As much as she enjoyed relaxing this way, Mystic was anxious for Borb to be finished. It had taken a bit of persuading, but once she had shown them her secret weapon, the bug in the flier she had left on Seta's desk. Once he opened it to read, it activated a tiny microphone that transmitted to a receiver on board her ship. So a simple connection to her ship through the stations comm unit, had them listening to Seta setting the computer systems to flush, leave and re-enter his office and shortly after, soft sounds of snoring. That had been all the spurring we needed to move forward and quickly. It had been Shape's suggestion that they relax while Borb finished what he needed to do.

After a while Borb found them at the hot tub, a luxury that not many pirates enjoyed, but back then BLAK had had anything they wanted, and those basic principles still applied, they wanted, they got, by whatever means.

"You guys fired up the hot tub with out me!" Borb shouted as he walked into the steam filled room with us.

"Don't worry we saved some beer for you." Mystic laughed.

"I leave y'all for 45 and y'all go off and have all kinds of fun...."

"Did you get it done?" Shape asked.

"Yes, and I made a few phone calls." While Borb explained some information that he found about the chips, Mystic dried off and waited. "So yeah... Any way I did my part." He finished and everyone waited while he prepared to get into the tub, with his boots on of all things. "Only Borby," Mystic thought to herself.

"Ok this is what I have", Mystic started explaining."its a simple plan in that its basic in and out." She showed them the ring she had, a simple band with a small scimitar on it, the only thing was special about was that the tip would inject a quick acting sleeping potion into someone if used properly.

"I will go back into the HQ and apologize for tricking him earlier and tell him I want to turn myself in and to make up to him, I wanted him to get the credit for arresting me", Mystic smiled as she spoke, "We all know that procedure will require that he make me remove any jewelry before he takes me to the back..."

At this point Yoda spoke up, "When he takes the ring, he will be injected with the sleeping serum."
Shape interjected,"But how can you be sure he touch it properly?"

"Simple, Mystic replied, I will have trouble removing it, and being a gentleman he will assist me, five minutes later he will be sleeping like a baby." "Now give me a few to get ready, she said heading out the door.

Ten mins later Mystic re-joined the group in the office, once again dressed with distraction in mind.
"Everyone ready?

"Ready to blast a few Uit guards? Always," Yoda said with a smile.

"Lets keep it relatively quiet until AFTER I'm out of the snake pit ok?" Mystic laughed.

"We got your back Myst", Shape was already heading to the door.

"Right behind ya" Borb too was at the door.

The trip from Odia to the WH into Dau was uneventful, well unless you counted Yoda breaking off once to break in a new trader to the parts. As usual he was successful with the colorful language of outrage coming from the trader across subspace channels. "Couldn't resist meat" Yoda's voice came across, "meat" being his word for anyone that traded for a living.

Mystic docked at the station with no trouble once again. Looking about she noticed that at this point only Seta's Rev C was in the special area reserved for Vpr ships. Noticing the fresh burn marks covering part of the logo, she knew that he had to be exhausted, all the hours they patrolled and being outnumbered by the pirate population couldn't be easy. Still they all put up excellent fights.

"Ok guys I'm here, only Seta appears to be here, and according to my lil buggy he is still snoozing like a baby. I'm headed in." Words of luck came through her comm along with commands to be careful. "Just listen for alarms....in case." Mystic tested the tiny mic and ear piece and exited her ship.

There weren't as many people as a couple hours earlier, but she still received a few looks of disbelief as she made her way to the lobby of pit. When she entered the young officer from before was sitting at the desk engrossed in something on his screen. Looking up when she approached he jumped up. "Umm you ...," he stammered.

"Relax officer," Mystic gave a sad smile, "I know that you must be upset about me not admitting who I was earlier, and well I have been thinking for a while that I really must change my ways. I feel really badly, she paused for a moment." I want to turn myself in and I think you should be the one to get the credit for it." "You want to turn yourself in? To Me?, he looked skeptical at first. "It really should be one of my superiors".

Mystic took a couple steps closer, "Actually I would rather it be someone that I don't have such a violent history with, you and I have never exchanged fire," she dropped her voice softer. "I think that might mean that you wouldn't be mean to me during something this trying." The look on the officers face told Mystic that she had triggered the response she was hoping for, the male instinct to protect the "fairer sex". It had been so since the beginning of time and probably would exist until the end of time.

You could almost see his chest puff up as he cleared his throat and came around the desk. "Ok umm Miss MysticRogue, for the varied crimes of piracy, By Authority of the Uit I formally place you under arrest" he stated.

