The Thargoid and Fer-de-Lance
- Thread starter Garthyre
- Start date
Dar'koba's ear-piece chimed.
"Incoming message: Relay: Dispatched five hours ago: Message:"I hope you're on your way, my friend. Situation's worsening. Threats heavier. Sabre-rattling and 'chicken-run fly-by's. Mac": Message ends."
"Ah, my friends, it's time for me to go. Doc, I am really glad to see you up and about, and looking really fit and healthy - try to stay that way. Miyako-san, congratulations with your new enterprise; may your future be prosperous and your troubles few, far between and little ones. I don't know how long I'll be away, but I will try to get back as soon as I can... I believe the next round is on me."
Dar'koba stood to leave. He had a debt of honour to pay. He bowed and left the bar, heading for the docking bay.
"Incoming message: Relay: Dispatched five hours ago: Message:"I hope you're on your way, my friend. Situation's worsening. Threats heavier. Sabre-rattling and 'chicken-run fly-by's. Mac": Message ends."
"Ah, my friends, it's time for me to go. Doc, I am really glad to see you up and about, and looking really fit and healthy - try to stay that way. Miyako-san, congratulations with your new enterprise; may your future be prosperous and your troubles few, far between and little ones. I don't know how long I'll be away, but I will try to get back as soon as I can... I believe the next round is on me."
Dar'koba stood to leave. He had a debt of honour to pay. He bowed and left the bar, heading for the docking bay.
After Darkoba left Gir stood "I'll be back in a few minutes, just want to try and catch Darkoba before he leaves" He smiled and raced from the bar, a few minutes later he had caught up with Darkoba.
"Hey Darkoba" Gir huffed out of breath "I know you have to go and help your friend and its something you feel you have to do alone but at least take this with you"
Gir handed Darkoba a small data chip, Darkoba looked at it a bit puzzled
"OK then what's this Gir?" he questioned holding the data chip between his finger and thumb
"Its Just a little virus/program I developed a while ago, it can be sent via comms to a target and then goes about disabling everything expect life support. I call him 'organized chaos' It might help" Gir smiled
Darkoba closed his hand around the data chip and smiled friendlily "Thanks Gir, I'll take it with me. see you when I get back" Darkoba turned and continued towards the docking bay.
"Give our regards to your friend when you see him" Gir called before turning and heading back to the bar.
"Hey Darkoba" Gir huffed out of breath "I know you have to go and help your friend and its something you feel you have to do alone but at least take this with you"
Gir handed Darkoba a small data chip, Darkoba looked at it a bit puzzled
"OK then what's this Gir?" he questioned holding the data chip between his finger and thumb
"Its Just a little virus/program I developed a while ago, it can be sent via comms to a target and then goes about disabling everything expect life support. I call him 'organized chaos' It might help" Gir smiled
Darkoba closed his hand around the data chip and smiled friendlily "Thanks Gir, I'll take it with me. see you when I get back" Darkoba turned and continued towards the docking bay.
"Give our regards to your friend when you see him" Gir called before turning and heading back to the bar.
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Dar'koba boarded Kaze no Uta with Gir's electronic box of tricks in his hand.
That was considerate of Gir, he thought, he's a good friend.
He pushed the data chip into the reader receptacle on his main console.
"Computer: Read, analyse chip. Inform of potential virus. If clear of virus, store as active element in weapons control system under Id. 'GirChip'."
"Computer Aye: Chip has virus content, but is safe for host system, stored under 'GirChip' in weapons control."
Dar'koba powered his ship up, transmitted a launch request and was given a place in the launch stack. Traffic, incoming and out going was quite heavy today.
One thing Gir wasn't right about, though, he mused as he waited for the launch window, I don't necessarily feel I have to do this alone. I'm sure Mac and I will be able to sort it out, but if the last party is anything to go by, the more on our side, the better. Anyway, we'll be OK.
Kaze no Uta slid into the launch chamber and the launch timer was activated. Dar'koba eased the throttle open and lifted from the pad. He retracted his undercarriage before he left the launch bay, and drifted gently out into the vastness of space.
He headed away from the station, wondering when he'd be back. On his exit trajectory, he was slightly amazed to see Illu looking desperately out of the canopy of a small cruise ship, the Countess. Illu waved.
Dar'koba waved back then, conscious of the need to leave the traffic lane, opened the throttle and curved gracefully away from the station.
That was considerate of Gir, he thought, he's a good friend.
He pushed the data chip into the reader receptacle on his main console.
"Computer: Read, analyse chip. Inform of potential virus. If clear of virus, store as active element in weapons control system under Id. 'GirChip'."
"Computer Aye: Chip has virus content, but is safe for host system, stored under 'GirChip' in weapons control."
Dar'koba powered his ship up, transmitted a launch request and was given a place in the launch stack. Traffic, incoming and out going was quite heavy today.
One thing Gir wasn't right about, though, he mused as he waited for the launch window, I don't necessarily feel I have to do this alone. I'm sure Mac and I will be able to sort it out, but if the last party is anything to go by, the more on our side, the better. Anyway, we'll be OK.
Kaze no Uta slid into the launch chamber and the launch timer was activated. Dar'koba eased the throttle open and lifted from the pad. He retracted his undercarriage before he left the launch bay, and drifted gently out into the vastness of space.
He headed away from the station, wondering when he'd be back. On his exit trajectory, he was slightly amazed to see Illu looking desperately out of the canopy of a small cruise ship, the Countess. Illu waved.
Dar'koba waved back then, conscious of the need to leave the traffic lane, opened the throttle and curved gracefully away from the station.
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illu Minti
Deadly, But very fluffy...
Illu saw Darkoba ship the Kaze no Uta depart and as it flew by the Countess Illu waved frantically at Darkoba "help me!!!" he mouthed
Darkoba smiled back at Illu and was slight bemused at why the agent was just sitting there in that passenger ship "oh well he has his reasons, probably Imperial business, oh isnt that nice hes waving me off, whats he saying, call me? on my return perhaps"
and with that Kaze no Uta was gone
"Damn, ok lets try Comms again
Barnard station permission to dock please?"
and yet again nothing!
Darkoba smiled back at Illu and was slight bemused at why the agent was just sitting there in that passenger ship "oh well he has his reasons, probably Imperial business, oh isnt that nice hes waving me off, whats he saying, call me? on my return perhaps"
and with that Kaze no Uta was gone
"Damn, ok lets try Comms again
Barnard station permission to dock please?"
and yet again nothing!
As he was leaving the vicinity of the station, Dar'koba thought about Illu in the cruise-ship.
He played back the scene in his mind. Illu had looked a bit desperate, and although he might have been on official business, he did look as though he was trying to say something.
"Computer: Archive black box. Replay scene just out of station, showing cruise-ship Countess."
"Computer Aye"
The recording of Illu as Dar'koba passed the ship was sharp and clear.
"Computer: Replay with full zoom."
Now Dar'koba could see that Illu looked worried, and was asking something of Dar'koba.
"Computer: Replay sequence with augmented lip-reading sound-over."
It was strange to hear a synchronised artificial voice come out of Illu's mouth, but he was clearly saying "Help me".
Dar'koba put in a call to Jenner.
"Miyako-san. I've just seen Illu in a small cruise-ship, the Countess, on a parking orbit around the station. He appears to be in distress and needs help. I've left the vicinity of the station and can't return unless I request landing clearance. It's too busy, so that could take too long to be of help. Besides, I really am in a hurry (yeah, to die, he thought). Can you perhaps find out what's going on and help Illu?"
