Special Branch: Overdue Reunions
POSTED BY: WashsYoungerSexierBr
UPDATED: Thursday, December 23, 2010 16:16
VIEWED: 23940
PAGE 2 of 8
Safe crouched behind a stack of crates. A group of dock hands unloaded the Alliance shuttle, while a pair of guards stood off to one side, smoking. Safe inched closer to their position. If they didn’t go inside for coffee, he’d never get his chance to ‘aquire’ a few items to pawn. Taking the Alliance goons out, was out of the question. Not only were there too many eyes, but it would draw undue attention to his little neck of space. He was happy they only came occasionally.
“Did you hear?” The shuttle pilot was talking to the dock master.
“Hear what?”
“They caught another one.”
“Another one what, a cold?”
“Oh you’re funny. No, another resistance dirtbag.”
Safe stopped and hunkered down, suddenly very interested.
“Ya, so? I got enough problems keeping the sticky fingers what live here in check to worry about core planet problems.” The dock master ground out his cigarette.
“Oh, this ‘un was a real thorn in our side. Remember that chicky, Goodard?”
“That name sounds familiar...”
“The hospital break a few years back? A right massacre it was.”
“Oh, right, I do remember that. My brother was part of that crew. What they gonna do now that they have her?”
“She’s gonna hang for her crimes. Out in Ariel main square 5 days from now. A lesson for the others still out there.”
“They’re gonna come for her.”
“That’s the idea. Use a little honey to catch some flies, know what I mean?” The pilot laughed elbowing the dock-master.
“Can’t say I’ll be sad to her swayin’ at the end of a rope.”
Safe crept away; no longer interested in any cargo the shuttle had to offer. Back at the ruin down hanger where is ‘plane’ was parked, Safe leaned against the fighters side.
“Dammit.” He climbed into the cockpit and sat for a moment. “What the hell am I doing?! You never really like that back-stabbing... Prolly gettin’ what she rightly deserves.”
But they were right. Wisp, wherever he was, was bound to find out. He was walking into a trap. Safe chuckled. Chances are Wisp knew it as well, but the Alliance were waiting for him. They’d seen him in action, were wise to his tricks, hell they were wise to all our tricks.
“Dammit! You stupid girl!!” Safe slammed the canopy down and prayed that if the rest were still alive and free, that they’d stay away.
http://drlong67.wordpress.com
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The two Souls sat silently, staring at each other. The double takes done by nearly everyone that passed by would have been humerous if either of them had bothered to notice. Only the intense look on the identical faces prevented anyone from approaching them. It was obvious that an immense amount of unspoken communication was passing between them, but with no one able to translate, the bartender and the other patrons of the establishment they were currently seated in eventually lost interest in the spectacle.
Finally, after hours of this unusual public display of oddness, the eyes of the Soul on the left flashed from hazel to emerald green, and back again.
"I was wondering how long you could hold one form before you had to revert back for a while," said the Soul on the right. "Ready to change back?"
The Soul on the left nodded. "Bathroom," he stated.
The two rose, much to the surprise of everone in the room and made their way to the small restroom at the back of the bar. Soul emerged a moment later, followed by a striking redhead with emerald green eyes. They were nearly out of the bar when the bartender finally asked the question on everyone's lips.
"Where's your twin?"
Soul paused and turned back. "I don't have a twin." He put his arm on Ciaran's shoulder and steered her out of the establishment.
When they were far enough away to lose any curious eyes, Soul pulled Ciaran into an alley and pushed her up against the wall.
"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right here, right now. You killed people. Over Santos, and long before that as well."
He paused, and a look of pain crossed his features. "Why?"
Ciaran looked away for a moment. "Don't ask me that." She lifted her head and stared into his eyes, a fire burning. "You're the last person that should ask me that. How many people have you killed? How many have died because of you? How many? Don't you dare look at me like I'm any more of a monster than you."
