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Ames Research Station, Kepler System
Kepler had indeed gotten worse. After a medical visit to the Starflier base and Ames itself, Doc got into the cockpit of his old ship, Marshall Earp, and prepared for a few days rest at Noshima in Shikoku. Eventually, his travels would take him to Freeport 5 via Med Force General and Research in Baffin as he was loaded with medicines. But first, rest at Noshima where he would meet up with an old friend, Lady Mariko.
Months ago, they met each other and took in kabuki theater on Kyushu. He actually felt a bit devious with her as he smuggled her to the surface that day. She was, after all, a Golden Chrysanthemum, a terrorist to many. To him, he saw something different. She was quite shrewd, smart and cunning but very attractive. To those who knew Doc, he had a taste for Kusari women and his depression over his late wife, Midori, was no secret either. He had developed some trust with Mariko and didn't want to ruin it. Rather, he wished to build on it.
The docking clamps released, he took the ship to the trade lane where he docked to the lane and started making the fast trip to the Shikoku gate. Jump lanes didn't take a lot of time but he used that time to send a transmission to Mariko.
Konnichiwa, Lady,
I have began the trip to meet you and should be there by days end. I await your response
-Doc
The trip through the Kepler trade lane was quick which was relieving considering the radiation in the system. Luckily, there were no ships at the gate so he was able to initiate his docking sequence to the jump gate. He passed through the gate and the ship shook as he passed through the wormhole to the Shikoku system. Minutes later, there he was in the clouds. He there began the process of initiating the docking sequence to the jumpgate.
Noshima Freeport, Shikoku System, Kusari Sovereign Space.
Mariko docked her new Lily light fighter on Noshima and disembarked from her ship.
Before proceeding to the main hall, she first walked around the ship to inspect it from different angles. The dark matter storm of Kepler and the radiation that accompanied it had eaten away at the hull in the short time it took her to traverse it. Here and there the alloy of the hull was partially melted or showed signs of burn marks caused by heavy ionisation.
Experiencing feelings of regret for not having taken an older design that was more expendable, she decided it would be wiser to avoid Kepler entirely in the future and travel though Galileo instead. At least the sale of contraband within the borders of Liberty compensated for the repair costs.
Not wearing her more traditional clothing, but donning a flight suit instead, she bundled her hair together and fastened it with a hairpin before proceeding inside. It was at that moment that she received his message.
Konnichiwa, Lady,
I have began the trip to meet you and should be there by days end. I await your response
-Doc
She typed out a reply to him on her pad.
"Konnichiwa. I already arrived on Noshima. No worries, I will find something to keep me occupied until you arrive."
She sent the message back to him. Apparently she had more time than she originally had thought. Perhaps she should could use the time to find some of those mochi cakes that he seemed to enjoy last time.
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Noshima Freeport, Shikoku
His flight was uneventful. It was a nice flight into the cloud in which the Freeport resided largely away from the eyes of patrols. Receiving his docking clearance, his ship found itself moored at the station.
"Coming out of Kepler?" asked the docking master.
"Hai," he answered.
"Why anyone even goes through that place is beyond me," commented the master.
"People have lived in that mess for years," Doc replied. "The Xenos never complain." With that he smiled and headed for the lounge.
He was in his black gambler's attire with a white shirt and bow tie. He had a robe and his large brimmed hat as well which he removed upon entry to the lounge as a gentleman would. While there were other guests in the lounge, it didn't take him long to find Mariko. Finding where she was, he took her hand and kissed its top, a signature of his.
"Lady Mariko it is indeed a pleasure to see you again," he said with a smile and gave her a gentleman's bow. "I do hope that I did not keep you waiting too long."
He then assisted her to her seat. As he did, he kept a watch around him. This was, after all, a Freeport and was being mindful of who may be watching.
Leaning with her back against the wall and with a glass of water in her hand, she saw the doctor enter through the door. It had taken him quicker than she had expected to arrive. She was less formally dressed than he was in her flight suit and was clearly recognisable as a Golden Chrysanthemum pilot, but she didn't mind too much. When he sent her a message, she had to quickly adjust her schedule and didn't have the opportunity to prepare properly. It wasn't the first time that Doc saw her in a more casual attire and this was a freeport. There wasn't that much of a risk for trouble and if there was, she would deal with it in time.
She allowed him to kiss her hand, enjoying the simple gesture of courtesy. Kusarians often believed that people from the outside lacked manners. Mariko had established a long time ago that Henry Holliday wasn't one of them.
