Outriders
Page 50
“You seem ill-suited for an executive position, though admittedly less corrupt than most board members.”
“Politics then? I have fewer reasons to spin falsehoods on a typical day than the average politician. Not to brag, but I also have a talent for accepting bribes.”
Genevieve uttered an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. “Goodbye, Captain. I wish you good fortune. I hope we don’t have cause to meet again, because anti-piracy and smuggling operations are my responsibility. Our next encounter might not prove constructive for you, and I’d hate to be adversaries with the man who helped our cause.”
“You could always shirk your duties if I end up in your crosshairs.”
“Not likely. I’m a professional. Admiration won’t stop me from squeezing the trigger.”
Commodore Letourneau nodded farewell and disappeared from the screen.
Kyla closed the channel. “Payment followed by veiled threats. I like her.”
“Don’t go nursing a fondness for navy officers. We spend too much time trying to outwit them.”
“With varying degrees of success.” She lounged in the chair and stretched her limbs, reclining with hands clasped behind her head. “What happens next for the crew of the Solar Flare?”
“What we’ve always done. Continue surviving in a galaxy that doesn’t notice the little folks.”
“I wouldn’t mind not being noticed again, after all we’ve gone through.”
“There’s wisdom in the notion.”
Evan’s calm and steady voice emerged on the bridge. “Captain?”
“Go ahead,” Taylor answered.
“Elathan technicians have finished with repairs.”
“You trust their handiwork?”
“Haven’t found a reason not to.”
“Then it’s high time we left. All crew to your stations.”
Taylor settled into the co-pilot’s seat and waited until Alexis and Rinko sauntered onto the bridge soon after. Consoles glowed as power coursed through the freighter and caused a frail reverberation to tremble beneath Taylor.
Alexis touched one hand to her ear and glanced over her shoulder. “Clearance to depart granted by Elathan Commerce and Regulations Agency. Proceed on vector two-nine-five.”
“Propulsion core activated,” Evan announced through the comm. “Performance is optimal.”
Kyla buckled restraints on her piloting chair and surveyed the surrounding terminals. “All systems primed and in the green. Engines engaging and functioning at peak levels.”
“Take us out of the world, Kyla,” instructed Taylor. “There’s a new job waiting on the horizon.”
The Solar Flare lifted on a gentle cushion of power, retracted its landing struts and rocketed into a steep ascent on a surge of flaring thrusters, climbing toward orbit and endless potential.
* * *
Appendices
Organizations and Agencies
AugIris: Augmented Intelligence and Resources Information System
Also commonly known as an Augmented Ocular Iris, this implant allows its user a range of features including, but not limited to: magnified, thermal and low-light vision, communications between operatives and command centers, strategic heads-up display, critical information regarding places and known individuals.
CIC: Combat Information Center
The tactical heart of any naval warship, featuring intelligence analysts, cyberwarfare countermeasures and friend/foe targeting designations.
CSC: Elathan Combined Starfleet Commission
Encompasses all naval operations and departments within the Elathan military divided between three distinct branches, each with their own structure: Starfighter Command, Fleet Command and Tactical Command.
CSV: Confederacy Starfleet Vessel
Classification for all starships serving within the Confederacy Ascendant Starfleet.
DEC: Directorate of Espionage and Counterintelligence
The Confederacy agency responsible for internal investigations and the monitoring of member planets and its citizens. Commonly known simply as the Directorate.
EDQ: Emergency Dispersal and Quelling
An unpiloted atmospheric vehicle used by policing agencies to disrupt and quiet violent demonstrations or riots. Armed with floodlights and a variety of lethal and nonlethal weaponry.
FEDRA: Federal Reconnaissance Agency
Confederacy agency responsible for external intelligence and the monitoring of non-aligned worlds. FEDRA does not have jurisdiction on the surface of any Confederacy member world, which frequently puts their operatives at odds with DEC personnel.
GoNav: Governing Body for Interstellar Navigation
A Confederacy government-affiliated agency responsible for mapping star systems and maintaining faster-than-light routes and astronavigational data for all starships and worlds. Registration with GoNav is mandatory and all ships receive compulsory updates when arriving in any spaceport.
InCom: Interstellar Commerce and Revenue Bureau
Responsible for licensing, monitoring and settling disputes between individual traders and freighters.
InCore: Interplanetary Networking Communications and Resources
A vast interconnected network stretching throughout Authority and independent space, granting access to information and communications.
