Pitch Black

[valen]

"We are coming up on Kansas Sir." - The navigator said as the Leavenworth was about to exit the Jump Hole, and complete its trip to the Kansas system.

"Most excellent." - The Captain replied with a smile on his face that all went as planed, "Jennifer, announce it across the ship."

"Aye aye Captain!" - The communication officer replied, a beautiful girl, that looked strangely attractive in a uniform.

"The Luxury Liner Leavenworth has successfully completed its jump to the Kansas system, we will be mooring in the sight position shortly. Dear guests, you are free to enjoy all the accommodations that the Leavenworth has to offer. Enjoy your stay." - Jennifer announced in the ship's channel, and chuckled at the end of the message, leaving a cute impression to all who heard her.


In his room, Michael was lying in his comfortable bed, dreaming, about the past, the future, and the present. His dreams were disturbing as of late. The Angel appears in them sometimes, but rarely, leaving Michael dreaming only of the horrors he experienced over and over again. His mind was weak, his heart was falling apart.
Suddenly he woke up covered in sweat, unable to remember what he was dreaming about, but knowing it wasn't pleasant, he sat on the side of the bed, with his hands on his head.

"What time is it?" - He asked himself in a confusing state, half awake, half asleep, he looked towards the clock, "That late already. Huh. I must have overslept." - Michael said as he slowly rose up from the bed and went to take a sip of water to calm himself a little. On the way he pressed the button on the communication console, to listen to most recent announcements.
The message that the communication officer sent was played.

"Oh ****! We are already here!" - He forgot about the water, and picked up his clothes from the floor, and put them on, "Things need doing, that Decker ****, I need him. The bartender was of little help, but he said that Decker was here, so someone has to know something!" - Michael yelled in his room as he was getting ready. He exited his room only to see some passengers walking through the corridor, and giving him the usual strange looks he was used to.

"I so hate these ****ing people. But they will die one day. They will all die!!" - He yelled the last sentence in the direction of the passengers, who heard him and in started walking faster in panic and fear.

Michael took out the deck plan from his pocket, it was all messed up and barely readable by now.

"Rooms....rooms....bar. ****ing bar. Rooms....library! Hah!" - Michael muttered into his chin as he was reading the deck plan, "Entertainment club. Yeah, thats the one, at least I can have some fun, or some hookers if I can't find that Decker guy."


The door opened, and Michael entered the entertainment club for gentlemen. He just passed near the "Only 21 and older" sign in front, and the bouncer didn't ask no questions. Cards, gambling, dancers, it was heaven for a disturbed mind such as Michael's.
He walked around the club a little, when finally decided to sit at the poker table, as the players were the most shady looking in the room, the exact type that would have some information on Decker.

"This seat taken?" - Michael asked as he already sat down, what caused the players to stare at him in confusion.

"You got balls kid, but are also very stupid. Sure take a seat. 10 grand is the minimum bet, so I think you'll be going soon." - The fat pimp looking slob said to Michael and laughed, spiting everyone at the table while laughing.

"Just play the game fatsy."

The fat guy stopped laughing, and dealt the cards around, while the other 4 were now laughing at the fat guy. All of them were fat, but the dealer was the fattest.
They played for around an hour, Michael won four hands, wining around 230 thousand credits. But credits were of no concern of him, he is after some bigger fish.

"Now listen up mother ****ers. You can keep the 230 grand. Just do me a simple favor."

"You serious lad? You are more stupid then I thought then! Haha! Joking joking." - Michael just looked him once with rage in his eyes, and the fat slob calmed himself down.

"Go ahead, what do you need. I'd like my 230 grand back, so speak up."

"I want Decker." - Michael said and carefully observed the expressions on their faces, "I need him to deliver me something. You tell me where he is, and you can keep your cash."

"Decker? I know him, some smuggler or some ****. Haven't seen him for a while though. You might want to try Liberty, the Rogues to be precise, I heard he did some deals with them recently."

"Good, keep your cash, just pay me for a lap dance."

After the private dancer gave Michael a lap dance, he left the club, and headed back to his room. Time to leave this Liner, and try his luck in Lady Liberty. On his way to Room 313 he couldn't help to stop near the observatory, and admire the beauties of the Kansas system. The view made him escape reality for a while, but it caught up with him soon.

"****ing ****. I'm done with this." - Michael said and continued his way to his room, leaving the couple that heard his swearing in wonder.

---