While Bazdur slept, Tobin quietly went about his daily business. Tending to the Lupine, flying from system to system taking on various jobs and continuing his research on galactic events kept Mathias busy and wiled away the lonely hours among the stars. But with Bazdur's arrival, at least for the next month, that loneliness would subside. The scientist who found himself at peace with isolation would now have some company. Maybe he could even help guide this dwarf out-of-time in the ways of his new life.Mathias was the poster-child for a science and research organization. Tall, lanky and often wearing wide-brimmed glasses, the six foot tall human kept to himself and his books unless he was forced to socialize by way of his work. The genius academic, who studied in the Sol system, chose not pursue surgery to fix his eyesight despite it being available to him at any time as he viewed his glasses as a sort of status symbol. They offered him the opportunity to show others how much of an academic he was and his incredible intelligence far outweighed theirs.While his research and notes on the recent Thargoid attacks usually enveloped him, Mathias took a particular interest in Bazdur's armor and weapons. During the two days that Bazdur slept Mathias took it upon himself to move the dwarf's gear to the common area of the ship and begin inspecting it. The gear itself, a set of full-plate emblazoned with a dragon's head lending Bazdur his alias "Drakeblake," was still nearly pristine, considering it hadn't had time to age over the generations. It had a few dings and dents from recent battles, but nothing too severe. Mathias looked over every inch of it, after washing it of course, to see just how this armor was crafted and worn. "The Governor," Bazdur's greatsword, also got some attention. A large blade, now lacking any magical power, emblazoned with the crest of a local governor from Bazdur's universe which was given to him after purging a ghoul infestation on a private island caused by a burgeoning necromancer. Mathias spent hours just looking over the gear, becoming fascinated by it all. thanks to his his ancestor's journal, written by Mathias Tobin and kept on his person at all times.That journal detailed all the events leading up to the battle with the colossus, how Bazdur disappeared after the event and everything leading up to Tobin's jump into Mathias' current universal home. Because of it's presence through his entire life, Mathias grew a curiosity for ancient artifact. To now have the opportunity to study one of the greatest treasures he had ever read about was an opportunity that the scientist could simply not pass up.Days past and Bazdur awoke from his sleep, now refreshed and supplied with laundered clothes at the foot of his bed. He dressed and wandered out of the room and into the common area, where he found Mathias looking over his gear."I see you've moved my stuff" Bazdur chimed from the doorway."Ah. I see you've awoken. Yes, your gear is amazing. It's beautiful.""I'm glad you approve. Can I have it back now?""I don't think you'll be needing this armor anymore Mr. Dwarf," Mathias quipped. "This piece would do you more harm than good out here in Space. Try this instead." Mathias then pulled a flight suit out from under the table, which he gauged was Bazdur's size, and handed the folded garment to him gently. "Out here we wear these, a Remlok suit. It provides environmental protection and hazards. Think of it as futuristic light armor."Bazdur looked down at the garment, looked past Mathias at his armor on the table, then at Mathias' remlok suit. He shrugged, seeing no real other option and retreated back into the room to change. Moments later he emerged, pulling at the suit in various places."It's a wee bit snug.""You get used to it after awhile.""So what now? How do I get back to my...what did you call it...uni-verse?""Ah. Right. That. Um. Why don't you come sit." Mathias walked back to the table and took a seat, gesturing towards the other chair across from him. Bazdur followed suit.In a cold and serious tone Mathias explained, in no uncertain terms, Bazdur's situation to him. "I don't think it's possible to jump back to your universe. Though all of my research, even with the journal, I've never been able to find a way to do what Tobin could do considering the lack of magical energy."Setting his ancestor's journal on the table, he slid the book over the Dwarf. "Look it over if you want. Maybe you can find something I didn't." Bazdur took the book and quietly flipped through the pages, looking up at Mathias after a few minutes of silence."I still don't understand how or why I got here."Mathias shrugged. ""Neither do I, but you're here now."Bazdur might have been a dwarf but he was also a creature of logic and circumstance. He knew he wasn't nearly as smart as Tobin when the two adventured together, so he often looked to the mage for guidance on things outside of his wheelhouse. He also wasn't one to mince words. "I'd like very much to get back, but if there is no other option, I guess I'm out of luck. So where do we go from here?""I've been thinking about that for the last few days." Mathias stood and walked towards the door to the cockpit. "Come with me. I have a proposal for you."Mathias walked towards and through the doorway as the door slid open automatically. Bazdur watched, not at all in shock of what was