Docking with an out of the way mining station, Burwell drug his captive off to his temporary sleeping quarters. He'd made sure beforehand that it had two beds.

Once inside, Burwell removed the bindings around the Itani captive's wrists. "I'm going to get some chow. Is there something you fancy?"
"Sleep" was the slightly annoyed reply. It lacked the usual scowl he received when speaking to her, but that was perhaps an oversight.

Burwell ignored her for the most part. Self-pity didn't interest him. He didn't know what else he could do for her, really. He'd not only apologized for breaking her jaw, but carefully set it before repairing the bone with nanites, such that her face would not be deformed. He'd spent the majority of the previous night just conversing with her, trying to find some common ground. In the end, he'd only succeeded in convincing her that he was not a rapist, and did not intend to kill her. All his efforts were met by those pretty blue eyes scowling at him from underneath unkempt blonde locks.

His interest in the Itani pilot was more than just the obvious. Yes, she was a hot little thing, but Burwell hadn't known that when he decided to spare her life in the Deneb sector where their patrol routes crossed paths. There was an ion storm in the sector. It took them five minutes of threats on the radio to find one another. The battle that followed was forcibly close range, because neither pilot wanted to lose radar contact. She flew with gauss cannons, so most of Burwell's efforts were spent trying to evade. She'd hit his starboard engine damn hard, but that was all the more her Valk got hold of his SVG. She didn't flee... there was no cowardice in this small pilot. So when Burwell finally saw her Valkyrie cease to function, he hailed her again. She screamed at him to kill her.. but he wouldn't do that, and wouldn't leave her adrift in an ion storm either. So he towed her ship, figuring a POW now and then was useful.

She wore an [ITAN] uniform. Name tag said 'Solestia.' She hadn't stopped hurling insults at him the whole flight, so he broke her jaw the second he'd parked their ships. It really sucked to hit such a face, at least it seemed that way now, upon reflection. He had an ulterior motive for taking her in, which he only admitted after trying to calm her down for twenty minutes in the barracks.

Burwell's dream was to be a diplomat, an ambassador, a voice for the Serco Dominion. He had a vague idea of how to do it, and getting along with Itan's finest was a start. He had to win everyone's confidence on both sides of the battle line, if his words were to mean anything.

So he'd tried to treat her like a girl he met in a bar. They'd actually talked some, and he knew her story (in part). Then he made the mistake of complimenting her eyes. She went back to scowling, and didn't give him ground since.

Maybe some fresh air. So he strapped her into his Vulture and went hive hunting in Betheshee. Even did a close flyby of the Nemesis trying to get a reaction out of her. In the end he mainly only succeeded in learning that the ride in Serco craft lacked the gravity generation she was used to, so the bumpy ride gave her a new appreciation of Itani engineering. At least she was impressed that the 'toaster people' could put up with the ride in barbaric spacecraft.

They had a sort of understanding by this point, as he docked with the mining station. The cuffs were a formality, for appearances. She didn't speak, or show any signs of defiance, and in return her left her alone. So when she replied that she didn't care to eat, and just wanted sleep, he accepted it. He got some food for her anyway, and left it beside her bed. Sure didn't take her long to fall asleep.

It was time to reevaluate a few things. She was never going to ever think of him as another human being, that much was certain. At best, she would mention him to her superiors as a 'less disgusting toaster' if he set her free. The term was funny to Burwell, because he had fewer implants than average. She had since even denied calling him a toaster. But he had it in writing, since she'd used paper to talk to him before her jaw was repaired.

So peaceful when sleeping... sort of reminds me of a porcupine. Adorable, but don't touch. I wonder what she'd look like if she smiled..

wow, 10 days and no one has bothered to reply. Sad.

Ever heard of expectant silence?

XD
Well I can't motivate myself to write more without a new development, which is sorta on hold due to break and such..

Edit: which has now ended.

And "Arlina" resurfaces.

Something about pretending to be a chick must really work for ********.

Burwell Everson disconnected the channel and stood, glancing over his shoulder at the prisoner.

"ITAN doesn't give a shit about you, but I've found a Skygge pilot who does."

Elder was his callsign. Burwell hadn't fought him personally, which made it easier. His first reaction was militant, and he enjoyed battle for what it was, as if born a Serco. It seemed to Burwell that Elder appreciated the Serco taking the risk of coming forward. Enough to persuade SKV at least that he was trustworthy, perhaps. One step closer to a new contact. One contact closer to speaking on behalf of the Dominion. So Burwell agreed to meet Elder and release his prisoner. It would look like a chance meeting of two warrior pilots in Deneb who decided to fight another day.

