After their narrow escape from the clutches of space pirates, the crew of the *Gallivant* had settled into a tense routine, each member silently processing the skirmish and its implications. The universe seemed to be in a particularly playful mood, tossing them from one hazard to the next. But as they say in the darker corners of the galaxy, "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."
"So, what's the plan now, Captain?" Loxley asked, leaning casually against the control panel. His eyes sparkled with a mix of mirth and mischief, a clear sign he was already bored of the quiet.
Captain Vela, who was reviewing the star maps, didn't look up. "We're heading towards the Orion Nebula. There's a little-known station there, The Nebula's Kiss. It's neutral territory and should give us a chance to resupply and lay low for a while."
