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The Alpha Blue Blues

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Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#1: Apr 23rd 2016 at 10:01:04 AM

Smiling Sam's Starship Dealership and Salvage Yard was notorious for buying up wrecks and bodging them together to produce (barely) functioning starships, such as the current vessel on the launch pad. Most of the body was from a Coores-ellian freighter, but an astute observer could probably find pieces from any major light cargo ship made in the last hundred years, plus a few parts never meant for space.

"Congratulations, you are now the owners of your own mixed cargo - passenger vessel, complete with brand new..." the sales droid paused, scanning a database of parts . "...air freshener. I just need a name to reace 'Mylarian Turducken' and you can be on your way."

spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#2: Apr 23rd 2016 at 10:25:53 AM

Bunny looked from the ship to her two fellow crew members. "I think we're gonna call her The Revival," she said, "which is a pretty fitting name, now that I think of it."

The ship wasn't her ideal, but she'd have to get behind the controls to really get the feel. It would be wonderful to fly her own ship, no matter how decrepit the outside might look.

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#3: Apr 23rd 2016 at 7:37:01 PM

"We're off to a great start," Saul remarked, he was glad to have a ship at last, "We're still going to have to find out where to go. I'd preferably go to rural areas where the people are more likely to less sophisticated and more easy to convert."

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#4: Apr 23rd 2016 at 7:58:58 PM

"Well, at least you're honest about your intentions," said Bunny. "I guess it would be nice to see the outer worlds— maybe some places humans haven't even colonized yet. The real frontiers!"

And with no one to enforce the speed limit, she could gun it through those vast expanses. If the ship could take it, that is...

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#5: Apr 23rd 2016 at 8:41:56 PM

The woman seemed to be excited to travel at last, and Saul had to admit that he wanted to go on a voyage himself. It's been a while since he last sojourned throughout the stars. There were still going to be problems in their expedition.

Space pirates were notorious for targeting cargo and passenger vessels like their ship. Besides that there were warp storms, black holes, and other natural disasters that often occurred during space travel. The thought of that made Saul shudder, since he remembered the last time a ship wandered too close to a black hole when the captain was too stupid to correct the trajectory. Once someone was sucked into a black hole, it was the end of existence, period.

Even touring the planet presented its dangers. There were criminals of all varieties that can vary from a petty thief to a hardcore criminal mastermind. Saul may be a religious con man himself, but he had been scammed a number of times during his stay in the bad sides of town.

In any case, Saul decided to engage in some small chat with his new crew. He wanted them to know of his own experiences to exotic worlds during his crusades.

"Did you know," Saul began, "That there are ancient civilizations that have been destroyed due to war, cosmic disasters, or inner strife? Sometimes, there are survivors of that race in their home planet that keep a stock of warships from their past. They think that these ships carry the souls of their ancestors. Now, since these people have reverted to a primitive culture they are absolutely mystified of the ship's technology. So as a result they believe that their ancestors were possessed magical abilities that enabled them to control their environment. Well, that's actually not far off the mark, but these people forgot the essence of science."

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#6: Apr 23rd 2016 at 10:16:34 PM

The Sales droid produces a short burst of static, the robot equivalent of clearing its throat. "As you know, all ships from Smiling Sam's Starship Dealership and Salvage Yard are sold as is. The Revival, it seems, has only a partially filled Dyanotherdaylithium Chamber. The only place to get more crystals in range is..."

The sales robot pauses, then its eyes flash in distress. "Oh dear... the only place is Alpha Blue. I'm terribly sorry."

spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#7: Apr 24th 2016 at 4:18:43 AM

Bunny shook off her fascination with ghost ships and ancient lore. "Why?" she asked. "What's Alpha Blue?"

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#8: Apr 24th 2016 at 5:27:23 AM

Judging by the way the robot reacted, "oh dear" felt like a serious understatement.

