A conference finds its way into the docking ports of the station. Exiting quickly, stands a woman wearing baggy jean-like pants, as well as a pitch-black sweatshirt. The 'Ingenuus Research Group' logo on the top of the right shoulder.
Rachel Winterton looks around the docking port, and starts to set off into the station. Admittedly, it was her first time at one of these summits. McCool asked her to come along which she was grateful for, however he had to stay back. He'll be arriving later.
Did she have to check in? Could she merely find a place to rest while she waited?
Continuing to walk through the hallway to the exterior of the bays, she looks around slightly lost. Not that she minded much. There was still plenty of time.
The CNN-Quick.Response.Unit entered the Baffin system coming from the Coronado jumphole. Warren was kind of ashamed to admit it to his crew, but that was the first time he went to the home system of the TAZ. As soon as they exited the nebula, he was surprised by the brilliant colors of the gas giant dominating the scenery. Eris. No wonder the discordians considered it a goddess...
The spacecraft cruised through the system, and soon was approaching Shasta Orbital Skyhook. The station was huge! That also took Warren by surprise. He had never seen so many docking bays in one single station before.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" - he said to the pilot - "Take a pass around the station before we dock. I wanna get a panoramic view of it."
A couple of Osprey patrols were around, following a pre-determined flight path, guarding the station for any 'non-invited guests'.
"Nice... That's it, I got it. Go around and let's land."
The pilot manouvered the Quick Response, positioning for an approach to one of the docking wings, while Warren at his side opened a comm channel with the station.
"Shasta Orbital, a very good evening. This is Ralf Warren aboard the CNN-Quick.Response.Unit, Dromedary class freighter, requesting permission to dock. We have five souls on board, and a little equipment."
"CNN vessel, this is Shasta. Permission granted. You are clear to approach and land on Docking Bay One. Welcome to Baffin."
"Thanks Shasta. Clear to land, Docking Bay One, Quick Response."
Warren put down the microphone. Then turned to his pilot and said:
"From all 257 possible docking bays, they send us to Bay One!"
As soon as the ship was safely parked, the crew started unloading the equipment. Nothing too fancy. Just a couple cameras and microphones. Warren headed down the long corridor to the central part of the station, where a security guard wearing funny clothing directed him to.
He soon arrived at a hall, where a pretty young lady waited behind a desk. On the far side of the room, two people talked, another big fellow walked about, each one in a peculiar version of 'funny clothing'. Warren completely ignored the girl, and walked towards the trio of Zoners.
"Hello there, folks! How are you doing in this lovely evening? I am Ralf Warren, from Canaria News Network, and administrator of Lanzarote Base. Man! This place is big!"
While nobody exactly knew where Doc was, she decied to go with her escort along the coridors, maybe she could find a familliar face. Long she walked aroun dthe Skyhood, and those endless corridoes maked her feel like she was going in circles.
After half an hour of wallkin' she decied to head to hangars , and while on her was a familliar face has was passing thought the corridor:
:Rachel, is that you?"She asked with a grin on her face..."It' can't be real, i thought we will never seen eachother again , nor did i belive you thought i didn't had all the mental faculies after you left."
Two Eagles slowly but purposefully made their approach to the Orbital Skyhook Station. They were weathered, beaten and barely spaceworthy, but they still flew with the elegance only such a utilitarian ship could have.
Flight trajectory indicated they came from Tau 29. Freeport 6 had sent a long distance hail about increased traffic enroute to Baffin and these two Eagles were included in their transmission report.
"Shasta Orbital Skyhook this is Zoner Convoy Delta 11 requesting clearance to land," the transmission came from the Eagle 2, the furthest in formation from Shasta.
"Zoner Convoy Delta 11 you are cleared to land. Please proceed to docking bay 11," flight control at Shasta had matched up Freeport numbers in this case. Both pilots thought it was just coincidence.
"Sir, we're cleared to land!" the voice from Eagle 2, Claire Demesa had relayed the the clearance to land with sarcastically feigned urgency.
Tobias Parkes just grunted with a smirk on his face. He picked the right assistant for an escort. A former mercenary which joined the Omicroners sat well with him.
Both pilots landed their Eagles safely in the hangar like it was child's play. The hangar staff descended quickly, no doubt to refuel the fighters but Demesa just waved them away, "No need for it. Both ships are all good. Fair warning that they'll cause damage if you tamper with them."
That was all it took for the hangar staff to retreat, with one speaking firmly into his intercom, no doubt at the affront he had just suffered.
