<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/0a/Rudy_reyes.jpeg)</div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">Santiago,</span><em>First Mate and "Public Relations"</em><br/>2519, present day<br/>Last Stand Saloon, Eavesdown Docks, Persephone<br/>Tagging - Aaron Shaw, Sheydran Corsei, Thalie Linnea, Samson Castle<br/>Location - Last Stand Saloon<br/><hr/><br/>Felt nice after I laid a kiss on them pretty lips of Thalia and wrapped my arms around her hot little body.  Felt<em>real</em>nice having her rear squirming around and bouncing on my lap as we crashed.  She sure did make a run out the cockpit after we exchanged a few more words, but maybe she just felt awkward about this new facet of our relationship.<br/><br/>At least she didn't slap me.<br/><br/>Since I was already in the co-pilot's seat, I checked out the cortex postings.  Sure enough Samson updated his advert so there were now openings for a pilot, a mechanic, a cook and passengers.  Still, with the amount of damage we have, we would probably need some extra hands and equipment.  I put out some feelers of my own and got some interested, familiar parties that would be ready to help on the cheap if need be.<br/><br/>I locked up the ship and headed to where I thought Samson would be, the Silent Knife.  Didn't find nothing but trouble there, and even had to throw a man through a virtual window before the bouncers defenestrated my own self as well.<br/><br/>That left one more obvious spot, the Last Stand.  I dusted myself off and headed on in.<br/><br/>There I found Samson sitting, along with a Thalia and an entourage with her.<br/><br/><strong>"What is this?"</strong>I asked the group.<strong>"Some sort of intervention?"</strong><br/><br/>One of them addressed Samson first.<br/><br/><em>"Hi. Captain? Aaron Shaw. I saw the damage to your ship and I think I can help. I'm no mechanic but I can get the parts you need, and cheaply at that. I just want boarding on your ship sir. I might even be able to make your communication tools work better. Of course I'd be willing to pull my weight on any jobs you might work as well."</em><br/><br/>I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at the man.  He was making promises.  He "just" wanted boarding.  And "of course" he would be willing to pull his own weight.<br/><br/><strong>"Not a mechanic and you can get parts on the cheap?  You some kind of thief, Shaw?  You plan on getting parts for free and selling them to us at a profit?  And what kind of thief makes communications better?  And why don't you want payment along with boarding?  The captain here don't like no liars, Shaw, so best be speaking some truthfulness of your own free will, while you ain't limping, that is."</strong>I looked at Samson briefly at that there last part I spoke.<br/><br/>Around that time, a drunk customer came along and stumbled toward the fetching redhead with Thalia.  He proceeded to reach around and make a grab at the woman's fine, shapely derriere.<br/><br/>Me, being a man of action, acted.<br/><br/>I reached over and squeezed that aforementioned accoster's ass just as hard.<br/><br/><strong>"How's it feel, stranger, when a man you don't know gropes your behind?  Apologize to the lady, then make your merry."</strong><br/><br/>Apparently his liquid courage was sapped when he had the likes of me addressing him.  He tipped his hat and muttered a "S-sorry, don't know what I was thinking," then stumbled away, tripping over his own feet, before falling flat on his face.<br/><br/>I gave a smile to Thalia, then turned to the redhead.<strong>"Haven't had the pleasure, ma'am.  Name's Santiago, first mate of the <em>Man's Ruin</em>."</strong><br/>