Meeting the Boss

[phantomseige]

Leighton stared at the apartment that he had been given directions to. Inside, or so common theory held, was Minerva Colt, the crime boss that could give Leighton the passage he and the crew of the Lenore desperately sought.

There were people around and in the building, and Leighton knew a lot of them were most likely guards for Minerva. A woman like that did not ride alone, so to speak.

The doctor started up the path towards the building, taking care to not have his hands in his pockets or any other possibly threatening body language. He wanted to be in-and-out, and the less that got complicated the better.

He arrived at the door and pressed the button for the intercom.

"What do you want?" a voice said.

"I'm here to visit Ms. Colt," Leighton spoke. "Strictly business."

The door unlocked. "Aye, but no funny stuff," the voice said, "that'd make for a bad day for you."

Leighton didn't respond, but rather grabbed the door and swung it open, walking inside with as much confidence as his nerves would let him muster.

[haven]

Haven stood behind Leighton for this part. She had told him and then it just went from there. There were some people they saw who knew her and thanked her for her help, but they had something to do. Haven’s cloudy eyes fell on Leighton as he confidently just went up to the doors. This woman was supposed to be someone who held guys by their manhood. It the figurative sense of the word she could only figure. Either way, she was one to be respected. Highly.

Haven nabbed his arm before he could press the button. ”You want me to go up there with you?” She wanted to, but would stay behind if asked to. Obviously they’d check her weapon at the door. More respectively, she’d hand it over. It was the only one she had either way. For someone like Minerva Colt, it was easier to hand it over then ot have them assume the worse of you.

As the doors opened she followed Leighton in. Once they were stopped immediately inside, they were asked if they had anything on them. Haven, from where her hands were, used them to point to her hip. ”Check me if you want ot make sure.” The guy was a little friendly in his check but Haven simply gave him the glare over. They guy smirked as he nodded to let them through.

Her words were soft spoken as she turned her head to Leighton. ”You do realize we’ll have to tell the captain because she will expect payment for her help.” Haven’s eyes were full of questioning as they waited for Minerva to see them.

[[OOC: If you don’t like it let me know :] ]]

[phantomseige]

((OOC - works for me))

The goons relieved Leighton of his auto-injectors, something that hardly surprised him, and then pointed the two up an elevator. Leighton walked in and pressed the button for the top floor, keeping his eyes from meeting any of the goons until the doors closed. The second they did, Leighton let out a sigh and let himself slump; he was surprised himself at how much he shrank once he was out of sight of the hired help.

"Yeah. I figure we can come to some arrangement now, and if all goes well, it won't be expensive." He looked over at Haven. "If not, maybe we can fly some goods for her or something, make some kind of bargain." He looked back to the door. "Thanks for coming, by the way," he said to her. "It makes me feel markedly less terrified at this moment." Leighton hoped to keep things simple, and didn't want any trouble, but he was at a disadvantage here: short of credits, Leighton wasn't sure if he had anything Minerva wanted, but she did have something he wanted.

The elevator dinged, and Leighton took a deep breath, locking what felt like most of it into his lungs. He pulled himself up and put an emotionless mask on. "Let's do this," he said to psych himself up as the doors opened to the penthouse.

[Minerva Colt]

Minerva closed the account book. Everything was in order as usual. If it wasn't, and she was losing money somehow, she'd get to the bottom of it and punish the one responsible accordingly. Whether or not she'd let him live, was up to her mood.

But Minerva already was in a good mood, and seeing that everything was in order just ensured that. How could she not be in a good mood after all? All was well, everything went as it should and the weather on Persephone had been really warm for weeks. Maybe she'd head to the oceanside for a few days during the weekend.

But business first as usual. She had a couple of things to take care of first. One of them was having a meeting later on with a captain who would be selling her weapons that were used during the war. They had caught Minerva's attention as soon as she heard. She was keen on collecting items from the war, and she already had a lot. Among others was the uniform of an Alliance general, a browncoat, several sorts of equipment used on both sides and a very rare satin shirt that was worn by a Companion who was killed by Browncoats while she was servicing an Alliance officer. Minerva thought it to be amusing. She herself had been exiled by the Guild after they found out she had her hand in all sorts of other businesses, and the satin shirt with three bulletholes in it always made her smile somehow.

She kept the items in the main room of her penthouse, where she would receive guests and did business as well. The items really sprung into the eye. The room itself was almost entirely made out of marble, it was entirely white and the pillars and statues would remind those who were educated of the ancient Greeks, back on Earth-That-Was.

Minerva was just about to walk to the balcony to get some sunrays on her icequeen like face when she was startled by a voice on the intercom.

"Mistress Colt, there's a young man and a woman here to see you. They've already been sent up."

