“You wouldn’t think a farmer would have much use for a space fighter.”
“Perhaps,” she admitted. “But Tug is not your average molo-farmer.”
“How so?” Nathan asked, sitting on the side of his bed facing her.
“Do not misunderstand me, there are many like him. Men who have spent years fighting for the cause of others who then give it all up to lead a more simple life. I can cite many examples, albeit not on Haven, mind you. However, I would think that if the ship was of no use to him, he would have parted with it long ago.”
Nathan nodded agreement, having not thought that far yet. “You may be right.”
At that moment, the main door swung open and Jessica walked in. Jalea immediately pulled her blanket up to cover herself, laying her head down on her rolled up cloak. “I suppose it would not hurt to ask, however.”
Jessica eyed them both suspiciously as she approached. “I made contact with the ship,” she told him.
Nathan rose and headed for the bathroom, with Jessica following him. “You got them up to speed?”
“Yes, sir. Cameron said Tobin had some problem with the port authority, which put him out of contact for several hours.”
“Sound right to you?” Nathan asked as they entered the bathroom.
“Could be,” she said, following him into the bathroom. She fumbled around the faucet for a moment. “How the hell do you turn the water on?” Finally, after tapping the top of the faucet, the water began to run. “Something just isn’t right, Nathan,” she whispered, hoping the sound of the running water would mask their conversation.
“What do you mean?” Nathan whispered back.
“Why this world? Why Tobin? Why Tug? Oh, and Tug just happens to have a Ta’Akar fighter, and a compound equipped with emitters. And let us not forget the gun strapped to the underside of his dinner table.” Jessica looked at Nathan, waiting for him to put it together.
“What? You think this is all planned? By who?” Nathan stared at her, waiting for a response that never came. Instead, Jessica glanced back toward the door. “Jalea?” Nathan laughed.
“Who else?” Jessica asked.
“When did she have time to put this all together, Jess?”
“She had plenty of time alone with Tobin back on the Aurora. And they seemed a bit too buddy-buddy for just business acquaintances.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t you think you’re reaching a bit?”
“Oh, Nathan,” Jessica whispered in a mock-sexy voice. “Do not misunderstand me, Tug is a simple farmer. Good and honorable-”
“What were you doing, listening from outside the door?” Nathan’s eyes widened.
“Of course not,” she insisted. “I bugged the room more than an hour ago.”
“Jesus, Jess. Is this how all spec-ops operate?”
“The good ones, yeah. Just don’t let her fool you with her sexy green eyes and her big tits.”
“What?”
“Oh, you know what I’m talking about, Nathan.”
“What am I, sixteen?”
“No, but you are a guy. And all guys tend to think with their dicks.”
“I’m not that simple-minded,” Nathan defended.
“Bullshit. It took me all of three minutes to get your pants off, remember?” she told him as she rinsed her hands in the running water.
“I was drunk,” he reminded her.
“Maybe. But your dick wasn’t, and that’s my point. Just be wary, that’s all I’m saying. Jalea does everything for a reason, Nathan. And you need to keep that in mind at all times.” Jessica dried her hands off on her cloak as she spoke. “Now clear out. I’ve gotta use the can,” she ordered, pushing him toward the door.
“Just close the stall door,” he suggested, not quite ready to leave.
“That molo did not agree with me,” she warned. “Trust me. You wanna clear the room,” she added, pushing him toward the door.
— 7 -
Nathan and Vladimir sat on the bench on the porch of the bunkhouse. Nathan’s watch had ended just as the sun was coming up, and Vladimir and Danik had only just returned from spending their entire night examining the systems on Tug’s fighter.
“She is correct, you know. All men are more easily manipulated by beautiful women, at least to some degree. Even if we do want to admit to this, it is true. But it is not only this way for men. Women do this as well. Maybe not as much as us, but still.”
“Then you think I only trust Jalea because she’s attractive?”
“I think because you find her attractive, you are willing to assume she is trustworthy. If she had been an old hag, you would’ve dismissed her without a thought. But that is to be expected, because you and I are men. That is how we are. But if you know this about yourself, and you always question your motives, then you will be okay.”
“Then Jessica was just reminding me to check my motives?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Not exactly the way you treat your captain though, is it?”
“Nathan. You have been captain for less than one week. To us, you are still an ensign. You must earn their respect. It does not come with the bars, you know.”
Nathan thought about it as Tug approached, carrying a steaming hot pot and a stack of bowls.
“Good day, Nathan,” Tug called. “I brought your morning meal,” he added, setting the pot and bowls down on the bench next to them. “It is not much, just a simple porridge I’m afraid. But it is very filling and should get you through the day.”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Nathan assured him. “Thank you.”
Vladimir was already scooping up a bowl full and shoveling it into his mouth. “Kasha. It tastes like Kasha.”
“Tug,” Nathan continued. “We were wondering if you’d be interested in selling your ship?”
“Oh, no. I don’t think I could part with it. Besides, what use do you have for such a small vessel? Your ship is a hundred times its size.”
“There are some interesting systems on your ship that we’d love to study. We might be able to integrate some of your technology into our own systems, possibly give us additional advantages.”
“I’m sorry, Captain. Perhaps I can let you have one or two of her redundant systems. Say, a shield emitter, or one of the pulse cannons. Perhaps they would be helpful?”
Vladimir nodded. “Better than nothing, I suppose. I was hoping to get a better look at your FTL system.”
“Well, you still have several hours until your friend arrives,” Tug said. “Perhaps you can spend it examining the FTL drive.”
“I’m afraid it would take me much longer than a few hours to understand it,” Vladimir admitted.
“I will send my oldest daughter, Deliza, to help you,” Tug boasted. “She is quite knowledgeable in such matters.”
“Any help would be appreciated,” he assured him between spoonfuls of porridge.
“Very well. I shall send her to you after her morning chores are completed,” Tug promised. “Now, Captain, if you’ll excuse me. I have my own chores to complete. I will return later and we can begin preparing your purchase for shipment.”
“Thank you,” He watched Tug walk back toward the main house. “Looks like you’ve got yourself an FTL tutor.”
Vladimir said nothing. He just kept eating.
Tobin’s ship kicked up dust in all directions as it hovered a few meters off the ground, slowly rotating to point its nose back in the direction it had come before it settled to the ground in the middle of Tug’s compound. Nathan,
