As they slowly got closer to the 2 planets within the habitable zone, or, the *Goldielocks* zone, They took the time to scan them properly. One could be classified as a super-earth, while the other was barely habitable. The atmosphere would be hard to breathe in without a filter or mask and the planet itself was little more than mountains and oceans with a few valley plains dotted around the equator.

Meaning, it was perfect for hiding out a few weeks. "Take us down on the desolate planet. See if you can find a cave system near one of those valley's" Eirik was excited. Unexplored worlds almost always had the potential for adventure, one way or another. The collective groan from his command staff told him they had all been hoping to spend the time on the much nicer super-earth. But they were here for hiding, not vacation.

"No cave systems large enough to fit the ship near the valley's, Captain. But quite a few in the taller mountains. Shall I take her down there?" David said after a few minutes of scanning

"It's better than nothing. We can make shuttle runs for firewood. We will need to shut the ship down to hide the electric reading the ship would give off when they scan for us. So we need a lot of firewood to keep everyone warm in a cave." Eirik explained, "I'm not taking any risks of being found, not until the war is going on good and proper and they won't have time to focus on us.

Take us in. And let's get to work. It is going to be a hectic few hours of hard work before we can lean back."

A few minutes later they were coming down on the mountain range they had selected. there was a cave large enough to contain the entire ship several hundred feet inside the mountain, leaving plenty of area for both several bonfires and general movement, sheltered from the elements.

Eirik called out over the intercom, "wolf pack's to the Hangar, sweep and clear the area of any indigenous lifeforms. I want nothing alive in here besides us. Engine crew, once the ship has been shut down, gather up in the hangar with power tools fit for wood cutting. You are on supply duty to the surrounding valleys in the area. requisition any other crew members you might need and take 9 shuttles out. Once filled with supplies, and not before, do you return to this cave. Should any problems arise, call for help and I will send a pack to support you.

And remember to bring sidearms".

The next few hours did indeed become quite hectic but yielded a lot of valuable resources in the form of wood for keeping a fire going and local flora that was being examined for edibility and other properties. A few crew members were taking geological samples to scan for metal and minerals. Coordinates for a possible new mining colony sold for vast amounts of credits to the right buyer. And, cold hard credits were all they could rely on to get by while on the run. The rest of the day was spent setting up temporary shelters inside the cave to get a sense of privacy and set up a rotating guard pattern with additional lookouts in the surrounding area. You never knew with unexplored planets.

The following week was spent running different kinds of combat drills with the entire crew, under the instruction of the designated assault squads. Eirik did not expect a lot of boarding to take place on his ship, but if it did, he was going to make damn sure his crew would bleed the enemy dry for every single step taken on HIS ship.

Signe and Jesper worked together to optimize the ship's corridor design for combat, installing waist-high, reinforced, sliding panels at key sections to create choke points that were easily defended while having plenty of kill zones to exploit against advancing enemies. Most of the work was done by flashlight as Eirik didn't want construction lights set up. He was extremely paranoid about the amount of electricity they could use and had only reluctantly agreed to flashlights instead of torches.

Knud was busy making preparations for an emergency field hospital that could be packed up and moved in less than an hour and deployed in 3 minutes flat, inside one of the hangar bays.

David was studying the sparse info they had gained from the information brokers before they had to leave the smuggler station. The next data drop-off was several weeks away, so he took his time analyzing every tiny bit of information.

Jeanette was nowhere to be found most of the time. Las'Tai gave in to curiosity when not training and went looking for her, only finding her at the end of the week, carefully cleaning and decorating the sacred room.

She walked up to Jeanette who was putting dried herbs drenched in water on top of small stone bowls with coal in them. The 4 bowls were arranged around the wooden statuette she had seen previously, adding to the reverence of the object. Despite not believing in having faith, Las'Tai felt trepidation as she entered the room, like doing something to dishonor it would result in grave consequences by forces unobservable."Why do you do this now Jeanette? The Captain told me it had been left alone for years." The question was innocent in its ignorance and her voice was open and curious.

"Because the news of war has caused many of our crew to seek religion as an anchor, Las'Tai. A beacon in the dark that can provide some semblance of hope. But they do not pray for themselves."

"Who do they pray for, if not for their safety?" Las'Tai was confused. Terran's prayed to gods, but they did not pray for themselves. What was the logic?

"They pray for their loved ones. Their families and friends are back on Terra and wherever else our crew has loved ones. They pray for their safety, so that they may be there once we return from the fight." Jeanette said it with a certainty that caused another question to pop up.

"How do you know that?" Las'tai was looking at the statue, studying it. It was fairly small, maybe 30 centimeters(~10 inches) tall.it depicted an old Terran, judging from the beard, one eye missing, Spear held in the right hand. a small black bird on each shoulder and 2 of some kind of predator laying at his feet. It was a single solid piece of wood, the carvings more indication than detail, allowing a crude but very effective in communication, form of art.

"Because I often lead them in prayer. Do not be mistaken. I am no priestess, nor do I believe in organized religion as a concept. But my word's seem to grant people peace and when they ask in earnest I shall not deny them my help." Jeanette had a mild smile on her lips, her eyes caring and soft.

Neither of them said anything for a long while, Finally, Las'Tai broke the silence, "Can I ask your gods for help even if I do not believe in them?"

".....I do not see any harm in that if your prayer is truthful," Jeanette answered.

"Will you help me if I explain what I want help with? I have no idea how to pray to gods.." Turning away from the statue, Las'Tai looked at Jeanette with a pleading expression.

"Of course Las'Tai. Do you have an offering for the gods or will you simply pray?"

"Offering??" Las'Tai was confused.

"Some people offer sacrifice to the gods. Some do not. It's all personal preference. I know the Captain offers sacrifice to the gods. I also know that I do not. Either is fine. Some amongst those that offer sacrifice say that things crafted with love and care by your own hands hold greater value than something you acquired through trade. It all depends on what you feel is the right thing to do in the situation."

Las'Tai thought for a moment. "Can I offer sacrifice on a later date??"

"I think that can be accommodated. But we need to speak with Eirik. He knows more about this than I do. Let's go find him" Jeanette started walking out the room. "Now?!!?" Las'Tai exclaimed, surprised by the sudden change in the situation.

"Of course, You gain nothing from sitting down, right?" Came the reply from the corridor. Las'Tai hurried after Jeanette. Might as well take the chance.