Three of a Kind (V2)

[Veroe]

((Closed for Myself and JonathanBair))​

System: Ashford
Time/ Date: 12:36PM; Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Turner Station spaceport: Ring Section Green: Docking bay 69, 38,987.05 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E warp point termini

IC: Callista kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Isobel Mariko Martina Winchester-Fairmont

Ashford was a moderately prosperous colony on the Midway warp point chain just two dozen or more warp jumps from Old Earth. It was the endpoint of one of the oldest and widely developed warp point chains in the Solarian Empire.

It was also one of the major battlegrounds of the war versus the only alien space-faring species humanity has ever encountered, the Sokurne Dominion more than three hundred years ago. It was only two warp points away from the star system called Warner and the Sokurne's hunting ground systems.

Despite that historic value of Ashford had to its reputation it had fallen back to something close to obscurity again. It was primarily an agricultural colony but it did serve as a vital trading post for the Midway chain if not the entire frontier region through its third warp point to the system of Kai Epsilon 136E and its plethora of connecting warp points.

The Last Chance had just gotten back from salvaging the debris field from the naval battle that had happened there a few days ago. It had taken them twenty-one hours from that to arrive at Turner station. The space station that served as Ashford's spaceport and commercial hub. The Salvager ships they had slipped in Kai had exited the warp point as the Last Chance began its docking sequence.

Needless to say C.K. was a bit on edge as she and their "passenger" left the docking bay into the docking ring's crowded main thoroughfare. To the blonde royal she just smiled, "Well here you are, Princess, I'll take you to the Imperial Navy security office and we can go our separate ways from there."

Would Lupo send some hitters to rough her up, try and force her to hand over her salvage to them? She needed to get to Lei Mao Xian's auction house and sell it before they could find her.

The princess in question limped beside her slowing her down as they negotiated through the crowds. The Automed on the Last Chance had been able to knit the cracked skull and broken ribs yesterday, but she was very much still on the mend from the injuries her ordeal in the battle of Kai."I can't thank you enough for rescuing me. I wish I could do more to repay you."

"You sure you don't know why your escort flotilla was ambushed by a fleet of Imperial warships from the same Navy," C.K. asked pulling her out of the path of an oncoming autotaxi.

"No," She shook her head gawking in wide eyed shock as they passed the Red Tulip whorehouse-poor kid-this place wasn't the worst out there but it was a far cry from the sheltered and civilized environs she must've known back on Old Earth, "They didn't say...I have to tell my father or one of my brothers what has happened.

It would be just her luck, in order to get to the Naval security office she'd have to cross right in front of salvager guild's. And almost on cue four big goons rushed out of the guild office scanning the crowd for her face.

"Damn it!" She took hold of her royal princessness and dragged her off to the side of the thoroughfare and ducking into the nearest open door. She clung to the wall looking out the door as Lupo's goon squad began filtering through the crowd searching for her. They were certain to post someone outside Lei Mao Xian's door. How was she going to sell the power capacitor in the Last Chance's hold so it became credits in her bank account. One hand rested on the comforting presence of the blaster on her hip.

"Oh that's an Imperial Starhawk fighter isn't it," The Princess asked pointing deeper into the docking bay, "How did he get around the lockouts to even make it functional."

C.K turned to regard what she was talking about. Some idiot yahoo had made a vintage fighter and butchered it into a small cargo-hauler, and an exceedingly ugly one at that. She wrinkled her nose at the mutilated starship answering, "He hacked the lockouts."

"Hacked them," Aurora gasped looking in sudden fear at the yahoo, "But that's illegal."

C.K. rolled her eyes at the impossible naivete of that statement. Then looking back through the doorway she saw Lupo's goons pointing right at her to the others.

"Shit," she exclaimed keying the doors closed then backing away and blasting the lock. To the yahoo working on the disgrace of a fighter, "Sorry about that. You're docking fees just tripled on you."

Aurora eyed the drawn blaster in C.K.'s hand like she was about to vomit. "What's happening? Is it the people that tried to kill me again?"

"No, just some regular assholes trying to steal from me," She said taking her princessness and dragging her behind a shelf of parts, "There. Now stay down and be quiet no matter what happens. Maybe with luck you can get out of this with your skin intact."

She took cover behind a laser wielder eyeing the yahoo, "Sorry to drag this right onto your doorstep here. This isn't your fight. You should find somewhere to hide too, and I'll be out of your hair with no more trouble. Send me an I.O.U. for the damages. I'm good for it."

She was not good for it. C.K. was barely keeping the "Last Chance" in space much less flush with enough credits to pay off some yahoo's marker.

The doors began to inch open slowly as the goons rerouted the controls on the outside. Someone peeked through the crack. C.K. fired and was met with several loud swears as the goons ducked behind the safety of the doors.

Klaxons began to blare.

Unauthorized weapons fire detected!
Ring section Green, Docking bay 62
Remain where you are
Security personnel are being routed to your location!​

"Sorry," She shrugged in apology to the yahoo before firing more shots at the widening crack in the doors to the docking bay.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jonathan Gordenson likes to go by Jon by most folks unless your on his shit list. He is a normal space baby. His parents ran a privet and now very out dated large cargo shuttle. They did local runs a few systems away. His parents now retired and had gone to the inner systems. They had there fill of the "Wild days"as they called it. Its Jon's turn now. When Jon was 16 he had got a old fighter and fixed it up. Some loads his folks hauled was worth a good sum of money, so having it fly clover never hurt on them loads. With him being a space baby he grew up on that ship. Seen every bit of it inside and out while powered up and down. His parents both could fix anything small on the ship. The big stuff replacing a engine needed a shipyard, but they would do all the maintenance them self's. Often when the ship was landed refueling or waiting for cargo they would be doing one of a million things that always needed maintenance.

Now when his folks retired. They gave that old cargo shuttle to Jon. He ran it for a few years. When he didn't have a job he collected salvage metal. He planned ahead and got loads of it, so it can be melted down and reformed into a bigger haul of the ship. He also boxed out the frame of his fighter. She was a sleek looking ship. Now with her fat ugly nose. Its clear shes a small cargo high value loads ship. He can get into them tight spots. Hes been known to run anything from bribes to food/medication.