"I'm guessing they have a no guns policy?" Demesa asked Parkes casually, as they made their way out of the hangar.
Parkes raised an eyebrow before continuing, "Just stick to the improvised stuff. I already gave you a rough layout and materials of the place. I doubt the owners will pull guns on people. They know the political fallout from such a move better than others."
Demesa nodded, then relayed the transmission back to Freeport 11, "We're in."
"Best not to keep them waiting." Parkes had a chuckle and then started hobbling up the corridor to meet who would no doubt be a greeter and guard. Demesa followed in step to the beat of Parks cane.
Skarsi notices the reporter step into the room and moves to greet him. " Mr. Warren. how nice to meet you." Skarsi makes the sign of the chao and introduces himself."Pope Skarsi Wyrdmake, of the TAZ." Skarsi hold out his hand and shakes with Ralf. A clunk from beneath Skarsi's robes hints at something not standard for a pope.
"Welcome to Shasta, and to Baffin, the home of our order. It is a beauty is it not? i assume you saw Eris on the way in?." Skarsi notices the pair from Freeport 11 entering and excuses himself.
Kallisti, I am Pope Skarsi Wyrdmake. Welcome to Baffin, and to Shasta." Skarsi nods to a templar, who steps near to the pair. "We must ask if you have any weapons. Weapons can be carried, but must be visible. This templar will be your escort for the summit."
Another Osprey enters Baffin from the Coronado Jumphole, shortly after followed by a Whale. Both stay close together with the ease of a trained Crew. A couple of fresh dents and the burns of energy weapons proove that rookie Pirates must have ambushed them underway but the Escort seems to be unscathed. The rest of the Voyage is safe and shortly after both ships dock at Shasta Skyhook.
" Boss ? Mick here. The boys are ready to debark and Im going over to the Trader in a sec. Anything before we take leave ? "
" Go right on, Mick. I trust the Crew will use their leave to maximum, and you know how to trade without me. I will join the Summit and you can take care of the Whale after offloading the Cargo. Be watchful not to miss the fun, will you ?"
"Nah, Boss. And thanks for the Bonus. The boys where quite happy about the private cargo allowance on this flight."
Flinx laughs while leaving the cockpit of his own Osprey, watching the colourfully exotic minidrake fly across the docking bay and stretch his wings. Sure... letting the crewmen pick up to 10 cargo units of free commodities for this flight had proven to be quite a shopping tour, but the men deserved the break.
He carefully watches the reactions of the people in the bay area. Most of them probably see a minidrake for the first time, and the slender and agile snake form with its batlike wings may draw more unwanted attention as usualy. After all, at this Summit security probably will be tight But even closer he watches the reactions of his friend and familiar, Pip. Where the snake cringes and evades he knows that anxiety or even hostility are prevailing. After all these jears he is used to sorting his surroundings through the emphatic feedback he recieves from Pip, and he relaxes as he realizes that most bystanders seem only to react with curiosity and anxiety. And as the Guard Templar approaches he calles Pip back to his sholder and awaits him.
"Kallisti, Templar. I am Flinx, free escort Pilot and trader. I am here to join the summit meeting."
Respectfully he waits for the Templar. He is guest here, after all.
"That's a fancy name. I'm just Tobias and this is Claire, an assistant who helps with my health issues," Parkes raised his cane and bowed slightly, showing proof if it were that he was a crippled old man.
Demesa nodded at the mention of weapons, but waited for Parkes to finish before pulling a gun from a holster behind her back and talking, "Single pistol. Spare round of ammunition. Laser sighted. Pretty standard. I brought the disposable one since I figured I'd lose it at reception, and you know how you sometimes don't get it back without all the paperwork? I don't like the paperwork too much. Also, I think Tobias has his cane, if that counts as a weapon. Otherwise, all good?"
Parkes sighed at Demesa bringing in a gun, but let it go before continuing, "I take it the Templar will remain far enough behind so as not to overhear our private conversations?"
Demesa stood there smugly proud that she managed to say so many words consecutively without a mistake.
"Of course. He will shadow you at a distance, so you may have private conversations without being overheard."
Skarsi takes the gun from Claire, checks it over and hands it back grip first. "Standard model, small calibre. Dangerous against unarmored targets. Acceptable risk."
Skarsi gestures to the Atrium. "The restaurant and bar are open, and everything is free of charge. Your escort will let you know when the summit is about to begin."