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Jacked

Author
Nexus Day
Lustrevik Trade and Travel Bureau
#1 - 2012-08-08 04:04:22 UTC
Slade threw his jacket on the couch, and smiled while recollecting the nights events. He ran through all the desperate plees for mercy he had received from the capsuleers he had encountered that night. But there was no mercy coming, only their inevitable re-awakening at a clone bank in some far away station. There was that one though. He had hijacked a Plex from him and yet no pleas, no anger, just silence.. No matter, he now had the isk to renew his license.

But what to do tonight? Most nights he would sit for hours in front of the holo screen, hoping to see his likeness and his current bounty. The same images constantly rolled past, an Incursion here a loss of territory there. Yet he never seemed to get bored.

Tonight he decided he would admire his ship, the Twisted Twister. One volley from his Tornado was all that was needed to end most engagements, especially when they did not expect it. Tonight he inspected his ship to confirm that she had not received a scratch. Then it happened.

A smooth female voice filled the room. "You have a visitor", it stated in a calm yet matter of fact way. "A visitor?", Slade thought.

Curious Slade turned to the main room of his Captain's Quarters. It was at that point that he realized he had never ventured outside of his Quarters no matter what station he was docked at. He knew there was a whole support system for the station, he could see the lights of rooms that must be occupied by countless thousands, yet he had never ventured outside. Sure he had communicated with others using comms but not once had he met someone. Until now.

Seated on the couch where his jacket used to be was a man in a buttoned down military jacket sporting a monocle. The man displayed a calm demeanor as he turned to face Slade.

"Can I help you?" said Slade, feeling it quite odd to speak to someone right in front of him.

"Yes you can " replied the stranger. "And you will".

Slade would have liked to sat down but his choices were limited to the bed or right next to the man on the small couch. Instead he chose to stand.

"What do you mean?"

"My name is Professor Spector"

The name sounded familiar to Slade. Ah yes, the calm pilot he had taken the Plex from earlier in the night.

"Is this about the Plex?" Slade asked quizically. He felt uncomfortable and immediately wished he was back in his ship.

"Yes...and no. In a way it is about so much more", replied the Professor. "I am not the only one you have stolen from", he went on. "But that is not what this is about. This is about principle".

Slade moved closer to the coffee table where the hologram of his ship hovered over its surface. "Principle? What principle?"

"I imagine you know very little about them", said the Professor with a smile. The smile made Slade so uncomfortable that all he could imagine was escaping this room and heading back into space. Slade lunged for the holo image knowing that if he could just touch it he would be transported to the safety of his ship.

But there was no warm, electric sensation as his grasp met only air. The holo image of the Tornado was gone.

"Who are you? What are you!" Slade's voice had increased in pitch and volume as he stumbled back.

"I am Professor Spector", said the man maintaining his smile. "What I am not is one of your hapless victims".

Nexus Day
Lustrevik Trade and Travel Bureau
#2 - 2012-08-08 04:04:54 UTC
With that the Professor rose. He was slight and bald yet still somewhat menacing. Still Slade thought that with the right training module he could subdue the man. But he had never even seen one despite the presence of space marines, so instead just stood staring, half in-half out of the holoscreen.

"You have quite a record Slade. So many kills, so few deaths. Why is that? Skill? I am sure you have some, but your greatest skill seems to be picking out weaker targets. New pilots, undefended merchants, heavily damaged ships returning from missions. Lambs to the slaughter".

The Professor continued as he paced the room, "Your second greatest skill seems to be the ability to escape from encounters with equal or greater pilots. If one looked closely enough they might determine that despite all your kills you are never looking for a fight."

"What of it', retorted Slade. "Every capsuleer is allowed to fly on their own terms. There are no rules beyond those dictated by Concord, and i play within those rules."

"Ah yes, your third greatest skill", chuckled the Professor.

Slade felt a heat he had never experienced before. "Listen, tonight I won and you lost. What was yours is now mine. Consider the Plex the cost of a lesson. The lesson being never fly, or transport something you cannot afford to lose!". "Oh, if only we were out in space", thought Slade.

"It is not about the Plex", replied the Professor as he adjusted his monocle, "It is about the principle. Or should I say your principles. And mine. I for one do not like bullies." The Professor was now facing away from Slade towards the bay where a Tornado used to reside.

"As for the Plex, I have already taken that back. You can see for yourself".

Slade half walked, half ran to the console. He checked and found it empty. But there was more.

"My hangar is empty", yelled Slade. "Everything is gone

"Not all gone, all mine." This time Slade could imagine the Professor's smile.

Slade was losing control, "What is happening!" he screamed inside his head.

"You can have my bounty. Just leave! Leave me be!" shouted Slade as fear enveloped him.

"Oh I will have your bounty, and so much more." With that statement the Professor began to laugh.

Enraged Slade lunged at the Professor. But just as fast as he had made the Tornado disappear the Professor had turned to face Slade. He did not try to evade Slade. Rather he opened his arms to embrace the crazed pilot.

Clutching Slade close the Professor whispered softly in his ear, "I am going to take it all".

For a brief second Slade perceived a strange alien world beyond, of flashes and pulses. And then he was gone