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Description

Computer, open ship’s log, new entry.

Earth Relative Date, October 27th, 2223. Ten days outbound from New Tokyo Station. Inbound Musk Station. All systems are optimal, cargo heavy, fuel at 64 percent. Preparing to start terminal deceleration. Looking forward to a real bed at Musk. At least one without stains of questionable origin.

Computer. Personal Log. New Entry.

Saw a holo in the ship’s collection, one of the new one’s Kimber was able to score. It was an action thriller about space pirates. They had the pirates using a breaching pod to enter a cargo shuttle, guns blazing, explosions, the crew of the cargo shuttle battling them.

Complete bullshit.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of pirates around. The major cartels were largely broken up back during the so-called ‘Merchant War’, but they’re still out there. They just don’t stage a lot of offensive boardings anymore. Most commercial ships now have counter-measure systems in place. If somebody tries to board using a breaching pod or Corvus Bridge they’re likely to run into a flechette mine or some guy in a battle suit. This is all provided they can maneuver the garbage ship they probably have. One of the first things they teach you in pilot training is how to evasively jink your ship around to avoid being boarded.

Mind you, there is a LOT they don’t teach you in most pilot training programs. Probably why so many ships still go ‘missing’. According to Guild research, the average life expectancy for most new pilots is still only three years.

Let Cap’n Malley teach you a little about space piracy. I’ve been there. I was there for that shitshow they called the ‘Merchant War’. I’ve been there when the Guild requests we follow up on a missing ship report.

Most piracy is an inside job. It’s usually some crew member or passenger who was not properly screened. It can also be some ignorant pilot sitting at a Free Trade saloon practically handing over his cargo manifest and flight plan to some pretty face he just met.

Don’t get me wrong. If you’re coming off a two- or three-week haul and you were not fortunate enough to have entertaining company for the trip, well, a drink and a new companion looks pretty good. I’ve been there, I know how that goes.

Be smart, you walk into some sleaze establishment and a pretty face comes up to you, don’t even tell them what ship you’re on. Better yet, if you’re a crew member on a corporate ship, change out of your freaking uniform. Don’t walk around broadcasting, you’re a mark to be had. There are professionals who make money tracking ships that way, don’t help them.

Then you might get the pretty young lady or shiny young man who has too many questions. They want to know if you have any stories to tell, any adventures to share. Somewhere during the conversation, they will casually ask about your ship, cargo, flight plans or security arrangements. This is particularly true in Free Trade locations.

The same thing can happen at a Corporate Station or an Affiliated Colony, but the pirates don’t usually hang around space where they might encounter an authority gunboat.

Just be wise, don’t let your hormones take over for times when you need your brain. Get to know the places you chose to hangout, talk to the bartenders. Most establishments don’t want to be known as security risks.

If you don’t want to end up walking out an airlock without a pressure suit, be smart.

Description

Computer, open ship’s log, new entry.

Earth Relative Date, October 27th, 2223. Ten days outbound from New Tokyo Station. Inbound Musk Station. All systems are optimal, cargo heavy, fuel at 64 percent. Preparing to start terminal deceleration. Looking forward to a real bed at Musk. At least one without stains of questionable origin.

Computer. Personal Log. New Entry.

Saw a holo in the ship’s collection, one of the new one’s Kimber was able to score. It was an action thriller about space pirates. They had the pirates using a breaching pod to enter a cargo shuttle, guns blazing, explosions, the crew of the cargo shuttle battling them.

Complete bullshit.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of pirates around. The major cartels were largely broken up back during the so-called ‘Merchant War’, but they’re still out there. They just don’t stage a lot of offensive boardings anymore. Most commercial ships now have counter-measure systems in place. If somebody tries to board using a breaching pod or Corvus Bridge they’re likely to run into a flechette mine or some guy in a battle suit. This is all provided they can maneuver the garbage ship they probably have. One of the first things they teach you in pilot training is how to evasively jink your ship around to avoid being boarded.

Mind you, there is a LOT they don’t teach you in most pilot training programs. Probably why so many ships still go ‘missing’. According to Guild research, the average life expectancy for most new pilots is still only three years.

Let Cap’n Malley teach you a little about space piracy. I’ve been there. I was there for that shitshow they called the ‘Merchant War’. I’ve been there when the Guild requests we follow up on a missing ship report.

Most piracy is an inside job. It’s usually some crew member or passenger who was not properly screened. It can also be some ignorant pilot sitting at a Free Trade saloon practically handing over his cargo manifest and flight plan to some pretty face he just met.

Don’t get me wrong. If you’re coming off a two- or three-week haul and you were not fortunate enough to have entertaining company for the trip, well, a drink and a new companion looks pretty good. I’ve been there, I know how that goes.

Be smart, you walk into some sleaze establishment and a pretty face comes up to you, don’t even tell them what ship you’re on. Better yet, if you’re a crew member on a corporate ship, change out of your freaking uniform. Don’t walk around broadcasting, you’re a mark to be had. There are professionals who make money tracking ships that way, don’t help them.

Then you might get the pretty young lady or shiny young man who has too many questions. They want to know if you have any stories to tell, any adventures to share. Somewhere during the conversation, they will casually ask about your ship, cargo, flight plans or security arrangements. This is particularly true in Free Trade locations.

The same thing can happen at a Corporate Station or an Affiliated Colony, but the pirates don’t usually hang around space where they might encounter an authority gunboat.

Just be wise, don’t let your hormones take over for times when you need your brain. Get to know the places you chose to hangout, talk to the bartenders. Most establishments don’t want to be known as security risks.

If you don’t want to end up walking out an airlock without a pressure suit, be smart.