I just Disclaimer: As much as I LOVE this series, Dark Matter is not owned by me. However, this story that is not a part of the series, any original characters and plotline is.
Summary: Money, guns and chaos? What don't you run into with this strange girl? When the crew runs into a stranger on a gun trip, they get more than what they bargain for.
Dark Matter Syfy Series
Ships, Secrets and Survival
Chapter 1: First Date is Always Trouble Part 1
The fire inside, the unbearable heat.
"Halvor! We need to get out of here!" Corey's thick Scottish accent yelled amongst the noise. Bruce, Halvor's German Shepard was barking viciously. They found Halvor at the bridge, frantically trying to defend the ship. But as she turned she could see they were both eager to get out of the burning monstrosity her ship had become. But Vivian had the adrenaline rush and couldn't just leave her father's ship to these fiends. The noise grew louder and more unbearable. She glared at the massive ship in front of her. Pirates…
"Defenses breached," the ship's warning announced as the ship continued to take plunging hits from the pirate ship in front of them. Vivian Halvor struggled, gripping onto the ship with full force. She glared at the ship out in view. It wouldn't back down.
"I can't! I'm not leaving her here!"
"You are or so help me God," Corey growled, grabbing Vivian's arm, dragging her away from the console. "This is NOT your battle!"
"Life support shutting down in 60 seconds," the ship announced.
"Damn it! Let's go!" Corey demanded, "Come on Bruce."
The dog nipped at Vivian's arm and ran to the escape pod as Corey dragged Vivian with him.
They flew into space leaving her ship to burn. But she wouldn't forget the ship that took her apart…or the face that was on that screen…
…
One year later…
Right after the Raza crew discovered their supplies were low (and their identities not too long ago), they had to dock on a port. Might as well after dealing with the colony planet.
"Remember to keep your head low, we need to grab what we need and get out quickly, understood?" Two questioned as she walked alongside One.
"I'll get medical supplies," One pitched in.
"I need to check out the food. Those packets are starting to taste awful," Six commented.
"I think I'll get a drink," Three scoffed. "God knows I need a stiff one."
Two grabbed Three's arm before he could split.
"Uh ah, you and Four need to scout our weapon situation, start over there," Two insisted, in the armory market.
"And what are you going to do?" Three asked impatiently.
"I'm going to get some supplies of my own. I'll meet you all back at the ship as soon as you're done. No longer if we can avoid it," Two insisted.
Three rolled his eyes as everyone split to their assignments and looked at Four.
"Well, where should we start?" Three asked.
"Son of a BITCH! HALVOR!"
Three and Four's heads turned towards the yelling. They gradually made their way to a seemingly popular gunsmith shop on the port. They noticed a woman, copper highlights in her dark hair, bright blue eyes, wearing dark pants with high boots, peasant blouse with a pocketed vest clinging to her curves. They were behind a few customers watching the scene.
Vivian jumped at her name being shouted. This is not what she needed. Especially working with customers on the port. Or as Corey put it sleaze-balls more like. But what's a girl to do with no ship. Vivian rolled her eyes as she disassembled a customer's firearm. She was cleaning it out as the customer asked a few questions helping her piecing it back together out of courtesy not so much that she didn't know how.
Her boss, big burly man, patchy beard and roughed up hair in standard clothes came storming in with rage on his face from the back room with a sign of "Employees Only".
"I'm working with someone Derek," she pointed out almost singingly. Last thing she needed was a lecture. Derek was not exactly caring about customers in front of him.
"You see this?" he growled showing a half eaten sandwich that looks a little disheveled even in a sandwich's state. Vivian arched an eyebrow.
"So you ate your sandwich?" she asked lightly looking a little confused.
"Your pal here," Derek, growled pointing at her German Shepard lying at her feet, obediently, "decided that while I went to grab a beer to eat my lunch."
The customer Vivian was working with chuckled. Including Three in slight amusement. The dog looked up at Vivian licking his lips and whining in satisfaction.
"I told you, to get rid of that mutt," her boss fumed. Vivian took a breath, putting down the gun, nodding her head in an "excuse me" fashion to the customer and turned around facing him fully, arms crossed about her chest. She stood firmly in her spot.