Minerva sighed. That's what she got for having an open door policy. No one would be dumb enough to try and kill her in her own penthouse after all. There was no leaving alive, given they'd succeed. Although she did know that the doorman was a new guy, and that's why she decided to just cut him some slack this once for not asking the young man's name. And she sured hoped he patted him down before sending him up as well. Minerva had a small ladies' gun tucked in beneath her dress, but she hoped she wouldn't have to use it. Blood had such a nasty way of leaving marks on the marble.

Minerva walked over to the intercom and pushed the button in to respond.

"Thank you Manu." Minerva answered. "Oh, and Manu, next time make sure you get the person's name before sending them up, or I will make sure no one knows who you are when they find you lying in a puddle of your own blood. Merci beaucoup."

Minerva then looked at the door that was opening and saw that the young man and woman had to open the door for themselves. That wasn't right. Where was Roger the upper doorman? Looks like she had to find out.

"Bonjour young man, young miss." Minerva greeted the duo politely. "I will be right with you. Excusez-moi."

Minerva then walked outside and saw Roger coming back to his post.

"Where were you?" Minerva asked calmly.

"I'm sorry mistress Colt, I had to go take a piss, I have a cold on my bladder and I..." Roger answered.

"Really? Then we need to fix that, don't we?" Minerva said.

She then got the ladies' gun out of her stockings and shot Roger straight through the bladder. The man fell down screaming, and started twitching on the floor, trying to bite the pain.

"Salopard!" Minerva yelled. "That'll teach you to leave your post without having someone replacing you!"

She tucked the gun away again and closed the doors, which dulled down the sound of Roger's screams. She walked over to the intercom and pushed the button in again.

"Manu, it seems Roger has had a little accident in the bathroom. Would you please be so kind to call an ambulance for him? Merci." Minerva said.

She then let go of the intercom and turned to her two guests as if nothing had happened.

"My apologies." Minerva said. "It is so hard to find good help these days. My name is Minerva Colt, and you are?"

She presented her right hand to Leighton for him to kiss it. Minerva considered herself a lady after all, and what Leighton would do next would make or break the deal before she even would hear what he had to say.

[OOC: Played by Rade. And does anybody mind the French? I just think it gives her somewhat extra character. But if you mind, I won't do it anymore.]

[phantomseige]

Leighton jumped at the gunshot, and looked at Haven as if to say 'This was a bad idea.' When Minerva reappeared, though, he pushed that thought to the back of his mind. He just had to behave, and from the looks of the place, this woman was very invested in her class and style, and that was something Leighton could play with. And, Leighton hoped, if things went really bad, she'd just kill him quickly.

Leighton mused over Ms. Colt's introduction. When she offered her hand, he was taken offguard for but a second before gently holding and kissing it.

"Ms. Colt, my name is Doctor Leighton Sacheverell," he started, spending every ounce of willpower to keep his voice stable and strong, sparing enough only to keep his mind off of the bleeding and dying man in the next room, "and this young woman is my assistant, Ms. Haven Raines." He lowered his head slightly, a faux bow to show reverence. "I apologize for coming in so unannounced, but my associates and I find ourselves in a very...sensitive situation that could use your help. It is my hope that there is a business arrangement of some sort we could come to."

Leighton stopped and looked at Minerva, hoping that his words were being received well. His eyes darted but once to the door when he heard the man groaning for help. The man could wait, Leighton hoped, until the paramedics arrived, or until this deal was closed and he himself could help, but he didn't want to jeopardize the deal on it. If nothing else, Leighton knew being dead would hinder his efforts to assist the wounded man in the next room.

"I can continue further, if you're interested, but if not, I will take my leave," he added after a moment, making sure Minerva was even interested.

[Minerva Colt]

Minerva walked over to the closet where she kept paper handkerchiefs. She opened it, took one out of it and wiped her hand of where the doctor had kissed her. Apparently the young man had no idea that when giving a handkiss the lips aren't supposed to actually touch the hand. But because she was in such a good mood she was willing to forgive him that error.

The man was a doctor. And by the looks of it not just any doctor. He even had an assistant. Although Minerva was curious as to who the doctor's associates were. She knew that anyone who would come and do business with her definately wasn't a saint.

In any case, Minerva didn't get where she was today if she turned down business proposals, and thus she was willing to hear the doctor out. She walked back over to the doctor and his assistant, and sat down on the long white couch in front of them.

"That depends on your request." Minerva said. "But if it's reasonable enough, we can do business together. Now please, have a seat and tell me what it is you want from me."