Jenner answered.
"Hoshi-san. Illu outside the station, trapped? I'll look into it. Thanks and, good luck. Sayonara."
"Thanks Himesama. Sayonara. Out."
Dar'koba settled into his flight couch and headed starwards.
He played back the scene in his mind. Illu had looked a bit desperate, and although he might have been on official business, he did look as though he was trying to say something.
"Computer: Archive black box. Replay scene just out of station, showing cruise-ship Countess."
"Computer Aye"
The recording of Illu as Dar'koba passed the ship was sharp and clear.
"Computer: Replay with full zoom."
Now Dar'koba could see that Illu looked worried, and was asking something of Dar'koba.
"Computer: Replay sequence with augmented lip-reading sound-over."
It was strange to hear a synchronised artificial voice come out of Illu's mouth, but he was clearly saying "Help me".
Dar'koba put in a call to Jenner.
"Miyako-san. I've just seen Illu in a small cruise-ship, the Countess, on a parking orbit around the station. He appears to be in distress and needs help. I've left the vicinity of the station and can't return unless I request landing clearance. It's too busy, so that could take too long to be of help. Besides, I really am in a hurry (yeah, to die, he thought). Can you perhaps find out what's going on and help Illu?"
Jenner answered.
"Hoshi-san. Illu outside the station, trapped? I'll look into it. Thanks and, good luck. Sayonara."
"Thanks Himesama. Sayonara. Out."
Dar'koba settled into his flight couch and headed starwards.
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http://grooveshark.com/s/Innocent+When+You+Dream+Barroom/4iWgWR?src=5
Rollo showed a new side to Jenner. One she didn't expect at all. He was a perfect gentleman from the very start of their dinner date. He gave her roses and complimented her dress and looks. He wore an elegant suit himself and treated the waitresses with respect and friendliness. He even declared for the wine butler that this was a business dinner between Sirius and Akashi Repairs, so only the best wine of the house was good enough.
All through their dinner he proved to be an excellent listener as he asked Jenner many questions of her childhood and parents. Anything she wanted to share made him listen intently. He even told her a whole lot about his own dreams, childhood and upbringing, a childhood that surprisingly proved to be a relatively happy and normal one. She couldn't however make him talk about his later years as he skillfully navigated away from his role at the Corporation and a failed marriage. The only thing he exposed a bit was the complicated relations between Sirius and the INRA. One that prohibited a true friendship with Professor Yaffle. He told her he regretted that fact.
Jenner was puzzled about him though. Was this the real Rollo and everything else was some sort of roleplay for him? Or was it the other way around, did he for some reason perform an act now? He did however disclose much more than she ever would have thought and she kind of believed him to be honest about what he told her. She thought that perhaps he just followed orders, but she couldn't help thinking of all men through history who also 'just followed orders', no matter the consequences.
For a brief moment though she thought she saw a kind of sadness and perhaps remorse with the candlelight flickering in his eyes. Rollo smiled and leaned forward as he gently took her hand in his and looked her in her eyes.
"If you can't share your secrets with a friend, then what kind of friend are you?"
With that he released her hand, leaned back and lit a cigarette. He took care not to blow the smoke in her face, squinted his eyes and smiled as he looked at her.
He'd left a chip with Corporation contacts and profitable trade routes with emphasis on luxury goods in her hand. It was treasure for a small scale trader.
Jenner's first reaction was to refuse to accept the chip. It really was valuable. She knew traders that would kill for that kind of information. She didn't believe Rollo would give her something like this without demanding something in return, or was it something else hidden in this? Her head was spinning, partly from the wine but also about the generous and oddly friendly Rollo. She looked around the bar if any of her friends were there. Only Gir and his lady cheerfully saluted her, he was clearly in party-mode. The others were not present. She frowned, but at the same time she felt relaxed and sort of happy.
"So, did Illu get back safe and sound?" He asked her as he ordered cognac for the dessert.
Rollo showed a new side to Jenner. One she didn't expect at all. He was a perfect gentleman from the very start of their dinner date. He gave her roses and complimented her dress and looks. He wore an elegant suit himself and treated the waitresses with respect and friendliness. He even declared for the wine butler that this was a business dinner between Sirius and Akashi Repairs, so only the best wine of the house was good enough.
All through their dinner he proved to be an excellent listener as he asked Jenner many questions of her childhood and parents. Anything she wanted to share made him listen intently. He even told her a whole lot about his own dreams, childhood and upbringing, a childhood that surprisingly proved to be a relatively happy and normal one. She couldn't however make him talk about his later years as he skillfully navigated away from his role at the Corporation and a failed marriage. The only thing he exposed a bit was the complicated relations between Sirius and the INRA. One that prohibited a true friendship with Professor Yaffle. He told her he regretted that fact.
Jenner was puzzled about him though. Was this the real Rollo and everything else was some sort of roleplay for him? Or was it the other way around, did he for some reason perform an act now? He did however disclose much more than she ever would have thought and she kind of believed him to be honest about what he told her. She thought that perhaps he just followed orders, but she couldn't help thinking of all men through history who also 'just followed orders', no matter the consequences.
For a brief moment though she thought she saw a kind of sadness and perhaps remorse with the candlelight flickering in his eyes. Rollo smiled and leaned forward as he gently took her hand in his and looked her in her eyes.
"If you can't share your secrets with a friend, then what kind of friend are you?"
With that he released her hand, leaned back and lit a cigarette. He took care not to blow the smoke in her face, squinted his eyes and smiled as he looked at her.
He'd left a chip with Corporation contacts and profitable trade routes with emphasis on luxury goods in her hand. It was treasure for a small scale trader.
Jenner's first reaction was to refuse to accept the chip. It really was valuable. She knew traders that would kill for that kind of information. She didn't believe Rollo would give her something like this without demanding something in return, or was it something else hidden in this? Her head was spinning, partly from the wine but also about the generous and oddly friendly Rollo. She looked around the bar if any of her friends were there. Only Gir and his lady cheerfully saluted her, he was clearly in party-mode. The others were not present. She frowned, but at the same time she felt relaxed and sort of happy.
"So, did Illu get back safe and sound?" He asked her as he ordered cognac for the dessert.
The bar seemed relatively quiet at the moment, Gir had a quick glance round and apart from himself and Lacus only Jenner and Rollo where in the bar, they seemed to be have dinner together. Even Frank was nowhere to be seen not even on the floor or curled up behind the bar. so the old timer does leave occasionally Gir though with a small snicker
Jenner was wearing a very elegant dress, which looked beautiful on her, and even Rollo looked very smart in his sharp suit. Rollo seemed to be a perfect gentleman they were talking very politely about something but Gir as out of hearing range, Rollo leaned forward took Jenner by her hand after a few minutes and gazed into her eyes.
Gir tensed and also leaned forward, one hand twitched to his semi automatic machine pistol in his Jacket then he relaxed as Rollo leaned back in his chair releasing Jenner's hand
Maybe he was over thinking things but for some reason Gir had an uneasy feeling about Rollo, Jenner seemed to be staring at something Rollo had left in her hand she had an expression of both unease and uncertainty. Then she seemed to be looking round the bar for people she knew and her gaze meet With Gir and Lacus.
Both had been having a small celebration as Jenner had contacted Gir earlier saying his ship was ready for him, both Gir and Lacus decided to give Jenner a friendly salute, she frowned a little but at the same time seemed to relax a bit.
