《The Nebula (dropped)》Volume 1 Chapter 3 The Fighter (pr and edited)

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After rushing to finish our food we walked out and headed to the junkyard. It was at the far end of the station on the outer area of the station. While we walked i took a chance to check out, in detail, the scrap ship construction skill.

Scrap Ship ConstructionThe overseeing skill that allows a person to plan and construct their own ships, starting from the Design Phase through the entire manufacturing process and final testing sequence.

You can only make scrap versions of Tier 1 ships.

You may get better results if you work with more experienced builders.Scrap ShipTier1Scrap Ships are the absolute bottom of the rung in ship construction techniques. Using leftover, run-down, broken, or downright faulty material to somehow piece together a working ship. Only the most desperate (or crazy) person would actually try to -fly- in such a ship!

Small cockpit-type crafts can be produced.

Small cockpit-type crafts have only a single small weapon slot available and no equipment slots.

Small cockpit-type crafts do not have any internal storage space.

Small cockpit-type crafts can only have a small engine and a basic five directional booster system, forward, left, right, up and down.

Small cockpit-type crafts have limited range and life support. They cannot exist in space without a resupply base or mobile platform.

Larger spacecraft types can be unlocked at higher levels.

With better materials and higher skill levels, proper ships can be constructed.

With proper skills and materials you can change a scrap ship into a proper ship.Small Cockpit Craft Parts ListSealed small cockpit.

Small ship frame.

Small engine.

Small basic five directional boosters.

Small power system (power plant included).

Small fuel storage tank.

Small life support system (8 hours atmosphere/water).

Metal plating (frame support and armoring).Dingy ShipTier2The next level of Ship Construction Skill. This allows the professional design and construction of small to medium sized Dingy-class ships. A Dingy can be used in all sorts of roles, such as mining, combat, or merchant ships. A Medium sized Dingy can also be used as a mother ships or platforms for smaller ships. All factories made Dingys are medium sized.

Unknown.

Unknown.

You do not have the skill level required to view more information about this skill.Scrap Fighter ShipTier1One of the most basic ships possible to build. They are 1/5 the size of a factory made Dingy and construction is done by hand using all manner of leftover and scraped parts. These ships are only large enough to hold the basic life support systems a small fuel tank, the pilot cockpit, a pair of basic weapons, a small engine and basic power system. These ships cannot survive on their own and need at least a basic support system on another larger ship to be used in space for a period of time.

Unknown.

Unknown.

You do not have the skill level required to view more information about this skill.

Noah: Wow! The game sure gives a lot of info for the skills… thought it sucks; we need to build a support system on the Dingy because the fighters have smaller fuel tanks and weaker support systems.

Ernest: Adam and I will do that, we will check with the droids to see if they know how to build one.

They both run back the way we came from while the rest of us continued on. When we reached the junkyard our mouths dropped. All around were large hills of junk plating and even destroyed Dingy ships. As we stared at the place, an old fat man appeared in front of us.

??? : So yer here, heard from the boss you guys gonna make yourself some junkers huh, name’s Gunner.

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He quickly pulled two pistols out.

Gunner: Like the name says I'm a good shot.

He puts them both away after saying that, getting his point across.

Gunner: You guys can use dock 2 to make yer ships, don’t forget to bring your main ship over here, you will need the parts here to make upgrades.

Noah: Thanks for the help. Guys you can start, I’ll get the ship over here.

They all nodded and headed for the clean platform with the large 2 drawn on it.

I leave the junkyard and run toward the hangar where my ship was when I suddenly got a call from Ernest.

Ernest: Hey captain, we got what we needed and then some from the droid. Besides the basic support unit blueprints we also got the schematics for a basic fighter ship with info on all the systems we need.

Noah: It will probably increase the quality of the current scrap fighter ship we have the skill to make, send what you found to everyone, I'll be at the hangar soon; we need to take the ship to the junkyard to build the life support unit.

Ernest: Alright, we will wait here and send our findings to the rest of you.