When Jon was home. He enjoyed living in a big asteroid. The inside is hallowed out with a computer controlled air lock door leading into 3 inner big air lock bays. One bay was for his parents old cargo shuttle that he is expanding. One is for his fighter and the other is for visitors. The airlocks would take you to tunnels drilled into the rock for his home. His parents long ago had payed to have this little getaway get pulled out of a near by asteroid belt. Its now in a stable orbit and away from the other asteroid. There is a smart computer system that has a few space cannons on it. Should any small asteroid's come near his home. The smart computer was manned by 2 more droids. They where basic house servant droids that he picked up off the scrap heap. The do have the color of skin that is mixed in there silicone exterior. He called them Lucy an Patty. Lucy an Patty kept the home up and gave him a call on if there was any shipping near by. The home is away from any shipping lanes, so visitors where rare. Patty and Lucy both could control the air system in the air locks. They can open or close the doors along with pressurize or unpressurized them from the boot over looking the bays.

Jon made it a point to be friendly with all the local governments and the corps that backed them, but never be a slave and get tied up in there problumes. He loved to work with the folks who ran a shipyard or loading dock rather then the government. His view is "I haul what they do is up to them" If the taxes get payed or not. He don't have time to worry about the small stuff like that.He has also did a few jobs for the different trade and salvage groups. They know him to be a no nonsense. If he is pushed into a fight he got the drive that would of made him a skilled fighter pilot. He also knows how to talk his way out of a jam and knows who and when to call in favors to help talk him out of a jam. Being friends with most shipyard higher up from shift mangier to running the yard it self is a nice ace in the hole. When a government warship is giving him hassle about his cargo coming from another sector. He mostly was up front with where the stuff was going to. So he kept a honest reputation for the most part.

Few times he would be called to pick up medication for a space medical outpost and drop his load off in a combat zone. That's what he loved about his fighter. She got the teeth and the speed to get in or out of trouble. She was a small enough to set down most anywhere to unload or hide when the time called for it. Jon knew sometimes playing hide and seek would be far better then blasting his way out of a fight.

If you see Jon on the street. He was a normal looking man. 5'10 brown short hair with blue eyes. Slim but not skinny. His weight is 180 pounds. If he didn't have a blaster on the hip he would be friendly, but not overly friendly. Just the kind you could enjoy having a drink with then 5 minutes later after he was gone you couldn't remember anything about him. He was really just so normal that nothing made him stand out, unless he really wanted you to remember him. His few girlfriends he had over time sure could attest to that. So could a few bad business deals.

Jon had been running his fighter hard. A few military medical runs banged up his ship but good. He was taking this time to repair and do maintenance on is ship. It sure stands out on a pad or even off to the side of a pad area. Its a all blue pain job with yellow lighting bolts on the side. He travels with a droid to help do maintenance while on the run,and also act as a co-pilot. Keeping power rerouted for the critical systems. Jon had patched all the holes and blast marks he had gotten from flying in the combat area. He had also made sure his ships weapons systems where fully working too. Only thing left to do to wait for his next contract in a few days. This gave him time to check the hoses and small stuff like that. He gave his droid the name Taya. Taya was on the far side of the ship when Jon noticed as he laid on top of the ship looking at its engines. There where two females and they drew the wrong kind of attention. Seconds later blasters where going off. Jon could see the guys where Lupo's goon's. Jon didn't like Lupo so who ever the two ladys where. He was lad to help them out.

Jon heard one of the ladys say "Sorry to drag this right onto your doorstep here. This isn't your fight. You should find somewhere to hide too, and I'll be out of your hair with no more trouble. Send me an I.O.U. for the damages. I'm good for it." Jon called down to Taya to open the cargo hatch on her side then power up for take off. Jon started to lay down cover firer. Any time he could blast one of Lupo's crew he would be glad to. This was going to be a fun afternoon after all. Jon closed up the service port he was poking around in. He called down to the two lady's saying "need a lift? If so come around and lay head to the nose. Might be a bit more comfortable there." from his spot he had good clear shots shooting down at Lupo's goons. He knew his holds where empty so there was room for 2 folks to lay in if they didn't mind riding in the dark. The hold could be pressurized as some cargo didn't react to the cold of space to well. Jon didn't know where if the lady's would need a lift out but with shots going off, it would be smart to relocate to another part of the pad. If not take off and get off the ground all together and make for the open space.

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 12:42 PM; Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Turner Station Spaceport: Ring Section Green, Docking Bay 62, 38,987.05 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Termini

IC: Aurora Fairmont and Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.)

Aurora was not sure what was happening. She wasn't sure what had happened to her in the last few days, but it seemed her entire universe had been turned upside down on her. Last week she was completing her masters thesis on the development of colonies by touring several of the fringe worlds. What she'd seen there had been eye opening for her. There was so many people suffering with so little of the things most on Old Earth took for granted. She had been dealing with that revelation when elements of her father's fleet had stopped her escort flotilla demanding to turn the person impersonating the princess over to them. Admiral Zilwicki had not bought their lie of her being an imposter and chose to send the battlecruiser she was voyaging on to the Bellerephon Warp point. It hadn't worked though. The traitorous ships had harried hers with constant fighter strikes destroying hers. The next thing she knew she waking up as C.K. was pulling her out of her beaten up lifepod. Now nothing was making sense. She was in the docking bay of a criminal as people were shooting and trying to steal from her savior.

She crouched down behind the shelf of parts hands over her ears as klaxons wailed announcing:

Unauthorized weapons fire detected!
Ring section Green, Docking bay 62
Remain where you are
Security personnel are being routed to your location!​

Watching C.K. exchange fire with the four burly men forcing the doors open she was helpless again. She didn't know how to fight. She didn't understand why any of this was happening to fight it at all.

She saw the man who rented this docking bay climb into his criminally reactivated fighter shouting over the din for them to climb into the enlarged cargo compartment in the nose of the fighter.

C.K. ignored him shooting wildly to keep those men penned into the doorway. "Lupo can go to hell if he thinks I'll give him my salvage."

"He doesn't give a shit about the salvage," One of them shouted back, "Hand over the girl."

Aurora gasped. This was about her. What did this mean? What did it mean for her father and brothers if they were after her here and with smalltime scum like these too?

"He can still go to hell," C.K. announced firing and hitting the lead goon in the shoulder.

"Halt," Voices behind the goons announced, "Station security! Cease firing and lay down your weapons now!"

Aurora hoped this meant they were saved, but then two of the goons turned and began trading fire with the security men. The lead one clutched at his wounded shoulder and yelled out, "Just give us the girl, and Lupo will even pay you for it."

"How much," C.K. shouted back from behind the shot up and smoking laser welder. From the cover she pointed at Aurora and then the fighter rising from its landing gear.

"16K," He answered.

