Well, it has indeed been a long, yet profitable day. I have finally found and secured transport back home to Urlaggash. There have been few enough ships through Ashima, much less ships headed back to Urlaggash that I must say I was surprises when Liaal informed me that the Nomad Ranger had set down and might be headed spinward.
I must say that it has been difficult these past few weeks. I don't believe father's death has yet sunk in. Indeed, I am surprised at the things which call him to my memory. Even today in bargaining for passage, some phrase or sight, fleeting though it was, brought father clear into my memory. It is difficult, but perhaps time and the trip home will assuage the pain.
The lack of any ship dispatched by my Uncle Qwen has only reinforced my beliefe that Heloise is correct in her suspicions. Poor Heloise. I regret that she is suffering through this alone, although I am confident the Virushi will treat her well.
In any case, I have secured passage aboard the Nomad Ranger and will hopefully arrive home before any other trouble ensues. The route is not direct, but it is to home. While joining the crew for dinner this evening, I have discovered that Liaal will be travelling with us. I can't say that I blame her. Sadly, the unpleasantness of late, has made the environment here quite unsafe for non-humans.
The crew seem friendly enough. Captain Wright seems an experienced man. He has gotten his crew this far in these troubled times, and that is good for something. I look forward to trading some stories with him and perhaps learning of new potential markets in the trailing systems.
Jenna Blake is, I believe, the ship's pilot. She was quiet during the evening meal, and I sense that she is still troubled by her past in some ways. She does not seem readily comfortable around strangers. Indeed, given the nature of these times, who can blame her.
Dalor Verinor, recently of the Imperial Marines, seems somewhat ill fit as a memeber of the crew of a trader. However, given his talents, and understanding the changing times we live in, perhaps he isn't so ill fit as first appearances would yeild. In any case, he has offered to spar with me to help pass our time in Jump, and I look forward to any instruction he might provide.
The ship's engineer is an energetic Vargr named Tsak. I'm not sure, but by the twinkle in her eye, I am guessing she has the typical Vargr jokester streak. It might make for a much more interesting trip.
That leaves the Cargo Master. Mal'ya, is as beautiful as she is exotic. She hails from Scotia, and has a unique, simplistic way about her that I found quite captivating. I must admit that I found her quite lovely and enjoyed her company thoroughly. In addition, she seems quite handy as a Cargo Master.
Well, as I'm nearing the halfway mark of the island circuit1, I intend to take a short diversion and enjoy Angelique2 once more before we lift off tomorrow.
Sir Preston Sturges
1 - The "island circuit" is a preprogrammed course that Sir Preston frequently used. It takes the speeder on a complete circle around the starport island on Ashima and is really quite breathtaking.
2 - Angelique is Sir Preston's customized speeder. It is really his toy. He has done some personal modifications to the speeder and enjoys driving it every chance he gets.