(//Kuddos to LR NewbornCriminal (would have paid ya..but ya jumped on the guns to quick bro had to make a run for it, [LN]Tex-Ritter for responding to my Piracy Report and checking it out making the area safe for transports again and to MMSebastianTombs for the final escort..apologies on my part, by the time I started taking screenshot, the interaction with Tex was gone, or I would have included it...cheers gents and thanks for the fun today.)
As the door closed behind DeLaFontain, the data screen on his work terminal came to life. On the other end, the Captain of the Deliverance sat rereading his report for the day, wondering how much he should include before he hit the Transmit button.
The day had been fairly straight froward until he received as a transmission from the Lucky.Hauler-02. The pilot of the 02 had reported a pirate encounter in the Texas system.
An LR rouge had asked that they come to a full stop. That was always a bad sign. The pilot, as all the captains in the icT fleet, were under orders from DeLaFontain to meet any reasonable demand. But bringing the ship to a full stop dead in the water didn't seem reasonable, it would put them directly at the LR Rogues mercy.
The pilot of the O2 sent back a transmission stating that they could negotiate, but he would continue at thrust speed. The rouge then cut loose on his pulse weapons and dropped the Lucky.Hauler02's shields in a matter of seconds. The captain of the O2 figured he was dead anyway you looked at it, so he put the countermeasures to autofire, and hit the cruise engines.
They barely made it to the safety of LPI Sugarland, and then skirted around Houston till they got to the Mooring station. The O2 reported little damage, a bit shaken up, but ship, cargo and crew, in order of importance to DeLaFontain, were all in good shape.
Months back, the LuckyStrikeII had been shot down in the Minnesota system by a branch of the Liberty Navy. Since then, DeLaFontain had stated that they only go as far as Houston and that having little or no contact with Liberty Navy was probably safer than reaching out to them. So they were all ordered to limit contact with liberty naval forces in as much as possible.
They would still support the war effort, but not at the risk of loosing another ship to itchy trigger fingered hot shots. It seemed that every time they made a cargo run to LPI Sugarland they got fired on for running the embargo. The hostility and needless searches and trading time wasted had left DeLaFontain with a bad taste in his mouth.
The Deliverance was set to pass through the Texas system next, with a load of Military Vehicles. He had searched the available comm signals. No LPI around that he could pick up, but he did find an [LN] Primary Fleet member with in transmit range and put in a piracy report. That pilot did his job and did it professionally, but the captain of the Deliverance didn't want to report that contact to DeLaFontain and catch hell for it.
He didn't need the aggravation. What did a pencil pusher know about flying cargo through space? Everyone needed to help everyone else. You watch my back, I watch yours. But FountanMan, as the crew had started to call him, had different view on it all, one that put people at risk needlessly.
The Captain of the Deliverance, had then opted for extra safety. He searched the comm signals again. Saw one he recognized and put in the call.
Deliverance: **request for secure comms link**
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Granted: How can I help you?
Deliverance: Sir, am I correct in assuming Yall are a Mercenary Group?
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Aye
Deliverance: Copy that.. I got a load I need to get to Texas..I'm at Norfolk..Ill pay rightly for an escort sir.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Fair enough
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: On my way back to you.
Deliverance: One of our sister ships just had a run in with a LR out the way.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: I was just going to look for that LR
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: But, I will escort you.
Deliverance: Don't want to chance the Hardware I got on board to fall into LR hands.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Don't worry, not a chance that they are getting to you.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Not if the Mandalorians are protecting you.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Will be there in less than 1 minute
Deliverance: copy that ..I'm holding at the Missouri
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: This one is clear, I checked it 3 times
**Transfer of 1500000 credits to MM~Sebastina.Tombs**
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Feel free to proceed
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: and Thank you, but we usually get paid when the work is over *smiles*
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: As I said all clear
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Jumping to Texas
Deliverance: copy that..We at icT don't like making anyone wait.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: What is our Destination?
Deliverance: Houston sir..
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Fair enough, the client is always right ..after all *chuckles*
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Alright clear.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Taking the Lane to Houston
Deliverance: We don't take it further than that...Our own Navy has a tendency to shoot first....ask no questions later
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Indeed
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:As you feared, there is a Rogue
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:But it's been taking care of
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Hurry up and you'll be fine
Deliverance: Copy that Making the Jump
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Tell me when you are through
Deliverance: Thank you very much Mr.Tombs..Ill make sure I tell my boss about your quick response.
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Anytime
Deliverance:Through and on the Lanes...
