The Caller

[Hitman-76]

Coronado, Barrier Gate,
7:30 A.M Manhattan time

The beep of an alarm clock is the one of Cruikshank's pet peeves. Especially when he is in a foul mood. "Right...interrupting my vacation I swear.." Cruikshank mumbles to himself as he tries to get up. Cruikshank remembers late last night, an old friend he was hoping not to see for a long time called via a secure comm network. 'I was supposed to be given a few months of vacation damn it, now he wants me to listen to him ramble about how he's got it big this time.'

Cruikshank spends most of his morning enjoying a mix of Rheinbeer and Vodka, a mix odd to some, but Cruikshank likes trying new things. This mixture being one of his favorites, he has it quite often. Probably too often. 'Of all places I have been, I won't forget our times in Rheinland, probably best thing we ever did.' During the routine, the comm line rings and requests for a security lockdown code. "Ugh, this better... better be good." Cruikshank gets out of the bed and walks over to a small stand where the mobile comm system is sitting. Seeing who was calling made him only frown. Cruikshank dials in the code to grant the caller access and a secure network then waits for establishment.

The caller didn't have time to speak first, because Cruikshank did. "What the hell do you want now? Don't you remember I'm supposed to be off on leave?! I'm sick and tired of you calli-" "I suggest you shut your mouth and listen." The caller interrupted, "You know your "vacation" is only allowed as long as I allow it, right?" Knowing that his caller was right, Cruikshank takes a moment to calm down then replies, "Yes... yes... Sometimes I try to forget that fact, but sadly it comes with the fine print." The caller then replies, "You bet, and you know I don't keep important figures such as yourself off duty for long, especially in times like these." 'In times like these...' "What do you mean by, "Times like these"? You were always strange with words but this time you are worrying me." The caller takes a minute, then another one, then finally says, "Sorry for sudden silence, I must go, will call you in a few hours, *click*" Cruikshank hangs up on his end and sighs. "Ridiculous, he wants me back and didn't even manage to tell me why, what the hell is he doing I wonder."

He glances over towards his shot of Rheinbeer and Vodka. After staring at it for some time, he finally decides he doesn't need another shot, and heads on over to the ship dealer.

Coronado, Barrier Gate,
9:31 A.M Manhattan time

A few hours have passed, and with those hours some productive work has passed too. Cruikshank has a routine to follow and knows it well. Sell your current ship to an independent dealer, all codes and clearances wiped, travel data, and comms recordings and previous communications wiped etc. Pack your things, buy a new ship with an incognito card, pay them extra to keep their mouths shut and prepare to leave without a hitch. Sometimes the procedure consists of being picked up, but that is only on very relaxed matters, in dangerous places like the Barrier, no amount of security is enough to keep you truly safe.

Sitting in the cockpit of a CTE-1440AV series is very familiar, a very standard and common civilian ship commonly seen for sale whether used or new. Having to have to buy a new one every now and then makes Cruikshank very familiar with its controls and internal systems. "Check... check.. Yeah this ones used... Eh it will do." muttering away to himself as Cruikshank is scratching at some unknown and dried residue on the seat. Being satisfied with this purchase, (even though he was ripped off at the fact that this was "new") Cruikshank sends in a request for takeoff, leaves Barrier station, and makes his way for Curacao in the Cortez system.

TBC...