[M] Freelancer (Sci-fi) (IC)

[Skipper]

Rated [M] for Violence, Sex, Adult Themes, Foul Language and just about anything else that an [M] rating lets you get away with!

Prelude: Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?

How lucky can one guy be?
I kissed her and she kissed me,

“You worry to much Seb, it’s just a favour for all the ones he has given me. Why would Vicky want to do me ill?”
“I still don’t trust him. Such an odd thing to ask of an old friend.”

Like the fella once said,
Ain’t that a kick in the head?

“Nonsense! He merely wants her to experience the wider galaxy like he and I did! And he knows she’s safe with me.”
“And why are we off to see him then? Why not just carry on as we are.”

The room was completely black,
I hugged her and she hugged back,

“He’ll want to see her. Know for himself she’s still alive.”
“It still doesn’t add up”

Like the sailor said quote:
Ain’t that a hole in the boat?

“Can’t you just trust me and trust that he wants to see the girl for a completely innocuous reason?”
“The only reason I’m here is because I question everything. Don’t trust anyone.”

My head keeps spinning,
I go to sleep and keep grinning,

“Come on Seb, we’re only going to be ferrying around a notorious crime bosses daughter. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Stop screwing with me Captain. It seems I can’t get you to change your mind. Saddening, truly.”

If this is just the beginning,
My life is going to be beautiful!

“Damn straight. Now prepare the ship for docking.”

I’ve sunshine enough to spread,
It’s just like the fella said,
Tell me quick:
Ain’t love a kick in the head?

“Engage the retros, and begin turning procedures.”
“This trip is still a bad idea Captain.”

Like the fella once said,
Ain’t that a kick in the head?

“Well your way to late Seb. We are docking ain’t we?”

Like the sailor said quote,
Ain’t that a hole in the boat?

“We’re clear to dock in the usual area Captain.
“ Then prepare for connection.”

My head keeps spinning,
I go to sleep and keep grinning,

“Docking successful Captain. Airlocks are beginning to pressurise.”

If this is just the beginning,
My life is going to beautiful,

“Alright. I’ll go ashore. Your in charge Seb.”
“You still don’t have to do this. I still think its a bad idea.”

Shes telling me we’ll be wed,
She’s picked out a king sized bed,

“Relax. I’m sure you’ll get over it. But I’m doing this for Vicky. He’s done more then enought for me.”
“Oh and Captain”

I couldn’t feel any better or I’ll be sick,

“Yes?”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Of course.”

Tell me quick!
Oh ain’t love a kick,
Tell me quick!
Ain’t love a kick,
In the head?

“Computer! Music off!”

***

[TheBarbarian]

Katy woke cold sweat coating her petite frame. A silent sob escaped from her throat before she could stifle it. Blood like thick tar flowing through her fingers. Darren's eyes wide as he watches her from Johns thick strong arms. She instructs John to lay Darren on the operating table. The dream changes. Now she is kissing John on the same table they both swimming in blood of the dead Darren. John withdraws a hand from her neck and starts to reach a hand towards her sex. Suddenly it is not John anymore but the assassin a grin on his face "Miss me baby?!" At that moment she woke. Her tears now came silently, slowly dripping down on to her bed in to the mess of tangled sheets. She wiped them off and rose from her bed. The ship was in transit, she felt it slightly humming around. It calmed Katy making the pain off both losses more bearable in the few seconds when she stood there naked not knowing what to do. Finnaly she dressed and washed her red face to hide the tear tracts on her face. With that done she walked to her bag and took out her thermos containing the coffee that she had made herself. Katy found that the ship coffee was kinda bland. So she preferred to make her own. She filled the mug with the heading "Aliens might not have anal probes but I sure do!" It was so vulgar that she treasured it remanding her of better times. With the steaming coffee in front of her things seemed to come into perspective. Her shoulders relaxed and a sigh escaped from her releasing the tension she did not know she had.
Katy's eyes turned towards the door. She wanted to learn more about the crew as the resident physician but none of them had yet opened up to her. Nor had any of them visited her some illnesses or other. She was afraid that they did not trust her. She sought to change that but was not met with enthusiasm yet. She stirred her coffee and stared at the door willing it to open to reveal a crewmen.

