Just Another Day

Carlos eyes up the Gauss gun outside the ship. He ponders for a moment, thinking at the loss of his crew as well.''No sign'' He sighs, ''I don't even know what happened here, if they are alive or dead'' He looks up again trying to remember, and then listening to her questions. ''The gun, I imagine so, I mean it'll be obviously easier in dry dock or with the right tools, but if you're willing to help with lifting I'll give it a go.'' He sort of slumps the man on his shoulders forward. ''Do you mind if we perhaps take refuge upon your ship, I don't know this man, but he is heavy, and am sure he can do with some rest to recover before you interrogate him'' He gazes hopefully at the woman standing before him, waiting for a moment. ''Jaina, please.''

Leslie sees an opportunity and hopes that a combination of greed and confusion will sway its crew. *bing bong* Eᴍᴘʟᴏʏᴇᴇ ᴀɴɴᴏᴜɴᴄᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ: Vᴀʟᴜᴀʙʟᴇ ᴅᴀᴛᴀ ᴅᴇᴛᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ - ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴜᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴏʀᴇ - ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ʀᴇᴛʀɪᴇᴠᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴇxᴀᴍɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ. Fᴀɪʟᴜʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟʏ ᴡɪʟʟ ʀᴇsᴜʟᴛ ɪɴ ᴅɪsᴄɪᴘʟɪɴᴀʀʏ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴs ɪɴ ᴀᴄᴄᴏʀᴅᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 1307 sᴜʙsᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ 49 ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴘʟᴏʏᴇᴇ ʜᴀɴᴅʙᴏᴏᴋ. Cᴏᴘɪᴇs ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀɴᴅʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏɴ ʀᴇǫᴜᴇsᴛ. Tʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛ ᴡᴀɪᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪs - ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ᴛᴏ sɪx ᴡᴇᴇᴋs. Tʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘᴀᴛɪᴇɴᴄᴇ. Leslie was not entirely aware of the contents of the "Employee Handbook" and the idea of investigating it filled zer with an unusual sense of dread. Nonetheless, Leslie was willing to subvert its purposes, Perhaps ze would not suffer any negative consequences? The Employee Handbook was a cruel mistress; who could tell how she would respond to such flagrant abuse of her power? Would she perchance give her blessing or does our protagonist gain favour... wait... did this just become a sitcom? Surely not? Please Handbook, give me at least 45 minutes. Surely I am worth more than NCIS... or Numb3rs? NOOOOooooooo....

Jaina looks at him for a second, was it genuine compassion? "Hand me your gun and you can drop him on board. I'll leave K to watch him whilst you help us gather the computer core and whatever else we can salvage from this piece of junk. It would help if you could speed up the process by telling us where anything valuable is."

"Hold up there, J," calls Psycho, gun still aimed squarely at Carlos. "You really buying this guy's story? The crew just 'disappeared', and he says he doesn't know a thing about it? But somehow he's the only survivor? You know what I think of that?" She spits on the floor. "I think it smells of nerf-shit. I reckon this guy offed the rest of the crew and slung 'em out an airlock. And I reckon we should do the same to him, before he tries it on us."

Carlos is holding his weapon in a submissive pose about to drop it as he hears Psycho's statement. He doesn't drop his gun immediately and speaks to the cyborg woman, and Jaina. ''I think it unlikely a ships janitor managed to take out the whole crew of this ship, plus, the J-droids. where did they come from. Look, I'm harmless, no weapons, now please can we get this man on your ship to rest, and I'll help collect whatever valuables you see fit.''

"Wasn't talking to you, mop-boy. J, whaddaya say?"

Gold Jerks awake, rolling of Carlos's shoulder to land in an unsteady gate. Not completely recovered from hibernation sickness, he grasps him for support. His vision is not fully recovered. "Aha! It worked" He doubles over, breathing heavily, he has clearly been in hibernation for a very long time. "Julette, give me a financial report, are the derivatives solid?, Is that populist mob nonsense over?"

