CHAPTER 1
Second Officer Kai Lei Hao
Ling Standard Products cargo liner Isle of Arran in transit FTL from Isda Kaille to the Mariposa system
The soft chiming of the alarm ends her sleep. Second Officer Kai Lei Hao looks bleary eyed at the chronometer on the cabin desk. 2336. Why can't I get a better watch rotation?
She rolls out of her bunk and starts getting ready for watch. Kai checks her hair and face in the mirror above the cabin wash basin. I need to get this uniform pressed, it looks horrible…
Relieving the watch she sits on the ship's bridge, now Officer of the Deck. It is her and the two bridge crewmen for the next… Oh god, two and a half more hours… It is now 0136.
With the ship FTL (Faster-Than-Light) there is little to do but sit there. Kai's mind wanders. I need another kava… It is 0205.
Two more days of this and we make the Mariposa system. I wish Yuri was still aboard. This is really getting old. It is 0221.
Well, we'll be back at Baakh in about twelve weeks. It'll be good to get home. I bet Yuri will be there. He's going to rub his promotion in my face, I know he will.
The Captain said I'll be acting First Officer by then, but I'm just tired of the routine. I know, I'll get daddy and papa to give me an office position, maybe Section Chief or a Second VP slot…
No, I can't do that. I promised myself I'd earn it. This is so boring… It is 0239.
Varakanomu in the Mariposa system.
"Second Officer Hao reporting Captain" Kai says crisply as she enters the Captain's day cabin giving him an upturned hand salute.
"Have a seat Kai. You know, you don't have to be so formal." Captain Sugin pushes a smart sheet towards her. "Raminchet Wu, the CEO here, wants you in his office tomorrow morning."
"What's this about?" Her brow furrows as she reads the sheet.
"A promotion I suspect. Come on Kai, with your family's name and connections it has to be. They promoted Yuri, it's your turn now.
Kai shifts around on her chair.
"You earned it Kai. You're a good deck officer and an excellent businesswoman. While I'd rather not lose you, you and I both know you were meant for greater things with Ling than command of a cargo ship."
Thank you Captain." Kai gets up to leave. I'll have to get a uniform pressed…
"Let me know what Wu decides. Oh, Kai, lighten up. It's okay that you're a Hao, no one aboard holds that against you."
Kai blushes. "I'll try sir."
Kai arrives at Ling's corporate offices. Dressed in her best uniform she sits nervously in the anteroom waiting to be called in. A secretary works quietly at her desk.
"It looks like we have a winner with Kai Lei Hao" Vice President Wu says.
"Yes sir, she seems like a perfect candidate for this assuming she accepts the offer" one of the executives replies as he looks through her personnel file.
"She's going to accept. I arranged that through her family. As you know, her father and grandfather are both highly placed with the company. They'll make sure their daughter takes this assignment."
"Very good sir. I'll accompany her to the yards for the ship selection once the arrangements are made" another executive replies.
"Good. Make sure the ship she picks has no real value to the company."
"How much is this young lady going to be told about the assignment?" the administrative executive asks.
"Just what she needs to know to carry it out" Vice President Wu replies. "Let's bring her in."
The intercom on the secretary's desk comes to life. "Vice President Wu will see you now." She gets up, opening the office door.
Kai is ushered into the Vice President's large and elaborately decorated office suite on the top floor of a high rise building. It is more than a little intimidating.
"Ah, Second Officer Kai Hao" says Vice President Wu. He smiles, rising from his chair behind a huge polished desk. "I'm Vice President Wu in charge of Ling Corporation's activities here on Varakanomu."
Kai stiffens to attention. "Second Officer Kai Hao reporting as ordered sir." She gives him an upturned hand salute.
"You came highly recommended as just the person we can entrust a special and confidential executive assignment to. You should be proud you were selected for this Miss Hao. It could mean very rapid advancement if you're successful."
Kai feels a shiver run up inside her.
"What you'll be doing is captaining a star ship to the Grand Duchy of Stoner. The Grand Duke and his inner circle are reluctant to open trade with us and other companies we deal closely with. Ling wants you to go to the Duchy and arrange a meeting with their business executives to open a speculative trade route into the Duchy so we can begin regular business with them.
I'm promoting you to Post Captain and you'll be assigned a small executive trade ship. You'll have to hire your own crew to man it. A line of credit will be extended to you to meet routine expenses. Your grandfather, Sir Jiayi, is backing this expedition."
A chill runs up Kai's spine. She tries hard to conceal her reaction.
