The movie planned the previous night turned into a short marathon. So when Gabriel blearily opened his eyes because his pcu beeped, it was almost noon. He yawned, sat up, and rubbed at his face before grabbing the pcu.

Madeline stirred and stretched beside him. “What time is it?” she asked.

“Late,” Gabriel said. “Hour and a half until lunch.”

“We’ve been in bed for over 14 hours then,” Madeline said with a sleepy smile.

“Time well spent,” Gabriel pointed out and read the message. “Oh, it’s from Krihana. We can take a look at the ship today.”

“What time?”

“Working hours,” Gabriel stood and stretched his back. Slouching in bed watching movies was nice, but his back had some complaints. Or maybe that was from the training and improv self-defense course yesterday.

“Send a message and ask if we can see it after lunch, but now, I need a shower,” Madeline said and sat up as well.

“Same, want to save water and take one together?” Gabriel asked as he typed out the message.

“Like saving water is why,” Madeline teased and headed for the bathroom. “You coming?”

Gabriel stopped a pun from escaping his lips, “I’ll have you know I care for the environment,” He said and followed happily along.

They spent some time relaxing, letting Madeline’s fur dry before heading out and collecting some lunch to go on the way. It was a bit after lunch by the time they walked through the park, many citizens were hurrying back to their jobs. By the time they reached the second park rain began to fall again. Luckily this time they had umbrellas and the rain was light as usual so they didn’t have much trouble and managed to get to the Union tower with dry socks. Not that Madeline wore socks but Gabriel considered it a win.

Inside they received the same treatment as before. The receptionist recognized them and they were sent to wait. This time, however, they were guided by an attendant to the security section. Inside, Zura and Rik’Tensel waited for them.

“Hey, any reason we’re in security?” Gabriel said to the two Justicars.

“Not really, there’s just no landing pad on the tower,” Zura said.

“And we have more pull over security so it’s easier to free up a slot,” Rik’Tensel said and led them to an elevator. It was a quick ride to the top where a shuttle waited. It looked about the same as the one Gabriel had already ridden on but this one was slightly larger and had markings that showed it belonged to Union security. Everyone got in and they took off, heading towards the docks.

“Excited?” Madeline asked and grabbed Gabriel’s hand. He only then realized he had been fidgeting.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a spaceship. I might have flown in a few already but still,” He said.

Madeline chirped and nodded. “I know how you feel, It’s different to see them flying around and going inside.” She turned to Zura and Rik’Tensel, “But I suppose you get used to it?”

“If you work as a crewmember I guess you do. But most only take a trip or two a year so it’s somewhat of a special occasion for most,” Zura said and nodded to Rik’Tensel. “We have of course been on more trips than that, but I have never worked onboard.”

Rik’Tensel nodded, “And I have. I worked on a ship for just over a year, about the same size class as the one we will go see.”

“What position?” Gabriel asked.

“Classified,” Rik’Tensel said.

“I see,” Gabriel said. “What was that about size class?”

“It’s a general measure of size,” Rik’Tensel said and launched into an explanation. “A class 1 ship is a one-manned fighter or personal racing vessel or similar. A class 2 would be what your pilot friend has, Cani was it?” Gabriel nodded. “A ship with one pilot but with space for two or three passengers and some storage or with a very small cargo bay. A class 3 is usually crewed by two or three and can haul cargo or at times passengers.”

Gabriel turned to Madeline, “Like Captain Scarrask's ship?”

“Yeah, I think so,” she said. “Two crewmembers, pulling large modular containers?” she asked Rik’Tensel.

“Precisely. A size 4 ship is a smaller leisure ship or passenger transport. Typically five to eight ship crew but that can vary depending on its purpose. It’s the largest ship that is still too small for an FTL drive. A size 5 is what we will be looking at and travel in. This particular one has 14 crewmembers and six additional security personnel. It has two cargo bays and seven passengers cabins with double beds.” Rik’Tensel said and brought up his pcu. “I can send you the floorplan, a simplified version that is.”

“Yes, please,” Gabriel said and they exchanged numbers. A minute later his pcu beeped and he brought up a picture of a large ship with numbered rooms. He had trouble reading the descriptions though as he was less than proficient in Station standard still. “And the rest of the sizes?” Gabriel asked Rik’Tensel.

“Here, I’ll translate,” Madeline said and they got to work changing the numbered list on the side.

“Right, size 5 ships have 10 to about 20 crew, again depending on the purpose. A Cargo hauler has less and a cruise ship more. Size 6 is up to twice the size of the one we are looking at and the largest that can easily land on planets. We have specialized landing strips for class 7 as well.”

“And they are much larger?”

“Yes, I think Mr. Nionis ship is a class 6, though on the smaller side. A class 7 is twice that size. They often have their own docks for small ships and few are built to land, most stay in orbit.”

