(What your ships look like compared to other ships)
Heaving a great sigh of relief the travellers considered their situation. They needed to get lots of supplies for their ships, and still thought that they should get out of Arunisiir spaceport as quickly as possible. However, seeing as many of the Harrier crews had been 8 weeks or more since their last shore leave, and there was cargo to sell, it seemed likely that they would stay on Arunisiir for a few days. Lady Nitrane kept an eye on the treasure ship along with Unter, and decided that the imperials were back to a normal level of security.
As it was approaching evening when they arrived the crew of all three Harriers went to the bar to let their hair down. Lady Nitrane took the role of hostess and entertainments officer, keeping the men and women of the crew occupied. Unter kep order, ensuring no rowdiness broke out, and Slayed wrapped up proceedings and ensured that everyone returned to the ships in good order.
The next day, Captain Slayed went with the other two ship captains to resupply the ships, and to buy additional supplies as a contingency against needing to stay on station some more. After than he went to the trading station and sold the cargo that had been in the Harriers' cargo bays for the past three or four months.
Meanwhile, continuing the efforts to give the crew a short but intense break, Lady Nitrane decided that a party would be in order. She arranged the bar to provide staff and alcohol for the party, and organised food, cookers and tables for the evening. The three ships were positioned as they had been on Paal, with all three cargo holds arranged in a three sided triangle. One would hold the bar, another would be where food was cooked, and the third for tables and chairs.
As things were being arranged, Nitrane saw First Officer Jagad heading to the bar and asked if she and the officers from the treasure ship would be interested in attending. Jagad's eyes immediately widened in pleasure and she gushingly accepted. She had been so bored on this uninteresting planet and this would be a delightful send off. Nitrane asked about what had happened while she and the travellers were 'away' and Jagad told her about the escorts being downed by an unknown assailant. Nitrane told her that the party were from Drinax and flew the flag from time to time, even this far out, and also were pirate hunters. Jagad accepted this and was impressed, although not as impressive as the Imperial Navy of course. With that she thanked Lady Nitrane for the invitation and with a much more lively stop started toward the bar, then changed her mind and returned to the treasure ship, waving at Nitrane on the way past.
The evening approached and the crew that had volunteered to be cooks and waiters for the guests were put through a trial run and everything went smoothly. Selecting appropriate music (something bluesy and rock and roll-y seemed the most appropriate) the travellers returned to their Harrier to dress for the evening. Captain Slayed wore his admiral uniform now that the cat was out of the bag. Similarly Sparrow wore his officer uniform. Unter and Nitrane decided that he'd wear his bodyguard tuxedo while Lady Nitrane picked out an elegant but not too dazzling number befitting a hostess.
The guests arrived, most of the treasure ship officers were there; First Officer Jagad, Second Officer Halbinar, Astrogator Osho, and Chief Engineer (Acting) Polo were known the travellers. Lead Pilot Smirh, Cargo Chief Niven and Tactical Officer Grimbold were not. In addition a number of crew from the treasure ship also came. Lady Nitrane greeted everyone and saw too it that people were having fun. Unter took up a position near the cooking area and supervised. Unter was located near the bar, supposedly supervising but more often than not testing. And Captain Slayed was to be found at one of the tables talking and laughing with whoever came and sat near him.
After a while Jagad and Osha came to see Lady Nitrane to give thanks and to tell her that they had to go back to the ship. Jagad was very keen to speak with Nitrane again and hoped she could so so before the treasure ship left.
A little later, after night had fallen and the party was in full swing, a solitary figure was seen approaching. It was Captain Torsa, marching proudly up to the party. Lady Nitrane immediately noticed and went to meet him. Torsa was wearing his dress uniform and identified some personal marks of nobility amongst the imperial navy insignia.
Torsa greeted Lady Nitrane civilly and proceeded to walk to the bar, where a colourful pyramid of cocktails was being poured. Torsa got a small sherry. At the cooking area he observed the cooks and their delicious seared slabs of meat. He did not partake. Lastly he checked the seating area and saw that Captain Slayed was settled in talking to anyone who wanted to chat. Only then did he engage Lady Nitrane in a polite and reserved conversation.
After a short while, Lady Nitrane realised that he was looking at Captain Slayed from time to time. She adjusted her position so that Slayed was visible over her shoulder and watched Torsa intently. Expecting disgust or disdain, instead she saw envy and longing. It seemed that Captain Torsa had been informed that Captain Slayed was in fact Admiral Slayed (Imperial Navy, retired). While Slayed led a crowd of people in song, recounted tall tales, led a conga line, and was the life of the party, Torsa was not approached by anyone and got at best an acknowledging nod from one or two people.
The conversation with Torsa continued, with Torsa looking over her shoulder at Slayed, and Nitrane using her diplomatic skills to ensure Torsa was engaged. A useful idiot, he started opening up to the mission they had at hand. It transpired that their next stop would be Acrid when they left, but when she coyly asked about the contents of the vault he smiled and said that he couldn't possibly tell her that.
It was then that she realised he was looking at her more, with the longing she'd seen on his face before, and not at Slayed. He said that he would very much like to speak with her again before they left. Captain Slayed at this point came over, bejeweled admirals jacket unbuttoned and having wished many of his audience a good night as they hurried back to the treasure ship. Captain Torsa stiffened and gave a slight formal bow as a laconic and relaxed Slayed firmly shook his hand. Torsa at this point thanked Lady Nitrane for the evening and turned to go.
"Tosser" said Slayed as the captain marched away, back straight.
With the party over for the Imperials, the crew relaxed and settled in for a few more hours of cards, drinking and laughing. They were advised that due to their sterling work they could choose what they wanted to do the next day. Some wanted to go hunting, others wanted to do some damage to the stocks of alcohol in the bar.
The travellers retired to their Harrier to discuss what would happen next.
To be continued.
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