Damn, this is going to be a long ride. Saul let out a deep sigh and then silently muttered an unholy litany of profanities under his breath. Sure, the ship cost them only 12,000 space bucks and they probably had enough money to explore places a bit, but they had to earn some hard cash eventually. This would be all for naught if they were walking into a death trap anyway.

For the first time in years, Saul prayed to all gods of the galaxy to keep them safe. From the death gods, war gods, peace gods, sex gods, good gods, bad gods, and every god conceived by every race; the gods numbered in the thousands and counting since there were religious people like Saul around preaching salvation and doom.

"Hold on," Saul said in a low tone, "Is that place in another planet or is it right here on this one? Because if we can't use The Revival then we have to board a passenger ship. Also, is there a safer place to get crystals, since I can tell by the way you talk that there's danger."

edited 24th Apr '16 5:32:03 AM by Victor_Skye

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
ThisGuy481 Since: Jul, 2015
#9: Apr 24th 2016 at 5:36:12 AM

He facepalms

"Oh god... I think I heard about that place somewhere."

"I think it's a Wretched Hive of idiocy where organics fulfill pathetic addictions like alcohol and meaningless sex. Am I correct, darling?"

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#10: Apr 24th 2016 at 5:54:58 AM

"Your name is Bunny, isn't it?" Saul said, turning to the woman, "I suggest that you bring a knife or two since you might get into a hefty situation with some ruffians. Since they utilize the element of surprise it would be wise to keep a stock of melee weapons if things get too close for comfort."

"Oh, and you should get a knife as well, SHIEC." Saul said when he remembered the drone also had a gun. Though guns had their practical applications, ordinary people tended to have problems using them at close range against an attacker with a melee weapon unless they managed to hit their target first.

edited 24th Apr '16 5:58:03 AM by Victor_Skye

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#11: Apr 24th 2016 at 6:10:51 AM

"I've got a blaster," said Bunny. "I've only ever used it on the shooting range. I'm a pretty good shot, but I guess I could learn to use a knife, too."

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#12: Apr 24th 2016 at 7:51:58 AM

"A knife is an easy weapon to use, but it is still a dangerous weapon. I slashed myself across the face once when I was practicing with it, so be careful." Saul said with a distinctly grave tone, "It's much less dangerous than the blaster, but don't let the sharp end of the knife get you in the eye."

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#13: Apr 24th 2016 at 7:55:15 AM

The sales bot down ads a video file to SHEIC. Picture acts of carnal debauchery that would make Hugh Hefner freak out. Then realize this video is from Alpha Blue's Chamber of Commerce. This is what Alpha Blue wants people to think its like.

"Alpha Blue is currently in orbit around Beta Dollah 4, the nearest star system to ours. Even with quarter charged crystals, you should have no trouble reaching there. Getting back?" The salesbot shrugs.

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#14: Apr 24th 2016 at 8:22:34 AM

Saul's face turned cherry red and he spoke in a sharp voice that could tear a lesser soul into pieces, "God has turned your mind into shit, because clearly your artificial intelligence is not working. You are telling me, a holy man, to walk into a planet inhabited by naked savages just so I could get a magic crystal that could fly me deep into space? Oh ho ho ho, I have more choice words for you, bolthead!"

The con man may have been involved in highly illegal activities before, but the strong presence of sin within the video has awakened the inner theomaniac in him.

This is where Saul finally gets exciting. He'll get even more audacious as he develops his cult, and he's already experienced in dealing with religious matters.

edited 24th Apr '16 8:58:00 AM by Victor_Skye

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#15: Apr 24th 2016 at 10:03:38 AM

"Well," said Bunny, unable to tear her eyes away from the video. "I— well."

After a moment composing herself, she said, "There's no use freaking out about it, Father. I mean, think of all the degenerates you could convert! And, with that girl bathing in the, um— well, it looks like they've got a lot of wine, anyway! Wh-who knows, maybe it'll be..."

She was going to say fun, but as the video continued she faltered.

Her usual cheery disposition wasn't getting her anywhere. The place looked frankly insane. But, if they have a place where you can buy ship parts, it can't be all bad! Right?

