Chapter Twenty Five
January 14 2537 (ESTIMATED, IN SLIPSPACE), Covenant Frigate Determined Voyage

Will touched the door control with a smile on his face. Nese smiled back as she stepped into the room, "Sorry I'm late."

"Any later and we would have already been asleep," he replied as he walked back to the bed. Kev pulled him down into a tight hug.

Nese slowly sat on the edge of the bed as Kev and Will moved over to one side. This put Will in a position he was slightly afraid of: Between Nese and Kev. He felt Nese's warmth on his back through his clothes as she joined in their cuddling and Kev's hands against his chest.

"Don't worry Will," Kev said softly, "We won't do anything to you."

"No, I wasn't nervous, I was just-"

Nese laughed, "Relax. How about we just get some sleep, it's rather late."

Will sighed, "That sounds like a good idea." Once everything had gone quiet and the lights had been turned off, he found it surprisingly easy to relax. The steady rise and fall of Nese's chest against his back helped calm him down. The combined body heat from the three of them laying so close together was warm, just enough to keep him comfortable. He soon found himself drifting off to sleep, more comfortable with his situation than he had been before.

January 15 2537 (ESTIMATED, IN SLIPSPACE), Covenant Frigate Determined Voyage

Yen Ham stood in the center of the ship's control room, surrounded by the collection of Unggoy and fellow Kig-yar that made up her crew. "Bring us out of the void," she ordered. "I want to be on the edge of the system and take a look before we move in."

"Yes, Shipmistress," her crew replied. While they weren't officially Covenant, they weren't completely freelance either. It was a strange mix with both sides pretending to be the opposite to keep things relaxed. The holographic screens started feeding information in as soon as they entered normal space.

One of the Kig-yar near her reported, "I've got the colony on sensors. It's inside the asteroid belt in the proper location. I'm detecting a number of both Human and Covenant vessels in the area between the asteroid belt and the 5th planet."

"We were expecting that. Very well, if everything looks clear plot an in-system jump and move us closer," Yen ordered. "Contact Priestess 'Enoum and let her know we're here."

"No need, I'm already here," Nese replied as she walked into the room. "I felt us drop out of the void."

Yen smiled, "Very well then. We're going to make contact, is Sol Cas ready?"

"She's on her way. Any sign of Humans?"

"There are a handful of Human ships in system. More than I was anticipating, but hopefully they don't cause any problems," Yen explained. The holographic screens cleared themselves as the ship moved into the void again.

Sol entered the room, closely followed by Will and Kev. She approached Yen, "Shall I take communication systems?"

"Please do." Sol nodded and replaced the Kig-yar who was seated at a nearby station. "Once we drop out send a message explaining we have recently left Covenant territory and are interested in acquiring supplies."

"Don't make any mention of our settlement plans, myself, or Will. Let's keep things as low key as possible," Nese added.

The ship returned to normal space and Sol quickly sent a data transmission. There was a slight delay before they got a response, "They say as long as we keep away from the main hub and only send transport craft in to dock they have no issues with us doing business aboard the establishment."

Nese thought for a moment, "Tell them we will of course abide by that stipulation. Also, Sol, I'd like you and Kev to go alone at first. Just check out the station while we plan out exactly what we might need."

Kev stepped forward, "Just the two of us?"

"I trust the two of you completely, and you are both familiar with these Kig-yar. I also know you can hold your own if need be. Hopefully it won't come to that," Nese explained.

Sol stood, letting the Kig-yar who normally sat there have her seat back, "Very well, I think we can handle it."

January 15 2537, Unnamed Kig-yar Space Station

Sol watched her holographic screen as she moved the small ship through the crowded docking bay. There were only a dozen landing platforms, and all of them looked like they were hand crafted out of spare parts. Old ship hulls and piles of raw materials covered every inch of the floor, and even hung from the ceiling. To someone else, it would have been impossible to move through the space without knocking something over however Sol had more practice than she would want to admit. They touched down without so much as a bump.

Kev stood and moved toward the main compartment of the ship only to be stopped by Sol. "While we're here I need you to play dumb and keep quiet. Chances are I'll be recognized as we walk around. Just let me do the talking. I'm pretty sure they are still suspicious of us, we are broadcasting a Covenant signal."

"I know," Kev said. "Just try to keep me in the loop if you think something is wrong. I can't help if I don't know what's going on."

Sol nodded and the two moved into the rear of the ship, "That's fair. You have your weapon hidden on you?"

"Of course," Kev replied. "This isn't my first time doing something like this."

Sol gave a friendly smile, "I know, I wasn't trying to insult you. Just wanted to make sure you weren't too busy sleeping with Will to prepare yourself." Kev simply grumbled which made Sol laugh as they lowered the side panels. The light from the hanger filled the ship, along with the shadows of two Kig-yar standing just outside. Sol lead Kev off onto the platform.

"Welcome, just the two of you?" One of the Kig-yar asked in their native tongue. He wore a badge that labeled him as security. The only law on the station was the small security detail that handled disputes and cleaned up any fights. They were also tasked with running the docking ports.

Sol nodded, and took a moment to switch to their language. After speaking English around Nese's human subjects it had become habit to just stay in that language all day. "Two Kig-yar, for now. Once we start making purchases a few more might be coming with us."

