The ship called Veles

[Exsiled_one]

Story I
The faint flicker of the light in the green interrogation room annoyed Domi. The law probably
didn't even notice, and frankly, he shouldn't have noticed it too. But hiding in the cargo box
for 16 days with half of foods ration and some water really makes you become really light
sensitive.
- Look I already told you everything I know. Why don't you just let me go?
- We can't do that mister Rathel, and you know that. - Navy officer spoke
He continued - You know how do theese things go, you give us something actually usefull,
and we'll let you go - He grinned and sat down next to Dom. Second didn't pass and Domi
found his head kissing the table so hard he swore he heard the aluminum bend in.
- Ugh. - Muffered sound, that's all the pleasure Dom gave them. He couldn't give them
the pleasure. That would only lead to more problems.
- Look - He continued - I really want to help, I really do. But what you're asking me,
is impossible to know while hiding in the cargo hold of an unknown ship.
The officer took his head again but didn9t smash him down just yet. - The name of the ship?
- I.. - Smash. Again. This time it was harder.
- You stuttered mister Rathel. That's telling me you know something.
The red stain remained on the aluminum table, and flew slowly to the bended part of the table.
Domi grinned.
- Do you really find this funny? Theese people kicked you out in a box filled with counterfit software.
To make things worse - Officer paused - They painted a frikkin bullseye on the top of the box saying
"aim here".
Dom left out a chuckle but ended it with another blood drop from his nose. It hurt, really.
- Look, it's ****ed up, but I'm telling you. I don't remember it. I was just a comm officer there.
They've stuffed me into that box at least a week before they've jettisoned me. And you've yet to tell me where did you even find me!
- Rochester.. Junker found you at Rochester. And got you here a day after. You were hooked up on the machines
for 20 hours. You're lucky to be alive.
- Well that's all peachy, but I still can't remember ****.
Another officer appeared in the room. - His lawyer is here.
Dom slowly grinned, he knew he's out in a hour.
Exiting the parking platform Domi slowly grinned and wiped his stil bloody nose with the tissue.
He stood next to a civilian transport ship and smiled to the stewardess.
- Veles, the ship's name is Veles.
He sat down in the last row of the commercial ship. The seat felt good, and it felt even better
being paid by the Liberty house herself. Domi left an relief sigh and closed his eyes. He can finally relax.
He didn't "squeal" as mr. E would say it. He didn't cry, he didn't break, he did not do a single thing that
would make E come for him again. He was finally safe. He fell asleep fifteen minutes after the
departure. It was a first time he actually dreamed in last few weeks.

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<span style="color:#33CC00">I AM GIVING AWAY MONEY TO CREATIVE MINDS*</span>

[Exsiled_one]

