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Freeport 6, Tau 29 System

Waiting at the airlock was Blaine Chara, administrator of the Freeport. He was a very strong, very muscular man who was very gruff and wasn't afraid to tell people off. On this day, however, he was greeting an old friend. With the final docking clamp secured and the lock pressurized, the airlock door opened. Blaine's smile developed as his friend came into view.
There he was, John Holliday, in his diplomatic garb with the commander of his diplomatic yacht, Nichole Schmidt.

"It's about time you showed your face here, Doc," Blaine said to him as he put his right hand out.
"The fact that you have the balls to show your face anywhere impresses me," replied Doc with a big smile as he took Blaine's right hand in his own.
"Why show it when people come here to see it?" stated Blaine.
"It is good to see a friendly face," stated Doc as they finished their handshake. Even with the pleasantries, Doc looked worried and he did a poor job in hiding it. He had briefed Nichole on what was to take place and now had to brief Blaine but Blaine first addressed Nichole.
"Miss Schmidt, will you be improving the atmosphere of this base with your beauty for awhile or will you be leaving?"
She just smiled, "I will be staying but not in uniform." Her smile grew a bit, "So yes, I will improve the atmosphere here."
She then excused herself. "Gentlemen, I must go change." As she walked away, Blaine watched her walk.
"Down, Boy," Doc said to him. "This is more business than pleasure."

The two men took a slow walk down a hallway as Doc explained why he was here and why he was nervous about it. First, he opened up with a question.
"What do you know about a group known as Johnny's Office?" Doc asked him.
Shaking his head, Blaine only replied with "I have never heard of them."
Doc then continued, "A few days ago a young lady, Ezra, contacted me about wanting goods and wanting two of their agents patched up which is why I brought additional medical staff here."
"So far it sounds alright," answered Blaine.
Before they continued, they went into Blaine's office for safety. "They are a group of private investigators from what I am told. Miss Ezra basically told me that they know much as that is their job.
"I will be sure to improve security on the station," Blaine responded.
Doc nodded his approval. "That is a start. Nichole will be dressed as an escort to try and draw that attention. She is more than able to handle herself. What concerns me is this."
He then showed a bounty for the group by the Bretonian Crown. "THAT is what concerns me, Blaine. If they show up in force or even just come nosing around, I do not want to get back into their crosshairs. I mean, I think you know my history with Bretonia." He paused a moment as he tried to keep an opinion to himself but failed. "Arrogant jerks!"

"If it helps you feel better, Doc, they don't really bother us out here but for good measure, I will keep a gunship in the area and our staff on alert. I myself will be present as well. Also, I have a room where you and Ezra can speak and no one will know of it. You need not worry about safety at the medical ward."
Doc shook his head in worry, "Blaine, I just do not want you getting caught in the middle of this either."
"John, don't worry about us here. We've got this! I will get you down to the room in question, keep some food and drink there it will be monitored. You take care of business." state Blaine.
Doc took a deep breath and smiled, "Blaine, show me to the room. I have no clue when Miss Ezra will arrive."

With that, Doc was taken to a very private room while Nichole was dressed in a fine red lace dress and found her way to the bar area. Security was very unobvious to any visitor. To them, it looked like a quiet cafe and it had a name, The Deadbeat Cafe,where passing traders took a break to eat and maybe get some rest. Besides a poker table, it was quiet.

Frigate Swift Silence, Freeport 6, Docking Bay A, Docking Space n°22-XL, Tau-29

"As the Doctor said, the bar. A big man, Blaine Chara... The Deadbeat Cafe... Doctor Holiday... I know what I need to do.", she thought to herself, as she oversaw the Frigate docking, with Johnny in the cockpit, barely noticeable. As soon as the docking procedure ended, a fighter emerged discreetely from one of the cargo pods of the Frigate, Johnny's Redemption, and flew outward. Ezra couldn't even wave goodbye. And as soon as she saw Johnny leaving, she left the Frigate on its own. Onward to the cafe. The agents were safe for now, and so was she. Johnny however, was outside again, to fend off the Hunters and guide them elsewhere.

