-Ruufarrl-

Ruufarrl sat in his office alone, appearing to watch the security monitors and keep track of the workers as they went about their daily tasks while he rocked in his chair. In truth, he was deep in thought and saw nothing that was on screen.

He looked at the indicator tab for his messages, something he had been doing every few minutes as he thought. Though he didn't need to open them to know what they held. The message from the Captain had been deliberately short and final.

"Resignation Denied."

In all reality it was understandable, up to a certain point. Though that made it no easier to accept. There was currently no one to take his place if he left, and none available who had the aptitude to be trained for it. This would leave the ship, the Captain, and his backers vulnerable to those that were... willingly dismissive of socially accepted forms of procurement.

It wasn't as though they couldn't immediately recoup or cover for any losses, which would never be more than minor so long as someone paid attention. He didn't think he had ever seen anything more expensive than a thousand credit marks go missing. It wasn't even the rustling of a breeze compared to their interests.

It also wasn't likely that they would run into outside trouble in the fringes of human space. The humans patrolled their territory well and kept a very watchful eye for pirates and marauders, among the worst kind of criminals according to Conrad, something the Ruulothi could agree completely with. Following that path of thought, he pulled up the still images he had captured of one such patrol vessel that had been sitting and watching the jump point. An *** Class Escort and Patrol Frigate that had hailed them as a matter of course to inquire about their business. There had been a different ship stationed there the last time he came through. That one had likely been a smaller, in-system enforcement ship. Good for warding off miscreants, but effectively outclasses for anything more serious. Its presence had shown him that Humanity took their security seriously. But it had not nearly been as impressive as this one, his first human Warship.

The ship he admired now had aggressive angled lines for impact deflections and profiling, its visible turreted weapons had overlapping and supportive fields of fire that could potentially cover up to a full sphere of engagement around the vessel. Its primary engine nacelles were baffled and protected by both armor and rear facing weapons and it had no visible bridge or other important looking protrusion, leaving no obvious point to make a lethal or debilitating strike at. The warship's design seemed to take full advantage of the quirks and intricacies of space combat as it was nearly identical above and below the keel line leaving no indication of up or down, strictly terrestrial concepts that had no real place in space combat. Its angled and refined edges were shaped as though it were a dagger waiting to be pointed at the heart of the enemy.

It was an impressive and lethally beautiful design that any race or intelligent species could appreciate and understand. It practically screamed its desire to pop its claws and rend its foes. This ship, showed that Humanity could deal with security seriously. No, there would certainly be no need to worry about an attack in this sector of space.

He suddenly chuffed at himself, the quiet noise loud in the silence of his office,"It wasn't even as if I was needed for the last one. The cub saw to that." The corner of his mouth twitched up into a smile at the memory. "Showed this old war cat a few new tricks too."

Then his mind returned to what he had been musing over, and his smile faded. His options had become limited now that he had been outright denied. He had believed the Captain would be glad to see him gone, as with Ruufarrl out of consideration it would mean that he could skim profits with impunity again. Something that he had been forced to stop doing under Ruufarrl's watchful eye, and something that he could not, by contract, get rid of him for. But the Captain's ties to outside influences must have run deeper than Ruufarrl had originally thought if he was willing to put up with the inconvenience of his presence. Something that would ensure Conrad's separation and isolation without support. The Tiradoran didn't have the claws to order Ruufarrl to stop interacting with Conrad to his face, so he was going to ensure it happened another way.

It looked like he was going to have to take a Major Breach of Contract to see this through, and that would...complicate things farther down the path.

In addition to giving a legal option to censure him, a Major Breach would limit his options when it came to finding work after all this was done with. While he had plenty of skills to offer, some places and people simply wouldn't hire anyone who had a Major Breach on their record, regardless of the reason for it.

But perhaps...

He turned to the cameras again and flicked through them as his mind slowly explored this new path. He finally found the camera overlooking Conrad's work sector and his mind started processing again as he watched him work. His brows furrowed and ears turned back as he concentrated, then they flicked back forward and he flipped through the screens again.

No, it had taken some doing for this one human to get a position in a non-critical posting. This happened all over, but there would be no chance that an unknown human could possibly be approved to take the Security post. No matter what their credentials. Especially not now that Conrad had gained the attention of outside forces and things had been put into motion. There was simply too much risk, which meant...

He sighed in exasperation. Which meant that he had come full circle again, for perhaps the twentieth time that day. He resisted the urge to search through the crew roster yet again to look for a valid replacement even though he knew there wasn't one. He had other hunts to run, other paths to explore. Retreading the same ground was pointless. There was something nibbling at the edges of his thoughts that he needed to find a way to. Something to do with the attack.

What was it about the attack that kept bringing him back to it? He knew the details of it from back to front, and could remember it in vivid detail. But he just couldn't tease out what it was that kept pulling him back there every time he thought about getting around the Breach of Contract. If it was going to occupy his thoughts so, then he supposed it wouldn't hurt to go over it in detail.

They had jumped in system. His security advice had been ignored. Unfortunately that part wouldn't help him any. It was quite literally written into his contract that his security precautions and advice could be overridden by the Captain without any reason given.

