Post by abysmal on Dec 26, 2013 14:31:03 GMT -5
I started writing this a little in my free time. I don't know how it came out, but any comments would be appreciated.
This is a private interview with one of the crew members of the Rychart Pirate Joric "The Scholar" Berthow. The member, for fear of being tried as a pirate, or out of retribution from the captain, has asked not to be identified by name, or by any visual markings. I have agreed to the stipulations, but under the condition that anything he says or does be published in uncensored format, save for what he has requested. He also asked that a friend be released from prison and that he be provided private protection. We agreed to that stipulation as well.
(I) I would like to thank you for the opportunity to allow the interview. Many people have tried to figure out what makes this "Scholar" operate, and in doing so it may save a few lives.
(C) Look, I'm not here to help you or any of those other organizations with what they do. I'm here to attempt to get out. Don't get me wrong; the money is good. Moreso than any of the prior captains that I have run with. But what he does to ensure loyalty, inspire fear... I've done things I'm not proud of, but the memories I have I want to forget.
(I) Well, where would you like to start?
He orders another Vudka and lights a cigar...it is of Javat make, and judging from the smell, very cheap.
(C) Well, let's start from my beginning; the "recruitment". Most captain tend to offer a good bit in cash and Drink (Clearly referring not to alcohol but the water fuel). I was a fool that started up with a De Valtos Smuggling operation, and of course the money was great, even if there were times when rations were cut.
(I) So you enjoyed being a Smuggler?
(C) Well, yes and no. The thrill was actually getting into port and avoiding military grade ships. Of course, the last run was a bit suspicious, and I suppose that is what lead to my encounter with our Scholar.
He exhales a good amount of smoke, stamps out the cigar and orders another Vudka
(C) We found that one of the caches we normally used for Military grade weapons was tagged. We didn't know at the time how it came to be, but shortly after picking it up we had readings of a ship at our 9:00; it was usually 2-3 AU away. We figured it may have been a merchant running a route, as we run a few common routes up until the last stretch where we change the route to avoid patrols. We changed our heading but this ship did not change course. We continued on course, carefully monitoring the ship, thinking it to be a Bounty Hunter. Our last haul did not make Steel Song very happy, and we were certain that despite the war with De Valtos, the Steel was going to be sending a few hunters our way.
(I) How long did this last?
(C) I would say maybe 3-4 days. Radio Silence was ordered, all messages delivered strictly by letter. Despite this level of paranoia, we still operated the ship to our best and everything was running.
(I) So, what happened?
(C) The barrage...it wasn't a torpedo like normal pirates. It was the barrage guns, and the first thing they hit was our engines.
(I) What do you mean it wasn't normal?
(C) Pirates tend to use Torpedoes at longer ranges for accuracy. If it hits, it can do damage to the sails, the engines, armor. He didn't use a single Torpedo, and it caught many of us off guard. Those who didn't understand what was happening started to pray to Shalun, others started making deals with the devil. Other's had plans of their own but at the time, it was chaos. After the first barrage, the alarm rang out for battle stations.
(I) Were you prepared?
(C) Calling us prepared for this pirate is a bit of an understatement. We suffered a few more barrages towards the engine, and finally the message went out that the Captain was wounded and would be surrendering the ship. We figured we would lose our haul, but our lives would be spared. The captain would go to a port, but a few bouts of Spice, maybe a few of those Thulun dancers, and after he recuperated we would be on our way. That wasn't the case.
Another cigar is lit.
(C) After we surrendered, the airlocks were opened and about 20 men entered, Song grade military weapons in hand. All of us were herded to the Crew Quarters. During the transition, we saw him talking to our captain. Even then, he was intimidating. He carried a specially-made revolver, and when the captain insisted he go with us, Captain Joric hit him across the temple and shot him in the stomach. He then issued that the captain be tied in the bridge. After a few moments, Joric entered the quarters, but he looked quite pleased with himself. I don't think it really was the ship he was after, or our cargo.
(I) Why is that?
(C) Most captains would go to the hold. Joric went to the bridge to deal with our captain...then to our quarters; he was really quick with it too. I remember what he told us. "As of right now, you are under no command. I offer you a choice...join me, earn your fame and riches; Stay here and live on as crew of a failed Smuggler." His eyes commanded a certain respect, and he was well dressed, as was his crew. Definitely Rychart. "I give you five minutes to make your decision. Until then, Officer Talia will watch you. If you made your decision, you can tell her and she will direct you." A few of my friends decided to go and join. They just started so joining him made no differences. I didn't want to take a bullet so of course I joined too. We were taken to the bridge, and the first thing I noticed was the table.
(I) Why a table?
