Winston Chronicles: Qob/Tranquility Universe

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Moments later...

 

“ODRI” shop, Unspeakable District.

 

 

“I’ve always wanted a chance to get the Bolian who runs this bogus ODRI shop. Winston, tell me he is inside,” Jiles Benson asked as he approached the front entrance with haste.

 

“Sorry sir, just the three Orions,” Mark Winston replied as he continued to check his Guardian Issue ODRI. “I don’t read any weapons on the Orions, but I am detecting a powercell consistent with a 2360s Federation Type-3 phaser rifle where the main counter is. I don’t think my father got to handle one of those.”

 

Benson observed his partner take a position on the other side of the main door of “Mitar’s ODRI Wholesale Shop.” This shop Benson had wished to shut down long ago, but other crimes and issues in the precinct always got in the way.

 

“Probably an under the counter sales clerk weapon. Hopefully the Orions don’t find it, but we treat this situation as if they know about it.”

 

“Yes sir,” Winston acknowledged. “Structure has three points of egress: this one, a side door near the counter, and a back freight door.”

 

“Alright one more thing Lawman Winston. You haven’t worn riot gear before so let me tell you now it will soften some physical blows, but it won’t do a doggie against energy weapons. You get shot, you are down. Understood?”

 

“Copy,” Winston acknowledged.

 

Without warning Benson busted the door open with his disruptor pointed straight at the three startled Orions behind the sales desk. Winston moved right to cover the side exit of the building.

 

“Hello, Gentlemen. You are committing an act of looting which is against Tranquility City Law. Just stating the obvious, boys. I want you big fellows to walk around the counter and put your hands on your heads, now!”

 

The Orions looked at each other then at the lawmen and started laughing.

 

“Something funny boys?” Benson replied stiffly as he closed in slowly on the three Orions.

 

The biggest Orion, who probably was over 6’10, 350, was the first to comment. “Are the Guardians so desperate for personnel they are hiring high school kids! I bet this boy hasn’t even seen a woman’s....”

 

“Oh you don’t want to go that way with my partner.” Jiles interrupted quickly. “He has a habit of blowing people’s heads off. Lucky for you I only gave him his Klingon ‘boomstick’ on this call, since I am not in the mood to clean brains off the wall! Get in front of the counter. NOW!!”

 

The Three Orions shuffled in front of the counter looking at Winston briefly, then the side door.

 

“Not yet!” Winston caught the visual cue.

 

Jiles took over now. “Okay, listen carefully. Clearly you guys had no clue you were breaking into a phony ODRI shop. All these parts you see around you are junk. This is not worth me shooting you three, and having to write a report on your deaths. But, believe me when I say it the Marshall of Tranquility City doesn’t care for looters in this city...she means it. I can shoot you on site right now.”

 

“We can still rush your ass, Guardian.” The big Orion replied to Jiles. You may get one of us... maybe two, but not all of us.”

 

“And your two buddies have no objection to be disrupted to sizzling vapor, big guy?” Winston chimed.

 

The Orions began to look at each other and speak in hushed tones. The smallest Orion finally spoke out to Jiles. “So how do we resolve this situation?”

 

With his free hand Jiles grabbed a part from a shelf and tossed it to the big Orion. “Take this processor and have it appraised by someone who knows more about ODRIs than yourselves. Next, I want you three to spread the word that this place sells targ fodder. Understood?”

 

The Big Orion looked at the part then to Jiles. “You cutting us loose?”

 

“Exit, hands in the air, through the side door. And don’t ###### my partner off because I still am teaching him not to shoot first and then take names. Now get out of my sight! I see you three here again I will let my partner have some fun with his weapon!”

 

With his weapon aimed at the Orions, Winston pivoted away from the door and allowed the huge would-be looters to exit the shop. Once they exited, Winston reported the obvious. “Clear, sir.”

 

It was Benson this time checking his ODRI. “Okay they are bolting.”

 

“Pardon me for asking sir, but why did you release them?” Lawman Mark Winston asked.

 

“Sometimes word of mouth can do more harm to a business than it being pillaged. Procure the weapon under the counter and let’s move out of this dung hole.”

 

“Yes sir.” Winston complied and proceeded to retrieve and safe the Bolian Merchant’s weapon.

 

“Besides, Partner, did you really expect those three behemoths to fit in the back seat of our speeder?”

 

Winston had to chuckle at that one. “The thought didn’t occur to me, sir.”

 

“You still have a few things to learn kid. I am going to quickly document the scene here on my ODRI. Watch my back”

 

“Yes sir,” Mark Winston replied as he carried the Bolian’s weapon along with his own.

 

Without warning, both Guardian’s ODRIs chirped. “Unit 95 report to station immediately,” a dispatcher commanded.

 

“Frak! I’ll never get this place fully documented! Alright, Winston, let’s move out.” Benson ordered with frustration.

 

The two Guardians departed the ODRI shop only to notice more smoke rising from Tranquility City. The riots and panic continued as Minos’ countdown to death entered its last hour.

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What's this #####! Okay so I used a bit strong language but not that bad. ::grumbles and walks away::