Ending Shore Leave

[Admiral Hart]

Over the comm system of Aphrodite Arms, whereever there was a crew member of Plunder's Heart, an announcement went out.

"This is Captain Hart speaking, up and at it you scurvy dogs. We've got a new mission and have to move fast. The prize this time is something I think you'll all relish the taking of, because we're going to be kidnapping Captain LeValle's mother and holding her for ransom. Last one on the ship gets to pay Morgan's bar tab!"

[Dr. Andromeda Reyes]

Cassi was still chortling as she and Andromeda hurried toward the docking area, their bags slung over their shoulders.

Despite herself, Andromeda had had a lot of fun hanging out with her sister over their last day here. Cassi had dragged her to the pool area where the two of them had tanned themselves under the artificial sunlight, laughing at Dane's antics as he showed off a few of his favorite guns to the twin prostitutes he'd managed to procure for his stay, or shaking their heads at Jane's ridiculous flirting even as occupied as she was with the man and woman she had been staying with for the past 3 nights.

And now Captain Hart reappeared as suddenly as he'd left, with this out-of-the-blue pronoucement.

"How d'you suppose we're gonna pull this one off, Andi?" Andromeda snorted.

"I don't really want to know. Half the time when I do find out, it turns out I would have been better off not ever knowing." She quickened her steps as she saw a large clump of the crew moving ahead of them. "Come on, Cass, let's go. I really don't want to be stuck with Halcyon's tab. We have too little funds as it is already. I can't afford to pay for that man's hollow leg too."

[T.K.]

T.K. was browsing through the collection of Vintage Anime, while Ryan was a few rows over, browsing through the antique shop's game section.

They both paused, as they heard the Captain come over the Station's Com system, the panic set it.

“Grab the loot and run Ryan, we have to get back to the ship. Now.”

They both grabbed their purchases, and rushed the counter, frantically doing their best to get their loot paid for. The shop itself was on the complete opposite side of the Station from the Ship. They would have to haul ass through several corridors, and several elevators. Even then, it'd probably be close.

As soon as they paid for the loot, they took off at a dead run, dodging past several alarmed Station Guests.

“Come on Ryan. Faster. I swear, if we're the last ones there, you'll be spending the next month cleaning each and every waste disposal system on the ship. By yourself.”

Ryan groaned, but he did manage to pick up his pace.

[Jane Doherty]

Jane's eyes widened and she jumped up in alarm, hurriedly grabbing clothing. "Shit, shit, shit," she chanted as she put her shirt on backwards and her shoes on the wrong feet.

On her way out the door, she called over her shoulder, "had a lovely time, hope to see you both next time I'm in port." She then took off at a dead run, dodging guests left and right, or yelling at them to "get the fuck outta my way, I gotta ship to catch."

[Dane]

Dane nearly went through the wall to get to the Plunder faster, he blew a kiss to his two lovely twins, still recovering on the bed from there last round before he exited the door shirt in his mouth and him barely pants on as he ran down the hall, causing no end to the stares and gasps.

"Geet te hel oua way!" he yelled to people through his shirt, he finally got one leg into his jeans when he rounded the hall and into the lobby, he noticed T.K. emerging from the other side of the area. Both males locked eyes and took off Dane finally getting his other leg into the stubborn pants and zipping up, nearly racking himself in the process.

T.K. used that moment to toss a trash can in his way, Dane expertly flipped over it and smirked.

"Why I like ya T.K., always playing dirty." this caused him to just scoff and to throw debris at him, he dodged most of it, taking a few magazines to the face. Dane just ignored it as he ran at full speed, hoping and praying he wasn't last one on the ship. Cause that man can put liquor away...where it all went is still a mystery.

[T.K.]

T.K. glared in fury at Dane as he continued to avoid most of the road hazards he was trying to set up. He hadn't even noticed, that he had left Ryan in the dust, too focused on beating Dane. He smirked, as he opportunity appeared ahead.

He slowed his pace just enough to let Dane reach the elevator first. He allowed a mock look of shock to appear on his face as the doors closed, before shifting back to the smirk just before they completely closed.

He slide a small set of tools out of his pocket, and immediately started working on the controls of the elevator. A moment later, he let off a triumphant yell, before dashing for the stairs. He'd effectively jammed the elevator halfway down the shaft, and between floors. No way was he letting the trigger Happy Quack beat him to the ship.

[Jane Doherty]

Jane growled in frustration, the elevator was stuck. Swearing, she hurried to the stairs and hustled her way down. About half way down she noticed T.K. a couple flights below her and quickened her pace. That social reject. The only thing he's likely to lay is a power outlet.

[Dane]

"Oh you little fucking prick!" he growled after realizing what had happened. Dane paced for a moment then smirked at the floor hatch.

"Fine you little shit, well play this game." he knelled down and released the hatch, he carefully glided himself onto the cable using his shirt and wrapping his legs firmly around it. He then used his shirt and pant legs to ease himself down without causing a fire or tearing flesh. All the while grinning like a fool.

Like hell I'm gonna let some grease monkey beat me.

[T.K.]

T.K. Paused a moment at the last landing to catch his breath. As he did, he spotted Jane rushing down the stairs. Oh Hell, now he was racing against the Harpy as well? Lovely.

He took off at a dead run, doing his best to ignore the stitch forming in his side, and the fact that it was getting harder to breath. He was almost to the ship, and he'd be damned if he was gonna give up now.

Of course, that wasn't counting on the trash receptacle that suddenly swept his feet out from under him, and sent he flying across the floor.

Dazed from the impact with the floor, he almost missed the shit-eating grin on Jane's face as she ran past him.

“Reizun pai no ama!”



Translation:

Reizun pai no ama! = Flat chested bitch!

[Jane Doherty]

Jane ran into the ship and skidded to a halt. She pumped her fist in the air and hollared, "yes! Woooo!" doing a little dance as she celebrated her victory.

[Dane]

A grate near the bottom of the stairs clanged to the ground, a black boot appearing where it once was. Dane slipped out and rushed in the direction of the ship as soon as his feet hit the floor. His shirt now torn and ravaged thanks to having to climb down that cable.

Hope I'm not to late.

He growled to himself as he pumped his legs for more speed.

[T.K.]

Just as T.K. was finally getting to his feet, Dane came barreling past him. Damnit, he was not going to pay Morgan's Tab.

He started running as fast as he could, and barely managed to catch up to Dane. With a roar of anger, he launched himself at Dane, sending them both sprawling. He jammed his elbow down as hard as he could into a nerve cluster on Dane's neck, before he took off running again.

He got a couple of feet, before his legs were knocked out from under him by a rather irate Dane. A moment later, Dane's knee came down in the middle of his back, sending T.K. into spasms of pain.

The rest of the way back to the ship was a constant flurry of cheap shots and tackles. By the time both of them made it to the ship, they were tailed by a rather bemused security detail, and a large betting pool had formed as to who would touch the ship first.

At the end, Dane broke free, and made a mad dash for the loading ramp. Screaming in frustration, T.K. jumped up, and ran after him. Dane was within a few feet, when T.K. took a running leap. He managed to flip in the air, and collided with Dane, feet first. As soon as Dane hit the ground, T.K. launched off, and managed to grab the edge of the loading ramp.

“HAH! Eat it Dane.”

T.K. picked himself up, and laughed his way on board, ignored the death look from Dane.

A few minutes after both men had boarded, then engines began firing up in preparation for leaving. Just as Ryan finally arrived.

“Damnit!”