Dangerous Bait

[Marielle Lafleche]

The continuous light of the Cluster did not penetrate the sea caves below the Kurh'n'dan of the Red Mother. Had there not been the soft glow of lamplight along the docks, it would have been pitch darkness, rendering most natural born Hapans blind. The entirety of Kris Bonnie's pleasure house was perched atop a seaside cliff, caves leading within concealed the madam's other business endeavors, specifically those of the smuggling and piratical nature. Presently a crew of mixed genders transported goods that had recently been unloaded from one ship, into the cargo hold of another.

It was more than she had expected, this shipment. It would fetch an impressive return once it was beyond the Transitory Mists. Beyond the Cluster there was a rising demand for costly Hapan made goods of all kinds. This kind however was from Sivoria. As in Sivorian minerals - vital to all Hapan weaponry. What was in the crates was not exactly a mystery to the captain who would be transporting and transacting their purchase, with haste she hoped. It was murky business, but profitable murky business at that.

Captain Lafleche sat on a sharp jut of rock above the dark water, digging under her thumbnail with the tip of an ornate dagger that had previously complimented her outfit.. When she heard boots on the steps above her, she glanced up only to be disappointed that it was not who she was looking for. Sighing, she leaned back on the heels of her hands, booted legs crossed waiting... She hated waiting. There was work to be done, and she was eager to get to their ship..

More footsteps. This time when she looked she caught a flash of red hair, the exact shade as the Red Mother's. Marielle smirked and hopped down from her rocky throne. "Vic.. I trust your sestra is well?"

[Vic Starfallen]

Vic was a wandered at heart and couldn't call many places home; but her sister's Fifth House was the closest thing she had to such a place. She was so freaking proud of Kris, and glad she had been able to grow under her wing, instead of simply the narrow carcan their family had tried to trap the sisters in. There was no trapping the Bonnie sisters. Anyone foolish enough to think they could had no understanding of who they were. Sure thing there were a food chain, and they weren't at the top, but they were damn good at getting as high as they could, especially given their love of not being in the spotlight of aristocracy and pure legality.

She had been perched in one of her favorite observation places when the Ducha of Sivoria had landed. She was very excited at the perspective of taking care of the goods that transferred through Kris's House. She was still a little surprised that she had accepted to join Marielle's crew for operations; after years of being a lone pirate, save for the occasional partnership. Granted, she trusted Marielle, and they had been friends for years. And the cherry on the top was getting to be a pain in Remy's ass. This was easy entertainment, but a girl needed some low-key fun at times. She wasn't as familiar with the new girl, Mithra, but for what she had heard, she seemed like a solid recruit. After all, Marielle didn't deal with incompetent.

The redhead had got slightly delayed because she had briefly talked to Kris, and she may have stolen a few minutes helping a new recruit in training, with some pointers. The grin on her face and the bounce in her step may be telling, but she didn't care. Making her way down to the area where she knew Marielle would be, she smiled to the Captain.

"Marielle," she said with a polite nod. "Kris is doing fabulously. Today's money input is going to be juicy based on how loud that Ducha is."

[Remy Lafleche]

The business of shifting the Ducha Wlady’s cargo from one vessel to another was time-consuming, without the conveniences of a spaceport. There was nothing to be done about it, of course. The kurh'n'ta'a stipulated that any such business be conducted off the premises of her House, and the ample size of the sea caves made for an obvious base of operations. Remy had worked in better docks, as part of the Royal Navy, and worse ones, while on Shedu Maad. He would make do and adjust, as he always did. In much the same way as he would adjust, in time, to the new makeup of the crew.

“Ready to get your hands dirty, Victoire?” he asked, as he descended the steps behind Marielle.

[Marielle Lafleche]

The captain took one look at her lovely crimson-haired friend, noting the way her body was more relaxed then when she had gone up. The glossy, sated look in her eyes that might've been the drink - but probably was not, and the bounce in her step that implied whatever it was that had occurred, Vic had come out on top. Most likely in the literal sense.

"Right, which one is that Vic? I think your sestra is fucking more than one." Marielle smirked. She did not begrudge her friend, or any of her crew for that matter, the pleasure of grinding their bits with whoever tickled their fancy. She simply had no interest in it.

The taunting masculine voice coming down the stairs being among the reasons why. Every female, Duchas, Dukanas all the way down the ranks, they all had the same weakness. Remy flashed that damn smile of his and they all made complete asses of themselves. Even now, Marielle could hear it in his voice, this one directed at Vic. - and since she did love her brat, she would have to douse that fire before it got in the way of work. She needed them.. both.