The channel cuts off and in a few seconds a small download bar appears and starts to rise while I run. As I reach the hangar the download finishes and the blueprints for the fighter ship appears along with some pop ups.

You have learned to make a basic fighter ship.

As this is a ship of the same rank you currently possess but in finer detail it has replaced the old model.

Noah: Oh cool, we don’t need the older model anymore, that’s convenient.

I walk over and find Ernest and Adam sitting near the hatch which was open.

Ernest: Ah finally, I thought I would fall asleep!

Adam: You almost were, anyway it must have been pretty far from here.

Noah: I didn’t find it too far, but that’s me. So, let’s get this to the junkyard.

Ernest: Right, oh do you know where to go to get there?

I paused for a moment and shook my head. He then pushed me near the corner of the hangar and pointed at a platform near the back.

Ernest: Land on that platform and it will take us to the junkyard.

Noah: Shall we go then.

We quickly enter the ship and fly over and land on the platform. After we land it drops down and moves us into the interior of the station. It took about a minute before we reached a large door that opened up to the junkyard. It wasn’t much trouble to find out platform after that.

Near the corner the guys were waiting with lots of tools ready and a pile of iron beams that are used for the frame of the ship.

James: You’re finally back, we already took the liberty of collecting the frame’s iron beams.

Noah: Did you guys get the blueprints from Ernest?

Basil: Yep we got them it. I must say it’s a beauty, check it out.

He presses a button on his watch devices and the hologram of a fighter ship appears. It was 1/3 of the size of the Dingy unlike the original which was 1/5 and it looked like an U.S. Stealth Fighter.

Noah: That’s an impressive looking ship, but isn’t it bigger than the info said?

Basil: That was the original one we had, that was a real junker for sure.

Ernest: So the extra size will go into what exactly?

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Morgan: The extra space will let us put in a larger fuel tank and slightly better life support system so we will be able to last longer in a fight.

Basil: We think it would give us at least 12 hours’ worth of time before we need to connect again, though the fuel is a different story.

Noah: Then let’s start getting this done… Basil can I talk with you?

Basil: Sure, what’s up?

I walk a bit away before I start.

Noah: Tell me, did you find any old lasers?

Basil: Yeah, there’s a large pile of them over in that direction.

He points to near the door I came through.

Basil: What do you plan on doing?

Noah: Arm us with proper guns or rifles and knives.

Basil: …huh… how will spaceship lasers make us weapons?

Noah: Those who choose the mechanic skill set have scrap weapon construction as well, if I can get the parts and maybe some blueprints we can make some laser pistols and rifles.

He gave me a grin after hearing my plan.

Basil: You want me to help.

I nodded.

Noah: You’re an ex-commander in the army, you should know by heart how to build guns.

Basil: Smart kid… let’s go, we can start right away.

He turned to the others before shouting.

Basil: Hey guys, I’m going to help the captain with something, you guys work on the ship.

They waved after hearing us and we left.

We quickly make our way to the lasers but I frown when I see them. Each laser is as large as me, which I find strange considering what I see in the ship, which looks half my size but I guess that being the barrel it would make sense if the whole thing was larger.

Noah: I’m starting to wonder how we will build anything if all the parts are this big.

??? : That’s easy, you boys need to go pick up the junkyards power suits.

We look up to find Gunner looking down at us from a floating cart filled with parts and around his body is a weird suit.

Basil: Power suit like the one you’re using now?

Gunner: Yep… also, what are you guys doing here, you haven’t even starts your ship and you’re messing with the guns already?

Noah: I want to make some handguns, rifles and hand-to-hand weapons in case we ever need them.

He suddenly perks up and lands the cart near use.

Gunner: Ya want to make weapons huh… heh heh heh, come with me kids I'll teach ya the finer points to making them.

