Chapter 22 – Preparation
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Finally, as the day began to wane and the port grew quieter, Ubel returned to the bar where he had told his new crew to gather and meet him. As he entered, they greeted him eagerly, their voices mingling in a chorus of welcome. Ubel returned their smiles, his excitement bubbling beneath the surface as he took in the energy of the room.

Ubel’s gaze swept over the gathered faces of his crew that were seated in one corner of the establishment. It seemed that his crew had taken over a third of the establishment. Thankfully, they rented the entire small establishment for the night. Food, drinks, and wine were already served and prepared. Their mood was as celebratory as ever after he told them that this would be their farewell party from this station.

Looking around at the assembly of his crew, taking note of each familiar expression. Mei, Marus, Orphel, Linus, Eris, and Bastille greeted him with nods of acknowledgment, their loyalty evident in their unwavering presence. However, it was the presence of Aela, Ursa, Mucker, Zinc, and Tepra that caught him off guard. These were the ones who had threatened him with betrayal, yet here they were, still standing by his side. Ubel couldn't help but feel a twinge of surprise at their unexpected choice to join him.

He approached them, his demeanor a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Well, well," he said, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised to see you all still here. I half-expected you to have jumped ship by now."

Aela, the group's unofficial spokesperson, stepped forward with an unreadable expression.

"We may have had our doubts," she admitted, her voice steady. "But in the end, we decided that sticking with you was the best course of action."

Ubel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her response.

"And why is that?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Aela hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Because despite everything, we believe in what you are capable of," she replied, her gaze meeting his.

"We may not always see eye to eye and it's no argument that you’re the better option from all of the candidates that we had in mind. And besides..." Ursa added to Aela’s statement with a wry smile. "...where else would we find such excitement and adventure?"

Ubel couldn't help but grin at her response. Despite their rocky impression of each other, it seemed that his crew still had faith in him and his capability.

“But of course, commander we still don’t trust you. We don’t trust anyone in our lives. Just as what we have told you. We won't hesitate to jump to a better candidate.” Aela reminded him.

"As what you should do," he said, clapping Aela on the shoulder. "I'm glad to have you all aboard."

They were a motley bunch, a diverse mix of individuals from all walks of life, united by their shared desire for adventure, wealth, and opportunity. Then he turned to the majority of his crew while standing at a table to gather their attention. Bastille, beat his table with his arm to silence the others as Ubel started his talk.

"Good to see you all again," he said, his voice carrying easily over the murmur of conversation. "I trust you've all had a completed what I left you?"

The crew nodded, some offering words of agreement or affirmation.

“Yes, commander,” Creed answered for them. “We already moved the three freighters and exchanged them with the other ships of Demonic Monkeys to dock side by side with the Blitzkrieg. Same with Godright.”

“Wait, the ABG already finished the modifications of the freighters?” Ubel asked.

“Yes, commander,” Bastille replied. “It was their first set of finished modifications before other mechanics moved to the other ships.”

"Excellent. Alright, everyone." Ubel announced, his voice commanding attention. "We've had our fun in our stay in this station, but it's time to get serious now. Our goal is to build our pirate fleet, one that will rival any in the galaxy. But to do that, we need credits."

He laid out his plan to the crew, outlining various opportunities for plunder and profit across the Sol System. From raiding cargo transports to hijacking valuable shipments, Ubel had a multitude of schemes in mind to fill their coffers.

"We can start small, hitting easy targets and building our reputation," he explained. "Once we have enough funds, we'll expand our operations, acquiring more ships and crew to join our cause."

The crew listened intently, nodding in agreement as Ubel outlined his ambitious plans. They were eager to prove themselves and establish their place in the cutthroat world of outlaws. But amidst the excitement, Ubel remained mindful of his outstanding loan. He knew that paying it off would free them from any lingering debts and allow them to operate independently.

"We'll need to be smart about our finances," he cautioned. “And a remake of our command structure and doctrine.”

