“They’re not terrorists, Marcus,” Josh argued, rolling his eyes. “They’re freedom fighters.”
“I don’t care what you call them, kid. They’re still trouble. And it’s trouble that I don’t care to be associated with. And if I were you-” Marcus suddenly stopped in mid-sentence, as he started to put it all together. “Wait a minute,” he said, pointing a finger at Nathan. “Is this the ship that we heard about? The one that appeared out of nowhere and helped them Kazahooie escape?” Marcus looked around the room again, his mind racing. “Yeah, that would explain all the damage to your ship, wouldn’t it? And that would also explain why them Takar bastards came to Haven looking for you. Damn. On second thought, maybe it would be safer to return to Haven after all,” Marcus concluded, scratching his head.
“He might be correct, Captain,” Tug began as he and Jalea continued into the room. “It might be safer for all of them to leave the ship as soon as possible.”
“Not me,” Josh announced. “If you don’t mind, Captain, I’d just as soon stay right here. I figure you’re gonna need someone to pilot that shuttle anyhow.” Josh nudged Loki with his elbow.
“Yeah, count me in as well,” Loki added, somewhat hesitantly.
The offer surprised Nathan. The idea of adding civilians to his crew hadn’t occurred to him. But the idea, although somewhat unusual, wasn’t without merit. He was quite sure, however, that his XO would disagree. Complete with direct quotes from the regulations to support her objections. “Thank you,” he answered rather automatically, surprising even himself. “I just may take you up on that.”
It surprised Jessica as well, her expression reflecting her doubt.
“In fact,” Nathan continued, “if any of the rest of you care to help out, I’d be happy to consider your offers as well.”
“Nathan,” Jessica mumbled under her breath. “What the hell are you doing?” She could imagine Cameron’s reaction when she heard what he was proposing.
“Captain,” one of the workers began. “I’m afraid that none of us would be much assistance in the accomplishment of your goals, whatever they might be. Perhaps you might see your way fit to put us off on the next inhabited world you come to?”
Nathan was a bit surprised. “You don’t wish to return to Haven?”
“I’m afraid I’m forced to agree with our former supervisor, here. If indeed the Ta’Akar consider you associates of the Karuzari, then they would probably look upon us in much the same way. As you said, it is doubtful they would allow us to pass unimpeded.”
“And what about your contracts?”
“The terms of our contracts become null and void upon our deaths, or by an inability to perform our duties, in whole or in part, due to reasons beyond our control.” The worker grinned. “I believe this qualifies as beyond our control.”
“Let me guess, you were a lawyer?”
The worker nodded.
“Very well, if that’s what you all wish, then we’ll let you off at the earliest safe opportunity.”
“If there is anything we can do to help, in the meantime, Captain, we would more than happy to do so,” the man added.
“Captain, if I might make a suggestion,” Tug interrupted, “there is a rather large amount of molo that should be cleaned and prepared, in order to keep it safe for consumption. Perhaps these good people could assist us in that rather pressing task?”
Their overall lack of food had slipped Nathan’s mind during the commotion of the last few hours. Nathan looked at the male worker who had been speaking on their behalf, waiting for an answer to Tug’s proposal.
“Of course, Captain. We would be happy to help.”
“Thank you.” Nathan turned his attention to Marcus. Despite his having been the most vocal one of the bunch, he had yet to state his intentions.
“What?” Marcus asked when he noticed Nathan staring at him.
“And how about you, Marcus?”
“Don’t get me wrong there, Captain. I’m happy to help out and all. But about all I’m good at is drinking, yelling, and getting in fights. If you need any of that done, then I’m your man. But I’m sure as hell not a freedom fighter.”
“Marcus, you’re a pretty fair mechanic,” Josh insisted. “And someone’s gotta help us keep the shuttles flying. Hell, you can be my crew chief.”
“And take orders from you?” Marcus snorted. “Not likely, squirt.”
Satisfied that they had all come to an understanding of sorts, Nathan prepared to conclude the discussion. “I think I should warn you all, that just being on board this ship presents an element of risk. We’re not looking for trouble out here. But so far, trouble is about all we’ve found.”
“On a ship from a mythical world, equipped with a magical jump drive, and carrying the leader of the freedom fighters?” Marcus laughed. “What kinda trouble could we possibly get into?”
“What the hell are you doing?” Jessica demanded as they left the briefing room and headed down the corridor.
“Keep your voice down,” Nathan hushed.
“Cam’s gonna come unglued when she finds out,” Jessica continued in a slightly more subdued tone.
“All I did was hire a shuttle and a crew to fly her. It’s not like I asked them all to enlist in the fleet or something.”
“Nathan, you can’t just give these people the run of the ship. We don’t know anything about them. Hell, we don’t even know most of their names.”
“Need I remind you, that half those people just put their lives on the line for us?”
“They were just trying to save their own butts.”
“As I understand it,” Nathan defended as he stepped through the hatchway into the next corridor, “Josh and Loki volunteered to fly us outta there.”
“The teenagers in flight suits? Please, gimme a break. They were just looking for some fun.”
“Regardless, they got the job done. And they’re right, we are going to need that shuttle and someone to fly it. And you know it.”
Jessica could tell that she wasn’t going to be able to change his mind. Nathan was impulsive, making decisions on the spur of the moment. She liked that about him, even admired it in some ways. And thus far, his command style had gotten them by. But as much as she enjoyed his direct, impulsive approach, she feared he might be taking it too far this time.
“Fine, you can keep the testosterone twins,” she acquiesced. “But at least let me monitor them. I can give them all comm-sets. That way I can track their every move.”
“What?” Nathan wasn’t sure he liked the idea, as it seemed dishonest somehow.
“I can attach names to comm-set ID numbers and keep logs of their movements throughout the ship. I can even program the system to alert me if one of them ventures into a sensitive area. And I can assign them to the auxiliary channels only, so they won’t muck up the command channels.”
“I don’t know, Jess.”
“Come on, Nathan. I don’t have the manpower to keep an eye on them. And for all we know, one of them could be a Ta’Akar spy.”
Nathan stopped at the bottom of the ramp that led up to the command deck. “Yeah, I hadn’t thought of that.” He was a little embarrassed that despite all that had happened, he still wasn’t thinking in such terms.
“Of course not. That’s why you hired me, remember?”
“Very well. Pass the comm-sets out,” he agreed as he started back up the ramp.
“I’ll get right on it.”
“No, send someone else,” he insisted. “And have them inventory all of their skill sets, in case we might need them later.”
“Okay. But why not me?” she asked, a puzzled look on her face as she followed him up the ramp.
“We’ve got another meeting,” he explained as he started up the ramp, “with Cameron. And I need you there to keep her from strangling me.”
“I think we should call Doctor Chen,” Cameron said as she followed him into the ready room. “So she can