"He'll need to add a few more zeros there," She quipped

Aurora didn't know why any of this was happening, but she did know that too many people had died to protect her to allow herself to be handed over so easily. She grabbed a hydrospanner from the shelf to use as a weapon on anyone who got too close to her.

She got up and limped over to the fighter. The goons saw her cross the docking bay and began firing at her. She screamed holding the hydrospanner like some sort of sword as if it could ward off any of the blasterfire from hitting her. Finally she reached it and managed to awkwardly clamber up into the open cargo compartment.

C.K.'s blaster was starting to run low on shots now. It was now or never she shot up from behind laying fire wild at Lupo's goons and charging for the fighter. She reached it and this time taking aim she shot the controls by the entrance of the docking bay. That shot sparked and slagged the controls and as a result the forcefield holding the atmo inside the bay deactivated. Air rushed out into vacuum of space as the docking bay depressurized.

All firing stopped as the goons scrambled to grab onto something. The lead one didn't make and was sucked out into open space. Aurora shivered. That was a terrible way to die.

C.K. climbed into the cargo compartment of the illegally reactivated fighter. They were safe now....weren't they?

 

[JonathanBair]

When Jon could see one of the ladys point to his ship. He started to aim his shots more. He held his fire for the security to deal with them. When Jon seen they started shooting and hit one of the guards. Jon made it a point to make that guy pay. Jon gave him a good shot in his back hitting right on the goons spine. Jon now started to crawl along the top of his fighter while still doing slow well aimed shots. He didn't know at first what the lady who had stayed to give cover fighter was thinking at first. Then it dawn on him. Shes trying to stall them and buy time.

Jon dropped down on the far side of his fighter and started to make his way to the lady coming to his ship. He started to chuckle holding his hands up to her while being in a crouch and moving to her. He wanted her to know he was on her side. Jon was just about to grab her when he notices a goon coming around the side. He pushes the lady behind him and closer to the ship not caring if she fell or not. Jon gave 2 blast. One went to the left just a hair to far and the second hit the guy in the shoulder spinning him around. Jon now started to move back to his fighter in a crouch while facing the goons. With his free hand he kept it in back feeling for the woman he pushed so forcefully to make her get behind him.

Jon holds up by the front landing gear as he watches to see if the other lady needed some help. Jon calls up "Taya arm them damn guns. We may need to blast are selfs out of this. If It looks like the fighter is about to get over run. Fly home with or with out me." Jon scoots back to make sure the woman is in the hold. He wants to be in a spot to lock the door if needed.

Jon knows his droid. She will leave him and can fly the ship by her self if need be. Tho shes crap at fighting more with basic flying skills programed into her. Shes much better at interfacing and checking whats wrong with the ship then anything. Taya is handy and a trusted part of Jon's life. Taya helped him out in a few bad spot to help him save his ass.

Jon has no idea who the woman in his hold is and what the relation to her is that the other woman is putting up such a fight. Jon knows this woman is worth money, so he is going to do what he can to keep his new found investment. Tho Jon has no idea what to do with this woman.

Jon smiles seeing the other woman make her way to the hold. Jon shouts up "Hold Taya.... I am securing the hatch then getting in." Jon helps this guard lady into the cargo hold and slams the door shut and locks it. Jon gives a few more blasts and then scoots up on the side. giving 2 more wild blast before his blaster dies, but he don't care as hes now in the cockpit. Jon says "get us out of here" while he pulls his cockpit hatch down. Once he dose he opens a small port in the floor letting light in and says "ladys we are under way... anywhere you need to go? Taya I got the stick." Jon now has flight controls of the ship. He skim the goons a few meters over there head and gives them a good blast of wake as he scoots out the opening into space.

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 12:49 PM; Octo 26. 412 A.E.
Location: Turner Station Spaceport, Ring Section Green, Docking Bay 62, 38,987.05 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Terrmini

IC: Aurora Fairmont and Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.)

C.K. climbed into the cargo compartment of the illegally reactivated fighter. They were safe now....weren't they?

The cargo compartment of the old Starhawk was narrow and cramped. C.K. having climbed in second after Aurora was now lying on top of her. The positioning made certain of her body parts press against certain of Aurora's body parts. They seem to fit together nicely even though. Aurora could smell her. C.K. had an earthy scent to her. Not bad, nor masculine, just different and unique. When she moved those certain body parts moved against her certain body parts. It all brought a new awareness of this woman as something more than just the person that rescued her from.

What did this mean? Every suiter she had had been a man. She liked boys not other women or at least she thought she did.

C.K. looked down at her with a furrowed brow, "What's wrong."

Aurora hadn't realized she was blushing, "Nothing...nothing's wrong."

C.K. Glanced down to see that she's was lying atop of her then back up to her blushing face. "Look, princess, I'm flattered, but now's not really the time."

Oh god. Aurora just wanted to die.

Then their savior slid open a flap in the ceiling of the compartment. "Ladies we're under way..."

C.K. Looked over her shoulder to look at him, "You didn't have to do that, you know. I would've figured a way out of that."

"We are thankful though," Aurora said grateful for the distraction.

"...Anywhere you need to go?" He asked.

C.K. replied, "Head for Docking bay 69. My ship's large enough for all of us. You can stash your ugly-assed fighter on the ventral mount. That is unless you want to spend hours and hours explaining what happened to station security."

"What's your name," Aurora asked him.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon had pulled the fighter into a high arc. Jon says "Taya go to Docking Bay 69 and stay bit high of the ship docked there.It your stick."

A few seconds pass then Jon looks down in middle of his legs at the two ladys. Jon smirks and says station security has a good idea what happened on my end and Lupo don't get along. I am Jonathan Gordenson, but you can call me Jon.... What is your stories? Why is she worth 16k? Jon smiles in a playful tone "awwww this old girl isn't bad... she comes in handy now and then. If you don't like her. I can always take you back to Lupo?*chuckles*

Jon would never turn the two lady's over to the scum Lupo. He is always glad to help a lovely lady and this time he got to do 2 at once. Jon is enjoying the human company. Last time he worked with someone in flight that is flesh and blood was 15 years ago on his parents last run. Jon wonders why a lady would have tthe bounty on her head. Was she some new ceo or something trying to start a new settlement. Was the other one a body guard or what is her story?

Jon watches for traffic and asks "So when I am in your bay, Where will we be going?"

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 12:52 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Turner Station Spaceport, Cargo Compartment of vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 38,987.05 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Terrmini

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Fairmont

C.K. replied, "Head for Docking bay 69. My ship's large enough for all of us. You can stash your ugly-assed fighter on the ventral mount. That is unless you want to spend hours and hours explaining what happened to station security."

