Ajay's Story thread

Ajay's Story: (Not) A True, True Friend.

I was sitting in the armchair in my flat on Musmansk. Wait, what the flak is going on in here? Last time I've been here... Some days after New Year, what the flak I am doing here now? Now wait a sec, those photos on my table aren't fit. Getting up from the chair to tke a closer look. Well... That's certainly me, on CNS Gorlowka, with some of our guys. Signed...
-"Retiral of Sr. Lt.[1] Ivan "Ajay" K."
I don't like it... next photo. That's me and Feather[2]? Yeah, and my Basilisk is on the background. Next photo. Wait, that's a... wedding? Sign on the picture, what does it says?
-"Wedding of Ivan K. and Olga P.
Be happy together!"
Oh snap. Well, another photo with boy looking like me, next one... my ship?
-"In memoriam of CNS I-939 "Stranger"
Sold to fund Little Vanya's academy
Ajay will never forget his sworn Basilisk"

-FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! - I yell and... wake up in the cargo bay of my ship, covered by a cold sweat. I jump from my bed and bolt into cockpit.
It's just a dream. Thank the stars, it's just a dream! I returned to the cargo bay, quickly dressed up and washed my face. Then I quickly got back into cockpit and started launch sequence.
-Подождите... Ожидаем авторизации... Личность подтверждена, _______ И.И, позывной Эйджей[3]. Проверка систем.
Жизнеобеспечение работает.
Системы радара, РЭБ и связи активированы.
Проверка идентификационных кодов завершена.
Двигатели и ускорители в норме.
Орудийные системы готовы.
Ракетная установка "Немезида" заряжена.
Торпедная установка "Солнцеубийца" ожидает цели.
Блокиратор движения "Москит" готов к запуску.
Установка самонаводящихся мин "Раскрытие" готова к постановке.
Ложные тепловые цели инициализированы.
Щит "Чемпион-у" готов к запуску.
Доступ к батареям щита и наноботам готов.
Системы управления инициализированы.
Стелс-устройство готово к запуску.
Чайный пакетик заряжен в кружку, чай будет готов в ближайшее время.
Список воспроизведения загружен в плейер CoalAmp.
CNS И-939 "Бродяга", истребитель космического превосходства класса "Василиск" полностю готов к взлету.
(TRANSLATION:
-Please stand by... Awaiting authorisation... Pilot confirmed, _______ I.I, callsign Ajay. System check.
Life support working.
Radar, ECM and uplink systems activated.
FFI codes check completed.
Engines and thrusters fine.
Weapon systems ready.
"Nemesis" missile launcher loaded.
"Sunslayer" torpedo launcher awaiting target.
"Mosquito" CD ready for launch.
Homing "Revelation" mines ready to be dropped.
False heat targets initialised.
"Adv. Champion" shield is ready to launch.
Access to nanobots and shield batteries is ready.
Piloting systems initialized.
Cloaking device ready.
Teabag is loaded to cup and tea will be ready as soon as possible.
CoalAmp music player playlist loaded.
CNS I-939 "Stranger" "Basilisk"- class Space Superiority fighter is completely ready to take off.)
-No, my dear, no, I will never sell you... - I said to nobody - just to calm myself down - while neatly holding the wheel. No, really, sell my SHIP to send somebody to academy? BULLSHIT. - Not after what we've been through.
Anyway, need to check inbox. Wow, this one is interesting.
"Ivanich,
I have gathered some samples of alien equipment and I need to get them to Coalition space ASAP. Also, High Command bought a huge storage for Energy Crystals in Texas close to your store's location, so you need to deliver as much crystals as possible. Contact CNS K-719 for more details.
Oh, and also I have captured some alien guns. We have a deal to send them to your neat storage.
Your comrade,
[DATA EXPUNGED][4]"
Hmm. That means, my way lies to Inner Core now.
I haven't been there alone before... wait, I have. Not on the Basilisk though, and it was only from Weth to Jormdar or Methter to meet hunting group.
Maybe just because I wasn't sure if I will even survive there. But now... Now I will just keep it together and fly there. If my ship will be destroyed... Well, emergency warp drive will get me back to Omega 3 before that happens, problem is that it will consume all the energy crystals I have in my cargo bay. Kinda not that much to lose.
Activating take-off mechanisms and leaving the station - LPI Huntsville. Okay, what do I need now... Oh, right, scanners. Connecting to CNS K-719 via encrypted channel and getting greeted by Heart - one of my old fellows.
-Oh, hello 'Jay! Command has a mission in Inner Core for you, do you know?
-Yes, I do, Heart. Explain while I am flying to Omega 3. And check out for any Silver Arrows tagged ships that are in space now. I know that I can enter Omega 3 if I am flying to IC, but I need to show some respect at least. Omega 3 is their home.
-There is none, Ajay. So, what command needs. Allow me, Feather and Snowdrop - they are on the neighboring tables - remote connect with your equipment. - Heart said and winked. - I don't understand much in those fancy mathematics and physics, so here is Feather.
Heart switched channels and after a second Feather contacted me.
-We need to take parameters from the shortest way from Omega 3 to Weth. We actually used hypergate to communicate earlier, but uplink between anomaly in Inner Core and Venn system is too weak to mantain good connection speed, because we have to use multiple frequencies. Usage of CNS K-719 as relay node haven't helped much. Command believes that we can have good enough speed to chat with you and send directives to equipment.
-Just like a last time, complete with buggering the hornet nest?
-No. We had to use active probing with somewhat unstable and completely unknown jump anomaly, while Dom'Kavash gates create stable warp distortions. They won't need not active sensor probing nor much time to check them - we will be able to scan them every time you dock to them or leaving them. We will just order the equipment to record the results on your ship, then you send them via Dom'Kavash hypergate to CNS Gorlowka. And then you will have a side mission to deliver what our IC agent has collected.
-And you think it will work? Including the Black Hole that will also slow down the connection?
-Black hole will slow down the connection anyway, we will just minimize the speed loss to only black hole inflicted one.
-Smart move... - I said.
-Besides, it isn't much for a subspace signal. We can even actually modulate signal in that way that Black Hole will actually speed it up[5]. But it isn't much importaint. The most important is... Ajay, will you handle IC?
-I have no idea!

Soon I was in Inner Core system, composing my tracklist. You know, I am making heavy use of combat themes. So, what have I wanted to put...
"Sabaton - Uprising"
"Sabaton - Attero Dominatus"
"Sabaton - Midway"
"Sabaton - Panzerkampf"
"Rammstein - Rammlied"
"Rammstein - Waidmanns Heil"
"Rammstein - Du Hast"
"Rammstein - Links 2 3 4"
"Rammstein - Feuer Frei"
"Metallica - Battery"
"Metallica - Fuel" -
that's how my playlist looked like after I made all the decisions.

-OK guys, I hope you will either see an impressive flight or impressive fireworks. - I said.
-I hope for the former - Snowdrop said (they all connected the screens in my cockpit so they could talk to me).
-Yeah, after I scanned your ship - Heart said.
-What's with his ship? - Snowdrop asked. Darn, his artificial eye pupils creep the flak out of me. Wear flakking sunglasses, Snowy!
-He doesn't have an escape pod. - Heart said as it was usual. - So if he goes off, remember where he'll do it. I hope at least his lucky action figure will survive.
-Poor F, she'll miss me then... - I said with a giggle. - Just kidding. Experimental warp drive is installed in a lot of ships. It will take me back to last base I landed, however most of my cargo hold will be lost[6].
-But... how can you be so sure about that drive?
-I don't have much to lose, Feather. Okay, I don't need three of you talking my ears off, so shut up and talk only in emergencies. Or when I will adress you. Or at jumpgates, or at any other safe place. Okay, Venn gates are close!
-Initiating analysis... done! - Heart said.
-Good. Now listen: space from Venn to Ryssk is hostile. Light fighters and bombers carry cruise disruptors, while other ships - medium and heavy fighters, cruisers, motherships and battleships - do not. I can use cloak to escape, but it needs a lot of time regeneration. - I said while jumping. - I will use my guns to mine energy crystals in this field, they are used to fuel the cloaking device.
-Hmm... - Heart said.
-In any case, here are the crystals. Don't activate that probing, I don't want to cause a disturbance before I will be all set.
Mining wasn't long. Basilisks don't have big cargo hold - I needed to mine only 70 SCU[7] (I had 10 SCU, one charge, before going). Then I said:
-Okay, launch that thing. There is no turning back since I used Hypergate.
-Okay, launched! - Snowdrop said, and after some seconds he shouted - Done!
I hit "Cruise Engines" switch, set waypoint on a Repair Buoy and grabbed the wheel, holding one of hands on "activating cloak" switch.
Honestly? I have... mixed feelings about asteroid field in Venn. From the one side, it allows you to get a lot of Energy Crystals and fuel your cloaking device. From the other side, it turns navigating to hell.
I don't feel around in Inner Core sometimes. All that dust I mean, it's just depressing, as the knowlege that you may have to fight for your life every next second if it's anywhere between Venn and Ryssk - or that you don't have much to do if it's between Weth and Phanchdar. It's like I ain't depressed enough or what?
Stop it, Ajay. If you will be pressed by any minor problem, it won't end well for you.
And I know that if I will defeat one wing of aliens, I won't be able to do it a second time.
Radar detected four Warrior medium fighters, on a 5 o'clock. Taking to the left. Thankfully they don't have light fighters or bombers in group.
And thankfully it aren't Dom'Setek, I thought. If I am even able to take out wing of Dom'Nepesh, or Warrior or Dom'Razak, or maybe Sentinel - Dom'Setek, as well as Savage, wouldn't leave me a chance. Despite being a Black Guard member, I ain't a fighter pilot! I am intelligence officer for flaks sake!
-Well, those are the first inhabitants - Snowdrop said. - They look... sinister. Terrifying. Scary.
-Yeah, most of Dom'Razak and Warrior ships look like that. I would say, Dom'Razak are to a bit lesser degree. - I said. - However I can say a bit about them... interested?
-Of course, Va... Ajay! Tell. Me. Everything! - Feather was excited. Darn, she's adorkable.
-Okay - I said, avoiding Dom'Razak capital ships patrol. - Dom'Razak is one of the "Great Doms", race unions, and it consists of two main factions - Dom'Razak and Warrior. Those were Dom'Razak Mothership patrol.
When patrol was out from vision, I was speaking carefully while loking at radars.
-Dom'Razak are more like civilists. Traders. Workers. Technicans. I can say, they aren't that much in combat, in comparsion to other aliens. Warrior, however, are another race that is part of the Dom'Razak. Their allies. I think it's more a willingly created alliance, symbiosis, rather than slavery. We call them Warrior because that's exactly who they are: military force of Dom'Razak.
-So Dom'Razak feed and host Warrior while Warrior protect them? - Feather concluded.
-Exactly! - I said. - Oh, here is the repair buoy.
I flew around buoy, turning my ship to the Jormdar gates location. Dom'Setek capship patrol met me soon.
-Okay, those are Dom'Setek. Another "Great Dom" race - I said, avoiding turrets.
-Ajay, can you tell me something about them?
-Dom'Setek are another aliens that invaded our galaxy. They are biologically advanced - like pretty much other aiens - and they are even able to incorporate living matter into ships on almost unseen level, judging by their ships look[8]. Seeing Nomads in action made them to create Sentinel race as their servants, or dare I to say slaves.
While I was talking, I was already close to Jormdar gates... and met Dom'Nepesh Heavy Fighter patrols.
-Oh, and here is the third example. Let me please introduce Dom'Nepesh to you. Least sympathetic for me than even Dom'Setek, not saying about Dom'Razak.
-Why? - Snowdrop asked.
-Seteks at least CREATED Sentinel to be their drones, and Razaks are not enslavers nor slaves for Warrior, but friends. Nepesh's current ally, called "Savage", were their enemies, but DN defeated them and now are using them as cannon fodder. However I can't explain why cannon fodder fights better than Dom'Nepesh themselves. Actually, Dom'Nepesh are one of the weakest guys here, maybe after Dom'Razak - I pulled a speech while avoiding fire. - While Savage are most dangerous, together with Dom'Setek and maybe Warrior.
-Hmmm... Such a patchwork? - Heart popped in.
-Systems after Venn are claimed by only one race of the three. Venn is for all, Jormdar and Sadurn are claimed by Dom'Nepesh, Pyrrdra by Dom'Setek and Methter and Ryssk belong to Dom'Razak. Okay, here are Jormdar gates. Entry is on the other side. Launching docking sequence...
-Good, parameters are ours.

-Okay. Next destination is Methter gates. Let's go.
I launched cruise speed again and flown in the direction to the left of the gates - else I would hit the minefield.
-Aliens are smart guys - I said, knowing that my three squadmates are hearing me. - They don't let their capships into asteroid fields! So there is a higher chance to encounter a cruise disruptor-armed enemy... like these!
Four Dom'Nepesh Light Fighters! On my 3 o'clock!
Pull left pull left oh snap missile incoming...
*BLAM!*
Countermeasures have odd ability. This ability is not to work, no matter how many of them is dropped.
This ability is usually triggered in these conditions: when you are damaged, when you are running out of nanos/batteries, when you are carrying a shipment of precious stuff, when it's a Dom'Setek or Savage after you or when those darn flares want to pull this out.
Seems like crystals are counted as precious stuff, because my cruise engines died.
-Oh snap... - Heart said.
I hit cloak switch and started to thrust, avoiding fire. Some seconds and ship finally let out a "whoom" - the sound when cloak device is activated. I hit cruse engines again and left four Dom'Nepesh without a clue WTF just happened.
Taking in mind the stuff that happened after, I think I'd rather fought Dom'Nepesh. But I doubt because I could be stopped by Savage, and they wouldn't do it pretty.
-I can imagine those aliens saying "What the heck"... - Heart was laughing.
-Heh, but next time when I'll be stopped, I'll have to fight - I said, leaving asteroid field and flying past Savage battleship, while bobbing my head for a music.
-"Far from shore, a pacific war, bombs are falling from the skies... It's a bomb run day, it's a naval way, a blood red sun is on the rise..."[9] - I sang along while avoiding shots. Soon I reached the gates, without any problems.
All the problems, as I later learned, were waiting for me in Methter...

