[M] Galactic Engagement (Ushima and AngelDellaNotte)

[Ushima]

"This man I swear." Lilian hissed as she continued to work on Michael's unconscious body. His shirt was off and Lilian was grabbing a tool. "I need you to hold him like this. I can see the bullet it's not lodged too deep into his side."

Michael groaned a little. "Wha happ-"

"Of course he's waking up. Hold still soldier boy." Putting her tool down real quick she grabbed a needle from the first aid kit. "Was hoping to do this quick while you were out but guess not. Here's the good stuff. You earned it." Removing the cap with her mouth she injected Michael with a pain killer. "He's going to be high as a kite. Ok where were we?"

Michael was still coming out of it. The amount of blood he's lost, while not enough to put him at risk, was enough to make him somewhat delirious. And now add meds to the mix he was feeling good. And they hit fast, and hard. "Why is there a party in my bedroom?"

"We're not in your bedroom, you're dying. Now hold still." Lillian cursed. "Ashira hold him." The bodyguard reached in and grasped the bullet. "Got it."

"I'm not ready for bed yet." Michael tried removing his pants, unclasping his belt and pushing them down.

"When this is over I need some of that good stuff." Lilian set the tongs and bullet down in a tray and grabbed the suture kit. "Almost done then you can sleep."

Michael then noticed Ashira holding him. "Hey Ashira what are you doing in my room?"

Lilian rolled her eyes. "I do hope you enjoy what comes out of his mouth next."

"Princess you can't be in my room like this. It isn't right. Lilian is right here and she doesn't like it when we spend time together." Michael shot a glare at Lilian who returned it more effectively, not being under the influence of medical drugs. "My pants are off you can't be here."

"Done!" Lilian finished stitching him up. "Time for you to sleep for a few hours."

Harlow yelled up from the flight deck. "I hear it's getting hot back there! Need me to come up and give the man a hand?"

"Quiet you perverted wench." Lilian grabbed another needle. "Alright my irritating Arturian friend, sweet dreams. And they better not be about the princess." She stuck the needle in his arm and quickly Michael was unconscious. "Well that was annoyingly entertaining. They never mentioned his reaction to meds in the file they sent over. I'll put some proper pants on him. You shower and get his blood off you. "It won't be too long before we get to Aquaris Station to restock whatever supplies we're missing."

[AngelDellaNotte]

Once the surgery was complete Lillian hooked a medical monitor to his chest it starting to scan his vitals right away. After a moment of being connected it beeped a warning causing Lillian to look over at the display. “As I expected he's lost quite a bit of blood. He'll need a transfusion. The device puts his blood type as B positive. I'm A negative. “ Lillian said walking up to the cockpit. “Harlow what's your blood type?”

“I'm AB negative.” Harlow said, looking back from the controls. “Flyboy need a refuel?”

“Aye, needs a transfusion.” Lillian said, walking back to the cargo bay but was stopped by Ashira. “What are you doing?” Ashira asked, blocking Lillian from going back further.

“Checking to see if either Harlow or Sadie are B positive.” Lillian said, moving to go around Ashira but the princess blocked her path.

“And I am O positive you know I can give him the transfusion.” Ashira said, rolling up her sleeve and sitting down in a chair next to Michael.

“Yes, you are but if Sadie is the right type then you aren't giving any blood.” Lillian said, stopping at the entrance to the cargo bay. “Sadie are you B positive?”

“Sure am but I'm not giving a drop to that Arturian dog.” Sadie said, spitting in the direction of the medical bay, it landing just a few feet in front of Lillian.

“Like hell you are. Even if I have to knock you out and drag you up here.” Lillian said, moving toward Sadie again but was stopped by Ashira.

“Come on this is obscured just do the transfusion with me.” Ashira said, “If I have to I will order you to. I do still outrank you both militarily and by class.”

Lillian looked to Sadie who was still letting out a string of curses. She shook her head and walked back into the medical bay gesturing for Ashira to sit down as she gathered the equipment needed for the transfusion. It didn't take long to hook it up, Lillian had been trained as a combat medic. She left Ashira sitting there as she went to get a juice box from the refrigerator and handing it to Ashira. “Drink this, stay seated and I will be back in bit to check on you two.” Lillian said, walking into the back where Sadie was still running her mouth.

Ashira chuckled as she heard Lillian threaten to pummel Sadie if she didn't shut up. Ashira looked over to Michael taking his hand in hers. “Oh what a fine mess we have gotten into.” She said, not entirely thinking about the escape.

