[dcs_p]”I am Mike Strider, yes.” Mike stated. He immediately looked up curiously to
Marc. “Is there a problem?” Tana glanced at the ground, pausing nervously as if
she had arrived so quickly she had forgotten the news she carried. She bit her lip
and looked up to Mike again. She needed to ask for this help, not demand it. “I
bring you good news, Mike Strider. I bring you wonderful news, though I myself
am at a loss. My brother is in a mess. He may be dead. I believe his Corsair
crashed down on an uninhabitable planet in system. I need your help, I wish to
employ you but only hold information as payment.” Tana realized she was
speaking quickly and tried to calm herself. “I am just hoping I didn’t travel all this
way for nothing” she thought. She decided to add, “If you won’t help me I will
take my information elsewhere. I assure you it is extremely valuable. I just don’t
have time to make all sorts of negotiations with you. You must agree to help
rescue my brother if he is alive.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”What planet is this?”, Strider said, his head shaking back and forth a bit as if he
lacked some muscular control. “I’ve probably got a lance than can take care of
your problem. We even have aerospace escort if needed. As far as helping your
brother, we will do what we can, if we can.”, he said calmly.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”Delst is the planet. I’m not sure if you know it. It is unbelievably hot and I fear
my brother may be dead or die soon if we don’t hurry.”, she announced. “Your
Mechs are not of importance but I believe your aerospace is necessary. You
would be wise to bring two aerospace lances along.” Tana said.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”We know of the planet, and what aerospace we have is yours. Our Union
Dropship “Eve’s Kiss” will take you there. Xylun will take care of you and your
brother, assuming he is to be found.” Strider scratched his head, looking to his
left arm. “What happened to your brother?”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”He was shot down by pirates. They were performing territorial patrols. A
Sholagar and a Visigoth were chasing him when I last saw him…” Tana’s words
ran out.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”What’s a Visigoth doing near Delst? Did they identify themselves?” Strider
probed.[/dcs_p]
“Yes. They identified themselves. They identified themselves as the
Thunderdome Minions, keepers of the Star League lostech Warship called ‘The
Crusher’. That is my information. I hope you will help my brother.” Tana kept her
voice as even as she could, attempting to sound confident. “As for the Visigoth…
I have no idea.”