It took several days, but Cyclonis convinced her grandmother, Master Anarchis, had agreed to leave Dustin and the Tailwind alone for now when she was informed the Tailwind hadn't been completed. Dustin is far more valuable for creating it and a weapon that would become the bane of sky knight squadrons everywhere. In comparison, Angus had a much less difficult time as his father wanted to get his hands on the blueprints of the Tailwind and the new weapon.
"So, in exchange for sponsoring us, Cyclonia wants us to take on these crewmates to ensure this is a good investment. Am I correct in interpreting this?" Dustin asks.
"Oh yeah," Daria answers.
"We need to build bridges," Dustin says, sighing, agreeing to this term as he hopes they won't be completely useless.
Daria gives a soft, comforting pat on the back. "It will be fine. We got past the race bullshit."
"Now is just a question of competence," Dustin says.
Daria smiles. "That's just a question of how good they are and their attitude."
"So, how is the installation of our new cannons?" Dustin asks.
Daria turns and points him to the port side of the ship. "Well, enough," she sighs as they watch the dock crew install the new guns.
"It ups our ship's power, but not enough if we encounter a big monster," Dustin comments.
Daria sighs. "I am working on an idea on that. But still working on it and unsure if it will work," she mentions and seems troubled.
"I guess we'll just have to do trial and error for that," Dustin says as Daria starts going back to yelling at the crew installing the cannons to make sure they are putting it in correctly on their ship. After a bit, a small ship flies in and a dozen or so cyclonians exit off a few in lab coats, and Dustin notices Angus is amongst them. '…I see. You want them to learn about our tech is your angle, huh?' Dustin thinks.
Many of the Cyclonians marvel at the design, and those in lab coats are already talking amongst themselves and pointing to parts of the ship. Most likely, most try to figure out or hypothesize the function or point of individual components. "Rorack, are their crew quarters ready?" Dustin inquires of the quartermaster of the Tailwind.
Rorack groans. "Got more beds, yes. Had to make due during our race when Viper brought his tribemates."
"I want them acclimated with the crew as soon as possible. We will be heading to Render's Refuge next after we are done with installing the cannons and testing them during flight. It's the nearest guild location on the current border. After that, we are going to be looking for crew. Mostly fighters and security," Dustin informs Rorack.
Rorack grins. "Raptors we have aren't enough for security and fighters?" he jests with both of them watching said raptors working the cargo bay.
"We need more for the entire ship. We are also going to be taking on bigger, more dangerous jobs. Like hunting pirates," Dustin informs.
"Bold play," Rorack hums before sighing. "Alright. I will keep making more space available," he informs while walking away.
"Viper, have some of your clan keep eyes on our supplies. You know how valuable those will be in the coming days," Dustin instructs, making him nod.
"The course is set, captain. Just tell us when," Condor reports, walking up to him.
"Be prepared, but we still have to wait. Cyclonis will want to see us off," Dustin adds.
Condor nods before noticing the scientist and engineers still looking at the hull of the ship. "How busy are you going to be with them?"
"Research and development. They will be talking with us a lot about ideas and improvements, but keep in mind they are here to learn for Cyclonis's sake," Dustin informs as Daria goes out and starts talking to them.
Condor smirks. "What are the topics to not say around them?"
"For now, the blueprints for the whole ship are never to be shown, only pieces of it for those who need to do maintenance," Dustin informs.
"Check. Anything else?" Condor questions, wondering what the team could ask.
"Cyclonis has already agreed to keep the new weapon we developed out of the hands of the Talons, but just in case some fool gets an idea, put those plans in maximum lockdown with the full ship plans," Dustin says.
Condor grins. "Don't worry. I got traps too."
"Non-fatal, please," Dustin says, smirking at the Merb.
Condor chuckles evilly as she slinks away.
"Princess Cyclonis is on her way," someone says over the voice tubes.
Dustin smiles and walks over to the pipe. "Then ready the ship for departure. And do make sure everyone is ready to leave. I don't want anyone knocking their heads. Also, someone has to show our new crewmates to their working stations."
Not long after that, Cyclonis arrives with Ravess and Snipe as the final preparations are being made. "I figured you wanted to see us off," Dustin says, waiting for her outside the ship.
Cyclonis smirks. "Well, I have to check on my investments."
"We will be sure to inform you when we make any good advancements. That second radio you gave us will make sure of that," Dustin assures.
'And at least I have someone intelligent to talk to on days,' Cyclonis thinks.
Dustin hums as he looks over his ship. "Make sure to warn me before calling. I could be busy with something important and can't stop."
