Pieces coming together
Posted on Wed Oct 26th, 2022 @ 9:16pm by Captain Elijah Rutherford
Mission:
A New Beginning
Location: Bay 42/Akaza Station/SS Firecloud
2727 words - 5.5 OF Standard Post Measure
The area near docking bay 42 had a few people walking by, except for one person who was a seated upon a wooden box, just watching those who walked by. He also had a pad of paper, looking to be drawing something. On occasion he'd look up, give a wave to those passing by, then look back down and sketch a few more details. Upon the approach of Andrew he lifted his head once more, and looked directly at Andrew.
"Ya need something bub? What can I do you for?"
"Just getting a feel for the ship and possibly her crew," Andrew looked at the man. "Name's Mike, the Captain just offered me work." He shrugged, "just trying to see where I will be hanging my hat for the time being."
"Where is the boss? Or is he picking up some other crew as well? What's your specialty? The boss is rather picky as to who he hires for his crew." the man said putting down his drawing pad. "The name's Leo." the man rising up to his feet.
"I assume he's at the bar chatting up that Orion," Andrew shrugged it off as it was no big deal, "my guess is he's looking for more people, and my background is in whatever it needs to be. Jack of all trades, master of none. Just looking to earn a bit of credit and get me as far from this hell hole of a sector as possible." He smirked, "got a nasty ex and I would prefer to put a considerable distance between her and I if you get my meaning."
Leo chuckled, "Aye that is his way. He loves the ladies, and has an eye for beauty." he walked around Mike just to size him up. Noting the clothing he wore including the shoes. "You look like you've done hard work." he commented. "No soft white hands, which the boss don't like." he looked Mike squarely in the eyes. "I know what it is like to get away from the ex. Hopefully, she's not a part of the Syndicate or even connected to a mob boss. Not like mine was." giving a toothy grin.
Mike nodded, "she's in the past for all I care, but some distance between her and I couldn't hurt." Mike took at the ship from the docking bay, "I admit I don't typically take jobs for people I don't know, but desperate time you know how it goes."
The ship Mike saw, was an Orion Blockade runner, known to be rather fast and agile. Leo saw the direction of his gaze, "She's got quite a bit of heart, I lost mine to her a long while ago." he went to pick up the drawing pad, "I was told to expect some people coming here." he stood upright and leafed through the sketch pad and stopped at a certain one, " You match the description he sent to me. Rough around the collar, hard on your luck." showing a spitting image of 'Mike'. "You can have this, its yours, I won't be keeping it. I don't think you want anything to um show signs of your passage this way."
Andrew took the offered item, "prefer not to leave a paper trail, no pun intended." He turned and looked at the ship, "so tell me about this Captain, I've signed up to work for." Andrew folded his arms, "seems like a reasonable man, but everyone has some skeletons in the closet, I suppose."
"He can be eccentric and well you have to be to own this little beauty. If he weren't he'd have been dead a long time ago. As for his skeletons he keeps them in his closet where they belong." Leo replied. "He is a fair man, and treats his crew well. Seems to have quite the knack for making money. I wouldn't want to serve on another ship than his. From how he treats those who don't cross him, they are family even if they are space rats." Leo took another look at Mike. "I'm thinking that he's not going to regret hiring you on."
"Family sometimes is more than flesh and blood," Mike nodded as he continued to look over the ship. "Besides, even space rats have some standards.. more than my own family did." Mike turned and faced Leo, "and making money isn't too bad either." He noted that Leo had at least acknowledged that the Captain had skeletons, he wanted to learn more about that. However, he knew he couldn't push too hard. "How long have you served with the Captain?"
"Come with me, let's get you set up with a bunk space. And other gear if you need it. And as for the captain, I've known him for two years now." Leo replied leading the way onto the ship. Another person took Leo's place as he led 'Mike' inside.
"I guess in this line of work two years is about an eternity from what I seen in other places," Andrew replied, he took note of the other figure. "One guard outside," he thought to himself as he followed Leo. The Captain either had excellent sensors or something else was keeping an eye on things. "An odd ship, I must admit I am not as familiar with the type or specs." He ran his hand over a nearby bulkhead, "feels like I should know it, but I am not able to place it."
