"Tina's keeping everything together back on the ship. But it's pretty quiet without you. Well if you consider quiet an absence of conversation. Orvar's been making a right racket with his new workout routine. Don't worry, he's only beating the life out of scrap metal. Nothing important. I'm doing pretty okay. You pretty much covered everything when you taught me to fly it, but it's really strange flying it alone for as long as I have… and without you."
Mary sat at Hans' bedside nonchalantly talking to him. The old man was under a deep sleep as painkillers flowed down a long plastic IV. Misa worked in the background, ignoring the one sided conversation out of kindness, or perhaps disinterest.
"Is everything alright?" asked Marika as she stepped in.
"Misa says he's doing well" said Mary holding Hans' hand, "Up and about in a week or so, right, Doctor?"
"If all goes well" said Misa analyzing the data pad, "For some reason, there's a consistent presence of alcohol in his blood stream. But I can't seem to find the cause."
Marika raised her eye brow and gave Mary a knowing look. Mary just looked away and pretended not to notice.
"If the old man could talk" began Mary, "I think he'd offer you a swig of rum, then thank you for saving him."
"You're really close with him aren't you" observed Marika.
"Like father, like daughter" Mary snapped to reality, "Figuratively I mean. Like he said before, we're not actually related."
Marika sat beside Mary, "I've been wondering about that. So, how did you meet exactly?"
"How did you become Captain of the Bentenmaru?" asked Mary.
"I asked you first" Marika giggled.
"But my question is less personal" Mary smiled.
"Or so you think it is" said Marika.
"Ooohhh, mind games" Mary laughed softly, "Who is going to answer first?"
Marika relented without so much as a quarrel, "Well, the captaincy fell to me after my father died. Wait, didn't we go over this?"
"Maybe" Mary shrugged, "But I forgot. Was your mother a pirate too?"
"Yes, a very famous one from what I understand."
"More than famous" said Misa, "She was a legend."
"Was she a captain too, or just the first mate like me?"
"Misa?"
"Once upon a time she was captain of her own ship. Then she met your father and came aboard here."
"Wow, I learned something" said Marika a little embarrassed.
"It's like your mother is a complete stranger to you" said Mary, "You know, we're not as different as I thought we were."
"So, how about your question" Marika tried to change the subject, "How did you and Hans meet up."
"He hanged my faulty father," Mary started to hum 'Hanging Johnny', "And took me and my mother. So hang boys, hang."
Marika was horrified, "That was him."
"Not exactly" Mary began, "Hans found me on a barge, about two or so years after the pirates killed my father. It is a long story."
"We've got the time" said Marika, "And I doubt Hans will mind… in his current state anyway."
"Two years went by very slowly, and I wish I didn't remember them," Mary began, "It was late in the night and the place was starting to get very busy. And as I walked down the hall, I saw him."
The barge was large and spacious, occupying several floors. Women, both plain and beautiful, lined the halls, giggling and laughing and flirting. Men ran about chasing skirts, holding drinks in their hands and spilling it all over the floor and walls. Replicas of art accentuating feminine beauty were hung in every place possible. Five large crates sat in the main hall with Hans and another man close by.
"The hell do you mean only half?" shouted Hans.
"Exactly that. You will only be paid half" said a very tall thin man. He was dressed in a fine silk suit with a golden tie. His hair was raven black and slicked with grease and gel and product, much like his twirled thin moustache. Piercing red eyes stared down the captain as he continued to shout and protest.
"I got it all here in perfect condition and three days ahead of schedule" screamed Hans, "If anything you should be paying me more for the express delivery!"
"An express delivery that dragged half the quadrant's law enforcement with it. My business specializes in providing vices from every corner of the galaxy. WITH ABSOLUTE DISCRETION!" the man outstretched his arms, "You are very lucky I am a ship and not planet side, otherwise this deal would be crushed before your eyes."
"To hell with you Lazarus!"
"If you do not want your payment" said Lazarus holding out a card, "Then I would be happy to end all of our business."
"Have fun with your product," Hans snatched the card, "Because you and I are done."
"Don't be like that chum. Let me make it up to you. That ship of yours can use a maid," Lazarus snapped Mary over, "You're his now. Consider this a bonus for your trouble, Hans, my friend."
Mary, dressed in a tight short black skirt, matching high heels, and a tight crimson sleeveless top, was pushed toward him. Hans eyed Mary up and down and smirked. Mary's face furled and frowned. When their eyes met, Hans' smirk disappeared behind a stern face.
"We're still done" growled Hans, "Come on, girlie."
Mary snapped back when he touched her bare arm. Without a thought, on pure instinct, she threw a hard punch that connected with his sternum. He let out an 'oof' and recoiled back a few steps.
Lazarus chuckled, "A bit of a feisty one she is. She refuses to work, unlike her mother, but perhaps you will have better luck. Here, take a vial, it might help. And you are welcome to my hospitality."
A small vial, the size of the little finger, filled with a multi-coloured liquid tumbled into Hans' hand.
"Get on the ship" Hans grumbled, "Now!"