"Don't provoke the kitty, Remy. She has claws."

Captain Marielle Lefleche had no intention of letting some idiot with a pretty smile get the better of her. Never in a million.

The teasing tone of Marielle disappeared immediately following her advice to her brother. There was a crash on the docks just down from them. Two of the crew, new-bloods both, had dropped one of the crates. It had broken spilling some of the contents, packing and guns both, out onto the docks in view of the all of the crew working the job, and many of the Red Mother's workers as well.

Marielle was pissed. Stalking forward with her displeasure clear on her authoritative face, she snatched both of them by the front of their tunics. "You had one job. Carry this without dropping it. Bloody useless!" Without further ado, the captain shoved them both over the side, into the dark waters likely inhabited with things other than pleasure swimmers.

Their splash was an audible echo which resounded as she spun on a booted heel already barking orders and taking command of the situation. "They leave the crew immediately when we return to Shedu Maad, the cost of that crate deducted from their earnings. Clean up the weapons, we can use them as demonstrations of their superiority, or as gifts to potential buyers."

[Vic Starfallen]

"That'd be the one who got all these crates for us to transport. She always goes for Ucha and Irala." She chuckled, feeling in prime mood and clear-minding. A good fuck always did wonders to her. Some people had this kind of haze or even brain fog after the deed; instead, she tended to be on top of any situation afterwards, including whatever happened with her sex partner or partners of that day.

Then she heard her birth name said fully, and briefly looked at who had appeared behind Marielle, although she knew full well who it was.

Ah, the legendary "I will make every Hapan woman swoon the moment I smile" Lafleche male. He had kept trying to rile her up for years, and it amused her. "My hands got dirty just fine a few minutes ago, Remiliard," she said with a grin, with that arrogance only befitting a Hapan woman who knew who the superior gender was.

She extended an arm as she had slowly moved, and slapped Remy's ass. "He knows very well I have claws. They just go elsewhere nowadays." He was hot and a decent fuck as she had established a couple of nights in the past; but not enough to keep her begging or even trying to wrap herself around him again. Hell, besiides his sister, she might be one of the few Hapan women not swooning whenever he pulled his charming number. That came in handy, especially so she could be on point the moment the bloody crate fell to the ground.

She was ready to tear these morons a new one, but, as always, Marielle did what a real captain was supposed to do, and tossed them to the water. Vic kept her eyes upon the dock workers who mostly scrambled to do what the ship captain told them to. She caught sight of a couple who still looked like womp rats caught in headlights. She grabbed one by the collar, and shoved him towards the damaged crate. "You heard the captain."

[Remy Lafleche]

The smack to his backside earned Vic a raised eyebrow from Remy. It wasn’t as if he was a stranger to such attention. It was an unavoidable truth, in the Navy and in Hapan society as whole, that women could treat men just about however they liked, without any repercussions. As the pirate crew fell a little outside of the cultural norms, however, Remy had been about to open his mouth and say something dry in reply, when his sister unceremoniously tossed two members of the crew into the water.

The sounds of their drowning gasps echoed off the cave walls.

“If you’ll excuse me, captain… I’ve repairs to check on.”

Remy dipped his head, acknowledging his sister’s authority, before he paced by both her and Vic towards their ship, where he knew their new mechanic was hard at work.

[Marielle Lafleche]

Generally speaking, everything about the location on Divora was damned favorable. If your voyage was legitimate, the hyperspace lanes leading through the Cluster were convenient, and being seen in the House of the prestigious kurh'n'ta'a who trained the sons of the wealthiest and most influential families of Hapes was always a good thing. And if your business was less than up to the standards of the Chume's Grace, it was an excellent location for that as well.. The sea caves that hid their ships, keeping their business concealed, were a definite benefit to be sure. As was having the sestra of the Proprietress on their crew. Vic's presence among them did not excuse the blundering idiocy of the crew though, Marielle knew. It was a bad showing of their standards, her standards, before the Red Mother. Kris Bonnie was not just a seasoned madam, she was a hub for all of the dirty dealings, secrets, and black market trade inside the Consortium, and without it would seem. And word traveled fast..

Marielle honestly did not care if someone fished the inadequate, wet, crew members out or not. If they sank, their share could be redistributed among the crew - minus the cost of the crate. That went without saying..

"Repairs, yes.. Do make sure we are ready to leave promptly."

"We've disgraced ourselves enough for one trip." The last was muttered somewhat lower, for Vic's ears alone, she was keeping the crew on task. Marielle made a gesture to her friend, a looping motion. Point being clear. Wrap it up.

