"AMELIA! DUCK!" A loud feminine voice called out. The purple eyed girl whipped out her laser rifle as the Captain ducked down to the deck. With a single shot she hit the crazy green-skinned alien that had decided to attack Amelia from behind.
"Well that was rather close, don't you think?" Amelia grinned fiercely as she aimed her pistol at another attacker.
"Amelia, can we take a job not so dangerous next? I'd love a break from all of these insufferable Protean Armada cads." The girl, who was now of 17 years, called out. She had grown up well in the hands of Mr. Arrow and Amelia. Arcadia, better known as Dia, sailed with the two ever since they rescued her from her miserable life on Proteus Three.
"Captain, as much as I trust your judgment, I agree with young Miss Williams." Mr. Arrow shouted over the sounds of battle.
The Captain sighed as she brushed back her hair with a hand, "I see your point." She said as she shot at another Protean Armada soldier. "We'll choose something laid back next."
"Thank you kindly Captain." Mr. Arrow and Arcadia said at the same time.
They had been hired by a wealthy merchant to transport goods from his home planet to Montressor Space Port, where his business sat. They had been specifically hired since they were a well known team. They always got the goods to where they needed to be, be it through hostile Armada areas or not.
Soon enough they reached the crescent shaped port. Dia, eager to get off the ship, was one of the first ones who hopped off. She grinned at all the hustle and bustle of the port as she helped to tie the ship to the dock.
"Christina." Amelia's sharp voice cut through the murmur of the crowd easily and Dia turned to see the captain holding out a bag of something. "Here is your share from the transport. Mr. Arrow and yourself may have free roam for now, but keep your telecom at the ready, if you will."
Dia offered the Captain a smile, which was returned immediately. Dia then took the bag and stuffed it into her backpack without even looking at it. She then saluted the Captain, earning a roll of Amelia's eyes, before she walked off to a nearby bank. When she reached the bank she took out the bag and went up to a teller.
Without a word to the bored looking accountant, Dia plopped the bag onto the counter and took out her bank card.
"Thank you for coming in today. If you would slide your card through the—" He was cut short as Arcadia nimbly slid her card and typed in her nine digit access number. "And what would you like to do today?"
Dia gave the guy a deadpan look. "Well, Mr. Enthusiastic, I would like to make a deposit." With that said she pushed the bag towards him.
He sighed and opened the bag and began to count her credits. Once he counted them and entered the data onto his computer he walked the money into the back room where the safe was. When he returned he asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Yes, how much is in my account?" She asked, curiously.
After clicking twice he brought up a number on the small screen next to the card reader. She let out a low whistle. Twelve thousand two hundred and eighty seven credits. She gave the man a grin before thanking him and walking away.
She finally had enough money for her own solar surfer. They usually ran around five thousand to eight thousand credits, and her last paycheck had gone to new clothes since her ones previous had been torn to shreds by Proteans.
She couldn't complain though since she immensely enjoyed her new outfit. She wore flexible knee high boots that were close fitting, but comfortable to move in. They had thin, but very durable hard leather soles, which allowed her litheness for climbing through the riggings on the ships. The last time she had worn pants, was right before they got caught on a hook up near the mast, which had almost caused her demise. Since then she's never worn them. Currently she wore a pair of shorts that were a snug fit, but they allowed a wider range of motion. The black material went down to her mid thigh and ended in a grey hem. On her outer layer she had on a long and flowing coat that had a military feel to it with a high collar and straps across the front to secure it. It was a deep black, with a grey colored outline to match her shorts. The coat had no sleeves since she tore them off since they had restricted her arms. Beneath the long trench coat she wore a light spaghetti strap tank top that was black to match.
Since she was almost an adult, her feminine features were more pronounced than when she was a girl. Her wide set hips she viewed as a burden, not being able to fit into the small smuggling areas of the ship for privacy anymore. And the small, but evident breasts on her chest served to be a burden too. They earned her unwanted attention from male crew members, except Arrow, and also made some fighting situations awkward. Mostly for the men when they accidentally pushed her chest.
