Aurora Joins You

As you enter the hall, you look over your shoulder behind you to your new, involuntary partner in this endeavour. It was hard to get a read on Aurora this soon into your new acquaintanceship. From what you garnered she was friendly and personable, but also very dedicated to her work. Would she even be interested in a casual relationship outside of that context?

"Actually, that sounds great." Aurora stood up with a heaving stretch, her hefty chest bouncing merrily as she did so, even as it was restricted by her tight jumpsuit. "I can't tell you the last time I gave myself a night off."

You raise an eyebrow. "Not too much free time on Prosperity I take it?"

"Actually, the ship mostly ran itself. The problem was really finding something to do when your companions are mostly mechanical. I don't think it takes much imagination, but you can probably guess that even the robots were better company than those stodgy businessmen. Have a piece of free advice. Make sure you enjoy your work if you ever find yourself on a long hauler."

"Fair enough." You chuckle and motion for her to follow you. The bubbly girl strides over to you with a smile, just ever so slightly closer to you than can be considered professional.

The two of you meander down the maze of Mu's various connections, dodging the omnipresent construction and restoration work that littered the entire station. Eventually you find your destination: Betel Juice. A play on words for its eponymous star Betelgeuse, the bar had been named by some nerdy scientist back when Mu was still a proud part of the Federation science network. Even after the Fall, the name had stuck and it proudly served 'Red Giant' cocktails and 'Supernova' shots still to this day.

The sight of the bar warms your heart. It's packed with people for the first time in a while. Everyone is celebrating the arrival of RestoreTech and the boons they bring. Faces of friends and station residents you haven't seen smile in a long time are positively beaming and merrily reveling.

"Wow!" Aurora chirps. "This place is positively packed! Maybe we should try somewhere else. I was hoping to get a chance to relax."

"Watch this." You nod at Julian behind the bar, and he nods in recognition. He's saved your booth for you in the corner nearby as always. Not normally necessary, but times like these made your perks come in handy. You and Aurora find a seat there, and Julian drops off a Red Giant in front of each of you with a knowing wink before hustling back.

"Look at you! Mr. Important over here with the special treatment. I didn't know I was chumming it up with such a big shot!" Aurora grinned at you slyly.

"Sometimes it pays to be indispensable. It feels weird getting this treatment when a lot of people are hanging on by a thread. But then I remember that I'm also the reason most of these folk are still alive, so it kinda evens out. A constant impending sense of doom tends to keep one humble." You take a long sip of your drink. Delicious as always.

"Careful Chief," Aurora smirks. "I may just take that title from you."

You smile back. "What's that saying about fraternizing with the enemy?"

"Bah! Enemy shmenemy. I prefer valuable ally or compatriot."

"How about friend?"

Aurora beams, giving you a wink. "Sounds good to me. For starters at least."

Now who's working fast, you wonder.

"The journey out here couldn't have been a short one. Mu's on the ass end of Federation space. When's the last time you found yourself planetside? Or...station side?"

"Ugh, FAR to long ago. Been stuck on that boat with no company and nothing but synthehol for going on 6 months." She takes a long sip of her beverage as well. "Damn that's good! Buy a girl another drink after this and I'll tell you all about it."

"Deal."