"And I told you he's not going anywhere," Vivian narrowed her eyes at the boss. "He's my guardian."
Bruce wagged tilting his head at Derek. Derek just fumed even more.
"Well that guardian, is nothing but trouble in my shop," the boss ranted.
"Because you left your food unattended?" Vivian questioned with some snark. The customers laughed behind her. Three smirked as Four rolled his eyes.
Her boss fumed.
"I don't care where you come from Miss Halvor. I don't care who your family is. You get that mutt out of here or you're-"
"If the dog goes I go. Now if you don't mind I have some work to do for the customers of your shop. So I suggest that if you want your money's worth today you stop interrupting me over silly matters," Vivian interrupted sternly. "Or if it's so bad to you maybe I can find someone who will pay me more."
Derek sat there with fuming anger on his face. Customers shied away from the scene trying not to witness it. Vivian turned back around doing her job putting a credit chip on the counter, nodding Derek to it.
"There's enough for you to find something else to eat. Won't happen again," Vivian recommended as she fixed up the rifle put it back together and grabbed payment from the customer.
Her boss, growling, throws the sandwich in the trash and grabbing the card storming off out to the food court areas. Three and Four watched the boss leave in frustration.
Three whistled then eyed Vivian as she grabbed a pistol from under the counter.
"Perhaps there's our shop?" Three suggested pointing at the store Vivian was in.
"Why? There are plenty of others around here," Four shown.
Vivian glanced at Bruce who sat there with a grin.
"Did you like that big old sandwich?" Vivian teased, petting the dog's head affectionately.
"Then that means we have options after right?" Three asked. "What's it going to hurt?"
He swaggered over to the shop as Vivian worked behind the counter. Four shook his head then followed closely behind.
"Excuse me," Three greeted.
Bruce suddenly growled at Three as he approached behind the counter. Vivian jumped at the growl looking at Bruce oddly. Three put his hands up in surrender.
"Whoa, easy boy," he greeted. Vivian rolled her eyes.
"Sorry he does that, Bruce corner," Vivian snapped her fingers pointing at a bed in the Employees Only room. Bruce whined before going to the room. She closed the door to make sure he didn't get out.
"How can I help you?" Vivian asked in a professional voice.
"Do you stock any assault weapons?" Four asked. Vivian looked at him and pointed to another end of the store.
"Right over there, I can stack ammo if you need it as well," she replied. Four walked over to a display case. She put her eyes on Three.
"And for you?" She asked as he was bent down eyeing some of the pistols in the case in front of her.
"Um…not sure yet," Three admitted. Vivian smirked.
"I find it interesting you're looking at pistols," she commented. Three stopped, slowly straightening up.
"I'm sorry?" he asked. She smirked leaning her arms on the counter.
"You look more like a big gun kind of guy," she teased. Three arched an eyebrow.
"Really now?" Three questioned. Vivian moved a finger to him to come closer. Three glanced at Four who was distracted at the assault weapons then leaned onto the counter across from Vivian.
"What makes you think I can't find something better?" Three questioned. Vivian smirked.
"Oh come on, you can't give a girl a little credit? I might know my stuff," Vivian whispered. Three smiled and leaned up.
"All right lets see what you got," Three gave in. Vivian grinned as she went to the back of the Employee's room.
Three eyed her as Four came over with a two assault rifles putting it on the counter.
"Find anything?" Four asked. Three shrugged.
"I have no- Holy God Almighty," Three grinned as Vivian came back with a large firearm slung around her shoulders (almost as big as the one on the Raza).
"Yeah that's what they all say," Vivian smirked, ejecting the magazine. "Check the rounds, it's more than what you get in any other store."
She cocked it (unloaded) and aiming. "Military grade night and day scope best on the market."
She placed it on the counter. Three picked it up checking the specs.
"Oh and best part…it's lightweight, with a good punch," Vivian smiled.
"What's the catch?" Four asked.
"Catch?" Vivian repeated confused.
"Is this a salesman pitch or-?" Four continued. Vivian eyed the gun.
"No, actually, I made it so it's personally customizable to whoever handles it," she explained, grabbing the gun from Three. "Here."
She extended the stock, adjusted the scope and handed it back to Three.
