I was browsing the market when the call came in, although I couldn’t really be bothered to speak to anyone at the moment. Whoever they were though, they were persistent and didn’t give up easily. Eventually the blinking “incoming message” light and annoying alert got the better of me and I accepted.
Not recognising the person on screen, I abruptly answered with just a “Yes?”. The originator wasn’t put off and seemed in a chirpy, happy mood. I scowled slightly. “Good morning Ma’am” she greeted “I came across your details in my file and….”. I cut her off mid sentence and interjected “Whatever it is you’re selling, I’m not buying” and went to hit the disconnect button. “Oh no! Wait!” she exclaimed “I’m calling from Fl…”. I interjected again “Listen, I don’t know who gave you my details or what you want but I’m really not in the mood and frankly I don’t have the time.”
Reaching across for the disconnect again she bellowed “Flash sent me!”. My hand stopped in mid air and I slowly looked her over with a smile spreading across my face “Well, why didn’t you say so” I said in a much better mood.
“I did try Ma’am, but you were rather….” again before she could finish her sentence I completed it for her “Grumpy!? Yes, I always am in the mornings, sorry”. She continued her conversation, which was actually rather one sided since I couldn’t get a word in sideways after that. She was Flash’s “secretary” and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself knowing what that mischievous pilot was like. The long and short of it was that he wanted to see me, and figured the best place might be in the Independence bar – which suited me just fine.
At the designated time I walked through the double sliding doors. The air hung thick with cigar smoke, people huddled around tables playing cards, drinking and muttering to each other in the dimly lit atmosphere. It made a perfect place for discussions and planning. “Oh hi there Alia” said the bartender who knew me pretty well after all this time. I just smiled and winked at him “He’s out back, is he?” I asked. “Yeah”. I made for the back of the bar behind a semi partitioned area. This was the private area where none of the riff-raff were allowed, a personal space. It still had the same dim lighting and was filled with smoke.
I was about to step through when two burly Brutors blocked my path. “Can I help you two esteemed gentlemen?” I said in a sarcastic tone. “You’re not going in there” one of them grunted. “He is expecting me you know” I protested. They looked at each other and snickered slightly, which only served to infuriate me. I didn’t want to cause any trouble in Flash’s haven, and it was strictly forbidden by the bar rules and etiquette “Don’t you know who I am?” I raged. “We don’t care if you’re Tiberius Heth, you’re still not going in there with that”.
“With what?” I exclaimed! One of them extended his arm and pointed to my pistol, which was strapped to my thigh in a holster and grunted “That!”. I looked down at it, and then back at them “You don’t seriously think I’m going to…” but before I could finish he said “It’s the rules, no exceptions”.
“Very well” I sighed. I reached down towards the pistol and unclipped the holding strap keeping it in place securely, the popper opened with a slight “pop”. They were alert and ready for any trouble, you could see the change in their stance but I wasn’t here for trouble. After un-clipping the popper I raised my right hand into the air, making it very difficult for me to get hold of it again and stood still. One of them stepped forward and reached to the holster and removed the pistol.
“Careful with that!” I snapped. “It’s an antique”. After taking it from me they looked at it and snickered again. “You two boneheads don’t even know why I carry it, do you?”. Suddenly the smiles were wiped from their faces and they shook their heads. “Well, did you hear any alarms, sensors or alerts go off? No, no you didn’t”. The reason I carried this antiquated weapon was simple – because it was very hard to detect unless you were visually looking for it. It didn’t have an energy pack, a hybrid charge or any advanced form of projectiles. It was plain, simple and still did the job using old fashioned gun power and cordite – which no one bothered to scan for these days since it was so outdated. I shoved through the pair of them exclaiming “I’ll be back for that later”.
He was sat in the back corner, laid back against a chair with his feet on another. Occasionally putting down one data pad and picking up another, taking a puff on his cigar or a swig from his drink. Waiting I wondered if he’d notice me since he seemed pretty engrossed after a while he did “Hey there, thanks for coming” he said as he rose to his feet and pulled out a chair for me. “Thanks for inviting me” I replied as I looked up at the tall well build Brutor who towered above me. Shaking my hand enthusiastically he beckoned for me to sit down on the chair he provided, which I did and he also took a seat.
“Drink?” he asked. “Usually excessively, but I’ll just have a coffee today thanks”. He pressed a button on the table and spoke “Coffee please”.
“Well then” he said looking me over “You wanted in?”
I nodded but didn’t speak, just an “mmmm hmmm” escaped my mouth.
We’d known each other for a couple of years maybe, along with a few other people here and there. I’d flown with him countless times, and many of his crew. Even so, no favours or special treatment would be granted – and none were expected either. There was a rigorous trial period where you were evaluated, and after which were either accepted, declined or extended.
“Well” continued the Brutor with his shades still rested atop of his head “I’ve discussed it with others, the directors and so on” I nodded, listening intently and focused on each word. “I’m sorry to say….”
My face must have fallen and he obviously saw that and a loud bellowing laugh echoed around “… that we’ve decided to accept you!”. I shrieked with delight “Really?”. “Really” he said firmly.
Standing up, he extended his hand to me. I took it and he gave me a vigorous handshake, which was actually rather tight but I didn’t flinch or look uncomfortable. “Congratulations” he said, also giving me a hearty slap on the back nearly knocking me over. Jesus, did these Brutors not realise how strong they actually were? Probably not.
“There’s one last” he cleared his throat “thing we need to attend to”. Handing me one of the data pads that had been on the table and said “You’ll need to review these company terms and conditions, and sign it”.
I nodded once again and started reading. Slowly taking a seat and taking a sip of my coffee which had just arrived I continued reading the terms and loyalty pledge. Once finished I looked back up at him, he was sat there waiting with a large grin “Think you can work with that?” he said. I nodded in affirmation “Sure, not a problem at all” I replied signing my name at the same time and handing the pad back.
“Great, well welcome aboard once again. I’ve got a few things I need to attend to now, but finish your coffee by all means” and with that he headed out. Stopped on the way by his two bouncers who had obviously started to question him about my pistol, seems they were actually confused about how to unload it. I watched with interest as he took the pistol, flicked the safety on, ejected the magazine, and pulled back the barrel unloading the round in the chamber. I smiled, and the bouncers nodded in understanding – obviously this wasn’t exactly modern technology.
He called back “Oh yeah, I’ll see you at the next op” and strolled out of the bar. I finished my coffee and walked out, standing by the bouncers I just held my hand out for them to return the pistol which was delicately returned a few seconds later. “Thank you boys” I said as I strolled out of the bar.
With that, I was a fully fledged member of The Bastards and loving every minute of it.
The Bastards
I think it’s also been about 6 or 7 days since I was last online (Why do I feel like I should be in a confession booth? Where’s an Amarr when you need one?), aside for a few minutes of skill changes and convo’s whilst I was supposed to be working.
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