"Looks like there's not such a rush to get him back to the ship after all" Jaina tries not to let her relief that Psycho is suspicious show on her face, she can't let her know what she suspects or it may be plucked from her mind, then they would all be in danger. "I'm sure a simple Janitor could not take out a ship's crew. But, you are right to remain vigilant and we shouldn't leave him alone. He shall remain unarmed and under constant guard from at least 2 people; he may yet prove useful." She picks up his gun and places it along with the other in her backpack, before turning to the newly awakened man. She gives him a small prod. "Who exactly are you?"

'Mop boy.... Original.' he helps the man to the ship ignoring his psychotic ramblimbs 'you're safe, what's your name son.' Carlos funds his eyes wandering and staring at Jaina occasionally. She's suspicious, I could alter that, ease her concerns. But but then she'll know what I am for a moment, and if it doesn't work.... Be vigilant, and be yourself. Carlos is lifting some cargo crates and sees psycho, trying to weld her own arm back together. 'want some help with that... ' he gestures to a spanner and tool kit he has.

"So what, you're a doctor now as well, huh?" she says with a scowl. "'sides, this ain't nothin', I've had worse. Better you worry 'bout your own skin, mop-boy, I'd dread to think what'd happen if one of your arms came off." She gives Carlos an unpleasant leer, then motions for him to get back to work.

Carlos scowls and obides '' she's charming '' he thinks to himself. As he continues working periodically checking on the statue man and jaina

Jaina keeps a close eye on the janitor as she sifts through some of the junk herself. "What's your name anyway old man?"

The janitor looks up in surprise. "Name's Carlos, and I'm not that old. I just haven't shaved in a while". He continues, "so since I'm kinda your property now. What did you do for the huts to get such a.... Reward."

Jaina shrugs "Moved some stuff, didn't ask questions. Bit of a shoddy reward really. Why did you get left behind?"

Carlos smirks. "Didn't get left behind as such, besides, no one would remember to take a simple janitor. I was in an alcove, filling my bucket, the doors locked I think, heard some sounds, no evacuation call, next thing I knew ship was deserted, ain't no reason for it. No escape pods were launched, as far as I can tell. But the only true way to find out is boot up the computer to full capacity and ask it or check flight recoder. Do you want to know what happened here. Or are you happy just pickin the bones "

Much of the cargo has been shredded by blaster fire, but several crates remain. Those in the lower cargo area are all full of common food supplies, while the side chambers are stocked with droid parts and starfighter components. All in all ten crates are salvageable with a total value of around one thousand one hundred credits, each weighing just over a half ton. Also salvageable is the fully functional double gauss cannon. However, removing it will require about an hour's work and no small mechanical skill. The real rewards is to be found in the main hangar though, the intact eight crates are full of metal ore. In total this is probably worth just about twelve thousand credits if they can get it on the ship. It's all very heavy. It is what Jaina finds standing in the far corner of the hangar that steals the breath from her lungs though. Something that inspires both greed and fear simultaneously. A J-Drone controller. A remote drone central hive processor, which could be worth as much as one million credits - if you could find a buyer and live to enjoy the profits.

Jaina's eyes open wide. "Well maybe this wasn't a complete waste of time." She looks it over to check its intact. "I know several people who would kill to own this." She turns back to Carlos. "Always worth knowing what happened in a place. You never know what will be useful in the future. If nothing else it will set my mind at rest that you didn't kill them all. Leslie, any chance you could ask the ship what happened before I get on with salvaging its brain? According to the employee handbook I am entitled to all its information before beginning any mechanical procedures on it."

"Lets start loading this all onto the ship." Jaina begins by grabbing some empty crates to start sharing out the weight of the ore to a level that can be carried onto the ship.

Jaina looks up, out of breath from the exertion of trying to push the massive crate. This wasn't her, there must be a smarter way. The crate got here somehow. She looks over at the droids lining the room - maybe they could still be made to work, last droid she'd decided to fix up turned out pretty well. Se crosses the room to take a look. "Carlos, know anything about these droids?"

