The Camaleon Chronicals

[oZoneRanger]

//Thanks again to .:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus and Jack Torrance.

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Party had started on the Lady Luck before they had finished escorting the Junker to Toronto station for the negotiations for DeLaFontain.

"Cabin boy...glasses all around" Maria with the bottle of wine in here hand demanded of the lead steward.

"But Ma'am, that wine is to be taken in small sips and never more than...."

"GLASSES NOW..." she raised her voice. "You do not want to test me.." She herself was realizing she was a bit out of sorts, and decided that the wine was to good to drink on her own.

The lead steward was appalled. Never in his entire career had anyone talked to him like that. He was trained in etiquette in the best schools of the 4 houses. He knew 4 different languages and 28 different dialects, even Primusee.

He knew better, the wine was off a variety that was highly intoxicating, and in small doses caused mild hallucinations but add a bit more and one simply passed out.

He had let Maria drink her fill, almost an entire glass, thinking she would just drop to the floor, and he would have his revenge against this foul mouthed toad of a woman. She had not and did not look like she was going to.

He returned to the Bridge, the ship had already docked on Toronto Station. He did as he was told and passed out glasses to each of the crew, Maria following behind him, filling each glass half way up.

"You sure this is OK?" asked the Captain of the LadyLuck.
"Captain would I lie to YOU? Mr. DeLaFontain will be here shortly this is an inauguration party, so...Let the inauguration begin." Maria responded, her eyes glazed over, but still on her feet.


On board the LuckyStrike, Captain Ramos and his crew were busy trying to keep up with their escort. He still felt uneasy about this Junker. They had just passed into the California system.

"Yes Captain, you lead the way..." Ramos addressing the Junker over the Ship to ship comms.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure, sure, follow me lad.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: We have to chose a safe way.

"That would be good sir..." Ramos thinking to himself that it would probably be safe for the Junker, but how safe would it be for his ship and crew.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: So the first system will be Cortez
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Have you ever been at Baffin before?

"Copy that...our Nav Maps are good that far out..." Ramos deciding to make nice with the Junker. "Know about it , once or twice .. at the Bar on Barrier gate, had a few drinks...Some Zoner tried to convert me there..." In between sentences give orders to the helm controls, the ship struggling fly like a fighter.

:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:*Laughs* Yes, those zoners have some good quality wine as far as I know.

"You would not happen to know what 5 tons of flax means do ya?" Ramos remembering his encounter, still puzzled over the reference.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Unfortunately not.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Form on me
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:That could be faster

Ramos did not like how he was having to fly The Stork. It was never meant to take such severe turns he was again annoyed. The ships superstructure creaking heavily under the strain.

"Copy that.." and gave orders to helmsman who guided the ship in behind Junker and onto the Lanes.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well it looks like the lanes has some problems..
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: So we try the normal way *Laughs*

Ramos was beginning to worry about what normal was for this Junker. He looked around the bridge the rest of the crew was visibly worried as well. To his crew, " Pull in close to him and lock on for formation flying, and relax guys, just another run, nothing to worry about." His words having no visible effect on them.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Form on me Ramos.

The command already executed, Ramos replied with a "yea...see that...done Sir, you sure you know where you are going?" worried the Junker was still drinking or something worse.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: ah, apologies....Call me Vincent lad..and sure lad, know where I'm going.

Ramos thought that being on a first name basis was not going to ease his worries.

"Copy that...Vincent" struggling with the last part of what he just said.


The party on Board the Lady Luck was in full swing. The bottle of Meskalinita having taken its toll on Most of the crew, they were passed out here and there around the ship. The Lead steward was trying to do his best to keep the damages to a minimum.

"Ma'am when is Mr.DeLaFontain arriving for the inauguration Party?"

The steward visibly shaken up. It had been some hours now. He had been running back and forth trying to keep things from getting broken or vomited on. His, he liked to think of the Lady Luck as his, precious elegant ship in the hands of such dirty brute hands. It was going to take at least a month to put everything back in place and cleaned again.

