James stepped into the cargo bay of the Hydra's Nest and glanced at his holowatch. In a few minutes, slaves will be crammed into this cargo bay."Poor bastards",he thought to himself.James Reilly was deep undercover from orders from Bretonian Armed Forces High Command. His mission was to infiltrate a slave trade organisation and relay information back to high command on their smuggling routes. He had worked for months to establish his cover as the second in-command of the Hydra's Nest slave ship.
The cargo bay filled with the sound of rusted gears grinding. James turned to face the cargo bay doors. "God, this is a piece of junk. I can't wait for my mission to be completed so I can get off this rust bucket", he thought. The noise of the rusty old cargo bay door mechanism was soon drowned out by the din of the people in the slave market. As the door lowered like a drawbridge, many ghostly, gauntly faces began to appear. In the midst of the crowd, James recognized the Captain and his guards. They herded the slaves like human cattle into the cargo bay of the Hydra's Nest. The clatter of the door mechanism began again until it was finally closed. This would be the last daylight the slaves would see for weeks. At that moment the stench of un-bathed, grimy flesh hit James's nostrils. It was so strong it knocked him back on his feet. Just as he regained his composure the captain, Seth Finnigan walked up to him.
[color=#000000]Seth entered the room and looked around. He wore a long black robe and a rusty hat. His face was tired but the others could smell the beer from his mouth. He turned to James to explain the planned route to the Mollys. They had an agreement about building a new Scylla with slave labour, since the Mollys had lost a lot of workers during their freedom fight in Dublin.
After a brief conversation Finnigan gave the map with the route to James and turned around. The room was dark and some of the slaves started to whine. He walked to a cell door and called one woman in there for a little chat. He saw that James was a little bit upset, but he thought that it was just a hangover, since they had a good time at the bar yesterday.
Finnigan touched the slave woman's hand and silently walked out the room. The engines of the Hydra's Nest started to make some odd noises while they undocked from the secret rogue base at Pennyslyvania. Since Finnigan made their way clear, by bribing some officers in the Liberty Police, he was cold and calculating man.
James took the navmap co-ordinates that Seth had given him and made his way through the dilapidated corridors of the Hydra's Nest. Once he had reached the bridge, he informed the navigator of the ship's route and headed to his crew quarters."So, the molly's are using slave labour to build a new Scylla cruiser. I'd better send this information to Bretonia A.S.A.P.'he thought to himself.
James walked over to a console on the wall. He would disguise the transmission to Bretonia space as background radiation. James attached details of the Hydra's Nest flight patch, he then encrypted the message apart from one word, Scarecrow his assigned codename. He had acquired the nickname over the years due to two vertical scars running over each of his eyes. The scars were inflicted upon him when he was captured and tortured.
James had worked for months to create his cover as the second in-command of the Hydra's Nest slave ship. Before that he had passed the Special Forces selection with flying colours, top of his class in everything. He was then selected to go undercover on highly dangerous missions infiltrating criminal organisations. Years of working with ruthless killers and criminal scum coupled with the horrible torture he had endured had turned James into a cold, distant, detached man. Men would walk down adjacent corridors on the Hydra's Nest just to avoid his distant stare. That being said, the sight of those broken people devoid of hope reminded him of himself as he endured horrific torture for weeks on end.
Once the message was received in Bretonia, ships would be dispatched to intercept the slave liner. The crew would be captured and interrogated to reveal details of other slave routes and information on the slaver organisation. The slaves would then be transported to the nearest planet to be processed and rehabilitated and his mission would be over.
The noise of static filled James's crew quarters, then suddenly Seth's voice reverberated around the room. 'Get up to the bridge now.' he said. James proceeded to make his way to the bridge.
When James have arrived to the bridge, Seth was there with that slave woman who talked with him before about something. Seth was so upset and one of his hand shaked like his old, rusty ship. After a short eyecontact, Seth started to tell something to James but suddenly, he changed his mind and just turned to the window. The Hydra's Nest was at Magellan system. Since they succesfully left the space of Liberty, the crew was well motivated.
