Dinner meeting PT2

Posted on Sun Feb 20th, 2011 @ 6:44pm by Walter Jones & Charlotte Ashcroft

3,325 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Session 4: The Humans are Dead...
Location: Lagashi Trade District

The driver was still waiting for Jones and Lottie. Silently. Patiently. Walter walked down the exit ramp from the ship onto the cold tarmac and waited for Lottie. "He'll drive us to the dinner then we are on our own. And Don't worry, I've got your back hun, I won't let anything happen to you." Jones smiled at her as he started to walk over to the car. The driver walked over to the side and opened the large suicide doors for them to get in.

Feeling naked both without a firearm and with just a fitted garment to cover her dignity Lottie walked carefully upon the heeled shoes Jones had found her. She wanted to make the impression on their driver that this was normal for her, but she suspected the look of concentration gave the game away.

"You'd better," she hissed at Jones as she wobbled past and slipped delicately into the curved seat, careful not to give the drive a view to remember. 'How did Sky ever manage this?' she thought as Jones sat in beside her and squeezed her knee gently.

"What's the deal with this evening?" Lottie asked as the driver keyed the engine. "I mean what are you hoping to gain out of this? It'd better be worth it otherwise we've dressed up for no reason."

The car pulled out of the lot and onto one of the mega speedways.

"Well, let me fill you in a bit." Jones looked for a cigarette in his coat pockets but couldn't find any. "This woman that we are going to see is named Akiko Abona first regent of the trade guild for the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. They recently set up headquarters here on Lagash as one of their main hubs. The business climate here is a bit better then the rest of the Federation."

The massive arcologies rose from the ground, blocking out the sky in most places. Jones turned and looked at Lottie. "We are loose members of the trade guild, and by loose, we have the privilege of accepting jobs from them and only pay a fraction back. As for tonight, I'm not sure what we are going to get out of this, maybe a nice dinner, maybe a new job, who knows.. with that woman, you never know what she is going to do until you get in front of her." Jones sighed in thought for a moment as he looked out the window. "I may have had some dealings with her in the past, she might be calling in a favor. If your worried, we probably won't have a slugs put in our heads."

"Now that I would have expected," Lottie smirked. "Are their others attending this meal? I mean is there going to be competition for a contract?"

"Probably a few other captains and mates. These things usually are invite only" Jones looked at Lottie, he could tell she felt exposed, both with her dress and not wearing a weapon. "Don't worry hun, I won't let anything happen to you."

"I'll hold you to that."

The car slowed to a halt in front of a small building tucked in between larger ones. The architecture was different, more ancient feeling then the other more modern structures. The driver stepped out of the car, opened the door and offered his hand to Lottie to help her out. Jones stepped out after her and looked at the building. "I wonder what is for dinner?"

Lottie paused for a fraction before taking the hand of the driver feeling even more self conscious then before. With a smile she place her hand within his and as gracefully as possible rose from the car and balance herself upon those heels until she was able to loop her arm around Jones for support.
"A serving of opportunity I hope, with a side plate of bitterness."

Jones helped Lottie by letting her lean most of her weight onto him, and walked up the front stairs.

"Alright, game face love." Jones put his hand on her and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

Two doorman opened the imposing doors to a large antechamber, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, throwing tiny beams of light around the room. Artwork from all over the quadrant hung on the walls, statues and tapestries. Several people were milling about, Jones recognized a few of them from the trade lanes, other Captains, members of the trade guild, and minor officials.

"That guy there" Jones pointed over to a scraggly looking Andorian, "He owes me money... but I thought he died like ten years ago."

"Looks like he should have been," Lottie replied watching the pale looking Andorian strike up conversation with his neighbor carefully keeping his back to the door and to the new arrivals. "I think he recalls you."

One woman stood out from the crowd, she wore a long red Cheongsam made of delicate silk with yellow flowers on it, her long brown hair done up with crossed chopsticks. She was flanked by a Vulcan and a Ferrengi, both monitoring the private stock markets of several planets with visors attached to their heads. She moved in and out of the crowd, mingling, talking to the various people.

"Is that our woman?" Lottie asked nodding toward the trio. She certainly appeared to play the role: eye catching beautiful and exceptionally business like at the same moment.

"Yup that is her." Jones stared at her for a moment before being shook out of it. "Don't worry you look better." Jones was cut short as the woman made her way over to the two of them.

"Captain Jones, I'm so glad that you made it here tonight." She extended her hand to Jones which he took. "And who is this lovely..." She turned and looked at Lottie. "Woman, I hope not my replacement, Jones."

The pause in her tone spoke volumes to the already uneasy Lottie. Instantly she disliked this woman, and answered her query before Jones could form even a single word. "Charlotte Ashcroft," she said smoothly laced with a sneer and flashed a biref grin. "He's partner in crime."

"I'm sure he's told you such sweet wonderful nothings." A slightly evil grin crept across her face when a chime sounded through the hall. "Ohh, that is the dinner chime, I'm sure we'll speak more after. It was nice to meet you Ms. Ashcroft, Walt." She moved back up the staircase and disappeared.

