ath: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!in.100proofnews.com!in.100proofnews.com!fu-berlin.de!uni-berlin.de!not-for-mail From: "Night_Spirit" Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Subject: New TOS Era Star Trek:The Blackaces:The Romulan Blues Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 13:09:12 -0400 Lines: 349 Message-ID: <2u25u1F25rh4gU1@uni-berlin.de> Reply-To: "Night_Spirit" X-Trace: news.uni-berlin.de VvbXnhWtfXQh8RWhc7rJFAoMaFokbDroI2sPpX7z+X896hES5t X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180 X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative:161143 X-Received-Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 10:09:23 PDT (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) Ok this is my first try at this so any comments will be welcomed. I am trying for a pulpish feel for this story. Title: The Romulan Blues Author: Delbert McGill Series: TOS Era Part: 1/? Rating: NC17 Code: NA Disclaimer: Star Trek is owned by Paramount Pictures. This Story is not affiliated with Paramount Pictures Setting: about 30 years after Journey to Babel STAR TREK: THE BLACK ACES BY DELBERT MCGILL The Romulan Blues © July 2004 By Delbert McGill Chapter One James Randolph Mudd looked at the monitor and put down his glass. Through the speakers a slow jazz tune played. "That music fits this place." Mudd sighed. Mudd watched a Romulan playing at one of the Blackjack tables. Mudd's mood brightened as he watched her. The Romulan Subcommander was winning too much to fast at the blackjack table. Mudd didn't mind counters because a counter could increase traffic to the other blackjack tables if the patrons thought the house was having a bad night. The Subcommander however was attracting too many onlookers. It was obvious that the Romulan was trying to get his attention. Mudd turned to his security chief, "Selena, bring the Rom to my office." He said with a smile. "James, are you sure that's such a good idea?" Selena Cross asked. "Selena, she has been trying to get my undivided attention and I want to know why." Mudd replied. Mudd's establishment, The Bucket of Blood, was one of the most respected places on Gemini III. Gemini III was the main system in the Alliance and it was a place where life was cheap and only the strong could thrive. It was also one the richest systems in the Alliance, thanks in large part to the large number of smugglers, pirates, and Mercenaries that made it their home port. The entire Alliance had grown rich from its hospitality toward undesirables from the three great powers. In short the Alliance was a place of outcasts, soldiers of fortunes, thieves and assassins. Gemini III with it's consistently damp streets, bars, casinos and brothels had been Mudd's home for 20 years. He knew that his brother Harry was somewhere in the Federation but Mudd really didn't care to know where. They hadn't seen each other since they were in their twenties and it hadn't been a friendly parting of the ways. His brother had left him to take the fall for a con game that went bad. The fact that Mudd hadn't even been apart of it had left a bitter taste in his mouth. James Mudd had grown wealthy from his dealings with his fellow outcasts and not just at his gaming tables. Mudd could move stolen goods from one place to another quickly and more importantly at a profit. He was also very fair which was a good trait to have in a world where cheating would get someone killed. Mudd, pulled an Orion J80 from his desk and put it where he knew the Subcommander could see it. The J80, a projectile weapon used a clip of Trillium 9 mm ammo. It was the weapon of choice in the Alliance since hand phasers and disruptors brought to much unwanted attention. Mudd chuckled and waited for Cross to return. Selena ushered the Romulan into Mudd's office. Mudd motion for her to set down, "Now My Good lady, How may I help you." He said. "I assumed I was going to be asked to leave because of my talent at the game." The Romulan said. "Come now, Subcommander Hel' Sing. You have been trying to get my attention all night now lets cut through the chase and get down to business." Mudd said. "How do you know my name?" The Subcommander asked. "On this world it pays to know who's coming and going especially when they are assassins." Mudd said. "How much do you know about me?" The Subcommander asked. "That you're good at your job. You were once a proud member of the Romulan fleet until a certain incident forced you to