Elite: Dangerous

Going Home

Aisling watched the people buzzing around on the square, while she enjoyed the sweet taste of orange juice. She had to give Barker credit for running this place the way she did. Most stations at the rim of the civilised world offered nothing but the bare necessities. Space stations usually used every square inch of space, and plants were grown in hydroponic gardens for food and to produce oxygen, not for leisure.

However, humans had learned early on that bringing a piece of their home planet with them, was as necessary as providing food and water, and every station as big as a Coriolis station had at least one park, including artificial sunlight.

Small stations and outposts usually didn’t produce enough energy, and simply didn’t have enough room to house a working ecosystem. And maintaining the supply of food and oxygen was hard work at the best of times. Providing plants and living animals for mental well-being was simply out of reach most of the time. It was poorly replaced by virtual reality, and people regularly went insane on small outposts; a phenomenon that was known as tin-can-rage among starfarers.

So, having a small garden with actual grass and trees, and provide the occasional citrus fruit was a tremendous achievement that people who lived on terraformed planets or giant Orbis star ports rarely understood.

Aisling’s attention was returned to the woman sitting opposite her, when she spoke again.

“The square is some sort of sanctum for many people here.” Barker said. “It’s taken care of and maintained mostly by volunteers. All the local businesses contribute money to it as well.”

“I’m impressed.” Aisling replied. “It’s a wonderful way to keep up morale.”

“A great incentive for people, and they are much more likely to identify with the place, than if they where met by police force.” Barker agreed. “Crime rates are a lot lower here than on other outposts.”

Aisling smiled. “I guess that depends on your definition of crime.”

Barker laughed. “Are you suggesting we’re smugglers?”

“I’m not suggesting anything.” Aisling countered. “You’re outside imperial jurisdiction, you can make your own laws.”

“Good to know that.”

“I have a suggestion to make though.” Aisling made a pause, allowing Barker to prepare. “I would like to install a contact on this station, so we can stay in touch. If you need anything, we will be able to help.”

Barker raised an eyebrow. “And why I should trust that contact?”

Aisling smiled. “Name someone of your trust, and I can make sure, they can stay in touch with us.”

“And what would that cost me?” Barker asked. “An arm and a leg?”

“I want you to be neutral.”

“We are neutral!”

“It means, if there was to be a civil war, don’t do weapons deals, and don’t harbour those who do.”

“What makes you think, I’ll trade in arms?”

“Well, I just want your word it stays that way. In return, we’ll help you out from time to time, and I’ll make sure that the rest of the galaxy stays blissfully unaware of your little operation here.”

“Mh.” Barker took a sip of her juice. “I’ll consider your offer.”

“I hope you will learn to trust me.” Aisling smiled encouragingly.

“Anwen trusts you. That gives you a head start with me. She likes you, you know?”

“I do. After all, she came to me willingly. I never forced her into allegiance.”

Barker laughed. “That’s not what I meant. She likes you. Don’t tell me she didn’t hit on you while you were out there.”

“Oh.” Aisling looked puzzled. “I don’t know. She was very kind and caring.”

Barker grinned. “Yup that’s her. She doesn’t make friends easily, but if she does, you can count on her, no matter what. Just be careful, when you get, well closer.”

“Is this the moment, where you tell me not to break her heart?” Aisling couldn’t help but smile. She thought of last night when they had, in all innocence, shared the makeshift bed on the Merope, and concluded, she’d definitely liked to do this again. Just maybe not in a life-threatening situation.

“It’s not so much her heart am worried about. Even the bonds of true love wouldn’t be able to stop her from hopping on a spaceship and launching herself into the unknown. She left a couple of broken hearts in her wake. So you either go with her, or she will leave you behind.”

Aisling felt a strong wave of empathy with the older woman. “I see.” She said. “I’ll promise I’ll be careful.”

Anwen had been sleeping for what felt like days. Although she was used to getting along with very little sleep, she enjoyed not having to check on the ship every two or four hours. And the -compared to her quarters on the Merope, large and comfortable bed, had embraced her and lured her into a deep sleep.

When she got up again she felt refreshed and her outlook on the future was not as grim, as it had been yesterday. Still, the loss of the Merope had hit her like the loss of a friend. Although she knew that the ship was just steel, glass and computers, it still had had a personality, and after all they had been through she couldn’t help but be sad.

But the new day allowed her to focus on the things that counted: The Merope was history. And she still had a job to do. The princess still needed a lift to Auserid, and to do that, she needed a ship. Luckily, she knew just where to find what she needed. Before she went to Meredith however, she went down, to the lower docking bays. As she suspected the ship was still there. It was an old Viper Mark IV. She had not set out into space in a while, but on quick inspection the ship looked all right.

After taking a close enough look to be sure, that the ship was in a reasonable condition, she took the lift to the central deck to see Meredith.

“Ah, good morning!”, Meredith greeted her. “I trust, you slept well?”

“Yes, I did.” Anwen answered. “I, uhm, I wanted to say thank you for all you did for us. I know, we haven’t parted on the best terms, and. Well, I guess, I’m sorry.”

“I’m alright.” Meredith smiled encouragingly. “As you see, I built myself a nice little nest here. And I know you: You wouldn’t be happy, doing runs into the empire. You need to be out there.”

She made a gesture that was directed at the stars beyond the walls of the station.

“I never understood that. And we both know that.”

“Still, I’m sorry, I just left you behind.”

“That’s just the way it is. I came to terms with the fact, that you belong somewhere among the stars. And I never did.”

Meredith leaned back in her chair. “And now, you are going to ask me, if the Chrysaor still flies.”

“You know me.” Anwen sighed. “I know how much you already did for us. But, yeah, I need a ship to finish my job, and bring the princess to Auserid.”

“You know that I always took good care of her, so yes, of course she flies. Hasn’t been in space for a while, but she’s in good shape.” Meredith grinned. “Don’t tell me you didn’t go to the docks to see her for yourself.”

“I did.”

“I want that ship back, Anwen. I’m serious. If you get shot down with her, I’m coming for your arse!”

Anwen smiled. “You’ll get her back in one piece. Promised.”

The princess looked around the ship. “Cosy.” She said. “There aren’t many Mark IV’s in this part of the galaxy.”

“I know, it’s no luxury transport. It only has a small bunk to sleep in.”

Aisling grinned. “So you want to cuddle again?”

Anwen blushed. “I’ll…, I’ll stay in the pilot’s seat.”

The princess laughed. “You’re adorable, you know that?”

The commander coughed. “Well, anyway. The ship is build to be in space for a week, so we shouldn’t have any problems.”

Aisling looked around. “The Viper is a short range fighter, do you think we get to Auserid non-stop?”

“Definitely. This ship was refitted as a reconnaissance ship. Manned by two, it could operate in enemy territories for days. And it has a very thin heat signature.”

“I guess. OK, it’s old, but this is military technology. How did you get your hands on that?” Aisling wondered.

“If I told you, I would have to kill you, I’m afraid.” Anwen grinned.

“I revoke the question. As long as it gets us home.”

“You’re ready?”

“Yes. Let’s do this!”

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