VFF The Book Continues part 5
POSTED BY: Colt999
UPDATED: Monday, March 16, 2009 23:49
VIEWED: 74804
PAGE 6 of 15
(standing on the catwalk staring at the Temilcraft PWT (Personal Water Transport)
A boat..... wonderful
(later in the galley Spots is cleaning his pistol)
Sky: I have your night table reading
{a very large book lands on the table with a thud that sends Spots' cleaning kit flying}
Spots: Ohh Goody **in an increasingly sarcastic manor**
Sky:[siting down across the table from Spots]
look I don't like this as much as you do but its the job and the job needs to be done... also doesn't me we cant have fun with it.
Spots: yeah well i cant swim.
Sky: then you best not be sinking they boat should you
Spots: your sarcasm truly knows no ends does it
Sky:Yup **leaning back in her chair and smirking***..... **leaning forward again** well when you've seen and done as much as i have you find away to let it go our it consumes you
Spots: yeah i guess... I just want to get this over with
Sky: i know what your saying.... hey what do you have there
Spots: its a Hanson c96 it uses a .45 cal magnum round 10 mag... if 10 rounds of this anit enough to kill what your shooting at you best be running.
Sky:true.. we just be sure to shot the right way..
ill see you around. (Sky stands up and leaves)
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Colt*Over the Comm*: Attention crew... Meeting in the galley in five. Mandatory. Unless it's going to blow up my ship, drop whatever you are doing and hoof it.
*Colt leans patiently on his chair, at the head of the table. After a few minutes the entire crew has assembled around him*
Colt: Nice to see everyone. Alright, bad news is Badger's intel was shēng sè.
*Everyone exchanges a quick glance as Colt pauses briefly*
Colt: Now the good news. We've been able to secure the blueprints for the site. *He passes out copies to the crew http://newhall.flectopia.ca/* The facility is in the middle of the ocean, floating. It has three floors; engineering and utilities, living quarters and vault and the third floor is for business.
*Colt takes a moment to make sure everyone has given the schematics a decent look over.*
Colt: Spots will be driving the boat. Myself, Sky, Brit, Wash and Mobbex are on board. We'll travel right underneath the facility to the access hatch.. here. *He indicates a maintenance shaft on one of the stabilizers* Spots you'll get us through there, bring some tools. But I want you to stay with the boat. The rest of us enter and make our way up to the first floor. Here. Then we use the freight elevator to get up to the second floor. The vault will be located there, and that's where we'll find what we're looking for.
Mobbex: I dunno.. they're gunna have guards on that elevator, at least.
Colt: Exactly. That's why you're goin' in first. Wash, you're with him. Neutralize anything moving that looks like it might have an issue with us being there. Sky and I will take care of the safe and the papers, and anything else we can carry off.
*Mobbex grins wickedly*
Mobbex: You always know what I like, cap'n. At's why I joined this crew.
Sky: What about the rest? We won't be able to get inside without some sort of distraction.
Colt: I'm just getting to that. Oram, Stan and abbey will be serving as a diversion..
Sky: What're they going to do, fly by and moon them?
Oram: Heh! Haha... moon 'em.
Colt: They'll be posing as buyers. Stan, as a native, knows the local customs and dialects. He'll be alot of help in that department. He'll fly Oram and abbey to the landing platform and they'll enter right on through the front door. Stan? Take shuttle two, she's still prepped and I noticed you already lightened her quite a bit.
Colt: Mobbex and Wash. After you two finish quietly subduing anyone near the vault or the escape route, go here..*He shows them a room on the blueprints* Crew quarters. Steal a couple uniforms from the lockers and head upstairs and out the front. Should probably go one at a time and try to act like you're supposed to be there, we don't want to blow our cover. Whoever gets there first needs to discreetly subdue anyone guarding the platform and the shuttle. Just in case the distraction goes bad and a quick exit is in order.
Mobbex: How'm I 'sposed to quietly subdue someone that shootin' at me?
Colt: By shooting them quietly, 'fore they shoot you loudly.
Mobbex: Huh?
Colt: Once we get the goods, I'll give you all the signal. Sky, Brit and I will head back down the way we came and leave with Spots. The rest of you will take the shuttle.