Pushed away by the intensity of her response, Soul took a step back. "You died. In my arms. I lost EVERYTHING I cared about in that moment. I went to a dark place for a long time after that. I make no excuse there. It took a while, but I did come to my senses, and ever since then I've been trying to make things right. I don't know if I ever will."
With renewed determination, he walked closer to her again.
"I thought you were gone forever. Yet you were alive the entire time, and you let me believe you were dead. WHY?"
She continued to stare back. "You may not believe this now, but I was protecting you. You think you can live for as long as you have, never aging, never staying dead and no one would notice? They sent an Operative after you. I made sure he killed me instead."
Any remaining sense of calm and order Soul had held onto was blown apart at that statement from Ciaran, and Marshall emerged.
Ciaran closed the distance between them and continued. "You had no training, no marketable skills, nothing that would be worth keeping you alive for. I did. I told you then, and I told you above Santos, I'm like you. When I woke up a few worlds away, I hunted down the Operative who killed me and convinced him that you were no threat, that I was the real one they had been tracking. I showed him I could change faces, and in that moment they forgot you even existed. I did what I had to do to protect you." She closed here eyes, tears beginning to form. "I thought you would move on alive and well, and when the Alliance was done with me I would find you and we could be together again. I never expected you would become this. I'm sorry."
It was as if they were back in the bar staring at each other, for all the unspoken communication that was passing between the two. Ciaran finally broke the silence.
"We have more to discuss, but we can talk on the way." She handed Marshall a printout. "We need to save your friends first."
Marshall lowered his eyes and read. By the time he had reached the bottom of the page, his eyes had regained their steel, and Soul lifted hi
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Kyra was dropped to the floor like a ragdoll.
She may have regained consciousness, but not yet her strength. The bounty hunter didn't even need to bind her, he knew she didn't have it in her to fight.
As Kyra looked up she could see the two men standing in front of her, but struggled to focus in on their faces.
She recognised their voices though, they were unmistakeable. It was Bernie, Needy, he'd come for her. And the other man beside him, the Captain - Safe.
Her entire body shivered, no doubt it was a side-effect of whatever gases the bounty hunter had pumped into the suppression chambers. But now they were here, they would take her home. She could forget about this whole ordeal.
Only, the bounty hunter was a formidable foe, even for her friends. But Bernie, she'd seen him do incredible things. Whatever this man had to throw at him, Bernie was more than read to handle it.
Kyra tried to snap out of it.
This was all in the past. The last thing she needed was to think about it, or what might have been - what she could have done to change what happened.
Maybe it would have been better if he hadn't come for her. Maybe none of this would have happened.
There she went again, letting her imagination run wild
She tapped on the work screen with her pen, flicking through the newspages with complete disregard for the articles and images they featured.
Every day now for the past couple of weeks, it had been the same. She'd not been constantly thinking of him, but she had been distracted nonetheless, imagining another life. Sometimes with Luthor, sometimes with Bernie, sometimes simply on her own. Maybe that was the only life she deserved.
At least then, other people didn't need to get hurt. Or worse.
"You've got me. That's all you need."
She wished Bernie's words had been directed at her. But instead they were meant for the bounty hunter.
"You can let her go now."
If they had been the last words she had heard him say, she probably could have lived with that - to hear him sacrifice himself honourably on her behalf. At least then, she could have moved on, eventually.
The alternative was so much worse.
What happened after she couldn't bear think about.
Her phone buzzed suddenly, taking her out of her headspace.
She stared at the screen and let out a heavy sigh. He was the last person she wanted to talk to. But she couldn't ignore his call again. It could be important this time.
"What?" she said into the mouthpiece, not caring how it came across.
"And a hello to you too." Clayton Payne answered on the other end.
"I told you not to call me here," she told him.
"It's important."
"It always is," she answered with a sigh.
"Well, you're going to want to hear this."
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The Bounty Baby drifted lazily in orbit over Whitefall. Two years Kurren thought. Two years since the 'bounty of a lifetime' fell into my lap, willingly. The male companion allowing himself to be taken in troubled Kurren.
