Moby Dick

Moby Dick

Background

Moby Dick joined TGFT sometime at the end of 2004, old Earth time, when the guild was still young and fairly small. He was born on the Itani homeworld of Itan, and spent his early adult years in the Metana system for his education. After completing his formal education and then working a few years at the Itani Commerical station of Sorrus Hold, he began his piloting career as a interstellar merchant. Shortly thereafter, he joined up with the The Guild of Free Traders and has since spent very little time in Itani space.

While Moby's blood is Itani, he has much in common with his UIT guildmates. In fact, most people who communicate with him are surprised to find out that he is not UIT when they first meet Moby. While he is often quiet and introspective (like most Itani), he has a quick wit and will not shy away from racey jokes. His keen business sense has helped him become a successful merchant.

In recent months, Moby Dick has spent much time in UIT and gray space. He is admired by most factions and is one of very few Itani who can travel in Serco space without being attacked.

Stories posted to Role-Playing Board

The Merchant from Ayvi

(Posted on Friday, Jan 14, 2005. [[1]])

CREEAAK ... my centaur whines from the stresses of a wormhole jump.

I don't have many fancy ships ... just a Warthog Mk4 and a Centurion IBG to go along with my Rag and Centaur. The hog and IBG fill my botting and dueling needs, the Rag fills my mining needs (although I rarely mine), and the Centuar is my vehicle for profits ... my home away from home.

I prefer the ships with more of a belly to them. I've always been a trader. That's the reason I first stepped into that Itani issued shoebox (I refuse to call it a "bus") when I decided to venture into space. My job back on Ayvi (in the Metana system) just didn't pay me what I thought I should be earning. In fact, most Itani jobs don't pay very much. Money isn't a very important aspect of Itani life. I guess I don't meditate as much as other Itani, and I seek a more plush life. On top of that, when I was on Ayvi, I was yearning for the freedom that goes along with self-employment.

There are times that I regret making the decision to go to the stars. Most people are at peace in the vast emptiness of space, able to gaze for hours at the great nothingness that is just beyond the haul of their ship. Don't get me wrong, I have seen things out here that I couldn't fathom existing when I was back home, and the beauty of space is quite breathtaking. I just have a different relationship with space - it's one of mutual respect. I have a great respect for it, because of all the perils that make their home in space, and I think space respects me for venturing into it to make a living.

While I respect it, and it respects me, I just don't feel at home out here. My eyes ache for the wondrous vistas that surround my mountaintop home in the mighty Rivellas Mountain Chain of Ayvi. My skin burns for the cool breeze that wisps through those majestic peaks. It's the one place that I've felt at peace with the universe. Most folks find peace when they're amongst the stars; I find it perched upon a mountaintop, watching the Queens of Metana set on the horizon. (No, I'm not referring to hive queens, I'm referring to the two stars of the Metana system.)

Yet, for all of the love I have for what I consider home, here I am, in the depths of gray space, earning the credits that will allow me to retire and stay home for good. My business ventures have taken me through every known system of the universe, except for those systems that belong to the Serco. (But I've been to those, too. After I bought my first fast-charge battery I took a trip through Serco space in my IBG.)

I've met some some good people during my travels, including the group of pilots that I consider my business partners. After establishing myself as a respected trader, I became a member of The Guild of Free Traders. Most of them consider the UIT space home, but I find I have more in common with them than I do with my own people. My profits have never been higher since joining their ranks. I've collaborated with them a number of times during the past few months, but I still often find myself out on my own.

It's interesting, I find my status as an Itani merchant as unique. I don't see many fellow Itani in UIT or gray space. The ones I do see are often working hard for the CtC effort. I suppose my desire for money (which I believe will make my life more comfortable) sets me apart from most Itani. Another thing that sets me apart is that I don't hate the Serco - not even deep down. I may disagree with their politics and their methods, but I respect their way of life. In fact, I wish I wasn't KOS in Serco space, because I'd love to be able to trade there. Maybe I'll try to sneak into Serco space and destroy some of those pesky hive bots, to show them I'm not as bad as they think I am.