They had been attacked. Kiiroth had died. Also not something that could be used to refute a Breach of Contract. Security personnel were exempt from injury and death clauses due to the negligence or perceived negligence of others thanks to the nature of their work, also in the contract.

They had stopped the attack... Correction, Conrad had stopped the attack and distinguished himself in doing so, unintentionally setting many things in motion, none of which could be used. Attempting to do so would only cause the galaxy suddenly collapse on both his head and Conrad's. The pirates and their vessel had been captured. They had brought everything before the system authorities. The attack had been investigated, and later they had been rewarded very well for their efforts. They had delivered their goods and moved on.

Ruufarrl had made Conrad a Probationary Bloodclaw setting many more things into motion... wait...

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Ruufarrl cocked his head to the side as he went back over the list he had just been through. Then, slowly, he sat back up straight and pulled up the rules for Breaches of Contract on his terminal. He read them, then re-read them, then did it again just to be sure.

Finally, he smiled deeply to himself, his fangs showing.

He had just found his path out.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-Conrad-

The last few days before arriving home were harder than any other during his tour of duty. The anxiety of seeing looming ghosts in every action of those around him was wearing heavily on him. He had gotten better at dealing with it over the last few weeks, but he wasn't going to get out from under it unless he stepped away from the whole situation.

Ruufarrl evidently understood what conclusions he had come to even without Conrad saying a thing to him. He had simply looked at him, then given him a tight smile and a nod before waving at him to remain calm. He never broached the subject, nor did Conrad. It was frustrating that he couldn't get answers, but in the end he knew that he would have to wait. Just a little bit longer and he could say whatever he wanted so long as they weren't in public. Nueva Rios, and most of Human space for that matter, had not converted to GalCom equipment. They made do with what was made in their own territory.

Their afternoon talks still continued, though of the Ceremony itself there was little discussion. What Ruufarrl said on the procedure was to follow along, and to stay calm and respectful. He wouldn't have any lines during the Ceremony, as it was more of a formal review of deeds among peers. The only thing he really needed to know was that he would be challenged, and he could answer that challenge however he pleased, so long as it befitted a warrior. Something that Ruufarrl had said he would be more than capable of handling.

When the conversations and lessons ebbed Ruufarrl would ask some him about human culture. He seemed to be quite interested in Conrad's home and the differences between Core and Fringe world living. Conrad supposed that he was just as good a source as any on the subject, given his time spent in both, so he answered the questions as best as he could with the caveat that his information might well be out of date.

It felt strange to him, talking about home when it was so close at hand. Ultimately it made the end of the trip drag on, as every time he answered a question another memory would surface and remind him of something he wanted to do when he got back.

He had already sent a message home giving them a rough estimate of his arrival date and his plans to stay, so it was likely his parents would meet him at the starport. A few days to relax and acclimate to local time would be nice. His first stop after getting some sleep would have to be the Dojo. He would get tossed mercilessly if he didn't come by to pay his respects and say hello. Master Silva would also be the person to talk to on figuring out more information as to just what exactly was going on. If she didn't know it, she likely knew someone who did.

Just a few more days.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

His last day on ship was a complete blur. Human ports were often the busiest for him as the transfer of goods between cultures made for steady business. He did get the chance to say good bye to Kivan after their shift was over. Jjatha was still MIA for him, so he left a physical note with Kivan to give him when time warranted. He didn't trust the shipboard messaging system to let anything through. It hadn't done so yet, so he would be a fool to expect it to start now. He shook his head when he considered how long it had taken him to realize what the potential problem was with the electronic communications.

He hadn't brought physical paper and writing tools with him when he came aboard, so he had needed to beg one of the dockworkers for some paper and a pen. He wrote his note quickly while cleaning out his cabin. This would be his first time off ship since the attack, so he put the Mantle on as Ruufarrl had instructed him. A Bloodclaw was expected to hold themselves to a standard, and wearing the Mantle in public served as a reminder of that, both to themselves and to those who interacted with them.

The electro-staff had proven to be problem though. He had already foreseen it as an issue and had found a way to dismantle it so it could fit in his duffle bag. But he still couldn't find a way to fit the one piece shaft itself in the bag, so he had to leave that behind. A curiosity for the next crewmember to occupy the cabin. It disappointed him that he couldn't have the entire thing, but at least he could maybe find a way to make his own now.

It was interesting to come into contact with humans again. They were quite surprised when he showed up to help with moving the cargo. They shifted around so they could talk while they worked, asking questions about ship travel and the Galactic Community. What worlds he had been to, what people and things he had seen, how life working with the Galactics had been. It was a refreshing change of pace for him, and a little overwhelming given that he had been persona-non-grata for so long. But he fielded their questions as best he could and enjoyed the interaction before his shift ended and he went to retrieve his things.

He stopped by the Security Office to say goodbye to Ruufarrl, but found it empty. Not just unoccupied, but completely empty.

"The Hell? What have you gone and done now you damn wildcat? Surely you didn't..." Conrad stopped and hung his head before snorting in amusement with a smirk and turning to head towards the offloading cargo bays.

