Escape

Posted on Thu May 3rd, 2018 @ 8:08am by Captain Rueben Gregnol

Mission: Mission 6 - Azzia
Location: Gangway to the Mary Rose
Timeline: MD14 15:00
896 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

“Officer Mahwah, why can’t I go back to the Bagnio?” the little girl whimpered as they made their way through the space station.

“Hush Mátéma, I told you it was too dangerous for you there,” the now former special officer of the Azzia Regional Guard replied, She has a point, Ambika, the little voice in her head warned, You’re in enough trouble as it is. This little albatross will just bring even more heat down on you. But she knew couldn’t have left the girl at the bath house, anymore than she could have dropped the investigation into the disappearance of her and her mother. Besides somehow, Mátéma was key to all this insanity, and Ambika couldn’t afford losing her in the recesses of Azzia’s red-light districts, where many nulls disappeared without anyone noticing or caring.

Suddenly pain gripped Ambika’s side as she felt the wound open, just like that back-alley doctor had warned, leaning against a support column to catch her breath she motioned to the ship still loading cargo, “See over there Mátéma, that will be our home for a little while.” She said winking at the little girl, “You’re going to go out and see the stars just like I promised. Now come on let’s go check in and see what our cabin’s look like.”

Ambika pushed off the column and controlled the pain she felt, as she guided her little charge toward the cheapest ship in the station she could find that took cash and asked no questions. She almost laughed, wondering how Captain Gregnol would react to his new passengers as she entered the gantry way to the SS Mary Rose

The man on the gangway looked up and shook his head. "No way... not you... your the passenger I've been waiting for?" Leiddem demanded ready to beat the woman up over the issues her and her colleagues had caused on the ship just a few days before. "And the kid?" He demanded softly crouching to the girls' height.

"Yes, It's me and the kid," Ambika replied feeling sweat on her forehead, knowing she needed to lie down soon, 'I'm transporting little Mátéma out of the system, to her only living relatives. And as fortune would have it, you are the vessel that will be traveling nearest to where I need to go." she added hoping she wasn't going to be asked where that was. Then looking at Mátéma she said, "Don't worry little one, he's not one of the bad guys."

"She knows who I am," Leiddem said softly smoothing her hair before he looked up and shook his head at her. "How has she got relatives outside of the system?" He demanded wanting to check they were not going to involved in child trafficking. Reuben would not be pleased if there was even a whiff of that.

"She has a Great Aunt, Kareena Gharapure, working a surax mine out in Scoria 848S." Ambika explained as she took out a flimsy sheet, handing it to the security officer, "Or at least she was, two years ago." she added, praying to the gods that Leiddem wouldn't demand a DNA comparison, knowing that Aunt Ena's genetic profile would only line up with her own. Fortunately, Mátéma decided at that point she knew that man as she wrapped her arms around his neck in a bear hug.

The big man was a sucker for kids being an uncle and quietly picked the girl up and shook his head. "And you... how are you going to cope being off world? No husband?" He said remembering that Azzian men were married to seven women. He gently brushed the girl's hair and pointed to the hatch that Ambika could follow him through.

"Careful about volunteering your services of an Azzain woman, Mr. Kea." Ambika smiled as she felt blood trickle down her leg. Casually putting her hands in her coat pocket, she gently pressed against the wound, thanking the gods she was wearing dark clothing. She just hope the cabin wasn't too far away.

"Wasn't offering those services but I think you need a healer." The man said clearly as he saw his sister coming towards him. "Jea... take the girl. I need to deal with this one." He said seeing the blood now staining her fingers.

"Try and take her and I'll," was as far as Ambika's whispered threats got before she fell against the bulkhead. Knowing she couldn't protect Mátéma from a dead bird in her condition she looked at the little girl and said, "It's ok Matty, you can go with her., she'll take good care of you." she with a smile she didn't feel added "The foods really good here." As Mátéma disappeared down the corridor she turned to Leiddem "Ok", she asked him as she felt her knees buckle, "How?"

"I'm a telepath. Pain can't be hidden." He explained without a second thought as he swept the woman up into his arms as the kid that she was accompanying was taking to the mess hall by his sister.

OFF::

Leiddem Kea
Weapons Master
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Gregnol)

Ambika Marwah
Passenger
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Kane)