And here were they, in the form or four Warrior bombers that disrupted my cruise engines.
-Heart, use remote control and switch track, quickly!
-What track?
-Put on "Panzerkampf", faster!
Ajay's Combat Theme #4: Sabaton - Panzerkampf
-Well, now my chances are higher...
-Omygosh omygosh omygosh Ajay are you going to survive? Please survive, please...
-SHUT UP! - I yelled at Feather while avoiding barrage of a flakton of Kelyrd-rays aimed at my ship. Didn't worked, said barrage chewed through my shield without much problem. I pulled of a loop and soon was going all barrels hot on one of bombers, strafing in different directions.
Soon one bomber was down and I switched to another. Guess what? After I ignited a couple of that thing's wings, pilot of Warrior bomber pulled out and cruised. Smart move, despite that I actually brought him down after a while. Third bomber followed other two in a matter of time: rest of his wing gone to another pass so I didn't have to avoid them.
And when the song took it's final refrain (Honestly? Song is EPIC), fourth bomber was down. Damnation, I now only have 100 bots and no bats, ship is damaged but I can fly with it. Next fight and I'll have to try again, or I will be dead, but whatever, I am alive.
-That's how wings get treated to KFC! - I said. - I am sure, if that bully in my school that mocked me for my flight skills saw that, he'd ate his socks!
-Especially after he lost a ship in his fight with Nomads in Gladius! - said Snowdrop. - He almost lost most of his guts, so he is now seriously augmented and isn't gonna to fly anymore!
Way to go for that bastard. Way to go. However "isn't going to fly anymore" was also said about Snowdrop. Poor guy.
-Ajay, you have another wing inbound. Dom'Razak, 3 medium 1 light fighters.
-I know! - I said. Because of slow connection Heart alerted me when my cruise engines were disrupted. - I'll be able to use this trick...
I thrusted and killed the engine, then turned back.
You know, ship radars are detecting the ship's engines. When you kill the engine and turn your ship's nose to such a radar, ship becomes very hard to detect.
Dom'Razak weren't an exception. I waited while they will disappear from my radar screen and continued my flight.
-Whoa, we lost them!
-That trick is better to pull off if only they aren't close... Okay, I think I would like to use a repair buoy. Anyway, there is one on my way in Ryssk... oh snap, that hit is gonna hurt - I said looking at one of the holographic consoles that was flickering.
-You think that...
-Nevermind, Feather. Oh, wait, mothership and cruisers... Well, here are the gates.
I jumped to Ryssk. Console doesn't seems good... I took my amulet from the table and locked it in the protected case nearby, in case of console explosion.
I had console exploding in my cockpit once, and it wasn't pretty. And that figure is a sort of amulet for me, I don't want to lose it.
-Hurry, I think that console... Repair buoy! Faster - Feather yelled.
-Repair buoy repairs ship's internals only in case of ship hermeticity breach - I said.
-And damage was inflicted by not piercing, but by kinetic energy recieved from projectile not on a first impact, but through ship's hull...
-Yes, Feather. Don't worry. Those gates at the north are leading to a safe zone! There is a place to land, and there are some humans that are IC hunters. I even know some of them.
-Yeah. Still, try to hurry!
-Do you know it's the maximum Basilisk can do?
It was some nervous waiting. One time I even avoided a cruse disruptor. But mostly I met capships or fighters that aren't armed with CDs. But near the gates...
-Warrior. 12 o'clock. 3 medium fighters. One bomber.
BOMBER!
My hand slapped cloaking device switch.
For some reason bomber haven't fired cruise disruptor when I was flying over it.
Cloaking device activated.
I started docking sequence to the Weth gates.
Ship jumped to Weth and uncloaked there.
I let out "FLAAAK YEEEAAA" and started docking sequence on the trade lane to Mirtrrak Battle Station.
I took a look at the damaged console to see that its flickering is very fierce.
*KABOOM*
Black.

-Wake up, Ajay! Stay with us!
-I've alerted the medics aboard the station! Thankfully, here are human medics!
-Vanya... Please, please, PLEASE DON'T DIE!!!
What the flak? Ah, I fainted because the console overloaded and exploded, I understood as I woke up. I let out a series of coughs, managing to say through them:
-Call*cough*sign*cough*...
I looked around. Mirtrrak Battle Station internals? How in the universe I got here when I passed out in space?
-Thanks the stars, you are awake! - Heart started his motormouth - Ajay, when you passed out, your ship activated emergency protocols and took its best path to the nearest station, and docked! GPU of its computer is lost though, but it was still keeping a track of your stats. I alerted the medics!
-Thanks, Heart. - I said in a silent voice, noting the medical squad. I opened the cockpit and said to them:
-Park my ship... and take care of it... - I said, while trying to get out from the cockpit.

Week ago.
I've been in the makeshift hospital in Weth for a week. Console overload produced some shards that caused some cuts in my right side of the chest and right hand - left side was protected by a holster. Also I had minor concussion, but I will survive it.
However, my ship lost a graphic processing unit that I had to wait for - till one of K-719 fighter pilots was able to deliver it, together with some parts of cockpit details.
Thankfully, Fluttershy action figure wasn't damaged. I returned it to its rightful place as soon as my cockpit was repaired.
After I was released and took all the equipment I needed to deliver, I connected K-719 in order to check the connection.
-Ajay, this is K-719. We reached you. Report about the connection quality. - Feather was checking the connection.
-Reading you loud and clear, K-719. - I said.
-Good. How do you feel?
-Fine.
-Good, 'Jay. Get well soon.
-Thanks, Feather. - I say with a heartwarming smile, feeling that I am not alone, that I have a friends...
...only to remind myself that the aforementioned feeling is false.
I am still pretty much alone and I don't have friends.
Wait, I do. I do have a friend.
And name of this friend is CNS I-939 "Stranger".

Author's Note:
Sorry it took so long between my IC Loner flight and this chapter's creation. Just wasn't in the right mood, the only idea being name of the chapter.
There isn't much illustrations, because when I started to write this, my graphic card died (RIP HD Radeon 6850), and I couldn't play FL.
Footnotes
[1]: Ajay's promotion to Sr. Lt. was even too much. Thus, Ajay won't get any promotions unless something cool happens on-server. And by "cool" i mean something even bigger than IC trip. And NO, it isn't Canis flight.
[2]: To get who the hell Feather is, read either flashback "Before Sirius" or "The New Acceptance" chapter, or both. If you have no time - Olga "Feather" P. is Ajay's colleauge that is one of CNS K-719 dispatchers, scanner operators and communications officers, described as cute girl (I don't have an imagination to build up someone's look and to express it with words, sorry for that) and nice tactican.
[3]: Ajay's callsign can be pronounced in more than one ways, and due to russian language's nature to be more "bound" to pronouncing.[4]: Just in case: this is Ajay's_Secondary4, my Inner Core hunter.
[5]: Some traditional sci-fi physics bullshit. It may be not irritating for you, but I am dedicated to radiophysics -_-
[6]: Lame method to explain player's respawn.
[7]: Standart Cargo Unit.
[8]: If you haven't noticed, Dom'Setek ships look more mechanical than organic, in comparsion of other Doms and their allies.
[9]: Quote from Sabaton - Midway.

I woke up in the cargo bay of my Basilsik. After that Inner Core trip I was let to freelance in Sirius as usually, so here I am again. Oh, and where is "here" at the current moment? Oh snap, Sigma-17, Atka Research station. Time to get off. But first, I'll check out my inbox.
Hmmm. Strange letters from some guys.
"Congratulations, Vanya Ajay, may your wishes come true. Your grateful friend (or even more?), Olga "Feather" P."
"Ivanich, why do I learn about a such a day from Olya, but not from you? Best wishes! Your friend, Anatolyi "Heart" T."
"Ajay, what the flak, as you love to say? Your best day is today and you still haven't said ANYTHING about it? Still, be healthy! Your comrade, Alexei "Snowdrop" S."
And some other letters from other CNS Gorlowka crewmen and pilots. Are they gone mad? Marking all of that as spam. Now waaait a second, it IS already interesting...
"Vanya,
I want to wish you all the best. I miss you very much. Please, if you have time and strength, visit us. I want to see you. But I know that the way from Sirius to Sovetskaya is a bit dangerous, so if you will return, be careful.
Love you,
Your mother, V.K.
P.S. Your girlfriend, Olya, nickname Feather, wrote me recently and told me that you drink hard there. Please, try to cease with it. I am worrying about you, and she is too. If you feel lost and alone, just remember us."
"Sonny,
How are you there? Your ship is still holding? If you already want to change it, maybe you will present it to me? He-he.
Anyway, heard that you are a Black Guard member now. KEEP IT UP, son! Try to make a good glory for Black Guard to change it's bad glory of the past. I know you will!
Proud of you,
Your father, Ivan I. K.
P.S.
Don't hit the booze hard! Don't want you to ashame Coalition! And I don't want you to get into freak accident! You'll make your girl sad, if we don't matter to you!"
EVEN THOSE TWO? Gosh, what the hell is with them? They didn't even cared about me when I was simple dirt-level offcier on Gorlowka, but now I am a figure with some weight in Black Guard, and they remembered about me.
Wait a second! Feather told them that she's MY GIRLFRIEND?
-OH YOU DIRTY DISGUSTING USELESS F[CENSORED] B[CENSORED], YOU ARE GOING TO F[CENSORED] GET IT WHEN I'LL F[CENSORED] SEE YOU NEXT TIME, FEATHER! - I couldn't hold myself and let out a yell.
-SILENCE PLEASE TRYING TO SLEEP HERE! - I heard a yell from neighboring Falcon. - GOT A NIGHT PATROL, HAVE A UNDERSTANDING, COALITIONER!
-SORRY! - I answered and continued my thoughts. So, a lot of Coalitioners are congratualting me for something I don't know, two jerks that are my Mom and Dad showed up first time in a month or two and Feather made me hate her even more than before. Great. Wait, one more letter, from Flyagin. If he is too congratulating me with something I don't know, I'm done with Coalition.
"Senior Lieutenant Ivan "Ajay" K.
I need you to arrive to bar of Freeport 10 as quickly as possible. It is related to 719.
Your commanding officer,
Colonel Igor Flyagin"
Hmmm. Maybe I will be able to find out what is going on?

Freeport 10.
Heading to the bar that is keeping a huge "RESERVED" sign. Hmm, doors are open, but it's dark here... I don't like it. Wait, my glasses have nightvision mode! Turning it on and entering...
Light suddenly turned on with a yell of "SURPRIIIIISE!". Yes, light. And NV mode. Don't goes together very well, right? Right, I was blinded for some time.
-EEEEEEP!!! - I let out a yelp, jumped out from bar, hid behind the wall and turned off nightvision. My right hand instinctively slapped my left chest... not the heart, but heavy gun holster, unbuttoning it and taking AGS-4 out from there.
I don't hurry with taking safety off though. Honestly? I never used that gun in combat. And I hope I never will. I don't remember if is there even ammo in a clip[1] though - I visit firing ranges sometimes.
-Told you it was a bad idea, comrade Colonel... - female voice said.
-Well, Tolya, 50 roubles are mine - another voice said.
-Oh, I SHOULD have remember that he is that easy startled. Just like Flut... nevermind. Hey, Ajay, are you okay? That's me, Heart!
I put gyrojet in holster and gone out from my "cover", looking around while my eyes slowly begin to see again. Whoa, Flyagin really gathered some crowd. Feather, Heart, Snowdrop. he himself, some pilots from K-719...
-Guys, what. The. Flak. - I said flatly.
-Sorry, you forgot what day is today? - Feather said.
-Nope, I remember. 19th of July, what makes it a big deal?
Wait.
19th of July.
My f*cking birthday. However I never paid too much attention to it.
-Of course, not my birthday, but what then? - I asked... before noticing something.
Banner saying "Happy birthday, Ivan!" under the celling.
-Ooohkay, I anyway wanted to talk with you. With Feather, more narrowly.
-Yes? - she came up to me.
-Have you really said my mother and father that you are my girlfriend?
-Yes! I think they liked me...
-Why have you done that? - I asked in a cold voice.
-Well... because I kinda am your girlfriend to some degree?
I give Feather my best and coldest hateful glare. If I had a bit worse self-restrain, I would be smashing her into the wall right now. My right hand is even unwillingly leaving my pocket to give her one hell of a b*tchslap. No, really, who the hell she thinks she is so she can just claim me hers? She isn't even my friend for flak's sake! NO [CENSORED] WAY IN HELL, this [CENSORED] is going to pay for that. I am sure even asteroids outside from station will shutter from the b*tchslap I am going to give her...
Restrain, 'Jay, restrain. She didn't meant it, she just didn't knew, she doesn't deserves that.
Dump her on the eyes of the rest of a crowd? Can be an idea.
-...no? - Feather asked with the sadness in her eyes. Stupid Feather, puppy eyes don't work on me. I nodded.
-No, because you aren't. - I calmly said. - I don't feel anything to you, and I doubt I will. So you better to tell my parents that you lied. Okay, it was nice to meet you all, bye! - I said, heading out.
-J, maybe you will have fun with us? You haven't even saw the cake... - Heart said.
-Sorry, really sorry for that, Heart... - I said, stopping. - but I hate sweets, especially cakes. Anyway, I have one target to rant on.
I found Flyagin by my eyes.
-Comrade Colonel. I am accusing you for abusing your position and making a fake call to a Coalition official about CNS K-719. I will alert Coalition HQ on that matter. What are your excuses?
-I said "It is related to 719"?
-Mhm.
-Aha! I made a typo and forgot a slash between 7 and 19. So it was related to July, 19th.
-Lame excuse, Coalition doesn't use MM/DD/YY system, we use DD-MM-YY. Okay, colonel, I won't be doing that because I am impressed by your pathetic look - i giggled. - Okay, if you want a party, do it. I'm in.
-So you will stay? - Heart asked.
-Yep.

