Marco Domici: Ride back

Ben tapped his foot quietly on the carpet. He was back in the spaceport; the same one that had brought him to Wardn not so long ago. However, he was in the Luxury section, waiting. Not the same tarmac he had stepped on.

Sadly, he was with Captain Cochran. The illustrious captain was detailed to meet a military envoy from some system and try to wrangle a contract or two with smooth words. Ben doubted the captain's ability to lead men, but perhaps he could talk. Ben's role was simple, take care of the baggage.

"Oh, hi, Captain." A traveler said, smiling. He was a little shorter than average, with bushy black hair and several weeks of a beard. A small backpack was slung over one shoulder.

Cochran stepped back. Ben's hadn't ever seen that particular mixture of disdain and fear before.

"Hello, Domici." Cochran said. "Lost again?"

"Sure am." The traveler, now identified as a Domici, said. "Lost all my ID and stuff. I was wondering if I could get a ride back to base?"

"Of course no..." Cochran stopped. He smiled. "Certainly. Webb, it may be a while, why don't you two head back to base. I'll call you when the delegation arrives."

"That would be great. Webb, is it?" The Domici extended a hand. "I'm traveling light right now, we can go at any time."

Ben pulled out with the Domici in the front seat. "Mind if we stop somewhere?" The guy said. "I've been missing this one trattoria. great food." He nodded at Ben's stripes and gave the address. "I'll buy."

"I know the place." Ben replied. He and Carey had eaten there long ago. When the came in both were greeted as long lost family and food kept coming. Ben watched as the other guy took great pleasure in eating and raving to the wait staff about the awesome food and service. He seemed to smile a lot and kept Ben's plate full as well.

As promised the man paid the bill and left a good tip. "That was about two points past unbelievable! Especially after eating ships food for a while." He turned to Ben. "Mind if I ask a question?"

"You bought lunch, so I guess you're entitled."

"Thanks." He nodded at Ben's stripes. "New stripes. Brand new uniform. But the eyes are old. Not your first enlistment, is it?"

Ben shook his head. "No, not my first. A good one, so far though." He paused. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"You're driving, so I guess you're entitled."

"Fuzzy hair and beard cultivated to hide facial recognition. Same chukka boots we use for LRRP'ing. Interesting vacation?"

"Very." The man grinned from ear to ear. "It's hard to break in new boots. Who were you and the good captain waiting for at the port?"

Ben hesitated. He was sure the guy was in the unit, but OPSEC was OPSEC. Still, Cochran was deathly afraid of him so there was that. "Some bigshot delegation. The captain was going to try and wrangle a contract or two while I picked up the luggage."

"Oh, that's funny." He man chuckled. "Ship got held up at high port so luggage won't be down until tomorrow. And Quincy can rot. I'm the delegation he was supposed to meet."

"Should I be saying 'sir' and all that? Sir?"

"No. It's a mildly odd story." He winked at Ben. "Interesting vacation."