THE CURRENTS OF SPACE

Issue one:  Gunfight on Gateway Station

            Date: 031-3201

            Some days later following the meeting with Colonel Head, Stormwind was discharged from the hospital. He and Julia headed to the spaceport to check out the “No Strings Attached”.

            The ship was a standard Type S scout, about twenty years old. It was obviously used, but was clean inside. Stormwind checked out the captain’s stateroom (identical to the others except for the bridge repeater instruments mounted on the bulkhead.) Julia claimed the stateroom opposite.

“What are you doing?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m coming with you. You need someone to look after you”

            Having checked over the ship, they retired to a nearby bar, the “Double Helix”, to discuss future plans. After discussion, they decided to head for Corinth, in the Trade Worlds Consulate; en-route they would seek out any information about the Vargr raids. Stormwind arranged for a message drop at the “Double Helix” in case they got separated. The bartender, Ryk Storm, was happy to oblige. A young man, he wore a full-face optical visor, indicating that he was blind. He wore an Imperial Marine Corp lapel pin.

“Where did you get injured?” asked Stormwind.

“During the Sheol campaign. Faulty face mask let in alien spores that ate my eyes.” He shrugged. “Could be worse.”

Back at the table, Stormwind and Julia discussed the route they would take.

Julia advocated a Jump-2 to Naxos, refuel and then Jump-1 to Corinth

There were a handful of people in the bar; Stormwind looked up suddenly as the door burst open. A young man strode towards them.

“I’m Daniel Trobb. I need passage off-planet immediately. I can pay you 1000 creds now, with the balance when we reach …

            His words were cut short as two men carrying auto pistols came through the door. The leader fired a burst, cutting down Trobb. The bar patrons dived for cover; Stormwind loosed off a shot but missed. One goon went to Trobb and began searching him. Julia pulled her Compad and put in a call to the police. Stormwind fired again and took out Goon 2; Goon 1 was still searching Trobb when Carter whacked him over the head with a chair. Ryk Storm pulled a shotgun from under the bar and yelled to the goon to stand down, the response was the guy made a run for the door. Stormwind tried to grab him, but the goon kicked him off and escaped.

            Julia ran over to Trobb, he was alive but badly wounded. She tried to apply first aid using the bar’s medikit, he stabilised but was still badly injured. Meanwhile, Stormwind searched the body of the goon; he took his autopistol (still with 14 rounds loaded) and a membership card of the “Silver Star Circle.”

Stormwind had heard of this; a very exclusive members-only club on Corinth.

“The police will be here any moment”, warned Storm. “I’ll stall them, you need to get well away; and take him (Trobb) with you”.

            They carried Trobb out to the air/raft outside the bar (Gateway Station is a diverse space station; the main access tunnels are large enough for air/rafts and there are many open spaces.) Stormwind took the controls and they headed for the spaceport. An air/raft swooped out of a side alley and gave chase! Stormwind tried some evasive manoeuvres to lose the pursuer; it didn’t work and they closed up to short range. A flurry of shots was exchanged, leaving Stormwind’s air/raft badly damaged. Julia used her captured autopistol to keep the enemy air/raft at bay, most of the shots missed. Finally, with the spaceport in sight, a lucky shot from the pursuers hit the power plant of the air/raft and Stormwind had to pilot it to a crash landing inside the spaceport. There was enough reserve power to limp to where the “No Strings Attached” was docked, they boarded in a hurry and headed out of the system towards the jump point.

            Julia settled Trobb in a stateroom; then she and Stormwind took stock of the situation. The air/raft was badly damaged and needed extensive repairs. Obviously someone was after Trobb, and all the evidence they had pointed to something going on in the Corinth system. They decided to stick with the original plan.