Catalina leveled her racer off at five thousand feet. From here the racers autopilot would safely take her back to the city. A small flashing dot of red light emanated from the racers coms unit. She tapped the dot

"Janitor needed: see Horizons hospital, Receptionist wanted: apply in person, Zicom general supply," she scanned the list of message headers. "These are all job openings." She opened a random message, advertising a technician position at the Selmin mines. The listing contained the usual information; what the mine was looking for, what working conditions would be present, and the payment information. She looked at the file information code, the message had been sent shortly after she had started to leave Alexei. She worked her way though several offers, checking the time each was received.

"Ok Alexei I appreciate the effort but I sort of feel like this is cheating." Working her way from the bottom of the list up she looked over each of the offers. None seemed to be worthwhile. Those that she found interesting where paying minimum wage for long hours and no perks, the higher paying jobs all but guaranteed a life of boredom and antidepressants.

She forced herself to open the top message. It had been marked urgent. The header read "Representative needed for budding entertainment company." Catalina glanced over the requirements before moving towards the description.

"Dinochrome entertainment is seeking a young and talented individual to act as the face of the company. Applicants must be willing to work with media and customers to promote the company's ideas, image, and products." The description went on to mention particulars in travel requirements and flexibility in working hours. It was the salary and benefits that caused Catalina to pause. Even by liberal calculations in favor of the competition, the listed amount was twice that of the next best offer. Applicants where to apply in person, when she looked for an address she only found a set of coordinates. She entered the information into the racer's navigation computer. A green halo appeared on the screen in the direction she had just come from.

Leo and Camille meet their daughter at the door. From the look on their faces she had been out longer than they thought necessary.

"Oh look Leo now we can finally leave for our date." Camille turned to her daughter, "It would be nice if you would answer your coms unit once in a while. The sedan is in the shop. Your father was stranded at work for hours because we couldn't get a hold of you."

"I'm sorry mom I was out looking for a job. I didn't want my coms unit going off while I was talking to an employer."

"Oh, well, I guess that's better than you being gone on one of your camping trips. Did you manage to find anything interesting?"

Catalina pointed to the racer. "Yeah I found a few things. It's all on the Racers coms unit. You think you could look over the list on your way to your date?"

Leo started to pull his wife towards the racer. "Sure, but it's really your decision, which jobs you decide to pursue."

Catalina followed after her parents, as they headed towards the landing pad. "I know, but I'd like your opinion. I managed to get a rather large list."

Leo quickly forced Camille into the cockpit before scrambling in after her. "We'll give them a look." He entered the name of Camille's favorite restaurant. "We've got to go. Love ya kid," He called out. He pulled on the racers canopy forcing it closed.

"What was all that about?" Camille asked as they lifted into the air.

Leo cast an appreciative glance over the woman seated next to him. "It's been nearly two months since our last date alone. We've got reservations at the best restaurant in town and reserved seats at that show you wanted to see. And after that we have our choice of a private sweet on the edge of the city or what ever Catalina has in the trunk."

"Making up for lost time are we?"

"No getting back into the practice. I love Catalina more than anything, but the sooner she leaves the den the sooner I can have my way with you." Leo licked his chops at the prospect of having his mate all to himself again. He felt his side start to rumble as his wife leaned into him and started to purr.

As Leo and Camille enjoyed the third act of their play, Alexei watched as a small craft entered the planet's orbital space. The vehicle did not match any thing in Alexei's vast databanks.

Operation: Self diagnostic

Power sys: 98.908%

Drive Train: 100% operational

Tac/Comm: Online

Nav: Online

Tracking/sensors: 100% operational

Suspension: 100% operational

Secondary and tertiary system operations: 99.997% integrated

Magnetic shielding: 100% operational

Weapons:

Hellbore 1, 2 Operational

Hellrail 1 operational

Infinite repeater banks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, operational

Tertiary weapons systems reporting

I've been observing the small craft for 3.567 minutes. So far it has maintained an altitude roughly ten miles above the colonies sensor range. After reevaluating the Renan's chances of detecting me, I've decided to scan the vehicle for information.

My scans indicate that the ship is a drone, similar in build to the raiders that attacked the New Hope previously. An analysis of it's systems indicate that it is unable to detect communications, or conduct more than an optical survey. Unfortunately the presence of an on board printing station indicates that all of its data is backed up by hard copy. I would need to destroy it to prevent it from completing its mission. I am 98.465% positive the discharge of a hellbore in this proximity to the colony would alert the Renan officials to my presence. In addition I calculate a 75.784% chance of an escalated response from the raiders should the drone be destroyed. I must let it continue on its mission.

I take a further .003 seconds to contemplate relaying the drone's existence to the Renan government. However, this would alert the government to my activities, as well as the raiders. For the moment I must remain silent.