"Guess I am going to find out... This should be interesting. Hey Mom! Hey Dad! Look what I found...Can I keep him? Does it count as looking at what the cat dragged in if you are the one bringing a cat?"

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-Ruufarrl-

Ruufarrl stood at the personnel door of the cargo bay waiting for both his charge and the Captain to show. He had his meager possessions in a pack that he carried with him, his long strong box was on a Grav-trolley next to him, along with the cold containment cargo container that held Kiiroth's remains.

The humans working the docks of the Space Station gave him sidelong glances every so often. He knew it to be understandable and paid it no mind. Few were the alien visitors to Fringe worlds, so he was an anomaly, doubly so given his race.

It didn't take long for Conrad to show. The human walked out from behind a stack of crates and waited for a Grav-Truck to pass. It pleased Ruufarrl to see him wearing the Mantle, even now he could see some of the crew eying the human from the side as he walked past.

Conrad showed both anxiety and excitement at his arrival home, which then turned to curiosity and suspicion when he saw Ruufarrl waiting for him.

"I suspected as much when I found your Office cleaned out. You know I could have made arrangements for you if you told me in advance right?"

Ruufarrl chuckled at this. "A Hunter never reveals himself until the moment to strike arrives." he replied sagely. Then he looked up and saw the Captain storming across the Cargo bay towards him. "I must take care of some last minute issues myself. Go on ahead, I will meet you at the Shuttle docks."

Conrad looked behind him to follow his gaze and saw the Captain on approach. He wisely took the hint and headed into the station.

"I do believe that your resignation was denied Ruufarrl. For what reason are you standing on the ramp with your belongings packed?" The Captain's wide feet stomped down the gangway as he approached. He came right up to Ruufarrl, but stopped just short of getting too close. His deep voice, altered by the long nose that ran from the top of his forehead to just above his low mouth, grated on Ruufarrl.

"Ahh, Captain Holvol. That would be because I am leaving. I should think that would be obvious."

"You have not completed your contract Ruufarrl. You may not leave... without severe repercussions at least." He seemed to have a certain amount of glee at the prospect.

"Normally you would be correct. But not today. Today, I will walk away unsanctioned."

"And just how do you propose that is going to happen Ruufarrl. You are ending your contract early and without permission. This constitutes a Breach of Contract, one that will be a black mark for you and your record... and your Clan." This last he said with a smirk.

Ruufarrl simply smiled at the implied threat, showing just enough fang to cause the Captain's smirk to disappear as he steeled himself against what could be a pending attack. "It is going to happen... because of this." He pushed his hand out toward Captain Holvol, taking pleasure at the involuntary flinch that he gave before he saw that there was something in Ruufarrl's hand.

"What is this? A banking chip?"

"Indeed. The very banking chip that holds my share of the reward from the attack. A sum of two hundred thousand marks. Enough pay for up to three full trading cycles for a Security Chief. Which, according to subsection 12.6-7 of the Contract Guidelines is more than enough to cover recompense of a Breach of Contract of this nature. Which means..." Ruufarrl leaned in closer to the Captain and lowered his voice to a growl, "I am leaving."

The Captain held the chip in his hands as he processed the turn of events, his nose scrunched in displeasure. An action that made Ruufarrl's skin crawl. His nose didn't scrunch as most other race's did. Rather than front to back along the bridge of the nose, a Tiradoran's nose scrunched in from the sides of their face, the skin folds along the side of it nearly enveloping the wide proboscis like organ. It just didn't look natural to him.

"I... I suppose you might be right. Very well. I will take care of the paperwork and send it to you before we leave."

Ruufarrl called out to him before he could fully turn around and leave, "No. It will be taken care of now. Before I walk off this ship, and with a copy of it transmitted to me. Such are regulations after all."

"Regulations that you have just spit on, Ruulothi." Captain Holvol looked as though he had just swallowed something sour. Then he gave a heavy sigh of resentment, "Fine."

He flipped open his wrist terminal and began filling out the appropriate forms, though he appeared to be taking his time in making sure everything was written in exacting order just to spite Ruufarrl, or perhaps to see if he got impatient and left. Finally he sent a copy of the form to Ruufarrl, who took his revenge by taking just as long reading it in exacting detail to ensure nothing was amiss. Finally satisfied, Ruufarrl nodded at the fuming Tiradoran and turned with an intentional flick of his Greater Mantle, pushing his Grav-trolley down the ramp and into the station.

He followed the signs to the Shuttle boarding zones and found Conrad there waiting for him.

"I got us a berth on a small cargo shuttle, so it shouldn't be an issue with your crate there."

"Thank you. I am glad you took the initiative." He turned towards the large viewport in the lobby, laying eyes on Conrad's world of Nueva Rios for the first time without the aid of a camera.

"A beautiful world."

Conrad chuffed at this, "It absolutely is. Hard to believe I missed her this much, and she still has plenty of secrets to offer." He turned Ruufarrl and gestured to the Shuttle Ramps.

"Ready to see her first hand?"