Fully focused on pulling hard on the wrench for a final check that the amour plate was secure, Kai didn’t notice the two men sprinting towards her ship until they were closing in on the boarding ramp. In a swift motion, she leaped from under the ship and jumped in front of the ramp, catching them by surprise and blocking their way just in time.
   “Where do you two think you’re going?” Kai inquired, arms crossed, with a mixed look of surprise and discontent.
   Brin jumped in at the ready. “Sorry, Captain. You are the captain, correct? We’re just in a bit of a rush. We didn’t mean to startle you,” he said with a charming, nearly convincing smile.
   Kai gave him a half smile in return. “I’m sure you didn’t.” She stared at the two men, looking them up and down, pausing slightly at Elis who was half covered in blood before adding, “well as you can see, the ship is undergoing some repairs so she won’t be flying today. Best you be on your way.”
   Brin took a second to look in the direction of the meagre repairs. Kai ignored him. Thankfully deciding not to push the question, Brin attempted a second alluring smile. “Look, I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. My friend and I are in a bit of a hurry, as I mentioned.”
   Kai stood her ground. “I’m real sorry about that. I wish I could help. Maybe try docking area C, there are usually some ships for hire over there.”
   Brin took a deep, audible breath. “Look, I’m very sorry we tried to steal your ship,” he conceded, this time with a straight face. “We just need a ride off planet.” Looking at Kai unmoving, he added, “we can pay.”
   There was a moment of tense silence. It’s not like she had any good reason not to take the job, aside from their feeble attempt at robbing her and the fact that one of her potential new passengers was covered with an alarming amount of blood. She certainly needed the money, and she was always looking for a reason to fly. There was also a likely chance that she’d learn more about what had just happened and could disclose what she’d found out to Prav for a change.
   Not wanting to give in too easily, Kai insisted, “I’m not particularly inclined to have anything to do with whatever just happened in the business district, or did your friend get hurt some other way?”
   Brin creased his eyebrows and his right hand tightened into a fist, making it quite clear that he was getting increasingly irritated. “We’ll give you 5,000 credits,” he said. Elis looked at his companion in shock, slightly shaking his head.
   Kai too was taken aback. She could do a lot with 5,000 credits, supposing they weren’t going half-way across the galaxy.
“Where to?” she inquired.
   “A day’s trip,” Brin answered.
   Five thousand credits for a day’s trip. These two were clearly desperate. Wondering how desperate, she decided to give it a shot. “10,000,” she countered, “if you’d like to keep your trip off the record, that is.”
   “No way,” Elis said in disbelief.
   “8,000 credits when we arrive, final offer,” Brin interjected.
   “Deal,” Kai said before Elis had time to react. “Now if one of you would kindly pick-up my tools from under the ship, we’ll be on our way.”
   Brin looked at Elis who simply stared back with a look of dismay. With a sigh, Brin stepped away from the ramp, kneeled down to grab the tools that had been left behind, and made his way back, placing the tools in the Captain’s outstretched hand.
   Turning to the side, Kai extended her arm towards the ship entrance. “Welcome aboard the Midsummer Comet,” she said, inviting them in, thrilled about what she’d stumbled upon, or rather what had stumbled upon her, although not naive enough to turn her back to them. This would be her first long-haul trip through hyperspace and she couldn’t wait to test a few of her most recent upgrades.

   Elis walked closely behind Brin as they made their way onboard, his companion giving one last glance over his shoulder at the dock, once again making sure that no-one or nothing was following them.
   “8,000 credits? I barely have half of that,” he whispered to Brin as Kai hit the switch to close the ramp.
   “Relax. I know what I’m doing,” Brin answered, turning to face him.
   Elis wasn’t convinced or comfortable with the situation but it was too late to argue. Hoping that Brin did indeed know what he was doing, he watched as the ramp closed shut.
   “I’m Kai, Captain of this fine ship,” she said as way of introduction.
   “Brin, and this is…” he paused, realising he didn’t know the other’s name.
   “Elis,” the botanist completed.
   “Great. Where are we going?” Kai asked as she led the way further inside.
   Elis looked at Brin quizzically. He hadn’t stopped to ask his companion where exactly he was planning on taking them.
   “Jakku,” Brin said without hesitation.
   “Jakku?” Kai answered with a frown. “I won’t ask. Well, you gentlemen should get comfortable.”
   She stopped inside a medium-sized room with nothing more than what seemed to be the basis for a kitchen, a few crates and a rounded seating area. Kai headed towards the bag she had placed on one of the crates that morning and grabbed something from inside it. With another look at the lonesome furniture, Elis turned to Brin with a criticising glare. The other ignored him.
   “Here,” she said as she handed them a small container. “No charge. You look a bit pale,” she clarified as an answer to their quizzical faces. “I bought them fresh this morning. Now strap-in and enjoy,” she added and headed out.
   Brin did a quick inspection of the small bread buns and picked one out. He pressed it slightly to assess the fluffiness and took a generous bite. “The taste of comfort,” he said with a nod.
   Brin looked at Elis, extending the container towards him. “Want one?”
   Elis stared back at Brin, bewildered, not really knowing what to say or what to make of the situation. Ignoring Brin’s offer and suppressing the sense of nausea that had just resurfaced, he sat down, his arms resting on his legs just as he felt the ship start to move. It looked like he was going to Jakku.

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