The lone figure entered in a few or more minutes, as a Uruz with very unfamiliar, non-Rheinland tag had moored to the Haven. Its minimal crew was busy with repairing and repaiting ship, as it got back from usual trade. The leader of KTA, at last, held his word and was here, on Tinkers Haven.
No wonder so many eyes just glared at him, as Jinpachi was obviously Kusarian. However, in those dark hours of many unexpected events, a more unexpected pacts and friends may come. A very unlike allies as well, perhaps.
"You," Jinpachi said. "You are the barman here? Good. There's a load of sake, payment has been already wired... What, haven't seen any Kusarian before?!" he scowled at the Junkers in corner were following him with his eyes. Not on the station, huh guys? - he though.
"Gin please," he asked the barman for a drink. The bottle and the glass has been delivered. There was no resistance, as barman knew that Kyushu-Tomioka Alliance guy could bring fortune, being like an open gate for T&T into Kusari Space. Just a business, no matter who comes from where. Cold calculations and credits straight into pocket.
For rest of his time, Jinpachi just sat alone in the corner, looking through huge window at ship that his friend, miss Yoho, was in charge. And, of course, unloading goods would take a while.
"Not a bad place, I must say..." he spoke more to himself than to someone else, still looking through window, starting to murmur a melody, then singing silently a very unfamiliar song for this place...
Fynn grinned fleetly , and nodded at Orthog sitting down at their table.
Leaning back he let them both get aquainted.
He had noticed another stranger at the Bar, a Kusari skipper from KTA if he could read the sighns correctly, and caught Olsens eye. Signalling him he´d come over if it was necessary.
Behind the Kusari´s back Olsen made a face at Fynn, then shrugged. And then he shrugged again, slowly waving his head in disbelief. To Fynns great pleasure he took out another bottle of Gin and some fine Tonic that had come in with the last load of elexiers. He waved one of the cantina´s clerks over to the bar and stepped out, slowly working his way over to the Kusari trader, taking care to be seen by the few glaring Junker oldhands.
Fynn turned over to his two guests, once again glad that Olsen had stepped forward.
If that grizzled old Junker was able to step over his shadow, everything was possible.
Fynn tried hard not to grin like a madman and buried his face into his beer.
( string 2 : Jinpachi-san from KTA , Olsen )
Next to the window the Kusari Skipper was sitting and watching the traffic between the Havens dock and Planet Houston as the old barman joined him, setting down two bottles on the table and adding two fresh glasses.
Nope , we don´t see Kusari here regularily. And it´s terrible to see how you drink your Gin.
I suppose I´ll sit down here for a while and look out too. Mind me old man , will you ?
Olsen sighed and sat down ponderously on the free seat, then started opening the bottle on Gin.
I suggest a deal, joung Kusari. Be my guest with this Gin and Tonic, and don´t mind my unpolished manners.
After all, I´m to old to learn and to grumpy to forget the past, but at least I think I understand why Fynn over there invited you lot to the Haven.
The old Junker nodded at the cantina room, where several Junker Crewmembers where pointedly now ignoring them.
He´s a smart joung lad, and I suppose he knows what he´s up to. Even though he has a lot more reason to hate certain families than the joung hotshots here at the Cantina will ever learn.
But there are a lot of fish in this pond , and they do not all look alike or bite each other, huh ?
So... I heared it´s polite not to be direct up south ? Hm... how´s the Gin ?
Olsen smiled , lots of fine lines showing around his eyes.
Try it with the Tonic here, best stuff we currently have, even though our Doc sorted it out of stock for the Clinic as it definitively does not cure everything it promises to cure.
But it has a fine, sweet taste that lets the Gin´s bite linger like a lovers kiss.
Mind me , if you think you get a small umbrella or a cherry , go and fly to Cortez.
You get straight away drinks here, and honest stuff too.
And so Olsen did what he could do best : mix a stranger a drink and listen.
"I have no other option here, I must say." He sat down and nodded a bit, then tasted the mixture, licking his lips.
