A New Beginning?

[Lars Engström]

Björn's Star, Captains Office - DECEMBER 2522 Osiris

Lars Engstrom was mad, extremely mad, furious even. He paced his office, back and forth, sitting behind his desk, then standing up and walking over to the door, before spinning on his heel and repeating the ritual of pacing. If there had been anyone else on board, they might have thought there was a war on in his office, but there wasn't anyone else. That was why he was carrying on in such a way.

He paused in his pacing for a moment, thinking back to what events had led to his predicament. The Björn's Star had arrived on Osiris the day before, to stop and resupply as well as to look for any perspective clients, and check up on any wanted criminals etc. While Lars was out in the city, he had run across some alliance troopers playing a game of chance. Needless to say his crew had not been pleased to hear that a large chunk of their wages would not be paid. There had been an argument, well several arguments about how he managed funds, and so on. Lars had stormed away and locked himself in his office, to nurse his pride, and it was there he had fallen asleep.

When he woke, he found an envelope that had been left outside his door. Inside, he found letters from his entire crew, explaining that they would no longer be shipping out with his crew. They had packed, and were leaving his ship, and wished him well in his further travels. In the blink of an eye, he was stranded.

His anger somewhat sated, Lars returned to his chair, sat down and propped his feet up on the desk. "Well", he mused aloud, "There is some irony in this, the captain of a ship and I cant go anywhere." To be perfectly honest with himself, he had to admit there were worse places he could have been stuck. A core world had entertainment, and he would have plenty of access to clients and a new crew.

His mood calmed, He reached across his desk and pressed the button which activated the custom computer that was built into his desk. Logging in to the Coretex, he began to hum cheerfully to himself. As he began to post job openings, he smiled. It was time for a new begining.

[Lars Engström]

Björn's Star, Captains Office - DECEMBER 2522 Osiris

He finished posting the Crew and Passenger notices on the cortex, and powered off his screen. Now all that he could do, was wait.
"Great," he muttered, "I was never any good at waiting."
Lars pulled his bunk out from the wall of his office, and sat down, thinking about the events of the last few days as he removed hi jacket and saber. Inevitably, his thoughts were drawn to Krey, the man who had owned his ship before him. He remembered the promise he had made to Krey as the old captain lay dying, "Don't worry Sir, I'll keep her in the sky, I promise."
Now he thought about how his ship was so plain and truly stranded. "Don't worry," he said to no one in particular, as he lay back on the bunk, "She'll be back in the air soon, I promise"

Lars lay silent on his bunk for several minutes thinking quietly. Tomorrow he would check the Cortex for anything that might help him out of his situation. Turning over, he decided to go to sleep and hope for some luck in the morning. If he didn't find a crew soon, this was going to be a long vacation to the core.

"Computer, turn off the lights, and switch to power conservation. Oh, and don't bother with an alarm clock tonight. I don't have anywhere to be in the morning." The voice activated ships computer terminal near his bunk chirped, and the lights went off.

"Goodnight Captain" intoned the ships computer. "Sleep well Sir."
Though he was still awake, Lars made no reply, he listened as the many devices on his ship switched to standby, each time he heard something power down he winced. He really was stuck here.

[Lars Engström]

Lars was awakened by the computer.
"Captain, there has been a reply to your ad on the cortex" droned the computer.
Lars jumped to his feet, and stumbled to his desk, he turned on his screen and logged in to the cortex. Sure enough, there was a reply.

Kennet, Trace
Position desired: Pilot

Lars was relieved, this was a step in the right direction. He quickly dressed and shaved, and then returned to his desk, and sent a wave to the applicant.
"Let's hope this is a good day for me," he muttered, "I want to get off this rock as soon as I can."

[Lars Engström]

(Cont. From Recruiting On Osiris)

Lars Entered his office, and sat behind his desk waiting for Trace. He was pleased by this prospective pilot. He had presence of mind, and he had manners. He also was incredibly perceptive, that was good. Hopefully, Trace would continue to impress him. He sat back, and waited. Thinking about how fortunate he was. Things were going his way.

[Trace Kennet]

Trace Entered the office, and stood near the door, unsure what to do next. He saw the captain had already seated himself behind a desk.
Trace looked around the office, marveling at the room. It was clean and impressive. There was a chair opposite the captain, but he didn't dare move until he was invited.
"She is quite a beauty, the ship I mean." he said, looking up at the captain.
Every time he looked at the captain he felt an odd sense of understanding. It was like the captain could read his mind, or at least his face. Trace tried to stiffen his features. He stood up straight and tried to hide any emotion. He wondered if he should be doing something different. The silence dragged on, and on and he began to wonder if he should say something else.

[Lars Engström]

"Thanks you, for the compliment." Lars said after several minutes of silence.
"She really is a great ship." He paused, indicated to Trace that he should sit, and then continued speaking.
"So,what makes you think you are the right man for the job of piloting her?" This was it, Lars thought, this is where I find out what he is made of. He leaned towards Trace. "Piloting my ship is not something just anyone can do, you have to be the best. You have to keep her safe, as well as all of us aboard. I don't take kindly to the thought of dying because you flew us into some space rock. So, why are you the one who needs the job?"
He leaned back again and closed his eyes, waiting for Trace to speak.

[Trace Kennet]

As soon as the captain motioned at the chair, Trace moved and sat down. He was relieved that Lars had spoken, the silence had been making him more and more uncomfortable. As he listened to Lars talk about the ship, and what he expected of a pilot, he began to relax. Something about the way things were going had reassured him. He knew things would work out. When Lars finished speaking, he leaned back, and Trace spoke.
"With all due respect sir, you said you were looking for the best. Well, you have him. I am the best, and there is no denying it." He paused, thinking about what he had said, and deciding that the time for modesty was over. "Captain, we both know that I am right. You wanted to hire me from the moment I showed up. So lets skip the theatrics and cut to the chase. When do we leave?"

[Lars Engström]

Lars opened his eyes and looked at Trace. The confidence, and intensity of the stare that greeted him was almost surprising. He smiled, and stood up.
"Well, Mr. Kennet, it seems you have surpassed my expectations. You have confidence, and from what I have seen, a total lack of respect for those who you are attempting to impress. You are, in a word perfect. Welcome aboard, I'm glad to have you."
Lars walked over to the door, and opened it. "Currently, we are the only two members of the crew, and so we cant leave until we have filled our ranks." He paused, thinking of how much farther he had to go, in order to leave the planet. "As you are the first one aboard, you can choose whichever bunk you want. Feel free to explore the ship, and familiarize yourself with the cockpit."

He looked back at Trace, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. If you need to retrieve any belongings, I would ask you do it as soon as you can. Other than that, once again welcome to the crew."

He smiled at Trace, then walked back to his desk, and sat down.

[Trace Kennet]

Trace couldn't believe his ears. The captain had just given him a job.
"Sir, I... Thank you sir." He stammered. "You won't regret this sir. I just need to go get my things from home and then I'll be back. Thank you"
He thought he saw the captain smile, but he didnt stay to find out. Hurrying from the office, he felt an exhilaration that he had never felt before.

[Lars Engström]

Lars Sighed a deep sigh and rose from his desk. It was getting late. No other replies to his ads, and it was time for bed. He walked over to his bunk, and pulled it from the wall. Stretching, he removed his coat and sword, hanging them from hooks on the wall. Well, at least I have a the start of a crew now, he thought. He lay down on his bunk, and switched off the lights. Maybe tomorrow will be even better, he thought, as he drifted off to sleep.