"I don't care if hes coming or not...its his party he can come..he can go.."
"Ma'am, but I must insist that we at least call him to..."
"If you call him, I will tell my amigos to take this boat apart piece by piece.."

Maria had enlisted the available dock workers to join in on the fun aboard, once the crew of the LuckyStrike was down for the count, phased out under the effects of one glass of Mescalinita.

She had become bored with her only company still standing, the steward. She had ordered him around for a bit like a marionette. Making him do things that made his face turn shades of red and purple.

The last straw had been filling up the fine porcelain hydro unit with wine and bathing in it, making him stand there off to the side and attend to her. When it seemed that things were no longer making his blood boil, she sonic showered off the wine, made the Steward help her look beautiful again and went looking for new party friends to partake in her festive mood.

It was the same group of men from the lower decks bar. At first they were hesitant, almost unwilling. But a beautiful woman standing in the airlock of a Democritus, offering up all the free alcohol they could drink was something hard to pass up.

Maria had also demonstrated she knew how to play fair, having paid for the drinks on the lower decks and the loss of work hours to the big man she had injured. So they decided as a group that no blood no foul, and to just let things play themselves out.

Over the Hours, the word had spread, and even the injured man limped aboard, followed by the lower decks bar keepers, who had received a call from Maria to setup shop behind the Bar inside the Lady Luck. The mood was jovial, festive and wild. It was one of the best parties anyone could remember on Toronto station.

"Do you know how to operate the communication systems mister steward?" Her speech slightly hampered, the effects of the Mescalinita slowly wearing off.

"Yes...Ma'am I have been trained to operate the communication equipment in cases of emergencies..." How was it that she was still standing? He wondered at the same time.

"Good, this is one." she lead the Steward by the hand to the Bridge. "Put in a call to LuckyStrikeIII, I need to talk to the captain."

"Sir, I just got a incoming transmission from the LuckyLady. Sounds like there is one hell of a party going on....patching it through to your private channel" The communications officer with a slight smile on his face.

"This is the LuckyStrike go ahead.."

"Captain, are you still with dis junker fellow?" Maria's voice coming over the speaker.

"Yes, we are doing our best to keep up with
him.." he too amused at the noise in the background of the LadyLuck.

"Captain..he will pry for information, you tell him half truths, send him wine and you will over pay him to excess..do you understand captain, your life may
depend on it...oh, and tell him I send my regards" She did not want to go into the visions the Mescalinita had produced in her, while she had taking the wine hydro bath.

"Copy that...ahhh any chance I can get Mr.DeLaFontain to OK this.."

"LISTEN to me you stupid cucaracha...if you want to continue to live..you will do as I say and try to make this Junker your friend or you will find yourself at the
end of my knife."
**Cut Transmission**

"Sir....we have lost the transmission do you want me to try and get it back?" comms officer had been listening from his station, a clear breach of protocol, but so was flying a Stork in formation with a Junker through an asteroid field. He was a bit concerned about the tone in his bosses secreatarys voice, ominous and warning of doom.

"No, nothing to worry about, open the channel back up to the Junker" the captain trying to brush aside the call from an obviously half drunk woman.

"Copy that...channel open" replied the communications officer.

"I just got a transmission from the LadyLuck...seem there is one hell of a party going on." Ramos about to give the Junker her regards.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Lets head to Baffin now..I hope that lady is still there *smiles*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As far as I know she is a bar lady or something like that.

It sounded to Ramos like the Junker was prying for information, just like Maria had said, and he became worried about the sudden need for quickness.

"Lady? oh you mean my bosses secretary?"

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Yes, if I am correct

"Yes...shes got a mouth on her I tell you that much, she sends her regards by the way." responded Ramos, waiting for the Junker to respond.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: But dunno really lad, I still have a hangover from talking with her
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Fine....Zoner Space..Lets head to Kusari next..Form on me Ramos.