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: There, yet another happy client *smiles*
Deliverance: Clear to Houston, Call it a job done Sir
Deliverance: and thank ya much
MM~Sebastina.Tombs: Safe travels to you
MM~Sebastina.Tombs:Feel free to call us again, if you need anything else
Deliverance:**Link Terminated**
The captain of the Deliverance decided that what boss didn't know would not hurt him. He would leave out his having contacted the [LN] and give them credit where credit is due next time he saw them. He decided he would include The report from the O2 and the Transmission transcripts with the Mandelorian, for one to justify the expense and two, in hopes that a permanent contract could be set up with these gentlemen.
He made sure that the Total Credit tally for the day came first in big letters, and with any luck, FountainMan would not even go past that part of the report, and leave them in peace to brave the dangers of space.
He hit the Transmit button.
Back in DeLaFontains office the Information started to show up on screen
icT Daily Cargo and Credit Manifest
01- 27583749
02- 14029532
dlv-19688378
61301559 Total credits earned.
LuckyHauler 01-----Ontario loaded and ready for departure
LuckyHauler 02-----New York Loaded and ready for departure
Deliverance --------Texas loaded and ready for departure
CARGO and Destinations
2974 units 0xygen WP
3378 units Basic alloy Baltimore shipyard.
1500 units food rations Battleship Missourri
400 units .....................................................
The information continued to flow out onto the screen.
//Thanks again to .:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus and Jack Torrance.
________________________________________________
Party had started on the Lady Luck before they had finished escorting the Junker to Toronto station for the negotiations for DeLaFontain.
"Cabin boy...glasses all around" Maria with the bottle of wine in here hand demanded of the lead steward.
"But Ma'am, that wine is to be taken in small sips and never more than...."
"GLASSES NOW..." she raised her voice. "You do not want to test me.." She herself was realizing she was a bit out of sorts, and decided that the wine was to good to drink on her own.
The lead steward was appalled. Never in his entire career had anyone talked to him like that. He was trained in etiquette in the best schools of the 4 houses. He knew 4 different languages and 28 different dialects, even Primusee.
He knew better, the wine was off a variety that was highly intoxicating, and in small doses caused mild hallucinations but add a bit more and one simply passed out.
He had let Maria drink her fill, almost an entire glass, thinking she would just drop to the floor, and he would have his revenge against this foul mouthed toad of a woman. She had not and did not look like she was going to.
He returned to the Bridge, the ship had already docked on Toronto Station. He did as he was told and passed out glasses to each of the crew, Maria following behind him, filling each glass half way up.
"You sure this is OK?" asked the Captain of the LadyLuck.
"Captain would I lie to YOU? Mr. DeLaFontain will be here shortly this is an inauguration party, so...Let the inauguration begin." Maria responded, her eyes glazed over, but still on her feet.
On board the LuckyStrike, Captain Ramos and his crew were busy trying to keep up with their escort. He still felt uneasy about this Junker. They had just passed into the California system.
"Yes Captain, you lead the way..." Ramos addressing the Junker over the Ship to ship comms.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure, sure, follow me lad.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: We have to chose a safe way.
"That would be good sir..." Ramos thinking to himself that it would probably be safe for the Junker, but how safe would it be for his ship and crew.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: So the first system will be Cortez
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Have you ever been at Baffin before?
"Copy that...our Nav Maps are good that far out..." Ramos deciding to make nice with the Junker. "Know about it , once or twice .. at the Bar on Barrier gate, had a few drinks...Some Zoner tried to convert me there..." In between sentences give orders to the helm controls, the ship struggling fly like a fighter.
:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:*Laughs* Yes, those zoners have some good quality wine as far as I know.
"You would not happen to know what 5 tons of flax means do ya?" Ramos remembering his encounter, still puzzled over the reference.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Unfortunately not.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Form on me
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:That could be faster
Ramos did not like how he was having to fly The Stork. It was never meant to take such severe turns he was again annoyed. The ships superstructure creaking heavily under the strain.
"Copy that.." and gave orders to helmsman who guided the ship in behind Junker and onto the Lanes.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well it looks like the lanes has some problems..
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: So we try the normal way *Laughs*
Ramos was beginning to worry about what normal was for this Junker. He looked around the bridge the rest of the crew was visibly worried as well. To his crew, " Pull in close to him and lock on for formation flying, and relax guys, just another run, nothing to worry about." His words having no visible effect on them.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Form on me Ramos.
The command already executed, Ramos replied with a "yea...see that...done Sir, you sure you know where you are going?" worried the Junker was still drinking or something worse.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: ah, apologies....Call me Vincent lad..and sure lad, know where I'm going.
Ramos thought that being on a first name basis was not going to ease his worries.
"Copy that...Vincent" struggling with the last part of what he just said.
