sidebar image

Interlude 8

Time CY 10089 AD Oct 5166
Location: the Halcyon system

In the outermost reaches of the Halcyon system a rip in space formed. After a moment the starship emerged from the rip, her battle blades extended and weapon ports open. The injuries she had received in the battle 300 years ago had healed, but there were fresh wounds in her hull. Had there been an observer present they would have been able to read the writing on her bow as she emerged from the rip. The writing read Andromeda Ascendant.

Chapter 8 Chapter 10

Alternity - Chapter 9

Hard Work and Preseverance

Time: CY 10089 AD Oct 5166
Location: the Tri-Galaxy shipping offices

chapter illustration "I must admit that I'm sorry to see you leave, Captain Valentine . Is there any way we can convince you to remain in our employ? "

"It was a pleasure working for you, sir," said Beka to the man who had been her employer for the past six months. "But I'd rather be my own boss."

It actually had been a pleasure working for the man. Tri-Galaxy was an FTA affiliated organization but unlike the majority of them it had a soul. It had been a hard six months, but for the first time in years Beka was feeling truly optimistic about the future. Six months running cargo on the Sinti-Mobius-Halcyon loop. Six days to make the trip, then four days in port before making the run again. From Beka's point of view the sweetest part of the deal was that Tri-Galaxy had picked up the cost for some much needed repairs on the Maru's engines and navigation system, plus they were paying the docking fees. Additionally,she had been allowed to fill any unused cargo space with cargo of her own.

Trance had taken a job at one of the local clinics. Harper hadn't been very happy about it as it meant that she and Aurora had to live off ship when the Maru was running the loop, but Trance had insisted, stating that they would still be together four days out of ten, and that even after the cost of her room at a local boarding house was subtracted from her pay, she was still bringing in much needed money. Beka had backed her up and after a great deal of grumbling Harper had acquiesced.

Harper started spending his down time doing repairs on other Tri-Galaxy ships. He was only being paid apprentice wages but it was additional income. He was working sixteen hours a day and running on adrenaline and caffeine but was as happy as Beka could ever remember seeing him.

They had spent the past six months working like galley slaves but it now looked as if it was all going to pay off. They had been on the last run of their contract when city that contained the main computer chip manufacturing facility on Halcyon had been leveled in an earthquake. Casualties had been light but the destruction of the factory and the resultant expected shortage of chips had sent their price soaring to astronomical levels throughout the planet. The truly outstanding part of the equation was that the Sinti manufacturing plants had produced a surplus of chip and they were selling at rock bottom prices. The crew had pooled their savings and had even taken out a loan to purchase a cargo hold full of them. Beka expected that they could undercut the price of any competitors and still make a small fortune. She would be able to pay off all her debts and for the first time in years be free.

A smile of understanding crossed the mans face as he held out his hand. "I understand. I would do the same if our positions were reversed. I must admit you appear to have scored quite a coup with the situation on Halcyon. The expiration of our contract couldn't have come at a better time for you and your crew. I expect that I'll be hearing a great deal about you in the future."

"You can count on it."


Chapter 8 Chapter 10