Without any further discussion, it was clear the meeting was coming to an end. After asking if there were any more questions, Gareth gave his crew a moment to think. When no one spoke up, Leon looked to him.


    “I think that settles it, Cap,” Leon said. Gareth got the feeling he wanted to protest in the same way Quinns had. Gareth ticked off tasks in his head. There were no major cargo changes between Bloor and Sarria.


    “Moving on, then. Quinns, do you have any report regarding resupply and waste?” Gareth asked. Quinns sighed, switching gears.


    “Waste is clear. By 10, the fluids will be all set. There were some extra fees for the rush job.” He frowned, “I’ll try to get on that quicker next time.” His anger had subsided into a flat tone.


    “This circumstance was unexpected. Such fees are the price of some jobs.” Gareth said, and Quinns nodded. “Our opening for take-off is scheduled for 1100 hours. Decoupling will begin at 1045. Please be in place five minutes before that. At least.”


    “Can’t shut down rest systems until the water’s normalized,” Serge said. Arms crossed, his fingers tapped on his bicep. “But it should be done in time.”


    “Keep me updated. If we need to alter the schedule, I want to be talking to station control as soon as I can.” Gareth said. Serge unfolded his arms.


    “Yes, sir.”


    “If it all goes to plan, the bay doors will open at 1100 and we will be on our way. If there are any issues, don’t hesitate to message me.” Gareth smiled for his crew, “Thank you all for attending, take care of yourselves and each other. See you out there.”


    ***


    Leon relaxed back into his chair, easing from the attentive first officer into the playful crewmate. The transformation was kind of awkward, wrinkles in a persona he was still smoothing out. Resting his hands behind his head, he looked to the ceiling as he listened. Next to him, Kurt was failing to eat quietly, but Yulia was still the loudest. She was chatting with Valorie about her history with closed salvage work. Well, more accurately, Yulia spoke and Valorie happened to be listening.


    He smirked, refocusing on the conversation he was most interested in. With the room’s attention broken up, the kid would be more willing to open up as he always did with the Captain.


    “Gary, I know you probably have some reason for it, but the groups kinda suck.” Yep, the kid was talking.


    “Regardless of the salvage, the mission is fairly straightforward. Take it as a chance to practice teamwork.”


    “Is that the reason?”


    “No,” Gareth laughed. Quinn’s sigh was dramatic. Leon rolled his eyes. It wasn’t the kid’s age that earned him the name, but his behavior.


    “Maybe I can’t get you to change your mind, but I can tell you it sucks.” The kid muttered. There was a certain humor in his tone that Leon often heard between close friends.


    “Noted.” Gareth’s voice was similarly light. The kid wasn’t done.


    “About the salvage part -” He began but paused when Leon leaned forward to pick up his mug. Really? Leon turned to Kurt before taking a sip, and the kid continued. “Uh, is it strictly for the doctor’s briefcase?”


    “Is there something you want?” The corner of Gareth’s lip turned up. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The kid launched into a spiel. “There wouldn’t be much matching hardware between imperial and independent designs.” He found his voice much faster on technical talk. “But there are consumables and components that add up in costs pretty quick. Might be nice to have a stockpile,” His voice was quiet, but his excitement was undeniable.


    “As our operation is under a member of the final crew, we do have a legal allowance for salvage,” Gareth said, and the kid grinned. “However, the mission comes first. Be sure you are following Leon’s instructions foremost.” Gareth said. Leon had to fight a laugh at how the kid’s face soured. Gareth seemed just as amused – Leon knew there was a reason he liked him. It was time to interrupt.


    “Cap, I’m gonna start prep. See ya on the bridge.” Leon said, standing up. Gareth nodded, but the kid frowned at him.


    “So, uh, Leon. You gonna go for any useful salvage? ” Quinns asked, his tone soft but stubborn. Leon looked to him with raised eyebrows.


    “We’ll see.” The noncommittal answer would bother the kid for a while. “See ya.” Leon picked up the leftovers of his meal and dropped them off at the cart. Ahead of him was Yulia and Valorie, who were helping Serge pick up. Kurt followed him in a hurry, leaving his plate behind.


    “I’d like to talk to you,” Kurt said. Once his way was clear, Leon added his dishes to the growing collection on the cart.


    “Yeah, why not.” He said, wondering if he should have moved quicker. He was forming a list of the equipment they would need for boarding. “I’m headed for the docking bay storage.” He said, leading the way into the hall. Yulia and Valorie were still ahead of him. They would probably stay that way until he passed the crew quarters.


    “I can follow along,” Kurt sped up his pace to walk alongside Leon. “I think you know what I want to talk about. If I may?” He began. Leon nodded, only half-listening as Kurt reminded him of a conversation only 20 minutes old. Leon was still working on that list, debating on how much equipment was reasonable. Why had Gareth designed the teams as he had? There was a reason, he was sure. Kurt was still talking. “So, what I want to ask is: why did you leave the union?” And he was quiet, waiting with bated breath. Leon looked him over, pondering his answer for a moment longer than he needed to. With low tone and a haunted look, he continued.


    “So, there was this girl.” He didn’t have to go any further – he was ready to be interrupted. Yulia turned on her heel while managing to keep her forward momentum. Impressive.


    “You left for love? For real?” Her shining eyes seemed to have somehow grown larger as she clasped her hands in exaggerated humor. Kurt frowned, listening with less interest now.


    “In my defense, she was very beautiful.” Leon grinned.


    “I guess you are still you after all.” Yulia wasn’t deterred, “Come on, share the details, man.” She demanded. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Valorie studying him again. Her expression – or lack thereof – was unnerving.


    “She lived far away in a sector that by and large remained loyal to the imperials. I was still a teen. We spoke often, swapping stories.” He began, and she grinned. The belief that beauty was only one asset was painted across her face. Leon rolled his eyes and continued. “We decided to get together, but to reach her I had to use every last credit I had. When that ran out, I borrowed more.” He sighed, that old foolishness still irked him sometimes. “Life tip: don’t do that,” He said, bringing back his smirk.


    “So, you joined the Empire?” Kurt tried to reroute the story back to his question.


    “We lived together for a few months. And what we learned was: she liked her space. Several light-years of it.” Leon continued at his own pace. Kurt looked like he wanted to repeat his question, but was too polite.


    “She left you?” Yulia asked, her enthusiasm crushed.


    “She kicked me out.” He kept his voice light. “Joining the Empire didn’t happen right away, but desperation can change your mind real quick. Makes you consider things you never thought of before. If there was a good opportunity in the Empire, it appeared as a stroke of luck to me.” Leon shrugged. The group stopped at the breakaway to the crew quarters, but no one moved to leave. The air was heavier than Leon liked, had he gone too far?


    “I’m sorry,” Yulia said. He didn’t like the sadness in her eyes.


    “Why? It all worked out in the end. I’m here now, aren’t I?” He smiled, “I wouldn’t change a thing.” Tired of her pity, he looked to Kurt. “To answer your actual question. If you don’t like the union’s philosophy of self-sacrifice, you won’t like being a cog in the imperial machine.” Leon said. Kurt’s eyes widened, his ears turning red.


    “You think so, huh?” Kurt said, glancing down the hall to his room.


    “Yeah. I could be wrong though.” Leon offered, but he didn’t think so.


    “I’ll think about it. Thank you for your insight, Mr. Gomez.” Kurt bowed his head and hurried down the hall. Leon looked at the girls still with him. Both still focused on Kurt’s retreat. Yulia with interest, and Valorie with… something.