Family Matters

[Angel]

Yaren Was quiet, the first time it had seen peace in almost a month, with all the Bounty Hunters, and Nomads, The station was always a hotbed of activity, but not today, there where no ships attacking today, which was welcomed by all.

Kristy sat in the Bar, enjoying a Kusari Ice dragon, reading the GNN paper, the Usual, Pirates caught, buisness dealings, Stock Reports, the same garbage over and over.

When she reached the Outlaws section, things that where common knowledge in the Pirates world. One article caught her eye, a Don Carlitos Fernado, On Malta, was talking of his exploits to the Colonies, and how he had risen in the Outcast ranks to become the plantation owner he is today, Kristy chuckled as she read the list, these where all her fathers exploits, and not her uncles, who had changed his name as to not tip off the Rheinland, and britonian authorities of his connection to her father, was taking his credit, and reaping the profits it brought.

" I think its Time I went home, and visited the family, Alissa are you ready to go, where going to be leaving soon " there was a pause then a hologram of a small women, about six inchs tall appeared on the table.

" Ohh Im fine, just these corsairs have the Worse H-fuel possible, and they don't know how to replace fittings to save there life, but yeah,....I'm fine " there was more than a sarcastic tone in her voice.

" Well, get all the Nightengales systems ready where goin to Malta, Where going to go visit my Uncle. " The small hologram nodded then disapeared, she gulped down the last of her drink, and headed to the Docking bay.

---

Alignment:The Outcasts
Status: Retired
Personal Bio Click here
Current Ships:The BlackPearl
Base Of Operations:Pryde Villa, Planet Malta

[Nightfall]

Some days before, Omicron Alpha, near Planet Malta

"Alvarez, see to it that a shipment of Cardamine makes it to Freeport 9, for Grand Admiral Korrd, complements from Admiral Fokke!"

The "Black Ace", Nightfall's black Sabre VHF, speeds up, enters cruise speed...
... a formation of three Outcast IFF Sabre VHFs appear from behind.

"Black leader to group, prepare tractor beams! Firing CD. Black leader, Fox 1!"

*

In the cockpit of the "Black Ace"...
"It so bright! So... It's calling me! Such a warm feeling...
"I'm a thousand lightyears away from home!""
... the Cardamine high bliss blinding him to the fact that he is just a few Ks from being vaporised in the...
Suddenly, a voice echoes in Bernard's head: "Warning! Entering Sun Corona!"
"Hey! I am actually flying into a sta... *cruise engine shuts down*... r! Wha...!!!"

*

"Black Leader to group, engage tractor beams, let's take him home!"

***

Bernard was enjoying the light breeze playing in the orange grass, the green sun was setting on the horizon. A time perfect for meditation...
The last few months on Malta did good to him, he recovered from the physical injuries. Only a few scars left as a memento of the Titanic duels on Honshu... the defeat he had to deal with... that was his greatest foe... the ebb of his will before Sephiroth.
Bernard fought it from within, even when under Sephiroth's control, he tried to fight off...

***Flashback:
A hail of bullets swarmed around Nightfall, nicking him in the legs and arms, he looked back to See the Major pointing a pair of pistols at him, that fool, what was he, But korrd wasn't there.
***end Flashback

"God, Major Alpha... he got promoted to Vice Admiral since that time... haven't heard in a while from him. Must be busy doing my job too right now. Good thought of stoping me there. In spite of Battle Meditation, even I couldn't see him, which made Sephiroth loose control of me" he thought "that allowed me time to sever my ties with the Force... I still feel it occasionally..."

"Bernard!" an angelic voice shattered his heavy thoughts into nothingness. "Ah, Kaela..." he thought and turned around on the terace and a gasp of wind blew his hair back. There she was, glittering in the sunset, the wind restless in her hair. She took his hand and she would have dragged him if he didn't willingly go where she started leading.
"Come, you know you shouldn't spend so much time outside, remember what happened last time?" she spoke, making an alusion of his last sortie outside the docking ring.
"Almost, the key word is "almost", and you always forget it, my dear. Besides, it didn't happen anyway." he replied as they were dissapearing behind the massive pillars of the terrace entering the main Hacienda.

---

If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God? - from 'Nightfall' by I. Asimov
The Outcasts consider Siniestre Nube a sacred place for several reasons. Early explorers discovered a jumphole within the depths of the cloud that leads to a strange world of ringed stars and strange craft. All ships in the burrial ground are placed facing that hole to honor the Alien Spirits. - An Outcast rumor

[Angel]

Malta's Main Landing area was swarmed with activity. Outcasts and Independent Traders where Mingling, Fights between Drunk's started and ended every few Minutes, and It seemed there was plenty of Drinks, And Cardamine to go around.