“Would a large mining ship be a class 7?” Gabriel asked.

“If you are referencing a certain rebuild mining ship then no, that one was class 8,” Rik’Tensel said.

“And finally class 9. Very few exist, and they are more or less mobile space stations. Some were actually built into stations back in the day.”

“And how large are they, compared to a size 5?” Gabriel asked now that he had the floorplans.

“Very much depends, a size 8—as you have seen—can be more than twenty times larger than a size 5. Size 9 are maybe five to ten times larger than them.”

“Oh, so at least a hundred times larger?”

“Very much depends, if you see one, you won't have to guess what size class it is.”

Gabriel nodded and turned his attention back to his pcu. “This is quite a big ship,” Gabriel said, looking over the floorplan. “And the blue lines are doors I imagine. Can the corridors close?”

“Yes in case of an emergency. And regarding the size, I would have opted for one without such large cargo bays but this is what was available,” Zura said and leaned over so she could point at the plans. “This is your room, the largest one on the upper floor. The captain's room is the one opposite. We will take rooms meant for guests if you don’t mind,” she said and leaned back.

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“Not at all,” Gabriel said and shrugged. “Not like I have that many guests.”

“One of your two doctor friends might have to take one as well, this layout only has one doctor in mind,” Rik’Tensel said. “Honestly it’s a bit messy, this ship has had its insides refitted a few times.”

“As long as it flies I’m happy,” Gabriel said.

“I’m told it will,” Rik’Tensel said and glanced over his shoulder as he was facing the back. “After we pass this building you should be able to see it.”

Gabriel craned his neck and looked out the window. The ship that came into view was—like the floorplan suggested—arrow-shaped. It had a large engine in the back, two wings on the lower third with two additional pivoting engines in the middle. The upper two-thirds tapered into a blunted tip with two more engines on each side.

“It looked front-heavy,” he remarked.

“Yes, but the front had a few thrusters underneath to balance it out. And the heavy stuff is in the back. Water supply, generator, and cargo bays. You can see the doors where the wings meet.” Zura pointed and Gabriel saw a large closed door.

As they moved over to the left side of the ship to land, Gabriel saw that the other door was open, a ramp stretching down to the ground. In the front, a door was open and a ramp stretched down from near the bridge.

Gabriel took one last look at the floorplan before they landed. “There are three unmarked rooms, what are they for?”

“The one opposite the airlock is for spacesuit storage, the two above are not finished but I think one will be used for environmental, the other might remain empty,” Rik’Tensel said.

They finally landed and Gabriel got out to get a proper look at the ship. It was big, his best estimate was close to 100 meters but it was hard to see from down here.

“This feels like a very big ship, almost too big,” Gabriel said.

“It is on the larger side, but considering we are going after the syndicate, I wouldn’t mind an even larger one. Still, an Ambassador can get away with something like this,” Zura said and led them towards the ship. “Usually though, you would travel with a handful or more personnel from your government.”

“That will be difficult to arrange,” Gabriel said, looking up at the ship as they approached. “Only two stories though, it looks like it can handle three.”

“There are maintenance tunnels under the floor,” Zura explained. “I think the water and fuel tanks are down there as well.”

“Right,” Gabriel said. It had somehow slipped his mind that that needed a large spot.

Zura walked in front and guided them over to the airlock in the front, over by the bridge. “Let’s get this tour underway,” she said and walked up the extendable stairs that were extending from the hull.

Despite having spent more time in spaceships than outside, or maybe it was beginning to switch, he had honestly lost count of the days. Regardless, he was still excited to see the insides. The roof was quite low, but not to the point that he or Rik’Tensel had to duck, though the tall Igris did bob his head when going through doorways. First, they checked out the bridge. It had two seats with controls and screens located right ahead once they crossed the threshold. To the left were stairs going up to a balcony of sorts. To the right were two more stations and stairs down to a seating area of all things.

“Remains from when this was a pleasure craft,” Zura explained and swept a hand around the room. “The owner and his guests would sit and drink while looking out the windows.”

“I see,” Gabriel said and looked the bridge over. “And the stations?”

“Pilot, Captain, Communications, and FTL.”

“And the rest of the crew is backup?” Gabriel guessed.

“That’s right, shipmaster, copilot, second communications officer—which I will fulfill the role of—and second FTL officer,” Zura explained. “And of course someone has to cook and take care of the ship, two mess officers and two each engineering and environmental.”

“Why do you need someone on FTL if the trip takes days or weeks?”

“They do more, it’s called FTL because that’s their main task. Jumping unanchored to FTL gates takes a lot of work and planning. But they also are in charge of delivering information about the ship to the rest of the crew. Engine status, hull breaches, and that kind of stuff,” Zura said.

“Alright,” Gabriel said and nodded.

