“I think this is the last of the supplies Jay,” said Rick to his friend as he carried a large plastic crate into the cargo bay at the back of the mosquito class micro-transport. Two weeks had passed since the Willowbrook Shire had been delivered and she was finally ready for her first voyage into the black. Jason and Rick had spent that time going over the ship cleaning, painting and doing minor repair work where necessary.

“I reckon that’s about it, then,” replied Jason. “You sure that your ready to do this.”

“Ready as I'll ever be." Rick shuddered inwardly. Neither of them had any flight experience, and though he had watched Jason running flight simulations for hours every evening for the last few weeks, Rick had a feeling there was some differences between that and the real thing. "Where are we off to first?”

“First is a short hop over to Evesdown docks to fuel up, and also take on some cargo.”

“Cargo?” asked Rick, “Thought we were just off to look for your sister.”

“That we are,” replied Jason, “but you would be surprised how much coin it takes to fuel and supply a ship like this. Even my funds would run out eventually. Besides, this job’ll be just about perfect to that end.”

Noticing the strange look Jason was getting from his friend he continued, “It’s an alliance mail route, should take us through most of the planets and moons in the system before the end of the year. In the mean time, it’ll cover the cost of fuel and food and such.”

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A couple hours later found the small ship settled into a birth at Evesdown dock. Jason was rather proud of himself, his first real flight, and shaky as it had been, no crashing or flames had ensued.

“Hey Jay,” said his friend interrupting him. “Some fellas here ta see ya. That want us ta go with ‘em ta see some guy named Badger.”

“They with the port authority?” asked Jason.

“Don’t think so,” came the reply.

“Then whey should I?”

“I’m thinking because they have guns pointed at