15. An Updated Bounty
<Incoming Transmission>
The Bounties – Ledger Update
Entry – Hopkirk Vanderfine
Update – Known Location
Updated Text: Location
Entry Reads
Hopkirk Vanderfine:
Third heir of the Vanderfine arms conglomerate. Has brought severe dishonour to the Vanderfine family through immoral and illegal arms sales.
Bounty: 400 credits
Known Locations: Unknown Staurolite System
<Transmission Ends>
Starburn looked at the message on the Communications Array, he’d been scanning the Signal, trying to find some work or leads for the crew when it came in. An update on the whereabouts of Hopkirk Vanderfine. Not that bad a guy really. Just trying to make his way in the Ravaged Galaxy, his real crime was being more successful than the Independent Crews like theirs. Apparently though, going into business for yourself was a crime these days, and crime doesn’t pay, unless you’re hunting down criminals. Then it seems to pay pretty well.
Starburn found Nightwind in the Captain’s Cabin, going through some data on the ship’s status and trying to make his own leads for the crew.
“Good news, old friend,” he said as he strolled in.
Nightwind looked up from his slate, “Yeah, what’s that, you find a pile of rum and creds we didn’t know about?”
“Close, I found us a job. Hopkirk Vanderfine has been spotted in the Staurolite system. That’s close. That’s really close. It just came across the Signal, if we haul ass right now, we can probably get there before anyone else.”
“Yeah, because no-one else is crazy enough to after a literal arms dealer, no matter how much of a twat he is. He will have all the toys at his disposal.”
“Exactly, imagine the booty we can grab! Also, 400 credits. Also, I’m bored and this will be fun.”
“You and I have a very different idea of fun.”
Starburn laughed, “No we don’t, you just like to seem grumpy.”
Nightwind shook his head and smiled, “Yeah that’s true. All right, I’ll lay in the course and then we’ll let everyone know.”
“I’ll see if I can find where in Staurolite Hopkirk is hiding out.”
They both left the cabin heading for the bridge, Starburn to the comms array, Nightwind to the navigation pod.
Nightwind laid in the course for the Staurolite system then reached for the ship wide hail.
“Listen up everyone, we’ve picked up a line on the whereabouts of Hopkirk Vanderfine. If you don’t know, he’s one of the bigger bounties available to bring down. Doesn’t mean he’s tougher, just that those who want him dead have a deeper pocket. This aristocratic cast-off is an arms dealer, so we can expect them to be well equipped. Of course, as they saying goes, ‘Sagblu isn’t on the side of the biggest battalions, but of the best shots.’ They may have the toys, doesn’t mean they can shoot straight.
“Starburn’s chasing down the exact location of Hopkirk but we’re underway to Staurolite. We’re about a half day out from the system, so get your shit together, we’ll be in the meat grinder before long.”
Flicking off the ship’s hail he turned to Starburn, “Course is laid in, let me know as soon as you find his location. I’m going to grab a cup of recaff and sort my gear. You want one?”
Starburn nodded as Nightwind headed for the mess deck.
2 hours later Starburn found him. He updated the ship’s course then flicked on the ship’s hail.
“Good news everyone. I’ve located Hopkirk. He’s on the fourth planet, Stauro Delta, on the outskirts of some settlements there. Don’t ask how I know or what I’ve promised. Just know that you owe me. Also, pack your wet gear, Stauro Delta’s a water planet. Out.”
Starburn cocked an ear to one side and waited, “3…2…1…”
Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.
Nightwind burst into the cockpit, “FUCK! Of all the fucking places to fucking hide the fuck out why the fuck did the fucker choose a fucking water planet. I fucking HATE water planets. I’m going to kill the prick just on principle now. Are you sure that’s where he is?”
Starburn just smiled and nodded.
Stargrave is published by Osprey Games and was created by Joseph A. McCullough