The kuiper belt occupies a huge volume of space surrounding the solar system, huge areas have never been explored. Due to the solar systems mechanics John was in one such area now. The ice was in good supply and he was filling his
U-hauls rapidly.
An alarm souded "unexpected item in the capture tray", "Damn rocks" thought john as he donned his space suit to clear the blockage.
As he entered space to free the tray he was surprised nay shocked to see a silvered pod shaped object 10 foot and 3 foot wide. WTF says he "hmm looks like some sort of escape pod.
Wahhay a salvage bounty he thought as he dragged it through the cargo airlock. Inside he had a closer look. The silvered metallic outside was unfamilliar to him as was the strange script
covering the outside. he could see nothing to indicate how to open the pod on the outside, strange he thought. He took a 3d image of the pod intendig to send it to Jupiter base to see if they could identify which ship the pod was from
and claim the bounty. not suspecting anything he sent it on open channel for all in range to pick up. He returned to searching for ice and back to his routine. His long rang scanners picked up a ship heading for him and soon several more ships were on scan.
he hailed them trying to find out why they were coming his way in the sparsely populated area of space, these were ignored. John's havkles began to rise and he felt a hollow in the pit of his stomach. He undertook a more detailed scan of space and felt sick
as the results came through. Raiders, were targetting him, After his bounty, not bloody likely he thought and immediately set fastest course to jupiter base. It takes while for speed to build up in a loaded freighter each minute bringing them closer. because of the laws of inertia
John was able to get a strt on the raiders as he coul set the optimum course for jupiter as he was stationary when he set course, the raiders wer at high thrust and would take time to alter course. Detecting his course change some of the raiders now identified as members of the
Rat from Downunder crew. The Rats were an infamous gang of pirating bastards known fo hijacking cargoes. The missiles had little chance of finding their target due to the huge distance involved but did serve notice of their hostile intent. John was now bricking it as they had launched
missiles and were seriously after him in his freighter armed only with collision avoidance lasers. It seemed the raiders were really after him as they manoeuvered in hi gee to get him. John did not panic ... yet as a product of a mining family he was familiar with raiders and their
he pushed his engines to 2G acceleration and was still out distancing the raiders. He sent a distress signal out hoping the security forces may be somewhere close to help him. But no res[once however, he did get a responce from the raiders
"John Smith turn off your engines and drop the capsule you found and you may proceed to dock. Our Partners the great valeron wish to examine it, dump it to space with a transponder and we will let you go.

can't wait to get the next part

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in teh game I make, the flying and acceleration are the same as in freelancer, no real innertia to it, I can though do that to particular ships like cargos, mining ships and battle ships

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each ship can have it's own accelerartion, turn speed, max speed

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change as you need it can be modified to fit

John had no intention of dropping his hard won loot and continued on his course at a 2G acceleration. 2G doesn't sound much but it takes its toll on a space farers body. Imagine you weighed 80 Kg on earth, at 2G you will feel you weigh 160 Kg.
Twice your weight, John was used to living at 0.5 G or less so the stress was worse. The Gforce was alleviated by his multi purpose space suit. Unlike the buljy space suits of old this was Form fitting and had fibres in the fabric that gave support.
Mix with the suits electronics these fibres squeezed his body to help maintain blood flow and consciousness automatically, combine it with certain drugs and Hi G can be tolerated for a week or more. The downside was it took several weeks at a more normal gravity
for your body to recover. Internal damage to muscles, liver damage for the chemicals, vision and headaches as your eyes and brain recover.
The raiders had turned and were in dirct pusuit, Luckily no more missiles had been launched. The raiders were accelarting at 2.1 G so on a long chase they would catch up. John felt so alone at the moment in the vastness of space. This chase could last for several
weeks before he was overhauled and foced to lose his cargo. The more he thought about this the angrier he became, A once in a lifetime find worth an obiosly life changing sum of money about to be stolen by those fucking rats from downunder but what could he do?
He checjed the scan t see his progress and to his horror a much larger ship had joined his pursuers. Scanners identified it as a Valeron ship by its exhaust spectrum and this was significantly faster than the pirates hittng 3G. This reduced the chase to dyas now and was
worrying to see A hostile Valeron cruiser in Sol space so openly. worse still missiles were being launched. These accelerated even faster and would catch up in hours. Shit thought John what next? He decided to try an old spacer trick.
He dropped one of his Ice XV balls into space with a huge long burn flare attached, Repeating it every hour for 6 hours. He hoped the flares would confuse the missiles and act as decoys. It worked the missiles trgetted the decoys and
bright flashes of light were seen on his viewscreen. He'd successfully avoided destruction, however the pursuit was still on.
His comm unit began to flash indicating a closed channel message being broacast to him. He turned on the comms to be greeted by "If you want to survive get to these co-ordinates" and nothing else. Was this another ruse by the Rats to lure him into a trap or was it an offer of help?
John had no clue so didn't react at first, but after an hour or two thought what the hell if it more rats I'm just being caught quicker but if its genuine help I could get away. He altered course to hit the new coordinates. The posse following doing the same as soon as they detected
the course change.
It was six hours to the rendezvous so John started his decelleration. It was shit or bust if this was a trap he was nailed as his pusuers would close in faster. Finally he was in scanning range of the co-ordinates but nothing showed on his screens. Maybe whoever it was hailing him was
also decellerating, so he ran a 360 degree scan but found no ships only his pursuers on screen. By now Johns speed was too low to make any significant escape from his chasers so he came to a dead halt. Accepting he was at best being robbed of a huge bounty and at worst kiled.
So much I wanted to do he thought. Just then a large ship appeared of his bow. Wtf saud John it just came from nowhere. Over the comms came a command Dock your ship in the cargo hold and leave the ice. beggars cant be choosers thought John and manoeuvred into the cargo dock. Hatches closed
and the bay was pressurised. out side his ship were a docking crew securing his ship and two other people waiting. John Exited his ship and the two people came forward to meet him.
"Welcome aboard the scientific explorer ship Veronica my name is Dr Patrick Thistle and this is Dr Selina Crow, we both work at the jovian institute for Science and Engineering on Ganymede. We are very interested in seeing your artifact, but first lets deal with your pursuit. If you'd follow me to the bridge."
A bemused John followed the two Doctors to the bridge where on a large viewing screen he could see the scan of space showing his pusuers probably 30 minutes away. The Valeron cruiser huge on the screen. Shit thought john we will never escape them. Dr patrick calmly said target home base and ready to leave in 20 seconds.
John exclaimed how the hell do you think you'll get away from them, they have the inertia and are carrying speed so they will catch us in minutes said John. Serina smiled and said watch. 3.2.1 the countdown went, suddenly john felt a little light headed and watching the screens saw the cruiser diminish to a dot and disappear
fom view in a second. Confused he looked at Serina and patrick who were grinning like a cheshire cat. Our ship is fitted with the latest fusion engines and an inertia damping field that reduces the effects of inertia by a factor of hhmm
well we are not sure exactly yet as this is our prototype ship and we are on a shake down cruise.