"Yes officer, I understand," Mystic let her voice tremble just a bit. She held out her hands in submission as she watched him through her lowered gaze. "Umm first I am going to have to ask you to remove any personal effects, such as jewelry, umm weapons that sort of thing" He picked up a small pouch from the desk as he made his request. "Of course, I have no weapons, Mystic lied knowing she carried her ceramic blaster concealed, but that would only be found if she were physically searched and she had no intention of letting it go that far. "Just my necklace and ring".

Saying this she she leaned slightly forward as she pretended to remove her ring. "Darn it, it seems to be stuck, this will take a few I'm afraid." she allowed a bit of frustration to enter her voice. " Sometimes its hard to remove and I'm so nervous."

Just as she had hoped, he stepped closer, "Here if I may" he said as he took her hand, "I have had experience in this sort of thing" Mystic was hard pressed not to laugh, "Every male in existence has," she thought. To him she said "You are kind, even knowing how bad of a person I am, you are being so very gentle" He smiled " I'm sure your not really a bad person, I have been studying up on things since your earlier visit, upon Council Ralel's suggestion." he went on, lingering on holding her hand instead of setting to the task."You just got involved with the wrong environment, couldn't find your way back once you felt lost. We will help you now" he declared. "Now lets get this ring off for you, its very pretty."

Mystic was having to keep a silly simpering look on her face, when she really just wanted to burst out laughing, and could faintly hear muffled laughter coming through the ear piece. She really hoped they didn't laugh so much and not notice any danger approaching, but she needn't worry, if there was anyone she trusted her safety, her very life to, it was the ones on the other end of this transmitter.

"Ok now I may have to twist a little hard, but will try not to hurt you, " the officer was continuing. He lifted her hand and grasped it with his free one. "Ow, he slightly laughed, that scimitar has a sharp point doesn't it." Mystic watched as it slowly dawned on him as the serum took effect.

"Don't worry, it will wear off and you will be fine, Mystic told the officer as he started to slump towards her. He wasn't light but neither was he as heavy as Borb, she imagined with the same implants he might be though. It took all her strength to keep him from falling as she tried to guide him behind the desk to the chair. Barely getting him there without them both hitting the floor, she got him into a position where if anyone saw, it would appear that he had just dozed off while reading.

"Ok so far so good" she said

"Get it done and get out of there" It was Yoda in her ear piece.

"Don't worry, I will be buying you dinner in Latos very shortly" she said as she glanced down the hallway. Empty, as earlier she moved slowly down the hall, past the officers doors, pausing long enough outside Seta's to listen. The gentle sounds were still coming from there, proof that he was indeed still sleeping. Moving quickly to the end of the hall she paused outside the information center door and listened. No sounds, still she drew her blaster and quickly opened the door and entered.

It was just as she left it earlier, didn't appear that this part of her visit had been noticed yet, the packet with the cards still laying there. She didn't want to tempt fate too much so she pulled the remaining cards from the packet and replaced them with the fixed ones. Turning to leave she saw a folder marked "Syndicate". She grabbed it and shoved it inside her jacket, might be interesting she thought.

Slowly opening the door so she could peer down the hall, Mystic moved quickly but quietly back the way she had come. Just as she reached outside Seta's door, she heard the only thing she feared, alarms from it seemed everywhere.

"Ok boys I need that distraction NOW!" she nearly shouted to be heard as she took off at a full run, blaster at the ready. Down the hall, back through the lobby and out the door. Mystic knew she wouldn't be in the clear til she was out of Uit space. Running down the walkway to the docking bay, she was already seeing station guards. With a burst of extra energy she was down the ramp and into her waiting ship, thankful she had not locked it up. Though only a few seconds to unlock, she had precious few to spare now.

"Halt!" a guard came running towards her ship, taking aim. Mystic fired first, dropping the guard and getting shut in and undocking without clearance she knew the heat was truly on. Her ship was almost at the jump point when she saw it, an aerna seeker. "Aww Hell", she said as she prepared to take aim. Just then it exploded. She knew one of her mates had taken it off her. "Thanks a bunch, will buy you an extra beer for that,"she said into her comm as she jumped to the pre-arranged sector, taking a few extra empty jumps to shake the guards.

Her heart was pounding as she carefully watched her radar to see one, two then three ships enter the empty sector. Checking to be sure, she breathed a sigh of relief as she recognized the ships of her partners around her.

"Woo Hoo!, that was a blast!" Borb came across first.

"Lets not celebrate until we get out of the hot zone." Shape stated.

"Aye, we have to cover Mystic back to Grey, she is the main target at this point", this from Yoda, who despite his earlier grumblings, sounded as excited as she felt.

"I will jump ahead to see if the WH area is clear enough for a quick exit through Azek." Borb stated as his warp signature appeared, showing he wasn't waiting for dissent. No one said anything for a few minutes, each lost seemingly in their own thoughts. Borb broke the silence" All clear" he barely finished before all three ships jumped almost in unison. Going through the WH to Azek was smooth, but just on the other side, they met with a small obstacle, four members of the Uit Strike Force. A small skirmish later, the four from Grey were once again on their way, a bit the worse for wear, but intact none the less.

