Pirate Superstitions Cause Chaos in the 'Verse

We hope you enjoy our accessible summary of: comm-link from 4 years ago

In the lawless fringes of UEE space, pirate crews have always been a superstitious lot. But according to underworld insider "Jester", these beliefs are reaching new levels of absurdity - with potentially dangerous consequences for both pirates and law-abiding citizens alike.

In a recent transmission intercepted by Advocacy agents, Jester lambasted his fellow outlaws for letting ridiculous superstitions interfere with their criminal enterprises. "Things are getting out of hand," he declared, "and I'm one asinine superstition away from losing my cool."

Stormwal Stalking Goes Wrong

Jester recounted the recent misadventure of a pirate named Notta Boone, whose ship was severely damaged near Orison after a disastrous attempt to fly alongside a herd of stormwals. Boone apparently believed that proximity to the massive gas-dwelling creatures would bring good fortune. Instead, it brought only a costly repair bill and a stint in Klescher Rehabilitation Facility when he was apprehended by CruSec forces.

"When a wild animal sees a massive ship flying towards them, their first thought isn't 'Hey, a friend,'" Jester noted wryly. He expressed frustration that such "stupidity" was spreading rapidly through pirate circles, undermining their effectiveness and reputation.

Banu Superstition Spreads

Another troubling trend involves pirates avoiding Banu ships out of fear of angering Cassa, the Banu patron of luck. Some crews reportedly refuse to target Banu vessels at all, while others only abstain from Banu targets as their first score after setting out.

Jester dismissed such beliefs as absurd, reminding his fellow criminals, "You're pirates, damn it. If you see a good target you take it." He worried that these superstitions were causing pirates to pass up lucrative opportunities.

Reading Omens in the Stars

In the Pyro system, some gangs have taken to basing their activities on solar flare patterns. A single burst flare is seen as a bad omen, causing crews to lay low. Two bursts signal good fortune, prompting a flurry of criminal activity.

Jester speculated that savvier outlaw groups may have started this rumor to reduce competition during single-flare periods. Regardless of its origin, the belief has taken hold among Pyro's criminal element.

Even Elite Pirates Not Immune

Perhaps most alarming to Jester was evidence that even feared raider groups like the NovaRiders have fallen prey to superstitious thinking. He claimed some NovaRider members refuse to wear looted gear on the same trip it was acquired, fearing the "spirit of the previous wearer will bring bad luck."

That such an infamous organization would entertain these notions deeply troubles Jester. "These are supposed to be some of the most feared raiders out there," he lamented.

Impact on Criminal Operations

While some may find amusement in pirates hobbling themselves with odd beliefs, Jester fears the broader consequences. He worries that widespread "stupidity" among outlaws will prompt increased crackdowns from groups like Crusader Security. The possibility of drawing unwanted attention from ecoterrorist organizations also concerns him.

Perhaps most significantly, Jester believes these superstitions are causing pirates to leave money on the table by avoiding potentially lucrative targets and opportunities. In his view, this defeats the entire purpose of their illicit profession.

A Call for Rationality

Jester closed his rant with a plea for his fellow criminals to return to reason. "Hopefully, the next time B0otyCall is back, some of you will have your heads on straight," he declared.

He even threatened to personally hunt down any pirate caught harassing stormwals, promising to contact them just before destroying their ship to sarcastically present an "Inept Outlaw of the Year" award.

The Wider Impact

While Jester's complaints were aimed at his criminal peers, the spread of these superstitions could have broader implications for trade and travel in less secure systems. Merchants may find their risk calculations thrown off by erratic pirate behavior. Meanwhile, the Advocacy and other law enforcement agencies may struggle to predict and counter outlaw activities driven by esoteric beliefs rather than pure profit motive.

For now, it seems the only certainty in the criminal underworld is uncertainty itself. Captains would do well to stay alert and expect the unexpected when venturing into pirate-infested territories. After all, you never know when a band of outlaws might pass up a juicy target simply because a solar flare told them it wasn't their lucky day.

The Stormwal Whisperer's Folly

Captain Zara "Lucky" Lux of the 30K.fun Star Citizen Referral Club leaned back in her pilot's seat, watching the swirling gases of Crusader through the cockpit window. Her comm channel crackled to life with an incoming transmission from a new recruit.

"Captain Lux! I've got a foolproof plan to make us rich!" exclaimed the excited voice of Rookie Remy.

Zara sighed, already sensing trouble. "Alright, Remy. Let's hear it."

"I've been talking to this guy Notta Boone in Klescher. He says if we fly close to a herd of stormwals, their good fortune will rub off on us!"

Zara pinched the bridge of her nose. "Remy, that's the most ridiculous—"

"I've already plotted a course to intercept a herd near Orison!" Remy interrupted. "We'll be swimming in credits in no time!"

Before Zara could protest further, Remy's ship zipped past her viewport, heading straight for a cluster of massive, whale-like creatures in the distance.

"Remy, wait!" Zara cried, firing up her engines to give chase. "Those aren't good luck charms, they're living creatures!"

But it was too late. Remy's ship darted between two startled stormwals, narrowly avoiding their enormous fins. The creatures bellowed in alarm, their calls echoing across Crusader's atmosphere.

Suddenly, a stormwal's tail clipped Remy's wing, sending his ship into a wild spin. Zara watched in horror as the rookie's vessel plummeted towards Orison's floating platforms below.

With expert precision, Zara maneuvered her ship beneath Remy's, matching his erratic descent. She extended her ship's tractor beam, latching onto the damaged vessel just moments before it would have smashed into a landing pad.

As they touched down safely, Zara's comm crackled again. "Uh, Captain? I think I might need some more training," Remy said sheepishly.

Zara chuckled, relief washing over her. "Tell you what, kid. How about we stick to more reliable ways of having fun in the 'verse? I hear there's a Banu trade ship that could use an escort through Pyro. Much safer than chasing space whales."

As they prepared for their next adventure, Zara made a mental note to add "Stormwal Safety 101" to the 30K.fun training curriculum. After all, in the unpredictable expanse of the Star Citizen universe, sometimes the best luck comes from sticking together and learning from each other's mistakes.

Another Star Citizen Fan Fiction from 30KFUN Accessible Gaming Community!