"Taya go to Docking Bay 69 and stay a bit high of the ship docked there. It's your stick." Their yahoo savior told the maintenance drone slotted in the co-pilot's seat behind him.

He looked down at them with a cocky little smirk, "Station security has a good idea what happened on my end and me and Lupo don't get along."

C.K. snickered, "He doesn't get along with most people who can rub a few braincells together."

"What's your name," Aurora asked him.

"I am Jonathan Gordenson, but you can call me Jon..." He answered, "What's your stories?"

"I am-" Aurora started but C.K.'s hand covered her mouth. "-Mmmf"

"-Susie...her name's Susie, and you can call me C.K." She cut in, "We're just a pair of salvagers-independent salvagers-which is why Lupo was after us."

"Why is she worth 16K," Jon asked.

Damn it. He would've heard that. "It was just a trick to make me stop shooting at them." She lied as the fighter banked hard, "Hey keep this piece of shit monstrosity steady."

He smiled down at them with a playful tone, "Awwww this old girl isn't bad... she comes in handy now and then. If you don't like her. I can always take you back to Lupo?"

"Fine," C.K. rolled her eyes, "Just set her down and we'll be out of your hair."

He merely retorts, "So when I am in your bay, Where will we be going?"

C.K. paused trying to think it through. This Jon guy was clearly smelling an opportunity for a quick pay out. That was okay, if he was an out and out boy scout she wouldn't trust him, but a guy looking to cash in was someone she could predict. She'd have to watch him though.

"I need to contact someone from my family," Aurora put in. "My fa-"

C.K. covered her mouth again, "-Not here....we'll head upchain to the Safira Brilhante system. I know a buyer there that can unload my salvage and you can get in touch with your family there, Susie."

 

[JonathanBair]

smiles down looking at C.K. He knew he was being lied to. Jon calls out "Taya I got the stick, I don't like the load of crap we picked up. I am returning it to where it belongs." Jon then says "Unless you want to show me this load you got? I am always keeping my eye out for some good salvage. Look lady, I dont know why your not wanting aurora to talk about her family. I get it if your her body guard, but right now it looks like you got few friends in this area. Your risking your nearest one now. So quit with the lies and come clean or we are going back. *Jon adds in a firm tone* Do I make my self clear?"

Jon is pissed about being lied to. He gets the security wanting to cover who shes protecting, but if she was all that worried. Jon couldn't see why they would just jump in some strange ship. Jon wonders if it was something about his ship that made them want to trust him to the point of getting them out of the cargo pad area.

Jon is half tempted to turn the ship around and land in the military area. His landing should have loads of security on them. Jon is wondering if this is some kidnapping / abduction that he got him self into. Sure he would have to face a few hard questions, but he has nothing to hide. His rep with a few big names in the area can turn the boiling water down to warm water. Jon lets out a loud sigh. He wasn't so sure the same could be said about them.

Jon makes up his mind on what he hears. If it sounds like more lies he will go to the nearest military landing area, and let them wiggle them selfs out. He would know then he isn't mixed up in some crazy abduction. The he was almost sure he could rule that out as Susie seams to trust her. Well she is not putting up a fight if she didn't want to be with the other woman. Jon grins as he wonders what is on there mind hearing he would turn the ship around, and take them back. They didn't know him so they would have no idea he was lieing on where he would take them to.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Aurora Fairmont and Callista Kailakainos (AKA C.K.)

"I need to contact someone from my family," Aurora put in. "My fa-"

C.K. covered her mouth again, "-Not here....we'll head upchain to the Safira Brilhante system. I know a buyer there that can unload my salvage and you can get in touch with your family there, Susie."

"Taya I got the stick," He announced, "I don't like the load of crap we picked up. I am returning it to where it belongs."

"What do you think you're doing," C.K. glowered, "As far as station security's concerned you're already our accomplice."

"Unless you want to show me this load you got? I am always keeping my eye out for some good salvage." He told her, "Look lady, I dont know why your not wanting aurora to talk about her family. I get it if your her body guard, but right now it looks like you got few friends in this area. Your risking your nearest one now. So quit with the lies and come clean or we are going back."

"You-"

"Do I make myself clear!" He stated in a tone that was bedrock firm.

"What," C.K. swore reaching down and pulling her blaster up, "You set us down and let us out if you're gonna be a whiny little bitch, you-mmmf!"

Aurora grabbed her wrist keeping her from pointing at their would-be rescuer. Her other hand reached up and covered her mouth and in a loud regal voice announced, "My name is Aurora Isobel Mariko Martina Winchester-Fairmont, daughter of Lucian Allejandro Pietrov Chien Liu Barnabus Winchester-Fairmont the First, ruler of the Solarian Empire, Defender of Humanity, Champion of the colonies, the First Executor of the grand order of Alpha Centauri, and your Emperor. Despite the promises of such base men like this Lupo character I guarantee that if you see me to being reunited with my father you will be greatly rewarded, far more than the measly sum a man such as him can offer you. Indeed you will even be pardoned for any crimes you may have committed in repurposing any military hardware even one delivered to the junkyards."

C.K wrenched her mouth away, "You don't know anything about this guy, and you go and tell him everything...what if he betrays you?"

"I barely know you either," Aurora told her, "And you did not betray me given the chance."

It was C.K.'s turn to start blushing and looked away saying, "That's only because the sixteen thousand was too damned low. Besides I hate Lupo almost as much as he hates me. There was no way he wouldn't stab me in the back once he had his hands on you."

Aurora nodded allowing her her deflection before looking to Jon. "And you, may I count upon your steadfast assistance as well?"

Before he could answer a trilling sound came from one of the cockpit's consoles and three Talon class Close-in space superiority fighters swooped in around his fighter. Two on either side and one directly on his tail.

"Attention pilot of the Starhawk fighter." A voice over the radio announced, "This Station Security patrol A1, you are bound by law to obey our instructions. You are wanted for the disturbance of the peace in docking bay 62, and the wanton destruction of station property there. Power down and prepare to be towed or we will open fire."

