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    Random Encounter when they entered the docking bay. One of the techs saluted the High Commander and reported they had found and removed explosives from the reactor compartment. The General grimaced at the news, dismissing the techs.


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    Encounter, the Captain turned to General Young. "This... this hasn''t been a pleasant experience, but you were a pleasant surprise. Thank you, Sir."


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    Random Encounter pulled out of the docking bay. Yvian pulled up the sensors and tried to figure out if anyone was targeting them. Target lock from gun turrets was traceable, but Terran projectile weapons were another matter. She tried to scan around and see if any of the nearby ships were pointing in their direction, but she doubted she''d notice in time if an attacker wasn''t being obvious about it. She looked up from the sensors when she noticed they''d stopped moving.


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    Encounter a mere four hundred meters from where they''d exited the docking bay.


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    Lady Wanderer," Yvian announced.


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    Wandering Lady is bad luck," Yvian corrected. "The Lady Wanderer''s a totally different name."


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    Gunzerker? Really?"


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    Exile." He started typing.


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    Recompense." Lissa was smug.


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    Recompense arrived twenty minutes later. The Captain lowered its shields and opened a docking bay. The Random Encounter slid gracefully into the cruiser. The doors slid shut and the shields came back up. Only then did the Captain open a channel.


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    SDF Dresden, this is Outcast," Mims transmitted. Yvian assumed the delegation knew who he was, but there was still no sense in spreading his real name around. "Is the delegation ready to proceed?"


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    Dresden," came the reply. "We''re ready to go when you are."


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    Recompense came out of the Gate. The Captain hailed the Xill hub.


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