From: Robertson, Brendan <Brendan.Robertson@d...>
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 16:40:57 +1100
Subject: Pirates of the Outer Colonies
Had a few ideas from various sources over the last few days.
*****
Several infamous pirates & privateer bands ply the shipping lanes throughout
the Outer Colonies. Some are formed from the hardest criminals in society, who
look upon piracy as their 'civil duty' to become pirate kings & force entire
systems to bow before them. These 'kings' as they call themselves often use
some of the most modern warships they have 'acquired' from the military, or
converted merchantmen. Others are nobles looking to capture the glamour & myth
of the 17th century buccaneers. Armed with a Letter of Marque from their
government, often plying their trade from converted transports or pleasure
yachts, they are nonetheless an annoying thorn in the side of civilian &
military authority.
Famous Pirates & Privateers
---------------------------
Micheal 'Mad Monk' Peters Status: Pirate; 5 MCr reward, Dead or Alive
(preferably dead) Vessel: NAC 'Furious' class Escort cruiser "Double
Crossbones"; Pulsetorp replaced by 2 needlebeams. Background: 'Mad Monk' is an
NAC mutineer who started his career after being thrown in the brig after
torturing an ESU prisoner to death. His accomplices freed him & then spaced
every officer aboard. The ratings were given the choice of joining him or
being set adrift in a lifeboat.
Nearly 2/3 joined the mutineer, but more than 1/2 (the ones who were
suspicious of the offer) jumped ship at the first port after Peters set the
loyal crewmembers adrift, more than 2 light years from the nearest star.
Believed to have captured or destroyed more than 500,000 tons of
shipping along the NAC/ESU border, he is considered a threat to internal
security by both sides. The last known sighting reports that he now commands a
squadron of 2 destroyers & 5 frigates.
*****
Lady Alison 'Mayflower' Rosemount Status: Privateer; 2 MCr reward offered by
FSE for capture alive. Vessel: Converted Starliner "Dawn's Promise"; upgraded
to MD6, armour 8,
+2 firecons, 2 x SMR (FP/F/FS), 2 needlebeams (F), 2 x Class-2 (6-arc),
+2 PDS, 2x MT needle missiles, 8 mass passenger & 16 mass cargo. (Lady
Alison has modified the SMRs to fire one missile salvoes, giving 6 turns worth
of munitions). Background: Lady Alison operates along the FSE border, preying
on military transports & other high cost cargo. Known for the fair treatment
of prisoners, she removes the crew & drops them off within easy distance of
FSE bases, flirting with the danger of capture. 2 FSE light cruisers,
'Bordeux' and 'Bastille' recently attempted to capture Lady Alison, but both
had their drives shot out by salvo & needle missiles with heavy casualties.
*****
'The Sandman' Status: Pirate; 3 MCr reward, Dead or Alive Vessel: Custom built
Privateer "Sands of Time" Background: Little is known about the Sandman,
except he (or she) is believed to be of African or West Indian descent.
Operating in PAU space, his (or her) favoured tactic is to order the merchant
crew to abandon ship; failure to do this has resulted in the immediate
destruction of the vessel on every occassion. Approach with extreme prejudice
& weapons free.
Custom Privateer "Sands of Time" Mass: 70 Hull: Average FTL: Std Main Drive: 6
Damage Track: 21; 6/5/5/5.
Screen-1
2 Firecons 3 Pulsetorpedoes (F)
3 x Class-2 beams (AP/FP/F; FP/F/FS; F/FS/AS)
4 PDS
*****
'Neath Southern Skies
http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~denian/
*****
They seek him here, they seek him there; Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That damned elusive, Pimpernel.
- 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', Baroness Emma Orkzy