Jason stumbled back, surprised at the force of the blow from small slip of a woman. When he recovered he regarded the girl before him. It took him a moment to recognize her, the girl from the post office.

“Lisa?”

“It’s Sarah, you idiot. Can’t you even remember my name you petty crook? Lost my job cuz of you! Almost got cited and fined on top of that. Ain’t been able to get a payin job since.”

“I, um,” Jason stumbled for words. This strange turn of events had him speechless.

“Don’t wanna hear it Ather-Jay or whatever the hell your damn name is.” Sarah picked up her duffel bag and walked from the room toward the back of the ship. Jason following after her, no small bit worried that she might rat him out for his stunt at the post office.

Jason had just finished descending the steep metal stairs into the cargo bay as Sarah walked out the back of the ship and into the waning sunlight. There was not way he could catch up to her, but then something she saw made her freeze, duffel bag clutched in white knuckles. She turned and walked back until she met him on the ramp of the lowered cargo bay door.

“Seems to me you owe me. I want passage to your next stop.”

“Free passage is it now?” exclaimed Jason. For a moment he stood looking into her fiery green eyes.

“Half price,” she then walked past him, crossed the cargo bay, and began ascending the steps back to the kitchen.

“Fine.” Jason was suddenly feeling very spun about. So much so he barely noticed Lieutenant Reed nod to him as he walked by the ship, followed by his lackey minions.

-------------------------------------

No sooner than the ship had left atmo than they were hailed again by one of the small Alliance patrol ships that controlled the space surrounding the Core Planet.

“Gorramit,” exclaimed Jason before acknowledging the hail.

“You are ordered to hold position and prepare for boarding.”

“Search all you like, I have no cargo,” answered Jason honestly.

“We are searching for a suspect in a criminal inv