Araevin walked in shakily. He had successfully completed a trading mission to Bretonia, and had just returned, strangely enough his ship was no longer listed as docked on Trenton, instead it was found on Planet Manhatten in the repair bays.
He sat down at the bar and the bartender asked him (as was his custom) "The usual there Arae?"
Araevin "Shook his no, I need something with more unf, make it a whiskey"
The bartender complied and served him, with a questioning look, he could not hold back "Is everything all right with you today? Something you want to talk about?"
Araevin "I am just a bit shaken up, i need to talk to Mr.Trenton, could you buzz him please? Until he shows up just keep the whiskey bottle on the counter...."
Nikolas Burton was walking nervously in the bar. The bartender noticed that so he came closer and asked him:
"Would you like the usual one, sir?" Some moments later Nikolas realised that the bartender made him a question. He was too confused to ask for something else, so he simply said: "Yes, Tom" Tom knew that Nikolas was strange this day, so he switfly returned to the bar and prepared the drink. Nikola's favourite drink was Wine with some exotic liquids from Planet Gaia; It was an expensive one indeed, but Nikolas never cared about it's price. Tom served him the drink and asked:
"Are you alright Nikolas? You seem very... confused" Tom realised his client had something and he was also fully aware that the space outside of Trenton was dangerous and deathly. "Well yes as you may have seen my ship is heavily damaged, I had a close encounter with pirates" Now Tom knew what to do. He has already done that numerous times in the past. He will take a seat near Nikolas and listen to his story. The bar for many transport captains served in such way. Telling what bothers you, so afterwards you will be alright and fly to dangerous places, to risk your life one more time...
"So Nick, tell me your story" Tom always enjoyed listening to stories.. he sometimes caught himself being jealous for not being there, but that wasn't his role. He was just a bartender.
Nikolas ate a chocolate candy and started:
"I was in a typical trade run, dangerous one indeed, but I have done this a couple of times in the past. I loaded my ship with Diamonds in Rostock Station in Omega-15 and headed to Planet Kyushu to sell them. My escorts stayed in Omega-50 fighting providing me with enough time to continue the route" Nikola's mind travelled back in this desolate place, thinking for a moment the Neutron Star in the Omega-41 and then he continued his story. "Everything was fine until I reached Sigma-17, there I realised that I'm being chased by a Corsair Gunboat. He was quite far so I ignored their demands to halt. But in the trade lane to the Honsu Jump Gate one ring was disrupted so the Gunboat reached my Gull." Nikolas paused for a moment, trying to remember every significant detail of the incident. "As a former Bretonia Armed Forces soldier I knew that Corsair GB's weren't evasive, so I ordered my pilot to run as fast as he could. Furthermore, I activated the microphone and informed the crew about the situation. I ordered my weapon's officer to fire back, in order to gain some distance. When we gained some distance we cruised and the weapon's officer carefully started deploying the countermeasures. Unfortunately the Gunboat cruised too and chased us until the Jump Gate. After we jumped to Honsu we thought that we evaded the pirates, but we were wrong. The GB recklessly followed in Honsu and immediately sent us 2 Cruise Disruptors Missiles. The missiles hit my Gull's engines, so I ordered for a full halt."
Nikolas looked outside of the bar's window. Planet Pittsburgh could easily been seen and in the side the cheerful blue color of Manhattan. He then said "the distance to reach the New Tokyo Jump Gate was so small..." pointing with his hand the distance between Pittsburgh and Manhattan "... when the engine number 1 was destroyed by the gunboat's fires" Tom knew that with less engines the ship could move slower and that would be fatal against a heavily armoured corsair gunboat. "For some some reason I knew that the Gunboat didn't want credits, they just wanted to destroy my ship. From what I've heard they were transporting something with great importance, so when I encountered their transport in Omicron Theta, they thought I've collected information about the ship's cargo, which of course is untrue. But that remains a rumor, I don't know their real motives" Tom's curiousity could now be seen. He knew that the chances of getting away were a lot less if these Corsairs just wanted to destroy the transport. Nikola's noticed that, so he continued his story. "I ordered by communications officer to call for help in all civilian channels and also to a Universal convoy in Shikoku and then I headed to the weapons officer. We deactivated all the weapons, because we realised that the gunboat didn't care about getting damaged and gave the remaining energy to the shield and the thruster. But that wasn't enough. We sustained more and more damage as the time passed and the Kusari Police didn't respond in any channel." Tom replied "Yes, I heard from another pilot that in some rare occassions the Kusari security forces don't respond to messages that come from corsair-pirated transports. One more reason to do so, if the Corsairs thought you had stolen important information."
