CAPERNUM: Boots On The Ground

Posted on Fri Jul 4th, 2025 @ 6:49pm by Lieutenant Griffon Resch

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: Dark Harbor
Timeline: Current

ON:

Having been in the metropolis known as Dark Harbor, the capitol, Resch moved along smoothly at a steady pace as he walked the streets. This planet and its forest moon were both absolutely beautiful. Not what he had expected considering it was a hub for those hiding from the law, nor for a place that ran a slave market. For over two weeks the away team had been here, securing their cover stories as they got to know more and more people involved in such things. The population, he had noticed, seemed predominantly Human. That too was odd in that most Humans, no matter their station in life, were not normally prone to accept slavery since it had been a matter of strife for certain factions before WWIII had broke out and Earth had almost been destroyed by its own foolishness. The nuclear holocaust had been responsible for the loss of 600,000 species, wiped from existence, never to be recovered. Not to mention that 30% of the Human population ahd met the same fate. The planet broken and scarred for years to come.

Griffon walked through one of the market plazas, his pace slow and steady as he took time to pause and examine certain kiosks and the products they had to offer. The vendors were all pleasant but all business. Haggling was expected, welcomed even, but once the vendors made their final dicision that was it. You pay that or walk on. His Security experience had him noting the armed patrols that walked the streets, keeping the peace and seeing to any disturbances from outsiders. Usually it was two people doing walking patrols, with combadge comms as well as an equipment belt each for hand held comms and other equipment. The one piece of equipment he had seen them using the most were the stun batons. Most times they would activate the weapons and simply touch someone, which would shock them and stun them like a taser on steroids, but he did see times when they left them deactivated and simply bludgeoned an unfortunate fool who decided to test themselves against authority. Being dragged away bloody and bruised, some with broken bones, was a strong deterrent to others.

As Resch had been connecting with certain types of people here in Harbor City, his ears had picked up rumors and conversation, and in some cases he would simply ask a query. The forest moon was a paradise from what he was told. The wealthiest had homes there, enjoying peace and serenity on a scale far more relaxing than the ocean front areas here. The rest of the moon, a boone of resources, was mined in such a way as to not damage the surface, and to keep the ugliness of mining free from view as much as possible. Between the moon and Dark Harbor, a massive space station sat, built from scratch and added to for over a century. A floating fortress capable of dealing with any and all vessels that came within range of its weaponry. Brok, a Ferengi merchant he had met, stated that every ship entering into 'the Harbor' was given a full status check internally. If you meant to harm the Harbor through terrorist actions you would not get far. And, anything of that kind found aboard a ship led to an immediate execution of all crew aboard, the ship confiscated and sold, and all cargo being absconded for the people of Dark Harbor. It would be divvied up to any merchants who chose to buy portions, then a low price would be set for it to be sold to the population through the vendors. Anyone caught jacking the prices for items meant for the people would end up digging in the mines for several months. Harsh, yes, but a fair way to keep the people content. The winning of hearts and minds, as it were.

"Griffon?! Griffon Resch?!" The male voice came from behind Griffon, from over his right shoulder as he moved through the foot traffic in the plaza. Keeping his stance casual but ready, Resch stopped and spun halfway to look back, his own eyes going a bit wider when they laned on a familiar face.

"Martin?" Griffon's eyes squinted and then widened when they determined this was who he thought it was, even though the man was now in Dark Harbor security garb. "Martin Smith? Holy shit, man!" He stepped in and they shook hands before giving a brief bro hug to one another.

Martin was just as surprised to see Griffon, the handshake ending as he could not help but smile. "What the hell you doing here, man? You get tired of the bullshit, too?"

Resch, having no idea what he was talking about, went into 'agree' mode. It took a great amount of his willpower to make such a smooth transition when all this had been suddenly thrust upon him. "You know me, brother. When shit ain't right the Griffon rises."

Smith gave a smile. "Guard Captain Claire would be glad to have you, Griff. She's a hardass but a good sort. To the outside we're just a society of vagrants and criminals. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Break the law, get broken. That's our motto."

The two began to walk along, with Resch now focused on gleaning Intel from an old friend. "Wait, Marty. You mean to tell me you're a guard? I remember a crazy engineer who loved to live life by the seat of his pants. Where'd that guy go?"

"He grew up, brother." Smith offered, his tone serious. Resch could hear conviction in that explanation, as if the man had been searching for the fountain of wisdom and had finally located it. "I've been here right around eight months. Yes, I'm still an engineer and have helped keep the Harbor up and running. But, I wanted to make a difference on the streets, too. Captain Claire and Overseer Ezzok were not opposed. My engineering skills proved useful for law enforcement."

Griffon chuckled. "I bet. Nothing like knowing how to resolve a situation through well placed demo charges and what not."

"Exactly how they saw it," Martin said with his own laugh. "I just got off shift. You wanna hit a pub and catch up?"

Resch was hoping for that exact opportunity. "Lead the way. I'm here perusing the slave market looking for just the right...type."

Martin had to throw a jab at him. "Female, right?"

Griffon gave a lascivious grin. "Guilty. Makes the long trips on freighters bearable," he said with a wink. "In more ways than one."

"Not my cup of tea, but I get it," Martin responded. "I protect the business but I don't have to like it."

"Hey," said Griffon, reaching out to touch his friend's arm. "I don't like it either. But, I am who I am. And, why I want only one. More a companion than a slave. Give her a better life and I will NOT force myself on her, Marty. Period." He glanced around nervously to make sure no one was listening too intently to their conversation. The action was done in truth, but he enhanced the nervous agitation. "Let's find that quiet place to discuss it. Not out here."

Martin locked eyes with Resch for a few seconds as they continued to walk. Something about how Resch had presented his defense put the man at ease. His old friend Griffon was not a callous merchant of flesh despite his reason for being here, which he was determined to find out on the downlow. Giving a nod of understanding they moved on through the plaza.

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