S1: 18 Help Wanted. (Rank Up) (April 28, 2017)

*Date: Friday April 12th 2097.*

Iron Bones \*Narrating\* : *IT'S BEEN TWO DAYS SINCE JACK ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE SHIP AND I STILL BE DRIVIN'. I MEAN I KNOW JACK HAS HAD A ROUGH WEEK BUT SLEEPIN' TWO WHOLE DAYS BE NUTS!*

Kain: So how much further to Weller Base?

Iron Bones: I 'AVEN'T A CLUE! I AIN'T GOT A WIFI SIGNAL OUT 'ERE. ASK DR BRICKTON.

Kain: I would but she's asleep.

Iron Bones: MAYBE WE CAN STOP ON THAT REDDISH LOOKIN' PLANET THERE AND ASK FOR DIRECTIONS?

Kain: Planet? You Idiot! That's our stop!

Iron Bones: OH. I KNEW THAT...

\*The Radio beeps\*

Kain: Um. I think they're hailing us.

Iron Bones: WHAT?! THROW 'AIL BACK AT 'EM! THE BIG ICEY CHUNKS!

Kain: I mean they want to talk to us.

Iron Bones: OH. OKAY THEN...

\*Iron Bones turns on radio.\*

Aurelian Com officer: This is Weller Base. Please Identify yourself.

Iron Bones: THIS BE IRON BONES FIRST MATE OF CAPTAIN JACK BRICKTON.

Com officer: Sorry Sir Could you repeat that? It sounded like you said "Jack Brickton."

Iron Bones: I DID! TELL CORVIN WE HAVE GI DESERTERS AND EQUIPMENT FOR AURELIA.

Com officer: Corvin is dead sir.

Iron Bones: GOOD! I NEVER LIKED HIM ANYWAY.

Com officer: Can I please speak to your captain?

Iron Bones: UM... NO. HE'S STILL ASLEEP AFTER FLYING THROUGH THAT JUNK FIELD... COULD WE AT LEAST LAND AT THE BASE? I MEAN WE BE ON YOUR SIDE.

Com officer: I'm Afraid I don't have the authority to permit that sir.

Kain: \*SIgh.\* Let me talk to them.

Iron Bones: 'ANG ON. THE CABIN BOY WANT'S TO SPEAK TO YOU.

Kain: Please Excuse My Companion's Stupidity. I am Kleptomanic Android Intellectual of Navigation or KAIN for short. Iron Bones and I were formerly part of the crew of Aurelian Privateer Jack Henry Brickton. We are now Serving under his Grandson Jack Daniel Brickton. We Are transporting Dr Devorah Brickton formerly of the Galactic Imperium. She wishes to give her services and knowledge to Aurelia. Do You understand?

Com officer: Yes but I'll have to get clearance for your ship before you can land.

Kain: I'll give you ten minutes or we take our busness elsewhere. I'm sure the Marauder Council would love to have the entire GIASA database in their arsenal.

Com officer: Um... H... Hold please.

*Location: General Convo's office.*

General Convo: Hello?

Com officer: Sir? We have a situation.

General Convo: Explain.

Com officer: Well from what I understood. A marauder by the name of "Jack Brickton" is-

General Convo: Brickton? You mean That Pirate who raided GI transports for Corvin? The one who blew up a GI battle ship? The one they used to call the "John Paul Jones" of Aurelia?

Com officer: No sir. It's his grandson.

General Convo: Oh. What the heck does he want?

Com officer: He's transporting GIASA Scientist Dr Devorah Brickton to us. She wishes to join Aurelia.

General Convo: That's great news but why did you call ME?

Com officer: Well They claim to have the entirety of the GIASA's database with them.

General Convo: WHAT?! Tell them to park in docking bay three. I'll be down there as quick as possible!

*Later at Docking bay 3.*

General Convo: Jack Brickton I presume?

Jack: Y... Yes sir. And this is My Mother Dr Devorah Brickton and my droids Iron Bones And Kain.

General Convo: Pleasure to meet you. I'm General Convo and these two are officer Fra'nk of the Wraith Squad and Dr. Nicole Metlap.

Devorah: Nichole?

Dr Medlab: Hello Devorah. Small system huh?

Kain: You're darn right it is! I mean the planets are WAY to close together and there's not a goldi- Wait. You were just using a different form of "small world" Weren't you?

Dr Medlab: Yes.

Jack: Have you two met?

Devorah: We went to med school together.

Dr Medlab: But she always was a bit competitive about who could graduate first.

Devorah: Yes. A competition I lost. But that's Not important. General? I have been working on a project for the GIASA for about two years now and after the prototype was tested on my son last week without me knowing I've decided to join Aurelia and took my data with me.

