Episode 2 - Unexpected Turbulence

7/31/2019 Episode 2 - Unexpected Turbulence

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A Pulp Space Opera by Andrew Roberts

E PISODE 2 – U NEXPECTED

T URBULENCE

The Odyssey of Dane Tempest



Convicted smuggler Dane Tempest is hired

by a figure in the Solaris Government to

search for a missing exploration vessel, the

Astral Spirit. Tempted by a pardon and

early release from prison, he accepted, but

now he has been implanted with a kill-

switch to ensure his loyalty. With his new

co-pilot Jesse Roach, he begins his search

in the Oberon Cluster…



“So, what are we finding?” Roach asked.

“The Astral Spirit should have left a very faint vapour trail in its wake.” Dane replied, “The

mission briefing said the last report was from the Oberon Cluster.”

Roach nodded and continued to observe the craft’s sensors.

“Skylar, have we reached the coordinates provided?” Dane asked.

Skylar’s face appeared on the monitor. “Of course,” She replied, “But I’m not picking up

any signs of a vapour trail.”

“Keep looking. There has to be something around here.”

Dane manoeuvred the ship through the asteroid belt while Roach continued to tinker with

the sensors. The monitor began blinking.

“I’ve picked something up.” Roach stated, “It’s very faint, but it could be what you’re

looking for.”

Dane remained silent as he tried to detect the signal. As the craft flew deeper into the

cluster, he was immediately taking control of the ship and manoeuvring through the

asteroids while Roach was hunched over the sensor controls to try and detect any

incoming threats. A collision alarm sounded as something jolted the ship.

“We have an unidentified craft approaching from the starboard side.” Skylar reported.

“Oh, shit.” Roach commented anxiously, “It looks like a pirate vessel.”

“We’re getting something through.” Dane replied. A white haired man in goggles appeared

on screen.

“Attention unidentified ship,” He said, “Power down your engines and weapons. We are

coming aboard.”

Dane ignored the order. “Stall them with static!” He ordered to Roach, “I’ll try and lose

them!”

“Two more craft dead ahead.” Skylar reported. The pair observed two smaller ships

approaching them through the asteroid field. As they opened fire with their lasers, Dane

brought their own craft straight down between two asteroids. The fighters were able to

follow them before the asteroids collided with each other.

“Damn. These guys are good.” Dane said to himself, “Roach, get the guns charged.”

“I’m on it!” he replied.



The gunship and the two fighters opened up on Dane’s craft with everything they had.

Although Dane was able to deftly manoeuvre through the asteroid belt, the pirate vessels

were able to follow him, being used to the area which they called their hunting ground.

Continuing through the field, Dane found himself staring at a large ball of fire hurtling

towards his craft. The pursuers broke away as he carried out a successful barrel roll to

avoid it. At the same time, Roach spotted one of the fighters soaring past them. Dane

nodded and opened fire with the craft’s lasers. The fighter exploded in a fireball while the

other two pulled away.

“It looks like they’re retreating.” Roach commented enthusiastically.

“Don’t get too hopeful.” Dane replied, “We’ ll need to refuel and get back to the mission at

hand. After all, I don’t want some G-man pressing a button which sends 2000 volts through

my head.”

An hour later, Dane had flown the ship out of the asteroid belt and was landing at a nearby

space station. A technician appeared with a fuel line.

“We got in a skirmish with some pirates.” Dane informed him, “Is there a secured

communicator here?”

“Follow the signs to the administrator’s office. There should be one there.” The technician

replied.

Dane followed the technician’s directions and pressed the buzzer on the office door. Thedoor slid open immediately to reveal an overweight man in a suit seated behind a desk,

working on a computer.

“The secure line’s there Mr Tempest.” He said, pointing at a booth at the end of the room,

“The technician told me of your arrival.”

Dane nodded and entered the booth, activating the machine inside.

“This is Dane Tempest.” He recorded, “Currently at way station in Oberon Cluster. Our

craft was attacked by pirates, but we routed them. We have picked up a vapour trail, but

we may be entering uncharted space. Time of next contact: Unknown.”

“Message received.” A shadowy figure on the opposite end of the line replied, “You will be

given five days. Failure to respond will be regarded as a breach of contract.”

Dane felt a wave of anxiety rise at the ultimatum. “Affirmative. Over and out.” He replied

after a moment of hesitation.

As Dane and Roach returned to their ship, Roach noticed the body of a technician stashedbehind a loading machine. Dane drew his pistol and ran to the ship where another

technician was leaving the engine compartment. Dane aimed the pistol at his head.



“You’re not the technician we had when we landed.” Dane said, “You have exactly two

minutes to explain who you are and get off my ship before I fry you.”

“That wasn’t me!” The false technician cried, “He was dead when I found him!”

“Yeah right,” Dane replied dismissively. As he led the intruder off the ship, the door to the

hangar bay opened. The pirate with the goggles appeared, brandishing a carbine. He wasflanked by masked man wearing a jetpack and carrying a large weapon, along with a

butch-looking man carrying a shoulder mounted laser. Behind them were two other men

with pistols.

“Kill them!” the man in the goggles ordered. Before anyone could react, Dane and Roach

were both firing wildly. Laser bolts filled the room as Dane kept the attackers pinned long

enough for Roach to run aboard and start the ship’s engines. They escaped just in time.

“Skylar, did you detect anything?” Dane asked as they left.

“I’m afraid not.” Skylar answered, “The technician came aboard and then left. That’s my

only memory.”

“They must have erased Skylar’s memory banks.” Dane said to Roach, “Check the engine

compartment. I’ll stay on the Astral Spirit’s Trail. We’ve only got five days to report in.”

Roach left his seat and opened the floor panel leading to the maintenance duct. As he

proceeded to the engine compartment, he discovered a large device that had been left

there.

“Oh crap…” he said as he reached for his communicator, “Dane, they snuck a bomb onboard the ship. Keep us steady while I try and disarm it.”

As Dane prepared to follow Roach’s instructions, the pirate craft returned and opened fire

on them.

“Oh, shit. Roach! Keeping it steady is going to be easier said than done!” he shouted over

the intercom.

“It’s okay!” Roach called back, “I’ve got it!”

As soon as he had finished talking, a laser blast struck the craft. A large explosionfollowed.

“The engine’s been hit.” Skylar reported, “We cannot outrun them.”

Dane tried desperately to keep the craft stable, but it was no use. They were spinning out

of control, and Roach was not responding on the intercom. Dane fastened his safety belt

and closed his eyes as the craft hurtled its way uncontrollably to a nearby planet.

Will Dane and Roach survive the impact? If they do, what will this

uncharted planet have in store for them? Find out next time in ‘The Desert

World’!

Episode 2 - Unexpected Turbulence

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