"No. Do not fall into the past, that's what got your old man killed." he reminded himself.
He left the dining area and dropped down into the cockpit. Flipping a few switches he activates the maneuvering jets and begins his descent. He runs a hand over his recently shorn head and slightly regrets cutting off his dreadlocks. With a sigh he brings up the information on his next target and begins to plan the capture.
The always go the the 'Rim.
---------------------------------------
Mystery Man on the Sereni-Tree 
Navigator on Destiny 
Kurren, Bounty Hunter 
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Wisp stood at the airlock dressed in a finely tailored grey suit as the crew assembled to share goodbyes. In full credit to the ship and its staff he’d reached Persephone six hours earlier than he’d estimated. He’d just had time to pack, sleep and enjoy one final meal before docking at the transfer station. Beside him lay two pieces of luggage: one a grey rucksack and the other a long case sealed in blue plastic bearing a high parliament customs seal, (well an excellent imitation of one). The party came up one by one exchanging hugs and messages of farewell plus luck. A few tears were shed but overall the tone remained happy, eventually Wisp was left alone with Shadow.
“Take care out there. Don’t do anything too stupid”
“I can’t guarantee that” Wisp replied with a smirk.
“It occurs to me that you’ve dropped everything for this girl mighty fast and this might be some sort of trap.”
“Shadow, the alliance spent a lot of money and time pumping my brain full of radiation and stem cells to make me one of the smartest son’s of bitches in the verse. Of course it’s a trap, and they’re expecting me to go in all cautious and stealthy which is where they’ll spring it. But I’m sick and tired of this gosa. I’m smarter, faster, and a whole bunch deadlier than they are. Im glad this is a trap as it gives me the chance to go up against the bad guys on their home ground with plenty of warning and make em sorry”
Shadow stood silent for a moment pondering his words. “You’ve got balls Wisp I don’t deny it. But for being such a smart guy this sounds like a boat load of stupid”
“Yea I suppose your right. Take care of the old ship, I might be back one day” The pair shook hands and Wisp entered the airlock dragging his belongings behind him.
The transfer station was a relic from an older time when most ships couldn’t land as easily as today. Therefore ships coming in would dock and passengers would move to an orbital shuttle. Nowadays they were primarily used by couriers who stayed in orbit to save time with transfers. Even with faster than light communication couriers were as widely used as ever, especially by parliament, the military and organised crime. Any broadcast of information could be intercepted, altered, or stolen given the right equipment. Therefore highly sensitive material was still sent in sealed folders from place to place aboard high speed shuttles.
As Persephone wasn’t particularly important for neither politics nor crime the transfer station hadn’t been replaced in years and was still lacking artificial gravity. This was a boon to Wisp at present as his cargo weighed an absolute ton. Floating along the docking tube Wisp entered the central chamber which consisted of several arms leaving a sphere with a booth in the centre. Doing his best to look formal in zero G Wisp orientated himself upon the axis of the lone attendant inside the booth who was engrossed in some space opera on his monitor.
“Good day Sir” Wisp spoke with authority. The man startled turned off his monitor and tried to salute. Unfortunately as he was tied into his chair with a harness he merely flailed slightly.
“Hello Sir!” Although Wisp born no rank his neat dress indicated a parliamentary courier which was a rank all in itself and not one to be trifled with.
Wisp produced a key card and placed it in the slot on the counter. “With the authority of high Parliament I Request and Require transport to Ariel with all due haste and discretion.”
The attendant quickly grabbed a book that was floating somewhere on his desk and flicked to the days docking rota. “Err there’s a class two leaving core side in four hours they can make a stop on Ariel. You can be there in just under a day?”
“Excellent” Said Wisp with a smile. “Arrange passage and cargo transfer. Take care with this one” He waved a hand at the sealed parcel and the Attendant gulped forcefully against the lack of gravity.
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The traffic orbiting Ariel was more condensed that usual. The announcement of capture and pending execution had drawn the people in droves.
“State your business Mr. ?” The voice crackled over the radio.