[Higurashi]

Three Days Prior to Docking
Deep Space

Chesveck Mk'Talo

"Point five three degrees to the left," A chanting mechanical voice said. "Aye. Four point two six fuel adjustment in sub-engine three. Warning: Sub-Engine six suffering critical fuel leakage. Sub-Engine Six, shutting down." "Damnit!" A new, more melodic voice piped up. "Override code six-three-four-two-seven! Yes computer, I know what I said. Now do it." A red warning light lit up, and an incessant beeping filled the air. "Ugh, why today of all days?" the second voice sighed.

Chesveck Mk'Talo rotated his chair in the heart of the ship fifty degrees to the right, and flicked several switches. A diagram of the ship popped into view inside his head. As was usual, the engine was perfectly fine. Grimacing, the Steersman flicked on another switch, bringing the engine back to life. The lights on the ship dimmed for a moment as power was converted to a mandator reboot. He then tapped the mic on his throat, turning it on for a broadcast.

"Only a glitch in the scanners Captain. It thought we had a leak. Rest assured, we don't," He sub-vocalized. "Oh and send Cindy down to my Sanctum if you see her. I need her to collect something for me." He then tapped his throat again, switching channels to the general crew. "Everything is fine folks. Routine reboot for a noncritical system."

He turned back to his task, and began smoothing out the creases in the ships power structure. He noticed an auxiliary camera had gone black. This was not usual. He made sure the cameras were well maintained and properly powered every time the docked. There was absolutely no reason for it to go black now. Space debris was uncommon in the FTL travel lanes. Then, a mighty screech of tearing metal went through the ship. Bringing up the diagram, he saw that sub-engine six was missing. In its place, was a mass of warning symbols and alerts. Sighing, Chesveck cut the power and fuel to that engine. He hated it when the ship didn't properly communicate what was going on.

He also made a mental note that he should put his robes back on. It wouldn't do for Cindy to show up and see him... in the state he was in. He put the ship on autopilot, and headed into his quarters. This would seem odd to some, seeing as the ship had just lost an engine. However, one must consider that the ship had a total of thirty sub engines. And while the loss of one was a right pain in the ass, it wouldn't hurt anything else.

Now to describe Chesveck's Sanctum. It was bare of most furnishings, even a bed. instead, there was only a padded recliner chair with what appeared to be... sockets? As Chesveck himself padded into the room, barefoot and stripped to the waist, the lights automatically came on. He made sure to lock the door to the pilot's chamber. To understand the situation, one must understand Chesveck. Which no one did.

The crew only rarely came to his Sanctum, on a strict invitation basis. Even the captain had to give an hour's notice before entering. It was a quiet place, sealed from all outside noise. If one payed close attention, you could see faint lines in the walls, in no apparent order or pattern. The door opened one way, out. And the mechanism to open it lay on the inner side of the door, which was a sliding panel of steel a foot thick.

Cindy, being a newly added Deckhand, probably had only heard of the Sanctum. Why it was so closely guarded was a matter of much speculation. Why would the pilot need such security? Why wasn't the cockpit in the front of the ship, as was the norm in most space-faring vessels? Whatever the cause, it was mysterious.

[Gin]

Carl was quick to work with the programs and switching on docking defensive systems for the ship, by now the music ended, The good oldies was it not? a light sigh escaped from Carl as he started cleaning up his tools. the handskerchef hanging from his back pocket and listening the one ear local Lady Lynx Radio communicator preparing to give in his own report.

"This is Carl Devyn, signing out of todays duty... By the way does anyone care to follow me onto Antlantis and earn some cash? Maybe take an iron or two while we are at it." Carl offered the rest of the possibly working crew. It was something special about docking and duelling, but best of all the steam, the enviorment of everyone beliving they are the best, or that they are the one hell of a badass, in Carls case, both was true... To a sertain extent of course, it was true that Carl indeed had so far not been outshoot in a duel, because Carl still had a brain compared to many in the arenas.

Either way, Carl was by now cleaning himself up and suiting up listening to the radio for responce.

[Enigma]

Three Days Prior to Docking

Deep Space

"Everything is fine folks. Routine reboot for a noncritical system," rumbled Steersman Mk'Talo over the Ship's Public Address system.