"Yes... It it way better than pure Gin. And I must sorry for my... lack of knowledge about drinking Gin. And about your manners?" he smiled. "My manners deteriorated as well, you see... Our of Kusari Space and you forget where you came from."
He took another sip after a while, then looked back at the older man.
"It is strange to drink with a Junker at the same table... And I suppose it must be as well strange as you, drinking with a Kusarian..." He smiled once again, touching empty glass.
"It is funny how people, when lacking old enemies, seek for new ones... That Alliance of ancient times, broken... The former Alliance members, once united, now fighting for place and money for all these 800 years," he sighed. "Mankind will never learn to live in peace, would they?"
He looked back at the big window. "War... Killing... Acts of terror... Yet there are things like beauty, love and friendship. The values worth to live for..." These words were rather his thoughts aloud, rather than said to Olsen. "I wonder if he is okay... out there..."
Ortog kissed Doctor Doreen hand, looked intently in her eyes and said with a smile:
- Its a pleasure to finally meet you, we have so many things to debate and so much to do together.
It would give me great pleasure if you allowed me to invite you for dinner, at your best convinience, on board the Larklight, so that we can make arrangements for all our coincidental interests. would you spare me a couple of hours of your busy agenda?
Then with a sidewise glance at the kusarian he added:
-No, sir, not strange at all. I just come from Kusari, where I acquired a Geisha that will serve as humanitarian relief ship at the orders of Doc Holliday. And no, kind sir, I do not keep prejudices towards kusarians, I am actually quite found of Kusari as an whole. I better be.
He extended his hand:
Its an honour to meet you Jinpachi-san, I am Ortog Ashford, Congress Director of Operations to ...Kusari !
Doreen had a look of shock, horror, confusion, surprise, disbelief and joy all together. She had only spoken to him before and here he was, her hand in his, held just below the lips that had just kissed it. She was speechless for a moment, just looking into his face.
She gave a very light nod and softly said, "Yes. I.....I have a patient who will be here but exactly when I don't know. So long as I'm not far away, well, I can spare some time."
Then she realized something, she had just accepted a date from a man she had only spoken to before in coms. She just shook her head a bit, realizing that Fynn was nearby. She didn't want to offend him, not with the opportunities he had presented her. She was still very much taken aback by Ortog's gesture.
Fynn laughed a deep , full laugh, eyes sparkling and showing humour and understanding.
He seemed to notice and understand Doreens hesitation, but there was no hint of anger. He did hold himself a little straighter though, angle his slim form a bit more in the sholders as he turned and watched Orthog greet the surprised Kusari Skipper at the table near them.
Even here he seemed more ammused than surprised, nodding to Olsen and telling him to keep his place with a short signal.
Olsen nodded slightly and greeted Orthog with a nod , too.
William Walker tried to enter the cantina as inconspicuously as possible just to avoid attention but to no avail. Once his crew saw him, they all went to him, asking if he was ok, asking about the relief run that was happening in a few days. "Guys, calm down. I'm fine and thank you for your concern, but right now I would like to grab a bit of dinner and have a nice little chat with Fynn. I'll talk you later."
They finally found a table near the window and saw Fynn talking with another gentleman together with Doreen. He caught Fynns attention and signaled if he could come over to there table. "James? once Fynn is here, would you mind leaving us for a bit? I have some important things to talk with him"
"I understand, don't worry, I'll talk with the crew in the mean time"
James stood up and left William at the table.
As Mr Walker entered the Cantina slowly, Fynn did not immediately notice him.
But soon enough he spotted Walker siggnaling to him and smiled.
Doreen, Orthog... and Jinpachi-san. Please do excuse me for a moment.
Mr Walker , the CEO of our Partners here at the Haven, the Sirius Relief Org. , has just entered.
He is still a little shaken by his recent close escape.
You see, a Xeno terrorist attacked his relief Liner near the Kepler to Shikoku gate, and we only narrowly managed to reclaim his emergency capsule in time.
He smiled over at Doreen.
But as we have the good luck to have such a competent Doctor here at the Haven Memorial Clinic, he is up again, and well.