Freeport 6 Interior, Tau-29

The Deadbeat Cafe was her objective. She immediately departed and left the Frigate alone in its docking pad, knowing the AI onboard will do its job to protect the two agents in cryosleep, and in turn, these two agents will not go anywhere else. The Frigate was sealed shut. Nobody asked a question about the Frigate, they must've been briefed beforehand.

She walked with a determined yet tranquil look on her face, however she was ready to use her sidearm at any time. In her elegant and complex garnment was hidden a ballistic vest, and lightweight armor. The golden hexagonal patterns, and the cloak she wore sure drew attention as it is not the usual clothing one would expect from a Freeport, maybe. Remnants of her past.

As she walked, she noticed the heightened security. She suddenly stopped halfway through and whipped out slowly her PDA, The only way of contacting the Frigate's AI, and ordered it to let the airlocks be accessed if it was accessed by medical personnel. The AI acknowledged the order and was ready to welcome any medical personnel, and turn off the turrets inside, and outside the ship, and the auto-destruction system on-board, all of which were active.

The Deadbeat Cafe, Tau-29

After finishing giving the order to the AI, she continued to look for the Deadbeat Cafe... And there it was: a quiet cafe indeed, she entered it, and started with:

"Hello.", she said calmly, followed by a "Any Doctor in the room?" with a jokeful tone, a tone and a smile which did not last. She immediately noticed the poker table, and the few residents of the cafe... While scanning the room, she proceeded to sit down on the nearest chair, and awaited for any sign.

Freeport 6, Deadbeat Cafe

A huge, muscular man was chatting with his bartender when he noticed the lady in a complex vest enter. "This must be her," he quietly told his bartender. Listening in while talking to another patron was Nichole. From their perspective, she didn't look intimidating which for them was a good thing. They had other people to keep an eye on. Blaine approached her....and dwarfed her upon his arrival.

"I am Blaine Chara, administrator for this base," he stated offering a large hand. "May I help you?"

As Blaine addressed her, Nichole softly said into a hidden mic, "Doc, I think she's here. Dressy young thing. I'll keep you posted."

The Deadbeat Cafe, Tau-29

"Ah, Mister Blaine Chara, a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Ezra.", she said to the man towering over her, while lifting her head to make eye contact. Indeed, he was huge. She immediately jumped off the chair and handshaked without hesitation the muscular right hand of the Administrator, "Finally a friendly face, or at least, a face whom I know the name. Doctor Holiday told me I would find you here.", she finished.

Of course, being intimidating was not her job. She was here to get her people treated. And for neither for investigating, although this was not her job. She was here to deal with this crisis, not investigate.

After handshaking a few times, she immediately picked up on his question and left the man's hand alone.

"Indeed, Doctor Holiday told me that I would find safety and a mean to get my agents treated. I have two wounded agents, and some of the skeleton crew aboard the Frigate as well. I'm sure the Doctor briefed us on who we are, but I'll do it properly; we're the Johnny's Office, we work for nobody and everyone. These days it seems we pissed in the Crown, rather than pissing off the Crown.".

While talking she noticed the other person in the room but could not make up what she was saying despite trying to read on her lips. Maybe security of the Cafe, the station, ...maybe an SIS agent? Hm, no, as she continued to think to herself, anyway she was not in any position to tell what she just said. She simply nodded to the bartender and the woman.

"So yeah, we're private investigators. Our agents are now dispatched throughout Sirius. The non-combatant personnel is aboard another Frigate, unaffiliated with this one. Unknown to anyone. Then again, it won't budge from where it is. Radio silence imposed on all deployed vessels. The rest of the vessels are inside the Frigate. The only publicly known vessel is the Fighter Johnny is currently flying, trying to fend off and lead away the Hunters. Any more question, Sir?".

Freeport 6, Tau 29 System

"I will call him off," replied Blaine. "Hunters at the very least will respect the 10k no-fire zone around this base or they will be shot and then banned. His fighting with them only draws attention which we don't want."
He then turned to one of his men, "Make that happen!" The man nodded and ran off to do as instructed.
He then smiled at Ezra and simply said, "follow me. I will take you to Doc."