There was a bit of a snarl about the captain as she stalked up the ramp of the shuttle after her brother, and within.

[Vic Starfallen]

Vic didn't give any further attention to Marielle's brother as he went aboard the ship; because she had more pressing matters to attend. They were on a schedule, and as carefree as she might seem at times, it was very far from who she was. She took things seriously went it came to keep her word, get things done right, and both Marielle's and her family's reputation. She didn't make a move to fish any of the crewmen that had been tossed in the water. If they died, at least it saved them to have to ship them back to Shedu Maad. She personally thought that having the local see monsters eat them would save everyone else's time and energy.

"Indeed," was all she muttered back to the captain, as she briefly stalked a couple of other workers who still seemed petrified. They got to work promptly, and she followed Marielle aboard. Granted, she couldn't help notice that it wasn't just because of the accidental mess that the brunette was tense.

She knew that Marielle considered that sex wasn't on her to-do list, but she really ought to be on someone's to-do list, because getting laid would do more wonders to the Captain than she might realize. Hell, she'd lend a hand if needed, or would be happy to have the crew captain pick a suitable male worker to satisfy her needs, next time they would be on Divora.

[Remy Lafleche]

Though the first to return to the ship, Remy was not first aboard. There was a bustle of activity in the ships corridors, the kind that forced Remy to step aside with his back pressed to the bulkheads on more than one occasion. This was how it always was, just before the beginning of a mission. Many of the ship’s crew had past careers in the Royal Navy and fell easily into the old routines of readying the ship, although with a little less decorum than the blue coats would have demanded. People flew about, eager to make sure that everything was in perfect order, to meet the Captain’s rigorous standards.

Remy found his way to the engineering bay, which was conspicuously quiet. Stepping into the threshold, he rapped the back of his knuckles against the wall, to draw the attention of the bay’s only current occupant.

“Madellé Sev’rata?”

[Mithra Sev'rata]

The voice startled her and she dropped her hydrospanner with a curse, the clattering sound echoing above the dull whirring of the ship's well kept engineering bay machinery. Stepping one foot back while simultaneously pushing her visogoggles onto the crown of her head, she cut a pristine smile at Remy as she leaned out. A thin leather mask still disguised the top portion of her face and a smudge of grease lingered on her right cheekbone. Hastily, she bent to pick up the tool and then moved away from the area of the bay she had been working in. She was dressed quite similarly to when she first met him; brown overalls that cinched tightly beneath her bust, a white crop top that teased a hint of her pale skin, worn leather gloves, and a pair of lace up brown leather boots.

She twirled the hydrospanner dexterously, coming to stop right before him. "Here you are then. Everything should be running smoothly for our departure. I've made some adjustments to the sublight algorithms..." A small time keeping device dangled from the strap of her overalls and she checked the other metric readouts displayed there. "Should be a more efficient egress from the planet's gravity well." She dropped the round device and it thumped against her plumped up bosom. Her eyes did a not so casual stroll along his frame, the corner of her mouth lifting in a grin. "What's next?"

[Remy Lafleche]

“The Captain will be pleased.”

As to what was next… Remy’s eyes dipped for a moment to the timepiece now nestled comfortably in the mechanic’s cleavage.

“The crew are still loading everything on board. Until we take off, you’re most likely free to do whatever you please. Barring any unexpected orders from the Captain.”

[Marielle Lafleche]

Some time later on the bridge of the Nova-class battle cruiser, Captain Lefleche stood akimbo, very much looking the part of a Hapan pirate captain. Serious brown eyes, listened to what her first mate was relaying to her, courtesy of the seller. Marielle had been under the impression that they would have to secure a buyer once beyond the Transitory Mists. That the Red Mother had the name of a potentially interested party made this job that much easier for them. All they had to do was meet him, and if all went well they could have a quick turn around. Which suited her fine..

"Then our path is out the Spine, and from there to the Perlemian Trade Route.", she commented, in response to what Vic had imparted.

Taking her chair, the captain looked over the charts from here to there, including who governed each section of space that they would be passing through. From her seat of authority, Marielle gave the order.

"Take us to Centares."

[Vic Starfallen]

Vic had been surprised when Kris had had a potential buyer for the Ducha's goods. Her sister was extremely crafty and resourceful; but Marielle's crew hadn't always had buyers lined up from the get-go. For sure, the younger Bonnie wasn't going to complain; especially since the route wasn't going to be that complicated. She had been studying the maps along her captain, as they discussed of the upcoming course of action. Vic was curious about this buyer, and hope that he would prove not to be a pain in the ass, as so many non-Hapan males could be. As a buyer, they couldn't just boss annoyances around as with dock workers; but she trusted Marielle to keep him in line if he proved to be an idiot.

