The Peddler#7

A friend in debt is a friend indeed

Aloha once more, to recapitulate my last adventure I was on my way to Elba 2 to collect on a debt from a powerful friend in the Federation. On the way Mara attacked with a refitted Zephyrus, why she didn't change the name yet beats me. Anyhow, she figured she had me for sure because of superior force, better ship, the fact she was a woman. It all got to her head, of course with my cunning strategy intellect, or maybe my memorization of unusual holo battles during my time off I defeated her. I could have killed her, but I am no killer. I just a smuggler, doing' my job. I sort of see it; as I am a modern day Robin Hood, steal from the rich, and sale to the poor. Anyway enough dwelling on that, I shall carry on. Nothing considerably interesting had occurred since our last fight, but I had decided not to cloak. I would save the power for emergencies; Logan walked on the bridge and asked, " wanna play a game of ping-pong?"

I spun the chair, looking at him oddly I asked " ping-pong? Where did we get a ping-pong table from?"

Logan shrugged and replied " dunno, all I know is I was checking out what we had obtained, and right in cargo bay 2 was the ping-pong table with the rackets and balls"

I couldn't believe it, I had never known we had a ping-pong table aboard. I answered " sure, we still got one hour til' we get to Elba 2, why not?" Making sure all my weapons are on me I walked off the bridge setting it on autopilot. The ping-pong table was already set up; Logan had organized the room so it stood right smack in the middle of the room. I picked up the paddle and said in a taunting voice " hope yer ready for a beating, back on mars I was the best at this" As I went for my serve the ship shook, sending me sprawling to the ground. Logan somehow had managed to land safely, I however had landed hard on the ground. I yelled out loud " can't one go anywhere without getting shot at!" turning to Logan I ordered, " Lets get to the bridge"

On the bridge I sat at my command chair, as Logan sat at the scanner station I asked, " is it Mara?"

He scanned and replied, " No sir, it's a federation ship. They have us on a tractor beam"

I smiled, ordering " put it on screen"

The screen blinked once and upon it was your typical federation starship. Large saucer in front, I recognized it however as a Howitzer class starship, an admiral's usual choice of flagship. Suddenly Logan asked " they're hailing us boss, put it on screen?"

I nodded and on screen appeared a very familiar face. He was the only blue skinned andorian ever to become admiral, and the only one to get into gambling with Ferengis. He said, " Well, well. If it isn't the peddler, sorry for the tractor beam but I wasn't sure who you were"

I smiled and replied " well admiral Jameswood, I just here for a visit. As a matter of fact I was just on my way to seeing you down on Elba 2."

He went grim knowing what I was coming for and said " why don't I escort you to the planet, we can talk business in my office"

I nodded, replying " I aint just here on business, you my friend after all. After the business is settled how about you and me and me boys go hunting for Jucklots[1]"

He lightened up at my last comment and answered, " Sounds fun, now dock in my ship and come to the bridge" the screen went out and I boarded the ship.

The interior was huge compared to my wolf class ship, the walls shining with cleanness, perfect cool air running throughout the whole ship. Virgil striding behind Logan and I said, " mighty fancy this ship is, why we here anyway?"

Without turning I replied " you'll be getting some help in engineering, I be getting help on the bridge, a security team and even some scientists since we be having a new ship."

Logan frowned at the mention of replacing the ship and asked " what's wrong with the peddler, aint she good enough for ya?"

I turned to him and replied, " of course she is, but Mara knows me too well and next time tricks might not save our hides from destruction. So with a new ship we a lot safer, anyway I aint getting rid of me old ship, it be in the docking bay"

As nice as this ship was, we was lost. An tall lieutenant walked up to us and asked " are you the Peddler" seeing my outfit and guns he knew the answer and continued talking " follow me please" He led us into a lift, where an ensign stood in obvious discomfort. In the closed confines I smelt a horrid smell, evidently the others smelt it too. I realized it was me, in the middle of all the action I hadn't even thought of a nice sonic shower. I grinned apologetically to the others as we arrived on the bridge; the admiral sat in his padded chair waiting.

The bridge was very large, very advanced technology all around the bridge as everyone was at work, sounds coming from everywhere. At the sight of me they all stopped in their tracks, Looking at my guns and armor. The admiral turned around and clapped his hands together " captain peddler, come with me in my office" I looked around and followed, smiling at them. In the office he asked " anything you want, just like the contract says"

I was taken aback, I put my feet on his desk I replied " don't be that way about it. I yer friend here, and it wasn't nothing personal me making you sign that contract"

He shook his head and said " I know, now tell me how I can help you captain?"

I answered assuredly " a new ship, any ship is good as long as it can carry my wolf class ship. And a trustworthy crew of engineers, security officers, bridge officers and doctors."

He pondered this for a moment "It will be hard, but I know how I can get you that. You must have a first officer of the Federation however, is that reasonable with you?"