Oram: What do we do if the plan goes all to hell on us?
Colt: We might have an advantage there. Brit. She says it's too hot, we drop what we're doing and get out as quickly and quietly as we can. Just pull out and go. You all understand? *He waits until everyone has let that sink in, everyone does except abbey, who has been quiet for the entire briefing and looks distracted.* abbey? You got it? *She doesn't answer* ABBEY!?
abbey *Flinching at his voice*: Ye.. Yes! I get it. Brit says to leave, we leave.
Colt: May...maybe you shouldn't be going. We can't afford to take anyone who's head isn't in this. I'm not looking to have any of mine end up on the sellin' block.
Abbey *narrowing her eyes at him*: Not a chance. You know the deal.
Colt *Sighing in obvious frustration*
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*Stan leaves the galley and heads down to his room to prepare for the mission. He passes Brit on his way out, she's silently leaning against the frame of the door, munching on a fruity oaty bar. She seems not at all anxious or concerned. He silently wishes he could be that calm. Armed guards, slaves, inaccurate information.*
Brit: "Strange Bird..."
Stan: "Hi... "
Brit: "Bat sh*t nuts?"
Stan: "Still?"
*She pulls a bar out of her pocket and offers it to him*
Brit: "Fruity oaty bar?"
Stan: "Uh.. no thanks, but thanks.*
*Stan blinks and continues past. Thinking to himself that a normal conversation with that one would be more unusual than the usual.*
*He continues on to his room, stripping out of his old coveralls and putting on his flak vest before donning one of his newer pair of coveralls. Considering it wise to not wear his older pair, as the Nelumbo patch may draw unneeded attention. As he's zipping up the dark khaki and brown coveralls there's a knock at his door.*
Stan: "Come in."
*The door opens and the captain leans in. He glances at Stan and notices the armor vest. He grins.*
Colt: "Wearing some protection? Remember to make sure they shoot you in the back or chest... those type don't protect much else."
Stan: "Heh.. yeah thanks. I'll remember that."
*Colt steps in and holds out a holstered small caliber pistol."
Colt: "Here, haven't noticed you wearing any weapons."
Stan: *Not taking the gun* "Really, I don't think I'll need it. But thanks."
Colt: *Insistent* "Take it. I don't want any of my crew in there unarmed."
*Stan nods and takes the holster from Colt.*
Stan: "Thanks. I still hope I don't have to use it."
Colt: "No one ever does... Heh.. 'cept maybe Mobbex."
*With that he leaves Stan to finish gearing up.*
*After pulling a belt from his duffel he straps the gun loosely on his hip then picks up the small black case on his bed. Not exactly sure why, he decides against strapping it to his leg, and stuffs it quickly into his left pocket. Resigned to the fact he really doesn't have much else to do, he heads off to the cargo hold to see if Spots could use any help with the boat.*
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"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Secundus
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*abbey reaches down and picks an empty wrapper up off the floor. She deposits it in the trash receptacle with the others she had gotten earlier.*
*She stands in front of the mirror, looking at herself. She can’t believe this is happening. Of all the stupid things she has done in her life, this is at the top of the list. Her stomach churns and her face is as white as a sheet. She quickly walks over to the sink and pops in the last of the nausea pills Oram had given her.*
abbey: I so don’t need this right now.
*They are leaving in a few moments. She can’t believe that any of them are putting themselves in this position. She can’t believe she is putting herself in this position either. She is either stupid, crazy or foolish. Maybe a bit of all three.*
*She is beyond nervous. She leans over to the sink and splashes some cold water in her face. She feels miserable. Maybe she should stay behind? Maybe she should take it easy? There is enough confusion and drama in her life without adding slavers to the mix.*
*But Oram is going. And Colt too. She knows she could help. She has to help or she’ll never forgive herself, even under these circumstances. She dries off her face and touches up her make-up.*
Colt *comes into the shuttle*: We’re getting ready. Everyone is just about ready to depart. Oram and Stan are probably waiting in the port shuttle for you. *He looks at her closely* You nervous?
abbey: Aren’t you?
Colt: A bit. *pauses* You could still stay. I really want you to stay here. You don’t need to be there.
abbey: You know I can’t and I won’t stay here. I need to look after Oram.