General Convo: What exactly is this "Project?"

\*Devorah walks over and holds up her com-link and displays a hologram of the X-13's blueprints\*

Devorah: I give you the X-13 Cobra Fighter. It's an AI driven unit with the AI housed in a detachable drone that is as deadly as a Wasp trooper.

General Convo: Impressive.

Fra'nk: Ssome of thoughhs Woulds makes a dent in the Imperithal fleeth.

Devorah: I also has brought the rest of my research with me and planted a virus in the GIASA's system. It'll take those dirt bags weeks to get it running again...

General Convo: Well then. Dr Brickton, Mr Brickton? Welcome to Aurelia!

*Later that day.. (in a certain guest room once used by the coolest marauder and droid duo ever.)*

After our meeting with the General I was assigned a guest room and Kain and I went to get settled. Iron bones however went with Mom to help her find her room.

Iron Bones: GUYS! I JUST MET THE COOLEST GUY EVER IN THE REPAIR ROOM! YOU GOTTA COME MEET HIM!

Jack: Um maybe later. I'm waiting on my bag to get through security.

Kain: I'll come. It's always nice to meet a new droid.

With that Kain and Iron Bones left the room.

Jack: Well. Security is certainly taking their time. \*Yawn.\* Man, I Must've been running off adrenaline for a while. I'm still tired after that last nap. I might as well lay down for a bit until they bring my bag.

Then as soon as my head hit the pillow there was a knock at the door.

Aurelian Guard: Mr Brickton? Your bag's been cleared. We had to confiscate a few items.

Jack: \*sigh.\* I better make sure it wasn't important...

Jack: Let's see. The only things missing are the bullets from my Skelton and- Hey! Where's my Cutter?!

Guard: Cutter? I thought that was just some junk.

Jack: JUST SOME JUNK?! I've had that thing for twelve years.

Guard: You really make a big deal out of something that only took you 3 hours to build.

Jack: How did you-

\*Jack turns around to see the Aurelian with her visor up holding his cutter.\*

Guard: Oh course it probably reminded you of me saving your butt.

Jack: Wait. KYLA?

Guard aka Kyla Ryther: Yup. You're certainly a long way from the "land of cotton."

Jack: Yeah. Fighting mutant gators gets dull after awhile.

Kyla: That's pretty Ironic given you're helping the Iguanians.

Jack: Word got out huh?

Kyla: I'll say! It's all over the news about you killing Emperor Nolge.

Jack: Darn. If I'd known word would get out I would not have escaped down a toilet.

Kyla: What?

Jack: It's a LONG story.

Kyla: I've got time. I'm off duty for the rest of today.

Jack: Where should I begin?

Kyla: From The beginning. It's been years since I've talked with someone from my home state...

*Meanwhile in the halls of Weller Base.*

Kain: Darn it. Iron Bones must be really excited about introducing me to this droid. He ran off without me. Hey! Foot steps! maybe that's him-

\*Kain jolts back as an Aurelian cyborg turns the corner and points a blaster at him.\*

Max Power: STOP IMPERIUM RODENT!

Kain: Holy Shiitake Mushrooms! Take it easy! I ain't an Imperium!

Max Power: RECALCULATING... THEN WHY ARE YOU WEARING IMPERIAL ARDVARK.

Kain: Um could you repeat that?

\*Suddenly Iron Bones walks up behind Max.\*

Iron Bones: THERE YOU ARE! I SEE YOU 'VE MET MAX.

Max Power: METAL SKELETON! YOU ARE JUST IN TIME TO HELP ME WITH THIS IMPERIAL RHUBARB.

Iron Bones: NO MAX. THAT'S KAIN. WE STOLE THAT GI ARMOR YEARS AGO.

Max: RECALCULATING...

\*Max tosses his blaster on the ground and shakes Kain's hand.

Max: GREETINGS CANE! I AM SERGEANT MAX POWER. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SOAP.

Kain: What?!

Iron Bones: HE MEANS SCARE. MAX HAS TROUBLE WITH THE ENDS OF SENTENCES.

Kain: I see. Well Sergeant Power. Apology accepted. If you ever need a hand while I'm here just let me kno-

\*Kain's hand breaks off in Max's grip.\*

Kain: HEY! I didn't mean it like that!

Max CALCULATING... I DO NOT NEED A HAND. HOWEVER YOURS APPEARS TO BE BACKWARDS.

Iron Bones: HE MEANS BROKEN-

Kain: I know what he means!

\*Kain Grabs his hand from Max and storms off.\*

Iron Bones: I BETTER GO AFTER 'IM. SEE YA AROUND MAX!