The droids appear to have already had critical systems deliberately sabotaged. It may be possible to jury-rig one for a final load of cargo, but it wouldn't last. A basic labour droid is considered to be a worthwhile investment by those who move heavy cargo regularly.

Carlos looks at the droid tutting and sighing, touching the tip of his cap occasionally as he inspects. ''Well'' He says extending the e sound as he ponders. ''I mean, if i had the parts, maybe, but parts delivery would take a week at least once off ship. Unless we go direct, but that's difficult.'' He continues with his hands in his jacket pocket. '' I reckon could rig something together for this job, but it won't last, the droids a wreck, looks like it's been deliberately sabotaged'' He smiles as he looks through his tool kit, ''Yeah, this will work''... He begins tinkering with the droid in a few places about half an hour later it springs to life, gears and hydraulics moving as it begins to pick up the cargo on Jaina's order. Carlos heads over to Jaina with a grin on his face, ''Sooo....''

The droid silently plods back and forth, moving the intact goods to the cargo hold on the Blackfish. It's jerky and whirs a lot with an occasional spark, but it gets the job done. The only remaining object of value is the cannon and then the computer core has to be retrieved. Psycho begins to feel an itch in an arm that isn't there. She hasn't felt something like this in years.

Jaina smiles at Carlos, "good job.Now for the cannon. Reckon you can sort that out?"

Carlos grins a sly smile. Think she's beginning to like me, well tolerate at least. He spins his spanner round his hand holstering it in his tool belt. ''Sure, one request tho, when we leave...is there a shower on your ship, that'll be a gift from the primes if so.''

Jaina laughs. "Shower on your own time. Ain't no-one got time for that." She heads to look at the J-drones, to see what might be salvageable from their scrap.

The drones have been completely scrapped by their own self destruct mechanisms. There is nothing to salvage.

After doing what he can with the cannon, Carlos approaches the female cyborg. '' So how long you been running with Jaina? And will you ever tell me your name. Or are you just in it for the money? ''

Psycho is leaning against a bulkhead, from where she had been watching Carlos work disinterestedly. "Aren't we all?" she asks rhetorically, taking a cigarette out of a belt pouch and clenching it between her teeth. She lights it with an old-looking cigarette lighter, and takes a couple of drags. "People call me 'Psycho'. I think it should be self-explanatory, yeah? And listen Carlo, or whatever your name is, don't think making small-talk with me's gonna extend your lifespan any. Firstly 'cause I'm just a hired gun here, J's the one who calls the shots and if she tells me to space you, that's what's gonna happen. And second, 'cause I've smoked people I liked better than you, yet somehow I still sleep at night." She takes another drag and exhales with relish. When she continues, it's in a slightly less hostile tone, but is still far from anything that could be called friendly. "End of the day, I like things simple. And they usually are. You put a bunch of rats in a box, come back after a week, there's only one left? You don't have to be a genius to figure out where the rest of 'em went. And here you are, all alone after all this time in this big, metal box. I don't blame ya, you do what you gotta to survive, that's life, yeah? Survival of the fittest and all that bullshit. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna trust that rat when he's let out. 'Specially not when there's droids jumping out of hidden doors, a human popsicle in the cargo hold and the electronic key to a kingdom sitting in the corner. So if you wanna make small talk, maybe you can start by telling me what the fuck kinda ship this is supposed to be in the first place."

This one may prove difficult Carlos hears in his head as he leans against a crate gripping his mop tight as he debates to himself whether this woman would kill him. She only knows aggression, perhaps that's the tactic to go by. Look Psycho, I'm just a janitor, I'm invisible to people like the captain and crew, only around when a vending machine needs fixin'. I like it like that, keeps me hidden, and alive. But I do get to observe and notice a lot. I see people around me, and when they don't reckon no one is lookin, you see the real person. I see you and see someone who likes bein the one livin at the end of the day, yet seems to risk their lives more than she needs to, i'm guessing you love the challenge. And you clearly ain't one to follow the rules.'' He points to the no smoking sign right above her. ''Great idea smoking on a ship with no air circulator s....That aside, you have you secrets, everyone does, but I can see you say what you think, you don't hide yourself and you speak in a way I can understand.'' He stops for a moment and eyes her up. ''Although, you're clearly and addict of some sort, drugs, adrenaline...upgrades.'' He pauses as he feels he's said too much. ''I can see why you think I got rid of the crew. And if you think that, then maybe think how one man managed to take out all the highly trained skilled crew of this ship. Maybe i'm a danger, maybe not, but it might make more sense that like you, i'm a survivor, I knew there was no chance of coming out of what happened on this ship alive, so I hid. You might call it cowardly, or suspicious, but I'm the one here talkin right now that's all I know''

