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| OutRunner's Flight |
| Episode One: A Rock and a Hard Place |
| Jack Chaplain swore loudly for the fifth time that hour. This was partly due to the fact that his mobile suit was currently floating derelict in the dead cold of space, and partly due to his having jettisoned his fairly expensive cargo. This last part was what he was especially worried about, for even were his employer to forgive him, it was doubtful his client would do the same. A sixth string of vulgarities escaped his lips as he jumped back from a violently sparking console. He drooped his head forward, forearms on knees. Maybe I'd be better off just dying out here, instead of letting Gezo get his hands on me. The end result'll be the same, but at least dying a terribly slow death from gradual lack of oxygen will be comparitively merciful. he thought, only half-jokingly. "...eed of assistance?" crackeld suddenly over the partially damaged com. Jack jumped to his feet and quickly and energetically pressed down the com button. "This is Jack Chaplain, pilot of the MS Dreugan, requesting assistance. I dunno who you are, but you sure as hell saved my ass." "We'll commence boarding procedure at once. This is OCBP patrol vessel Peregrine, by the way. You'll have to file a statement upon your retrieval." Shit. he thought, upping the total to seven. Stuck in the middle of nowhere, with clear and obviously battle-inflicted damage. This'll be real easy to explain. "No problem, Peregrine. Come on over." The Dreugan shook gently as the Peregrine lightly grazed it's hull. The sound of de-pressurization prompted Jack to swivel his chair around, which he did just in time to see a young, and very female OCBP officer step through the now-open hatch. He smiled broadly and congenially as he stood and offered his hand. "Jack Chaplain. Pleased to meet you. Especially under the circumstances." He indicated the visible internal damage with a sweeping hand motion. "Looks like you've been in quite the tussel, Mr. Chaplain." She smiled as she grabbed and shook the outstretched hand. "Well, that's quite the story, Miss... er, I don't believe I caught the name?" "Probably because I didn't offer it. Lt. Nanoko will do for now." "All business, eh? I know the type. So anyways, about that tussel." He paused for breath. "I probably don't have to tell you about the somewhat out of control pirate problem we've been having around here lately. So apparently one of these pirates got it into their head that someone flying an MS this nice probably had something even more valuable on board. A reasonable conclusion to draw, I might add." "Go on." said Lt. Nanoko, grinning slightly as she crossed her arms. "So this pirate, some young hotshot, takes a few shots at poor ol' unsuspecting me, but he didn't know who he was messing with. I managed to turn his tail, but the little fight left me a little worse off, as you can see." Jack smiled and outstretched his arms, fully satisfied with his story. "The truth would've been nice, Mr. Chaplain, but since you don't actually have any contraband on board, or so my sensors officer here tells me, I guess I've got no choice but to give you a tow to the nearest outpost." A broad grin spread across Jack's face. "Well then, I'd be mightily obliged. Glad to see the border patrol is doing their job." Nanoko just sighed deeply, turning on her heel and crossing back over to the Peregrine. |