In the Neighborhood

Posted on Fri Jun 30th, 2017 @ 6:44pm by

Mission: Down on the Upside
Location: The Rock

It had been a quiet morning in the Ops Center. Conversations had run the gambit. Women, gambling, drinking, sports, jokes.... Until the alert light began to flash on the tactical console and a blip showed on the small sensor screen.

“We have incoming,” announced the ensign manning the station. “They just passed the first security beacon. Looks to be a civilian craft. No available registry.”

Knowing that they wouldn't be able to make contact until the craft passed the second beacon, the OD said, “keep an eye on it. It may just be passing by the beacon.”

“Roger that,” the ensign said and moved the center of the screen as the craft moved so that it would stay in sight.

Sitting in the cockpit of the Arnev, Michael Braylin said, “are you sure nothing happened between you and that green haired beauty you were pawing over back on Devu I?”

Zaen shook his head. “You're not going to leave it alone are you,” he said, more as a statement than a question. “You're like a Pecari with a bone.”

“I just worry about you, big guy,” Michael said. “Those girls are known for hunting for sperm donors then saddling said donor with a family whether he wants it or not.”

Zaen frowned. “Do you think I don't know that?” he said. “In case you have forgotten...I have been here longer than you.”

“I know,” Michael said with a chuckle. “But sometimes you think with your middle leg and not your brain. I just don't want to lose my best friend and the best partner I have ever had.”

“Best friend my ass,” Zaen laughed. “I'm your only friend.”

“Not true,” Michael said, acting insulted. “There's that guy on Mylerxra. He seemed to like me.”

“Of course he liked you,” Zaen said, still laughing. “You brought him two cases of Dicuder and only charged him for one. That cost us.”

“I keep telling you....what we lost in profits we gained in the rarest wine in the quadrant,” Michael retorted. “And that paid for our repairs after running into those Krenim bounty hunters.”

A light blinked on Zaen's panel. “We're approaching the second beacon,” he announced.

Michael opened a channel to the base. “Hello Anchorage. This is Captain Braylin. You friendly relocation specialist. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by and say howdy to my Starfleet buds and maybe visit a couple of your colorful drinking establishments. So how is everything on the Rock?” he said, cheerfully.

The lieutenant operating the comm station frowned and looked at the OD. “Do we know this clown?” he asked.

The OD smirked and shook his head. “Yeah. The Arnev. He's a local pirate,” he answered.

“A pirate?” The lieutenant asked. “Then why is out there and not under arrest?”

“Because he and the XO have an agreement,” the OD replied. “We don't arrest him and he provides us with intel and resource connections.” With a wave he added, “give him clearance. Put him on landing pad 4 and alert CDR Knight. Better alert security while you're at it just in case.”

OK, Commander,” the lieutenant said, dubiously. “Arnev....you have permission to dock. Please use landing pad 4.”

Michael smiled. “Many thanks, Anchorage,” he said and steered his ship to the assigned landing pad. Setting the Arnev down, smoothly, he and Zaen waited for the atmospheric bubble to close in around the pad then left the Arnev, securing it. “I'm going to go find Knight. I'll meet you at that little tavern on the south side of the Promenade,” he said when the tram that traveled through the boarding tube came to a stop. They dismounted the tram and he headed off to the right then stopped and looked back. “And try and stay out of trouble until I get there. I don't want you to have all the fun.”

Zaen gave him a thumbs up, turned and headed down the corridor in the opposite direction. Over his shoulder he flipped Braylin off which gave the pirate a chuckle as he headed on his way.