[Ushima]

He felt weak. The world around him was hazy as he started to shake off the drugs they pumped him with. "Nothing can ever be simple can it?" He brought his right hand to his face, running his eyes. His left was weighed down and he did not bother trying to move it, it was warm and comforting. Opening his eyes he stared up at the bunk above him, the gray paint the same as he is used to seeing. Looking to his left he saw Ashira still sitting there, his hand in her's. A soft smile spread across his face. He didn't know how long he had been out but Ashira either way had fallen asleep. The equipment for the transfusion laid in a tray on the counter. Michael gave her hand a gentle squeeze, brushing his thumb across her hand. Taking a peak around, seeing the crew quarters empty, Michael brought her hand up and gave it a kiss. "Sleep well princess." Gently her untangled himself from Ashira's grasp and moved to stand, groaning and hissing as his side throbbed with pain.

"I got shot and I'm not even getting paid for it." Carefully his feet hit the floor and he stood. It was a little shaky but he managed to stagger over to the closet and pull out a fresh pair of clothes. Michael changed into a fresh white tank, biting back a loud groan as he did so. Michael wasn't even going to try to bend over and put on his boots. Lastly he grabbed a blanket and put it over Ashira.

"Aw aren't you a sweetheart." Harlow's voice caught him by surprise.

Michael turned to look at her, a little too fast. His hand went to his side and he winced. "Yeah. I'm a nice guy." The Arturian headed to the flightdeck, "We headed to Aquaris Station?"

Harlow nodded. "We're on our way. How you feeling?"

Michael chuckled. "I've had better days. Just waiting for the pain to subside. Think I'll put in for a Broken Wing medal for." He saw Harlow's raised eyebrow and explained. "It the medal for when pilots get injured. You know what it's like. We either live or get shot out of the sky."

"Well you've earned it." Harlow brushed past him, back into the flight deck. She crouched down in front of Sadie. "You hear that? You helped fly boy here get a medal." The girl was tied up and had a gag in her mouth. Lillian was in another seat taking a nap. "Help me fly this thing." Michael took the co-pilot seat on the left, Harlow retook the seat on the right. "So I got the basic functions."

[AngelDellaNotte]

Waking up Ashira felt her neck was stiff, as she looked around she realized it was because she had fallen asleep in a chair. There was a blanket over her and Michael was gone. She must have fallen asleep while sitting with the pilot. Lillian was sleeping in another chair, and looking into the back Sadie was still bound though there now was a gag in her mouth. Lillian's handiwork no doubt. Folding the blanket she set it on the bunk and went to the cockpit. Harlow and Michael were sitting there with the Arturian showing her how to use the ship. In the view screen before them Ashira could see that station before them. It wasn't like the sleek stations she was used to seeing but more industrial. “Aquarius station, it used to be a asteroid mining station but once all the ore was mined it was abandoned. The mechanics had cannibalized most of the engines to keep their equipment running so it couldn't be moved.” Harlow said, noticing Ashira standing behind them. “It was bought by a pair of siblings, Lionel and Hannah Gideon. They took advantage of the lawlessness between the Arturian and Yoren spaces. Anything goes on the station as long as it suits the Gideons, they easiest way to do that is to keep their pockets full.”

“Sounds like a lovely place.” Ashira said, sarcastically.

“Indeed. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy” Harlow said, guiding the ship into one of the space docks. Ashira had watched Michael do it several times and Harlow seem to be doing fine though you could see she was a little uncomfortable with the controls.

“We'll be able to refuel and find a suitable place to leave Sadie. I know a few people that can keep her occupied until we got a good enough lead on the Omega squad.” Harlow said, finishing the last of the docking, there was a slight bump that was normal with. A big grin spread across Harlow's face as she beamed to Michael then turned back to Ashira. “Technically Aquarius Station is off limits but it isn't that hard to fudge logs for a little shore leave.”

“Well let's get going.” Ashira said, walking to the back of the ship past Lillian who she left sleeping. She grabbed Sadie and pulled her to her feet.

“Perhaps we should leave our friend here until I get a chance to talk to my contacts. Just about anything goes here but dragging a tied up woman through the station might cause some questions.” Harlow said.

“Alright, we'll leave Lillian here to watch her.” Ashira said, dropping Sadie back to the ground and heading to the docking bay.

“Not, gonna wake her up first?” Harlow said, with a laugh. “Hey I get it your babysitter would make you stay on the ship. Let's at least leave her a note.” Harlow moved over to one of the monitors and recorded a quick message for the body guard then the three of them headed out.

