The sky was blue and the clouds white. Like back on Earth, not that many out here have actually have seen Earth.  The Exiled flew low, mostly cause no one cared if it did so.  It buzzed the stubs that once were great skyscrapers. Past the fires of homeless staying warm and the roads half covered in trash and debris.  Then suddenly over the glow of perfection. Those walled gardens with towering buildings and untouched residents. Reclaimed areas they called them. Steam rose up as the deck of the Exiled lowered to the cracked and lined concrete.  Captain Roman waited as the elevator lowed before stepping on to the ground with his crew behind him.  The blue sky of this rock was a welcome sight, as well was the fresh air.

                "Kat." The Captain said as he entered the proper information into the docking pad.

                "Sir." The Narrie girl reported.

                "You and Seth will stay the ship." He ordered.  "I want the water and air changed out by the time we get back. Thomas." He said to the Irish grease monkey. "You and Jig are going to do some shopping. Stick to the basics. I don't want some Reclaimer giving us crap. "

                "Aye on that, Captain." Thomas said as he slid on his coat.

                "Have fun Shamrock." Kat said mockingly.

                "The name be Thomas lass, Best you remember it." Thomas correct.

                "But I like Shamrock better." She continued to tease.

                "Shamrock's a place." Thomas argued. "One that's not even there anymore. We can thank you all for that, can't we?"

                "Shamrock." Roman interrupted.

                "Yes sir." Thomas responded without thought.

                "Shut up."

                "Aye sir." Thomas said shamed.

                "What about you, sir?" Seth asked. "What are you going to do?"

                "Well," The Captain said stretching. "The meet with the client ain't until tomorrow, so I going to stretch my legs." He said with a smile, a wave and an about face out of the docking area.

                "Doh," Kat sighed. Jig also took in a breath.

                "The problem with the Captain." He said. "Is that when he goes on a stroll we usually end up on the run."

                The alley was dusty and old.  Trash filling the corners and glass scattered about.  Captain Roman Jack strolled down it with his hands in his pockets and a cool wind in his face.  Smoke rose like a cloud from a small place in the back.  Roman stepped carefully down the steps and opened the door.  The place stunk of cheap whisky and fresh beer with old records filling the walls with weeping tunes.  The wallpaper was pealing in the corners and no one cared. The bar was dented and cut. The customers weren't that different from the bar, dented and cut.  Roman walked to the side wall and sat down behind a man in a grey hat.

                "The moon is high tonight." Roman said.

                "It sits on the sun's shoulders." The man responded.

                "How have you been?" Roman asked.

                "I keep breathing." The man said.

                "What is new?"

                "Well." The man sighed and cracked his knuckles. "I hear that there was a break in at Mars Operations."

                "Really?" Roman said. "By who?"

                "Don't know." The man in the grey hat continued. "But they were pros."

                "What did they take?" Roman asked.

                "Not sure on that either." The man admitted. "but it must have been something

important."   

                "Why do you say that?" Roman asked.

                "Because," The man in the grey hat started. "you don't blow a wall in with a fighter so you can drop line a man into the complex to steal something that you can hack off the system. Whatever they took was valuable enough for the government to keep off the net."

                "So you know it was information that they took." Roman inquired.

                "I caught wind of it." The man stated. "Also, I heard that the military was so angry over this that they sent a State Watchman after the thieves."

                "Really?" Roman asked.

                "Yep." The man in the hat said. "They say it is a old veteran Watchman, from back in the war." The man in the hat turned his head slightly to Jack. "Can you handle the heat?" He asked Jack.

                "I wouldn't be in this business if I couldn't." Jack replied. The man in the hat turned back forward.

                "Just remember." He said. "You can't spend money in hell."

                "What about local news?" Jack asked changing the subject.

                "Not good." The man said with a sigh. "Ten years ago there was enough room for everyone to operate, but now toes are getting stepped on.  The Triad is moving in on the Syndicates."

                "That doesn't sound too abnormal."  The Captain stated.

                "Yes, but is the biker gangs are getting involved this time." The man in the hat explained.

                "Biker gangs?" Roman asked.

                "Bah." The man in grey spat. "The war made a lot of orphans, Jack, and the problem with orphans is that they have no where to go, nothing to do and no one to kick them in the butt when needed. So a lot of them have formed these gangs and now roam the streets causing problems."