For the next three hours he taught us how to scavenge for parts and continuously make better and better weapons. Basil developed the scrap weapon construction skill and after a while we both ranked it up to weapon construction (basic 1). At the end of it all we had made 10 junk knives 10 junk swords 20 pistols, 5 rifles and 4 snipers, each, gunner kept them all as payment for the teaching but gave each of us a large tool box full of tools need for making the guns.

Basil: Well those were some productive few hours.

He said this rubbing his shoulders which were hurting from carrying around large junk parts. It still hurts even with the power suit since they only amplifies the user’s strength by 10, so as someone at level 1 that doesn’t do physical exercise in the game he had a hard time. I wasn’t in as bad a shape as he was, having higher stats thanks to training during the tutorial helped me

As we approach the others we see that they are also wearing power suits, that explains were gunner was while we gathered junk.

Ernest: Hey guys, where you been?

Noah: With Gunner, we were going to make some scrap weapons when he found us, he then taught us for three hours straight about how to scavenge parts and build the weapons, we even ranked scrap weapon construction to regular weapon construction and even got scavenger skill.

All seven of them had eyes that were shining when they heard we were making weapons.

Felix: So you guys made guns right?

Basil: Yeah, but gunner took it as payment for teaching us, we are going to take a break and then go back to make guns for ourselves and then take suggestions for your guns.

Ernest: That doesn’t matter, as long as we get some on hand it’s fine.

As I watched them talking I felt intimidated looking at my crew. I was certain that they all had some history in the army so I tried to change the subject and looked at the nearly finished frame.

Noah: Wow, you guys worked quick… wait isn’t that iron almost new?

Adam: Good eye captain, we found a Dingy that was in great condition, it was only trashed because the engine had blown up so we removed the newest looking plating and trashed the rest, then took the ship apart.

Basil: AlI in 3 hours.

Ernest: It’s thanks to the disassembly skill we got from removing parts, it made it easier and gave a boost to our dexterity, which helped a lot with smaller stuff.

James: We are looking for systems now, like engine and stuff, but most are broken or destroyed. Would you two look for it while we finish up?

I shrugged and jumped down into the dumps and headed to one of the further Dingys while Basil went his own way.

I looked through each Dingy but like the rest it was usually the engine that got them to this place, at least until I reached the back end. To my surprise I found lots with engines intact so I entered one to see if it started up. After several tries, mostly because of no fuel, I found one that turned on, it was comparable to the original Dingy we had tested with so I flew it back. I loved the faces my crew had when they saw the thing flying over and me shouting "I found our engines and everything."

Once they finished the construction of the frame they began disassembling the new ship I brought and increased the piles they had already made with extra parts. While they took the ship apart, Basil and I took our time making guns and knives.

Two hours later the ship was picked to the bone and we return with 18 laser pistols, 9 rifles and 18 knives. They were all giddy to try them out. I had Basil teach me how to shoot the rifle, pistol and even dual wield pistols.

The ship at this point had the cockpit built; it was just like my main ship since we didn’t have any other kind to use. A single engine at the back but I also spotted the boosters for turning the ship, the fuel tank, we were installing the life support and a pair of lasers and beginning to pass the wiring through the craft.

This took 1 hour and was mostly done by the techs while the rest of us got cracking on the support unit for my ship. It was essentially another better life support system, which took up space in the cargo reducing us back to only carrying 8t, and a large fuel tank for the fighter to refuel.

After the weapons were on, we started on the plates… or tried to.

Ernest: None of these plates fit properly, either too big or small.

Noah: Can’t we cut them into shape, like welding?

Jonas: We don’t have the tools, we asked Gunner but he doesn’t want to let us use his.

They all sit down looking defeated after coming so far. As we sat down something came to mind.

Noah: This may seem stupid but what about using lasers to cut the metal?

There was a silence as no one replied but when they looked my way they were smiling.

Ernest: Guess we have a Star Wars fan here.

Adam: Noah we had thought of it, Basil actually tried to make a laser sword but couldn’t get a constant laser going only a shot like a gun.

Noah: Then keep firing the laser at a single spot and it will cut through right?

