With a whistling on his lips he walks finally out the door. He silently sings: "'Cause we fin' ourselves in the same ol' mess singin' drunken lullabies." By walking out you could probably hear him say: "I fear this is another junker that I finally angered. I heard Rochester has good ale too"
Over all the time of dialogue between Finnegan and Calvis Sequoia couldn't put in a word and now followed his back heading in another direction, starting to mumble something like, "Miste-e-er Finne-e-e....", then cutting off the word and turning to Michal.
"Seems the idea to head to Trafalgar was wrong. Liberty", she sighed in a low voice, "never been there. Well, seems that it's time to pay not so friendly visit."
She tosses off the remaining beer, tousles her thick hair and added, "Now we really have to hurry, I only know that the road is long, so you'll lead the way. And...", she cought, "Pay the bill, alright? I'll go prepare the ship." Sequoia stood up, struggled out of the table and headed to the exit, outstripping the old Junker and taking out the communicator.
They lined up at least twenty people long at Finn's office.
Government officials, pen-pushers, secretaries with clipboards, and well-wishers.
He'd never realized exactly how much bloody work Congressman Beast actually had to cope with as Adjudicator, Inverness.
Now that he'd been named Beast's replacement Adjudicator, he was swamped.
A half full flagon of Black Ale sat room temperature and untouched on his desk, half buried in papers and requisitions.
Somewhere in that morass was a bottle of whiskey, unopened.
Unshaved, and getting grumpier daily, he looked up with every knock on his door, hoping against hope that a friend or fellow Congressman might be there to share a pint and some whiskey with, rather than this endless snake of needs, wants, disputes, and complaints.
And he'd come here to celebrate his new post...
not drown in it.
*JunkerTown the flagship of Deputy Arbiter James Trenton's fleet steams into Inverness and over to Invergordon space port.*
Invergordon space port this is Captain James Trenton of the Congress vessel JunkerTown we are in range of your scanners make way for mooring as we are prepared to dock.
Greetings Invergordon Deputy Arbiter Trenton here looking for Adjudicator Finnegan is that scruffy scalawag around?
Tim lifts his head from the cluttered desk, an invoice sticking crookedly to his forehead.
The comm alarm had woken him from a much needed nap.
Swiping away the offending invoice, and wiping his eyes with one hand he slaps the comm button with the other as he blinks himself awake.
"Oy! Arbiter Trenton!" he smiles into the commset blearily. "My good friend, wha' can Oi do fer ye this fine day? Aye an' it tickles me ter see yon flagship in Gordon space, an' sure!"
Flicking open another comm channel to the dockyards, he leans into the desk-mounted unit. "Gordon Control, please make ready th' VIP bays fer th' JunkerTown, full honors." "Aye Chief." came the curt and polite answer.
Looking back up into the commset, Finn manages a smile. "James me good lad, why'nt ye meet me at the Pub, aye? Oi could use a pint an' some comp'ny. I've 'ad th' lads make ready bay ONE fer yez'. Bring 'at beastie on in, me boyo, an' mind th' pipers. They dinnae get ter play fer such audience often, mostly scallywags like me!" Tim smirks playfully.
*JunkerTown begins docking procedures.. as the airlock seals the ship announces.. "All clear we have dock Captain"*
James Trenton and his personal security staff make their way to the stern access port as the port door unlocks and opens..
Several large individuals including one appearing to be cyborg stand in front of James as the door opens.
James says..Ok guys were amongst friends you fellas can make a hole so I can get through here..
The large cyborg Junker steps through the door first while the other members stand aside allowing James to pass through. James then makes his way into the port an looks around..
James..Alright Finn said he'd be at the pub so after you boys finish docking duties tell the rest of the crew to meet us there
James and Marcus make their way to the Drunken Junker pub.. they find the bar and the door opens. Across the room they watch as Finnegan approaches them.
James.. Finn good to see you ole friend!! James extends his hand to Finnegan.. How are you amigo?
Finnegan sloshes ale in runnels down the side of his great flagon as he strides to meet Arbiter Trenton, smiling hugely.
He profers his hand, inclining his head in a bow of respect to the scion of Congress.
"Hoy, Arbiter!" he nearly shouts, "S' a foine sight seei'n ye'z 'ere, an' this ol' space rat be doon well, aye. Thanks fer arskin'."
tendons creak in forearms as the two Junkers shake hands firmly. "Oi do 'ope this 'eres an uniffical visit, Oi do. "s been a year n' a day since Oi sat back by 'yon fireplace and gabbed wif a friend." Tim indicates a pair of overstuffed leather chairs near the offices with a dripping wave of his flagon.
Pip bounces up to them, tray in hand. "Gov'na! Mister Marcus!" She pipes, curtsying to the 2nd in command of the Congress, and winking at his XO. "Wha'll it be, gents? Ale, porter, whiskey, sidewinder fang?" She bounces on her heels awaiting an answer, beaming her firefly smile.
James..Hola lil lady just bring me a round of yer finest ale along with some shots of yer best liquor.
*James motions to Marcus then leans in and whispers into his ear.. Marcus stands upright and states* Marcus.. Yessir.. I'll be right outside if ya need me.
*James turns to face Tim and his face goes from smile to serious as he speaks*
James..Finn we should talk a bit in private if your not too sloshed to engage in a serious conversation?
Throwing his arm around JT, and steering him towards the VERY private Congress Lounge, Tim guffaws. "Too sloshed, ye say, lad?" he smiles toothily. "Well, tha' would require me ter be face doon on yon floorboards, in a wee puddle o' me own spit."
As the always fine Concierge, Tess, opens the frosted glass doors to the lounge for the two Congressmen, he pats her on the backside and finishes his thought. "Anything shy o' tha, Oi'm all ears, me good man."
*James and Tim walk into the private lounge and have a seat in the high back cushion chairs. James speaks..*
James.. While we wait on the pretty little hostess to return with our drinks I must speak with you about a recent incident that occurred in Coronado. Apparently a pair of indy bombers assassinated one of our Congressmen at the Manchester jump gate. One of the ships in my fleet known as JunkTown responded to the dying ship's distress call. John Trendwell the captain of JunkTown also called on the rest of the Congress for help. As I am sure you have heard all the Junker ships were lost even one belonging to our Arbiter... Which brings me to my question....
Murph was there... have you heard from him recently? Did he survive??
*The pub door opens as Tess enters the room smiling and carrying a tray of drinks*