Story II

Crew's officer Martin Loneberg of the Luxury liner Veles didn't seem hiself at all lately.
He was spending more and more time in his quaters, either cleaning his blasters or
writing in his journal. This was one of the nights when he was doing the second one, while
keeping the first one really close to him. His laser pen fell to the floor as he was
interupted by the knock on the door.
- Who is it.
- Martin, it's me. Open up, fast.
Luke was a face behind the voice, the head cheff on the ship. Ever since Martin tipped him
for the lovely meal he made on the first night of service, they two were hanging out
together. - DId you find anything out? - Even with his best poker face, Martin sounded and
looked worried. - Yeah I did. It took us a while, but ships like this offer an easy cover
for things like that to happen. With all the passangers and commodities transfer. And
don't even get me started on those guns in the hold i.. - Martin raised his hand to stop
him. He knew that the fat and short Houston chef was right. Ever since they've picked up
the weapons from the freeport in Theta, things have been going wrong.
- Anyway, cmon, I'll show you. I think it's connected to what happened to Dom.
Cargo hold of the luxury liner was a huge area filled with cranes and boxes. It
was all state of the art equippment, and packed in nicely so even if some guest stumbled in here
he wouldn't feel disgusted. The whole area was full as they've just set out to a long journey to
Bretonnia.
- It's right over here - Luke said, heading to the weapon's department. - Cmon, hurry up.
Marting followed him slowly, squeezing the blaster in his hand tight. It was one of those
movie moments he always thought he'll enjoy, but that was the last thing in his head right now.
All he could think about was his joy and pride baby girl and his lovely wife wating for him at Manhattan.
He worked so hard for this job, and he's not letting few bizzare incidents ruin his life. He gripped the
gun even harder and glanced around for any sign of trouble. - It's right in that box. I.. I saw it once,
but I don't want to go in again.
- Why are you so nervous Luke? - Luke was changing colours leaning on the steel box that sorrounded the
entire part of the weaponry department.
- Just go ahead and look at it will you?
- Why, whats there?
- Just.. do it, okay, I need you to do it! - Luke was loosing it, and Martin saw that, he
saw it like he's seen it on Dom the day before he dissapeared.
- Whats wrong Luke? Who's made you do this? - Martin unlocked his gun and glanced around like a
maniac. - They did - Luke pointed behind Martin. He regained his composure, he focused his mind and as Martin turned to
face "them" he pulled out a photon blade and stabbed Martin trough his back.
He held the blade down and fell down with him on the ground. Not even a whimper, not any sound
only the cold feeling and the sticky feeling of his friends blood all over him.
He stood up and faced them.
- You were sloppy, and nervous.
- I, I'm..
- Do you want this ship to blow up?
- Ppleas.. I did what you wanted! - Luke raised his blade again, facing them with what little
courage man has left after he betrayed everything he believes in.
- Easy now captain hero.. Do you really want to do that? - They turned around and headed towards
the food compartment. - Follow us.
Luke followed them to the food compartment all the way to the empty cargo box at the edge of the
room. It had a bullseye painted all over the top. Luke stared at it for few moments until he felt a hand
on his shoulder. - You know the drill Luke. It will all be over soon. You'll be with your wife in Huston,
and with your old friend Dom. You'll play cards, and have dinners together, like normal problems
free friends.
Without another word Luke stepped in and they've closed the box and headed out of the cargo bay.
- That's how many, four?
- Yes, it's going rather slow, isn't it?
- It will go.. Just have patience.
- Yeah I know.
They walked for few minutes towards the officers lounge, better said stroling along, like two care free friends.
- We should contact Brianna.
- Yeah..
- After Hawaii.. - The second figure nodded. - After Hawaii.

---

<span style="color:#33CC00">I AM GIVING AWAY MONEY TO CREATIVE MINDS*</span>

[Exsiled_one]

STORY III

- This is some powerful growth here, yanno.. - Number One mumbled while his eyes drifter along the poolside in the 6th sector of the Luxury Liner Hawaii.
He continued - Yanno, 'twas a good idea for waitin' this than takin action right away. We've unloaded the food, the passengers, and we aint boardin' nothin'
here.. More boxes to put people in. - He snickered lightly and took another drag.
- That thing is worse than cardamine to you man. Take it lightly.
- Oh what do you Junkers know anyway. - One grinned as his eyes wandered off towards the backside of a beautiful girl that just walked pass them.
- Right.. There they are. - Said the other man. - Cmon, put that out.
Mr one took another drag and then crushed the remains of the joint in the ashtray on the table, next to his Coconut Exposure cocktail.
They both stood up as the couple approached them
- I thought he'll be stronger.
- I though she's a he. What kind of name is Robin anyway.
- It was a type of a bird..
- Good jokes are so wasted on you.. - Said Number One and wiped his sweaty hand off his trousers before greeting the couple. Number One was nervous,
he was nervous alot. Entire thing was his idea, but he knew he wouldn't get this far without the Junker, OR without times like these, when he could
just let everything slide past him as he enjoys his cocktail and a quality smoke. Thing is, he needed people, and these people needed him as well, but
he made damn sure that they don't realize the first part of the deal before he had them in his fist.
He extended his hand.
- I'm Number One. This is Number Two.
The girl smirked - That's dumb. - Her smirk turned into a grin as she looked Number One in the eyes. The man next to her just shifted his weight from one
leg to another. - What's so dumb? The names? - Number One said with a frown.
- Yeah, its cliche. - She frowned.
- Okay, then lets use our real names - Junker interfered - we'll be flying together soon anyway.. - Right, Robin?
Three of them snickered bit louder as she eyed each one of them. - If you two weren't so stoned, and if you weren't my friend, I'ld so cut off your balls
right here.
- I'm not ston.. - Junker spoke with his grin widening but he got shoved to the side fast
- He so is. We both are. Anyway.. Alright, names are dumb. So, I take it introductions are in order?