                "So what does that have to do with the Triad and Syndicates?" Jack asked.

                "The Triad was able to buy them off." The man continued. "They are now using the gangs as muscle."

                "You going to tell that a bunch of punk kids can take on the Syndicates?" Jack said.

                "It is all about numbers and guts." The man in the grey hat stated. "The gangs tip the balance.  The Syndicates are losing and that makes them nervous.  And there is nothing worse than twitchy fingers on machine guns." The man finished.

                "Yes." Roman Jack said. "I see what you mean."

                "Yeah, but it gets worse." The man continued. "The Triad is not the only one moving. The Reclaimers are getting bolder.  They push farther out every year.  I have heard rumors that they have gone so far as to wipe out whole sections, wall it off than resettle it with dopes from Earth.  I, however, can't confirm any of that.  It's just rumors. But I will keep my ear to the ground on it."

                "Thanks." Jack said. "Tell me more about this State Watchman, what can he do?"

                "Don't know much, I'm afraid." The man said. "They say he is a hard man.  But most that fought in the war were.  He isn't one to give up easy."

                "I guess I will just have to kill him." Jack said. "Anything else?"

                "Well." The man started. "The people are getting pretty tiered of the fighting."

                "And?" Jack asked. "You think they might do something?"

                "They might." The man said. "There is talk of it."

                "Of what?" Jack asked. "Revolt?"

                "Maybe." The man said. "But more interestingly, there is talk that the Fultons are the ones stirring it up."

                "Truly," Jack said. "Now that is interesting and bold on their part. What do the Fultons want with New Corinth though?" The man in the grey hat chuckled to himself.

                "The same thing the Narrie wanted it for, the same thing the military wanted it for. New Corinth has and always will be the gun at the back of Earth's head."

                "Hmmm." Jack said as he stood.  He reached in his pocket and pull out a folded napkin and dropped it on the table in front of the man.  The man dropped his hat on the napkin and rubbed his head.

                Kat laid her feet up on the console and leaned back.  The strong bass of a rock song filled the cockpit.  Kat nodded her head with the rhythmic beat.  The checklist on the computer screen clicked through each item.  Engine parts and bulk heads all being assessed by the ship's computer and reported on. The air intake hoes had a leak.  Kat saved that report and filed it under the crap Shamrock needed to do.  Growing bored already she glazed up at New Corinth's sky.  Ships and shuttles flew by often in different directions.

                "How much longer, Seth?" She asked the comm.'s mic.

                "On what?" He asked back.

                "Hmmm," She thought going over the things in progress. "The water?"

                "Seven percent complete." He answered.

                "It's been two hours." She shot out.

                "Well, I only have the one hoes." Seth explained. "You can get a bucket and help if you like."

                "No thanks."  Kat said as she turned down her music.  "Hey Seth." She said.

                "Yes?" He replied.

                "Do you think I did a good job yesterday?" She asked.

                "You always do." Seth said.

                "You think the Captain thinks so too?" She asked.

                "The Captain wouldn't let you fly that beauty of a fighter if he didn't." Seth assured. Kat smiled.

                "Yeah, you're right." She said relaxed.

                "Why?" Seth asked. "What is on your mind?"

                "Oh nothing." Kat assured. "I am just wondering when I might get to go off ship on a job."

                "Off ship?" Seth repeated. "You mean when do you get to fight eye to eye?" He asked.

                "I just wouldn't mind going with the Captain on one of these deals or one of his strolls or shopping or anything. I mean," She continued. "we land and you all go off into the planet or station and I sit on the ship watching the checklist." Kat could hear Seth chuckle slightly.

                "Kat, you have come a long way from the child that we meet ten years ago," He said and paused to find his words. "But shooting at an object and killing a man is very different."

                "I know that." Kat shot back.

                "No." Seth said firmly. "You really don't."

                "Look, could you just talk to the Captain for me." Kat asked. "Please, I'm going stir crazy sitting on this ship and he will listen to you more than me. Ok."

                "What makes you think he will listen to me?" Seth asked.

                "Cause besides Marshall, he respects you the most." Kat said.

                "Really?" Seth said. "You think so."

