<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – in the Engine Room – Hiring Anwar as ship’s Mechanic =-</strong></div><br/><strong> "Alright, Captain.  You have yourself a mechanic...at least until your girl comes back.  Then you can drop me off somewhere if you're sick of me by then...or if you like I could stay on and help with other things.  I have a few other skills that might come in handy here and there."</strong><br/><br/>Again the swirling haze of emotions roiled in his chest and the pit of his stomach as relief that he’d managed to find a solid mechanic in such short order mingled with the melancholy of losing Hayes. He’d known Hayes for two years now, and despite the fact that they often yelled at each other, she had grown on him. He was comforted by the knowledge that she was in his engine room, not only because she was one of the best mechanics he’d ever seen, but he looked forward to the chaffing the two of them dished out on each other. It was a part of their unique relationship and a part that would miss dearly. Griff nodded, a small smile settling into place as he stuck out his hand to Anwar, gripping the man’s hand firmly and giving it a shake to seal the deal. “Outstanding. I was hoping you’d say that,” he said, giving the man a firm but friendly slap on his bicep. As for Hayes coming back… we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, Anwar. Now, as you can see Hayes brought a cot in here for…” he paused for a few seconds as he tried to think of the reason why, but it escaped his memory, as did most things concerning the engine room. “…well, I’m not really sure why she brought a cot in here. Maybe the engine sang her to sleep or some such. As my new mechanic, I reckon you’re more’n welcome to enjoy the cot as well or you can sleep in your bunk. I’ll show to your quarters whenever you’re ready.”<br/><br/><strong>"Um...will we be planetside long enough for me to get my things together and say goodbye to Jack?  He's one of the few friends I've ever had, so I'd like to at least do that."</strong><br/><br/>Griff nodded as he released his grip of Anwar’s hand, turning to face the corridor from which he’d entered . “Of course there’s time. Go and get your things, say your goodbyes. Bring your stuff back here and I’ll have someone show you your bunk once the crew gets back. When you get back, if you want meet most of the crew before we launch, we’re gonna enjoying some much needed down time over’t the<em>SLIPPERY COCK BAR AND GRILL</em>You know the place?” Noticing Dani standing in the Galley with a curious look on her face, he knew she would have questions as to Hayes’s whereabouts, although he doubted she would be upset by her absence. It was no secret that Hayes intimidated Dani. Hell, Hayes intimidated most people with her abrasive personality and headstrong ways. Still, Griff knew there would be explaining to do. As it stood now, only he and Anwar were privy to Hayes’s departure; he would have to let his Sasha know, and soon.<br/><br/>Speaking of Sasha, his mind was suddenly filled with thoughts of her as he wondered about how the negotiations with Ferret were going. He knew that Ferret was one tough nut to crack, but he knew if anyone could do it, it was Sasha. The thought had occurred to him more than once to radio her and check on her status, but he knew better than interrupt her while she was in the ring with Ferret. Best to just wait and let Sasha radio him as she had always done in the past, always with a job in hand.<br/><br/>“Speaking of crew,” Griff said as he started down the corridor ahead of Anwar, “I’d like you to meet the Dani, our lovely and talented medic and masterful mess sergeant. “ He looked back at Anwar briefly before he realized he’d used the military vernacular that’d been ingrained in his head. Glancing back to Dani, he smiled apologetically as he exited the corridor with the rows of lockers and entered the galley. “Sorry, I mean our doc and cook. Dani, I’d like you to meet Anwar. He’s gonna be flying with us for a while to look after the engines.” He rubbed his strong, dark hand over the dark stubble of his head as he pondered the best approach without betraying too much information. Hayes had always been sort of a private person and he wasn’t sure how much she wanted everyone to know. “Well, Hayes had something to come up and she had to take some personal time so Anwar here’s gonna fill in for her for as long as needed, ain’t that right Anwar?”<br/>