It was pretty cool. But guess what made me more glad than a party?
We returned on the CNS K-719, and then...
-Okay 'Jay, presents time! - Heart yelled, being a cuckoolander he is. I roll my eyes.
-I'm not sure I need them... - I answered. - I was a meanie. Including right now, right, Feather?
-I've forgave you even before you said that you don't like me. Snowy? - Feather turned to Snowdrop.
-Yes! - Snowdrop stepped up with a small box in his hands. - It's a holoemitter. You can mount it on your glasses, here, on the right side.
-Whoa, this thing can be useful. - I replied, unpacking it and mounting. - Thanks, Leha, much apprciated.
-Oh, and also a new headset. With a microphone and ability to be plugged into personal console or ship computer. - Snowdrop took another box. Anyway, somebody tell him not to look at people's eyes while giving encouraging smile. I know that it isn't his fault, I can't help it, but look of his eyes with red and noticeable glowing eye pupils[2] is freaking terrifying, ESPECIALLY when combined with smile.
-Anyway, my time now - Heart stepped up too, with a big box on a hover platform behind him. - I know you like music. And I think that new cockpit audiosystem will make you glad. There is also a helmet with the newest head-on display, compatible with your glasses!
-Heart... How you guessed that my inbuilt audiosystem is bugging the bass since April? Thanks! - I said.
-Okay, some present Ajay would like too... - Feather said. - Something you needed for more than a month, Ajay.
She came up, and... tightly hugged me.
-Hey hey hey, what the fla... - I said, trying to get out from her embrace. I don't know, what is bigger: my embarassment or pain from the holster being pressed into my ribcage.
-Once you said me: "Sometimes, when you feel unloved, one simple hug can make things better"... - Right, I said that to her once. When I found her crying and found out that her boyfriend dumped her, so I tried to comfort her. Needless to say, when I also found out that her boyfriend - one of Kossack pilots from CNS Gorlowka - was friendzoned by her, I instantly regretted that comforting... - I was too blind to not see that the same applies to you. - Yeah, she's trying to put me in a Friend Zone. Won't work.
-*cough cough* Just in case, there is about one kilogramm of steel in a holster on my left, and I think you *cough* are pounding it into my *cough* chest... - I managed to cough out.
Feather instantly released me.
-Don't do that anymore - I said to her. - I am allergic to love, you know.
-Okay, Ajay, I've expected this and prepaired another present. - Feather said. - Supreme Commander LAN-party. Just for us four.
Well, it's about time to have some fun.

Some minutes ago. Game chat.
Bird_Of_Feather: That expand is mine, Heart! Don't even bother!
The_Golden_Heart: Hey, you promised that we team up on Snowdrop!
Sn0wdr0p: Mwhahahaha...
The_Golden_Heart: YOU PINKIE PROMISED!!!
Ajay: Hey, references!
Bird_Of_Feather: Oh, another T3 bomber rush? I had a higher thoughts about you, Heart!
Bird_Of_Feather: My CZAR! You'll pay for this!
The_Golden_Heart: Just these stinking Seraphim don't have anything more powerful with same speed and nice cost
The_Golden_Heart: Ahwassa would suck me dry in no-time or took FOREVEEER to build
Sn0wdr0p: How about this?
STRATEGIC LAUNCH DETECTED
Ajay: Oh dear.
Bird_Of_Feather: Hey 'Jay, mind explaining WTF are your cruisers and destroyers are doing that far from battle area?
Sn0wdr0p: BTW Ajay, getting real tired of your T3 spyplanes...
The_Golden_Heart: OHHHH SNAAAAP my SMD isn't built there yet and u r nuking me? Well, I'll sniff ur expands too...
Bird_Of_Feather: Sorry Heart, but Ythota isn't going to save you.
The_Golden_Heart: NOOO my last hope!
The_Golden_Heart: Wait
The_Golden_Heart: I had T3 engie there, where is it?
Bird_Of_Feather: I've lost T3 engie on the similar note
More minutes passed...
Sn0wdr0p: Taste Broadswords! And as a final blow, Fatboys!
The_Golden_Heart: At least I'll go look what 'Jay does...
Sn0wdr0p: Yeah, we did it, almost.
Bird_Of_Feather: Sorry Snowy, but I must to do it after we're done
The_Golden_Heart: OH SNAP
The_Golden_Heart: TEAM UP ON AJAY FAST
The_Golden_Heart: HE BUILDS MONKEYLORDS AND SOULRIPPERS AND MEGALITHS AND SHIT
The_Golden_Heart: HE GOT KINDA 200 OF SUPPORT ACUS AND AEON PARAGON
The_Golden_Heart: FEATHER Y U SENT HIM UR ENGIE
Player The_Golden_Heart has been defeated.
Bird_Of_Feather: Now what was he telling about 'Jay?
Sn0wdr0p: Bullshit. But... Maybe that's why I saw Cybran Dragonfly transport with Aeon T3 engie and mobile stealth field in it
Sn0wdr0p: Couldn't intercept, got all fighters taken by Heart's bombers
Ajay: Must admit, it was damn hard to steal it from Feather's nose
Bird_Of_Feather: Oh shi
Bird_Of_Feather: Ajay!
Bird_Of_Feather: No way in hell I am letting you play as Cybran next time
Ajay: My cover is blown, and you forgot about the quiet ones
Sn0wdr0p: oh snap WTF was that
Sn0wdr0p: Like Cybran T3 artillery, but... oops again and again
Sn0wdrop: Oh snap Feather I need all ur antiair here got soulrippers incoming
Bird_Of_Feather: Ok I'll try...
Player Sn0wdr0p has been defeated.
Bird_Of_Feather: Oh shi.
Ajay: Sorry Feather...
Bird_Of_Feather: Y u stopped bombardement? You kinda took out only one or two buildings...
Bird_Of_Feather: Oh no my SMD...
STRATEGIC LAUNCH DETECTED
Ajay: You're
STRATEGIC LAUNCH DETECTED
Ajay: Going
STRATEGIC LAUNCH DETECTED
Ajay: To LOVE ME!!!
STRATEGIC LAUNCH DETECTED
Bird_Of_Feather: calm the f_ck down, i love u already
Bird_Of_Feather: Last one is Yolona Oss? OH SNAP that's where Heart's T3 engie gone
Player Bird_Of_Feather has been defeated.
Player Ajay is victorious.

-NO WAY, HEART, YOU HEAR ME? NO WAY YOU ARE PLAYING AS SERAPHIM NEXT TIME IF YOU DON'T PROTECT YOUR ENGIES! - Feather was yelling.
-You are the one to say, the girl-that-let-Ajay-get-infinite-recources - Snowdrop said. - At least I don't remember that UEF engie was stolen...
-I had Mavor building in progress when Feather gone off, Snwodrop - I said. - So I actually had an UEF engie. By the way, thanks, Snowdrop, because I had a couple of Atlantis filled with Broadswords, Renegades and Waliers - later also Restorers - in case Soul Rippers won't do it. Maybe it'll teach you to use omni sensors. Because you were playing as newbies.
Well, fun time, fun stuff. K-719 randomly travels between systems, so tomorrow I can just wait until any system will be reached and leave the ship. But today I am staying here for a while. Besides, I don't want to drive a ship while drunk... and I'll get drunk. I would get drunk on whatever reason anyway.

Maybe those three even aren't my true friends, but at least it's fun to be with them.

Okay, seas of vodka are waiting. Sr. Lt. Ivan "Ajay" K out.

A/N
Just a story bound to my birthday. Written long before it just in case
Now let's get something straight. I am holding a forever alone man's intentions to put romance in this story as strongly as I can, but still it's leaking. So what Feather feels to Ajay isn't a true love. Merely a childish crush. And it's good for her.
Footnotes:
[1]: Ajay's AGS-4, standart issue pistol for fighter pilots and capship crewmen, is a gyrojet, kind of kinetic weapon. Gyrojet's bullets have miniature rocket engine that activates after the bullet leaves the barrel (like WH40K bolter or ROTR RF Shocktrooper's micro-rocket riffle, however AGS-4 bullets don't contain explosives). AGS-4 looks like RL Stechkin APS, and it's ammo is chambered in 9x18mm too.
[2]: In my vision of the story Snowdrop's eye implants are planted not instead of eyeballs, but directly into them. In result, it's only seen that his eye pupils are artificial, while rest of the eye looks normal.

Ajay's Story: The Strike from the Past.
Part One: Vicious Reveal [1].

"ATTERO!
DOMINATUS!"
I shot up from my bed, fell on the floor with a loud "thump!", and quickly turn off alarm clock. This time it was Sabaton's "Attero Dominatus". I know the song is epic, but when it hits your ears when you are so peacefully sleeping... yeah, right.
So, where am I... Okay, I am inside my ship, on Gorlowka carrier, landed here to take a sleep on my way back from Inner Core to Sirius. And my inbox shows one unread message.
"Dear Ajay.
I have an assignment for you. CNS K-719 will soon arrive to Gorlowka carrier location. When I arrive, I'll give you more details.
Sincerely, Igor Flyagin."
-Flak, what again? - I asked to myself while starting my ship and taking off. Soon Liberty dreadnought identified as CNS K-719 appeared at Gladius gates. I contacted it and gained the permission to land.

Bar of CNS K-719.
-So, what's the matter? - I asked, taking a seat near Flyagin. My old team - callsigns Feather, Heart and Snowdrop - were nearby too.
-Here is what I have heard. Rouges on Sretensk hideout are struggling between each others. One of groups had recently purchased some nerve agent containers. I've heard it's some R-33, or any other nasty stuff. They got it from Murmansk.
-R-33? - I asked.
-R-33, also known as VR. Nerve gas, analogous to USA-used VX. Was widely used by Coalition during Alliance-Coalition war in its early stages, then for some reason it was recalled - soon after mass execution of some high-ranking Coalition personnel and beginning of construction of the Coalition sleeper ships - Feather reacted.
-How the flak has VR got to here in the first place?
-VR opened up to be more toxious to Nomads than to humans, and even Nomad ships were getting damage of it - Feather opened her knowledge box again - Since Nomad ships use neurons anstead of wires, VR disrupts them.
-So, here is your mission. It is to locate the exact location of VR containers and retrieve or destroy it. My inforemrs say that VR got into the hands of nationalist Rouges group. Unlike dissidents that are most common type of Sretensk dwellers, they won't hesitate to use WMD as a weapon of terror.
-Wait a second, Flyagin! HOW. THE. FLAK. WMD made its way to Rouges' hands? - I sanpped at Flyagin.
-Ajay, it is not your business. It is MINE. I will try to find the mole, you - try to get your mission done - Flyagin said. - We are not less loyal to Coalition than you are.
Flyagin took out the card and list and gave them to me.
-Show it to the armory holder - Flyagin said, then got up.
-Canteen[2], what the... - I said after taking a look at the list. - I am NOT. A. FLAKKING. SHOCKTROOPER!
-It is all just in case you get to the danger - Flyagin said before leaving.
-What's in there? - Heart said, looking at the list.

"-I, Colonel Igor Evgenyevich Flyagin, confirm the order of Senior Lieutenant Ivan Ivanovich K[DATA EXPUNGED] to aquire from the armory of CNS K-719 these items:

PRD-65 gas mask w/ rebreather system
KSZ-2500 NBC powered suit
Type-109 blaster riffle, batteries x20
Type-106 bayonet knife
Type-04 battery recharger w/ standart plug
RGD-10 offensive hand grenades x5
AGS-4 20-round gyrojet pistol clips x6 with AP rounds (120 rounds total)
Sprayer w/ decontamination liquid
Extra IPP-8 and AI-2 first aid kits
Night vision goggles
Enhaced Electronic Video Agent device w/ individual environment tracking devices

Coalition does not expects to get these back, as they might be used in another mission"
Then there was Flyagin's signature.
-Well, I'm scared shitless, but what else can I do? - I asked my teammates.

-Hmm, this suit is just great! - I said, taking a look in a mirror.
KSZ-2500 was not the most powerful or most armored exosuit made by Coalition. It traded bullet and explosion protection - as well as huge force multipliers usual for powered armor - for a full NBC protection. It was exosuit created for NBC forces assault units.
In the mirror, I've seen how the NBCF assault soldier would look like.
Hydraulic pipes were adorning every reinforced segment of body, including legs and hands. Armor plates were covering chest, midsection and spine. Under them, additional armor was seen - those were tough steel scales. I knew that under these scales was rubber-like polymer suit that held any type of nasty stuff from making contact to the body. Head was protected by the hood that had same armor scales and zipline that held hood and gasmask together. Helmet was included too - I held it under my left shoulder, my right hand was laying on the rebreather bag slung on my shoulder. Rebreather device had two modes: filtering mode - when in not so corrupted environment - and isolation mode when filtering complex inside wasn't enough.
My face was covered by intimidating gasmask. Tough and flexible hose ran from the gasmask to the rebreather bag. Gasmask had head-on display and calibrated for my almost point-blank ranged eyes. It was not entirely plastic glass mask as such a models were reported to be vulnerable to small arms fire. It was almost entirely made of the same polymer suit was made, with two thick plastic oculars.
Behind me in a backpack manner was slung sprayer tank. Chemicals tank contained held the mixture of chemicals that would render some (if not all) harmful chemicals harmless.
I took a blaster riffle from the fixture on my back. Type-109 was elegant chinese-made blaster riffle stylisied as ancient QBZ-95 assault riffle.
Actual combat divisions were armed with another blaster riffle - VB-20, but Type-109 was more widespread amongst pilots and other personnel that wasn't supposed to be in combat. And amongst Coalition Rouges.
-Well Ajay, wanna check out your new gear? The shooting range is there - armory holder said. I nodded and headed in the range direction, moving carefully as suit increased my strength.

*CRACK-hiss...*
-Nice shot, now try again...
*CRACK-hiss...*
-Good. Try to supress target.
*CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-CRACK-hiss...*
I let the stream of blue-colored[2] rays out of my new-aquired blaster riffle to the target - that was quickly set on fire.
-Sure as hell worst display ever - I said, breathing in
-Actually, no. You at least have some trigger discipline. Used any type of weapon earlier?
-Had practice with GS-4 and AGS-4, also AGS-3 carbine and PKP machine gun. - I said, reloading the riffle. - Oh, and also "Shambler Minor" custom 16-gauge shotgun.
Said "Shambler Minor", together with PKP, was laying in my ship's cargo bay inside the case.
-Okay, I'm ready to move out.

