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In the Solomon's Bridge, Cmmdr Harden glanced meaningfully at Dr. Lovato. She was staring intently at her own screen, silently watching the live feed from Lt. Reed's helmet cam. Harden shifted in his crash couch.
"Doctor?" he prompted.
"Anachronisms..." she started. "The Daedalus' crew has a ship that can leap across [i]lightyears[/i], but those rifles look like antiques. Those drive plumes-" Dr. Lovato pulled up an external feed of the [i]Daedalus[/i] "-aren't Epstein Drives. They [i]are[/i] some form of fusion-based system, but they're incredibly inefficient. They leak energy like sieves; there's no evidence of magnetic coil exhaust acceleration for continuous use. However, I think they're powerful enough to leap from Mars to Jupiter in fewer than two hours. It's like someone came along and uplifted humanity into the space age."
"Sounds like we can use each other."
"They've got raw power; we've got the experience and technique to use it better. And the rest of these factions... some I don't even know where to begin. One of them might even be more of a space-dwelling organism than any kind of conventional ship."
"We're outgunned and in over our heads with a shipful of young'uns. We need to seek shelter with someone relatable. Cap'n seems to agree," the Commander finished, gesturing at the screen.

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[h3][color=B04C29]On board the Renatus[/color][/h3]

Captain Jaeger said, "We're doing no good floating in the middle of nowhere. Wherever we go, let's find some locals, maybe figure out how to get everyone home, maybe figure out how to survive. We're not equipped for long-haul voyages; the [i]Solomon[/i] will need to resupply - conservatively - sometime in the next year before we run out of hydroponics and fuel pellets, let alone if we use any ammo. And if negotiations fail, well. We've got the makings of a small fleet. I'm sure we can thrive, one way or another. The [i]Donnager[/i] is in. Let's go anywhere, as long as there are people and industry."

Captain Jaeger turned to Colonel Sheppard [@Sep]. "Colonel, if I may?" he said gesturing to the side. "You guys are the most... human I've seen out here, wherever [i]here[/i] is. You come into a strange situation ready to protect yourself while leading with your words. Your ship, your equipment feels familiar; it feels right. Obviously I accept your kind offer to tow us to safer harbor - or at least, [i]a[/i] harbor. But, I think we can do better. I'd like to exchange engineering teams, trade a few technologies, teach each other a few tricks of the trade. My top scientist says she thinks we can help you out with a few things. And if we can keep trusting each other, down the line... who knows?"