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| OutRunner's Flight |
| Episode Two: Time to Face the Music |
| Dodged that bullet, now it's time to go take another one. thought Jack Chaplain, as he listened to the head mechanic tell him in an overly elaborate way that his MS was good to go. He shook the mechanics hand and said "Thanks" before leaving the waiting lounge and heading to the main hangar, where Dreugan was waiting, newly repared, much to the chagrin of Jack's bank account. After a quick pre-launch run through, Jack blasted out of the hangar and set the autopilot on course to XL5-1578, aka "Smuggler's Refuge", although, given the circumstances, Jack was having a good bit of trouble agreeing with the refuge part. Smuggler's Refuge was also the location of the main base of operations of one Gezo LeMazza, head of the Ocelot crime syndicate, and Jack Chaplain's erstwhile employer. Jack could count the level of Gezo's understanding on no fingers, and with every klick that closed between him and the Refuge, his feeling of general unease grew steadily worse. By the time he was following his landing vector, his stomach was in his throat. Dumped cargo was never, ever a good thing in the smuggling game, but thirty kilos of prime Manosian brandy wasn't just any old dumped cargo. One bottle could essentially run Jack's operations for a full month. As if that wasn't enough, this particular load of Manosian brandy was intended as a "peace offering", more commonly referred to as a bribe, to Chief Tryan Cartlowe of the OCBP. In other words, it was hard to imagine how Jack could possibly have screwed up worse than he already had. Swallowing hard, he followed the light path that marked the way to his docking berth. He also loaded and checked his Walther P22. Though he may have been done for once he got to Gezo's place, he wasn't going to go out without so much whimper. With the Dreugan properly berthed, and the station guard tipped generously enough to guarantee that most of his things would still be around when he got back, Jack hailed a hovercab and prepared himself for the eventuality that today would probably be his last. Oh well, I had a pretty good go of it, I guess. he thought, though believing it was another story. The cab pulled up in front of Gedo's compound, dropping Jack off in front of the large and ominous looking I-field gates. The compound itself was an immense and low-lying series of rectangular buildings, attached and conjoined with a seeming randomness. It fit Gezo LeMazza's mercurious personality perfectly. The gate swung open as Jack submitted to the optical identification, and a jeep with armed guards bounced up the cobblestone road to meet and escort him to the main building. He kept his hand on his gun the entire teeth-jarring ride. They pulled up at the main house, the guards hinting that perhaps Jack should go first with the muzzles of their guns. Obeying the prodding, Jack hopped out of the jeep, and stepped through the giant garage-like door, entering the foyer, which was a stark and high-ceilinged room containing the security clearance equipment and staff. They allowed Jack to take one gun in with him, knowing full well that even if he intended to fire it, given Gezo's paranoia, and therefore level of security, he wouldn't get the chance to. From the foyer he was led through a series of cold, bright metal-walled tunnels, till at last he was led into Gezo's office, through a set of tall oak doors. Gezo himself was seated at his desk, chair facing the window, gazing out with a seemingly absent look in his eyes. Jack decided to at least take the initiative, since little he could do could help him much anyways. "Now look here Gezo, I know you don't like it when your runners dump their goods, but you've got to look at the circumstances before you kill me.." began Jack, in as brave a voice as he could muster. Gezo cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Calm down, Chaplain. All is forgiven." Gezo's dismissal of the event left Jack completely speechless. Gezo turned his chair to face Jack, a smile spreading on his face. "You are surprised, my friend. This is understandable." "That's the understatement of the millenia. I wasn't expecting to be still breathing right now, let alone be in your apparent good graces." Gezo held up one finger. "Ah, but there, you are wrong. I'm afraid there is a catch to my improved temperment." "I figured as much. You're not one to give without taking twice as much." Gezo produced a guttural laugh, which managed to sound surprisingly threatenting. "You are a clever one. That is why I need you, Chaplain. This is a delicate situation, and it requires a certain touch that most of your colleagues don't possess." "Go on. I'm listening." "Like I've already said, it is a very complicated affair. You need only know the very essential details to be of use to me." Gezo threw a dossier across the desk. "This is the job. All you need to know is in there. And remember, you can't afford to mess this one up, Chaplain." Jack picked up the folder. I know I can't Gezo, I know more than you can imagine. |