Vacation! A Trip to Pegasi!?
08 Nov 2016Jubei Himura
Rover, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will
But I'll take my time anywhere
I'm free to speak my mind anywhere
And I'll never mind anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home
Wherever I May Roam by Metallica
"Good morning Master!"
Veronica opened the door to my back office, bowed, and walked in. She was ready for morning training, and she should be, I've been training her at the same time each day for the past six months. The young lady surprised me in our first encounter, but I didn't make the same mistake a second time when she made a wager with me just days after our first one. I didn't underestimate her that time and I didn't hold back. After trouncing her, she asked for lessons and I agreed. I mean, if she was going to be on my staff she would have to know how to handle herself in a fight.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me 'Master'?" I asked, annoyed. I really didn't like being called 'Master'.
"Oh, probably many more," Veronica smiled innocently. "Shisho."
"Space-Christ." I swore, frustrated. Shisho was Pacific for 'Master'. Turning, I bowed with Veronica toward the picture of Shisho Hattori and then assumed the demon stance. "Let's begin."
* * * * * *
The lesson lasted two hours, by the end of it we were quite winded. I started with hand-to-hand, moved to bladed weapons, and finished with weapon disarming drills. After the lesson was over, we would go to our separate change rooms to shower and dress into our daily Imperial clothes.
I have to admit, I really like this girl. Not in the 'hey you're hot, bang-bang-bang' way, but more in the 'little sister' kind of way. She's a got happy, bubbly attitude that just makes her a joy to be around. Funny thing is, she's also got a serious side and I usually take the brunt of it. Still, I've come to think of her as a part of my family. I guess that's how a teacher and student should feel.
Years ago when I trained Jester, it was different. I think I was trying to create a replacement for myself, but more than that, I wanted the boy to know what it would take to earn true glory and honour so that he could have his seat in the Great Hall. I still see him every so often, him and his apprentice Munnin. Jester's harsh, but he a good lad, even after his unfortunate incident.
"Something on your mind?" Veronica asked. Apparently I had spaced-out thinking of the past.
"No, just thinking of what's been and what's next." I answered with a smile.
"Okay. Anyway, there's a meeting this morning at ten," she smiled to herself as she picked up her datapad. "which is in fifteen minutes."
"Haha! I think I've only been late twice since you came onboard. What would I do without you?" I laughed.
"Be late for every meeting and wade through a mass of messy papers?" Veronica shot me a look.
"You're not wrong." I returned the look and chuckled. "Let's go to the Chamber of Justice."
"The boardroom."
"Yeah, that's it. Okay. let's go."
* * * * * *
The meeting dragged on with the usual reports. States that the spheres of influence are in, planets that are in need of help, the battles against opposing factions, and finally, intelligence reports. That's the part I like the most. I like to know what's going on so I can decide where I can be of the most use to the people. All of the main branch of Inquisitors were present: myself and Veronica, Endincite, Edgar, Dublicious, Noxa, Zilfalion, Nevy, Sera, and of course Gideon.
"...and so, we won't be having trouble in Facece." Endincite finished his report.
"Good. Now to move on to other matters, originating from the Pegasi sector." Gideon spoke up. "Have you heard of the group 'Black Omega'?"
Everyone present nodded their heads. Of course we did, Black Omega was the up-start PMC group that had suddenly appeared in the Tjakiri system not long ago. They brutally defeated a ruthless pirate gang and took control over the system. Reports said that the system had enjoyed peace since the take over.
"We've had reports of some issues in the area. Archon Delaine may be viewing the system as a possible base of operations. As such, we need to know where this Black Omega group stands. Who leads them? Are there struggles within? Battle capabilities? All this we need to know." Gideon droned on. "Will they join the Kumo Crew in an offensive against the Empire?"
The centre of the table lit up with a map of the Tjakiri system. As the image rotated it zoomed onto Clair Dock, the controlling station of the system.
"We know that we can't just fly there and ask." Noxa spoke up. "It's still Pegasi and Imperials aren't welcome there."
"Yes, that is an issue." Gideon frowned. "We'll have to send someone in undercover."
"Why don't we send Jubei?" Zilf chimed in. "He's kinda our resident space-ninja."
"I agree! He even has an eye-patch already!" Sera giggled. "He'll fit right in with the pirates."
"Oi! Listen here missy," I protested in anger. "Don't ever lump m-"
"She's right. You'd fit right in. You're uncouth, direct, and easy to anger. This infiltration mission is perfect for you." Endincite said as he stood to leave.
"Endincite, you asshole." I had to admit, he was right. "Goddammit, fine. However, I'm taking Veronica with me."
"Isn't this kind of dangerous for the girl?" Noxa questioned.
"Please, like any of them could touch me." Veronica said confidently, holding up her fist.
"Then it's settled. Jubei, you are hereby charged with infiltrating Clair Dock and gathering the required information on Black Omega." Gideon announced. "Besides, Dr. Tenma and Dr. Elefun still need some time to finish your new eye. Tests with your DNA have gone well but not perfect."
Endincite walked by my chair on his way out of the board room and stopped. He patted me on the shoulder and looked at me with a shit-eating grin. The bastard knew something and he was about to tell me what.
"Think of it as a vacation." he chuckled. "You haven't been there for a while, so why don't you enjoy yourself? You'll leave tomorrow at thirteen-hundred hours."
* * * * * *
"Where is she?" I complained, annoyed at Veronica's tardiness.
I had sent Veronica to pick up suitable attire for our trip, that was at oh-nine-hundred and told her to be at the hanger by twelve-hundred. She only had to pick up clothing and accessories for herself. I picked up our living supplies and took care of my stuff. Worse yet was that she was never late, and it had me worried.
"Shisho!" her voice rang down the corridor followed by frantic footsteps. She ran into the hanger pulling a hover-cart that was covered in cheap paper bags holding various clothing and accessories. "Seriously, do you know how long it took me to pick out this stuff with all the restrictions you made?"
"Can't be dressed like fashionable Imperials in Pegasi." I said as I inspected the various bags. "We'd be found out right away and probably be killed."
"Like you'd know anything about fashion." she pouted. "So which ship is ours?"
I lifted my arm and pointed to a crimson Cobra Mk III that bore the name Ketsu-no-Tora and had my classic shuriken decals.
"I would have used the flame paint job." Veronica continued to pout. "I know, I know... low profile."
"Heh, you got it." I smiled as I loaded the merchandise into the cargo hold. "You ready?"
"Hell yeah I am!" she threw her fist into the air as she boarded the ship.
I laughed. Maybe this was what I needed, some time away from the Empire to clear my head. It had been a long time since I was last at Clair Dock and I had always wondered how the people were surviving since things went to shit. However, it seems that whatever trouble the people of Clair Dock may have experienced since, has been alleviated by Black Omega... if the reports are true. For their sake, I hope it's true.