Bounty Hunters on Station

Posted on Friday November 15th, 2019 @ 10:09pm by Captain Cayne Morrigan & Captain Maximus Mackenzie

Mission: Oh Where, Oh Where, Has My Everything Gone?
Location: Captain's Office

ON:

Captain Maximus Jax Mackenzie strode onto the station. He tossed his bag to his ship's XO. "Gotta go meet this Cayne guy. Get us settled check out the ship an I'll have our new digs shortly."

The XO nodded and headed out. Maximus hurried along the station and soon found himself in front of Cayne's office. He dusted off his trademark leather jacket and rang the chime.

Captain Cayne Morrigan wasn't exactly expecting anyone, so he was slightly surprised when the chime rang. He had been in the middle of writing, although he wasn't really writing anything in particular of importance. "COME IN!" he shouted at the door.

Maximus strode into the office. "Captain Maximus Mackenzie, Union Bounty Hunting Service." He somewhat spat the words out. He was still pissed that the Union had worked their way into this part of things too. He was forced to bow to them or close his business.

Cayne did not get up. He actually wasn't exactly sure he had heard the man correctly. He eyed the leather clad captain over the edge of his tablet and slowly lowered it, his brows furrowing in his confusion. Things had changed in the time he was in prison, although this might have been an aspect of the Union he just wasn't aware of before. "Excuse me?" was what he managed.

Maximus sighed. "Captain Maximus Mackenzie of the Union Bounty Hunting Service." He handed the CO his orders. They were basically that he was setting up a bounty hunting post that would be based off of the station. If need be, he and his men could be called on to help security. The only thing he negotiated well was that they could wear what they want. They would be autonomous to a point. Max's business had been the last hold out. The Union basically threatened to outlaw independent bounty hunting and he called them on it and they did. So for him and his crew it was this or be outlaws themselves.

Cayne took the orders and stared at them for a moment. "Sit..." he said, before he was done reading. "You're making me nervous... what the hell is a Bounty Hunting Service?" His station was turning out to be the ancient wild west of Earth, complete with cowboys and prostitutes. "I mean..." He made a spinning motion with one hand. "I know what the words mean. What do you do?"

"We did act on bounty calls issued by various planets and systems," he said, as he sat down. "Since the Union stuck its nose where it doesn't belong, we now work for the Union, bringing back bounty calls for them." He scrubbed his hand down his face. The man looked tired. "Basically, that If the station needs assistance with security then we help. Also, my crew provides body guard service. We are now to be called Union Bounty Service... more aptly Union BS."

Cayne snorted in laughter. "Isn't it all... Union BS that is?" He put down the tablet and folded his hands together in front of himself. There was something about this man that Cayne was actually starting to like. "So, you are aware that you're now on the ass end of space, at least Union space... right?" He chuckled and didn't wait for an answer. He was sure the captain knew exactly where he was. "I will introduce you to my Security Chief. He honestly might need your help. Although, you look like you could use a week of sleep. We're not in any rush, if you want to give your people some down time. I can't imagine they look any less tired then you do. All of the crew and guest quarters are on the other asteroid. How many men did you bring with you?" He picked up the tablet again. "I'll make requisitions for the rooms," Cayne explained.

Maximus knew exactly where he was. He'd, in essence, been put in a corner for being naughty. He sighed. "Sleep would be good. There are five of us. I have a pilot, an engineer, a medic, and two hunters like me." He studied the man. "And you're right all this is Union BS." He grinned, this time happy to have met someone who seemed normal.

Cayne was still busy on his tablet, but he looked up and met Maximus' gaze. "So, I've got five rooms set up for you on Issi, deck four. Do you have a tablet you'd like me to send the numbers and codes to? I would like to ask a favor of you, though... since you're here to sort of help with security..." Cayne put his tablet down on the desk again.

Maximus gave Cayne a frequency to his ship's coms so he could send the room detailing. His men would find their way. "Of course."

"So... I'm just going to lay it out straight for you." Cayne leaned back from his desk and put his tablet down. He folded his hands in front of himself and took a deep breath. "Against my better judgement, we've come to an agreement with the miners recently, so they will keep working and we can keep providing the Union with the ore they need, to allow them to park a barge off of Issi. This barge will be the location of our very own brothel. Prostitution is legal on the planet. Can you and your men keep an eye on that for me? I'm not saying it's going to be a bad thing, necessarily... but these things do tend to attract an element..." He cleared his throat. "That being said... it's not that I don't think my Security Chief couldn't handle it... but I thought that perhaps your people might have more experience."

Maximus gave a nod. "I have to talk to my team. We are Union, but autonomy is still the way of it. It's going to have to be team decision."

Cayne narrowed his eyes a little. "You offered... I was only trying to direct that offer, but hey, do whatever it is that you're here to do." Cayne shrugged. "You're not here to help my security at all, are you?" Cayne was not a stupid man, even though he had made some stupid and rash decisions in his life. As much as he liked this man the words "bounty hunter" had come up and that usually meant only one thing. That there was a bounty to be had on the station. "At least you could let me know if the person you're after is dangerous to my crew..." He loosened his fingers and pressed his fingertips together, making a little tent out of his hands.

He sighed. "My orders are there. As I said, I have to speak with my crew. Any work we undertake has to be unanimous and run by the Union." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Union requirements."

Cayne sighed. "Then never mind. Forget that I asked. Just do whatever you have to do and get off my station. I can't have any of that barge business getting back to the Union, even though it's what I had to do to keep their contract. It's not like they would have approved and believe me, the Krill were roaming around out there more than willing to pick up our contract had we lost it. I was just hoping, that since we're both technically dealing with "shady" business... that maybe I had a sympathetic ear." He nodded. "Well, thanks for letting me know you're here. Hope you can conclude your business quickly." He was trying not to seem agitated, but, as per usual, his face was betraying his displeasure. "Is there anything else?"

Maximus sighed. "No." Not a good start, but he was sure they'd work it out.

Cayne stood from behind his desk and offered his hand for shaking. "Dismissed..." he offered, knowing the man he was dismissing wasn't really under his command.

:OFF