Uneventful, long, and rather smelly. The decrepit and aged nature of a Perilous was both a burden and a curse. Taking care of the temperamental vessels went a weekly basis and the fact that very few other types of craft filled the same role as such a vessel made it the only option.
"You need an Asco," It was as if the humanoid being that sat beside him was reading his mind. Always an enigma, Vulpe sat staring at the main console, ears twitching occasionally at the odd sound or low whispers of the crew.
"We have Ascos. Thing is that they're cheap and easy to make. Poorly designed. They're meant for quick escape and piracy. Not full-scale war," Lelouch 'sat' in his command seat awkwardly; one leg was draped over the armrest and his shoulder was the only part that actually touched the back. As always, a cigarette was clenched between his lips, smoke wafting from the glowing end.
"Exactly. Speed," One could not really explain Vulpe's voice. It was an enigma in itself as well. He talked like a human being. Enunciated like a human being. But something about the way he said it seemed all too different. It was rather unnerving.
"You just want my hard-earned money. Shouldn't be giving it to the Outcasts, my fuzzy friend. This is why I like the Miners. They aren't demanding much of you; the only want you to not shoot them."
"I bet that's hard for you."
He had him there. It was rather boring watching Hegemons fly by chalk full of ore. Such a penny to be made on the Gallic black market. Hell, Sirians would even buy it for a fortune.
"We need to be on our best behavior," He changed the subject, continuing on despite Vulpe's grunt of annoyance at the question being ignored, "Etienne said that he trusted you on this endeavor. The only times I worked with you, you were shooting something. We all like shooting, though, non?" A smile touched the corner of his mouth, the tip of the cigarette glowing angrily as air was sucked through its slender frame.
"Shooting is a fun thing, oui," The feline replied, arms folding across his chest as the Freeport came closer into view.
"And now," Lelouch said quietly as the crew arranged for docking clearance, "We get to meet this Holliday fellow. Shall be fun, oui?" He stood up, patting his pistol holster as Vulpe followed suit; together, they made their way off the Perilous to the center of the Freeport to meet with one of the oddest men in Sirius.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
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Doc had arrived at Freeport 10 a few hours before the arrival of his guest. He had made a few medical check-ups to base personnel and found time for a good meal. He dismissed the rest of his crew, his shuttle Commander, Alicia Cook, finding her way to the gym for her work-out.
He had left instructions to have his guests escorted to a private room just off the medical office. He was a bit nervous, having heard the reports of the reputations of those he would be with. When he thought of it, memories of a life time ago would pass. Yes, he had dealt with some very mean men before out of necessity. With his own backround a bit shady, he found a comfort level in which to work with what others would call "undesireable."
For the time, he sat at a table, flipping cards in a game of Solitaire as he waited. The beverages were awaiting and food was ordered which would be delivered by some very attractive ladies. He remembered the request of Lelouche about good drink and women making him comfortable. For now, however, he waited, as he flipped a Queen of Hearts and placed it.
**With the main trip from Gallia over, the real effort began. Vulpe, walking around the craft and viewing the landing bay. Although seen time again and again from excursions within the tau's, each visit brought a twinge to his nose.** Vulpe: Sirian ports...Zoner ports...Les Maltanese ports...All of them lack the esence in comparision to Gallic ones...But buisness ies business... **He turns toward Lelouch, twisting his neck quickly and rolling his shoulders, reaching down and unwinding his tail round his waist. With a slight growl to his voice, he rolls his hand across the hull of their vessel** Vulpe: So I am to undeerstand that thies meeting should be a great one between our people and thies group of Zoners?...Such thiengs when iet comes to buisness should 'ave been left wieth Du Champ, not moi...I prefeur talking wieth the les maltanese but since thies came from mon Lord Enzo, I shall do what he has ordeured...Lead on Monsieur Leloush..
