Stardate: 80120:1700
Title: Hospitality
Author Chief of Operations Autumn Falls
Time: Current
Scene: Turnquistia


Autumn had quickly bored of the ‘entertainment’ provided and as time passed she became more conscious of their precarious situation. Unable to settle she paced the room looking for possible avenues of escape, but the room seemed deceptively secure.

The window was locked and made of thick glass, criss-crossed with ornamented bars, the door was old fashioned in design and needed force to be opened, instead of a computer command. Autumn had tried it for several minutes but even though it was old it was not budging.

Emma too had grown tired of the gambling machines and had started restocking her armoury with whatever she could find. Autumn wasn’t sure how effective a napkin, a rolled up newspaper and spoon were going to be, but she didn’t think a long conversation on the matter would help.

The door opened and Rocko and Glorg entered, looking slightly less cocky than usual.

“Hello ladies, I hopes ya enjoy'd da suite, but nows we 'ave a treat fors ya, a little exs-cursion on our fine planet.”

Two big men, best described as 'security types', entered the room.

“Whats da muscle for,” Emma said with a nod in the direction of the newcomers.

“Purely for ya protection I's assure ya.” Rocko was a confidence trickster, which made his evasive eye contact worrying. As Emma went to step forward Autumn put a restraining hand on her arm.

“Thank you for the offer, but I think we would prefer to wait here.”

“Now, now! ‘aven’t we been da best hosts? Doncha be offending us by denyings our further hospitality.” Emma had obviously noted the undertones.

“Nah, we be quite tired, we sit dis one out.”

“I insist.” The two big security men moved to either side of Emma and Autumn. This was not a good sign.

With the door now unblocked by personnel there was a possibility they could escape, but they needed to first cause a little distraction. Emma was obviously way ahead of Autumn’s thinking as she picked up a lamp and slammed it into the security man assigned to her.

Autumn picked up an ashtray and threw it hard against the wall; all the men were momentarily confused and, using the distraction, both the Horizon officers made a dash for the door. The corridor beyond was empty but within seconds they had pursuers.

They had almost reached the stairs when one of the security guards threw themselves at Autumn, knocking her to the floor. Twisting her arm high up her back the man caused Autumn’s old arm injury to flair up and she yelped in pain.

Emma almost made it to the stairs, but obviously upon hearing the commotion a third hired hand had come up the stairs, weapon already drawn.

“Now, about our little excursion...” Rocko said.


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Lt. Commander Autumn Falls
Chief of Operations
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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