Starbase 514 was not the largest port the Marduk had docked at, but it's pretty hard to beat Starbase 1.  The Refuel and Resupply was going well, with the Marduk getting a fresh paintjob while they were at it.  Sky was liking the new red paintjob, it made the ship feel much faster.

“Captain Sky” a voice came from the other end of the lounge.

Turning around, Sky saw one of his classmates from the academy.  “Tina, that you?”

“Look at you, Sky, already making it into the command of a vessel.” she teased “I mean, I knew you were going to be in charge of a ship soon, but Isabel is going to flip out. She was sure she'd be in command before you were.”

“So what have you been up to since the academy? Last I heard you were going to be assigned to the USS Kokomo as a diplomatic atache."

“She went down in the early days of this skirmish.  I've been reassigned to be the aide of one of the Diplomats on New Romulus.” She seemed rather nervous about this, like she'd be intruding by sharing more information.

“That's wonderful.  Wish you the best of luck in your new assignment.”  He started turning back to the resupply reports on the table in front of him.

“Well… Here's the thing.  I need to get to New Romulus and my ride just blew up.  I was wondering if I could cash in that favor you owe me to get you to take me there.”

He stopped in shock. “Hold up, at last count, you owed me the favor.  Don't forget I pulled you out of that cave in New Mexico.”

“And did you forget how you wouldn't have passed the diplomacy final without me?  You owed me two for that, your words not mine.”

“What do you call setting you up with my roommate for that date? I seem to remember your eyes sparkling that night.”

“We both know you only did that to get out of the date yourself.  So will you give me a lift or what?"