LITMIR.BIZ

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in view ahead only blurred in the middle where the filter cut the glare. This view would be for another day as they cruised in closer.

      As they did a light started blinking on the panel, Steve tapped the readout; it displayed that there was a distress beacon transmitting. “That’s odd; Humph reckoned no one visits here as there are no habitable planets nearby,” Steve mused, “Still we must investigate though with caution as it is apparently an old pirate trick to bring you close.”

      “Gizmo, would you plot a course to take us close to that beacon. Now we all don the suits with stunners at the hip, and we sidle up nervously until we can assess the situation,” Steve decreed, “The ship doesn't have the resources to do much, I suppose we can holler to Grnatz for help.”

      “If there are Bogies, be ready to stick your foot on the accelerator,” Kev agreed.

      "We slow down on our tail ready to apply full power if something is on the nose,” Steve assured him, “Normally that would be considered bad manners as the rocket flare can blister the paintwork. I will be speaking in Galbasic.”

      This plan was carried out, and they arrived within radio hailing distance, ready to run if required.

      In Galbasic, the distress frequency was used to call, “Occupants of distressed vessel this is Solterra Little Red do you copy over,” Steve announced and with no response, “Gizmo data screech.”

      This time, they received a return signal, “This is Rambling Gambler, require assistance, Hyper disabled.”

      “Gambler what can we do? We are limited as this is a small ship.” Steve replied then aside “Gizmo display specifications.”

      On the main screen appeared an outline with size, mass and power emissions, with side notes as to the origin and possible crew. “Gambler, Captain Firebrand in command, who are your crew?” Steve asked.

      “Captain Roos, Sucos and Ruckos race Goosos air oxygen-nitrogen 25 75,” Roos replied.

      “Wait out, I will confer with my crew,” Senior said then asked away from the radio, “What do you reckon, Gizmo race readout?”

      The screen lit up with a question sign and further data on ship origin regarding air specification which was consistent with a remote planet this with a flashing orange line reading caution 'that race is unreliable'.

      “That means take it steady,' Steve considered, “Gambler what help do you require, we have limited resources.”

      “Could you tow us to Sigma Epsilon there is a repair facility there,” Roos replied.

      “Gizmo do we have the capability and what do you know about the requested destination?” Steve asked away from the radio.

      The screen lit up with a YES for the ship's capability, and a red CAUTION for the indicated destination with a recommend for Grnatz, as being closer.

      Steve made a decision, “I don't have the capability, perhaps I should contact Grnatz for rescue.”

      “Negative Red, Oxzen are antagonistic to us, have weapons sighted will fire if a transmission or the drive detected,” Roos sent.

      “Gizmo do you detect radiation?” Steve asked the screen lit up POSITIVE, so he flicked two switches, twisted the controls and aimed a reticule centred on the offending ship, “Full shields, Fire sleep gun.” At the same time, a blaze of light flicked through the last position and continued; Steve had spun the shuttle out of range. The gun ran out of energy and faded to glow.

      “Asleep at the switch, we should return the favour and tie these blokes up, while we do that keep an eye on the detectors in case he has company,” Steve announced, “Who feels up to coming over?”

      “I have done a little zero gravity training during service exchange to the USA,” Kev offered.

      Bill and Tom both shook their heads, “Pass; I don’t like roller coasters,” Tom said.

      “Gizmo could come, but we shouldn’t use him as he is our ticket home,” Steve decided, and as they were already in their suits, the pair headed towards the airlock as Bill slipped the Red over towards the other craft. Exiting the airlock, Steve threw a magnetic line and hooked a ladder loop. Hauling on that Steve was propelled over the gap and then finding the airlock operated the controls, the door swung inwards entering and re-closing the hatch behind Kev and himself.

      The inside hatch swung open as the pressure automatically equalised. So Steve drew his sidearm, he then cautiously moved into the cockpit in time to see a figure in a space suit arise from sleep. Covering this entity with his stun pistol, Steve announced, “Keep your hands where I can see them, and then you can tell us, why the aggression?”

      “I thought you were Oxzen by your accent, our races don’t get on too well, but you look like Corellian?” Roos replied.

      “Related but we are from Earth next door, on a shakedown cruise with a shuttle,” Steve explained, “So what can we do, despite you firing on us?”

      “The Hyperdrive is unserviceable, repairable with a couple of modules which I don’t have,” Roos reported.

      “I will have a quick look and see if with we have the parts as we are carrying plenty for our toy,” Steve offered, then whispered, “Camera on, Gizmo please analyse.” Then aloud, “Show me the equipment, and I will see what I can do.”

      Roos walked over to the rear and opened a hatch residing inside was a rack of equipment which looked familiar, then on the heads-up display writing Gizmo confirmed that it was a standard Corellian drive assembly. The spare modules were on the shuttle only requiring installation.

      “Can you power the drive?” Steve asked, “Just on standby will do, I can analyse which modules need replacing.” Roos went over to the controls and selected switches. Some arcing and carry on occurred, and Steve placed his glove near those modules; he then received a readout that A and D modules were not operable.

      “If I give you a couple of modules are you able to install them yourself?” Steve asked.

      “Of course, send them over,” Roos stated bluntly.

      “The rest of your crew are where?” Kev asked.

      “Dead, a beast broke in and killed them, so I burnt it to ash,” Roos admitted.

      “How did that happen?” Kev asked.

      “I was trying to salvage a derelict vessel, and when we boarded to examine, the beast attacked my crew,” Roos admitted, “Then it attempted to board my ship, killing another one before I was able to stop it.”

      “Sounds like the Zombie beast that Mike has been dealing with,” Steve suggested, “Grey slime which eats beings from the inside out.”

      "Grey Ooze describes what little I saw.” Roos admitted, “A spaceship came into the system afterwards but as it ID as Oxzen, I kept quiet.”

      “That would have been the Terra. My stun gun and most flamers deal with it,” Steve said, “So if I give you the modules you will be on your way?”

      “I need to return home to recover and replace my crew,” Roos advised.

      “It would be better to stick to salvage and keep the aggro under control, what is your problem with the Oxzen mob?” Steve asked.

      “Their merchants are competitive, and there have been clashes over territory,” Roos explained, “Since then there has been an ongoing vendetta.”

      “From what I know about Oxzen their philosophy is that you can’t sell to dead people or slaves,” Steve advised, “But I believe they don’t step back from a stoush if someone pushes.”

      “I just keep away from them,” Roos said.

      “Okay I will be back shortly with an A and a D-module then stand by while you get mobile,” Steve offered, "Kev can keep you company."

      When Roos did not comment,

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