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon opens the coms and starts to laugh. He says "Station Security patrol, if you are who you say you are. I would suggest you to have your coworkers on the station to review the tapes. A blind person would see that I was fired on. I did not fire first. If you are thinking I am lieing I will be glad to contact Admiral Yoshi. He will have you busted so far down that you will think cleaning the trash compactors is a promotion. Tell you what security patrol. Come along side and I will hold my spot for you to check my story. You got the wrong data and your messing with someone you don't want mess with. I understand your trying to do your job, so I suggest that you do it and double check your data and then try and find where the false orders came from. I got clearance alpha omega clearance. Do you think someone like that will go around shooting up your station? Do I need to call for help on three impostor ships trying to hijack cargo?" Jon waits for a response from the radio. Jon starts pulling up sector data on known war ships. seconds later Jon says "Security patrol craft if I put out a call for help the star cruiser Defined is on the far side of this system. How long do you think it will take for them to get hear and see 3 ships is attacking me? I can promise you if your who you say you are that you got the wrong data and you 3 ships crews are about to be ending your lively hoods" Jon closes his mic. He looks down to his cargo hold and says well this is turning out to be a interesting day. Jon turns his head back and says "Taya send a flash message on the local government coms. Describing what is happening. I don't know who the clowns are, but if they are really who they say they are. They will see it and so will that cruiser. Do not mention tho who is in the hold other then a royal family member and body guard." Jon starts to make plans for his actions should this turn into a fire fight.

Jon thinks its odd how the report could be so wrong. Jon knows he only needs to wait for a minute before the truth comes out. Jon can see the two ships along side look like real security patrol craft, but he knows they could have non staff at the controls. Jon smiles as he tries to picture there faces seeing the flash coming up as them being hijackers. Time is on his side.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Fairmont

Before he could answer a trilling sound came from one of the cockpit's consoles and three Talon class Close-in space superiority fighters swooped in around his fighter. Two on either side and one directly on his tail.

"Attention pilot of the Starhawk fighter." A voice over the radio announced, "This Station Security patrol A1, you are bound by law to obey our instructions. You are wanted for the disturbance of the peace in docking bay 62, and the wanton destruction of station property there. Power down and prepare to be towed or we will open fire."

"Station Security patrol, if you are who you say you are," Jon replied, "
I would suggest you to have your coworkers on the station to review the tapes. A blind person would see that I was fired on. I did not fire first. If you are thinking I am lying I will be glad to contact Admiral Yoshi. He will have you busted so far down that you will think cleaning the trash compactors is a promotion."

"You saying you know the Admiral," The Station patrol leader asked, "Why do I find that hard to believe?"

"Tell you what security patrol," He continued confidently, "Come along side and I will hold my spot for you to check my story. You got the wrong data and your messing with someone you don't want mess with. I understand your trying to do your job, so I suggest that you do it and double check your data and then try and find where the false orders came from. I got clearance alpha omega clearance. Do you think someone like that will go around shooting up your station? Do I need to call for help on three impostor ships trying to hijack cargo?"

C.K. smirked to Aurora. That was some grade A bullshitting.

"You actually think we are the impostors here," The voice sounded amused, "Stand by We'll check on your clearance."

He began scrolling through data on one of his consoles and C.K. groused, "What are you up to?"

"Security patrol craft if I put out a call for help the star cruiser Defined is on the far side of this system. How long do you think it will take for them to get hear and see 3 ships is attacking me? I can promise you if your who you say you are that you got the wrong data and you 3 ships crews are about to be ending your lively hoods" He said across the radio, "Taya send a flash message on the local government coms. Describing wh"

"Pilot of Starhawk fighter," The Station patrol leader said, "-Hold position until we-wait. My superior's hailing us-Uhh hold current position until told otherwise...."

A moment passed. Then another. Finally, "Pilot of Starhawk fighter. Your clearance checks out. You are free to go."

The two Talon fighters on either side pulled away and joined their comrade on his tail.

Something terrifying came to C.K suddenly, "Hey moron! Whoever wanted the princess dead sent a fleet of Imperial warships to do it. I've seen the wrecks left behind by them. And apparently whoever it is got to Lupo to offer me money to hand her over to them. Why wouldn't someone with that kind of reach have the person in charge of this station in their pocket? Even if they aren't Lupo's goons playing tricks check to see if-"

Then the three talon fighters opened fire.

 

[JonathanBair]

With the first blast hitting the wing. Jon says"Shit, hold on" Jon starts jerking his ship one way then another while adjusting the speeds and putting his ship guns in combat spread. This throws the little ship around allot. After a few seconds Jon gets behind one of the fighters and sends a stream of energy rays from his guns. They hit disabling one of the fighters. Jon keeps the aggressive jerking maneuvers. Soon he makes a run for the near by asteroid belt. Jon starts to laugh saying "time for some hide and seek." With in seconds hes zipping around the space rocks. He uses a large one to sling shot around and comes in behind the pair of fighters. He opens fire blowing up one of the fighters. This now makes it one on one. Jon starts laughing more while he stays behind the last fighter. He sees its going behind a large rock. He angles his ship pulling the nose up and sends a stream of energy beams just in front of the hostile fighter. The hostile fighter had no time to react and flew right into his fire and soon blew up.

Jon looks down and says "do you really have a load on your ship?" Jon starts to head out of the belt at full speed. Jon calls back "Taya keep a eye on the scanners. Let me know if we get more company."

After a few seconds Jon looks down at the window in his hold saying "Its so nice of you to tell me about the fleet. Wish you would have done that sooner, but you had to feed me all that crap before."

Jon opens up secure com line to his home. Jon smiles as he sees the droid Patty. Jon says "Patty get the spare bedroom ready and make sure my air lock and the guest air lock is clear. I will be coming home for a bit dropping off a guest and heading out." Jon looks down at the opening to the cargo hold and says in a amused tone "unless you got other ideas" Jon looks back at his monitor and sees Patty moving off. Jon closes the coms now.

A bit later Jon says "Princess I will be leaving you at my home. We can come back for your ship if its still on dock 69. If not with it being just us two, hopefully we can find it."

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 12:58 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Turner Station Spaceport, Cargo Compartment of vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 38,987.05 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Terrmini

IC: Callista kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Fairmont

Something terrifying came to C.K suddenly, "Hey moron! Whoever wanted the princess dead sent a fleet of Imperial warships to do it. I've seen the wrecks left behind by them. And apparently whoever it is got to Lupo to offer me money to hand her over to them. Why wouldn't someone with that kind of reach have the person in charge of this station in their pocket? Even if they aren't Lupo's goons playing tricks check to see if-"

Then the three talon fighters opened fire.

The starhawk veered madly as Jon took sudden evasive maneuvers.

"Are they shooting at us," Aurora gasped sliding into the side of the small space they were in.

C.K. grabbed onto one of the cargo hardpoints gritting her teeth from the G-forces of the wild maneuvers he was putting the old fighter through. It had an inertial dampener built into it, but unfortunately the area of effect was designed to focus on taking the edge off of extreme G-forces from the pilot in the cockpit. The starhawk's designers never envisioned two people would be dumb enough to stowaway inside the fighter's cargo hold.

