“AZ9, you are cleared for docking. Report to bay 15 for inspection.”
Shit
Amy started docking her cargo runner, while also trying to figure out her plan. They had a deal. This was only her third run since paying off her contact - and she expected more like ten. She should’ve known - every inspector who’s amicable to bribes is also the sort of person who alters the deal.
She guides the ship into port, bringing it down with a gentle thud; she needs her cargo in top shape - especially so with more unfavorable terms. She knows the inspector will be at her door in a few moments, so she’s out of her seat and digging through her fridge as quickly as possible. Evidently, she doesn’t find what she’s looking for anywhere, given her brief scream of frustration.
Nearly out of debt, only to be dragged back in by having her cargo reported. Scrubbing her face with her hands, she composes herself and hops out of the ship’s airlock.
Looking out across the nearly empty spaceport was a stark reminder of the state of the system. Soon enough, there wouldn’t even be enough living clients to justify her monthly trips to the ghost system. She’d be lying if she said she was glad to miss the opportunity to come out here. Finally, she finally spots her inspector walking across the tarmac
“Encelia, hello! Been a while hasn’t it?”
The extremely gothic woman smiles at her greeting. As much of a smile as anyone could get out of the broody woman anyways. Maybe she can weasel her way out of this one.
“To what do I owe the pleasure today?”
Amy’s question killed the already fickle smile. Any other inspector (or person for that matter), she wouldn’t even be able to tell so subtle a change, but the two had so many meetings that she had a pretty good read.
“Nothing much, routine inspection. Mind if I step aboard?”
It wasn’t actually a question, and the black haired woman started climbing aboard the tiny vessel. The formal tone always catches Amy off guard; She’s dealt with the woman long enough to know it's an act, but her acting is top notch. Amy hurriedly clambers aboard after the taller woman, shutting the door behind her. Only when the door is fully shut does Amy’s concern manifest across her face.
“What’s actually up with you? I thought we were good for more trips than this.”
Encelia sighs, before starting for the wine “pantry”, and the glasses that sit beside it, and pours herself a glass of red.
“I know. But the situation changed.” She takes a sip from the full glass and continues “Station lost power for a couple days last week. By the time they got it back, everything in my freezer was gone.” she’s rubbing her head with her free hand by the time she’s finished speaking.
“Shit. I’m gonna be completely honest - I’ve got nothing. I expected more time to restock - everything in the last batch went bad in warp” The pilot paces the tiny room as she speaks, trying to work off the stress.
“I figured as much. But you’re the only person I can ask for this. I haven’t eaten in weeks, and I need something now.” She’s giving Amy a look, the one that they both know she can’t resist for long.
While it is a big ask, Amy does still have a heart (several actually), and she does want to help. But helping her will take her out of it for at least a day, and Amy’s got five more runs to make by the end of the week.
“You’re gonna owe me one y’know. Next batch won’t be nearly as fresh either.”
“I know”
The debt-ridden smuggler stops pacing and stares at the cold metal sheeting adorning the walls. It takes her a long moment to make up her mind, before finally deciding and heading towards the back of the ship.
“Fine. Follow me - I don’t wanna ruin my cockpit” As she speaks, she deftly navigates the winding corridor through the cargo hold. While the ship’s living quarters are barely larger than a bunk bed, the hold makes up for it, though most of it is filled with large insulated containers. Sliding her keycard across the scanner, she steps into the ship's surprisingly large medbay. Most cargo haulers were content with just a small first aid kit, with some even omitting that, but Amy had a particular need for the room, even willing to cut significantly into her hauling capacity for it (though that's not to say she’s never stacked boxes in the room).
Ditching her olive-green jacket, Amy hoists herself onto the operating chair, and only then does she notice the state of Encelia. She hadn’t noticed from afar, but her clothes draped around her more than they ever had. The bags under her eyes were more noticeable than usual, and she looked as if she was barely holding herself up. It was only when she looked into the woman’s eyes that she saw a barely contained hunger.
It was rare that Amy saw that side of her - the last time had been several years ago now, back when she ran into the crumpled heap in an alley. She had offered something to eat, feeling generous after a successful deal, and hadn’t quite realized what she was offering up. That had also been the last time she had done it like this, and she wasn’t exactly ecstatic to relive the experience - though at least this was slightly more hygienic.
Sill, she sets her arm out for the other woman to take, and closes her eyes while bracing for the sting. It was like a shot, she thought, and it wouldn’t hurt if she focused on something else. She only has a couple more cargo drops in the system, so she starts trying to run through a faster route for them, one that’d get them all done before anything expires, before her concentration immediately falters. It isn’t just the pain that draws a gasp from her lips though, especially as she focuses on the sudden heat upon her neck. The bite doesn’t hurt as much as she remembers though, and she certainly doesn’t mind Encelia pulling her closer.
After a much longer wait than Amy had anticipated, she finally feels the goth loosen her hold, before releasing her. Savoring the moment a bit longer, Amy only opens her eyes when she starts to feel the other girl begin to wrap a bandage around her now red-stained neck. She giggles to herself, realizing she must’ve enjoyed that more than she expected, since her vision was still fuzzy from it. As she looked at Encelia, she watches her rush to her side, before Amy falls into unconsciousness with a grin on her face.