Kain: \*Grumbles\*

Iron Bones: YE KNOW I CAN HEAR YE RIGHT?

Kain: Good.

Iron Bones: TO ANSWER THE QUESTION YE ASKED YE SELF MAX IS MUCH STRONGER THAN HE LOOKS. STRONG ENOUGH TO LIFT AN ENTIRE SHIP OVER HIS HEAD.

Kain: \*Sigh.\* At least we're on his side now...

*Date: Monday April 15th 2097.*

After spending a few days at the base General Convo asked to speak with me in his office.

General Convo: Hello Jack. I hope you are enjoying your stay here at our base.

Jack: Yes Sir. I certainly am.

General Convo: Good to hear it! Now could you two bots excuse us for a moment?

Iron Bones: FINE WITH ME! COME ON KAIN! LET'S GO SEE WHAT MAX BE UP TO...

Kain: \*Sigh.\* I Hope Jack took out Life insurance on me...

General Convo: I see your droids have taken a liking to Sergeant Power.

Jack: Iron Bones has. Kain is still a little wary after he broke his hand off.

General Convo: What about you though? Have you considered Joining Aurelia? You'd make a fine soldier.

Jack: I have.. And I think I'd be better off finishing what my grandfather started.

General Convo: Which is?

Jack: Helping Aurelia kick the GI's butt by raiding Imperial Cargo ships!

General Convo: What? You just said you didn't-

Jack: I meant I don't want to be a soldier. I want to still be able to do my own thing and have the option to disobey orders I don't agree with. All I require is a document stating that Aurelia Backs my attacks on the GI and in return I'll give Aurelia 50% of my profit and will provide Aurelia with escorting supplies and troops into areas that an Aurelian ship would never be let into.

General Convo: \*Sigh.\* I suppose we could use a Privateer. But If you attack Aurelia-

Jack: I give you the right to beat the tar out of me.

General Convo: Alright then. You have a deal. And for your first job I need you to escort a squad on a mission.

Jack: Where am I escorting them?

\*Monroeville.\*

Aurelian who just walked in: I figured you'd know your way around there better than us.

General Convo: Brickton? I'd like you to meet Corporal Rico Ryther Leader of the Wraith Squad.

Jack: We've met before.

Rico: I met him when I was stationed in Mobile Bay back in 85.

Jack: So what's the mission?

Rico: We're meeting with an a weapons supplier. He goes by the name-

Jack: Mocking Bird.

Rico: Yeah. You've met him?

Jack: Unfortunately I have and HER base is in the old Monroe County Courthouse and the old shops around it. Hench the name "Mocking Bird."

General Convo: Well I figured you'd like a job somewhere the GI couldn't find you. Especially since there's a reward out for you.

Jack: What?

General Convo: See for yourself.

\*Convo turns his computer around where Jack can see.\*

WANTED: Jack Henry Brickton.

Height: 6.3

Age: 22

Crimes: Piracy, Murder & Treason.

Reward: 4,000 Credits.

Jack: This is terrible!

General Convo: What do you expect when you attack a GI ally?

Jack: Not that! They used the picture from my pilot's license! I hate that picture!

General Convo: \*Ahem.\* Well. I assume you don't have any problems escorting the Wraith Squad?

Jack: Just one. I recommend we take my ship. It will draw less attention than an Aurelian transporter.

Rico: I can agree to that.

General Convo: Well then Good luck gentlemen. You're dismissed

*Later...*

Rico: So let me get this straight. You disguised yourself as Dr. Lobotomy and they fell for it?!

Jack: Yep. So where's the rest of your squad?

\*Right here.\*

Kyla and Fra-nk walk up.

Jack: There's just three people in your squad?

Rico: No. There's three people LEFT in my squad. We lost 4 people in on last mission. Including Ryan...

Jack: I had no Idea. I'm Sorry for your loss.

Rico: Don't beat yourself up about it kid. With your help we'll get back at those Imperials. After all Not everybody can say they made the history books at 22.

Kyla: 22?

Jack: Yeah. I was kinda short back in 85. everyone thought I was only 7. I had a growth spurt later that year though. Anyways. We should be going. Mocking Bird can get pretty grumpy if her customers are late...

To be continued...

BONUS PICTURES.

General Convo's office based on Indy Beetle's design.

The picture used on Jack's wanted poster.

Credit to Kermunklin the Giant Evil Head House for Weller base, General Convo, Dr Lobotomy, Max Power, and Dr Metlap.

Credit to Indy Beetle for the design of General Convo's office.

Credit to R.K Blast for the design of the Weller Base guest room.