A simple quest for freedom

[Erremnart]

A sidejob 3

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"Do you have children?", Nicole asked Virginia as she was lying on crude bed with her younger brother Martin. They took shelter for the night in one of the cheaper establishments as walking outside around midnight would be more than suspicious even for a woman with two children, and could attract unwanted attention from LPI and Bounty Hunters. Which is something Virginia was not willing to risk, especially with her less than fortunate idea of showing off her face Liberty-wide and cheap clothing with scarf and different makeup have their limits.
"No, I don't. I am too young for that.", Virginia shook her head and sat in the worn armchair next to bed, "And you two should be sleeping right now.".
"Will you have kids?", Nicole replied with another question, but this time she cut too deeply. Virginia sighed as she was not able to reply immediately. Previously - her answer was always no because she way young and wild, and wanted to experience more life, and in addition - her military careers in former Hellfire Legion and current Insurgency were too important for her.
But now - she was with Nicole and Martin only for several hours and she changed already. She feels different, thinks different and feels way older and responsible than before.
"Why are you sad, auntie V? Did I said something wrong?", Nicole asked her again as she haven't received a reply yet. Virginia sighed again and look at her, "That's nothing. It was just long day for you two and me.", she replied quietly and continued, "As for your question - no, I won't have kids.".
"Why not?", asked Nicole curiously again.
"Because for a family, you need mommy and daddy, Nicole. Like in the fairy tales - prince and princess, and I haven't found my prince yet.", Virginia decided to reply in a nice, gentle lie, a perfect lie for a child like Nicole. No need to tell small girl like her truth about Drug addiction, which would be passed through her bloodline.
"Will you find him?", Nicole's curiosity grew with each passing question.
"No, go to sleep. It's late already.", replied Virginia and leaned her back against armchair's backrest.
"Nooo...", protested Nicole and booed at her.
"One last question - and then you go to sleep, alright?", tried to get her sleeping already pretty tired Virginia.
"Two questions.", pushed Nicole her luck.
"One. Your brother is already sleeping.", nodded Virginia at the Martin already sleeping next to Nicole.
Nicole finally pulled her blanket under her chin and looked at Virginia sleepily, "Will you find your prince, auntie?".
Virginia smiled at her and replied with another gentle lie, "Yes. Every princess will find her prince. Now - good night and sweet dreams. You will get home tomorrow.". Virginia did not trust security of this place much, so she opted for a more soldier-like arrangement to not allow herself to sleep deeply and decided to sleep in armchair. She reached for a light switch and turned the lights off.
"Good night, auntie.".

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Virginia leaned against the wall in dusty hallway and waved with a fake smile at the Nicole and Martin as they walked to their apartment front door. She already wrapped her scarf around her head to somewhat cover her face during the daylight, but still, she did not wanted to be seen by their father. It was too risky for him and them. She is wanted criminal and farther she will be away from this family, the better. She knew that they have been safe around here, but still felt tensed up - ready to jump into action should anything bad would happen to them.
As their surprised and worried father opened door and hugged his missing kids, Virginia already slipped around hallway's corner and walker quickly out of the apartment block. She had a shuttle to catch after all.

---

Like a stupid, silent superhero, went through her mind as she was leaning against the concrete wall at shady looking starport. There was even an LPI officer walking around sporadically and maintaining official presence, but she earned a way more money from bribes than actual wage and she was basically blind to everything around her.
All kinds of conflicting emotions were rushing through her mind. She drew on her cigarette as she waited for her flight back to Bethlehem Station. No matter that she stopped smoking several years ago - now it was exactly what she needed to calm her thoughts and think through all of this.

Virginia closed her and drew on her cigarette again. Her initial objective was a failure - whatever information 'Fixer' found about her older brother was in his assailants or LPI's hands. Marcus' trail went cold, there was nothing she could do about it at this moment. Her contacts were limited before and now she is basically blind and clueless.
Same with any possible leads on 'Fixer's' Drug sources. Several weeks remaining and you are dry again, she said for herself as she evaluated her situation. Maybe she can ambush some Drug smugglers and confiscate claim some stuff from their wreckage, but that's quite risky to pull off among her fellow Insurgents. Certainly not pushing her luck with another Outcast personally anytime soon, her ribs and neck still hurt since that encounter onboard Barrier Station.

"Hey there.", said young looking man in typical brown spacer clothing in front her and disturbed her thoughts. Virginia drew on her cigarette and exhaled cloud of smoke into his face, "Hi, get lost. I am not harlot for a hire.". She instinctively went into her pissed off demeanor again.
He looked nice, friendly and he could have been her prince, but everything she wanted now is to be alone. Virginia was in already foul mood as she could not stop herself thinking about Nicole and Martin, and what she felt when she was around them. Stranger remained standing near her as if he hoped that she will change her mind, but then he went to spend his time chatting with other, much friendlier fellow passengers.

She drew on her cigarette for the last time and threw it away. Now it was time to take her ride back home.