"Yeah, they are," She replieid, "Just hang on to me tight okay?" It wouldn't help too much, but it may serve to keep Aurora from panicking underneath her in a situation neither one of them could do anything about.

They endured more of this for several minutes being shaken around like beans in a rattle before C.K. yelled up at the yahoo, "Hey! Those are close quarters dog-fighters. You're in a interceptor...make this a race dumbass."

He did just that and Aurora and C.K. both grunted as the G-forces piled on and it was all they could do not to slam into the back of the compartment.

"Time for some hide and seek," Their tormentor announced. Then came a roller-coaster of high-speed banks and turns and rolls.

She heard the guns fire and then wild maneuvering petered off and their pilot looked down at them. "Do you really have a load on your ship?"

"An intact military grade power capacitor complete with only a cosmetically damaged power distribution node," C.K. hating the fact that she was in the position of having to trust this stranger with her salvage, "On any black market auction block it easily should pull in twenty to forty million in credits. I can finally pay some people off of my ass then. So don't even think about leaving it behind us on the station."

He told his drone to keep an eye on the scanners then replied sarcastically, "It's so nice of you to tell me about the fleet. Wish you would have done that sooner, but you had to feed me all that crap before."

"What," C.K. growled, "You could've just hid in that docking bay like I told you and let me deal with those thugs. Don't blame me for playing the knight and shining armor only to find your not man enough to slay the monster in front of us."

"Stop bickering," Aurora demanded, "Jon can you get us to a place of safety where we can decide on what we should do next?"

"Princess I will be leaving you at my home," He told her then to C.K., "We can come back for your ship if its still on dock 69. If not with it being just us two, hopefully we can find it."

C.K. gaped at him then looked away so he couldn't see the sheer gratitude on her face. "Thank you." Came her reply she tried desperately to keep from showing how touched she was that he'd risk going back for her ship, and the priceless salvage that twenty to forty million credits would do to a lifetime's worth of debt hanging over her head.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon smiles looking down into the cargo hold window. He is glad he added the extra small engine to give the engine compartment and cargo hold a bit more protection. Jon smiles while looking down into the hold from time to time and says. "My home isn't much but its out of the way and hidden. Very few folks even know I have a home let alone seen it. The number of folks that know about it can be counted on both hands if you got all your fingers."He started to chuckle at his joke.

After a few minutes Jon asks "What size ship is that power capacitor complete with only a cosmetically damaged power distribution node for?"

Jon looks down a few more times then says "Taya on way back your riding in the hold ole girl."
After a second Jon looks down saying "Princess don't worry Lucy an Patty will take care of you while we go get the ship. You don't mind hanging out with droids I hope. "

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 12:58 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Fulton asteroid belt, Cargo compartment of vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 43,221.88 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Terrmini

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Fairmont

C.K. gaped at him then looked away so he couldn't see the sheer gratitude on her face. "Thank you." Came her reply she tried desperately to keep from showing how touched she was that he'd risk going back for her ship, and the priceless salvage that twenty to forty million credits would do to a lifetime's worth of debt hanging over her head.

He seemed to know and gave her the veil of not pressing on it. Instead Jon turned to Aurora. "My home isn't much but its out of the way and hidden. Very few folks even know I have a home let alone seen it. The number of folks that know about it can be counted on both hands if you got all your fingers."

He chuckled at his joke and Aurora nodded, "I'm sure it will be lovely."

After a moment more in silence he turned back to C.K. "What size ship is that power capacitor complete with only a cosmetically damaged power distribution node for?"

C.K. wondering again how much to trust this veritable stranger, "I found it in a tertiary engineering compartment of a Champion class Imperial battle-cruiser that was the biggest chunk of the debris field that marked the cruiser's grave back in the Kai Epsilon system...the same debris field I found her severely damaged lifepod in."

He told the drone it would go into the hold for C.K. on the trip back to the station. "Princess don't worry Lucy an Patty will take care of you while we go get the ship. You don't mind hanging out with droids I hope?"

Aurora shook her head, "I do need to contact my father or one of my brothers, but finding a place where I won't be shot at will be nice."

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon wonders to him self how much he can trust this salvage lady. The princess seams to be happy with her so he figers she cant be all that bad of a person.

Jon smiles and says in a friendly tone "Princess, please don't try and call them from my home, but when we come back with the other ship. I am sure you can get in touch with your family when we are on the move. Tho not contacting them and us showing up would be much safer for you. If someone is after you they may be monitoring your family coms... Umm lady salvage lady, whats your name again?? I may have a job for you after we sell your haul."

Jon tries to keep a friendly tone.

Jon thinks to him self. If things work out she can help him get a new power system for his family's cargo ship. The engine it has now would be so under-powered if he was to take a load on with the over sized cargo hold he is making.

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 1:04 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Fulton asteroid belt, Cargo compartment of Vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 43,221.88 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Termini

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Fairmont

Aurora shook her head, "I do need to contact my father or one of my brothers, but finding a place where I won't be shot at will be nice."

"Princess, please don't try and call them from my home, but when we come back with the other ship. I am sure you can get in touch with your family when we are on the move." He said.

"Then you will help us get me to safety," She asked, "I can call my family when you get back and be out of both of your hair then?"

In answer he continued, "Though not contacting them and us showing up would be much safer for you. If someone is after you they may be monitoring your family coms."

Aurora nodded but then sadly added, "My bodyguard handled all of that anyway...Sasuke...he didn't survive what happened when our ship was blown up in the battle in the Kai Epsilon system."

"...Umm lady salvage lady, whats your name again??" He asked.

"People call me C.K." She answered eyeing him defensively. It wasn't really true. The reason why she went by her initials was so debt collectors would find it a little harder to find her.

"I may have a job for you after we sell your haul." He continued.

"Really," She asked, "How much will it pay?"

Eventually the fighter set down in a compound buried deep inside an asteroid. The cargo hold opened and the both of them climbed out gratefully. Aurora stretched aching joints. After nearly dying in the lifepod and now this she was surprised she wasn't developing a severe case of claustrophobia. "I am glad I am out of that thing...no offense to you Jon."