"The whole operation shouldn't take more than six months or so to complete" Wu says.
Kai stiffens to attention and salutes. "Yes sir, you can count on me."
"The necessary details are on this pad." Wu hands her a perscomm. "Mr. Kalluri from the admin division will accompany you to our shipyard to assist in selecting a vessel for your use."
At the shipyard Kai picks out a repossessed fifteen year old out-of-service Empress Marava class far trader named Daichi Kaisu. They, with a superintendent and ship's architect, make a list of modifications and repairs to be carried out before Kai takes command.
Done, Kai heads back to her old ship to let Captain Sugin know she is moving to a new assignment. He hurriedly arranges a farewell for her and gives Kai a pistol as a gift. "Every captain needs one."
Studying the details of her assignment she sees she has the authority to offer Imperial commissions to crew that meet the qualifications. The instructions say she should not use any LSP or Miracru Tradecorp personnel.
After reviewing the operations of a small trade ship, Kai determines she will need a crew of two, at least initially. Over the next couple of weeks Kai looks for the crew she needs. She wants an all-around First Officer who can act as steward, purser, and medic, and a good engineer to keep things working. She finds her engineer first.
Kyllikki Leppällä (Ki-lick-E Lepp-pail-lay) is the engineer on another far trader. She is broke and the ship she is on is very old and in poor shape. Kyllikki is wearing shabby dark green coveralls, heavy, well worn, work boots, and looks a lot like a beggar. She has self-cropped brown hair and a slight build.
Kyllikki begs Kai to give her a tour of the Daichi Kaisu.
"Shiny! This is so kopa! It's incredible! Look, those are brand new Weidelstein Seven-A Stellarators. I've never seen a real one, just pictures. This is so kopa!" Kyllikki gushes over the ship's systems pointing out details to Kai.
Kai is impressed with her enthusiasm as well as her apparent expert knowledge. She also likes the idea of having another female officer aboard.
"Okay Miss Leppällä, I'm willing to give you a chance here. You'll get an Imperial commission as Engineer on my ship on the condition that you sign a binding contract. You'll receive pay and you get to work on your what'll-you-call-its, but you have to keep things in good running condition as part of that contract. Are we in agreement?"
"You can call me Ikki (E-Key) Captain, everybody does." Ikki smiles from ear to ear and is nearly jumping up and down. "Can I get my stuff and move aboard now?"
Kai looks dubiously at her. "The ship is undergoing repairs. I don't think you can live aboard at the moment."
"That's okay Captain. It's a big improvement on my quarters now."
"Alright, but only if the yard superintendent okays it."
"Shiny!" Ikki shakes with excitement. "You won't regret it Captain. I'll keep your ship running great!" She runs off to get her things.
Later Kai sees Ikki moving across the shipyard struggling to push a huge tool chest on wheels and pulling a small wagon full of clothes and personal items. Kai shakes her head. I hope this wasn't a mistake…
A few days later Kai is at an up-scale pub frequented by ship's officers and other more well-to-do mid-level executives and merchants where she engages a nicely dressed young woman named Itzanahohk'u (ET san AN ha wa -tongue click- kou) who is the assistant physician on a liner belonging to the Mische Conglomerate.
Itzanahohk'u's latte mocha complexion, dark eyes, and hair give her a foreign and exotic look. She is wearing glasses, something Kai rarely sees.
"I'm a citizen of the Mische Conglomerate not the Imperium" she says.
"Wow, your name is a mouthful."
"Yes, many people have difficulty with our names and language. You can call me Zan, most people do." Zan's smile is infectious.
They chat over lunch.
"I'm about at the end of my contract" Zan says. "While I really want to stay on a Mische ship I'm not likely to get a promotion if I do. You have to know people to go much higher than I am."
Kai can see her disappointment. "I know I'm captaining a far trader, but I am well connected. I can offer you an Imperial merchant commission as Second Officer and Medical Officer if you want it. You'd really be acting First Officer but I can't offer that to you as an official commission. I think your Mische commission will cross over to an Imperial merchant certificate as Second Officer though, and from what you've told me you're a fully qualified doctor."
The vid screens in the pub switch to a news feed. An announcement about the assassination of the Duke of Ley comes on.
Kai's attention is drawn to it because both her father and grandfather know him and within the Ley sector he is the real political power. I'll have to ask dad about this…
Zan agrees to stop by Kai's office and look at the ship the next day. If everything Kai is telling her is correct she says she will sign on.