going on before him. He had seen some weird things in his time, so a door that opens itself wasn't about to shock him to his core. The dwarf followed Mathias, got to the cockpit window and stared out at the heavens."That's amazing.""What you're looking at is what we call Space. All those dots," Mathias drew his finger across the cockpit window. "are stars. You understand what a star is, right?"Bazdur nodded. "We guided ourselves by the heavens when travelling. They led us true.""Since you're here, I propose that I show you the way of the universe. I introduce you to the galaxy massive area in which billions upon billions of stars and planets reside. I teach you how to fly and show you how to get by on your own. If I've learned anything about your race it's that you dwarves are incredibly independent. You don't like relying on others, so I'm going to teach you how to make that happen. What do you think?""I think I'd like that.""I do ask one thing in return for all this,""It seems that even in a different time and place, still nothing comes free of charge. Glad that hasn't changed," Bazdur chuckled to himself."I want your gear."The dwarf crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, huffing a bit."My armor and sword? Really?""You have no need for them anymore now that you have your remlok suit, and they are incredibly valuable. I want to hold onto it, as a way of remembering Tobin. I'm sure you can understand that.""You can have my armor, but you're not taking The Governor. I've had that sword for quite awhile and it's been good to me. I'm not giving up my sword. I'm sure you can...understand..."Mathias rolled his eyes, thought to himself for a moment to ponder his options then reluctantly agreed. The researcher extended his hand to shake on the deal. Bazdur followed suit."Then it is agreed upon."So the two traveled together for the next month. Mathias flew the ship and completed odd jobs as they jumped from system to system while Bazdur learned more about the universe in which he now resided. He read up on recent events, including the Thargoid attacks that continued to occur near "The Bubble," as it was so called. A quick trip to Enara for a cargo run and a stop over at the Romanenko Estate gave Bazdur the opportunity to see just a small fraction of the universe in which he would now live his life. He learned as much as he could, including how to pilot the Mathias' sidwinder, while taking care of duties around the ship. This was troublesome at first, but the dwarf eventually got the hang of it.On a quick trip back to Baker's Point on a data retrieval mission, Bazdur caused the Lupine to nosedive into the dirt. Thankfully Mathias made sure to have his shields up so his ship wouldn't be too terribly damaged. He still had the training wheels on, but the dwarf eventually learned how to land, take off, and fly his ship as well as a Federation rookie. He wasn't an ace pilot, but he was getting there.At the end of the month, once Mathias knew Bazdur was ready to venture out on his own, he wanted to test the dwarf. They hopped over to Prospect Five in the LP 98-132 system."I want you to land the ship on the outpost, facing the sun." The challenge was simple, but would test the dwarf in everything he had learned up to that point. The brightness of the sun, the challenge of landing on something other than a landing pad, the thrust controllers - all of it would have to be taken into account. But after just a half hour of trying Bazdur landed the ship exactly where Mathias wanted it."Very good Mr. Dwarf. Very good, indeed." Mathias nodded in approval as Bazdur looked up from the pilot's seat."Bazdur, I've got another offer for you. You've learned so much in the last month that I figured it might be time to send you out on your own." Bazdur raised an eyebrow. "I propose that I buy you a sidewinder of your own so you can venture the stars yourself. I've got the credits, thanks to Tobin's investments in the past. What do you think?"The dwarf was very much pleased with the idea. He enjoyed Mathias' company, but just like he couldn't stand to be around Tobin for too long, Mathias' company was getting to him. He wanted to be free to explore this new universe and possibly find a way back to his original home. He also liked the idea of learning more about the thargoid menace. To him, these creatures were nothing more than space dragons, and where there are dragons there might be treasure. To Bazdur, the thargoids presented an opportunity to make a name for himself in this universe."I like this idea!" he exclaimed.So it was done. The two landed at Prospect Five properly and Mathias bought Bazdur his own sidewinder, which he quickly named "The Governor." In the cockpit he mounted his greatsword and hung a photograph of him and Mathias that the scholar made for him. The dwarf wouldn't forget the opportunity this man gave to him."I wish you luck Mr. Dwarf!" Mathias said, quickly opening his arms for a hug to which Bazdur reciprocated."Thank you. I won't forget this."Mathias chuckled to himself. "Don't mention it. Think of it as a gift from Tobin that took way too long to arrive."Then Bazdur hopped on his ship and flew away, leaving the scholar with only his books, his family journal, a set of full plate armor and more questions that would hopefully be answered. This was proving to be an interesting adventure for both of these men.