The ship had more than 3000 slaves inside, since the Mollys asked for a lot of workers to build that Scylla. As far as Seth knew, these slaves never tried to build anything, since they were convicts and captured civilians who felt in the hands of the Rogues across Liberty. The woman near Seth was a special one...Seth himself got the woman and she had a very unique position on the ship. The other slaves were closed in the belly of the ship. They couldnt eat for days and they were in complete darkness.
Seth was a well experienced captain, so he knew how to manipulate peoples. The woman on his right knew it and tried to speak with him just when they were two of them. They were a very odd couple and James didnt like her. As far as he knew, she was Seth's "personal toy" and she had a lot of benefit on the ship...but well, she was just a slave.
After some minutes Seth turned to James again and told this for him:"James! This woman [color=#000000]*he pointed on her* told me a very interesting story about her past. She told me that you reminded her for somebody. Since I dont know much from your past I would like to talk this with you. You are the first man after me on this ship and we had a lot of encounters, raids...but well...you know, I have to know who is the closest man for me on this ship. So...is there anything what you would like to tell me?"
James stared coldly at Seth, his face devoid of any emotion. “My past? You know about my past, you found me on Niverton looking for work, I worked as a guard on your ship until you promoted me to second in command.” James said in an unwavering tone.
James was confused; he had never seen this woman in his life. “She says I remind her of someone, even if this is a coincidence it has raised suspicions. This is bad news.” James thought.
His mind raced through hundreds of scenarios of how this could play out. He had to get his cover story perfect.
“Are you sure you want me to bore you with my life story? It’s really not that interesting, I got mixed up with the Liberty Rogue’s whilst I was young and decided to look for work on a slave ship.”James said calmly.
James hoped that Seth wouldn’t be too sentimental; after all he is a slaver.
[color=#000000]Seth tried to be calm until the ship entered Bretonian space, since the last time they were there the BAF tried to blockade their way to Dublin, so at this time they choosed a safer way across the kusarian controllad part of Leeds. The Hydra's Nest did a maneuver what could help them to avoid from the patrols. After the maneuver he started to speak to James: [color=#FFFFFF]"Well Cheyenne told me a story about her and a drunk young man, who tried to ask her for a date in a bar. She told me that your face reminds her for that man. But well...since she isnt my wife, its not a problem, just was so odd, that you forgot to told me..."
Seth turned to his cabin and left Cheyenne and James on the bridge. He started to search about James's papers on his table, but finally he gave it up and opened a wine. He didnt like Leeds system. It reminded him for his wife who lost somewhere at the bretonian-kusarian warzone some years ago and he could find her. Some stories have reached him about her...somebody told that she was a slave herself somewhere at the Taus or convict on a Kusarian jacht. Seth never gave up the hope to find her, but he knew there isnt a real chance about this mission.
James and Cheyenne looked out on the window and the silence and the view of planet Leeds reminded them for something what heppened between them a long time ago. James didnt want to talk with her, so after some waiting Cheyenne lighted a cigar and started to leave the bridge. But...
Aelena had gotten the message two days ago. Two days of shifting through the chsnnels to finally find a man named Rufus Windseorth, the Slaver Interdiction Force leader. And another few hours of digging around to learn all she could. In short...he was a capable man. And couldn't keep his eyes of the ladies. And, in exchange for some kisses, she learned Windsworth's routine. She knew exactly where he would be now.
Aelena got ready the night before. She laid out the outfit she had bought: short purple skirt, high heels, and a low-cut black V-neck blouse. She sighed and stare at the ceiling before she got to bed. She took a deep breath before falling asleep.
---------------------------
Aelena rolled over and woke up. She knew what she had to do.
Windsworth always stopped for coffee before heading home. Now, she would observe and document what he did exactly.
Which was buy coffee, a pastry...and flirt with women. That would work. Aelena moved off and went to her patrol shift. Tomorrow, she would do it.
