Together with loneliness.

[Dratai]

Hudson, Manitoba station surroundings

Even closer to present day concerns

---

A few calls and deals later, and money well in hand, a motley crew of all kinds of colours, from the hidden corners of even pirate society were standing in the dock area in and around. Not the most likely folk to appear in space chiefly patrolled by the Guildsmen, but if they were known troublemakers flying registered ships, it would be more of a problem. The rest was solved with money, the kind that made people look away for an hour.

Two people watching the goings on, directing something from each their own ship. A makeshift in-space docking between two vessels, at least one slightly 'flexible' libertonian and rheinland official waiting on the station with an account slightly flush with credits and a smuggler on the way to the brig.

A roundabout, legal mutiny. He'd been 'caught' smuggling things in and out of liberty space, this time via rheinland. The pilot for the quiet hours shift had 'taken a stand' and tipped them off. Legally, she'd put in as much as the captain had, into the ship, and twice as much work over time, but her hands had been tied contesting ownership... And most of the profit. It was borderline slavery, but Minerva had a friend. And the friend now had money. And she had contacts, manpower, skills her friend needed.

Lusus was in the middle of familiarizing newly trained crew with their Corvo class explorer, regretfully the market for their preferred option, a vector, had fallen apart.
Tech checks, equipment checks, custom software, generously provided by a... Well, Lusus was hesitant to call Erik a friend. He was trustworthy, sure, but the man was much too flush with money, and as far as bounty hunters went, he lived purely for the hunt. He'd never been criminal, and he'd honestly, likely, take any hit for the challenge. He somehow would get off scot free from a botched job regardless. Impressive, if more unnerving to those who knew more than Lusus keeping their helmet and visor on at all times. Some people just kept those on, probably.

Money and good personalities, and competent help as well, made people not care to talk about it, nor ask questions even in hushed voices.

Minerva was in a similar situation, she was getting familiar with the Archon class vessel that Lusus had procured off of Bristol's production line. Sure, the serenity she was going to keep flying, but knowing what the mining vessel could do and who to put where would be important.

Currently they were up to five vessels at a time, the plan had been four snubcraft, the archon and two freighters- They'd settled on the mining ship, the transport, the old camara and whatever Erik could spare at any given time. Likely either a gunboat or three different types of snubcraft. He was quite fond of his heavily modified vessels, even though sometimes they got scrapped, he knew who to ask to put a new one together in no time, just the way he liked it. Granted, the 'hunter' himself didn't much fancy escort duties but going into hostile territory was absolutely up his alley. Something about dying with honour, even if he constantly just never ended up doing so. It would catch up one day, until then, the vaguely religious aspect of his hunt was unsettling as much as it was reassuring.

And then the captain was out the airlock, on his way in a cargo hold off to the nearest brig and a deal completed. The vessels started impulsing out of range before anyone of the locals could get any second thoughts, of course, they'd all likely rendevous on a freeport somewhere.

In the meantime, the two conspirators had freed an old acquaintance from her bonds.
And were off to who knew where for the time being.