Recruitment Part II
21 May 2020NeLs0n RaD
CMDR Note: Logs are posted as “Late Entry” for OPSEC of current assignments.10.05.3306 / Aboard: Krait MkII 'Antares' / Ops Region: Apadecavi / Ops System: Prom Du / Current Contract: Commodity Transport / Status: Completed
We docked at Hand Colony without further incident. I took care of seeing to the off-loading of our cargo and payment. This was usually where 'Lys and I would part company until we were ready to launch again. She always seemed to have someplace to go at whatever station we would lay over at. I never asked and she never said. But she always answered whenever I called and was always ready to launch on time. This time, however, she stayed put at her flight station, casually filing her nails with a slight smile. She obviously intended to have her answers.
I pulled up the station's service board on the holo-view sending a feed over to 'Lys' station, keying in the mission board where Vang's CGI AI cordially greeted me with a, “Commander Nelson Rad, you've returned! Fabulous, fabulous! There are more deals...”
“Let me speak with Vang” I interrupted.
The CGI seemed to regard me for just a moment, then responded, “One moment, Commander.”
The CGI faded and another image of VP Joshua Vang, the “real” one this time, appeared on the screen.
“Commander Rad”, Vang began, then shifting his eyes a bit to see 'Lys on his feed, “and Ms Boyle...”
“That's Pilot Boyle to you, Vang”, 'Lys purred dangerously.
“...Yes, of course, Pilot Boyle,” Vang replied and continued without missing a beat, “to what do I owe the pleasure of this communication?”
“Don't know that its a pleasure, Vang... but I certainly will appreciate an explanation of this”, I said starting up the vid-log feed of our encounter with the late CMDR John Norris. Vang watched intently as the engagement replayed over our holo-views. I had reduced mine to an inset so I could watch and gauge Vang's reaction. I saw a slight frown when he noted the ship was beaming an SSF ID, and a look of grim satisfaction when Norris met his end. As the log ended, he shifted his gaze to us again,
“And so, Commander, what exactly would you like me to explain?” Vang asked with a calm, almost condescending, demeanor. I could sense 'Lys starting to spool up from across the flight deck. Even my jaw torqued a bit.
“You could start with how it is that we got jumped by an SSF operator, in SSF space, while running an SSF contract!” I retorted, starting to become agitated as I thought of the risk that 'Lys and I... we... had faced in getting here.
“I assure you, Commander, I haven't the faintest idea”, Vang said in a tone that told me he most certainly had an idea, “But all's well that ends well, eh? And nice bit of flying there, Pilot Boyle... no broken nails this go around, I trust?”
I glanced over toward Boyle and saw a look that would have melted even mirrored armor, as her head cocked slightly with a vicious smile,
“Ya know what, Vaaanng?...”, here it comes,
“Just lick me where I...”, I cut her outgoing feed.
“A real charmer, that one, Commander”, Vang commented.
“I don't pay her to be charming, I pay her to shoot where I point... and ya know what, she's real good at it”, I said, going dead-pan. I didn't know what game Vang was playing, but I did know I didn't like it, “Now don't go tryin' to play me for a fool, Vang. You're a VP over there and you didn't get to where you're at by not knowing what's up in your own backyard.”
VP Joshua Vang, looked down for a moment and let out a long sigh, then straightened, “You are correct in your assessment, Commander, in that I didn't get here by not knowing 'what's up in my own backyard', as you so quaintly put it.
“But the fact is I am a VP of Contracts, generally only dealing with our external partners such as yourself. It has been many years since I was a field operative...”
“So you're telling me that you have no idea that ships running SSF ID's are jackin' SSF contracted shipments?” I asked incredulously.
“Not at all, Commander, I am very well aware of it. All I'm saying is that I can't give you the specifics on this particular instance or this particular pilot. I am, however, quite pleased that you dispatched him and so solved that particular problem for myself and SSF... and that no harm came to you in doing so.
“And by the way, the bit about Pilot Boyle was a genuine compliment, I apologize for my insensitive attempt at humor.”
I glanced to the inset where Boyle's vid was still running on my end, at least murder was no longer in her eyes.
“So where do we go from here, Vang? We can't be looking over our shoulders on every run, worried about allied ships stabbing us in the back”, I said, wanting 'Lys to be sure I was including her in whatever was to come.
At this Vang brightened considerably, “Yes, well, now that you've brought it up Commander... you... and the redoubtable Pilot Boyle... have proved yourselves valuable assets to SSF, assets that we might be interested in bringing into the fold, so to speak...”
“Wait... are you offering us a job?!” I asked, looking over to 'Lys, whose eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of her head.
“What?.. Oh no, Commander, that is outside my purview. However, I do believe our S.O.S. Commander would be very interested in personally reviewing your credentials, and if you're interested can make all the arrangements”, Vang explained.
“S.O.S.?” I queried.
“Ah, forgive me, Special Operations Squadron”, Vang replied.
“Special Operations...?” I murmured.
“...Squadron”, Vang finished for me, then continued, “Yes Commander, I'm sure you recall our earlier conversation in which I explained Sirius Special Forces is a paramilitary organization?...”
I nodded carefully.
“...Indeed, our S.O.S. Is the tip of spear in the 'paramilitary' part of our operations, so to speak”, he finished.
“Do tell”, I said quietly as I pondered over what he was telling me.
“I believe I just have, Commander. Now, if you are interested in learning more, you may contact the Squadron Commander here”, a navigation link flashed momentarily on the screen and disappeared as I allowed it to be uploaded to the nav-computer.
“This Squadron Commander have a name?” I asked.
Vang hesitated, then “The... Commander... is a very “private” sort. I'm afraid I've told you all I am authorized to at the moment, if you wish to learn more...”
“Yeah, yeah... get in touch with them there”, I said, waving a dismissal to the point.
“Yes. Now, will there be anything else, Commander Rad?” Vang asked, his genial demeanor and smile returning.
I glanced over to Boyle, she shook her head with a silent no,
“I reckon not, Mr Vang, appreciate your time”, I replied in my best Texas accent.
“Not at all Commander, I am pleased we were able to work this out.” Vang came back with a smile as his image faded to be replaced with the CGI AI again,
“Back from the void Commander?...”