"Ramos copy that, understood..forming up on you..." Formation flying in a Stork, he thought to himself it was something he never wanted to have to do again.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: How long have you been in the company Ramos?

Maria had been right about these junkers never missed an opportunity to get more information, he would follow her advice and give as little as possible and as far from the truth as he could.

"Hired last week, no one wanted the Job." Responded Ramos.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Really? Whats so special with this job?

"Boss man and the secretary for one..and he...well..I'm afraid to say much more..ship might be bugged.." Giving the junker some conspiracy and intrigue to think about.
"He is...a tad bit paranoid if ya ask me" that part of what he said was true.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Fine..this is my well loved space *sighs* Be aware of the Kusarian forces..

"Copy that, .....any reason?" Ramos not liking what he just heard.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:The Kusarians aren't our best friends you know.

"Haven't had much trouble from them,,,I did hear about an embargo...but that's above my pay grade." Replied Ramos

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Well, yes. They have a bloody war with the bretonians as far as I know.

He had started talking, and he beamed over a case of wine, as suggested by Maria. Best to keep him happy.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Ah...you are my man Ramos
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: *pops open a bottle of wine* Cheers

"Sent with the compliments of Maria" added Ramos, so Junker would know who it was that was taking care of him.

On the Bridge of the LuckyStrike the Navigation's officer, reported a new jump hole. Before Ramos could say anything. The Junker jumped, being in formation the LuckStrikeIII automatically jumped with them, not giving them anytime to buckle in. A bit of warning would have been nice. They had made it through and were trying to get their bearings.

"New contact" reported the navigation officer.
"Maintain radio silence, don't want anyone to think we are with this Junker, just in case." Ramos had been bounced to the floor by the jump. "Give me a location of where we just jumped to and do it fast"

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Damn rocks...*sights*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Finally in the Colonial space..I hope we won't meet sniffers here..Let's go Ramos..
On board the LuckyStrike they heard the Junker, the communications officer turned and looked at his captain for what to do next.

"Maintain radio silence.." His voice stern, annoyed that he would have to say it twice. Over the speakers they heard a new voice.

Jack_Torrance: Greetings
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Aye lad *nods*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: It looks like my pal is a little bit confused
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:I hope he is alright
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Anyway, how are you at this fine day?
Jack_Torrance: Me, not bad I suppose

Ramos thought it seemed amicable enough, relaxed a bit. He told the comms officer to open the direct channel back up to the Junker.

"Got a bit banged up back there" Ramos let him know they were ok.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Not a problem ..Lets go then
Jack_Torrance:What happened to your pal? *smiles*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Take care Jack
Jack_Torrance: You too

Ramos was glad to see the Junker was cutting the conversation short. "Nav get me a bearing now. I need to know where the hell in space we are."
"Sir, if I didn't know any better, I'd say." Ramos cut him off with a wave of the hand, he saw it, but could not believe it. He hit the transmit button.

"Are we in the Taus?...Bloody hell..." Ramos almost angered, he had heard the Taus were no place to be, dead or alive.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Yes this is the Colonials space

"Captain, multiple weapons signals ahead, reading a mine field sir" the Nav officer trying to stay on top of everything going on.

"Stay with him boys, we can't stay here and we can't go back, Engineering full power to the shields, hold on everyone this could get bumpy" Ramos barking out orders, he hit the transmit button again.

"And whose idea was it to go through this mine field.." His tone giving away his obvious displeasure.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:*Laughs* Better choice than across the Bretonia/Kusari war zone

"But if you think about it...good tactic..no one would ever think to look for a Stork in a mine field." Ramos backing down a bit, seeing that the Junker was guiding them through it with little or no damage to the shields.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well, out next stop is the last system before Gallia
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As far as I know this is the Orkney system...
"AS FAR AS you know? I thought you knew the way SIR?" Before Ramos could finish they jumped again with out warning, this time the effect took their engines offline.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure Ramos *winks*
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:What is your destination again Ramos?

