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The drop off of the crew was certainly a detour on Carlo's part. Taylor knew though that they couldn't just leave the civilian ship to get robbed. They were held for questioning, as well as a statement taken from the civilian and his family who happened to be travelling with them. The driver, a red fox had come up to Carlos and Taylor after it all done.

"I don't know how to thank you enough for what you've done."

Carlos smiled. "You don't need to worry about that."

"We owe our lives to you though!" he exclaimed. "I made a fool's decision, thinking I could pass through unguarded space safely..."

"Look, we just did what any other person would have done today if they saw someone in trouble. It's what's right."

* * *

Once back in space again, Carlos asked, "How are we doing for time, Taylor?"

"Still pretty well ahead of the schedule. We've got around 12, 11 days to make the job. As for how we're doing distance-wise, we're about one third of the way through." Taylor turned to the computer for more information.

"That's great to hear."

"Our next jump's got us on track to The Deep Space colony," said Taylor.

"Deep Space colony? What's that?" Carlos asked. His familiarity with some of the names were lost on him, what with all the wolf's engagements with work and all the other names that he had happened by during his years.

"It's one of the first colonies to be established successfully in space to prove that it was possible to be self sustaining in space. It was placed about a century back ago, I believe." Taylor knew of it since a friend of his ended up working there. What happened to him wasn't known, but he presumed that was due to how remote it all was.

"Sounds interesting. Does it hold up well out there on its own?"

"With the occasional reporting in, it seems pretty okay. It's grown from a purely scientific purpose to being a fully fledged colony, with technology developments, a mining program, and tourism industry." Taylor recalled a number of reports and discussions upon space culture compared to simply living on Earth. "Of course it doesn't compare even remotely to Earth tourism, but that's because it isn't so far and people can just fly there in a few hours. For people like us who either travel space because we have a job to do, or because they have so much money to blow, it's a pretty good place for a stop and rest."

With the ship now outside the safe range of the IPF station, Carlos began to bring the speed of it up to get the hypercharge drive going. "Sounds like a cool place we're going to, then!"

Taylor didn't feel as much discomfort as each jump before had been. The standard FTL drives were pretty much developed to the point where people could travel with virtually no discomfort whatsoever, and it was safe for those with medical conditions to do the same. Their hypercharge drive was massively more discomforting though, so being able to withstand the force when it engaged was something he was glad to have.

He managed a good look this time, instead of shutting his eyes, watching as space blazed past them, the trail of stars struggling to keep up as they shot forwards. He wasn't sure how to describe the sensation, other than the numbness his body went into before the jolt. A mix of the lightness of flight, but the constriction of imprisonment.

The feeling dispersed as they arrived, and it was a welcoming sight for Taylor as he saw the colony cluster on the sensors. Carlos could see that excitement, and even if he didn't have a good view of his smiling face, that wagging tail was certainly a dead giveaway.

The docking procedure was interestingly enough entirely automated. No one had yet dared to fully and entirely automate their docking routines, often always having a live person to keep an eye on things. "Maybe they're testing something new," he reasoned.

"That's possible, though it'd probably get a warning from the IPF, if only for safety concerns."

An interesting sight was spotted by Carlos not long after. "Huh, more ships here?"

"Looks like we're not the only bunch out here with stuff to deliver," he responded. "I told you, this colony's developed considerably to a developed tourist industry."

"Hmm, looks like there are more interesting things going on here," said Carlos. "Those colours. They're part of the rebel Independence Alliance."

"Oh. Well, we're not part of the IPF though, so you can't expect us to get treated like the enemy."

"I hope not, but lets face it. The only reason this business works so well and that it even exists is because of the negotiations that Anderson made! I'm sure they'll be friendly though," said Carlos. "So long as we're not trying to insult their views..."

"I know, I know," responded Taylor. "No flipping the mood switch."

"I'm sure you won't. I'm just saying so I get you worked up and nervous about it." Carlos grinned, as they were assigned a bay to dock at.

Beyond security clearance, there wasn't much sign of the Independence Alliance. If they were here, they certainly hadn't made their presence loud for all the world to see. They passed through to the main corridors, which was much reminiscient of a shopping centre. It was quite populated, much beyond what Carlos had expected, and the atmosphere was both welcoming and warm, much like a small town.

"So, what's the plan here?" he asked Taylor. "Should we check in, or should we just wander around a bit?"