"It'll be something to write home about, anyway," she said finally.

Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#16: Apr 24th 2016 at 4:47:22 PM

The sales bot stammers. "Um... Um... Um... Um... Um... Um... Um... -click- Technically, Alpha Blue is a depraved den of... er, I mean, a space station, not a planet. As for magic rocks, the crystals are vital for powering ships for long range star drive; newer ships, however, uses Fold-V'Jer's Instant Crystals rather the full sized Dyanotherdaylithium Crystals. If you want, I can arrange to buy back the Mylar Turdu... the Revival at scrap metal prices for... -beep boop beep- 598.7 Space Credits."

The salesbot produces another burst of static. "As for being able to buy parts there: For reasons I as a fully rational electronic sentient cannot hope to comprehend, Alpha Blue is regularly visited by members of almost every known sentient humanoid or quasi-humanoid species. As such, Alpha Blue has the largest star-ship graveyard in all of known space, AND several businesses that will locate and arrange sale of any part you might need. Including weapons and shields, two systems the Revival currently lacks."

edited 24th Apr '16 4:49:41 PM by Nodrog

ThisGuy481 Since: Jul, 2015
#17: Apr 24th 2016 at 4:54:38 PM

"So, our only hope is to go to the reason 'Wretched Hive' was made a word, go through a shady business deal, and probably end up neck-deep in loans?"

"Whelp, darlings. Shall we be off to Debauchery Disneyland?"

spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#18: Apr 24th 2016 at 6:14:14 PM

"Yes, it sounds like the only logical course of action to me," said Bunny. "And I'm sure we won't have to stay very long— we'll just get the Dyanotherdaylithium Crystals, get fitted with some weapons, and be on our way! What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"

She turned to the sales bot. "Uh— sorry for all the commotion. I hope we didn't rattle you too badly!"

Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#19: Apr 24th 2016 at 9:51:30 PM

"Not at all." the salesbot assures her. "I'll just have a nice lie down. Please enjoy your ship. And remember, ninety percent of people who bought ships from us kept that ship till the day they died."

After purchasing the ship, you have 800 Space Credits. Standard ration packs for the limited food replicators aboard your ship, a new knife, and launch feels will cost another 50 credits, leaving you with 750 space credits. Is there anything else you'd like to go shopping for before going to Alpha Blue?

You may also advertise for any cargo or passengers wanting to go to Alpha Blue, but for cargo you will either have to pay an extravagant performance bond (which will be refunded if you survive to make the delivery) or take a passenger with you will monitor the status of the cargo. After you make a successful trip, you will be likely to be able to charge higher fees and not put up as much money for bonds or insurance.

Victor_Skye Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi from The Imperium of Man, the million worlds. Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Hot-blooded Catholic Space Nazi
#20: Apr 25th 2016 at 4:35:14 AM

Saul scratched his chin and then came up with his own plan of action. His first concern dealt with the safety of the personnel.

"If we're going to take loans then we better take it here. Alpha Blue is no safe place and people are ready to swindle any newcomers that arrive in the area. Just take what we need and implement as many security procedures as possible. For security we would need cameras, passwords, and all the security shit we see in television. We also need to arm ourselves with weapons, and I mean a lot of it."

His thoughts strayed to include commerce.

"We could carry goods and passengers to Alpha Blue, but that would require a business permit. To make this partnership formal we have to sign up some documents back at the mayor's office. Now, we could advertise for some passengers and cargoes, but only crazy or stupid people would think of boarding a ship to the funny farm. We could provide services to them, but they are a possible danger to us as well. To fund all these we might have to borrow another loan or something. It can come from the bank, friends, family, and if you're desperate it would be a loan shark."

He worried about Alpha Blue again.

"We need to find out more about Alpha Blue if we're going to know where the hell we're going into. Try to search for any sources of info we can get on this place, and be sure to take a map of the entire Alpha Blue station or we'll be lost. Hell, get 10 maps since people are apt to steal them."

