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[h3][center]Friends In Low Places[/center][/h3]

Once the Captain left, Quill stayed a moment, thinking about the next course of action. If she were to be of any help setting this up, she would have to grease some contacts. One of the perks of the job was that you met all sorts of interesting people. And interesting people led interesting lives, did interesting things, and, most importantly, had interesting secrets.

Quill left and made her way to her room, hyperfocused now. If anyone saw her it would be a blur of blonde and black. Once she was inside her room she shut the door and began to reach out to her first contact. 

Camilla's voice, sounding like vanilla, came on "Quill? Darling, is everything okay? Did that ship you found pan out?"

Quill hid a smile, thankful to have a friend concerned about her safety. "Yes, it did. I am actually calling you from the ship."

"Wonderful! I am so glad it worked out for you! Are you almost at Pelorum?"

Quill paused a moment. She had come on this ship with every intention of leaving as soon as they docked at Pelorum. And now here she was, roped into a mission to save a bunch of people she did not know. No one would fault her for not even attempting to help. This was not what she signed up for. But she knew, deep down, she had to help. Any of those people could have been her. Could have been Camilla. 

"Change of plans on that. I still plan on going there, but we are making a side trip to Osiris."

"Osiris? Whatever are you hoping to find there?"

"There's a group of people we are hoping to get off and prevent them from being forced into servitude. It's a long story and I will fill you in on the full details when we have tea again, but for now, I just need help. Can you use your contacts to get the ship I am on a writ to get off of Osiris?"

Camilla let out a low whistle. "Darling, you know I would do anything for you, but that's a tall ask. Not impossible, sure, but it would require a lot of work and, if you are caught, well I don't need to spell out the unfortunate consequences that would follow."

Quill knew, but it was a risk they would have to take. "I understand and I would also understand if you wanted to opt-out. I can see about finding someone else to get us the writ."

Camilla let out a hearty laugh. "Oh I didn't say no, love. It's a challenge, but you know I do so adore challenges. Gives me a bigger thrill than speed racing! I'll need time, of course, but I should be able to get you a writ soon. Do you want me to send it your way or to the man in charge?"

Quill thought a moment, "Send it to me. I'll pass it along to the Captain."

"Captain. Such a powerful word. Is he cute?"

"Camilla...."

"What? I am bored here and there are precious few yummy people to look at here. Let me live vicariously through you!"

"He's handsome, in a rough sort of way. There are a few others on here. All fairly attractive too. It's like something is in the water to make everyone here attractive."

Camilla laughed again. "Oh, delicious! I know you don't mix business with pleasure, but perhaps you can entertain some of them? Saints know that if you are doing something dangerous they could use someone to talk to and forget about the trouble."

"My first priority is the people. Get them safe and situated. The rest can come after."

"That's always been my experience," Camilla said, "innuendo fully meant. Anywho, you will have your writ shortly, but you owe me big time and I plan on collecting. Maybe I will see about coming on board your little ship, if only to see how the Captain fills out his uniform!"

Camilla clicked off after that and Quill could only shake her head in amusement. Camilla definitely made things lighter and, with her contacts, she expected the writ soon enough. One step of this last-minute plan was, at least, done.