Adventure, Again (//Cancelled)

[Toaster]

Feburary 10, 828 A.S.

The shuttle burst out of the cloud cover at supersonic speeds, leaving a long, faint vortex of hydrogen vapor swirling in its path. Many more kilometers above, visible against the darkening sky as the atmosphere grew thinner, were the lattices of Manhattan's many orbital mooring fixtures. Pinpricks of lights darted to and fro between them as distant ships maneuvered from through them and around them, arriving at and departing from Manhattan.

The sight never failed to awe Olivia, even after the many years she had spent flying in the void of space herself. A masterpiece of human engineering, the vast facilities hung over the planet like a fine, dark spider's web, barely visible from afar, yet massive in their scope.

The small craft was buffeted gently as it ascended through the final, thin layers of the atmosphere, diving into the network of artificial arrays. Transports small and large clung to their fixtures, drones and cargo tugs ferrying goods to the orbital elevators that would deliver them to the surface far below. Small police ships deftly flitted between them, inspecting the containers and ships' holds, ever seeking contraband to claim in the name of the law, while here and there larger naval warships patrolled at a safe distance, ever vigilantly safeguarding Liberty's grand capital.

The shuttle pulled up to a smaller mooring platform, orbiting a small distance apart from the rest, reserved for ships owned by the wealthy elite. One fixture was occupied by a large yacht, its hull painted a dark, matte gold with crimson highlights running along its length from bow to stern. Stenciled in black letters across its prow was the name Mona Lisa.

The small ferry circled around the luxurious craft once, twice, thrice, before pulling away and into a docking bay attached to the platform where it finally settled down on the deck.

Olivia stepped off of the lowered access ramp into the bay. By hangar standards, it was decadently decorated, enormous eagles' busts mounted in each of its four corners, and an actual red carpet extending from each landing pad to the main entrance. Why anyone would waste their credits on something as pointless as turning a docking bay into a work of art was beyond the mercenary.

She was met at the door by a woman only slightly shorter than herself, dressed in what appeared to be an officer's uniform, but lacking any military adornment.

"Miss Sable," the woman greeted her, reaching out for a handshake. Olivia accepted it. "I'm Victoria Mays," her escort continued in a noticeable Bretonian accent. "First officer aboard the Mona Lisa." Releasing the mercenary's hand again, she pointed down the corridor that lead towards the mooring point. Olivia nodded and stepped down the hallway, her new acquaintance falling in beside her.

"Mister Arbentyne is very pleased that you chose to accept his invitation."

Olivia shot her a sidelong glance.

"Any idea what I can expect?"

Mays chuckled.

"Good food and drink."

They soon arrived at the airlock that bound the luxury yacht to the orbital platform and stepped aboard into a compact but beautiful lounge. Olivia whistled, impressed. It was her first time aboard a vessel of such class and she had a hard time believing she was standing inside a spaceship - the only crafts she was used to being combat fighters and cargo haulers, none of which even offered a fraction of the comfort she witnessed in this small lobby alone.

"State of the art OSC interior," Mays stated. "Only the finest furnishing and decoration for our finest clients."

"Orbital Spa and Cruise?" Olivia asked.

"That's right," her company straightened her back proudly. "We provide what the wealthy desire." She locked eyes with the mercenary and smiled. "Please, follow me. Mister Arbentyne awaits you in the dining room."

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Olivia Sable