They stood in one of the guest rooms with doors locked and curtains on windows just like in old times. Mister One asked himself few time that
evening is the safety because they're all stoned or because their two new friends are even more paranoid than he is. He liked the plan, it was simple and
obvious. Those are things that usually work in life. He liked even better because the big guy, Reinhalder Heimlich had to stay on the Hawaii and insure
everything went as planned. He also couldn't wait to actually see Robin's pilot skills in action. It wasn't an easy job to fly out the biggest pleasure
brick in space out of Sigmas into Cambridge. They all went their own ways that night for a night of pleasure before a night of hard work. Number One stayed
in his room tho. He was too nervous to score anything tonight.
He was waken up by the loud banging sounds on his doors. - What the..?
- Open up Johnny boy.. 'ts your Junker buddy. Heh..
- You're drunk Junker, sod off.
- Heh.. We've.. We've gotta go man.
- WHAT? - Johnny stood up, and glanced around the room. The clock. It's not even 3am. What the **** did these bastards do?
- Yeah.. that.. The.. That Heiml.. Zie Reinhalder, he got caught 'cause he gunned down captns and officers instead of poisoning them.. - There was a slight
pause - Robin says **** him.. Lets go now.
He couldn't believe what he just heard. He pulled his cargo pants up and pulled the Hawaii cruise lines lambada buttoned shirt over his sleeveless shirt
and bolted out of the room. - Tell me one thing before I blast your head out Junker. Is she drunk as you are?
- Worse.. - He grinned.. - She's a ****ing Corsair. Her real name is Isabella.

---

<span style="color:#33CC00">I AM GIVING AWAY MONEY TO CREATIVE MINDS*</span>

[Exsiled_one]

STORY IV

A strong knock on the officer's quarters doors woke John up. It was the Junker mech Mike.
- Wake up John, you'll like this. - He knocked twice again, before John even stood up to put his shirt on.
- Whats going on?
- I've roamed trough the ship and found some things that can be salvaged. - Mike was obviously excited. John knew his share of ship equipment, mostly weapons, but he was never as excited as Mike was over some ship component. Must be that Junker's blood. - What have you found? - John finally opened the doors.
- The shield is totally useful if we're flying the ship you wanted, and I've actually found where we can sink in this ship for good creds.
- Let me guess, Trafalgar? - John shrugged. He didn't deal much with Junkers when he was BMM security, but he heard those guys are like little rats of Sirius. Gathering everything from space and actually using it for later. His guess was that they're not the cleanest organization in the Sirius, but everyone called them in to sweep the wrecks away after some accident or a combat.
- Exactly. - Mike grinned and continued - They'll even assemble the ship you wanted with some expanded cargo holders and refine the back to look like part of research station and not the fake cargo hold.
- You think it'll work?
- Most definitely.

John stepped out and they headed towards the cockpit of the Liner. The big windows spread trough the entire front of the large bridge. The ship was flown with at least crew of 8 on the bridge, but their new friend managed to do just fine with some help of autopilot. She was idly sitting in the captains chair looking trough the screen into vast space of Sigma 17. Isabella turned around slowly as they entered the room.
- We'll head trough Omegas. If I know Hawaii security, Reinhalder is already on his way to Berlin, and once the military is done with him, we'll be pretty much screwed when it comes to passing trough their space. - They both shrugged and took the stairs down to the middle of the bridge. - It will be fine, we'll think of something once we get the ship. Did Mike tell you the route?.
- Yeah, Trafalgar. I'll get us as far as New London, then Junker can take the point. You think this will work?
John nodded. - I don't see why not. I've got all the maps laid out here and Mike says they're already expecting us at Beaumont. Trafalgar will let them know when we're in business. From there, the route is easy. - John seemed content, and he was. Things started to fall into their place and the picture was clear. He'll do whatever he has to do to get back at those that took everything from him. As for Reinhald, he'll have to worry later about that. He let out a sigh as he sat in one of comfortable chairs.
- Screw Reinhald man - Mike said, like he knew what was going trough John's head at the moment.

Isabella led them trough series of jumpholes leading from Theta to Omega11 trough 7 and 3 with finally emerging in Cambridge. Her voice helped alot in negotiations with pirates and it often got hem a clean passage with a little donation of cash or some of luxury commodities they've got left on the ship.
John was finally starting to feel at home when they passed trough Cambridge.
- Finally, a market I know about. Thats a bonus. - They had plenty of time to meet each other and go trough their plans as Veles was autopiloted to New London. John laid out some ground rules and he explained how he go the Map software with most of the routes they need detailed up. Things were certainly looking better for the trio, and all there was to do now is safely get to Trafalgar.

Map software details:

Sigma 13

Magellan

California

Texas

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<span style="color:#33CC00">I AM GIVING AWAY MONEY TO CREATIVE MINDS*</span>