I answered " I suppose its ok, but ..." before I could continue a voice came from his comm. Badge, his first officer's voice resounded " Sir, an Obsidian Order is approaching us, they are asking about the Peddler. They said they were friends, I told them he was here. We are to meet general Tang at docking bay 2"

The captain responded and then turned to me " is this trouble?"

I smiled nervously and answered " more than ya know, they was the ones hunting me. I barely got away from them the first time, they must have detected my ship in your docking bay"

Admiral Jameswood suddenly said " I'll try to get rid of them, you and your boys just hide" As he walked to the docking bay I turned to the others and said " al'right, I got us an idea to get rid of them"

General Tang, standing a whole 7 feet tall was waiting impatiently for the admiral to arrive. The Peddler was on this ship and there was no way of escape, but he knew how cunning the Peddler could be. He made sure his ship was ready for battle, shields were not required at the moment but at his command they would be activated. Five grunts stood behind him, finally the admiral arrived. He bowed in respect and said, " General Tang, I am admiral Jameswoood, this is my first officer, commander Drilium, welcome aboard the U.S.S Nigelius. Now how may we be of assistance?"

He answered with a menacing tone " you know very well why I am here, where is the Peddler?"

Before Jameswood could answer, his comm. Badge beeped, his second officer said " sir. All our escape pods have been released. They all came in impact with the Obsidian order ship, damaging it heavily"

Tang had received news of this with his comm. Implant and said furiously " this is an outrage! How could you betray us like this?"

Admiral put his hands up in innocence and replied " I had nothing to do with this, I will find the root of this problem immediately. We will send engineers to..." He was interrupted by gunfire, the admiral and first officer ducked. The Obsidian order representatives were no so fortunate however, and the five grunts dropped dead to the ground, blood oozing out of their wounds rapidly. General Tang had only been wounded, he got up reaching for his disruptor only to find the Peddler and his motley crew pointing their guns at him.

I clicked the safety off and said, " ya even think of communicating your ship and you'll have a new hole to breathe through"

He snarled in anger and said " coward, can't fight fairly now can you?"

I smiled and replied smugly " tried it once, didn't work out so well." Turning to Logan and Virgil I said " bring him in our old ship" As they brought him admiral Jameswood and his first officer had their weapons drawn, pointing at me. The admiral said furiously " this goes against all federation protocol, you've disabled a ship without provocation and killed one of our allies in cold blood! I was willing to help you a bit but you have broken the law, I am afraid I have to bring you in to the authorities now"

I couldn't believe my ears, after what I'd done for him he was turning on me, I replied " after everything I've done for you, you shoot me in the back like this? Why?"

The admiral was about to answer when his headstrong first officer answered instead " I know why he did it, he's loyal to his cause. The Federation and the conservation of peace. You are an outlaw! And deserve nothing less than execution!"

I turned to him and responded sarcastically " oh no, I am so scared of you" I pulled my shotgun out quickly and kicked the admiral to the ground, aiming the shotgun in the first officers face. Logan knocked General Tang out and pinned the admiral against the ground. I smiled at him and said " you want to see how an outlaw acts, it will be the last thing you see!" I pulled the trigger, shooting right beside his head.

The security team arrived on site, aiming their phaser rifles at Logan, Virgil and me. The chief of security yelled out " put the gun down now!"

I grabbed the admiral and held him down on his knees, my shotgun pointed at his head, Logan's 4 pistols at the first officer. I replied " over the admiral's dead body, drop your phaser rifles and phasers and kick them over here"

They didn't listen at first, I cocked the shotgun in warning and they put their weapons down with a loud metallic clank, kicking them over. I smiled and replied, " was that so hard?" suddenly Logan, Virgil and I were transported, but not from my ship.

I appeared in a cell, they'd managed to actually capture me. I was truly surprised they had managed. Logan was in the cell across from me and Virgil was nowhere to be seen. Ten security guards armed to the teeth came in, followed by Admiral Jameswood and General Tang, I knew I was in trouble now. All security guards positioned themselves, aiming their weapons at me, the admiral spoke " put down all your weapons, every single one of them, and your wrist transporter. Do so and we will not harm you."

I shrugged and replied " afraid I can't do that" pulling out a remote I had designed to control my ship's weapons, I targeted our location and said " stick to your deal admiral, give me my ship and my crew or I will blow us all to oblivion, savvy?"

The general recognized what I had in my hand and said " you wouldn't kill yourself, you're a coward"

I smiled and replied, " So I'm told, death is an easier way out than jail don't ya think bub?"

The admiral said, " No deal, all you get is a safe departure and an escort out of federation space. We will not protect you in the least"

I smiled and said " fine, but I won't forget your betrayal. Next time you see me I won't be so friendly as I am now"

General Tang was angry but knew he would have his chance at capturing me, we got into our ship and left. Typical of the federation cowards, he stuck to his word and didn't even find a loophole in the deal. Like maybe once out of federation space capture the ship, but he let me go. I would never forget Admiral Jamesworth betrayal, he would get his due, it was only a matter of time.

[1] A large buffalo, extra bushy fur and as large as an elephant. Men are they fun to hunt.