Page 1:
Helos speaks in the captions from off panel throughout. The scene is a poshly sleazy bar/cafe in Trevor’s Port. The kind you go to find posh-but-sleazy young men and women who’ll do it for cash. It’s visibly daytime though, so not very busy. Tyre approaches a very young, waifish twink whose dressed like a bad sci-fi boy queer whore stereotype. The buy is obviously in awe of Tyre, whether from some sort of Daddy fantasy or Daddy anxiety. Tyre enjoys the attention and takes the kid back to his place, where the sex gets progressively rougher and more brutal, despite the young man’s protests. Eventually, we see Tyre freeze, then blood trickle out of his orrifices. He collapses on top of the younger man who’s wimpering for help.
Cap: Trevor’s Port
Cap: By now, there is something of the Firsters in over two-thirds of the “human” population.
Tr: I haven’t seen you around here before.
[Boy stares at him]
Cap: 250 years ago, you could still think it odd to meet two 3gers on the same day.
Tr: Is this the kind of place you’d want your mother to see you?
Cap: Today, you do good to tell a kid with 3ger from a mun.
Tr: You look like a talented boy.
Tr: And I’m a man in the mood for entertainment.
Tr: Let us talk business.
Cap: Which is fine with me. It means firsters have an easier time blending in.
Cap: Which can be good, because when you live as long as we do...
Cap: A lot of people want you dead.
Boy: Help
Page 2
Helos leans over the edge of a tower about 5-10 stories above ground. After ruminating about Tyre’s death and his own horniness, he spots two small but stealthy men sneaking up on a much larger man (Zed). All shots of him are close ups, not giving a good shot of the wings behind his back. As he dives to rescue the muscular stranger we see his wings spread. As he gets closer, we see him strike out at one thug and knock the other out with some sort of electric shock. He lands on his feet, very close to Zed, smiling.
Cap: When a firster dies, news travels fast.
Cap: Faster when it happens on the same planet you downloaded to the night before.
Cap: And don’t get me wrong. Tyre was a shit who’d been fucking over known space since before I got branded.
Cap: And that was 376 years ago.
Cap: But Tyre was a firster...
Cap: And we firsters aren’t even supposed to die.
Cap: So now I’m so confused all I can do is get horny.
Hls: (thinking) Just my type.
[Dives on Zed’s]
Cap: I shouldn’t really call this much attention to myself.
Cap: And sometime when your horny...
Cap: ...chivalry is your best bet.
[Spars with Zed’s attackers, knocks them out...]
Zed: I take it you’re Helos?
Hls: Yes, but most people just call me “captain.”
Zed: Just as well, I’m looking for you on business.
Page 3
They sit at a table in the same bar where Tyre met the boy.
Zed: Your friend Tyre died here.
Hls: You’re using the word “friend:” loosely.
Zed: I’m interested for professional reasons. I assumed your interest would be personal.
Hls: So before people hire me, I usually insist on a given name.
Zed: Zed, Captain. So let’s get down to business.
Hls: Used to doing business at Mon Raiya’s.
Zed: I don’t often do business in Trevor’s Port, but the last time I did I was 21 and I conducted all my transactions here -- in cash.
Hls Popular?
Zed: I had my regulars.
Hls: Reminiscing or resuming an old trade?
Zed: I thought we were discussing business.
Hls: We are: Is it me you want or my ship?
Zed: I’m heading to Magrin. Your crew has a unique talent set. And I hope you’ll be coming, too.
Zed: Professionally speaking, that is.
Page 4
They leave Quentin’s, and walk down the street, eventually stopping at a communications terminal.
Zed: So you have been to Mon Raiya’s before?
Hls: Mon Raiya’s has been around a long time. And I too was once a young man in need of cash.
Zed: I know how old you really are captain. You were young a long time ago.
Hls: And I was young for a very long time.
Hls: I bought the Osprey off what I made at Mon Raiya’s.
Zed: Which brings us to the subject of money.
Hls: Yes, the Osprey doesn’t hire cheap and neither do I.
Zed: Earth credit still good? [proffers a card full of numbers]
[Helos regards him suspiciously, stops to speak into a communications terminal]
Hls: Patch me through on an orbital link through to the Osprey, connecting to this code. [Types]
Jsy: This is the Osprey, captain.
Hls: Joasey, got some credit numbers to check.
Zed: New client, captain?
Hls: Well since he doesn’t want into my pants, Jo, client will have to do.
Jsy: No accounting for tastes, captain. Running the numbers now...
Jsy: [Pause] Impressive...
Hls: Good?
Jsy: Very.
Hls: Well put us through to the gate for a jump to Magrin tomorrow, Jo. Level B will do if nothing else is available. Have Dex meet me at my hotel tomorrow and Davis meet Mr. Zed Walker at his. And send down to the the Free Zone for something fun. We’re leaving tomorrow morning.
Page 5
In a shuttle going out to the Osprey. The next day.
Dex: Damn shuttles never move fast.
Zed: Sorry, Dex. I’m not sure I can handle a pod.
Dex: Nah, client’s always right, Mr. Walker.
Hls: Joasey come in?
Jsy: Morning captain.
Hls: Coffee brewing?
Jsy: [grins] Sorry, captain. Brought some local boys up by pod last night. We were just finishing up a second round.
Jsy: ... In your honor, of course.
Dex: So no coffee?
Jsy: I’m sure the crew has some going.
Hls: Do I pay them enough that they’d have something drinkable.
Jsy: No, but I let them swipe from your stash.
Hls: Good girl. Will we make our jump schedule?
Jsy: With time to spare. Just got to dropload the boys by pod, grab your shuttle and we’re gone.
Hls: Good, we’re still...
SFX (from over com link): Bwah bwah
Jsy: Mother F...
Hls: Joasey?
Jsy (from over com): Who’s watching the core? Get me some to engine core...
[Static - Silence]
Dvs: I’ve got that visual from a probe, Captain.
{Helos, jaw locked, looks at the Osprey exploding]
posted by RR at 7:43 PM 