“Ok…..It's safely stowed away in my cabin!” Light protested, following her back to the others.

When Jess and Senjen settled down to review his new contract, Light looked immediately to Ruk who was sitting placidly on the floor.

“Foods?”

“Yeah.”

Light wiggled back into his new suit and shot out of his ship’s cargo bay doors with the Tekeri in tow.

“Thanks for being here with me today.” Light said.

“Don’t mention it. I’m just glad you’re OK.” 

Light ululated in agreement. “If you don’t want to come to this thing later, that’d be fine.”

“Oh no. I’m invested now, may as well see it through. Have you been to this place before?”

“Me?” Light laughed. “Do I look like the club type? No, they’re too extravagant, but it sounds like there may be free stuff there.”

“Are you sure that’s the reason you’re going?” Ruk asked, studying him.

“Yeah! Well maybe to show off my new suit.” His hide said otherwise.

“Its not yours, remember.”

“Alright, don’t keep reminding me.”

They reached the bank of vending machines equidistant to their oblong neighbourhood of landing pads. Nearby a large Tindrel slept on a filthy trash pile. Light bought a set of large fish morsels wrapped in rice and seaweed, Ruk bought a mixed bag of nuts, fruits, seeds and sweets.

“Senjen and I may be on a job for a while after this.” Light said conversationally.

“Is that the new quarantine zone the Foundation is talking about?”

“No, uhh, something a bit different this time.”

“Ahh. I keep forgetting. Your allegiance to Good Causes is over.” 

“No! I still want to work with them, I just have the freedom now to uhh…explore other options.”

“Got it.”

They headed back to the ship, going out of their way to avoid a particularly rowdy party out the front of another lot. Once back inside they collapsed on the floor and ate in silence. Then Light curled up asleep and Ruk quietly read.

[hr]

Jess’ message woke Light up. He checked the time - the advertised start of this Myrmidon mixer had already been and gone. “We’re late!” He wailed.

“Relax. People never appear right on time for these things. Besides, doesn’t it go on all night?” Ruk said quietly from beside him, eyes not deviating from her holo pad.

Regardless, Light shot through the tunnels of his ship to Senjen and Jess.

“How did it go? Are you ready to head back out?”