Sarah moves to her luxury cabin on board the Aquairre with a light step.  Things were all going very nicely lately.  Having purchased the Reliquary of Alexander with all her savings.  At the price, she had realized that the ship would have problems, but when the ship had arrived at Port Wander, she had been astonished at the ship's quality.  A personal flight test had shown her it's remarkable speed and maneuverability, and it's huge sensor array had spoke for itself.<br/><br/>The crew's eccentricity had not bothered her... until the ship's first combat trial.  In that encounter, the unimaginative maneuvering and lackluster firing of the Alexander had made her worried... such a crew would be very hard to change.<br/><br/>Then the brainstorm... would it be possible, so far from Ultramar, to convince the crew of her having an Ultramarine ancestor?<br/><br/>And then the ship, in her control... in the battle with the Pirate raider, her heart was in her throat... but the ship proved itself.  And now... declared a Captain?  Even captain of the smallest ship in the fleet was an enormous promotion.<em>I must remember not to neglect the crew of the Aquairre...</em>she thought, as she readied her apartment for her visitor.<br/><br/>Thraxius became more interesting to her with each day.  His competence was showing in brilliant moments... if she could help him aquire a few... less imperial skills, he would be a miracle worker on the flagship... and she found she liked the man himself.<br/><br/><em>Man... Yes.</em>She thought with some decision.<em>How much of the man remains?  Some... he was embarrassed... either for me, or for my dignity.  That shows promise.</em><br/><br/>She looked through her closet, debating what to wear... and, time running out, stayed in the clothes she had worn for the dinner.<em>Only thing to decide... is he going to be a friend... or a friend with benefits?</em><br/><br/>Sarah had had handsome men, and beautiful women both woo her.  And she was tired of banalities.  Thraxius, she was certain, would at the very least, never bore her.<br/><br/>The door slid open, and the Tech Priest's heavy step was heard in her entryway.  She moved into the main room, starlight and Ares sun at some distance lighting the compartment.<br/><br/>Several technical datapads sat on the glass table between two authentic leather couches... mostly filled with technical specifications for the Aquairre, along with similar technologies.  In the center of the table, an ancient ivory and wood chess set sat.<br/><br/>"Come in, Thraxius!" She said in a happy tone.<br/><br/>