resign in disgrace. Now how can I help you." Mudd replied cooly. "Actually my business is with one of your regular customers, but I am told that only you can put me in contact with him." The Subcommander said. "Now who would that be?" Mudd asked innocently, "Black Jack Morgan," The Subcommander said. "Ah it is becoming clear, This wouldn't happen to be about a certain freighter that was hijacked several days ago and rumored be hidden somewhere in Federation space?" Mudd responded. "May I ask, how you know of this alleged hijacking?" The Romulan asked. "As I said on this planet, it pays to know things." Mudd answered. "Let's say for the sake of discussion that the rumor is true. The cargo of the alleged freighter is said to belong to a high-ranking member of the senate. Is this person able to pay Morgan's fee?" Mudd continued. "She is well able to pay it and more. She is prepared to pay Captain Morgan a bonus to retrieve the freighter, and it would be 10% of the value of the cargo." The Romulan said. "Give me a few moments for me contact Captain Morgan. It is still early So I am certain that he will want to see you tonight." Mudd said, "One more thing, next time you come here please don't wear that uniform it makes some of my customers edgy and when that happens they can become dangerous." "I have been in the Alliance for sometime and so far I've been able to avoid trouble." The Subcommander responded. "The rest of the Alliance isn't Gemini III." Selena said. "I wouldn't make any unnecessary moves to that gun under your cloak. She's had hers on you the whole time you've been sitting there." Mudd said, "Selina, keep an eye on her while I contact Captain Morgan." Mudd stood up and slipped his gun into a shoulder holster. He walked around the desk. At nearly two and half meters in height he was an imposing figure. The Subcommander knew that coming into Mudd's place would be putting her life in danger. Mudd's reputation was well known and if his bodyguard didn't kill her than Mudd would. Mudd walked down the small hallway to a private study. He sat down in front of a monitor, "Computer Level one access, code name Jack of Diamonds." Mudd said. "Working, Identity confirmed. Connection established." The computer responded. Robert Wayne's face appeared on the screen, "James, I need to get down there more. What's going on?" Wayne said. "I have a potential client for you. A Romulan assassin named Hel' Sing." Mudd said. "What does she want?" Wayne asked. "A Romulan freighter was highjacked by Orion pirates a few days ago. Her sponsor wants it returned. She is willing to pay a bonus of 10% percent of the cargo's value on top of your normal fee." Mudd explained. "James, what is your gut telling you?" Wayne asked "That it wasn't a normal freighter. This stinks to high heaven." Mudd said. "That's my take on it too, Jimmy. Bring her out to the estate. I'll have people waiting for you. Jimmy, if she tries anything take her out." Wayne said. "Don't worry I will." Mudd said. Mudd and Wayne had been friends for many years. They trusted each other like brothers. Mudd pushed a button, "Selena, escort the Subcommander to my skimmer." He said. "I take it that Captain Morgan will see me." The Subcommander said. "Apparently you interest him at the moment. Stand up slowly." Cross said. "Your reputation is well known. I will not try anything." The Subcommander said. Mudd was waiting beside the skimmer for them. As they approached, he opened the back door. Cross slipped her gun into a holster as she sat down. "Is it always raining on this planet?" The Subcommander asked. "No it just seems that way. The mist forms shortly after sunset keeping the streets damp." Cross answered. "By midnight it will be gone." Mudd added. "This is an interesting world." The Subcommander said. "Just don't get too curious if you plan on staying alive. Ironically the Alliance is the only place in the quadrant where you will find members of the three great powers treating each other like family. Of course in a manner of speaking we are family." Cross said. "We are all part of a special clan." The Subcommander said, "but there can be times when disagreements can cause deadly confrontations." "My sources tell me that you have been in the Alliance for several years yet this is the first time you've been here." Mudd said. "I've never needed to come to Gemini III before. Had I not been asked to contact Captain Morgan I wouldn't be here now." The Subcommander said. "We're being followed." Cross