Nikolas thought this for some seconds and continued. "Luckily we made it to New Tokyo mostly because of my driver's evasive abilities, but the damage we have taken was terrible. We have started gaining some distance from the gunboat and this gave us hope that we could make it. Suddenly a strong bright beam was launched from the Gunboat and some mili-seconds later it reached my Gull..." Nikolas knew that he would remember for his rest of his life the moment which the frontal gunboat gun hit his already damaged transport's hull. "The next thing I remember was fire. All the engines were destroyed , the cargo pods with the diamonds were blown up and the computer wasn't responding. I looked outside of the window and saw that the gunboat was closing fasting and preparing to fire the final, lethal shot. But this shot never came... Mr.Wake and Mr.Gruzlund, the escorts of the Universal convoy in Shikoku reached the site of the battle and immediately started attacking the gunboat, trying to force it in a retreat. Some moments later their transport came too and gave some supplies to the repair teams in Roppongi Station. With these supplies and the help of 2 Heavy Lifters from Roppongi we were able to put out the fire in the lower deck and move the ship inside Roppongi. I was miraculously saved and I owed my life to these two brave pilots. So did the rest of my crew."
Tom was satisfied. He had many months to listen to such an extraordinary story. "Nikolas what happened to the corsair gunboat?" Nikolas with a face filled with uncertainty he answered: "From what I was told the gunboat was heavily damaged by our escorts so the ship was abandonded... and the Corsair crew was retrieved by some nearby bloody Hogosha vessels" There was silence for some seconds and then Tom said: "Well the thing that only counts is that you and your crew are fine now" Nikolas happily replied: "Yes, we didn't have any causalties and that's very, very good. Thank you Tom for listening to my story." Nikolas finished his drink and started walking to his office thinking the paperwork he should finish by tomorrow. When Nikolas left the bar, Tom whispered: "What a lucky bastard..."
//Gonna bump this thread a bit ahead due to it being neglected.
Araevin woke with a start at his desk, he was already regretting falling asleep at his desk, his back hurt and he had a headache. He picked up his datapad, a new change of clothes, and his weapon, and left his room. He looked down the hall, bleary eyed, and began walking towards the bar. By the time he left the residential wing, he was feeling better, but not significantly so. He arrived at the bar, and peeked in, making sure there wasn't any undesirables.
It was still really early, he had fallen asleep early too, it seemed to becoming more routine for him to wake and sleep at such strange hours.
He sat at one of the empty tables, and was surprised about how many people were here, even for such hours. The barkeep came over to him, "Ah, Mr.Teshurr good to see you again, been awhile since you have been around, what can I get you?" Araevin looked a bit miffed at being called "Mr.Teshurr" by one of the people he considered his friends, it was difficult for him to find people who addressed him as an equal.
"Araevin, please, and I'll have what ever you have that's easily prepared, I know it's a difficult hour for you.... And I'll have coffee, if you have any left..." Araevin told him, getting out his datapad, but decidedly , he put it away, he didn't feel like getting right too business, it was way too early for that kind of thing.
Several minutes later one of the waiters came out with a plate combination of eggs and sausages, obviously freshly cooked. He thanked the waiter heartily, and looked around.
No one else was eating this, their food was leftover from the last meal that was prepared. He sighed to himself; he really hated having people go out of their way for him, as they always seemed to.
He took a bite of his eggs, they were pretty good actually, and a sip of his coffee, freshly prepared, again. He sat and looked out the window, at the waking Manhattan, hoping for some conversation to kick off his morning.
Emerald eyes swept the area ahead of the young newcomer, taking in the industrial walls of the orbiting space station. Tony, with his tight black pilot's jacket, form-fitting jeans and holstered hip blaster was the epitome of pilot-jock. Grease stains littered his clothing, obviously he had been in the guts of some poor vessel recently. His short cropped black hair was also matted with sweat and grime, but the man didn't seem to much care. With each footstep towards the bar, his grin widened until with a smug look, he barged into the establishment. Casting a quick look about while moving directly for the bar, he knocks his fists on the counter. "Howdy Trenton, S'nice t'call you home." Tony says to the air, before diverting his attention to the stock at the bar, wondering what he should choose.
Danielle walked into the bar, the music was low, and calm unlike the other bars around Sirius. A few passing Universal escorts past the window their engines humming by peacefully.
Danielle settled the group of folders on the counter which were previously being held under her arm.
"What can I get you ma'am?" asked the bartender, looking slightly nervous.
Danielle didn't speak, she looked at him, she eyes him up and down, and the turned her body facing him. "Nothing, thank you" she said eyeing around the bar with a few people she recognised. The bartender stratched his head in confusion.
"Then.. why are you here?" he asked. "I'm here for peace of mind, the walls of my office have gotten boring." she stated coldly, still scanning the sitting area. Once she found a table free, which was next to a wall, she turned back. "I am going to work here for a while, if you tell any of my employee's I'm here. I will kill you"
The bartender smiled, as if Danielle was joking, though he shuddered at the same time as if it could become true. Danielle didn't react emotionally, her face stayed the same. "I do not wish to be disturbed" As Danielle began to walk off with her high heels clicking on the floor and her paper work under her arm, "Miss, this is a bar. I believe you will get disturbed" said the barman after her. "Well, you'd better stop believing" she said without turning.
As Danielle walked past a table, she recognised Araevin Teshurr eating his breakfast. She immediantly walked over, and helped herself to a seat opposite the president. "I have done the reports on the stock markets in Minnesota, as well as safety assessments on their facilities." Danielle stated.
Araevin nearly spat out his coffee due to the shock of Danielle suddenly appearing.
Ian walked into the bar,looks around and see's Danielle sitting across from Araevin,then he decides to walk to the bar,the bartender looks at him curious
"What can I get you pilot"says the barman
"Whisky please"
"Um sure want ice"says barman
"No ice just plain,been along few days out in the borderworlds"
"now why would a pilot be doing out in the borderworlds"says barman
"Looking for bounties to bring in the wanted and also take down any pirate scum"
"Ah so you a bounty hunter,bussiness good?" ask's the barman
"Well there have been a few pirates out there but no-one big enough for a good bounty,do you do food barman"
"Of course we do best we do is Steak from New London good beef that and fresh veg from right here in Manhatten"
"Ok i will take that then and another whisky,I go sit down"
So an hour later after his much need food Ian decides it is time to get back to his ship and shout's across the bar "See you around barman"
And the barman waves a farewell to Ian
Tony's gaze followed the apparently nervous woman, before he himself followed in her footsteps shortly after. He hovered near the table, listening in and then offering his own introduction. "Tony Ristar, best mechanic in Liberty."His green eyes shone with the grin that has conquered his lips, eagerly awaiting Teshurr and Danielle's responses.
Danielle had sat down in front of Araevin so quick, he did not actually hear her.
"Reports, what? Oh, yes, I was just about to review them" He waved to the datapad sitting on the table. He looked at her in the eyes, she had cold eyes, and could stare down a bull. He looked for a few more seconds, telling her "You need some sleep Danielle, all this work is going to be your grave, take it easy, relax a bit. Having your work down at the beginning of the month means you are done for that month, not that it's time to begin next months work."
He sipped his coffee, wondering just what ran through that mind of hers.
From the corner of his eye he caught Ian, not knowing his name of course at the bar, he sat down and ate. Araevin figured it was some wayward traveler come for a break from it all.
Then Tony came over, eagerly and introduced himself. Araevin stood up and took his hand with a firm shake.
"Hello Tony, a pleasure to have you onboard, I am Araevin Teshurr, President of this fine corporation, please take a seat with us." He gestured to an empty seat.
With each footstep came a light jingle that could be faintly heard even before the mechanical doors at the bar's corridor slid open.
An older gentlemen fully clad in a tuxedo steps inside and stops, slowly removing his jacket. A bar attendant was quick to grab his coat and hang it for him, which was returned with a polite nod and a smile that partially concealed itself behind a bushy grey handlebar mustache. The nod wasn't returned, however, but a nervous gaze in it's stead. Dexter's smile faded when he followed the man's eyes to his belt, which holstered an antique Colt .44 Special, 1st Generation Buntlines with checkered Fiddleback Maple grips.
Dexter's smile half-returned and he raised his eyes to the attendant, making contact with a thousand yard stare. "Don't worry,", said Dexter, "I don't plan on using it any time soon."
The attendant gave a nervous nod and moved off to the bar, where a glance from Dexter had the tender pouring a glass of Brandy on the rocks and having it ready at his table near the corner of the bar where a window looked out to Planet Manhattan.
It was then that he noticed the other occupants of the bar, particularly Danielle and Araevin, both of which he tipped his black cowboy hat to with a light smile as he made his way over to his chair with a calm, confident and deliberate stride. The jingle with each step revealing itself as the sound of spurs rattling on his black, distressed style western boots.
He took his seat and produced a wooden pipe, already tamped down with a dark tobacco, striking a match on his whiskers and lighting the bowl to produce a red glow that briefly illuminated his dim corner of the bar.
Before even exhaling the smoke, came a sip of brandy, and then the smooth aromatic fog was released into the air.
Tony's firm handshake released Teshurr's a few seconds before he slipped away to the seat, his lips sporting a lopsided grin. "Nice to meetcha President. I can't wait to get the Outrider a few kills."
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