Nikki said, “C’mon, Charlie. I’ll fly you over, and bring your ship back. You can pick it up when you get back.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” They climbed aboard, and took off. Snappi asked, “That young man is really that good a ship handler?”
“He is. Comes recommended by one of the best organic pilots I know.”
“Bot pilots are better?”
I reflexively looked around for Nikki. “Since my wife isn’t here, I can give you a straight answer to that. Yes, they are. Nikki is pretty good, herself, though. I’ve seen her do things that are against the rules because so few pilots can actually pull them off. She never had a bobble. She’s more inventive than a bot could ever be, but the bot will always have a faster reaction time. As long as a bot has a course of action planned out ahead of time, they will always be faster. If a situation requires creative thinking, then an organic may have an advantage.”
“I notice you say organic, rather than human. I wouldn’t have thought you would have picked up that habit so quickly, no longer than you have been dealing with us.”
“That’s a slick way to phrase that question, but I don’t know you well enough to answer it for you.”
“We got some odd reports from people who came back from being prisoners here. Large, furry people, not human or Squirrel. Very loyal to you, apparently. As soon as our ships admitted to being here to take you into custody, these people captured them, and put them to work, as punishment.”
“Quite a story. Amazing what people will say to stay out of trouble.”
“So, you deny the existence of a sentient race on the planet?”
“I believe you could play back your recording of that conversation, and never find me saying any such thing. Nor did I confirm the existence of such a race.”
“How did you know I was recording?”
“I didn’t know, until now. I just assumed it would be a precaution you would take.”
“I wish my Uncle was awake.”
“Believe me, so do I.” Nikki slid Charlie’s ship back into its berth. She climbed out and said, “He’s running some checks, and getting acquainted with the ship. He should be pulling out with the first one, shortly.” I looked at Snappi. “Do you need to let your people know to expect him?”
“Might be best.” He pulled out his comm, and said, “The first of our ships will be arriving at your coordinates soon. Please do not be alarmed. The Commodore is fond of his pilot, and doesn’t want him damaged.” He hung up. Nikki said, “I almost hope they do try something. He’s been doing a lot of work in the sim when he isn’t tilling his garlic. I looked at his scores. By the time he’s old enough, you need to have a command ready for him, Caveman.”
Snappi looked at her strangely. “You think that child could have a chance against our fleet, when he only has the one ship to use?”
Nikki replied, “He would also have surprise, and it would take your officers a bit to believe that a dumb monkey could fly as well as he can. Outnumbered as he is, he wouldn’t be able to defeat them, but he would have a very good chance of upsetting them long enough to get back here without any damage.”
I said, “I hope he has a quiet flight. We’ve had enough drama.” My comm rang. I looked to see who was calling. “Yes, Dingus. That ship is supposed to be rendezvousing with the Squirrel fleet. I should have called to let you know, and I didn’t. Charlie is flying it. From what I hear, it might be better for your health not to mess with him while he has a decent ship under him.”
“Okay, smart guy, I’m thinking of a number between one and ten. What is it?”
“I’ll play your silly game. How about seven?”
“Nope. I thought you could read minds, Bob? What’s wrong?”
“I can’t read minds, I just figured out why you were calling when I saw who it was. You need anything else?”
“A ton or two of walnuts, to calm the neighbors down?”
“Call Will. I’m sure he has some around.”
“Any suggestions on delivering them?”
“The last time we had to, we put the sacks in rescue balls, and threw them across. You sure don’t want to give them any crew members for hostages. They say they are friendly, but I’d just as soon not tempt them.”
“That sounds like a good plan, Bob. I’ll get on it. They’ve yet to do anything hostile, but I definitely get the feeling they would rather we weren’t in their sky.”
“Hopefully, it will build a little good will. At the very least, their turret gunners will get some practice.”
“Just what I need, an optimist. Talk to you later, Boss.”
“Later, Commodore Grandpa.” I clicked off before he could get wound up about that one. Nikki said, “You are going to get me in so much trouble, Caveman.”
“You can handle it, Sweetheart.”
“Someday, I’m going to figure out how to stay mad at you, asshole.”
“I’m sure you will. I live in fear of that day.”
Tikki came wandering through the bay, nonchalantly. I said, “Get over here, you’re not fooling anybody with that act.”
She came over and asked, “What act, Boss?”
“The one where you were trying to convince us you just happened to come down to this bay, and weren’t here to meet Captain Dressi.”
“That obvious, huh?”
Nikki said, “You could have worn a sign, but other than that, it was about as obvious as it gets. Since you’re here anyway, let’s get you introduced. Captain Snappi Dressi, I would like to present Tikki Natti. Tikki, this is Captain Dressi.”
Snappi said, “You’re even prettier than