As the crew members sat around the table in the dimly lit room, Ubel's voice cut through the air with purpose. They listened intently, their eyes fixed on him as he revealed his ambitious plan for their next endeavor. He proceeded to outline the details of his plan and explained the risks and rewards involved. He also asked for their suggestions on what they wanted in his command structure.

"I think we should allocate our resources based on each member's contribution to our past endeavors. That way, everyone receives a fair share and feels valued for their efforts." Mei, the seasoned navigator, spoke up first.

"I agree. It's important to recognize the contributions of each crew member and distribute the resources accordingly. We need to maintain fairness and transparency in our decision-making process." Leon, the skilled engineer, nodded in agreement.

"But what about future missions? Shouldn't we consider the specific needs of each operation and allocate resources accordingly? We need to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances." Ursa, the sharp-eyed lookout, raised a valid concern.

Ubel listened intently to their suggestions, considering each viewpoint carefully. He knew that their success depended on finding a balance between fairness and practicality. After a thorough discussion, they reached a consensus on a partition plan that took into account both past contributions and future needs. He outlined the structure of their operation, detailing the roles and responsibilities of each ship within their fleet.

"We need to establish clear lines of communication and coordination between our ships." Bastille began his suggestion. "Each vessel should have its own designated tasks and objective based on its capability in every raid."

The entire crew nodded in agreement, ready to take on their respective roles within the fleet. Others have been assigned to oversee navigation and logistics with the guidance of the droids, ensuring that their ships traveled safely and efficiently through space. Then others would also be trained by the droids to be responsible for the maintenance and repair of their vessels, ensuring that they remained in optimal condition for their missions. He explained the minor restructuring, detailing how certain roles within the crew would be adjusted to better streamline their operations and maximize efficiency. The crew listened attentively, absorbing the information and mentally preparing themselves for the adjustments ahead.

Ubel realized how vulnerable his fleet which was dependent on droids, could become if, on pure chance, he encountered a strong necromancer like him. As such, he decided to prioritize the training of his crew on making them equal or if possible better than the droids in terms of precision in steering and commanding the ships. He would use his three freighters as a training camp for his motley crew.

As Ubel continued to delegate tasks and assign roles, the crew members listened attentively, absorbing his instructions with focused determination. They understood the importance of their contributions to the success of their fleet, and they were ready to fulfill their duties with unwavering dedication.

With their organization formalized and their roles clarified, Ubel and his crew stood united and prepared to embark on their next adventure. They knew that challenges awaited them in the vast expanse of space, but with their collective strength and determination, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.

"That’s why we're heading also to Neptune," Ubel declared, his tone resolute. "It's time for our next raid, and Neptune offers the perfect opportunity."

Curiosity flickered in the eyes of his crew as they leaned forward, eager to hear more about Ubel's strategy.

"We're not just going in blindly," Ubel continued, his voice steady. "This planet is currently on a massive planetary development with the sponsorship of UGTR. The construction of hundreds of stations and moon bases is already starting. That means freighters full of supplies and goods are consistently flowing in and out."

“But if they were being sponsored by UGTR, doesn’t this mean that we are going to get into conflict with the UGTR navy? But what about the defenses?" Marus asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "Won't they be heavily guarded?"

Ubel smirked a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Of course they will be," he replied. "But that's what makes it fun, isn't it? The greater the risk, the greater the reward."

His words elicited a chorus of agreement from his crew, who were eager to prove themselves in the heat of battle. As they continued to discuss their plans late into the night, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement.

“That is where my purchases also come in.” He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before elaborating on his preparations.

"I've purchased trucks, armored personnel carriers, armor suits, weapons, and armaments," Ubel explained. "These are not just for show. They're essential for what I have mentioned."

As Ubel revealed the extensive array of equipment he had acquired, Creed's eyes widened in surprise. The sheer scale of their preparations for a ground assault was beyond anything he had imagined.

