Am I getting too old?

[Fenikso]

Captain's Log 287.31AE (Alia Shawarazan)

Something is not good. I can tell. I have this creepy feeling. Last few weeks were too busy. "Calm" days of piracy are probably over. They are trying to hunt me down...


First, I have encountered Jar`at Zirkany, the Bounty hunter. I have heard of him before, but we never encountered each other. Well this time we met. The combat was long and tiring. Despite heavy damage to both ships done by wild boarding attempts and rams we were unable to disable each others ship or run away.

When I tried to board his ship with only him left, my whole crew of mercenaries ran back to my ship scared and in the meantime I nearly died! I have never encountered anyone so skilled that he was able to sneak to my ship and try to assassinate me! THAT was close!

The combat ended as a draw. I have survived to meet him another day...




Second, I met this unknown to me pirate. This time, the scenario went a bit better, nevertheless, long and tiring combat ended up as a draw. I really have to practice target locking in the simulator and upgrade my targeting computer's firmware.

Damn, those new and anxious guys in the business make me nervous. With his smaller ship he was real pain in the ass. I really regret that I did not buy those overpriced torpedoes from De Valtos smuggler.

We will meet another day...




Third, I have encountered uncertified Cadar bounty hunter. Man, it seems that someone is paying real money to get me out of the sky. The combat was long and tiring even when his ship was damaged a lot, he still managed to dodge my fire. And did not let go.

Draw. I just hope that it was really bad luck and next time we meet under another circumstances and I will keep flying. It is hard to say. But it seem that my days may be over soon.



Am I getting too old?

[slayernz]

Nah Alia, you're but a spring chicken. You're still shy of your 12,000th turn in this particular game!

I know that you have purposefully neglected Stealth because hey, you're a great believer that ship encounters = opportunities for piracy, and increasing stealth = reducing those encounter opportunities.

However, my humble recommendation is that you take some quiet time out in your captains quarters and study hard on bringing Stealth and Tactics up significantly. Tactics will help you actually hit the scum that dares drift between your cross-hairs. Stealth, as you well know, will stop you from getting between their cross-hairs.

I've had a number of captains live well beyond turn 12,000 and for the most part because their Stealth scores are very high, they don't get much damage during encounters. In saying that, half are dead now - but they had good runs all the same

[Fenikso]

Captain's Log 296.42AE (Alia Shawarazan, Impossible)

I remember that day when I was talking with another captain in the Hall. I was a bit drunk and I complained about my recent lack of success.

I remember as the guy offended me suggesting that I should hide from my enemies. No, Shawarazan family will never hide and tremble with fear! I would rather die with pride!

I remember that the only reason I did not shoot him immediately was the compliment, when he said that I still look great in my early 230s. But he was right about one thing...

I have been waiting for nine years. But today we drink. Today we celebrate! The nameless Cadar bounty hunter is dead. I have moved to the Deep Space for years, training my Tactics, target locking and upgrading old combat computers on board of my ship. And when I returned, I have provoked him enough to go after me again.




He was kind of a hero or something. I bet that Cadars do not like me anymore. They should be more creative inventing titles, as Legendary Crime Lord starts to be a bit rusty.




Lets celebrate, as I feel younger then ever. Throwing people out of the airlock always makes me feel great.