On board the Clear Sky, in orbit of California Minor
Hiroshi Sora sat on the bridge of the Clear Sky, his feet on the dashboard, talking to Minors flight control operator.
What do you mean were not cleared to dock?
With respect captain, were quite busy at the moment. The air space is filled to the brim with transports.
So?
So, health and safety rules stipulate that we cant let any more than the current amount into our air space.
Alright, Hiroshi out. Sora cut the transmission.
So, captain. Whats the plan?
The voice was that of his navigator, Kareem Ren?
After weve dropped of this shipment of alien organisms well head to Manhattan, Ill check if there are any contracts going.
Might be a good idea to get an engineer on the crew, the bucket wont survive much longer and itll be cheaper than paying for it to be repaired every time we call into a station. Or worse, buying a new engine. Kareem chimed in.
Not a bad idea.
Beep. The communication system indicated a transmission was waiting to be answered. Sora shook his head and hit the button to activate the transmission.
Captain Hiroshi talking.
This is flight control. Youre clear to land. Have a good day.
And you control. Kareem take us to the main port, Ill go get the cargo ready.
Aye, aye captain.
Manhattan
The stale bar air hit Soras nostrils making him wince. The bar was called The White Lotus, the irony of the name and the state of the bar didnt escape Sora.
The bar had originally been a reputable place, but slowly the illegal racers came and made the place there own, the bars owner had got the LPI involved once, the next day he found his car had been stolen. Conveniently the illegal racers know exactly where it was and promised in return for the use of the bar, theyd quite happily retrieve the car. The owner had no choice.
Sora walk to the bar counter. The bar tender was a middle aged thug, tattoos plastered his body. An eye patch covered his left eye.
What could I get for you, sir? The barmans eloquent voice was in stark comparison to his appearance.
Im looking for a man. He goes by the name of Robert MacGregor.
The barmans head tilted his head to the left. Hes other there by the lavatory, sir.
Right. Thanks
Of course. Anytime.
Sora turned and started walking towards MacGregor. MacGregor sat on his own, a pint of beer sitting on the table in front of him. His short, stout body and red hair made him look like a Scottish folk hero of ancient times.
Ye here for a reason or do you just like looking at men? MacGregor spoke in an accent that Sora couldnt quite place.
MacGregor?
All depends whos asking.
My names Sora Hiroshi, Im a transport captain. Im looking for an engineer and heard you were the best.
Boy, if youre gonna be lying t me, then at least do it honestly. You didnt hear I was the best. You heard I was the cheapest.
Ah Sora was caught off guard by the engineers straight forward talking.
That be a yeah then. Well dont ye know that its rude to let a man sit and drink by himself. Sit down.
MacGregor kicked a chair out from the table and gestured towards it. Sora froze for a quick second before nodding and sitting down.
Are you interested in it? Youll get a cut for each job. You dont get a fixed number but-
No need to try and sway me boy. Ill join ye crew. Just dont expect me to like any of those bastard Bretonians, if you got any in yer crew and dont expect me to call ye captain. MacGregor spoke the word Bretonians with unusual bile.
I. Well, no we dont have any Bretonians on the crew. As for calling me captain, I can live with it. Youre the third member. Were docked at the West Valley Port, pad four. Sora stood up and walked towards the exit.
This is Captain Hiroshi of the Clear Sky, thought I should keep a log of my adventures.
First up, I was hired by some Junkers to help them haul scrap. Made a nice bit of money on it. Odd people though, one of them says she comes from Kusari, I asked her about it but she didn't seem to like opening up about it.
Next up was a guy called Geoff Desmond, bit of a odd character. He has an unusual.... love of scrap. But aside from that he was a decent guy.
Trafalgars market was a hive of activity; gun dealers demonstrated their array of arms on a scorch marked wall on the far side of the market. Equipment dealers vied for attention, glorified drug dealers clambered to sell their medicines and other products.
Sora and Kareem observed the hectic situation from a food stand in the markets center.
Looks like Manhattan central when the fashion shops have a sale on remarked Kareem Of course, I reckon that the sales are a more dangerous place to be than here.
No doubt about that Sora chuckled in amusement before taking a bite from his hamburger of questionable origin Did you get the new scanner system?
Yeah got it for twice the price that I was hoping, but this should help us avoid pirates on the tradelanes. replied Kareem.
If it works itll be worth it. What do you think of MacGregor?
Hes a cool dude. Friendly, until he finds out youre Bretonian. Good engineer though, havent had another engine cut out since he came on board.
Sora shook his head gently before turning his attention back to the market. A fight had broken out, two pirates had begun fighting. A cardamine masked showed that one was an Outcast. Sora tried to make out the tattoos of the other pirate to no avail.
Oh heck muttered Kareem Its a blemin Corsair.
Sora stood up. I think we should leave, before all hell-
Gunfire filled the air as the three other Corsairs opened fire on the Outcast, hitting bystanders in the process. The Outcasts and Corsairs littered over the room began to attack each other. Various Junkers tried to stop them, but it was no use. One Junker had the misfortune of stepping into an Outcasts line of fire, he hit the ground clutching his chest, within seconds he was dead.
Kareem grabbed Sora and hauled him behind the food stand.
But then again, here seems good. Sora was sweating; he did not like fighting at all.
Kareem snorted. Yeah sure, heres just as good as our armour plated ship.
The fire fight didnt last long. The Junkers automatic turrets cut down any aggressors within seconds. 13 Outcast bodies and 20 Corsair bodies littered the market floor.
Not a pretty sight.
I guess. Sora replied visibly shaken by the ordeal. Lets get out of here.
We stuck with those Junkers, did some more hauling.
After some talk back and forwards, we all agreed to work together properly. Split the profits rather than pay-by-haul job. This job could keep us business for a while. So we're flying under Junker colours as it were.
Ive allowed Kareem to take command of the Clear Sky, just when Im busy though. Cant go giving my ship away, can I?