On Fiday 111-1114, Kai Lei Hao captaining the Daichi Kaisu stands out, departing Varakanomu underway for the Niish system. In the two weeks getting there the ship has the usual minor problems coming out of the yards for repairs. Ikki is kept busy fixing leaking valves, pumps, and other minor things.
Her efforts impress Kai. "Ikki, I had some reservations about you, but you've proven to be a veritable godsend. The ship has run flawlessly and you've fixed every problem we've had. I don't think we'd have gotten here without you."
That night Ikki goes to bed all smiles feeling better than she has since leaving home nearly ten years ago.
The first few port calls go smoothly. Zan, like Ikki, proves excellent as First Officer and capable of getting cargo and passengers much to Kai's delight. At stops at Galik and Broad-C they have a full manifest and no problems operating at a profit.
On 177-1114, the Daichi Kaisu reaches Berdane. Kai spends six days arranging fuel, passengers, and cargo with Zan's help. Passengers and cargo for Spirit of Orlain, their next stop, are scarce.
A curmudgeonly professor from one of the Imperial universities along with an odd assortment of half-a-dozen of his students are the only people wanting to go there. Cargo is limited to their equipment and supplies.
After a week in transit the Daichi Kaisu drops out of Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel at the event horizon nine million kilometers from Orlain 7GG. This is an unnamed outlying gas giant. Kai heads the ship towards the planet to refuel. The trip will take about eighteen hours.
Inbound, Zan engages the passengers in a discussion of the Orlain system. "Professor Samurez as I understand it there was a civilization of Ancients here about 360,000 years ago."
The Professor lights up. "Yes, that's correct. It is estimated that from about 330,000 to 365,000 years ago the Ancients occupied most of the planets in this system. Of course, that long ago the dwarf star here today was a main sequence K type star, possibly even a G, while the main sequence type M was a bit more energetic being estimated as an M four or five rather than the M zero that we see today.
With the death of the main star most of the planets became uninhabitable and had their liquid oceans boil off…" Professor Samurez picks up the flow, enthused to have an audience to regale with his knowledge.
Zan serves lunch.
As the Daichi Kaisu closes to one million kilometers from Orlain 7GG Kai picks up a contact on the ship's sensors. In the next few minutes it becomes apparent that it is moving on a collision course towards them.
She tries raise the contact. "Unknown contact bearing two nine oh by eight five relative, this is LSP 25147 Daichi Kaisu KKQM out of Berdane inbound to Seven GG Orlain. Please respond…"
Kai alters course to avoid a collision and continues towards the gas giant.
"Unknown contact bearing two nine oh by eight five relative, this is LSP 25147 Daichi Kaisu KKQM…"
The range continues to fall and the contact alters its course to match Kai's. It is apparent that whoever it is wants to come into close contact with her ship. A government vessel or legal merchant would have answered. They are within range of her transmissions and the equipment is working right.
Kai comes to the realization it must be a pirate ship. She has heard stories about pirates but never encountered any in her time on large Ling Merchant ships. Fear starts to rise inside her.
She gets on the ship's intercom. "Would the First Officer and ship's Engineer please report to the bridge."
Zan and Ikki acknowledge.
"Captain, the fuel processors are giving me problems. I need to get back there if we're going to refuel" Ikki says as she enters the bridge.
"This'll only take a moment Ikki."
Zan enters right after Ikki. "What's going on Captain?"
Kai's face is a giveaway that something is seriously wrong. "I have a contact at about six hundred thousand kilometers and closing with us. I think it's a pirate ship."
Several beams cut across the Daichi Kaisu's path and the comm system comes to life. "Daichi Kaisu, stop your engines and surrender."
Ikki looks terrified.
Zan looks at Kai. "If we get boarded we're all going to die. They'll take the ship and space us. Captain, can we stay ahead of them until we reach the gas giant?"
"Maybe…" Kai turns and runs some calculations on the flight systems in front of her. "I think so. If we put more power into the maneuver drives and come in on a spiral instead of straight in we can maintain our current distance from them and reach the gas giant."
The comm system rumbles. "Daichi Kaisu, stop your engines or we'll destroy you."
"No, they won't do that" Zan says. "They want us intact. We're worthless to them if they destroy us. If we can get into the atmosphere we might be able to evade them. One of my previous ships did that with pirates."
"I agree, we can't let them board. Ikki, get back to the engine room and make sure nothing goes down. Make absolutely sure we can refuel once we're in the planet's atmosphere."
"Aye Captain. You can count on me. The ship won't let you down. I know she won't!"
"Zan, let the passengers know what's happening. I pray we make the planet."
The beam fire continues, but it is apparent Zan is right. The comm calls get more aggressive.
Kai puts out a distress call. "This is LSP 25147 Daichi Kaisu KKQM. PPPP we are under attack by pirates. We need assistance. Any ship within communication range please respond."
The ship shakes violently as it begins to enter the outer atmosphere of the gas giant. Kai begins to brake its advance to prevent it breaking or burning up on entry. The pirate ship follows them into the atmosphere as Kai dives her ship deeper into the planet's thick gas clouds.
The beam fire becomes erratic. Extreme winds buffet the ship and flashes of lighting can be seen from the bridge. Kai pushes deeper into the atmosphere. The sensor holo-displays and readouts become a mass of confused static from the massive electrical charges in the atmosphere outside the ship.
At a depth of nearly one hundred kilometers into the atmosphere, with the ship making creaking and groaning noises, Kai brings the Daichi Kaisu to slow ahead and levels off.
Kai exhales. She calls back to Ikki on the intercom. "Ikki. You can begin refueling now."
"Give me a couple Captain and I'll let you know when I've started." Ikki goes to the fuel processors, opens the scoops and, begins to refuel the ship. Taking on nearly 700,000 liters of hydrogen along with making more LOX and compressed nitrogen, Ikki has her work cut out for her.
Outside the ship the atmospheric pressure is nearly 775 kilopascals and the ship, the crew and passengers, and equipment are feeling the strain.
Ikki calls the bridge. "Captain, can we move higher where the atmospheric pressure is lower? The fuel processors aren't working good at this pressure."
"I don't want to chance that Ikki. If we move higher there's a good chance they'll pick us up on their sensors."
"Captain, there's also a problem with particulates. Dust in the atmosphere keeps clogging the processors. Charged particles from the lighting isn't helping. It's going to take forever to refuel at this rate."
"How long do you estimate it will take to refuel where we're at?"
"I'd guess about thirty to forty hours. Ahhh! Come on you piece of junk. Stop clogging up every two minutes! I'll call you back Captain, I have to dump the filters again."
Kai relents and moves the ship higher.
Zan is having to deal with the professor in the passenger section.
"Stewardess! It's my understanding that we might not be landing on Orlain now. Is this true?"
"Yes Professor, I'm afraid it is. An armed pirate ship is trying to take us and the Captain feels it's best we refuel and get out of the system as quickly as possible."
"My students and I need to land on Orlain and begin our research."
"I'll check with the Captain and let you know. We do have a problem with a pirate ship at the moment."
"You can't be serious! Maybe I should speak to the Captain directly. I have my reputation riding on this expedition."
"What's unacceptable?" Kai steps off the elevator into the passenger section.
"So, what is our situation here Captain, if I may ask?" says one of the professor's students.
"We're safe for the moment in the atmosphere of a gas giant. My engineer is refueling the ship. That'll take another ten to twelve hours. At that time I'm going to try and maneuver back to the FTL event horizon and we'll continue to Burukanß."
"I have no means of dealing with a pirate ship and I doubt any of you wish to be killed or taken hostage. In the meantime try and relax. I'm sure Zan has something from the galley or bar that could help with that."
"What?" Professor Samurez shouts. "You don't intend to land us on Orlain? That is totally unacceptable!"
Kai glares at him. "Are you seriously suggesting that I risk this ship and the lives of everyone aboard so you can engage in your little hobby? I'll do no such thing! We're going to Burukanß where Ling has offices and security forces and I'll do my very best to avoid the pirate ship that is trying to take us. If you want to file a complaint with Ling Corporation on Burukanß over this, go right ahead. But, I will not risk this ship, or the people aboard for you."
"We'll be done fueling in about twelve hours. When we are we are going to Burukanß. I'll do my best to protect all of you. Are there any questions?"
The passengers shake their heads.
"Thank you Captain. I think I speak for everyone… well, almost everyone…" the student glares at the professor, "…that we have full confidence in your ability to get us to Burukanß."
With refueling complete Kai starts the long climb out of the gas giant's gravity well towards the FTL event horizon. As the Daichi Kaisu rises in the gas giant's atmosphere it is struck several times by lighting. The ship's systems flicker and several breakers trip but the ship holds together and emerges into space.
Accelerating away from the gas giant Kai finds that luck is on her side. The pirate ship moved to an orbit that allowed it good coverage of the planet's surface but this has placed it too far away to immediately intercept.
