Collateral Damage

Posted on 12 Jul 2019 @ 9:23pm by Civilian J'Tan

Mission: Mission 1 - In the pale moonlight ...
Location: The black hole
Timeline: MD3 21:00
699 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

J’Tan was winding down at the Black hole after conducting a little business with the Mortori brothers earlier. “I wish you wouldn’t bring these people in the bar boss,” Te’Laya said. “They make me nervous.”

“It’s my bar sweetheart,” J’Tan shot back to the curvy barmaid he had employed specifically to lure in patrons to cover up his illegitimate business.

“Well it looks like you have round two coming. Oh they are so ugly ...” she groused seeing three of the aliens enter.

J’Tan’s head swooped in the direction of the entrance and inwardly he groaned. Not these smegging zot Kalotums again. They had been bothering him for weapons the last time they came to the Agora. Very pushy. He had pointed them in the direction of some arms dealers and they had gone on their way much to his relief. This was 4 months ago.

Roach and his two other cronies, one possibly female you never could tell with these “Cetea”.

“Ah J’Tan,” the gruff man growled slamming his hand on the bar heavily, “We are in need of your services again.”

He tossed a PADD in front of him. “What do you know of these?” Roach demanded.

J’Tan’s blood ran cold as he took in the picture in front of him.

“Where did you find this?” he asked.

“That is none of your business. How can we find someone who can make it work?” he demanded.

J’Tan swallowed glancing nervously at Roaches companions whose hands were inside their robes resting on their weapons no doubt.

Roache grabbed hold of the aliens hand on the bar and started to squeeze the life out of it. “We know you have contacts. Give me a name now. My master needs this operational so we can have our revenge,” he hissed.

J’Tan bit his bottom lip to prevent any sign of weakness betraying him. With his free hand, he reached under the bar for a concealed gun. Quickly he forced it up and underneath the alien’s ugly throat.

“I suggest you rethink that action. You two,” J’Tan demanded. “Show me your hands before I redecorate the ceiling here with an interesting new shade called Cetea brain.”

The alien released his hand and hissed something in their native language to the other two. They however complied. Roache stepped back and J’Tan lowered the gun but kept it on him.

“You have made a powerful enemy,” Roach demanded. “If I was you I would have killed me when you had the chance. Believe me you will not get another.”

J’Tan shot him in the leg for the pure hell of it. “Get the hell out of my bar and don’t come back. And a word of advice, that …” he tossed the PADD back at one of the underlings, as the female pulled Roache back up visually in pain, “is more trouble than its worth. You’re not going to find anybody who wants to get involved in that. Nor get it working. Its centauries old.”

He pressed another button under the bar and something on the ceiling scanned them.

“I think your lying,” demanded Roache bleeding onto the floor as he leant on the female. He eyed the scanner suspiciously though.

“Insurance,” J’Tan hissed. “That’s coded to your DNA now. You step in here again, it obliterates you.”

They conversed further in their tongue and wisely decided to leave. J’Tan lowered the gun noticing he had an audience. “Shows over folks.”

Te’Laya took a step to him lowering her voice. “See exactly that. Makes me nervous.”

“You should be. They get that thing working we are all in trouble. The only up side is they are that crazy they will use it to destroy their ancestors and home first,” J’Tan stated. “We’ll all have a chance to get out of here if they decide to send it our way.”

“All those innocent people,” the beautiful alien said horrified. “Oh Boss no …. They have to be stopped. That’s blood you don’t want on your hands.”

OFF:

J'Tan NPC Jonathan Reynolds