Several quiet hours pass beneath reduced power. Serai showers, changes into spare clothing, eats, and rests, while Damon sleeps in intervals and keeps routine systems balanced.
By the time the trade station expands across the forward display, the Wayward Star is steady again, though one cargo-hold panel remains sealed and scorched.
Serai
Your station approaches. I should not be visible when you dock, if the Veyr Directorate is watching local traffic.
Serai stands beside the copilot’s station in borrowed dark clothing, her pale silver skin warmed by the bridge lights. Her white hair is still slightly damp.
Serai
I can remain in one of the unused crew cabins. A medical explanation for the damaged hold may be safer than admitting you carried an unregistered passenger.
The station rotates slowly ahead, its docking arms and customs beacons resolving through the display. A routine approach channel opens, requesting cargo identification and damage status.
Serai
What will you tell them, Damon Ryder?
“Damon tells Serai to stay out of sight in one of the unused crew cabins and not answer the door unless it's him. He then opens the approach channel and calmly reports a routine cargo-system malfunction during transit: an isolated power fault damaged one cargo-hold access panel, but the ship is stable and no hazardous cargo is involved. He provides the legitimate manifest and requests normal docking clearance, keeping Serai and the mysterious container out of the report.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Damon Ryder
Stay out of sight in one of the unused crew cabins. Do not answer the door unless it is me.
Serai gives a restrained nod and moves into the access corridor. A moment later, the cabin door seals, leaving the bridge quiet except for the ship’s steady systems hum.
Serai
Understood. I will not be seen.
Damon opens the approach channel and transmits the Wayward Star’s legitimate manifest. The damaged hold remains absent from the report’s sensitive details, its sealed panel hidden behind the routine cargo declaration.
Damon Ryder
Trade Control, this is the Wayward Star requesting normal docking clearance. An isolated power fault damaged one cargo-hold access panel during transit. The ship is stable, and no hazardous cargo is involved.
Trade Control
Wayward Star, manifest received and verified. Reported malfunction is logged. Proceed to docking arm seven for standard inspection and clearance.
The docking beacon changes from amber to green. The Wayward Star receives a normal approach vector, while Serai remains concealed and the mysterious container stays outside the station’s official record.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Serai's agreement to the docking plan
“Damon waits until the approach channel closes, then leaves the bridge and finds Serai in the crew cabin. He tells her clearance was granted, but there will be a standard inspection after docking. He explains that she needs to remain hidden while he handles the inspectors and asks whether there is anything about her, her clothing, equipment, or the container that could be detected by an ordinary station scan. He makes it clear that if she knows of a reason this plan won't work, now is the time to tell him.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
When the approach channel closes, Damon leaves the bridge and crosses to the unused crew cabin. Serai opens the door only after his knock, as instructed.
Damon Ryder
Clearance is granted, but station inspectors will board after docking. Stay hidden while I handle them. I need to know whether you, your clothing, your equipment, or the container can trigger an ordinary scan. If this plan will fail, tell me now.
Serai
The clothing will pass as ordinary fabric. I carry no device, weapon, or beacon. My physiology will register as an unfamiliar adult life-form, but not as a threat by itself.
Serai lowers her voice and glances toward the deck, as though measuring the sealed hold through the ship’s frame. The cabin remains quiet except for docking thrusters pulsing outside.
Serai
The container is more dangerous. Its outer shell may appear as damaged cargo, but a deeper scan could identify materials or systems unlike station manufacture.
Serai
If inspectors test the hold directly, they may find the dormant locator architecture. It should not broadcast now, but I cannot promise it will remain silent under specialized equipment.
Serai
Your plan can work if the inspection remains routine. I will stay here, and I will not answer the door unless you return.
Clear the station inspection
Quest Complete
Secure Serai's agreement to the docking plan