They detect the Daichi Kaisu as it breaks out of the atmosphere. Kai can see that they are not slow to begin pursuit. As the Daichi Kaisu gets further out into space a second ship is detected on the sensors.
"Ugh, they're nothing if not persistent. Now there's two of them."
The closer ship opens beam fire. Both pirates slowly close with the Daichi Kaisu.
As Kai's ship approaches eight million kilometers from the planet the two pirates have closed to less than 300,000 kilometers. Their fire is getting more accurate but still it is going to be a stroke of luck hitting the small ship.
Kai begins to run the calculations for the FTL jump on the computer. It is still several hours to the jump point.
Ikki calls the bridge. "Captain, we're going through a lot of fuel with this constant burn on the maneuver engines. I thought you should be aware of that."
"What choice do we have? If I stop the burn they'll catch us for sure. Just make sure we can jump okay?"
After nearly eighteen hours they reach the FTL event horizon and jump for Burukanß.
After several days in FTL, Professor Samurez barges into Kai's cabin. Zan is trying to stop him.
"Captain, I want to speak to you right now."
Kai looks tired. "What now Professor?" She fingers the drawer with her pistol in it.
"My passage and that of my students was booked to Orlain not Burukanß. I think you owe me some compensation for that inconvenience."
Kai jumps to her feet. "Inconvenience? My ship could have been taken or destroyed by those pirates! You and your students would most likely be dead, or worse, held hostage for ransom. And, you come in here and demand compensation for that? How many times do I have to tell you before you get it through your thick skull that you can make those claims to my company on Burukanß? Now, for the nith time get out of my cabin and stop complaining to me and my crew. Take it up on Burukanß!" Kai glares at the Professor.
"We'll see about this when we get there and I'll see you fired if it's the last thing I do." He storms off.
Kai slumps down in her chair.
"I'm sorry about that Captain" Zan says.
"It's not your fault Zan. We are definitely getting some security when we get to Burukanß."
Coming out of FTL in the Burukanß system is a relief. The Daichi Kaisu is directed to dock in a bay at the Ling executive section of the star port. The passengers disembark right after arrival.
Kai gets a call from Dr. Herzog, Ling's top executive on Burukanß. She meets with him later that day. "Captain Hao, I had no idea you or your ship was coming here" he says, getting up to greet Kai.
"It was forced on me by the presence of pirates in the Spirit of Orlain system."
Dr. Herzog slumps. "Not that again? They show up there from the spinward edge of the sub sector and the Heron Federation. I'll send one of our armed merchant cruisers in to clean them out. As to your situation, I'm afraid I can't do much for you other than refuel and give your ship routine maintenance. Your orders prevent me assigning any crew to you. You're on your own there."
"Is Miracru Tradecorp here?" Kai asks.
"I'm afraid not. I think they have a trade operation and offices in the Grand Endeavor system but don't hold me to that. I know they have a large operation on Drachnir, like we do."
The discussion turns to events in the Imperium.
"The Duke of Ley was assassinated" Doctor Hertzog says. "Word we're getting here is that the succession isn't going well."
"I heard about that. It doesn't sound good. I haven't heard from my family about that situation either."
"Yes, Sir Jiayi would know if anyone in Ling did."
Kai returns to the ship in the late afternoon. "Zan, Ikki, good job on getting the cargo unloaded. I think we should go into town and relax tonight."
While they are out Kai tells them, "After what happened at Orlain, we need someone to defend the ship. I think that's a good idea if we're going to have passengers aboard. Who knows? One of them could be a pirate, or a terrorist, or just plain nuts. So, tomorrow we're going to go to work on finding somebody to help do that okay?"
The next day, they talk to some of the other ship's crews at the space port about leads on hiring a security crewman. Most suggest the hiring offices and employment agencies. That would cost a lot of credits, something Kai wants to avoid.
Some yard workers come to do maintenance on the ship. Ikki talks with them. "You guys know where we could find like a security guard?"
One worker is bent over the machinery in the engine room. "There's this bar about ten kilometers from here that you might want to check. The bartender knows the sort of people you're looking for. I could take you there."
Ikki grimaces. Way too much butt crack… "You have directions?"
"Yea. I could take you there. It'd be easier that way."
"I'd rather have the directions…"
Ikki finds Kai. "Captain, one of the sand crabs says this place might be able to help. He said you should talk to the bartender."
Kai decides that she and Zan will go. "If all it is is a come on then you really don't want to be there do you Ikki?"
"Captain, you and Zan be careful. You girls really can't fight or anything. I want you both coming back whole."
