The big thingee outside this room goes around. And it glows.
When it does, the ship moves through the Black, leaving a shiny trail behind it for all to see.

When it doesn't, The Bella Starr calls on one man.

He is Darren Roberts, Second Engineer.


This is his domain.

It was a day just like any other. Darren was in the port side engine room doing his duties. These duties included running diagnostics, checking the engine temps, fixing any problems that occured, and generally making sure the engine held together. There was another engine in the starboard room but that was the domain of the other mechanic or engineer as the ship's Captain called them. Darren was checking the flow of the Flow Regulator when the portable device (think 26th century version of a PDA/cell phone) in his front left pocket started to beep. Darren sighed and said to himself as he unzipped the pocket and took out the device "What does that moron want this time." He turned on the screen and played back the message.


"Yeah, Da'en, I'm 'oled up in the Spacer, with one wailin' bitch o' a 'ang-over. Wouldn't mind it if'n yeh could bring me some'in to take the edge off. See yeh later, yeh monkey-eared bastard."



"Oh, and if yeh piss in me beer 'gain, I'll break yeh."


"Figures." sighed Darren as he looked around to see if there was anybody watching him. Satisfied that there wasn't, Darren walked over to the supply locker on the far side of the room, made like he was looking for a certain tool and said in to the device "Banner you're either always drunk or always hung over. And just like the last few times I'm busy right now. However I'll swing by the Spacer Club on my next break." Smiling, Darren continued "That threat's gettin' a little old Banny boy. 'Sides it isn't like you've complained about me spittin' in your food." Darren turned off the device and put it back in his pocket. He knew if Mr. Cartland found out that he was hiding a stowaway onboard he'd get fired and if that happened, Banner was going to pay. Walking over to the engine Darren returned to his work like nothing was wrong.

"Thanks fer pickin' me up, Darren," Banner said sarcastically. "A real 'elp, yeh are. What if that gorram sniffin' Spaniard showed up? Yeh want me locked up in the brig, an' you scrapin' 'gain?"

Banner scoffed, unscrewing his flask. "Wot the 'ell."

"Thanks fer pickin' me up, Darren," "A real 'elp, yeh are. What if that gorram sniffin' Spaniard showed up? Yeh want me locked up in the brig, an' you scrapin' 'gain?"


Darren looked up from the engine to see, hear and more importantly smell Banner. He eyed the mercenary and said sarcastically "Well excuse me for havin' to work Banner. Why don't I just quit my job and be you humble servant?" Darren returned to his work and said as he checked the grav dampeners "Well that would make the stink of whatever that stuff you call cologne go away. 'Sides I could always develop amnesia and forget who you are." Looking up from his work yet again Darren said in a serious tone "Perhaps you should be a little more stealthy when you're out and about strollin' around the ship. You know maybe stay out of the way of the security cameras or somethin'."

Banner let out a wheezing laugh, proferring a thick cigar, and a bottle of cologne.

"Reason I toke up on these, is they smoke like a gorram chimney. Either chafes up them cameras or jus' covers me face. Now, the cologne...tha's jus' a good smell, now. Manly an' powerful-like.

"Anyway, yeh hear any good gossip, down 'ere in the bowels? Anythin' I need to be worried 'bout?"

"Reason I toke up on these, is they smoke like a gorram chimney. Either chafes up them cameras or jus' covers me face. Now, the cologne...tha's jus' a good smell, now. Manly an' powerful-like.


"Really? I just thought the cameras would black out if'n they saw your ugly mug, but whatever works for you Banner. As for the cologne the only power it has is killin' off any and all plant life in a hundred foot radius not to mention frightenin' off the ladies." replied Darren who was underneath the big, hulking, and spinning engine running a diagnostics test.


"Anyway, yeh hear any good gossip, down 'ere in the bowels? Anythin' I need to be worried 'bout?"


Darren rolled out from underneath the engine and said with a smirk on his face "Not unless you're the one responsible for tinkerin' with the waterworks and makin' the toilets in the Delta Tower flush up. Now why don't you go run off somewhere. Perhaps hit on some of those female Companions and let me get back to work."

40 Something Years Ago...


Davies took in a deep breath, adjusting his clothes nervously and dusting off the rifle case on his shoulder. He'd worn his best, navy blue suit; Momma's favorite. Trying to put on an intimidating, steely look, he walked confidently into the building.

The men inside were the roughest he'd ever seen; made his da look like a broom-legged trainhopper. Most were black-bearded and scarred, smoking or cleaning a frightening array of weapons. Davies suddenly felt that the .3OO hunting rifle he had wasn't exactly intimidating when he saw a rocket launcher being disassembled. Some were studying maps, others talking as they appraised their weapons.

A burly, scar-faced tough finally noticed the peach-fuzzed boy standing in the doorway, sheathing his knife with a snort.

"Well, lookit this, boys. Right fine suit this kid got on, right fine. Yer momma sew it and press it fer you, pink-face?" he laughed. " 'Ell is a kid like you doin' in a gun 'ouse?"