"You've certainly been busy," Bastille remarked his tone a mixture of awe and admiration.

Creed, the seasoned veteran among them, raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"But a ground assault on Neptune? That's a bold move, even for us," he questioned, seeking clarification, immediately knowing what the ground vehicles entailed. Ubel showed a confident smile as a reply, playing on his lips.

"Exactly. We're going to need more than just our ships for this one. We need to be prepared for any situation when we reach Neptune space and that includes ground operations. But we'll need to train and prepare," Ubel continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "But I do not doubt that we're up to the challenge. We'll make our plan raids to be a string of success."

Bastille nodded, his expression serious as he met Creed's gaze.

"I know it's risky, but we need to make a statement." Bastille agreed with Ubel and explained. "We can't just rely on hit-and-run tactics anymore. If we want to establish ourselves as a serious group in the galaxy, we need to show that we're not afraid to take on the big challenges."

Creed nodded in understanding, recognizing the strategic importance of their upcoming venture.

"And don’t worry too much, with the firepower we had, we'll be more than ready for whatever comes our way," Ubel remarked and he explained further about his revised plans to his crew, their expressions shifted from surprise to anticipation. Raiding across the Sol System was a daring proposition, but one that held the promise of immense rewards.

"So, we're going big," Mei remarked a hint of excitement in her voice. "I like it."

Ubel nodded, his gaze sweeping over the assembled faces of his crew.

"We're not just going to raid Neptune," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. "We're going to hit every major outpost, every lucrative target around its space."

The room erupted into a buzz of excitement as his crew absorbed the magnitude of his plan. For many of them, this would be their chance to make a name for themselves, to carve out a place in the galaxy as fearsome pirates.

When he finished, there was a moment of silence as the gravity of the situation sank in. Then, one by one, the crew began to nod in agreement, their expressions determined.

"We're in." one of them said, speaking for the group.

"Good. But on the way, you all need to train to a different type of combat doctrine. I need to reset your way of fighting. It's wasteful. Simulations will help deal with those." Ubel replied. "This won't be easy. But with all of us working together, I'm confident we can pull it off."

The crew cheered in response, their enthusiasm echoing off the walls as they raised their glasses in toast.

"This is it, everyone," Ubel announced, his voice carrying across the room. "Our final hurrah on this station. But fear not, for our adventures are far from over."

"To new beginnings!" Bastille declared, lifting his own glass high.

"To new beginnings!" the crew echoed, clinking their glasses together in celebration. Ubel also raised his as he drank.

With that, the mood in the bar shifted, anticipation and excitement filling the air as they began to discuss their plans in earnest. With the tables laden with sumptuous food and an array of fine wines, but before they could resume their enjoyment, Ubel had other things to discuss with them.

“And also, I have something for all of you.”

The crew members shifted their focus entirely to him again.

Ubel ordered his droids to enter, carrying boxes for each of the crew, and then went back to the exit, guarding the establishment. Curiosity piqued, the crew members approached the boxes, anticipation evident on their faces. With eager hands, they opened the boxes to reveal sleek, futuristic, cybernetic suits nestled within.

“Ulysses Armor.” Ubel introduced the armor suit to them. Then he explained further. "These suits are designed to enhance your performance in the field. They're lightweight, flexible, and can equipped with metal plate modifiers that can be attached for added protection."

Excitement rippled through the crew as they eagerly donned their new gear, marveling at the sleek design and advanced technology woven into the fabric.

"These suits will be invaluable assets on our missions," Ubel declared, his voice brimming with confidence. "With them, you’ll be faster, stronger, and more formidable than ever before."

As the crew members slipped into their new gear, a palpable sense of excitement filled the room. They marveled at the sleek design and advanced technology woven into the fabric, each piece a testament to Ubel's commitment to their success.

"These suits are incredible," exclaimed Marus, running his hands over the smooth surface of his armor. "I've never seen anything like them."