"Damage report" Shouted Ramos
"Sir engines offline, life support nominal..."

"Some space port owned by Junkers."

Ramos multitasking to the best of his ability, his limits had been reached. How many times was he going to have to tell the Junker where they were going, regretting the fact that he had sent over more wine for the Junker to get drunk on.

"CONTACTS" the engineer cut off by the Navigations officer.
"Multiple inbound boogies reading 3527 mark 429mark vector 67..targets readings are Outcast signals"
"GET the engines up and running..full power to the shields..Weapons?"
Ramos gave his full attention to his ship.
"Where is the Junker"
"Junker contact...ahh....9.5k away sir."
"Dammit, he is leaving us...we are on our own boys..keep it together now"
"Aye sir weapons coming online targets acquired"
"Open fire, Helm evasive action" As if you could really evade anything in a Stork.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Well, we have the Lodava Space
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: ahh...As I see, you forgot to form up on me right? *Laughs*

They were not going to last long. Ramos thought. The outcast had already blown off one container.
"Shields down 90% hull to 60%" reported the engineer.
"Keep those guns pumping" shouted Ramos."Open a channel to the Junker"

"Mayday, Mayday" yelled out Ramos.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: What the Hell?

The battle was brief and fierce. The Stork was doing all it could to keep the Outcast off of its long hull, but was loosing the fight. It was then the crew saw the Junker come flying in 10 meters above them, firing guns in all directions. The crew of the LuckyStrike let out one big burst of "Yea." followed by swearing and threats aimed at the outcast raiders. The Junker gave them enough time to clear out of the area and hit the Cruise engines.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Are you all right Ramos?
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Damn Sniffers

"Thank you captain..almost had me there..I see a station..can I dock?' Ramos hopping that they could, the ship needed to restock on batteries and Nanobots.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure feel free
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As I know that is a council base
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:So its safe to dock there

"It will be a little bit...reload on shield batteries and hull nanos" Ramos reported to the Junker.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure I have to dock too..those sniffers caused some damage on my ship too
"You guys getting shots of all this? Download the coordinates to this base" Giving orders and regrouping his thoughts. He barked out some more orders and the Helmsman and Comms officer negotiated docking on Reunion Station.

The two ships docked, and the ships were attended to by a group known as the Council. Ramos met the Junker at the Bar and were sharing drinks and swapped stories while the ships were restocked with the needed supplies.

"Is that a Mine field?" Asked Ramos looking out the bar window.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Sure just refresh your nav map Ramos...
"That is huge" Ramos amazed at the size, and now just as Drunk as the Junker.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Yes..a damn minefield, but I know the way *winks* So it wont be a problem.
"What? you mean to tell me the way to Gallia is through the mine field?" Ramos wondering what other superhuman feats was he and his Stork going have to complete before they got to Gallia.
"Now I know why no one wanted this job" Ramos finishing his drink.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Yes that's why I had my payment from your company..to take you to Gallia.
"Junker Leading the way...Outcast everywhere..and..mines all over the place" Ramos could only laugh.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well...I'm just wondering about your destination

Ramos remembered what Maria had said, so he kept quiet and let the Junker do the talking.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: As I see your ship won't survive the whole Journey across Gallia..but dunno whats your boss's willing to do
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: There is a base in the council space..as I know our fellows buy there the Helium for a fair price..
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:but I have the coordinates for another base..unfortunately that base isn't belongs to us
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:I had to call those guys at the Lodave..maybe they give me an Idea.
With that the Junker got up and headed to a station comm unit. Ramos sat and looked out the space window. This was much more than he had bargained for. But so far so good he thought. The Junker returned with two fresh bottles.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Ready to fly across the minefield?
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:It will be fun..so drink some before we start.
"Ready" ..**pops open a bottle** "I'm joining you sir. This drink may be my last" Ramos looking out the window at the daunting task that lay before him. They finished and returned to their ships, both restocked and ready to fly. They received clearance from Reunion station and set off to the mine field.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Take care about the mines ..Try and follow me, but do not form on me while we are in the mine field..Understood Lad?
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well on your call *lights a cigar*