Following the pre determined sector jump the group made it to the Azek WH and were soon sailing into Latos H-2. There had been a bit of silence on the final leg of the trip, Mystic the first to speak as they reached safety. "CLM Headquarters, drinks are on me", she said as she jumped to Epsilon Hold at C-2.

"What the heck?", Seta thought to himself...

"That log's just gotta be wrong..."

Seta started playing back the logs of the earlier alarms... and the timelines just didn't match... there was too big of a discrepancy...

"There's no way in the 'verse that there can be that big of a disjoint...", he thought...

Seta was staring at the timelines, and was jolted at the sound of a knocking... he looked up to see Hawkeye strolling in... "I've got a duty on the other side of the connley... but I wanted to check with you before I left...", he said.

"Pull up a 'levater and tell me what's on your mind, my friend...", Seta replied...

After twenty minutes of rather colorful discussion (as was the way between Hawkeye and Seta, confusing to most - even to those that knew both of them well), they both laughed... and stood to face each other... "Be well, and watch your six", Seta said.

"Roger that, but one thing...", Hawkeye asked... "what if they don't conjure a mutual?"

"Shoot 'em...", Seta replied. "But, politely..."

Hawkeye grinned his rather slanted smile... "Understood. Sir. But... didn't she shoot *you*?", he asked... "Everyone makes a fuss... uh, 'sir'", Seta mocked. They both laughed... shook hands... and Hawkeye did his best Seta impression as he left...

Seta sat back down at his desk, and started running through the timelines again... "Wait a gorram minute", he whispered to himself...

He called up the station logs and the UPS logs, transposed them by time synchs, and started walking through them frame by frame.

"Well, that explains it...", Seta sighed...

"But... there is *still* something that doesn't make sense...", he conjured... "who was outside the station, during the guard shift change?", he wondered... "Get'n awful crowded in my sky..."

Seta sat back, and stared at the four DUECC's laying on his desk. Moments passed... and then he sat up rigidly.

"Command.", he spoke firmly... "Ready", his comp replied... "Fuel and rearm my Rever, and send dispatch 4334-1A to MB...", Seta commanded. "Affirmative", the comp replied.

Seta stood from his desk, and opened his weaps safe... "this is going to get interesting...", he thought to himself as he started replenishing his person stores...

Somewhere beneath an overflowing pile of flimsiplasts, datapads, and assorted junk, a hunched figure poured over numerous schematics. Pushing his long, flowing grey hair out of the way, he chewed on a fingernail. "Hmmmm....If we place the number 5 and 6 fighter recovery bays *here*, I need to re-route this power conduit cluster through *here*. What the FRAK was I thinking when I pushed for this? This is insane!"

He slowly got to his feet, with the aid of his ever-present silver-crowned birchwood cane. Grabbing one of the datapads, he mumbled to himself, "Perhaps if I look at it in person, I will come up with a better implementation than this convoluted mess." Somehow, he located a button hidden under the mass of technological detritus on his desk, and pressed it. "Hanger deck 1, prepare my TD Hog; the one that still has pilot controls. I need to leave the Lair for a period of time. Yes, you heard me right, I'm not piloting one of the remote drones. I need to visit the refitting yards *in person*."

Councillor lenzenm glanced about the main hallway of the Viper's Lair Executive Floor as he hobbled to the turbolift. Everyone was out, as usual; the Guild was spread pretty thin as of late, given the recent increase in Corvus activity. "That will all change, if I can ever get this beast refitted," he thought to himself. "Corvus will learn that the Vipers are NOT to be trifled with anymore. And as for those former BLAK members lurking about in the resurgent Syndicate and Cargo Liberation Movement, well, they'll have to realize that even a decrepit old man still has some fight in him!" Reaching the turbolift, he allowed his retina to be scanned, and a small blood sample to be taken by the automated ID scanner. "Python, engage security protocol Constrictor 1. I don't want ANYONE on this floor without the proper authorization. Lethal force is authorized; use the nerve gas, the flamethrowers, decompression, the works!"
"Councillor lenzenm identified. Constrictor 1 initiated. Lethal force authorized." was the reply.
"Good. Let's see those frakking pirates get in here this time! Wait, AI is only so good, it can't anticipate the unknown." Pressing the comm panel, he barked "Security! I want a marine platoon to the executive wing in my absence. Full combat gear, decompression suits, and plenty of attitude! Be aware that Constrictor 1 has been authorized for the Executive Floor, so be ready with the IDs."
"Yes sir!" the Master Chief replied. "On the double, sir!"
"Good." He hobbled into the turbolift. "Hanger Deck 1, and don't give me whiplash, you gorram 'lift AI!"