Soon I was sitting inside my Basilisk's cockpit. Flyagin connected me from the K-719 bridge with operation details.
-Now listen closely. Ajay. One of Sretensk Hideout holders, known as Beard, has allowed you to do that operation. The man we are talking about, Sultan, is not in good relations with Sretensk's main holders as his intentions to attack civilian targets are clear. Neutralise him, do not attempt to take him alive. Other instructions are awaiting you in the Sretensk Outpost bar. K-719 out.
I've hit "Cruise Speed" and flew to Warp Buoy.

New Honkong system.
Near Sretensk Hideout.
Soon my ship was contacted by Sretensk communications room.
-Greetings, mister. You can call me Beard. - calm voice that seemingly was of an old man appeared in my headphone. - I represent Sretensk Hideout owners, and I enforce healthy amount of order so it won't be wretched place. You are Coalition official that is known as Ajay, right?
-Yes.
-We usually don't allow Coalition personnel to our hideout, but this matter can have consequences for not only military, but also for us - non-radical rouges. And even for civilians, which we don't approve. You are granted permission to land.
-Thank you, mister.

Sretensk Hideout.
I left my ship, looking around. Two guards with heavy armor and Type-109 riffles - surprisingly friendly - met me.
-Hello, mister - one of the guards greeted me with female voice. - Won't be telling lot of rules, see this - this guard pointed at a huge sign telling "Keep guns holstered and blades sheathed, unless you are attacked". Sign was pierced and burned in sefveral places.
-Beard is waiting for you in bar. He says you are going to take out one major pain in the engine block. Follow me.

Bar "At Beard's".
Guard guided me to bar and pointed at Beard. He was seemingly old man, bald and with a white beard. I came up to him and we shook hands.
-So, Ajay, you are here to capture Sultan. He is at the ship bridge, together with containers of some chemical stuff. Our agents say it's VR, and his guys there aren't wearing any protection. Probably, Coalition mole is still there, so be careful.
-I have an idea. Do you have any way to gather all his guards, except him, out from there?
-Of course!
-Now what's I am planning. Once I say that I have reached bridge, lock it hermetically and have any NBC protection on standby. Maybe after 15 minutes open bridge again with your armed men, they should have NBC protection.

Soon I was on the bridge, blaster riffle on standby.
-Beard, lock the gates - I said to the EVA behind the rebreather.
With a loud "HISSSSSS" gates locked. I gulped and moved forward, keeping riffle ready to fire.
Soon I've entered the bridge. It was empty, except for table, stool and hoverpad with some containers marked "Р-33. Осторожно, химическая опасность" [4].
-Jackpot - I've whispered.
-Jackpot - two voices said behind me.
I've turned back to see two figures. One in Coalition General Major[5] uniform, another in simple blue shirt and jeans. General Major took out remote control device and ordered hoverpad with to float behind them.
-Mister... Ajay? Anyway. Let me please introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste, you can call me Sultan.
-And you've been around for a long long years, stole a many, many souls and fates - I said. - The Rolling Stones much, huh?[6]
-I could talk to you for a thousand hours, but you came HERE to my BASE, bought owners of this base so they would distract all my guards and tried to put my purchasing AWAY from me when my guard is OFF! - Sultan was livid. - And put that gun down, we're armed.
I've put riffle down.
-Stupid... Stupid coward. Doubtfully we would harm you, you have purpose for us! - general started to laugh
I've pulled out AGS-4 and fired at him. Three times. I've missed both general and rouge as they jumped out, and general - that jumped in my direction - hit me with a stock of his riffle. I dropped the pistol, flew to the window and fell to the floor. Helmet protected me from fatal blow, but I started to feel like I'm about to lose consciousness.
-That's it, Sultan. I think he's out cold for now, so we can discuss our matters...
I've looked around and blacked out with a satisfied smile as nerve gas was leaving the container via two accurate holes left by my gyrojet.
I will win but never fight, as in the Art of War.[7]

-Don't worry, miss Feather, he should be okay. - I've heard male voice.
-I... I know. - female voice answered, and it was really Feather. - Wait! He's awake! Vanya, do you hear me?
-Callsign... - was everything I've managed to say, then I opened my eyes and looked around. Well, I'm in my ship, and there were Feather, Heart and Beard. And two Sretensk guards.
-Well, what can I say... - Beard said. - Mild concussion, no signs of VR poisoning. Everything will be okay. Take a swig - he said, putting a glass of tea closer to me. I drained the glass, then asked:
-What the flying flak happened after I've blacked out?
-At the meeting we were able to disarm Sultan's guards. As soon as we done it, we headed to your location, found that the bridge is filled with nerve gas and found you and two bodies. Sultan and Coalition mole killed each other with blaster riffles. They found out that there is a gas leak and were fighting for your NBC suit. Those simpletons didn't have anything for their own protection with themselves. We used your own sprayer for decontamination - thankfully one of our men was NBCF soldier once, and he knew what it is.
I let out a laugh.
-Any losses?
-No. And after we contacted Flyagin about that, he said that he sends rest of your group here. - Snowdrop said, entering the cargo bay.
-But there is more. We found traces of Nomad Incubi inside of the traitor's body. - Feather said. - He tried to convince Sultan to fight against Coalition Loyalists by saying that they are infected by Nomads, but in fact he was the Nomad himself.
-Great, Feather. Earlier I thought I can't believe to people because they are d**chebags. Now I can't believe people because of those puppeteers! I can't even tell if YOU aren't controlled or something! - I lividly replied. - I need a freaking drink, and... I think I've left a blaster riffle and gyrojet pistol in there.
Beard pointed at the table where my gasmask and rebreather bag was. Near them were riffle and pistol in question.
-Nice. So, I am still allowed to bar, huh?

Bar "At Beard's"
(appropriate music theme: Metro 2033 OST - The Market)
-So there are still Nomad infected in Coalition command? - I've asked after draining first glass of vodka.
-I think yes - Feather replied. - Moreover, I have a theory... Remember the history lesson? How the Coalition-Alliance war began?
-Well, using advantage of jump gates and cloaking technology Coalition delivered a fatal blow in the Alliance's back...
-See! Jump Gates. Cloaking technology. Your reports about the history of Sirius says that jumpgates were created with the help of alien artifacts, same with cloaking. Artifacts that were nomad or Dom'Kavash in origin - Feather took a pause before putting the line. - There were Nomad infected in the Coalition Command. Then they were discovered and purged - hence The Grand Purge - but Alliance never listened to Coalition. There was already too much blood between factions. Nomad plan worked.
-That's what they are trying to do with Coalition Rouges, young man - Beard said. - If they succeeded to commit attacks on Coalition with the use of WMD, main vector of Coalition Armed Forces operations would be pointing at us. Okay, you are allowed to take all Sultan's papers, maybe they will help you find out who sold Sultan this shit. But still, without Sultan, doubtfully they'll do something.
-So... I seem to have prevented some major shitstorm.
-Shitstorm is still brewing, J. It just won't be us who will take major flak from it - Snowdrop calmly answered. - We have loaded the gas on Feather's Karak, and heading to K-719 location. Good luck, Ajay.
I watched as Feather, Heart and Snowdrop were leaving the bar.
-Beard, is it okay if I'll stay bit more? Just I don't want to be even bit drunk while flying... - I asked.
-It's fine, stay as long as you need. Besides, you helped us all. As about helping... One more for my friend over here!

I stayed on Sretensk Hideout for a day and after it, flew to LPI Huntsville, using New Honkong -> Vorkuta jumphole to shorten my way. After reaching Huntsville, I got myself ultimately smashed with vodka, starting my "submerge" (read: long, LONG drinking session).

My "submerge" didn't last long, as after couple of days my inbox received another message from Flyagin.
Message that made me to "surface" and jump in my ship.
It's time to rock and roll.
TO BE CONTINUED.

A/N: Conversation with player under nickname "Siria" pulled me to the idea that war between Alliance and Coalition was sparked by Nomads.
This then built up as a three-parter as I've recalled one more place my primary have never seen before, Lost Paradise. Let this little spoiler remain.
And flak yeah, Feather calling Ajay by diminitive and getting single word "Callsign" in answer is already a running gag.
As about this part. If honestly, I didn't liked much to write it. Foot-based human vs. human combat doesn't encourages me very well, however conspiracies and reveals do.
Footnotes:
1) Pun on the name of plot-important chemical WMD, VR nerve agent.
2) Surname "Flyagin" was formed from the word "Flyaga", that stands for "Canteen" in russian.
3) Blue-colored rays of laser weapon are innerhited from Warhammer 40k, along with cracking sound.
4) "R-33. Careful, chemical hazard" (Russian).
5) General, One Star.
6) "The Sympathy to the Devil" song reference.
7) Sabaton's "The Art of War" song reference.

Ajay's Story. The Strike From the Past.
Part Two. Not So Lost Paradise.
RATED TEEN FOR EXPLETIVES HIDDEN UNDER [CENSORED].

Have you ever noticed that almost all my stories begin with be waking up and being hungover?
C-C-C-COMBOBREAKER!!!
I was sitting inside my ship's cockpit, trinity of engines of "Stranger" heating space behind me in Texas system. My way lied to Omicron Theta, where I should get more precise instructions.
-X-3043? Not a variant. Too short journey. I'll take Omega edge worlds. - I said to nobody in particular and headed to New York with intent to use Magellan Jump Gate.

-Heart, what the bloody flak are YOU doing here? - I asked representative of my CO that opened up to be my old teammate.
-Hello J! So, what Command needed to say. Have you ever heard of the planet Lost Paradise?
-Yes, I did. Beautiful planet stuck deep in the bum known as "Nomad Territory". If there was a way to root Nomads out, it would be colonized in a blink of an eye.
-Well, right. So, guess what happened?
-Yes, Heart?
-When we've got our hands on the rest of VR that was stolen by Rouges, Flyagin and K-719 captain were contacted by the Politburo General Secretary himself.
-Whoa.
-He said that he got a decision to start a massive revision of all Coalition commanding staff. And KBK[1] is now in charge of all things WMD. But to distract any of the traitors, we should were get that VR out of Coalition space before shitstorm begins and find a better use for it.
-Oh come on, Heart, it's a flakking chemical weapon! What good purpose we can find with it? Wait, it seems like I understood what you mean. Feather said that Nomads are vulnerable to nerve agents. And Lost Paradise is located in a place crawling with Nomads.
-Correct! Order settled al the things with Lost Paradise inhabitants, they're waiting for you.
-Wait a second, Heart. Did they settled things with Alliance Star Fleet as well?
Heart backed away.
-Um... no.
-Great. Once I'll get into ASF patrol with this, I'm dead or I will be branded as smuggler. Giving that everyone from all clans - and some other guys - flies Cayman, I'm so dead.
-Well, you just drop the cargo then, ASF guys will either pick it up or destroy it, either way it won't be our problem!
-Yeah, that would be okay too. I just don't want to take the flak from their commander. You know, that guy, Michael from CFPD? He's also a Galaxy Ranger.
-You know him?
-Had some chat over the radio, on the flight forums, etc. But not personally, nor have I seen him outside of his ship. From all I gather, he's a good man.
-Anyway, the loading is over. You can take off now. Lost Paradise representative will hand you a datadisc with their own scans of system, information about planets, Nomad research and shit like that. It is crucial for Coalition.
-Whatever, Heart, but look closely. I will be carrying WMD, which is a criminal act. Once they find out, I will be outlawed, caught and...
-And then Coalition requests your departure, transfers you to Murmansk, but loses you during the transfer. And your ship is getting to unknown CID agent assigned to IT Gamma. What is important, your trip is sanctioned by Coalition and Order, it is a delivery for a scientific tests. Morally you can justify yourself that this way this deadly gas won't get to hands that will use it against other human beings.
-Good. Because if they will test it on humans, Nomads are going to be their smallest problem. What should I do after that?
-Then fly to Freeport 10. I will be there with the rest of our team. K-719 will be in the same system. Oh, right. J, do you have spare Ther'hon cannons in your storage?
-Heart, are you flakking kidding me? You have military-grade Lagg, with SIX, flakking SIX Coalition Gatlings!
-Just kidding, 'Jay! Good luck!
-Yes, and if I won't return in a month, Ther'hons are yours.

And soon, my ship was heading to unknown reaches of space.
-Unknown jump hole, Omicron Alpha... Hmmm. I've never been here - I said to nobody in particular, maybe to Fluttershy action figure. - Thankfully our command arseholes gave me some maps. But Dom'Kavash gonna hate my guts for that... Screw them. I need to fly there.
I docked with the jumphole that delivered me to a strange system inside a pink nebula.
-If I'll survive this, I'll call this nebula "Pinkie Pie Nebula"... Or maybe "The Fluttertail"? Huh, 'Shy? - I said, this time I was talking exactly to my amulet. Well, it isn't like I had someone to talk, right, reader?
The system dubbed "Fluttertail", or more commonly Upper Unknown, had three jumpholes. One was connected to Omicron Alpha, two other to unknown systems, dubbed Unknown Yellow and Unknown Blue. I decided to take Unknown Blue as it was closer to Lost Paradise.
-Oh, and here is the welcoming committee... - I said, spotting a wing of Nomad light fighters moving to intercept me. - Intercept this! - I added, turning on countermeasure dropper.
I flew past the Nomads and instadocked with the jumphole.
-Okay. Jumphole to Lost Paradise should be to the north and bit to west... Aha, here it is! - I said, spotting red cloudy flashing that indicated a jumphole relatively far from my current location. I've hit "Cruise Speed" and headed the ship towards the hole.
It haven't took long for Nomad ships to appear. Those were one bomber and two interceptors. Soon after I've spotted them on my radars, missile warning started to flash, indicating that there is cruise disruptor going after me.
First two disruptors were deflected by countermeasures. Third one, however, hit my ship and I was slowed down. Instead of using an engine kill trick, I've decided to take Nomads out.
I quickly set on the combat theme. However it wasn't Sabaton this time. It was The Offspring's Have You Ever.
And, singing along with the music, I was going face-to face with Nomad patrol. My first target became bomber, which got torpedo in the face. Some gunfire portions finished their ship off, and I've switched to interceptors. Hit them with Gatlings and W'ar-sys wasn't a really bad problem, so it haven't took a lot of time for me to to make interceptors join the bomber.
-Oh snap, they brought some friends! - I yelped, noticing a pack of Nomad Light Fighter. I picked one, released a Nemesis into it - followed by the destruction of that fighter, switched targets and decimated a fighter with guns. Face-to-face fight turned into a dogfight that didn't lasted long. I continued my way to finding of the Lost Paradise.

