Okay

You run your hand through your hair as you respond. "Uh, well, this is highly unusual, but I guess I don't see any problem with it. I can probably find a cot or something for you to sleep on."

At this, Osha smiles again. "Please lead the way."

"Sure," you say. "Just follow me, I'll give you a quick tour of the ship."

All kinds of questions run through your mind as you lead Osha and Holten through the corridors, none of which you can find an answer for. Along the way you point out various areas of the ship that you pass by - the supply room, the rec room, the mess hall - until you finally reach the crew quarters. "Holten, you get door number three," you say, pointing to a large, metallic hexagon with a red "3" painted on it. "It's unlocked, just hit the switch to the right." As Holten enters his quarters, you walk over to an identical door with a red "1" painted on it, with Osha close behind you.

Stepping in, you rummage around in the storage closet while Osha takes in her surroundings. Coming out with a folding cot in your hand, you say, "Here it is. You can sleep on this. It's not much, but it's better than the floor."

"Thank you, John," she says, taking the cot from you and setting it up. She then sits down on it. Just then, you hear Vel's metallic voice over the comm. "Prepare for departure. Lifting off, now."

"Well, looks like we're on our way off this shithole. Can't say I'll miss it." You sit down on your bed as you feel the ship shake and shudder as the thrusters kick into full power, propelling the Royal Flush skyward. Soon the shaking stops, and you know that you've left the atmosphere. Standing up, you reach into the drawer of your desk, pulling out a bottle of synthahol whiskey. "Care for a drink?" you ask. "Yes, thank you." You pour the liquid into two glass cups, handing her one. She drinks the entire glass down in one gulp, as if it were water. "I see you're a drinker," you say, taking a sip from your own glass.

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

"Right. So, tell me, why do you need to get to New Avor?"

"I'm going there to find my father."

Well, that's the straightest answer you've heard from Osha on anything so far, but you're willing to bet the rest of that 100,000 credits coming to you that there's more to it than that. "That's all? Just a family reunion?"

"I'm going to kill him."

This is getting weirder by the minute. "Mind telling me why?"