---------------------------
Aelena rushed into her apartment and stripped, taking a shower before cleaning herself up. Getting dressed, she fixed her hair into a long braid,down her back, and then headed for the small shop Windsworth frequented. She took a position against a wall in plain view of the door and drank her coffee. Then Windsworth saw her. His face became a bit arrogant. He picked up his fare and sauntered over.
"Well hello missus. Haven't seen you 'round here."
"Just stopped in for a coffee."
"Jolly good miss. Its good, right?"
"Very."
"Good...ah, where are my manners! Captain Rufus Windsworth of the Bretonia Police Authority."
"Annie Windsor...just a secretary."
"Well ma'am, I must say, you are very beautiful."
"Why thank you."
Windsworth smiled. Things were going his way.
"So miss Windsor, is your home close by? I would be honored if you would allow me to eacort you."
"Hmm...I am actually looking for a hotel."
"Nonsense! Hotels here are terrible. It would be an honor if you would accept a humble man's hospitality."
"Hm...but even humble men have needs."
Windsworth grinned.
"Of course miss. But I wouldn't dream of doing anything against the laws of Bretonia."
"Of course." She leaned forward slightly, letting her v-neck fall open a bit. "But I might help with such...needs...in exchange for something."
"Like what?"
Aelena leaned in and whispered.
"Any information regarding a ship called Hydra's Nest."
"Why that ship?"
"My boss has an intrest with this ship. Is it too much to give me one measly file?"
"It is an ongoing case miss."
"Aww, but Captain, I need to feed my family. My brothers and sisters need food. I get a pay raise and a bonus if I do this."
"So...my needs are fufilled, your boss gets his file, and you get the money for your family. Is that the deal?"
"Yes."
Windsworth grinned. He gets what he wants, and a powerful man is happy, she is indebted, meaning...
"Then follow me miss."
----------------------------
It was a rough night. Aelena woke up and glanced at Rufus. The man had no concept of "gentle". She slowly got up and picked up her clothed. As she got dressed, Rufus came from behind.
"Where do I send the file?"
"My private nueralnet account."
"Of course." Rufus ran his hand down Aelena's bare shoulders. She shivered a bit, but she remained calm. He wrapped his,arms around her waist. "And don't hesitate to call."
Aelena forced a smile and pulled away, pulling on her blouse.
"I will."
She blew him a kiss and left. The next day, Aelena recieved the file.
Adder recieved the transmission containing the file. After some inspection, he chose the perfect intercept point. He transmitted the coordinates to Aelena with his instructions.
>>> Go to the following coordinates in your Templar.
>>> Wait for the ship.
>>> When they arrive, announce yourself as a member of the Bretonian Armed Forces.
>>> Blow Reilly's cover.
Adder transmitted the coordinates and his plan to Alcor. He recieved a confirmation that the plan was sound.
Five identical sabres undocked from the Metropolis in perfect unison, and headed towards the intercept point.
Aelena slipped into her Templar, punching in the coordinates. She took a breath and lifted off from the Derby's hanger deck and flew off, heading for the coordinates.
When she arrived, she powered all of her systems save life support and waited.
[color=#000000]The Hydra's Nest finally arrived to Edinburgh system and Finnigan finished to write his memories in the bridge diary. After a short trip to the gaians for some food and water for the slaves, the ship started to reach the Dublin jump hole.
Edinburgh was beautifull as always and except some OSC vessels their voyage was clear and calm. The ship had some interesting incoming signals, but since the BPA and the BAF started to prove their presence in the system, this wasnt an odd experience.
The ship passed planet Gaia and entered on the formal smuggler way towards the Dublin jump hole. James left the girl alone after their meeting and went to his room. Finnigan always tried to explore his crew members, but James wasnt s formal guy. He thought at the first time, James just a lonely fellow who try to prove something for himself, but he wasnt so talkative at all.
The ship finally have arrived and Finnigan called for James before the jump since he wanted to be in safe and who is the second in command on the ship must be there.
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