Leo smiled as he gently caressed the bulkhead as well. "She is a beauty and a classic. Firecloud well at least that is what she is called now, has been around for quite some time and is solidly built to last. Especially when taken good care of. She's an Orion Lightning, a blockade runner. Built for speed, and has a tough hide. Something the boss said was rather important. " Leo showed great pride as he spoke about the ship.
"So how does a boss man like ours come across an Orion Lightning like this," Andrew stated looking impressed, "gotta say I am sure that there are a few pirates out there looking for a ship like this." Andrew followed the man into the ship as he attempted to make as many notes as possible in his mind.
"Yes they would love to have this one, but its such an old model." Leo giving a bit of a wink to Andrew, "Something that always seems about to fall apart, every time we turn around." then kissing his hand and placing it upon the bulkhead wall. "Okay so... apologies as the crew quarters will be a bit cramped." giving a slightly apologetic smile.
"Just as long as my bunk-mate is cute," Andrew smiled, with a sly grin, "we shouldn't have a problem." He took note of the gesture, clearly, the man was rather attached to his Captain's ship. ".. and even the older ships, models, have a lot left in them. With the right Engineer of course." He looked at Leo, "we know who keeps a ship running and it isn't the bridge."
"I see you have caught on," Leo replied with a grin. "You certainly have an eye for detail and a knack for security. I've noticed you paying close attention to things here. And as for a cute bunkmate, don't know if I am cute enough but you can share my quarters. Unless you prefer a female to be your bunkmate." giving a wink. "Don't worry I am into women."
"I suppose I've had worse bunkmates," he nodded. He wasn't learning a lot, in fact, he'd learned almost nothing. Leo was a very talkative man, and it had taken them this long just to get into the ship. "I might have a background in private security, and such," Andrew replied, "I suppose a careful eye is just part of the job of moving around. You never know where your next meal is, or what the ship will do." He shrugged, "always alert, I guess."
"Might be why my ex is my ex," he smirked, "that had her boyfriend on the side."
Leo laughed then he heard a chirp, "Yes Captain?"
"Please send our other guest up to the ready room, I wish to speak to him" came the voice of Rashad.
Leo heard this and cocked up an eyebrow. "Right away Captain." he gave Mike the once over, "Looks like the Captain wants to speak to you. Let me take you there." with that he turned and led the way to the ready room.
On the way to the ready room, Mike would see S'anra seated in the helm position, getting ready get the ship underway. Hadir would also be seen on the bridge, over looking things. Leo would chime the door and the door was opened, seeing Rashad standing and looking out towards the station.
"Oh good you have arrived, please, come have a seat." motioning towards another chair. He looked over towards Leo giving him a nod. "Thank you Leo, I'll take it from here, and definitely get ready as we are leaving rather quickly."
As a tune can be heard from where S'anra was seated. 'Danger Zone' was filling the bridge of the ship.
"You wished to see me Captain?" Andrew looked at the man. "Quite the impressive ship you have here, you seem to have a good thing going here."
"Glad you like it, she's a beauty that is for certain. And yes, I did want to see you. I would like you to accompany me on a little endeavor I have on the station. Your team mates will be taking care of part of the mission. You and I though with another person will be acquiring some information as well as something we need to retrieve. I know you'd not want to trust me and I am not going to ask, that gives way to creating even more distrust. However, it will be very important, as from what I've been able to ascertain, you are most definitely in some form of security. How familiar are you with the Breen?" Rashad giving a rather intense gaze at Mike.
"I've had several interactions with the Breen, most ended unfavorably but ok," Andrew looked at their Captain. "I have a background in private security and other things, so trust is hard to build. Mainly cause trust leads to mistrust and you get burned," he smiled, "lack of trust could explain the ex-wife," he smiled. "What information are we needing to find?"
"I've got a contact that hopefully is there waiting for us on Akaza Station. We've been monitoring the actions of the Breen that have been spotted out here in this sector. They are like ghosts, in trying to find out where they are hiding. There has been information that they have been searching for, and it has been an intense search. The contact didn't reveal what exactly it was; they didn't dare send it out to where they would be exposed. It is something of utmost urgency. They are also rather distrustful of anyone who looks like a Cardassian, or even Orion, that is the reason why I've approached you." Rashad replied.
