Malcolm: "Now that that's out of the way, let's finish our current job. I want everyone in the cargo hold in ten minutes, ready to unload. And tell Jacob not to bring his entire friggin' armory this time, it's a Freeport. The payment's already been wired, all's we gotta do is get the crates out."
Jim: "You know he won't listen."
Malcolm: "Right. Tell him not to bring any machine guns, heavy assault rifles and other assorted anti-tank weaponry, then?"
Jim: "I'll try, captain. No promises."

After a long journey from Omicron Delta to Coronado, the Equanimity is finally approaching Barrier Gate Station. The entire crew is on the bridge. Yes, all four of them.

Mina: "Well, here we are, Mal. It's been a while since I last saw this place."
Malcolm: "Let's hope we don't have to spend more time here than we need to."
Jacob: "Aw, and here I was, thinking I could buy me a couple new shotguns for my collection."
Malcolm: "A couple? Last time you went shopping, you came back with a dozen handguns."
Jim: "Not to mention we had to return all of them because you, and I quote, forgot to pay for them."
Jacob: "But that's what happened! Tell them, Mina, you were with me."
Mina: "Oh, you're on your own on this one, buddy."
Malcolm: "Alright, alright. Quiet down, people. Jim, take us in. Also, you're staying on the ship. The rest of us will grab the shuttle and head to the station. We'll radio in if anything goes wrong, so be ready to take off at a moment's notice. Bring some guns, Jacob. We might need them. And help Mina prep the shuttle for departure."

Mina heads to the shuttle while Jacob grabs his favorite handgun. The captain arrives moments later, ready to share the action plan with them.

The shuttle takes off, leaving the Equanimity behind. Mina is piloting, while Jacob and the captain discuss.

Malcolm: "Jacob, you'll be my wingman on this one. We're not expecting trouble, but let's be prepared for it."
Jacob: "The usual, then?"
Malcolm: "Just don't start waving your gun around before it's needed. Maybe we can finally get a job without being involved in a bar fight first."
Jacob: "Aye, aye, captain! Been a while since our last bar fight, though... Just saying."
Malcolm: "Jacob."
Jacob: "Fine."
Mina: "Be safe, boys. I have some business of my own to attend to while we're here. Call me when you need me to rescue your asses after you inevitably mess something up again."
Malcolm: "Haha. Heh. Very funny. Less talking and more flying, if you don't mind? We've got a date to get to."
Mina: "Always a romantic, Mal."
Malcolm: "Shut up. Listen up, Jacob. On the station, you don't know me and I don't know you. Just go grab a drink at the bar while I wait for my date. Don't do anything stupid until I tell you. If I tell you."
Jacob: "But captain, I was already planning on smashing the bartender's head with a beer bottle."
Malcolm: "I should've just hired a couple of comedians.", the captain sighs. "Let's go."

Mina lands the shuttle and the guys head for the bar.

Waiting for the crew to return from job, almost falling asleep in the pilot chair, Jim is startled by a young lady pointing a gun at him. He listens to her demands and does as she says with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Jim: "Oh, hahaha, ha. Haha. What are we laughing at?!", he laughs in response. "Listen lady, you scared the s**t out of me!", he almost shouts, his face turning to a shade of grumpy instead. "Don't know you better than to sneak up like that on someone who's taking a nap? What if I had heart problems?! I think you just gave me heart problems right now. This is not funny at all", he mumbles to himself. "Just gimme a second, gotta catch my breath."

Jim tries to relax a little before continuing; as much as one can relax after waking up with a gun to the face, in any case. The lady, who introduced herself as Sarah, is still smiling at him.

Jim: "Whew. Okay. Name's Jim. I'd love to say it's a pleasure meeting you Sarah, but, you know, THERE IS A FREAKING GUN IN MY FACE.", he shouts, before clearing his throat. "Speaking of which, put the god damn gun down, will you? You're so busy pointing it at me that you failed to notice the door closed behind you after you entered. You ain't going nowhere unless I unlock it. You think we don't have safeguards in place? I mean, come on, how stupid do you think we are?", he asks, pausing for a second to think about the words that just came out of his mouth. "Actually, don't answer that. But put the gun down, really; unless you're planning to shoot me, in which case you'll be spending a lot of time locked on the bridge with a dead body. And that would be really awkward for everybody. Seriously, I've been complaining about a raise to the captain for ages now, it would be easier to just pay me off. So let's start over, shall we? There's tea somewhere around here."

Malcolm is pleasantly surprised to see a more familiar figure take a seat at the table instead of Nick.


Malcolm: "Oh. The flowers.", he laughs. "You actually brought them. Can't wait to tell my crew about that, they're going to laugh their asses off. We had a bit of a bet going on, some didn't think you'd do it. Anyway, they're for you," he says, before handing them over back to Elena. "Did you know that in ancient times, back on Earth, this day, today, was actually celebrated as Women's Day? Glad you showed up instead of Nick, would've been really weird saying that to him. Unless Nick is just a codename, and you're actually him. Her. It. You know what I mean. Then it's still weird."

Strange thoughts cross Mal's mind as he thinks of Nick as a she instead of a he, before being quickly dismissed.

