R.I.P enterprise / RIPENT

R.I.P enterprise started in a rundown bar in old Brooklyn good ol´ New York by Christo Ball, aka ChrizBB. ChrizBB had the misfortune of being let go due to his employing firm financial troubles. After getting sacked, he spent his spare time in a local bar called “Only a buck”. Known for not being clean or having fantastic clientele, but for cheap drinks. At this shady place, he saw that some of the bars clients seemed to have pockets with no bottom. He just had to check that out. He followed the men to the local spaceport and found out that they had a ship called “The Rotten Route”, an old worn-out transport ship. The fact that the crew could transport goods and make a shit load of credits made ChrizBB wonder. How hard can it be? The fact that the mentioned crew was involved in some more or less legal goods-hauling or that they didn´t hesitate to slit your throat, didn´t slip his mind. No, there was only the little problem of how. More specifically, how to fund this adventure.

Later that week ChrizBB had a few drinks with his cousin Hawken Severin aka Hawk. Hawk made his living by teaching teenagers to fly shimmer craft and hoover bikes in a highly crowded mega city. If you don´t mind high level of stress to the body, mind and annoying teenagers, this is the job for you. That same evening ChrizBB told Hawk of his new enterprise plans and wondered if he’d like to join. ChrizBB had a great deal of luck, because Hawk, sick and tired of his job, accepted on the spot. The fact that Hawk think of himself as an ace pilot, and now got the chance to prove it, probably helped too. The two guys used the next three weeks looking for a ship they could afford and prepare the office they leased for it’s new role. There was only one problem left. The lack of funding was a major obstacle, and only able to afford a broken down “Aurora ES” would not be enough for those ambitious dreams they had. It looked like the only way to get enough credits was from a loan shark or by robbing a bank. Both where risky and not very tempting, so the future looked bleak.

That Friday Hawk felt thirsty and went for a drink. He thought it could be a good thing to drown his sorrows, as the dream of this new enterprise most likely would fail, so he headed over to the “Only a buck”. About halfway he was knocked over by a fellow coming out from another bar nearby. In fact, the person didn´t come walking out but was flying out. Helping yourself to drinks, behind the counter, is one of many ways to get yourself thrown out. Literally. Hawk picked himself up from the ground. Furious of being rammed, he turned around to show this stranger what he felt about the “attack”. To his surprise, he recognized the fellow. After exchanging a few words he convinced his “attacker” to join him at “Only a buck”. After a few drinks Hawk explained him their ambitious plan. Hawk was talking when ChrizBB entered the bar. ChrizBB saw the stranger, who sat next to Hawk, and that made him smile. Joining in the conversation ChrizBB explained the finer details of their plan. The stranger listened closely to the two entrepreneurs.

Cybron Wims was no stranger to them since he had known them both for many years, though it had been a while since their paths had crossed. After ChrizBB had stopped talking and the group finished their drinks, Cybron slammed his hand down on the table proclaiming “ I’m all in” . Cybron told the guys that he had left the armed forces and was looking for a job. Being an engineer specialist by trade and well-traveled in space, it was a great addition to the company. Cybron’s reason for leaving the armed forces are somewhat fuzzy at best, but there are rumors which mentions a ship explosion in the engineering department, a “Redeemer” gunship and a court-martial. Since Cybron never talked about it, few people knew the thruth and since all information is concealed in miles of bureaucratic red tape anyways, he hoped they never will.

With Cybron onboard, they solved the last hurdle. Finally they had the funds they needed for their new transport ship, not to mention the crew they needed to master it. The same Saturday the guys showed up at the ship-dealer to buy their first ship.

The fact that they didn´t know how to fly the ship and knew nothing about shipping didn´t worry them. They were ready, that was all that mattered.

Back at office ChrizBB was rocking back and forth on the chair, looking at the pile of documents on the desk. “As far as mankind have gotten we still use paper” he mumbled. He had sent the others down to the newly bought ship to see what was needed to fit the ship, leaving him with the paperwork.

There where plenty of preperations the guys hadn’t taken into account. The need of licenses for weaponry, shield tech, freight transporting aswell as a license for using the ship in the core systems. Then comes tax forms (at least a dozen or so), incurances for the ship and it’s parts, deal making for weapons and resupply. After that you got to fix the customer registry up to UEE standard. “The registry and payment systems I can fix, but that damn official papertrail gonna kill me. Do we really need to go legit?” muttered ChrizBB in frustration. ChrizBB pushed the chair away from the desk and walked over to the small cooler to get a refreshment, when the phone started to ring. “Hey, we checked out the ship and the stuff we need to resupply and fix.. You know, like medic-kit, ammo, armor, fuel, space suites, food”… ‘and beer!’, interrupted someone in the background. ‘Hey I’m talking here!’ snapped Hawk. ‘Make a list and get back here’ ChrizBB said and hung up.

Three hours past before the two guys finally turned up at the office. “What took you so long?” ChrizBB snapped. “Hey, hey, we stopped to have something to eat, okay!” Cybron responded. The two guys went over to the worn down couch and “sat” down, absolutely exhausted after their long lunch break. ChrizBB swung around facing the two. “Listen, we need more help, an errand boy. With you two working on the ship there is too much paperwork to be finished befor we can leave this planet. I can’t fix that and look for clients at the same time”. “I think I can fix that” Hawk replied. Cybron and ChrizBB exchanged some concerned looks. “I’ll make a call, back in five” Hawk said and walked out of the office. Ten minutes later, Hawk went back to the couch and said, “He’ll be here soon so just relax”. “Yeah, sure” thought Cybron, looking over at ChrizBB.

Some twenty minutes later the door came down with a bang, almost having ChrizBB falling out of his chair. Cybron, a bit nervous by nature, jumped out of the couch, crashing into Hawk and spilled both their beers onto the floor. What entered was a dude, in full spacesuit, helmet and all, with his arms in the air yelling “let’s go, let’s go!”. Hawk got up and went over to welcome this “spaceman”. “Guys, this is the solution to all our problems. Say hi to my brother”. During the fuss Cybron had moved over to ChrizBB, both standing behind the desk. “Great, another inbreed nut” Cybron mumbled getting an elbow in the side from ChrizBB. “You could’ve told us” said ChrizBB walking around the table to greet his relative. “ Hawk filled you in, right?”. “ Sure thing, I’m all good” LtHalvor replied. “Welcome to the fleet I guess” said ChrizBB smilling. “Eh, right. Welcome LtHalvor, You can start by fixing that bloody door you knocked down. Doors arn’t free you know” growled Cybron, still sulky over his spilled beer. ChrizBB had moved over to the couch and “falled” onto it, raising his arms proclaming “ Boys, the future is starting to look bright. Bright indeed”.
We where closing in on the first day in space and our new business.

So it all began.

Seeing sparks and smoke from the engine room is not necessarily a bad thing. On the other hand, if you spot your engine operator outside your ship, flying away in a rescue pod, it’ time to bail or kiss your ass goodbye.
Cybron´s first lecture on engine operation to his friends.