Space was usually a great insulation for space ships to prevent them from getting cold. In fact, in mankind's past, getting rid of heat was one of the biggest troubles in the early space era. Today, it was different.

The Gemini Kay slowly approached the landing pad next to the Odin. Levan could already tell it was a cold world - the hull temperature was dropping, and knowing it was colder outside, he figured he needed something more warm than just his black flight suit. Most of his clothes were still in his room on Freeport 14, out of reach. He had to make due with the little spare clothes he had on the ship, so it would just be the usual. Hopefully it would be warm enough.




Miss Kaufman's offer to provide shelter was ideal. After Civil Servant found him at Freeport 8, moving to a new location was the only option. She was there just in time.

Leaving the airlock of the big gunboat, Levan took in the unfiltered, cold air. It was cold, but manageable. The location was intimidating, as was meeting Lea for the first time in person. An intimidating woman, a tough mercenary. Being from Rheinland, english was not her mother tongue, and Levan had noticed it every now and then. He just hoped that speaking Rheinland's language was not necessary.

He could not help but gulp when he spotted Lea, not far away from himself. Taking all his bravery, he approached the pretty blonde.


... uhm, hello Lea, I guess?


He offered her a gloved hand, keeping his other hand in the pocket of his leather pants, wanting to keep it warm. Admittedly, he had no idea where the other glove was, but he did not want to keep Lea waiting in the cold.

The boy tried to keep his eyes on the woman in front of him, but planets had the tendency to offer a lot of things to catch attention. Especially New Berlin. So he could not help but look around, and follow her gaze as she looked up.

Yeah, it is my first time here. In fact, it is the first planet I visit after Pittsburgh, and, uhm, Curacao. And that gallic planet. But, uhm, Curacao and that do not count. This is, uhm, the actual first time.

Slightly nervous, he avoided eye contact as he glanced up at the Ring. It was interesting to look at from the surface. Just a giant station, a giant line across the sky.

Uhm, no worries. I am used to Pittsburgh and freeports, so anything is an upgrade, really.

Not hesitating, he followed her, mostly looking around, a bit intimidated. The boy kept his hands close to himself as the cold was taking its toll on him. Someone as thin as him did not have much storage room for body heat.

Is it far from here?

The shuttle did, indeed, arrive not long after. It definitely got more overwhelming to the boy from Pittsburgh's slums. New Berlin seemed to be a hectic planet.

Uhm, thank you!

Lea taking care of everything felt wrong, but intimidating as the woman was, Levan did not dare to say anything against it. Handing the ticket to the pilot, he kept looking around, sometimes staring mindlessly at things and people. Even at Lea, although more subtly. They moved to their seats and not long after, the shuttle launched. Feeling a little embarrassed by this entire situation, as if Lea was mother-henning him, he could not help but avoid a direct eye contact with her. Right now, he definitely felt like more of a boy than a man.

Uhm, yeah. It is just, uhm, how unreal all of this is. You know?


For a moment, he actually looked at her, still nervous.


She has her way to track me down, somehow. Everything about it makes no sense, really. And now I am here on a huge planet, next to a person I barely know, about to hide at her place... I guess the good thing is that Rebecca would not expect that. She will probably check all the freeports for me. So, this should definitely buy me some time.


He gave her an apologetic look.


Hey, uhm. I really appreciate what you are doing. If there is any way to make up for it, just tell me.