Sarah flagged down one of the few people that wasn't in a Syrealian uniform and inquired about the man who ran the port. The person shook their head.

So much for that idea. But maybe this person would have some information.

He glanced at her.

Fortunately, the ships weren't too far from each other. If one of them refused her, she could always go to the other one. She barely made it to the first one before she balked. Talking to someone in front of the first one was Colonel Smirnov. She backed up behind the edge of the ship and listened to what they were saying.

"Those are all the visas of the crew. So, are you going to let us unload or not?"

"Once papers verified. Stay in ship."

Sarah popped her collar up and ducked her head. As he started to walk by, she turned so that he wouldn't get an opportunity to see her face. He passed without pausing. So this first ship wasn't an option. She kept her collar up and swiftly walked to the other ship. Something about it struck her as familiar, though there was a big section of the bottom that was clearly different from the rest of it.

"If you're looking for our Captain, he's in the ship. I can get him if you want."

Sarah knew that voice and tone. Relief flooded through her. Finally, an ally.

"Yes, and quickly please." She turned around so that she could see Claire. The mechanic's arm was in a sling. "I'm in a bit of a bind."

"You must be if you're coming to us for help." Instead of entering the ship, Claire cupped her hand and called up. "Hey Dave! Get down here! We have a situation!"

Sarah looked around; afraid someone had heard her. "You couldn't have been more subtle?"

The mechanic shrugged. "Didn't need to be. People yell at people all the time on the docks. It'd be more suspicious if I went up there quietly. We want to make this look normal, right? So, how'd you get past Smear-nov? He practically controls who goes and stays. And as much as he dislikes Libans..."

"I told a worker I was making a delivery and time was important, so he let me pass without any trouble. And when I saw Smirnov, I hid."

She felt like a coward doing so, but as far as she could tell, she had very few options. The Colonel would remember her face if he saw it. Dave came down a short time later. He smiled when he saw her.

"Sarah! I've been wondering how you've been. What brings you down here? That big wig professor got you running errands?"

"Sort of." She checked the coast once again. "Actually. I could use your help. You see..." And then she explained the situation the best she could. Both Dave and Claire's expressions grew serious.

"Claire, is the ship ready to go?"

"Yep. You just have to fire her up." Claire replied as she walked to the ship. "I'll let the others know. You know they aren't just going to let us take off with her, right?"

"I know. I'm working on something right now."

It took Sarah a moment to see why Claire had said that. A couple of Syrealian soldiers were heading toward them and one had a clipboard. They were probably coming to check the visas too. Dave sighed.

"Just let me do most of the talking. They probably think we're up to something, which they always do for some reason." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of crumpled up paper. He straightened it up. "Cross your fingers, Sarah, and hope all the poker I've been playing will help. If things start going badly, run for the ship."

As soon as the soldiers came, the ship started up. He looked at the paper then back to Sarah.

"Thank you for signing up as our radio operator!" He yelled over the noise. "Your official visa won't be in for a couple of weeks in though!"

The soldiers stopped. "New worker?" One questioned, pointing to her.

"Yeah, just signed up today!" He put an arm around her shoulders. "Show them your passport!"

Sarah handed it to them. They checked it over and nodded.

"Everything good. But she is Liban..."

"Everything's good?!" Dave questioned as he let go of her and motioned to the ship. "Great! We need to go now if we're going to make our deadline! Thanks for everything, you guys have been real swell!" He snatched her passport from them as he left. “Sorry, but she’s going to need this!”

Sarah made a beeline for the ship. Now was the time to hurry. She glanced back as she boarded to see Dave expertly snatch her passport and then get to the ship while the soldiers protested. He pretended he didn't hear them and shut the door. She took the seat near the radio and strapped herself in. Dave went out a bit into the water before ascending and then throttling.

"Well, that was a close call." He tossed her passport back to her. "I need you to do me a favor. Just turn the dial slightly off the frequency we usually use. We'll say we were having technical difficulties if they send someone after us."

About that time, Heather came up to the front of the ship. "Claire told me what was going on. You do know how much time it's going to take to sort all of this out if we ever want to work in Paradis again?"

Dave nodded. "I know. But we can do it."

"You mean I can do it. I handle the paperwork, remember?" She sat down in a seat by the navigation equipment. "You're off-course if you're trying to get to the closest international airspace. Turn starboard a few degrees."

The radio crackled to life. "Echelon come in. This is the Paradisan Port Authority. Please respond, over."

Dave locked the yoke and came over. "Roger, Port Authority. Our radio is having difficulties, so forgive the static, over."

There was a bit of static before a familiar voice came on. "This Colonel Smirnov. Did not have permission to take off. Did not answer my men's questions about Liban. Left before excused. But will overlook if you come back."

"Sorry Colonel, but we're on a tight deadline. If we don't make it, we won't have money to fix the radio." Dave gave Sarah a thumbs up.

"Will complain to Aboloanian government. If do not have proper visas for all crew, will have li in Paradis revoked. And do not try firing trick. All crew must have visa, even temporary. Will have one week to collect proper papers for agent to view. Colonel Smirnov, over and out."

The radio fell silent and Dave collapsed into his seat. Sarah put the mic back in its proper place.

"But it'll take more than a week to get a visa! That demand in itself is illegal!"

"He can have us banned for non-compliance. If we lose our license to deliver to Paradis, our business is sunk." Dave sighed. "Once we get back to Aboloan, I'll make some calls. You'll need to get yourself to the embassy. I have a feeling they know what's happening and will be glad to give one of their own citizens shelter."

"No, you heard what the Colonel says. If she's not with us, then we'll be banned for life.” Claire crossed her legs. "Besides, she's probably safer with us. She should still go to the embassy, but she probably couldn't stay there. It's not like she's in trouble with the Aboloanian government."

Sarah slouched in the seat. The whole thing had worn on her and now, she wasn't sure what to do. Maybe she should return home right away. But then it would get the crew in trouble. No, she could wait a week. After all, she owed it to them to help out after what they did for her. A week wasn't that long of a time and Aboloan and Liba were on good terms. She’d be safe there for a bit.