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| OutRunner's Flight |
| Episode Four: Lucky Coincidence |
| It wasn't enough that I have to work with a smuggler, but I have to meet them here, of all places? The place in question was Smuggler's Refuge, not a place an OCBP agent would normally feel very comfortable. The place reeked of human pain and suffering, and the entire colony seemed to be covered in a layer of grime. Mira stuck out like a sore thumb, despite her attempts to disguise herself in accordance with her environment. She could feel the stares of the patrons of the bar, some ogling her with lustful adoration, others glaring with seemingly murderous intent. She glanced down at her watch for about the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes, muttering something about the puntuality of smuggler scum. She stood up, exasperated with waiting, and nearly jumped out of her skin when a hand rested itself on her shoulder. "Goin somewhere, honey?" said a not entirely unpleasant from behind her. She turned quickly to find a strangely familiar face smiling congenially at her. "As a matter of fact, I'm waiting for someone. Someone big and extremely cabable of beating the crap out of you." she replied after taking a second to compose herself. The familiar stranger, laughed, genuinely amused. "I guess that's a pretty good description of me." He held out his hand. "Jack Chaplain, at your service. But if I'm not mistaken, you already know that..." The name clicked in Mira's head, and suddenly she knew why he looked so familiar. "You're that smuggler from the other day..." "You got it babe. Except for that smuggler part. Couldn't prove it, remember?" Jack grinned satifiedly. "Psychic. You may be able to dodge the law, but you can't convince me." For the first time, Mira noticed there was another man with Jack, one who looked like he'd seen his fair share of bar room brawls, and come out on top of most of them. Jack noticed her glance at his friend. "Oh right, this is Dyle. He'll be with us on this mission. I always use him when the situation allows. Comes in handy in a fight, not to mention being one of the best damn hackers this side of L3." "Hi." said Dyle, uncrossing his arms to give a small wave. "He's also not a big talker." added Jack. "Well, as delighted as I am to meet your friend here, I'm really itching to get out of this hell hole and get this mission underway. The sooner we get started, the sooner it's over with." "I'd be glad to obliged, but it's a rule of mine that I never go anywhere with a gal who's first name I don't even know." replied Jack innocently. Mira rolled her eyes. "Mira. Mira Nanoko. Now let's go." "After, you, Mira." The trio headed off towards the colony's main spaceport, where Mira's suit was waiting aboard the light cruiser Meerkat, the ship provided by the OCBP to transport their suits and add credence to their cover story of being outer colony smugglers. "We'll get your suit loaded up and then we'll get underway. Our cover, as you should know, is as veteran border smugglers, a role you should have no problem adapting yourself to." said Mira as they passed through customs. "That's why they wanted me to tag along, isn't it? For my expertise in the field?" "Well, that's the only reason I can possibly think off that would justify this kind of debasement." "Hey, hey, c'mon. I have feelings too, you know." mocked Jack in a hurt tone. Thankfully, they arrived at the Meerkat to find the Dreugan already loaded and ready to go. The Meerkat itself was a fairly grand achievement for the OCBP engineering department. The goal was to create the illusion of years of wear and tear, but have the ship in pristine running order, capable of much more than her pitted surface and rusted bulkheads would indicate. "Certainly looks authentic enough. You guys did a good job over there. Sensor-proof armour, I assume?" asked Jack. "Of course. What do you think we are, amateurs?" snapped Mira. "Jeez, you're really gonna hafta calm down if we're gonna be able to live together side by side for all this time. At least you and Dyle should get along alright. He's a regular gentleman." "Excuse Jack, Miss Nanoko. He's not used to the company of women." said Dyle with a wry grin. "I'll try to keep that in mind." replied Mira, returning Dyle's smile. "Alright, alright, there'll be plenty of time for you two to flirt later. Let's get this thing running, and Miss Nanoko here can fill us in on our next destination." Jack and Dyle watched as Mira mounted the gangplank and dissapeared into the ship. "She's got a pretty nice ass for a cop." said Jack once she was out of sight. Dyle just smiled knowingly and nodded. "What's that look for? Don't pretend like you know something, cause you're wrong. You know that, right? Right, Dyle?" |