She sighed and walked to a nearby solar surfer shop. It was full of mechanics working on fixing broken surfers, modifying some, and assembling new ones. Dia had a grin on her face as she watched the mechanics work. She loved being in a shop. She never wanted to be a mechanic, but she loved the atmosphere that the mechanics created. They always joked and laughed with each other, and debated different models.
"Well hello, Miss. May I help you with something?" A deep baritone voice broke her trance. She turned to see a large, broad-chested, heavy set, blue reptilian. He gave her a smirk, "Planning on owning one of these beauties?" He asked and gestured to the surf yard that held all the solar surfers that were up for sale.
She grinned and nodded eagerly, earning a deep laugh in return. "Well then! Let's go take a look, shall we?"
He led her through the yard, pointing out the fastest models, the ones with the most handling, and others which were specialized for doing tricks.
"So any of them suit yer fancy, miss?" He asked after showing her the main displays.
Dia looked around the yard at the models she had been shown before her eyes caught onto one in particular. It was a sleek thing, and its sail was tall, allowing for a lot of speed. What had caught her attention, however, was the fact that it had the design of a flower made into the sale. It was the most unique of all the models.
"What about that one over there? With the flower in the sail." She asked, pointing at her quarry as she walked to it.
"You've a good eye, miss." He said as he walked with her to it. "That's a ZR-59. It's a last generation so it's on sale, but I personally like these ones better than the new. The new ones have so many features you can't even guess how to go in a straight line. These were just right. Foot holds with easy release clasps, a two hour back up battery, true curve technology, and on board compass for just in case."
She grinned at the board, "How much?"
He looked from her to the board with a grin, "Normally seven grand, but for you, I'll take it down to six. I can tell you'll take good care of her."
She grinned at the man. "It's a deal!"
After paying for her new surfer she took it outside to the street. With one last look at the ground and one press of the sail release, she was up in the sky, whooping her lungs out.
She took hold of the bar and turned so she would head to the Space Port Inn. It was the usual place that Amelia would stay. She landed carefully in front of the building before collapsing the sail and holding the board under her arm, carrying the board into the inn. She had no problem spotting Amelia next to Arrow's tall and imposing form. She grinned and waved at them eagerly.
They smiled back at her enthusiastic mood as she approached them.
"Guys! I finally got my own surfer!" She said, stating the obvious.
"Well isn't that fantastic! Now you'll be spending your time surfing around the ship, rather than lazing about on the deck." Amelia said with a teasing grin.
Chris stuck her tongue out in retort before Arrow placed a large hand on her head, ruffling her long brown hair.
"Congratulations Miss Williams. You've been saving for quite some time now." He said with his large smile.
She grinned up at him. "So do we have a new job or what? I want to take this baby for a spin!"
Amelia shook her head. "Unfortunately there are no jobs that seem to be of our caliber. I've decided to let us take a week off, more for your sakes than my own, before I look again."
Dia smiled at the captain, "Does this mean I get to go planet-side?! I haven't set foot on a planet since that escort job two years back."
The Captain put a hand to her chin in thought before sighing, "Alright. I suppose you can go. But be back within the week!"
"AYE AYE CAPTAIN!" Dia yelled as she hurried out the door of the inn to catch a transport ship going to Montressor.
She held her bag over one shoulder as she pulled out her board in the street outside. The people of the spaceport were accustomed to such actions and so moved to avoid getting hit by the sail that would pop out and the massive heat that would burst from the motor. She laid it on the ground before pressing the panel to open the sail, and following up with pressing on the engine accelerator. With a smooth sound the sail spread and took in energy from the solar waves. It transferred the energy to the engine that started up with a gentle hum before blasting heat.
Arcadia grinned and leaned back, holding onto the bar on the sail, pulling the nose up and sending her into the sky. She soared in the sky, towards the transport station where she could find a ship to take her to Montressor. She landed lightly at the designated area in front of the building and walked inside with the board under her arm. She walked up to the small booth that had the ticket sign over it and grinned at the man, unable to rid herself of the bubbly feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Hi! One ticket to Montressor please!" She chirped to the bored man.
"Here ya go. Ship leaves in seven minutes."
"Thanks!" She took the ticket after swiping her card through a reader that sat outside of the booth. He gave her a short wave as she went to the port listed on the ticket.