Far Tortuga
21-06-2004, 06:35
Kerezin system, Raumreich Oversector
It wasn’t terribly noticeable at first. A new corvette here, a foreign gunship there. The people of Kerezin didn’t pay much attention to the new ships that were coming out of hyperspeed and docking at their planets and platforms. Some of their crews seemed unnaturally tall, and all had tempers which rapidly gained them a reputation. But that was nothing new. It was common for smugglers to drift in an out of the feuding kingdoms that made up the Kerezin system.
These weren’t your run-of-the-mill smugglers however. Collectively, they were known as the Far Tortugans, or simply Tortugans. They were a varied bunch, descended from many different peoples. From the scrawny fishermen of Mahon and Kogoruhm, to the massive Skeelzanians of Solomon, all their ancestors had traveled to the Skeelzanian Frontier to seek their fortunes in ages pass. Many took up residence in the autonomous city-stations as merchants; far more turned to piracy. They took their name from the greatest of these city-stations, Far Tortuga, a hive of greed and villainy.
For months, they had been quietly filtering into Kerezin, taking unassuming jobs as guards or strong-arm men for the local lords. It wasn’t until the first Ravanos arrived that the populace really took a second glance. The massive CorpSacian cruiser carried huge amounts of firepower, and its crew loudly boasted that it could take any ship in the sector. Until, the second Ravanos arrived. Then a third, and fourth, and fifth. In the space of a week, seven cruisers were docked over the main Kerezin planet, their crews cutting a swath through local bars and unnerving the populace.
Onboard the King Tiger, first and oldest of the Ravanos at 70 years, this mattered little to the men and women seated around the vast table. Lord Janacek, the Tiger’s captain, looked at them all with interest. They went by various titles: Captain, Lord, Reaver, Admiral, but they were all pirates. The crème of Far Tortuga’s crop was represented in this room, but only Janacek truly knew why.
Crushing his cigarette in a tray, he addressed the 50-odd pirates. “Friends, comrades, and those who I have yet to meet, I thank you for coming. I’m sure your all wondering why I called you away from the Frontier to this sector. Basically, I have a business proposition.
“A few months ago, the Verniian leadership put out a call for mercenaries in their war against Valinon and New Ortega. Our friends on Solomon received the message, and passed it on to me. Since then, I have been negotiating with the Vernii for our services. Now, before you get angry at me, let me give you the terms.
“Each crewman on your ships, including you, will receive 10,000 Vernii solaris. Not much, I know. But, in addition, for every prize we take, 40% of its worth will go directly to us, to be divided amongst our crews as we see fit. 10% goes to Uncle Skeelzot back on Solomon, and the rest goes to Vernii. They only ask that we begin operations against enemy shipping immediately, and to attack targets of opportunity.”
Janacek leaned forward, and seemed to lock eyes with every captain in the room. “If our crews and ships are as good as you boast, we can get enough money from this war to set us up for the rest of our lives. I only request that you acknowledge me as Grand Admiral of the Tortguans for the duration of this conflict. I don’t want any share of your profits, only that you heed my ‘advice’ when I give it. The rest of the time, you’ll have free reign to raise hell and profits. Do we have a deal?”
Covert glances flew across the room, as the various captains held silent and rapid conversations with each other. Several minutes passed, then Captain Salvor stood. “As Captain of the cruiser Black Nova, I acknowledge you as Grand Admiral.” Midway down the table, another captain did the same. Then another, and another. In seconds, the room was filled with voices as Lord Janacek was unanimously granted the title of “Grand Admiral”.
It wasn’t terribly noticeable at first. A new corvette here, a foreign gunship there. The people of Kerezin didn’t pay much attention to the new ships that were coming out of hyperspeed and docking at their planets and platforms. Some of their crews seemed unnaturally tall, and all had tempers which rapidly gained them a reputation. But that was nothing new. It was common for smugglers to drift in an out of the feuding kingdoms that made up the Kerezin system.
These weren’t your run-of-the-mill smugglers however. Collectively, they were known as the Far Tortugans, or simply Tortugans. They were a varied bunch, descended from many different peoples. From the scrawny fishermen of Mahon and Kogoruhm, to the massive Skeelzanians of Solomon, all their ancestors had traveled to the Skeelzanian Frontier to seek their fortunes in ages pass. Many took up residence in the autonomous city-stations as merchants; far more turned to piracy. They took their name from the greatest of these city-stations, Far Tortuga, a hive of greed and villainy.
For months, they had been quietly filtering into Kerezin, taking unassuming jobs as guards or strong-arm men for the local lords. It wasn’t until the first Ravanos arrived that the populace really took a second glance. The massive CorpSacian cruiser carried huge amounts of firepower, and its crew loudly boasted that it could take any ship in the sector. Until, the second Ravanos arrived. Then a third, and fourth, and fifth. In the space of a week, seven cruisers were docked over the main Kerezin planet, their crews cutting a swath through local bars and unnerving the populace.
Onboard the King Tiger, first and oldest of the Ravanos at 70 years, this mattered little to the men and women seated around the vast table. Lord Janacek, the Tiger’s captain, looked at them all with interest. They went by various titles: Captain, Lord, Reaver, Admiral, but they were all pirates. The crème of Far Tortuga’s crop was represented in this room, but only Janacek truly knew why.
Crushing his cigarette in a tray, he addressed the 50-odd pirates. “Friends, comrades, and those who I have yet to meet, I thank you for coming. I’m sure your all wondering why I called you away from the Frontier to this sector. Basically, I have a business proposition.
“A few months ago, the Verniian leadership put out a call for mercenaries in their war against Valinon and New Ortega. Our friends on Solomon received the message, and passed it on to me. Since then, I have been negotiating with the Vernii for our services. Now, before you get angry at me, let me give you the terms.
“Each crewman on your ships, including you, will receive 10,000 Vernii solaris. Not much, I know. But, in addition, for every prize we take, 40% of its worth will go directly to us, to be divided amongst our crews as we see fit. 10% goes to Uncle Skeelzot back on Solomon, and the rest goes to Vernii. They only ask that we begin operations against enemy shipping immediately, and to attack targets of opportunity.”
Janacek leaned forward, and seemed to lock eyes with every captain in the room. “If our crews and ships are as good as you boast, we can get enough money from this war to set us up for the rest of our lives. I only request that you acknowledge me as Grand Admiral of the Tortguans for the duration of this conflict. I don’t want any share of your profits, only that you heed my ‘advice’ when I give it. The rest of the time, you’ll have free reign to raise hell and profits. Do we have a deal?”
Covert glances flew across the room, as the various captains held silent and rapid conversations with each other. Several minutes passed, then Captain Salvor stood. “As Captain of the cruiser Black Nova, I acknowledge you as Grand Admiral.” Midway down the table, another captain did the same. Then another, and another. In seconds, the room was filled with voices as Lord Janacek was unanimously granted the title of “Grand Admiral”.