The captain was sitting in a very musty, smoke-filled room, resembling an old tavern. Around him were a couple dozen other people; most were dirty and shabbily dressed. The place stank of the same poor quality ale that the captain was drinking out of a flagon. Captain Freeman didn't mind though; he drank with a smile on his face and eagerly watched the goings on in the tavern. He was dressed in garb from a time over twelve centuries ago from his comfortable 24th century, the garb of a swordsman for hire. At his belt was a blade made with elements that his twelfth century counterparts had no doubt never seen before.
Throughout the tavern, there was laughter, some dancing, and loud conversation. The captain moved up to the bar and requested another flagon of ale. He paid with old currency that the computer had been kind enough to manufacture for him in this holodeck fantasy of his. Getting to command a ship like the Bristol was almost too good to be true for Captain Freeman; even as a child he had wished for a different time, a different life. He had dreamed of this era, or rather that painted by writers. The real twelfth century Earth lacked the same appeal. Though he was comfortable and happy with his current life, he looked forward to the ability to indulge his childhood dreams.
As he thought to himself, his gaze shifted over to a table in the far left corner. Two men were arguing there, and soon their voices began to drown out the rest of the noise in the tavern. As their shouting grew, the remainder of the revelry subsided. One was a burly man with wavy blonde hair and very muscled, the other, a man with black hair and a dark brown cloak of average build. They were apparently arguing over a card game.
As the captain looked on, the large man was shouting, "You cheated!" and making aggressive moves towards the smaller of the two. The smaller man was trying to get away, but there were too many people. All the while he vehemently denied cheating. A violent struggle ensued, cups were spilled, and the two fighters knocked each other to the floor and began wrestling on the ground. The crowd around them closed in and cheered them on, many choosing to place bets on the winner.
The captain frowned and decided to intervene and attempt to break up the fight. However, as he took one step forward, he felt the prick of the tip of a dagger against his side, and a hand roughly grasp his arm. "Leave them be Siroc," the voice said, addressing the captain. "You have someone that requires your presence. Walk with me." The captain flinched, and the hand around his arm tightened, "Don't bother with your sword Siroc," the voice told the captain, "I already unfastened your weapons belt. You should pay better attention to your surroundings instead of getting your licks from a bunch of idiots in a bar fight. Come along now." The hand on the captain's arm guided him out the door and into the night.
The Holodeck's safeguards would've prevented the captain from any real threat to his life, but the captain decided to play along with this mysterious stranger. Besides the voice was somewhat familiar to him and that gave him some reassurances.
The captain was soon led to a small house, where the pair gained entrance and the captain was given a seat by a small fire going in the building's only fireplace.
"Sorry about the rough greeting Siroc," said a portly fellow walking into the room, bringing two cups. He gave one to the captain and the other he drank from, "I needed to speak with you."
The captain held the cup that he was given without drinking from it. "Who are you?" he asked his apparent host.
"I am Calon, a simple merchant with a simple job to offer you, mercenary, and enough gold to make it worthwhile for you to take my offer," the portly man responded. He then looked at the figure that had brought the captain, "Wait outside." The figure nodded, and in the firelight, the captain saw the figure's face. The eyes of his first officer stared back at him from inside the hood of her cloak. She smiled at him briefly, then did as she was asked, closing the door behind her.
The captain stared after Yilaan briefly, then turned his attention back to the portly merchant. "Well, let's hear it," Siroc said as he continued to hold the cup out before him, daring not to take a draught from it.
"It's pretty simple really," the merchant started to say, noticing the untouched cup in the captain's hand. "Siroc, trust me, it is not poison. If I had wanted you dead, I would've had that lovely lass slit your throat instead of escorting you here. Besides, poison is too expensive." The captain sighed and took a drink; it was a decent quality wine.
The merchant drank from his own cup before continuing to describe the mission. "I recently bought a small fort about ten miles outside town. It was to be my sanctuary; a place to get away from the chaos and noise of the city. I was planning to retire there."
"Sounds nice Calon," the captain responded. "So what's the problem?"
"The problem is, Siroc, that the place is infested with an evil most strong and most deadly. I dare not approach my own new home in fear of my life."
"Let me guess; you want someone to take care of this 'evil'?"
"You are correct Siroc. I've heard that you're at least three men with that sword you have, and the skills God's given you to use it," the merchant said.
"Are you planning to pay me like three men, or are you hoping that I'll do their job for but the pay of one?" the captain said with a sly grin.
The merchant coughed, "I will pay you handsomely. I have also heard tell that there is a decent enough booty to be had within the tower. If you clear it, and show me that it is safe, you can keep whatever of value you find within."
"As soon as you define 'handsomely' you might have yourself a deal. I don't want to go alone however; I have a couple friends that might want to tag along. Pay us all handsomely, and you'll have yourself one sparkling clean tower," said the captain, putting his cup of wine down and folding his arms.
"I will give the three of you thirty gold talons, plus the treasure in the tower. I insist that one of my retinue accompany you however," the merchant clapped his hands and Yilaan reentered the room. "Siroc," the merchant said to the captain, "I think you've already met Lyssa." Yilaan pulled the hood back on her cloak and nodded. "I've found she's very good to have along when I need to get things done," the merchant said, standing up and motioning Siroc towards the door.
"As have I," the captain said under his breath. In a normal voice he then addressed Calon the merchant as he moved towards the door, "When do you want us to leave?"
"As soon as possible," the merchant replied. "How's first light tomorrow?"
Yilaan and Freeman both nodded, and the merchant said happily, "Very well then, a good night's rest then, and good hunting!"
The two Bristol officers left together and merchant closed the door after him. "I didn't know you were in to this sort of thing," the captain said, addressing Yilaan.
"I'm into any sort of thing that stamps out the enemies of my employer and puts a pouch of coins in my hand," Yilaan replied, still in character as Lyssa.
The captain made a face, "I meant medieval fiction. I must confess I didn't expect you to take my casual invitation to join me here."
Yilaan smiled, "Actually I'm quite interested in many works of literature from your planet, and have been for awhile."
"Wonderful! Well this should prove to be quite a profitable expedition for both of us Yil....er I mean Lyssa," the captain replied.
At that moment the intercom interrupted their adventure, "Captain, this is Lt. Ivanovna on the Bridge. Sorry to interrupt you Captain, but we're getting a very peculiar signal; please come to the Bridge."
"It appears our expedition will wait," the captain said to Yilaan. "Acknowledged Lt., we're on our way," Captain Freeman continued over the intercom. "Computer," the captain continued, addressing the ship's computer, "save program and exit." The holodeck program vanished and a door to the ship opened. The captain nodded at Yilaan and the two of them left the Holodeck and proceeded towards the Bridge.
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