"So, did Illu get back safe and sound?" Rollo seemed to ask Jenner, for some reason he said that part louder then at rest so others could hear. Gir was slightly concerned but decided, since he didn't Know where Illu could have gone he would remain at the bar to be a sort of emotional and spiritual support for Jenner she seemed to need it now
Jenner was wearing a very elegant dress, which looked beautiful on her, and even Rollo looked very smart in his sharp suit. Rollo seemed to be a perfect gentleman they were talking very politely about something but Gir as out of hearing range, Rollo leaned forward took Jenner by her hand after a few minutes and gazed into her eyes.
Gir tensed and also leaned forward, one hand twitched to his semi automatic machine pistol in his Jacket then he relaxed as Rollo leaned back in his chair releasing Jenner's hand
Maybe he was over thinking things but for some reason Gir had an uneasy feeling about Rollo, Jenner seemed to be staring at something Rollo had left in her hand she had an expression of both unease and uncertainty. Then she seemed to be looking round the bar for people she knew and her gaze meet With Gir and Lacus.
Both had been having a small celebration as Jenner had contacted Gir earlier saying his ship was ready for him, both Gir and Lacus decided to give Jenner a friendly salute, she frowned a little but at the same time seemed to relax a bit.
"So, did Illu get back safe and sound?" Rollo seemed to ask Jenner, for some reason he said that part louder then at rest so others could hear. Gir was slightly concerned but decided, since he didn't Know where Illu could have gone he would remain at the bar to be a sort of emotional and spiritual support for Jenner she seemed to need it now
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Richard locked up his workshop and went to meet up with Mark and Amber.
"Hi Richard, you look a little stressed, is everything ok?" Amber inquired with a look of concern.
"It's the Frontier contract, it's driving me crazy." Richard replied.
"But I thought is was just simple paint job on a few Sideys, are you sure you're not over reacting just because you haven't got Velma to help?" Mark asked gently.
"It IS a simple paint job, the trouble is that it's more than a few Sidewinders. Frontier have brought in dozens of them and a few Cobras too. It seems they bought up every spare flyable Sidewinder in a ten light year radius and they want them all to be painted in high visibility orange."
"Wow that's crazy. But still wouldn't it be easier with Velma still helping you?"
"No, not really. Velma's a good kid but there wouldn't be much for her to do. It's all done with the spray bots. Honestly it's been like working at the Faulcon de Lacey paint shop down there the last few days. Load a ship onto the pad and let the spray bots spin it around. I swear I'm seeing spinning orange Sidewinders in my dreams now."
"Did they say what they wanted them for?" asked Mark.
"No, they didn't say, just something about training some rookie pilots. Whatever it is it's a big deal. You heard about the traffic problem? That was mainly down to them. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, they are paying per ship."
"So how do you really feel about Velma going to work for Jenner?" Amber asked.
"I'm sorry to see her leave, she's a good worker and smart too. She's got plans and ambitions. I couldn't offer her what she wanted. She wants to learn about repairs, but that isn't really a major part of my business. I just hope that Jenner looks after her. I'd hate to see anything happen to her."
"Hi Richard, you look a little stressed, is everything ok?" Amber inquired with a look of concern.
"It's the Frontier contract, it's driving me crazy." Richard replied.
"But I thought is was just simple paint job on a few Sideys, are you sure you're not over reacting just because you haven't got Velma to help?" Mark asked gently.
"It IS a simple paint job, the trouble is that it's more than a few Sidewinders. Frontier have brought in dozens of them and a few Cobras too. It seems they bought up every spare flyable Sidewinder in a ten light year radius and they want them all to be painted in high visibility orange."
"Wow that's crazy. But still wouldn't it be easier with Velma still helping you?"
"No, not really. Velma's a good kid but there wouldn't be much for her to do. It's all done with the spray bots. Honestly it's been like working at the Faulcon de Lacey paint shop down there the last few days. Load a ship onto the pad and let the spray bots spin it around. I swear I'm seeing spinning orange Sidewinders in my dreams now."
"Did they say what they wanted them for?" asked Mark.
"No, they didn't say, just something about training some rookie pilots. Whatever it is it's a big deal. You heard about the traffic problem? That was mainly down to them. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, they are paying per ship."
"So how do you really feel about Velma going to work for Jenner?" Amber asked.
"I'm sorry to see her leave, she's a good worker and smart too. She's got plans and ambitions. I couldn't offer her what she wanted. She wants to learn about repairs, but that isn't really a major part of my business. I just hope that Jenner looks after her. I'd hate to see anything happen to her."
Jenner
I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
"Ah, yes... As a matter of fact, he did make it back alright!" she said, taken aback by the question. This whole dinner date was turning out very different than what she had anticipated. She'd come into this expecting to be repulsed by Rollo, but he was.... different.
"When I got Hoshi's message I took off in the Antelope immediately to haul him back in." she laughed, taking another sip of Jinx. "He didn't seem ready to talk about how he wound up in that ship, and I didn't press him! I think they towed the ship he was in back to the station, too. Last I heard he was going through that ship with a fine-toothed comb, looking for clues to something or other. Agent business, no doubt. "
"No doubt." Rollo said.
She leaned back in her chair. "You know, Rollo.... I really appreciate you opening up and telling me more about your history. We aren't what you'd call 'friends'... hell, I don't trust you, frankly!" She looked at the chip in her hand. "I don't know where this Rollo sitting in front of me came from. Is it some kind of new ruse? And effort to put me off my guard?"
"Certainly not." he said, smiling.
"Well... in exchange for telling me about yourself, let me tell you more about my past..."
Jenner recounted her history to Rollo. Some of it he knew and others were a surprise. He followed intently, asking questions and being quite the attentive listener.
"So that's me."
"Fascinating that you've wound up where you are now, Princess."
She looked at him over her glass. "You know, it's funny.... that's the first time you've called me that where I didn't think it was a veiled insult." She sat her glass down, looked intently in Rollo's eyes.
"I'm a firm believer in second chances." she said. "Hell, I've been given more second (and third) chances in my life than I deserve! I feel like we should try to reset our relationship. I don't know why you've done some of the things you have to me.... but I also know that you saved my life at least twice now. We obviously don't see eye to eye on a lot, and we're two very different people... but you're not evil, Rollo. I was wrong to think you were. Mutual trust.... we'll have to earn that. But I'm willing to bury the hatchet."
She raised her glass, and Rollo did the same.
"When I got Hoshi's message I took off in the Antelope immediately to haul him back in." she laughed, taking another sip of Jinx. "He didn't seem ready to talk about how he wound up in that ship, and I didn't press him! I think they towed the ship he was in back to the station, too. Last I heard he was going through that ship with a fine-toothed comb, looking for clues to something or other. Agent business, no doubt. "
"No doubt." Rollo said.
She leaned back in her chair. "You know, Rollo.... I really appreciate you opening up and telling me more about your history. We aren't what you'd call 'friends'... hell, I don't trust you, frankly!" She looked at the chip in her hand. "I don't know where this Rollo sitting in front of me came from. Is it some kind of new ruse? And effort to put me off my guard?"
"Certainly not." he said, smiling.
"Well... in exchange for telling me about yourself, let me tell you more about my past..."
Jenner recounted her history to Rollo. Some of it he knew and others were a surprise. He followed intently, asking questions and being quite the attentive listener.
