A Jinsoku-Class Cargo Runner dropped out of FTL at the Hills Sphere for Lands End. Its hull was faded and scored with scratches and assorted weapon damage. A testament to the busy life this ten year old ship had lead. Painted on the white hull were black letters still mostly legible - GREY FINCH.
On the bridge of the ship sat Neil Burns. He adjusted the controls of his ship opened a comm channel.
"Lands End, this is the Grey Finch. Requesting permission to land." He sent.
"Hey, was wondering when you would turn up Neil. What is the status of the Finch?" same a female voice from the speakers.
"Dana, you sound almost concerned about my well being."
"Only because you still owe me a case of whiskey."
Niel laughed, "And here I thought it was my personality. Well fear not, I have your whiskey.
As for the Finch, no major repairs after this run. Just some basic maintenance and refurbishment."
"Okay, set her down on pad three. The Boss wants to know if you had any luck with his order."
"Tell Jacob yes. It was expensive, but I got everything he asked for. And I paid for all of it. Before you ask." Neil said with chuckle as switched off the transmitter.
Setting the Finch for re-entry he engaged the computer. He activated the ship intercom. "We are starting our landing. Best strap yourselves in, it will get a bit bumpy towards the end."
He switched the intercom off and thought about his passengers. Six people coming to Lands End to disappear. He did not bother to ask them what they were running from. It would not have mattered. Besides Lands End had a very simple policy. No Questions Asked. So once they got off his ship, they were Boss Talbot's problem.
The Finch dove through the atmosphere without incident. Neil watched the various indicators and tapped one of the warning lamps a few times and smiled when the lamp illuminated.
Looking through the view port he could see Lands End. The space port was circular by design. It was located on a cliff that overlooked one of the seas of Lands End. The eastern part of the port hung over the sea. Neil could see a couple of other ships. None of them looked familiar to him, there was one ship in the repair yard. Someone had a bad run. Hope that the crew is okay.
At 300 meters above the landing pad Neil took the controls of the ship. The onshore wind started buffeting the Finch and he was not willing to trust the computer to put her down safe. He made adjustments to her speed and attitude without looking at the displays. He knew his ship and the winds, he should he had been landing at Lands End off and on for five years. Lands End was a good place to lie low, or get his ship fixed with no questions. He had the Finch modified twice since his first time here.
He felt the landing gear touch down and let the ship settle on the pad fully. He switched off the engines, and left the generator running.
He looked at the weathered sign mounted on the entrance of the space port.
Welcome to the free port of Lands End.
All arrivals report to the port master's office.
Neil stood up and made his way into the back to escort his passengers to the port master.
On the bridge of the ship sat Neil Burns. He adjusted the controls of his ship opened a comm channel.
"Lands End, this is the Grey Finch. Requesting permission to land." He sent.
"Hey, was wondering when you would turn up Neil. What is the status of the Finch?" same a female voice from the speakers.
"Dana, you sound almost concerned about my well being."
"Only because you still owe me a case of whiskey."
Niel laughed, "And here I thought it was my personality. Well fear not, I have your whiskey.
As for the Finch, no major repairs after this run. Just some basic maintenance and refurbishment."
"Okay, set her down on pad three. The Boss wants to know if you had any luck with his order."
"Tell Jacob yes. It was expensive, but I got everything he asked for. And I paid for all of it. Before you ask." Neil said with chuckle as switched off the transmitter.
Setting the Finch for re-entry he engaged the computer. He activated the ship intercom. "We are starting our landing. Best strap yourselves in, it will get a bit bumpy towards the end."
He switched the intercom off and thought about his passengers. Six people coming to Lands End to disappear. He did not bother to ask them what they were running from. It would not have mattered. Besides Lands End had a very simple policy. No Questions Asked. So once they got off his ship, they were Boss Talbot's problem.
The Finch dove through the atmosphere without incident. Neil watched the various indicators and tapped one of the warning lamps a few times and smiled when the lamp illuminated.
Looking through the view port he could see Lands End. The space port was circular by design. It was located on a cliff that overlooked one of the seas of Lands End. The eastern part of the port hung over the sea. Neil could see a couple of other ships. None of them looked familiar to him, there was one ship in the repair yard. Someone had a bad run. Hope that the crew is okay.
At 300 meters above the landing pad Neil took the controls of the ship. The onshore wind started buffeting the Finch and he was not willing to trust the computer to put her down safe. He made adjustments to her speed and attitude without looking at the displays. He knew his ship and the winds, he should he had been landing at Lands End off and on for five years. Lands End was a good place to lie low, or get his ship fixed with no questions. He had the Finch modified twice since his first time here.
He felt the landing gear touch down and let the ship settle on the pad fully. He switched off the engines, and left the generator running.
He looked at the weathered sign mounted on the entrance of the space port.
Welcome to the free port of Lands End.
All arrivals report to the port master's office.
Neil stood up and made his way into the back to escort his passengers to the port master.