It was over two weeks since her capture. Solestia wasn't going to think of Everson as a human being, but the Skygge just might. Salvaging something was better than nothing.

"I hope you appreciate this. They could just as easily not keep their word and attempt to destroy me. But you know what I'm about by now. I'll take that risk if it means they'll trust me a little more, even if you do not."

Burwell threw her the Itani flightsuit she'd been wearing, hoping it would be the last time. So many things could go wrong. Get used to your career being over just in case.

Burwell loaded her into a cargo crate without a word. She would be cold until picked up, but it was the best way. Docking with an Itani station was possible, but Everson knew he'd stand no chance outside of a ship. Just before closing the crate, Burwell decided to humor himself. "In view of the slim likelihood of my surviving this, would you grant me a final request not customarily asked of captives?"

Her response wasn't any more than rolling her big blue eyes, which she'd done an awful lot in the past two weeks. It was all Burwell was going to get. So Burwell leaned into the crate and planted a kiss on her, before relating the plan.

"Your crate transponder says you're water. That isn't a complete lie, percentage-wise, now is it? And I know what you're thinking.. mine would say scrap metal if I was in the crate. Safe travels." The crate was sealed and loaded in Burwell Everson's white Vulture Guardian. In minutes he had launched to meet his uncertain fate. Who in the hell thought women in combat was a good idea.

Both are exceedingly well written; as far as the internal plot goes (though the more meta aspects aren't visable yet), I like the flow.

Good stuff, Ara.

[Not at all. There are several writers on VO that I like, though I hadn't seen yours before, that I recall anyway. There are others that I wish would stick to playing or even leave altogether. I tend to give feedback as I feel appropriate and whimsical.]

Um.. why thank you Lecter.

Am I dreaming?

Ghost eased his white valk to a stop beside Elder in the empty space of Ukari. Elder had informed him of a prisoner exchange to be made and Ghost thought it best that he didn't go alone. One can never be too cautious.

"He might be a little surprised by the extra company. You sure this is a good idea?" came Elder's voice over the com.

"Better safe than sorry. If things go as he said they would, there shouldn't be a problem anyways."

Further conversation was silenced as a white vulture warped into the sector. After a short exchange of greetings, the serco pilot got down to business.

"What is the meaning of your presence here Lieutenant?" he asked.

"Insurance, so to speak." Ghost replied.

"Very well. I'm handing her over to you on one condition. Word of this must be kept from filtering back to the Serco. If I am named as a traitor... well..."

"Understood," said Elder. "We'll be sure to keep a lid on it."

"Here she is. Be gentle with her." Burwell said as he dropped the water crate containing Solestia and throttled his ship off in the opposite direction.

"Do we have any way of contacting you in the future should either of us have further... opportunities?" Ghost asked. His only reply was the blue glow of the white vulture jumping out of the sector.

"Well, what now?" asked Elder as he gently scooped up the crate.

"I'll get in contact with Bojan, he'll want to hear about this. Then I suppose we'll send a message to ITAN. Tell them we have something that belongs to them."

Everson noticed the news report, the only light in his cockpit the glow from his computer. He pulled up the full story at once. http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/7/15451#194506

Deep in Itani territory and just within radar range of a wormhole out of Metana, he let himself smile. The 'tani weren't all dumb. It was clever, very clever. Burwell just hoped it would be enough.

He'd found a way to get Solestia home.. just the thing she'd kept demanding, asking, even reasoning for. For a brief moment the Serco pilot considered whether she bothered to appreciate it or not. Probably not. The thought was discarded. If she comes through the wormhole, she'll fire without a second of hesitation. SKV at best would maneuver evasively before ordering me out of Itani space. Small steps Burwell.

ooc; lecter, leave verdandi out of this

Verdandi? Why don't you use the alt's correct identity?

i like a good mystery.

OOC: What happens next! Does he get the girl? Does he make new contacts to aid in his secret quest? WHAT!? .....or is it over..... :(

ooc: You sir, will have to wait and see, seeing as the plot is still unfolding and I don't know. But I doubt very highly he 'gets the girl,' and you're in a better position than him to know if he has made contacts or not. *smack*

I'd also like to extend the offer to others in the Serco/Itan conflict.. any ideas you have just get in contact with me. Burwell is supposed to be a resource for others, so it is unrealistic for me to create every opportunity for him to act.

.. I'm not sure that is coherent. Basically if your rp can use Burwell, we can work something out :)

I will be needing assistance soon...

