Kincade was working on his Hydra in the bay of his ship. The Hydra was a medium-sized walker favored among Freelancers. Its modular nature allowed them to easily customize loadouts for specialized missions or sell off unneeded parts when funds were tight. With its low, wide-legged stance and high-stepping walk it was undeniably ridiculous in motion, but true to its namesake it was tough enough to keep coming back time and time again.

Amphibian in both appearance and function, the Hydra had a decidedly less intimidating presence than the lumbering Komodo. Much like the loud floral print that Freelancers also favored, that ridiculousness was an asset to their eyes. Kincade's Hydra was a harlequin of differently-colored parts and panels, intentionally mismatched over years of maintenance to create a distinctive dazzling effect.

The grizzly bear was working under a lifted panel on the Hydra's underbelly. Where the main forward-facing weapon was mounted to the manned turret dome. Normally it was equipped with a minigun, but Kincade had busied himself during the trip with a fun project: replacing it with a flamethrower.

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It was impactical, sure. But Mirabelle had been asking so many questions about it once she learned he had one, he figured she would enjoy getting to play with it if the opportunity came up.

Especially with the little treat he had made for her. He mixed a little lithium into the flamethrower's tank, so its flames would burn just as magenta as her majestic plumage.

He was excited, something he hadn't felt in awhile. This Mirabelle woman was someone special. He had become a Freelancer in his 30s, maybe she had it in her too. They worked together well. She might have a real future in professional killing.

If it weren't for Buster, we could have stayed friends all these years. But at least we're making up for lost time! Kincade thought to himself with a smile. He hadn't smiled this much in a long time.