The shuttle settles hard into the berth, still warm from the run. Before the hatch can finish cycling, corporate security officers pour into the cargo bay, scanners up, rifles low and ready. Dockmaster Vane freezes beside the bulkhead, watching them work the hull like they already own it.
The Lead Officer
Hold position. Registration anomaly on this craft. Crew, present your route seal and cargo declaration.
A scanner sweeps over the shuttle skin, then lingers near the patched transponder. On the terminal, Vey Port glows beside a fresh route-credit surcharge, neat as a knife.
Nahuli
Nahuli offers the registry packet and points out the berth record, keeping his tone flat.
The Lead Officer
That packet flags a masked transponder and unpaid transit debt. You want Vey Port access, you clear inspection and settle fees.
Vane swallows and sidesteps toward the security team, hands still clasped. The officers are not here to arrest first. They are here to make the ship expensive enough to stop.
Dockmaster Vane
If there is... additional documentation, now would be a fine time to produce it.
Beyond the scanners, a second alert scrolls across the bay monitor, a fresh outbound ping tied to the hunters' last sweep. Vey Port is the paper trail and the only clean lane left, if Nahuli can get this inspection off his back.
✓ Quest Accepted
Clear the inspection