"There you go," she commented. Three scoffed in surprise.
"You made this?" Three asked. Vivian nodded with a smile, twiddling her thumbs.
"Call it a passion project. I modify weapons and tinker with mechanics on my free-time," Vivian explained. Three narrowed his eyes, putting the gun down.
"So…you're telling me you successfully tested the thing?" Three asked pointing at the weapon.
"Yes."
"Accuracy?"
"9 out of 10 times it succeeds," Vivian smirked.
"Only 9 out of 10?" Three asked.
"Only if you're not trying to aim," Vivian teased. "Which I wasn't the tenth time."
Three smirked.
"How much?" he asked. Vivian looked up calculating.
"Normally 4,000," she answered. Three hissed at the price.
"Ooo ouch that's a little steep for us. We're on a budget," Three pointed between him and Four.
"Tell you what, if you really want it…why don't I get you a discount," Vivian smirked. Three looked at Four then back at her.
"Such as?" Three asked trying to pry something out of the girl.
"Half off including your friend's assault rifles, free ammo for all three," Vivian negotiated. Three smirked.
"That weapon is still a little pricey for me sweetheart," he commented. Then looked down seeing two different credit chips on the counter.
"Then maybe I can make up the difference," Vivian offered. Three's eyes almost popped out of his head with the money she put on the table. "So what's the deal?"
Before Three could say anything Four put the remainder on the counter.
"Done," he said grabbing the assault rifles as she grabbed the ammo. Three looked down the credit chips doing a double take at the girl. Four watched him in confusion as he grabbed alongside him, packing them into weapon bags and packing the ammo.
"Meet you back at the ship. Keep your coms on," Four informed, hastily made it out of there as Vivian grabbed Three's weapon and the carrying case. Three eyed her as she packed it up including the ammo as she grabbed their credit chips.
"There you go," Vivian smiled as she pushed the bag towards him. "You're all set."
"So…is that money yours?" Three asked. Vivian cleared her throat, turning a bit red.
"That's not important," she replied. Three's eyes lit up a bit.
"So does a girl like you buy guns for all her customers with that kind of money?" Three smirked.
"Not always. Sometimes I can buy him drinks if he's up for it too," Vivian smirked, winking at him. Three stared at her for a moment, blinking then realized what was going on and grinned eyeing her.
"Well…I-" he started clearing his throat.
"Sir, you either buy or get lost," Derek growled as he stomped back into the employee's back room.
"He's paid his firearm Derek," Vivian bit at him lightly.
"Yeah see? So why don't you do your thing let me talk to her hm? Privately?" Three showed the carrying bag. Derek narrowed his eyes at him, and then looked sternly at Vivian.
"Five minutes Halvor," Derek growled, slamming the door behind him. Vivian winced at the slammed. Three raised an eyebrow at the door looking at her.
"Is he always a hard ass? Customer service doesn't seem to be his strong suit," Three smirked. Vivian laughed a bit.
"That's why I'm out here," Vivian leaned on the counter twiddled her thumbs. Three eyed her.
"Well you are hotter than he is so that'll attract more money," Three grins. Vivian tried not to laugh again, blushing a bit. "Which reminds me I didn't exactly get your name."
Three leaned on the counter across from her. "Or is it a rule not to give out customers your info."
"Viv, or Vivian. Halvor," Vivian introduced. "And you?"
Three showed his teeth in conflict and hissed.
"If you promise those drinks do you have to know?"
"Oh I'm sure that if I give you enough to drink you'll tell me your name," Vivian teased.
"Oh darling if you give me more than enough, I'll give you better than my name," Three flirted.
Vivian laughed.
"Three come in-" One's voice lingered into the communication device in his ear. Three stopped laughing, clearing his throat. Vivian looked at him oddly.
"Are you-?"
"Excuse me, gotta take this," Three smirked pointing at his coms. Vivian nodded understandably. "Don't go anywhere."
Vivian turned red as he winked, and then bit her lip as he walked away.
Three got far away enough to be out of earshot.
"What's so important that you have to interrupt me pretty boy?" Three asked rather annoyed.
"We're all aboard the ship. Four said you were still out. Where are you?" One asked.
"I'm still kind of busy here," Three growled.