"They're so lightweight," remarked Eris, testing the flexibility of her suit with a series of agile movements. "I feel like I could take on anything in this."

The crew members exchanged excited glances, their enthusiasm growing with each passing moment. The prospect of venturing into the field with their new gear filled them with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose.

"I can't wait to put these to the test." declared Orphel, a grin spreading across her face. "Ubel, you've outdone yourself with these."

Ubel nodded in satisfaction, pleased to see his crew responding so positively to the new equipment. With their spirits lifted as they were now equipped with the latest technology.

"Get acquainted with your gear," Ubel instructed, his voice carrying a note of pride. As the crew members continued to adjust to their new suits, Ubel's words brought a moment of solemnity to the atmosphere.

"I want to be clear." Ubel began. "These suits weren't cheap. I've invested a considerable amount of our funds to ensure that each of you has the best equipment available."

His words prompted nods of understanding from the crew, their expressions reflecting a look of gratitude.

"These suits will serve us well, but they're only one piece of the puzzle. We still have much work to do if we're going to achieve our goals."

His words were met with a chorus of agreement from the crew.

“By the way, you all should decide the name of our small group.” Ubel playfully mentioned. “I’ll let you also rename Godright so think of a better name for those two. I’ll be in the other room to take a rest. I need some sleep. Tell me what you will decide tomorrow when I wake up.”

Creed nodded thoughtfully at Ubel's request, recognizing the significance of renaming their fleet as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives. Ubel left them as he disappeared into the stairs and headed to the bedroom on the upper floor and knocked himself over. Leaving his celebrating crew to their enjoyment.

Bastille and Creed gathered their crew together, eager to brainstorm ideas for a name that would reflect their unity, strength, and sense of purpose.

"Alright, everyone," Creed began, his voice steady and commanding. "We have the opportunity to redefine ourselves and our ship Godright with a new name. Let's put our heads together and come up with something good."

The crew members exchanged looks as their minds buzzed with possibilities.

The first to yell a suggestion was Eris.

"Vanguard of Bones!"

"Ironclad," Bastille spoke his recommendation.

"Starfire Syndicate." Mei offered.

“Helldrivers!”

“Iron Legion!”

“Golden Armada!”

“Lazuli Flotilla!”

As ideas flowed freely, the crew engaged in lively discussion, weighing the merits of each suggestion and offering their interpretations. They sought a name that would inspire fear in their enemies and instill pride in their allies. After much deliberation, Creed and his crew still weren't able to reach a consensus. And decided to list down all the names and let Ubel decide the best name instead.

Then Creed stood again with attention and addressed his crew again.

"Alright, everyone," Creed began, his voice firm yet filled with a sense of camaraderie. "Ubel has tasked us also with renaming our ship, Godright."

With that, Creed dismissed the crew to deliberate and brainstorm. Throughout the ship, crew members gathered in groups, their voices alive with energy as they debated and discussed potential names. They drew inspiration from their past experiences, their hopes for the future, and the bonds that united them as a group.

After hours of passionate discussion and debate in drinks and over food, they reconvened again ready to present their ideas. Each member took turns sharing their suggestions, offering explanations for why they believed their chosen name captured the essence of their ship and their vision as corsairs of the void. Some proposed names focused on strength and resilience, while others drew inspiration from the stars themselves.

As the crew listened to each suggestion, they nodded in approval, recognizing the significance and power behind each proposed name. After considering all the options, they put it to a holo vote, allowing each member to cast their ballot for their preferred choice.

In the end, one name emerged as the clear favorite among the crew. And they were excited to introduce the new names when Ubel woke up.

As the night wore on, laughter and camaraderie filled the room as the crew indulged in the feast laid out before them. Stories were shared, memories were made, and they reveled in each other's company. And as they raised their glasses once more, the future stretched out before them, brimming with endless possibilities and untold adventures. The festivities continued and the energy in the room buzzed with excitement.

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