Conditions

Posted on Mar 09, 2015 @ 8:48pm by Raxl Dreyton
Edited on on Mar 09, 2015 @ 8:49pm

Mission: Limbo

= Conditions =

(cont'd from "Matches Made")



LOCATION: Orion Trade Association – LIMBO

SCENE: Private Lounge

STARDATE: [2.15] 0309.1539



The interior of the Orion Trade Association was even nicer than the Ferengi Trade Mission had been, and they managed that trick without a stable of nude women fawning after all those lucky enough to have gained entry. The lounge that Raxl and Aella now found themselves in had comfortable velvet couches, which Aella sank gratefully into. At the end of the room opposite the couches, there was a table adorned with delicacies from a dozen worlds, attended by an Andorian chef who fussed about the presentation of each dish whenever he wasn’t busy bragging about the quality of the food.



“It’s all fresh, not replicated,” the Andorian had assured Rax on one of his fact-finding missions to the buffet table. The Andorian had seemed to materialize behind him as Rax poked at a pink gelatin-like substance he didn’t recognize.



“Fresh food, huh?” Rax asked, a little skeptical. There were too many dishes, prepared in too many styles, for it all to have been prepared fresh. On the other hand, some of the dishes were comprised of small creatures that didn’t seem strictly dead yet. Rax decided those were probably pretty fresh.



“The ingredients we don’t cultivate on station are shipped in every other day,” the Andorian said. “Harad-Sar is a great lover of food, but he has a very particular stomach, and replicated food does not agree with him.”



Rax watched as a tiny shelled insect, which had been lying on its back in a pool of yellow sauce, managed to right itself and made a break for the edge of its plate. The Andorian reached over with a small serving spoon and corralled the bug back into the sauce, flipping it over onto its back to prevent another escape attempt.



“But he’ll eat live bugs?” Rax asked, feeling a little sick looking at the insects many segmented legs clawing uselessly at the air.



“Uffrix beetles,” the Andorian said with a smile. “Flesh eaters themselves, you know. You have to bite down hard when you get them in your mouth, or they'll try to eat your tongue."



Rax only stared at the Andorian,. The chef mistook Rax's silence for awe and leaned in confidentially. "They’re a delicacy in Romulan space. Would you care to try one?”



“I’ll pass,” Rax said. He was about to join Aella on the plush couches when he spotted a tray of Terran desserts, and decided he hadn’t lost his whole appetite after all. He selected a piece of cherry pie- a mundane choice, when compared to the assortment of salads, meats, and live bugs, but it had always been one of Raxl’s favorites.



Rax returned to the couch to find Aella, staring idly out a large window that looked out onto a vast starfield. Ships drifted lackadaisically across her vision, maintaining a standard orbit around LIMBO, and Rax could pick out Romulan, Klingon, Ferengi , and at least a dozen others whose configurations he didn’t immediately recognize. Whatever else you said for it, LIMBO was certainly cosmopolitan.



“You want some?” Rax asked, offering the slice of cherry pie to Aella. She smiled and shook her head. Rax shrugged and dug in, shoveling a forkful of crust and cherry filling into his mouth. It was delicious, with a strange vibrancy to the flavor that one just didn’t get from replicated foods. Rax realized the Andorian hadn’t been pulling his leg… the food *was* made fresh after all.



Still chewing, Rax looked over at Aella.



“Harad-Sar’s been gone awhile,” he said,.



“No doubt he is verifying what we’ve told him,” Aella said with a casual shrug. “A man in his position must be careful.”



“Now you mention it, are we sure telling him *anything* was such a good idea?” Rax asked. “I mean, now we’re sitting unarmed in the heart of his lair. Fighting our way out of here is going to be tricky if it comes to that.”



“It won’t,” Aella said.



Rax glanced over at the Andorian, who had busied himself again with tending the dishes laid out on the buffet. Rax leaned close to Aella and lowered his voice so the Andorian wouldn’t overhear.



“We *are* planning to steal from him,” he said. “If something goes wrong…”



“It won’t go wrong,” said Aella. “Mr. Dreyton, you worry too much.”



“It’s just this subterfuge crap isn’t my usual play,” Rax said. “I’m more of a ‘walk up to your door, knock politely, stun you when you answer’ kind of guy. Lies have too many moving parts for my taste.”



“We haven’t lied,” Aella said. “You told him the truth about who you are, and why you’re here.”



“I left out the part about Snek having sent me here,” Rax said. “You don’t think Harad-Sar’s background check is going to place me at the Ferengi Trade Mission?”



“It will,” said Aella, “but we’ve already admitted you went to Snek first. If we stick with the story, that Snek’s offer wasn’t good enough, why would Harad-Sar doubt it?”



“Why *wouldn’t* he?”



“Powerful men aren’t so hard to predict, Mr. Dreyton,” Aella said. “It appeals to Harad-Sar’s pride to hear that he can offer things that DaiMon Snek cannot. Once he’s verified the rest of the information we’ve given him, that narrative will be satisfying to him.”