“Talbot, John Talbot.” Safe responded. “I was hired to dust crops for the outlying farms. If you’ll check my credentials, you’ll see everything is in order.”
“Are you importing any chemicals?”
“No, I’ll buy what I need here.”
“Our scanners say your ‘duster’ is equipped with weapons...”
“Left overs. They were on this heap when I bought it. Most are so old, I’m not even sure they still work. The front guns have been rusted shut.”
“Just the same, please dock with the Dortmunder for inspection.”
“Do you really want to waste that much time? I’ve been waiting in orbit for over three hours and I’m a patient man. Sure enough those what follow and have better connections than I, won’t be in such a good mood. Look at this hunk of go se. It's a crop duster, nothing more.”
“Alright, Mr. Talbot. Ariel landing docks have been closed to regular traffic.”
“Well now, that would be worrisome if I was headed there. Thankfully the farmers have no interest in events such as these and neither do I. I have no desire to head there, thank-you.”
Safe guided his ‘duster’ to the coordinates outside of town. He set down in a farm field and rolled the ship into the barn adjacent. Jack had been reluctant to help. He wasn’t interested in getting dragged back into... things. He had a family now and a new life. Safe wasn’t entirely sure where Jack was and he didn’t offer.
“This is the last time.” He had said.
The outside of the barn worn a patina of dirt and sun-baked grime, but the interior was clean and tidy. Under a tarp in the second last stall, Safe found the chest Jack said would be there.
Inside were the ‘tools’ of the trade and Safe grinned to see that Jack had packed all his favourites. Taped to the inside of the lid was a note. "I haven't been able to find any of the others. Most are considered dead or lost to the black, and Soul's file reads like an ancient UFO dossier, there are sightings but unless he's developed the ability to be in several places at once, it's just the effort of the down-trodden to gain a few bucks."
Safe sighed and burnt the note. Maybe Wisp was one of those LTB's and this was chasing ghosts. His gut told him otherwise, but it had been wrong before.
http://drlong67.wordpress.com
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"Nate! You can't run forever!" Kurren called out after his target. He grinned as he chased down Nathan Gershun. Nathan was a small-time smuggler trying to make it big when he had stumbled upon some big time corporate secrets. The corporation in question wanted those secrets swept under the rug and for Nate to be brought back alive or dead.
Nate's file did not show a history of violence, just a lot of brave talk. His real expertise was ducking the law. But Kurren knew about skirting the law too.
"You should have chosen a better place to hide than that settlement!" Kurren shouted to his prey as he exited the small town close on Nate's heels.
Nate took a moment to look back to check the distance between him and Kurren. But in that moment he stumbled on some of the local bush and fell to the dirt. By the time he recovered Kurren was above him pointing a pistol into his eye.
"If you make a scene," Kurren pulled back the hammer on his gun, "The last thing you smuggle will be your soul."
"Now hold on man, We can end this without anyone getting hurt..."
"We can end this without anyone getting hurt. You wanted me, you got me. Now let Kyra go." Needy said matter-of-factly.
Kurren had never seen anyone give up with such a calm demeanor. A chill ran down his spine.
"How civil of you." Kurren turned to Kyra. "Get up." Kyra struggled to get to her feet, Kurren roughly picked her up and shoved her into Needy's arms, who in turn, passed her to Safe.
"Normally I prefer to have my targets knocked out so they don't cause a ruckus. But since you're being so calm I'll let you walk into my ship under your own steam."
Needy and Kurren walked away from Safe and Kyra without another word.
Kurren grits his teeth in anger after remembering that moment. "Can't do that." he says and brings the butt of his pistol down onto Nate's temple knocking him out.
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Mystery Man on the Sereni-Tree
Navigator on Destiny
Kurren, Bounty Hunter
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Quote:
Originally posted by safeat2nd:
"...and Soul's file reads like an ancient UFO dossier, there are sightings but unless he's developed the ability to be in several places at once, it's just the effort of the down-trodden to gain a few bucks."
