Encounter at Freecloud

Posted on Tue Jan 17th, 2023 @ 1:07pm by Xavier X-1

915 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission One: Goodwill Tour [Part One]
Location: Freecloud: Former Romulan Neutral Zone
Timeline: MD4: 1000 hours

Jack settled the old freighter into orbit around the planet. Once established in stationary orbit, the ship was assaulted with pop up holographic adverts. Jack tapped three and punched the fourth. Xavier seemed equally busy getting rid of the unwanted ads.

"Jack," he asked as his hands danced across the keys of the console, "What do they mean by 'happy ending'?"

Jack smiled. “Not something you need, kid. Maybe our passenger would have a better attitude if he sprung for one. How are we doing on a landing pass? Make sure payment goes to Randolph’s account, so don’t worry about the fee.”

Xavier grinned, though it was unclear whether it was because he had figured out what a happy ending was, or it had been the remark about the fees. He glanced down at the screen in front of him, then back at Jack, then back at the screen as he typed something in. They'll have an opening in 3.25 minutes, I've programmed the coordinates into the system."

“Good,” Jack directed his comment to Xavier. “The faster we get rid of our passenger, the better. I don’t think we’ll have him back.” Jack didn’t like the way Randolph had treated Xavier when they’d first met.

"I could not agree more. But, he did serve his purpose. What do we do from here?"

“Now we see good ‘ol Randy off and pick up new work, Xavier. Freecloud is a place for all kinds of adventure and opportunity. Just don’t get involved with the Orions. The Syndicate does dangerous business here. A good bit of skepticism is needed here, Xavier.”

"’ Forewarned is forearmed’ is the saying, I believe. Aren't Orions the ones with the green skin where the women are slaves to the men, or is it the other way around?"

“Green people. Both…” Jack grunted as he reached down for something he dropped. “The women are slaves to men and then the men become enslaved by the women. Very exotic, Xavier.

“What do you say we get Randolph off our ship and then go see what Freecloud has to offer this trip?”

"That sounds like a great idea. What are you going to show me first?"

“First things first, we check to make sure Randolph hasn’t screwed us, so we’re stopping at the currency controller in Stardust City.”

Jack locked eyes with Randolph and help up a PaDD. “The rest of my money!” Randolph grumbled as he thumbed his own device, sending over the latinum. “If you aren’t good for it, Randolph, you know my next stop after the currency controller. You can’t screw Freecloud.”

Randolph flipped a finger as he walked down the aft hatch. Jack smiled. “Go replicate something fancy, kid. We’ve got work to do.”

“I've heard that steak and lobster is a fancy meal, at least a fancy Terran meal. Does that work for you, or do you have something more exotic in mind?"

Jack chuckled. The android still got some things very wrong. “I’m sorry, I meant replicate something nice, something fancy to wear. On Freecloud, you have to play a part. Our part is expensive cargo captain and his executive officer.”

"Ah," Xavier expressed, "I thought we were celebrating Randolph's departure. Now that you've made it clear, I think I can whip something up. I'm assuming you're going to be the Captain?"

“The people with money here like to dress like clowns and flaunt it, Xavier. I’m going to have to dress every bit the captain, down to the epaulets,” Jack explained. “Maybe we should make you the captain, huh? You can have a little fun with these overbearing tarts.

“Think French Aristocracy just before their heads started to roll…let them eat CAKE!” Jack finished with a flare. A Terran phrase that would ring in history for all time.”

Xavier didn't get the eat cake reference, he was hardly a scholar when it came to Terran history, but had didn't mention his lack of understanding to Jack.

"I'm not sure I'd make a convincing Captain, and perhaps the less attention we bring to ourselves the better. But I'm sure I can come up with some kind of costume. Do you really want it from that time period?"

“Just look rich,” Jack answered the droid. “Extravagantly rich, my friend. Everything else will sort itself out!”

Xavier nodded, "I think I can manage that. So, I'm going to be Captain now? I mean at least for the purposes of our exercise."

“If you think you can pull it off, Xavier, then you’re the captain. That’s a good plan, nobody cares about the captain’s hired help. It’ll free me up to do some business and check on our accounts. Good plan, Xavier!”

"I was being..." the android paused, searching for the correct term, "facetious. But, I suppose I could attempt to pull it off. I will go replicate some outfits and be back."

True to his word, Xavier returned ten minutes later with two uniforms resembling the dress uniform for the Royal Navy from the 1880s.

Jack was happy they were in Freecloud during the fall, even moving closer to winter. All that heavy fabric would be overly hot in the summer. Either way, he was happy to indulge the android’s costuming.

Jack chuckled as Xavier displayed their Freecloud uniforms. “Ridiculous and perfect, my young friend. Let’s get dressed and hit the town.”

 

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