ODS: Optical Data Storage
An external computing device used for storing and transferring data.
SIS: Elathan Security and Intelligence Service
A governmental organization responsible for identifying, monitoring and if necessary neutralizing all threats to Elathan citizens and territory.
StraCon: Stellar Goods and Trade Consortium
Responsible for registering and monitoring corporations and agencies involved in any trade conducted on more than one world.
STRAFE: Strategic Reserve Air Force
The Confederacy’s tactical reserve starfighters and other vessels stationed on pacified or non-essential worlds in the role of policing and guarding against atmospheric intrusion.
UpLink: User-defined Personal Linguistic and Information Network
A mobile, handheld device used primarily for messaging and connecting to InCore, though featuring hundreds of capabilities and unique software components.
Inhabited Systems of the Confederacy and Non-Aligned Governments
Aetheria: Third planet of the Eridanos system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Phoebe, Merope
Other system planets: Phaethon, Helia, Phaethousa, Lampetia
Capital: Dioxippe
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Agni: Second planet of the Shachi system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Vedas
Other system planets: Vajra, Mitra, Jayanta, Midhusa, Indra
Capital: Arka
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Amaethon: Second planet of the Cad Goddeu system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Arawn, Annwn
Other system planets: Mathonwy, Goewin, Gwydion, Arianrhod, Gilfaethwy
Capital: Gwynedd
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Amarok: Fourth planet of the Silla system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Nanook, Igaluk
Other system planets: Sanna, Akna, Qalupalik
Capital: Inua
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Anshar: Fifth planet of the Tiamat system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Kishar
Other system planets: Apsu, Lahar, Lahamu, Ishtar, Lahmu
Capital: Enuma Elish
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Arinna: Second planet of the Ariniddu system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Mursili I, Mursili II
Other system planets: Teshub, Hebat, Tashmishu, Kuma
rbi
Capital: Hattusa
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Aztlan: Second planet of the Tollan system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Meztli, Tonatiuh
Other system planets: Xolotl, Tlaloc, Nahuatl, Toci, Centeotl
Capital: Mayahuel
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Boreas: Fifth planet of the Aeolus system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Orithyia, Chione
Other system planets: Notus, Eurus, Zephyrus, Phaethon, Phainon, Pyroeis, Eosphoros, Stilbon
Capital: Aquilo
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Brynhild: Third planet of the Valkyrie system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Helgi
Other system planets: Skögul, Hildr, Ölrún, Hrist, Göndul, Sigrun
Capital: Völsunga
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Coventina: First planet orbiting Clymene in the Heliades system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Carrawburgh
Other system planets: Heimdallr, Wedjet, Jiaolong, Thoth, Vanir, Morrigan, Procolita
Capital: Hadrian
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Daikoku: Third planet of the Shichi Fukujin system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Kozuchi
Other system planets: Bishamon, Jurojin, Benten, Fukurokuju, Hotei
Capital: Mahakala
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Delbaeth: Third planet of the Tuatha system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Tuirill, Iuchar
Other system planets: Iobath, Tabarn, Elatha, Eochaid, Ollathair, Aenach Tailteann
Capital: Ethriel
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Elatha: Fourth planet of the Tuatha system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Uaithne
Other system planets: Iobath, Tabarn, Delbaeth, Eochaid, Ollathair, Aenach Tailteann
Capital: Formorii
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Gwydion: Fourth planet of the Cad Goddeu system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Pryderi
Other system planets: Mathonwy, Amaethon, Goewin, Arianrhod, Gilfaethwy
Capital: Taliesin
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Hesperides: Fifth planet of the Ladon system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Erytheia
Other system planets: Antheia, Meliae, Aigle, Aurai, Nereid, Arethusa
Capital: Aether
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Hiruko: Sixth planet of the Oyashima system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Ebisu Saburo
Other system planets: Ukihashi, Awashima, Izanami, Mihashira, Sarutahiko, Tsukuyomi, Tenkei
Capital: Kazaori
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Horus: Fourth planet of the Nekhen system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Hathor
Other system planets: Isis, Nephthys, Seth, Hapi, Imsety
Capital: Menes
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Hotei: Sixth planet of the Shichi Fukujin system
Classification: Gas Giant
Moons: Maitreya, Jochi-ji, 64 others not colonized or used for mining
