Homefire #53"
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Stardate: 58209.20 0500
==Mars==
Sunlight peeked through the wooden shutters and casted it rays on the away team. Little speckles of dust flew around as one of them turned and sat up.
It was too early but it promised to be a hot day. Teilani stretched and yawned, carefully moving to the side so she didn’t wake up the others.
“Where you going?� she heard softly behind her.
She turned and looked at Sam.
“Just going to get some food, and do a number 1. “ she whispered back. “ Go back to sleep.. its still early. “
“Early?� Sam muttered and looked at the window. “ Bloody sun is already shining.�
“Shhht you wake up Hunter and you know how is is when he hasn’t had his morning coffee. “
Sam giggled softly and laid herself back down. “ Careful out there Doc.�
As Teilani stepped into the street, the merchants were already busy setting up shop. The smells and sounds brought back memories. "Hey gorgeous your up early.." one of he merchants said and offered her a tray with cakes.
"No thanks.. say is Chez Maurice still there?"
"Chez Maurice..?" the merchant said.. "No ma'am he went out of business a few years ago.
"Dang." Teilani said..'he had the best breads ever."
"Well if you looking for fresh bread and not the replicated stuff. Go to Simon." the merchant said.. "Straight ahead and to the left."
"Will do."
More and more shops opened, taking the opportunity to do some early business before the midday sun became to hot. Usually after 12 the streets were deserted and shopkeepers did their business underground. Although Mars was terraformed there were still places where the process hadn't taken too well.
There it was.. Simon's bakery it read on the window.. Looking around for any Marsian police Teilani entered.
"MornÃn' she said to an old man behind the counter. "You got any starbreads?"
"Sure have missy... freshly baked this morning.. " he said taking a starlike bread form the shelf.. its still slightly warm.. great to eat with rubarb jelly."
"Ohh.. its been ages since I have eaten that..Teilani said accepted the bread. "you got some.?
The old man studied her for a while.. "You know" he said..while taking a brownish jar behind him "You look familiar..
Teilani shrugged. "They have said that before.. guess I have a plain face."
Simon nodded " That must be it."
"How much do I own you"
"50 credits"
"50!?" Teilani said rolling her eyes.. "I have only 35.. You take an I owe you.?"
"Missy, ... its hard enough to make a living.. 50 or else ..."
Teilani dugg in her pocket and brought up some change.. "I have 42? Please.
The old man smiled. "Hard currency eh?" He paused to regard Teilani,
"Well you know.. you give me 42 and you bring the rest later alright?"
Flicking back her hair Teilani smiled. “I will I promise. Thanks Simon."
*** Hotel..Babylon **
Hunter, who had been watching great dust devils churn across the barren landscape turned as Teilani entered.
"Ah what have we here?"
"Something to eat Sir. Bread, jelly and coffee.. " she said with a grin taking a sip from a large mug balancing a brown bag with on her other arm.
Hunter helped her unload her arms, setting the items on a rickety table.
"Gathered you had to be hungry, and I scouted around town...
"See anything?"
Teilani shook her head. "Nothing in particular, some security patrols, merchants. Its still early of course. Coffee??"
Hunter nodded and quietly the team ate Teilani's breakfast.
"That was good," said Hunter.
“It isn’t much.� Teilani said. “Lots of goods are restricted or rotting away on the space docks. Quickly she cleared away the remains.
He glanced at Carter, "Well, let's get on with it."
The crew gathered their equipment, carefully dismantling it, they returned them to their hiding spots.
Opening the door of their room Hunter squinted at the peaked morning sunlight.
"Let's go."
"Sir..." Teilani said touching Hunters arm.
Hunter turned, "Yes?"
"There is something more.. when I went out to get breakfast the guy.. well he made a remark that I looked familiar."
Hunter squinted as he pondered the possibilities, "Does he look familiar to you?"
"I don't know.. I haven't been here in well you know many years." Teilani said with a shrug.
"Okay."
He nodded to Carter "Sam, you and Martin go see what you can find out about our baker, stake him out. Xavier and Dane will accompany me to locate the underground."
"Aye Sir."