They left the bar area and walked down a few corridors. It sounded much like any other base. The sounds of systems operating and reactors doing their work. Little conversation was made as they walked before they arrived at a door. Entering a code, the door opened. It was his own personal office with John Holliday waiting inside.
"Miss Ezra, meet John Holliday. John, this is Miss Ezra. You will have peace and privacy here and the door only will be opened from the inside so let me know if you need anything," explained Blaine. With that, he left.

Doc rose to his feet. He was doing some work on a few files. He managed a smile as she was pleasing to they eye. Still, circumstances made him suspicious.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ezra," he commented. He spoke with a light, old world drawl but was very professional and well spoken in his robes. His hat hung on a rack in the corner and his hair was well kept. "Please excuse the heightened security. I do not fear Bretonia but I do not want to get mixed up in a political misunderstanding as I am not one of their favorite people."

He motioned for her to have a seat and offered her a drink. "I had a few things brought here for us. Scotch, Gallic wine, Rum, Coalition Vodka and some other stuff. Anything you desire?"

The Deadbeat Cafe, Tau-29

Ezra nodded, she thought about Johnny; Johnny takes a lot of risks by staying on the frontlines, but so does she, as when her people will be treated, she will take the role back, and Johnny will take her role, working in tandem for as long as this crisis is going to continue.

"Johnny's objective with the Hunters is to fight them outside and lead them astray. Don't be afraid about this. If we're sufficiently trained to find clues, we know how to avoid giving them. But I hear you. I have faith in Johnny, I am sure he does his maximum to avoid drawing attention. However, I do have little faith in the Hunters'. They don't have any code of conduct, and I doubt that they would turn down the Crown's cash.",

She stopped talking as they were headed out from the Cafe, seemingly to finally meet Doctor Holiday. After a while...

"Thank you very much, Mr. Chara. Until then." she said, as he opened the door to Dr. Holiday's personal office. "Doctor." she said to Dr. John Holiday as she extended her hand toward him. Her voice, certainly matching the same aspect of professionalism that emanates from the Doctor's charisma, was high-pitched compared to his, however, her voice mirrored the weariness of endless combat and flight, and her desperate attempts at saving her agents and people.

"The pleasure's all mine, Doctor." she continued, "I have noticed the security detail, I completely understand." she chuckles for a bit as she continued, "We are not in Bretonia's good graces either, it seems. Well, they were good clients until they decided not to be anymore. Nothing political, we don't understand what the Crown wanted by doing this. ", she said as she sat on a seat offered by Doc. Holiday. "Comfortable, well, more comfortable than the chairs back on the Swift Silence...", she suddenly thought to herself. She went back on subject and continued, "As I told you over the communication channel, we know what transpired back on Gran Canaria. We know why you're not in the good graces of Bretonia either. These... questionable individuals at the helm sure like to stir discord and strife across Sirius. Even against the people they contractualized.", she said, followed by a tiny sigh. "But it is a House, and we accepted the contract due to its importance, we wanted to know more on something, as it was our first real contract - we thought we were entering the big leagues. Turns out we were ready to sell our souls to the devil. Our motto remains that we do not ask questions, but... Ethics are now something we'll take into account, contrary to them." - as she was monologuing, she forgot Doctor Holiday proposed her a drink, and promptly stopped her monologue. "Oh, excuse me. I didn't even reply... This whole situation is annoying me. I'll have some vodka please.", she finished.

she breathed out while relaxing in the chair, closing her eyes for a few more seconds, thinking about how this moment might be her last moment of safety. About how she can die anytime now. And reopened them, waiting for the drink to come, and for Doc's response.

"Then again, if you want to know what the contract was about, I can tell you the big lines. We'd like to keep it a secret as much as possible.", she said.