Cindy sighed, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. She was in the Lady Jynx's Common Room, in the Pantry - a glorified name for a tiny kitchen in a closet. Pull-out racks held the ship's food stores. Some of the racks were refrigerated, holding stacks of plastic-wrapped trays, each divided into twelve smaller, single-serving dishes. "Cooking" couldn't be simpler - one pulled out a tray and read the directions, either sitting it on a counter to get rid of the chill, or slipping the entire tray into one of the pantry's tiny ovens for the time and temperature as per directions. Once everything was ready, she would put the trays out on the serving line, where everyone could fill their food tray with their selection of single-serving dishes.

The Beverage Dispenser sat just past the serving area, ready to serve up water at the right temperature combined with the right mix - anything from chilled milk to hot soup. And past that was the Condiment Rack, filled with bottles, tins and envelopes of different sauces, spices and seasonings to give the food more of a personal adjustment. It was her job to make sure everything from the utensil dispensers at the front of the line to the Condiment Rack at the end was clean, stocked and ready for each meal time - along with keeping the Common Room clean and tidy, tending the plants in the hydroponic trays along the walls, and any other little job the crew found for her.

Her wrist comp whistled at her. Cindy sighed - she'd paused, and the microcosm that was the Lady Jynx had noticed. Raising her wrist, she clicked the talk button.
"Crewman Smythe here," she said.
"Smythe, Steersman Mk'Talo needs to see you in his compartment, he's got a job for you."
Cindy scowled. Of course he did. If he wanted something washed, it would have to wait until after the load of linens were done. The nicest thing about being aboard ship was paper napkins were almost unheard of - cloth was easier to reuse.
"Aye, aye!" she replied, then grabbed for the nearest handhold to pull herself up.

"Computer, note where I stopped on the inventory. We'll come back to it later."
"Acknowledged."

Cindy glanced at the display. It had gone dark, letting her see her reflection. She sighed silently at the scar that marred her left cheek. Cindy let her fingertips gently trace the jagged line for a moment, then let her hand drop.

With a nod at the few faces in the common room, she slipped out the door and walked up the corridor until she found the entrance to Chesveck's Sanctum. She eyed the call button beside the door, then knocked.

"Crewman Smythe," Cindy called out. "You sent for me?"

[Skipper]

"Only a glitch in the scanners Captain. It thought we had a leak. Rest assured, we don't,"

"Of course Checkers. Steady as she goes." The ship's steerman has been one of his longest serving crewmen, and the Captain but his trust in the shadowy man. The Captain knew that their was something he wasn't telling him, but for all the time he has been with him, Checkers has just done his job a kept his head down. And who was Johnathan to pry, after all he was carrying around a hold of secrets and shadowy items.

"Oh and send Cindy down to my Sanctum if you see her. I need her to collect something for me."

Cindy was something else however. She kept her cards close to her chest, but Varn had always been a great cheater at such games. He could see exactly who she was. "Computer, give me a comms link to Cindy!"
"Yes, captain." It responded in its usually mechanical woman's voice.
"Smythe, Steersman Mk'Talo needs to see you in his compartment, he's got a job for you."
"Aye, aye!" she responded. He could see from the screen she was in pantry area. He looked for Checker's but before he could find him, the screen lit up, warning of the lose of an engine, accompanied by the sound of damage on the outside of his ship. He turned around to look out the forward facing window, one of the few on the ship. The outside was distorted, shapes appearing misshaped and starts seemed to move rapidly back and forth. Seb sat at her console to the side of him tapping away on a keyboard, while the Captain lounged in his own chair, a throne compared to all the others aboard the ship. Patterned rugs covered it surface from the far bazaars of Demassia, each one worth a small fortune. He inspected the numerous rings on his fingers with his staff laying off to one side, discarded. After turning a few of the rings, he eventually turned to his number two beside him. "Seb, send Carl down to fix that."
"At once Captain." She responded immediately and tapped out a message to send to the Engineer.

He contemplated the message he got from his old friend over and over. At first he wondered how he found out he had his grand daughter aboard. He though if he might have a spy amongst him, but he ruled it out. He will just have to remember to ask him how he knew. Secondly he thought what he wanted. Finally he thought of himself. What would he get? Every time he ran the scenario though his mind, he just got more and more questions. Until he decided that the only way to answer them, like his first, was to go see Vicky. It was only a week or so out of the route he was running anyway, and he was sure he was going to be safe from harm. In fact Vicky might see fit to send some goons out to get the girl if Varn proved stubborn.

