Blood And Profit: Chapter 11

Toll, Rusty and their two guards were left standing awkwardly on the bridge. The captain didn't miss a beat.


“ Gentlemen, I welcome you aboard the Decency, but if you'll kindly get off my bridge, your escorts will take you to civilian quarters.” As she finished, another bridge officer spoke up.


“Captain, Corporate Asset 3157 is requesting to speak with you.” The captain spun to face the viewer which was showing a huge ship along side them.


“Open the channel.” She said as the guards escorted Toll and Rusty off the bridge.


Toll noticed immediately that, unlike their previous escorts, these soldiers did not have their weapons at the ready. The first soldier stopped at the first available wall interface and used it to bring up a green line of light on the wall and a green line of light on the floor.


“If we get separated.” The soldier started, “The green line will lead you to the civilian quarters.”


“why would we get separated?” Rusty asked. The soldier shrugged.


“Just a precaution.” he offered. The group followed the line through the ship. At the end of a long hallway they got onto an elevator and went down. Way, way down.


“How big is the Decency?” Toll asked. The second soldier offered a description.


“The Decency is a third generation Conglomerate class destroyer.” He recited from memory. “It has twenty six decks, three of which are geared for non-military personnel.” The elevator door opened and they followed the green line out of the elevator. The ship rocked violently. “Looks like the Cog wants to do a little more than talk.” The ship rocked again.


“They're firing on us?” Rusty asked looking worried.


“It happens when we liberate a member of the PFZ that they “accidentally” detain without notice.” the first soldier commented.


“What does PFZ mean anyway?” Toll asked.


“Pacific Free Zone.” The first soldier explained. “We're an autonomous organization not controlled by The Corporation.” The ship rocked again as the second soldier opened a door. “These will be your quarters until we arrive on Earth or the Asset shoots us out of the sky.” Rusty glared at him.


“Bit depressing of an outlook don't you think?” He asked.


“Each of us has the outlook we can afford.” The soldier shrugged. The ship rocked again, and the ship wide communication system beeped on.


“All boarding personnel report to your battle stations. All boarding personnel report to your battle stations.” The speaker clicked off. The soldiers looked at each other and split off in separate directions.


“What should we do?” Rusty asked.


“Stay out of the way.” Toll said as he pressed the button to close the door.