Kai and Zan set off for the bar at mid-day. They take one of the small electric cabs that run throughout Køben, Burukanβ's capital. After a ride through a warren of narrow streets and dreary buildings they arrive near the bar's location. The area is a grimy, run down industrial district. The street the bar is on is barely wide enough for two people to pass without bumping. From the outside it is little more than a door and a sign with a light over it. There is a small window with frosted glass.
Inside, the place is small but well lit and clean. There are a few tables and some separate chairs and stools to sit on. Vid screens decorate the walls but are not in use. The bar occupies a corner of the room. There is a slight scent of smoke and a musty odor that gives it a comfortable, well used feel. Two men are seated at one of the tables and the bartender is leaning on the small bar occupied with an electronic pad. They look up momentary as the women enter.
"What'll it be ladies?" asks the bartender.
Once they have their drinks they retire to a table on the other side of the room.
"So, how do we approach the bartender about the security job?" asks Kai.
"Why don't you leave that to me Captain? I have some experience chatting it up with people."
Zan goes over to the bar taking a seat. She gets the bartender's attention, not that that was hard, beginning an inaudible conversation with him. From time to time they laugh lightly.
A couple of drinks later Zan returns to the table. "The bartender said that he knows someone that fits our needs exactly. He said that he'd try and contact them but was unsure when they might come by. He said that on our way out you should leave your business card along with a suitable tip for his troubles."
"Great! That sounds like a start." Kai replies with a frown.
The next afternoon a boy about twelve years old, riding a beat up bicycle shows up at Kai's starship. "Missus, my paw told me come tell you to be at his bar 'bout sundown. He says the whole crew hasta come and you can meet the person he told you 'bout…"
Kai gives the boy a couple of credits. "Thank you."
She finds Zan and Ikki. "Zan, Ikki we need to go back to that bar this evening. I was told we can meet the person you got the bartender to arrange us with Zan. He wants all of us there for this."
They get ready and late in the afternoon take a cab to the bar. It is sunset and both moons are up glowing bright yellow, low in the sky.
This time the place is packed. Most of the patrons, all men, stand talking or watching the vids. By their clothes and rugged look they have to be miners or workers at one of the smelters. Kai and Zan look over-dressed. Ikki on the other hand, fits right in. Her coveralls and boots scream works for a living.
There is music playing and the vid monitors have a sporting event on. The game is eliciting cheers, moans, and the occasional boo from the men watching the game.
"What game is that they're watching?" Kai asks.
Zan shrugs. "I think it's a variant of Squamish. That's popular in this part of the Reaches and Imperium."
Kai nods. "I wonder if the person we're meeting is already here."
Ikki is eying the men. "Wow, this is a lively place. It's really kind of kopa."
"We're here for business, not entertainment" Kai scolds.
Ikki gives her a frown sticking the tip of her tongue out.
The women thread their way to the bar.
The bartender recognizes Kai and Zan. "Well hello again. Ah, I see there are three this time." He gives Ikki a wink and smile.
She blushes, smiling back.
"What'll it be ladies?" He starts making their drinks. "The person you came to meet will be here anytime now. Why not wait at that table over in the corner?"
"It's occupied" Kai replies.
The bartender gets the attention of the men seated at the table gesturing to them. They nod, get up and motion the women over.
Kai looks at the bartender, "How'll we recognize who we're supposed to meet?"
"Believe me, you'll know the second they walk in the door." The bartender enigmatically smiles.
Walking over to the table Zan says "That was weird…"
Ikki agrees. "Yea, they moved without a fuss."
"No, the bartender's comment about who we're here to meet."
They have been sitting for a few minutes fending off the men, much to Ikki's continued pouting. They watch the game progress on the vids when two women enter the bar.
The first is an Asian looking woman in her late twenties. She is wearing a dark outfit with a hooded top that is up. There is nothing to distinguish her, you would almost not see her she is so forgettable. The young girl with her instantly attracts the attention of the men. She is tall, maybe eighteen decimeters or more in her heels. She is wearing a skin-tight bright, colorful, floral print blue body suit that flows like water over her. Her waist length almost white hair and striking facial features along with an impressive, perfect, figure make her stunning. She could not be more than maybe eighteen or nineteen at most.
The non-descript female is in the lead and looking around. The bartender nods towards the women at the table. The she nods back and heads there with the blonde right behind her.
As they move through the men the blonde lets out a yelp and turns toward one of them.
Kai shakes her head. Serves you right looking like that in here…
The Asian female in a lighting quick blur pulls two large blades from out of nowhere and now has one at the throat of the guy. Her hood has fallen revealing short dark hair. The second blade is poised to eviscerate him.
