The Chekvetadzes

[daimonic]

It was relatively quiet in the bar on Kreuzberg Depot as the thick cigar smoke curled and wafted, masking the faces of those sitting at the table in the back right corner...

Boris: *BANGS on the table* I've got you now brother! Theres no way in hell you're going to win this time!
Gregor: *grins* You sure about that Boris? How much will it take to test your confidence?
Boris: You don't fool me this time brother! *shuffles around in his seat*... I bet 10 units of Scrap Metal!
Gregor: 10 units!!! Oh brother you're feeling lucky now eh? I'll see your 10 units and raise you another 10!
Boris: *pauses and eyeballs Gregor cautiously* You're bluffing Gregor.. you forget I can read you like a book after 2 bottles of Gallic wine! *smirk*

....

A rough looking man wearing a brown trench coat walked into the bar and coughed as he took in a deep breath of the cigar smoke...

Jack Thompson: What the hell are you boys doing here still? You've been here all night playing poker instead of being out collecting more Scrap Metal! Get your worthless asses back out there!

Boris: But sir! We uh..... want to play? 10 units of Scrap Metal and you're in! *winks schemeingly at his brother*
Jack Thompson: NO! You heard me boys!
Gregor: Sir please forgive my brother *gives Boris a swift kick on the shin*.. We would go back out right away to collect more Scrap Metal, only....
Boris: No we wouldn't! We hate collecting damn Scrap Metal! Thats all everybody ever does around here damnit!!!
Gregor: BORIS!!!! *kick* So er, well, you see sir... we uh... *looks blankly*
Jack Thompson: I see, so you boys don't like collecting Scrap Metal eh? You'd rather just sit here all night playing poker and drinking?
Boris: YE..... errr umm, no sir? We want to be good Junkers of course! What else can we do?
Jack Thompson: Well boys... what do you want to do?
Gregor: Something more exciting sir? Something more dangerous? We want adventure!
Boris: YEA! *can barely contain his excitement*
Jack Thompson: What do you propose?
Boris: Umm... hmm... *drinks*. What about intelligence gathering sir? You always need more information about activities around Sirius no?
Gregor: We could.... *shifts in his seat nervously* pose as common pirates throughout Sirius while really collecting information passively on trade and passing it back to you sir?
Jack Thompson: Hmmm I don't know boys.....
Boris: Oh PLEASE sir! *shakes the whole table in excitement* We'll do good! You won't regret it!!!
Gregor: *gives Boris another kick and knocks the drinks over all over everyone* SHI... GEEZ sorry sir!
Boris: Oh GREAT, well done brother!!! You damn idio...
Jack Thompson: SHUT UP BOYS! Fine go out and do it, just get the hell out of my sight! And don't make me regret this!
Gregor: THANK YOU SIR! What about umm ships? We must pass as pirates?
Jack Thompson: Use your existing ships boys, theres nothing else available for you. Now go! I don't want to see you in here again anytime soon!
Boris: Come on Gregor! The Chekvetadzes have work to do!! *beams triumphantly*

A few minutes later in their ships....

Gregor: How the hell are we going to be pirates in these freighters? We'll be a laughing stock brother!
Boris: If anyone can do it Gregor, the Chekvetadzes can!
Gregor: Touche brother! Lets get going before the Boss changes his mind!

*Cruise engines engaged as the Chekvetadzes go forth to plunder Sirius for information*...

[Stoat]

Gregor leaned back on his chair, stretching his aching muscles. It had been yet another hard day, hauling cargo from trade vessels into the holds of his and Boris's frieghters. They'd run into some poor sap hauling Quantum Multiplexors through Sigma-13, and despite his initial refusal to "share" his cargo, the firepower of their two CSFs had soon convinced him otherwise.

They'd slipped easily through Rheinland, avoiding police and military patrols, and before long Planet Canaria was filling their viewscreens. Not the best price they could have made, but the Zoners had the useful trait of not asking too many questions.

He waved to the barman.

"Hey, Hector! A bottle of whisky and two glasses my friend. Boris and I have some celebrating to do!"

"I've had just the thing come in today, Gregor." Hector said as he placed a bottle of Molly whisky in front of them. "This stuff has quite a kick, but it mellows beautifully on the tongue. I think you'll like it, and it's only 500 credits for the bottle!"

Gregor grinned at Boris. Here they were, living life as they pleased, answerable to no-one, drinking 500 credit bottles of whisky as if it was cheap beer. He laughed out loud. The congress hadn't even bothered to make use of them as yet. Not that Gregor was worried about that. Both he and Boris had fitted their ships out with top of the line equipment, all paid for by someone else. When the congress did finally call on them, he knew they'd be in a position to help.

Gregor shifted his position as his communicator buzzed in his back pocket. As Boris poured the first glasses of whisky, Gregor pulled out the comm unit, and flipped it open. He smiled when he saw who was calling, and opened the link. A familiar face appeared on the display. Unshaven and balding, the weathered features cracked into a broad smile, which did nothing to improve the view.

"Gregor!! Cousin! It has been a long time."

"Uri! Hah, Uri! Where in all the hells have you been cousin? It's been years since last we were able to take your money off you!"

Uri's face fell as he continued.

"Times have not been good, Gregor. Three years I have been stuck out on Vierlande. Three years!! And what for? Tax evasion! Thats all they were able to pin on me, but they put me in prison for it. But I know who put me there. It was that bastard Der Kaiser. I know he fed that documentation to the authorities. Well, finally I am free, and now Der Kaiser is unconscious and broken in a hospital, while I am running for Kreutzberg, trying to avoid his goons! They don't seem to care that I have repaid my debts. They don't seem to like that I took my pound of flesh for his depredations. I cannot fight them all myself, Gregor.

Nor should you have to! Boris growled as he leaned across. Anyone that has an issue with you, Uri, has an issue with Gregor and me as well. We are family. Nothing shall stand against us, united.

Boris speaks the truth, Uri. Gregor agreed. We shall meet you on Kreutzberg. You remember the codes to our quarters, yes? Uri nodded. Good. We shall meet you there, and we three shall make the Chekvetadze name feared throughout Sirius!

Gregor clicked off the comms unit, and reached for his glass. Draining the contents, he grabbed the bottle as he stood.

Boris. Get to your ship. It looks like we have a purpose today!

Before long, the two freighters were speeding back towards Rheinland.

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