The party on Board the Lady Luck was in full swing. The bottle of Meskalinita having taken its toll on Most of the crew, they were passed out here and there around the ship. The Lead steward was trying to do his best to keep the damages to a minimum.
"Ma'am when is Mr.DeLaFontain arriving for the inauguration Party?"
The steward visibly shaken up. It had been some hours now. He had been running back and forth trying to keep things from getting broken or vomited on. His, he liked to think of the Lady Luck as his, precious elegant ship in the hands of such dirty brute hands. It was going to take at least a month to put everything back in place and cleaned again.
"I don't care if hes coming or not...its his party he can come..he can go.."
"Ma'am, but I must insist that we at least call him to..."
"If you call him, I will tell my amigos to take this boat apart piece by piece.."
Maria had enlisted the available dock workers to join in on the fun aboard, once the crew of the LuckyStrike was down for the count, phased out under the effects of one glass of Mescalinita.
She had become bored with her only company still standing, the steward. She had ordered him around for a bit like a marionette. Making him do things that made his face turn shades of red and purple.
The last straw had been filling up the fine porcelain hydro unit with wine and bathing in it, making him stand there off to the side and attend to her. When it seemed that things were no longer making his blood boil, she sonic showered off the wine, made the Steward help her look beautiful again and went looking for new party friends to partake in her festive mood.
It was the same group of men from the lower decks bar. At first they were hesitant, almost unwilling. But a beautiful woman standing in the airlock of a Democritus, offering up all the free alcohol they could drink was something hard to pass up.
Maria had also demonstrated she knew how to play fair, having paid for the drinks on the lower decks and the loss of work hours to the big man she had injured. So they decided as a group that no blood no foul, and to just let things play themselves out.
Over the Hours, the word had spread, and even the injured man limped aboard, followed by the lower decks bar keepers, who had received a call from Maria to setup shop behind the Bar inside the Lady Luck. The mood was jovial, festive and wild. It was one of the best parties anyone could remember on Toronto station.
"Do you know how to operate the communication systems mister steward?" Her speech slightly hampered, the effects of the Mescalinita slowly wearing off.
"Yes...Ma'am I have been trained to operate the communication equipment in cases of emergencies..." How was it that she was still standing? He wondered at the same time.
"Good, this is one." she lead the Steward by the hand to the Bridge. "Put in a call to LuckyStrikeIII, I need to talk to the captain."
"Sir, I just got a incoming transmission from the LuckyLady. Sounds like there is one hell of a party going on....patching it through to your private channel" The communications officer with a slight smile on his face.
"This is the LuckyStrike go ahead.."
"Captain, are you still with dis junker fellow?" Maria's voice coming over the speaker.
"Yes, we are doing our best to keep up with
him.." he too amused at the noise in the background of the LadyLuck.
"Captain..he will pry for information, you tell him half truths, send him wine and you will over pay him to excess..do you understand captain, your life may
depend on it...oh, and tell him I send my regards" She did not want to go into the visions the Mescalinita had produced in her, while she had taking the wine hydro bath.
"Copy that...ahhh any chance I can get Mr.DeLaFontain to OK this.."
"LISTEN to me you stupid cucaracha...if you want to continue to live..you will do as I say and try to make this Junker your friend or you will find yourself at the
end of my knife."
**Cut Transmission**
"Sir....we have lost the transmission do you want me to try and get it back?" comms officer had been listening from his station, a clear breach of protocol, but so was flying a Stork in formation with a Junker through an asteroid field. He was a bit concerned about the tone in his bosses secreatarys voice, ominous and warning of doom.
"No, nothing to worry about, open the channel back up to the Junker" the captain trying to brush aside the call from an obviously half drunk woman.
"Copy that...channel open" replied the communications officer.
"I just got a transmission from the LadyLuck...seem there is one hell of a party going on." Ramos about to give the Junker her regards.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Lets head to Baffin now..I hope that lady is still there *smiles*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As far as I know she is a bar lady or something like that.
It sounded to Ramos like the Junker was prying for information, just like Maria had said, and he became worried about the sudden need for quickness.
"Lady? oh you mean my bosses secretary?"
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Yes, if I am correct
"Yes...shes got a mouth on her I tell you that much, she sends her regards by the way." responded Ramos, waiting for the Junker to respond.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: But dunno really lad, I still have a hangover from talking with her
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Fine....Zoner Space..Lets head to Kusari next..Form on me Ramos.
"Ramos copy that, understood..forming up on you..." Formation flying in a Stork, he thought to himself it was something he never wanted to have to do again.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: How long have you been in the company Ramos?
Maria had been right about these junkers never missed an opportunity to get more information, he would follow her advice and give as little as possible and as far from the truth as he could.