(C) Well, there was a Vudka bottle on it, but also a Barrel of something foul. Above it, the metal was starting to eat itself, or deteriorate, or something. A man with a weird scar on his back asked us if we were certain we wanted to join up. We said yes right away. Matty...a little runt of 15 years was the first to be taken. They tied him to a table, place a cold brand on him, and then...
He hesitates for a bit... I asked if he needed a moment. He says no.
(C) The scarred guy pours this reddish liquid in the brand. Matty starts screaming. This wasn't a gunshot pain. I've seen those kinds of pains. This was something that you felt eat into your skin, something that even if you could get it out, the pain would still linger. He poured it and then let it settle for several minutes. After two or three, the screams continued, but no voice. After 5, the brand was removed, and the Vudka was splashed on it. One of us tried to run for it after he saw the mark... He was hauled to the cargo hold.
(I) Why the cargo hold?
(C) Everyone who did not make a decision or who refused to sign on went there. They did not get a second chance. One by one, we all got our brands...all of us were marked like the scarred man. After that, a Doctor examined our wounds, and we were taken to his ship and into the infirmary. Only nine of us joined, even though 16 of us initially said we would. I don't blame the others. The pain, the smell of blood and oil... the Narvidium Oil... who would want to be touched by it?
He stares at his Vudka for a moment, before lighting another cigar.
(C) After a few hours of recovery, we were wheeled in by the doctor to the bridge. Joric tells us, "We welcome you nine to the Ghost of the Forgotten. You are now under my command, and I demand obedience. For now though, you need rest, and I do not intend on you fighting. However, before you all rest, I have something to show you." He stepped out of the way, and on the screen we saw our former ship. "Magnify the outer holds". As he did that, we saw that our captain was tied to the cargo hold.
(I) He wasn'--
(C) No, not yet. The captain aimed his barrage guns at the hold, and fired. Our small smuggling ship was hulled, but the captain was hit first. I don't know what he thought would happen, but clearly Joric thought differently. He laughed as our former captain was ripped in half, and then he started counting down from 15. At exactly 0, we saw red mist jet out from the holes in the ship. Us nine knew what had become of our compatriots. "I expect you all to rest up. You have one week to recover". We did not doubt him.
Clearly the interview is taking its toll. I ask if it would be alright if we continued this next week. He agrees. The next week, I found him at the bar, with burns across his chest and knife cuts across the wrist, ankles, and groin. It is clear he bled to death, but only after being tortured. I have no doubt that it was a message from Captain Joric.
This is a private interview with one of the crew members of the Rychart Pirate Joric "The Scholar" Berthow. The member, for fear of being tried as a pirate, or out of retribution from the captain, has asked not to be identified by name, or by any visual markings. I have agreed to the stipulations, but under the condition that anything he says or does be published in uncensored format, save for what he has requested. He also asked that a friend be released from prison and that he be provided private protection. We agreed to that stipulation as well.
(I) I would like to thank you for the opportunity to allow the interview. Many people have tried to figure out what makes this "Scholar" operate, and in doing so it may save a few lives.
(C) Look, I'm not here to help you or any of those other organizations with what they do. I'm here to attempt to get out. Don't get me wrong; the money is good. Moreso than any of the prior captains that I have run with. But what he does to ensure loyalty, inspire fear... I've done things I'm not proud of, but the memories I have I want to forget.
(I) Well, where would you like to start?
He orders another Vudka and lights a cigar...it is of Javat make, and judging from the smell, very cheap.
(C) Well, let's start from my beginning; the "recruitment". Most captain tend to offer a good bit in cash and Drink (Clearly referring not to alcohol but the water fuel). I was a fool that started up with a De Valtos Smuggling operation, and of course the money was great, even if there were times when rations were cut.
(I) So you enjoyed being a Smuggler?
(C) Well, yes and no. The thrill was actually getting into port and avoiding military grade ships. Of course, the last run was a bit suspicious, and I suppose that is what lead to my encounter with our Scholar.
He exhales a good amount of smoke, stamps out the cigar and orders another Vudka
(C) We found that one of the caches we normally used for Military grade weapons was tagged. We didn't know at the time how it came to be, but shortly after picking it up we had readings of a ship at our 9:00; it was usually 2-3 AU away. We figured it may have been a merchant running a route, as we run a few common routes up until the last stretch where we change the route to avoid patrols. We changed our heading but this ship did not change course. We continued on course, carefully monitoring the ship, thinking it to be a Bounty Hunter. Our last haul did not make Steel Song very happy, and we were certain that despite the war with De Valtos, the Steel was going to be sending a few hunters our way.
(I) How long did this last?
(C) I would say maybe 3-4 days. Radio Silence was ordered, all messages delivered strictly by letter. Despite this level of paranoia, we still operated the ship to our best and everything was running.
