Finding a New Ride...

Posted on Sun Jun 2nd, 2019 @ 9:06am by Dixoho Saa (*)
Edited on on Mon Jun 3rd, 2019 @ 9:48pm

Mission: Mission 9 - Daucina
Location: Daucina, Eagullin City, Crazy Storkan's Shuttlecraft Dealership
Timeline: MD 05 / 1256 (local)
2624 words - 5.2 OF Standard Post Measure

This was the third shuttlecraft dealership that Micheal and Dixoho had been to in the past two days. While there had been a few options that had nearly fit the bill of what they were looking for, nothing ever fell into that just right box. Hopefully, this final dealership would give better results.

"That Bajoran shuttle was almost perfect," Micheal said to Dixoho as they neared the dealership lot. "But to ask for over twenty bars of gold-pressed latinum for it?! And it didn't ever have a working warp drive?!"

Dixoho couldn’t deny that the other shuttles and small craft that they had seen so far had been awful. “Let alone the navigation system being appalling.” The woman added as she climbed up to look over the last place that the port agent had suggested to them. It was the last honest dealership, according to the man. “We could just steal the one that Borden and Alika stole.” She reminded as she climbed higher again.

Micheal chuckled as he placed his right hand against the small of Dixoho's back, to steady her as she looked over the lot wall. "While that shuttle did help us get home, it just isn't my taste."

Dixoho smiled at the gentle touch on her back as she looked around. "I thought the chairs looked comfortable," she commented as she moved to climb down. "Lots of options." She confirmed.

"Yes, there are." A new voice sounded from Micheal's and Dixoho's left. The pair turned their gazes over to see a smiling Bolian male approaching them. "Greetings, may I help you folks?"

Micheal finished helping Dixoho down and then gave the approaching Bolian a sheepish smile. "Sorry, we were just getting a quick peek before we came to speak to the owner of the property."

"Well then," the Bolian stated with a warmer smile. "Then I've saved you the trouble of coming to find me."

"You're the owner of this lot, Sir?" Micheal turned fully to face the Bolian.

"That I am," the other man stated cheerfully. He extended his right hand and introduced himself. "The name's Rixx, Largo Rixx. I am the proud owner and proprietor of Crazy Storkan's Shuttlecraft Dealership. How can I help you today?"

Micheal reached out as well and grasped the offered hand, giving the Bolian a firm, but polite, handshake. "Micheal Robertson. I'm the Chief Armory Officer for the civilian freighter, S.S. Mary Rose. I am also a freelance bounty hunter." He then gestured to Dixoho as he continued. "This is Dixoho Saa, our Chief Navigator and my partner."

Largo's smile beamed a little brighter when he addressed Dixoho. "Miss Saa, a pleasure to meet you." He released Micheal's hand and offered his hand to the lovely Trill.

Dixoho took the mans hand and shook it. "You as well. Haven't seen a place like this in a few years," She admitted thinking the last time had been as part of a colony of Vega IV.

"Why, thank you," Largo tilted his head forward slightly as he graciously accepted the compliment. "I am very proud of my business." He released her hand and then beckoned them both to follow him. "Come, I'll give you a quick tour around the place and then we can step into my office."

The trio began walking towards the large, open gates that led onto the property. "Climb aboard. There's a lot of ground to look at," Largo commented as they reached a small, four person anti-grav truck. Once everyone was seated in the open vehicle, Largo activated the drive controls and headed into the property.

"I'm glad you decided to stop by my yard," Largo began as the truck moved along the wide path at a comfortable speed. "I got a call from a friend of mine that you might stop by."

"Yeah," Micheal responded. "We were told that you were an honest dealer and that we should come see you and your wares. We were also told that, if we couldnt find what we wanted in your lot, we wouldn't find it within three parsecs."

Largo chuckled. "That sounds like something Mitchum would say." He paused as he made a turn onto another path. So far, they had passed several small shuttlepods, from several different worlds. There were a few Klingon shuttles, a Romulan craft, several Federation member world examples, even a couple from both the Cardassians and the Ferengi. "Well, he's absolutely correct. I pride myself on not only having a wide assortment of ships and equipment for sale, but, if there's something in particular that you are wanting, I could find it for you. For a small fee, of course."