[Ushima]

Michael slid into the seat Harlow previously occupied and went through the shutdown sequence for the craft. Once the APU was powered down dock workers approached the ship. They plugged it into a power unit and started fueling. Once things were settled in the flight deck Michael returned to the crew cabin. Opening the med kit he pulled out another bandage, one large enough to cover his Arturian tattoo. Satisfied with it's placement on his right arm Michael went and joined the two ladies outside. "Hold up!" A voice called out to them.

Michael glanced to his left, seeing a man with a holopad approaching them. He stepped forward to meet him. "Greetings dock master. I take it you have the paperwork?"

"Aye I do." The man, Igor by the name on his tag, handed Michael the pad. The Arturian took it and began filling in the information. "So an Arturian ship?"

"Captured in a raid. Didn't serve the military's needs and lacked any new tech they could salvage so they auctioned it off as a "collector's item"," Michael paused in filling out the forms to do the air quotes. "Then it found it's way into my hands and I've been working as a contractor. It gets a big draw for uniqueness."

"Right." Igor finished eyeing the ship. "So here we have the cost of fuel plus the docking fees for the port. Anything else you need?"

Michael looked over his ship. "The interior systems are fine. Mind patching up those holes in the hull?" They were left over from where Simca had pumped gas into their ship knocking them out. The Yoran's had done a quick patchwork job but the crews here should be able to take what they've done and fix it properly. Plus it was on the crown's dime so why not?

Igor nodded. "No problem I'll add it to your bill. Will you be paying now or later?"

He didn't want to risk flashing anything important right away so he decided later. The card loaded with Credits was safely tucked away on the ship. "I'll pay before we leave."

"Very well then." Igor held out his hand for the pad. Michael returned it to him. "Stop by the office before you leave to finish the payment and I'll release the docking clamps."

"Will do. Thank you." Michael raised a friend hand to the man. With that settled he rejoined Ashira and Harlow who seemed to be making plans. "That's how they make money. Fees on top of fees. Your ma isn't going to be happy to get this bill I'll tell you that." Michael chuckled. "So where we headed?"

[AngelDellaNotte]

While Michael settled with the dock master Ashira and Harlow stood a short distance away with Ashira keeping her back to the man. They were on the far edge of Yoran space but she was still worried someone would recognize her. She was the public face of the royal family and as long as they were in Yoran space it would be a risk. She knew it was a foolish fear this far out, it technically was Yoran space but the crown wasn't in control. The only 'royals' anyone cared about were the Gideons. Michael came back over and made a quip about how much it would cost and her mother not being happy. If he only knew how much was actually on that card. Her mother wanted this to succeed and the funds allotted were more than enough needed. “We're headed to the race district. My contact that can help us out with Sadie is there.” Harlow said, leading them off the landing deck and to train system that would move them around the station. She paid for three tickets to the race district using a false name for each of them to register. The station kept a record of everyone who came to it and where they went but it mostly was a formality as very few traveled with their own name and no one checked.

It was a short ride to the race district the train moving incredibly fast. In this district you could find any kind of race imaginable. They were headed to hover racer tracks where they were looking for a riot racer pilot. The riot racers were a cross between a regular race and a battle royal. The goal wasn't just to make it to the finish line but to make it there alive. The races were quite entertaining to watch. They exited the train the deck standing just above one of the tracks giving everyone disembarking a glance at the races. Ashira leaned over the railing looking down at the track seeing a maintenance droid cleaning the track between races. “Wait until you see a race in action.” Harlow said, tapping Ashira on the shoulder and guiding her down the road to the riot racer track. She spoke to the ticket taker a moment then they were lead away from the public area to a private viewing adjacent to the track the area filled mostly with other racers and rich viewers.

Harlow ordered a couple of drinks and took a seat on a couch kicking her feet up on a coffee table. “So where is our contact?” Ashira said, sitting down next to Harlow as a waitress brought them their drinks. She took a drink of it tasting that it was a beer but it was stronger than she had ever had. It took some effort not to spit it out or to choke on it.

“Red bike, third position.” Harlow said, taking a long drink of her beer. Not seeming to have any trouble getting the liquid down. “We'll have to wait until the race is over.” They sat there watching the race, Harlow polishing off two more of the beers while Ashira barely touched hers. The race ended with their contact winning. The racer jumped off his bike heading toward the area they were sitting being congratulated by several racers until he saw Harlow and walked to her taking his helmet off dropping it on the couch before pulling Harlow to him and kissing her quite intensely. “Korban Sealey, good to see you too.” Harlow said, then turned to Ashira. “Allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine. Afton Grant.”

