I met Janice about six months ago while the Celine Maru was docked at the Tallidan 7 station to unload our latest shipment.  On the way back from getting our fee and contracting a new load from the shipper's office, I noticed a woman dressed in a pink floral print dress.  As I got closer, I could hear her crying and coarsely whispering the name Harold.  Normally I would have considered it none of my business and kept walking, but something inside me made me stop and check on the woman.

When I asked her if she was hurt, she told me, "no, at least not physically."  Again, knowing I should just wish her the best and go about my business, that nagging feeling in my mind made me ask her if perhaps I could help.  Suddenly it seemed as if rivers of tears fell from her eyes as she began to speak in heavy sobs, "they murdered him in cold blood right here on this spot, then covered their bloody crimes with accusations Harold was an anti-government terrorist."  Having first hand experience on what it is like to be branded a terrorist, I put my arm around her shoulder and told her, "c'mon, there's a pub over there we can have a seat and relax, perhaps even get a drink or something to eat." 

Looking up toward my face, the woman said, "you're very kind, but I can't afford it.  Besides, we don't even know each other, why would you do this for a stranger?"  Looking back at the woman, I replied, "I'm Aria and if you'll tell me your name, we'll no longer be strangers but friends... then it'll be my turn to treat us."  A small smile came to the woman's face and she said, "I'm Janice Horowitz, pleased to meet you Aria"   "Okay, well now with that out of the way, let's go get something to eat and drink, Janice," I said, "any way, you look like you could use a sympathetic ear and that's what friends are for."

The pub was mostly empty, except for a couple of dockworkers at the bar having some beers and complaining about their jobs.  After we ordered a couple of beers and some burgers, I began the conversation, "so tell me, you say your husband was murdered and accused of terrorism... how did this happen?"

"Harold worked at the docks for years, the conditions and pay were terrible, but we muddled through.  One day all the dockworkers decided to protest by having a sit-down strike.  The Empire didn't like it and sent troops to break it up. When the workers wouldn't move or follow the troop commander's order, they began shooting.  Harold was on the front row and was one of the first to fall," taking a deep breath, Janice continued, "twenty-three good people were killed that day and to cover their crime, the Empire had some of the troopers quickly dress as workers and begin to tear the docks apart and set them on fire for the news cameras."  "Sounds like something those bastards would do to cover their sorry asses," I couldn't help but add.

After the food arrived, I felt compelled to ask, "so, what has happened to you since then?"  After slowly chewing a bite of the burger, Janice hesitantly began to speak, "all our assets were confiscated by the Empire and I had to find a job.  I was a housewife, I never had another job while married, so my resume' was basically limited to cooking and cleaning... but that wasn't the worse part."  Looking over at Janice, I prodded a little more, "how so?"  As she took a sip of beer, Janice replied, "because my late husband was now a convicted terrorist, nobody would hire me, except one place, Dandrel Domestic.  At first it wasn't too bad, I made enough to rent a room and eat. But then I got noticed by the owner's son, kid in his mid twenties... seems he has a thing for older women."

Raising my hand to stop her story at that point, I said, " I can guess what happened next...sorry son of a bitch!"  After taking a moment to cool down, I looked back at Janice and asked, "is there anything that really keeps you here, Janice... friends, family?"  Pondering my question for a minute, Janice shakily replied, "no, not really."  After gulping down a bite of burger, I replied, "good.  After we finish our meal, you and I are going back to your place and packing your stuff.  You're getting out of this cesspool, today."

As the transport driver pulled up to the dock where the Celine Maru was berthed, Janice and I got out and began unloading her possessions from the storage compartments.  Looking up, I spotted Chief and Krebs and called them over.  Handing Krebs the new contract and having him get the new cargo to begin loading.  Still standing there with a puzzled look on his face, I called out to the Chief, "well just don't stand there, put those muscles of yours to work and give us a hand getting all this aboard."  After grabbing a few containers and bags, Chief still had a quizzical expression as I said, "where are my manners?  Chief Tyrell Booker, please meet Ms. Janice Horowitz... our new cook."

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Not sure what's going on?  Well give this link a click: A Little Introduction Is In Order and hopefully it will clear things up for you.
Thanks for dropping in!
Aria