Colt: She’s a grown woman, abbey. She don’t need looking after like a bitty child.
abbey: You don’t understand.
Colt: Like I said before, we’ll be discussing this in detail after we get back.
*Silence filled the room.*
abbey *changing the subject*: Anyway, I am going. We wouldn’t have enough time to rethink our part of the plan.
Colt: I suppose not. *trying to lighten the mood, he flashes her a smile* I guess it’s show time. Just remember, if you get the call to leave, you pick up and go, no matter what is going on. Dong ma?
abbey *nodding*: I got it. If things go south, get out as fast as possible.
*Colt pulls her into an embrace then kisses her softly on the lips. He looks into her eyes.*
Colt: Zhu yi, abbey.
abbey: You too.
*He kisses her quickly on the forehead and heads off to the cargo bay. She goes back to the mirror, affixes a black wig onto her head and looks herself over. The last time she wore this, she’d nearly got herself killed. She hopes that it won’t be a repeat performance. She takes in a breath, smoothes out her outfit and heads over to the port shuttle.*
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*Oram zips up her most respectable jacket, she notices that it’s more loose fitting and is surprised to find she’s lost weight without trying or noticing. Shrugging it off, she exits her room, her beloved revolver and Winchester, going for the job as well. As she heads for the shuttle she see’s Brit munching on some Fruity Oatey Bars.*
Oram: Where did you find those?
Brit: Found them in Abbey’s hands.
Oram: You stole them?
Brit: Borrowed them without a time of when they’re going to be returned.
Oram: You stole them in other words.
*Brit offers Oram a bar, which seems to be the last in the pack. Oram eagerly take it.*
Oram: Well, little miss, we should make our way to a job that’s sure to have me pulling out bullets and fixing boo-boos.
*Without another word they depart ways. Oram enters the shuttle, getting herself comfy in the seat, she takes out the bar and begins to eat. Not even half-way through it Abbey, with a black wig, and Oram just looks at her, trying to figure out what to say, she swallows then…*
Oram: Didn't you nearly get yourself, and the person with you, killed when you wore that last time?
Abbey: Not intentionally.
Oram: *Taking another bite from the bar* Could you try not to do that this time? I like living.
*Abbey rolls her eyes, and sits in the other spare seat of the shuttle. Then she notices what Oram is eating.*
Abbey: Hey, where did you get those?
Oram: Brit
Abbey: Got any more?
Oram: No….
Abbey: Come on Oram, I just want a bit!
Oram: *keeping the bar out of reach* NO!! MINE!!!
Abbey: *giving up* Child.
Oram: *pokes her tongue out and smiles* Whatever…
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*Spots and Wash are already in the boat when Colt notices abbey walk across the catwalk to the port shuttle. She is wearing a long, slightly curly black wig. He cocks an eyebrow at the sight.*
What the…
Sky *coming up behind Colt and looking at abbey as well*: What’s with the wig?
I don’t know. A disguise maybe?
*Sky shrugs as she gets into the boat.*
*It is a good disguise too. If they were dirtside, he probably would not have recognized her if she bumped into him on the street, so this was obviously not a disguise she just threw together. She has used it before. It makes him wonder about how this may have fit in with her past and why she keeps the details of her life so close to her vest. He mentally makes a note to add this to the discussion they are gonna have regarding Oram after the job.*
*as Mobbex approaches* Grab yourself a spot, we’re gonna leave soon.
Mobbex *cocks a gun, looking at it lovingly*: Well, I’m ready.
*As Mobbex joins Sky, Brit walks up.*
You ready?
Brit *as she passes him on the way to the boat*: You need more fruity-oatey bars.
Huh?
Spots *as he stands to look back at Colt*: You ready Captain? We’re all packed up.
*Colt looks over at the boat. Everyone is assembled and waiting for him. He jogs back to the boat and hops in.*
Let’s take her for a spin. Get used to how she handles.
*They spend the next few minutes or so doing just that. Finally, Colt points off towards the estate.*
The sun is setting. Let’s get going.
Spots: Yes, sir.
*into the comm* Stan, we’re on our way. Give us a chance to get settled underneath before landing.
Stan: Will do, Captain.
