The Bar inside Alcatraz was a dingy sort of joint, a thick layer of smoke hung in the air with an odor of alcohol and burnt meat. There were only a few visitors in the bar at this time of day as most of the Rogues were out raiding or still unconscious from the previous nights drinking stupor. The long oak bar counter had more than its share of damage, yet it still gave the bar a somewhat interesting look. The partial piece of an LSF heavy fighters wing still hanging on the back wall where the bars previous owner left it. It gave the bar an rather unlawful feel to it.
Off in a corner booth, there sits a woman with long silky black hair, her back to the door wearing her grey and black layered form fitting flight suit with a yellowish rust coloured cloth wrapped around her neck, her helmet hanging on the end of the table. She lifts her hand, motioning to the Bar droid for a drink before looking up at the old clock on the wall behind the counter.
Ryan walks into the bar, somewhat already having a feel for the place, looking from left to right, embracing the pungent smells of alcohol lurking from table to table he noticed the back wall and the LSF Heavy Fighter wing used as an ornament. Ryan smirked before mumbling to himself "Typical" He turned to the corner of the room and noticed a woman, her head faced down and away from Ryan. He approached her knowing it was Siren, since she was the only female here. Ryan walks past her to sit opposite her. "Very classy place.. Hard to believe you owned this rust bucket at one point" Ryan sits down and faces Siren noticing her head is still faced down and shadowed. "Now to business."
Just as Ryan mentions Business, the bar droid unsteadily walks up with a drink precariously balanced on a small round tray. "Your Rum and Coke, Miss Siren." She motions to the table before the old 7-10 model bar android sets the drink just to the side of her left hand. It was a somewhat fancy looking drink for such a
dive as they were in, it had two slices of lemon stuck to the lip of the glass with what appeared to be salt around the edge. "On the house as usual, Ma'am... What will you have Sir?" It asks, seemingly void of any emotions. Siren remains quiet, paying attention to the data pad on the table, her face still hidden in the shadow of the dim light hanging above them.
Ryan glancing down at the Rum and Coke the bar droid had placed on the table. "Whiskey would be nice.. The good stuff" without gracing the bar droid with a look he diverts his attention to Siren. Still glancing down at her data pad. Ryan hears a large thudding noise from the bar droid as it walks away from the table to prepare his drink. "So.. I assume we are actually going to get down to business sometime soon? I don't fancy being stuck here for a time until you finish figuring out how to acknowledge me in a fashionable manner." Ryan smirks before noticing the bar droid making its way back to the table he was sat at.
The android stops next to the table, its leg seemed to shudder as it stands in place. "Your Whiskey sir." Before Ryan can answer, Siren speaks up. "Bob, set the drink down and get to the back room, your right legs coming loose again. I'd really prefer to not carry you back there... your quite heavy." She remarks as she finally looks up, her hair flowing slightly as she turns her head in the androids direction.
Ryan looks towards the droid finally gracing it with his attention. "Thank you." he then diverts his attention to the side of Sirens face, briefly before setting his eyes on the droids leg. "I'm afraid she is right Bob, We wouldn't want you stumbling everywhere now would we? You might give the punters a reason to think you've been drinking on the job" Ryan laughs before looking back up to Siren. Her face now fixated on the Rum and Coke. Ryan then picks up his Whiskey that the bar droid kindly put on the table for him before stumbling off to the back room. Swirling the glass in circular motion before taking a sip of it. "I trust now that we have set the scene so to speak, we can carry out our business?"
Smirking, Siren nods, turning to face him, "Yes, onto Business... I believe there is the matter of a certain set of blueprints you were meant to obtain for Lord Moka?" She remarks in a slightly militaristic manor before taking a sip of her drink, licking a bit of the salt off the rim first. Sirens business mentality always had a bit of a military sound to it, that on more than a few occasions would set her business contacts on edge.
Ryan looks towards Siren now looking directly at him. His jaw drops and his eyes opened in shock. "Rebecca is that you? I haven't seen you since.." Ryan suddenly goes quiet. Looking down at his whiskey, He picks it up in a rush and gulps it down. His cheeks instantly go red. "What are you doing here Rebecca?" Completely ignoring her question. He sits in anticipation of her answer to his question.
She gives him an awkward look, with a bit of annoyance in her eyes. "Who?"
Ryan looks down puzzled by her response.. remembering the last time he saw her. He mumbles to himself.. "The programme..." He glances back up at Siren.. "I'm sorry, you look like someone I once knew." Ryan looks directly at Siren in shock once again. "I don't suppose I can get another Whiskey?"
