I'd just shipped in from the asteroid fracking rigs out there 'round Lumis Minor. That 'aint easy work. Puts hair on your chest. Figured I didn't have much green left in my beard after six years on the Belt. Hoxxes proved me wrong.

Some old-timers were down a dwarf. Dumbass got drunk and fell through a laser-hoop. Their pod had an open seat. "In and out, twenty minute Morkite run, quiet cave," they said.

Bull. Sh*t. We didn't have dice to smack around in those days kiddo. Maybe if we did, it would'a gone different. Wern't all that bad a first. Managed to fill our quota pretty quick. Scout wanted that damn bonus though. Told us to call in the can. Said he'd catch up. That was the last time I saw him.

He didn't scream long. We tried to find him, but the bugs put a stop to that. Whole swarm of them came out of nowhere. Got the Engie before he could get a gun down. I started shootin' the bastards, but the Gunner shoved me at a wall and told me to drill like my ass was on fire. Said he was right behind me.

He never made it to the pod.

I waited. I waited for five long minutes. I ain't proud of that.

I left those dwarves behind, kid. That was their last ride, and it took 'em straight to Hell.

Management told me the cave was 'mislabeled.' I was the only one who made it back, so they assigned Pod 10 over there to me. I take care of her. Keep her clean. Best I can.

I told myself I'd never ride back with an empty seat again. My track record's holdin'.

It's a bumpy ride Greenbeard.

Drink up and strap in.