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*About fifteen minutes later...*
*Stan sits casually in the pilots seat of the port shuttle. Flicking various switches and checking the general navigation systems. abbey and Oram are seated in seats behind him.*
Stan: "Alrighty then, everybody buckled in? Anyone forgetting anything? I dunno if they have a restroom so you migh..."
abbey: *Cutting him off* "Just fly, stop stalling."
*She rolls her eyes, which he cannot see as she's behind him.*
Stan: "Ok, here we go."
*Stan engages the undocking maneuvers and eases the shuttle gently off the supports. He immediately begins to gain altitude and take the shuttle off to the northeast before slowly easing more to the east and towards the destination. He engages the passive autopilot and turns back to say something to the others. As he does he notices Oram seems uncomfortable, her eyes shut tightly and her knuckles white from gripping the arms of her seat. Abbey quickly notices his concerned look and turns to look at her friend.*
abbey: "Oram? Are you alright?"
Oram: *Opening her eyes, but looking anywhere but out the veiwshield* "Yeah... well err no."
Stan: "Are you.. afraid of flying?"
Oram: "No! I am not... 'kay yeah I am. I don't like flyin' what's the big deal?
abbey: "Oh my."
Stan: "But... don't we like, fly all the time? We live on a space ship!"
Oram: "Yeah, and you notice how I've never been up to the cockpit?"
*abbey firmly and reassuringly places her hand on Oram's arm.*
abbey: "Would it be better if we rode in back? There are seats and straps back there?"
Oram: "No, I'll be fine... I think it'd be worse if I got up and tried to walk around."
abbey: "Alright."
Stan: "I'll try to fly... gently. No fancy stuff today."
*The flight is a fairly short one. Stan keeps the shuttle steady and high. The vast azure waters of Newhall stretch to all horizons. After only a few moments a dark structure appears ahead, and slightly to the southeast. Stan glances nervously back at abbey. She only nods slightly. As they approach a chime from the communications sounds.*
Estate Security: "Unmarked shuttle, please state your business within our fly zone or turn around directly and leave."
*It wasn't a question. Stan, having been told what to say replies.*
Stan: "This is Book Shuttle No2, we request permission to land."
Estate Security: "You'd better have a damned good reason. We don't give tours."
Stan: "We're... interested buyers. No need for alarm. Only come to talk business."
*The man is quiet for several moments. The structure grows steadily larger as they approach. Stan notices something unexpected but remains silent until he's sure.*
Estate Security: "Ok. You've been cleared to land. Be prepared for a security team to search you and your shuttle."
*Stan gives a short affirmative and flicks off the comm. As he takes the shuttle in to land he turns back to abbey and Oram.*
Stan: "Uh... don't know if this'll be a big issue but there's more than three levels to this place. Looks more like four."
abbey: "Damn it. I guess those schematics weren't so accurate after all. Let's hope that was the only flaw in the intel."
Oram: "Heh. Yeah."
*When the shuttle has landed they unbuckle and head to the door. Stan is nervously flexing his hands.*
Oram: "You alright?"
Stan: "Yeah, not so good at this crime stuff.. but yeah I'm fine, I'm fine."
*He shakes his head slightly and takes a deep breath before opening the door. The late evening sunlight floods the shuttle.*
abbey: *Putting her hand to her ear to check the comm.* "Okay Colt, we're down. And Colt? There are four floors not three.."
Colt: *Over the comms* "Thanks abbey, Spots and Sky noticed that too. Ok folks.. remember the comms are for emergency only. No undo chatter."
*They're in position below the structure.*
Mobbex: "Like we're gunna be treat'nit like a partyline..."
Colt: "It's fun time people. Let's make no mistakes. Clean... quick and quiet like."
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/Stran
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*The three of them wait at the door for the guards to do their paranoid search of the shuttle. Abbey looks over at Oram just to make sure she's recovered from the flight.*
Abbey: You sure you're ok? Cause you look all pale and like you're gonna lose that Oatey bar…
Oram: *way to quickly* Shut up.
Stan: Ladies… please… we're...
