"Some kind of welcome we get, isn't it?" Yattaran observed as the half-dozen patrol ships approached them, shouldering his favourite axe. "Everywhere we go, battlestations and klaxons. . ."

"Truly unfathomable," Kei laughed, brushing her fingers over his belt buckle - tracing the skull and crossbones there, "I wonder whyever that could be." She turned away with a flick of her hair, moving to slip into her heavy-suit as Yattaran watched appreciatively - and idly categorised the number of their ship's favourite emblem on both of them.