She smirks, "You sure you haven't already had a few?" looking at his glass, then to the now empty counter, she shrugs. "Might as well.." She takes his glass, stands up and moves behind the counter. Quickly grabbing a bottle, she tosses it over her shoulder from behind, catches it then pours his whiskey before wiping down the glasses outside. As Siren moves back towards the end of the counter, a group of about five Rogue escort pilots enter the bar though once they spot Siren, they immediately end their conversation.
"Yo, who let the Spy on our station?" one of the men shouts out to the bar.
"Probably someone that thought she was Human." Another pilot laughs.
"Why don't you pour me a tall one then go jump out an airlock?" All five of the men start laughing, though Siren doesn't seem to find any of it the least bit hilarious.
Trying to ignore them, she moves back to their table, setting Ryan's drink down a bit harder than she intended as a few drops slosh out onto the surface. "Frackin brain blown scum... It's not like it was my choice..." She mutters to herself though Ryan could hear her.
Ryan stands up as soon as Siren plants his Whiskey on the table. picking up his Whiskey quickly and gulping it down instantly before turning to Siren and saying "Keep them coming, this will just take a minute" Ryan proceeds to walk over to the counter towards the five loud mouth Rogues that walked in causing quite the commotion.
Immediately one of the Rogues walks over to Ryan almost as if he is ready to brawl. The Rogue now in Ryan's face gives him an awkward look before falling to the ground. Ryan now rubbing his head after head butting and stepping over the first victim turns to the other four Rogues remaining and says "You know.." punching one of the other Rogues in his stomach before following up with an upper cut to his chin. "I really don't like..." turning to a third and kicking his leg from the side causing him to fall slightly then following up with a punch to his face. "people who treat women like that.." turning to the other two Rogues petrified by Ryan. Ryan looks directly at them both and whispers "Boo" Both Rogues rush to pick up there fallen friends and drag them away from the bar. Ryan now walks over to Siren. "It seems we have a lot to talk about Siren."
Smirking at his display of gentlemanly courage, Siren cant help but think about how much he will stand out on the Rogue stations. "You know.. that could be taken as a threat to the PLR... but.. you did so for the honour of one of the PLR's Underbosses... and they deserved it. She settles herself back in her seat, the booth they were sitting in actually one of the best in the bar. "So.. what would you like to talk about Mr. Bishop?"
Ryan sits down comfortably before turning to Siren once again. "Well.. It is probably best we finalise our business before I tell you what I know." Ryan turns to his empty glass of Whiskey. "Just give me a moment." He stands up and walks towards the bar grabbing a bottle of Whiskey from behind the Counter and two clean glasses. He then walks back to the booth and proceeds to sit down. Pouring himself and Siren a drink. "Here.. It's the good stuff." pushing one of the glasses to Siren then pushing a file towards her. "The blueprints.. I trust this is satisfactory." Ryan looking down at his Whiskey takes another sip whilst smirking at Siren.
Amused by Ryan's actions, Siren simply watches as he takes the bottle and glasses, then as he pushes the file towards her, she turns serious. "These are for a drive that will fit the UD? They seem... hmm.." Siren stares at the prints for a few moments, concentrating on them before looking up to Ryan. "They seem to be in order... we'll just have to see what comes of them." She closes the file and sets it next to her on the seat. Taking the glass, she sips at the Whiskey for a moment before setting it back on the table. "So.. what's this information you have... and how much will it cost me?"
Ryan now comfortably positioned in his seat. "Isn't this the part where you tell me I have access to the Padua Liberty Rogues installations?" Ryan pauses for a moment swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. "I also believe this is where you tell me there will be some ground rules whilst I conduct any of my business on said installations." Ryan begins to smirk. "You will likely explain to me that my work will be monitored and once again express that you don't trust me." Ryan takes a sip of his Whiskey. "And no doubt you will tell me that it will be mandatory to contact you every time I need to access your stations. What if I told you I agree to all of these terms already? Maybe then we can talk about more pressing matters."
Raising an eyebrow, Siren can't help but be a smartass, "You sound like we've already done this once before... Heh... Yes to all of that, and definitely yes to not trusting anyone who is, was, or will be LSF." She moves some hair from her face. "And yes, you will need to inform me when you land on Padua as well as before you depart. If I'm not there, you will report to the stations second in command in my absence." She takes the drink again, swirling it a bit before sipping at its contents again. Once she sets it back down, she puts her right arm out to the side on the back of her booth. "You don't cause any trouble and we will have no issues. So.. what was it you wanted to discuss?"