"Yeah.. ummm about her." Jones turned and looked at Lottie, "Lets just say her and I have a little bit of a history together."

Lottie nodded knowingly. "Just a little bit? Should I be envious?"

The stairs opened up to a large dining room, butlers and servers moved about showing people to their seats. A Lagashi dressed in a full servants uniform showed the two to their seats near the head of the table.

"I still don't have an idea as to why we've been invited here, I've actually started to have a bad feeling about this." Jones said as he grabbed a roll from a basket in front of him.

Watching how the other women folded themselves neatly in their seats and gently shook the crisp napkin Lottie followed suite while listening to Jones undertone voice. "You could have simply passed on the invitation," she replied accepted a roll passed across.

"Unfortunately it doesn't work that way... these are the kind of people that if you pass up an invitation, they come looking for you to either drag you there or make you disappear." He smiled at her. "Besides, I got to see you in a dress, that alone is worth the price of admission."

She smirked at his answer. "Clearly I still have a lot to learn when it comes to business," she cut into the roll with care before looking back toward Jones. "I'd almost forgotten how gifted you could be with words. Just comitt this to memory as I suspect you'll be seeing me in a dress again."

"Consider it committed." Jones stabbed at another roll. "So about Akiko, we might have had a little fling at one point, well ok, more like a relationship, but it went south when she started advancing through the guild and I wanted to stay in the trade lanes." Jones took a sip of water. "We've maintained a working relationship, but beyond that I don't think she's tried to have me killed. Last I heard she's still a little bitter about how things went down."

Lottie looked toward the head of the table with thought: "Perhaps she's finally let that bitterness go, hence why we're here. Although having been a target of her gaze I'm not too sure..."

"Don't worry, I like you better love." Jones smiled at her. "You have more personality, and a great smile."

She actually blushed at the comment and found sudden interest in her meal to avoid answering save a embarrassed: "Thank you"

As dinner went on, the tension in the room became thicker, it was becoming clear that there were very few people in this room who knew what was going on, and the ones who did weren't spilling the secret. After the last course was served and people were finishing their deserts. The woman who was at the front of the table lifted a knife and gently rapt it against the side of her glass, sending a sharp and slightly shrill "clink" through the air. A silence fell over the room

"Friends and associates, I'm glad that you've been able to attend tonight." She let the words hang in the air a moment to make sure everyone heard her. "I have called you together tonight for the celebration of new trade and to extend our hand to our new Lagashi friends, who have extended their arms to us in a show of mutual interest in expanding trade to the quadrant." She looked around the room at the Lagashi representatives who were nodding in agreement with her statements.

"Now, that the standard acknowledgments and pleasantries are over with, lets get down to business. With new trade venues, we have a need for more ships and crews then ever, that is why you have been called her tonight. Each of you have been chosen to participate in a new pilot program. You will have exclusive access to certain high profit cargo loads that will allow you to reap a 310% profit margin when the jobs are completed." the woman looked around the room for reactions. "And ultimately I have chosen three ships and crew to initiate the first run. The Cho'kta with Captain Niles Dak, the The Vexxar with Captain Tallar and finally The Warden with Captain Jones."

Jones turned and looked at Lottie.. "This is going to be really good or really bad."

"Why do I have a sinking feeling its the latter?" Lottie caught his eye feeling her jaw tighten at the news that the Warden would participate as a fore runner in this experiment. Clearly Akiko hadn't forgotten the previous relationship with Jones nor was she willing to allow him to leave her mists once more.

"I'll be in contact with each of you after this dinner to discuss the details. The rest of you will be rolled out into the 2nd phase of this program." Akiko smiled at the assembled mass of people when a Cardassian raised his hand from the opposite side of the room from Jones and Lottie.

"How much is this privilege going to cost me?" The Cardassian sneered at the woman. "There is no such thing as a free lunch especially when dealing with the guild."

Akiko composed herself, her eyes were shooting daggers. "The privilege of working with the guild and being awarded these contracts, the guild will be absorbing initial start up costs of the program. After that, we suggest a small donation of 10 percent of gross profits."

There was some mumbling among the assembled members of the dinner.

Without moving her eyes Lottie lent closer to Jones: "I don't like the sound of this, its got 'trap' written all over it."

"Yeah, I noticed, something is definitely amiss." Jones stood up to address Akiko, "Excuse me exalted leader, but, what if we are not interested in this grand opportunity?"

Akiko's eyes narrowed. "I figured if anyone would object to this it would be you Jones I bet that little tart has been talking you out of things."

A little bit of laughter came from the other captains and members around the table.

For her part Lottie did not know what a tart was, save for the edible type but it was clear from the sudden laughter and how the rooms gaze fell upon her the term was not pleasant.

"First of all you old battle axe... she's not a tart, even if I knew what the hell that was, second of all no one talks Walter Jones out of anything... I get myself in trouble all by myself thank you."

Lotie felt a stab of pride as Jones stood up for her thought she couldn't help wonder if he was treading on thin ice with present company.

