...(continuing from Firekkan Plot 2)

When you go to Border Worlds trying to get leech technology, they basically tell you, if you were a nation state or race, they might consider some type of negotiation; but you’re nobody, so get lost. So you ask them, “How about a religion? Would you negotiate with a religion, such as the Retros?”

Now you got their attention! They wonder how much you know, and who you’re really working for... Finally they confess that the retros staged a massive attack on one of their research facilities, and managed to get away with two caernavens, both of which had leech missile prototypes. They now ask if you have any information as to these ships whereabouts, or whether the retros managed to duplicate their technologies. You tell them that all you know is that Hunter Toth was kidnapped by retros who disabled his ship’s systems, using “some kind of missile”...

They say this is a most embarrasing situation for them, which they were aware of. Not only in terms of their possibly being suspected of cooperation with such criminals, but also in terms of their wanting to keep their possession of leech technology secret. They’ve been trying to get information about where the retros might be keeping these ships. Their sources place Hunter Toth and the ships at some secret Retro base somewhere in the Fariss quadrant, in Gemini. But even if they found out their exact location, they are not sure how they could possibly bring a fleet there without being noticed by the Confeds. They say that, since that incident, they have installed self-destruct devices on all their ships, as a last resort safeguard against their being captured or stolen, and deeply regret not having done so earlier.

But since you’re here, and you’re a privateer well known for your impeccable record of success, might as well talk business: They’d be willing to share with you their leech technology, if you manage to find and recover those ships and their missiles. They say that Confeds are looking for Hunter Toth; and that it is imperative, if their lost ships might be anywhere near where Hunter Toth is being held, that you get there before the Confeds do. Naturally, Confed investigators looking for Toth are working out of Perry.

There’s only one problem, you say: If the ships are armed with leech missiles, you’ll presumably need some kind of “anti-leech” technology, to be able to approach them...

They say there’s no such thing as “anti-leech” technology. Best way to avoid being hit by a leech missile fired from a ship, they boast, is to hit that ship with a leech missile first. Grudgingly they admit they had better supply you with leech missiles for this operation. But they insist they must install self-destruct devices on your ships, just in case any gets captured.

Finally they ask what else you need. You say you cannot tractor the ships. They agree to provide you with two assault shuttles full of marines. Then you mention that the secret base is the retro’s base of operations, and that it is well defended, so not to take success for granted. They say the mission MUST succeed, and decide to lend you five Rapier escorts with elite pilots, to fill-out your carrier space.

(continued in Gemini Plot 2)...

...(returning from Gemini Plot 2)

The caernavens are slow, but they got tons of firepower. The trip to BW should be pretty easy, therefore. The Border Worlds officials are very happy. They give us 20 leech missiles, which, at 50,000 credits cost, is worth a million. And they say we can come back there any time to buy more, though they say, they really hope we will use them with utmost discretion and moderation. Obviously, their idea of “sharing their technology” with us was just making their end products available. Still, not a bad deal. And if you save some of those leech missiles till Part D, you’ll eventually have your own research station, where you can have them reverse-engineered.

(return to Firekkan Plot 2) ...

Spiritplumber wrote:

Okay, there’s one snag though – in Armada and WC3, Confed has Leeches. WC4, Confed and BW have Leeches, but only BW has leech guns... might want to change it to that.

Chuck_starchaser wrote:

Alright. Thanks Spirit! I’ll ch... Ooops! But I think the bar rumor said it was some kind of missile they threw at hunter toth... Damn! Gotta check that out... Damn!