"Hired last week, no one wanted the Job." Responded Ramos.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Really? Whats so special with this job?
"Boss man and the secretary for one..and he...well..I'm afraid to say much more..ship might be bugged.." Giving the junker some conspiracy and intrigue to think about.
"He is...a tad bit paranoid if ya ask me" that part of what he said was true.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Fine..this is my well loved space *sighs* Be aware of the Kusarian forces..
"Copy that, .....any reason?" Ramos not liking what he just heard.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:The Kusarians aren't our best friends you know.
"Haven't had much trouble from them,,,I did hear about an embargo...but that's above my pay grade." Replied Ramos
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Well, yes. They have a bloody war with the bretonians as far as I know.
He had started talking, and he beamed over a case of wine, as suggested by Maria. Best to keep him happy.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Ah...you are my man Ramos
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: *pops open a bottle of wine* Cheers
"Sent with the compliments of Maria" added Ramos, so Junker would know who it was that was taking care of him.
On the Bridge of the LuckyStrike the Navigation's officer, reported a new jump hole. Before Ramos could say anything. The Junker jumped, being in formation the LuckStrikeIII automatically jumped with them, not giving them anytime to buckle in. A bit of warning would have been nice. They had made it through and were trying to get their bearings.
"New contact" reported the navigation officer.
"Maintain radio silence, don't want anyone to think we are with this Junker, just in case." Ramos had been bounced to the floor by the jump. "Give me a location of where we just jumped to and do it fast"
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Damn rocks...*sights*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Finally in the Colonial space..I hope we won't meet sniffers here..Let's go Ramos..
On board the LuckyStrike they heard the Junker, the communications officer turned and looked at his captain for what to do next.
"Maintain radio silence.." His voice stern, annoyed that he would have to say it twice. Over the speakers they heard a new voice.
Jack_Torrance: Greetings
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Aye lad *nods*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: It looks like my pal is a little bit confused
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:I hope he is alright
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Anyway, how are you at this fine day?
Jack_Torrance: Me, not bad I suppose
Ramos thought it seemed amicable enough, relaxed a bit. He told the comms officer to open the direct channel back up to the Junker.
"Got a bit banged up back there" Ramos let him know they were ok.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Not a problem ..Lets go then
Jack_Torrance:What happened to your pal? *smiles*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Take care Jack
Jack_Torrance: You too
Ramos was glad to see the Junker was cutting the conversation short. "Nav get me a bearing now. I need to know where the hell in space we are."
"Sir, if I didn't know any better, I'd say." Ramos cut him off with a wave of the hand, he saw it, but could not believe it. He hit the transmit button.
"Are we in the Taus?...Bloody hell..." Ramos almost angered, he had heard the Taus were no place to be, dead or alive.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Yes this is the Colonials space
"Captain, multiple weapons signals ahead, reading a mine field sir" the Nav officer trying to stay on top of everything going on.
"Stay with him boys, we can't stay here and we can't go back, Engineering full power to the shields, hold on everyone this could get bumpy" Ramos barking out orders, he hit the transmit button again.
"And whose idea was it to go through this mine field.." His tone giving away his obvious displeasure.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:*Laughs* Better choice than across the Bretonia/Kusari war zone
"But if you think about it...good tactic..no one would ever think to look for a Stork in a mine field." Ramos backing down a bit, seeing that the Junker was guiding them through it with little or no damage to the shields.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well, out next stop is the last system before Gallia
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As far as I know this is the Orkney system...
"AS FAR AS you know? I thought you knew the way SIR?" Before Ramos could finish they jumped again with out warning, this time the effect took their engines offline.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure Ramos *winks*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:What is your destination again Ramos?
"Damage report" Shouted Ramos
"Sir engines offline, life support nominal..."
"Some space port owned by Junkers."
Ramos multitasking to the best of his ability, his limits had been reached. How many times was he going to have to tell the Junker where they were going, regretting the fact that he had sent over more wine for the Junker to get drunk on.
"CONTACTS" the engineer cut off by the Navigations officer.
"Multiple inbound boogies reading 3527 mark 429mark vector 67..targets readings are Outcast signals"
"GET the engines up and running..full power to the shields..Weapons?"
Ramos gave his full attention to his ship.
"Where is the Junker"
"Junker contact...ahh....9.5k away sir."
"Dammit, he is leaving us...we are on our own boys..keep it together now"
"Aye sir weapons coming online targets acquired"
"Open fire, Helm evasive action" As if you could really evade anything in a Stork.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Well, we have the Lodava Space
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: ahh...As I see, you forgot to form up on me right? *Laughs*
They were not going to last long. Ramos thought. The outcast had already blown off one container.
"Shields down 90% hull to 60%" reported the engineer.