Last but not the least, Saul was anxious to convert as many people as he could. That would be a problem since he doubted that he could transform a barbaric lot like the Alpha Blues into something pious.

"I'm still not sure about the cult I'm going to make. Hopefully, I can use it to garner some support. If I'm unlucky they'll take me for a madman or a heretic and burn me at the stake."

"In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war."
Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#21: Apr 25th 2016 at 9:49:46 AM

Beta Centa 2, the planet you are currently on, is very heavily regulated. Long range energy weapons bought here also require a licensing fee and registration with the government, so trying to buy additional weapons will cost you 100 credits each. For 100 credits you can also upgrade your ship's internal security system, installing door locks on all ship doors and installing cameras in all public areas, You can also have cameras installed in private quarters, but that will mean your AI robot companion will be able to see everything that goes on, and some passengers may object to having cameras in their cabins.

For 25 credits, you can buy a shock baton, a weapon carried by post police forces. A shock baton is a touch contact weapon that has a 5 in 6 chance of knocking any unshielded humanoid unconscious . At lower settings, it can be used to cause pain but not unconsciousness, and higher setting it can work on larger life forms (at a risk of killing anything smaller). It is rumored there are ways to rig a shock baton to be deliberately lethal or even rig a shock baton to overload and explode, like a grenade.

In order to buy the ship, you have already registered as a company, so no additional charge there. To advertise for cargo or passengers, you can post an ad on the planet's hyper-net for 25 credits or a professional listing for 100 credits.

One of you can access the planet's hyper-net (For free, Beta Centa doesn't charge to log on to the network) to see what information is available, but some information will require a user fee to download.

edited 25th Apr '16 9:55:47 AM by Nodrog

spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#22: Apr 25th 2016 at 2:58:16 PM

"It might be a good idea to get some shock batons," Bunny said. "I mean, as long as we're going into the depths of depravity and all. I don't know if we should take on any passengers or cargo before we get to Alpha Blue, though. Might not be a good idea to drag someone else into this until we've got the Dyanotherdaylithium Crystals."

ThisGuy481 Since: Jul, 2015
#23: Apr 25th 2016 at 3:13:06 PM

"Alright, Darlings. My opinion - Let's get some cheap Shock Batons, get the locks and cameras so you could hook everything up to me, head to Alpha Blue, buy fuel, try to get a listing somewhere. If we happen to get enough females that are willing, and considering Space Gomorrah, we likely will, we can make a calendar lined with images of willing nude employees, which we will then sell en mass. With the funds from those, which are sure to be a big hit in Debauchery Disneyland, we can proceed to buy some of those little Crystals and buy more upgrades to the ship, and maybe make it more aesthetically pleasing. Oh, and a self-destruct upgrade for my drone, in case it happens to get captured by bandits or pawned off by thieves. Then we just dock at Alpha Blue and wait for some meatbag to hit us with a job."

edited 25th Apr '16 3:14:04 PM by ThisGuy481

spacealien Since: Apr, 2016
#24: Apr 25th 2016 at 3:51:23 PM

"I don't know if a Babes of The Revival calendar will be anything too novel for Alpha Blue," said Bunny. "I mean, those are probably what the insurance companies give everyone for the holidays. Merry Christmas, here's The Asses of Accounting. Happy Hanukkah, have an HR Hunk-a-Month. G'lyybnk Dr'khsh'kyy, enjoy your Bikini Bodies of the Bureau for Research and Development."

"The rest of the plan's pretty solid, though— just gotta beef up our resources and head out to meet our destiny!"

edited 25th Apr '16 3:51:52 PM by spacealien

Nodrog Since: Jul, 2009
#25: Apr 25th 2016 at 10:52:04 PM

"Ah, for 100 credits, Sid's will be glad to install new security doors and security scanners." the salesbot says. "Please be aware that this will not affect the scrap resell value. We can have the ship reoutfitted within in a week. Do you want scanners in the crew and passenger compartments?"


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