Constantine stepped into his shiny new Buzzard equipped to his very high and exacting standards.
Probe launcher loaded up with several varieties of probes he set off into the big black.
After a few systems produced no anomalous signatures he warped into Isikemi.
3 minutes 30 seconds later a positive hit came back
"unknown anomaly detected" the multispectral probe having done its job was retired, and a course set for Isikemi 1, a few minutes and some head scratching later all 7 planets were covered in a Gravimetric mesh.
3 minutes passed, the result came in "spectral anomaly detected". A positive hit. Warp drive was spun up and eagerly Constantine cloaked his ship and headed for the anomaly.
He soon learned a few lessons this night.
a) do not warp to 0 when flying to an anomaly
b) cloaks dont work within 2k of said anomaly
and c) lurking Guristas dont like you poking your nose in there business.
A quick retreat was on the cards.
Gingerly warping back in , this time avoiding the fire from the 3 missile and railgun batteries, and sneaking past the awaiting pirates the anomaly was marked and the coordinates triangulated.
A quick dock and Constantine emerged in his Kestrel, loaded for a fight he set out warping within his missile range to the deadspace base.
The initial batteries and few pirate resistance collapsed quickly, although they fought bravely. The last pirates demise signalled multiple warp signatures appearing, seems the Guristas had gotten off a distress call.
The 4 Cormorants and 2 Kestrels emerged in weapons range trained their 28 guns and 8 missile launchers in a dazzling salvo that ripped through Constantines shields giving him time to release only a single missile salvo before a retreat was called for.
After the quick recharge,he decided to quickly try a different ploy warp in at 50 k and pick them off at max missile range, 2 Cormorants and 1 Kestrel went down before the alarm sirens rang out declaring armour damage had been taken, another retreat was on the cards.
This process was repeated once more cleaning out the final ships, only for more warp signatures to appear.
*targeting jammed* flashed the console
Constantine fought to regain control of his electronic systems whilst avoiding fire from the 3 Griffin and 4 Kestrels that had appeared. Soon another retreat was called for but not before 2 of the Griffin had fallen to missile fire.
Surely these were the last the Guristas had in the area, one more push and then the clean up could commence.
Alas they werent!
A missile salvo ripped apart the last Kestrel multiple warp signatures were again detected. 6 Cormorants and 4 Kestrel appeared in fighting formation, shields failed, armour failed, Constantine warped out 15% left on his hull.
Thats it the big guns need brought out ,thought Constantine, a frigate isnt cut out for this fight (if only he had realised this after the first wave) he approached the local Ship Vendor and soon purchased an upgrade to his missile gunboat , a Caracal was his.
Stepping into the cockpit of his new weapon of death he was approached by the local Starship Licencing Board.
"Constantine Andromanche"
"yes thats me"
"it has come to our attention that you are not licenced to operate the Caracal class vessel, you must have Caldari Cruiser 2nd class rating to legally fly such a vessel"
" but , but , but"
" im afraid this vessel is impounded until you pass the necessary tests. good day"
"What the hell, im a covert op class 5 pilot why cant you bureaucratic buggers not realise im more than capable of flying that vessel"
"the rules are there for EVERYONE sir. Good day"
"Jobsworth arseholes" he mumbles under his breath.
Again he approached the vendor explained the situation and soon was the owner of an Osprey.
Of all the shit heaps in all the Galaxy the only heavier ship he was licenced to fly was a mining boat, the humility.
Loaded up with half his previous payload he set off once more to the Gurista base, shields held, missile barrage after missile barrage was swapped with the Guristas until none remained. Cautiously he stared at his scanners , no more signatures detected.
All that was left to do was clean up the area of any loot and salvage available.
Constantine learned a lot this night, he thought exploration in High Sec would be easier than it was, he learned Cloaks have limitations, most of all he learned Caldari bureaucrats are sticklers for the rules.
Was it profitable, yes, somewhere in the region of 3-4 Million isk, it had however taken twice as long as it should have done with the proper gear.
Next excursion Constantine vowed to be properly equipped to deal with the pirate threat that lurks in deadspace.