"Figures," said Taylor. "Might as well find out what to do. We've got most of the day to do that anyway."

The fact that pretty much everything had to be in one area meant that most of the businesses around had to figure out how to distinguish themselves from their competition. Some went for the posh look, with elegant carved wood and marble; others tried to go for the scenic route with impressive statues and technology. They picked one which had the brand 'Comet Hotels', mainly out of the fact it looked reasonable without also being overly expensive looking.

"Hey, we'd like to check into a room for two," said Carlos. When he saw Taylor beginning to blush, he added, "I'm sorry. Two single rooms."

The fox at the front desk looked up, actually caught off guard when he saw the two enter. They didn't often have many tourists despite the growing market, and he didn't have much confidence that they would be able to make ends meet any time soon, despite his boss' insistence that it would work. "I'm sorry, say again?"

"We'd like to get a couple of single rooms," repeated Carlos. "We're travelling on delivery business, and it so happens our path comes across the Deep Space Colony."

"Oh, very well." He hit alt-tab on the keyboard, and Taylor could guess that he was doing something else before, and that the lack of business meant that he didn't have much to do. He tapped a few keys, and then asked. "Names?"

"Carlos Jarrod, he's Taylor Lawrencev."

"Okay. No guess as to who you represent..." the fox mumbled as his green eyes darted from their uniform back to the screen. "Time of stay?"

"About one day," answered Carlos. "We'll be jumping out by then."

A few moments later, and the fox was done. "Okay, you've got rooms three and four. I'll show you to your rooms now."

Looking at the rooms, the layout was simple, yet cosy. A simple bed capable of holding more than one, but just for one; windows facing out into space, a switch positioned next to it so as to send a charge to make the windows opaque for the sake of privacy; and computer terminals for accessing information or entertainment at the press of a button. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, or ask room service via the terminals. Hope you both enjoy your stays!" With that, he handed the two their keycards to access their rooms while they remained.

"So, now that's done, what should we be doing?" asked Carlos. "I mean, I was thinking of getting something to eat at a restaurant for lunch or something, but if you've got anything else in mind..."

"That sounds good." Taylor briefly thought to himself for a moment.

"Something bothering you?" Carlos asked.

"Nah, just trying to remember where my friend was working at here. Let's go, I'll see if I can figure where he went over lunch."

They stepped out of the hotel and back into the main business sector. Taylor followed behind Carlos in thought, with the wolf looking around for a restaurant. "Have you got any preference to what sort of food you want?"

Carlos looked back when he received no answer, and seeing him looking to the side in thought, he shrugged to himself. Sometimes, Taylor would be like that. Be it for a few moments, or a few hours, he always seemed to be pondering about something.

Taylor's distraction was snapped back to reality when they arrived at their destination. "*At the End of the Universe*? Are they serious?"

"Well, I guess it could be considered true until they started colonising the universe beyond," chuckled Carlos, motioning him to follow him in.

The restaurant was very unlike the ones that Taylor had been to at Earth. The few he did ever go to were small and almost constricting, often with little space for people to stick around and eat. At the End of the Universe had way more space, with an open area for dances as well as a bar. That was all on top of the restaurant, which had little over enough tables and comfortable seats.

While looking through the extensive menu of meals, Carlos decided to see if he could help Taylor. "So, what kind of person was your friend? What did he look like?"

"He was a weasel..."

* * *

"You volunteered for the Deep Space program?" Taylor asked, a slight crease formed around his forehead. Though he had heard about it, this was truly the first time he had to confront Robert about the manner so directly. But when James had told him that the weasel had volunteered for it, he had to ask.

"You don't seem all happy about it." Robert grumbled. "Do you have a problem with my decision?"

"The hell I do!" yelled Taylor. "You said--no. You *promised* me that you wouldn't do this! I only found out since James told me last night that you were leaving in a week!"

"I did it because I knew you never wanted me out there!" the weasel yelled. "You didn't have any business in this decision! That's why I didn't tell you!"

Taylor was silent, fuming silently to himself that Robert had to be right. He hated it, and his blood boiled when he heard those words. He spat, "You don't damn well know why I don't want you to go."

"You haven't given me a good reason yet why I shouldn't go!" Robert exclaimed, a growl distinct in his voice. "You've only ever spoken about insisting that I never go, until I told you that to shut you up!"