Ryan smirks then gulps down the rest of his Whiskey before pouring himself yet another. Already comfortably settling in. "I'm quite the business man, this is almost routine for me. So forgive me for wanting to hurry things along." Ryan takes a sip from the glass he just poured and sets it down beside him. "What if I told you that you was once an LSF Agent yourself Rebecca?" Ryan smirking once more before getting serious. "What if I told you that you were the ideal candidate of a programme that incidentally changed the way you see things.." Ryan pauses now standing up. "I couldn't help but over hear them pesky Rogues suggest that you are not human. Now what if I told you that me and you once knew each other. What would you say to that?" Ryan now stood in front of Rebecca extends his hand to her to help her up out of her chair. "I want you to tell me everything you know about yourself."
Siren had already balled her fists tightly as he spoke, her jaw clenched shut and her mind quickly filling with rage. As he holds his hand out for her, she snaps. She quickly reaches for and grabs his hand, pulling him down hard before pining him to the table. She had her left hand just above his throat as a long, thin and extremely sharp blade slides out of her wrist, barely a hairs width from the skin on his neck. "You say one more word and your dead.... I don't care who you are or how connected you may be.. but if you think for a moment that I will believe a word of this bull, then you're WRONG?!? I know who I am, I know WHAT I am... and if you think your going to take me back to those monsters in the LSF, then I'll kill you right here PAL!!" She bends his arm at an angle now causing him some pain. "You got anything else you want to tell me about myself MR. BISHOP?!?!"
Ryan now in an uncomfortable position. Making no attempt to struggle out of it glances at Siren smirking once more. "Well now. This is the Rebecca I wanted to see." Ryan stops and stares at Siren seriously. Gripping the blade that is extended into his neck he pushes it forward and away from him gently. Almost as if she let him do it. "Now then.. If you truly want to know more about yourself. Contact me at a time when you have calmed down. I can assure you Rebecca, I'm on your side here. When that sinks in and the things I have said to you have settled in. Let me know.." Ryan picks the glass gulping the rest of his Whiskey down. "It's been a pleasure as always Rebecca." Ryan walks out of the bar.
Siren stands there, her anger and rage mixing with the confusion she was feeling deep in her mind. Then as Ryan makes it through the door as it slowly closes behind him, she quickly picks her glass up, turns and throws it full force at the door screaming, "MY NAME IS SIREN!?!?"as it shatters against the heavy wood. She then falls back into her seat, her mind racing from the things he'd said. She never thought she would have to deal with this again, never thought her past would return to her so soon, even if it had been 4 years since she was built. "My... name is... Siren..." She says quietly to herself before laying her head in her arms as her emotions consume her.
*Siren sat at the booth, her head on her arms as she cried silently, her mind racing with thoughts of her past, of the facility where she'd been built, the way all the men and women would treat her and the pain they would put her through all for the sake of protecting something she didn't even belong to. After a while, Siren finally managed to calm down, she looks up at the clock on the back wall that hung just above the piece of LSF fighter wing.* Why did it have to be him... why couldn't it have been someone that doesn't know about me. *She drops her head back to her arms as she thinks back to their initial meeting, that long flight through liberty to Traz, and the conversation that took place.*
Ryan.Bishop: Incoming Transmission.
Ryan.Bishop: Greetings.
Ryan.Bishop: Am I right in assuming you are Siren.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: **Visuals Blocked**
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Yes, you are Mr. Bishop I presume?
Ryan.Bishop: Indeed, I have just entered the Galileo System.
Ryan.Bishop: It has been quite the long journey
Ryan.Bishop: I suggest we move forward quickly and do the transfer as soon as possible.
Ryan.Bishop: What is your current location?
PLR:Thunder.Struck: I agree Mr. Bishop. but first, is this channel secure?"
Ryan.Bishop: I activated Network Protection prior to contacting you.
Ryan.Bishop: It is secure for a time being.
Ryan.Bishop: But once I meet you I will develop a more secure line.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Understood Mr. Bishop, in that case, please make your way to Padua, I believe you know its location from your first meeting.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: We will then carry on through several systems until we arrive in California, we will be conducting our business on Alcatraz.
Ryan.Bishop: I will head to Padua now. Yes I remember its location.
Ryan.Bishop: Very well then. I will see you shortly.
Ryan.Bishop: Transmission Closed.
