Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Three: Eggs #11

"What's the alert about?" Fox asked as he joined Lannister on the spaceport's deck. Lannister started towards one of the secure bays, Fox on his heels.

"Orbital hopper from Nyarugusu station. Had some trouble onboard," Lannister said.

"That's Nara's flight," Fox said, alarmed. "What's wrong?"

"Some men tried to hijack it in flight," Lannister said and swore.

"But how? They couldn't have gotten guns onboard, surely?"

"No, but the Consortium is way too lax about knives," Lannister said.

Chief Kellii was waiting at the bay door. "Pilot checked in a few minutes ago. They've the situation under control, he says."

Fox laughed suddenly. "That's Nara's flight," he repeated.

"Report was there were three men," Lannister said.

"Nara is kurgara," Fox explained to Kellii.

"Three men against a kurgara," Kellii commented. "Hardly seems fair. Should have six, seven men at least."

Lannister arched an eyebrow.

"Believe us, she's that good," Fox said. "How soon till they dock?"

"Five minutes or so."

Barry arrived while they were waiting. They quickly filled him in.

"Could this effect diplomacy?" Lannister asked.

Barry just shrugged. "Certainly. But how? This is one of the big issues, isn't it?"

"Is it?" Fox asked. "I've been so busy I haven't paid attention."

"Yeah, the Consortium has so far consistently refused to address the no fly list or terror watch list. They don't see the danger, nor will they recognize the legitimacy of the list."

"Oh," Fox said. "I see. Anyone can go up to a station, take a hopper to Shoshone and be on American soil in a matter of hours."

"And now? Will they see the danger?" Lannister asked.

"Likely not," Barry said. "They'll say they stopped them en route. Besides there's the issue of bio-ident as well. Anyone attempting to cross international lines through the Consortium would have to be bio-idented. That would make them easy to track if something happens."

"What do we do with these guys?" Fox asked.

"We will take them into custody," Kellii said.

"Onboard a hopper will make it Consortium jurisdiction," Barry said. "What will they be charged with?"

"Causing a disturbance, attempted murder perhaps. We'll let legal decide," Kellii declared.

The hopper had docked and the door slid open. Nara was first through followed by two other people that Fox recognized. "Clower! Davis!" he declared.

They each were leading a man, holding them in armlocks. "Hey, Fox," Clower declared, his voice bright.

Nara pushed the man she held into security's waiting arms and ducked in to kiss Fox. Fox returned the kiss, heedless of the others stares. "Work," he grimaced as he let her go. He turned towards the others. "Davis? Clower?" he said again.

"Happened to be coming back," Davis said. "Ran into some ruffians, but we fixed them right up." He seemed enormously pleased with himself. "Of course Nara did the bulk of the work," he admitted.

"What are you two doing on a Consortium hopper?" Lannister was asking.

Davies waved a hand. "Just passing through. Got tired of dock work you know, so contacted Officer Remus. Pulled some strings and got us an embassy job in Africa. Not as exciting as ship-side, mind, but better than dock work." He made a face.

"Anyway, we've been stationed in Somalia now," Clowers took over. "Got three days off for Thanksgiving, but can't exactly fly home from Somalia in that time."

"Twenty seven hour flight, with stops," Davies put in.

"Then we realized we could jump an owl." Owl or OL was slang for Orbital Lander. "Right at the embassy. Two hours to Nyarugasu. Four on a hopper to Shoshone. Barry says he'll get us to the surface. Be home in Boulder before nightfall."

"It looks like Fox's new crew has things in hand," Lannister said. "How about we swing by the bottom court. Just opened yesterday. I'll buy you guys a drink for old time sake."

"I've got these men," Kellii said, "if you want, sir."

Fox gave Nara a look.

"We've three days," Nara said. "We can spare a half hour for old friends."

"I don't know," Fox joked, wrapping his arms around her. "Three days? Not sure I can spare a second of it."

She laughed and dragged him after the others.