Jaina has been carefully listening from not too far away. "So you do know a little of what happened here then?"

He turns his head to Jaina. ''Told you what i know, heard some stuff, the crew running around, then nothing. Althought I do know one thing, apart from the crew, nothing was taken that I know of. There's alot of junk here, but the cargo has not been shifted, ship's been stripped of a few things, hyperdrive being one thing, but any self-respectin pirate would have taken the weapons and computer core. The food-stuffs are valuable on any backwater world. They coulda run a small cartel with this load. Don't make no sense. Then there's the J-drones, why would a J ship attack this, for the hate of organics, I think not and if they did attack they woulda taken the drones, or destroyed them. Still a mystery, and I for one am keen to get to bottom of it.'' He takes a breath ''Then there's him, the man out of time, he's the most valuable thing on here, well at least used to be''

Jaina blinks "Valuable to who exactly?"

Carlos' eyes widen. ''You don't know the story of the statue?'' He wanders over to her and begins telling his tale. ''The statue is a treasured piece of history, for years it's been a highly sought after item, owned by several high end collectors, most notably Hutts, It's been in museums, art exhibitions, but always changes hands, every few months or so....Why? Because the owners usually have an unfortunate accident, it's cursed with something, when people get ownership after spending millions of credits they die. No one knows why, some say it's the man beneath trying to get revenge on his captors. Of course no one believed it was anything more than a statue....Until now I guess, maybe the curse is true.''

Jaina eyes him suspiciously, but says nothing more on the topic. "You and I are heading for the computer core. Lets go." She gestures for him to lead the way.

"Guess I'll check on K and the haunted statue," says Psycho, dropping the cigarette and grinding it to ash on the decking. As Jaina and Carlos turn to leave.she adds, "Oh, and Carlo... one more thing? You try and play the shrink with me ever again and we won't need a doctor to see what's going on in your head, if you catch my drift." This threat imparted, she gives an almost friendly looking smile and disappears into the cofferdam.

Carlos gives a subtle smile beneath his moustache as he walks with Jaina. ''I'll bear that in mind'' He bounds and skips a step as he catches up with Jaina. ''Computer core is this way, yellow arrows, we'll have to see what's in tact, I haven't been there much.'' As the two leave the cargo bay he begins idle chit-chat. ''So tell me about K, interesting droid isn't it. And what's your relationship to it, and Psycho. I got that you were in charge moment you walked on board.''

"K is a highly sophisticated protocol droid, psycho is a gun wielding maniac, I own a ship, there isn't much to fathom there, we are a team. You ask a lot of questions for a cleaner. What's really going on here exactly?" Jaina pulls Carlos around the corner quickening her stride until it is almost a jog. "You, some haunted statue man from the past, a set of killer drones who never harmed you before we arrived. You honestly think I'm going to believe you know nothing about it?"