"Three, get your ass back to the ship or I'll drag you here. We need to get back on route," Two's voice demanded.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch doll-face. Just give me another hour okay? I need to stretch out after our little misadventures," Three smirked, glancing over to Vivian who was getting a stern talking to from Derek. He rolled his eyes watching her until he saw the boss slap her across the face hard. Three gritted his teeth.
"Three you're not allowed another hour. As much as we would all like to-"
"I'll call you back," Three stated sternly.
"No Three wait-" Two's voice demanded, but Three hung up.
Three marched up to the shop, ringing the bell on the counter.
"Hey buddy," Three grinned devilishly. "You having a problem with the way your girl runs the place?"
Derek looked up, marching up to the counter. Clearing his throat.
"Can I help you with something?" Derek asked, making everything casual. Three eyed Vivian as she appeared behind him embarrassed, shutting the door and going to work on something else.
"Yeah, you two have something going on?" Three pointed between him and Vivian.
"Keep your nose out of things sir. That's confidential between me and my employees," Derek narrowed his eyes. "Now if you've got no business here, I suggest you leave."
Derek glared at Vivian, as Bruce growled. The boss slammed the door causing Vivian to jump as she counted credit chips at the cash register. Three went over to her and glared at the door.
"Thank you," Vivian whispered.
"Jack ass," Three growled. Vivian rolled her eyes. Three eyed her.
"So…how about that drink?" Three asked, leaning on the counter. "I'm sure it'll give you a reason to get out early."
Vivian sighed leaning against the counter.
"You know I would but-"
"Aww come on, I'm sure Mr. Blow Hard won't care," Three coaxed.
"Well…" Vivian swallowed, eyeing him.
"Three," Two's voice came out from behind him. Three rolled his eyes turning around seeing Two, Four and Six standing behind him. Vivian looked up furrowing her brows at the female of the group.
"I told you I wanted to stretch my legs out," Three sighed in frustration.
"Clearly," Six laughed in amusement.
"In more ways than one I'm sure," Two stated annoyed. She glared at Vivian.
"What are you still doing here Three? We've already paid for what we needed," Four explained.
"What I can't just talk to anyone? Maybe have some fun for once?"
"No, you can't," Two replied flatly. Vivian crossed her arms about her chest.
"Excuse me?" Vivian interrupted. All of them looked at her. "Have we met?"
"No, I don't believe we have. Let's keep it that way," Two replied sternly. Vivian furrowed her brows at her.
"I'm sorry?"
"Three let's go. We have to head out," Two demanded. Three rolled his eyes putting up his hands in surrender.
"Whatever just give me a minute all right?" Three pointed at Vivian. Two narrowed her eyes at Vivian.
"Fine. One minute," Two growled. Vivian exhaled as she walked a bit of distance leaving Four and Six closer towards the shop to make sure Three left.
Three sighed in defeat looking at Vivian apologetically.
"What is she your babysitter or something?" Vivian asked a little intimidated by Two's appearance.
"Not exactly," Three rolled his eyes, then sighed.
"Looks like we'll have to rain check that drinks date huh?"
"Yeah…I guess so," Three twisted his jaw. Vivian smirked then put up a finger.
"Hold on a sec, stay right here," Vivian ran to the back room, grabbing a card, ammo and something else in her person before running back to Three.
"Just so you don't forget our deal," she smirked, handing him the card. It had her name, a number and a few other contact info. "Oh and…some motivation."
She glanced over her shoulder as she pushed a box of ammo and a credit chip worth some money over to him. Three raised his brows at her and winked at her.
"Well aren't you a ray of sunshine to my day," Three flirted as he grabbed the cash, ammo, stuffing it into his bag. "I owe you one darling."
Vivian smiled, blushing as he winked then as he walked towards Two, Four and Six.
Vivian bit her lip watching them gather then stared at Two. Did she meet her before? She snapped out of it when her bodyguard, Corey came to the shop.
"Miss Halvor. Everything go swimmingly?" Corey asked. Vivian nodded over to Two and the group.
"Is it just me or does that woman look familiar?" Vivian asked. Corey looked over, suddenly eyes widening.
"Miss…that's the woman who destroyed your father's ship…"