As he slowly crawled up the ladder into his cockpit, shooing away the deckhands that attempted to assist him, he announced to his Hog's AI "Set course for TPG refitting yards. It's time I saw the Viper's Fang in person."

All was quiet. Mystic sat alone at in her office, the recent excitement was draining. Once they had returned from their jaunt to UIT space, a couple beers then everyone went on their way, with promises to keep in touch as things developed. Even Yoda had dissappeared to somewhere, leaving Mystic alone with her thoughts.

It had been fun, hell it had been exhilirating, but now she could also admit, it had been a bit foolish. If she had been caught....damn lucky is what she was, not only to have been successfull but that her friends had been there to cover her back.

Mystic refused to contemplate what could have happened, if just one thing hadnt gone as planned. She had a guild to protect and that would be impossible had she ended up in prison somewhere.

"But alls well that ends well", this stated to the walls as she headed out the door. The halls were quiet, most of CLM were out doing what they do best, liberating cargo. Mystic headed to the small bar downstairs, she wanted a drink.

The dimly lit bar was almost deserted as she took a seat in her usual corner so that she could see those that came and went without being too noticed. She knew she was safe here. UIT had no jurisdiction, although they liked to think they did. Enough money funneled through this station from CLM to guarantee that.

A couple of unfamiliar pilots came in, talking animatedly about the ruckus in Dau earlier. Mystic smiled at them and said not a word. She could only imagine what was going through the minds of the Vipers at this moment, for she was pretty sure they were all on alert now, a pirate in their lair, not once but twice in a short few hours span...to be a fly on their walls right now.

"Oh....yessir, im powering down my engines right away, just...please try not to mix crates in my cargo bay during your inspection sir... I have some sensitive personal VIP parcels there.......", young TGTF pilots voice sounded very subservient after Splash flashed a shiny old Setas VPR badge over vid-com requesting him to stop for inspection.
Splash snickered.
.... boy..... those TGFT guys are so gullible, get in rev c, flash a VPR badge and they all think of you as God.

Splash entered TGFT behemoths cargo bay with a smug smile looking sharp in his combat VPR outfit, ignored neatly packed big cargo crates and went straight for VIP small parcels section.
"Ah...there it is....", with a nonchalant move of his hand over one of the parcels he released a small stream of nanobots from a hidden compartment in his wrist-com device, turned quickly on his heels and marched for the exit.
"Ok lad, everything seems to be in order here. Our information must have been false. You can proceed. Safe voyage and stay out of trouble.", Splash barked at young pilot while exiting.
"Yessir, thank you sir...always glad to be of service to vipers sir, I admire your work sir...great supporter of your work sir, you are so kind....." confused TGFT pilots blabber escorted Splash on his way out.

Back in his rev c seat Splash punched a few keys on his wrist-com. In a dimly lit TGFT behemoth bay nanobots sprung to life burying themselves inside one of the VIP parcels.

"There, things are finally set in motion", Splash muttered to himself while watching green coloured TGFT moth jumping wh to Azek.

As the bartender delivered Mystic her second drink, she received a comm message from Splash. "Its done", was all that was said. Not that Mystic needed anymore to know what he was talking about and that he had been successful. Now to just sit back and wait.

Finishing her drink, Mystic headed back upstairs. Her mind was still too busy to sleep, even as her body screamed for rest. So instead of her apartment, she headed back to her office. All the plans were laid,everyone knew their part, it would just take time to fully execute. For now, she had other guild business that needed her attention.

It was very late when Mystic finally headed to her apartment. A few hours rest and she would be fine again. As she entered, routine took over, fix a bite to eat, check her personal comm unit, feed the cat and curl up with some old holodisk programs to wind down before bed. Tonight though she wasn't hungry and the only curling she wanted to do was in her bed.

Pagan of course could not be put off, so Mystic was sure to feed her. "I know girl, I'm late again, but you know how busy things get lately" Mystic crooned as she sat the bowl down. " The cat seemed grumpy lately, most likely because she didn't get to fly with Mystic as much as she would like. But being shot at almost constantly, Mystic didn't want to take a chance of her being hurt.

Once that task was complete, Mystic checked for any messages, there was one from Borb. Said only that he would be in touch very soon, that he had something he wanted to discuss. Wondering only briefly why he hadn't contacted her at the CLM office, she knew he would explain everything in his own time. He was like that, had been since she had known him, and she accepted it.

With everything done, Mystic sought respite in her bed, an over-sized fluffy contraption. It was fashioned after something she had seen once on an old holodisk, depicting life on Old Earth. She had a passion for things of this type, a concession to a side of her that she kept well hidden.

As sleep began to overtake her, Mystic's thoughts turned to the last couple of days, and the events that had transpired brought a smile to her face as she drifted off.