Ashira looked over to Harlow trying to hide a brief puzzled look at the name then recalling it was they same alias Harlow had used on the train log. Of course she couldn't be introduced with her real name. It shouldn't have caught her off guard. “A pleasure to meet you.” Ashira said, holding her hand out for Korban to shake.

“Aside from being the best racer on the riot circuit Korban is Lionel Gideon's right hand man. If you need anything on the station he's the man to get it.” Harlow said.

[Ushima]

Michael followed after the two women after raising up the cargo ramp. The port was impressive, one of the largest he's ever been too. It even boasted quite an impressive rail system. He was only half listening to Harlow as he followed the two through the queue to get tickets. He was mostly here as a tag along, his skills hopefully not needing to be required her in the port. Harlow thrust something into his hand. "Here's your ticket, Xander Thrust."

Michael chuckled. "Sounds like a pornstar."

"That's your cover." She patted his cheek and walked away.

"Not funny!" Michael swiped his ticket and proceeded onto the train. "Bitch." He cursed Harlow under his breath. The ride to the tracks was short and he spent the entirety of it staring out the window, annoyed and hopeful that Harlow wasn't seriously going to introduce him to anyone as Xander Thrust the porn actor. Knowing her, for as short a time as he has, it was a good possibility. After the train settled and the doors opened her exited with Ashira and Harlow. They were above the track and like Ashira he peaked over, spotting the maintenance droid. What caught him by surprise was the copious amounts of blood nearby.

"Well this will be interesting." They had races in Arturia, of course. But it wasn't their main form of sporting entertainment. Mech Combat was huge in Arturia. Simulated battles in different terrain tested teams ability to adapt and strategize. The better and flashier you fought, the more popular you became. Champions like Ground Zero and Jäger were household names. Needless to say it was Michael's backup plan if the military didn't work out. He loved fighting. A poster of an old champion, Ironhart, hung up on his wall and he even had the collectible figure, limited edition. Fanboy, he was one. Michael knew he needed to Ashira sometime.

Inside the VIP viewing section there was a small party going on. Harlow lead them to their seats and ordered drinks. "Red bike, third position." Michael's eyes went to the track and found the bike immediately. It was the only red one out there.

"Nice. Favorite color." The Arturian grabbed one of the drinks and took a healthy swig. It was strong, nearly too strong and like Ashira nearly coughed it up. "Seems the alcohol regulations and a little...slack here. Smaller sips Michael smaller sips." Other than that it was a good drink and he had two more. He was feeling it. There was a dance floor in the corner and the music was just right. So he went over and joined the crowd, eventually ending up dancing with two well endowed socialites.

[AngelDellaNotte]

“Harlow, you inflate my ego too much. All of it true of course.” Korban said, looking over to the women dancing with a overly drunk man. “Looks like someone has had a bit to much. Someone should have warned him about station brew.”

Ashira looked over to the dance floor noticing that the man was Michael. She shook her head shooting a glance to Harlow. “Yes, someone really should have warned him.” She looked back to him and then shouted, “Xander!” She called out a couple times with him not responding. Shaking her head she excused herself and walked over to Ashira grabbing Michael by the collar and dragging him off the dance floor to the complaints of the two women. She flipped them a gesture you wouldn't expect a princess to know and pulled him back over to the others. “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”

“Yeah, sure we'll get some coffee for your friend too.” Korban said, leading them to a private suite above the tracks. The room was spacious and a good view of the tracks. Ashira practically shoved Michael onto a sofa and ordered him to stay as Korban walked over pressing a cup of coffee into his hands. “Can I offer you ladies any refreshments?”

“No thanks.” Ashira said, watching Michael out of the corner of her eye. “Harlow says you can help us with a little problem we have.”

“I'm sure I can help you with just about anything.” Korban said, with a cheeky grin.

“I don't doubt it.” Ashira said, “We picked up a passenger on our last stop that we need to be missing for about a week or so before they are cut loose. We are traveling discretely and she would only put a wrench in our plans. Would it be possible for you to host her here for the time being?”

[Ushima]

“Yes I’m on my way to shoot my next film it’s called big-hay!” Michael was yanked off the dance floor. In his drunken haze he could make out Ashira. “What’s going on? I was blending in?” They stopped by the couch and Michael noticed a new man standing there. “The race over?” Next thing he knew they were off again and climbing stairs to a private suit. Michael was practically shoved onto the couch. The Arturian fell onto his side. A warm feeling appeared in his hand.

“Here you go mate.” Korban said, patting him on the shoulder.

“Thanks.” He took a drink immediately. His face contorted into displeasure. “Ugh coffee. Gross.”

“You don’t like coffee?” Koban asked. “How do you function in the morning?”

“I just get up. It’s just warm brown water to me.” Michael set the coffee cup down on the table in front of him. It was then he noticed something written on his forearm. “What the?” Looking at what was scrawled on his arm he saw two rows. Each row consisted of a word followed by a series of numbers. “Velora. Six three seven-eight eight five four. Ciri. Seven one zero-nine two three four. Wait hold up I got both their numbers. When did that happen?”

Harlow smirked. “What did you three talk about?”

“Well...They asked my name so I told them. After the asked what I did so I said I did porn.” Harlow’s face broke out into a large grin, eager to here the next part. “They grabbed my arm after that but I kept glancing at the monitors and you guys.” Michael scratched his head.

Now it was Korban’s turn to chuckle. “Looks like they wanted you to come over and and lay some pipe.”

[AngelDellaNotte]

Hearing Micheal's story made Ashira frown and a growl of disapproval leave her mouth. She picked up the cup of coffee and walked over to Micheal shoving the cup into his hands and spilling the coffee on his arm in the process, washing off the two numbers. “We don't have time for you to be playing around. Drink up and sober up.” She said, then turned back to Korban, “Mind if the horny idiot stays here while we go get our passenger?”

“Sure no problem at all. I can keep an eye on him.” Korban laughed, as he sat down next to Micheal. He reached into his pocket pulling a card out and handing it to Harlow. “Use this at the train station it will get you to a more private train.”

Harlow took the card and the two ladies left the room heading back to the train station. “Alright what was that all about?” Harlow asked.

“I can't explain why that idiot does anything.” Ashira said, as they came to the station and showed the attendant the card Korban gave them. He scanned it then another attendant led them to a private car. It wasn't open seating like on the other train this one had individual cabins for the passengers. Ashira and Harlow sat down on the plush seats in their cabin, both being offered a drink however Harlow declined for the both of them. Alcohol had caused enough problems today.

“I'm not talking about him. I am talking about the way you reacted. Like a teenager upset that the guy she is crushing on looked at someone else.” Harlow said, “You would have to be a fool not to notice that something is going on between you two.”

“Nothing is going on. He's just the escort to my marriage.” Ashira lied, looking out the window and not making eye contact with Harlow. She did feel something for him. That she couldn't deny it but also it couldn't be as she said she was on her way to marry someone else.

“Yeah, on your way to marry someone you don't know and you don't love.” Harlow said, “Look Ashira no one would blame you for having cold feet. Anyone in your shoes would.”

“I'm not anyone. I am a royal. We don't have the luxury of marrying who we want. Arranged marriages have been around for hundreds of years and I am not the first princess to have doubts. If I don't go through with this the war will go on and thousands will die. I can't let that be on my hands.” Ashira said, standing up and pacing the small room.

Harlow stood as well and grabbed Ashira by the shoulders stopping her pacing. “Ashira, you have a right to be happy too.”

“No, I don't.” Ashira said, as the train chimed that they were at the station. She pulled away from Harlow walking off to the train and to the ship. They didn't say anything on the way, walking in silence. When they arrived Lillian was standing at the door to the ship looking none too pleased. “Don't even start.” Ashira said, holding her hand up and walked aboard.

“What was that all about?” Lillian asked Harlow.

“Give you one guess, and a hint it involves our Arthurian friend.” Harlow said.

“I knew it would be a problem. Please tell me one of them knows the gravity of this.” Lillian said, following Harlow and Ashira on the ship.

“Don't worry the Princess knows her duty.” Harlow said, ending the conversation even though she felt Ashira was making the wrong choice.

In the back of the ship Ashira was pulling Sadie to her feet and removing the restraints. “We are going on a little field trip. You are going to behave yourself and do as you are told. So no fighting, you keep your mouth shut and you will be just find. If not I grantee you will regret it.” When Sadie didn't say anything Ashira took Sadie by the arm and walked back to the train with Harlow and Lillian following. For her part Sadie didn't try anything the look on Ashira's face telling her the princess wasn't bluffing.