"25 million credits" John replied without pause.

“Holy fuck!" Alyssa squeaked.

Charles ignored the teenagers outburst and studied John shrewdly “Done. You know very well this conflict with the Kintark has the T-Fed over a barrel, don't you?"

John smiled and shrugged his shoulders, his hands spread, palms outward. "A man's got to make a living."

Charles laughed, shaking his head. The two men shook hands to seal the deal.

“Congratulations John, you can retire for real now" Charles said, genuinely pleased to see an old war buddy do so well for himself. John grinned back at his old friend.

Meanwhile Alyssa sat wide eyed, stunned at the insane sums of money these two men were discussing so casually. She thought back to her previous life of abject poverty, the years of scraping around for the odd couple of credits here or there. The sometimes horrible things she had had to do just to get by. Now here she was, listening to a deal for a few tons of rock that was worth more than the whole hollowed out asteroid she had grown up in. For this kind of money, you could buy the entire place and still have enough pocket change to feed its inhabitants for a lifetime.

John and Charles chatted amiably for a while, leaving Alyssa lost in her thoughts.

“How do you want the money John?" Charles asked. "Credit transfer ok I presume?”

John nodded agreeably as he finished the glass of whiskey his old commanding officer had poured for him. The two men stood to shake hands once more, making promises to stay in touch.

John placed his hand on Alyssa's shoulder, gently rousing her from her thoughts. "Time to go" he said quietly. Alyssa stood to join him and the pair turned to leave the office.

“Before you go John" Charles voice called out from behind him "I thought you might be interested. The Invictus has been decommissioned, I'LL be putting her up for auction soon."

John stood frozen, half turned towards his old friend.

“She'd make one hell of a fine ship for a wealthy young trader" Charles smiled. "It would be nice to see the old girl staying in the family so to speak."

"What's the Invictus?" Alyssa asked her handsome friend, puzzled that it should stir up such strong emotions in the man.

John was lost in his thoughts, his mind turning over the possibilities. Seeing that John was distracted, Charles answered for him.

“It's our old ship, Alyssa. I was transferred to the bridge crew back in oh... 2748. John joined the Ship's Marine company 9 years Later. I eventually made Captain and John retired after 10 years service on her."

Alyssa nodded her thanks for his explanation.

"Why is she being decommissioned?" John asked.

“T-Fed Navy has changed its doctrines since you served John. It's all about dropships on Carriers now." Charles replied, rolling his eyes. "There's no place for Assault Cruisers in the new Fleet"

John was shaking his head.

“She's too big, what am I going to do with all that space? Besides, there's only the two of us, how could we crew her?"