There was another pause and Ernest even face palmed himself and quickly ran over and fired at the plate from a foot away. It took four shots for it to cross the thick plate at close range.

Ernest: Get shooting guys, we have armor to cut, make sure to draw the cut before doing it, we don’t want to screw up.

It was a frenzy of shooting, it got so bad that Gunner came over and began to shout.

Gunner: What the hell is with all the gunfire, is there a war here?

Noah: Umm… well we don’t have anything to cut the armor plates with, so we are using laser guns to cut through them.

He looks around and sees the ship being welded with a weak shot from a laser pistol and had a face that showed how awestruck he was. He then started laugh… hard. So hard, that he was holding his sides while rolling on the ground.

Gunner: Hahahahaha, you guys, you’re the best. I haven’t seen such interesting people in a long time. One of you come with me, I’ll let you use the welding tools just because you gave me a good laugh.

Ernest went along and after a few minutes returned with a cart holding the tools. With the proper tools we soared through the work, each plate was cut precisely and those that we cut shooting we removed to place better ones. This part took us one hour until it was finally finished. It took a total of 6 hours to get the ship done… don’t ask me how it was done so quickly, it just was, probably some game system help went into it to speed things along.

After attaching the final plate we just sat back a bit looking at the finished ship.

Noah: Umm is it just me or is the ship far from a scrap ship?

As if on cue a various windows appear.

You and your crew have built an exceptional Basic Fighter Ship.

Basic Fighter ShipA low tier fighter ship mounted with a pair of lasers. Even though junk was used for its parts, thanks to the experienced builders in your crew the ship is just slightly below average in performance when compared with factory made fighters.Durability:2000/2000Top Speed (m/h):600Fuel Tank (gallon):200 (1 hour of fuel)Life Support:12 hours

The skill Scrap Ship Construction of your entire crew has ranked up to Ship Construction.

Ship ConstructionThe overseeing skill that allows a person to plan and construct their own ships, starting from the Design Phase through the entire manufacturing process and final testing sequence.

You can make Tier 1 ships up to factory standards.

You may get better results if you work with more experienced builders.

You are the first crew of players to construct a fighter.

+100 fame

Warning!Please remember to properly register your new ship with your superiors or this ship will be considered a pirate ship and shot on sight as it holds no registration code.

Felix: Damn that got us a lot of stuff, I can’t wait to fly this puppy!

Earl: Yeah, but we still need to learn to do that, so for now… Captain get this beauty to the landing pad that brought you here with the Dingy.

Noah: Wait, you want me to drive and then come back for the Dingy?

Ernest: Don’t worry kid, give me a minute’s head start then leave with the fighter and I will bring you back for the other one.

I nod. We then fill the fuel tank of the fighter and Dingy before he gets onto the floating cart and rushes off towards the door. After counting to 60 I get in the fighter and start up the ship. Its startup was clean like the Dingy’s and didn’t vibrate much. Since the controls were the same as the dingy it was easy. With a slight pull on the handles the boosters underneath the fighter spring to life and lift the ship into the air. I could hear the cheering of my crew as the ship rises up. I then push the left handle down which makes the boosters on the left wing tilt the ship, I stop when the ship was at a 70 degree angle before pulling both handles back. Thanks to the angle the lower boosters turn the ship until I let go after the ship faced the door. After quickly straightening up I lightly touch the pedal, even with a small touch it had good acceleration and covered the space from platform 2 to the hangar zone in a bit over a minute.

As I land I see Ernest arriving.

Ernest: That was some mighty fine flying, I must say, and the looks from below look nice as well, a good paint job on it and it will be perfect.

Noah: I’m happy we got this close to factory standards… you guys are really good mechanics even with ships you’ve never seen you can make them so well.

Ernest: Hehe well we took up jobs that matched what we did when we were younger and what we do now really.

Noah: We should go get the others before they start getting bored and start practicing with their guns.

He laughed at my comment as I got onto the cart. Even though I was kidding when I said that as we neared the platform we saw them actually practicing with their guns.