"Keep those guns pumping" shouted Ramos."Open a channel to the Junker"
"Mayday, Mayday" yelled out Ramos.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: What the Hell?
The battle was brief and fierce. The Stork was doing all it could to keep the Outcast off of its long hull, but was loosing the fight. It was then the crew saw the Junker come flying in 10 meters above them, firing guns in all directions. The crew of the LuckyStrike let out one big burst of "Yea." followed by swearing and threats aimed at the outcast raiders. The Junker gave them enough time to clear out of the area and hit the Cruise engines.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Are you all right Ramos?
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Damn Sniffers
"Thank you captain..almost had me there..I see a station..can I dock?' Ramos hopping that they could, the ship needed to restock on batteries and Nanobots.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure feel free
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As I know that is a council base
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:So its safe to dock there
"It will be a little bit...reload on shield batteries and hull nanos" Ramos reported to the Junker.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure I have to dock too..those sniffers caused some damage on my ship too
"You guys getting shots of all this? Download the coordinates to this base" Giving orders and regrouping his thoughts. He barked out some more orders and the Helmsman and Comms officer negotiated docking on Reunion Station.
The two ships docked, and the ships were attended to by a group known as the Council. Ramos met the Junker at the Bar and were sharing drinks and swapped stories while the ships were restocked with the needed supplies.
"Is that a Mine field?" Asked Ramos looking out the bar window.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure just refresh your nav map Ramos...
"That is huge" Ramos amazed at the size, and now just as Drunk as the Junker.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Yes..a damn minefield, but I know the way *winks* So it wont be a problem.
"What? you mean to tell me the way to Gallia is through the mine field?" Ramos wondering what other superhuman feats was he and his Stork going have to complete before they got to Gallia.
"Now I know why no one wanted this job" Ramos finishing his drink.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Yes that's why I had my payment from your company..to take you to Gallia.
"Junker Leading the way...Outcast everywhere..and..mines all over the place" Ramos could only laugh.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well...I'm just wondering about your destination
Ramos remembered what Maria had said, so he kept quiet and let the Junker do the talking.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As I see your ship won't survive the whole Journey across Gallia..but dunno whats your boss's willing to do
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: There is a base in the council space..as I know our fellows buy there the Helium for a fair price..
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:but I have the coordinates for another base..unfortunately that base isn't belongs to us
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:I had to call those guys at the Lodave..maybe they give me an Idea.
With that the Junker got up and headed to a station comm unit. Ramos sat and looked out the space window. This was much more than he had bargained for. But so far so good he thought. The Junker returned with two fresh bottles.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Ready to fly across the minefield?
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:It will be fun..so drink some before we start.
"Ready" ..**pops open a bottle** "I'm joining you sir. This drink may be my last" Ramos looking out the window at the daunting task that lay before him. They finished and returned to their ships, both restocked and ready to fly. They received clearance from Reunion station and set off to the mine field.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Take care about the mines ..Try and follow me, but do not form on me while we are in the mine field..Understood Lad?
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well on your call *lights a cigar*
"Great..drinking and Trick flying a Stork through a mine field lead by a Junker" Ramos trying to throw some levity to the situation. Laughter all around the bridge, his crew more confident now that the Junker had their backs, since the cavalry charge against the Outcast raiders.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: ha ha...the job of dreams..Follow me Ramos, there wont be a problem
"Right behind you sir" Replied Ramos, and gave his crew the appropriate orders
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: A little bit left now
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Are you alright? ...and turn right now
"Need a change of pants ..but other than that fine." Ramos and his crew were tense, to tense for such delicate flying, so he threw that out to break that tension.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: *Laughs* Here is the hole
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well Ramos ...now we will enter Gallia so be aware,,as far as I know they don't like Sirians so keep an eye on your radar.
"Well we got a paid permit....so...*hick up*..should be fine" Replied Ramos, thinking to himself that nothing could worse than what they had just gone through.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Never trust a Gallian if you ask me...They are completely madmen Ready to Jump??
"I'm beginning to wonder if its worth the trouble" Ramos trying to size up the pros and cons of such an adventure.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: *smiles* There wont be a problem..I hope.
"You seem to be an expert on Bar girls from what I hear..What do they look like here in Gallia?" Ramos trying to give the Junker something nice to focus on. He didn't much like the his tone when he was talking about these Gallia people.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Unfortunately I never saw girls here..just some bastard council members
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Anyway that is a council base..Try and fly out of radar range..Follow me and I will lead..See that purple planet on the right..we have a base behind it..Lets fly there. form on me.
"I'm glad you say its purple..copy that.." Ramos and his crew wide eyed at the system that lay before them.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus My God...scrap everywhere.*claps his hands*
"Whats the fascination with scrap other than money in the bank?'
