What's up, Docteur?

[Shagohad]

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 THE SCIENCE IS LEAKING OUT!"