Jumphole took me to a nebula. Unlike any other unknown systems, this one had some strange readings on the radio input. Decrypting the signal showed up:
-To all human ships, this is research base on the planet Lost Paradise. We can offer basic refuel and cover. Our input frequency...
I remembered frequency and put it into a transmitter.
-Planet Lost Paradise, this is Coalition pilot Ajay. You should be awaiting me.
-Confirm, you are ordered to deliver chemical agents to our research compound. Our planet is to the north of your current location. Be careful, there is another planet on your course. Keep yor eyes open.
-And a flakton of Nomads too of course... - I added, spotting nomad battleship with a gunboat escort. Some rolling like a corkscrew made them miss me with all their firepower. But as soon I left the nebula and made my way towards docking ring...
-OH SNAP! - I let out a yelp seeing kinda six bombers and three interceptors. They were too close to the docking ring. They would actually get a lock on me while I would be docking. So I have chosen the most logical thing: preventive strike. I dropped the cruise speed and turned to face my enemies. Two W'ar-Sy Propulsors - that had "Love" scribbled on the left one and "Tolerance" on right one - sent a stream of projectiles towards the enemies, along with two Coalition Gatlings.
Fight was a bit harder, as bombers were more powerful than usual fighters, but eventually they were all destroyed.

As soon as space was clear, I entered a docking ring.

I left a docking ring system in the troposphere of the planet.
-What the flak? Isn't docking ring supposed to get my ship to the landing pad automatically? - I asked the base.
-We disabled that, so Nomads won't be able to get too close. Once they are in, they are a target for our surface-to-air weaponry, ancient Patriots and S-500s.
-Hmm, clever. Okay, I see landing pad. Requesting a permission to land.
-Permission granted.

I turned the steering towards landing pad and activated the "dock" key. Autopilot carefully guided ship towards to the antigravity pad and relied huge weight of my Basilisk onto the waves of negative gravity. Once ship stopped and I turned engines off, unlocked a seatbelt and got up. Quickly dressing up the exosuit that I kept from that stuff on Sretensk - then slinging the gasmask behind my shoulder and strapping heavy pistol holster on my chest, I was thinking, should or should not I take my blaster riffle. From the one side, it was a rather friendly place, so there is no need for a riffle. From the other side, better safe than sorry, right? Some thinkings gave me a third idea as I took a case from the table, took a "Shambler Minor" 16-gauge light semiautomatic shotgun. Loading five shells into revolving chambers, I shoved it into another holster that was located on my right hip, then moved rebreather bag so it would cover the stock of a gun. I took also 18 shells with myself. Who knows. Then I took my personal console and via cargo platform remote control, selected the hoverpad that had my dangerous cargo with it. With a sigh I ordered it to unload from the ship and headed to the exit.

-Greetings, mister. I'm really glad to see strangers here. It makes me think that people care about us. And given that today's visitor is from Coalition, it makes my hope for humanity to rise.
-Thank you - I replied to the greeter - an old man that wore an business suit. There were two guards behind him. Well, he looks respectable and behaves respectable, so my respect he shall have. - I suppose you are the representative of this place. And you want to get the cargo.
-VR nerve gas, yes. As your people say, Nomads are vulnerable to it. Creation of it might be the one of the humanity's mistake, but I hope we will find a better use for it.
-Good to hear that, but I need to say that we need data regarding this system in exchange. Have you charted this system?
-Yes, but only with optical and radio sensors. We could have charted more if we had an actual spacecraft, but sadly, we only have two armored transports and four "Falcons". Order promised a delivery of four Coalition fighters of "Saber" class, but they still haven't arrived. I am afraid they were downed on their way. Still, we copied what little information we have onto a memory device. Here it is - Lost Paradise representative took a memory stick out from his business suit pocket. I took it and put it into my own pocket.
-Great - I said. - You can take your cargo. Now I hope you do have a place where aforementioned stranger can get a cup of coffee at least?
-I can offer you coffee at my office.
-Fine with me.

-So, how exactly do you plan to use it? - I said, sipping on the coffee.
-We will install containers into S-500 warheads we developed here. If situation will call for desperate measures, we will be able to gas any area in our range. We will also run some tests with Nomad samples.
-If I ever find out that you use this against humans... - I said, catching some random thought.
-No, why should we?
-Great, because if you do, I'll make sure Nomads are your least dangerous threat. Do you know where from have we acquired this gas?
Representative shook his head.
-We've captured it from Coalition Rouges, that were probably going to commit terror acts with it. That's why I want to make sure it won't be used against innocents.
-Oh, I understand.
I finished my coffee, put the cup on the table and shook representative's hand..
-Thank you for your warm welcoming, and your coffee is wonderful. But I need to go.
-Goodbye, mister...
-Call me Ajay. - I spoke, then turned back and left the room, then underground facility. For some time I just stood there on the landing pad, letting a fresh breeze to run through my hair.
One day. One day this place will be discovered by many. The beauty of this place will be appreciated and loved by all humanity.
This day will set a timer of the bomb click, i thought pragmatically. I know what industrialization can do to a planet. I was born and raised on Murmansk for flak's sake!
Besides, we wouldn't be us humans if we weren't screwing everything up. I let out small giggle.
Even if mankind is flawed by its affection to war and dizziness, we are who we are. And it is our right to stay who we are, we just need to behave ourselves.
And by what I've heard from Kavash, they were not much different.
Cutting off thoughts, I've headed to my ship, turned on engines and left Lost Paradise.

My way back to the Unknown Blue was not that notable. Until a huge purple object appeared right before me. When I realized what that object was...
-OH COME F[CENSORED]G ON! HOW ABOUT SHOVE YOUR PRECIOUS STRIKE CARRIER SOMEPLACE SUN DOESN'T SHINE, EH, MOTHERF[CENSORED]S?
It wasn't only Strike Carrier that was bothering me. A group of Interceptors and bombers appeared on my radar.
-Oh, f[CENSORED] them with a Dark Reign battlestation... - I muttered when my shield disappeared and Nomad guns started to shake my ship's hull, then quickly reloaded the shield, repaired hull and put a corkscrew, trying to get out from Strike Carrier's turrets range. - Time to rock and roll...
I turned my Basilisk and unleashed my guns at the Nomads. it was rather hard as there was lot of them, kinda six Interceptors and six Bombers. But still, eventually Nomad ships were destroyed. I continued my way to the jumphole and fastdocked with it.
Wing of Nomad Light Fighters met me on the other side. I started to locking on, but...
-Dammit, I can barely see them on the pink background... I hate pink! - I said, launching a missile. "Nemesis" destroyed a nomad fighter in one hit.
-Wha? They usually survive one "Nemesis"... Well, better for me. - I went to another Nomad fighter, quickly destroying it by a gun barrage. Soon, one after one, all Nomads were down and my way was clean, so I could continue my way towards Omicron Alpha.

My arrival to Omicron Alpha was somewhat relaxing. I was now in a charted space, knowing how to get out. I've headed to the south, then flew behind planets Mallorka and Malta and finally reached Tau-37 jumphole. After I fastdocked with it, comm speakers came to life as they received the message.
-Ajay, this is Flyagin. Good to see that you are alive! I am waiting for you on Freeport 10, on the landing pad.
-On it, comrade colonel.

As soon as I arrived on FP10, Flyagin, escorted by two guards, came to the ship's trapdoor.
-Ajay, what I want to tell is too secret to discuss it on the open. Let me in, please. Sergeant, you and your man stay here.
-Affirmative, comrade colonel - one of the soldiers said.
-I let F;yagin into a cargo bay, motioned him to take a stool and sat on my humble bunk.
-So, cargo has reached the destination. This is a flash device they gave to me in exchange. So, what's the matter with that stuff? Why wouldn't we just give it back to where it belongs?
-Easily! I needed to check out if we had moles on K-719. If you wouldn't return, it would make me suspicious...
In a brief flash of time I realized that I was holding Flyagin by the collar and pressing him into the wall.
-So I was just a hook with the bait for fish to catch? - I said in a cold tone. - You sent me knowing that I could die?
-Subordination, Ajay...
I got a hold on myself and released my commanding officer.
-I'm really sorry that I had to do it, Ajay. You know that I'm your friend and stuff, but there is a safety of Coalition on the stake!
-I know that. I also know that If I would to fall, there are thousands of those eager to take my place. If you told me for what is it done, I would understand.
Flyagin hung his head.
-It isn't the reason. You could also be infected by Nomads, that was the reason that I've sent you. If you were traitor, Lost Paradise wouldn't contact me that they got the gas.
-Now that's reason valid enough for me to forgive you - I said with a smile. Though there was a thought I didn't like. What if it was Flyagin who is infected?
If those guys on Lost Paradise were infected too and I've given a dangerous weapon right into enemy's hand?
If Flyagin takes precautions, I should do it too.
Not now though, I'll wait until he leaves.
-Thanks, Ajay, because, you know, it's never a paranoia if it's about Nomads...
-I'll remember it. - I said. "I'll remember it to throw it into your face when I'll be questioning you next time", I thought.
-So, it's all done, so good luck.
As soon as my commanding officer left my ship, I've took a personal console out from pocket and scanned the ship for any sign of transmitters. Except for ship's communications array and minor deviations caused by reactors, no devices capabe to transmit signal were working. I nodded and turned on audio recorder.
-На случай, если мои худше опасения подтвердятся и мой вышестоящий офицер является предателем, прошу передать эту запись в Орден, на Штаб Коалиции в Воркуте или на академию имени Дзержинского в Новом Бейцзине представителям КБК или Черной Гвардии, но не на К-719. По приказу вышестоящего офицера я перевез несколько баллонов БОВ типа ви-эр на планету Потерянный Рай в крайних мирах Сириуса. В случае, если со мной что-то случится или произойдет террористический или военный акт с использованием данного БОВ, высока вероятность, что полковник разведуправления Коалиции Игорь Флягин является предателем или зараженным, и эта запись должна попасть либо Ориллиону, либо КБК. На связи был старший лейтенант Черной Гвардии Иван К, позывной Эйджей, пилот истребителя класса "Василиск" под названием И-939 "Бродяга", конец сеанса связи.
-In case my worst worries coming true and my commanding officer is a traitor, I ask to get this recording to Order, or to Coalition HQ in Vorkuta, or Dzerjinsky academy in New Beijing to KBK or Black Guard representative, but not to K-719. Obeying a CO order, I was charged to transfer amount of tanks containing military-grade poison gas of VR type to the planet Lost Paradise in Sirius Edge Worlds. In case of something happening to me or a terror act, or act of war with the usage of said poison gas happens, Coalition Intelligence Colonel Igor Flyagin is suspect for being a traitor or Nomad infected, and this record should make its way to Orillion or KBK. Black Guard Senior Lieutenant ivan "Ajay K, pilot of CNS I-939 "Stranger", out. - I repeated in English, then turned recording off and moved audiofile from main folder to one of my secret folders - folder where I hid all seasons of "Friendship is Magic", to be more precise.
-I'll need to back it up everywhere... - I muttered. - And I have an idea for another hideout. But I think I'll do it later. Now... Now I will continue what I've began on Huntsville. Where is my bottle...
Soon, after finding my booze, I was laying on my bunk halfway slipping into unconsciousness, like most of my other afternoons. But why halfway, I think it's about to go asleep completely. Good night*hic*, Ajay.

A/N: One of the places I've rarely been before was Lost Paradise. In order to save my character from existential crisis I've took a trip there.
Sadly that for full storyline meaning I wasn't able to purchase Nerve Agents BMG in-game, so I wasn't smuggling.
If honestly, I didn't have an idea of continuing that WMD line, but I needed storyline reason why exactly Ol' Good J had to fly into such a deep arse.
But stil: I think I've jumped the shark with this chapter (first part, more precisely). Once third part of this chapter will be released, I'll cease all works on the Ajay's Story, except the ones I've did only for me, so you won't have to deal with my terrible writing. Unless if you ask me otherwise, of course.
And, you know, I would like to know what do you think. Comment if you have things to say.
Footnotes:
1) Комитет Безопасности Коалиции, Commitete of Coalition Security.

Ajay's Story: The Strike from the Past.
Part Three: People Are Strange (When You're A Stranger).
RATED TEEN FOR MILD LANGUAGE.
NOTE: this chapter is most probable targets for retcons and late edits.

I entered the bar of Freeport 9. Soon after I've returned from Lost Paradise, Flyagin contacted me again and told me to arrive on Freeport 9 to pick up the rest of my team. Details of the operation would be explained by them.
So, right after I entered the bar, I saw them - three familiar figures. Feather, Heart and Snowdrop.
-Here are you, Ajay! - Heart said.
-Mhm. So, what's the matter?
-After you delivered the data guys from Lost Paradise gave us, we've been analyzing it for a long time - Feather took the lead of the talk. - Detailed analysis showed that there is a big oblect in Lost Paradise system. Object is located behind the nebula, and radars of Lost Paradise couldn't detect what it was. We must get there and gather all possible information about the object.
-So it basically means that we are on the scouting mission again? Like that time in Gurm?
-Yes. Also we will probably have to pay attention to phenomena located there. Those jump holes are reported to have different destinations...
-I used the jump hole two times. First time, it took me from Unknown Blue to Lost Paradise. Second time, it took me from Lost Paradies to Unknown Blue. I am yet to experience the randomness of this jumphole.
-Whatever. Let's pack up.
-Ajay, we're flying together again! Ain't it awesome?
I shuddered.
-I don't really know, Heart...

