Re: The start of the rest of your life
<snip>
> "A nice living quarters, and all the food and drink you want."
> "...." Kevn was silent.
> "And a thousand pounds."
> "Sounds feasable... What's the job?"
> "Smuggling..."
> "Smuggling what?"
> "I'll show you once we get back to the wearhouse...."
<Endsnip>
Who: Kevn, Rico
where: wearhouse 42
when: 3 years earlier...
Kevn looked around the wearhouse. There were people, they sat and
ate MRE's while a man on a makeshift stage did a comedy act.
"These are illegal aliens, you want me to smuggle illegal aliens."
"No I want you to be the pilot for a "cheaper" spaceflight." Rico
said, "You see, these people just want a new start, to leave Earth
and begin a new life with their families."
"You honestly think I'm that stupid. I can smell a secret a mile
away. What's the catch?"
"Well... This little operation is run by mob boss Igor Bonely."
"Igor Bonely!?! Now you're just being stupid!" Kevn was about to
turn and leave.
"No! Man this place has good intentions. We are helping the poor
man here. But the only way to keep this place running is to be owned
by the ritch, powerful, mob boss. Besides, I'm a good pal of Igor's."
"You can forget it... I ain't gettin' into trouble. I have enough
problems."
Rico grabbed Kevn's shoulder and turned him to see the people in
the croud, "You see that little girl over there?"
"Yeah, so?" Kevn said.
"She and her mother don't have a home, her husband left her for a
better looking gal. And now they cant make a good living because
most of the jobs don't want them. But Mars has more options, more
doors for them."
Kevn looked as the little girl hugged her raggy teddy bear, "I know
this isn't a good idea." Kevn thought.
"Okay... I'm in..." Kevn sighed, "God knows what kind of trouble
I'm gettin into..."
Who: Kevn
where: Boomer 7 cargo bay
when: a few days later
Kevn had gotten along with Rico rather well in the past few days.
Rico meant well, he had a big heart. But he always went into the
wrong croud, but Rico had plans. Rico wanted to be a miner for the
JMC, he grew up in a small mining town and the only father figure he
had was a miner. Rico was saving up money to head to Neptune and
join up with the mining gig there. Kevn on the other hand knew Rico
had more troubles. Kevn had a good sence of keeping to himself,
because when dealing in a business like this you are better off
being unnoticed. Kevn was smart to be as enigmatic as possible.
Though he was really friendly to the "customers" and they enjoyed
his company during travel. When Kevn wasn't in the pilot's seat he
was in the pub with Rico playing poker. Kevn knew one day he'd have
to leave and head for other persuits. And it made Kevn feel blue
thinking of leaving a good friend behind. But that would change
soon...
When: two years later
Kevn slowly landed the Boomer 7 into the cargo bay. "Wooo weee!
That was a blast!" Rico said, "They never saw us coming!"
"Yeah I know, told you that sewer was the best place to land."
"Whatever..." Rico suddenly paused.
"What?" Kevn said.
"Its "him"..." Rico said.
Outside on the cargo ramp was a tall, strong man in a black suit.
It was Igor Bonely....