"Honestly? I think you're going to believe whatever is most convenient for you now. I don't expect you to believe what I say, why would you? I expect you to question what you see, and try and get what you want. J drones are bad signs for any one, except j droids. " he stops and pulls open a door. " here we go computer core. " he begins moving some crates and opening access ports and activating the lights. " what do you believe Jaina, I'm interested in your thoughts of the force of power in the Galaxy. " he looks upon her after saying that, then continues "the j droids the free cities do you care who rules or who makes laws, or do you prefer chaos"

Carlos plugs in his data pad to one of the computer drives to initiate a connection, he types in some lines of code and opens and numbers begin streaming down the datapad. ''Looks like there's some stuff left, although I recommend a better connection between you and your ship computer, but i reckon I can get it plummed in good, will require some effort tho.'' Jaina looks at Carlos in some shock. ''I can see why you'd be able to repair a droid, but how's a janitor suddenly an expert on ships computers and fight like you did with those J-Droids.'' He looks back unplugging the computer core from his data pad and beginning the process of getting as much of the core as possible. ''I liked computers as a kid, seems a normal thing to me, i'm good at fixing things, just an intuition I guess. As for the J-droids, it's survival love, used to be a security guard, till I was to death near as dammit by some low life thugs. Figured i'd better learn to protect myself.'' His eyes seem to glaze over as his mind goes back to that day, the day he died and was reborn. ''That was another lifetime ago now, I've moved on, and up in the world, can't get much higher than bein a spacer now can you, yeah i'm just a janitor, mop jockey, a fixer, but..'' He grunts as he stands up pointing out a view port into the blackness of space, the metallic hull of the ship can be just seen if they look at the right angle, other than that, empty blackness, stars twinkling light years away, clouds of swirling colourful gases in spots just mesmerising. ''I wouldn't trade that for anything, not when you got this.'' He continues pulling at wires of the core unscrewing panels and bolts holding the majority of it down. ''But onto the next job now i guess'' he pulls the final large power conduit from the computer core, some lights flicker and cut out then on again as the backups jump into action. ''Here we go, one computer core, fetch a fine price probably....you'll probably even have enough to hire more crew.'' He looks at her expectantly, there's a silence and Carlos gives a quick sniff rubbing his nose ''If you need a caretaker that is.''

Jaina considers a moment, she can't quite fathom the purpose of his questions, was it some kind of morality test? She knew they liked to test people yes testing my hand, seeing if I will throw in early, but there are two 7s down and I have 3 minus cards in my hand. " I don't presume to control the powers of the galaxy, I just work within whichever constraints happen to operate around me. That said some places are safer than others, I prefer to be free to walk around as I wish without fear of harassment, that leads me to staying out of some j-territories. but equally some of the free cities can be a little restricting on my line of work. But I have strategies for dealing with most governments, and licenses to operate within almost all of their territories." She considers a moment more. "For now you will travel with us, I'd be glad to let you take a look at our ship, although not unaccompanied I'm sure you understand. Perhaps we will even get a chance to see you in your old role too. We can never have too much security."

He ponders for a moment at the thought of security, having to defend others, himself, In this line of work. "I fear I will not suit your security needs. I'm more of a forget I was here character, I prefer to incapacitate. Psycho and others under your employ, I presume prefer to use deadly force when necessary, or otherwise. Perhaps I'm wrong. " He pauses as he weighs up his options. A voice in his head speaks. This is the path given to us. Tread it, and it'll take us to our goals. Carlos continues. "however, if this is your path and way, well I'll follow. Until you dismiss me, or trust me enough." he looks at her as if trying to read more information. "how much do you take on new crew, are they a fast disappearing commodity to you and your line of work.... And what other lines do you follow"

She ponders the question a moment. "The only people I ever really had join the crew are K and psycho. Before that there were people I hired temporarily, a few alliances. But I flew my own ship alone. I collect bounties, hunt down people or objects, or trade and transport goods. Life is a game of follow the money."

Carlos smiles. "I do like your candid nature, it's refreshing, so many are fake covered through lies and deceit. I'm good at finding things and getting into places, again, no one expects a janitor or malice aforethought. I'd like you to consider this my application. And trial. Although you don't trust me, I still expect payment, I'm not going on trial or work experience, follow the money as you say"

Jaina smirks, "sure I'll pay you. Don't think this is some freeride experience though. Things will get tough and test your stomach to its limits. Lets go, try to keep up." She scoops up the core and begins a run back to the ship.

Carlos follows. End of chapter

Jaina scratches her nose. Real end of chapter :p