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Jokki Skate stood in the waiting area and looked out onto the windblown landing platform on Levo just in time to see a Defender go flying up through the atmosphere, the long red flaming friction tails stretching out behind it. Jokki turned back around to the waiting area. Damn it....where the hell is this courier? I'm paying him $10,000 and he isn't on time, Jokki thought. There were two other people in the waiting area, not counting the snack bar clerk. The other guy in the waiting area looks to be a mercenary, two blasters at his hips in holsters, some weird patch in his shoulder, and a com link on a pocket belt. He's got black hair, shaved to military length, and a grizzle around his mouth. He needs a shave. Outside, the sound of landing jets and exhaust is audible. Jokki turned back around and stepped out onto the landing pad. An Argosy had just settled down on the pad, and was venting exhaust steam. A large strong looking guy stepped down out of the boarding hatch, and yelled to Jokki over the noise of the exhaust steam, "Jokki Skate?" Jokki nodded and headed over toward the Argosy. The captain had ice cold blue eyes, the most unnerving thing about him. "About time you're here," Jokki said, glaring at the freighter captain. "Sorry....damned traffic patterns, y'know." Jokki mutters under his breath as he climbs into the Argosy, "Aw, shut up and lets go." The freighter captain follows Jokki into the Argosy. The captain says to Jokki, "Follow me." Jokki nods and follows the captain up to the Argosy's bridge. Up on the bridge, a lieutenant turns to the captain, salutes, and says, "Sir, the ship is ready for take off. I just requested clearance from Levo Traffic Control." The captain nods, and says, "Good job, Lieutenant." The lieutenant turns back to the com. The com crackles to life. "S.S. Helpless ||, this is Levo traffic control. Your cleared for take off." A bunch of coordinates follow it, giving the take off pattern and flight path. The lieutenant starts giving out orders. The captain turns to Jokki, "You can sit over there. Once we're in hyperspace, I'll show you your quarters." Jokki turns and sits down where the captain indicated. The Argosy shudders, and slowly lifts off the pad. The captain says to the crew, "Accelerate to 300 mhz, lets get out of here." "Yes, sir." The Argosy speeds up, and outside the red tails of friction start trailing behind the ship. A few minutes later, one of the crew says, "Sir, we are out of the atmosphere. Calculating jump coordinates to Capella." "Good, good, carry on." The captain turns to Jokki. "We haven't been properly introduced, Jokki. My name is Nathan Brazil. You are Jokki Skate." "Nice to meet you," Jokki responds. "How long until we get to Sol, in this?" "Eight days." "Oh. Ok. So where are my quarters?" "This way." The captain heads down to the quarters and sleeping areas. He opens a door, and shows Jokki inside. "Here you go, Jokki." "Thanks. I'm off to get some rest now." "Ok." Jokki heads inside and collapses on the bed. In five minutes, he was out like a light.
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