A Quack, 2 Cats, and a Drug Ring (Part 1)

[Kansas_Jones 0]

04.29.07

ISS Agincourt ICC-81762

A Quack, 2 Cats, and a Drug Ring (Part 1)

 

Written by: Javin Prell (as Westler) and Kansas (as Left Ear)

 

A human guard led MVess “Left Ear” JoNs and her older brother Ravirr through the gun metal gray corridors of Starbase 718. The Caitian siblings, the cargo they had brought, and the escort guard were en route to the living quarters assigned to the Imperial officers serving on Starbase 718.

 

Westler sat in his quarters, on the couch, half-dressed, looking over a PADD.

 

The Imperial guard stopped outside of the destination quarters, and MVess and her brother followed suit, waiting patiently. Ravirr kept one paw on the controls of the cargo flitter, but also kept a wary eye on the guard - the brown furred male felinoid was the largest of the JoNs siblings, and often employed as the muscle for these drop off and exchange type of jobs.

 

The guard chimed for admittance to the inner domain.

 

Westler looked at the door. "Enter!"

 

The guard entered the necessary coding onto the wall mounted touch padd, and the doors to Westler’s quarters whooshed open to admit the Caitian mercenaries and friend. The escort, a young ensign, snapped off a smart salute to Westler. "Sir! The requested cargo has arrived."

 

Westler waved him off, scowling. "Fine." He looked at MVess. "Let's see it."

 

JoNs motioned to her brother, who keyed open one of the crates containing the Foraxian Shrooms. The secure hatch obediently opened, revealing the coveted plant inside.

 

The tawny furred female looked to Aaron, a bit bored in her demeanor. "There you go. Four crates of one of the most sought after galactic mushroom plants."

 

He stood up, gazing at the Shrooms. He walked over, and stared at them, then reached inside the box, poking one of them.

 

Left Ear raised a paw. "Whoa, easy there Skippy. Those things are fragile - I assume you know that more so then I do."

 

He scowled. " I know that, kitten. But how can I tell if they are the REAL Shrooms if I don’t test them, hmm?"

 

Ravirr growled low in his throat at the glib insult, but his younger sister put a paw up to forestall any further comment and or growling. Her green eyes then lanced into Westler. "Kitten is it? And you accuse us of bringing you faulty merchandise. Not exactly Mr. Business are..." Her gaze suddenly became far away as she began to scent something lingering in the recycled air.

 

He smirked. "Are what?"

 

She turned her attention back to him. "...you." Left Ear shared a clandestine signal with her brother, double checking that he too had started to pick up on the new scent.

 

Ravirr then spoke for the first time since entering the quarters. "You have a feline here?" His deep purred voice carried within the confines of the area.

 

Westler closed the crate. "I do. How much for all four?

 

Left Ear shared a quick glance with her brother, and he nodded imperceptibly, indicating that the small scanner hidden in his vest was still taking passive data scans of the station and conversation.

 

Her tail lashed slightly. "Twenty five thousand credits. And may I ask what species of feline you have here? Domesticated or other?"

 

The male Imperial officer handed over the padd, authorizing the transfer. "Domesticated?" He chuckled. "Yes, in a way it's domesticated..."

 

JoNs felt her blood pressure rise, but her street sense overrode the desire to deservedly smash the man’s face in. "I see. A slave then?" She could however, be blunt.

 

He nodded. "Whoever said aliens were stupid was wrong, I've always said it." He looked at the two Caitians. "Is there anything else?”

 

Ravirr caught his sister's eyes, his own expression matching hers - the situation called for some sneaky commando style tactics, and there was a particular family member that they had in mind that would be able to do more then Ravirr and MVess in this situation right now. Ravirr turned his attention to Westler. "No. Other then do you accept the pricing or not?"

 

Westler looked at Ravirr..."Do you not see me handing you this PADD? It's been waiting for you to take it. The authorization is on it." He rolled his eyes.

 

The male Caitian mercenary took the Padd, inspected it, and then nodded his assent to MVess.

MVess then turned her attention to the human officer. "Very well Mister Westler. Our business is concluded. Thank you for your time and enjoy your Shrooms."

 

He nodded. “I shall.”

 

<to be continued…>

Edited April 29, 2007 by Kansas_Jones