The Pens of Niverton

[ryeguy146]

The Pens of Niverton
Project: Aquisition

The new Bactrians were serving well. The fleet was already active, and in fact, were currently descending on Planet Curacao, Los Angeles, and others to fulfill their grim purpose. Clif was aboard one of these and eyed San Francisco, a major city on Los Angeles. His view was obscured by heavy rain and the thick glass window of the Stupid Singularity as he descended to the planet's surface. A heavy lifter controlled their fall through the atmosphere on the dark side of the stormy planet. Clif dozed in an attempt to avoid the heavy vibration that resonated through the hull.

The Rogues were usually content to just amass their stock of 'workers' from loan sharks and makeshift hijackings of passenger ships. Unpaid debts were numerous in Liberty, and those that were owed often chose to send their debtors into slavery to recoup the loss. These were usually sufficient means to keep Niverton filled. However, the recent increase in demand had caught the Rogues unprepared, and the pens of Niverton were dangerously low. They had to do something about this before anyone else caught on. It wouldn't do to have to turn down the next smuggler. The Outcasts would be outraged, and the diamond mines of Omega-11 would grind to a halt. And the Rogues needed credits, not angry customers.

A hiss from the thrusters of their lifter woke Clif from his thoughts. They had made landing, and the time to collect had arrived. "Right you Rogues, you've done this before. We're here for the strongest backs, the prettiest women, and children." He suppressed an inkling of guilt that arose, thinking of how those last would be used. Profit, he cleared his mind and continued.

"Round up what you can and meet me back here in," he consulted his datapad for the time, "0300 hours, local time. Steal what you can and get out." He keyed the hatch and sent the Rogues running. Clif reminded himself that he wasn't exempt from the task, and followed. He closed the hatch behind him and addressed a ground team nearby. "I want this Bactrian hidden 'til 0100, then I need 'er ready to fly within the hour. Refuel the lifter and check the couplings. I don't want to be dropped on the way out.." He turned to leave before adding, "And we may have us some company, so stay sharp."