Company!

Now, I believe in coincidence. I really do. I've seen some pretty weird things happen by pure, random chance in my travels across the galaxy. But I've also learned through personal experience that the galaxy is big, and the odds of two ships, let alone three, meeting by chance out in here the interstellar black is small. If whoever-these-guys-were had just happened to show up at this particular moment by sheer coincidence, well, I'd drink every one of those bottles of whiskey in the hold, and eat the bottles for dessert.

I pondered what to do. Astra's a fine ship, outmoded scanning equipment or no, but there was no way she could match the new arrival for speed. Which meant running would probably be a really bad idea. Wouldn't do much good, and would only make me look guilty. So I sat tight and waited.

1. I didn't have to wait long. In a couple of minutes, the strangers were hailing me.
2. Eventually, the newcomer got close enough that I was able to get a look at it...
3. But even though I was expecting trouble, it was still a surprise when they opened fire.

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