                "Yes." Kat stated again.

                "Well, if that is true why don't you ask Marshall to ask him?" Seth asked.

                "Well," Kat stressed. "Marshall isn’t here."

                "Indeed, he is not." Set agreed. "Still. I think if anyone should say anything it should be him. I tell you what, I'll talk to Marshall and see what he thinks. Fair enough?"

                "Yeah I guess." Kat said.

                "Good, now get back to the checklist." Seth ordered.

                "Yes sir." Kat replied turning her music back up.  Thomas's cat jumped into her lap and curled up. Kat looked down at her and pet her with a smile.

                The market was anything but calm. A busting strip of open shops half covered booths and torrents of talking people. Banners and signs toping all the buildings as the sweet hum of distance and near music blended with the chatter.  Almost like a river turning the bend. All the life and flow of commerce running down one narrow road. Thomas loved it, it reminded him of home. Jig hated it, it reminded him of home. Thomas pushed through a line to get a machine part.

                "Two on the nicker?" He asked.

                "Nah." The merchant replied. "Dozer sank last night. One on the nicker, five on the penny."

                "Oh come on." Thomas  shot back. "Five on the dime and you take the mister's necktie."  The merchant thought about it and nodded his head. "Good." Thomas exclaimed. "Here is twenty quill."

                "Thanks a feather, mate." The merchant said somewhat disappointed.  Thomas turned with a smile and rammed the new part into Jig's hands.

                "Carry that." Thomas ordered.

                "Huh?" Jig said. "Why can't you?" He asked.

                "Cause." Thomas said picking up a basket of eggs. "I'm taking the eggs and eggs are fragile."  Jig shook his head in disgust.

                "Nich." He muttered and walked on. The market was right by a lake.  The sun bounced off the water and glittered like a broken mirror. It really was lovely.  Several others thought so too.  They stood on the edge leaning on the railing glazing at the sight. Talking and laughing, taking pictures and thinking. One girl that leaned on that ledge turned right as Jig strolled by.  Her long red hair caught the sunlight and light up her face and outlined her form. 

                Jig's feet stopped moving.  She was like an angel.  Jig was stunned. He couldn't stop looking at her. She noticed his gaze and meet it with a small smile. His heart quickened. He turned to walk towards her, greasy engine part in hand. He took two steps when him, her and all the people in the market was blown to the ground with a wave of smoke. Jig rose to his feet and blinked out the dust in his eyes.  The column of smoke and flame shot up from the buildings behind him.

                In an instance a flood of military aircraft poured down from the sky with a rain of bullets on the market place.  The smoke began to spread out as people rushed in all directions trying to escape.  Jig drew his gun and made a run for the last place he saw Thomas.  He pushed his way through the crowds and tuned out the gun fire.  A guy stumbling in front of him and looked up to find himself face to face with the black visor and blood red armor of a Reclaimer.  The man clenched his teeth and tried to make a run for it when the Reclaimer fired two into the man's chest.  Blood spat to the ground as the man fell over still gasping for air.  The Reclaimer pressed his foot on the man's chest and ended him with a round to the head. 

                The crack of the gun shot was still ringing when Jig leveled his own gun.  The Reclaimer turned to see him when Jig opened fire.  Several shots bounced off the Reclaimer's armor before one struck him in the head scattering the glass and filling the helmet with blood. Jig stepped up to the dead Reclaimer and took his gun from his hand. The area was still filled with smoke but most of the fighting seems to have moved on.  Jig pull out his comm. and paged Thomas.

                "Thomas." He said. "You alright?" There was no response. "Thomas." He said again. It was then that a car broke through the wall of smoke and slid to halt in front of Jig.  The window rolled down.

                "What?" Thomas yelled out of the car. Jig smiled and ran to the other side to get in.

                "What took you so long." Jig asked.

                "I had to drop off the eggs." Thomas explained as they sped away.

                "I wasn't expecting that." Jig stated looking behind them at the still progressing massacre.

                "That is kinda the point of a sneak attack." Thomas said.

                "Ah," Jig said. "The Reclaimers must be getting bold."

                "Yeah," Thomas said as he swerved around a post. "Speaking of bold." Thomas added nodding head of them. Jig turned to take a look. Thomas was driving right at a check point covered with Reclaimers.