-"If we do not learn at least one thing a day....Our minds turn to stupor"- Kyle Sparrgrove -2005
The protest from the large Vulpe was to be expected. Being a rather cold and hostile man as well, he sympathized with the odd creature. Who wanted to work with a rather...weaker force? Who knew what these TAZ could do. Or what they had.
"The Colonials asked us to ignore the TAZ and the OSI when we enacted piracy in the Taus. Other Zoners are free game, but these two groups are special. I want to find out why. Who knows? The information we get from this Holliday might be worthwhile." They made their way through a bazaar of a sort, getting odd looks from the men and women who both tended stalls and shopped at them. There were goods of unknown purpose, large crates and canisters containing raw material, and a even a few people who were selling starship weapons right off of palettes.
"Quite a busy place," Vulpe mused, "Can almost consider its likeness to Marne, non?"
"Close, but no cigar," Coincidently, Lelouch spat his burned-out cigarette onto the floor and stuck a fresh one into his mouth, "Marne is a bit more filthy. This place is too modern. Too fresh. I don't like it. Not one bit."
Vulpe only grunted, obviously not sharing the same cautious attitude Lelouch had. Being much larger than the average human, stronger too, Vulpe could probably slaughter quite a few people with has bare hands before being gunned down. If Vulpe wasn't a good diplomat, then he would certainly be considered an excellent extra body if a fight broke out.
The bar they finally came to was bustling with activity. Billiards, darts, arm wrestling, and drinking games were partook by the various different uniformed men and women who inhabited the bar. A woman strode by, a few mugs of ale in her hands. Lelouch stepped in her way, switching to English, "Mademoiselle, I'm looking for a Doctor Holliday. Do you know where we can find him?"
Her eyes looked the Maquis Warden up and down before a smile spread across her face. "He left instructions if you came here. Mister Holliday has a private room set up for you nearby the medical office. Shannon!"
A blond looked up from her table, eyes wide as her name was shouted out.
"I need you to take these two...gentlemen to see Mister Holliday." The blond nodded and quickly strode over to the two of them, sizing up Lelouch before staring at Vulpe for a few awkward seconds.
"Careful," Lelouch said quietly, "He bites." He let out a soft chuckle as Vulpe elbowed him quite roughly in the ribs.
"Right," Shannon said with a nervous chuckle, "Come right this way." A few minutes and a couple of wrong turns later, they had finally arrived to the appointed area, shown into a room where a certain has-been gunman sat playing solitaire with a very thoughtful expression on his face.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
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Doc sat at the table, still flipping cards when gruff looking man walked into the room. Doc had a bottle on the table at his side of red fluid, the half-full glass next to it. In his robes, Doc looked up and acknowledged the arrival of Lelouch and his companion.
"Bonjour, Monsieur," he spoke perfectly, "Bienvenue a Freeport 10. J'espère que vous trouverez ce satisfaisant."
(//I do hope you find it satisfactory.)
He then motioned to some chairs at the table as he stood, dropping the cards on the table, "Please, have a seat."
Doc was unsure of what to expect. He had heard of the Maquis and there brutal tactics. While he didn't fear them, he did maintain a level of respect for them. After all, they had a common hatred and if he did things right, they would be able to help one another.
"May I offer you both a drink?" he asked them. "I have quite the variety. Rum from Omicron Gamma, Ale from Liberty, Bretonian Scotch, Rheinland beer and...." he held the bottle up a bit, "Coalition Vodka...a favorite of mine." He put it back down, "I even have some hard to find liquors like Blood Wine. If I don't have it here, I'll have it brought in."
He allowed the two to get comfortable with their surroundings before offering more. Once they got to the table, he offered his hand in friendship, "Dr. John Henry Holliday. It's an honor to meet you both."
Lelouch sat down, shaking John's hand before tipping back in his seat and planting his combat boots on the table. "A pleasure, Doctor. I am Warden Lelouch Roux, but I just prefer Warden. Titles and all make me feel rather unique. As liquor, I'll take a simple glass of brandy and a bottle of wine. Don't care what flavor."