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Well we have some business partners who pay well for it because they could use that for their ships as far as I know
"Is this the only Junker space port in Gallia?" asked Ramos
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well we have a another base deeper in Gallia, but unless you are not hostile to the Gallian armed forces, you won't survive the way there.
"we shall dock and sort things out then" Ramos was giving his crew orders to dock they would not go any further till they had things sorted out.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: **Laughs* well take some pictures for the family..
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: This is Gallia anyway.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: So where are you heading?
"This is what I was told to pay you...sir" Ramos heading Maria's words, transferred 20million credits over to the Junker.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Hmmm ...a little bit more than I thought, but thanks Ramos
I will buy some stuff for my chick at Trafalgar
"Maria said to do it or I would see her knife...and she scares me sir, I'm sure that we can make some contacts here at the Bar on this station. and the Mines and wine have left the crew on edge." Ramos and his crew needed to rest, the trip had been long and stressful.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well, I really like that chick...please give her my best wishes.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Anyway lad, you are fine now, It was a pleasure.
"We appreciate the escort" He replied and watched the Junker head off into space "seems we did loose a cargo pod..maybe its a bad sensor reading." The Junker ignored this, maybe out of range, maybe in a rush to get to Trafalgar to buy his chick some nice things as he had said.
Ramos quantifying the loss profit ratio he was sure his boss would want as soon as possible. On board the station, he typed up a message, and found willing Junker to go back into Sirius space and send out a burst transmission to Toronto station.
On board the Lucky Lady, the Steward had managed to sneak away to place a call to the true owner of the ship, Phillip Delafontain. In the background, he heard the party people all cheer in unison "DEAD Man High". "Such an uncouth way of gambling." He thought. But it would be over soon. As soon as Mr. DeLaFontain arrived.
Phillip DeLaFontain, stepped out of the office and walked down the hall to the elevators, surprised to only see old officer Fife at the control station.
"Where's Barney?" asked DeLaFontain in a demanding tone, glad that he didn't have to deal with the younger officer and his new found set of balls.
"LPI official business" the old man said flatly. "Any problems with that Mr.DeLaFontain?" the aging officer stood up and looked menacingly at DeLaFontain.
"Oh no, No...ah no problems Officer Fife, everything fine Sir, just fine." He wondered what the hell was going on with these two. "am I cleared to...ah ...go sir?" opting to bow to authority as a precaution.
"For now you are ..Sir, but we will be keeping an eye on you Sir." His demeanor almost menacing.
DeLaFontain walked into the waiting elevator and hit the button to the dock level. "To many strange things going on." He thought to himself, his mind wandering between Maria's knife which he had never seen, and vague memories of things he was unsure of.
As the doors closed, Officer Fife let out a burst of laughter. It had been fun to mess with DeLaFontains head. He hit his comm button. "Barney, he is on his way down, let Maria know."
On the other end on the radio signal, Officer Barney stood at the airlock door to Lady Luck. "Copy that." He stepped into the ship and gave the signal.
Hours before, Maria had sent one of the dock workers up to the control station, with a handful of credits and instructions for Barney. Barney then enlisted Officer Fife with the help of the only thing apart from pretty young girls that Fife was interested. Credits.
Fife agreed to help out with DeLaFontains surprise inauguration party, and let Barney head down to the Lady Luck to act as security at the airlock door.
As the elevator made its way down. Maria was organizing the drunken crowd on board the Lady Luck.
"Everybody hide...Now..you pendejos." Her commands obeyed to the letter, 100 plus people shuffled around in a drunken stupor hiding behind couches, plants, and in plain sight.
There were just not enough places to hide. "Aiiii.." Maria laughed at how comical, but necessary this new ploy had become. "Ok ok...at least everyone be quiet....shhhhhhh.... and someone turn the pinche lights out"
DeLaFontain exited the elevator, and made his way past the check points. The activity on the docks seemed unusually quiet. It seemed as if hardly anything was moving. He turned toward his ship expecting to see or hear the noises of a large party, instead he saw nothing but an empty airlock and only the typical noises of the stations cargo bay.
He moved toward the ship, and entered it himself for the first time expecting the worst, from the description the Steward had given him. He found only darkness, silence, and muffled voices he could not see. His mind suddenly racing with plots of someone trying to off him. At the moment he was about to turn around and run for his life, the lights came on.
"SURPRISE" yelled an entire ship full of happy drunken revelers. He froze, trying hard to understand what was going on.
People came up to him by ones and three's. Everyone wanting to shake is hand and pat him on the back. Before he knew it, he had a drink in his hand, and someone was even offering him some Synth weed.