"So that's me."
"Fascinating that you've wound up where you are now, Princess."
She looked at him over her glass. "You know, it's funny.... that's the first time you've called me that where I didn't think it was a veiled insult." She sat her glass down, looked intently in Rollo's eyes.
"I'm a firm believer in second chances." she said. "Hell, I've been given more second (and third) chances in my life than I deserve! I feel like we should try to reset our relationship. I don't know why you've done some of the things you have to me.... but I also know that you saved my life at least twice now. We obviously don't see eye to eye on a lot, and we're two very different people... but you're not evil, Rollo. I was wrong to think you were. Mutual trust.... we'll have to earn that. But I'm willing to bury the hatchet."
She raised her glass, and Rollo did the same.
I put the Cobra down gentle on her pad. Seemed like forever to get clearance to get in... Poor Illu was still out there. Thanks to a nice maneuver from Jacob and I, my piloting and Jacob using one of the suits, we did manage to supply him with a bag of treats and tea for his wait through the airlock.
I whistled as I walked over to GIR's Anaconda and buzzed. No one home... I left the gift basket of cheesecake and tea beside the door using a maglock and sent GIR a message with the combo "Little housewarming present, my compliments. 12345 to happiness, please return the maglock or I'll have to charge you. Mike's Tea & Cheesecake."
Well, that about covered my duties for the night. It had been a long day, so I thought I'd get some rack time in and get ready for the busy week ahead.
I whistled as I walked over to GIR's Anaconda and buzzed. No one home... I left the gift basket of cheesecake and tea beside the door using a maglock and sent GIR a message with the combo "Little housewarming present, my compliments. 12345 to happiness, please return the maglock or I'll have to charge you. Mike's Tea & Cheesecake."
Well, that about covered my duties for the night. It had been a long day, so I thought I'd get some rack time in and get ready for the busy week ahead.
Kaze no Uta reached the outer limits of Barnard's star system. All scanners showed nothing in the vicinity. Time to program the jump.
"Navigation."
"Navigation Aye."
"Plot quickest course to location labelled 'Mac's Asteroid'."
"Is that final destination?"
Dar'koba was puzzled. His navigation system had never asked that question before. In fact, it very seldom asked any question at all, unless it hadn't understood an instruction.
"Er, yes. 'Mac's Asteroid' is final destination (for this trip)."
Normally, the computer would choose several possible routes to follow and present them, with the different sets of way-stations, for Dar'koba to choose from.
On the way to Barnard's from Mac, Kaze no Uta had had to jump thirty-two times, but Dar'koba had been in no hurry, drifting around like a Colibri from blossom to blossom. He guessed he would need about eighteen to twenty jumps to get back, following a more direct route.
This time the navigation computer acted differently.
"Navigation: Best route requires three jumps. Fuel is sufficient. Three jumps will use 57% of current fuel supplies. Code word for approval?"
Three jumps? Was there a malfunction? Let's see what happens if I approve...
"Code - 'Windsong; Dar'koba 1033. Suggested route approved."
"Navigation: Route programmed. Jump sequence will begin on command."
This was almost all new to Dar'koba. Was this a result of having been on Shanshyrah, or did Gir's chip have something to do with it??
"Computer, run general system's diagnostic. Give source of navigation system programming."
"Computer Aye: Diagnostics running... No errors or problems discovered. Source of nav-sys-prog. is registering as original, with minor 'patch' added in Shanshyrah system."
So that was it. That was the reason he had returned to Barnard's so quickly. He could trust it, or return to station to thoroughly check, and perhaps reset the systems. This would take time that Mac didn't have. Very well, so be it.
"Navigation - activate hyper-space mode."
"Navigation Aye."
A slight, back-ground whine, almost inaudible. An electric tension in the air. The feeling of time stretching so seconds felt like hours and hours felt like seconds, all at the same 'time'.
They jumped. They exited 'witch-space'. Dar'koba let out his unexpectedly held breath.
They jumped again!
... and again!
Dar'koba slumped in his couch. What was going on with his ship?
"Navigation: We have arrived at system labelled 'Mac's Asteroid'. Instructions?"
The screens showed that they were indeed back in the red-giant system they had left so long ago.
"Locate Mac's current position and show on screen."
A flashing yellow blip appeared on the wall screen.
"Flight operation to manual."
Kaze no Uta complied with his instruction.
Still stunned by the incredibly improved performance of the ship, Dar'koba took the controls. He was going to fly his ship himself, for a while!!
He set course for Mac's home and throttled up. He maintained radio silence, not wanting to warn any 'unfriendlies' he was approaching.
Mac, I hope you're all alright, he thought.
"Navigation."
"Navigation Aye."
"Plot quickest course to location labelled 'Mac's Asteroid'."
"Is that final destination?"
Dar'koba was puzzled. His navigation system had never asked that question before. In fact, it very seldom asked any question at all, unless it hadn't understood an instruction.
"Er, yes. 'Mac's Asteroid' is final destination (for this trip)."
Normally, the computer would choose several possible routes to follow and present them, with the different sets of way-stations, for Dar'koba to choose from.
On the way to Barnard's from Mac, Kaze no Uta had had to jump thirty-two times, but Dar'koba had been in no hurry, drifting around like a Colibri from blossom to blossom. He guessed he would need about eighteen to twenty jumps to get back, following a more direct route.
This time the navigation computer acted differently.
"Navigation: Best route requires three jumps. Fuel is sufficient. Three jumps will use 57% of current fuel supplies. Code word for approval?"
Three jumps? Was there a malfunction? Let's see what happens if I approve...
"Code - 'Windsong; Dar'koba 1033. Suggested route approved."
"Navigation: Route programmed. Jump sequence will begin on command."
This was almost all new to Dar'koba. Was this a result of having been on Shanshyrah, or did Gir's chip have something to do with it??
"Computer, run general system's diagnostic. Give source of navigation system programming."
"Computer Aye: Diagnostics running... No errors or problems discovered. Source of nav-sys-prog. is registering as original, with minor 'patch' added in Shanshyrah system."
So that was it. That was the reason he had returned to Barnard's so quickly. He could trust it, or return to station to thoroughly check, and perhaps reset the systems. This would take time that Mac didn't have. Very well, so be it.
"Navigation - activate hyper-space mode."
"Navigation Aye."
A slight, back-ground whine, almost inaudible. An electric tension in the air. The feeling of time stretching so seconds felt like hours and hours felt like seconds, all at the same 'time'.
They jumped. They exited 'witch-space'. Dar'koba let out his unexpectedly held breath.
They jumped again!
... and again!
Dar'koba slumped in his couch. What was going on with his ship?
"Navigation: We have arrived at system labelled 'Mac's Asteroid'. Instructions?"
The screens showed that they were indeed back in the red-giant system they had left so long ago.
"Locate Mac's current position and show on screen."
A flashing yellow blip appeared on the wall screen.
"Flight operation to manual."
Kaze no Uta complied with his instruction.
Still stunned by the incredibly improved performance of the ship, Dar'koba took the controls. He was going to fly his ship himself, for a while!!
He set course for Mac's home and throttled up. He maintained radio silence, not wanting to warn any 'unfriendlies' he was approaching.
Mac, I hope you're all alright, he thought.
