Concordant Navy gets to me first. Not surprised; they had watchers stationed. I put my hands up, but close enough to my face to keep eating.
Concordant Navy gets to me first. Not surprised; they had watchers stationed. I put my hands up, but close enough to my face to keep eating.
The number of marines sent is comfortingly excessive. Near the exit, the crowd stops moving out of our way. Burns’s faster than I expected.
The crowd has a spokesman I recognize; a big sack of angry named Borden. “Smarter than he looks.” while true, would not be fair warning.
Borden tells the OIC that his friends would like to talk to me, and asks that I be handed over. The Lt. doesn’t know enough to be cautious.
Borden and company think the Lt. giving them orders is funny. The Lt. disagrees. Two dozen arming rifles is very loud in the sudden silence.
I drop a few words (and a smirk) into the quiet. “Guess you lose out this time, Borden.” It’s almost – /almost/ – enough to push him over.
As the Navy escort walks me out, Borden informs me I’m not safe yet. This is safe? Must’ve missed it. I remind him he knows where I’ll be.
The OIC comms in when we’re clear of the Bazaar, calling me ‘the Captain’. Good; I’m not ‘the Captain’ to them unless they’ve met my crew.
We escort-march about far enough to reach the skin of the Drift, pass an airlock, and everything gets extremely bright, hard, and official.
The ship is new, but familiar – I’ve crewed many like her. Not something I’d realized I missed. I expect this visit will cure my nostalgia.
Where they take me first will speak volumes about the situation. With my crew? Solitary? ‘Interview room?’ I’m escorted to the bridge. What?
The commander is staring ‘out’ of the huge viewscreen psuedo-window. He turns when I enter and orders everyone else out. Again… What?
The commander makes nice; speaks as an equal – a fellow ship’s captain – a peer. It’s a charming lie; unfortunately, I think he believes it.
The commander makes nice; speaks as an equal – a fellow ship’s captain – a peer. It’s a charming lie; unfortunately, I think he believes it.
He calls for drinks and appetizers. Still crazy, but… free drinks? I turn down the food; explain about the meat-on-a-stick. He nods.
He asks his first question when the drinks come; have I ever had a crewmember die. Sounds like a hidden threat, which is actually a comfort.
I don’t care for the topic, but at least thinly-veiled threats put things in familiar territory. Next, he’ll mention the laws I’m breaking.
True: the Drift lies in the Remnants, where Concordant law is as relevant as dining etiquette. Guns matter, however, and the Navy has many.
I ask what exactly it is that he wants. The question stops him cold – the look on his face says that he was sure he already mentioned it.
He wants Kaetlyn’s employer, which he calls a ‘rogue government element’. The Church of Isabel? Jon’s right: I should follow politics more.
Doesn’t take much more talk before the commander tsks and sends me to the brig to ‘self-assess’. Naval officer training has /changed/.
I’m taken to solitary in the brig. Everything is regulation; even the normal rattles and thumps of a ship at dock are orderly. TOO orderly.
Actually… /much/ too regular; it’s a semaphore. ‘If you recieve, captain, respond. 2758th message attempt.’ 2759. 2760. Has to be Dierdre.
I tap back a counter-message. Ship’s unmanned, but watched. Jon and Yoren were in with her, but Yoren’s in solitary now. No need to ask why.
Actually, that gives me an idea – a proposal to the Commander that hinges on Yoren. Dear Yoren, closest friend, without whom I am lost. Heh.
I put on Angry Captain Face for my Commander-visit; ask him where my crew is – why we’ve been kept out of contact. He oozes concillation.
He assures me that my first mate and … pilot? (I nod) are made available immediately. I wave all that away: what about YOREN?
He informs me Yoren will not be released. No apologies. No smile. He doesn’t try to look sorry. Things must have gotten ugly. /Excellent/.
Several hours later, convinced him Yoren is important to me, then let him convince me I can’t have him. Hardest part? Looking disappointed.