I just stared at them slack jawed while Ernest falls back holding his gut seeing them do just like I said.

As I get down they had already packed up and were getting what things that belonged to us into the ship. It took a few minutes to get all the tools we gained or made here into the storage and to get everyone seated. The flight back was just as uneventful as the first but the others didn’t let it dampen their moods since it was their first time in a flying ship so they were eccentric about being in the air. As soon as I land the screen shows a single button saying “inner station”. I press the button and the junkyards doors open up and the dock we were on went inside pulling us and the fighter with us until we were finally out.

Noah: Felix, come here I need to show you the basics to start and fly the ship.

After getting out of the ship he comes out with me and I give him a quick crash course on the ins and outs of piloting the ship.

It takes a bit before he gets it and when he does he goes ahead of us and flies to the original docks, I follow behind.

As we land we spot Marcus and Mr. Canes waiting there.

Marcus: Well well, now this is quite a beauty for a scrap ship built from junk.

Mores: Like I told you Marcus, I had my doubts that a scrap ship would come out from trained military men like the ones in this crew.

Ernest: Hmm, you can tell who trained in the army sir?

Mores: Boy, I’ve lived much longer than you can imagine, I can see right through someone just with a look, I can tell you were probably the head mechanic during the time you served in the army.

Ernest had a slightly shocked expression but nods to confirm that he was as Mr. Canes had said.

Mores: Anyway, that’s beside the point. I’m here to check up on you kids and to direct the droids as they switch out the drones from your ships with a new model that just came in from the capital worlds.

As he said that the droids appear with a small white orb half the size of the current one I had and all brand new.

Mores: These little ones are as efficient as 3 of the current model in your ship so it will help with the scanning and it will make mining quicker, the same could be said for scanning the anomaly. When you do you boys plan on going to find it?

Noah: I was thinking about leaving tomorrow, it will give us enough time to prepare and make sure both ships are in top condition, also I need to register the fighter, is that done with you?

Marcus: Yes, I can do that for you.

He walks up to me and with a small scan from his watch my info appears and then he scans the fighter.

You have registered the a Basic Fighter Ship under your name. During the next few hours a registration number will be assigned to this ship and the droids will give it an examination to see if there are any problems.

Marcus: Alright, have fun now.

They both leave us and head their own way while giving out orders the to the droids that are moving all over the place between the many new looking Dingys that other players have claimed already. My crew and I head our own ways, before I left I suggest for them to train their body so that they can fight physically if something ever happens and then I leave to do some exercise and then sleep.

I had a strange dream this night, I found myself in the depth of space just floating there, around me are large but sparse asteroids and in front of me sat a large ship, I mean huge, four or five times larger than my Dingy. It looked like an U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier but it was heavily beat up with many large dents on its plating and it was painted red and to my utter disgust I saw corpses… human corpses. They were held by blade chains wrapped around the neck, they were covered in cuts completely bloodied up and with many deep cuts that went to the bone or that showed the organs inside the body, all frozen in the vacuum of space. If I could I would have vomited but I didn’t because after seeing those bodies an image of a beast appeared and I startled myself up.

Though I thought I would wake up in my room inside the Kelha II station I didn’t, I was in my capsule drenched in sweat all over my body. It was night already, as I get up I see dad in his capsule. I was breathing heavily from the nightmare that I had seen in the game.

I take many deep breaths to calm myself, like always a nightmare is something that seems to stick into your mind and you almost never forget what you saw in them unlike a normal dream.

Noah: The security systems must have woken me up and ejected me when I got too agitated by the dream, I’m happy they did that.

I stood up, head to the bathroom and take a long bath letting the water wash over me, it’s quite calming. Afterwards I ate a good midnight snack and rested a bit before going back into the game.

Noah: I hope that was just a dream and not a premonition.

***

If you have more ideas about space related stuff please tell me, I don’t watch too many space related stuff so it will help a lot.

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