The cat's out of the bag.

[Zaphod_the_spacebum 0]

Zaphod sat at a table in the back of the bar pondering his situation. He was not in a very good mood at all. Even the cute little barmaid sitting on his lap scratching behind his ears only cheered him up a bit.. He had been in this mood since Zoalus. Being captured by the Argons was bad enough, but to be bartered off to the Guardians was the final straw. He sat in that cramped cell for what seemed like an eternity. He was worried about his ship mates. Sure they were a group of mercenary pirates. But, he had come to consider them friends. Savoy had asked him who his allegiance was too, and he had answered truthfully. He was a space bum. All Zaphod was interested in was money. He didn't care about allegiances. His mother had nicknamed him Zaphod because of a 20'th century Earth comedy series. That Zaphod had been a wanderer, a non conformist, and a wise ass. Something he had lived up to in his 48 years. And, that was why he fit in so well with his newly found friends. That's why something Savoy said made him tone his attitude down a bit. She asked him if he could see his ship mates in danger. Zaphod hated the Guardians. Not near as much as the pampas idiots in Star Fleet and the Federations. But, almost as much. When he had his mining and trading vessel Silver Star, the Guardians were constantly raiding him, searching for contraband. Once, he and his first mate An'gel were detained on Tranquility for 6 months in not to savory conditions. They were treated very badly. Because of that, he reluctantly brought Ang'el back to Earth, breaking off their engagement. Savoy's warning grated on his mind. His shipmates in danger? What had Joe been doing in the months of his confinement? He had to find out. Savoy said that the Qob was docked at the space station when she released him. He had to find them and see what was going on. He contacted Joe by communicator and relayed Savoy's message to meet him. But, something caught Zaphod's ear. If Joe was just a few decks below him, why the delay in a response. It was Joe's voice, but the delay between the connection worried him. That was why he had turned around and gone back to Greedo's to have another round, smoke a spiced cigarette, schmooze with the cutie and think things over. He looked at the tricorder readout "Joe" had sent him. It was deep in the bowels of the station, the perfect place to lay a trap. He weighed the options. Go down and see if it is Joe, and reconnect with his ship mates. Or, play it safe and stay here till they found him. He looked into the face of the cute young thing sitting on his lap. He asked himself: "Would Zaphod Beeblebrox play it safe in my situation?" He probably would. Unless he had his danger glasses. But, this Zaphod was worried about his friends. So he made his decision.

 

He looked up at the little barmaid. "Sorry mon chere', but work calls."

 

She pouted out her lower lip. "But, Zaphy, I thought you were here for a little r and r." She winked at him and scratched behind his ear again. "You promised to.." She leaned over and whispered in his ear. It twitched.

 

He grinned and laughed. "No rest for the weary I'm afraid." I promise I'll be back though.That really does sound appitizing."

 

She pouted a little more and whispered something else.

 

A bigger grin spread across Zaphod's face. He purred. "Hmmm, if you put it like that, I may just jump ship and stay here." He laughed out loud.

 

The barmaid kissed him, scratching his ear one last time "See ya kitty."

 

She got up and walked back to the bar. Zaphod watched her go, admiring the view. He got up himself, headed out of the bar to the promenade. He ducked into a corner and found his palm phaser, and Caitian claw dagger he had hidden in his equipment bag, and transferred them to his belt. He took a cigarette out of his leather jacket, lit it, then brought up the map on his tricorder. He started walking toward the lifts, twitching his tail. He suddenly wished he had a pair of Bebblebrox's danger glasses. He shook his head.

 

"I've got a bad feeling about this."