A Time for Running

Vega was accustomed to running, it was after all what she had spent the majority of her life doing. It was no surprise then that she found herself running now. She'd only been looking for a ride, stowaway was such a cruel word, though she'd been called worse. If she'd had any money Vega would have been long gone by now. But her previous employer had been a temperamental man, confusing soldier for hire with paid assassin. When Vega refused to slaughter his wife he had been quite upset, dumping her off on this backwater planet.

It had seemed like a simple enough plan at first. The ship was one of the first large enough to suit her, that she had seen come into port. How was she to know it belonged to the Sontarans. Vega ducked around a corner, the sound of weapon fire close on her heels. Someone back there was a particularly good shot, and as she darted down a narrow alleyway she felt hot pain in her right arm. The laser blast heated her metal armor, the smell of singed skin made her stomach clench.

Vega felt like screaming, she had to escape but how. She could use her telekinesis, but that would mean pain of the sort she wasn't ready to deal with. She didn't have long to make a decision, the Sontarans were gaining. Vega silently cursed her too short legs, and briefly wished for wings.

"Lock and load 'em. Fire!" A voice called out that was immediately answered by gunfire. The sound of combat rang its chorus through the narrow passage of the ship port, shouts of battle twisted around the explosive fire of weaponry. The Sonatrans had been so preoccupied by the girl currently hiding in an alley that the men that were sneaking around caught them by surprise. That would no doubt enrage their generals and commanders when they found it out. There was also no doubt that they would seek them out in an attempt to regain their pride and earn victory. But to the soldiers that had just finished dispatching the alien threat, it really didn't seem like a big deal.

"Clear."

"Good work, boys." The figure of a woman walked out of an aircraft that was cloaked with a perception filter. If the door didn't hiss open one would never tell there was a ship parked in the middle of the platform. Her boots clicked as she walked over and examined th planet they were currently standing on. It seemed like a place one would come to refuel and make alliances. Oops.

Pursing her lips, the woman walked into the alley, curious to see what had gained the attention of the potato-like aliens she had encountered once before in her past. Poking her head in she observed the small figure crouched down and her nose wrinkled at the stench of scorched skin. "Oh, hello there, darling. Do you need assistance? I have a first aid kit back on my ship. Well, follow me if you're interested." She pulled back and started to walk away, acting as if she fully expected the girl to follow. Just to rid the two of them of the awkward 'stranger' titles, she through over her shoulder, "You can call me Mal."

Vega could hardly believe her luck and quickly pulled herself to her feet, feeling slightly embarrassed that she had been hiding. "I...thank you." She took a moment to take in the woman walking in front of her. Mal, that's what she'd said her name was, seemed to be human though you never really could tell. She moved like someone with a purpose, and Vega found herself following, despite her distrustful nature. "My name's Vega, pleased to meet you."

Several scenarios ran through her head as she followed Mal, maybe this woman was her ticket off planet. Loads of people needed soldiers, although Vega hadn't made a very good impression to start. She found herself standing straighter, trying to look more confident, she had to convince Mal she was worth it. It might be her only chance. "Scuse me, did you say ship? Have you just arrived? I didn't see any other ships in port."

Approaching the cloaked ship, the door slid open which revealed the chrome interior inside.  Listening to Vega caused a smile to tug at Mal's lips.  Hm, who would have guessed her luck?  She turned around to face the girl, clasping her hands behind her back as she smiled pleasantly.  "No, you wouldn't have.  Perception filters are a blessing, aren't they?  It's a very useful device when one is amidst a war."  

Tilting her head to the right, she nodded to one of the men lingering close to the two.  "That's the ship, then?  I'm sure you are capable of bringing it back to HQ, general.  Squad seven is yours to command."

"Ma'am." He nodded, looked towards Vega curiously, and moved away as he began to shout at some of the soldiers.  

Pleased, Mal turned back to the ship and started to board.  "You seem a tad out of place for a planet like this, darling.  How'd you come to find yourself here?"  It was curious, wasn't it, how an obvious warrior from whatever race she was from was the only one facing Sontaran scouts.  Oh well, it never mattered how she acquired people as long as she could put them to good use; as long as their service was beneficial to her in the end.  Her question would go unanswered though since they approached the appropriate destination as soon as it was out in the open.