-Okay, guys'n'gals. You know the drill. Feather, keep the radars. Heart, seat over the incoming radio channels. Snowdrop, you have the gravimetric devices. And Old Good Ajay will try to get us to that place and out of there alive.
-And Ajay's lucky Fluttershy will help him in that, as she did in the last time... - Heart giggled.
-WHAT?
-Ajay, we saw your diary getting uploaded on the flight forums, silly! - Heart said.
-I must admit, I understand your talk to the figure. You were alone, and in a dangerous space. It is completely alright - Feather added.
-Well, if you say so... Be prepared for a fight, we've got Outcasts incoming.
I fastdocked with the jumphole and appeared in Omicron Alpha, in the middle of the Outcasts group.
-Heart, you know what to do!
Sounds of fast and upbeat tune, called "Rock and Awe", filled the cockpit, proving that Heart indeed knows. I strafed from the enemy Wyrms and quickly destroyed hostile ships. After that, I've headed by the way I've gone already once. Once unknown jump hole was reached, I've fastdocked with it.
-Wow... - Heart let out as we arrived to Upper Unknown.
-It's beautiful.. - Feather said.
-Beautiful, but dangerous, check background radiation - I answered, turning on cruise speed and heading towards next jumphole.
-Beautiful? - Snowdrop asked.
There should be some explaining. Snowdrop, as I've told in my previous stories, lost his sight and had eye implants. How had he lost it, he didn't liked to tell us, and we had a respect to his wish. He had said he wasn't a fighter pilot though. While implants gave him advantages, as ability of sharing his sight to a computer or any other screen, or displaying a HUD directly inside his head, there was also a drawback. Everything Snowdrop was seeing was seen with a red hue, enough to block him from seeing other colors sometimes.
-The nebula. It's light pink, Snowdrop. Sorry for...
-No, it's okay, Ivanich.
-Okay, because I can't afford myself in staying here more longer...
-Nomads, Light Fighter patrol, eight o'clock - Feather interrupted me.
-We won't fight. By the way, Heart, ever tried to hit a semitransparent purple fighter while being in a pink nebula?
-Ouch, must be a hell of a shooting - Heart giggled.
-Something that should make me glad... I see them clearly - Snowdrop added.
-Anyway, we won't fight. Y'know, you can't tell the future - I said, fastdocking with unknown jumphole.
We entered Unknown Blue and I found a Lost Paradise jumphole, then manually flew to it. Soon Lich appeared on the intercept course.
-EEP! Ajay, we've got huge-ass ugly Nomad capital on our 12! - Feather yelped.
-Shove your panic attacks where Lampochka[1] doesn't shine! - I rudely replied.
I don't know what infuriated me to such a degree to make me so rude. Maybe the Lich itself?
-J, that was rude. - Heart said.
-I know! - I yelled in answer, threw a quick glance at radars, spotted two interceptors and bomber and in the same moment ship dropped cruise speed after receiving n engine discharge by cruise disruptor. - OHH SNAP you'd better warn me about THESE, Feather!
I dismissed interceptor with a little effort and started to fend off bombers.
-Why do I have horrible flashbacks about Gladius... - Snowdrop said.
-About lost patrol or task force? - Heart asked.
-A-yep. About my task force, my Kamov blowing up to bits and targeting console for Kh-66 heavy torpedoes[2] going off straight into my face - Snowdrop silently said. - And that stupid intelligence officer haven't mentioned about 'ceptors and bombers that covered that battleship. "Torpedoes Status: Launched" was the last thing I've saw with my own eyes. Then a flash. And then - "Initializing implant-to-brain connection".
-WHAT? - we all asked in unison. Ship was shaken a couple of times by Nomad Bomber's laser hits, that reminded me to keep fighting.
It all suddenly made sense. Snowdrop wasn't a fighter pilot that was disabled on mission. Snowdrop was a bomber pilot that was disabled on mission.
-I've spent half a year to excel myself at Dark Reigns, so they could see that I am fit to fly a bomber again. I just like to fly a Kamov-class, but...
-Dammit, Snowdrop - I said. - Why of all people here it has to be you to almost drive me to tears WHILE THERE IS STILL A MOTHERFLAKKING NOMAD BOMBER ON MY TAIL?
Aforementioned bomber almost chewed through my shield with its guns. I strafed and turned to face it, spraying it by my own guns and driving my point on the necessity of its destruction with Nemesis missile. After witnessing a flash, I've turned back to jumphole and continued my second way towards Lost Paradise. No more Nomads encountered me, and I've docked to the hole.

-Ajay, sensors seem to be going insane on the long ranges. We're in the nebula that prevents long range scans - voice of Captain Obvious aka Feather appeared from behind.
-Okay. Strange object should be located... there! - I've said, checking out the map provided by Lost Paradise base. - Let's move and see what have those freaks got for us.
Some silence established, but then Nomad Battleship patrol appeared on the intercept course.
-Sadly my Kamov is gone... - Snowdrop silently said. - But it's only one point of view. If I haven't lost my bomber and my own eyes, I would have never met you guys.
-Revelations, revelations, revelations... - I muttered. - What's next? Feather confessing her love to Heart or Snowdrop and proposing marriage?
Snowdrop let out a hearty laugh, Feather sighed and Heart harrumphed.
-Why necessarily me or Snowdrop?
-Well, you are the only guys who are single.
-And you are married? Ajay, why haven't you told us? Who is she? - Feather started to ask.[3]
-Turn your head from radars for a second and look at our surroundings. What do you see?
-Um... Nebula. And your ship flying through the nebula - Feather replied unsurely.
-More widely, where are we?
-Lost Paradise System.
I've took a turn from Nomad Fighter patrol.
-More widely, Feather, not the actual place. Where are we?
-Um... space?
-Right, Feather. Cold, unloving, and limitless space. And somewhere, there is a tiny point in it. This point is my sworn ship. This is what takes place in my equally cold and unloving heart. That's what I am in love with. Simply flying where my eyes look, without a care in the world. Love and happy family life are not for me.
Another nomad patrol! Quickly turning kinda 30 degree from them.
-When I was little, I felt like I do not belong there on the Murmansk. Bullying, stuff like that made it clear that I had no reasons keep living that life. Gorlowka? Service there was considered as a routine I hated but kept doing. But now... Now I have the feeling I've craved for more than eighteen years. Feeling that I do belong somewhere. My road is lonesome and can be sometimes rough. But it is my road. It is my life. It is the place I can say that I am happy in.
Silence reigned for some time after I stopped talking.
-Okay, screw philosophy. We should leave the nebula soon. Heart, prepare long-range sensors. Snowdrop, be ready to start scanning. Well, I should see it right now... Oh, flak, look at this! I've seen a station like this somewhere...
-In Styx? - Feather said. Yes, the station that was seen there was looking just like center of a Nomad installation in Styx.
-Snowdrop, as soon as we'll be in range, start your scanning. I don't want to stay here longer than needed. As I recall it won't need our complete stop?
-Nope.
-So I'll fly around it. Share progress to Cockpit Screen 3.
Cockpit Screen 3 unused servoengines started up - screen itself was taken out from these and duct-taped to the console with a blue isolation lent - and screen itself turned on, showing: "Scanning progress: On Standby".
Remember that entry where I had an explosion in my cockpit? After it that blue isolation tape is almost everywhere. As my father said, "Isolation tape is the greatest humanity invention". He was an electrician on Gorlowka for that matter, and he knew what isolation tape is.
In fact, after all those years Gorlowka is in service, it is holding on isolation tape and mighty "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule.
Well, and on the First Rank Captain Alexeev of course.

-We are in range! - Heart yelled.
-Scannings and recordings launched... - Snowdrop said. - We were sending strike forces to Nomad installation in Styx long ago, there is something different between this one and that.
-Probably this one isn't finished yet - Feather said.
-Probably.
Haunt on 2 o'clock, taking left. Screen 3 shows 50%.
-Nomads ain't wasting time, huh?
-Heart, you bet your Fluttershy T-shirt they are. - I said with a laugh. - Remember Tomsk? Once some shit happened to that one Dark Reign, and we have a whole Strike Carrier with a flock and a bunch of Kavash there.
-Ah-ha. If Strike Carrier wouldn't get caught by another Dark Reign, we'd lost more than Tomsk. Gotta thank Snowdrop for this one - Feather said.
Wing of Nomad Light Fighters. Scanning: 75%.
-Hey, J! Mind explaining, why the hell Kavash stopped hating us, but Nomads don't? - Heart asked as we avoided shots.
-Nomads are coded to attack everything but Kavash on a "hardware" level - I answered. - Kavash just need a time to release new hardware where that will be patched. While we take our job to "eliminate" the hardware that isn't patched. You know what's the worst, Heart? No matter if they were unpatched, Kavash are still getting angry when we kill Nomads.
Scanning:100%.
-Okay, getting out of here! - I yelled - This place isn't that hospitable!
-No shit, J... - Snowdrop muttered.

Ship entered the nebula and radars gone almost blind. Some second of flight and I soon noticed strange huge thing under my ship. I realized what it was when radars could complete its scanning - right at the moment when that thing started to fire at me.
-Feather, remember when we were saying Nomads are never wasting time? Look at that! - I said with a giggle, avoiding shots and thinking how Feather will react to "Nomads - Nomad Strike Carrier" line in the contact list.
I was waiting for yelp, or for a precision F-strike, but I was completely unprepared for a torrent of expletives I don't even want to remember, let alone translate or write. And it was Feather to say all that. My hand instinctively moved towards sick bag.
-Feather, I was just starting to develop feelings to you... - Heart said with a pause.
-Dammit, that cluster F-bomb! Feather, mind your language! - Snowdrop was less scared, more angry.
-Um... sorry. I guess I had a best teacher in swearing - Feather silently said.
Half-hearted laugh escaped my mouth.
-Feather, teaching in what I excel is stupid and pointless. Except for dispatching patrols. In all other things there are better teachers. Oh, here's the hole, docking!
Jorney through Unknown Blue brought nothing interesting. It even was in complete silence. I thought about what Feather had said.
You see, there was a reason I've started to use "flak" as a signature cuss word. Reason was that I got used to swear a lot, and once I had a holiday to visit my parents. And they HATED swearing. First time I heard my father saying naughty words ("Matershina", as it was commonly called) was when I was 17, by that time I was swearing like a sailor in my diary. And I never heard my mom saying profanities. Never flakking ever.
And while I could care less about an etiquette, I couldn't care less about my parents. For flak's sake, they are people that truly care about me! And they are the only people I can say I love. And if I love someone, I can temporarily put on the mask of nicety.
But if to tell more correctly, I didn't wanted to disgust Mom by hearing mouth of her son being so foul. Like I was when heard what Feather is capable of.
Thoughts about Feather were promptly shifted by thoughts about my parents as I avoided shots from another Lich (maybe the same we've met earlier). And exactly, about last New Year, when my parents visited me in the middle of the night to find me in an armchair halfway smashed on vodka. On other day, I woke up in my bed under my warm comforter, and was welcomed by casual "Good morning, Sonny" from my father. I have spent the rest of a day telling Mom and Dad where have I been and what have I seen.
I guess after shitstorm calms down, I'll visit them.
I paid no attention what Feather, Heart and Snowdrop were talking about. I was thinking about long-gone times when I wasn't a foul-mouthed, heartless and rude douche.
Only short pause from thinking was docking to the jumphole to Upper Unknown and short fight with Nomads. Then, setting course to the Omicron Alpha jumphole and returning to thoughts. I snapped out of it when hole was close.
-Okay, guys, charted space is behind this hole!
-Yay, finally! - Feather let out.
I fastdocked with the hole and was met by another wing of Nomads on the other side.

-Dom'Kavash surely are gonna hate my guts for that... - I said, locking on a fighter. - Well, screw them!
Fight with Nomad fighters was just like any another. I've set the course and flew to south, to avoid possible Outcasts patrols.
-Arriving here... It's like leaving a tight and dark tunnel. Finally a light and finally a freedom. Finally you can guess what you are against - I expressed my thoughts. - Outcasts at least don't come in packs of twelve by default.
After I flew past Mallorca, I've took a turn to Tau-37 jumphole, like the last time when I was heading to Lost Paradise. Seriously, nothing interesting happened until we reached Tau-37, where K-719 control contacted us and ordered to fly to Freeport 10.
-Freeport 10... I love that place. It's so... serene... And it's beautiful look from it. - Feather's tone was like she's about to go daydreaming.
-I think Freeport 9 is almost the same - I shared my opinion. - Whatever. I love both. Let's just get it done.

We landed on Freeport 10 and headed to the bar, where we were met by Flyagin.
-Ajay, we have got all your measurements. Here's what I wanted to tell you. - Flyagin said. - While things won't get down a bit, stay away from Coalition space. While it is good to be on a front row seat, it doesn't means that it's good to be on the scene itself.
-Especially if that scene is in fact a wrestling area - I added.
-Ha-ha, good one. So, Ajay. You and your team get a vacation. I've got everything prepared on the planet Kyushu. Fly there now, and be safe. Our guys will pick Feather, Heart and Snowdrop up, and you can keep your business in Sirius. Good luck, Ajay. I will have something big for you when the time will come.
Flyagin left.
-Well guys... Time to get our well-deserved rest - I said. - Get to the ship, group, we have a party ahead!
I've turned to leave bar after the team, but remembered something and turned to Flyagin.
-Have you gave all my team personal ships? - I asked.
-Only to Feather and Heart. Snowdrop's case is... harder. - Flyagin replied.
-Listen, can you give him a chance in getting a pilot license again?
I was awaiting for Flyagin to answer "no", but...
-In fact, I can. He has shown up himself well on training simulators and with Dark Reigns. I am thinking on offering him a "Kossack" fighter, as he prefers heavy ships. Or maybe even a "Basilisk".
-Great. So, here's my small wish. Can it be a "Kamov"-class bomber? Before you say something, Kh-66 nukes are not necessary included.
Flyagin was thinking something about it.
-You know, Ajay, it is great idea! I've found Snowdrop's personnel file. He was indeed a bomber pilot, and was in fact good with that. I will try to do you that favor, and will most likely suceed with it.
-Thank you, Canteen. And... don't tell him that it was me who took care of it, okay?
-Oh, come on, softie... - Flyagin said, then started to sing silently. - "A true, true friend helps a friend in need..."
-Continue that song and face the consequences - I said.
-What exactly consequences?
-High Command finding out CNS K-719 documented name, origin of it and who accepted it while it was a clearly seen mischief - I made a smug smile.
-Okay, okay, Ajay! I won't tell him.
-Good to hear. Good luck, comrade colonel - I said, leaving.