"Great..drinking and Trick flying a Stork through a mine field lead by a Junker" Ramos trying to throw some levity to the situation. Laughter all around the bridge, his crew more confident now that the Junker had their backs, since the cavalry charge against the Outcast raiders.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: ha ha...the job of dreams..Follow me Ramos, there wont be a problem

"Right behind you sir" Replied Ramos, and gave his crew the appropriate orders
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: A little bit left now
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Are you alright? ...and turn right now

"Need a change of pants ..but other than that fine." Ramos and his crew were tense, to tense for such delicate flying, so he threw that out to break that tension.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: *Laughs* Here is the hole
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well Ramos ...now we will enter Gallia so be aware,,as far as I know they don't like Sirians so keep an eye on your radar.

"Well we got a paid permit....so...*hick up*..should be fine" Replied Ramos, thinking to himself that nothing could worse than what they had just gone through.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Never trust a Gallian if you ask me...They are completely madmen Ready to Jump??

"I'm beginning to wonder if its worth the trouble" Ramos trying to size up the pros and cons of such an adventure.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: *smiles* There wont be a problem..I hope.

"You seem to be an expert on Bar girls from what I hear..What do they look like here in Gallia?" Ramos trying to give the Junker something nice to focus on. He didn't much like the his tone when he was talking about these Gallia people.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Unfortunately I never saw girls here..just some bastard council members
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Anyway that is a council base..Try and fly out of radar range..Follow me and I will lead..See that purple planet on the right..we have a base behind it..Lets fly there. form on me.

"I'm glad you say its purple..copy that.." Ramos and his crew wide eyed at the system that lay before them.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus My God...scrap everywhere.*claps his hands*
"Whats the fascination with scrap other than money in the bank?'
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus:Well we have some business partners who pay well for it because they could use that for their ships as far as I know

"Is this the only Junker space port in Gallia?" asked Ramos

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well we have a another base deeper in Gallia, but unless you are not hostile to the Gallian armed forces, you won't survive the way there.

"we shall dock and sort things out then" Ramos was giving his crew orders to dock they would not go any further till they had things sorted out.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: **Laughs* well take some pictures for the family..
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: This is Gallia anyway.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: So where are you heading?

"This is what I was told to pay you...sir" Ramos heading Maria's words, transferred 20million credits over to the Junker.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Hmmm ...a little bit more than I thought, but thanks Ramos
I will buy some stuff for my chick at Trafalgar

"Maria said to do it or I would see her knife...and she scares me sir, I'm sure that we can make some contacts here at the Bar on this station. and the Mines and wine have left the crew on edge." Ramos and his crew needed to rest, the trip had been long and stressful.

.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Well, I really like that chick...please give her my best wishes.
.:j:.Sleazy.Scarabeus: Anyway lad, you are fine now, It was a pleasure.

"We appreciate the escort" He replied and watched the Junker head off into space "seems we did loose a cargo pod..maybe its a bad sensor reading." The Junker ignored this, maybe out of range, maybe in a rush to get to Trafalgar to buy his chick some nice things as he had said.

Ramos quantifying the loss profit ratio he was sure his boss would want as soon as possible. On board the station, he typed up a message, and found willing Junker to go back into Sirius space and send out a burst transmission to Toronto station.

On board the Lucky Lady, the Steward had managed to sneak away to place a call to the true owner of the ship, Phillip Delafontain. In the background, he heard the party people all cheer in unison "DEAD Man High". "Such an uncouth way of gambling." He thought. But it would be over soon. As soon as Mr. DeLaFontain arrived.