"Chosen for my rugged good looks," Andrew smiled, "I am liking this place already." He shifted his weight, "Akaza Station is a tough place, I hear there are a lot of unsavory people there. Do we know what the Breen are doing in this sector," he asked changing the subject?
"There has been rumors of the Breen wanting to gain more territory, scouting out for some new prey. They are not just in the Alpha Quadrant, but have been seen in others. Hence the person we will be picking up, and probably taking the person with us." Rashad giving a nod, "Now lets get going." rising up from the desk.
==Akaza Station==
Rashad led the way onto the station taking a momentary look around to make certain they weren't being watched. He knew that the first team which consisted of S'anra, Hadir and Leo had made progress. Leo had been keeping him apprised of the situation. Once it looked like he and Mike were in the clear, Rashad moved to an access door, opened it and motioned for 'Mike' to follow. Beyond the door was a small set of curved steel stairs which led down and that was where Rashad went, walking rather quietly not making a sound as he went down. He had a phaser out, being at the ready just in case. Near the bottom of the stairs he held out his hand for Mike to pause, as he craned his neck and listened. "If you see something, shoot it with heavy stun at my signal."
There were words that were called out, in an alien tongue, and Rashad answered in the same language. Then a light was lit and facing the two men, was a Breen, standing 6'2'' in height. And Rashad did a mere signal of his finger for Mike to fire.
Andrew raised his weapon; he was certain this is not what the Captain had intended, but when in Rome. Andrew fired the phaser at full stun, sending the Breen to the ground, "care to tell me why I am attacking a Breen? I mean I don't mind but I am sure he has friends?" Andrew failed to realize there was another man in the room with them.
The other man stepped out into the light, his hands raised he looked rather worse for the wear, a couple of bruises, his outfit a bit worn and in disrepair. "Don't shoot, but I need a favor from you, I'd like to get off this station, along with him." nudging the unconscious Breen. "I've got a special package I've been keeping safe for him, but we need to leave now. My name's Murdoch, James Murdoch at your service."
Rashad looked at him, "and what will make it to where you don't get shot either?" his hand holding the phaser towards Murdoch.
Murdoch raised a finger, "If you'll just allow me...I've got something that will give you the necessary verification. "
Rashad nodded, "Just no sudden moves."
Murdoch nodded, and with one hand he pulled from around his neck, a silver chain which had a pendant upon it. He then, still with one hand in the air, squatted down to slide the pendant towards Rashad, across the floor. Rashad knelt down still keeping an eye on the man, and then looked at the pendant. His eyes widened, then looked at Murdoch. "Okay, get the package and lets get out of here. And you can put your hand down now."
Murdoch gave a nod, standing up straight he stepped over reaching into the shadows and brought out a what looked to be a container, and on closer inspection a stasis pod.
"What's this?" Rashad exclaimed.
"Precious cargo for him, very precious. Just please, lets get out of here. The window that we have to leave, is narrowing rapidly."
Rashad nodded, and placed a transporter signal patch on all three.
Rashad looked at Mike. "Ready to go?" He sent out the signal saying, "Lock onto our signals and beam us and the other three signals to the ship."
With that command, Andrew, Rashad, Murdoch, the Breen and the stasis pod were beamed off Akaza station and to the SS Firecloud.
==SS Firecloud==
Stepping off the cargo transporter pad, Rashad said, "Put the Breen into the holding cell and get this man." pointing to Murdoch and the stasis pod to medical, stat." he then looked at Andrew. "Let's get to the bridge. It's time to leave. Unless you wish to keep watch over that Breen. We will question him later."
"After you," Andrew was a bit confused but knew that the pieces were going to come together at some point. He just wasn't sure how long that some point was going to take. He had to chuckle wondering if Rutherford knew what a nightmare this assignment was going to end up becoming. He followed Rashad out of the transporter room as the two men headed to the nearest lift. "And I would rather not mess with the Breen if needed."
Rashas gave a nod, "As you wish, you will not deal with the Breen." giving a bit of a smile.
