Gettin' Too Old For This PlaQta'

[Joe Manning 0]

"I am looking at a video feed of your bionic-armed friend attempting to plant something on Minos," the holo-image of Savoy's face said. "Our scans have shown no anomalies, so we do not have the grounds to place him under immediate arrest. I demand an explanation, however."

 

Joe sighed and rested his chin on his hand. On his other arm, his ODRI was delivering the latest update on the Minos operation. He was seated on a crate in an alleyway near the port realizing how much the fatigue of the past few hours was weighing down on him. In the streets nearby, a few stray rioters were still carrying away whatever they could from storefronts; there was no reason to stockpile for the end of the world, but, hey, if the stores were broken open and unguarded, why not. Joe found himself envying the vigor of youth that kept those folks going even as dawn approached.

 

"If your scans say there's nothin' on him, there's nothin' to worry about," Joe pointed out.

 

Savoy's holo-face scowled. "I'm worried about the fact that a sensitive operation was placed in the hands of a mercenary crew that appears to be out of its Captain's control."

 

"Your 'sensitive operation' was a success," Joe replied. "But I promise you I'll look into it. Why don't get some sleep, Savoy? You look like you could use it."

 

Savoy was clearly in no need for games. "To say nothing of the civil unrest which continues in the city, I have to get Minos transported to a secure, fortified location in one piece, and I have no reason to anticipate that his followers will not attempt to free him. Pher insisted that the Deltan underling influenced the exchange of fire which took place during the operation, but can she be certain that none of her crewmates are working with the Rainmakers? Is this Shane character not a new addition to your crew? I want to know what his motivations were and what he was attempting to do, Manning."

 

"Like I said, I'll look into it," Joe said. "If I find out anything that I think you need to know, I'll be in touch right away."

 

"Not good enough, Manning! I will want a full report of--"

 

Joe tapped the ODRI's control panel, cutting the Marshall off. He opened up a new channel to Qob. "Pher, assuming the cleanup over there is wrapped up, bring the crew over to The Maze. I think everyone could use a drink and some sleep. Oh, and ... let go of the Shane thing for now. We'll talk about it over a bottle of bourbon."