[OOC: Played by Rade]

[haven]

Haven followed every moment with her eyes. Her time on Persephone had taught her to do that. Even with Minerva out of sight, she took in the room. It was lavish-above any she had seen. Some pieces she had hoped to own someday, but were not a necessity in her mind. There were other things she wanted and needed first. A job was taken care of so she may be able to take care of that. Especially if she was able to stay there for a longer basis of time. The gunshot sent a chill down her spine, but it was something she was used to planet-side. Shootings in the middle of the night or the bar fight gone wrong. It made her body stand on alert though as Minerva reentered the room though.

As Haven was introduced, she nodded in greeting at Minerva. She hoped Leighton could pull it together to talk to her. If not, Haven would step up to the bat. She followed Minerva and settled into a chair that resided across from her. ”If I may.” She turned to Leighton before she continued. ”One of our crewmates, Arabella Hart, was taken by some people from the Alliance. They tried to take our pilot as well, but he got away. We’d like her back, but to do so we need to get to Londinium without raising any flags.” Her eyes held on Minerva with determination but not in a threatening manner. She glanced at Leighton again before she continued.

”From what our pilot told us, she had ran away from an arranged marriage. Her family wanted her back and now they’re going to get her. We’re going to have some mighty trouble getting on Londinium, which is why we came to you.” Here, Haven stopped. If there was anything she wanted to know, then Minerva could ask. Or Leighton could step in himself. Either way, she had spoken her piece in her strongest voice. And hoped Leighton was able to gather himself together since they’d have to explain this all to Connor. And Connor was probably not going to be too pleased with the two of them.

[phantomseige]

"That about covers it," Leighton agreed, taking a seat next to Haven. "I know it all sounds a bit...story-like. Saving the poor daughter from the mean ol' parents and all, but believe us, this is very real. And her family, from what I understand, will not be pleased to hear their daughter has an opinion."

Leighton looked at Minerva. He felt like she needed to know that he was there, and that he was going to stand by his words, and that required a bit of...outward energy.

"I'm not the captain, but I do speak on behalf of the crew," Leighton continued. "We have some credits between us, if you're not the type to accept favors as payment. Otherwise, we have a ship, we have a crew, we have ways of moving cargo, and we don't think all that highly of the Alliance - or her laws." He sat up, resting himself on his arms, which themselves rested on his thighs. "We're dedicated to this cause. We will get Arabella back. And we are dedicated to anyone who helps us in that goal," he concluded, making sure to emphasize that the person who could have that dedication could easily be Minerva.

[Minerva Colt]

Minerva wondered as to why any captain would send a doctor and his assistent to deal with her. The only thing she could come up with was that either the captain didn't know that they were dealing with her, or that their captain was in his ship pissing his pants because he was afraid to deal with her. She decided to go with the second option because it amused her slightly.

But their request was not unreasonable. And they weren't the first to come asking for that sort of thing. Although their motive was different than most and somewhat more honorable. Although them rescuing someone would bring a whole lot of heat, so Minerva had to make sure that she would stay out of the picture. That meant spending more money to pay off Alliance officials.

And then there was the matter of the entire thing going south. If they were captured, she had to make sure they would keep their mouths shut. She could of course have them eliminated before they even stood a chance to stand trial but then who would pay off their debt. Although with the right connections and a whole lot of money she could have them abducted too of course and sell them into slavery, or have some of them work off the debt.

After considering all this, Minerva decided to grant their wish. She only hoped things could go the easy way, although if things had to go the hard way, then so be it.

"Your request is reasonable doctor Sacheverell." Minerva said. "Reasonable, but costly. If I agree to do this, then you and your shipmates will be greatly indebted to me. A debt that I expect you will work off. Does that sound fair to you?"

[phantomseige]

"Sounds fair to me," Leighton said. What exactly they would do was beyond Leighton at the moment, but he figured that, at the worst, they would work at smuggling some cargo for Minerva.

Leighton glanced over at Haven for some confirmation that he wasn't insane - something he couldn't be too sure of at this point - when Leighton suddenly realized: Bella's house would have plenty of opportunity to repay the debt.

"The house," he said quietly to himself. "Dowry, too, if that's there." He looked back at Minerva. "I think we might be able to...liberate some rare items from where we're going. Items that are very valuable and, if you don't want to sell them, could possibly fit in nicely in this room here." He nodded to himself. "And we'll already be in there, so it shouldn't be too difficult. Everyone wins."

[Minerva Colt]

Leighton caught Minerva's attention when he said 'rare items'. Most of the Alliance upperclass usually had something they put on display in their houses. Usually it were rare items from Earth-That-Was, passed on from generation to generation. That, and she had attended plenty of weddings herself to know that dowries sometimes contained valuable artifacts as well.

Minerva gave Leighton a friendly smile, to show him that he had definately made a good suggestion.