Barney was there from out of nowhere. "Don't worry sir, its all arranged, I'll make sure no one steals anything sir." and headed out to the ships airlock to the docks.
He seemed to be passing from one group of people to the other.
"Oiii...butterball..Get that Venereal cured yet?" A large man with a limp gave him shivers, but he didn't know why. "Great party mate, anything the dock workers can ever do for you , your secretary or your ships, you just say the word. The dockworkers of Toronto have your ships top on our list." and gave him a slap on the back that almost knocked him over.
"Amazing inauguration Mr. DeLaFontain.." It was the chief of traffic control for the station, a man known for his ugly features and overwieght limbs, a pretty girl on each arm arranged by non other than Maria. "Your ships come in first from now on Sir."
The highest ranking officer of the LPI on station was then standing next to him. "Sir, we shall over look any laws being broken here tonight." he said with much slirr to his words, and passed him a rolled spliff of synth weed.
He was beginning to fall into the role, shaking hands with everyone, smiling, saying thank you, and feeling all at once, large in his own mind again.
After the initial shock, he walked around his ship, and decided that most everything was still in its proper place. It was after all a party, and everyone of importance on the station was there having and enjoying a good time. He could only be remembered from this in a good light.
"Mr. DelaFuente, isss so nice of you to come to your own suprised fiesta." Maria in all her greatness now before him.
He smiled. All past grievances now forgotten. It was a public relations success."Maria...have I told you, you are getting a raise?"
"Aiii boss...no...not yet...wait till you see de bill for dis party...then you can decide to give me a raise."
She would decide later whether to tell him of the visions she had while under the influence of the Mescalinita.
He laughed loud and hard. "Where is the Steward, was he in on this as well?"
"Oh the Steward.... he is... tied up down in the cargo hold." DeLaFontain looked at her and decided she must be kidding. She smiled that grin she had, the one that confused him so and said. "Now, Mr. Lafuente.. you go mingle, don't talk to much, just listen..everyone is good and primed, and there should be lots to learn here tonight." It was as if she were training a schoolboy for his first date.
Off in another cabin the shouts could be heard again.."3...2...1...DEADMAN HIGH" and laughter and cheering followed. DeLaFontain decided he would avoid that room for the moment. Just to be on the safe side.
Phillip DeLaFontain left his party early. He had had his fun, and decided to retreat back to his office. He took yet another bit of advice from Maria. When she found him off in a corner pondering over all he had had learned, she walked up to him and put her arm around him, in a way that denoted complicity but not sexual tension.
"You know boss...is better...sometimes, for the Host of a great party to just...leave, disappear, when the party is at its best." she said to him.
"Maria, one day you will explain to me this constant change in your accent and tones." smiled DeLaFontain.
"Aiii Mr. LaFuente...you dont tink I tell you all my secrets in one night do you...."
He laughed, there certainly was more to her. But he became comfortable with this mystery that surrounded her. "Aiiii Marrrriiiiaa " he said trying to imitate her tone and voice. "I juuust a poooor old sheeeep owner who know notting of anyting."
She laughed loud and hard and walked off to attend to the needs of those who were in need of attention. He could see she was a master at making people feel good and important. He realized this party was less about an inauguration and more about harvesting information.
He back at his desk, he sent out orders to his ships captains. There would be changes soon and big ones.
He had no word back from Captain Ramos and the LuckyStrikeIII. While this worried him, Ramos was a good Captain, it was no longer the focus of all his attention.
Soon, there would be a new board of directors at IC, and he didn't expect to be looked on favorably by them.
He resolved that a move away from Toronto station was in his best interest. He had not heard from Otis Jethro and didn't expect to. If he was interested in his credits, he would have said something by now.
He had heard some nasty things concerning a brewing crisis between Kusari and Liberty. Not good news. Murmurs of H-fuel being in short supply.
He remembered something Maria had said to him at the party.
"If you don't stay ahead of the ball, it will run you over." Her cryptic message locked into his brain.
He could hear and feel the ball rolling, and decided it was going to be best to get out of its way.
DeLaFontain was sitting in the office quarters of his newest ship purchase, talking to its Captain. The captain had been giving him the run down of the ships features.
"Sir, the CTE-2302-k, has advanced scanner thwarting software, internal debugging devices and dampening hull coatings, so.... under the pretence of corporate security, this vessel is an information black hole, anything you say or send out from inside this ship is pretty much well a secret. We have also added extra robotic components, superconductors, nano-capacitors and optical chips that augment these features,...."
DeLaFontain, interrupted the Captain as he was taking a breath.
