Day 5 // 1232P

I spent a good portion of the morning plotting a course to Neva. Took a few hours to find a course that would avoid the known Dominion corridors. I’m not carrying anything at the moment, and the ship’s logs have been scrubbed, but I can’t afford the delay of a random ship boarding. The NaviComputer finally plotted a course that took us through the Void, and down past the Navbar Region. The course would tack on a few hours, but would all but insure we didn’t run into any Dominion Sector Patrols. I was starting to feel pretty confident in our ability to make this shipment without so much as breaking a sweat. Fresno, too, was feeling better, and even apologized for getting so worked up yesterday.

We didn’t have to meet Pitt until the evening, so I figured we’d swing by Sun’s place before heading to the Blue Nebula. Fresno didn’t object, saying it would give him some extra time to run some ship diagnostics to make sure everything was working properly. With that, Fresno set a course for Barga and we were off. On the way to Sun’s place I made a note of what we’d need in order to get the rock to Alcira: Fake Ship ID and Ship Log, Cloaking Blanket, and Fake E.I.s (External Identifiers). We already have the cloaking blanket and identifiers, so I’m hoping Pitt will front us some credits for the Fake ID and Ship Logs. If he doesn’t, we’ll be in a real bind. Maybe Sol could help, but I’d rather not ask him, since I’m always asking him for favors.

We made it to Barga without a hitch. However, Sun gave me a less-than-enthusiastic reception. As expected, she was upset that I was three days late returning, and that I had not answered any of her calls. What I didn’t expect, however, was her response when I told her the good news. In short, she threw a vase at my head. And some plates, too. I tried to explain, but when Sun gets worked up about something, she’s hard to reason with. I told her that I was sorry, but that things would be okay once this job was over. “I finally landed the big one,” I pleaded. Sun sarcastically reminded me about the last few times I thought I had landed “the big one.” (I’ll admit, the Mezirian job went worse than expected, but at least we ended up with credits in our account, even if most of it went towards ship repairs.)

When she ran out of plates and vases, she finally said: “All my friends have ambitious boyfriends with steady jobs and actual income. What do I get? A blasted pirate!” If there’s one thing I hate it’s being called a pirate. I’m a cargo-runner. Pirates are bastards who hijack ships, and help themselves to others hard-earned belongings. I work for a living. Damn hard, too, I might add.

I argued with her, unsuccessfully, that this job would set us for life. That she’d finally have the normal life she wanted. But she wouldn’t hear any of it. I think this conversation was a long time coming. She started to cry and told me flat out that she didn’t want me to take the job and, if I did, we were through. I remember at that moment looking down at the fragments of plate and vase on the floor all around me, and I thought back to how happy Sun and I used to be, back before the Dominion bastards took over everything. The money was good back then, and I guess it made up for the shortcomings in our relationship.

Neither of us spoke for a long time. Finally, I broke the silence. “Then I guess its goodbye. Have a nice life,” I said as I turned to leave. Another plate smashed against the wall, inches from my head. As I closed the door (quickly) I could hear her yelling that if I left I would regret it, because she wouldn’t be waiting when I got back. But by that time I had already made up my mind – I wouldn’t be coming back.

Fresno had finished tuning up the Jackyl by the time I got back to the ship. I guess he saw the look on my face because he asked me how it went with Sun. I didn’t get a chance to respond, though, because at that moment Sun barged out the front door with a pair of my old boots in her hand. She threw them towards me yelling, “Here, take your boots, you’ll need them to walk all over your next girlfriend.” After she stomped back inside, I told Fresno we should go before she finds my spare blaster.

Back on the ship now, making final preparations. Good thing I plotted that course to Neva earlier. Even with the delay Sun caused, we’re still on schedule. And the last thing we want to do is keep Pitt waiting.

Well, that’s it for now. Goodbye Sun. I realize now that no matter how much money I make, I can never be what you want.

Early retirement, here we come.

- C

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