Walking Down the passanger Ramp of the Nightengale, Kristy put an Ear Headset on her right ear. " Alissa, make sure noone come near the ship, shoot them if you have to. " there was pause, then she Anwsered " Yes, ma'am, For the Information I can get from the Public network it looks like your uncle has reserved several tables at the Velvet Night Fox, a club for the V.I.P's of Outcasts society, seems hes holding a party for someone. " Kristy put on a Black overcoat.

" Im guessing there's Dancing Entertainment yes ", there was pause. " Well I guess so there is a large number of women that work there, and im pretty sure there not all waitresses " Kristy smilled and started walkin to the Spaceport Hub.

" Good, This could be the right opportunity to test a new weapon " She held up a Lipstick case, " The perfect opportunity, Alissa you have a address of one of girls that works there, I need to make a visit. "

---

Alignment:The Outcasts
Status: Retired
Personal Bio Click here
Current Ships:The BlackPearl
Base Of Operations:Pryde Villa, Planet Malta

[Angel]

The sound coming from the Sub woofers was loud, the Night Club was flooded with people, Don's, Ace pilots, Dancers and waitresses. The celebration Was for the ace pilots under Don Carlitos Fernado, who had beaten back a squadron of Bounty hunter gunships near the Hispania Memorial.

Toast's where flying left and Right, Private dances to lucky few, and drinks all around. In a shadowed corner Don Fernado was talking with a few of his ace pilots.

" Well guys, how's It feal to be the hero's of the Hour, Kessen, Bernard, everyones talking about how you where able to beat 6 Bounty hunter Gunboats with ease. " They smiled and told of there grand battle. How the exploded With giant balls of plasma and fire.

A beautiful brunette, dressed in barely anything came over to the circle and sat in the Don's Lap, Passing out drinks to the boys, they all laughed and smilled at jokes, and listened to battle storys.

As the night rolled on, the cardamine and drinks flowed, soon as everyone enjoyed there hangovers, and highs, the girls had to leave. The Brunette stood up Kissed the Don, and started to walk away, the Don, in a drunkin high he slapped her on the ass.

She slowed for a moment, but kept walking, as she heard the Don laugh more, and drink another glass of Alchohol. She smiled and Made for the front Door.

---

Alignment:The Outcasts
Status: Retired
Personal Bio Click here
Current Ships:The BlackPearl
Base Of Operations:Pryde Villa, Planet Malta

[Nightfall]

... Watching her closing the distance between her and the group. The loud music stopped for Bernard. There was a brief silence, broken by the 'H Po Sl Sl H Po Sl Sl...'... the otherwise 'lethal' combination of Cardamine and Absinthe was kicking in. The reality came back in with the dancing sounds from the loudspeakers... Barbarella - as Bernard named her at the moment, remembering a film he saw when he was a kid... he didn't want to know her real name, tonight she was Don Carlito's girl - had something special for Don Carlito...

'Don Carlito, we are honored by this, though we were just lucky to be dodging better than the gunners could shoot and a few well placed supernovas. No big deal, really!... Incoming company, gentlemen!' he said and pointed his eyes toward the girl dressed to kill.

She came to them with a disarming smile carrying four drinks with her which she gave to the two pilots and the Don, keeping one for herself.

'May I join you for a dance gentlemen?' she didn't wait for the answer and sat in the Don's lap and raised her glass 'Adelante!'
'?No tememos ni la Muerte ni la Gloria - las buscamos!' answered Kessen raising his glass.
'?Siempre buscar!' Bernard raised his glass and smiled. He added a thought '?Baila para mi... hermana!' and, like following his thought she danced for the Don...

'You were telling me, Nightfall, about killer girls and accidents...?' Kessen turned to Bernard.
'Yes... I was escorting a lady from New York to Theta. It was relaxed as I knew she is an excellent pilot and all, I was more being company than a bodyguard. We jumped into Connecticut and were attacked by two weird light fighters. Actually, she was attacked after I passed - we were racing to the Alaska gate. Nothing light about the two fighters except the excellent maneuverability. I heard the Zoners are involved...
I nearly reached the gate to notice she wasn't on my short range scanner. I turned back to see the two were all over her. I engaged, surprised one of the attackers, got his hull cut down to half but he regenerated... then I couldn't get him out of my six, simply too fast. I noticed she has the same problem with the other one.
So I decide to Supernova the twat on my six and help her out. I didn't think he's gonna catch both mines I dropped - what an error in judgement! He WAS stupid enough! And the other two fighters conveniently (for the mines) came into blast range before the explosion. (both laugh)
The worse thing happened after a few hours of floating near the jump to New York - a trader picked the lot of us and took us to Manhattan. - As soon as she got out of the life-pod, she gets a blaster out and shoots one of the guys between his eyes - mercyfull! The other one was not so lucky - she shot his knees, his elbows, his belly and left him to die like that - next, she heads to the bar and takes a drink of Bloody Bounty! She seemed to calm down. (Bernard can hardly keep himself to finish the story, Kessen is nearly rolling on the floor laughing)'.
'I wander what would have happened if I told her those were my mines! ...Instead, I just joined her for a Tequila! Hahahaha...' Bernard couldn't stop anymore. Both pilots were now laughing their asses off.