Oh well, that's the fact of life these days. Most people only see you for what space you are from, not who you are. My beloved Rivellas Mountains don't care that I am from blue space, and hopefully I'll be able to return there soon.

BLEEP ... an incoming hail on my comm system.

Hrm, Martin.mac.au wants a 25k non-negotiable "donation" because he's a depressed android. Silly pirate, I'm already at 170m/s and 1500km away from my in-system jump point. I'll be on my way without a confrontation.

Merchant meets combat

( Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. [[2]])

Another bot exploded in the dim outskirts of the Dau system, momentarily illuminating the cockpit of my Centurion IBG. Glowing like the embers of an extinguished fire, the debris dispersed into space. Three NPCs remained in the sector: two Dentek Collectors and an Artemis Collector. I had already destroyed all of the Dentek Assaults in the sector, so I was just cleaning up the less threatening bots.

The communications circuits beeped, and the voice of the director of the TPG Test Pilot Program interrupted my concentration. “Congratulations Moby Dick, you have successfully passed the TPG Test Pilot exam. Return to Dau K-10, TPG Headquarters, at your earliest convenience.” I let out a sigh of relief, and it felt like my first exhale since I entered the sector. Never had I been in combat with so many NPCs.

I finished off the 3 collectors and returned to the station. Even after completing the administrivia documenting my completion of the TPG Test Pilot training program, I was still high from the adrenaline rush. This was my first taste of extended combat in quite some time. As an intergalactic merchant, the most combat I see are pirates in my rear radar scope. Survival of my cargo is more important to me than personal pride. However, I was free of my normal duties as a merchant, and I wanted more action!

Before departing TPG Headquarters, I stopped by my guild's central office. No one was there, but radio was tuned to channel 100. Over the radio I heard someone talk about a Nation War – Itani, UIT, and Serco pilots were meeting in Sedina for a battle royale. I ran back to my IBG, entered Sedina D-2 into my navigation computer, and was on my way. Being an Itani merchant who frequently trades with stations in Serco space makes me very much an outsider of Itan. The fact of the matter is that I blend in with a UIT crowd and stick out like a Xith-laced asteroid in an ice field when I'm in an Itani station. However, I was born on Itan, and there is a spot in my heart for blue space.

I arrived in Sedina D-2 and immediately joined Omega 0's combat group. Most of the pilots had already arrived, and there much chatter over the local sector radio. I said very little, and waited patiently for the battle to begin. As I waited, my mind filled with doubts. Across the asteroid field sat ruthless Serco pilots who had lifetimes more combat experience than me. How could I measure up? Will I be the first to be destroyed? I began strafing in small circles to keep my mind focused on my ship. I felt the ship's inertia fight the constantly changing velocity, and I was in tune with the quiet hum of the engines. Slowly the doubts were replaced with a sense of peaceful symbiosis with my ship. I was ready.

While this battle was fairly small compared to Nation Wars of weeks' past, there was awesome splendor that struck me dumb as the battle began. A Serco pilot was under attack from three different ships and his ship danced amongst the raining streams of blaster fire. It was an impromptu ballet that required no choreography, only the threat of the destruction of one's ship at the hands of the enemy.

It seemed like the moment had lasted a lifetime, but I'm sure only a handful of seconds went by. The look of dumbstruck awe on my face was replaced with one of tight focus and concentration. I banked toward the dogfight, throttled the turbo, and entered the battle.

The battle ended with an Itani victory. I was one of three pilots whose ships remained intact. This time there was no sigh of relief. Instead there was sense of accomplishment and pride. I fought seasoned combat pilots, and I was among the last ones standing. The sense of pride was tempered by gratitude toward the other Itani pilots with whom I fought along side. I knew there was no way I would have survived without them.

Still, I thought, not bad for a trader. Perhaps I'll travel through gray space in a fighter more often.