Malcolm: "Huh", he says, recovering from his daydreams. "Right, where were we? Ah, yes. Manners. Pleased to meet you as well. You look stunning - no kidding about the exciting business part, heh. Wait, did that come out wrong? Never mind. So, shall we talk business? Or are we still waiting for someone? Either way, it must be a really interesting job if he sent you, all dressed up and pretty like this. Surely he's not trying something with that, is he? I mean he must know I'm not just your run-of-the-mill cargo misplacer; I served in the Navy for quite some time. I learned to never trust a pretty lady with good intentions. No offense though - I really am hoping this is your general mercenary outfit, that would be cool as hell!", he says passionately.

The captain's eyes connect with Elena's, as he waits for her reply.

Jim: "Great. See? We can get along without violence," he smiles back. "So just send a transmission and the credits are mine, huh. Hard to say no to that. Sure, I'll do it. Go ahead and push the buttons that need pushing."

Jim looks around confused as something seems to nudge the ship slightly. He shrugs it off as he turns his eyes back on Sarah.

Jim: "And yes, we do have whiskey. It's in the galley though. We'll have to go there after I send your precious message, and you can tell me all about your other offer. You should know I don't normally drink while I'm on duty, though. But enough of that, do you mind?", he asks, as he moves to pick the radio up.

Fortunately, the pilot is not met with disapproval from Sarah, so he continues with his end of the deal.

Jim: "You there, captain? There's a lady here; she said to tell you that the Forlorn Hope have our ship. I offered her tea." He puts the radio back down and smiles at Sarah. "Done. You happy now, partner?"

(continued in pt. III)

Back at the bar, Malcolm is still talking to Elena. Nick arrives just in time to join in.

Malcolm: "Gentleman? Hah!", he chuckles. "I think you have me confused with someone else. Anyway, don't worry about it, I enjoyed being distracted like this. Gotta say though, my mind is going to have a tough time imagining you in anything but this dress. Or as the intelligent denizens of this bar surely suggested to you - without it."

The captain notices someone coming straight towards their table, correctly assuming this was the Nick person he was supposed to meet. He stands up, shaking Nick's hand firmly, before taking a seat again.

Malcolm: "I'm all about evening the numbers. I nearly forgot about that. Jacob!", he shouts, but gets ignored. Malcolm sighs and clears his throat, "Just a second guys." He touches his earpiece and whispers awkwardly, "The rooster is in the hen house", while trying to avoid eye contact with his new friends. "Just get your ass here, Jacob. They know."

Another transmission comes in immediately after, interrupting them.

Jim: "You there, captain? There's a lady here; she said to tell you that the Forlorn Hope have our ship. I offered her tea."

Malcolm: "Huh. That's interresting, don't you think, Nick? Seems I have no choice but to talk business now. Let's not waste anymore time, shall we? What's this job you need my crew for?"

Meanwhile, Jacob is still at the bar. He turns around for a second from the woman he was talking to use his earpiece.

Jacob: "You got that too, Mina?", he whispers.
Mina: "I did. Jim sent it to all of us; smart thinking. I'm already back on the Equanimity, I'll check it out. Hope they didn't hear me coming."
Jacob: "Good. Captain called for me just now. Gotta go show these folks my guns."

Jacob excuses himself, and heads to the table. He takes two handguns out of his coat and places them on the table before taking a seat as well and barging in on the conversation.

Jacob: "You didn't mention it was a double date, Mal. Would've come 'ere sooner. Oh, and I pick the girl. Anyway, it's very nice to meet you guys!", he says, caressing one of the handguns on the table. "This one's my favorite, it's custom made, you know." He picks it up, resting his feet on the table instead. "It's shiny, do you like it?"

Malcolm: "Guys, meet Jacob. He likes guns as you can see. Let's not allow that to distract us, though. I'm very curious about your offer."

Aboard the Equanimity III

---

Jim and Sarah are still on the bridge. They prepare to leave for the galley.

Jim: "Well, you better be", he says, opening the bridge door. "Well? What are you waiting for? Let's get you some whiskey and me some mo-"

Mina pops up from behind the door as it opens up, holding one of Jacob's rifles and interrupting their conversation.

Mina: "Hey Jim."
Jim: "Oh. Hi Mina."
Mina: "Who's this?"
Jim: "My new friend Sarah. Was gonna get her some whiskey; she doesn't like tea. Didn't expect to see you back so soon."
Mina: "I see. Nice to meet you, Sarah. Well, don't let me stop you", she smiles roguishly, letting them pass, her rifle constantly pointed at Sarah.

All three of them head to the galley.

Mina: "Great. Now let's all sit down and wait for our captains to be done with their talk. Enough with these stupid ego measuring contests. It's obvious you need someone like us and we sure as hell could use the money from a job." She lowers her rifle and then proceeds to prop it against the wall. "Whiskey, you said? Jim and I will be having tea. Oh, and ice? That's how Mal enjoys his whiskey."

Mina takes a few steps away from the table to prepare drinks for everyone.

Mina: "By the way, feel free to contact your friends if you want, Sarah!"