Freeport 6, Blaine Chara's Private Office

He grew concerned as he listened, especially when she said, " We know why you're not in the good graces of Bretonia either." She knew something about him already that only the Crown would tell. His defense remained up for the moment. Once she requested the Vodka, he rose to get it.

He took a glass and placed it on the table before him. "You are correct about selling your souls to the devil," he stated. "The Bretonian Crown expects respect but gives none back. I could give you a laundry list of names to back me up on that."
He then put some ice cubes in the glass and began pouring the Vodka. "I used to have a large stash of Coalition Vodka. It is quite good stuff. They always treated me well."
With the glass full of the red sauce, he handed it to Ezra and proceeded to put the bottle away.

He then sat down, his hands together, fingers interlocked on his lap. "You said that you know why I am not in the good graces of Bretonia. I am curious as to what you know and how you know. I mean, it is not exactly public record." He sat and awaited her answer.

The Deadbeat Cafe, Tau-29

She thanked the Doctor for the drink, and grabbed the glass, shortly before drinking, she nodded at the Doctor again, thanking him again for the drink...

The taste of vodka always invoked in her feelings of nostalgia, of simpler times, of better times, for her.

"I saw your expression change when I said that. I believe you just sold yourself to me", she said, while expressing for the first time since she arrived at Freeport 6 a smile, "I said that in general. Not about you. We don't know much about Med Force Enterprises, nor you in fact. All we know is that the BPA and the Crown annexed Gran Canaria, and since you told me that you weren't in the best of terms with the Crown, I extrapolated that you had something to do against them back on Gran Canaria when they decided to invade and annex the planet with hundreds of thousands of troops. A disgusting move only outmatched by the glassing of Leeds, if you would ask me.",

She took another sip out of the vodka glass, the coldness helped her cool down from the stress she managed to keep under control, but not its effects on temperature. After a few seconds, she turned her gaze back to the Doctor and said,

"Even if we knew something, you proposed your help without hesitation. Even if you refused to have me on board, you proposed to have our agents treated. We're not immoral monsters. We only accept deals with everyone, which may make us look as unreliable people, but I can assure you that, if you even need us to do our possible to delete records or do anything for you, we would try our best, just out of respect and as returning the favor. It's not a question of money for us. At this moment, only honor, trust and the people who display both, are the most valuable things for us."

She paused for a bit, thinking. She was feeling bad, she opened up to the Doctor without her guard up. Maybe it's his charisma, but she allowed her guard to be down for a bit, leaving her to feel again at full strength some emotions she learnt not to display nor even actually acknowledge as feelings. She felt something again. After this thought leaving her mind, she put down the glass and laid her head on her hand, thinking, until closing on her answer to his question.

"I'm sorry if I asked something wrong. It was absolutely not my intention. I hope you know that. I talked a lot about it. As you can imagine, we can't allow ourselves to be unconcerned about our behavior, toward you, especially, Doctor."

Freeport 6, Blaine Chara's Private Office

He realized that he wasn't dealing with an amature. He needed to be more careful but the fact that she was open as well slightly eased him.
"Leeds," he grumbled, "indeed a despicable act. Only after seeing that same fate fall upon Planet Toledo years before did I figure that nothing like that would ever happen. I would expect the Nomads to do something like that to humans but humans doing it?" He only shook his head. In an almost silent voice of sorrow, he finished, "I only pray that no one survived to have suffer a life of eternal hell down there."
The whole thing about Leeds shook him to this day and it was evident.
"There is more to Gran Canaria than a lot of people know," he said in somber, "they slaughtered Cretan women and children who were learning to farm.....to change their lives....to get away from a life of crime."
He again shook his head, "I delivered a lot of those children."

He took a sip of his drink and came out of his brief, somber state. "Miss Ezra, you came to me for help because two of your agents need medical attention. I will not deny them that. My medical staff will attend to them while we talk. They are quite reliable and make me taking to the sidelines a lot easier." He smiled, "it is kind of nice not having to do everything myself."

He sat back a bit. "So do tell me, what ever did you do to anger the Crown? Last I checked, it does not take much."

Doc Holliday

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Doc Holliday