What's the Pay?

Posted on Tue Aug 6th, 2024 @ 2:56pm by Commander Lucy Sharpe & Captain Paul Griffon

752 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Rescue Interruptus
Location: Aramal III / Freighter Longhaul
Timeline: MD01, 1700

The Longhaul was a rather unassuming ship, like most freighters. It looked like a small disk shape section attached to a small warp-drive that seemed like it could explode at any moment and a long cargo section. It had sturdy landing struts and a few sections of the ship that seemed like they could be concealing weapons.

As Lucy approached it, she saw a human female working on one of the landing struts.

"What do you want fleeter?" the woman asked rather gruffly.

"I'm Commander Sharpe from the USS Athena," Lucy started brightly and politely. No point putting every nose out of joint from the starting gates. "Captain Venn is expecting me. Where can I find him?"

The woman looked Lucy up and down suspiciously and then tapped a communication device that was on her ear.

"Boss, some fleeter named Sharpe is out here wanting to see you", she said.

After a moment she looked back to Lucy and said, "He'll be out in a moment."

She went back to work, every once and a while casting an eye at Lucy. After about a minute or so, a man walked down the gangplank. He had dark hair, a few days' scruff, was tall, and wore the typical lubricant stained, mis-matched clothing of a freighter staff doing work. As he moved forward, he looked Lucy over with a discerning eye and smiled genuinely.

As he got closer, he wiped his hands off on his pants, and then extended it to Lucy, "I'm Captain Venn of the Longhaul. What can I do for you? Did the brass change their mind again about working with me?"

"Commander Lucy Sharpe, USS Athena," she greeted him and returned the handshake glad to be free of the woman's suspicious glare for a moment. Venn matched his profile photograph to the letter - right down to those familiar ears shared with his younger sister. "I've not been fully briefed on the proposition; however your presence has been requested by Captain Griffin. I've been dispatched to transport you to the Athena."

Venn smiled at her and then said, "Being a fleeter, I am not sure you can understand this, but for those of us not in the core worlds, time is money. Every time I get pulled away from what I originally volunteered to do; I lose money because I am staying here longer doing charity work."

"Griffon is prepared to reimburse you for your time," the XO replied expecting him to decline. "Have ship tour, a talk and make some profit in the process," she shrugged causally. "What's to lose?"

Venn looked at Lucy skeptically and scratched his chin a bit.

"I don't get it", he said. "I was only introduced to this man earlier this morning on a vid call. We didn't speak, I don't know him as much as I know anyone on this rock and now he wants to do business with me? What's the catch?"

"The Captain is well connected," Sharpe glanced at the mechanic still lingering close by. "He's aware of your disagreement with Damon Talor and should you decline to meet..." she trailed leaving the sentence open.

"I told you, you should have knifed that Ferengi bastard boss", the female mechanic said as she walked away.

Venn crossed his arms, a slight scowl on his face. He pondered a moment and then shook his head.

"Fine", Venn replied. "When does he want me to show up?"

"Immediately, hence why I'm here to escort you," Sharpe repeated.

"Well, at least he sent someone other an over-eager ensign", Venn said. "Lead the way."

"Indeed," the Commander nodded before leading the man toward the shuttle bay.

"So, how did your Captain find out about my business with Talor?", Venn asked. "Not like we advertise our dealings."

"As I said he's well connected. Fingers in may pies as they say."

"You Fleeters are always sticking your noses where they don't belong", Venn replied with a scowl as he followed Lucy away from his ship.

Shape shrugged: "That's a matter of opinion, our primary cause to maintain peace and keep all parties safe. It may not always be popular with business persons such as yourself however." She glanced over toward Venn noting how different he was compared to his Robyn. "I'm sure Griffon will make this trip worth your while."

Venn continued to scowl as the woman fired the shuttle to return to Athena


A post by
Commander Lucy Sharpe
XO USS Athena

Captain Josh Venn (NPC)
Longhaul

 

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