Chapter One: Deep Space Music

[Akirapryde]

All her life, Alice had loved the smell of the mech bays and fighter hangers. The sights and sounds of the whole thing often called out to her. But she knew that this life wasn't for her. Skipping from conflict to conflict for the sake of cash just wasn't for her. Despite all of the draw of this world, her heart and skill rested with science. Since the first day she arrived on Tharkad as a child, she found a love for the clean world that was science. There was a sense of order to this world that her chaotic childhood had lacked. No, her draw to the dirty conflict filled world of the merc just wasn't for her.

Alice nodded to the young pilot, "We need a ride over to the Observatory station. I have to get my things from my quarters there to complete work on the Ark."

She smiled at the pilot, "would you be so kind to take over there?"

She turned back to Captain Thorchan, "Can I ask you something? How long have you been a Merc?"