"Touch girl die! Link no miji punji?" she screams.
The guy looks terrified and shakes his head as he tries to back away. The room has gone silent except for the music playing.
Kai notices that the bartender is leaning on the bar, almost disinterested in the potential murder that is about to occur.
Just as quick as the blades appeared they vanish into her clothes. "Very good you! No die today!" They move towards the table and the men move to make a path for them staying well away from both. The bar returns to its previous state almost as if nothing had happened.
They sit down.
The Asian woman looks directly at Kai. "Look security ship? It." Without waiting for Kai's answer she continues in clipped heavily accented Vilani. "Need…" she gestures towards her friend and herself, "…transportation. Need security. Calalli deal. Very good both. Calalli, calalli. No pay. Take home. Protect ship. Make calalli money. Talk tomorrow ship."
The blonde sits silently next to her sitting beside Ikki. She looks at Ikki and smiles giving her a wink and a little wave of the hand.
Ikki catches a hint of her scent and is instantly aroused by it. She makes little squeaking noises.
Not giving Kai any time to answer the Asian lady gets up and starts to leave. The blonde gets up taking her hand. "Tomorrow ship." the lady calls as she leaves.
The patrons make a wide path for both as they cross the bar and go out the door.
Kai sits in stunned silence.
Zan appears to be in shock.
It takes both of them a moment to recover.
"What the hemat was that?" asks Kai.
"That was one dangerous woman" Zan adds.
"I liked her friend. She seemed nice" Ikki says.
Zan looks at Ikki like she's crazy. "She's probably just as dangerous."
Ikki looks hurt.
"You're probably right Zan. But we do need security. It won't hurt to talk to them. After all, if they don't need pay only passage it's a good deal for us, and you, since making payroll will be easier."
Kai exhales deeply. "We might as well enjoy our drinks."
"I certainly need one after that." Zan says.
Ikki is looking around. "Captain, have you noticed that the guys aren't bothering us now?"
With their drinks finished they get up to leave. The bartender calls to them. "Thanks for coming. I hope things work out for you."
The afternoon of the next day the Asian woman shows at the Daichi Kaisu.
Ikki, working on the loading ramp, spots her. "Captain, that sword lady from the bar is here."
Kai intercepts her in the cargo bay. "Hello? Do you always come aboard a ship unannounced like that?"
"Ah, there are. Show security skill. Talk. Like offer." She enlists Ikki's help to set up some packing cases and other objects about the cargo bay.
While they are doing this, Zan shows up.
The crew watches as the woman in a blur of motion whips out blades, throwing knives, stars, and other blade-like weapons slicing and dicing everything in sight in a matter of seconds. Bits of debris fly everywhere as she tears the targets to pieces. It is terrifying.
Done with her demonstration the woman, not even out of breath, walks up to Kai. "What think? Calalli! Pirate no worry. Kill all." She waves an arm, barring her teeth, as if to reinforce that she'd happily kill everything in her path.
"Let's talk in my cabin" Kai says. "Okay, back to work. I'll be fine."
In Kai's cabin she doesn't wait for Kai to speak. "Me, friend need passage. Do, security. No pay. Passage. Take home. Calalli deal. Best ever. No worry pirate me around." She thumps her chest.
"What if they start shooting with laser cannon or missiles?" Kai retorts.
"Ship no weapon. Pirate want ship whole. No money scrap. Board? All die."
"And just where would I be taking you?"
"Ral Rantha. Go, calalli pay finish job."
"We're heading to Gazala from here, in the Grand Duchy of Stoner."
She becomes more animated. "Oh! Go Stoner. Calalli! Like. Very good. Go with. Need more for."
The color drains from Kai's face. "You've been to the Grand Duchy of Stoner?"
"No. Know though. Need for Stoner. Go without, die."
"No worry. Like. Like me, friend. Calalli ship. Very lucky you."
Kai sits chewing her lip. She finally sighs heavily. "Fine. No pay, passage. You provide security."
She slaps Kai's desk. "Calalli! Back hour, two stuff. Like. See."
She gets up and heads off the ship.
"God, I hope I haven't made a horrible mistake here." Kai sits rubbing and shaking her head after the woman is gone.
Zan comes to Kai's cabin. "So Captain, what's the story with the sword wielding psycho?"
"Seems she knows about Gazala and the Grand Duchy of Stoner. Has contacts there or something. She said if we take her and her friend, the blonde, we might actually survive going there. She said if we didn't we'd probably be killed."
