Thread: Venus Ascending [Chai & Alkaline]

Dominic Ryan was bored. He'd been waiting for what felt like a few hours, but was almost certainly only about 45 minutes. Letting out a heavy sigh, he glanced down to check the time on his PDA, pulling the sleeve of his shirt up past the elbow, and tapping the screen as it reactivated from sleep with a flicker. 0957. More time than he had expected, at least. The Adirans were nothing but punctual at the least. They were also a petty race capable of holding intense grudges over the most minor offenses. So what if he'd been late for a meeting with the council once? He certainly didn't think it required them to insist he show up an hour earlier than was necessary now. They paid well enough to make up for it, but hopefully his next job wouldn't require quite as much... 'bureaucracy' and office time. Shooting something. That would be better. With a yawn, Dom stretched his legs out, boots rubbing against the floor with a little squeal that got a quick side eye from the Adiran sitting across the hall from him. God damn were they tall. This one was well over 7' feet. Dominic was only 5'9 himself, so the difference wasn't exactly subtle. He'd spent years being poked and prodded at by those motherfuckers at OmniCorp, and they couldn't have bought him an extra few inches? Sure, he'd gotten plenty of other perks enhanced agility, bones and muscles that outperformed almost any other human in the universe, and a body that looked no older than 30 despite the fact that he was starting to near the century mark himself. But for years of torture he'd have hoped he could at least make one request for himself. Bastard... he whispered under his breath, cursing the alien for no reason other than to try and tell himself it was the alien's fault for making him feel self conscious. And for reminding him about those years. Sure, he probably shouldn't have still been self-conscious about it all, but apparently he was capable of the same petty grudges as the Adirans, his just dating back to some middle school bullying. Whatever it was that slowed his aging, was clearly affecting his own emotional maturity as well, he thought to himself, only getting even more pissed. Luckily, a hiss of a door disengaging nearby snapped him out of his thoughts and back into reality. A quick glance down and he saw the clock tick to 1000. Right on time as usual. Dominic watched the guard at the desk snap to attention, standing and saluting the imposing Captain Pax as he rounded the corner. Sir! Your appointment is ready, shall I prep.... his voice cutting off as the Captain held up a hand, two other guards and a woman in chains following him around the corner. No need, Lieutenant. We have it from here. You are dismissed... he said with a curt nod and a stony gaze, sending the guard away rather quickly. Dominic sat with his own smirk, arms crossed, legs still stretched out to block half the hallway before he casually tipped to the side, peeking around Pax to get a look at the woman. Who's she? Seems like a little overkill, what with all the shackles and extra security... Pax's eyes narrowed, glaring down his nose at the man before nodding his head to a room nearby for some privacy. Dom hopped to his feet to follow, meeting the woman's eyes for the first time. His own were odd, to say the least. They were gold, hints of orange flecks catching the bright white lights in the hallway, with thin, long pupils more akin to a cat. He grinned and gave her a playful wink as he walked past and into the room nearby. Seems like a bit of a grump... she could hear him say to the Captain just as the door shut behind him. That's Venus Kaissandra Holland, Captain Pax began, before being interrupted. Eh? Should I know her? The Bloody Rose, he said with a sigh, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. She'll be working with you on a covert operation to... Oh. Didn't she blow up your moon or some shit? She did not.... blow up the moon. She did take out one of our forward operating bases, but she did not blow up , the goddamn moon. Now, as I was saying, she'll be working with you on a covert operation. Our intel suggests the Barranians have begun to deploy troops in a nearby sector, and seeing as we prefer not to play a part in their on-going feud with OmniCorp, we'd like you two to go in and disrupt their plans, if needed. Their conflict is beginning to encroach just a little too close to our territory for the council's taste and given me authorization to finance more mercenary help if we wish to seem impartial. I assume you can maintain your normal level of discretion, correct? With a snappy, mocking salute, Dominic grinned and stood tall. Sir, yes sir! Assuming you pay as well as normal, we'll take care of it. Though I have to ask why the Bloody Rose needs to come along. Seems well within my grasp without the assistance. Understanding that request is not part of the job. You do as we ask without questions, and we pay, as usual. I assume 750,000 credits is sufficient this time? Grinning widely, Dom nodded and reached out to shake his hand in agreement. 750,000 credits, no questions asked. Seems fair to me, he said as the Captain motioned him towards the door. As he stepped out of the room, he gave Venus another grin. Nice to meet ya... partner.