Robert had to pause for a moment, a brief point of silence before he asked, slightly more calmly, "So, you tell me Taylor. Why don't you want me to go?"

Taylor was silent. Tears began to form in his eyes, and his voice trembled. "I don't want you to go... because I... I don't want to lose you."

Silence fell over the night sky as Taylor uttered the words that he had failed to find in the past years.

* * *

"Hey, you look kind of spaced out there Taylor. What's up?" Carlos decided not to question why the Shiba had a tear drop from his eye.

"Oh, sorry. Just thinking about years past, about Robert."

"You're gonna have to explain who this Robert fellow is, Taylor. I don't know your life story, even though I know most of those years comprised of us flying in a dinky delivery ship."

"Sorry Carlos. I think I know why I didn't mention Robert to you all this time. He was one of the few people that I grew up knowing throughout my early life. Primary school, high school, just before we ended up in this business together.

"Robert was a guy you could depend on to take a goal, and run through it no matter what stood in his way. He was a really strong weasel, always training himself to do better. I tried to once compete against him in running, but I always kept falling behind. He was quite nice about it though.

"He volunteered for the Deep Space program in our senior year. That was say, six years ago? The colony had only just been established by then, and the program was seeking enthusiastic applicants for the second wave of volunteers to go and assist development.

"I only heard about it a week before he was due to leave... I was so angry that he hadn't told me about it. We grew up side by side..."

Taylor trailed off, lost again in thought. Before Carlos could say anything, a waiter arrived to take their orders. Carlos didn't know what Taylor wanted, and didn't want to interrupt him, so he ordered a couple of burgers. The waiter nodded as he wrote down the order, and headed into the kitchen. "Taylor, you okay?"

"Yeah... I just forgot how much I missed him... We were really great friends."

"Robert sounds like a really great guy," said Carlos. "Where do you suppose he's working at?"

Taylor sighed. "I don't know. He could work as literally anything, from low level labour to CEO of his own company. I don't know what he does now. It was too costly for me to even send an e-mail to him, so I guess I gave up on that venture."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that." He drummed with his fingers for a moment before saying, "I ordered us two burgers. I hope you don't mind."

"Burgers? Are you sure we didn't stop by some fast food outlet?"

* * *

Robert saw the ship coming in, but why a courier vessel had to come of all things, he didn't see a pattern. Of course, there wasn't a pattern at all. Just a little game that he had played with himself when he wasn't working. It was certainly the most they had in ages, that was for sure.

Though it wasn't exactly in his power to do so, he had requested name details of their visitors. It wasn't much harm: just inquire as to who they were, and leave it be. All to ensure that their statistics were accurate so as to show that the Deep Space program was still growing.

"So, what you got?" he said as he heard a knock on the door of his office.

"I've got the names that you requested, sir."

The door slid open, the ferret passing a small folder over to Robert, who then placed it on his desk. "I'll take a look at that later. Get back to work."

"Yes sir."

He knew that he would most likely imagine up stories for all these individuals that passed along. Who were they, and where did they come from? It was a game that he used to play when he used to do plenty of fiction writing. Take a name, and create a story of how this person came to be. Simple, but pretty effective.

The first name was Carlos Jarrod. 'Simple sounding name, likely from Earth. He was probably enlisted once under the IPF before being crushed from stress and relieved from duty. From there, he went to a courier company, and was working there ever since.'

He smiled to himself when he thought about it. Even now, his dream to write about the stars and the vastness of space were still alive somewhere, though he had realised he could not fulfill that aspiration when he was first tasked to handle delivery of raw materials.

'So, what about that other name? Once an artist? A musician? Either trying to struggle to live?' He flipped the page. 'Taylor Lawrencev. That name...'

He stared down at the page as he thought, 'He grew up with me back on Earth. We were relatively close compared to my other classmates. Easy to anger, yet so emotional! He was really upset about it when I told him I was leaving in our senior year... Then he told me he had a crush on me.'

"Was that really so short a time ago?" he said aloud to himself. It had only been a few years, yet it had felt like an eternity all at the same time.

Robert pulled his jacket from behind his seat. He didn't know how long Taylor would be here, but he suspected it wouldn't be a long stay. "I'm heading out for a break, I'll be back later." Though everyone at the firm knew that he was basically not going to be back the rest of the day, it would at least serve as a cover.