Dixoho stayed quiet as was her way for the last few months, but she did keep her eyes trained on what was around them. She had seen lots of options but she and Michael differed on what he wanted. "Of course." She said lightly.

"Just how big is this lot?" Micheal asked as he glanced around.

"Oh, a little over fifty acres," Largo replied. "It's the largest dealership on the planet, actually. I have it sectioned off into seperate catagories. The first acre, by the gate, is where my home and office is located. Currently, we are moving through the thirty acres that is set aside for smaller craft, such as shuttlepods, shuttlecraft and older surplus starfighters. To the east is a lot about five acres in size that is filled with various spare parts and equipment. And towards the rear of the property is a lot roughly fifteen acres in size, where I have several larger ships available. There are a couple Pakled freighters, a Vulcan transport and a salvaged Andorian scout ship. Just about anything you would want, I have here."

Micheal was clearly impressed. "Wow! That is an impressive list. I'm starting to feel a bit foolish for not just coming here first. We've wasted the last two days going to other lots around the planet. Nobody had exactly what we were looking for."

Dixoho nodded. It hadn't been a completely failed outing. She had found the parts that she needed for bits and bobs on the ship but it hadn't been exactly what they had been looking for. "It wasn't a complete write off. I did get what I needed and a few parts for that ice bar suggestion." The woman murmured thinking of the Starfleet Officer she had persuaded to come back to Rosie and fix the sensors.

Largo nodded as he listened and continued to drive deeper into his property. "What kind of ship is the Mary Rose?"

Micheal glanced over and replied. "She's an old Constitution class starship."

Largo's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You guys have an old Connie?!" He slammed on the brakes, coming to an abrupt halt.

"Shit!" Micheal swore as he banged his right knee on the console in front of him. "The hell, man?!"

Dixoho was a lot more aware of her the other mans driving and put her hands out a split second before the craft came to a stop.

Largo bubbled with apologies. "I'm so sorry! I just... I got a little excited." He turned a slight darker shade of blue as he blushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, truly. It's just...I love old Starfleet designs. Especially the Constitution class! It's been years since I've seen any operating starships from that era. Tell me, how is she decorated? Is she fully updated or does she still look like she used to?"

"A bit of both." The woman admitted. Some areas had been revamped but a lot of it was the same including a huge chunk of deck seven.

Largo practically shuddered with excitement and giggled. "That's fantastic! Tell me, do you think your captain would allow me to come aboard, just for a quick look around?"

Before Dixoho or Micheal could respond, the excited Bolian continued. "I'd be willing to barter for the experience. I've got about twenty metric tons of salvaged parts for an original Constitution. I'd be willing to sell them to your captain for a heavily discounted price."

Micheal glanced over at Dixoho, silently asking her opinion.

The woman shrugged. She wasn't sure with the way Gregnol had been the last few months he would care either way. "I am sure if you ask him he might be interested." The woman mused aloud.

Largo was practically giddy with excitement. "Okay! Well then, let's see about finding you that ship you were looking for!" He hit the accelerator controls, and the cart sped off down the path.

After nearly an hour of seeing one shuttle after another, Micheal was beginning to lose faith. When suddenly, as the cart made its way around a bend, he saw her.

Twenty meters ahead, the unmistakable bow shape of a Danube class runabout could be seen sticking out past a stack of Orion worker bees.

"Wait," he said breathlessly. "There," he pointed ahead towards the runabout.

Largo grinned. "You, Sir, have excellent taste." He steered the cart over to the ship and stopped a few meters away from the port side hatch. After shutting off the cart, he climbed out and began to speak. "Mister Robertson, you have found one of the jewels of my inventory." He started to walk towards the runabout as he spoke to both Micheal snd Dixoho.

"The Danube class runabout is one of the best designed and manufactured craft that Starfleet has ever produced. It is more than just a shuttle. It is a versatile platform that can easily be modified, depending on the mission needs. This particular model is currently set up as a cargo transport. That fact gives you the option of endless possibilities as to her final interior layout. Now, as she is a Starfleet surplus vessel, she has been stripped of all weapons and various electronic suites that are not allowed for civilian vessels."

"However, that doesn't mean that she's just an empty hull, far from it. She does have fully functioning propulsion, communication and navigation systems. There are also several empty hardpoints available to add your own...personal..touches. Her frame has nearly seven hundred thousand lightyears on it. She also has a new set of dilithium crystals and a full tank of deuterium."
He turned back to face Micheal and Dixoho. "If you are interested, we could head back to my office and get down to business, yes?"

