V. The Warring Cook

Welcome to 'The Best Stuff In the World Today Cafe'

We are all believers in a better way

We were served as customers not so long ago

Now we are all waiters, thought you ought to know

-Take 6 (The Best Stuff In the World Today Cafe)

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Trevor has his sights on a few people to recruit. Most of them World 75 people, but he can't put them at risk. He though he will need to find their versions. He was thinking of visiting other worlds first.

Trevor: DIANA, how does she feel?

DIANA: Like a junk compared to The ITALICA, Captain.

Trevor: Well that she is, DIANA. Tell me something I don't know.

DIANA: She handles just fine. I see no errors; we still have 4 boats in the dock, 1 master's room, 16 officers' room. 3 guests' rooms and 20 bunk type rooms. We have a hidden hold which can carry 20000 Tons or 10% of our total. We do not have drones or any defenses at all. This girl is made for running.

Trevor: And we will make her run like hell.

DIANA: Where to, Captain?

Trevor: World 8

The ship completes its jump. The Chernov finds itself in E-M L4 of World 8.

Trevor: According to Bob this world is always at war.

DIANA: Yes sir

Trevor: Why?

DIANA: Two superpowers who don't want to stop fighting.

Trevor: I get it now. There should be some groups who want to oppose this right?

DIANA: Yes Captain.

Trevor: Find me somewhere near my place if this is my world; a group who wants the fighting to stop.

DIANA: Tapping to the local database...

Trevor: I'll change to my war torn civilian costume while you do that.

Trevor changes his clothes to a rugged shirt and shorts get-up and wears his slippers.

Trevor: I came prepared...

DIANA: Captain?

Trevor: Nothing.... How are we with the search?

DIANA: I found one... a group by the name "Peaceful Kitchen".

Trevor: Send me half a kilometer away, with some access path and medium visibility.

DIANA: Confirmed... Energizing.

Trevor lands on an urban terrain half destroyed by war. Piles of rubble are to be seen miles around. He looks around to try and figure out the situation. He finds a few corpses, mostly military, scattered on the terrain. On one of the bodies he sees a backpack. He runs to the body to loot and scavenge the remains. The body of the soldier still has his dog tags on him.

Trevor: Captain Rikks, may you rest in peace. I'll borrow your stuff.

He finds a pistol, a few magazines for the gun, some food and trade items, and some form of currency. The currency is approximately a little short of a thousand. He cocks the gun and takes the bag.

Trevor: I need a heading DIANA...

DIANA: Head to the clearing east of your location then head half a kilometer south.

Trevor: Copy that... scan for threats...

DIANA: understood.

Trevor moves quickly and silently from cover to cover making sure to check his corners. He is about 50 meters out from his objective waypoint when a loud shot rings. He jumps to cover and ducks.

Trevor: DIANA? I am taking fire... locate possible source.

DIANA: I am seeing multiple armed personnel trying to reach the objective. There are five heat signatures that seem to be defending the location.

Trevor: Lucky that bullet isn't for me.

DIANA: Affirmative

Trevor: I will try to approach, warn me if I am too close.

Trevor starts to slowly approach the location from the north. The gunfire starts to become louder as the exchange of fire becomes more heated.

DIANA: You have two tangos ahead

Trevor: I see them

Trevor sneaks to one of the targets while he waits for the defenders to start their volley of fire. He then executes the nearest target while fully hidden, two shots to the chest. He quickly approaches the downed enemy. He notices the enemy is still alive but incapacitated and trying to reach for his secondary. Trevor immediately pistol whips the target in the head, grabs the targets sidearm and finishes him off. He takes both pistols and holsters them then grabs the assault rifle the target was carrying. He also grabs a few magazines for the rifle.

The second target notices the gunfire behind him and turns around. Trevor assumes cover as the blazing rifle fire approaches. This gives the defenders a chance to kill the second target. The defenders shift their focus to the south. Taking advantage of the situation Trevor closes in. He enters the building. One of the defenders who were guarding the door catches him and swipes his assault rifle away and then aims a pistol on him. He immediately lets the rifle go and then raises his hands.

Trevor: Whew partner! Friendly!

Defender 1: You the guy who took out the other guy in the back?

Trevor: Yeah!

Defender 1: Sure wise crack!

Trevor: No really! My group was attacked by them; I was a survivor looking for revenge.

Defender 1: Well you had yours, help us defend this place and we might consider what you are saying, and I am keeping an eye on you

The defender asks Trevor to move to the south of the building. It was open grounds and you can easily be picked off by targets.

DIANA: Reporting 10 tangos approaching from the south. Advised to find cover...

Trevor sees a vehicle door lying around and realizes it is a good item to use as a shield. He picks it up with all of his strength and positions himself in the center of the open field. He braces the door on the ground, crouches behind it and places the barrel of the assault rifle on the door window.