"Need work," Davies said uncertainly. "Don't have a momma."

"An' I'm sorry to 'ear that. If it's work yer lookin' fer, kiddo, I'd suggest somethin' that won't cut yer life expectancy to a quarter. Try farmin', somethin' safe." He turned away, already beginning another conversation with a mercenary, before Davies could manage a word.

"I can't do anything but shoot," Davies said. "I can show you, if you like."

The merc snorted again. "It ain't a question o' accuracy, kiddo. It's a matter of bein' able to stand killin' someone, bein' able to live with it." His eyes took on a far-cast look. " 'Ell, I've been doin' this fer fifteen or so years, an' I can't barely look at meself. Now, get outta 'ere. No place fer yeh to be."

Davies looked down to the floor, but didn't move. The merc sighed in exasperation.

"Look, kiddo. This can end two ways: yeh leave, an' get started on a decent life, or I make yeh."

Davies still refused to move. He had promised himself before he came here that he would return home a working man.

The merc sighed again. "Yer a stubborn li'l bastard, huh? I won't be puttin' yeh in the line o' fire, but I kin get yeh started on trainin' basics meself, maybe use yeh 'round the office. But don't go thinkin' yer gettin' this cause yeh came in with a gun or a suit and din't move when I asked yeh to; guns jam up on yeh, suits get torn, an' movin' gets yeh shot, yeh 'ear me?"

Davies nodded, trying not to hide his excitement. How hard could it get? He'd seen bad before, he could handle this. 'If all you've got are radishes, you'll have to eat 'em and like it,' as his da used to say.

"Now why don't you go run off somewhere. Perhaps hit on some of those female Companions and let me get back to work."

"But I don't 'ave anywhere else to go, 'cept...Companions, yeh say? Where?" Banner grinned widely, capped teeth flashing. "Now tha' yeh mention it, tha' sounds like a right good proposal.

"I'll be somewhere not 'ere for the next few hours, Darren. Try not to lose it an' 'it me with a wrench 'fore then."

"But I don't 'ave anywhere else to go, 'cept...Companions, yeh say? Where?"


"Check one of the maps that're posted on every level. I'm sure you can find where the Companion's are at if'n you look hard enough." replied Darren, not looking at the big merc with the goofy grin.


"Now tha' yeh mention it, tha' sounds like a right good proposal."


"Glad you think so Banny ol' boy. Feel free to say that you came up with that all by yourself. You always do anyways." retorted Darren as he finished up his diagnostics scan. After the scanner completed its check on all of the engine's systems, Darren would go to work on those that were operating at less than desirable levels.


"I'll be somewhere not 'ere for the next few hours, Darren. Try not to lose it an' 'it me with a wrench 'fore then."


Darren looked at the merc, grinned and said "Oh come on now Banner that was only one time! 'Sides that wound healed up nicely and that scar is hardly noticeable." Taking another look at the scanner's screen and then back at Banner, Darren said "Have fun Banner and try not to get caught."

Thaddeus Malenko looked like a cop, probably because he had once been one, but years ago he and Alliance Law had parted company in a non-friendly fashion. Normally, because of his cop looks and attitude, the Boss used him for muscle and intel, not for the impersonations. Today, they would be an advantage. Entering the engine room he searched for the man in charge.

Over the slight hum of the engine, Darren heard the footsteps of someone unfamiliar. Instinctively he grabbed the big wrench next to him, slid out from underneath the engine and got up. He looked the man up and down and said in a non threatening manner "What do you think you're doin' here? This is an employee's only area. Passengers are strictly forbidden to enter. If you don't leave immediately, I'll call security."

Thad flashed his badge case, "Thomas Danforth, Alliance Marshal. I'm looking for the Chief Engineer. You, him?"

"Thomas Danforth, Alliance Marshal. I'm looking for the Chief Engineer. You, him?"


Darren glimpsed at the man's badge. Something about this man just didn't sit right with Darren. With the wrench at his side, Darren said "That depends on whatever purpose you're here for Marshal. Now I could be him or I could be just the one of the greasemonkeys who just work here."


Giving the man a polite smile Darren added "Like I said it depends on what you're here for sir."

"We have a report that a known former-Indep terrorist will be making a play for the Bella Starr. We'd like you and your crew to keep their eyes open for this man., with that Thad pulled a photo of Gerhardt Ehrenburger from his pocket and handed it to the engineer. "His expertise was ship's propulsion systems, so we expect him to try down here first."

"We have a report that a known former-Indep terrorist will be making a play for the Bella Starr. We'd like you and your crew to keep their eyes open for this man."


Darren took the photo from the man and looked it over thoroughly.


"His expertise was ship's propulsion systems, so we expect him to try down here first."


"Well in that case Marshall Danforth, I'll keep an eye out for this man and I'll tell the others working here to do the same." replied Darren, taking out the device from his pocket and scanning the picture with it. After the scan was completed Darren handed the Fed back the picture and slipped the device back into his pocket.