“You’re pretty good at manipulating people,” Rax said, taking another bite of the pie.



“We do what we have to in order to survive,” Aella said, returning her gaze to the starfield outside the window.



Something seemed to switch on somewhere in the back of Raxl's brain, some blinking alert light that told him he’d missed a crucial detail, that he was in danger, and that the danger was close at hand. It made him nervous, but since he was already pretty nervous sitting in the lounge of a ruthless information broker, Rax hardly noticed it.





The door to the lounge parted, and Harad-Sar stepped in. Rax could see that the Orion had been accompanied by a pair of bodyguards, but they seemed content to wait in the corridor as Harad-Sar stepped into the lounge and approached them.



“Leave us,” Harad-Sar said to the Andorian, without looking at him. His eyes were fixed on Rax, and it was a look that didn’t do very much to settle the bounty hunter’s nerves.



The Andorian obediently left the room without a word, and Harad-Sar took a seat on the couch next to Aella. He smiled at her, then at Raxl.



“I trust you’re enjoying the food?” he asked.



“Good pie,” Rax nodded.



“I’m glad you think so,” Harad-Sar said. “Terran food is not a personal favorite, but I am always pleased to see my guests are happy.”



Harad-Sar turned to look at Aella and smiled sweetly at her.



“My dear, I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Dreyton,” the Orion said. “Perhaps you might get yourself something to eat while we talk?”



“What about my finder’s fee?” Aella asked. “You owe me two now, you know.”



“I keep careful track of all my debts,” Harad-Sar said. “You have my word, you will be compensated. But first, Mr. Dreyton and I must talk.”



“Okay,” Aella said. She stood, bent down to let Harad-Sar kiss her cheek. She gave Rax one final look over her shoulder as she walked away, her eyes silently urging him to stick to the story they’d discussed. Rax watched as she then went to the buffet and started perusing the various dishes available there.



“Well. I’ve checked out your story,” Harad-Sar said, getting down to business. “You were telling the truth.”



“What a relief,” Rax said. Harad-Sar didn’t look like he appreciated the joke.



“You are Raxl Dreyton, former Federation Marine, dishonorably discharged,” Harad-Sar said. “After leaving the Federation military, you worked as a hired thug for various unseemly criminal enterprises, including a brief stint with the Orion Syndicate.”



“Very brief,” Rax said.



“You’re a former resident of LIMBO, with a short but impressive career in Daheel’s fighting pits, but your life here was cut short after Tella Yavin suggested you might be happier living somewhere else.”



“’Suggest’ is a pretty polite word for it,” said Rax. “She tried to shoot me.”



“For the past few years, you’ve worked as a bounty hunter, operating mostly on the fringes of Federation territory,” Harad-Sar continued. “You have a reputation for bravado, rash action, and unusual luck, but if you’ll forgive me for saying so, you’re still a small fish in a very big pool. Would you call that an accurate assessment, Mr. Dreyton?”



“As long as I’m well paid, I’ll be whatever kind of fish you want,” Rax said.



“Which brings us to your offer,” Harad-Sar said. “Perhaps you could explain how some as relatively insignificant as you managed to learn the identity of the Shadow Master when my entire information network has not managed it?”



“Must be that unusual luck you mentioned,” Rax shrugged. “I did some work for the Shadow Master. Never saw him face to face of course, we used dead-drops or spoke through an intermediary, but I recognized an encryption code on one of his messages from my days with the Syndicate. I know a few top notch data crackers that owed me a favor, they were able to trace the message back through a series of comm relay. The message was bounced around at least three dozen times trying to disguise its point of origin, but my guys managed to pull it off. Once I found out where the message came from, I called in a few other favors, got a list of names, and from there it was an educated guess.”



“A guess,” Harad-Sar repeated.



“Poor choice of words,” Rax said. “I know who the Shadow Master is. *How* I know it isn’t the point.”



“Very well,” Harad-Sar said, finally smiling at him. “Then who is it?”



“Nice try,” Rax said, wagging a finger at him.



“You told me you were looking to sell,” Harad-Sar said, his smile faltering a little. “I’m not accustomed to having my time wasted.”



“This information might make me rich, or it might make me dead,” Rax said. “I’d strongly prefer the former. So I have conditions.”



“Very well,” Harad-Sar sighed. “What are they?”



“I get paid first,” Rax said, counting off each condition on his fingers. “Once I get confirmation the funds are in my account, you get the name. Second, I want a guarantee for my safety.”



“You lead a dangerous life,” said Harad-Sar. “What guarantee can I reasonably offer?”



“I’m assuming once you have this person’s name, they’ll wind up dead in short order?” Rax asked.



“Not necessarily,” Harad-Sar said.



“Right,” said Rax. “Well, whether you kill him, hire him, buy him off, whatever, I’m guessing there will be a period of unrest immediately after I spill my secret. I want the protection of the Orion Trade Association until things are settled, one way or the other.”



“This facility is secure,” Harad-Sar said. “Even Tella Yavin’s men would have a hard time blasting their way in here.”