Upon witnessing Jenner raise her glass to Rollo, Gir turned to Lacus and smiled
"If Miyako is willing to give him a second chance don't see why I shouldn't give a chance either"
Lacus Nodded returning the smile "Yeah it could hurt right?" she chuckled
"Lets get out of here now it seems Jenner will be ok from here" Gir spoke softly and stood followed by Lacus, upon heading to the bar door the pair swung by Jenner and Rollo's table
"We're out of here now Jenner, catch up with you later" He smiled and leaned in close "But if you need a hand I'm but a buzz away OK" Gir straightened himself up then turned to Rollo who was still sitting.
Gir extended his hand "If Jenner is willing to give you a chance so will I" Rollo smiled and took Gir's hand firmly
"Sure why not me may be able to do business in the future magician" Rollo smiled, it confused Gir slightly, it was a very genuine friendly smile but what was with the last part.
Lacus and Gir left the Bar and about 30 minutes later had arrived to check out Gir's finished anaconda 'Hebi no Chikai' (Serpent's oath) and found a small Gift basket maglocked to the side of the entrance hatch, Gir checked his comms device and there was a message from Mike. Gir smiled and entered the hey code then opened the now free basket, it was full of Mike's delectible treats and tea's.
Lacus smiled at seeing the tea's and cheesecakes "We're going to have a lot of fun tonight" she then winked and ave Gir a dirty smile as she entered the ship.
I'm am so going to have to pay Mike back big time for this Gir thought with a somewhat pervy smile as he locked the hatch behind him
"If Miyako is willing to give him a second chance don't see why I shouldn't give a chance either"
Lacus Nodded returning the smile "Yeah it could hurt right?" she chuckled
"Lets get out of here now it seems Jenner will be ok from here" Gir spoke softly and stood followed by Lacus, upon heading to the bar door the pair swung by Jenner and Rollo's table
"We're out of here now Jenner, catch up with you later" He smiled and leaned in close "But if you need a hand I'm but a buzz away OK" Gir straightened himself up then turned to Rollo who was still sitting.
Gir extended his hand "If Jenner is willing to give you a chance so will I" Rollo smiled and took Gir's hand firmly
"Sure why not me may be able to do business in the future magician" Rollo smiled, it confused Gir slightly, it was a very genuine friendly smile but what was with the last part.
Lacus and Gir left the Bar and about 30 minutes later had arrived to check out Gir's finished anaconda 'Hebi no Chikai' (Serpent's oath) and found a small Gift basket maglocked to the side of the entrance hatch, Gir checked his comms device and there was a message from Mike. Gir smiled and entered the hey code then opened the now free basket, it was full of Mike's delectible treats and tea's.
Lacus smiled at seeing the tea's and cheesecakes "We're going to have a lot of fun tonight" she then winked and ave Gir a dirty smile as she entered the ship.
I'm am so going to have to pay Mike back big time for this Gir thought with a somewhat pervy smile as he locked the hatch behind him
illu Minti
Deadly, But very fluffy...
in out, in out, shake the puzzles all about
"Well am back on the station but not the way i was wanting to get back in!" the agent was still cooling down
Illu had thanked Jenner for coming to his aid and Mike for supplies, he was back in the Countess at the docks examining her.
The agent had been furious on his return and had demanded a meeting with Station commander Sarah.
She had been most apologetic but also puzzled as Flight control had no record of Illu asking for permission to dock.
They had seen the ship outside but thought the passenger ship was allowing the believed passengers on board a viewing of the station and Barnards star and surrounding sights
Illu had pointed out he had been out there two days! there's only so much of a view! "but" he pondered "if he hadn't been talking to Flight who had he been talking to?"
He left Sarahs office and headed back to the docks
On board he had found the ships controls had been rigged to be remotely controlled from elsewhere, somewhere close, not necessarily from the station? he thought
Puzzling, it had seemed someone or some people had wanted him away for awhile from the station, perhaps to give them time to get away? hide something? he left the two points hanging in his head and continued carrying out a search of the ship
Using a TruNarc narcotics analyzer throughout the Countess he had found Blue powder traces in the cockpit, and weirdly enough on Mikes supplies.
Illu put that down to cross contamination, as he had held the controls then the bag of supplies
although one thing did strike him that the tea Mike supplied while he was stranded in the ship smelled just like the smell from Yaffles quarters, the almond slices, orange peel, blue cornflowers...."BLUE CORNFLOWERS!?
and another thing why didnt Mike rescue him instead of giving supplies? hm i think some puzzling pieces are coming together now!" he picked up Mikes bag and walked off the Countess.
"Ok time for a little chat With Mike and Yaffle, if i can find them?"
"Well am back on the station but not the way i was wanting to get back in!" the agent was still cooling down
Illu had thanked Jenner for coming to his aid and Mike for supplies, he was back in the Countess at the docks examining her.
The agent had been furious on his return and had demanded a meeting with Station commander Sarah.
She had been most apologetic but also puzzled as Flight control had no record of Illu asking for permission to dock.
They had seen the ship outside but thought the passenger ship was allowing the believed passengers on board a viewing of the station and Barnards star and surrounding sights
Illu had pointed out he had been out there two days! there's only so much of a view! "but" he pondered "if he hadn't been talking to Flight who had he been talking to?"
He left Sarahs office and headed back to the docks
On board he had found the ships controls had been rigged to be remotely controlled from elsewhere, somewhere close, not necessarily from the station? he thought
Puzzling, it had seemed someone or some people had wanted him away for awhile from the station, perhaps to give them time to get away? hide something? he left the two points hanging in his head and continued carrying out a search of the ship
Using a TruNarc narcotics analyzer throughout the Countess he had found Blue powder traces in the cockpit, and weirdly enough on Mikes supplies.
Illu put that down to cross contamination, as he had held the controls then the bag of supplies
although one thing did strike him that the tea Mike supplied while he was stranded in the ship smelled just like the smell from Yaffles quarters, the almond slices, orange peel, blue cornflowers...."BLUE CORNFLOWERS!?
and another thing why didnt Mike rescue him instead of giving supplies? hm i think some puzzling pieces are coming together now!" he picked up Mikes bag and walked off the Countess.
"Ok time for a little chat With Mike and Yaffle, if i can find them?"
Rollo pondered the fact Jenner still seemed to suspect him of much of the events at the station involving her. He thought he covered his tracks and where not, he'd sailed through the troubles with the notion everything had been based on unfortunate misunderstandings. There was apparently much more to the little Imperial than he realised. Surely she couldn't know anything about the real intentions though. No, he shrugged it off. She had eased up a fair bit after all.
Jenner wouldn't allow him to escort her home, she told him people could get the wrong ideas and she could take care of herself. Before she left the bar Gir and his lady approached them. He shooked Gir's hand and kissed Lacus' hand.
"Enchanté. Congratulations Maestro, to your fortunes." He smiled and told Gir they may do clean business in the future. An Anaconda was a perfect trading tool. Gir somewhat cautiously smiled but told him they were square.
He awaited Jenner's departure before he too left the now empty bar. Sven gave him thumbs up. That was new! In a corridor on his way to his office he met Mike.
"Peace, old boy?" Rollo extended his hand.
"Hmm...well alright...I guess..."
"Good enough for me, Mikey." They shook hands.
Back in his office he transferred a fair sum to the 'People's Liberation Front of Barnard's Star'. A ragtag gathering of discontented dock workers, maintenance and other low-payed occupational groups. He had standing orders from Sirius to support this movement. They didn't do much but maintain a small nuisance to the Federal authorities, but they did a good job setting up that little surprise for Illu anyway. He had an unpleasant feeling he could need them more in the near future though, if nothing else to muddy the pools and be his extended ears and eyes.