He began to rock gently on the hind legs of the chair, chewing on the end of the cigarette as he eyed Holliday. "So I'm told you are the coordinator and leader of the Temporary Autonomous Zoners. Don't quite know how to process that, but I am going to be simply say that we need guides, money, and ports of safe haven. I'm told you can help."
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
**Vulpe nodded as he took a seat, keeping quiet for the most part as he observed the room** Vulpe: Mis à part l'odeur, tout va bien. Merci de nous avoir permis de rencontrer. **As Mr. Holiday raised a bottle up, Vulpe declines, leaning back into his chair** Vulpe: Oui...As I have told my counterpart here, the Legione has worked wieth the zoneurs before, which ies why I came along as a sort of confidant.. **He looks over to Lelouch for a moment, shaking his head slightly as he chocked a moment from the smoke from Lelouch's cirgarette** Vulpe: Will you put that infernal thing out?...
-"If we do not learn at least one thing a day....Our minds turn to stupor"- Kyle Sparrgrove -2005
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Doc thought a moment. He was developing a like for the Warden as he was a man who was direct and to the point. He poured a glass of brandy and placed it before the Warden and as requested, placed a bottle of Libertonian wine next to it.
"Yes," he explained, "I am the Administrator for the group you have mentioned. Generally, we keep to ourselves, doing our part to support Zoner establishments around Sirius, any profit we make going to our Temple."
"While I don't can't grant rights to all Zoner bases, I can say with certainty that you should have no problem docking here at Freeport 10 or the base in Tau 29 of Freeport 6. I will send the administrators of those bases a secure transmission on the matter. In fact, I think you may actually like the administrator of Freeport 6, an old warrior in denial of his age but with a lot of spirit."
He then continued, "You will be a welcome visitor in Baffin. Shasta Orbital Skyhook is open to all but I do ask that you respect the privacy of our Temple, Pueblo Bonito. Our guards get a bit upset by unwanted visitors. I also ask that while there our laws of no shooting and no taxing be observed. If a TAZ ship is in the area, they can give a guide to you."
He stood up with his drink in hand and for a moment, looked out the window towards the Tau sun, watching Outcasts fighting with some Bounty Hunters off in the distance. Taking a sip, he turned to his guests.
"You need funding more than anything. You have decided to leave the Zoners of the TAZ and OSI alone. For that I am greatful. There is another group, although you may not see them hardly ever....if at all. They are the Omicroners. I would ask that they be left alone as well."
He then looked at the Warden, "How would, say, a hundred million credits help your cause?"
He smirked, "Remember, I have no love of the DeFrance family and they won't ever know of this."
Vulpe's request was ignored as the Doctor spoke, eyes focused on the man with utmost interest. Yet another Zoner group to ignore was a bother, but it might be worth it in the end. And yet again, another man was telling him where not to go. Only fair; Lelouch had rules of his own.
The last part made his jaw drop, the cigarette falling from his lips and hitting the floor. "Just like that?" He asked in a rather neutral voice despite his shock, "Willingly give us that money?" He looked over to Vulpe who had equal surprise. "Surely there's a catch Monsieur?" He leaned forwards, collecting the glass of brandy and downing a sizable portion of it in one go.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
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Doc stood up, his hands behind his back.
"No catches," he directed to the Warden. "I know what you're up against and I'd be willing to bet that at times the Maquis even doubt themselves when it comes to resisting the Royals. I also remember how hard it was to start my medical practice. I spent countless months just running trade to build enough capital to build it. It wasn't until later that I got some help yet still, it was mostly done on my efforts."
He paused a moment and continued, "Yes, it's hell but the end result has been worth it. Do remember, we share a common dislike. You are probably much more equipped to deal with her than I am. I'm just giving you some insurance."
He sits down again, "You gave me something already before you got here. You're leaving my people be as you are other Zoner groups we've discussed. I don't know if you have transport ships at all but an occasional load of tobacco will net you some more credits."
He then pulled out his datapad, "just let me know where to send the funds."
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