I sat alone in the bustling docking bay. Having left Serco space and knowing I was a wanted criminal, I knew outside help would be necessary for my goal to see the light of day.

"Can we trust an out sider? We know he is a trader to the Serco..."

"That is why I know I can trust him, he has to much to lose."

"But will he help we?"

"He has to."

A dock worker looked over at me strangely as I conversed with the voices. I returned the gaze locking eyes with him until he looked down and away. With out taking my eyes off the puzzled dock worker I hit the send button on the small encrypted transmitter in my hand.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Hello, you don't know me but I have no doubt you have heard of me. I am the now
>infamous Borb The Second Of The Sarken House, I'll be quick because I'm sure
>your busy. There is a certain matter I need taken care of discreetly that I'm sure
>some one of your skills could handle. As I'm sure you can guess your pay off will
>be hansom.

>If interested please contact me via com protocol borbii@gmail.com you have 72
>hours before I will assume you are not interested and move on. Thank you for you
>time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hello?"

"Everson, it's Sarken."

I waited as he processed the information undoubtedly wondering how I would have gotten access to his personal com information. His haughty attitude in the communiqué he sent made me feel establishing my self from the start would be necessary for this operation to work as I needed.

"Your late, 72 hours is long over Sarken..."

"If I recall you had 72 hours not me, I could have contacted you any time I wanted to and still have been with in the bounds of my original agreement."

Again I waited, his attitude annoying me as I'm sure mine annoyed him.

"Look as I said I can't understand what business the Sarken house would have with a soldier of SCAR, I serve out of dut..."

"Cut the shit son, first off your not dealing with the Sarken house your dealing with a disavowed Serco terrorist who is believed to be insane. Do you understand?"

"I think this conversation is over."

"And second a loyal Serco would turn his Itani prisoners over the Serco government not militant Itani factions."

Silence filled the com. Few knew about my friendship with Ghost which was only understandable two commanders one opposite sides of a war normally do not become friends but I was never normal, and I knew having friends on the other side would have many uses and provide me with many options should the war end with a victory for the other side.

"I haven't been briefed on why you're an enemy, so trusting you at the moment is not an option. What reason do I have not to serve the Dominion by turning you in at my first opportunity?"

"That is why you'll work with me. Helping bring in an infamous man such as my self would be very beneficial to your career. I know for a fact Mike would be very pleased with you, so the real question you need to be asking your self is if you can afford to pass this up."

"What do you want?"

"First things first, I need to know if your in or not?"

"First things first, I need to know if your in or not?"

Burwell frowned at the question, in no hurry to answer. This guy obviously lacked people skills, even for a Serco. One thing the 80 hour delay had done was give Burwell a chance to talk to his superiors. Armed with the confidence that comes from having clear orders, Everson answered.

"I seem to recall you asking me for help. I never asked you for a career move. As such, I'll be happy to help you after you answer a few simple questions."

Borb wasn't daunted, but the man did have a point. Both of them were equally short of options. His voices wailed as usual, but Sarken was beyond the point of no return to giving a crap. "Depends what they are boy."

"First, and less importantly, how do you know about the prisoner? Either I really screwed up or someone sold me out, but I need to know regardless. Second, and I think rather obviously, in what capacity will I be assisting you?" Burwell puts on a pleasant, flight-attendant sort of tone for the second question, such that it drips sarcasm in puddles all over the deck. "All verbal sparring aside though, I really do need to know what sort of duty you're requesting. I'm sure you don't want attention drawn our way, and to keep my reports solid I'll need at least a vague idea about what and where. In short, I am listening Sarken... Oh, almost forgot. I met a guy who called himself Lexicon the other day, and suffice to say your name came up... I won't bore you with details, but what are you willing to tell me about him?"

Burwell let himself relax a little. It felt darn nice to finish a sentence.

I leaned back in my chair as Burwell finished his sentence.

"You have much to learn about me, most of my associates would not question how I knew about some thing they had done but rather if any one else knew. The fact that I know means little. How ever to answer your question no you did not mess up, and no you were not sold out.

As for what I need it should be no problem for one such as you I merely need you to transport me to Geira. While I am not KOS in Serco space yet, my presence there would attract unwanted attention you could say."

"And Lexicon?"

"I know little about him, he's a zealot, and I'm sure in his eyes war veterans like me are heros to be worshiped. I'm sure he is trying to associate him self with me as a means of promoting his "cause" and making him feel important."

"So you've never met him?"

"Not that I can recall. But who knows I see many people. But back to my question, I'm ready to go if you are. You still with me on this?"