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon opens the cargo doors, there is a blue and a red human looking droids to his side. Jon points to the red one and says "Aurora this is Patty, she will show you to your room if you want to rest. Please don't try and contact your family as it's not safe. I know you want to let them know your ok, but you may be letting who ever is after you know your ok too. Otherwise make your self at home." Jon turns to C.K and says lets talk price on the way to your ship."Jon closes the cargo hatch and locks it. Jon takes this time to do a walk around on his ship. To see if there is any damage. When at the back he can see the old blast door that is welded to the frame has some good cratering to it. Jon shouts out "damn it if they weren't space pops I would shoot them for this damage. C.K if we can find the wrecks, can your ship hold them and my cargo fighter, or will you need the bay that my ship would be in?" Jon walks back to the side of the ship and says "Lucy when I take off, lock that door and don't open it for anyone unless I tell you. I may be coming back in a different ship."

Jon opens the cargo hatch and says "Taya sorry you gotta ride in there this trip. C.K hope you don't mind lack of padding on your seat or you can ride in the hold again." Jon chuckles at his warning and joke.

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 1:04 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Fulton asteroid belt, Jon's hidden hideout, 43,227.21 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point Termini

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.) and Aurora Fairmont

Eventually the fighter set down in a compound buried deep inside an asteroid. The cargo hold opened and the both of them climbed out gratefully. Aurora stretched aching joints. After nearly dying in the lifepod and now this she was surprised she wasn't developing a severe case of claustrophobia. "I am glad I am out of that thing...no offense to you Jon."

Jon climbed out and gestured to the blue and red droid standing to greet them. To Aurora he said, "Aurora this is Patty, she will show you to your room if you want to rest. Please don't try and contact your family as it's not safe. I know you want to let them know your ok, but you may be letting who ever is after you know your ok too. Otherwise make your self at home."

"Oh dear," Aurora said nodding at his logic. "I will wait until the right time."

She left following the droid he called Patty out of the docking bay to a hallway and the room she could use.

"Let's talk price on the way to your ship." He told C.K. when they left.

"Great," She nodded, "But if you're trying to scam me on this you'll regret it."

He began walking around the fighter checking for damage. C.K. followed after him. He stopped touching several charred and pitted scars on the blast plating weleded to the rear of the fighter as extra armor. "Damn it if they weren't space cops I would shoot them for this damage." Then to her he asked, "C.K if we can find the wrecks, can your ship hold them and my cargo fighter, or will you need the bay that my ship would be in?"

"My ship isn't large enough to hold all that," C.K shook her head, "The power capacitor and Aurora's smashed up lifepod are taking up all the space in my cargo hold, but I do have one exterior mount on top of it to tow in wrecked fighters and shuttles."

Her hand touched the same scorched pitting on the crude armor, "You know instead you could use a hull frame section from power capacitor to replace this."

"It's much purer tritanium than this blast door section," She looked at him, "It would provide you with about the same benefit in extra armor while being lighter than this helping with your maneuverability."

With that they climbed back into the starhawk. C.K. settled down in the navigator seat behind him-or that was what it would have been if the consoles weren't removed in favor of drone input outlets. It really didn't even have a padded seat for her to sit on just a rack for the damned droid.

"You really love that droid don't you?"

Jon in the pilot seat again glanced over his shoulder replying with a cocky smirk, "C.K hope you don't mind the lack of padding on your seat or you can ride in the hold again."

"Don't you worry about me. I'm a tough girl," She snarks back, "I grew up on the streets of Galloway colony. I can handle the rough and tumble."

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon locks Taya in the hold.

When C.K says "It's much purer tritanium than this blast door section," She looked at him, "It would provide you with about the same benefit in extra armor while being lighter than this helping with your maneuverability." Jon sucks in the side of his cheek as he thinks about the idea she had said. As Jon thinks about it. It wouldn't be much work to do and the extra maneuverability would be nice.

C.K asks"You really love that droid don't you?" Jon looks at he and smiles while saying "If ever a woman catches my eye she will have to put up with them 3 droids. I don't leave home with out Taya. Jon chuckles.

C.K says to Jon "Don't you worry about me. I'm a tough girl," She snarks back, "I grew up on the streets of Galloway colony. I can handle the rough and tumble."

Jon smiles and say well then you should have no trouble with the metal seat. *Jon locks his hatch up and starts up the cargo/fighter* While its warming up Jon says "this ole girl here can take a beating, with its extra thick hull frame. A fighter will really need to be on my tail blasting at me to get a good hit. Unless it comes from the top. There is no extra plating there. *Jon starts the lifts off and maneuvers out. As he gets to into space he opens the coms to the house and says "Lucy time to button it up... Only open up when I call to tell you its me."

Jon give the fighter mostly full power. Jon moves his head back while keeping his eyes foreword saying to C.K "After we drop off the load. How would you feel about helping me find a good engine and the power system with it for a main cargo ship or escort ship? Then when I get my main cargo ship up and running you can double your profits? Would that be worth it to you?

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 1:12 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Fulton asteroid belt, Cockpit vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 42,987.90KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.)

"Don't you worry about me. I'm a tough girl," She snarks back, "I grew up on the streets of Galloway colony. I can handle the rough and tumble."

"Well then you should have no trouble with the metal seat." His reply smirk at him.

"This thing's over forty years old," She came back with tapping the cockpit window with a curled knuckle, "You confident it can handle going out there after being in a dogfight?"

"This ole girl here can take a beating." He retorted, "With it's extra thick hull frame a fighter will really need to be on my tail blasting at me to get a good hit. Unless it comes from the top. There is no extra plating there."

"And that's why you welded the blast door section over it," She nodded as the engines warmed up to a full throated roar.

They exited the docking bay and through the viewport C.K. saw the doors close and that it was camouflaged to look exactly like the rock outside. She nodded to him, "I bet this asteroid field provides very good cover to hide out in from the station's sensors."

"After we drop off the load. How would you feel about helping me find a good engine and the power system with it for a main cargo ship or escort ship?" He said after a moment weaving between rocks in the asteroid field, "Then when I get my main cargo ship up and running you can double your profits? Would that be worth it to you?"

"You have a cargo ship," She asked. She had to steal her ship and forge ownership documents for it, and everyday it was a constant race against the men in suits who'd take her ship, her last chance for freedom, from her. She couldn't even imagine having the luxury, "If you got the cash I can find what you need even help you install it. I'm a better engineer than I am at even at finding good salvage."

They were leaving the asteroids and they got a suddenly much wider picture of what was going on in the system. There were two more security patrols scouring the area around where the station had lost lock on them during the dogfight earlier.

"Hey how are we not going to be spotted on their screens," She asked him, "Are you using another transponder code so they think we're in a different ship then the one they're looking for?"