Entering the med bay, Mal snapped and pointed at one of the doctors, giving a quick hand gesture that caused the woman to spring into action.  As she was searching for the appropriate materials, Mal absently grabbed a roll of medicated bandage, fiddling with the padding in her hands.  "Tell me a bit about yourself, Vega.  I'm curious to know where you come from, why you're here, and who you, exactly, work for."

Vega found a chair and pulled it over so she could sit. As she went about removing her armor, she pondered Mal's question. "I'm from Cogitare, little planet not many people know of it. I left when I was fifteen, there wasn't much there for me." She winced as the armor peeled away from her burn with a wet, sucking sound. The skin underneath was a sickly yellow she had come to associate with burns.

How much could Vega trust this woman? She'd quite possibly saved her life, that gave her points in Vega's book. For now however, it was probably best to give the abbreviated version of her story. She hadn't been lying when she said very few knew of Cogitare, just another casualty in the cyberwar. Those that did know of it had usually heard of her, though she went by another name back then. Vega preferred that part of her history to go unknown, at least with new acquaintances.

"As for who I work for, well no one right now. My previous employer thought soldier for hire meant he could order me to murder his wife. She was sleeping around you see, not that I blame her, guy was a class act. When I refused he dumped me off here, and took all my money while he was at it."

Vega looked around the room, taking in her surroundings with a practiced eye. "Nice ship you've got here, I assume you're the captain?"

"Uncultured swine, the bugger is. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Do you remember his name?" Mal set the bandage aside as she watched the doctor move over to Vega's side and started her inspection of the burn. As that was being tended to, Mal looked the alien girl over, feeling that ambitious feeling grow within her. She'd never heard of Cogitare but noted in the back of her head to get the analysis unit to do a bit of research.

"Hm, thank you, and yes, I am. That's me, the captain." That, at least, was a safer title to go by. Most people didn't react pleasantly to ruler of New Earth. Apparently being a political figure was frowned upon in this era. Wait, what era was she in? It would be an odd question to ask this girl so she decided to simply forget about it for the time being. Mal would prefer to be safe than sorry.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but would your recent unemployment mean you are up for hire? I could always use a little culture in my ranks." That wasn't exactly right. Mal just wanted to see what Vega was capable of and to subtly pick her apart so she could advance her technology and test weapons and tools she could get out of it. Even if this girl only knew a different style of combat it would be well worth the investment. It wasn't like she would dispose of her after she was done peeling off some information. No, the more the merrier.

"He was pretty adamant about not using his name, and I didn't really care at the time, last time I make that mistake." Vega waited for the medic woman to finish with her burn, before carefully strapping her armor back in place. Mal's offer filled her with equal parts excitement and worry. This was it, she could finally get off this backwater rock. She still didn't know if she could trust this woman, but thus far she hadn't given Vega any reason not to.

"You're correct, and I'm bloody tired of unemployment. I will warn you however, I'm absolutely terrible with technology. Cogitare wasn't what you'd call an advanced planet. I've picked a few things up over the years, but I think I'm allergic to computers. I break out in smashing fits."

Vega looked around the med bay, and pondered who and what she had seen so far. "It seems to me you've got a pretty good setup already. I'm happy to join you, but first I want to know. What interest could you possibly have in a lone soldier from some backwater planet?"

Mal listened attentively as if it were the most interesting information she'd ever received. At least they were one in the same. technology use to be her own kryptonite as well but years of trial and error along with some tutorials from computer whizzes had improved her usage with a select few devices.

"The soldiers on this mission now are all human. Back on my planet I have whole squadrons of aliens from different solar systems and whatnot. I know how an individual can improve a force even if the collective don't share anything but the same cause. It also adds flavour and diversity as well, don't you think? I'm sure I could learn interesting things from you as you can learn interesting things from me."

Mal stood when the doctor finished her work, shrugging and starting slowly out of the room. "If that answer is satisfactory then we can head out. I don't need to stay here any longer, my mission is accomplished."