A Crossing Of Different Worlds

[Carmen Quintana]

Noshima Freeport, Shikoku

---

“Hey, watch the shipment you pendejo's! Otherwise, I'll show you that a Corsair can fight outside the cockpit,” Carmen growled at the Noshima's unloading crew. Giving each a sharp look.

The few Corsairs serving as crew aboard her ship, shared grins among themselves.

A Kusari man standing next to her, spoke up after her warning. His accent thick. “The Corsair's are good business. Be more careful,” he warned further.

He turned to Carmen and offered her a small bow. Carmen gave the man a slight, but appreciative, dip of her head. Hinata Ito was someone she'd begun to grow familiar with. Often the foreman who'd serve as Noshima's representative to the Corsairs. He took his position seriously and was always on point. Carmen appreciated his attitude.

The unloading crew gave her a wary look and acknowledged Hinata's words, as they went back to unloading the crates of artifacts. Carmen stood sentinel until they had finished. Only when she'd received her payment from Hinata, did she make to depart.

With a fresh stack of creds wired to her personal account, she was feeling good. There was still the risky trek back to Crete, but for now she'd take some time to relax in the freeport.

“Lock down the ship. Time for some recreation my kin.”

---

Club Nebula flashed bright over top a large entrance. It offered the allure of bright lights. The music playing within, inviting. The temptations within in, too much for many to resist. An exotic club and gambling establishment. Many dreams could be had inside. For those willing to partake and part with an ample amount of creds.

Two well dressed Hogosha exited. Their time within, at its end. Each had slicked back hair. In a top-notch. Wearing crisp suits. Styled with unique Kusari accents. The men's path curved out and away from the club. Coming in line with Carmen's. Upon spotting Carmen, their eyes locked onto her. Attracted by her unique look. Unashamedly eyeing her up and down. Obviously curious. Then quite interested.

She eyed them both. As their combined paths neared, she shook her head.

“Keep moving hombre. This chica, isn't for you.”

Their heads stiffened upright and their attention grew aloof. The two offered stiff, quick, nods of their heads as a polite gesture of recognition and she flicked her hand in equally quick acknowledgement, as she then shifted her attention to the 'armory'; as her people had come to call it.

A large Kusari man stood behind thick blast resistant glass. His attention focusing on her. Two guards stood on opposite sides. Watching everyone who came by. Carmen flicked the strap on her holster and slipped out her sidearm. Spun it upside down, gripping the gun by its face and slid it through the pistol slot in the glass. The Kusari man grabbed a slat. Flicking it through to her. It had the number 135 on it. Carmen took the slat and pocketed it.

---

A flash of multi-colored laser lights washed over Carmen's silver hair. Giving her the appearance like that of a star's light shimmering over a gas-giants atmosphere. She gazed about. Taking stock of the venue. Making out the usual crowd of gamblers, bar patrons, and those here for the more exotic offerings. Lastly, she spotted a few Outcast members off to the far right. She sneered, then veered left away from them.

Carmen made her way past a booth with a lightly clad dancer in the middle. Her onlooking crowd appeared a mix of Hogosha and Corsair, by their dress. Carmen surmised the two groups, likely mixing business with pleasure. None of her business either way, so she kept on walking.

A fair distance away, Carmen found a booth being cleaned. She waited and then took it for herself. After sitting down, facing the greater portion of the club, she reached up to her chest and grabbed the hilt of her combat knife and set it on the table in plain sight. An open warning.

She flagged down a server and ordered a local Kusari mixed drink she'd grown fond of. Though, what she really wanted was some Corsair Rum. That would have to wait. She then leaned back against the padded seating, arms up, hands interlaced behind her head and took in the sights. Crossing her legs. Idly watching the dancer a few moments before flicking her eyes elsewhere. She let the music flow through her mind. Her mood shifting with the flow. Relaxing. Then settled for some people watching in the immediate future.

---

"My kin! We are Corsair! We are the 'Horned Ones'! By Crete we have been made strong! There is no foe we cannot defeat! No enemy shall be spared our horns! No friend or ally shall find us wanting! For we are Corsair! By the might of the Imperio we spread out our hands! All we see will be ours one day! I have had a dream. A dream of a green Crete. A paradise! And in that dream, our enemies are not there! Crushed and mangled beneath our horns! Uplift your voices! Shout with me! Corsair! Corsair! Corsair!"

-Carmen Elena 'Silver' Quintana of Clan Quintana of the Corsair Imperio