Spector flew between the asteroids with ease as it continued to scan them for valuable minerals worth mining.
Suddenly it detected several ships entering the limit of its sensor range and picked up the open comm chatter.
"Nothing so far, I'm telling you this is a waste of time, there is no one out here."
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): Ohhhh, finally some action.]
"Shut up and keep patrolling, our informant in the Mercenary Hall said that someone put up a job to scan this region for valuable minerals."
"I know that idiot, but why are we wasting our time with a ship that's only scanning? It would be more profitable to let them report back so the mining guilds send a proper mining vessel. Then we can loot that after it collects all the minerals for us."
"You're the idiot, do you want to take the chance that they will discover our base in this asteroid field?"
"Oh please, the base is so well hidden that it would require a cruiser class ship's sensors to detect it and what cruiser could easily navigate the asteroid field."
"Whatever orders are orders, so shut up and keep your eyes peeled."
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): A pirate base in the asteroid field now that's interesting.]
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): Is that even possible?]
[Beinglittleisnotadisadvantage (Strathorp 7): It is, though it would be highly difficult to pull off without someone noticing considering the resources and manpower they would need.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): How has someone not noticed that? There must have been ships coming and going constantly when they originally were setting it up.]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): They most likely have someone in the Palaxia defence force that is covering it up for them.]
[Superhearofangirl (Earth): What's the Palaxia defence force? Is that like the Police?]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): Not exactly. While planets do have Police or law enforcement they generally focus on matters that take place on the planet. The defence force deals with matters that happen within the local space around the planet.]
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): So their space police.]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): I guess you could call them that, yes.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): So what's the plan streamer?]
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): Well his job is to eliminate any pirates he encounters, however I think finding the pirate base would be more beneficial here.]
"Spector covert mode." Adam said as he piloted the Spector to slowly move closer to the pirate vessels.
"Affirmative."
[[Condition Brown]]
[[Shields to minimum]]
[[Reducing energy output]]
[[Disabling non mandatory systems]]
As Spector finished speaking, the music Adam had been listening to suddenly stopped and the ship's lighting dimmed.
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): Since his energy signature has been reduced I guess the streamer plans to follow them.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): I guess he plans to find out the base's location.]
[Superhearofangirl (Earth): What about his asteroid scans?]
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): Who cares about that, this is way more interesting.]
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): It's likely the reduced power output will limit his sensor range.]
[Beinglittleisnotadisadvantage (Strathorp 7): Also he won't want the pirates picking up the scans as that will give him away. Luckily the streamers ship seems to have better sensors than the pirates which allowed him to detect them first.]
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): The streamers ship should destroy the base when he finds it.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): Do you think it's that easy to destroy a base with one ship idiot? Let's not talk about the other pirate ships that will be stationed there, just the station's defences will make it a challenge.]
[Superhearofangirl (Earth): Also what if there are innocents on the base? Even on Earth pirates liked to take captives in the past.]
Adam kept enough distance with the pirates where he could continue to keep them on sensors and monitor their open comms without them detecting him.
"I'm telling you there's no one out here, can we head back already? There's a new captive that was recently brought in that I want to have fun with before she is sold off as a slave."
"Our patrol is not finished yet, but if you want to head back early go ahead. Just be prepared to explain yourself to the boss when he asks why you left your post."
"Ahhh fuck your no fun."
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): Shit they have prisoners who they're going to sell as slaves.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): Fucking animals, I hate to think what that bastard plans to do to that captive.]
[Superhearofangirl (Earth): See @Handsome3horns I told you there could be captives on the base, and here you wanted to destroy it.]
[Devil_Prince_Asura (Deverinian 9): I'm checking the news feeds for around Palaxia and there is no mention of any ships being attacked or people captured recently.]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): That pretty much confirms our suspicion that the pirates work with someone in authority on Palaxia.]
[[Notification: [Beczontop (Imperial Down) Has issued you a multi-stream quest]]
[[Multi-stream Quest: Eliminate the pirate base and save the captives.]]
[[Completion Reward: VIP Backstage pass to a future Diva Lorelie show.]]
[[Failure Punishment: Find the identities of every captive and apologise to their loved ones for failing to save them.]]
[[Would you like to accept?]]
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): Wow a VIP backstage pass to one of Diva Lorelie shows, those things can not be bought with credits, they normally only go to friends and family or those with powerful connections.]
[Whostolemyduck (Earth): I thought Diva Lorelie was in a meeting?]
[Beczontop (Imperial Down): She is, I have been keeping her apprised of any major developments since the streamer doesn't allow vods on his channel. She asked me to post this question on her behalf.]
[Celebrityhunter69 (Earth): I guess Diva Lorelie cares about the captives, she's such a good person.]
[Justiceistruth: (Earth): Damn look at that punishment though, it's harsh, that's true justice.]
[Beczontop (Imperial Down): Diva Lorelie told me to tell you that if you're not even willing to save some poor captives after saving her, then you're not the person she took you for streamer.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): She has a point, it would make you think that the streamer only saved her because he knew she was on the ship.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): So I'm curious, what happens if you fail to fulfil a punishment?]
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): The universal subspace network blocks your access to social media and streaming platforms for 1 month; the same punishment applies to those who fail to hand over a reward for a completed stream quest.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): You can't access them at all?]
[Prestigious3horns (Vinox 2): Nope, social media and streaming platforms are the lifeblood of a streamer after all so it's a big deal to them.]
[Netononato (Earth): What about this multi-stream quest?]
[Vinnaka (Felinia 6): Normal stream quest's only last that single stream, however multi stream quests are one's that the streaming platforms AI determines will last longer than a single stream, they normally have higher rewards because of their extra length.]
"You're not exactly giving me much choice but to accept here Diva Lorelie, I accept." Adam said with mock frustration.
[[Quest accepted]]
[Beczontop (Imperial Down): Diva Lorelie says don't make it sound like she's the bad guy for forcing you to save innocent captives. 🤭]
"Did she also tell you to add that emoji?"
[Beczontop (Imperial Down): Nope that was all me since she giggled after saying it.]
[Celebrityhunter69 (Earth): Awww I would pay anything to see Diva Lorelie giggle.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): Crazy fan girl has only known she has existed one day and already acts like this.]
[Whostolemyduck (Earth): Can we please get back on topic, the pirates just said something interesting.]
"So any word from team seven who went to capture Diva Lorelie?"
"Nope but I hope they bring her back soon, I definitely want a piece of that Merminian"
"Strange, it should have been a quick and easy job, I mean the client informed us there would be no escort and that her ship would have minimal weapons."
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): Holy shit, these are the same pirates hired to capture Diva Lorelie.]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): It makes sense since Palaxia is right on the edge of Terran space and if you're travelling from Oceana 7 in the Oasis Galaxy that is where you would cross into the Sandanar Galaxy.]
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): What's Oceana 7 and a Merminian?]
[Beinglittleisnotadisadvantage (Strathorp 7): Merminian's are a race of humanoids that mainly live underwater, they have the ability to breathe underwater and also possess a tail fin instead of legs and feet when in the water. However that tail fin turns into legs and feet when they come on land. Oceana 7 is the home planet of the Merminian's and is around 90% water.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): Merminian's are known for their enchanting voices and many becoming singers, Diva Lorelie just happens to be a cut above the rest and is treated with respect by all Merminian's because of the universal renown she has brought their race.]
"Wait, Diva Lorelie isn't a Terran?" Adam asked in surprise.