One Last Check Before Take Off

[roxanne]

Roxanne had been wondering what was up with that guy who bought the mule off George. While she had come across Alliance in the past, it was nothing like that. Sure they had ones who went undercover, but usually they got the Hell out of there. The only thing is they were never ever to catch it right off. She wondered how Ben was able to spot it right off.

As she scrunched her brow in thought, she was rather confused. ”Will do but I’m just wondering how you figured it out?” As she sent a glance to Ben she decided to clarify herself. “I mean I’m not so great with the history of the war so I may need a briefing in case I ever run into that Robert guy again because that sent me for a loop.” Of course she knew enough not to open her mouth when he was talking to the guy. Might cause a problem right then and there.

With a nod of her head she set the coordinates in. This ship was great because it was also giving her alternates routes in case she had to get them the hell out of there real fast. She didn’t question what they were doing though with St. Alban’s it seemed iffy. ”I was going over the blueprints off the ship. Once we figure out where everyone’s sleeping you could probably take one some more passengers. Could be good if we don’t have any work right handy.”

[benbarrow]

"Well I've killed plenty of purple bellies to recognize one when I see one." Ben answered. "But, as much as I hate to admit it, I've build quite a reputation for myself during the war. I was sorta... famous on the Independent side."

Ben knew people considered him as the legendary "Bulletproof" Ben Barrow, and he had accepted that fact. But he didn't like to blow his own horn. After all that had happened to him, he still remained modest and never let his reputation get to his head. Admitting that he was a legend was difficult for him.

"And you know, there's three kinds of people that would recognize my face." Ben continued. "The Independent war veterans, people I introduce myself to, and Alliance agents. This Borden guy isn't an Independent veteran, otherwise he would never have got shot in O'Hanrahan's Pub. I also don't remember introducing myself to the guy. Add to that the fact that he recognized me immediately so by deduction that means he's either former Alliance, or an Alliance agent."

Ben knew that Borden probably would turn out to be an Alliance agent, but he didn't want to upset Roxanne. She might just get worried enough to quit the crew, and that he could not afford.

"Best advice I can give you is steering clear of him." Ben said. "If you do happen to bump into him again, keep it casual. He starts asking questions about me or the ship, tell him you gotta go. He flashes an Alliance Fed badge at you, you shoot him and you come get me."

Roxanne didn't strike Ben as the type that could easily shoot someone. So the best he could hope for was that she would never run into Borden again. Or at least not alone.

"But I'm not so sure about turning the Orlando in a passenger liner." Ben added. "At least not during jobs like the one we're embarking on now. But if we ever do a simple milk run like delivering goods or something, I'll take it into consideration. However, we could use a couple of gunhands, so if you happen to run into one and he or she seems reliable enough, you have my permission to bring them to me."

That being said, only one thing remained for Ben to do. Telling Roxanne she was out of line, and now was the perfect time.

"And Roxanne, what happened in the cargobay with Kyrin, that's never happening again, ever." Ben said. "Don't get me wrong, I like you but I will have no problem with letting you go if you keep undermining my authority like that, dong ma?"