((Quick note for this story: This was originally an entry for the Star Citizen Roleplay's Summer writing contest, with the theme 'Summer Road-Trip'. As I'm starting to make new parts to this story, I figured I post it up here and see what kind of reactions I get.)) “So why did you want me along again?” Samuel asked the lady he was following. “Because! You never know what kind of weird encounters I’ll have during these outings!” The lady said. They were walking through the microTech Plaza. The woman had already bought some new clothing, which Samuel was basically forced to watch and judge. He was reluctant, but he got paid well for this job. The job in question was to help gather some key items for a contract the woman had. It didn’t have much of a time limit until the first item was picked up, so the woman, whose name was Emma, decided and persuaded Samuel that she would go shopping while they were here. And of course, she wanted Samuel to come along. “And you’re saying you couldn’t handle a ruffian?” He said, smirking at the woman. “Obviously I could, but it would be nice to have someone hold off the ‘environment’ while I deal with them.” Emma said playfully. It was obvious that she was able to handle herself, but she hinted at Samuel keeping the authorities occupied. “I’ve told you, I don’t do those kind of jobs anymore.” Samuel responded. Samuel and Emma went back. Way back. Before he had his own transportation service, they were both part of a small group. The ‘group’ in question took all kinds of jobs, some less on the legal side. After serving some time, Samuel renounced his ways of being illegal, while Emma… Well, she says she is legal now, but Samuel thinks she still does some jobs that fall under a grey area. After leaving the plaza, they took the Metro Loop back to the station, where Emma kept trying to keep up the conversation but Samuel being a bit unresponsive. “Just like old times!” “See it as a nice road trip!” She kept saying. Samuel thought it was just a ruse to get him back into whatever underground plan she had thought of. No more, he thought to himself as he stepped out of the Metro Loop through the pushing masses. No more. After Samuel got his Avenger Titan ready for take-off, and Emma got her package picked up and in the cargo bay, the two of them set out for the next stop. As Samuel started Quantum Spooling while setting course for Hurston, he looked over his shoulder to Emma. “So you’ve got the package?” “Yes I do.” “And you’re not going to tell me what’s in it?” “Nope” She said in a playful voice. Samuel sighed. “Then I’m not going to ask.” He said as he started the Quantum Drive. A few minutes later, they arrived at Hurston and landed at Lorville. A small trip with the metro, and there was a Cyclone waiting for them at the outskirts as Emma had arranged. They drove a while through the wasteland, Samuel behind the wheel and Emma giving directions, although she was mostly just pointing out the nice views. After arriving at their destination, a little outpost, Emma picked up the package. On the way back, Samuel stared at Emma’s acquisition until she gave in and told him it was something made as a by-product from Prota, was VERY expensive and assured him it was legal. Samuel appreciated the reassurance, as well as that the trip to his original him was very short. Too many bad memories. Another few Quantum jumps later and they arrived at Orison. It was a short stop in the city in the sky. Emma always told him that she hated how ‘posh’ everything there looked. He never asked where she was from, but judging from how much she hated Orison as much as he hated Lorville, he figured it might as well be her home as well. As Samuel waited outside an out-of-place looking store, he started to relax a bit. The Crusader’s summer sun was feeling nice on his skin, and this whole trip brought back a lot of nice memories. He might not look back at his life in the group as one he should repeat, but it was still a time he looked back at with joy. Emma walked out of the store with another box in hand. This time, Samuel didn’t even bother asking, and they walked back to the ship. Samuel sat back into the seat. “So where next?” He asked. “Final destination: Daymar.” Emma told him. “Daymar? That seems like an odd place. Anywhere particular?” Emma seemed to glare at him from behind before giving him some coordinates. Some jumps later, and he was making his way to the coordinates when something popped up on his radar. “Looks like there is a Constellation Phoenix at your coordinates… Looks unmanned.” He could almost feel her bright smile in his neck. “That’s mine, just park your ship right next to her.” She said. He was a bit taken back. If she had a Connie Phoenix, why did she want him to gather all this for her? And as he got closer, it seemed it was an Emerald edition as well. He didn’t know she was that wealthy. As he landed, he started helping her unloading the boxes. He helped her get everything into the cargo bay, and as he helped get the last box in, she shouted from the deck above for some help. As he came up the elevator, he saw her bent over a table, putting some cutlery in place. “Tadaa!” Was all she said. “… what is this all? You expecting company?” Samuel said, unsure what was happening. “Well, I was expecting you! Don’t you know what day it is?” She said, looking at him with a smile radiating smug knowledge. Samuel had to think for a bit, before realising: Today was the day he joined the group. Today was the day he met the crew. But more importantly… “Today is the day we met.” “Got it in one! Come on, don’t be standing there, sit!” Emma said, lighting the holographic candles. As he sat down, he looked to the left as he saw the sun come up. “You positioned this ship to see sunrise, sunset and noon, didn’t you? You planned all of this.” A smile came to his face. “You wanted me along for this ‘road trip’ as some kind of… date?” “And to pick up the main course, desert and wine. What do you think?” “I think… I’m getting hungry. What’s for dinner?” He said playfully back. Emma smiled back, as they started discussing old times.