56

Much like the area around any Crusader station, the arcade surrounding Station Belveer became the go to destination as the sun dipped below the horizon and the workday came to an end. A variety of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues springing to life as citizens from all over New Kantler arrived, eager to enjoy themselves after a hard day's work.

Many of these establishments offered unique deals and discounts for members of the LCF as part of an agreement between the local business owners and the Council of Trade and Commerce. As the presence of a Crusader Station guaranteed a steady stream of both station and field service personnel on a nightly basis, the land surrounding the station understandably became a hot commodity. Anticipating this the Council routinely bought up not only the land with which to build the station on but the land surrounding it. They then sold the land at a reasonable price to businesses willing to cater to their workforce. It was shrewd business tactic many considered a win-win. The businesses gained a reliable source of clientele, while the Council manufactured another incentive for joining the LCF.

Regarding the clientele who didn't work for the LCF and didn't receive discounts, many found intrigue in meeting people from outside the Commonwealth or other distant city states. As a result it became commonplace for cultures from other regions of the Expanse to find footing at or around stations after being introduced by the personnel passing through. Young people less set in their ways became eager to see and experience these unfamiliar cultures and hear about them firsthand from these innovators, adding to the influx of visitors to the area each night. Needless to say field service personnel tended to be very popular among native citizens and only added to their popularity by utilizing their discounts to buy their fans drinks among a great many other things.

The fruits of the Council's labor were on full display this night much like any other as people packed the arcade, moving from one establishment to the next in both small and large groups. A bit further down where the congestion was more manageable, Flannery leaned alongside a small alleyway between two businesses. She wasn't alone as Cade leaned against a wall nearby, on the other side of the alley to be specific. They were both dressed casual and comfortable with the relative silence permeating between them. The sounds coming from down the alleyway just barely audible to them.

"Not the send-off you quite hoped for I take it?"

Flannery leaned her head up against the wall and let out a small sigh.

"Not exactly, but I know better than to be picky."

"I think we'll be able to change that some once this is over with."

Cade pointed a thumb down the alley, and looked over at his senior. Flannery met his gaze with a somewhat jaded expression.

"Here's hoping."

On cue Lux's form emerged from the alleyway with a belt in hand, not hers but Reefe's. The service belt he'd discarded earlier in concert with his resignation from the LCF. She handed the belt to Flannery as Cade pushed off the wall and glanced down the alley.

"That took longer than expected."

"Can't be helped, I'm buzzed. And my strikes aren't as accurate when I'm buzzed."

"That's on me."

Flannery carefully placed Reefe's belt in her handbag before turning back towards her companions.

"My intel had the wrong bar, but we had to stay a little while to be sure."

"Please Flan, if anything it's the bar's fault. They just had to go an offer a deal on Blue Eights tonight."

Cade nudged Lux along as the trio began making their way back towards the busier area of the arcade.

"Funny, I don't remember seeing a discount on the Cinnamon Sherry you downed afterwards."

"It was a necessary step towards preparing my stomach for the rest of the evening."

Flannery recalled the moment in question. The speed at which the glass emptied had been rather impressive.

"Let's be glad we realized my mistake before things escalated any further."

The three turned down a street adjacent to the station. With the belt successfully recovered they could go about making their way to the restaurant where the others were waiting. A restaurant specializing in spiced chicken. A place to kick things off before everyone broke into smaller groups for a night on the town.

"What do you think that station jackass planned on doing with the belt?"

Cade began listing off the most likely possibilities on his fingers.

"Sell it, wear it and masquerade as a field service worker...might just be into some kinky shit."

"I think those Blue Eights hit you harder than you're letting on if we're at the stage of the night where you're making jokes."

Flannery couldn't help but laugh at the back and forth from the two beside her, a reminder of how she'd managed to endure field service for so long. Through moments like these. Connecting with her fellow service members regardless of age or life experiences. Speaking of age...

"If her reports are anything to go by, I'd say our newest communications officer has taken quite a liking to the two of you."

"She probably wasn't expecting to find others so close to her age range."

Lux stretched her arms out over her head and swayed back and forth, a small hiccup escaping her in the process.

"She younger than me?"

"No, she's actually the same age as I am."

As expected of someone who actually pays close attention to the manifest.

"That's a weird age to start field service..."

"Well if you three stay close you'll find she has her reasons for joining when she did. In the meantime I'll be counting on you guys to look after her. As you probably noticed she doesn't have much of a filter. It's bound to get her in all sorts of trouble."

"That's what I like about her though."

Cade didn't say anything at first, preoccupied by some thought or another. Although his eyes eventually flitted over to Flannery.

"I don't doubt trouble will find her, but that doesn't have anything to do with her lack of a filter does it?"

A smile played on the face of the burgundy haired woman.

"That's good, she already has your attention. Looks like I'll be able to rest easy in my domestic life after all."

Cade grumbled something but dropped the topic as the trio arrived at the front of the restaurant. The door was propped open to cater to the flow of foot traffic and the aroma of cooked chicken wafted out. The smell reminded all three how hungry they were and they expeditiously made their way towards the back of the restaurant where larger parties were seated. Lux briefly left the company of the other two in order to stop at the bar near the front, having to shoulder her way to the bartender.

"One Western Thrill."

The bartender showed his hand, his way of requesting ID. Lux rolled her eyes and fished around her pockets. Fortunately New Kantler's age for alcohol consumption was sixteen. At least for now. Her and others speculated that was subject to change soon with the church calling the shots for the time being. She handed him her LCF ID, an acceptable form if identification in any Expanse city. The man looked confused as his eyes darted from the name and photo on the ID to her several times.

"Benecia Lader?"

Lux blinked a few times before a realization struck her like one of Evan's jabs.

"Do me a favor and hold onto this for me."

A sly hand slipped a card into one of her jacket pockets.

"Cia Lader Mar-Miti!"

Lux massaged her temples with both hands in an effort to jog the remainder of that memory. Or maybe delete it. She proceeded to let out an exasperated groan.

"Better make that two Western Thrills."