*The shuttle door suddenly opens and a pair of guards greet them at the entrance. One guard was Stan's height, but his dull demure told them he wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box; his piggish brown eyes didn’t do his intelligence justice either. His companion was stockier, with grey eyes and fair complexion, but seemed to also be lacking in the upstairs department. Not wanting to make a scene before the rest of the crew get the job done, they follow the guards to the security checkpoint of the building*
Guard 1: Right folks, you don't look stupid. Guns, knives any weapons… drop 'em right 'ere in this bin.
Oram: But I like my gun … and feel kind of naked without it. For obvious reasons, I keep my guns for protection. Don't know what type of deceivers are around.
*Stan and Abbey both withhold the urge to roll their eyes at the double meaning and slap Oram for being bold.*
Guard 2: Come'n girl, we give da guns ta ya when ya leave? A'ight?
Abbey: Look, we'll give the weapons over… don't need to get to arguing.
*With that, Stan, Abbey and Oram, reluctantly, hand over their various weapons and ammunition. The third guard, a rotund man with a dark complexion, pats Stan down. Studies the small black case, turning it over in his hands. He fiddles with the latch but can't open it.*
Guard 3: What the hell is this?
Stan: *Thinking quickly* My … spare glasses…
*The guard glares at the case briefly then snorts. He roughly passes it back to Stan, who shoves it back into his pocket.*
Guard 1: Right, you folks are clean and ready for the discussions to take place.
*Stan, Abbey and Oram look at one another, take a deep breath, at the same time, and ready themselves for what lies ahead.*
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*Once they knew that the shuttle had landed, Spots stood up and started work on the access door to the maintenance shaft. It was higher up than he thought, so he had to stand on one of the seats and really stretch to reach.*
Mobbex: Ain’t it unsafe to stand up in a boat?
*Colt, Sky, Brit, Wash and Spots glare at him.*
Mobbex *shrugging*: I jus’ heard that someplace.
Spots *straining to reach*: Bi zui, you bèn niú (stupid ox). I am all aware of that fact, so if I can have some quiet, I’d be more than grateful.
*Mobbex scowled and muttered something under his breath.*
*Spots continued his work. Every once in a while, he would lose his balance a bit and the boat would rock violently to one side. The rest of the crew compensated, somehow managing to keep the boat from flipping over. After a few moments, the access door popped open a bit.*
Spots: There are wires, probably a security system.
Colt: Jen dao mei (just our luck – sarcastic). Can you get past it?
Spots *slighty annoyed*: Have faith Captain. It’s rudimentary. *Groans a bit as he extends his arms all the way* There. I got it.
*The door swings open and Spots comes down from his perch.*
Abbey *quietly over comm*: We’re in. Unarmed though.
Colt *under his breath*: Tā mā de. This is giving me an uncomfortableness.
*Mobbex reached up and easily pulled himself up through the hole.*
Mobbex *as he pulled Wash up behind him*: It’s a little tight, but we’ll go ahead of you and take care of business. Comm you when the coast is clear.
Wash *peering down at the rest of them from above, a grin on her face*: Don’t mind him none. It’s plenty roomy, he’s just a big guy.
Mobbex *muffled from inside the tube*: That’s what all the ladies say!
*The rest of them rolled their eyes at the comment. Colt waited a few moments before pulling himself into the maintenance shaft.*
Colt *looking down at Spots*: You keep an eye out. You comm me if anything comes your way. You have to stay hid. Without you, getting off this floating piece of luh suh will be more interesting than I’d like.
*Spots nodded and Colt gave Sky a hand up and she did the same for Brit.*
Sky: Brit, you stay behind me. Let us get through first, just be sure you’re uh… receiving… or whatever it is you do.
*They crawled along the maintenance shaft making sure they didn’t disturb anything that might set off an alarm of any sort. Brit’s voice broke the silence.*
Brit: It smells.
Colt *stopping to take a deep breath*: No, it’s just the sea air.
Brit: Lies, half-truths and omissions. All around and inside, seeping into the body, mind and soul.
*Colt and Sky look back at her with puzzled looks on their faces.*
Colt: What is that supposed to mean?
Brit *giving them the ‘are-you-dense’ look*: It smells.
Sky *muttering under her breath*: Oh. This is going to go well.
As they resumed crawling, Mobbex’s voice came through the comm.
Mobbex: First level is clear. Going up to the second.
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