Homefire #55"
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Nikita , Resistance fighter , [NPC]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58209.20 2005

"Far Cry"

Nikita led Hunter back to the station and the waited for the mass-transit to arrive.

Nikita looked down at the ground and flipped a small rock over with her foot, "She's stubborn."

"Hmmm?"

She looked up at Hunter pensively, "like her brother, very stubborn."

A slight smirk graced Hunter's face. "I suppose so."

The expression on Nikita's face suggested she was getting at something else.

She shook her head, "Some days, he's like a madman, wandering around barking orders that make no sense. The next day he can be decisive be the leader we so badly need."

Hunter said nothing in response, but just nodded.

"This has been going on for years. Its a far cry from where I thought we'd be by now."

Their conversation was interrupted by several explosions down one of the tunnels.

Hunter instinctively bolted toward the tunnel they had come from.

"No!" said Nikita holding his arm pleadingly, "There isn't anything you can do anyway. The encryption key is the most important thing right now."

Hunter took a deep breath, "Yeah," he said acknowledging her. He looked back over his shoulder in time to see the mass transport unit coming toward the station.

"Let's go then," he said stepping up to the loading platform as their ride slowed to a stop.

========

After the long ride back to the market place Hunter looked at Nikita, "I'm hungry for star bread. Do you know any good places?"

Nikita nodded, "This way."

They walked to the location where the Star bread baker's store was. The area was almost deserted. Hunter looked around and then went inside.

He immediately spotted Sam as well as several other suspicious looking patrons.

He pretended to be perusing the baker's goods and made his way near Sam.

He nodded as if being courteous, "ma'am," he said softly as he stepped past the spot she seemed to be riveted too.

Sam nodded.. and continued to browse a shelf with trinkets on it..Then she held up some item, " Now this is fascinating, there is no telling what you will find here..How cool."

Hunter nodded, "I agree," and walked toward Nikita. Sam had used the duress phrase, "no telling."

When Hunter was close enough to Nikita, he said openly, "I'm not finding what I'm looking for."

Nikita nodded and turned with Hunter toward the door which was immediately blocked by two of the larger patrons that had been in the store.

"Going somewhere Mr. Jones?"

"Do I know you two?"

The men looked at each other, one of then turned back and said, "you will."

"What a catch today," said a voice from the back of the store.

Hunter and Nikita turned slowly, behind the counter was a stout, bald man. "Who are you?" asked Hunter.

"Tagliano's the name."

"What do you want from us?" inquired Hunter.

"First, I'm going to liberate your girls, Mr. Jones, then, I'm going to kill you."

Tagliano gestured toward one of the large men, "We'll don't just stand there, pat'em down." he said holding up the chip Sam was holding to the light, "See what other goodies they got.

As one of the goons put his hand on Nikita's but, she grabbed him in a wristlock and spun him around, flipping him to the ground violently. Before the other goon could move she pulled out a small phaser weapon and fired it. The goon's head turned instantly into a sandy gray soot and spilled to the floor as the body dropped to its knees for a moment and fell over.

With out flinching she targeted the goon on the floor and fired at him point blank then she leveled the gun at the thug behind the counter.

Hunter grabbed him and pulled him over the counter and threw him on the floor. The chip tumbled a few feet, landing near Sam who picked it up.

Hunter picked up Tagliano by the collar and pulled him to his feet. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Mobsters." answered Nikta before the man could answer.

Movement over his shoulder caused Hunter to turn. More men were standing in the door with weapons drawn. Nikita also turned drawing her weapon, but before she could fire, they were hit by weapons set on heavy stun.