't understand is that anyone who has the courage to step into a hurtling piece of machinery, where so many things can possibly go wrong, is noble enough for me."
I let him down some more booze so I could get an immediate answer, "I still don't understand why so many people can know him. I know he was a Wild Goose, but everyone seems to know cheer when I tell them I'm his son."
"He was dumb to not have told you, in gory detail, what he done. It probably would have saved you from the horrors of Goosedom, but oh well. Anyway, he was more known for being a great pilot, and for his ruthlessness in the face of hated enemies."
"Horrors of Goosedom, what the hell do you mean by that?"
"That's just my perspective of events. I think being a Wild Goose is much more horrible than being a Pirate."
I stared at him blankly for a moment before he followed up with another gulp of scotch and more explaining, "Think about it kid, a pirate goes around and steals, without prejudice or malice, simply plundering valuables. We only board, steal, and leave, and only kill when some one decides they need to be a hero. A Goose on the other hand, kills without second thought that there may be a pilot in the clay pigeons he fires at. It all goes back to nobility."
"At least we kill defending what's at least is decent. You sonsofbitches just are in the business of making a quick buck without hard work."
He looked into my eyes for a bit and said, "It took me six years to get this ship, and ten to work up my current amount of money, so don't call anyone up in space lazy, sleazy or sonsofbitches. That's what's so good about the Geese, they're the only ones who ever gave a damn about the little guy."
We sat in cold silence for a while. Just looking at the cold gray of the spherical e-pod. We sat there like life long friends, bathed in the knowledge we had gained from each other. It was strange to see the sheer irony of our situation.
"Where do you want me to drop you off," I asked him.
"Here is fine," he told me. Here was Altair, a popular pirate hiding place.
"All right. At the spaceport or on one of the smaller pads?"
"At one of the smaller ones, you'll pry have less trouble with the locals."
I piloted through the thin atmosphere, and then landed on a miniscule pad near a small dome structure. "I'll see you again, Locke," said Jarsad as he exited the my ship. He closed the hatch behind him and walked toward the local bar.
It was a bright day on New Ireland. The weather was cool, with a breeze coming from the east. I did not know if this is what the Ireland was like, but didn't really care. I had just excepted another escort mission, this time to New Babylon. It was a bittersweet moment with thoughts of my father swirling in my head. Just as I was going to board Clover , a small shuttle flew overhead and a wreath dropped from the starboard side. It landed a few feet away from me with a light thud. A small note was attached to it which read, 'To a Chivalrous comrade, From a Chivalrous comrade. Sooner than you expected.'
I laughed, and boarded my ship.
(This message has been edited by moderator (edited 02-25-2003).)
Another good character-driven story. I wish it had been a bit longer, but the length was appropriate for the story, so I really don't have much else to say about it. Keep 'em coming.
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Yea. Not so much action, and a wee bit confusing, but the length is perfect
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The first of the Peter's Flights was much longer, but I'm glad this one got posted first, since it has a deeper meaning than the first.
Thank You EVula for a right choice in the order.
I'm working on a third Peter's Flight now, but I must wait till the first one gets posted before I send it in.
God Bless!
------------------ Man have pity on man
Yes, the Peter's Flight II kinda confused me... Can't wait for the others, this one was good. EVula, just curious, why's the submission late? Do you actually have... a life...?
Again, very good work, Jas86. Like the Geese, eh?
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Quote
Originally posted by Jas86: **The first of the Peter's Flights was much longer, but I'm glad this one got posted first, since it has a deeper meaning than the first. **
Ah. That would help to ty up some questions about it.
Originally posted by Rawzer:
I don't mind for the lateness. There were a lot of good stories between the my Geese stories, so it isn't a big deal. I only hope that the first one gets posted so every one understands just what is going on.
(quote)Originally posted by Rawzer: **EVula, just curious, why's the submission late? Do you actually have... a life...?
I go in to work (a 30-40 minute drive) on Fridays, but last friday was botched, as was the Saturday that I was supposed to make up for it, so I did the work on Monday. As such, I didn't get home until about 10:30 or so (which is why I posted it a little after 11 my time).
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Damn good story Jas86! I really liked the explination of how the pirate ship came apart into its component pieces. Thats the kind of writitng that reaches out and grabs the audinece! Amazing. I also loved the ending, as I always prefered the ironic or underexplained endings of stories. Porbably because mine tend to hit people with hammers. Keep it up and I, like many others, eagerly await further installments.
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We've been getting a lot of snow lately haven't we, EVula? Since we live in the same city and all...
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(This message has been edited by Spaceiscold (edited 02-28-2003).)
Originally posted by Wolf-Sigma:
(all the congratulatory)
Your story (Piratesbane) was better than all of mine, I apologize for being overly judgemental. I'm just bitter.
You need to keep it up young padawan, soon you will become a chronicle master!
(This message has been edited by Jas86 (edited 02-26-2003).)
Originally posted by Jas86: **Your story (Piratesbane) was better than all of mine. **
I don't think so. Indeed, my writing has been going on for over 18 years now and I have put immense effort into the work of it. And still, I do poorly most of the time. Piratesbane was a moments genius in a deluge of crap. Your stories have been consistently good. Compare not the bull and the lamb lest ye think the meat more sweet or sour. Instead look to the flavor of one against another and thank them both for giving it willingly. There is nothing to be judged...You are a writer true.
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(quote)Originally posted by Spaceiscold: **We've been getting a lot of snow lately haven't we, Evula? Since we live in the same city and all...:p
Also, I was unaware that we lived in the same city. Whereabouts are you?
Sorry, EVula. Im normally not case-sensitive. Anyway, I live in Nashville, TN. More specifically Antioch.
Now we are being flooded. Its crazy weather we've been getting.
One word. Wow. Not many people can construct a battle scene and choose the right words, but you did. And it's not at all confusing.
One mistake though; Irish don't make Scotch... Scottish do...
------------------ Keep what ye c'n git, an' keep what ye ha'e, for that is the wey t' gettin' rich - Old Scottish Commoner Saying - "Mac users are loyal. PC users are stubborn
Originally posted by Spaceiscold: **Sorry, EVula. Im normally not case-sensitive. Anyway, I live in Nashville, TN. More specifically Antioch.
Now we are being flooded. Its crazy weather we've been getting.**
Yeah, it's insane. Anyway, I'm in Murfreesboro these days, attending MTSU; weather is still freaky, though; I'll never forget walking to class in 5° weather and back home in 3°.
Originally posted by The Space Between:
One word. Wow. Not many people can construct a battle scene and choose the right words, but you did. And it's not at all confusing. One mistake though; Irish don't make Scotch... Scottish do...
I know that the Scotts make it, but most of it is imported to the U.S. from Ireland. I think it's because most of the bottling plants are in Ireland.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
eh, not bad. i dont think i could do much better though.
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(quote)Originally posted by TMBassassin: **eh, not bad. i dont think i could do much better though.:)
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(quote)Originally posted by Rawzer:
**Please do. The Chronicles can always use a good story, even in succession!;)
edit: me forget how use UBB code, derrr.
(This message has been edited by Jas86 (edited 03-08-2003).) **