Zan frowns. "That isn't very reassuring, it's almost chilling."
Kai looks grimly at Zan. "I know. But we have to go to get paid and any edge is better than none. Besides, I don't have to pay them, I just have to feed them."
"At least if we do get boarded I have no doubt she'll kill everyone who does" Zan replies.
The sword woman and her friend return in a cab and unload their luggage. Kai and Ikki are there when they arrive.
"Ikki, help them with their bags please" Kai says. "They can have the two unoccupied crew cabins…"
"One cabin good" the woman says. "One cabin."
"Okay. Ikki let them choose between the two open ones on the crew deck."
"Right Captain. Follow me, okay?" Ikki goes to pick up a couple of their cases. One she grabs is very heavy and she struggles to pick it up.
"Get." The woman lifts the case easily.
Kai heads to the crew quarters a short time later. She finds them, with Ikki, storing their things. Zan follows Kai into the cabin.
"Oh, hi Captain" Ikki says.
Kai gets the new crew's attention. "One thing that seems to have been over looked in all this. Neither of you have told me your names. I think it might be nice if we all knew who you were and you got to know who we are."
The sword woman stops, looking at Kai. "Kasakabe." She points at the blonde. "That Lori Sixteen."
Lori Sixteen smiles at Kai and Zan. "Hi." She gives them a small wave of her hand.
Kai rolls her eyes and exhales heavily. "Any chance you could put on a bit more?"
Lori giggles. Kasakabe ignores Kai pointing at each crew member. "Captain Kai Lei Hao, Kyllikki Leppällä engineer, Itzanahohk'u doctor. Good now?" She gives them a toothy grin.
Kai looks as much stunned as angry. "Fine" she snarls through clenched teeth. "Introductions. Thank you." She turns pushing past Zan.
Zan forces a smile. "Thank you for the introductions. I'm sure we'll have more time soon to get to know one and other. I'll leave you to finish unpacking your things. If you need some help please ask."
About an hour later Kasakabe leaves.
Kai sees this and is angered that one of her crew would leave without asking or saying something. She resolves to bring this up when Kasakabe returns. I wonder what Lori Sixteen is up to…
Kai finds Lori in the engine room with Ikki. Lori's appearance is far more risqué than at the bar or when she was in the cabin. What she has on barely qualifies as clothes.
"Hi Captain" Ikki cheerfully calls seeing Kai. "I'm giving Lori a tour of the engine room. She's really fun to talk to."
"That's fine Ikki. Thanks. So, Miss…"
"Lori sixteen." The reply is in a sweet and feminine voice. "No Miss or anything. Lori is fine Captain." Lori smiles demurely.
Kai winces. "So, you know something about ship's engines?"
"No. Sorry. I do not. I thought it would be nice if Ikki gave me a tour of your ship. That is acceptable is it not Captain?"
Kai sighs audibly, shoulders slumping. "Yes, a tour is fine. So, will you be helping with security like Kasakabe?"
"That is not what I do." Lori looks apologetic.
"Well, I'm sure we'll find something for you to do aboard ship." Kai turns away from her and feigns vomiting. She turns back, "Well then, Ikki carry on with your tour."
"Aye Captain."
"The Captain seems like a nice person," Lori says loud enough that Kai hears her.
When Kasakabe returns it is with a delivery truck loaded with large metal cases.
Kai shows up as Kasakabe is telling the driver to unload these into the ship's cargo bay. "What the hemat is this?"
"Me, Lori thing. Not think luggage all have?"
"What is all this stuff?"
"No worry. Show. No dangerous. Later 'kay?"
"Okay. But you will show me before we leave here."
Later, Kasakabe keeps her word and shows Kai. Lori and Zan are present. She opens each case. All of them have complicated, high tech locking devices. There is cuneiform writing on the outside in some language Kai has never seen, along with what look like long blocks of serial numbers.
Two of the cases are full of swords, blades, and other weapons. A third contains several pistols, a military grade laser carbine, along with a high tech crossbow and two more conventional, equally high tech bows. Other cases contain a variety of electronic devices like test equipment. Some have documents, clothing, and smaller secure cases that Kasakabe doesn't bother to open.
Kasakabe waves at the cases. "These weapon, equipment."
Zan looks stunned. "That seems like an awfully large number of weapons for two people. Where did you have all this? The government here isn't kind to ignore something like this."
"Customs hold" Lori says quietly. "No inspection."
Zan glances at Lori with a studied eye.
10