“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Larriman’s words snapped Arthur out of his ruminations and he turned back to the heavy-set man with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry?”

“Hellas.” the captain said with a nod to the viewscreen. “The Ascendancy was lucky that their colony ship was sent here, out of so many other options.”

“Oh.” Arthur said with a look back to the viewscreen. “Yeah. They were.”

“Port authority sends all clear, skipper.” one of the women manning a bridge console declared cheerfully before the pair could say more. “We’re being guided into slip Epsilon-Thirteen.”

“Already?” Arthur asked with genuine surprise while the cylindrical shape of the Enterprising Fortune made an immediate and careful approach toward one of the many docks of Port Asfalís. “I expected a longer wait time.”

“You saw how efficient the Navy was at the Calypso point.” Larriman pointed out. “Why would their primary starport be any different?”

“You make a fair point.”

“Besides, Graecia is one of the most popular refueling stops in this whole section of the Rim." the Captain continued with a vague gesture at the star map projected nearby. "You can reach most of the inner sectors on a pretty straight path from Graecia, if you allow for some Euclidean movement between layers of the Orion Arm.”

“I didn’t think fuel would be much of a factor.” Arthur said with a thoughtful look at the viewscreen, though his eyes were more focused on Asfalís and its layout. He mapped it carefully while he spoke, just in case he needed to understand the external nature in future. “Most inhabited Systems have at least one nearby, from my understanding. It’s always part of the consideration for the Terran colonization authority, from what I’d read.”

“That’s usually true,” Larriman conceded, “but there are always exceptions. This isn’t the Fringe, Magellan. It’s a much wilder section of space, for all that I said it wasn’t the wild west. The wars are long and brutal, and any trader worth their license knows it’s best to identify a reliable and affordable fueling stop on their first trip in.”

“Are the non-standard routes that inefficient?”

“It’s rare to get stuck without hydrogen for the Alcubierre,” Larriman replied conversationally, “but not unheard of this far out. Especially with how unstable some of the hyperlanes are. The amount of fuel you need to burn to keep the warp bubble stable enough for travel can be exponential in some micro-clusters, and if you get stuck between fueling stops without enough hydrogen to make the next jump…”

“Game over, unless someone finds you first.” Arthur finished with a quiet sigh. “I get it. You’ve had to learn where to expect consistency.”

“In essence.” Larriman nodded. “The Hyperion Cluster is better than many others for variety, though Graecia is the usual go-to for most people.”

“That’s reassuring.” Arthur said with another easy smile.

“I’m surprised at how much of a show of force they’ve been giving off, though.” Larriman admitted with a grim glance at the viewscreen and the warships they could both see prowling the space around Asfalís. “Things with Parthia must be worse than we’d heard.”

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Arthur observed the screen while a formation of three cruisers and a light carrier sailed past and entered C-Drive with a blaze of their plasma engines, hyper-accelerating into specks of distant light almost instantaneously with a small discharge of force-wake. “I thought it was just hyperlane control tensions and resource disputes, plus what you said about Parthia being the Cluster’s bully.”

“So did I, but…” He nodded to where the task force had just vanished from. “The ARN has the home fleet out in force across the entire System. The last time we were here, half of these ships were probably in drydock and partially-decomissioned to save costs.”

Arthur frowned at the screen thoughtfully while Larriman continued.

“Something’s ramping up, Magellan.” the Captain said with grim confidence. “And for all that I enjoy Graecia, I’ll be happy when I leave this Cluster. Rim wars are… a different beast.”

“You said that before.” Arthur noted. “What makes them so bloody?”

“You’ve done the research, I’d hope.”

“Some.” Arthur affirmed. “But you sound like you’ve had experience.”

“Unfortunately.” Larriman said with a nod. “And all I can really tell you is that it’s a stellar bloodbath. The people out here fight hard to claw their way up toward the inner sector standards, and they’re more willing to start shooting for it than anywhere else. Ambition creates aggression, and make no mistake, the Rim nations are the most ambitious. They were settled far later than the Fringe, and they’re far enough away from Terra to feel as though adhering to the ‘natural order’ may not always be to their liking.”

“That’s almost inviting Censure from the Grand Imperium.” Arthur observed quietly.

“It’s happened a few times. Most of them just don’t care, though. They want to claw their way up to parity, and they’ll go through anyone in their way. I’ve seen inner-Rim nations go to war with outer-Verge powers, despite the insanity of the logistics involved, and never mind the technology disparity.” the Captain said, and shook his head while he continued. “Don’t underestimate the Rim sector, and don’t underestimate the Hyperion cluster.” Larriman warned. “You’ll live longer if you respect their ambition for what it is.”

“I suppose it’ll mean plenty of work for me,” Arthur murmured with a thoughtful look at the military vessels displayed on the screen. “Assuming I can find an employer worth the time, anyway.”

“On that front, Magellan, I think you’ll be fine.” Larriman said more evenly. “Graecians are nothing if not broadly honorable. It’s a cultural thing.”

“Sounds like a good place.”

“Better than many.” Larriman agreed.

Minutes passed in silence after that while the Enterprising Fortune was settled into its assigned dock with a careful application of maneuvering thrusters. When the docking clamps took hold of the courier with a rumbling thud, Arthur stepped back and Larriman rose from his seat.

“Let’s get you aboard Asfalís, Magellan.” the Captain said with a smile. “And let’s get me paid!”

Arthur smiled wryly and turned to the rest of the crew. “I didn’t really get to know any of you, but best of luck! Stay safe out there.”

“Yeah, you too, tall, blond, and handsome!” The same woman from earlier shouted, and drew forth a laugh from the rest of the crew. “If you ever need a tour guide, feel free to give me a call!”

Arthur snorted and waved at the crew, before turning to retrieve his jacket and backpack and pull both on one, after the other. From there, he followed the Captain out of the doors to the bridge without a second look back.

“We’ll be in dock for two days, Magellan,” the Captain said while they moved through the linear, cramped corridor threading through the main body of the ship. “If you decide you want to join us on the return trip, you have until then.”

Arthur raised a surprised eyebrow at the bulk of the other man, though it went unseen, and responded with a guarded sense of wary surprise. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not planning on it.”

“I thought as much, but the offer’s there.” Larriman said over his shoulder.