Pre-P.S. Clue to what happened before can be found in Character Biographies, Simon Black topic. Check the signature for link.
-In Manchester space-
"Sheffeld station here..." - an emotionless voice answered Ichtans request to land. - "I read you... Put yourselves on the repaired area somewhere."
Simon was schocked by such a cold reply. He was used on warming welcomes, like the ones that he used to hear while serving in Federal Police. Ichtans voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I told you to stop with the day dreaming" - Ichtan sighed
"Sorry, I was just..."
"Land on the broken concrete" - Ichtan turned his head to the left after commanding reply, whispering himself - "This guy will kill both of us for sure"
They docked.
-Back on ground, inside Sheffeld-
Simon was taking off his helmet while approaching Ichtan, who was already sitting leaned back on the sidewalk, outside the elevators to launching pads, smoking a cigarette in a relaxed manner. There wasnt much traffic on this side of dock. No cargo lifters, few pilots walking across the lodging.
Simon took the helmet off, placing it under his arm. He was standing in front of his instructor, seeming lost.
"So..?"
Ichtan glanced up.
"So, what do I do now?" - Simon repeated the question.
Ichtan handed him a blaster. Simon took it, examining its shape.
"You got yourself a ship. What else do you want? This is not an academy for you" - Ichtan replied crossing his legs, taking another smoke into his lungs - "There wont be an inauguration"
Simon frowned in dissatisfaction.
"Alright, kid..." - Ichtan spoke up - "Sit down, I'll tell you whats what."
Simon sat nearby on the sidewalk. He put the blaster in his belt and placed his helmet in between of his legs, on ground. Ichtan looked up. He breathed out the smoke, watching cloud fading. A long pause followed. Simon couldnt bear the silence longer than Ichtan. He was the first one to break it.
"This part of the station seems remote"
"You're damn right its remote" - Ichtan nodded - "The station is overfilled with Bounty Hunters, we dont have enough docks to land in, therefore we have to place ourselves here. If you're worrying about the ship though, dont bother. This area may be unsupported, but it isnt unsafe"
Thoughts about the ship clearly wasnt the ones, which made Simon somewhat worried.
"Why are there so many Bounty Hunters here?" - He asked.
"We're on the edge of nowhere. One more trade lane jump and you're crawling all the way to Independent worlds. "Independent"... ha"
"How does all of this add up then?"
"Well" - Ichtan shook off the substance from his cigarette - "Thats what being Bounty Hunter is all about. We get called to places where no one else wants to go. Threat to life, they say..."
He took a pause to catch breath. Looking at his cigarette, which was almost done.
"Once we settle in properly, they want to get rid off us. Finally we outnumber the millitia, who are supposed to "control" us and then... then they want us out for good... Bloody goverment..." - Ichtan was getting lost at his memories, but then he came to himself and continued - "Being a Bounty Hunter means being alone, unless you find some followers to work and drink with"
Simon looked surprised.
"But I thought that the Guild ties you together" - He wondered.
"Ha.. The guild... It does nothing, but find us contracts and take share of OUR profits."
Ichtan noticed that Simon was somewhat depressed listening to him. He patted Simon on back to cheer him up, then stood up to finish his speech.
"Tell you what, though. When you're in space..." - Ichtan turned around to face Simon, who was still sitting on the sidewalk and smiled to him - "...Then you have to count on your wingmen"
Ichtan dropped his cigarette on ground and started walking towards exit. Simon stood up rapidly and was about to ask something, but Ichtan raised his hand in the air and walked away, leaving Simon to his thoughts.
Edit: This would probably more appropiorate in Biographies thread, so I'll copy/paste the thing.
![[Image: 14imk5h.jpg]](http://i43.tinypic.com/14imk5h.jpg)