Flight from tau-37 to Kyushu wasn't that memorable - Tau-37, then tau-23, then Kyushu. We were chatting about stuff and fighting Outcasts. I landed ship on planet.

Some time later.
I was laying on a beach on a planet Kyushu. Feather, Heart and Showdrop laid beside me.
-Dammit... It was a long time before I've ever took a rest like that... - I muttered.
-Well, I have been to Curocao week ago, Vanya - Feather answered.
-Wow - I said calmly. - I don't like those luxury places. I have said you that my road is lonesome and rough, but sometimes there are times when you need to stop and think about everything well. I have said that, in the coldness of the space I've learned to find a welcoming warmth I can't find amongst most of the people. Most, but not you. Now excuse me, I'll take a swim - I started to get up. - Then I'll go get some booze. If any of you have firearms, lock them away, I'm not sure what may happen when we all will get drunk.
-Last time we got drunk, Feather was dancing on the table! - Heart said. - That was on your birthday, remember?
-And you insisted on that she's doing it only in underwear, Heart - Snowdrop added.
I don't know, what was brighter, glow of Snowdrop's eye implants or blush on Feather's cheeks. I've laughed and headed to the water.

After I've returned to ship and loaded a crate of "Stolichnaya" inside - wondering where have merchants got it from - I was sitting in cockpit and thinking, what music to turn on. Sudden decision came into my head and I've turned on one of my favorite tracks.
"The Offspring - The Future Is Now.mp3"[4].
Memories strike me when I hear the song, because less than a year ago I've left Manhattan landing pad on my Starflier, while listening to this song.
It has changed so much. But some things never change.
Oh, it seems like Feather, Heart and Snowdrop have returned! Okay, time to have fun, Ivan "Ajay" K out.

More than 100 years after.
NOTE: this part isn't yet even decided to be canon in Ajay's Story. It is most probably to be retconned.
A man in Coalition officer uniform entered the bunker, located somewhere on Planet Murmansk. He was tall and thin, wore huge glasses and had a long brown hair. He was holding a memory device, and, strangely enough, a paper file. Rare people would have used them in the times of quantum data storages.
-Hello, Vanya - he was greeted by the female voice.
-Oh, I've told you this so many times... I've brought you everything you asked me. It took a lot of time, I've even had to visit Mirtrak War Museum! What is so flakking interesting in these journals and stories? Do they have any importance for Coalition? - officer replied to his conservation partner, hologram of a young woman in Coalition Officer uniform similar to the one man wore. He laid memory stick and file on the table.
-They do have some importance for me. And for you... oh, you are just like him.
-No sh*t, I'm kinda his clone! Any instructions?
-No, you are free, Vanya...
-We had a deal. It's "Aftershock"[5]!
-Oh, sorry, Coalition Intelligence Agency Lieutenant Ivan K, callsign "Aftershock"! Have I missed anything?
-Oh, come on, comrade Lieutenant-Colonel - Man said, then turned back and left the bunker. Hologram disappeared. Then gravitational tractor beams lifted a memory stick from the table, removed the cap from its plug and sticked it into a pedestal. There was a huge transparent jar on top of this pedestal. It was filled with some liquid and there were augmented brain and spinal cord floating in this liquid[6].
-Finally, I can read these once again... - speakers, that were near that pedestal, spoke again. - I should admit, I doubt I would last my first years without physical body without him, or Snowdrop, or Heart visiting me every day and telling about their lives... Albeit I do have his full genetic copy near me, he is yet to make his own stories to be like Ajay's ones. Hologram is great, but I miss my physical body... still, no time to be sad, time to solve those equations. Bio-organic unit number 9520, formerly Coalition Intelligence Agency Lieutenant-Colonel Olga P, callsign "Feather", signing out.

A/N:
I finally got things right with my biggest chapter. Yay for me! Inb4 everyone hating it, but still, I wanted to let that out and probably stop for an uncertain time.
Rushed, yes. Studies don't even leave me enough time. I think it is my worst chapter ever, objections?
And about that ending. You see, it is a flashforward long enough to the future that allows more stories to be written. I hate to kill off my characters, after all. But it isn't stated that CF Ajay is dead after more than 100 years either. Heck, his brain and spinal cord may be in the similar jar in a room next door to Feather's, or even implanted to his own ship.
Footnotes.
1)Lampochka (rus) - a little lamp. Used to describe a sun of a Sovetskaya system that looks small in comparison to Pl. Murmansk and is surrounded by rings that look like a lampshade.
2)Torpedo in question is a Coalition Bomber Torpedo.
3)Despite all the implications, no, no, no, NO. Feather is NOT in love with Ajay. I have aborted METRIC F*CKTONS of shipping material I've had brewing in my head (except for those drafts which are purely for me - I saved them "for history"), because shipping is for kids.
4)Book Ends moment. In initial Ajay's biography Ajay has turned "The Future is Now" when he was sitting inside his Starflier on Manhattan, preparing for takeoff.
5)Note: Ajay's dad's callsign is "Arclite". Would be logical if his clone son's callsign began from "A" too, huh?
6)Idea is taken from Supreme Commander.

Works on Ajay's story are ceased. Requests on short stories, spinoffs, etc, however, might be accepted. Behind The Scenes work may show up.

I know I said that writing is ceased, but I felt a sudden urge to write this kinda hour ago.

Ajay's Story: New Year Is For All.
WARNING: This chapter is "quazi-canon", it contains NO space action and it contains mentioning of real players.
I woke up in my flat on Murmansk. I returned here from Inner Core two days ago, I quickly got up, did usual morning routine and started to think what to do next. Should I get to Sirius again? Or maybe rest here for a while? Maybe finally resign, retire and finally put an end to all this wandering?
Wait a second, me, putting an end to wandering? HERESY.
Resigning from Inner Core? DOUBLE HERESY!
But whatever, neither I wanted to go to Sirius today. I wanted to rest so badly.
But what to do? I think I'm gonna sit on my bum all day... wait. what is this day?
-31st of December? Oh flak, today's the New Year! - I said, checking calendar on my personal console.
Usually I don't care about holidays. In every afternoon I just listen some music and then go to sleep.
But not today.
Today I am going to take a seat near the window, some bottles of vodka and a glass. I am gonna observe what I had done in this year, drowning a shot for each goal I've acheived 'till the list is out or until I get seriously drunk.
Not now though. Now it's only 10:30. I'll better... ah-ha, I'm better continue writing a course paper for Dzerjinsky military academy - on the Inner Core topic. I plug a keyboard into console, open a file and starting to write.

19:30.
I sat down on the chair looking at the falling night outside, almost wishing for Murmansk to have at least one moon. Seriously, it's only thing isn't enough to make it even more beautiful.
I open a bottle and fill a glass with crystal clean liquid. There is a reason I value vodka. It's simple and honest, not like other booze which always has something mixed in.
-Well... where to start... Okay. I am now in Black Guard and I am now a Senior Lieutenant. These are from my career so it's one shot.
I drained the glass and filled it again.
-Ahhh... хорошо пошла("Good one...")... Next one. I have ventured into Inner Core a lot of times and neutralized a lot of aliens. For Inner Core.
Draining the glass and reloading it.
-On the topic on Inner Core. This one for those who were by my side there. Good luck to you all.
Draining, reloading.
-This one specially for Night-Hunter, my fire-forged companion... even friend, I guess. Be safe and keep it up.
Draining, reloading.
-This one for Anybis, my another friend. Be safe, too.
Draining, reloading.
-So... I've got reunited with my old team. I guess it's for them.
Draining, reloading.
-On the topic of that, this is for Flyagin. He'll soon be a general, I can see that.
Draining, reloading.
-So... And I am still alone here, no one cares... this one is for loneliness.
I am ready to drain this glass again and get it over for today, but something attracts my attention.
Outside the window I see four ships landing close to my Basilisk. two of them were ordinaly Karak and Lagg, while two another...
The third ship was Kamov. What the bloody flak was Kamov doing here? Moreover, instead of two miissile launchers on gun mounts it had two Coalition Gatlings, and it had its hugeass torpedoes... but these weren't usual nuclear Kh-66 Coalition Torpedoes that had a glowing sign on them, those were their conventional versions.
The fourth ship gave me some clue though. It was ugly assymetrical result of taking Saber's "body" and left wing and putting Lagg's right wing, Saracen's engine, Basilisk's nose and Kamov's torpedo mount (without torpedoes though) on it. All in all, it was "Strife"-class spacecraft only rare people were in possession of, mainly because of that it was custom-made (only basic schematics and idea was common for class).
Some decades ago CNS Gorlowka wasn't in shortage of damaged ship parts. Even Kamovs' torpedo bays sometimes got there, usually becoming a part of those rare "Strifes". One of those who managed to create "Strife"-class and get away with it (even keeping it) was Ivan "Arclite" K, my dad.
As all fighters in Coalition, "Strifes" had their own number. Only instead of a normal number they were using irrational or complex. Pi, e, square roots and logarithms (Like "Sqrt(2)" or "ln 2", or something like that)... Judging by that the most of these few "Strifes" were either in New Medina or on Gorlowka, I have seen CNS I-i[1], my dad's ship.
It haven't took me to long to recognise the rest of ships. They belonged to the members of Intelligence Team Gamma - to my team, Olga "Feather" P, Anatolyi "Heart" T and Alexei "Snowdrop" S.

-What exactly got you all here? - I asked as my Mom and Dad took the seats at the table.
-I heard from this guy that you have returned here, and of course I talked Mom into visiting you - Dad said, motioning to Heart that was researching a new photo on my table. - We shown them how to get to your flat. Asked Flyagin for confirmation of course, just in case.
-Well, and I thought you shouldn't be alone on the New Year. New year is for everyone after all. For everyone to have fun together. - Feather said, then sniffed. - You hit the booze recently?
-Of course! I was summing up everything I have done this year. One glass of vodka for any goal I've reached. Some require two.
-Oh.. I guess...
She noticed the bottle I've been drinking from and grabbed it, then took another glass.
-Well... this year I've served Coalition well and got to see Sirius - then she drained the glass and asked:
-Like that?
I nodded. Dad let out a laugh.
-We should do something like that too - she said. - Tolya, Leha, get here!
And so... we spent the time talking about what have we done good in this year and what should we do next year, drinking and pulling off jokes.
Indeed, Feather was right. The New Year is for all.
And for me, too.

Author's notes:
Sorry for not restraining. Happy New Year for all of you pilots!
Footnotes:
1) i - square root of -1.

Hello, reader.
My name is Ivan K, but you know me as Ajay.
No, I am not Coalition Intelligence Officer you know by stories. I am an author of them.
And I want to tell how these stories were created. What sent me onto the road of writing. What was the exact reason I wrote, what influenced this or that chapter, etcetera. Why? Just want to get it out of my brain. Think of this as of confession.
WARNING: TvTropes are referenced couple of times. TvTropes is a very addictive site, but it's also a convenient tool to analyze the work of fiction.

So, point one. Characters and actions.
Earlier, I was creating stories directly based on my interactions with players. Later on, I had to roll in my lone actions, and I needed additional characters, which came from flashback. So let me tell what exactly formed up personalties from the story.
First goes my avatar, Ajay. Honestly? He's not exact copy of me as you would think. He can play guitar at least. In short: he is me that I would like to be. Somewhat fits the definition of Gary Sue, right?
Okay. The story initially had only him in the spotlight. Let's analyze him deeper, how I usually see him.
-He had not very hard past. He was bullied in school - but mildly, calling names at worst, which was compensated by his sensitivity back to these times. Think about "Those who complain the most suffer the least". Wimpy, yes, but - there were reasons I've stopped the story.
-He is cynical. He can be total, utter arsehole if he wants to or has to, and is capable of high-yield snarking.
-Yet, he's capable of feeling (albeit numbed) emotions...
-But can - and will, shall the need arise - care less.
-His faith in humanity is either halfway or completely gone. Depends on the writer's (my) mood.
-Yet, he can fight for the survival of humanity, and still has the sense of good and bad, also he tries to avoid causing harm to others - unless those others are aliens.
-His motivations are: the oath on serving Coalition he'd given, his self-defense and his own amusement.
-His self-confidence is rather low, and he isn't sure in his own capabilities, so he tries to be careful or take precautions. There also is a portion of self-loathing.
-He used to have Friendless Background, and even now there are only few people he can call friends.
-He is rather well-educated and has some cultural knowledge, allowing him to make lots and lots of references.
-He respects rules, laws and customs as well as people representing them, and, being officer, is polite and well-spoken with strangers...
-Yet he has foul mouth when it's serious business.
-He is honest and tries to keep his word.
-He has some wisdom centered about "don't worry about what will happen, let it unfold as it does". When it's not about aliens at least.
-Last but not the least, he is aware that he's a fictional character, with awareness of what's behind the fourth wall.
So, Intelligence Team Gamma. Initially they had no influence, except for Snowdrop's being a reference to eponymous MLP fan episode. But they had different reasons to come forth.
In fact, I firstly had an idea of shipping. If you don't know what shipping is, it is establishing romantic relations between characters. So I had an idea that there was a female character serving in the same unit Ajay was assigned to on Gorlowka. And here comes Feather.
I know that's immature to write about romance - about someone loving you in romantic way when no one does IRL (IRL I am almost complete loner, not interested in anyone in either romantic or... grown-up way). But I only imply that shipping in stories and it is never stated as canon (Even more so, it was stated that there's nothing of that kind later). Initial idea of flashback, that had some romance and heartbreak, has never gone further my head. Some of that, though, was in first sketches of birthday story, but was scrapped with the reason "screw romance".
I love to call this scrapping "The Final Solution", or "finalsolutioning". It is also applied to Wimpy Angst (Wangst for short), something that can turn Ajay into a Gary Sue/Woobie, and extreme tearjerkers. Yes, I know WHAT one certain group of people used the words "The Final Solution" for. I was NOT using these words to make any connections, and thus I won't use the term here, neither will I dig myself deeper with explanations.
As Feather (in final versions of flashback) was stated to take command over Ajay's unit after his departure to Sirius, Intelligence team Gamma, I started to draw her with some personality traits of Twilight Sparkle. I actually was under the influence of ponies before that flashback.
And also her first name is the same as my sister's. Complete coincidence.
Again, my vision of the character.
-She is more smart than it seems, also possesses vast knowledge of various things and is eager to gain more.
-She also can be wise in a philosophical sense, though not often.
-She cares deeply for her friends.
Further developing of flashback (that initial idea) has shown the need of another character being the team's "heart". Thus the concept of Anatolyi S, callsign "Heart", was born. Aforementioned influence caused him to (later) receive personality traits of Pinkie Pie. Also, he has the same name as my uncle... first name, at least.
My vision of the character:
-He NEVER despairs. NEVER. Whatever will happen, he will find a good side in that.
-He tries to maintain an atmosphere among the team, taking it as his duty.
-He can be less serious than it's needed.
-He has medium awareness of being fictional (though it was never brought up in actual stories).
And finally, Snowdrop. He was created just for a number, and to balance Heart's funniness by cold rationality. That's why while Heart is good with talking, Snowdrop is good with Dark Reigns.
My vision - note that evidences of these can be not found in stories, or can even be controversial. I am not that good with continuity.
-He doesn't let his happiness, his sadness or his rage overtake him completely. He can yell or laugh, but when it's business, his head is cold. In other words, he isn't blinded by emotions... talk about symbolism. Completely unintentional, honest!
-He values his job and, deep inside, believes what he's fighting for.
-He is cultured too and drops some references.
-Deep inside, he still wishes to see things in normal color. And to fly a bomber again.
If we look at these three characters, we can see that their personality aspects are also parts of Ajay's personality. Like Feather embodies his "intelligent" part, Heart - his "comedic snarker" part and Snowdrop - his "efficiency-valuing professional" part. It also wasn't intentional, honest. I myself am rather intrigued how this came out.
As about another character, Flyagin... well, he is just Ajay's CO, using Ajay for the Coalition's prosperity. It isn't like Ajay objects, right? Been there as a Recurring Character since the very beginning.
Thinking in the way as the statement above, Flyagin can also represent Ajay's "polite representative" personality trait. This wasn't intentional either and may as well be justified as he was implied to be Ajay's mentor and friend.