When Marielle gave the order to go to Centares, Vic slipped in the pilot's seat, their usual pilot waiting in a nearby spot for the time being. The other Hapan woman knew that only Vic would get the ship away from the belly of Kris Bonnie's location. Once they would hit space and she would have personally reviewed the flight plan, the first mate would let their pilot do her work; but until then she would take care of their space craft herself.

Some people thought that Vic was just a loud mouth; often puzzled by her extensive skills, including great coordination, which came in handy in many aspects of her life. She seamlessly got the ship into the skies of Divora, enjoying the power of their ride.

"Your new mechanics did wonders with the upgrades," she remarked to the Captain.

[Marielle Lafleche]

Vic Bonnie might not have been from Divora originally speaking, but she had spent enough time there, out of all the crew she had the most experience of the unfriendly layout of the caves. Also, she was their best pilot, although some others liked to pretend otherwise now that Vic was in a position of command. It was opportunities like this that kept her fresh, and sated her desire for adventure with something other than another sexual conquest. The captain smirked from her seat, waiting until they had cleared the darkness of the caves, and the gravitational pull of the planet. Marielle was not a mechanical expert, but even she had noticed the ease of their departure..

"So it would seem.", Marielle tapped a finger against her lips thoughtfully. "I suppose I'll have to stop referring to her as 'the stowaway' if she's going to turn out useful after all.."

Rising from the seat, the captain departed for the officer's lounge. It should presently be vacant as they had only just taken off. When Vic was satisfied they were in good hands, then they could review the data regarding optimal routes, known patrols, and other such risks, making adjustments to their journey, as needed. But mostly, just to sit and talk without the rest of the crew in on their thoughts, Vic was her best friend as well as her first mate and it was a lengthy trip they were undertaking.

[Vic Starfallen]

Vic felt much pride in being Marielle's first mate by now; but flying their ship was still something she loved doing. And anyone who thought she wouldn't get personally involved in piloting the powerful beauty anymore, was sorely mistaken. Some may call her arrogant; but she just knew her value. She knew where her skill sets resided, and she was very willing to remind the crew of them.

She grinned to the Captain's remark about the new mechanics; and then couldn't help chuckling at the remark about Mithra being "the stowaway."

"Yeah pretty stowaways come in easy; but talented mechanics, not as much."

She remained focused on flying the ship as Marielle left for the time being. The redhead felt eyes still upon her; but no one dared speak to her unless spoken to. She had scared a bunch of them even when not officially Marielle's right hand; but it had only increased in the recent times. Vic liked that. Scaring people was in her DNA; and she felt unapologetic about it.

Once she felt comfortable letting one of their pilots take care of the upcoming flying; she left the bridge to go reunite with Marielle. It didn't take her long to get to the officer's lounge. Having some time to review the mission, and generally catch up with her friend was a welcome opportunity.

"Captain Marielle," she said with a cheeky grin, as she closed the door behind her. She walked up to pour herself a drink, before coming to sit down with the brunette.

"I think we may have to zig zag a bit more than usual; based on the patrols that are on our way."

While they were to remain in Alliance territory; their illegal cargo meant they had to keep a low profile anyway. It could be annoying; but it was part of the deal.

"Do you have any preferences in terms of alternate routes?"

[Marielle Lafleche]

As was their custom, they settled business first. One of many reasons she was the captain, Marielle took her job seriously. She did not hesitate to act, not even if the situation required acting without mercy. Her position demanded it, otherwise a crew run out of Shedu Maad would never follow her command. The occasional display of 'Why not to cross Captain Lefleche.' was good for maintaining a measure of fear. Bringing them home richer, and with just a bit more of the Galaxy than they'd had before joining her crew, kept their appetite for more both sated and hungry.

Marielle sat with her legs tucked up beside her on the bench. Before her on the table, a blue holographic display of the Cluster, the tradition route leading out not a possibility. What should have been a simple jaunt, just leaving the Cluster was showing with multiple problems, countering too many variables. Most pressing among the threats, the Hapan Royal Navy. She took a sip from her mug before setting it down, her hand passing through the image briefly.

"Alright let's try this.." In her lap, she worked on her tablet, creating a new route, but each time she tried, she got the same results as Vic had. Exactly, the hologram hardly changed.