"How with the radio?" Cyclonis points out.
Dustin smiles. "Send a radio call earlier. Leave a message. I'll get to you later."
Both bodyguards look at him like he had grown another head, having dared to suggest that.
Cyclonis chuckles. "Okay. But you better respond at least within a day's amount."
"Will do. I am going to be a bit busy this month, though. Going to start taking on more dangerous jobs now that we have a good cruiser," Dustin warns.
Cyclonis shrugs. "Good to always have a good income if something happens."
"That is my thinking," Dustin says, smiling at her.
The guards slowly look at each other, now either worried or confused. How can they handle someone speaking so calmly and casually to their leader without pissing her off?
"You will start receiving your royalties as soon as we start seeing positive results from them," Cyclonis adds.
"That is only fair, but I suspect that will take a few weeks seeing as what you will have to do," Dustin says as the engines started to power up from the Tailwind.
Cyclonis smirks. "Don't disappoint me. I expect many great ideas to come to fruition."
"Don't worry. You will. The Tailwind is a foundation I will build a glorious castle on," Dustin assures, heading to his ship.
"Eh…why would he build a castle on a cruiser?" Snipe asks.
Cyclonis frowns as her idiot guard just ruined the moment. "And the fun is gone," she whispers to herself. She now has a feeling there will be more moments of this in the future.
"So, what do we have so far, Rorack?" Dustin asks as his quartermaster and Viper have gotten back from the guild building to recruit sailors.
"We are getting a few to fill up the roster," Rorack confirms.
"How many are former talons or squaddies?" Dustin asks.
"Both," Rorack and Viper reply at the same time. Dustin's eye twitches before sighing. "We got four former talons and five squaddies. It seems more like dropouts or kicked out. But they got enough teeth and grit once we put them to work," Rorack helpfully informs.
"They bringing any of their weapons, armor, or gear?" Dustin inquires, wondering if they will need to outfit them themselves.
"All taken back when they left. Squaddies especially," Viper informs, hissing to the side. Rorack and Dustin even hear him mutter something about not taking care of equipment.
"Right, we will need gear. Rorack and Viper. The weapon shops on the border have both sky knight and Cyclonian gear, right?" Dustin asks.
"Throwaways, yeah. All refurbished to the best of what they can do," Rorack warns.
"It will have to do. Take those on security and the recruits and get them equipped. We should have enough money to do that. I will be going to R&D about something," Dustin informs.
Both crewmates watch as Dustin seems to be in serious thought about something new. "Think it's a new cannon?" Viper asks.
"Probably has something to do with our equipment. Now you gather the raptors, I will gather the rest," Rorack informs.
"You got it," Viper mutters, walking off to collect his tribemates.
"Daria and Condor, report to R&D," comes Dustin's voice from the voice pipes throughout the ship.
"So, what do you want us here for?" Condor asks.
Dustin hums while waiting for Angus to put up his tools to talk with the three of them as already the Cyclonian's were making themselves right at home and personalizing the room they would be working out of. There were also several large boards attached to the wall—one labeled project with two categories. 'In progress' and 'To do.' Both were right now blank as to be expected.
"At least they quickly got into it," Daria notes while looking around the lab. It is spacious enough to fit almost thirty people if you squeeze around them. A large table in the middle while tables line the walls with cupboards above them. On one wall sits the boards, each sorted into how someone will slowly read from one side to another.
"This is also the crystal lab, after all. Thought it would be all Condor's for the foreseeable future," Dustin comments as Angus finally makes his way to them.
"Now, what can I do for you, captain?" Angus asks.
"We have run into an issue. We have no standardized equipment to hand out to our security crew. We have gotten by this because most of our crew has brought their gear, but the recent ones we have hired in the guild haven't. We are currently having our own go out and equip them with what they can buy on this terra, but we need to fix that so we don't constantly have this problem and need to pay money every time this happens. So we need to put our heads together for this. I think we make something with the tech we invented for this ship," Dustin informs, making Angus smirk at the challenge.
"A self-made armor and weapons, cheap and easy to make, and don't need to buy almost anything from the outside," he lists off. "I will like this challenge."
"A bit ambitious. For starters, for armor, we should mostly forge some in the workshop. We also should probably make a uniform since we have that machine you made," Daria points out as Angus's eyes Dustin's well-made jacket with no signs of stitching being so obvious.
"As for weapons, I think a ranged one would be best," Dustin says before taking out and putting a worn crystal energy blaster on the table in between the four. "This is one of the only ranged crystal weapons that doesn't require long amounts of training. Its simplicity is something we will need in the future. So thinking we can use the concepts from this weapon as a basis for our brand of weapon," Dustin informs.