***

After the girl left, Don Carlito turned to Bernard 'I want you to come to my hacienda after the party, I have something to talk to you about...'
'Of course Don Carlito, just tell me when you want to go, I'll come with you!'

Bernard remembered the odd meeting with 'Lady Death' Pryde prior to the party... 'And the plot thickens!' he thought...

---

If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God? - from 'Nightfall' by I. Asimov
The Outcasts consider Siniestre Nube a sacred place for several reasons. Early explorers discovered a jumphole within the depths of the cloud that leads to a strange world of ringed stars and strange craft. All ships in the burrial ground are placed facing that hole to honor the Alien Spirits. - An Outcast rumor

[Angel]

The Villa was bussling with activity, people where talking, danceing and drinking everywhere. It seemed the Carlito was shy about spending large sums of money on women and Alcohol.

The Don walked with Bernard through the party," Bernard my boy, I know your a great pilot, hell ive seen some of the videos of your exploits, and i want to make you an offer. " Bernard looked at carlitos.

" What did you have in Mind? " , he asked and they both stoped at the bottom of a stair case. " Lets speak in my office. ", they both accend the stairs to the dons study, a large room with wooden bookcases filled to copacity with Paper books, a large Fire in the fireplace was the only source of light.

After closing the door, Carlitos quickly turned to Bernard. " I need you kill someone for me, a don named Kuerigz Dalason, he works out of Buffalo in New york, hes got the Corner market for cardamine distrabution to manhattan, he hasn't even come to Malta in the thirty so years hes been alive...he " Bernard Inturupted.

" You want me to kill a freind of yours just so you can get his buisness, are you insane, we don't go killing our own people just because there in a different or better spot than us. " Bernard was going to continue but was distracted by the sound of a liquid being poored into a glass, and an all to familiar voice....

" Ohh its within his one track minds way of thinking to betray family and freinds to get what he wants. " It was a womens voice, Bernard turned on the lights to reveal Kristy sitting in a reclining leather chair. she was pointing a gun at the Don.

" Don't bother calling for help, the security you keept on doesn't like you that much......traitor " she sipped some water and placed the glass down on the table, got up and walked around the desk, gun still pointed.

" Kristina....little kristy, I haven't seen you since you where a baby ", she smiled, " Yeah, last time you probably saw me was when you had my family arrested for treason, and had us exiled from Malta " the Don Gulped, " Listen that was an honest mistake, I had the wrong information..." he tryed to say it jokeingly, but he was to nervous.

" She stomed twords him and pinned the barrel to his forehead, " LIAR, you where jealous of your father, and whanted what you couldn't have! " and in a flash of movement, the overweight Don batted her gun to the Side and pointed his own at her.

" Thats right little neice, do you know how disgusted I fealt when my little brother, had already gotten a wife, a reputation as a great ace, and even his own Villa and plantation, just for kissing the ass of Leaoriff Benitez, But I will be head Don, and no little Brat neice is going to stop me! " Kristy smiled as Carlitos started to pull the Trigger, before he could there was a loud...

[attachmentid=744]

And Carlitos crumbled to the floor lying on his back. Miguel Benitez, stepped out from the shaddows holding a smoking pistol.

" Noone, ever talks about my close freinds, or my father that way, may you rot in hell traitor, I hope your sould never finds peace. " he holstered his weapon, then Turned to Kristy, " It seems the outcasts ohh you a appolgy Ms Pryde, seems many of us where fooled, you to Mr Fokke, thanks for keeping him off gaurd for us. "

" heh, well ya know I try my best, though it wasn't that hard, his highness lardass here drinks more than most towns put together." they laughed as a pair of men dragged carlitos's body away.

" Well, It seems where in need of a replacement Ms Pryde, If you take Don I will makesure your anme is cleared and all honors restored to your name, not to mention It would be nice to be allied with the Prydes again, Outcasts as a hole need a good moral boost now that the Kusari, Britonia mess is heating up, where going to need heros to fight off the Corsairs. " She smiled, " It would be an honor, Don Miguel "

" Hey, none of that Don crap, where good freinds here, right benard " he smilled and nodded. " Now comeon theres a pary downstairs, lets toast to our new Don shall we...."

---

Alignment:The Outcasts
Status: Retired
Personal Bio Click here
Current Ships:The BlackPearl
Base Of Operations:Pryde Villa, Planet Malta