Owen sat quietly at the bar of one of Davlos City's many drinking spots. Davlos III had been the site of many rogue traders for the last few decades since the Klingon Empire and the Federation opened up trade routes. The city had therefore become one of the major areas for trading agreements, and arguments to take place. The place itself was quite undeveloped technologically and was quite run-down, just the place to find stories of better places.
The metal door to the bar slid open with a hiss and a clunk and a tall human male walked in. Owen observed him for a second. He was wearing dark trousers and boots, and a long dark blue overcoat. He had pale skin, and dark blonde messy hair. The words 'trader' and 'rogue' seemed to stand out in Owen's mind. He walked over to the bar and sat down on the stool beside Owen.
"You're the only friendly face in here," the man said, glancing around. "Only human one anyway."
Owen chuckled to himself.
"Owen," he said extending his hand. "You are...?"
The man shook his hand.
"My name's Ash," he replied. "I'm not from these parts of the galaxy."
"No you don't blend in too well with the Klingons," Owen said jokingly.
"That's a compliment if I ever heard one," Ash replied laughing. "So... what are you doing in this neck of the woods? Trading?"
Owen shook his head, "No, I'm looking for somewhere to go to work, I'm an archaeologist."
"Oh right," Ash seemed confused. "What you doing here then?"
"I'm making my way from Earth."
"To where?"
"I dunno yet," Owen said, grinning. "I haven't decided."
Ash nodded thoughtfully.
"You heard of a place called Serenity?" he asked.
"I can't say as I have," Owen replied. "Why?"
"It's near the Briar Patch, it's a decent planet, partially inhabited, part unexplored and with plenty of history nearby," Ash said. "It might suit you."
"Hmmmmm," Owen uttered, whilst thinking to himself. "And how would I go about getting there?"
"Well," Ash smiled. "Pack your bags and see me in the spaceport in 3 hours, I have a pile of stuff to transport there."
Owen smiled in return, although he had only met this character moments earlier, it was quite clear to him that he was genuine and even if he wasn't the offer was still too tempting to refuse.
"See you there," Owen said and got to his feet.
They shook hands again and he left the bar heading for the shoddy hotel he was accommodated in, right beside the spaceport.
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