He sighed, loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair with a whisky and a cigar as he half-heartedly glanced the big screen with the latest business reports. He realised it was his last cuban. "Damn you Moggy!" He had to ask Jenner to do another run to Paris soon. It really was a chore to be him sometimes, if people only knew...
Jenner wouldn't allow him to escort her home, she told him people could get the wrong ideas and she could take care of herself. Before she left the bar Gir and his lady approached them. He shooked Gir's hand and kissed Lacus' hand.
"Enchanté. Congratulations Maestro, to your fortunes." He smiled and told Gir they may do clean business in the future. An Anaconda was a perfect trading tool. Gir somewhat cautiously smiled but told him they were square.
He awaited Jenner's departure before he too left the now empty bar. Sven gave him thumbs up. That was new! In a corridor on his way to his office he met Mike.
"Peace, old boy?" Rollo extended his hand.
"Hmm...well alright...I guess..."
"Good enough for me, Mikey." They shook hands.
Back in his office he transferred a fair sum to the 'People's Liberation Front of Barnard's Star'. A ragtag gathering of discontented dock workers, maintenance and other low-payed occupational groups. He had standing orders from Sirius to support this movement. They didn't do much but maintain a small nuisance to the Federal authorities, but they did a good job setting up that little surprise for Illu anyway. He had an unpleasant feeling he could need them more in the near future though, if nothing else to muddy the pools and be his extended ears and eyes.
He sighed, loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair with a whisky and a cigar as he half-heartedly glanced the big screen with the latest business reports. He realised it was his last cuban. "Damn you Moggy!" He had to ask Jenner to do another run to Paris soon. It really was a chore to be him sometimes, if people only knew...
illu Minti
Deadly, But very fluffy...
Breaking Bad, the Elite way!
"ah ha!" the sudden voice startled the two gas-masked men who turned round to see Agent Illu at the door entrance to Mikes apartment
Suddenly Illus smile left him and he began to cough hard and double up as fumes from a small experimental lab reached him
"Quick hit the quick release vent extractor" came a muffled voice from one of the men "and shut the door to!"
The portable industrial extractor made quick work of the fumes and both men took their masks off helping Illu to a chair
"Here breath in, but slowly" it was professor Yaffles voice and his hand that bought an oxygen mask to the agents face
"I knew this would happen, i just knew someone would stumble upon us" it was Mikes voice this time and he sounded panicky
the agent finilly moved the mask away feeling more composed, lightheaded, actually he felt good, damn good!
"whoa!" he stood up and felt like he could float off on a creamy fluffy cloud and eat it as he went!
"Steady Illu, its the fumes from our, er little cook up, here take a sip of this antidote tea said Yaffle" he gentle sat the agent down, he looked up to see Yaffle and Mike watching him "how did you find out it was us?" said Mike
Illu feeling more himself explained what he thought he knew
Well the first thing i noticed after starting the Blue powder investigation was the smell from your quarters Yaffle, it had that blend of tea ingredients Mike had served, particularly the BLUE CORNFLOWERS ingredient, i also remember that You Yaffle had mentioned that alco-fruit some time ago and that when it dries it chrysalises, mix the two together with a few other choice ingredients and hey presto its....."
Yaffle interrupted the agent "True Blue! its what we have called it, well deducted agent"
"arh so"
"hey theres no need to be rude!" said Mike
"no i said, ah so, in that i see" said Illu
"anyway the fact is you guys left quite a few clues, some blue powder on the cockpit of the Countess, Mikes bag, although i wasnt to sure about that, but added that i realized Mikes ship had passed the stranded passenger ship i was on two or three times it made sense it wasnt accidental with the bag to
and Mikes also ship was enough to be in close proximity to remote control the Countess and feed the comms to!
i caught some of your chatter and the fake Flight control voices to, using voice distortion i guess? the same with faking Girs voice that led me to the Countess no doubt?
both men just nodded yes
"the only thing that bugged me was how you managed to get the countess clearance to leave the station and remain so long outside?"
"ah yes that was with Rollos help" said Mike
"Rollo!" the agent wasn't to surprised he was in this to
"He was our middle man in dealing with people his own level, you know the scum, dirt bags and low life opportunists he bribed the *People's Liberation Front of Barnard's Star* dock workers, maintenance and other low-payed disgruntles and was our dealer in getting True Blue to places we dared not go"
Yaffle broke in
"We didnt mean any harm to you, Mike wanted to go and rescue you after, well after we stranded you, but we needed time to think, Rollo was willing to cover it all up for a price, but it would have meant being in his debt to, forever!
True Blue is a narcotic thats true, but really mild, not to addictive and only served through drink and food, it just makes you feel happy and floaty and wears off after an hour, are you going to hand us in?"
Illu looked up at the desperate faces "nope!"
both men looked surprised and both spoke at the same time "Why!"
The agent stood up and looked around the equipment "well for starters ive no jurisdiction, am an Imperial remember
i just was curious to find out where this blue was coming from, second as long as it stays in Federation territory am happy for the Feds citizens to spend their creds on this stuff"
"Really?" said Yaffle
"Yep because you now have a fourth partner, me!" the agent winked
I will be your, shall we say protection against opportunists, shall we say 15% cut?
both men looked at each other and nodded "12%" said Yaffle
"14%" the agent came back
"20%" said Mike
"Done!" said Illu quickly as Yaffle hit Mike on the arm "ok but its all kept low key and we dont mention it in public agree?" said the professor
They all nodded
"Am gonna squire it with Rollo, make sure he understands i do the protection while he dos the dealing, good! my share of creds will go to the coffers of the Empire, i like the irony of it all" and with that Illu headed out leaving the two men to do another cook!
Narcotics had come to Barnards Station
"ah ha!" the sudden voice startled the two gas-masked men who turned round to see Agent Illu at the door entrance to Mikes apartment
Suddenly Illus smile left him and he began to cough hard and double up as fumes from a small experimental lab reached him
"Quick hit the quick release vent extractor" came a muffled voice from one of the men "and shut the door to!"
The portable industrial extractor made quick work of the fumes and both men took their masks off helping Illu to a chair
"Here breath in, but slowly" it was professor Yaffles voice and his hand that bought an oxygen mask to the agents face
"I knew this would happen, i just knew someone would stumble upon us" it was Mikes voice this time and he sounded panicky
the agent finilly moved the mask away feeling more composed, lightheaded, actually he felt good, damn good!
"whoa!" he stood up and felt like he could float off on a creamy fluffy cloud and eat it as he went!
"Steady Illu, its the fumes from our, er little cook up, here take a sip of this antidote tea said Yaffle" he gentle sat the agent down, he looked up to see Yaffle and Mike watching him "how did you find out it was us?" said Mike
Illu feeling more himself explained what he thought he knew
Well the first thing i noticed after starting the Blue powder investigation was the smell from your quarters Yaffle, it had that blend of tea ingredients Mike had served, particularly the BLUE CORNFLOWERS ingredient, i also remember that You Yaffle had mentioned that alco-fruit some time ago and that when it dries it chrysalises, mix the two together with a few other choice ingredients and hey presto its....."
