Megan tried to puzzle it out. Why would they be loading supplies? The Beauregard had only just arrived back in-system, and it wasnt going anywhere for a good long while at least not until the special delegation of technical staff on its way from the Accord had finished taking it apart and putting it together again according to their own stringent specifications.

<We should flag up a query. Ask what it is.>

Already did, Valentin replied. But Im pretty damn sure nobodys going to tell us anything. Its got a security rating like you wouldnt believe.

Screw it, she thought; it wasnt her concern any more. <When are you heading back down?> she asked Valentin.

Maybe in another hour or so, he replied. Theres a bar in the port district of Ladested, place called the Mog & Bone. Were thinking of holding a wake. Fancy joining us?

Megan grinned. <Why the hell not?>

Hey, wait a minute. She saw Valentin step towards another console, frowning at what he saw. Theres a message for you.

<What is it?>

Take a look.

The message materialized before her. <It says theres a dropship on its way here. Except it doesnt say whos on board.>

It cant be the Accord delegation already, said Valentin. Were not scheduled to hand the ship over to them for at least another forty-eight hours.

<Well, whoever it is, the Kjregrnnested Orbital Authority want me to stay on board until they get here.>

You dont have to do shit, Megan. Our contracts are null and void the moment we step on to the disembarkation shuttle. After that, this ship belongs to the Accord, not to the Three Star Alliance. Come on down with the rest of us and well hold a wake in its honour.

<Stop sounding so morose,> she replied. <Youll find yourself a new commission within a couple of months. Its us machine-heads who have to worry about our future.>

She reread the orders a second time, her sense of disappointment growing. More than anything, right now, she wanted to be around the people she knew and trusted. She wanted to be there with them when they all drank to the end of an era.

<I wish I could get out of this, Val, but I dont think I can. I swear Ill see you and the others just as soon as I can make it down.>

Sorry, Megan. Thats really shitty luck.

<Seriously. Drink one for me, will you?>

Will do, Valentin replied, and Megan got busy monitoring the docking process, as the cargo pod slid inside the hull.

A few hours later, Megan found herself all alone aboard the Beauregard, as she waited for the unnamed delegation to arrive from Ladested, which was Kjregrnnesteds capital. It was like wandering through a deserted mausoleum or maybe a museum dedicated to failed hope.