Then she pointed over his shoulder to the sensor console beside him, "Those three ships coming in from the Kai Epsilon warp point is the salvager guild ships that chased us out of the system. Lupo's on one of those. He must've commed ahead to get those goons after us on the station."

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon is flying along the side of the asteroid belt as he makes his way closer to the rarely used shipping lane. He knows the senors will barley pick him up and he can fly in on the old mostly unused shipping lane with out much notice.

As he flys he can see a slight change in her attitude from when she was in the hold to now being in a metal seat. Jon knows he could would have to work and save a long time to get 20k in credits to buy a new power system. Jon hopes the offer of getting his main cargo ship up and running will be a tempting offer as she can haul twice the cargo. He got a big grin as he knew he had her interest by the sound of her voice when she asked about his cargo ship.

Jon says proudly. It was my folks large cargo shuttle. I made a new bigger cargo hold. Its a bit under powered now. Can fly with out a load, but what good is that huh, so I need a bigger ships power system.

Jon smiles as she says "If you got the cash I can find what you need even help you install it. I'm a better engineer than I am at even at finding good salvage." This is the kind of thing he was hoping to hear. Jon quickly asks "So do we have a deal, you help me with my cargo ship and we can do jobs with it to double your income?"

As Jon comes in to the shipping lane and in the senors. He puts in a code he used from hauling medical supply. A few seconds later he hears he say "Hey how are we not going to be spotted on their screens. Are you using another transponder code so they think we're in a different ship then the one they're looking for?"

Jon smiles and says I am using a medical cargo transport code. They should think we are a official medical shuttle. Its from the head of the medical system in this area. Joys of being a high risk cargo runner.

Jon sees her hand pointing at the ships on the screen. Jon smiles and says "Let them look unless they go to a window, we will show up as a government medical ship. The medical run will take us by your docking port. They are looking for a fighter not a med ship." Jon says in a cocky voice. He is glad to know the heads of the local area like the head of the docking bays and medical system. He hopes she cargo ship is still where she left it so they can fly out of here and back to his home.

Jon says "I was thinking. When we get your ship. We take it back to my home and fly back in this fighter. I think I can get us in a government docking bay to sort out this bs about that patrol that jumped us. Then we go and sell your cargo. If I can get this fixed we wont need to worry about other government ships looking for your ship and it will be much safe for the 3 of us that way."

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 1:15 PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Fulton asteroid belt, Cockpit vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 42,974.43KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.)

"You have a cargo ship," She asked. She had to steal her ship and forge ownership documents for it, and everyday it was a constant race against the men in suits who'd take her ship, her last chance for freedom, from her. She couldn't even imagine having the luxury, "If you got the cash I can find what you need even help you install it. I'm a better engineer than I am at even at finding good salvage."

At that Jon smiles and quickly asks, "So do we have a deal, you help me with my cargo ship and we can do jobs with it to double your income?"

"It would be nice not to have to go around Lupo's back all the time just to make some money and get to keep it instead of having him take his cut for my hard work," She said wistfully, "But I don't know. I like working on my own with no one telling me what to do."

They were leaving the asteroids and they got a suddenly much wider picture of what was going on in the system. There were two more security patrols scouring the area around where the station had lost lock on them during the dogfight earlier.

"Hey how are we not going to be spotted on their screens," She asked him, "Are you using another transponder code so they think we're in a different ship then the one they're looking for?"

"I am using a medical cargo transport code. They should think we are a official medical shuttle. Its from the head of the medical system in this area. Joys of being a high risk cargo runner. Jon said with a smile, "Let them look unless they go to a window, we will show up as a government medical ship. The medical run will take us by your docking port. They are looking for a fighter not a med ship."

"Clever," C.K. approved, "They'll be falling all over themselves to clear your approach then with a medical priority code on their screens."

Then she pointed over his shoulder to the sensor console beside him, "Those three ships coming in from the Kai Epsilon warp point is the salvager guild ships that chased us out of the system. Lupo's on one of those. He must've commed ahead to get those goons after us on the station."

"I was thinking. When we get your ship. We take it back to my home and fly back in this fighter. I think I can get us in a government docking bay to sort out this bs about that patrol that jumped us." He continued keeping an eye on three blips on the sensor screen she'd pointed out via peripheral vision, "Then we go and sell your cargo. If I can get this fixed we wont need to worry about other government ships looking for your ship, and it will be much safer for the three of us that way."

"I don't think that's a very smart idea there," She shook her head, "We need to know who wants Aurora dead and how far their reach can go before we go to anyone on this. Our best bet is to keep low and stick to the less developed systems like colonies on the fringe chain. Or maybe Aurora will know somebody trustworthy we can take her to?"

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon ask "So then what is the plan? Get your ship then go pick up Aurora. Then the 3 of us go sell your load and drop her off at her home?"

Jon starts to say "Taya pull..Oh ya shes in the hold." *Jon chuckles* Jon realizes how much he had that droid do for him. On one of his small screens he pulls up the map to find pad 69. He sees they are one ring away.

Jon says "Should be on the next pad and the 9th spot. Keep your eyes out for your ship."

Jon starts to wonder if he could ever depend on a human like he has depended on Taya for so long. He couldn't remember a time even growing up with out the droid.

 

[Veroe]

System: Ashford
Time/Date: 1:17PM, Octo 26, 412 A.E.
Location: Turner Station spaceport, Cockpit vintage Imperial Starhawk fighter, 38,907.05 KM from Kai Epsilon 136E Warp Point

IC: Callista Kailokainos (AKA C.K.)

"I don't think that's a very smart idea there," She shook her head, "We need to know who wants Aurora dead and how far their reach can go before we go to anyone on this. Our best bet is to keep low and stick to the less developed systems like colonies on the fringe chain. Or maybe Aurora will know somebody trustworthy we can take her to?"

Looking over his shoulder back at her Jon asked, "So then what is the plan? Get your ship then go pick up Aurora. Then the 3 of us go sell your load and drop her off at her home?"

"Not all the way back to Old Earth. Just get her to someone somewhere that won't try to kill her. Someone far more qualified to take care of her than us," She shrugged, "Earlier I was planning to drop her off at the fleet's office in ring section red when we were jumped by Lupo's goons. The two of us just aren't the best ones suited to really help her."

She laughed when he tried to order his droid around. "Little hard for it to obey your orders from the cargo compartment."

He brought up a map on the console beside him and pointed to it for her. "Should be on the next pad and the 9th spot. Keep your eyes out for your ship."

C.K. leaned over to peer out of the viewport as they approached the spacestation. She looked out as they passed over ring section green. "I see it," She smiled, "My ship is right beneath us."