Yaffle interrupted the agent "True Blue! its what we have called it, well deducted agent"
"arh so"
"hey theres no need to be rude!" said Mike
"no i said, ah so, in that i see" said Illu
"anyway the fact is you guys left quite a few clues, some blue powder on the cockpit of the Countess, Mikes bag, although i wasnt to sure about that, but added that i realized Mikes ship had passed the stranded passenger ship i was on two or three times it made sense it wasnt accidental with the bag to
and Mikes also ship was enough to be in close proximity to remote control the Countess and feed the comms to!
i caught some of your chatter and the fake Flight control voices to, using voice distortion i guess? the same with faking Girs voice that led me to the Countess no doubt?
both men just nodded yes
"the only thing that bugged me was how you managed to get the countess clearance to leave the station and remain so long outside?"
"ah yes that was with Rollos help" said Mike
"Rollo!" the agent wasn't to surprised he was in this to
"He was our middle man in dealing with people his own level, you know the scum, dirt bags and low life opportunists
he bribed the *People's Liberation Front of Barnard's Star* dock workers, maintenance and other low-payed disgruntles and was our dealer in getting True Blue to places we dared not go"Yaffle broke in
"We didnt mean any harm to you, Mike wanted to go and rescue you after, well after we stranded you, but we needed time to think, Rollo was willing to cover it all up for a price, but it would have meant being in his debt to, forever!
True Blue is a narcotic thats true, but really mild, not to addictive and only served through drink and food, it just makes you feel happy and floaty and wears off after an hour, are you going to hand us in?"
Illu looked up at the desperate faces "nope!"
both men looked surprised and both spoke at the same time "Why!"
The agent stood up and looked around the equipment "well for starters ive no jurisdiction, am an Imperial remember
i just was curious to find out where this blue was coming from, second as long as it stays in Federation territory am happy for the Feds citizens to spend their creds on this stuff"
"Really?" said Yaffle
"Yep because you now have a fourth partner, me!" the agent winked
I will be your, shall we say protection against opportunists, shall we say 15% cut?
both men looked at each other and nodded "12%" said Yaffle
"14%" the agent came back
"20%" said Mike
"Done!" said Illu quickly as Yaffle hit Mike on the arm "ok but its all kept low key and we dont mention it in public agree?" said the professor
They all nodded
"Am gonna squire it with Rollo, make sure he understands i do the protection while he dos the dealing, good! my share of creds will go to the coffers of the Empire, i like the irony of it all" and with that Illu headed out leaving the two men to do another cook!
Narcotics had come to Barnards Station
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A few hours had passed since Gir and Lacus had returned to the anaconda and found Mikes house warming gift, they had been an 'eventful' couple of hours needless to say
Lacus was lying in the double bed in a state of pure bliss from the events that had unfolded coupled with Mike ingenious cheesecake, Gir had also experienced the same blissful high but it was short lived something was seriously affecting his augmentations and his entire body felt like it was suffering from severe pins and needles.
He noticed a slight blue residue left on the plates they had ate the cheesecake off of.
"I'm going to return Mikes maglock now Lacus" Gir spoke quietly, Lacus simply smiled and waved in a very relaxed manner
Gir left the ship and secured it behind him, he didn't want any body to just be able to walk in and see Laucs in her nude beauty that was for his eyes only
Ge arrived at Mike apartment some time later, it had taken longer lugging the maglock with him and fighting to get his legs to work right. Gir caught a glimps of Illu leaving before he got to the and knocked.
The was the sound of clattering glass behind the door before it slid open.
"Look Illu the next batch won't be ready for some time just..." Mike stopped suddenly realising it was not Illu but Gir
Gir noticed Yaffle further in the apartment hurridly putting something out of sight of the door "ah Mike just wanted to return your maglock here" Gir handed it over and continued "The cheesecake was delicious, Lacus loved it and I quite liked it as well but something in it isn't sitting well with me feels like I have pins and needles all over my body. i feel like a pin cushion" Gir chuckled
"Hmm that's very interesting" Yaffle jumped in "Mind if I run some tests nothing to worry about"
Gir raised an eye brow "OK....sure" Gir slowly answered, he didn't know what the pair and Illu where up to but he was confident they could take care of themselves
Lacus was lying in the double bed in a state of pure bliss from the events that had unfolded coupled with Mike ingenious cheesecake, Gir had also experienced the same blissful high but it was short lived something was seriously affecting his augmentations and his entire body felt like it was suffering from severe pins and needles
.He noticed a slight blue residue left on the plates they had ate the cheesecake off of.
"I'm going to return Mikes maglock now Lacus" Gir spoke quietly, Lacus simply smiled and waved in a very relaxed manner
Gir left the ship and secured it behind him, he didn't want any body to just be able to walk in and see Laucs in her nude beauty that was for his eyes only
Ge arrived at Mike apartment some time later, it had taken longer lugging the maglock with him and fighting to get his legs to work right. Gir caught a glimps of Illu leaving before he got to the and knocked.
The was the sound of clattering glass behind the door before it slid open.
"Look Illu the next batch won't be ready for some time just..." Mike stopped suddenly realising it was not Illu but Gir
Gir noticed Yaffle further in the apartment hurridly putting something out of sight of the door "ah Mike just wanted to return your maglock here" Gir handed it over and continued "The cheesecake was delicious, Lacus loved it and I quite liked it as well but something in it isn't sitting well with me feels like I have pins and needles all over my body. i feel like a pin cushion" Gir chuckled
"Hmm that's very interesting" Yaffle jumped in "Mind if I run some tests nothing to worry about"
Gir raised an eye brow "OK....sure" Gir slowly answered, he didn't know what the pair and Illu where up to but he was confident they could take care of themselves
Cmdr Alien stumbled up to the bar "Sven I need ... a ... drink" Sven put a glass of water in front of Alien, she downed it in one gulp "something less alcoholic please" and gave the glass back to Sven who refilled it with more water. Sven asked what had bothered Alien so much that she asked for a drink for the first time ever and didn't notice it wasn't alcoholic. "I've been stuck in hell" Sven raised an eyebrow and refilled the glass.
"I tried to get to Zelada ... I can't get to the station ... my ship keeps spinning in hyperspace" It was a tale Sven was hearing more and more recently. Something was going on in Zelada and many pilots got stuck in hyperspace.
"Right I'm going to give it another try" Sven asked why Alien didn't just leave it for a while and try later, but Alien was out of the bar and heading for the docking ports by the time Sven had got halfway through the question.
"I tried to get to Zelada ... I can't get to the station ... my ship keeps spinning in hyperspace" It was a tale Sven was hearing more and more recently. Something was going on in Zelada and many pilots got stuck in hyperspace.
"Right I'm going to give it another try" Sven asked why Alien didn't just leave it for a while and try later, but Alien was out of the bar and heading for the docking ports by the time Sven had got halfway through the question.
Jenner
I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
Illu and Mike huddled around the computer, looking at the Station's trading bulletin board where shipping requests were posted reguarly.
"Ok, we need some more Blue Cornflowers before we can do the next batch." Mike said. Illu nodded.
"You realize that local Fed authorities will probably start getting suspicious of all this blue cornflower trading activity. It's spiking at the same time that your, ah, 'product' has appeared on the station. I know *I'd* be making the connection if I were them!"
"Better to distance ourselves from it. I still think this is a great way to do that... let's just contract with one of the local merchants. Most of them are in and out anyway....they won't be around long enough to catch any heat. And it'll remove us from the picture if we post anonymously."
Mike typed out a shipping request.
