Under the Old Man's Light

Unable to rest, trashing around her bed in the Old Man Star Quafe Company station Keirra slowly opened her eyes. She felt restless, agitated, anxious for some reason. Slowly stepping out of the bed that seemed large enough, her bare feet touched the cold floor and she moved toward the window. The Moon below seemed the only thing she could spot for a moment and she stared. They were pretty far from the sun's light still fell on the satellite illuminating one half of it. Her crew-mates were sleeping in their bunks, in the same cabin but deciding to calm herself down. Pulling on her boots and utilitarian multi-pocketed pants she walked out onto the half-lit corridor determined to find a Cantina.

Despite the tranquility of the sleeping area the rest of the Space Station buzzed with activity. Below the walkway she slowly trodded on ships moved in and out of their docking bays, airspeeders buzzed from loft to loft and thousands of lights from the station's inner structures shone like small stars. Several late night birds passed by her but she ignored them. Moving on her feet carried her to a large station plaza where hundreds of people seemed to have gathered around the many Cantinas or clubs. Stepping into the first open locale she moved toward the bar, half asleep.

A single cough from the bartender caused her to raise her blue eyes and look the man in the eyes. He appeared to be of Intaki blood, a rather calm and composed face. He nodded politely and asked "Unable to sleep huh? So you want anything to drink? Perhaps some food to go with it?". Shaking her head a moment still attempting to wake up fully she only nodded to his reply, before speaking "Get me something consistent....beef and some veggies to go with it and a can of Quafe please". Without further words the tender returned a few minutes later from the food processor with the requested goods. Looking at her rather small frame he kept a polite tone "Isn't that a bit too much food for you darling?". An icy glare from Keirra was the answer to his question. The man backed off slightly "Easy easy, you Caldari are all work and no play, it was a joke".

Digging into her meal, sipping the fruit flavoured Quafe now and then the Caldari young woman ignored the Intaki bartender for now but soon she realized to be all alone there. She had hoped for a quiet meal but the Intaki was beginning to bug her. With a rather harsh response to his earlier words she caused him to shrink away even further "Listen buddy, I am not interested in your stupid pick-up lines or your remarks about me. If you want to talk at least find a more productive topic". A curse in her own language left the barkeep baffled.
At the sound of the Caldari language two other customers, drunken security personnel grinned at each other, moving toward the blonde haired Civire girl.

With a mocking gaze in his eyes one of them spoke "This little doll giving you trouble Sereus?". The Intaki looked at the two "You boys had enough to drink, why don't you go back to your quarters and rest, leave my customers alone.". The other taking advantage of the distraction closed onto Keirra's location. She had remained oblivious to their argument until his hand set on her shoulder. Turning slowly toward the Gallentean, she raised an eyebrow "What do you want? Go find some prostitutes if you're looking for entertainment". The intoxicated man grinned "Yes yes, I can do all that but I've never had Caldari before......". Her small Caldari State pin, attached to her T-shirt betrayed her lineage, yet his remark ticked her off. Stepping off her stool she smiled mysteriously, her voice soft now, making the Gallentean officers smile "Oh you boys never had Caldari before. I'll give you Caldari, more than you can handle". With a single link of movements her boot connected to the man's lower leg, the sound of a crack could be heard and he fell to the floor screaming.

His colleague, reached for his side-arm but he was a little slow. Keirra unholstered her Ishukone manufactured automatic pistol pointing it at the man's face, just a couple of milimeters off his nose. "I would not do that if I were you. Take your friend and leave me to my meal". Distressed the Intaki barkeep had pressed his security button and moments later four Gallentean security staff entered with their stun batons at ready. As soon as they entered the young woman set her pistol on the floor, raising her arms up. She did not want trouble. A gruffy looking sergeant looked at the scene, not knowing if to laugh or begin a serious inquiry.
"Devereaux, Elolies you are off duty, intoxicated, care to explain why you've picked on Sereus' customer?".

The man on the floor with a broken leg responded nothing but the other tried to put together a valid respons "Oh, we just came here for a drink... wh..when we noticed her automatic pistol!". Grunting the non-comissioned officer looked at Keirra then back to his men "Was the gun drawn and threatening Sereus in any way?". Breaking his silence the bartender spoke quietly "No Sir, the lady is only here for a meal and drink, we were getting along quite fine until they showed up", he indicated the two drunken security officers.

Left without a reply to defend himself the officer who had spoken lowered his head, noticing the Sergeant go over the security camera recordings. With a sigh the non-comissioned officer turned toward his small group of men "Take Devereaux and Elolies into custody, see to Deveraux's leg.". Cuffed the aggressors were dragged away, the sergeant turning toward Keirra "And you, finish your meal, pack your things and leave the station. I don't want you to cause any more trouble around here". A defiant Keirra lowered her arms, picking up her weapon and holstering it, "I am here for repairs Sergeant and until my ship is fixed I won't be going anywhere. You'll have to leave with the idea of having me aboard your station". Before the amazed Gallentean could respond she moved back onto her stool, returning to her meal.

Raising his shoulders, Sereus, the Barkeep looked at the Sergeant and he moved back to wash some glasses just as the officer left. Turning toward one of the windows of the club Keirra smiled to herself. She felt good now after having vented off on the trouble-seeking Gallenteans. In the distance the Old Man's light shone on her features. She had taken her first step of her journey well, there under the Old Man's Light.