The door slid shut behind them as Detrol sat at the drafting table, tapping at a keypad to awaken a holographic display field that hovered above them. "Alright, let’s discuss payment.”

Solace, who had remained standing, folded her arms and jerked her head towards the floor-length window of the docking bay behind him. “I believe we already did.”

Digital forms flew across the display as he selected and moved them to a growing virtual pile. Without turning his head, Detrol answered, “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice your companion here has no ID profile - not only in the Unified system, but the entire interstellar transportation network? I’ve been scouring every dark corner of the archive trying to identify him since you interrupted our repairs, his facial signature has no match."

From his periphery, Kayl noticed Solace discreetly reaching for the blade hidden in a secret fold in her trousers.

"Now before you do something completely moronic, answer me truly if you really think it's an unfair ask: I can forge onboarding documentation and work credentials - I cannot, however, hack the central network for all inhabited systems and forge a profile. We'd be floating space junk before I could even touch it.” Kayl saw a brief glint in Solace's hand and knew his guard had already decided to cut their losses. Still operating the table display, Detrol added, “You seem to be a highly capable agent to earn an immunity token...I'm certain you noticed this is a single-entry room and I have an armed crewmember on the other side.” He nodded to the window, where they could see his companion standing guard outside the door.

Her eyes flicked to the guard then back as she growled, "I don't see anything worrisome."

This time, Detrol did turn to face her. "Neither did we for you, but I'm certain that little butter knife is quite worrisome in your hand." The light from the table softened the edges of the symbiot's face, which somehow made him more menacing. "Above all else, the crew of the Hubris excels at keeping some powerful cards close to the chest. It would be catastrophic for the two of you to underestimate us."

Solace's lips pressed into a sharp line. Another glint and the blade was gone, but she kept her hand near its hiding place.

"Scan please," Detrol continued, pointing to a dark square on the table surface. “Now. I couldn't care less about the lack of ID, but I cannot speak for the authorities at each checkpoint along the Current as we travel to your destination. Therefore ferrying him," he nodded to Kayl, "will cost extra.”

Solace placed her hand on the scanner and grumbled, “How much.”

“Seventy percent mark-up,” he said without hesitation. The scanner flashed and chirped.

She grunted and jerked her hand back. “You need a reboot if you think we're paying that much.”

The symbiot shrugged, his head swiveled to Kayl. The face plate glinted as he tilted to look Kayl up and down. “Unless he’s got any useful skills to sweeten the deal?”

She sighed. “Forty percent.”

The symbiot laughed and switched off the display. “Don’t waste my time,” he said, rising to leave.

Kayl's heart was plummeting when Solace suddenly lunged forward and caught Detrol's arm as he started for the door. “Fifty-five,” she growled. “Not a tick more.”

Grabbed, Detrol did pause but leaned towards her. “In light of what I can conclude about your circumstance, I don’t think you’re in the position to make that call, Thmien. Who else would take him with no travel profile - and you with seven?”

She did not speak for several seconds, but Kayl had the feeling that some nonverbal understanding exchanged between her and the symbiot. One that did not go in their favor.

Detrol shook his arm loose from her grip and sat again, switching on the table and adding a new form to the display. “Very well, we’ll take fifty-five if you sign this addendum: until we make berth at your destination, you agree to being a gunner during flight time and the muscle on any stop along the way. Your mysterious companion here will be responsible for crew meals and upkeep of the galley and brig.”

Solace exhaled and quickly glanced at Kayl. “Done. Though you may regret that condition, he’s never cooked before.”

Or cleaned, Kayl worried. Detrol snorted, pointing to the palm scanner again. “Good time to start. Can’t be worse than what the crew is eating now. Truth be told I’m weary of my master’s complaints of pre-packaged rations.”

They said nothing more as Solace completed her hand signature for the documentation. The guard outside lightly knocked on the door.

"Right," Detrol chirped brightly, "now that's settled, let's get you a new ID."

They followed the symbiot out, who addressed the guard as they passed. "Well?"

"Beatrix has the biodata of the new ID, she's making up the necessary documentation now. The parcel is en route."

Detrol headed for the ship, motioning for Solace and Kayl to follow. "From whom?"

The guard followed behind them. "You asked for one thirty minutes ago, you should know by now that's not enough time to work the porter for a good deal. I found a mining barge, that'll do in a pinch."

"Ick," Detrol groaned, "In that case, I apologize ahead of time for whatever is the sorry state of this one. But you know, beggars can't be choosers and all that." He clapped his hands. "Well! While we wait on that delivery, we'll help you get settled on the Hubris."

Kayl bit back many questions as they passed under the hull of the Hubris. His eye caught by some spark of light, he gazed up at the panels that hung meters above his head. They had an odd crystalline substance covering them - covering the whole ship by his guess. The substance was mostly clear and colorless with veins of obsidian, allowing them to blend into the metallic panels of the hull from a distance. As they neared the loading ramp, he brushed Solace's arm and tried to nod as imperceptibly as possible to the hull. She gave him a brief side glance but did not look up, indicating that she too had noticed.