"I think that's a question."

"Touche."

"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any rebel entanglements."

"Well that's the real trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you extra. One thousand scrap, all in advance."

"We'll pay one hundred now, plus whatever we happen to scavenge from people who try to kill us along the way. And almost everyone will try to kill us."

"Some random unspecified payment? Okay, you guys got yourselves a ship. We'll be ready when you are. Docking Bay 1."

The two passengers leave the building.

"You're going to have to sell your video game collection."

"That's no problem. I'll only be playing FTL for the forseeable future."

"I'm San Holo, captain of this vessel. Munchie here tells me you're looking for passage to Federation headquarters."

"Yes indeed, if it's a fast ship."

"You've never heard of it? It's the ship that made the Kestrel run in twelve parsecs."

"Isn't a parsec a measure of distance, not time?"

"Yeah, nobody ever survives long in a Kestrel so surviving for twelve parsecs is somewhat of an achievement. Normally they blow up, asphyxiate, run out of fuel, or get captured by rebels."

"What sort of ship is it?"

"A... uh... Kestrel. But look, you have nothing to worry about. I've outrun rebel starships. Not the local fighters, mind you. I'm talking about that giant rebel flagship death machine they're so fond of. You know. The one with the rapid-fire rocket launcher, unstoppable shields, drone army, and laser megaweapon." He shudders. "What's the cargo?"

"Only passengers. Myself, the boy, two engi... and no questions asked."

"What is it, some kind of local trouble?"