Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. I’m just playing. No money being made. The situations come from my own twisted mind as do my original characters.

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AN: Getting closer to the end of the arc folks. Just a few more to finish this up.

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Quest - Chapter Twenty Seven

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“I like what you did with the engine bracing,” Allan said as he pulled himself out of a small access tunnel.

“I may have been a slave but I'm a damn good Engineer,” Elizabeth Pike, replied, “I don't build go-se.”

“That I can see... son of a bitch. Did you come up with this?” Allan said as he stared at a new piece of equipment. He was being given a tour of the Quest Copy Altair had built.

“I did,” Elizabeth said proudly.

Allan grinned at the young woman. Now cleaned up and wearing normal clothing instead of the garb of a slave, Elizabeth Pike looked only a few years older than his daughter to Allan.

“What kind of efficiency increase did you get?”

“Eighteen percent reduction in fuel use when charging the field coils.”

“Damn,” Allan muttered, “You sure you don't want to come work for Blue Sun?”

Elizabeth chuckled, “Not likely.”

Allan smiled and nodded, “Then I better make sure our shipbuilding division watches their backs with you at the helm of Altair.”

“I'm honored that you think that, Dr. Bryant.”

“You better call me Allan.”

“Then you better call me, Beth.”

“Okay, Beth.”

“What's the next step?” the former slave asked.

“I've arraigned for Blue Sun Capital to loan Altair the funds to pay the back wages owed the slaves held by your departed brother. At zero percent I might add. If you want it.”

Beth's eyes widened in surprise, “Want it? Who do I have to sleep with to get that deal?”

Allan chuckled, “No one. All I want is this ship. And the license fees paid for the three other copies.”

“How much are we talking about here?” Beth asked.

“Ten million credits... each.”

“Ten... million?” Beth gasped.

I know it's a lot, Beth. But look at it this way. It's o