Das Boot was the same then as it was now, a horrendous mess but a home. Hans grumbled as he closed the cargo bay ramp. Mary, still fuming, leaned against the metal wall shooting sharp angry looks at her new owner.
Mary glared at the rugged man as he threw open a locker. He shot her a quick look and tossed her the vial.
"I'm not taking this" said Mary shattering it against the floor.
"Well, that's your choice, but the time would have passed much more quickly if you took it," he replied unfolding a long jacket, "Now be a good girl and stay here for a bit."
"What the hell are you doing?"
"I've got unfinished business with Lazarus," Hans concealed two pistols in his jacket, "Stay here and be quiet. I'll drop you off wherever you want after I've collected what's owed to me."
"Wait!"
Hans drew his pistol, "What? Are you going to try and stop me?"
"You can't just walk in guns blazing" said Mary.
"I've got a plan" said Hans holstering the gun, "These are just in case. If you aren't going to stop me, why so interested?"
"I owe Lazarus" said Mary, "And I intend to pay in full. With a bullet in his head."
Hans raised an eyebrow, "I'm listening."
"I know this ship like the back of my hand" said Mary, "All the little access ways, and the little secrets that don't ever get used. Take me with you and we'll reach Lazarus without so much as a raised eyebrow."
"And what do you want?"
"My mother."
"Sorry, can't say I know her."
"No, you dolt" she said, "She's on the ship. We are going to take her off this place and bring me and her back home. Deal?"
Hans smirked, "Sounds fine by me."
Mary wrapped her arm around Hans' and they walked back to the barge.
"What are you doing back here?" asked a crewman.
Mary started to giggle uncontrollably.
"I had a moment to think and cooled off. And well you see,"" Hans smiled, "She convinced me that Lazarus' payment was more than generous. Now, since my ship is in a bit of a damn mess, I thought I could barrow yours for a couple of hours. Lazarus did promise his hospitality."
The crewman raised an eyebrow, "Uhh… sure. Go ahead."
Hans and Mary strolled by laughing with painted smiles.
When the man was far enough away, Hans whispered in Mary's ear, "That was a raised eyebrow."
"And he's a dumbass" replied Mary, "The next right will take us to the lift. We'll head to the cargo bay from there and use the access ways to reach Lazarus' quarters."
"What are we up against, Moxie?"
"A couple security cameras, nothing else. Moxie?"
"You've got moxie, Moxie. What about armed guards? Alarms?"
"A pair outside but we can wait until the change and sneak in. The only alarms we'll need to deal with are if you decide to bust down his front door."
"Talk about minimal security."
"This is a barge where no one wants to be discovered" said Mary, "Stirring up trouble doesn't exactly align with that."
Hans and Mary peered around the corner. Two burly men armed with scatter lasers kept a drowsy watch.
"How long to do we have to wait?" asked Hans.
A little rapid series of beeps emanated from the guards pocket. Lazily, they walked away leaving the door unguarded. However, the heavy thump of boots was scarcely heard in the distance.
Hans shook his head in disappointment, "Lazarus you arrogant little bastard."
Mary went ahead and quickly input the door code. Hans nonchalantly stepped inside only to be pulled to the side. Before he could protest, Mary shushed him and pointed up toward the corner. An ever vigilant camera panned across the cargo bay peering through the darkness for anyone out of place. Its brother was across the room examining sectors where the other could not.
"We going to pull one of these crates over us and walk around like a damn fool, or what?" asked Hans.
"Sarcasm won't help" said Mary, she pressed up against the boxes, "This way."
The two rogues snuck through the cargo, ducking behind crates and crawling beneath crevices. Hiding from the ever watchful eye was not their only concern. Every step was taken with extreme care and calculation for any misstep could cause the cargo to tumble. The great ruckus that would certainly ensure would be their end. The end of their little journey was an maintenance access way pried open by Mary.
"Damn, you're resourceful. You sneak into these places often?"
"Always. After you."
"Ladies first."
"I insist."
"No" Hans drew a pistol, "I insist."
Mary reluctantly crawled into the cramped space. Hans followed with his pistol pointed at her behind. The air was hot and stuffy. Power conduits buzzed beside rushing water pipes and scalding gas pipes.
"You can put the gun away. We're on the same side," said Mary, "and I can't exactly to anything when I'm in front of you."
"There are many things you can do when in front" said Hans.
"Like what?"
"Nice try, Moxie, but I'm not that stupid."
Mary rolled her eyes, "We are still on the same side."
Hans grunted.
Mary turned around in a slightly wider junction. In the centre of the junction was a large square grated panel. Beneath was a magnificent room with a mahogany desk and drawers. A large feather bed with silk sheets rested atop a golden bedframe. Lazarus was happily drinking a very old, very rare whiskey while speaking freely with a woman with red hair. The woman was dressed in garb similar to Mary's and was angrily dusting the shelves, scrubbing the carpet, and generally cleaning the room. Lazarus often pointed to sections; probably pointing out spots had been missed. More often, he spilled some of his drink about the room and chuckled satisfactorily.