OOC: This just made me giggle for some reason. I'll post something as soon as I finish recovering from the post-Thanksgiving lethargy.
______________________
Mantichorus: "So is there a reason they call you 'Soul'?"
Soul (after a long pause): "Yeah. Because I have one."
http://havenofsouls.wordpress.com/
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Wisp reached Ariel High obit just under two days since he first got the news. This left him two more days to come up with something. He'd spent the second leg of his journey in a drug induced sleep. He couldn't make any plans as he had no new data so all he would have done was worry and fret and wear himself down. And that wouldn't have helped anyone.
As soon as he'd left the courier ship he switched ID's to one of less rank. Impersonating a High Parliament courier was Very high treason and here it was much more likely to be noticed. Slipping on a lowly government porter tag he booked himself onto the next downside shuttle to Capital City. Whereas with his previous Identity he tried to look powerful and important, his new persona required a glum slightly bored look. Whilst sat by his luggage he began downloading as much news content as he could read onto his tablet.
Now was the time to formulate a plan...
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OOC: Made some adjustments to this post. Wasn't really happy with the way it ended.
------
She’d been dosed and could barely remember the half of it. But she remembered Safe holding her, and Bernie standing there facing the bounty hunter.
“Protect her,” he had said. Only, he wasn’t looking at the hunter anymore, he was talking to Safe.
Kyra still remembered being walked down the long dark corridor, her barefeet cold against the metal grating that led to the airlock. She struggled to stay awake.
She’d called out to him, but he hadn’t answered her. Safe had done the talking. He told her to keep moving, and so she did so. She didn’t realise that Bernie wasn’t coming. It wasn’t until they reached the planet’s surface, when the captain had administered her the shot, that she fully regained her senses. Then she understood. But by then it was too late.
“Did you hear me?” Clayton said over the line.
“Yes, I heard you fine,” Kyra answered him. She’d since moved to a quiet place in the office. Actually, the download room was louder than where she’d been sitting, but at least here she had some privacy. “I don’t care.”
“You don’t care?” he answered, struggling to believe her. He‘d told her about the intel he‘d received. Goddard was being used as bait to lure in the rest of them. If any of them were still alive, they wouldn‘t be for long.
“They’re your friends,” he told her
“Correction, they were Bernie’s friends,” she retorted.
“They saved your life.”
“Really? This is the life I wanted?” she put to him
“It’s better than the alternative,” Payne affirmed.
“I don’t know about that.”
Clayton didn’t know how to answer her. It had been a while since the two of them had talked, true, but she clearly wasn’t the same person anymore. He knew it must have been difficult for her, but it had been her choice to cut herself off from her friends, from him.
“Kyra… I,” he began to speak but she cut him off.
“Why don’t you do something about it? You got the means,” she said.
“Me?” he answered. “You have any idea what they would do to me if I tried to step in? Why do you think I'm calling you?”
“They're some friends you got there," Kyra replied.
"Hey, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here. Needy saw to that. I owe them just as much as you owe your friends."
Kyra bit her lip. She didn't want to go into it again with him. She didn't need it. Especially not today.
"They can take care of themselves," she answered him finally.
"Maybe," the man said on the other side of the line. "But what if they can't? The squad aren't going to let them slip through their fingers as easily this time."
"And what do you expect me to do about it?” Kyra asked him.
“Send out a signal. You have access to the broad waves. You can warn them.”
Kyra looked at the Distribution machine in question - it was sat right in front of her. “No, I can’t. What you’re suggesting… I could lose my job.”
“They will lose their lives!”
"No," she said simply.
"Who are you trying to convince?" Clayton answered her. "Listen, i can't keep talking, they're waiting, I've got my hands full with something down here. But i've done my part. It's on your head now."
"Thanks," she said sarcastically before she heard the line go dead.
On her head? She didn't ask for this. She'd walked away from it a long time ago. She'd be damned if she was going to walk back into it now.
-----
My brand new writer's blog! http://dicksquinty.wordpress.com
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