The Mandoleer’s Folly drifted quietly through space, its crew bracing for their next target: Volta Mining Corporation
Volta Mining Corporation is a prominent company specializing in asteroid mining and mineral extraction within the British Columbia Sector of the Canadian Expanse. Despite its significant contributions to the interstellar mining industry, Volta Mining has been marred by numerous allegations of unethical practices and controversies. History Volta Mining Corporation was established in 2142 with the primary objective of exploiting asteroid... More. Specializing in asteroid mining and mineral extraction, Volta Mining had a notorious reputation for worker exploitation, unsafe working conditions, environmental destruction, and bribery of inspection agencies. This time, Spacedawg Pauly
Birth Name: PaulyCurrent Alias: Spacedawg PaulySpecies: Human-Canine HybridDate of Birth: February 22, 1973Place of Birth: Washington, D.C., United States, Earth, Sol SystemOccupations: Former Chef, Brewer, Distiller, Garden Worker, Apprentice Cobbler; Current First Mate on the Mandoleer's Folly, Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) Overview Spacedawg Pauly is a unique entity whose life story spans both Earth and the... More and his crew were better prepared. They called in for assistance from the RCSC Archer, commanded by Captain Ulrich Knudsen.
As the Mandoleer’s Folly and the Archer approached Volta Mining’s heavily fortified base, the calm was shattered by the sudden engagement of the station’s defense systems. Alarms blared on both ships as they scrambled to respond.
“Captain, they’ve engaged us! Shields up, weapons ready!” J.J. SmithJohn Jacob Smith is a seasoned police officer from Georgetown, known for his bravery and unique involvement in managing time anomalies. He has become a pivotal figure in handling temporal disturbances, working undercover as Agent 93 for a secretive organization tasked with protecting the temporal integrity of his environment. Early Career and Experiences John Jacob Smith has been a fixture... More reported, his voice urgent.
“All hands to battle stations!” Spacedawg ordered. “Ed, coordinate with the Archer. We need a united front.”
“On it, Captain,” Ed replied, his fingers flying over the console.
The two ships maneuvered skillfully, dodging incoming fire and returning salvos of their own. The battle was intense, with both sides taking hits. Suddenly, sensors picked up a ship leaving the main base and jumping into the Fold.
“Captain, we’ve got a runner!” Maelstrom
Origin and Early Life Maelstrom, a Gichi-manidoo from the Rogue Moon of Giizis Babaa-ayaa in the Ontario Sector, is distinguished by her blue-furred, wild cat-like features. A member of the humanoid species with a deep connection to nature, she embodies the physical and spiritual traits of her heritage. Maelstrom’s life took a significant turn when she relocated to the bustling... More called out. “They just jumped into the Fold.”
“Damn it!” Spacedawg cursed. “Track their trajectory if you can. We need to know where they’re headed.”
Before they could react further, a new alarm sounded. “Captain, the main reactor on the largest asteroid is going critical!” Renée Lachapelle
Inspector Renée Lachapelle is a distinguished officer who currently heads the joint anti-crime task force between the local Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Space Cavalry (RCSC) on Montreal Prime. Renowned for her sharp investigative skills and unwavering commitment, Lachapelle plays a pivotal role in maintaining law and order in the Quebec Sector of the Canadian Expanse. Early Life and Background... More reported. “We’ve got to get out of here, now!”
The realization hit Spacedawg like a hammer. “They rigged it to blow. All ships, prepare for the shockwave!”
The reactor explosion was massive, sending a shockwave rippling through the asteroid field. Smaller asteroids were obliterated, and the Mandoleer’s Folly and the Archer had to ride the shockwave, taking heavy damage in the process.
“Brace for impact!” Spacedawg shouted as the wave hit them, the ship shuddering violently.
The crew clung to their stations, the ship’s hull groaning under the strain. When the wave passed, the damage was evident. Systems were down, and both ships had sustained serious injuries.
“Damage report!” Spacedawg demanded.
“Shields are compromised, hull breaches in several sectors,” MaelstromOrigin and Early Life Maelstrom, a Gichi-manidoo from the Rogue Moon of Giizis Babaa-ayaa in the Ontario Sector, is distinguished by her blue-furred, wild cat-like features. A member of the humanoid species with a deep connection to nature, she embodies the physical and spiritual traits of her heritage. Maelstrom’s life took a significant turn when she relocated to the bustling... More said, her voice strained. “We need immediate repairs.”
“Same here,” Captain Knudsen’s voice came through the comm. “We’re heading for the Burnaby System
System Name: Burnaby System Sector: British Columbia Sector Number of Planets: 5 Notable Features: Advanced technological hubs, thriving cultural centers, strategic military outposts Primary Star(s): Burnaby Prime Astrophysical Characteristics Star Type(s): F-type main-sequence star (Yellow-White Dwarf) Age of the System: 4.8 billion years Distance from Earth: 345 light-years Habitability: One habitable planet (Burnaby Prime) Special Phenomena: Periodic solar flares that... More for repairs. Meet us there.”
As they limped towards the Burnaby SystemSystem Name: Burnaby System Sector: British Columbia Sector Number of Planets: 5 Notable Features: Advanced technological hubs, thriving cultural centers, strategic military outposts Primary Star(s): Burnaby Prime Astrophysical Characteristics Star Type(s): F-type main-sequence star (Yellow-White Dwarf) Age of the System: 4.8 billion years Distance from Earth: 345 light-years Habitability: One habitable planet (Burnaby Prime) Special Phenomena: Periodic solar flares that... More, the weight of their failure pressed heavily on Spacedawg’s shoulders. The CEOs of Volta Mining had escaped, and 3,000 workers had lost their lives in the explosion.
Upon arriving at the Burnaby SystemSystem Name: Burnaby System Sector: British Columbia Sector Number of Planets: 5 Notable Features: Advanced technological hubs, thriving cultural centers, strategic military outposts Primary Star(s): Burnaby Prime Astrophysical Characteristics Star Type(s): F-type main-sequence star (Yellow-White Dwarf) Age of the System: 4.8 billion years Distance from Earth: 345 light-years Habitability: One habitable planet (Burnaby Prime) Special Phenomena: Periodic solar flares that... More, repair crews swarmed over the Mandoleer’s Folly and the Archer. Spacedawg convened with his senior officers and Captain Knudsen in a makeshift command center.
“We underestimated their desperation,” Spacedawg said grimly. “They were willing to sacrifice thousands of lives to escape justice.”
Captain Knudsen nodded. “We need to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We can’t let this go unanswered.”
Renée added, “We tracked their Fold trajectory. We have a lead on where they might have gone. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”
Spacedawg’s determination hardened. “We’ll get them. No matter how far they run, they won’t escape the consequences of their actions.”
The crew of the Mandoleer’s Folly and the Archer prepared for the next phase of their mission. The fight against corruption and exploitation in the Canadian Expanse was far from over, and they were ready to see it through to the end.
