pte

. She grumbled as she pulled herself from the bed. She had not b

ging stopped as the door slid open. A tall man with the bulk of a football player stood framed in her doorway. He wore wire rimmed glasses and a three-piece pin striped suit. His skin had that pale look that let her know he didn't spen

u?" She asked.

d, his voice showing a hint

my most polite whe

y time, a weird version of time that had been established to keep everyone on the same schedul

anyway. Come on in. Can I

motioned him in and the door shut behind

just invited a stranger in for coffee. Elena shook her head. Earthside her paranoid nature would have stopped him at the door and asked for id and still made him only

ho you were." She commented. Elena ran a hand through her chin length black hair. It r

eler's connecting. She couldn't remember the exact wording, but she knew who they were. Their job was to help find passage for people without ships who needed to get to or from the Docking Facility. Her grandfather occasi

k, Mr. Valentine. I haven't mana

me Benjamin." She handed him the m

ing paying attention to her dreams the headache aftermath of the Calling fade

heard of

omething to that effect

uit pocket and pulled out a slim silver case. He popped it open and pulled out a business ca

re here be

ack earthside, close to your listed home port. Or close

na said sippi

emaining at the Docking Facility wh

eally comfortable with someo

. "As a reputable agency we are allowed to check. We look at all of the outbound

needs t

limating to more earthside focused living before integrating with the system." Elena smiled at the phrasing, remembering her shock after spending so much time skyside. An adjustment period was always needed. Benjamin pulled two

re?" She asked, k

he trip back in addition to a small fee to cover th

sted are on the

es

t them and l

Benjamin stood and offered her

gers Mr. Valentine." Benjam

the third

ces, would they be on

dly provide any r

ng as part of my crew

basic tasks and I am a very good cook. I would be willing to serve

reason for trave

visit there?" There was a teasing glint to Benjamin'

was a deep barrel laugh that echoed out of his massive chest and rolled over her. "The two other passengers have

not used in transit before. And you are traveling to a port not used for connections before. In

icat

business the entire Council is watching as a model for expansion, acting as a military liaison and being named Frie

en a busy

her. She held out her hand to shake. He shook it

cally all channel riders fell into the category of smugglers. Trafficking was just the line the Guild drew for what was acceptable smuggled cargo and what wasn't. Unacceptable had more to do

p folder. Please let me know if there is anything else you require." She wa

e told him. He nodded. "I'll let you

Calabrese. We w