"It has never been that easy", Dunkan thought while turning away from the news screen. "Everbody can make his fortune here in liberty. Our laws and economy guarantee wealth for everyone" the voice said, forcing Dunkans lips to a quite minimalistic smile.
He had never been the success guy, he was the working guy. Making other people rich, while remaining in the mud for himself. Having worked hard for all his life, the only real achievement he could be proud of was his youngest son Will.
Will had always been the quiet, thinking son, while his older brothers had become famous for their drinking and brawling abilities. Somehow Will had managed to buy himself a spaceship and to leave this planet. For over ten years, Dunkan didn't hear anything from Will, until yesterday.
"I have never been the grateful son, and will probably never be. But there's a ship in the docks for you, Dad. It's yours,and if I were you, I would leave this place forever."
Dunkan knew this was his final chance. His last shot before it would be late. Resigning his job was easy, but entering the ship, his own ship, he felt that there was trouble ahead.
"I cannot change the world, but I have enough years left to change my life. I'm to old to be afraid", Dunkan thought to calm himself down a bit.
"A different life IS possible, my friend", the stranger had told Dunkan during his last visit in his favourite pub on Planet Houston. "Here are the coordinates".
"We'll see about that", Dunkan thought.
He started the engines.
---
"Rough day", Dunkan thought while he ordered his second drink. He was sitting in a bar somewhere in the Liberty sektor. Though no one watching the strange old man would have noticed, he was celebrating himself, in his very special, most cynical way. They pirates thought he was afraid. Afraid like the other fat guys flying a spaceship reflecting their body shape. He knew he had nothing to lose when began mining. "Work's not that different"(, the second arrived),"but I get the money I've always deserved for it".
Some young pilots entered the bar, embarrassing tattoos, and Dunkan almost failt to hide his amusement concerning their hairstyle. The obviously wanted to look dangerous, and most likely, they were.
The only reason for them being allowed to enter this space station was probably the lack of any proofs of their involvement in several scams Dunkan had heard of in his first few days in space.
He already had catched some rumours, young Liberty Rogues, not yet allowed to drink with their pack leaders until they have killed. Young wannabes who do not care if you're ready to trade your cargo for your life. Playing with your fears, leaving you some hope that you can survive this.
Well, in most cases, you don't, people had told Dunkan.
---
A few hours ago, he had probably killed one of their companions. Dunkan had not been afraid, too old for that. He had managed to hit the punk with some bursts, and the freak tried to flee. Dunkan didn't knew if the attacker had just consumed too many drugs simoultaneously or was just to busy holding his wrecked-up ship together, but eventually a bright flash from behind told Dunkan that the rogue had found his end on one of the rocks floating around in the nebula
---
Keeping his pokerface, he nevertheless felt a huge relief, as the punks left the bar again, not without scanning the room with an arrogant smile - probably looking for a strangers whose death would grant them entry to other bars. Bars even Dunkan would not dare to enter.