"A crystal energy blaster. What are you thinking about for a start?" Angus asks, wondering what Dustin can make with this.
"Well, for most of our crew, we can't put them all through basic training for combat like talons, and sky knights do for their squadrons. So we need something quick and easy to learn. This type of weapon, you need to aim and shoot and don't need to reload more arrows like bows and crossbows constantly. So it is ideal for those who will not be fighting hand to hand," Dustin points out to the three.
"So…it needs to be quicker," Angus lists off. "And be able to fire more accurately as there isn't much of an aiming technique besides holding up your hand and keeping it still. So what's the first idea to change this up?"
"First, the design is too inefficient and flimsy. One stray hit to it, and it no longer works," Dustin points out.
"Um…we might also be able to apply the concept we used on the new weapon for our ship to it as a scaled-down version," Daria thinks aloud.
Dustin smiles. "Yeah. That's why I am thinking of changing this stupid dish design to a more streamlined version. It comes out to a point where all the energy builds up in the crystal chamber and condenses as it exits the blaster," he explains, drawing on the paper with the markings and new design.
"Hum…interesting. We will need some materials like different metals to experiment with to see what can handle the stress of the crystal energy's power and heat, as well as be durable enough to take some hits and still work," Angus says before walking over and writes under 'In Progress' on the project board 'New ranged only weapon.' This alerted the rest they already had a project to work on, and they hurried up to get set up.
Dustin taps his chin now with the pencil as he looks at his drawings. "The main problem at that point is how much energy a user would have and how to change the crystal just in case since we can't leave it sealed."
"That will be something to tackle as well," Condor adds.
"We shall start on the concept soon and will put in an order for different types of metals to experiment with for this," Angus adds.
"You can do that?" Dustin asks, looking surprised at the man.
"It will go through you for the books," Angus says, reminding Dustin everything they order will be dependent on his funds.
"Right," Dustin voices to himself. "Any case, right now, it is best to think more about how to improve this design. If we are making new weapons, it should be a good idea to come up with anything before crossing them off the list. I'm all ears here for whatever you guys have."
"There is also a possible recoil. How much it can throw off the aim is dependent on how strong we make the dang thing," Daria adds, smiling and starting to enjoy coming up with parts and ideas.
"Right, I will be on the bridge in the meanwhile as we will be lifting off soon," Dustin informs.
Condor nods. "We will stay here for a bit. We might have ten more ideas by the time we leave," she jokes, but chuckles as they know they would have more than that.
Dustin smiles while tossing her the pencil. "Good luck," he encourages, walking away into the now packed hallway. Boxes of gear and supplies litter the sides where there isn't a door in the way. Some he can see are Cyclonian marked while others are general. He can see that while the Cyclonian supplies are cheap looking and uniformed, the available items from various shops have more uniqueness. Dustin can guess how they are made; it's a challenging mix where it could be brittle and suitable for one time or last longer than Cyclonian supplies can be.
Besides that, more crew members are now milling about from the guild recruitment and Cyclonians as well. Though there is some slight friction, as Dustin notices, the ones from Atmos are eyeing the Cyclonians with some disdain, but they can't argue as it could cost them their job here. He would have to address this as this could spiral into sabotage and blaming from each side. Course, the only ones he can count as loyal are the raptors that Viper picks up and his own chosen crewmates.
Yeah. Dustin has a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to keep this ship running and produce result after result. He even has to still earn money from his jobs and inventions. And he can not sell to one side alone. He would need a dead mix of both and even nonaffiliated sides for extra income.
"Boss?!" Viper calls, and Dustin grunts as he walks into the glass window.
"Ow," Dustin groans, rubbing his head. "Sorry. Was deep in thought," he apologizes, turning to him as Viper steers the ship. "So, what is it?"
"Our next destination is only a few hours away. You guys have been at it for a while," Viper explains, turning his attention back to flying.
"Yes, about that. All hands. I repeat all hands. This is your captain speaking, so listen up. We are going hunting for bounties. I repeat. We are going hunting. So check your gear. Get ready. And if there is any infighting or sabotage from anyone over something petty or whatnot, I WILL PERSONALLY BEAT YOU SO BAD YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD BEEN THROWN INTO THE WASTELANDS IN YOUR UNDERWEAR AND NOTHING ELSE BY COMPARISON!" Dustin yells over the voice pipes, pausing to let that sink in seeing Viper smirk having heard that. "We are now on the clock, so it is time to make some money. Remember, all your contracts contained a clause saying while on duty, you agreed that there are no free atmos or cyclonian factions on the ship," Dustin finishes.
