You may have to stand alone...

[Sandoval]

The Maltse gunship Sandoval, banked gracefully making her final approach to Valletta Shipyard. Her NAV and COM systems needed attention and her Captain's cardimine meter was chirping a warning to replace his empty cylinder. The problem was, he'd been out too far for too long and he was bone dry. Normally this wouldn't be a cause for concern but he'd been listening to that chirp for the last two systems and he was starting to feel the effects of cardi depravation. Some liken the feeling to withdrawl symptoms from narcotics. Javier had never done narcotics... so he couldn't compare... but his stomach was as tight as a drum... and his skin was beginning to feel like it was being stretched and torn from his frame. This was not good.

"Sandoval... you are clear to dock", the mechanical voice informed him. The sequence had already begun, Sandoval would take it from here, Javier thought... as he removed his seat restraints and waited for the sound of the hard seal. There was an audiable "thump" and some hissing... only then did Sandoval open her pressure doors to allow the sweet and pungent taste of the "Orange Dream" into his nostrils.

"Much better", Javier said, clearly relieved.

He took another deep breath and started toward the offices. He had an appointment with Command and he did not want to be late. They would want to know the situation with Ageria and what was being done about their cursed pharmaceuticals.

Javier grabbed some replacement cylinders and headed to the meetings, confident that his last patrol log would be pleasing to his superiors. After all, Five Ageria transports... had to return home with empty bays and no profit to show for it. It had been a good patrol.

So why then was he standing outside the office doors, lingering like an apprehensive school boy?

Sandoval's Captain stood tall and entered the room.

"Javi!"

---