woot

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can't wait to get the follow up of this story

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Holy Cow! That is some great stuff Sev!

"We have achieved 1000G accleration for a limited time but weird things begin to happen as we approach the speed of light so we limit ourselves to 100 G in the solar system. Theoretically we could travel to nearby stars in months ship time but years would pass outside due to relativty. Its not a star drive for that we still
use the Tauron Ghashkie drive. The same as every other being we know about in space. The origin of the 'TG' star drive is unknown but thought to be linked to near mythical Ziraxians". "That brings us to the reason we contacted you" said Dr Crow. "the image of the object you found shows some characters that are similar or
identical to what we know of the Ziraxians". "Ziraxians Hmm never heard of them" said John. Dr Crow then explained We believe the Ziraxians are one of the oldest civilzations in the universe Not just the Milky Way our galaxy. We believe they came into existence before or close to the time the fisrst stars coallesced.
Making them billions of old. Evidence of their existence is hard to find and much is derived from extinct civilisations we have found. We would like to return to our base on Ganymede to examine the artifact if its okay with you. Fine said John but do you think its worth something asked John, Dr's Crow and Thistle gave
him an look of astonishment and said its priceless in terms of knowledge and understanding and could be sold for trillions of dollars to any of the known civilisations human or otherwise. "sheet" said John thinking of the life he could have when he sold the artifact. We will be docking at out base in a few minutes said Dr thistle.

