<div align="center"><strong>=- Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – Making his way back to the ship =-</strong></div><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://shows.ctv.ca/beimage/files/2009/8/13/w600_h337_600_shemar2.jpg)</div>Having settled the more immediate problem of replacing the faulty catalyzer and having found someone to install it for him in light of Hayes’s swift and unexpected departure, Griff said his goodbyes to his friend and parted ways once more. He had taken his time visiting with Jack and Diane, who had returned sans Janie, and the three of them had caught up on the current affairs in each others lives. Unfortunately the visit was cut much shorter than any of them would have liked, the result of good business for Jack and Diane’s parts and salvage depot. Diane gave Griff and tight hug and a warm kiss on the cheek, as a sister would her brother, bidding him safe travels and beckoning him to come back soon and visit again. Jack and Griff gripped each other’s hands in a firm hand shaking, before pulling each other into a manly, back slapping hug. “You watch your six out there, Griff. And if you’re ever in a tight spot…” He left the sentence unfinished. Griff gave him an appreciative, knowing smile and nodded.<br/><br/><br class="clear_left"/>“I know, Jack. I can’t always count on you to come through for me. You take care now. Tell Janie Griff says to look after her dad for me, will ya?” Griff said, slinging his empty ruck sack back over his shoulders. Leaving Cast-Offs, Griff headed for Amos and Lee’s Ammo-Nation.<br/><br/>Ammo-Nation was a hole in the wall shop nestled in a dark back alley out of the public eye, just the way Amos and Lee liked it. The store wasn’t much to look at, neither on the outside nor the inside. There was no advertising on the storefront indicating the services one might find within, and glancing through the windows, one would only see a dinky looking grocer outlet with old food and a scant collection. However, those in the know found their way inside and beyond the blackout curtains that draped the door leading to the back room. This is where Amos and Lee proffered their wares. The prices were the cheapest anyone could find this side of the ‘verse and the quality of the ammunition was top notch. Not<em>“Delta-Grade, for military use only”</em>- top notch, but<em>“Alpha-Grade, good enough to kill purple bellies using Delta-Grade”</em>- top notch.<br/><br/>Amos and Lee had both fought in the Unification War, on opposing sides. At war’s end, the two met and became fast friends. Deciding to combine their munitions manufacturing skills and knowledge, the two men worked hard to become one of the most successful ammunition suppliers in the White Sun System. As successful as they were, they owed much of that success to the anonymity from the overbearing Alliance government and, as such, preferred to keep a low profile.<br/><br/>Several long minutes later, Griff exited the shanty little storefront a fair amount lighter on the credits and with a considerably heavier ruck sack, filled to capacity with bags of ammunition for the various firearms aboard The Gamble. Satisfied with his ammo haul, he carefully picked his way through the crowded streets of Persephone. Reaching the Eavesdown Docks, Griff passed by docking bay 75 where the fast courier ship Hayes on which had booked passage had been moored. Shaking his head again in aggravation, he cursed softly under his breath. He hated to loose Hayes. She was the best mechanic he’d ever worked with and he had known her for over two years now. As much as he would never admit it to her face, nor to anyone of the other crew, he was going to miss having Hayes around. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, he pressed forward through the crowded docks, finally reaching docking bay 30 where his ship was moored.<br/><br/>The Happy Suck cleaning crew was gone and had done a great job of cleaning the mess and the stink along with it, as he discovered upon entering the ships cargo hold. Climbing the stairs to the upper deck, Griff wondered how the negotiations with Ferret were going, the fleeting glimpse of Sasha in his minds eye filling him with an unsettling feeling that he didn’t understand. Working his way through the lounge and galley, Griff headed for the supply lockers where he would separate that various ammo types into their appropriate lockers, keeping a modest amount for his own personal stash to be kept in his cabin. Carefully lowering the very heavy and bulging rucksack to the floor, Griff opened the lockers and began putting the ammo away, glancing towards the door that lead to the engine room.<br/><br/>He wondered if Anwar had installed the catalzyer and left already. As he stared at the door, lost in thought, he half expected Hayes to come through the door at any second, cussing and hollering at him for taking so damn long. The thought brought a small smile to his face. Finishing putting the ammo away, Griff slung the now empty rucksack over his shoulder and moved into the engine room where he saw Anwar inspecting the engine with curiosity, most likely admiring some of Hayes’s handiwork.<br/><br/>“How about it, Anwar? You have any problems with ‘at carba… calib… with that part?” Already, he felt the heat of the hot and humid engine room drawing the sweat from his pores.<br/>