(I) So, what happened?
(C) The barrage...it wasn't a torpedo like normal pirates. It was the barrage guns, and the first thing they hit was our engines.
(I) What do you mean it wasn't normal?
(C) Pirates tend to use Torpedoes at longer ranges for accuracy. If it hits, it can do damage to the sails, the engines, armor. He didn't use a single Torpedo, and it caught many of us off guard. Those who didn't understand what was happening started to pray to Shalun, others started making deals with the devil. Other's had plans of their own but at the time, it was chaos. After the first barrage, the alarm rang out for battle stations.
(I) Were you prepared?
(C) Calling us prepared for this pirate is a bit of an understatement. We suffered a few more barrages towards the engine, and finally the message went out that the Captain was wounded and would be surrendering the ship. We figured we would lose our haul, but our lives would be spared. The captain would go to a port, but a few bouts of Spice, maybe a few of those Thulun dancers, and after he recuperated we would be on our way. That wasn't the case.
Another cigar is lit.
(C) After we surrendered, the airlocks were opened and about 20 men entered, Song grade military weapons in hand. All of us were herded to the Crew Quarters. During the transition, we saw him talking to our captain. Even then, he was intimidating. He carried a specially-made revolver, and when the captain insisted he go with us, Captain Joric hit him across the temple and shot him in the stomach. He then issued that the captain be tied in the bridge. After a few moments, Joric entered the quarters, but he looked quite pleased with himself. I don't think it really was the ship he was after, or our cargo.
(I) Why is that?
(C) Most captains would go to the hold. Joric went to the bridge to deal with our captain...then to our quarters; he was really quick with it too. I remember what he told us. "As of right now, you are under no command. I offer you a choice...join me, earn your fame and riches; Stay here and live on as crew of a failed Smuggler." His eyes commanded a certain respect, and he was well dressed, as was his crew. Definitely Rychart. "I give you five minutes to make your decision. Until then, Officer Talia will watch you. If you made your decision, you can tell her and she will direct you." A few of my friends decided to go and join. They just started so joining him made no differences. I didn't want to take a bullet so of course I joined too. We were taken to the bridge, and the first thing I noticed was the table.
(I) Why a table?
(C) Well, there was a Vudka bottle on it, but also a Barrel of something foul. Above it, the metal was starting to eat itself, or deteriorate, or something. A man with a weird scar on his back asked us if we were certain we wanted to join up. We said yes right away. Matty...a little runt of 15 years was the first to be taken. They tied him to a table, place a cold brand on him, and then...
He hesitates for a bit... I asked if he needed a moment. He says no.
(C) The scarred guy pours this reddish liquid in the brand. Matty starts screaming. This wasn't a gunshot pain. I've seen those kinds of pains. This was something that you felt eat into your skin, something that even if you could get it out, the pain would still linger. He poured it and then let it settle for several minutes. After two or three, the screams continued, but no voice. After 5, the brand was removed, and the Vudka was splashed on it. One of us tried to run for it after he saw the mark... He was hauled to the cargo hold.
(I) Why the cargo hold?
(C) Everyone who did not make a decision or who refused to sign on went there. They did not get a second chance. One by one, we all got our brands...all of us were marked like the scarred man. After that, a Doctor examined our wounds, and we were taken to his ship and into the infirmary. Only nine of us joined, even though 16 of us initially said we would. I don't blame the others. The pain, the smell of blood and oil... the Narvidium Oil... who would want to be touched by it?
He stares at his Vudka for a moment, before lighting another cigar.
(C) After a few hours of recovery, we were wheeled in by the doctor to the bridge. Joric tells us, "We welcome you nine to the Ghost of the Forgotten. You are now under my command, and I demand obedience. For now though, you need rest, and I do not intend on you fighting. However, before you all rest, I have something to show you." He stepped out of the way, and on the screen we saw our former ship. "Magnify the outer holds". As he did that, we saw that our captain was tied to the cargo hold.
(I) He wasn'--
(C) No, not yet. The captain aimed his barrage guns at the hold, and fired. Our small smuggling ship was hulled, but the captain was hit first. I don't know what he thought would happen, but clearly Joric thought differently. He laughed as our former captain was ripped in half, and then he started counting down from 15. At exactly 0, we saw red mist jet out from the holes in the ship. Us nine knew what had become of our compatriots. "I expect you all to rest up. You have one week to recover". We did not doubt him.
Clearly the interview is taking its toll. I ask if it would be alright if we continued this next week. He agrees. The next week, I found him at the bar, with burns across his chest and knife cuts across the wrist, ankles, and groin. It is clear he bled to death, but only after being tortured. I have no doubt that it was a message from Captain Joric.
