Rifter Drifter

Angel Interceptor
Apollo 21
Uri Gagarin
Flew into the sun

–Angel Interceptor, Ash

The Angel Cartel are feared across New Eden. They are the largest of the outlaw factions. One think that makes them stand out is their incredibly sleek ships. Many think that there is a strong Jovian influence on their starship technology. Whatever the truth is it cannot be denied that they are beautiful pieces of engineering.

I have a somewhat unfortunate history with Angel ships. Just before I became a full time pirate I was lucky enough to discover a Domination frigate and loot a Dramiel blueprint from its wreck. An alliance mate built it for me and it sat in high security space until I made my move to Hevrice. Rather than get Allii to haul it for me I rather foolishly decided to try and sneak her out myself. This proved to be a mistake. My spaceship command skills weren’t up to the task and the Minmatar navy took great pleasure in removing the pirate ship from my grasp. A month ago I decided to try again and bought another Dramiel on the open market. This time I entrusted the ship to Allii’s care only to discover that she was suicide ganked on the journey down from Jita. How could she be so careless as to autopilot with my precious cargo in her hold?

Despite this pair of rather expensive setbacks I haven’t been put off the Dramiel. Third time lucky after all, right? Last week I finally took delivery of my very own Dramiel. After a moment’s thought she was christened Angel Interceptor and I undocked her for a joyride around Hevrice. The comments when my fellow Tuskers saw her on scan justified every penny I’d spent on her and probably even the loss of her two siblings. She is, quite frankly, gorgeous and I could watch her gracefully carve out an orbit all day if there wasn’t killing to be done.

One of the things that 99 Problems taught me is that flying faction is fun. Lots of fun. If you’re going to buy it don’t keep it in your hangar gathering dust. These ships were born to fly, built to fight, and that’s exactly what you should do with them. Last night Angel Interceptor saw her very first action. n1231 had been hanging out in The Tuskers Academy so when I saw his Rifter on my scanner I quickly offered him the chance to test his mettle. The presence of my faction ship didn’t put him off and as my frigate curved elegantly into orbit around his Rifter under the watchful eyes of the station’s sentry guns he locked me and engaged. Game time. My scrambler engaged while my rocket launchers opened up and the enhanced autocannons span into life. Before long my Dramiel emerged victorious. Her first kill of what I hope will be many.

With one fight under her belt I took her for a roam. In Costolle I found a Rifter and Tristan that I was keen to engage (see, caution has already gone to the wind) but as I tried to separate them at a planet an Arbitrator came along and spooked them. Never mind, there’ll be more good fights I’m sure. After all, who wouldn’t want the prize of killing such a stunning ship?

Images from Red Sector.