Oolite Bulletins

Thread title basically says it. I'd just Witched into the system expecting a chance of some pirates (not too many, I'm still rated Harmless (2) in this beefed-up Python) and I see a bunch of red lollipops which I turn my stern to just as soon as I see a message: "Let's cross Esst En off the list and get our pay". The message is puzzling but I'm more concerned in getting the first of them to talk to my rear laser, when after my ranging shots miss my son remarks "Clean?" and sure enough the Cobra III in my sights is Clean. And very definitely one of the hostile traces. So's the Fer-de-lance next to him. When I burn the injectors for a bit the Ferdy comments "This is taking too long..." and they don't seem in too much of a rush to pursue it further, and once they're out of range I am more interested in hyperspeeding away than solving the mystery.

I naturally wondered if they were after one of my passengers, but Esst En isn't on the manifest, so I still don't know what gives.

Were you carrying any parcels, perchance?

Or, indeed, had you recently been carrying Esst En as a passenger? The sort of passenger who has people after them probably doesn't make a big announcement that they're no longer on a particular ship.

Bad guys aren't born Fugitives. Everyone has to start somewhere.

*I have no idea*

metatheurgist wrote:

Bad guys aren't born Fugitives. Everyone has to start somewhere.

*I have no idea*

The really skilled bad guys are always clean.. just ask Commander McLane..

I've had another encounter or two of this nature. What's quite interesting is that although I have "Random Ship Names" enabled, none of these guys get one.

There are various in-game explanations that would make sense (such as never having killed anyone where the law can see them), but it's a new one on me.

Malacandra wrote:

What's quite interesting is that although I have "Random Ship Names" enabled, none of these guys get one.

Definitely sounds like assassins - there is a tweak available for RSN that will give them names.

Thanks! And also to the author for the random names.

Cody wrote:

Malacandra wrote:

What's quite interesting is that although I have "Random Ship Names" enabled, none of these guys get one.

Definitely sounds like assassins - there is a tweak available for RSN that will give them names.

My in game view is that any assassin with their salt would be hiding or not have ship names.

So I've not implemented the tweak.

Venator Dha wrote:

My in game view is that any assassin with their salt would be hiding or not have ship names.

Probably true - but if all other ships have names, they identify themselves by not having them.
I used to have fellow couriers un-named, so I could spot them and help if needed - but not now.

Cody wrote:

Venator Dha wrote:

My in game view is that any assassin with their salt would be hiding or not have ship names.

Probably true - but if all other ships have names, they identify themselves by not having them.

All assassin ships are named "Guy Incognito"

Cody wrote:

Venator Dha wrote:

My in game view is that any assassin with their salt would be hiding or not have ship names.

Probably true - but if all other ships have names, they identify themselves by not having them.

As assassins yes. But not who they are. They remain faceless killers.

Venator Dha wrote:

They remain faceless killers.

Probably armless, legless and headless as well by the time Cody's finished with them.

Smivs wrote:

Probably armless, legless and headless as well by the time Cody's finished with them.

Have you seen the firepower of the heavy mob they send after me (often by the dozen)? Evasion is my usual MO - but if they corner me, then the fur does fly!

Sounds like the assassins are trying to do it ninja style. They only thing they're missing to be seriously ninja are cloaking devices. Which, we should count ourselves lucky that's above their pay grade.