                "Thomas." Jig said a little concerned. Thomas didn't slow down.

                "Hold on." Thomas said as the front windshield blew into a scatter mess of glass at the incoming bullets.  Jig hardly had time to scream when Thomas ramped the obstacles sending the car flying into the air. The motor vehicle spun on its side before crashing into the ground with a shower of sparks and a hard bang. It continued to run on the ground before it smashed into the wall with a thump and some flames. Thomas kicked the door open and crawled out.

                "You might want to be hurrying along there, Jig." He said. "Them Reclaimers aren't know for their kindness." Jig rolled out of the crashed car and spit some blood on the concrete.

                "Thanks for the hint." Jig said sarcastically when a bullet bounced off the wreckage.  The Reclaimers at the checkpoint they just ramped were running towards them and they were not happy.

                "Let's get out of here." Thomas yelled making a run for it.

                "Great idea there genius." Jig yelled back as he jumped to his feet and followed.    

                Captain Roman Jack sat in the calm of a small dinner and took a drink of his coffee before continuing on his eggs and ham.  The place smelled of grease and cigarettes.  The counter was covered in dishes and tips with bills lined up like soldiers on parade.  The bell of the door opening rang and the thump of hard leather hitting the titled floor bounced around. A man in his fifties slid down in front Jack.  He wore the black overcoat of an military officer.  On his chest was the pendent of a State Watchman. A woman in her late twenties sat down next to Jack.  She wore civilian clothing but anyone could tell that see was not from New Corinth.  Too clean and proper. The Watchman folded his hands on the table and smiled slightly.

                "We have been looking for you, Captain." He said.

                "It appears that you found me." Jack said.

                "Yes it does." The Watchman replied.

                "I hope the trip wasn't too taxing." Jack stated with concern smeared on his face.

                "Hardly, it was worth it." The Watchman said.

                "I bet." Jack said coldly.

                "Now, would you be so kind as to come with us?" The Watchman asked.

                "Can I finish my eggs first?" Jack asked.

                "Of course." The Watchman answered.

                "Thank you." Jack said picking the rest of them on his fork and shoving them in his mouth. "There." He mumbled. The Watchman smiled before nodding to his lady friend to get up. She stood facing Jack as the Watchman slid out of the booth.  Jack took a gulp of his coffee and also stood.  The woman turned and walk ahead with the Watchman to Jack's back.   They left the dinner and entered the alley next to it.

                "I have to ask." The Watchman said once they were in the shadow. "Do you even know what is on that disk you stole?"

                "I must say I never asked." Jack admitted.

                "Well, maybe if you had you would have dropped the job." The Watchman stated.

                "I doubt it." Jack shot back. "What is on there?" He asked.

                "It is the flight plan of a water tanker." The Watchman responded.

                "Ah, that would explain why my client is paying so much." Jack stated. "I'm sure the Fultons would pay a fortune for a full tanker of water."

                "Earth needs that water." The Watchman said.

                "For what?" Jack said. "Their golf courses? Plus they always over ship, the way I hear it they sell water to the Fultons anyway because they don't have enough storage for it all."

                "Probably." The Watchman said. "But I'm sure our client will give them a better price."

                "Personally, Marshall." Jack said turning around. "I really don't care."

                "When is the meet?" Marshall asked.

                "Tomorrow." Jack answered. "I was worried you and Ash weren't going to make it back in time."

                "You know I never disappoint." Marshall said.

                "Yep, but I do wonder." Jack said. "Why do you keep wearing that metal thingy?" He said pointing to the pendent on Marshall's chest.

                "It let's me get into places easier." Marshall stated. "So long as they don't look to close at it and realize that it expired ten years ago."

                "Ha." Jack said. "Yeah, but a former Watchman can light up a guy's ass just as well as a current one."

                "I like to think so." Marshall said. Jack smiled.

                "How's it going, Ash?" Jack asked the lady standing next to the former State Watchman.

                "Fine." She said coldly before walking past. "So where is your car?" She asked.

                "I figured on saving some money and walked." Jack stated. She turned with a bitter look and shook her head. Marshall chuckled and followed behind her. Jack shrugged and also followed down the alley saying. "Yep, good to have the band back together."