A long day and a sight for sore eyes
21 Dec 2015Jim Beaumont
I spent most of the day back and forth across the void into the bubble, running courier jobs for my new found 'employers'. I hadn't had much time to pay any attention to the goings on at the station or the outpost for that matter. I just collected my loads and made my way straight out again. It made for a long and busy day.I received a message late on from Merc 'In the bar, have a surprise waiting for you'
I dropped of the penultimate package, one left. But it was beyond the deadline for delivery. No payment. No recipient either. What the hell, I opened it. It at first glance looked like traffic data for the station and outpost. That just raised the question, why have it couriered by hand. So I looked further, read harder. 2/3rds the way down, a list of ships and Cmdr's looked different. The formatting wasn't the same as the rest of of the data. I made note of those names, then vented the package to the murk. The only evidence I need is in my pocket. best if no-one knows I read it.
I got back to station, locked up and made for the bar. Mr Duta (Double) passed me by looking forelorn and angered. He didn't even acknowledge me. On the corridor, a station info screen was flashing away. The Civil War was still ongoing, and screen was offering security advice. Then it flashed to a recent poll of station personnel, and it would account for a few grim faces around here. The controlling faction has shot up in the polls. That can't be the surprise. Not with civil war happening. But surely Double would be happy with that, so why the long face.
When I walked into the bar, I saw the surprise. Merc and Oppo were sat at a table, no that's not the surprise either. But their company was. The Long Haired Lady had returned and a very welcome surprise.
'Good to see you again Ma'am, I thought you may have left for pastures new'
'Cmdr.'
'Merc, Oppo. How the devil are we'
'Merc?' she questioned.
'He started it and somehow it has stuck' says Merc, pointing at me.
'It suited at the time. Still suits now. Drinks anyone?'
Surprise number two came at the bar.
'Where's Samson' I asked the young chap serving drinks.
'My dad is in the hospital. It got a little tense in here last night, and he took a blade to the gut'
That raised an eyebrow. He has a son!
'Shit. Is he okay?'
'Yeah he's fine. On the mend, he should be out tomorrow'
'Good to hear. Pass my regards to your dad.'
'Will do Sir'
'And its Jim please. No need for the Sir thing yeah'
'Roger that'
'So what brings you back here then .... Ma'am'
'The name is Casandra if you must. And it offers a little sanctuary from out there at the moment.'
'Well we are all friends here. At least us 3 anyways. I've just seen the polls news. Hopefully it will all calm down again shortly.'
'You still running for that contact Jim?' asked Merc
'Damm right he is. All day long, in, out, in, out' offers Oppo
'Yeah its a busy one. I'm not entirely sure what the game is though. Something just seems a little on the sly with all this. I mean, I'm kind of being asked to not make some of these trips too. Yes take it out of here, but don't worry if it goes somewhere else instead'
'Sounds like your being played mate. That's why I don't do that shit. I'm my master, no other buggers'
'Your just too young to give a shit at the minute Merc.'
'Watch your tail Cmdr. If your being duplicitous, someone isn't going to like it somewhere down the line'
'Jeez not you as well. Please Casandra, its Jim. And yes I'm keeping tabs on my ass. Speaking of, your new flying suit looks nice'
'Careful Jim, or you may be wearing another G & T!'
That got Merc and Oppo laughing.
We spent the next couple of hours chatting about nothings really. Just enjoying company in what can be a solitary existance.
'I will see you guys tomorrow no doubt. If your not here Casandra, don't be a stranger and come back. Good to see you.'
'Thank you' and with that we parted to our bunks.
Oh what of tomorrow. What winds of change are next.