“Let’s move on,” Zura said and gestured toward the back of the ship. They first passed the crew quarters, galley, and medbay, then they passed the two cargo holds that were mostly empty. Some boxes, parts, and other various equipment laid about but Zura said that most would be gone in a few days and be replaced by food, spare parts, and other necessities needed on the trip.

After a brief peek into a crowded engineering section they took the elevators up a level. The gym was not yet stocked with machines and more than half was empty, the leisure area next to it had a large screen for movies and even a wall bar, though that was empty as well. It was half movie theatre and half pub. Gabriel approved of whoever designed it.

Toward the front were the guest rooms and another galley, this was unnecessarily big. The entire crew could easily fit inside. Two meeting rooms were attached, one with a table and chairs and the other with couches and screens on the walls. And finally beyond that was the ambassador suite and captain’s quarters.

“It’s a very nice ship, though like you said, the interior is a little strange,” Gabriel said and gestured to the galley.

“I believe it was the only one when the ship was built,” Rik’Tensel said, looking back at the galley. “The lower one was added later and this one remained unchanged.”

“With the room at the back, this ship could serve a crew of like five times this size,” Madeline mused.

“Yes, I think that was the idea, I cannot remember who built the seating area in the bridge but he often threw parties on the ship from what I recall,” Rik’Tensel said.

“I see,” Gabriel said. “In that case, I suppose it makes more sense. And we can’t make any changes to—” Gabriel began before his pcu began ringing. He picked it up but only got a number he didn’t recognize on the display. “Hello?”

“Gabriel? This is Sen’Chakar,” He heard from the other end.

“Hey! how are you?”

“Well, considering, I am at the station where Deana is jailed, she wants to talk to you.”

“Alright, sure,” Gabriel said. He heard some rustling as the pcu was shifted around.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Deana, how are you?” He asked.

“Well, but confused.” Deana paused for a second. “I was planning to spend a few years in prison for… you know… but I was offered a very strange deal...”

“Alright,” Gabriel said as Deana paused.

“Yeah, I can work as an indentured servant for a time equal to the same amount of my original sentence, but without any possibility of getting released early.”

“And what does that mean in detail?”

“It means that I work for as little as possible while still affording food, clothes, and stuff… you know, more or less for free, but as long as I work, I’m more or less free. Well bound to my workplace but you know, the next best thing. I think it sounds great... There’s only one issue”

“Which is?”

“... I need to be hired by someone high ranking in the Union, the woman who contacted me suggested a factory owner, franchise owner of… maybe an emissary of some kind,” Deana finished sheepishly.

“You’re hired,” Gabriel said.

“I can clean the floors and… what?”

“You’re hired,” Gabriel said. “Oh, and if Cani is there, tell her that she has a job as copilot waiting if she wants it. And we can hire Sen’Chakar as well if he wants to go.”

“Wha… really?”

“Yes, really,” Gabriel said grinning into the phone. “I don’t exactly know what the future might hold but I’ll hire you as long as I’m able to.”

“I… thank you, Gabriel. That means a lot that you trust me this much.”

“I’ll contact the owner and see about getting you onto the ship, can you contact Cani?” Gabriel asked, still smiling.

“Yes, she’s here,” Deana said.

“Great, give me a call and I’ll set it up,” Gabriel and Deana said goodbye and he hung up before explaining the situation to Madeline.

“So that’s what Krihana meant about changing the sentence,” Madeline said.

“I guess so,” Gabriel said and called Krihana to explain the situation.

“I assumed as much,” Krihana said after he was finished, “You pilot friend will have to act as third pilot, however, but we can certainly use a security officer with some knowledge about the syndicate, Sen’Chakar was it?”

“Yes,” Gabriel confirmed.

“I’ll make the arrangements if they sign on, miss Deana will join you the day you leave.”

“Thank you for fixing this,” Gabriel said.

“No problem, now, was there anything else?”

“No, I don’t think so. Thank you again, bye.” Gabriel hung up. “Well, that was fortunate.”

“I agree,” Madeline said and grabbed his arm, “So, what now?”

“I don’t know.” Gabriel turned to Zura and Rik’Tensel, “Anything else to show us?”

“No, you can walk around if you want, but I think you have seen it all. The only thing left for you to do is name the ship.”

“...I get to name the ship?” Gabriel said, a smile beginning to spread on his face.

“Yes, Krihana thought it a good idea,” Rik’Tensel said. “Though she might object if you call it anything tasteless.”

Gabriel nodded slowly, racking his brain for a good name. “This will require some serious thinking. Not my strong suit I might add.”

“You have three days if you want it painted on the hull,” Zura said as Madeline tried to keep from chirping in laughter.

“Let’s go, Madeline. I’m giving you a crash course in human sci-fi,” Gabriel grinned and began pulling Madeline along towards the docks.