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The chess game ended and the night settled in and the two men again spoke over drinks.
"Dankien, it's been great to be able to re-establish some repertoire between us. It's been entirely too long and a bit bitter at times," he said.
He referred to the time when TAZ chose to avoid conflict in the Omicrons when his former group needed his support. Doc wanted to move forward, not backward and it was evident.
"When you leave tomorrow, I will stay an extra day to get this place settled and then return to Med Force One in Omega 49," he spoke. "I will re-evaluate my mansion on Gran Canaria. It may be cold but it's still liveable." He then looked around the cabin and back at Dankien, "I'll always have this place. Maybe one day I'll run for governor of Erie and get the influence of Liberty out of the system." He made the statement with a smile as if he meant it.
"For now, I do look forward to scientific and medical progress with our new partnership."
After some more small talk, he retired for the evening.
Dankien remembers the dark times of the corsair wars. "You know, OSI broke the zoner alliance, not TAZ. OSI is the one to blame in that story. But, anyway, this is the past, and everything is forgiven.
At this time, we, the zoners of the omicrons, believed that all zoners were united in case of aggression. But we were wrong, and the corsair wars was just the crisis that revealed it. Of course, it was a great disappointment for us and after that, I must admit we had some bitterness toward OSI. Some deals with them were canceled. However, I can't remember we blamed TAZ for lack of support. Actually, if I remember correctly you provided some medical assistance to us and that was appreciated.
Now, I don't have high expectations from people, especially from zoners. We might share some ideas about what should be the society. But I know that there is an individualist trend in each of us and that very few are able to overcome it in critical situations."
Dankien smiles: "I will be waiting for the day you free the Pennsylvania system from Liberty. Good night".
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The following morning, Doc again had an old world country breakfast waiting for his friend. He also had a cryocube style container with fish and deer meat from his smoke house.
"This will keep well beyond when you get back to 74," he explained.
Next to it was a long, narrow box containing the rifle Dankien had fired the day before. With it was a cleaning kit, two extra loading rods and several boxes of ammo to include one of the latest and greatest ammo Doc had mentioned.
"I will be leaving tomorrow or the next day," Doc explained, "I have a few things to settle here but rest assured, I won't be long in getting to work."
He then put an arm over Dankien's shoulder as he smiled, "Thank you, Old Friend. You've given me something to look forward to....something to work for."
As he released Dankien, he finished, "As to leading Erie? One day maybe. I don't suspect I'll fair that well but it's a worthy cause. But.....maybe one day. For now, I have lives to save. WE have lives to save."
"Whenever you are ready I will assist you with your things," he finished.
Once again Dankien enjoyed his breakfast and was sincerely touched by Doc's gifts.
(seeing the cryocube containing fish and deer) "This is so kind, you should have not, I really appreciate. Thank you so much!"
Then when Doc brought the riffle kit, Dankien is embarrassed. "Oh wow... That's too much, I cannot accept..." But he let Doc convince himself to accept this new gift and warmly hugged Doc. "It was been years since I receive so much friendship, thank you again for everything, I had a wonderful journey. I will contact you soon."
In the morning, Skip arrived at the cabin and after Dankien said goodbye to Doc, both went back to Bristol. During the travel they discussed about Doc, how Skip met him, etc. When arrived at Bristol, Dankien proposed to pay a drink to Skip to thank him.
Then, he took the shuttle for the capital's spaceport where he left his ship 2 days ago. He reached the hangar, paid the bill, packed his things. During his journey with Doc the ship has been refueled. While still thinking to his meeting with Doc, he started the engine and proceeded across the atmosphere, programmed the nav-computer to reach Freeport 2 automatically and went for a nap.
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It was midday when Doc returned to his haven from Bristol. A light lunch was in order and preparation for a morning departure began.
Doc wore a light smile. He was satisfied and had a feeling of accomplishment. He had people to work with again and new purpose.
Still, he found time to catch his evening meal and tend to George and Gracie. It was towards evening when he sat by the water to smoke his pipe that he realized......old habits mustn't return. Rather than light it, he put the pipe back in his pocket and dumped out the tobacco.
He headed into his upstairs room to pack his things.
While crossing half of Sirius, Dankien has all the time to think again to the last days spent on planet Erie. He was not sure what he would find there, but the meeting with Doc Holliday was so great that it definitively overcome his expectations. More than officially starting the collaboration, the discussions with Doc Holliday really inspired him, giving him an additional will to conduct the Seraphim tasks.
When arriving in omicron-74, his friends and colleagues cannot miss his self-confidence and happiness.
![[Image: 7Md2x4D.png]](https://i.imgur.com/7Md2x4D.png)
