Around Sirius in 80 days

[Jack_Henderson]

Walking through the icy-cold wind of New Berlin, leaving the University Tower behind, Ana Catalina Estrella Chavez could not remember feeling that content in a  long time. If anybody had ever told her that she would once leave the top-floor office with a paycheck in her hand over several million Sirian Credits, she would have shaken her head in disbelief. But it was true. Looking over her shoulder as they were boarding the elevator to the New Berlin Space Port IV-A, she realized how far she had come.

It all had started with some chance encounter that had put Arcelia - her older sister - into contact with Hans von Goeben, a freelance scientist and expert on artifacts. Arcelia had told her that he likely was a smuggler more than everything else and that she should squeeze him for knowledge and take advantage of what he knows.

Things had turned out differently. Hans did not even recognize her as a scientist and she could not disagree any more after she had been working with him for a while. He had every right to call her a better rockcutter, perhaps at least one with a vision and a mind open enough to get somewhere outside in the larger universe - away from Crete and its clan conflicts.

She can't help but look at Hans and smirk when she compares these plans with what they have now. Not everything was great. Crete was locked for them now as their actions triggered a clan struggle between the Chavez and the Litaya clans on Crete, and obliterated a laboratory to cover their tracks. Regrettable. But at the moment the destruction was nothing more than negligible collateral damage. A sacrifice to freedom and a new start, new opportunities and challenges.

Meeting Hans has opened a new world to her, and living in this world was so much more exciting than her former life. His laboratory on his ship was more powerful and better stocked than the Chavez clan's main lab and not a day passed in which she would not learn something from Hans. His instruments and technical equipment were fascinating, the options this equipment opened still seemed limitless for her. She spent hours analysing samples that suddenly were so much more than just the rocks that were cut and sold on the black markets. And slowly she understood why Hans had been in shock when he first saw her 'scientific' work procedures. Artifacts were a world of their own.

Her past on Crete, marked by clan conflicts, famine, loss of members and a struggle for survival seemed far away right now. They had  plenty of  food here and the money in their pockets to have another good meal tomorrow. Or even tonight another one. She was not used to this, not yet at least.

There were great plans to break down even more of the barriers and perhaps... perhaps... she would return to Crete later to change things to the better. Perhaps. But first, she would go with Hans, completely explore the known universe, see foreign, far-away places, meet people and learn more about everything. And perhaps... perhaps... who can know what the future brings?

She looks to Hans again, smiling, and taking the arm Hans offered her: "Let's start this adventure." she says when they made their way out of the crowded elevator. She remembers how bad this experience was for the first time. Now, in a good mood, and knowing they did it, it was not that bad any more. "I'm really looking forward to it." she says when they board the ship and cue into the long row of undocking ships.

It's the beginning of the adventure.

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