"That would be a good start." Minerva said. "If you steal the dowry, I shall deduct its value from the debt you owe me. Maybe if you're lucky it will cover it entirely."

Minerva then stood up, walked over to the bar elegantly and fixed three glasses of champagne for herself and her guests. She wasn't one to shake hands on a deal, she rather toasted on it.

"Very well then." Minerva said as she walked over to Leighton and Haven with the glasses of champagne in her hand. "I shall arrange safe passage for you and your crew to Londinium, and a safe place to land in one of my hidden planetside landingspots. You on your end will attempt to steal the dowry and report back here when your friend is freed so we can make arrangements for you to pay off your debt."

Minerva put the glasses of champagne on the small table and sat back down. Now she just needed to remind the doctor and his assistant to what would happen should they screw up.

"If anything goes wrong, or in the event that you get caught, I will try and make arrangements to set you free again." Minerva said. "The costs of that will be added then to the debt that you already owe me. Should such a thing prove to be impossible, I will seize your ship for my own purposes. But let's hope it won't come to that."

Minerva took one of the champagneglasses in her hand, and waited for her new businesspartners to do the same.

"Do we have an understanding between us?" Minerva asked.

[OOC: Played by Rade]

[haven]

Haven liked how Leighton thought quickly on his feet about valuables and the dowry from Arabella’s place. If they were going to get the little princess, might as well grab some things as well. Haven lifted her eyebrows in thought. ”She’s been away for years. The value of what had already been sent for gifts and set aside for dowry has probably been building up value for all these years.” Her ill feelings towards the girl were easing as her thought traveled over it. It they went over it well enough, they could probably grab a few items and be out of there. Haven thought that there had to be guards. Perhaps dressing as a Purple Belly to fit in? Or whatever help there would be? Her ideas fly in her head as Minerva floated about the room.

She made sure not to interrupt what Minerva was saying. She went over everything through her head. After Minerva grabbed a glass of champagne, she found it alright to grab one herself. As she sipped at it, she understood with only one question. ”I only have one question. If successful in grabbing the dowry and goods, but they are not quite enough to cover everything, would we work that off as you said before?” She wasn’t trying to be rude nor say that they weren’t going to do everything they could to grab any last bit of valuables.

The champagne was something that she not used to. The bubbles seemed to travel to her nose which her made her sneeze lightly into her sleeve in response to the new drink. Bubbly drinks never worked well with her body. ”Pardon me. The bubbles.” She was slightly embarrassed to have that happen in front of their employer. She hoped that it didn’t reflect badly upon them.

[phantomseige]

"We'll make up the difference," Leighton said. "Everything will be fair." He raised his glass to toast and took a sip of the champagne, which was excellent - as expected.

"And let me assure you, Ms. Colt, this is a noble cause. Someone should write a song." He drank his champagne as quickly as he could without being rude - as much as he enjoyed the present moment, which was more than he originally anticipated but that was hardly saying much - there was a certain time sensitivity to the current situation. Once he had finished the drink, leaving only a discreet amount in the very bottom of the glass, he stood up and bowed politely to the woman who had just given them the means to save their crewmate.

"Thank you very much for your time and assistance," he told her. He felt as though there was something else to be said, but he wasn't sure what that would be, so he simply offered a goodbye.

[Minerva Colt]

Minerva found the young girl to be a bit amusing, and smiled at her as she pardonned herself. Also, the thought of people writing a song was quite amusing as well.

"Here's to hoping you'll still be alive to hear the song, doctor Sacheverell." Minerva said as she raised her glass. "And that I won't be mentioned in it."

Minerva's last sentence had a bit of a hidden message in it. But it wasn't that well hidden, it was quite clear what she meant.

She took a drink from her excellent champagne, and kept the glass in hand.

"Then our business is concluded." Minerva said. "I will send one of my men with the authorization codes and the coordinates to the safe landingzone to your ship tonight. I bid you goodbye, and good luck."

Minerva turned around and started walking elegantly toward the door to her study. But then all of a sudden she turned back to Leighton and Haven.

"Oh, and doctor Sacheverell? Please don't make me come looking for you. Au revoir." Minerva said.

She then went in her study and closed the doors behind her, leaving both Leighton and Haven alone in the living area.

[OOC: Played by Rade]

[phantomseige]

"Understood," Leighton said, and nodded politely as Minerva left. He then turned to Haven.

"I hope we made the right call," Leighton said. "I mean, she seems trustworthy enough, but I'd sure as hell hate to get on her bad side." He looked around once more. "But I do believe we're wasting our time now. Let's get back to the Lenore and tell them the good news."

[[OOC - back to the thread in the ships board...]]