said. "I know, Bounty hunters most likely. The bounty on Morgan's head makes him a tempting target." Mudd said. "They are after me." The Subcommander said. Mudd looked at her and smiled, "You're certain of that?" he said. "My sponsor, has many enemies in the Empire and dishonoring her would allow them to gain more power in the senate." The Subcommander said. "Power, that for whatever reason she doesn't want them to have." Cross said. "There has always been a fraction in the senate that believes a war with The Federation is necessary for the Empire to become stronger. My sponsor has been able to keep them under control but losing the freighter to pirates has made her appear weak." The Subcommander explained. "Well, we can't have them following us all the way to Captain Morgan's estate." Mudd said. Mudd pressed a button, "Code Jack of Diamonds." He said. "Trouble James?" a voice said. "We have company." Mudd said. "How far back?" The voice asked. "About a 110 meters at the moment. I'll speed up and put some more distance between us." Mudd said. "I'll need at least 1000 meters, James." The voice said. "I'll do my best." Mudd said. "One of Morgan's people?" The Subcommander asked. "No, someone I know in the Gemini defense forces." Mudd explained. "You are indeed a resourceful man." The Subcommander said. "Darling, if I wasn't I'd be a dead one." Mudd said. Mudd sped up the skimmer and watched as the other skimmer receded. If the other skimmer sped up than he would have to think of something else. "Come on Darren, don't be late." He thought. Suddenly the Skimmer shook as the vehicle behind them exploded. Mudd slowed down, "Thanks Darren." He said into the comlink. "No problem James. I think he has friends there are two skimmers ahead." Darren Dupre said. "I'll stop and let you have a look at them. Damn I'm getting too old for this." Mudd chuckled. "James, you love this too much to ever leave it." Cross laughed. "Yup they are definitely unfriendlies." Darren said, "I give them a good sweep to get them to leave if that doesn't work I'll take them out." "It is an addiction, Selena. Living on the edge of death has it advantages." Mudd said. "They won't leave so why is Darren even bothering with the sweep?" Selena asked. "His on private warriors' code won't allow him to do otherwise." Mudd explained. "But he just destroyed the other skimmer at your request." The Subcommander said. Mudd chuckled, "His code of honor is some what flexible." "I see, just like my people's code of honor." The Subcommander said. In front of them they heard gunfire. A few moments later the ground was rocked by explosions. Mudd smiled, "It seems as if they wanted to play instead of being good little children and go home." "They were probably just some local talent." Selena said. "Then they were stupid. I didn't live this long by taking chances." Mudd chuckled. "Indeed for all of us Death a piper that will on day demand payment. Fortunately not tonight." The Subcommander said. "James, your way is clear." Darren said. "Thanks Darren, you will have a bonus." Mudd said. Mudd slowed the skimmer and allowed himself to relax. He started whistling a song. "An interesting melody." The Subcommander said. "It's called Spanish Harlem. It's an old earth tune. James is an excellent singer." Selena said. Mudd turned into a tree line parkway and stopped at the gates of a large Estate. A tall Dark skin human approached the Skimmer. "Jack is expecting us, Gunny." Mudd said. "He told me, James. Any problems?" Mike Baker asked. "Darren took care of it. Hel' Sing is hotter than I thought." Mudd said "Well we'll take out anymore surprises." Baker replied. "One more thing Subcommander, Don't try anything foolish." Mudd said. Hel' Sing handed Mudd her weapon, "I'm at Captain Morgan's mercy." She said. Mudd drove slowly through the gates and stopped the Skimmer in front of a large house. A tall human stepped out of the house. To most people, Robert Wayne was a mystery and he wanted it that way. Only hand full of people knew his real name to everyone else, he was Blackjack Morgan. "Jimmy, good to see you again. Hel' Sing, I understand we have some business to discuss." Wayne said, "Let's go inside and talk." Hel' Sing looked at the large house than at Wayne, "I'm honored to be your guest." She said. "Walk slowly. I don't want my security people to make a mistake." Wayne responded coldly. -- Regards Night Spirit http://www.home.earthlink.net/~hipdale2/Riverton_Common.HTML NewMessage: