"You're certain you want the job?" The man asked again, holding the paper out of reach.
"I wouldn't be applying for it if I didn't," Tayvis said.
"It gets awfully lonely out there," the man said. "Truth is, we never expected anyone to actually apply for it. We had to post it to keep the officials happy."
Tayvis shrugged. "I'll take it."
"You hiding from something?"
"Only my private life."
The man slid the paper in front of him. He signed his name and pressed his thumb to the paper.
"When can I start?"
"Shuttle leaves in three hours. Supply runs are scheduled once a month" He picked up the paper. "Anytime you decide you've had enough, you holler and we'll send a shuttle for you. It will cost you, though. If you change your mind, you can hitch a ride with the supply ship."
"Thanks."
"Bay sixty three."
Tayvis picked up his duffel and nodded.
His shoulder was still a bit stiff. He almost hadn't made it off the shipyard station. He'd been hit trying to make it onto the last ship. He'd barely managed.
He saw a news screen and ducked away from it. He couldn't stand to see Dace with Vance. It hurt worse than the blaster shot in his shoulder.
He found the job almost by mistake. They wanted someone to babysit an automatic ore dump station. The pay was lousy, but he didn't care. It offered escape. He took the job, though everyone who interviewed him tried to talk him out of it.
He found bay sixty three and settled himself against the wall to wait.