They call us Rootless because we have no planet to call our own, it makes us hard to pin down. It also makes it hard for us to get supplies, we have to trade or find a way to cultivate nutrients in space. We are down to our last several weeks of food left and I can feel the wolves circling us, a transmission from an Ember Maw captain offered us 'protection' for a toll we can't pay, and a 'recruiter' from the Sable Chain offered food in exchange for 'long-term service contracts.' I've seen their help. We'd be slaves or scrap. We must leave Syndicate space but we only have enough energy to get maybe near one of the Independent systems, not that one of the corporations would be any better.
“Get me some Navigational Charts!”, I shout to my shipmates, “There must be a way through that will allow us to escape unscathed!...”
“But we’ve been through them all, the only way we can get all 6 ships through is by abandoning some of the slower ships, or by making a deal with the Syndicate.” says Kraen
“Well I’m not abandoning anyone! And I’m not making any deals with the Syndicate!” I take a moment assessing the amount of people, the number of ships, the amount of fuel. “We can consolidate! Get everyone onto our largest ship, bring our food and fuel. It will be cramped and we’d need to be very deliberate with our movements, but we could make it to Kaelen’s Folly.”
Everyone agrees to the plan, we move aboard the Tide-Kin ship, the Unbroken Thread, and I assume my role as Drift-Clan Leader. I know what needs to be done and what we all will do to maintain our freedom. We very quickly need to depart for our emigration to Kaelen’s Folly. It will take us 3 days of travel and we have only 3 days of fuel left. We must not allow for distractions and detours. Our Tide Kin navigators begin their rituals and the ship begins its trip.
I watch as our navigators take us along our path and we watch as the ships we left behind get claimed by the Syndicate. I assume they will search the ships for any scrap that could be of value, and then repurpose them for their own twisted ends. The night almost passes by when a ruckus breaks out in the mess hall, two members of the fleet are about to come to blows when I arrive in the room. “What is going on here?” I stand between the two of them with my arms spread wide to keep them apart.
“He’s taking more food than he is allowed! We have kids starving and he thinks he can just get seconds!” said Grol.
“That isn't true, I was grabbing food for my wife back in the hallway! She can't move as easily and so I need to help her.” Replied Zella.
“Food doesn't leave the mess hall! And everyone needs to get their own food! I’m sorry, but this will prevent any future misunderstandings! If you have any special consideration please see me about it and don't take matters into your own hands.” I say clearly to everyone in the mess hall. The faces around me look back at me with silent frustration. I understand their feelings, but this is our reality for the next several days until we can get to independent space.
I attempt to get some sleep but that seems less likely, I return to my room and hear the vultures howling through the radio. Offering food for people, as if that is a transaction that can be made. I nearly shut my eyes when I hear the sound of someone running through the corridors as it gets close to my room. I don't open my eyes but I hear them breathing heavily “What is it?” I ask plainly.
“Umm tensions are getting a bit high. There is currently a fight on the bridge, with some of the civilians trying to take control of the ship.” he says non-chalantly as I wake up and charge into the bridge. It takes me about 30 seconds but then I see the scene, Grol has taken a pistol and is attempting to hold the crew hostage.
“Whats the plan here Grol?” I slowly walk between his pistol and its target. “Kill us and take this ship? What’s going to happen with all those families that just want to get somewhere safe?” I see him contemplate it momentarily
“So our option is to slowly starve to death or enslavement?” He holds the pistol with both hands trying to convince himself.
“We will make it through this, just like we have through everything. Do you think any of us will let that happen? We are the Fold! We fight like hell when we’re left with no way out!” I shout back at him and wait for his glance to shift away momentarily. Before grabbing the gun and prying it from his grip.
He just drops to his knees, and begins crying as security comes to detain him. I wave them off. “Grol, the only way we can make it through this is together. I need you on our side.” I stand him up and walk him to the doorway, handing him his pistol back and sending him on his way back down the corridor.
As I head back to my quarters my vision begins spinning, I grab my head and put my other hand on the wall to hold myself steady. The sensation lasted for only 10 seconds but it was as if I had been physically struck. I stumble back into my room and lay down letting the dizziness fade before sleep takes me.