"Wanted: merchant to deliver a case of Blue Cornflowers to the station. Pickup: Mars, Olympus Village. Prompt payment for delivery. Undercover narcotics agents need not apply."
"Looks good to me!" Illu said. Mike hit the 'post button.'
Later on...
The man entered the Akashi Repair Shop's hangar and was greeted with an ear-assaulting din! Sparks flew everywhere from on top of a rather aged Sidewinder and the sound of a plasma welder filled the bay.
"HELLO UP THERE??" he shouted, cupping his hands to his mouth. "IS MY SHIP READY??"
Jenner pulled up her goggles and walked over the port side 'wing' to where Velma was crouched over a large hole, welding away.
"No, NO! THIS one goes there.... THAT one goes there! Got it?"
Velma mouthed something under her breath, but kept on soldering wires.
Jenner glanced over the side and saw her customer yelling at her.
"Ah, sorry!! Hello!!..... YES, it's almost done! Please, have a seat in the waiting room and have some coffee!"
She double checked with Velma that she had the remaining repair figured out, then descended the ladder to speak with her last customer of the day. After this she was going to do a quick trade run to Sol to pick up some extra cash. As she walked to the waiting room she double checked the station's trading builetin board for any recent delivery requests. 'Hmm... what the heck are blue cornflowers?.... well, I'm going to Mars anyway....' She clicked the 'Accept' button.
"Ok, we need some more Blue Cornflowers before we can do the next batch." Mike said. Illu nodded.
"You realize that local Fed authorities will probably start getting suspicious of all this blue cornflower trading activity. It's spiking at the same time that your, ah, 'product' has appeared on the station. I know *I'd* be making the connection if I were them!"
"Better to distance ourselves from it. I still think this is a great way to do that... let's just contract with one of the local merchants. Most of them are in and out anyway....they won't be around long enough to catch any heat. And it'll remove us from the picture if we post anonymously."
Mike typed out a shipping request.
"Wanted: merchant to deliver a case of Blue Cornflowers to the station. Pickup: Mars, Olympus Village. Prompt payment for delivery. Undercover narcotics agents need not apply."
"Looks good to me!" Illu said. Mike hit the 'post button.'
Later on...
The man entered the Akashi Repair Shop's hangar and was greeted with an ear-assaulting din! Sparks flew everywhere from on top of a rather aged Sidewinder and the sound of a plasma welder filled the bay.
"HELLO UP THERE??" he shouted, cupping his hands to his mouth. "IS MY SHIP READY??"
Jenner pulled up her goggles and walked over the port side 'wing' to where Velma was crouched over a large hole, welding away.
"No, NO! THIS one goes there.... THAT one goes there! Got it?"
Velma mouthed something under her breath, but kept on soldering wires.
Jenner glanced over the side and saw her customer yelling at her.
"Ah, sorry!! Hello!!..... YES, it's almost done! Please, have a seat in the waiting room and have some coffee!"
She double checked with Velma that she had the remaining repair figured out, then descended the ladder to speak with her last customer of the day. After this she was going to do a quick trade run to Sol to pick up some extra cash. As she walked to the waiting room she double checked the station's trading builetin board for any recent delivery requests. 'Hmm... what the heck are blue cornflowers?.... well, I'm going to Mars anyway....' She clicked the 'Accept' button.
Yaffle
Volunteer Moderator
Yaffle sat down wearily on Mike’s couch. He pulled off his gasmask with the corrective lenses for slightly legally dubious work in, and put on his honest face spectacles. He wiped his hands on his labcoat, leaving tell-tale blue marks.
“Mike, I think we’re pretty much sorted here. The alco-fruit don’t last the journey outside stasis, and they really stink when they go off.”
“Yeah. Like a durian fruit I once opened.”
“Which is why we need these darn masks.”
“Yep. Do you want some tea?”
“Not really.” Yaffle wiped at the welt forming around his face where he’d had the mask for the past few hours. He’d brought back a crate of the blue fruit, but most had spoiled. He had tried one, it tasted like cat vomit and smelled like, well, in any form of polite company he’d rather not say. Another thing he’d rather not say was just how he knew what cat vomit tasted like.
Mike was busy with a complicated array of equipment that as far as Yaffle could tell produced boiling water, which Mike poured on dead plants which had been chopped up and desiccated. Yaffle considered just how strange humans really were. He continued
“But, the ones in stasis leave a nasty aftertaste.”
“Yep”
“What’s more odd is that if they dry out they crystallise, looking like copper sulphate crystals. Most odd. BUT we’ve discovered that mixing them with one of your dead plant blends before putting them in the cheesecake mix removes that taste, but leaves the alkaloids and alcohol intact.”
“Yes, that’s right. This tea is very good, are you sure you don’t…”
“Quite. You see the problem with fruit teas is one of pure disappointment. They smell like a tasty pot-pourri, you infuse them and they smell like the plant they came from. But every last one tastes of hot water, or if you leave it infusing so it does not taste of hot water it tastes of something fetid.”
“Not so.”
“Let us disagree. Anyway, it’s still a strange name for a fruit, cornflower. I guess it’s because the fruit inside is blue, like a Centaurea cyanus flower. So we get a courier to pick up that stasis crate of them I had sent to Mars, and we use them in more cheesecake. That sells well, all the punters feel good, we make some money, Illu makes some money, which reminds me, you are the worst negotiator in the history of, well, history. Nothing illegal happens to anyone. As long as they are actually legal fruit in Federation space. I probably should have checked that. I guess it’s the courier’s problem.”
“Mike, I think we’re pretty much sorted here. The alco-fruit don’t last the journey outside stasis, and they really stink when they go off.”
“Yeah. Like a durian fruit I once opened.”
“Which is why we need these darn masks.”
“Yep. Do you want some tea?”
“Not really.” Yaffle wiped at the welt forming around his face where he’d had the mask for the past few hours. He’d brought back a crate of the blue fruit, but most had spoiled. He had tried one, it tasted like cat vomit and smelled like, well, in any form of polite company he’d rather not say. Another thing he’d rather not say was just how he knew what cat vomit tasted like.
Mike was busy with a complicated array of equipment that as far as Yaffle could tell produced boiling water, which Mike poured on dead plants which had been chopped up and desiccated. Yaffle considered just how strange humans really were. He continued
“But, the ones in stasis leave a nasty aftertaste.”
“Yep”
“What’s more odd is that if they dry out they crystallise, looking like copper sulphate crystals. Most odd. BUT we’ve discovered that mixing them with one of your dead plant blends before putting them in the cheesecake mix removes that taste, but leaves the alkaloids and alcohol intact.”
“Yes, that’s right. This tea is very good, are you sure you don’t…”
“Quite. You see the problem with fruit teas is one of pure disappointment. They smell like a tasty pot-pourri, you infuse them and they smell like the plant they came from. But every last one tastes of hot water, or if you leave it infusing so it does not taste of hot water it tastes of something fetid.”
“Not so.”
“Let us disagree. Anyway, it’s still a strange name for a fruit, cornflower. I guess it’s because the fruit inside is blue, like a Centaurea cyanus flower. So we get a courier to pick up that stasis crate of them I had sent to Mars, and we use them in more cheesecake. That sells well, all the punters feel good, we make some money, Illu makes some money, which reminds me, you are the worst negotiator in the history of, well, history. Nothing illegal happens to anyone. As long as they are actually legal fruit in Federation space. I probably should have checked that. I guess it’s the courier’s problem.”