From Nerd to Hero Chapter 3

Northstar · Post by **Northstar** » Sat, 15. Apr 06, 20:58

Chapter two can be found here:

http://forum2.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=136502

Chapter 3

As I entered my first split sector a place called Family Whi, my onboard computer announced that I had gained recognition with the Teladi as a Profit Opportunity. I guessed the reason for this was obvious, they had gained a new ship and sold a few extras. Maybe this would help me upgrade in future and also help me in other Teladi sectors?! I decided to keep going east and headed for the other end of the sector. My onboard computer told me I was a Split Creature! I was not sure if this was good or bad, but one thing I did know for fact is a split scorpion was hailing me to slow down. I identified the ship as a police craft, so I almost came to a halt as he circled my fighter. An eerie voice came over my radio and told me to continue my journey and that I was not carrying any illegal goods. Well this made me feel a little better but I also felt a little intimidated by the abrupt tone in his voice, a sort of commanding, disrespectful attitude. This must be the way of the Split, so I continued as commanded.

Just as I started to enter the east gate a group of pirate ships emerged from it, immediately firing shots across my cockpit. One of the shots was absorbed by my shields and almost reduced their energy to zero. I quickly did a right and upward manoeuvre to try and escape the group of four fighters. One of them was a Heavy Falcon fighter which luckily had not fired a shot yet. There was also a medium Buster fighter firing all lasers but just missing my ship and two fast light Harriers catching me up. I turned again, heading into the centre of the sector, looking franticly for the police fighter that had just scanned my ship. I could not see much apart from freighters going about their business, passing through the sector. I appear to be on my own here, without any help.

I decided that the two fast fighters were so close now and were hitting my shields with every other shot. The Buster was too far behind, so I did a full downward turn and spiralled back between the two harriers. I could almost count the hairs on their noses as I let off as many shots as I could onto the hulls of both harriers. The one on the left lost his shields and his hull was damaged to 50%. The other fighter just swept to the right and upward away from my fire. My hands were shaking but I came around to let loose all the laser energy I had onto the damaged harrier. His ship went up into a ball of flame and my fear turned into a half smile. This was my very first kill in space. It felt like my adrenalin was pushing me faster toward the other harrier, face to face as we both fired our lasers. My shields went down to zero and my hull down to 90%. My onboard computer was warning me all of the time that I was taking damage, although at one point the computer told me I was now a known venturer! I wish I could have shared in the elation, but at this moment all I wanted to do was shake this fighter from my tail.

I saw another red blip on my scanner and I realised the Buster was gaining ground on me. I was not doing well, my computer started to warn of a missile approaching, so I hit full throttle and headed away from the missile. I reached 3000 metres from the missile and banked a sharp left to face the tiny but deadly object. I just fired aimlessly as the missile reached 200 metres from my cockpit and it exploded illuminating my ships hull for all to see. I also saw the other Harrier go up in a ball of flame and the Buster emerge with all guns blazing. My hull was now down to 80 % and my speed was reduced as well as another red blip on my radar, the Falcon was almost on me. I fired what I had at the Buster while I climbed into space and to my amazement the pilot bailed out! His ship ground to a halt and just drifted next to this space suited figure pushing his jet pack to the limit, fleeing toward the Split equipment dock. My Falcon friend was now very close and I could barely stop him from reaching me. My hull was down to 30% and my speed was very slow. The controls were not reacting well and I found it difficult to turn.

I thought this could not get any worse, but I was wrong. A heavy missile was launched from the Falcon and it headed straight for me. I panicked more every second; thinking I should bail out and give up, but something inside me told me to hang on. Too late the missile was about to hit my ship so I reached for the eject button. I was thrown back in my seat and was unable to press eject due to a very large explosion. This must be it, I thought. Flames were engulfing my ship but my hull remained at 30%. The flames died down and I could see a large squadron of Split fighters to the left of my ship. The Falcon had been destroyed and the missile must have also been shot down by the Split authorities.

