[SoNE Ep XIII - Freebuild] Destined to hang

[LucasLaughing]

For the better part of a year, I've been chasing a ghost.  Always two steps behind former ISB agent Goatm An, arriving just after he's departed, sometimes close enough that there's still warmth in the bodies he's left behind.

I'm getting better though.  Closer.  It's getting easier and easier to put myself in Goatm's head.

This should probably worry me more than it does.

I'm in the Commenor system now.  After weeks of laying low, the bounty hunter who alerted us to Goatm's presence on Naboo registered to collect a bounty here.  I have a feeling Goatm wont be far behind him.

I used my ISB credentials to commandeer a ship and pilot.  It's a system patrol vessel – basically a modified TIE boarding craft.  It's smaller and less armed than I'd prefer, but it's perfect for keeping a low profile.  There are about a dozen of these ships weaving through Commenor's busy space lanes at any given time.  I'm in a jump seat behind the pilot, with strict orders not to touch anything.

 Pilot:  Sir, I believe our target ship has just entered the system.

 Lucas:  Good, let's see if he picks up any company.

The ship belongs to a clawdite bounty hunter named Zaz Sikari.  As a 'known operator,' he's given quick clearance to proceed to his landing zone on the night side of the planet, and as he leaves the lines of cargo ships behind, it becomes clear that he's no longer alone.

 Lucas:  Bring us up behind that x-wing and get his ID.

 Pilot:  Roger.  X-wing fighter, this is Commenor system patrol.  Transmit your ID and state your business.

X-wing Pilot:  Copy Commenor patrol.  This is Sector Ranger Ky Prax, heading in to refuel and rearm.  Sending credentials now.

The credentials and clearance codes check out, and the pilot image that appears on my screen looks like a sector ranger, but I know that voice.  How could I not?  How many hours have I spent listening to intercepted transmissions and comms?

 Lucas:  Bring us to firing range.  Tell him you want to do a visual flyover.

 Pilot:  Thank you Mr Prax.  Due to your … unusual choice of craft, we're going to do a quick visual inspection.  Maintain your current speed and heading.

X-wing Pilot:  Understood.  Standing by.

 Pilot:  Sir, he's in range.  Shall I engage?

My orders are clear.  Kill Agent Goam An.  This is the second time I've had him in my sights.  Why am I hesitating?  Is it because he's a fellow Imperial?  

 Pilot:  Sir?  

Is it because the more I study his dossier, the more similarities I see between us?

 Lucas:  Ion cannons only.  Fire to disable.

 Pilot:  Whoa, what the hell?!  Cruiser, cease fire, we are friendlies -

Her voice is cut off by an earsplitting squeal; they're jamming our comms.

It's an ISB ship - they must have been waiting just outside the system.

 Lucas:  Stay close to the cruiser, it'll make us harder to hit.

 Pilot:  Yeah, no sh*t.  What the hell have you gotten me into?  If I lose my flight status over this, I'm going to stick my boot so far up -

 Lucas:  It's not my fault!

 Pilot:  Dammit, that interceptor's right on my tail!

This is the first time I've had a good look at a space battle.  Usually, I'm either in a windowless troop transport or mustered at a damage control station.  In a fight on the ground, blaster bolts seem to sizzle with malevolent energy.  Up here, they pass us silently, seemingly harmless.

The illusion lasts right up to the moment when the interceptor scores a lucky hit, and we're slammed sideways through space with a jolt that knocks the wind out of me.

 Pilot:  Hey, dead weight – get on your console and plot us a course to Kaut.  We should blend in there.

 Lucas:  This thing has a hyperdrive?

 Pilot:  Yes!  It's so we can make micro jumps in system.  Damn, that x-wing is coming around behind us – hurry it up!

Red laser beams lance past our ship from behind.

 Lucas:  Alright, got it!

The last thing I see before the stars turn to streaks is the remaining interceptor scoring a hit on Goatm's X-wing.  I can't tell how bad it is, but we have a saying on my home planet: a man destined to hang doesn't fear drowning.  I don't think Goatm's going to die in space.

 

 

View Goatman's build, which follows this one, here!

Edit:  and my second freebuild, which takes place after this one, is here.

Phew - this one took me a long time, but I'm pretty happy with how the space battle turned out.  The Gozanti is technically a mod of 75106, but I rebuilt pretty much everything from the wings up, so I've given it its own topic here.  Full sized pics on my flickr.  Thanks for viewing, C & C always welcome!

 

 

Edited December 13, 2016 by LucasLaughing

[Artizan]

I haven't read through the story yet but I love all the micro/midi starships.

[Merc4Hire]

Love this freebuild! Great work on all the micro ships, especially nice piece usage on the explosion, and the planet and Gozanti cruiser really bring the whole scene together. 

[Cody Startale]

Once more, I am impressed. It is really, really enoyable to read through your entries. The builds are pretty much flawless and the photography, combined with the compositing, is executed so well. This looks so much like Star Wars and your pictures depict the battle action perfectly. I just love it. Also, the story is, once again, intruiging and exciting to read. That story arc collaboration with goatman is really paying off and I am tipping my hat to both of you for pulling this off so perfectly. It's just fun to read through this and gets me really excited to see what happens next. Doing great builds is a nice thing for sure, but what impresses me most is how you combine those excellent building efforts with a compelling narrative that succeeds in drawing me in. You managed what George Lucas so miserably failed to do in Episode II: execute a compelling and suspenseful investigation story arc.

 

Keep it up – I can't wait for more!

[LucasLaughing]

On 11/4/2016 at 1:34 PM, Artizan said:

I haven't read through the story yet but I love all the micro/midi starships.

Thanks!

On 11/4/2016 at 2:10 PM, Merc4Hire said:

Love this freebuild! Great work on all the micro ships, especially nice piece usage on the explosion, and the planet and Gozanti cruiser really bring the whole scene together. 

Thank you!  I've been wanting to use those parts for an explosion since I picked up the 'Infernox captures the Queen' a few months ago.

On 11/5/2016 at 2:00 AM, Cody Startale said:

Once more, I am impressed. It is really, really enoyable to read through your entries. The builds are pretty much flawless and the photography, combined with the compositing, is executed so well. This looks so much like Star Wars and your pictures depict the battle action perfectly. I just love it. Also, the story is, once again, intruiging and exciting to read. That story arc collaboration with goatman is really paying off and I am tipping my hat to both of you for pulling this off so perfectly. It's just fun to read through this and gets me really excited to see what happens next. Doing great builds is a nice thing for sure, but what impresses me most is how you combine those excellent building efforts with a compelling narrative that succeeds in drawing me in. You managed what George Lucas so miserably failed to do in Episode II: execute a compelling and suspenseful investigation story arc.

 

Keep it up – I can't wait for more!

Thanks Cody!  It's been a lot of fun collaborating with Goatman, and the story telling aspect has been one of my favorite parts of SoNE these past few years, so I'm glad folks are liking it!

[Puvel]

Space battles, one of the reasons to love Star Wars!

Great work on the chase and explosions

[Shadows of Nar Eurbrikka]

Judges have awarded you 4 XP!