A Routine Run CH1
A beginning of a story for a friend, Alexx, using her characters. Science Fiction!
"Are you sure you should have another drink?"
The vulpine woman behind the bar cocked an eye at Pericles as her voice carried through the bar. It was well lit, odd for an entertainment venue. This space station was bare-bones, with a fueling station and a few scant luxuries in the waiting area. The highlight of the trip, certain in Pericles' mind, was the spacious bar filled with new people to learn about.
That and the alcohol.
"Yeah, just one more. That drink - what was it, a rockhammer? - Yeah, that was really good." His voice slurred just a bit as he tapped his paw on the table. "Just one more, and one for my buddy here."
The tiger nodded to the silvery weasel next to him, a slight man wearing a jacket with a high military collar. Jewels sparkled on each side - he was high ranking, and most likely well connected. The gentleman nodded to Pericles, his jagged smile punctuated with narrowed eyes. "Ah, yes, just one more. And what did you say your ship could do for me, mister... what was it, Pericles?"
The tiger grinned back as he took his drink from the bar. "We have a ship. We can do things. What do you need doing?"
A familiar growl stopped Pericles' train of thought. He recognized it instantly - Aureus, right behind him. The lion's voice was firm and proper, with a hint of fierce anger that pierced his normally stoic demeanor. "Hello, Admiral. I see you've found one of my crew."
The admiral grinned brightly as he bowed. "Ah, Captain Aureus! Yes, your subordinate was doing a... lovely job of selling your services." He lingered on a few key words that made Pericles' hair stand on end - the sounds of desire, familiar to him, echoed in the weasel's voice. Pericles bowed to the captain and turned to face his captain. He closed his eyes for a moment and his lips opened and closes, mouthing soundless words. His throat and stomach glowed a little, and Aureus nodded - the lion recognized a spell to purge toxins, a spell outlawed on his ship.
"Yes, he does have a tendency to find work." Aureus nodded his head to one side, and Pericles took his leave. As he passed, their hands brushed against each other for the briefest moment. Pericles inhaled sharply as he scampered off. The weasel was distracted, by the fox leaning against the bar. The pleather bodysuit left little to the imagination as he idly sipped on a fruity drink - a rarity, on a space station. He turned his head and glanced at the weasel, who quickly returned to the conversation with the lion.
Aureus folded his arms in front of him. "You were suggesting some work, Admiral?"
"Oh yes, yes." The admiral held himself steady against the table. "The Federation's got some equipment that needs to get to one of our more far-flung science facilities." It was obvious that the weasel was triple-checking each word as he spoke it.
The lion raised an eyebrow. "You have ships. You have guns. Why do you need us?"
The weasel flinched. He was obviously unhappy about the position he had been put in, which pleased the lion. "The equipment is classified, and only a piece of the whole. There have been problems with certain deliveries not making it to their destination on this project, and this piece I specifically want to arrive." The admiral rapped his claws against the table. "I need a pilot and crew who know not to ask too many questions and want to be paid well for a delivery."
Aureus glanced at the fox at the bar. His large drink was nearly depleted, and he seemed deep in conversation with the bartender. He swore he had seen that one before, but further thoughts were interrupted by the rapping of claws on the table again. "Do you have any military hardware here, Admiral? We can make it, certainly, but a little insurance would go a long way."
"Certainly, captain. I can arrange for some gear for your ship, rather quickly. We can consider it part of your advance." A huge grin split the weasel's face. His sharp teeth glinted in the light.
The lion nodded, as he regretted this decision already. He was going to have to thank Pericles for his work, as well as put him on scraping off any tracing systems the military will be placing in his ship.
They shook hands, and walked out.
The fox watched them leave. He lifted a small receiver to his ear and pressed a button. Aureus' voice came through the speaker, a bit garbled but understandable. He smiled, dropped a generous tip on the bar and, with a spring in his step, walked out of the bar.