The Nordic Troll sat in an open field refueling from a large wheeled tank drawn by six horses. The ship had landed safely and delivered the bodies of the Browncoat soldiers to the waiting relatives. Now the ship rested while the memorial service took place.

In the engineroom, Aldous and Lewis worked to restore the engines to an operational level. Lewis held up a dented coil and said “What about this one?”

Aldous peered over the engine housing and said “That one goes back. It’ll last a little longer.”

Lewis restored the coil to the manifold he’d removed it from.

In the ship’s med bay Anna had regained consciousness. Despite her evident recovery, Doc insisted that Anna stay there for another day. Since Doc and Loomie had nothing to do, they were keeping Anna company. Anna asked Loomie where she learned how to fly a ship. “I was on a freighter with Aldous and I hung out on the bridge a lot” Loomie explained. “The pilot on there taught me how to fly. He was a good teacher and it’s really not that hard.”

Doc was curious. “Sounds like you had a good deal there. How’d you wind up here?”

Loomie sighed “The same guy wanted some play for teaching me to fly. Aldous caught him trying something and beat the crap out of him and we got kicked off the ship.”

Anna winced. “Tough break.”

Doc responded “Well, rules are a lot more flexible out in the black. Sometimes you’re at the mercy of your captain, your crew and whoever else is out there.”

“I noticed that” Anna said thoughtfully. “That’s why I think Lewis and I need to get off the ship. It’s too dangerous for us out here.”

Loomie looked shocked. “But you just got here! It’s not always like this. We just had a bad day, that’s all.”

Anna looked at her “But that’s part of the point. How many more bad days are you gonna have? And what if next time it’s Lewis who gets hurt? I don’t think I could handle that.”

Doc looked at Ann