Running (closed)

[LoyaliaStar]

Gemma entered the smokey bar. With it's loud music and rough and tumble crowd, it seemed like she was walking into her own impeding doom. The crowd paid no mind to her as she found a seat near the back of the bar where a waitress quickly come to her side, asking her what she wanted to drink.

"Water." Gemma replied, not bothering to look at the waitress.

"Just water? Hmph..you better buy someone better than water and soon if you want to stay in here." The waitress said as she sauntered off.

Of course, Gemma could have said something back, but that wasn't like her. She paid no mind to the waitress and keep her eyes darting around the bar. Looking for the pilot who told her to meet her here. He was someone she had found who was willing to accept her price for her taking to her off world. It didn't matter where she got off, just as long as she wasn't on this planet anymore.

 

[a_libertine]

Kama entered the old bar shortly after the time the appointment was set for. Dressed in a leather jacket from a real bovine from Krypte VI, it was flashy and functional. The jacket was lined with thin ceramic plates that served to both absorb heat from laser guns, and provide armor against projectile weapons. Strapped to his right hip was a laser pistol, and on his left hip a monofilament sword, for more personal combat.

The smoke lingered in the air, and swirled as people walked. His eyes swept the room until he found his contact, presumably 'Gemma' in the corner. Heading that way he nodded to the one or two people he had a passing acquaintance with.

He slid into the booth next to Gemma and looked her over. The main impression he had was 'cute'. His eyes swept the bar room and he saw his first mate, and entirety of his crew walk into the bar. The two exchanged a look indicating all was clear.

"So, Gemma?" he asked. As she nodded, he continued, "We are ready for take off when you make the first half of the payment. The other half is due when we arrive at Notka."

 

[LoyaliaStar]

Even with all the noise and hustle in the bar, Gemma was startled with the sudden arrival of the pilot she was set to meet.

She was sure that she was keeping an eye out for someone, anyone who resembled the pilot. But his being able to walk up to her unnoticed told her that her mind was elsewhere all the while.

Watching the taller man take a seat across from her, she nervously wrung her hands together, only to nod at his words. He wanted payment. Yeah, sounded like he was the right guy. In greeting, all she could muster was a small, almost inaudible voice, "Captain Kama."

Reaching into her jacket, the pocket inside, she pulled out a key card and slid it across the table to the man, "It's there. Protected encryption I will unlock once we're off world." She had to raise her voice from her usual quiet tone, hoping the quivering of her voice didn't give her away as being nervous. She stood up and straightened up to full height of five feet and one inch, her long dark hair rested in a side braid, which was covered with a hood. "I'm ready when you are Captain."

 

[a_libertine]

Kama nodded, pocketed the key card, then said, "Let's go." He stood up and headed toward the door, only pausing long enough for Gemma to catch up. They headed toward the door and went out to the bright star lit day.

The sky was not blue exactly, rather it was the darkest burnt umber, almost black. There was little enough water on New Pluto. There was little indigenous life, but that life that had been brought on the backs of starships and people, and the sorted other races, thrived here. What water there was was underground in various caves.

His crew member Gerry Ryante followed a minute behind them watching over them. There were few sentients paying them much if any attention. So few that Kama's neck began to itch.

Like something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Yet as they walked toward the starport, Kama's agitation grew. When they caught sight of the starport, Kama stopped and grabbed Gemma's arm. "Just how powerful is the person you are running from?"

 

[LoyaliaStar]

Gemma struggled to keep up with Captain Kama's long strides. She didn't notice the way he kept looking around and realizing that something was wrong.

Biting her lower lip, Gemma also looked around as she walked, but didn't see out of the ordinary.

They were almost to the starport when she was finally questioned about her situation.

Could she lie?

No.

She just hoped that the captain would ask about why she was running.

"Well.." she stammered and looked down, "The Tasian Syndicate.." she muttered and looked up at him finally. "Please, say you'll still let me go with you! I have the funds! I can get more if you want! I can't let them get to me! Please?!"

 

[a_libertine]

Kama groaned out s long slow "Fuck me." The Tasian syndicate was not a group to mess around with. The only reason they did not have a stranglehold on the sector was because they were more ruthless than patient when dealing with others. If a death cost them some credits they didn't care as long as the point made was worth it.

There was never a point not worth it.

"Well I guess it is time to check out another sector." He grabbed her arm just above the elbow and vociferously hissed, "You will run for that starship, you will not stop and you will not look back. Zig and zag your way across the space yard. I will do what I can to provide cover fire for you."

Kama pointed her at his ship then swatted her ass firmly, yelling, "Go. NOW! "

 

[LoyaliaStar]

What choice did Gemma have? She paid the man to help her off the planet and paid him good.

As she heard him yell at her, Gemma ran, doing as he said, zigzagging and that's when she heard commotion behind her but she didn't dare look back.

By the time Gemma made it to the ship, she was out of breath. Why did it seem like lately all she was running for her life? The yelling and firing of weapons made her duck for cover as she entered the ship, and then she screamed when a shot passed right by her, exploding over the door, sending sparks raining down on her! It was then she felt someone grab her and yank her up and into the ship!

 

[a_libertine]

Kama began zig zagging in a conflicting pattern of what Gemma was running. He had his laser pistol out trying to get the memory of her ass out of his hand, and his mind. When the first shot from a laser bit into the asphalt of the star port in front of him, Kama had no problem focusing on the situation at hand.

He returned fire, almost blindly. Mostly trying to discourage who ever was shooting at him and Gemma from making an appearance. He watched her as frequently as he could afford until she made the ramp of the Hornet, his ship.

His feet finally hit the ramp and he punched the button bringing the ramp up on his way in. He stopped as he heard a familiar voice his out, "Far enough Kama, or I will kill her."

Spinning around Kama looked and saw Gerry holding Gemma by the throat. In his right hand he held a powder powered pistol to her temple, his finger lightly resting on the trigger. "What the fuck, Gerry," Kama said.

"I got a better offer," Gerry said. "The Syndicate is paying a healthy price for Gemma, dead or alive, and it exceeds what she is paying you, and therefore greatly exceeds what you pay me. I can almost buy my own ship with that kind of money."

Kama shook his head. "You are an idiot if you think you can run your own ship. You lack the necessary drive. Put the gun away and let's go."

Gerry said, "No, back away and I will take her off the ship and you are free to go."

Kama looked at Gerry a moment then Gemma. "Fine, take her and go." As she tensed up, Gerry relaxed. As Gerry did relax, Kama uttered a word in Utanian, and shortly there after was a quiet sharp sound. Gerry gasped as his eyes flew wide open then crumpled to the floor.

Kama looked at Gerry's body, then said, "Get in the co-pilot's seat, I will explain later."

Kama activated the power plant to the Hornet, and began prelaunch checks, skipping all of the non essential steps. He jumped into his seat and fired the thrusters, and the Hornet shot up into the air. "Hold on, we are off."