Other system planets: Bishamon, Jurojin, Daikoku, Benten, Fukurokuju
Capital: Yiguandao, located on Maitreya
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Huang Di: Fourth planet of the Wu Di system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Zhuolu, Banquan
Other system planets: Du Gu, Yao, Zhuan Xu, Shun
Capital: Xi Lingshi
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Huaricanga: Fifth planet of the Caral system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Aspero
Other system planets: Fortaleza, Pativilca, Carreteria, Huaura, Miraya
Capital: Norte Chico
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Inanna: Third planet of the Ningal system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Lulal, Geshtinanna
Other system planets: Utu, Ishkur, Ereshkigal, Enki, Ninshubur
Capital: Enheduanna
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Inari Okami: Fourth planet of the Suzaku system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Kitsune
Other system planets: Saga, Kukai, Kogitsune-maru
Capital: Fushimi
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Indra: Sixth planet of the Shachi system
Classification: Ice Giant
Moons: Varuna, Vala, Ushas, Vritra, Soma, Puranas, 41 others not colonized or used for mining
Other system planets: Vajra, Agni, Mitra, Jayanta, Midhusa
Capital: Erawan, located on Varuna
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Inti: Third planet of the Hanan Pacha system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Killa
Other system planets: Illapa, Aymara, Quechua, Supay, Paricia
Capital: Yanantin
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Ishara: Third planet of the Hurrian system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Sebitti I, Sebitti II, Sebitti III, Sebitti IV
Other system planets: Ebla, Harbidum, Alalakh, Sarruma, Illuyanka
Capital: Drehem
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Izanami: Third planet of the Oyashima system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Izanagi, Nuboko
Other system planets: Ukihashi, Awashima, Mihashira, Sarutahiko, Hiruko, Tsukuyomi, Tenkei
Capital: Yomi
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Jiaolong: Third planet orbiting Helios in the Heliades system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Mizuchi
Other system planets: Heimdallr, Wedjet, Thoth, Vanir, Coventina, Morrigan, Procolita
Capital: Alishan (home to the Confederacy Parliament)
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Jurojin: Second planet of the Shichi Fukujin system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Kame
Other system planets: Bishamon, Daikoku, Benten, Fukurokuju, Hotei
Capital: Koun
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Kamala: Third planet of the Himavan system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Lakshmi
Other system planets: Kali, Parvati, Durga, Chandi, Dhumavati, Lalita
Capital: Mahavidya
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Malina: Fourth planet of the Adlivun system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Anningan
Other system planets: Tornat, Tupilak, Quidlivun
Capital: Nerrivik
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Marduk: Fourth planet of the Sarpanit system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Ashur, Nabu
Other system planets: Eridu, Siduri, Ashnan, Geshtinanna, Nergal
Capital: Esagila
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Merneith: Fourth planet of the Abydos system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Narmer
Other system planets: Hatshepsut, Sobekneferu, Nitocris, Ahhotep, Tetisheri
Capital: Saqqara
&
nbsp; Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Mihashira: Fourth planet of the Oyashima system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Yahiro
Other system planets: Ukihashi, Awashima, Izanami, Sarutahiko, Hiruko, Tsukuyomi, Tenkei
Capital: Kagutsuchi
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Mithra: Third planet of the Shivini system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moons: Rashnu, Sraosha
Other system planets: Teisheba, Aramazd, Tsovinar, Selardi
Capital: Gathas
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Morrigan: Second planet orbiting Clymene in the Heliades system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Nemain (home to the Confederacy Ascendant Starfleet)
Other system planets: Heimdallr, Wedjet, Jiaolong, Thoth, Vanir, Coventina, Procolita
Capital: Macha
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Ölrún: Fourth planet of the Valkyrie system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Valland
Other system planets: Skögul, Hildr, Brynhild, Hrist, Göndul, Sigrun
Capital: Alruna
Affiliation: Non-aligned World
Oribe Shima: Fourth planet of the Akasaki system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Yofune-nushi
Other system planets: Okuninushi, Tokoyo, Yakami, Inaba
Capital: Kojiki
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Parvati: Second planet of the Himavan system
Classification: Terrestrial
Moon: Shiva
Other system planets: Kali, Kamala, Durga, Chandi, Dhumavati, Lalita
Capital: Kailash
Affiliation: Authority of Confederate Systems
Phaethon: Fourth planet of the Aeolus system