Viper chuckles while Dustin takes a deep breath. "Boss, are you going to announce something like that again? Because that was awesome."
"Any sabotage comes out of yours and Rorack's salaries," Dustin informs, making him pale.
"You…are evil," Rorack notes, walking by with a large crate. "More than the Cyclonians are told to be like."
Dustin rolls his eyes and gives him a yapping hand gesture. "Just steer us straight, and you would be fine as long as your tribemates can keep order," he informs, crossing his arms as he returns to a pondering gesture. "Maybe a stock to keep the aim steady?" he asks himself, now thinking back to the weapon and how it can be even better.
"All hands to your stations. We got something. We have a match for the time pulse code of a pirate vessel," Dustin announces over the voice pipes as he looks at the ship signature detected on the edge of their detection range.
"Amazing, we got that working in time," Condor says in relief as she works on the table. "I thought we would get civilians first."
"Viper, prepare a boarding party. I am taking the wheel," Dustin informs, stepping up to the controls.
"Oh. That's the easy part," Viper chuckles as he runs off, letting Dustin grab the steering. He even takes the spear leaning against the wall on the way out of the bridge.
"Going to sixty percent speed!" Dustin calls over the voice pipes and doubles the current engine power and zooms off, aiming directly at the pirate ship.
"Hey! Watch it! Turn!" one of the pirates calls as their target flies right towards them, aiming for a collision course. "Turn the bloody ship!"
"They are out of control!" one of those on a skimmer outside the ship yells over the radio.
"Shoot them down! Get them off this course!" the leader orders, and soon, bright crystal energy shots fly through the air. Each orb of energy smacks against the hull of the Tailwind but leaves only scorch marks. No sign of hull breeches or even metal shearing off from the shots or speed surprised many pirates. So much so, most of them turn tail and fly out of the course that is now set on the lead pirate cruiser. Said cruiser didn't have time to react as the ship was blasted with a broadside as the Tailwind passed it after turning with ease at their speed.
"Damage report!" the captain yells as sparks fly from their instruments, and the lights flickered.
"Time pulse sensor offline, most cannons on the portside are destroyed, and engine power is sixty percent and falling," someone calls.
"Damn," the captain curses before turning to a pipe. "Lock them in place with the harpoons! Make sure they don't go anywhere and clear that ship!"
"Sir! We have a problem! We can't catch and board because they just did the same to us!" someone calls over the pipes as shouts and blaster shots ring out as well. "They are taking everyone out!"
"Knock, knock!" Rorack calls, bashing down the door.
"What are you assholes waiting for?!" the pirate calls before grunting as the captain hears hissing on the other end.
"Finished easily. Not even a proper hunt," someone else says, clearly not towards the pipe.
"Take them alive. We get more money for them," Rorack says, swinging his hammer, smacking a pirate across the face when they try to attack him.
"Don't forget the other target," Viper reminds, and Rorack nods. Dustin gave them a personal mission of finding extra weapons or the entire leftover armory to raid and take for his experiments. That one he would personally pay for depending on the haul.
"The captain is moving to take on the skimmers. Poor fools," Rorack says, knowing what is about to happen when the Tailwind slows down and starts tilting slightly.
Dustin chuckles as he watches the skimmers fly towards them in many directions. "Aw. That's cute. They think they have a chance," he jokes as he turns the ship upwards to expose the many turrets that litter the lower half of the vessel. As the skimmers fly closer, the AA fire lights up the sky, first hitting many skimmers flying straight the entire time towards them but misses others as they notice the firepower and try to dodge it. But after correcting their aim, the gunners all manage to either skim off enough of the skimmer to send it down or eradicate it out of the air. Dustin grunts as he levels the vessel, aiming a course around the lead airship again. "Damn, we're good."
"The only bad thing is we don't have a way to capture any skimmers right now," Daria comments as Dustin steers them to one of the smaller pirate ships that looked like it was starting to flee after seeing what had happened.
Dustin hums as he keeps on the pirate ship's tail. "There's an idea. Maybe something like a net or a rope. Possibly a smaller harpoon to spear it like a fish," he says out loud, and Daria shakes her head at his crazy ideas besides obvious good ones.
"Someone send a surrender demand, or we will blast them out of the sky," Condor instructs.
"I am still eager to test out the modified cannons on a smaller ship," Dustin voices.
Condor looks over to their captain for a few seconds before turning to their communicator officer. "Send it quickly!"