"So what you are saying is that, it would be hard as hell for anyone to know what goes on inside this ship?" He was not interested in all the technical aspects, he just wanted to make sure it worked.
"Ah yea...Sir, I guess you could put it that way, we have also added some extra armor platting, screamers, Cannonballs, Advanced debilitator turrets and not to forget the Firestalkers."
DeLaFontain just sat there and looked at him with a blank on his face. He didn't understand anything the man was saying to him.
"Thank you Captain, dismissed."
"Yes sir, she's a good little ship sir" The shuttle Captain and his first aboard got up to walked out.
"Captain, go ahead and take us out for a spin, head out to the Kepler system. There is a research facility out there I want to take a look at." added DeLaFontain with out looking up from his terminal data screen.
"Yes sir." The young Captain happy to get to be taking it out, the excitement in his voice obvious.
After a few moments, DeLaFontain felt the ship ease away and glide into cruise speed. He paid the lift off no attention, already absorbed back in making plans. He pulled the cork off of a bottle of wine, took a swig, and continued typing on his work terminal.
The 2 Bottle of wine was on its way to being polished off. DeLaFontain was feeling pretty good about himself. This new ship had come in handy after all.
"Captain, where the hell in Sirius are we?" DeLaFontain using the comms to the bridge.
"Sir, just now about to enter Kepler system sir" The pilot answering back, having a good time flying the CTE FR-2302-K.
"Well, turn around, head back to Toronto Station. We've got some packing to do."
"Aye, Aye Sir, your the Boss sir" The Pilot putting the corporate shuttle into a slow turn, and heading back the way he came.
DeLafontain took another swig off of the bottle of wine. He had just arranged the wire transfer and he had a signed contract. He smiled, wondering how he was going to explain to Maria that she was now part owner of iTi. He laughed again, wondering if she was going to object to him having signed her name to a contract she knew nothing about. He hoped he would not find out how sharp that knife of hers was.
The Last crates were loaded onto the LadyLuck. The dockworkers were sad to see it go. It had been the bright spot on lonely Toronto station for over 2 weeks. The wine and beer had flowed freely. First as an inauguration party for the open route to Gallia, something that was still in doubt as a venture, then as a going away party for the move to Kepler.
"But boss, why you have to take us all to Kepler...what is out in Kepler?" Maria was not all to happy about moving the offices to Kepler.
"Maria, you don't have to go to Kepler. You have made it clear that you plan to live on board "MY" yacht. So come and go as you please. Keep tabs on things in New York." DeLaFontain, had not filled her in on everything.
It was probably best not to have her roaming around Ames Station. He would though have to hire a Scientist and assistants. And one that new how to play ball. He made a mental note about it.
"What about Gallia Boss, and the Neon.." Maria, trying hard to look confused.
She is prying again, he thought to himself. "I'm sending Brown down to set up shop in the Pennsylvania system. We need as much information on Neon and who is mining it as we can." He gave her a bit of what she was most interested Pennsylvania and avoided the misgivings he had about Gallia.
He had received a broken vid recording from a Junker. No video, only sound, for some reason the code was not compatible with Sirian systems.
Ramos had evidently arrived in Gallia, but not a word since then. The loss of a ship, by the sound of what Ramos was relating, was almost a certainty. War zone, minefields, pirates the whole way. Almost to much of a risk for an uncertain payback. Better to stay close to home, close to what you know.
"You, can just hang around the New York social scene in this nice ship." He needed to give her a purpose or she would rebel. "Get us some contracts, keep track of shipments."
"OK boss, you know what you are doing" Maria turned and walked back toward her suite aboard the LadyLuck.
The lead steward was now her tame puppy, He followed 3 steps behind her. "Pinche Yorkie," Maria thought to herself. "He is up to something." She would ignore it for now, because she had other things to attend to.
She was pondering how far from New York she could take the LadyLuck, and head out to find Capt. Marcos.
"Mr. Montrose what does one wear to a rescue party?" She asked her attendant, he now cured by 3 days in a dark cargo hold, evidently forgotten during the party, of any ill feelings he may have toward her.
She had been the one to release him from his confinement, very close to going mad and only by coincidence. When she opened the door to the cargo hold where he was held, she looking for more wine, he desperate to get out of his soiled linens. He pledged his loyalty to her, till she deemed him no longer of need, if she would released him. He was of an older code, and his pledge he would keep.
"Well ma'am, I would obviously go with something black, and flexible and definitely a .." Shelby Montrose chimed off the many options available for proper decor during a rescue party. Another part of his brain began multitasking. What kind of music for a "Rescue" themed party would be most proper....
"She is up to something." DeLaFontain thought to himself as she walked off with the Steward in tow. But at least she would be out of his hair while he was up in Kepler on "Business".