armed the docking area. People, selling everything from food to good luck charms and merchants lookin

eren't human and the very distinct smell of humans who had been shipboard long enough to need a real shower. Deciding she fell into that l

he Storm Chaser. It was a fairly common arrangement for a new c

na shook her head at the mess. How the Council managed to clear an entire port out during the military visit was a feat beyond her comprehens

without compensation. The Docking Facility wasn't exactly a scientific destination, but a hub of commerce. 'Still it wasn't my problem.' Lat

sailor looked annoyed as Jenna pushed past him. He clicked what were no doubt obscenities in his native tongue at her back

y reaching Elena. They hugged. Elena note

"Some Matrovians wanted t

ery year. We ran into a b

dgal was Donas territory last time I wa

elight, " Je

many of her family had ships of their own so Jenna hired out as a contract pilot. Elena always

ust walking into port. Elena put his age about mid sixties. His steel gray hair was cropp

lena commented, thinkin

at bad." Jenna's stomach growled and she grinned sheepishly. "Those last second escapes always make me hu

that had been fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the in. It was a finger food meant to be eate

ught of the small boar like creatures as she twisted the cap on her drink open. She had gone with swe

e turned into fast food? I don't think they have much space for tho

light and Elena found herself laughing easily. It was good to forget the weightier concerns. And she had

the tiredness echo in Jenna's face as well. They cleaned up their table and said their goodbyes. Elena continued her trek towards her quarters but managed no

vening,

tal state to bandy words with a council member. Somehow she thought Riko k

u made earlier. Five Matrove

f Riko knew about the earlier run than she knew Elena w

. You must no do

I was on my way to

The older woman was a good three inches shorter than Elena and had the look of doll-like fragility. Her reputation was as ruthless as Peter's however a

d that Mateo

p to have him close during the preliminary phase." Elena was pleased that R

thought about

he very preliminary stages of work. At the

hen th

il member without assurances and conditions. If she became entangled with Riko there

er pocket. "And I will leave you to your rest. We will be seeing each other later." Riko turned away from the door and continued slowly

Riko would appear every time she entered the Docking Facility. She hoped not. With the military dogging her steps earthside, she needed some escape. A council member popping up here would eliminate that es