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"Ames is not too far away, really," he explained. "I recently installed a new engine which has given my ship some extra speed."
They ordered drinks and he helped her into her seat. "Lovely as usual," he flirted, "even in uniform."
He scanned the area with his head. "I must admit, this is my first stop here. We charted it but never actually stopped. It is a nice, out-of-mind, mid-stop for us going to the Taus."
Then in a kind voice he simply asked her, "So how have you been?"
I have been fine. Recently I have been assigned some ambassador duties, which suit me just fine honestly. I heard reports of you passing through Kusari occasionally. You must have been busy lately.
Noshima is actually a rather new station and useful for the GC. We can use this installation to do easy trade and get some goods that are difficult to come by in general. It also attracts trade to the region which we can simultaniously exploit ifyou catch my gist.
She placed a small package on the table.
I got some of those mochi cakes that you enjoyed last time.
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He smiled and caressed the package within his hands. "Ah yes, you remembered. They were quite good." He opened the package and placed it to where they could be shared. Taking one, he took a bite and nodded. "Mmm..mmm" he said with his mouth still full. After he swallowed, he gave her a hearty thank you and bowed his head to her.
"Ambassador duties? They can be quite the challenge having to balance things out to keep things level. I do not know the diplomacy issues of the Chrysanthemums but we Zoners live where people are killing each other and we have to give something to both sides to live their peacefully. Somehow, we manage," he explained. "Tension is having bounty hunters on one side of the bar and a couple of Corsairs or Outcasts on the other. They would just assume kill each other on the spot but thankfully they take it outside. I am sure you will find something similar here at some point."
He nodded, "I have been busy. The medicines we cannot make ourselves we have to buy and many of those come from New York so this is not an uncommon route for me and since the closure of the Baffin/Coronado jumphole, this is the best and safest route to Baffin." He paused and looked around again before returning his attention to her. "I will see what this place needs in the future. I am sure beverages are a bit of a luxury out here so I will plan for some Ale, Rheinbeer and whatever else I can get."
He just looked at her and lightly smiled. "You actually look relaxed. As I am a doctor, I can usually tell."
Mariko took one with blueberry filling and carefully took a small bite from it as not to smudge her lipstick.
"I am glad you appreciate the small gesture."
She smiled and waited for him to finish the small mochi cake before replying to him.
Well yes. People tend to shove me forwards when it comes to delicate political situations to smooth things out. Normally I deal with the Blood Dragons because you know their lot are fond of their traditions and I have more understanding of them than most Sisters. That does not mean it doesn't have its ups and downs. Occasionally someone shows up that is a problem at best. Don't worry, nothing like that is going on right now. But given my experience, I have been put into a more permanent role.
I do get alot of free time to pursue my own objectives though.
Listening to his description of the route she learned something new.
"Baffin is isolated then? Wasn't your hospital there? And yes. Kusari's underworld internal politics calmed down alot and most of the internal strife between the GC and the Blood Dragons is gone now. It gives me some breathing space."
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"It most certainly is," he responded in reference to her question about Baffin. It has the one jump hole going in from Tau 29. The only other one goes to Puerto Rico which is heavily radiated, much like Kepler is now. In short, there is not a lot of traffic coming or going so it makes for a quiet, out-of-site place to keep a hospital and research area out of public eye."
He thought for a moment. "I guess the only unfortunate aspect is that some Freelancers found the quiet a good place to build a base as well in the ice fields. We leave each other alone but I worry about visitors. Fortunately, my base is well out of regular routes. Of course, if ever I need goods, isolation can be detrimental."
He sipped his drink. "I get the impression you like ambassadorship, at least, a little. From someone who has done it for many years, you learn from those you deal with, even an enemy. Being able to read people helps and yes, it does give you time to learn new things to include things about yourself."
"Puerto Rico? We sometimes pass through there when Liberty gets too hot. I never knew it had a direct connection to Baffin. This is useful knowledge. Perhaps when in a predicament and need emergency medical attention, we could divert our route to Baffin.
As long as the freelancer stay out of your affairs, you should be fine. Freelancers are generally not known to interfere much with the ongoing business of locals. Are you in any immediate need of supplies? I understand the GC have aided you in this regard before."
The ambassadorship has perks but also cons. I am simply the most qualified for it right now. With my geisha background, I know a great deal about moving the hearts and minds of people. But my own heart lies in the skies beyond the confines of stations and conference rooms.
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