03/11/02

CHAPTER 2

DRAIDE ORBITAL

LANDING BAY 04

1746 HOURS, 11.02.3475

Biaydi hoped the pile of rust standing on four unsteady landing stilts wasn't the ship he planned to hire. Hadn't Yaheni told him that the ship was in good condition? If this was his definition of good, perhaps he needed to reevaluate Yaheni's position in his group. His second-in-command had called him two hours ago, informing him that a meeting with Captain Crowell had been arranged, and to respond to Landing Bay 04 at 1700 hours. Well, here he was, and no one was in sight. He was inspecting the scrap heap masquerading as a ship in front of him, theorizing on how exactly it managed to fly, particularly to survive planetary reentry, when a quiet footstep sounded behind him.

"It is truly amazing how people manage to allow their ships to degrade to such a deplorable level," was the comment that came from the owner of the footstep. Biaydi turned to face the commentator, and was mildly surprised to find a human female scrutinizing the ship that had so recently held his attention. She stood with her hands in the pocket of her dark pants, otherwise attired in a black turtleneck and short leather jacket, with feet were encased in black leather boots. A pair of dark tinted glasses obscured her eyes, and neatly tied back dark hair whose bangs fell across one lens completed the ensemble.

"Indeed," He replied, "I don't suppose you would know where I might find Captain Crowell? He was supposed to meet me here about a possible employment."

"Captain Crowell? I thought Hyani weren't in the habit of hiring humans."

"I am willing to make an exception in this case. Otherwise I wouldn't be in this Landing Bay, as it appears to be crawling with vermin of the type." He said, with a sideways glance at her. Perhaps he could amuse himself by irritating this human until the other showed up. "So, I take it that you know, or at least know of, this Crowell?"

"Perhaps. I'm curious, what have you heard already? I wouldn't want to contradict any information you've been given. It's probably more dependable than mine, I'm somewhat prejudiced."

"Humans always stick together," Biaydi thought, "They even travel in packs. The only dangerous thing about them." At any rate, no harm in telling her about his limited information. It may be handy in learning a bit more about his potential hiree as well.

"I was referred by one of my employees. I am told that Crowell and his crew are known as reliable and, shall we say, tactful. However, as I find humans less than dependable, this remains to be seen. I am hoping that I will not be too sorely disappointed."

"So I am to infer that you are in a situation that requires tact? Hmm. Quite interesting. And you believe this person will be able to aid in your endeavors?"

Biaydi looked sharply at the irritatingly observant little being. "I will ask your not to infer anything. As to my endeavors, they are no business of yours, I am certain. Now, do you know where I can find Captain Crowell, or not? If not, then get away from me."

Biaydi got the impression that the human had blinked slowly at this statement, although the dark lenses prevented him from seeing this himself. Her face was impassive, and she made no response, simply stood and returned his gaze. He found this distinctly disturbing; most humans would have either become incredibly indignant at this treatment or slunk away to some hole to hide. She had managed to stay completely unruffled during the entire conversation, defying what he knew about humans and their unconquerable pride. The impromptu staring contest continued for another few seconds before Yaheni hurried up.

"Biaydi, sir! I'm sorry I'm late, Gavani had some trouble…" he trailed off as the noticed the human standing nearby. In response to his arrival, she twitched her head slightly to one side to shift her gaze onto him.

"Ah, Captain Crowell, you've already met-" Yaheni was cut off by her quick step forward.

"Yes, I was just getting acquainted with your leader here. It was quite educational, although I am not terribly impressed by his conversational skills. Or his observational abilities either."

Biaydi's hackles rose. So the human had not simply shrugged off his own scathing remarks, but she was now insulting him in return? As he finally took the time to actually look her over, he saw that she was wearing an I.D. on one of her lapels, marking her as a ship captain. If he looked even harder, he could see the name on the I.D. was Crowell. She had pulled one of the oldest tricks in the book on him, feigned ignorance. She would probably be laughing about it with the rest of her vermin companions tonight. Unacceptable. In a sudden flash of white hot rage marked heavily with embarrassment, he lashed out with his talons, intent on putting all thought of continued impertinence out of her mind.

He missed her completely. She had quickly sidled out of his way, making what should have been an easy shot on his part into an ineffectual slash at air. She didn't counterattack, or even bother to increase the distance separating them any more than she had in her initial sideways movement. He got the strange impression that she could have laid him out flat if she had wanted to. He shook it off; no human was a match for him in combat. She was just very quick.

He forced his momentary flash of fury down, trying to look at this logically. He could always shut her up later, after he and his men were off of Draide Drift. Besides, that kind of speed could be an asset, making her potentially useful. She apparently wasn't quite as stupid as the average human, and might be handy in that respect as well.

She watched him rein in his anger calmly, and then decided to pick up where she had left off. "If you are still interested in employing the services of my ship, my offer is still standing, and rates are not negotiable." He felt a grudging respect begin to form, and quickly quashed it before it had a chance to truly form.

He narrowed his eyes. "If you want to play selective memory, that's fine with me," he thought. Out loud, he replied shortly, "Provided you meet my expectations."

Crowell simply nodded, and started off towards the front of the Landing Bay, apparently expecting them to simply follow. Biaydi threw a quick, vicious glare at Yaheni, promising punishment later for allowing Biaydi to be so demeaned by a mere human, then set off after her. Yaheni quailed for a moment, and then followed meekly.

As Biaydi trailed Crowell, he observed that she managed to create an aura of power, which was probably why she was in charge of her vessel. He had noticed humans were easily intimidated by appearance of command. During the entire time since he had met her, her hands had never moved from their position in her pockets, and she walked with a sort of studied grace. The trio walked down the length of the Landing Bay, passing cargo haulers of various size, model and condition. Apparently, Crowell had come in with a merchandise convoy, and they'd all been put here.

They were running out of Landing Bay, and Biaydi was beginning to wonder if she even really had a ship, when they approached an older but well maintained ship of a type he had never observed before. "Probably about six different ships patched together. At least it looks like it flies." His assumption that this vessel was their destination was affirmed when a human male and a being he presumed to be a Talcion approached from underneath it to meet them.

"Hello Greg, Kobi," Crowell greeted the newcomers with an accompanying head nod in their direction.

The human responded with, "About time, Ryi. And you others, welcome to the Phoenix Horizon."