The security guard nodded, "Very well, scanners show you're clean. You're clear to enter." The two guards stepped aside as Kev and Sol walked by.

Once they were out of ear shot Kev whispered, "I almost didn't understand what he said. I've been speaking English too much."

Sol grinned, "Me too."

Their conversation was cut short at the sight of four humans walking down the hallway toward them. Sol and Kev froze and watched as the humans passed them without so much as a glance. Once they were gone Kev asked, "Was that... What I think that was?"

"Humans, inside the station?" Sol asked back. Kev nodded. "Yes, I think it was. Apparently the trading has gotten more formal."

Kev gave a short laugh, "And here I was worried I might give us away by accidentally speaking English."

Sol continued walking, "Just keep quiet for now. For all we know that was a special case."

The two Kig-yar rounded a corner and entered the main trading room of the station. It was over four stories tall, with multiple uneven decks lining the walls. Small stands and shops were set up everywhere and it was completely filled with Kig-yar doing business. However, sticking up through all the small creatures were Humans. At least three dozen were scattered through out the room, doing business like nothing was wrong.

Kev leaned closer to Sol, "Not a special case."

"Sol! That's you isn't it!" The two girls turned to find a male Kig-yar walking up to them. "Why, here I thought you'd never set foot here again."

Sol glared at him, "Mot. I would be lying if I said I was glad to see you."

He laughed and grabbed her in a hug, "Oh relax, it's just me! You were always so serious, it's what got you into trouble."

"You were always too emotional, it's why no one ever hired you," she countered, pushing him away gently. "Did you need something from me, because I'm working and I don't have time to chat."

He frowned slightly, "Word is that you've gone Covenant."

"A jobs a job. It's not the first time I've taken pay from the Covenant." Sol turned to Kev and said, "Take a look around, I'll catch up in a minute." Kev simply nodded and vanished into the crowd.

Mot smiled again, "See? You do have time for me. Why don't we go sit down and catch up. It's been quite a while since we last talked."

"I only have a minute, Mot, so we'll talk here." She sighed, "How's business?"

He leaned against a nearby crate, "Good, as usual. With the increase of humans in the area, there's a lot of demand for simple technology and good money to be made."

Sol raised an eyebrow, "You're selling to the humans?"

"Look around, we all are. They showed up in system shortly after you left, claiming to be rebels and refugees from the war. We didn't ask too many questions as long as they paid their dues. So far, they've been more reliable than some of my regulars," he laughed at his own joke. Sol didn't even blink. He cleared his throat, "So, how's the job treating you? Sick of those religious speeches yet?"

She gave a small smile, "If you must know, my current work is probably the most enjoyable thing I've ever been paid to do. Some of the things I've learned would be worth quite a bit in the right hands."

Mot suddenly looked interested, "For example?"

Sol laughed, "Maybe next time. I'll be around, I'm sure you'll see me soon." She turned and left, heading in the direction Kev left. Mot simply shook his head and grinned as she walked away. She was the same Sol Cas he remembered.

January 15 2537, Covenant Frigate Determined Voyage

Nese and Will stood in the docking bay as Kev and Sol stepped off their ship. Nese smiled, "Welcome back, let's head to my study before we discuss what you have to report."

Sol nodded, "Very well."

Kev stepped up to Will as they started to walk down the hall, "I got you something. I found it among a junk pile and grabbed it." She pulled out a small model of a human ship, slightly bent.

Will took it and examined it closely, "Amazing. My father used to have a set of these. I remember looking at them in his office as a child. They're quite old."

Kev smiled and wrapped her arm around his, "I knew you'd like it."

He leaned down and gave the top of her head a quick kiss, "Thank you."

With a ping the door to Nese's study opened and the four of them entered. Nese took her usual seat and grabbed her tablet, pulling up all the information she had for their current plan. "Sol, how was it?"

Sol cleared her throat, "Well, it's just as I remember with a few minor changes. It seems that the population has risen dramatically since I left, at least it seems. With the number of ships docked right now, I can't imagine how all those Kig-yar would fit onto them. It also seems that the humans have moved into the area."

Nese nodded, "Yen Ham did a scan while you were away, it looks like there's a human colony on the fifth planet."

"They have been accepted as traders and have access to the station. We saw a significant number of them doing business."

Kev stepped forward a bit, "I saw a trade stand that appeared to be run by a human female. She had all sorts of human equipment available, said it came from the military."

"Human materials might be useful," Will commented. "Especially if they've got medical supplies."

Nese sat for a moment, taking in all the new information, "Very well. Sol, how long do you think it'll take to get a good amount of supplies and begin the recruitment process?"

"A week, maybe two. It depends how much weight I still carry with the traders, and how well received your idea is. If someone doesn't like our plan we could find ourselves being asked to leave," she answered.

"Then let's get to work. For now, Kig-yar only. I don't want any of the other species going over and getting in trouble. We need this to work," Nese said, standing up.

Kev voiced her opinion again, "It wouldn't be too unusual to see Will on board either. He might be useful talking with some of the other humans and getting their support."

Will placed a hand on her shoulder, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

A/N: For those of you who haven't been keeping track of the dates I've been using at each section head, both the Tin Man and the Montpelier are set to arrive at this very same Kig-yar facility very soon. Very soon.

(Like next chapter soon, if you still aren't getting it.)