Point two. Where the inspiration for the setting was drawn.
Crossfire doesn't have lots of lore information, so I had to finish the picture by myself. So... here goes the list.
-Firstly, Real Life (obviously).
-Command and Conquer, mostly Tiberium Universe - main character's previous occupation (Intelligence and Communications officer) and callsign (Ajay), for example.
-Rise Of The Reds mod for C&C Generals - minor details, such as existence of Shock Troopers in the Coalition or gyrojet weaponry.
-Warhammer 40K - also minor details, such as Coalition blaster rifle's firing sound and projectile color.
-Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance - Coalition possesses high-grade cybernetics (Snowdrop's eyes, albeit aren't ideal, are still less invasive - they didn't require the entire eyeball to be replaced) and is capable to put a brain in a jar to keep it alive.
-EDIT:How the bloody flak could I forgot an SCP Foundation? It's, kinda, one of the best sources for Nightmare Fuel and humor at the same time! Also, those [DATA EXPUNGED], [DELETED] and [REDACTED] I'm using came from there.
-Metro 2033 and Last Light - also minor details.
-The Offspring music - since the very beginning. Quelled after June 2013, but still gives surges.
-Rammstein music - since February 2013. Strangely enough, roughly the same time as MLP FiM. Still ongoing though.
-Sabaton music - June 2013, ongoing. I had some doubts earlier, but "Panzerkampf" caught me like a huge fishing hook.
-MLP FiM - since February 2013. Went on an unstoppable carnage from May to August, with overload of references. Died out to the October-November 2013, references amount lowered.
-S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - hoo boy. That game's atmospheric as f*ck. Played it since the very beginning.
-Starcraft II HotS - Started playing it at the May-June. Still playing, 'cos nostalgia.
And a lot of more other media.

Point three. Usual theming for stories.
At the beginning, I wrote stories when achieving some sort of a goal. First time in Sovetskaya? Short story. Returning from IC in a first time? Short story. In order to avert the Muse Abuse, I've used only bare mentions of Real Life persons.
Then I've started to think about "missions" by myself. Just clearly "go there, do something" kind.
But there also were stories either completely unrelated (just because "inspiration" dropped a mental anvil on me), or bound to holidays (Birthday, New Year, etc.).

Point four. Behind the stories, development of chapters.

First of all, background third-person story.
I've made it up quickly. Without giving much attention to events. It was supposed to tell, how exactly Ajay appeared on planet Manhattan with a Starflier and 150k credits. A binding point between gameplay - character Ajay_[RUS] - and story. Not all gameplay is binded to story: character death is never canon as story Ajay has disabled the escape pod (Emergency Warp Drive instead is an explanation of respawning), and other characters are viewed as another persons.
New Year story also deserves a note. I base stories not only on my flights, but also on real life sometimes. So my idea of a lonely New Year was partly true. After finishing charting Gagarin and Kalinin systems, I left computer table to let Dad watch videos on YouTube and sat in my room, looking at the night behind the window with a bottle of "Sprite" in my hand. But, of course, I had a celebration with my parents, but it's not our topic.

I think my best writings are those after and including "Flashback: Before Sirius". So let's take a look at them.

Flashback.
I was thinking a lot about Ajay's past from the period when he was in service aboard Gorlowka. It was an early spring of 2013, when I was going to school, played Starlancer, had ongoing MLP FiM fixation and was often visiting countryside.
In fact, my computer table there inspired Ajay's workplace - albeit there was a flakload of changes. So, environment interior was done, as the basic scene: group of guys sitting at the monitors, and Ajay is one of them.
Good, but well, it won't be interesting if J would be alone in the crowd. There should have been other people around. Thus, those characters appeared.
After starting to think about the topic of flashback, initial concept was that of romantic sad fic (it wasn't Ajay who would get hurt. He'd crossed Moral Event Horizon though...). But it would go too far into the Wimpy Angst territory, telling about how sad it is when people rejected by society earlier become heartless bastards after, and... "When wimpiness burns, The Final Solution, feels fade away, and romance turns to dust"[1] - I didn't want to turn my story, and thus, my readers, into emotional dumping grounds, so into the trash that concept goes. Instead, "special casual day" concept was adopted.
On the point of what would make the casual day "the special casual day", I've spent short time. What makes day special? Epic battle. What makes battle epic? Nomad Strike Carrier.
And of course, additional comedic effort. It can make story seem less horrible. And thus, in one day, it was fleshed enough to be written "in two breathes", first half - on the countryside and a second - home. It was posted on the same day.

The New Acceptance.
Getting an idea of Ajay's further promotion, I received an idea to start another chapter, large and chock full of MLP FiM shout outs, not a thing I'm proud of now.
It was my first chapter that involved the usage of in-game screenshots. I indeed flew to all these systems and took all these screenshots. well, except for that one where K-719 is seen from the Basilisk's cockpit, that image was photoshopped.
The work was going from the 6th to 10th of June, when I had school exams ongoing. Concept was already fleshed out, so I just had to apply time and imagination. A day on the countryside and the story was ready, but I have decided to keep it for a while before finishing off my exams. And, finally, 9th of June (Don't remember correctly) I've finished Chemistry exams and the next day, the story was posted.
Of course, during the initial drafting story took some changes due to the scrapping. At that time, sadly, it wasn't covering FiM references. Eventually, the story was posted.

(Not) A True, True Friend.
Working title "A True, True Friend (Of The Eastern Coalition)", was scrapped when the initial concept of the chapter was built.
Idea to write a chapter appeared on 12th June, when I've got to Weth all alone in a first time. But... no ideas. Only the name of the chapter. Then it started, and then...
An unfortunate event has causet the stall in the works. For unknown reasons my old graphic card just... died. Probably got burned or what. But the system just shown the black screen after loading. Trying to determine the reason caused me (with the help of my brother and his pals) to redivide my HDD (without damaging the files, thankfully) and installing another OS. As soon as I installed the driver on the second OS, the problem reappeared... and thankfully he left me his old graphic card I put into use. In the meantime bro decided to help me and bought Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7800 - due to my birthday approaching. Igor, thank you for everything, you're best bro ever.
So basically for a number of days I had nothing to do but browse the net (on my countryside PC), listen to music (The result of that was the cementing of my addiction to Sabaton music), watch Star Wars, and of course write! Also during that time Mom had to leave to my former home village due to 40 days after my Grandma's funeral (A funeral tradition: the meetings to honor the deceased are held after 9 and 40 days after the funeral). As the result, my cat was missing her to the point of meowing during ALL THE FREAKING NIGHT one time. And also, to help me with the house in Mom's absence, my Dad decided to live in the flat (he usually lives on the countryside), complete with his habit of watching TV during the night - though it came with a good side: going to the countryside every day for all day. Needless to say, these days were like HELL. But they passed, things eventually returned to the way they are, and I was able to post the story - albeit temporary inability to play Crossfire was the reason there was only one illustration.
As usually, there was a wangsty flashback which almost got slipped into the final draft but eventually was deleted.

Birthday story.
Honestly? I began the development of this story before "(Not) A True, True Friend" even was in a concept, just because I had the ideas to roll out. It also has a lot of scrapped text - due to shipping and side plate of Wangst. The former still remained, but was reduced to Ship Tease.
Apparently, had to end the story on a happier note due to aforementioned scrapping.
Aaand Supreme Commander chat log. I've said it before, I'll say it again, SUPREME COMMANDER FORGED ALLIANCE FTW!

The Strike from the Past.
Part One.
This one was no-brainer. Picked up random idea (Nomads standing behind Coalition-Alliance war), random "cover baddies" (Coalition Rogues) and random McGuffin(McGuffin - an object or goal for the characters to search for or pursue, or keep away from the bad guys) (VR nerve gas). Less MLP FiM shout-outs, more other references, already better. Also I used my own vision of Coalition Rogues being united by only one common trait: being antagonized by Coalition.
Also, Ajay jumped the shark in this one, IMHO. If I could turn the time back, I'd rewritten the Sretensk bridge confrontation.
Part Two.
The result of my own flight to Lost Paradise, during the times I was two steps from retiring from CF. I've started the story long ago, right after posting the first one, and it went on stagtation for a long time due to my study in Irkutsk State University. A nice chunk of the text was written right there during informatics practicum. Eventually one day I have simply grabbed the file and got it over with, shifting my attention to the Part 3.
Also, still MLP FiM references. IF YOU VALUE YOUR FREEDOM, DON'T WATCH THAT SHOW, IT'S MUCH, MUCH WORSE THAN ANY DRUG KNOWN TO HUMANITY!
Just kidding. But really. It's THAT addictive.
Part Three.
Well, the next day after I returned from Lost Paradise, I remembered that I haven't been to the Deva Station! Cue the Take Two travel.
It looked like an ideal idea for a "mutual travel" story, so it began. Development started in the same time Story 2 was in full swing. Took a lot of time due to that time being hell. No, not "hell" like during "(Not) A True, True Friend" development, just uneasy time. University, you see. From Monday to Wednesday I felt like I was about to die, from Wednesday to Saturday I felt like I was already dead and animated, like if someone applied some Element 115 to me.
And, during the writing, I had some thoughts about...

...Reasons for ceasing.
As I've got "The Strike From The Past" part one over, I've started to overthink everything. What was the point on keeping it? Was it really worth it?
Giving a deep look inside the matter, I understood that there are no reasons in keeping a Gary Sue self-insert character story. That needed to be put to an end. But first, the chapter should've been finished. And it was, giving a somewhat happy chapter end and a distant epilogue.
So, if we make actual list, we'll get this:
1. Character is closing or had already became a Gary Sue, and it's bad
2. No actual ideas for story - I just don't know what to write about!
3. Stories become more emotional, original concept of one-sided Feather and Ajay shipping is harder to conceal, scrapping isn't helping much, ditto with wimpiness
4. Low interest by readers.
5. Character is still and unmoving, no notable development at all.
6. Just plain stupidity of all that.
7. University studies.

Sudden Surge.
As New Year rolled in, I just felt a sudden surge of inspiration to write something, which I did. Unlike my earlier stories this one has far less MLP FiM shout outs (only one, stealthed enough and referring to Discord who's kinda my favorite character). I just wanted to create a Crowning Moment of Heartwarming.
Name didn't bothered me - I had a music on. Rammstein - Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da. Cue the referencing.

Scrapped works.
"Runs In The Family" - was planned to be released before TSFTP Pt.1. Canceled due to unimportance.
"Don't Throw Me Away" - 4th wall-breaking message from the character, sort of saying goodbyes. Scrapped due to Wangst, even the draft is gone. Still considering resurrecting the idea though.

Unpublished Work.
"The True Ajay's Djay's Diary". Consists of Wangst, one-sided shipping (Not from Ajay's side), wangst, depressive thoughts, wangst and... have I mentioned Wangst?
This work will never be released. It isn't something I can be proud about. I started it as an actual idea and then a mean to fight off my depression. Then, a testing ground in writing tearjerking romance fics. So basically, it's in continuity with Ajay's story initial drafts, where stupidity of shipping and wimpy angst weren't yet subjected to the deleting. If I were to subject it to the review, it would be lot easier to just delete the file. So there I've decided to unfold fully, without a control over aforementioned wangst.
The most shameful part is that it's still being worked upon. Despite its main purpose, it still uncovers some of Ajay's past that can be canon in refined version. Fully build continuity of the events would come in handy should inspiration re-arrive.

Footnotes.
1. I'm really sorry. If that reference offended you in any way... flak, if ANYTHING here offended you in any way, PM me and ask to remove it, I'll look what will I be able to do.