Still I do not want to stress his powers overly as he has just left the Clinic today and is still in rehabilitation.
I hope you understand and will excuse me for a while ?
Fynn hesitated a moment and straightened himself.
But on the other hand, this is a perfect occasion to invite you all. As you might have noticed, we have only currently finished the coonstruction and interior fine tuning of the Haven´s second great modular Torus. The Haven Memorial Clinik, lead by our chief resident Doc Nagger here, will officially open tomorrow.
He gestured around at the Cantina :
We will hold a little ceremonial event here, but nothing large. Festival time will start tomorrow, but the main festival will be on Sunday and Monday. After all, the Clinic is no Spa and Cruise orbital, but a working space and geared to efficiency. Still...
His eyes shon as he turned to Orthog Ashford
... we plan a little bet, a competition so to say.
SRO, the second majour Partner in this venture, and the T&T Ambulance squad are planning to hold a donation raising festival here. While some representatives dine and feast , we others - including me - will man the ships and bring Food supplies and Pharmaceuticals to the refugee camps in Leeds. We will haul supplies there per Liner and shuttle them down to planetside with our Ambulances, while the Paramedics do first aid to the civilian refugees there and take up as many as possible back to the Liners. We will relocate them here and rehab them before either repatriating them to Bretonia or letting them decide where to settle.
He winked at Orthog
After all there are several possibilities. Well, we have not recieved any response from LPI so far, but we are determined to do everything possible to accomotade them here and relocate them speedily after medical assistance has been given.
Fynn turned and gestured to the Kusari guest
I hope this knowledge will be treated with due discretion, as I am well aware that Kusari is allied with Gallia. But at the same time the KTA is known to want to improve it´s relationship with Bretonia. Perhaps you might want to discuss fine points of politics and diplomacy with Mr. Ashford, Jinpachi-san ? I am only a simple Junker concerned with the safety and health of my crews and our ... hm, customers is not quite the correct word. Our Proteges ?
He nodded at Doreen again, gesturing to Olsen at the neibouring table
We have raised enough funds from the donators and investors backing this project to guarantee support for up to 25.000 refugees for a limited time, at least till we have relocated them to a safe place. Olsen here is our Chief of the Cantina crew and fully informed into the logistic of the project here.
And Doc Nagger can answer questions about the quality of our Clinic Staff if you are interested.
He turned to leave, and shortly afterwards you could see him leaning towards Mr Walker and greeting him, like frinds who had not seen each other for wuite a while.
Olsen cleared his throat and grinned at the astonished guests and Doreen
Well, does anybody want a drink or perhaps a snack ? Seemd I´ve just been delegated to your side.
>>> the following discussion between Fynn and Walker will be posted in a new Thread,
beginning of the Operation Relief to Leeds, Part two* <<<
Ortog raised from the table, made a brief excuse and was a few minutes busy on his portable comms.
He then returned to the table and adressed Doctor Nagger:
Madam:
I have unfortunately to return to my ship, as some matters of importance demand my presence. I will, however, be waiting you for dinner tonight. The Larklight is moored at bay 5 and I will send somebody to escort you to it as soon as you are available. I am so pleased we finally met and can not wait to know all about your projects. Until then.
He made half a bow, kusari style, then patted Fynn on the back and winked:
I'll see you soon my friend, and thank you again for taking care of my fellow countrymen, it is extremely honourable of you and I will never forget it. If there is anything I can do to help, you just have to ask.
He walked to the door, stoped momentarily at the exit, looked back, smiled to Dr. Nagger and left.
A few days later, the same figure of Jinpachi have arrived. He was trembling, his breath was fast and first thing he did after he entered was ordering gin with tonic.
He was nervous, it was easy to read from his face. His eyes were full of anger and disappointment. "To be betrayed like that..." he mumbled and took another shot of gin and tonic. "Well... There is no turning back now, I suppose."
He was just simply wondering what will happen to him. The few next days would be full of paperwork, loan paying and praying that no one will send an assassin after him. "I have ever wondered how it feels to be excited and scared at the same moment," he said.
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