I wake the next day to find that things seem to have calmed down from the day prior, walking into the bridge I see everyone’s faces filled with jubilation. When I hear the announcement through the radio, the Fold had joined into the Pact which was now formalized into a full faction. We attempt to send out a signal, but we can see the Syndicate blocking radio signals from going out.
Nothing we can do except continue forward and hope that we can make it to independent space. The next day passes by without issue and our supplies are maintaining at the current use, we will be able to make it to safety. But then another sound comes in through the sound of a request for rescue, it only came through on text but I read it aloud for everyone on the bridge.
Calling any who will help, our ship has lost its primary propulsion and we are drifting alone. I have my family and we are stuck between the Aphistor and Melagon systems. Please help us however you can. Please.
Immediately the arguments break out, and word spreads through the ship. I give every one an option to discuss their views and two camps form, Ignore the call and proceed on the course to make it to safety, or help them and salvage what we can from the ship potentially putting us out of the range where we can get to safety. I wait for everyone to speak before I make the final decision.
“We’re going to put everyone in danger! For what? Some strangers that never did anything for us?” says Kraen.
Grol speaks up in agreement, “This reeks of a trap, who would say the syndicate wouldn't try to trick us to run out of fuel.”
“Maybe, but what if it's not, they could have fuel! That could bring us out ahead!” said Sila, our navigator.
“And what if there really is someone in danger, children? Are you going to let them starve to death in the void?” Spoke Zorra, meekly from the corner.
“Whatever I decide, we will be in agreement.” I look across the common room to everyone making sure to get a nod of confirmation. “We will… save them.” I hear groans amongst the people on board. “Oy! Where would any of us be if the Fold ignored our call? We don't leave anyone to the wolves!” With this, the general consensus shifted to a begrudging acceptance.
Its several hours off course but we find the ship, and it appears to be in the middle of a boarding by one of the syndicates. We fire a few shots off their starboard side and we see their ship immediately disengage, even as weak as we are we still can keep the syndicate at bay. We get close enough and see that unfortunately. The husband had taken a plasma bolt nearly bleeding to death, while his wife, clearly pregnant, was holding a blaster and guarding herself in the corner.
Bringing the man to our clinic and healing him up, his wife introduces them as Lithayra and Threxorn. They were running from the ascendancy after finding out they were having a strand sensitive child. We collected the two, but unfortunately they can't add any fuel to our stocks, we will run out.
I head back to my quarters before breaking the news to the crew, and then I hear the vultures crowing again. Offers of fuel for Service… If this is what needs to be done, then I will make sure that everyone makes it to safety, even if I cant bring them there myself. I take the call, “Send over 2 days of fuel and I will provide you with a service contract”
Several long moments went by until I heard back. “Its a deal… We will bring over a contract with the fuel”
“Make sure it's just that, cause we may not have a way to move, but you can guarantee we won't go down quietly.” I bark into the receiver. Making sure they understand the intent behind my words.
“...Understood” The voice replies back.
I head to Kraen “Bring Grol and anyone else who can hold a blaster down to the docking bay.”
Suddenly Sila speaks up “Transport ship deployed from a Sable Chain ship! Do we fire?”
“Negative!” I shout so everyone hears me “I told you all you would make it through this! Now you will, and nobody important needs to be lost…” I head off before anyone can ask questions.
When I reach the docking bay, I see Grol and two others holding their pistols, joined by Krael wielding his rifle. “Now, no one is to fire upon the ship unless the fire first! Understood?” They stand in silence, unresponsive. “Is that understood?” I hear grunts affirming me.
The ship lands as I stand between my men and the ship, the door hisses open and I shout towards the ship “You have the fuel?!”
“Yes, bring us the indenture and we will proceed with the transaction.” I look at Krael as the realization dawns on him.
“You need to make sure everyone gets to safety! Grol, grab this fuel. Get it to the engine room!” They stand there frozen. “Oy! You heard me!” I walk towards the ship and grab the indenture contract. I don’t even read through it. I just sign on the line and pull the fuel out of the back of the ship myself. I will not let them feel pity or shame, I do not regret this decision. We were given a choice and I will never abandon my principals.
I wait for Krael to verify the fuel before setting foot on the ship. This was not for nothing, we made it through. Even if I can’t be there with them.
