Meeting the new boss.

Posted on Sun Sep 4th, 2022 @ 4:52pm by Lieutenant Xalanth

1,160 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 113 - No One Left Behind
Location: Starbase 400

Promenade market section.

Xalanth gazed through the scope his yellow eyes adjusting till he could make out the slight hint of movement inside the egg.

" I see what you mean Nilai. Live Cruuks eggs. I'll have to confiscate your stock to run test to see how many are alive. I'll also need a list of anyone who traded them" He said placing the bright blue shell back down. The Dralzin nodded as he licked his own eyes balls with one of his three tongues as he reached down and pulled out a tray of the eggs along with a padd with the information. " Already prepared sir. "

The lizard gave him an apologetic smile as he picked up the tray and padd which he handed over to the merchant before handing them to his partner security officer. " Get these down to science bay." He said before reaching into his pocket and drawing three silver disks and sliding them across to the jewellery trader with a polite " For your troubles."

The lizard had a grin on his face as he stepped out into the by-monthly market crammed with temporary stalls and market sellers from across the sector. Off course that dragged all the criminal scum along with it as his very busy staff had been learning.

Still, the sight's, sounds and smells was what he stayed in the fleet for. He may be the first of his kind to see, smell and taste what was being sold here. Something that may not happen for a long long time.

Vasha too found herself roaming the stalls of the market, savoring the cornucopia of sights, scents and languages that blended together in a somewhat coherent gauze, wrapping itself round the marketgoers like a blanket. Unlike the chief of security she wasn't here to investigate, though - she was here as a patron eager to sample the market's wares. Which wasn't to say she wasn't alert and on the ready if need be.

She happened to cross his line of vision, unwittingly, as she perused the stalls with interest...

Xalanth noted the face and began running it through his head. The image of his new Kelpien jumped into his head. She must have arrived a day early as she wasn't due till tomorrow. He was about to turn around till another face caught his attention. " You the Tendrek with the red stripe. " He barked turning one hundred and eight degrees on the spot. The red skinned Tendrek in question took of data run the collection of counterfeit credit chits,holo programs and software falling out of his bulging coat as he pushed, shoved and jumped his way through the crowd.

Admittedly Vasha, being the new arrival, had no clue what was going on or who that Tendrek was - but judging by the way in which he took off like a shot when called out to, with bulging pockets, told her that he was wanted for something, and that he could not be allowed to get away.

The Kelpien was hot on his heels in seconds, cleanly weaving through market stalls with inhuman agility. Thank years of playing basketball on the court for that. As soon as the red-skinned man seemed to slow, evidently exhausted by the chase, she tackled him, planting a knee in the small of his back, gently enough so that he wouldn't walk away with a broken spine, and arms pinned to the ground.

Xalanth was right behind them and couldn't help but smile at his second-in-command speed. " Nice job Vasha." He said pulling out a pair of electro cuffs and handcuffing the very angry Tendrek. A few words that didn't translate came from the suspect's lips which Xalanth scowled at as he began pulling him to his feet. " This here is Zeno. Got banned from starbase two hundred and three due to multiple shoplifting charges. " He explained to the Kelpen.

"Thank you, sir. I'm only happy to assist. Up you come, now!" She grabbed his sleeve and began to go through the man's pockets, extracting item after stolen item with a hum of disapproval. "Well, we'll do our best to keep him where he belongs this time, then! In the meantime I'll go round giving these products back, if you'll let me..."

Xalanth was about to respond before a faint noise made him pause. Opening up one of the thief's pockets the sound got louder. A faint alien-sounding singing that the lizard had heard once before. Pulling out a rather large cloth bag the lizard opened it a look of shock and horror his yellow eyes looked a the pile of what looked like yellow, red and blue gems. " You know what these are Vasha?" He said to the Kelpin.


" These are jewels of sound. The most addictive substance in the universe. Banned by every organised government in the galaxy. Take one of these and your mind goes to places you can't even imagine." The lizard said bitterly as he closed the pouch.

" They're not mine I swear by my mother's egg." Zeno screamed as he looked back with a sound of utter panic.

Xalanth looked at the Tendrex. Drug pushing seemed rather far out of his area of criminal behaviour and the Tendrex had the death penalty for drug smuggling.

Vasha's breath seemed to simply be sucked from her lungs as she stared at the deadly jewels her department head now held. "I know what these are." She said quietly. "And what they ca do to a person. My question is why he has them on him at all considering how controlled they are..."

Looking at the captive criminal the lizard's eyes narrow. " I swear I picked the guy's pocket there not mine." the Tendrek barked a faint sower smell filling the area.

" Description?" Xalanth asked the terrified alien.

" I don't know I just saw his coat. Full body dark red." The Tendrex barked.

The lizard let out a sigh. " Off course. I know your not officially on the team Vasha, but can you help me get him to the nearest security station and his goods back to their proper owners? " He asked the kelpin.

"Sir, I'd be pleased." Vasha had by this time fetched a bag from a nearby stall owner and jad begun to gather up every stolen item on the floor and on the Tendrex himself. When the bag was full she slung it over her shoulder. "And I'll be pleased to contribute whatever else you might need, too."

" Meet me at the security station as soon as you can. I'd like to find out who's brought this substance onto my station." he said as he began hauling the pickpocket off.

"Understood, sir. I'll be there when I'm finished here." She replied, already setting off through the market with her bag of stolen goods in hand. It wouldn't be for a while, considering how much he'd taken - but it was the least she could do.

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