Standard Disclaimer applies, the song Leaving Home Ain't Easy is copyright to Queen and their respective label.

==^== Chapter 2 ==^==

Three months later, Harper was dropped off at the first drift the Maru came to -- Alacar Drift, the first respectable drift out of Dragan Territory.

Since his arrival on the Maru there had been a few noticeable changes, one of which was the absence of Bobby Jensen; the other was the increased efficiency of the engines.

"Well, Harper, this is where we say goodbye. It's been fun having you onboard," Beka said as she escorted him to the airlock, his only bag slung across his shoulder.

"Yeah, it sure has. Thanks for letting me stay as long as you did, and I'm sorry about Bobby. I thought you knew those were missiles."

"He told me they were computer parts, but that's ok. I was getting tired of the way he treated me anyway, so you gave me an excuse," she tried to lighten the somewhat somber mood but failed.

"Well, Beka," Harper extended his hand to her which she took, "it's been real fun. If you ever need another engineer just look me up."

"I'll do that. Well, I wish you the best of luck out there."

"Thanks, I have a feeling I'll be needing it." With that cryptic remark Harper left the Maru forever, or so Beka thought. Closing the hatch she tried to think about where she could find another engineer. Sighing, she returned to the pilot's chair and requested permission to leave. Considering how bad this sector and its drifts were, she decided to go to El Dorado Drift; she could find an engineer there.

==

Harper roamed the streets of Alacar Drift, the few hundred thrones he'd left Earth with and the few he'd gotten from Beka for his work on the engines tucked safely against his ribs.

As he roamed the streets and alleys he got the impression that this was the type of place where a person could disappear and not be found, if he had the mind to.

Finding a reasonably priced hotel he paid the 30 thrones and went to his room. Compared to what he'd had on earth, this was a palace. It was even better than the rooms provided by the Order. Looking around the spartan furnishings, he felt that he may just be able to make something of himself here.

Sitting on the bed he considered going out for a drink. The Maru hadn't had a single drop of alcohol on her, and he needed a drink badly.

Leaving his room he made his way to the entertainment sector and the bars that dwelled within.

Finding one that had no Nietzscheans in it he went up to the bar and stood, considering what he wanted to poison his system with. In the background an old Earth tune was playing.

"What'll it be?" a gruff voice asked from behind the bar. Looking up, Harper found a short, fat, bald human, with piercing black eyes and a scar running across his forehead, his nose was misaligned from one bar fight too many.

"I'll have a Weisbreu," Harper told the man.

"Sorry, fresh out, but I'll tell you a secret, Sparky cola will give you the same buzz but without the hangover. You wanna try one?" he asked already reaching for the mentioned beverage.

"Yeah, why not," Harper agreed as the man pulled the drink from behind the bar and placed it in front of Harper. "Thanks."

Popping the tab on the can, Harper leaned against the bar considering what his next move would be and listening to the song that was playing at the moment; it was by a group called Queen, if he remembered correctly.

I take a step outside
And I breathe the air
And I slam the door
And I'm on my way
I won't lay no blame
I won't call you names
'Cause I've made my break
And I won't look back
I've turned my back

On those endless games

I'm all through with ties
I'm all tired of tears
I'm a happy man
Don't it look that way?
Shaking dust from my shoes
There's a road ahead
And there's no way back home
Ohh but I have
Leaving home ain't easy
Oh I never thought it would be easy
Leaving on your own
Oh is the main thing calling me back?
Leaving home ain't easy
On the one your leaving home

Stay my love my love please stay
Stray my love what's wrong my love?
What's right my love?
Ohh leaving home ain't easy
I thought how could I think of leaving
Leaving on your own
Still trying to persuade me that
Leaving home ain't necessary
Leave the only way
Leaving home ain't easy
But may be the only way

He was enjoying his Sparky and the music when what appeared to be a couple of spacers walked in, discussing their various woes.

"Yeah, the boss wants to find an engineer, the last one was a drunk and got tossed out an airlock," one of them was saying as they sat next to Harper at the bar.

"So he really tossed him out an airlock?"

"Of course, not only was he a drunk but he was flash fried, no use to anyone."

"So now you're down an engineer, tough luck. Where you gonna find an engineer on this drift, I mean no respectable engineer would be this close to Dragan space."

"I don't know, but the boss'll find one, otherwise we can't leave."

Harper took this time to interrupt them.

"Excuse me, but you're looking for an engineer?" he asked the man.

"Who's asking?" he replied cautiously.

"An engineer looking for work," Harper replied, hoping that was enough to satisfy the man.

"An engineer you say, you any good?"

"Any good, I'm a freakin' genius."

"Well, I'll let the boss decide, finish your drink and I'll take you to meet him."

"Fine by me," Harper said as he slammed down an entire can of Sparky in one gulp.

"Cripes," the bartender said, "I've never seen anyone do that, most people can't even stand the taste."

Harper just grinned, remembering the things he used to eat and drink to survive.

"How much?" he asked the bartender, reaching for his 'wallet'.

"2 thrones, I can't move the stuff, so I'll give you a deal on it."

Harper paid the man his two thrones and followed the Spacer back to his ship.

==

Reaching the docking bay, the Spacer led Harper towards a freighter marked Ariel.

Entering the ship, Harper was led to the Captain, a man named Sampson.

Sampson was a Spacer, born and bred. He had the tan that was due only to the unshielded radiation found in space. He was a muscular man of about 35, crew cut brown hair and green eyes. He stood an impressive six feet, which naturally made him an imposing presence.

"Sir," Harper's guide said, "I may have found us an engineer."

"Really," Sampson said as he took in Harper's somewhat disheveled appearance.

"Yes sir," Harper said stepping forward.

"Can you fix slipstream?"

"Slipstream? I can fix that in my sleep," Harper said with his usual forthrightness.

"AP tanks?"

"Are you kidding? That's cake."

"Impulse engines?"

"Of course."

"Environmental systems?"

"Absolutely."

"Navigational systems?"

"Don't insult my intelligence, I am a freaking genius, if it's on a ship, I can fix it," Harper said in finality.

"Good, you've got any references?" the Captain asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Just one, Beka Valentine of the Eureka Maru. Worked with her for 3 months, before I decided to move on."

"I'll have Charlie here contact you in the morning, after I check your reference. But if Valentine confirms what you're telling me then you've got the job. Now get out of here and get some sleep. I'll have Charlie contact you at your hotel, just tell him where."

"Thank you sir, and you won't be disappointed," Harper said with a smile as he followed Charlie off the ship.

Giving him the hotel and room number, Harper returned to the hotel to sleep as the Captain had suggested.

Already knowing that Beka would vouch for him, he fell asleep anticipating Charlie's call in the morning and reporting for duty on Captain Sampson's ship.

==^== End Chapter 2 ==^==