Valeria had stood there frozen in a state of shock. Trueno and Pygmy's conversation phasing out slowly... Lancehead... dead?! At first she could not believe it. She wanted to ask, how, why, when... but all she could do was stand there and stare, shaking her head at the devastating news that was just brought to her. And on top of that she was feeling quite silly about her cheerful remark, now hearing that someone ... and not just someone,.. that Lancehead.. died. In this moment, she remembered when she first met him in person...
(01-12-2013, 01:17 PM)shemkel Wrote: As he entered the dock his corsair guest landed in, he almost started to laugh. There were xenos all around the place hidden behind some crates and boxes, most of them aiming their guns at the corsair pilot. Some of them were even aiming at Ronnie as he ran out of the corridor rather fast. They were all armed and ready as if there was a navy cruiser outside the station launching a boarding party right now. In the middle of this mess, there was his corsair guest standing, with slightly surprised look on her face but besides that, rather calm and - what Lancehead was quite impressed with - not afraid. "Stand down, people!", Ronnie ordered, "Holster your weapons! You act like a bunch of pirates. It's not how we welcome our guests, is it?" Seeing the xenos relaxing a bit and putting down their weapons, Lancehead turned towards Valeria: "I'm terribly sorry, Miss Benitez. But you must understand them, they live in a lot of stress."
As he walked down towards his guest, Lancehead noticed the dock security chief trying to manage the other xenos and send them back to their work. As he walked by the man, he patted his shoulder and whispered "Good job, man. You've earned yourself a bottle". This made the officer relax and smile as he thought he would rather get yelled at.
"I hope you don't mind this... mess?" Ronnie asked as he aproached Valeria "The bar is that way. My boys will handle the ship and refill whatever is needed."
The way they greeted her, in hindsight, it was very corsair and somewhat flattering she felt. As she could finally find herself overcoming the first shock of it she raised her hand as if wanting to chime in. Trueno and Pygmy seemed to be just about to reach some kind of understanding so her hand went to her lips instead as a small tear rolled down her cheek and she still looked shocked without doubt.
When the words began to phase back in and she found herself able to follow the conversation again she realised that what she had deemed lost when she heard the news miracoulously seemed to have yet a chance. Trueno and Pygmy were talking! And it seemed as if it was coming to an agreement.
Valeria exhaled quietly.
It was a strange feeling. A moment ago, shocked and struck with grief, the next moment feeling relief. But most prominent of all was the sadness and in a way, Valeria was glad to feel that way. Lancehead had seemed a fine amigo, and she had looked forward to flying with him. It had all come so unexpectantly, the shock of being stranded, the relief of being spared and finding an amigo in such an unlikely situation and turn of events. And now Lancehead was gone...
"I think this is what Lancehead would have wanted..." Valeria quietly mused to herself and then looked up to Trueno and Pygmy, finally regaining her composure but remaining quiet for now, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.
Trueno rubs his temples, thinking on how to decide - after a long drawn out second he clasps Pigmys hand firmly for the handshake.
"De acuerdo! We have a deal - this will be interesting! Our warehouse clerks will be informed to prepare proper shipments for your men, the prices will be standard depending on the general price on Crete until we can see what you can actually do. Bueno then, Let's seal it with rum! "
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