Chapter 5. Blue Dress
04 Sep 2020Black Llama
August 26, 3306High orbit around Planet Hermitage 4
The first salvo of railgun shots almost took the shields of my Krait away. The second volley tore into the starboard wing of Maggie's Adder, ripping it to pieces and sending her ship spinning out of control.
I immediately slammed the throttle to full and switched maximum pips to shields. "Skinner, take the helm!" I shouted as I switched to the fighter control console. "Evasive maneuvers - buy me time!"
"What are you doing?" Skinner had snapped out of her initial surprise. "We need to jump out now!"
"I have to get her - watch it, the next salvo comes for us!" I replied, as I engaged the telepresence and launched the Taipan. I switched to external comms: "Maggie! Get out of there!"
Only static came back as I raced toward the spinning ship.
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August 15, 3306
Bell Terminal, Achenar system
I took a multicannon round out of one of my jacket's pockets and placed it on the table. "You see, the incendiary version of these just -"
Maggie smiled and leaned back on her chair. "You always carry ammunition around on a date?"
"Er, sometimes." She stared at me, smiling, for a few seconds which seemed like hours to me. I snapped out of the spell: "Anyway, this isn't a date. It's just business." She replied, in a mock solemn tone: "Of course it is, mister businessman sir", then laughed. She was wearing a blue dress which really suited her, a shorter version of a style recently made popular by Aisling Duval.
We were in one of Bell Terminal's luxury restaurants, available only to the Imperial nobility. In the home of the Empire, my rank of Baron wasn't good enough - fortunately I had credits to spare and was able to secure a decent table. It also helped that Home's accent sounds peculiar enough that Imperials don't immediately take you for a Fed. I noticed a waiter walking towards our table with our dinner, so I pocketed the cannon round again. After he had poured the wine and left, I asked, "How was your end of the search?"
She waved her fork in a dismissive gesture, looking away. "Inconclusive. I found some more records, but nothing that added anything significant to what I already knew." She then turned towards me. "Okay, your turn now. I'm paying good money for that info, so it better be good." I placed a thumb drive on the table and pushed it towards her: "Here's the Mainani data". She reached for the drive, but I kept my hand over it. "I have a feeling you already know what's in here too", I said. She quickly withdrew her hand - the smile vanished from her face. She looked to a side, towards the door.
"Don't be a fool, I wouldn't be paying your ridiculous service fees if that were true" she replied, rhythmically blinking as she did so. I was about to continue, then I remembered. Our old childhood code for "I need you to play along with me."
I sat upright on my chair. "Of course m'lady, it was a joke" I said, forcing a smile. "I'm sure you'll find it useful. I do expect to be paid in full today."
She looked back towards me, looking relieved. "Of course. How businesslike you've become." We spent the rest of the meal talking about current events, tourist spots in the Achenar system, and other utterly unimportant things. I tried not to look at her too much, but she was really stunning in that blue dress. After dessert, she stood up and after a few quick taps in her mobile, said "Here's your payment as agreed, commander, and thanks for the lovely evening. Perhaps you can be of service some other time. Don't drink away all that money!" I attempted a clumsy imitation of an Imperial bow, but she ignored me and walked towards the entrance, where she greeted two Imperial nobles with whom she walked out onto the starport's concourse. I watched her leave, then looked down at my mobile. The payment was in, with a note attached. The Bank of Zaonce is a good method to send messages you don't want other people to see.
I walked out, found a side passage and opened the message. It read "Not the place to talk. Need to keep appearances. Zhen Dock, tomorrow. Leave now. I need a friend." I deleted the message and made my way to the landing pads. Mila Skinner, my crew member, was there nonchalantly eating walnuts as she watched a group of Imperial slaves refuel my Courier, the Flos ut Rosa. "Skinner, we're leaving as soon as they're done", I said as I walked past her towards the ship's entry ramp.
"Already?" Skinner looked slightly amused. "I thought you were going to spend the night with your girlfriend."
I stopped and turned around to face her. "She's not my girlfriend. But we do have another date. We have to get going." Skinner shrugged and pocketed her snack. "She's cute, cap'n", she said, pushing me aside as she entered the ship, "and I know you both have history, but I don't quite trust her."