“I think Tella Yavin would just shut off life support to this section of the station,” Rax said. “But I take your point. This place will do.”



“Very well,” Harad-Sar said. “Are there any more conditions?”



“Yes,” Rax said. “I want a look at your security.”



“Out of the question,” Harad-Sar said. His face had resumed the stony impassivity that Rax had come to expect.



“Wrong answer,” Rax said.



“Mr. Dreyton, there is no reason for you to see our security,” said Harad-Sar. “I’ve given you my assurances that you will be protected. That is enough.”



“All due respect, but no it’s not,” said Rax. “You don’t know what I know, but you know enough to understand that the Shadow Master is dangerous. He comes at you sideways. Armored bulkheads and a hundreds guards won’t even be a factor. If he catches wind of what I’m trying to do, he’ll kill me right under your nose if we let him.”



“Either you’ve overestimated him or you’ve underestimated me,” Harad-Sar said.



“The Shadow Master has stolen information right out from under you at least a half-dozen times,” Rax said. “Not to mention the fact that he’s shut down every effort you’ve made to flush him out. He’s been ten steps ahead of you since he arrived on the scene.”



Harad-Sar stared at Rax, his eyes slightly widened but otherwise neutral.



“You are… better informed than I had guessed,” the Orion said slowly. His cheek twitched slightly.



“You’re not the only one who’s done his homework,” Rax said with a shrug. “Let me look at your security. I’ll know what I’m looking for. Once I’m sure I’m safe, then we can talk.”



“The answer is no, Mr. Dreyton," Harad-Sar said. His tone was final.



“That’s what DaiMon Snek said,” Rax shrugged. “I thought you’d be more flexible. Maybe Tella Yavin might be interested in what I’m selling.”



“Tella Yavin wants you dead,” Harad-Sar pointed out. “I expect the only reason you aren’t yet is because you’re too insignificant for her to notice, but showing up at her door would be most unwise.”



“Daheel, then,” Rax shrugged. “That old spoonhead still has a soft spot for me.”



“He won’t be able to keep you safe,” Harad-Sar said. “Not like we can.”



“That’s my problem,” Rax shrugged. “You already said you weren’t interested. Well, sorry to have wasted your time, and thanks for the pie.”



Rax stood, and started to walk away.



“Wait,” Harad-Sar said finally. Rax stopped, and turned. The Orion frowned up at him.



“You should know I do not usually respond so kindly to this kind of pressure,” Harad-Sar said. “Fortunately for you, the information you possess is very valuable to me.”



“So you’ll let me check your security?”



“Under guard,” Harad-Sar said. “You will be watched carefully the entire time. That’s *my* condition.”



“Sure,” Rax nodded. “So when do we get started? No time like the present, right?”



"No," Harad-Sar said, standing up. "I want to run a security check *before* I show you anything."



"You don't trust me?" Rax asked. He smiled, but his stomach worked itself into a knot as the Orion stared cooly back at him.



"I'm being careful," Harad-Sar said at last. "I'm sure you can appreciate that."



The Orion didn't wait for a reply. He turned and walked over to Aella. They spoke in tones too low for Rax to hear, then the Orion kissed Aella on the cheek and left. He didn't look back at Rax. Aella lingered by the buffet a moment longer before coming over to join him on the couch.



"It went well?" she asked.



"I guess," Rax said with a shrug. "We're not dead yet."



"Harad-Sar will let you into the security center?"



"Under guard," said Rax.



"That was always likely," Aella said with a shrug. "You can handle it, of course?"



"Lady, I don't even know what I'm walking into here," Rax said.



"There will be two guards, at most," Aella said. "Plus Harad-Sar, who will also be armed."



"How do you know all this?" Rax asked.



"I'm not just here as your escort," Aella said. "I was already working on this when you showed up at Snek's."



"Right," Rax said. "That's not really an answer."



Aella raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"



"I mean, where'd you learn to do all this stuff?" Rax asked. "Where'd you come from? Who *are* you?"



Their eyes met, and for a moment Rax thought he'd finally figured out what had been bothering him for the past few hours. The answer was right there, within reach, all he had to do was reach out and take it...



But Aella was in his arms then, her lips pressed lightly to his. Rax suddenly couldn't remember what he'd been talking about. A moment later, and she was gone, and he saw her back on the couch, light from the starfield outside shining against her skin and making her look as beautiful and remote as ever. Rax didn't remember her moving away from him... even know, it was like he could still feel a ghost of her, pressed against him.



He blinked.



"Uh... what were we talking about?" he said.



"The plan," Aella said, turning to look at him. Her eyes settled on his, and that knot in Raxl's stomach returned.



=[/\]=



NRPG: This one got pretty long, so I'll do the Jake/Russ/Kalandra storyline in my next post. Just getting things moved into place.



ALIX: Hope I did okay with Aella. Let me know if you want to JP, I think we're almost done at Harad-Sar's place.



Shawn Putnam

a.k.a.

Jake Crichton

Chief Engineering Officer

USS PHOENIX



and



Raxl Dreyton

Bounty Hunter