Akiko was just about to respond when a large explosion was heard from the main hall that they had been congregating in before dinner. Several phaser rounds echoed out while screams and shouting followed. "Guards." She said calmly looking at men on either side of the room as the pulled phasers out and rushed towards the commotion.

"I assure you this will be all taken care of shortly. If everyone could please begin moving towards the rear of the dining hall."

Jones sat down next to Lottie and handed his slug thrower to her. "For some reason I think you are going to need this dear."

"I think you'll right." Lottie said checking the chamber and disengaged the safety. She rose from her seat with Jones at her heel: "So much for you keeping me safe huh?"

"I'm not done yet." Jones spotted a heavy looking sconce hanging on the wall and quickly ripped it down and spied his next target. One of the guards was rushing towards the sound of the action and as he ran by, Jones brought the heavy object down on the mans back knocking him to the floor unconscious. Flipping him over he found a phaser and a slug thrower.

"Should we find out who it is or should we just make an exit, stage left?"

"I don't think we'll have long to wait," Lottie raised Jones weapon and squeezed off a round into the rush of movement that came spilling into the hall from the entrance way. Her arm jerked back slightly with the recoil. "We'd better make a break before this get even more ugly."

"Yeah good idea love." Jones spotted a door on the side of the hall and grabbed Lottie by the hand, pulling her over towards it. "Damn thing is locked." Jones checked the door again and with one big kick tried to knock it down, which barely budged the door.

With their exit blocked Lottie was about to sugest another route but her voice never made it over the sound of more trouble hurrying toward them.

Several rounds flew their directions, the shouts could be heard getting closer to them. Jones gave the door another kick and it swung wide open. "Go first I'll cover you.

The door frame had been pebbled with raining fire. Lottie returned fire with precision, careful not to empty the chamber completely choosing her target wisely as Jones hammered the door into submission. She stole a look over her shoulder to check his progress when something white hot struck her left leg. She yelped, staggering against Jones for balance and caught a glance at the neat hole through the white dress and the sliver of blood that seeped down her thigh.
"I'm hit," she hissed through clenched teeth.

"Damn it." Jones pulled her into the hallway and slammed the door behind him, putting his back to the door to brace it. "I'm so sorry love." Walter pulled off his coat and ripped the sleeve and knelt down next to her. "Let me have a look at that leg." The sounds of projectile and phaser fire could be heard from outside. "What a mess we are in aren't we?"

"Too right," Lottie replied filching as Jones applied pressure to the wound. "Just bind it, have Pass look at when we get back to the ship."

Park stepped into the shattered antechamber, several members of his team had taken up defensive positions in the hall. For the most part the shooting had stopped and only occasionally the a round would go off.

"Where are they? WHERE I SAID!" Park yelled at no one in particular, "I swear if they are dead before I get to them I'll kill all of you!" Park looked up at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and fired a phaser blast at the hook securing it. In a shatter of glass, metal and crystal, it fell to the ground with a large clash, like the sound of a thousand dishes shattering at once.

"FIND THEM! AND BRING THEM TO ME!" Park stormed up the stairs past several of the henchman and into the main dining room to survey the damage."

The sound carried through to where Jones and Lottie stood. "Come on," she tugged at his shirt collar. "Enough acting like a gentlemen, we need to get out here. Steal a car, hitchhike, anything come on."

"Yeah you're right." Jones helped her up and ran down the hall way, just as he reached the end an explosion rocked the hall and the door that had until momentarily been standing shattered in a hail of wooden shards and debris. In the main hall a figure stood, smoke around and the shattered remains of the dining hall table.

"Is that... Park..?" Jones eyes narrowed before pulling out the slug thrower and firing 6 rounds down the hall towards him. "Come on." Jones opened the door which emptied out onto the side street. Jones pulled a small device from his coat clicked it and threw it down the hall way. He pulled Lottie out onto the step and slammed the door behind him. Another explosion rocked the hallway and a dull thud slammed against the door.

"I'm... I'm getting too old for this shit..." Jones bent over and started breathing heavily. The street was dark, in contrast to the lights of the Arcologies above them. "See anything we can hi jack?"

Panting equally as heavily Lottie looked around them feeling her ears ringing from the previous explosions. "Anything well do, though considering the noise we've just made the faster the better. I don't think it will be too long until someone comes investigating."

Jones looked around the area and saw a hover vehicle parked on the side of curb, more the likely belonging to one of the people in attendance at the Jones ran down and smacked the end of his weapon through the side window and opened up the door. We waved Lottie down and started trying to activate the vehicle.

Limping across Lottie slipped into the passenger seat wincing slightly as she aided Jones to start the small, hopefully fast vehicle.

As Jones started it the door that they had exited through exploded in a rain of shrapnel and through the wreckage stepped Park Stamir, a crazed look in his eye. With a determined look, he pulled out a phaser and started firing at the car.

"I thought we killed that son of a bitch." The car fired up and screamed out into the travel lane in the Arcology with Park firing at them the entire time.

Ducking beneath the dash Lottie returned fire before her weapon clicked dry. "Me too," Lottie turned forward, "Slippery bastard."

 

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