*I sat on the bridge of the Thunder Struck for a good hour, the bridge crew went about their business as normal yet they purposely avoided speaking to me given how nervous I was. I hadn't met with an LSF agent since I escaped the facility four years ago, I've dusted plenty of LSF ships since then, though never spent more than 5 minutes in a conversation with one. At one point the ships scanners detected a Liberty Navy fighter 20 k from the rendezvous coordinates, though it never got any closer than that. Finally the silence on the bridge broke as Mr. Bishop contacted my vessel as he entered the radiation field that surrounds Padua.*
Ryan.Bishop: Greetings.
Ryan.Bishop: Allow me to develop a secure channel from here on in.
Ryan.Bishop: Uploading codes.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Codes confirmed.
Ryan.Bishop: Scanning...
Ryan.Bishop: Network Protection Initiated.
Ryan.Bishop: Channel synchronized.
Ryan.Bishop: This should be fine.
Ryan.Bishop: I will let you take lead from here on in.
Ryan.Bishop: I will be on your wing Siren.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Confirmed, keep close. Please pay no mind to your blank comms screen, I keep my visuals down at all times.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: There are certain entities in liberty that would seek to ruin my life and those around me should I be found.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Well be departing now.
Ryan.Bishop: I am here to finalize our business, I am not here to admire a pretty face on a comms link.
Ryan.Bishop: Although I can relate to your situation.
Ryan.Bishop: As I expressed earlier, I am a wanted man here in Liberty.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Commencing jump
Ryan.Bishop: Copy that.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Initiating cruise
Ryan.Bishop: Interesting name for a ship...
PLR:Thunder.Struck: I understand your methods Mr. Bishop, though I would like to say something.
Ryan.Bishop: Hmm.. Go on?
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Even though Lord Moka has sought to give you his trust, I have a minor issue when it comes to trusting an LSF... any LSF for that matter.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: As for my vessels Name, I chose it from an old song I enjoy listening to... it's from Old Earth.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: 30 K from Jump Hole.
Ryan.Bishop: My business is with Lord Moka, It wasn't within my favor having to deal with one of his lap dogs. Your trust is not something I care about.
Ryan.Bishop: I am here to finalize our deal and that is it.
Ryan.Bishop: Old Earth...
Ryan.Bishop: Hmm. Reminds me of an old friend of mine.
Ryan.Bishop: I haven't seen her for quite some time.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Commencing jump
PLR:Thunder.Struck: *She hesitates for a moment*
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Yes... well... if your to be given access to our installations, you will most likely be seeing me at some point as I am the station master for Padua.
Ryan.Bishop: Well I'll have you know.. I am not part of the Agency anymore. In fact, I am hunted by them.
Ryan.Bishop: As for being a Station Master. No disrespect. But you can monitor my work all you want.
Ryan.Bishop: Your trust is not something I am going out of my way to earn though.
Ryan.Bishop: I have already done enough as it is.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: I wouldn't expect you to gain my trust, Like I said, I'll never trust another LSF agent again as long as I live.
After a long silence, we finally entered the asteroid field that surrounds Alcatraz Station. Once the rock field gave way to a clear view of Traz I couldn't help but feel a bit of nostalgia. After all, Alcatraz is where my life with the Rogues first began as well as the first time I'd ever felt like I had a family.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: Ah.. this brings back memories... I used to own the bar on this lump of rock.
Ryan.Bishop: I suggest we conduct our business and I be on my way.
Ryan.Bishop: I have other matters to attend to after all.
Ryan.Bishop: I will meet you in the Bar.
PLR:Thunder.Struck: After you then.
*When I contacted the station dock master, I couldn't help but smile as I heard the gravely old voice that had always welcomed me home after a long days flight through hostile space. I made straight for the Bar, wanting to take care of a few things before I began. I knew it would take Mr. Bishop at bit longer than usual to find the bar, the convoluted corridors heading to the bar were always confusing to first timers. Once I stepped through the doors into the bar, I couldn't help but smile, the smell and thick smoke hanging in the air brought back so many memories. I made my way to the back corner booth that sat just to the left of the bar under a dim light, the booth one of my favorites as well as the best in the station.I proceeded to busy myself with some paperwork while I waited for Mr. Bishop.*
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*After a few minutes of silence, Siren seemingly deep in thought lifts her head from her arms, sighing deeply. She had finally returned to reality.* Why can't things ever be simple... and why did he have to bring up that place. *She looks around the bar, now realizing she was alone. Dropping her head a bit, she reaches over, picking up the blueprints and her helmet.* Guess I'd better get these to Tori. I hope Lord Moka gets better soon. *With that she stands up and moves to the large oak doors. Looking back at the bar, its tables and booths, the long old counter with the multiple bottles of alcohol of any type you could imagine lining the back counter.* I need to visit this place more often. *She turns and moves through the doors, heading for her ship.*