Two heavy Mamba fighters approached my ship and stopped either side of me. My computer instantly told me I had gained recognition and informed me I was now a Split friend! One of the Split pilots asked if I wanted an escort to the equipment dock. I declined and thanked them for the offer, but knew in my mind that there was an abandoned Buster near by and I really wanted to claim it. After all, I had stopped three of the four Pirates and I felt as though I deserved their kind donation in the form of a ship.

Once the police had moved on I headed towards the lonely Buster fighter and stopped within 50 metres of my reward. This discoverer was almost scrap metal and I needed something heavier after what I had just experienced. I ejected from my ship and climbed into the Buster. Checking the ships load, I was amazed to find the shields were still intact. I also had a new freight scanner and a cargo hold with argon whiskey in it! I quickly dumped the whiskey as I did not like the awful stuff anyway. Neither did I want to be arrested after gaining my new friend status with the Split.

I ordered my discoverer to head to the equipment dock and I docked along side it. I moved my equipment from the discoverer, including lasers onboard my new ship. I could not afford anything from the split station so I ordered my discoverer to head for the Teladi Shipyard in Siezewell. I rested the night, almost with one eye open all the time as this place was very dark and creepy. I managed to fall asleep eventually and rest myself for the adventures that lay ahead. I still wanted to explore east, not just because of the planet systems I had seen at the college, but I now had this excitement and taste for Pirate ships. This is a feeling I have never had, bravado, yet a strong fear, which at one time would have driven me to shelter in safety. Now I felt like I could take on anyone and enjoy the moment. I quite enjoyed making my mark with the different races, not as a trader but as a fighter. I had also been promoted to Trainee fighter, which caught my eye as I climbed onboard my fighter. I could feel my next adventure which lies somewhere beyond the east gate. I almost wished another group of Pirates would appear as I jumped through the gate, but nothing appeared.

Chapter 4 in the making

KiwiNZ · Post by **KiwiNZ** » Sat, 15. Apr 06, 23:02

Cool fight! Put me right back into the seat of my first Discoverer. The fear not only to be hit by plasma but more so by fast Wasp missiles always raised the adrinaline significantly. Now he has got a very powerful ship! The Buster in X3 is an amazing ship.

Looking forward to the next part!

Northstar · Post by **Northstar** » Sun, 16. Apr 06, 13:26

Thank you KiwiNZ.

I found the Buster to be a very good ship too and managed to complete the whole X3 game with it.

I read your Red Glow story and do hope Val will be ok.

She is some woman!

I am trying to keep my story like a sort of personal diary that emerges into a wider world of characters further down the line. I hope it all pans out ok. My ideas are floating around in my mind but placing them in the right parts of the story is where I feel I need to focus.

DIGSIN · Post by **DIGSIN** » Sun, 16. Apr 06, 21:35

Good continuation, looking forward to the next part.

biggie1447 · Post by **biggie1447** » Sun, 16. Apr 06, 23:41

great story

it is nice to have a few fictional stories like these that are fun to read

MGA · Post by **MGA** » Mon, 17. Apr 06, 10:03

Just gets better each time.

joeone · Post by **joeone** » Mon, 17. Apr 06, 14:32

Omg you're suck a gr8 story teller!!! you've made me want to start the game all over again

Northstar · Post by **Northstar** » Mon, 17. Apr 06, 15:28

Thank you ppl for all the kind words.

bendyspex · Post by **bendyspex** » Tue, 18. Apr 06, 10:34

That's great, can't wait for chapter 4

Mastermue · Post by **Mastermue** » Sun, 23. Apr 06, 13:00

Just caught up with this story. You're doing a great job of it! Looking forward to chapter 4....

Northstar · Post by **Northstar** » Mon, 24. Apr 06, 23:57

Thank you Mastermue, everyones feedback is valuable.

I did not get a chance over the weekend to complete chapter 4 but will do by this weekend coming. We have a bank holiday in the UK so this gives me the extra time.

North