The path of Prospector

[Doom]

York was in hospital over looking Milia in her bed. She was a sleep, recovering slowly from yesterdays battle.
Room was quiet, only Milia's heavy breathing could be heard. Walls were painted in some shade of calm green color. Only light in the room came trough the open door.

York was sitting with his back turned to the door, when light in the room got darkened.

- Hello James, - York said.

- YA, hi, how is she?

- Nothing has changed. Doctor said we need to wait. Did you need me?...I know you didn't come here without a reason.

- Yes. I have been contacted by some shady fellow. He said that he has job offer for us. Thomson might be needed again.

- Yes?...Smuggling operation again?...Any information about what kind of money are we looking into?

- Nope. Fellow asked us to meet with him at Freeport 4. Magellan system.

- Ok, that is doable. I will prepare Prospector we need to be careful about this.

- I agree, we don't have much information.

Together, York and Bannon left the room.
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Aboard Prospector. Somewhere in Magellan system.

Bannon was sitting in the command room of Prospector cleaning his ancient guns. York was at helm looking on instruments.

- You think we gonna need those guns today? - York asked

- One never could tell. Better to safe then sorry.

- So true. ETA to Freeport 4 is 2 minutes. Opening comms.
Freeport station, this is Xeno vessel Prospector asking permission to dock.

Freeport docking officer: Permission granted sir, but we don't want any trouble down there. Proceed to moor 4.

- No worries, we will be good, York laughed.
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Freeport 4. Bar.

Bannon and York entered the smoky bar. All kinds of shady characters were sitting around. York even noticed few bounty hunters.

- Keep your guns close Tex - York said, Looking at this crowd they may to prove them selves useful.

- Ain't you glad i took them? - Tex smiled

- Ok, look around which one is our man?

- I don't know, he told me too enter the bar and that he will contact me. Lets just sit and wait.

Two Xenos, in their black uniforms, sat in the darkest corner of the bar. They could barely be distinguished from the wall behind them.

Waitress brought them their drinks. When Bannon raised his glass below it he found small note.
With barely readable handwriting message said:

DRINK THAT FAST AND MEET ME IN THE BACK ROOM.

DUCKY.

- Ducky?...HAHAHAHAHA, you got to be kidding. Really nice name for dangerous type - York laughed.

They finished their drinks fast and called in for waitress.

- Hello lovely lady, does this fine establishment has a back room maybe? - York asked

- Heh..no need for sarcasm. Fine establishment my ass. This is a dump, and all dumps have back rooms. Come with me. - Waitress said

York looked at Bannon and smiled. Waitress led them behind the bar and trough the small door to narrow corridor. At the end of the corridor there were another small door.

- There. At the end. That is back room.

York and Banonn thanked her and went to the back room.

- Should we knock i wonder? - Tex said

Before they reached end of the corridor, door opened.
He was short, bald man dressed like circus clown, or in something resembling that. He was missing index finger on his right hand. When he let them into the room and closed door behind them they realized why he is called Ducky. His walk, half limping, half rocking, he walked like a duck.

- I wonder when he will wiggle his tail - Tex whispered to York

York smiled.

- What was that? I didn't hear. You need to speak little louder, i don't hear very well. - Ducky said

- I said, lets us begin - Tex said in much louder voice. - Why have you called us here?

- Ok...this is how it goes. I have special ship. It is docked out side. Smugglers dream ship. A lot of hidden cargo space. I need one fearless pilot who will fly it for me. For a large profit. We split 60/40. 60 to me, 40 to you. You take care of pilots fee. I provide the ship, maps and special code that will let you in some more protected places.

- Why don't you do that yourself and keep all the profit for yourself? - York asked

- I am quite known trough out the Sirius, and i cant be tied with this kind of operation.

- This kind of operation? From what you have told us it is normal smuggling job. Nothing worse then anything you have ever done before. Or is it?. You didn't the told us what is the cargo.

- Precisely! Cargo is one of delicate matter. You see this job is about carrying SLAVES.

Tex's hand moved towards his holster. Eyes darkened. He was in killing mood. York quickly laid his hand over Tex's preventing him to draw his guns. They exchanged a look and Tex moved his hand away form the holster.

- Slaves you say. Hmm...interesting. How about you show us the ship? - York said

- Very well...Then i will need a decision.

- You will get one, Tex said, - I promise you that.
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Dock bay 2

- Here it is. Liberty Rouges designed this specially for me. Isn't she a beauty.

York and Bannon had to agree with him. Ship was huge, looked fast and was well armored. Smugglers dream.
York looked around docking bay. There was nobody here.

- Are we alone here? - York asked

- Yes this baby is kept out of the sight. My pride and joy. Behold EINMYRIA.

York turned to Tex and whispered to him : - Now.

Ducky was standing with his hands spread at large ship. Tex got behind him, and complete silence after Ducky's last words was interrupted by loud blast from Tex's gun.
Ducky fell down with out the word.

- Finally. - Tex said - I couldn't listen to his insane words any more.

- Hmm...ignorant fool. Asking a Xeno to carry slaves for him. I think wont make that mistake again. - York said - But he was right in one thing. This ship is work of art. We will take it. Now only we need to find a work for it.

- I agree...and i think Thompson will be happy to get his hands on this.

- Ok Tex...you will fly this baby home...i am taking the Prospector. See you at Ouray.
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Both ships undocked simultaneously and headed back to Colorado. EINMYRIA was brought to Ouray with out incidents. Any ship flying next to Prospector flys undisturbed.