John had enjoyed a meal of real vegetables in the commissary and was exploring the base whilst the Scientists were clambering all over the pod he found scanning, x-raying and 3D mapping the objects surface. 23 hours later he was called to the docjing bay by the excited sounding 2 doctors. We think its an escape pod from a
Ziraxian ship explained Dr Crow. See the Scorch marks here she said. But the best we found is more writing on the surface which seems to read Sunchaser pod 3. Just her this indentation appears to be some sort of control. Would you like to try it said Patrick. Wow thought John I could be the first living being to
touch this pod in billions of years. He cautiously placed his hand on the indentation, it felt warm and smooth Suddenly it seemed to close around his hand. The scientists observing heard a low humming and saw a golden shimmer surround John and he was gone. John saw none of this he felt a tingling seem to spread from
his contact with the ship spread over his body and then he was inside a spaceship suspended in what felt like a formfitting seat but he could see nothing hoLding him up. An actinic blue light shone over him and seemed to scan him.
A voice spoke out "What are you doing on the space pod zarvid 3 intruder"? "let me out cried John feeling like he'd just shit a brick sweat pouring off him. Identify yourself amd your home system asked the voice. John Smith of the solar system replied john. Scanning came a reply. Whilst this was going on the Scientists were
prodding and poking the outside trying to understand what they saw and where had John gone to? Understanding is achieved said the voice to John small primitive civilisation on the outskirts of galaxy known as the milky way colloquially.
who am I speaking to asked John. Zarvid 3 pod brain came the reply, Where am I asked John Inside came the reply. How? asked John Entry port was stimulated and you were brought aboard. But no door opened protested john feeling more relaxed but very confused. I Activated the Xar field and brought you aboard said the ship.
But why replied John, to discover who had made contact with me after so long came the reply. How is it possible in such a small pod asked john. I control the visualisation of the pod into the outside but most of me is shifted into alternate dimensions stated the voice of the pod. What now? John asked. I need to report to
Zirax said the pod. And how am I expected to do this John asked. I will bond with you and allow you to access the ships controls said the pod. John felt a sharp pain behind his right ear. I have placed the shom qar on your head. This will allow you to speak and direct me to the place you need to go, Said the voice now sounding
if it was directly in his head. Can i look around asked John. He was lowered gently to the floor and looked around. A gentle blue glow lit the ships interior. He appeared to be in a small room about 3 metres square. smooth surfaces everywhere and no visible controls. John walked about and asked how am i to control the ship he asked
You cant said the voice you need to ask me and i will perform the necessary actions. Can I see outside? he asked. A screen formed im front of him and showed the panicking scientists outside the pod scrambling about using lasers drills to try enter the pod. Why can't they get in asked John. The outer shell is impereable replied Zarvid.
John was gobsmacked at what this smallship could do. "Can you do Anything else" asked John. Can you for instance change the size outside. Sure said Zarvid, The smallest current configuration is 15 x 30 X 20 cm. Hmm about the size of my communicator box on my ship thought John cool. And the largest about 133 x 30 x 30 metres said Zarvid,
Do you wish me to change size? I think I should rejoin them outside now said John, they'll be getting worried. Do not forget you kay Talk directly to me start any sentence with Zarvid and I will hear you. Blink and there I was stood outside with the scientists still buzzing around. What happened asked Serina and Patrick together.
John proceded to explain it was a fully automated escape pod and a little of waht he'd seen inside. Feeling the need to keep some things quiet. He was questioned by the scientists fo over an hour when he finally said I need a break now. some food and a nap would be great. Serina showed him to the mess and gave directions to his cabin.
John awoke after sleeping fo 8 hours, had a shower and a snack at the mess hall before returning to the hod where the scientists were still probing the ship. We have;t been abble to scratch or probe the pod they explained. We would love to know whats inside and something about how it works after such a huge timescale said one of the scientists.
I have a sort of key said John I may be able to arrange that.
Just at that moment A klaxon went off sounding an alarm. WTF said Patrick lets find out whats going on. They rushed to the control room and the communicator began to spout This is subfleet 7 of the Earth federation Navy We understand you have an artifact that is of military interest, By Order of the federation you are to surrender it to us
immediately on Docking. We are an independednt Science station operating within federation rules independently, the federation Navy has no jurisdiction here. My orders are to secure the artifact for assessment by the authorities by special order of the admiral. I am to use whatever means necessary to achive this stated the captain.
Oh fuck said John What now. Patrick and Serina looked at each other and said we need to get you out of here and to another system. Some fellow scientists we know may be able to make more of our findings. How said John. We can use our ship to take you to jupiter and you will have to go by starship to the Aldebaran system and make your way to
a scientist called Dr Farrel. The aldebaran system. We will contact him and tell him to expect you. The Aldebaran system is within the freesapce sector run by mercenaries and merchants so be careful who you trust and speak to. You have 1 minute to respond came through the speakers then we will launch the marines to force ewntry and remove
the artifact by force. Lets move it said Patrick Load the pod back into the tes ship he called quickly. Serina Patrick and John boarded the ship and un docked. Immediately they hit the new drive and to all purposes disappeared from view of the lotilla surrounding the base. Within minutes they were appoaching the docjing rings of Jupiter space port.
John said to the scientists I have a surprise for you the ship can change size so will be able to carry it with me, astonished they both looked at me angrily and said why didn't you tell us this before. For precisely the reason when we were on your base, someone must have contacted the navy for them to get there so fast. True said Patrick. You should
leave and get out of the ssytem as soon as possible. Formalities completed John let the ship carrying a backpack with the now reduced size pod qith him. He made stright to a credit kiosk and loaded a credit chit wwith his full balance. Made sure all his documents were in order and went to book a starship to aldebarran. The next on was leaving in 8 hours
so john booked into a cheap hotel to wait out the time.
Star flight relied on different principles to the normal space drive, they relied on a network of jumpholes that had been discovered not long after the Taurons gave us th space drive. These holes allowes the spread of humans about space and lead to different alainces or governmental systems to operate in human space. Some were free others authoritarian
and every flavour in between. They all operated alone and were fiercely independent of Earth. Minr space abtles having been fought on all sides to maintain that independence, alliances formed and reformed as the situation changed. To all intents and purpose thy acted as indpendednt systems.
John boarded the waiting starship and went to his assigned cabin and fell onto his bunk feeling relaxed. The huge ship capable of carrying up to 1000 passengers and a lot of carrgo hit the jumpgate and he was on his way to Aldebaran leaving Sol fr the first time

yet more John stuff

coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooollll!!!
Now I got work to do to get this working

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Needs some more space fighting and shits, trading, looting dead ships, mining, flying, n stuff

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Very cool Sev!

hey sev, where is the story going? I want to know more so I can add the required code from the start, makes it easier to code

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