Micheal walked over and gently placed his hands upon the cold duranium hull. He was in another place, seeing the runabout set up as he would want it.

"You know, a girl could get jealous." The only woman in the group said as she came up to him.

Snapping out of his daydream, Micheal looked down at Dixoho and smiled a happy smile. "What do you think? Care to turn her into something with me?"

"I said I did, didn't I?" The woman said, stepping back a little more to look her over and take in a few things. It looked pretty secure in how it was built. She couldn't see anything that seemed out of place. "Not important what I think. What do you think as well?"

Micheal smiled warmly at Dixoho and nodded. He then turned to face Largo. "How much for her?"

The Bolian was silent for a few beats, as he did a few quick calculations in his head. He was a good judge of character and he could see that this couple were genuinely good, decent people. He also was considering the extra business he was about to get from Micheal's boss in the sale of the spare parts for their ship. Hopefully, the crew of the Mary Rose could become repeat customers. Only time would tell.

Finally, Largo replied. "Tell you what I'll do. If you can guarantee that your captain will buy my entire stock of parts, then I'll let the Danube go for.....twelve bars of gold-pressed latinum."

Micheal tried not let the look of regret cross his face. Even ifhe liquidated all of his assets, he'd only be able to come up with ten bars and a few slips. "I can't afford that," he said quietly. He sighed, realizing that not only would he have to keep looking for a new shuttle, but Rosie wouldn't get any spare parts. "The best I can do right now is six bars, twelve strips and about two dozens slips."

Now it was Largo's turn to think things through. He turned and started to pace. After a few steps, he finally looked back at Micheal. "I'll make you a counter-proposal. If your captain will agree to make a parts delivery for me at, oooh...half his normal price, you can take the runabout, free and clear."

Micheal looked surprised now. Looking first to Dixoho, and then back to Largo, he replied. "If you give me a manifest of the cargo, plus where it needs to go and when it needs to be there, I'll go ask him."

The Bolian nodded in agreement and pulled out a small PADD from his left breast pocket. After tapping a few commands, he handed the device over to Micheal, who then excused himself to make a call, while Largo and Dixoho made pleasant small talk.

Dixoho looked at the man and nodded. She expected that Gregnol would have no issue with a small detour at all and her suspicions were confirmed when Micheal came back. "See, our Captain is a fair man," Dixoho said though she was interested to see where the cargo needed to go.

Micheal was indeed smiling as he returned. "Okay, Largo. You have a deal. Once Rosie is ready, we will load your cargo aboard. If you'd like, I'll wait to take possession of the runabout at that time."

"No need," the Bolian responded cheerfully. He handed another PADD over to Micheal as he took the first one back. "Just put your thumbprint on the screen, accepting the deal."

Micheal nodded and did so, then handed the device back. Largo then handed it over to Dixoho. "And now yours, for witness, please."

Dixoho did as asked. Largo then added his own thumbprint and smiled. "Done!" He typed in a few commands and then looked at Micheal. "Congratulations, Michael, you are now the proud owner of a Danube class runabout. Enjoy it! It's been a pleasure doing business with you. I hope we can do more business in the future." He extended his right hand towards Micheal again.

Micheal was beaming as he accepted the offered handshake. Then, their current business concluded, Largo stepped clear to allow Micheal and Dixoho board the runabout.

A few minutes later, after the preflight checks were completed, the powerful engine of the large shuttle came to life. The warp nacelles began to glow softly, and then, she slowly lifted off the landing pad. After rising a few dozen meters into the sky, she banked and pivoted hard to port and began her ascent into orbit.

Twenty minutes after leaving the surface, Micheal was piloting his ship into Rosie's large shuttlebay. The ship's tractor beams gently guided the new ship over to the spot where his old shuttle used to live. Once she was secured to the deck, Micheal powered down her engines and sat back in his seat. He let out a sigh of relief as he looked over and smiled at Dixoho.

OFF:

Michael Robertson
Chief Armory Officer / Bounty Hunter
SS Mary Rose / Runabout Alexandria II

Largo Rixx
Ship Dealer
(NPC Robertson)

Dixoho Saa
Chief Navigator
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Gregnol)