Eirik and Freja walked from the cantina to the bridge where Eirik settled down in his chair before turning to David.

"Where are we going, Captain?" The question was as expected as it was routine when Eirik got in the chair.

"We are heading for the Kloxna homeworld. I have a family to relocate."

A moment of stunned silence followed before David regained control of his voice. "Eirik, that's insanity. 10 days of travel through enemy territory. How will you bluff your way through that one?"

'"You tell me, David. I'm assigning you to take on the role of Captain when we encounter any Kloxna. We DO have a few boxes meant for a high caste member. I'm sure if you parade them around a little there should be no issue. If everything goes to shit, we can use Las'Tai. I will instruct her, don't worry." Eirik had thought it over and this was the best plan he could come up with. Las'Tai could claim she was on her way home as a surprise, hence the need for secrecy, but he would rather avoid that option, if at all possible. "I need a man with the delicate touch of diplomacy, David. That is why Jesper will not be doing it this time."

"I understand, Captain." David said, "But I am not much of an actor and I am a terrible liar."

"You will make a great Captain, though," Eirik said before returning his attention to the screens in front of him.

A few hours later, after they had completed undocking procedures and found a good FTL route, Eirik was making his way down to the armory with David, Jesper, and Signe. As they entered, Eirik made a straight line for the boxes he had acquired from the old weapons smuggler.

"Are we finally going to see the great mystery purchase?" Jesper asked while Eirik was cracking open the box with a crowbar.

"Indeed you are": Eirik grinned as he pulled the lid away. "There it is!!" He mumbled, "The m134 Minigun. 2000-6000 rounds per minute. Even if it is only firing rifle rounds, anything short of a tank will be scrap metal in a matter of seconds."

"Do you have ANY idea how much havoc I can cause with one of these babies?!!?" Jesper exclaimed as he quickly got to work on another box.

"Signe, I need your expertise with these. I want them mounted on the siege armor's right arm, to function as a primary weapon. I figured we could use a linkless feeding system attached to an interchangeable ammunition box mounted on the back. I understand this is a lot to ask for, and I only ask that you try. Nothing more. alright?"

Eirik made his wish known to Signe who sighed in frustration before replying. "Alright, Eirik. I will try. But I promise nothing! you will have to settle for a normal 2 handed grip at the moment and just take advantage of your armor."

"We can do that." Eirik agreed. Best not to push Signe. Her temper was as big as she was short.

Why is Knud not here?" David asked out of the blue.

Eirik pointed over his shoulder with a thumb, at Jesper who was currently cackling like a mad scientist while attempting to cradle a 39 kilo (85 pounds) multi-barrel rotary gun. "Do you think that image would do wonder for Knud's blood pressure?"

They all started laughing at the thought and continued to unpack the weapons and ammunition for them.

___________________________

Freja was sitting in the entertainment room, watching Las'Tai slowly win all the money on the table in front of her. The little female Kloxna fascinated her. Eirik had been very open about everything she had asked about, and while she did not share Eirik's adamant beliefs, she DID believe there was something more to the universe. SOME higher power.

She had seen Las'Tai interact with the crew and she seemed to be a perfect match for the misfit crew. Same with the other one, Trasti was his name. He had made a lot of growth during their time in port. He had shown timid behavior when she arrived, but now he was walking with the confidence of a young man at the beginning of his prime years.

She looked around the room, as Las'Tai won another hand, and noticed Jimmie staring at her from across the room. This was not the first time it had happened, but she had felt no need to bother Eirik with it. A punk like him she could handle just fine herself.

She rose from her seat and walked over to his table. He gave her a suggestive smile and she looked at him like he was a particularly disgusting bug. "Can I help you with something?" She asked.

"A lot of things, but I doubt the Captain would appreciate any of them" He replied, still wearing a smile that was turning downright creepy. Several of the people around them had gone dead silent but he either didn't notice or didn't care.

"So much as touch me, and I will cut fingers into mincemeat and spoonfeed it to you!" She hissed back at him. He took a step forward and was immediately stopped by a throwing knife that embedded itself into the metal floor, where it sat, vibrating from the impact.

"The next one won't miss!!" She spat at him, and he backed off. She retrieved her knife and walked out of the cantina.

"She is as insufferable as he is. I am beginning to understand why Dalle hates him with such a passion" He thought to himself as he sat down again. "But she will learn her place soon enough. A beautiful woman like that should not go to waste..."

_______________

Freja found Eirik and the others in the armory, still gushing over the new weapons. Coming up behind Eirik, she peeked over his shoulder and her eyes grew in size as she saw the weapons. She pressed her body against Eirik and whispered in his ear, "I want one" While running a finger down his neck.

Eirik shivered, leaned back his head mumbled "We can discuss payment later. I'm still at work, babe"

She took a step back and put on a pout "So serious after just a few years. Are you starting to get old Eirik?"

Eirik froze for a second but relaxed quickly. "Age is in the mind, my dear," he said and winked at her. He then started to pack away the cans of ammunition in secure storage.

"Let's sing some shanties tonight. We'll make a ritual of it!" Eirik suddenly said. "On every first night after leaving port, we will sing shanties together in the cantina. Mead rations to lighten the mood and Old Pan can bake cakes."

"I'm still surprised the old grump hasn't chopped something off of you yet, love" Freja chimed in.

"You don't bite the hand that feeds you, or in this case, pays you. I'm the Hlaford of this crew. As I would be of any future family I might be blessed with, if the gods will it." The promises in his eyes told her everything, and they HAD discussed the possibility this last month. But not during the war. She wanted security in life before starting a family. Eirik knew this condition, and it would spur him to end the war quickly.

"After the war, Eirik" she stated and stared daggers at him. Eirik laughed, "Behind every great man, stands a woman, rolling her eyes. We are doing the shanty thing tonight!! Life is good, we need to enjoy it! Let's go tell Old Pan about the extra work and see me run for my life!!" He started walking towards the door and the others were quick to follow. The old cook was surprisingly fast when he was displeased.