Recap
In the last instalment, Cutter was getting on with a few things aboard the ship while waiting to arrive at Scoosha to make a delivery. Hoping to enjoy his birthday.
Here's a link to Part 1 -
@killerwot/risk-factor-part-1
Cutter made it to the cockpit just in time to watch the ship drop from its jump lane. Which was almost his favourite part of flying. As he sat looking out at the array of colours it disappeared instantly, in its place a planet came into view. Yellow and orange in colour, with small spots of green on the land and patches of blue throughout it. Scoosha.
He had visited it before, but he was too young to appreciate it the last time he was here. Unable to leave the ship on his own. He did remember though that he liked it, for what he had seen while being chaperoned. He was delighted now, that their work took them back.
"There it is," Hackett said as he reached out for his microphone. "This is your captain speaking. We have just dropped out of our jump lane and are going to be landing on Scoosha. If you would like to get off-board and stretch your legs now is the time to get ready." The captain finished up his speech. To which Cutter gave a light chuckle. It was a habit at this stage that Hackett had always maintained.
Cutter had been on other ships in the past and had noticed that the captains never seemed to do it. He had asked him before why he did. His reply then was "Because it's a bit of fun."
"Do you need me to come along with you on this job?" Cutter asked him. "I was thinking it would be good for you to be more involved in this side of the work. Being a captain isn't just about flying, it's about dealing with people and making connections. You never know when one of these connections will pay off; Today it's dropping off a delivery, tomorrow, who knows?" Hackett said. His speech trailed off here and there as he concentrated on flying, but he ended with a shrug as he looked over at Cutter for a moment.
Soon they had landed on Scoosha, Hackett and Cutter walked down to the storage bay of the ship and when they got down there Kart was standing by their small transport ship as it was finishing being loaded with the cargo they were to deliver.
He had a rifle slung over his shoulder, it was the modified one he had been using for as long as Cutter could remember. It was powerful and coupled with its rate of fire it made him a force to reckoned with. "Better to have a weapon that can shoot a lot. Better chance of one blast landing." He had told Cutter before as he let out a jovial laugh.
They stepped inside as Hackett got into the driving seat, he looked around at Cutter. "How about you fly us there? The nav has the drop point, all you have to do is follow it." "Me?" Cutter asked. He had never been given this kind of responsibility. The only times he had flown in the past was from the copilot seat, while Hackett held the reins.
"You sure that's a good idea, Hackett?" Kart asked. "Last thing we need is to arrive in a burnt up wreck." "We won't have much to worry about if that happens. It'll be good for him to have a bit more of a hands-on experience." Hackett replied.
Cutter sat down into the pilot seat as Hackett moved into the co-pilot one. He was feeling nervous but, excited at the same time. He powered up the engines and took it up to a light hover.
The large doors of the storage bay opened and Cutter took the transporter out through it. Instantly he pulled back on the altitude stick, taking the ship further into the sky and further from any obstacles. The ship was swift. It had great maneuverability. It was able to bank left and right with ease and the acceleration speed was great. But, Cutter decided to take it easy. Savoring the feeling of being in control of it.
They were at their destination in no time. Cutter could see it before the nav computer told them. It was in the middle of the desert north of the city. He could tell instantly that these were the people they were to meet, as there were people standing by in groups along with three transporters parked up.
Cutter took them down and landed across from their gathering of ships. It was going well until he landed the ship. It was then he heard a small metallic crunch as he did, feeling the rumble resonate through the ship.
"Take it back up again. Wait for the landing gear this time Cutter." Hackett said. He wasn't angry, but, his voice sounded impatient.
The transporter was firmly on the ground now, they then opened the doors and stood up. "Each of them are getting two crates. Stay on guard, Desh told me to be careful of this lot, they have been known to try and rip off Jumpers in the past. Kart you know what to do." Hackett said, to which Kart gave a nod. "What about me?" Cutter asked.
"You help take out the crates and when we're outside stay quiet." Hackett and Kart took a crate each followed by Cutter.
It was heavy, but, not so heavy he couldn't manage it. He followed their lead and set it down on the sands not far from them. They then turned to grab another crate each.
Soon they had three stacks of crates, with one on the other. "Gentlemen. Desh set up the delivery and here it is." Hackett said to them.
There were three separate groups, consisting of Triskens, Humans and even a Gnosian. Each wore different styles. The first group wore patches of dark red on their brown jackets. The second group wore black leather, with cream coloured patches. The third didn't wear jackets. Instead, they wore dark green sleeveless shirts, on closer inspection though, he saw that it was light battle armour.
Each was a different minor gang as far as Cutter was told, they controlled a small sliver of territory in the city. But, had some sort of alliance amongst themselves.
One of the men wearing the brown coat stepped forward. "Not a great landing." He chuckled along with some of his men. "I decided to let the kid drive us. He's still learning."
The man then walked to them, carrying a small parcel. "On behalf of Red Ruk, your payment." He handed the parcel to Hackett. Then gestured to the others in his group who came to take away two of the crates. While Hackett picked through the parcel. "It's all there." "I trust it is. Can never be too careful though." The man of the Red Ruk nodded.
The group wearing the battle armour all approached next, together. Throwing a small parcel to Hackett as they approached. They then started to pick up the crates. "You're short." Hackett said.
"Our boss decided that the price was unfair. He felt the offered price was more reasonable." "If you wanted to renegotiate you should have taken it up with Desh." With that Kart butted one of the men with his rifle. Who then dropped one of the crates. "You. Drop yours now." Kart said to the other carrying a crate while readying his rifle. Which they did. In an instant, all of the group wearing battle armour raised their weapons and it was a stand-off. "If our associates of The Warband don't want to pay in full. Maybe I can offer a deal." The group leader of Red Ruk took out another parcel.
"Stay out of this." Said one of The Warband, without looking around. Shots were fired. Instantly, the four men of The Warband were dead. They didn't have time to react as they were each shot in the back, by the men of the Red Ruk.
"My boss was right not to trust them." The man said as he walked forward. "I'm willing for the Thrashers to buy one of The Warbands crates." He said as he turned around. The leader of the Thrashers shook his head in response. "Both for us then." He handed the parcel over which Hackett checked while the other two crates were taken by some of the men.
Soon the Thrashers had also paid and took their crates to their transporter. "I appreciate your patience, Hackett. I hope to work again with you, in the future. Don't take it personally. Those men most likely acted alone. I'll be sure to relay what happened to their leader." The leader of the Red Ruk said. Calmly and happily.
With that, they turned to get back on board the transporter. "I'll drive back this time Cutter."
End of Part 2
Here is a link to the final part of this chapter -
@killerwot/risk-factor-part-3-finale