Trevor: DIANA, spot for me. Set priority to most likely threat.

DIANA: Orders accepted. Threat mark, 50 meters south, 5 meters east adjust for wind 2.5 m/s east

Trevor: Ready, Short burst.

DIANA: engage.

Trevor fires his rifle with a three round burst hitting the target at center mass.

DIANA: Good kill... Threat mark, 30 meters south, 10 meters west adjust for wind 2.3 m/s east, fire when ready.

Trevor: Ready.

Trevor fires his rifle with another burst hitting the target twice on center mass and once on the head.

DIANA: He is down...  three tangos converging on your east, suggesting change in rate of fire.

The enemy is now close enough to return fire and they blindly fire from the hip while moving around.

Trevor: Ok, FULL AUTO!!!

Trevor then pushes the door to his side and drops to his belly. He then uses his left hand as a neck rest on the rifle butt which makes him look like he is hugging the rifle and braces himself. He shoots a full magazine in two bursts of fire. Around 3 or four rounds land on the 3 targets.

Diana: Alert! Melee attacker on top of you..

Hearing the alert made Trevor turns to a supine position. He aims his rifle one handed on the enemy on top of him, his left reaching for the pistol. The attacker kicks his rifle away and was about to hit him with a large machete. Trevor drops the rifle and closes his eyes

A shot rings out from a far as the attacker's blade flies in the air, in shock the attacker turns his head, giving Trevor the chance to double tap the enemy on top of him while the machete drops point first one inch to the right side of his head.

Trevor: Diana!!!

Trevor lets the rifle go and grabs the machete near his face while executing a back roll landing in a knight's kneeling position.

DIANA: Two behind, 4 and 7 o'clock

Shifting his knees as he turns, he uses that momentum to throw the machete towards the enemy to his left.  He then stands up  drawing the second pistol, doing a dual wield, and forces a jump to the back while he sprays the enemy to his right with bullets, he leans to his right a bit in the air. As he lands he rolls further to his right.

DIANA: all targets cleared

Trevor: Where are the other two?

DIANA: They were killed by the defenders while you were fighting off that other guy with a blade...

Trevor: Good...

Trevor started walking towards the kitchenette... just as a breeze passes him by, Trevor Approaches the hut and the defender earlier welcomes him.

Defender 1: Good work out there, partner!

Trevor: Ain't it for all of us...

Defender 1: Nah... You did the heavy lifting.

Trevor: Thanks... For saving my hide back there.

Defender 1: That ain't me, That is the Head cook, been atop the building the whole time.

Trevor: Well might I say Hi to the sheriff?

Defender 1: He ain't one but he'd be glad to meet your crazy hide. Follow me, I 'd lead the way.

The Defender leads Trevor up the stairs and unto the foray atop the Hut. He sees a familiar face, a well built man with a short stature but looks around his early 20's.  He shows a mix of Asian and Hispanic features, His face looks bright for someone good enough to take precision shots.

Defender 1: This here is the Head Cook...

The defender leaves the two alone.

Trevor: Top of the Morning to you.

Head cook: All the same, Partner. What can my petty establishment do to such a good Leo like you?

Trevor relaxes his posture.

Trevor: Ain't one, I am looking for a crew than can fight and can cook, I got a boat that will tour the world.

Head Cook: Mighty interesting, so are you saying you can bring me and this bunch of wisecracks to a tour around the world?

Trevor: Yep, maybe even outside this stinking planet.

Head cook: That is a very nice proposition, any proof I can believe you?

Trevor: Well for starters, My name is Zupang, Trevor Zupang.

Trevor extends his right hand...

Head Cook: Well met Mr. Zupang, I am the Head cook of this establishment, El Vino "The Bruno" Newtown; you can call me Bruno or The Bruno for short.

Bruno reaches out to form a hand shake.

Trevor: Well met, Bruno.  Now about my proposition, I will gladly take you and a crew of 10 to my boat. Food and lodging provided.

Bruno releases Trevor's hand. He changes his pose to a more interrogative form. He puts his hands on his waist as he rests his weight on a leg whilst tapping one of his foot.

Bruno: What is the catch?

Trevor: You will be my head cook, on the ship I am gonna be commanding soon. And, you might never be back in this sorry excuse of a planet.

Bruno scratches his head and think for a few seconds.

Bruno: I made my peace with this planet long ago, my crew they are different, and some got families and mouths to feed.

Trevor: I can allow 2 families to join the boat, only 4 members for each family. The rest we can support with their pay; paid in gold.

Bruno: that is a hard bargain to pass on, my man.

The bright looking man looks towards the northern battlefield. He takes a deep breath as he sees his people cleaning up the battlefield. Then, he turns his gaze towards the shanty town to the east. He sees the families of his men. At this moment he wonders if he can bring peace for these people.

Bruno: Well you look like you got yourself a warring cook.