The Pegasai Saga Part III
23 Jul 2016Jellicoe
In the Pegasai most things can get you killed. If you are a stranger you can be killed for it, if you have friends you risk being killed by their enemies, if you don't pay off the right people they will quite happily kill you and if you do then the wrong people can kill you for it. In most parts of the galaxy having money will buy you a measure of safety but in the Pegasai having without connections is also very likely to get you killed. In short whatever you do stands a good chance of getting you killed so you learn to live on your wits, trust nobody and keep your gun handy.It did not take long for Hogan to get in touch after our brush at Sladek, less than two days in fact before his smirking hologram appeared in my cabin.
"Our friends need a consignment of weapons moving to Soya, guess who I said would help out?"
"Sure it's just weapons?" "I made no effort to hide my distaste. "There are things I won't carry for anyone, certainly not you and your pirate friends."
"You'll carry whatever the fuck I tell you to carry hotshot, or have you forgotten our little chat?"
"My commission is in the auxiliary Mr Hogan not the regulars, I'll hold my nose and help sort this mess out because I played a part in making it but piss me off too much and I'll walk. No drugs or slaves, non negotiable."
Then you've nothing to worry about here. Make sure you don't get scanned, not that it's likely out here. The pods will be delivered to you hanger in one hour. Good luck." He grinned unpleasantly. "One last thing, our friends are sending one of their men along, just to deal with the people at the other end you understand." He cut the link before I could reply, probably wisely.
An hour and a half later the cargo pods were securely aboard and we were ready for launch, all that was missing was our passenger whose tardiness did nothing to improve my already foul mood. A full forty minutes later a cock sure young man cad in studded black leather, heavily tattooed with two oversized laser pistols holstered at his belt sauntered into the hanger
"Since you've finally seen fit to join us we can be on our way, get your stuff on board we leave immediately." I said curtly. The young man swaggered over to me, looked me straight in the eye and in a voice laced with arrogance said.
"I give the orders here now pet Fed, I'll tell you when to leave now take e to my cabin and make sure it's a good one." There are some insults one can swallow for the sake of a mission, this was not one of them. I drove my knee hard into the young mans groin then uppercut my fist into his face as he folded up, he crumpled to the floor but I grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled him to his knees.
"Listen Sonny Jim don't ever come to my ship acting like king of the jungle, speak to me like that again and you'll be taking a short walk out of the airlock." Despite his obvious pain the young man began fumbling for one of his pistols, I kicked his hand hard and the gun went skittering across the floor then pulled his head back and punched him full in the face hearing a satisfying crack that I guessed was his nose breaking.
"Take his guns off him and chuck him in the brig." I barked.to two marines standing nearby by trying not to smile. "Oh and make a full search of him, I don't want any drugs on board." I said with a wink.
"Full body search sir?"
"Yes Marine, and I think the scanner's playing up so do be exceptionally thorough."
The mission was straightforward enough, our cargo was technically illegal at our destination but there was little evidence of any law enforcement in the system and the port was tiny, just a handful of landing pads and a cluster of small buildings, the perfect place to drop contraband. Our guest was brought from the brig and after a tirade of dire threats against me that was cut short by the butt of Marine Tilsons rifle he played his part passably well in assuring t recipients of the weapons that we were indeed working for the Black Omega. The return trip every bit as uneventful and we were soon back at Sladek Ring where we bundled our guest, Cor Darrin as we discovered his name was, out and threw his weapons after him.
"Get us a launch window Claude." I ordered. "Just in case that dick head's more important than he looks." The Black Omega did not run this station yet, but they were strong here and while I suspected they would know just what a fool Darrin was it paid to be careful. I retired to my ready room and half an hour later Claude came through on the intercom.
"Got a call from Hogan skipper, want me to put him through?"
"Best had do." I replied without enthusiasm and seconds later Zac Hogan holographic form appeared before my desk.
"Did you have to give him quite such a pasting?"
"Yes." I replied. "Next question."
"he's a fool but he's connected and that makes it difficult, I'd watch your back on Clair Dock in future but you got the job done which means they trust you a little."
"Aren't I the lucky one."
I ran a number of these missions, delivering cargo or picking up materials plus a little low level smuggling, I got on with it and tried not to think about the people I was helping. I wondered how my life would have gone had I been born out here rather than the heart of the Federation, would I now be one of the leather cad killers I so despised? It was an uncomfortable thought. After I had clearly worked my way up the ladder of trust I received another message from Hogan telling me that the Black Omega were having an upsurge in attacks on their ships in Tjakiri and I was needed to tackle the 'pirates' preying on their ships. I smiled grimly and agreed, at least the bounties would be good.
"Last thing before I go." Hogan wrapped up. "Here's your contact over there, he'll be giving you your missions from now on." A second hologram appeared of a grinning young man. It was Cor Darrin.