Besides he hadn't visited the black market at Atlantis for quite sometime. perhaps they will have some trinkets to add to his vast collection. He put it aside for the time been and decided now was an exacly time for lunch, as the shipboard clock said noon. Or perhaps it was midnight.

He never quite managed to remember that little detail.

[Gin]

Spoiler: Ignore Post. 

Carl was already on his way to leave the ship when, the utter sound of great annoyance struck him, the communicator started alarming, Fuck... "Carl Devyn right here Seb." Carl responded, quickly enough being faced with a pleased voice, "Ah, yes Carl, I can see that you are already dressed to work out on the ships hull... Captains order Carl now get onto it." Carl sighed, "Yes Seb, I am onto it." Carl replied and shut down the program and moved back to his cabin in order to pick up his private tools, Sometimes, I just feel so unappreciated with all this work lately, heh, first some easy peasy reprogramming, now the hull... Geez... Carl mumbled on his way towards the service hatch and took his helmet on whilst opening the hatch, quickly shutting it upon finally being in the airlock and made sure it was shut tight. About 10 minutes longer and Carl was finally at place outside, waving towards that damn window.

And when I am done with this, I am going to earn some cash... That is, if mr captain will let me.

[Codex]

Three days ago

Jasper’s knuckles shot out from his stance and slammed into the Mr. Smiley, the dummy. The dummy was made out of rubber and was in the shape of a man. It was a full body dummy and stood by magnetized boots that could be turned off. The head however, was literally a bright yellow smiley face. Ironic, as it would be pounded into pulp. Sweat matted his clothes as he barraged the target with repeated assaults. He squared his shoulders and flung his fist out, with the force of his shoulders. As the hands made contact, it gave a satisfying smacking sound. He reared back and lunged at the dummy’s shoulder. He gripped it and pulled himself to it. Using the momentum of his body, Jasper smashed Mr. Smiley in the ribs, hard.

Jasper then collapsed into the chair. He snatched a linen towel from the table and wiped the sweat of his face. Jasper breathed deeply as he rested for a bit, letting the calm and peace relax him. He had a roommate, but that person was somewhere around the ship currently. On his home world, peace and quiet was a rarity. There were usually moans of pain, screams, gunfire, and explosives. He closed his eyes and lay back in a relax position. He crossed his arms over his chest and inched his but to the edge of the chair. Then he rested his head on the top of the back of it. He went over names of his friends, comrades, and leaders that had died in his head. So many people he thought he would see the next day. So many people were taken away from his life in a whirlwind of death. He recalled his last conversations with them, his last words. Belect, Johanna, Siolen, Aias….

A screech of metal awoke him from his trance. Jasper instinctively went to his holster. No lights were flashing, no screams were heard, and no voice was broadcasted. Jasper loosened his tensed muscles. Jasper wandered through the door. Jasper scrunched his nose and narrowed his eyes in confusion.

“The hell was that noise?” Jasper muttered.

He shrugged and sauntered off toward the mess hall. He did spend about two hours training, why not get a bite?

[Enigma]

Three Days Prior to Docking

Deep Space

Cindy frowned, wondering what was taking the Steersman so long to respond? Maybe he hadn't heard her knock? What if he was....

An inhuman moan roared through the ship as metal twisted and parted. Cindy instinctively ducked. Somewhere faintly she could hear alarms going off, but the corridor seemed to be holding pressure.

"Okay, maybe there's a reason why he can't get to the door," she muttered softly. Looking up and down the passageway, she stood up cautiously, then crossed over to the Doctor's door, pressing the call button.

"Something tore off the ship. Are you okay in there?"

[TheBarbarian]

Katy rose as the ship rocked a little and opened the door "I'm fine! Anybody else hurt?... You're Cindy right?" She had not gotten all the names down yet but hoped to learn them as quick as she could. "... Want some coffee?" Katy said brushing her hair out of her eyes. She looked behind her and realized that her cup had spilled its contents. Smiling haphazardly she took a towel and wiped the floor clean off the brown liquid. She rose up and cleaned her hands off smiling at the girl. She was pretty with those blue eyes like two windows into the sea. Somehow the girls face reminded her of Katy's own mother but then again most blue eyed girls did.