Hendricks started up the Appalachia and pulled it around the Baron toward the Gomorrah allowing the rest of the crew to catch their first glimpse of the new colossal sized ship that AGI had just pressed into service. As they flew by they saw several AGI shuttles that looked like flying blue and yellow rectangular boxes with two small fins on the bottom docking with the Baron, presumably filled with AGI soldiers.


    They received permission to dock with the Gomorrah, and rather than allowing them to board the Gomorrah, Captain Lich agreed to meet the crew of the Appalachia in the airlocks connecting the two ships.


    Several guards who were covered head to toe in blue armor with yellow stripes carrying assault rifles stood by to ensure that none of them got onto the ship, and after a few minutes, Captain Lich arrived. He was a human male of average height with short black hair, brown eyes, peach fuzz, and pasty white skin. He wore blue pants with a yellow stripe down the sides, and a blue button-up coat with yellow buttons and stripes on the sleeves along with yellow trimmings.


    He carried an aura of power and authority as he walked, and kept his shoulders perfectly square with his chest puffed out. Aside from the frown on his face when he approached Captain Starforged, everything else about Captain Lich made him look like the poster boy for how a good soldier should appear.


    "Well Captain that was some good work." Captain Lich may have spoken in a professional manner, but the look in his eyes said he was mocking Captain Starforged. “I didn''t expect your signal to come on an open frequency from within the ship itself, but what''s done is done."


    "There were some complications." Captain Starforged said. "Apparently they were still able to jam us despite the upgraded communications system AGI generously provided us with, but one of our own managed to send out a signal using one of their channels nonetheless."


    It was easy to tell that the two of them were mocking each other, and Rebecca got the feeling that they had issues. It was something she decided to ask about it later. “You’re welcome.”


    Captain Lich smirked, hoping to get underneath Captain Starforged''s skin. "This is why I initially wanted to use agents from within AGI itself. We wouldn''t have had this problem, because we could have setup a quantum communicator if it were one of our ships."


    Captain Starforged shook his head. "If it were one of your ships, they would have been suspicious, and you probably wouldn''t have been able to draw them out. And besides, if any of you AGIB''s got caught up in the situation we did, you''d of chocked from all the pressure. This is a lot harder than guarding brothels all day."


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    Rebecca could see Captain Lich start to cringe when Captain Starforged referred to him as an AGIB, but wasn''t sure what that meant. "What in the cosmos does AGIB mean?"


    Captain Starforged’s grin grew wider. "I''ll give you a hint kid. The AGI should be self-explanatory, but as for the rest… B stands for broadrunners. It’s Sortis slang for corporate thugs who get hired at brothels for easy access to the ladies."


    Rebecca covered her mouth with her hand to try to hide her laughter, but to no avail.


    Captain Starforged lightly chuckled. "I figured it was an appropriate insult for a force of AGI lapdogs who spend more time in brothels then guarding actual shipments.”


    "The only reason we work the brothels is because it pays well, and it’s easy money." Captain Lich retorted.


    When Captain Starforged heard him say this, he raised an eyebrow and snickered at him. "The way you said that makes your men sound like a bunch of working girls, Captain."


    Seeing the look on Captain Starforged''s face Captain Lich realized how what he had said sounded and hung his head for a moment. "Well, I guess you got me there Starforged. Well, I''ve already sent you the payment for the job, and the finder’s fee for the cargo and slaves we recovered from their ship."


    "It''s been a pleasure working with you", Captain Starforged held his hand out to shake hands with the captain.


    Captain Lich reluctantly shook his hand. "Anytime."


    The crew of the Appalachia closed the airlock door behind them as they returned to the cockpit of the Appalachia, and as they walked away Captain Lich thought to himself "Stupid mercs."


    ***


    The crew of the Appalachia sat down in the cockpit and filled Rebecca and Bar-moon in on their mission. They explained how they were hired by AGI to steal a fake package and present it to Tranquil Blue who they suspected was involved in the theft of cargo from AGI transports, and how they intentionally let Tranquil Blue stab them in the back while they planted a bug in his shop to catch him in the act.


    They initially planned to immediately contact AGI once the pirates arrived, but the stronger jamming equipment of the UFS Baron threw everything off.


    There was a look of embarrassment and defeat on Rebecca’s face. "So, what you’re telling me is that my plan to warn you guys about the impending ambush was pointless."


    "Essentially yes", Captain Starforged said. "But you have proven to be a capable enough fighter, and useful crew mate, so if you want the job, you can come with us."


    Rebecca couldn''t help but smile when she heard this. She began to think of everything that happened to her since she snuck aboard this ship and knew she''d be in for a crazy ride if she joined this eccentric captain’s crew. However, she was bored with her old life, and was looking forward to adventure. Rebecca then saluted Captain Starforged as a joke. "Well then, I''m coming aboard Captain."


    Captain Starforged gave Rebecca a warm smile. "Welcome aboard kid."