[Open][TMoMC] So. That just happened.....

[Black Aeronaut]

In: Private Messages ? Inbox
From: BlackRider (Needs No Introduction; confirmed ID)Date: April 23, 2025

I create far too many eggshells. Really. The more I think about it - I can't see any choice he can make that won't earn him a backlash from someone with an agenda to push. It might be for the best if he chooses the Witches. It's the least I deserve anyway.

Well, let me be the first to say that the next person that starts giving him a hard time is gonna get a boatload of hell from me - even if it has to be anonymous.  You're excluded in that threat; you already seem to be agonising over this as it is.

People keep saying that, but it doesn't feel that way. We got a lucky break and took a chance.

Jet, the reason people keep saying that is, lucky breaks aside, you were the perfect person for this.  Anyone else - be it myself, Gina, Noah, Mal, or even AC Peters would have probably blown it one way or another because we now know that nobody can play the shell game like you.  Just accept that you've done good, and don't feel bad about putting that reward money to good use.

I prefer to deal without the bureaucracy. It's too much hassle. You can go through all the effort to get a legitimate security dongle to unlock all the military functions - ECM, ECCM, weapon interfaces beyond the basic self defense. That costs a lot of money and a lot of paperwork to get - after background checks and the right greased palms for a good character reference and minimum security requirements. And will probably go missing in the event of a real attack. 
But, if you know what you're doing and know who to ask, find out what two terminals to jump on the main board. to enable the software anyway.
So long as the paperwork is correct and nobody gives them a reason to pry, that's all that matters. None if it's functional or operational on delivery..... It's not my fault someone 'hacked' it, or 'modified' it and damaged the safety systems. 
Anyway. I think everyone has some 'demilitarised' or 'civilian' equipment lying around. A few high-speed transport and 'sport' spacecraft with suspicious ballasting arrangements.

Ugh.  I wish I could avoid the bureaucracy.  Unfortunately, given what the Roughriders are, that's impossible for me to do.  But we each have our own ways of working around them.

Part of the reason we took to racing is because there's so much crossover between the two fields. A succesful racecraft, and a succesful fighter different only in one being armed and the other not. And it lets us build a reputation so that, y'know, people might actually buy something from us.

*Winces*  And then I remember how I accidentally tilted the table in the Fe-Zig replacement trials and pretty much blew the competition out of the water.

Seriously, the Dragonfly was only supposed to be a sideshow to attract customers in other factions.  I still have no idea how the hell it wound up in the main showcase, but evidently someone saw it and felt it would be perfect.  Ever get that feeling that you're too good at what you do sometimes?  Because that's how I felt when I got the order from Great Justice.  Not to mention how I felt like an utter heel because if it wasn't for the Dragonfly, someone else's entry would have made the grade and they would have gotten that fat and happy production order.

The only comfort I take from it is how happy everyone in Great Justice is with their Dragonflies.

The original ZOTT started as an excuse to test out drone weapons against intelligent oppponets. And if it's too dangerous, nobody will take part. It needs to feel dangerous and exciting, which is a different thing entirely. Nobody'll watch it if it doesn't.

True.  But if Alita's gonna be in it...  I'll be honest with you, I'd be hard pressed to take her on.  I'm only as good as I am because Gina keeps me sharp.  Everyone got to see that at the Port Phobos Invitational.

Anyhow, that will be something we can start on hashing out while we're over there.

AC can be a dominating force. But. Never forget. To defeat someone stronger than you, all you need to do is not be weaker than them. Alita taught me that - and I can say I've seen both sides of the equation. Besides, we'll probably need decent medical support. Survival Shot never had a serious accident - but at the same time, this is going to be an event on a whole other level of explosive.

Indeed.  Well, I'm definitely gonna give it a go.  It'll be a good opportunity for me to test the skills I've been developing.  And a definite yes on that medical support.  We might even have to see if that new Think Tank they got The Professor locked up inside can spit some goodies out.  We'll probably need them for this.

Life finds a way. Anyway, I don't think Gina will have too much of a problem. Mackie's got bigger things to worry about than sneaking peeks. Besides, you know what sort of flightsuits we have out here.

Yeah yeah.  Gina was never really bothered by it anyhow.  Freaking exhibitionist.  :p

Benjamin RhodesCinC RoughridersWe break things so you don't have to!
PS: I not only don't mind, but as far as I'm concerned he can look all he wants as long as he doesn't touch.~  Besides, it just shows that he has great taste.~  -Gina