"So we're resolved then. We can go hasty, or smart. The only thing we lose with the later is time. With the former, we might lose all. It's to be the long way 'round, Vic my dear." Again, she sipped from her mug of tea, which Elle would bet was not what Vic was having.

[Vic Starfallen]

Vic knew that a few crew members had enough ambition and blind idiocy to try to get the position of First Mate or even Captain. They would all bloody fail. Nobody had ever come through her friendship with Marielle; and Vic had no want to be the Captain. She had worked to get to First Mate; but that was it for her. She recognized that her friend was perfect for the role, and she was more than happy to support her in any capacity. Maybe it was because she was the younger sister in her family; but Vic trusted both Kris and Marielle more than anyone else. And as much as she was one hell of a dominant bitch, she had no interest in being a leader. She loved scaring the shit out of everyone, and she'd end anyone threatening either the crew or her sister; but she liked being second-in-command. She felt she could do her best work there.

And yes, she felt very proud when Marielle didn't get any better results than she had going through the map. And on cue, Vic was pouring herself a second drink. She could drink about anyone under the table. It took way more than a few drinks for her to be unable to do her job right.

She crossed her legs and leaned against the back of the seat, grinning at the Captain. "Well, y'know, quickies are only one option. Taking your time can be wicked fun. Building up anticipation can make for the most amazing fireworks," she purred with a wink to Marielle.

Looking back at the holographic display, she mused over options. Setting her glass to a side, she borrowed the tablet from Marielle and triple checked the alternate routes she had come up with, only adding a couple of tweaks for easier jumps.

"Alright, what do you think?"

[Marielle Lafleche]

The fact that her best friend was a trained Fifth Daughter, made sure that while Marielle might personally lack practical application of various sex skills, she had certainly been apprised of most all of them. Unavoidable really as the subject always managed to come up, even when charting routes through hostile space, it would seem.

"I'll keep that in mind, should the situation present itself. You may depend upon it."

Captain Lefleche looked suitably skeptical. She had no intention of disgracing herself for a pretty face, and no intention of settling for just anyone. It was a self imposed impasse she found herself in, but it worked for her. Kept her eyes on the prize, as she so often found herself explaining.

"Not our usual route, and it will take slightly longer but.. yes. This will do. Inform Ensign Marchand of the alternate route and let's be underway. Nothing will expire, but I just as soon return home soon. Your sestra's friend Vankar will just have to wait another day or so for his damn silk.."

[Vic Starfallen]

Vic had never understood Marielle's decision to keep herself from bedding anyone that might be to her liking. Yet she had never pushed her friend to change. She respected Marielle's choice, just as her wild lifestyle didn't pose a problem to the Captain. While their sexual attitude vastly differed, they shared values and life views so much that their friendship had never risked faltering because one was celibate and the other a "serial fucker" as someone had once called Vic, which had made her laugh much to the poor soul's embarrassment. Vic was shameless, so good luck to anyone trying to have her feel any such emotion.

She gave a nod to Marielle's words, a slight grin curving her lips because she took another sip from her drink, relaxing a little as they had settled for the alternate route that would eventually take them to Centares.

When told to relay an order, Vic got to her feet at once, downed the rest of the liquor and took her empty glass to a counter. She chuckled at Marielle's observation. "I've no idea how Kris found about Vankar; but at least he has good tastes. Pity I heard he's monogamously attached to some fancy musician. I heard he's hot."

Vic had rolled her eyes at the monogamous bit. That baffled her as much as Marielle's choices; but to each their own. She had plenty of options even aboard the ship, ranging from old times partners to upcoming conquests.

"Anything else you need me to relay?"

She waited for Marielle's answer, before scampering off to speak to Ensign Marchand.

[Marielle Lafleche]

"That the Red Mother has contacts beyond the Cluster embroiled in her intrigues does not surprise me. The promptness of the contact wanting exactly what we're bringing is convenient, but it seems she needed a crew just as we needed the work. If it were not your sestra I might have had second thoughts, but I trust her not to screw you, and you not to screw me. Cheers."

The captain lifted her mug of tea to her friend as she was leaving. "Nothing now. Have them inform me of anything of note that turns up in conflict with our approved route.."

Just as her First Mate would have left, Marielle stopped her. "Vic, one last thing, yes. The stowaway. Mithra.. Give her an official position on the crew, if it's her desire to stay. She can upgrade whatever she likes, as long as she runs it by you or Remy first. I'll be in my quarters."

Captain Lefleche finished her tea, before also taking her leave.

It should be an uneventful journey to Centares.