“I think I’ve got just the thing.”
“Send the coordinates to Nikki on the secure line. I’ll get them from her later.”
“She’s not with you?”
“I had to leave in a hurry to take care of some business. She’s back with Will and Fred.”
“I see. Or rather, I fail to see, and I gather that’s how it needs to be, right now.”
“Exactly right. Thanks for your help, and good hunting.”
“Talk to you later, Bob.” I turned to Rhonda and said, “One more call, and I’ll be done.”
“Take as long as you want. It’s not like I’m paying for the minutes.”
I commed Dingus. “Rhonda, honey, why are you calling me? Can’t somebody there help you?”
“It’s me, Dingus. I borrowed Rhonda’s comm, because I screwed up the last time we talked, and mentioned a place I shouldn’t have. I’m there now, doing the work we had hoped to put off.” Dingus thought a moment, and said, “You took Gene home to see his kin? That’s mighty nice of you, Bob. What did you want to talk to me about?”
“Do you suppose you could head out this way? I’ve got a chair with your name on it.”
“Have I mentioned lately that you’re an asshole, Bob?”
“I think it might have come up, once or twice.”
“Long as you don’t forget how I feel about you.”
“Talk to you later.”
“Later, Bob.” I gave Rhonda back her phone, mumbling, “That answers that.”
She asked, “Answers what?”
“Oh, I said that out loud? Oops, I need to be more careful. Dingus didn’t ask how to get here. I figured he had asked Sally, as soon as he found out she knew, but until now, I wasn’t sure.”
“Dang, Boss, you are sneaky. You need anything else?”
“Warning, before you decide to fly off and save the world again?”
“I’ll try and remember, Boss.” She left, and I went back over to the bridge. I was careful to get out “As you were.” before anyone could announce me. I asked, “Any updates?”
Sally said, “Scotti got enough bots woken up to start on the first carrier. Other than that, things are just as they were, Boss.”
“Designate the ship being worked on as the Alan Shepherd. Do you see any need for me to hang around and bother you, Captain?”
“No, Boss.”
“I’m going to try to get some sleep, then. Don’t hesitate to call me if anything doesn’t seem quite right.”
“Good night, Boss.” I guess I was on autopilot, I went by the grass room out of force of habit. Janet and Alice were there. Janet said, “I thought Snitz was on the planet?”
“He is. I’m just so much in the habit of coming by here before I go to sleep, I came by without thinking.”
“I wanted to thank you for not being too hard on Rhonda. It was my idea, not hers.”
“Whoever came up with the idea, I would have liked to know what was going on, before I saw three ships, where I expected two.”
“We were afraid you might have a problem with her going along.”
“I had a problem with sending any of you, but it was the only way to get the job done.”
“Tikki was surprised you didn’t ask her to go.”
“She’s the only Squirrel trained engineer we have. No offense, but I couldn’t afford the risk.”
“It burns a little, but I see your point. Milly and I are important to the ship, but what we do isn’t irreplaceable.”
“I am a cold bastard, aren’t I?”
“I have no way of knowing your parents’ marital status, Boss. You did what was best for the ship, and you made sure we had the training we needed to be safe before you sent us. I even heard you made sure Rhonda had the proper training when you found out she went with us. That’s as much as any of us could ask. Sitting in the big chair means that sometimes you have to make decisions that somebody may not come back from. It’s weird, but you thinking I’m grown up enough to go out on a mission like that kinda feels good.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“Boss, we’re here because we want to be. Nobody told us that crewing on a starship was going to be easy.”
“I’m glad you see it that way, because I don’t think it’s going to get any better for a little bit. I better hit the rack, before whatever the next thing is comes along.”
“Night, Boss.”
“Night, Janet.” I finally made it to the cabin. Jeeves said, “I was worried, Boss. Sally said you left the bridge several minutes ago.”
“I went by the grass room out of force of habit. Got to talking with Janet. Sorry to worry you.”
“No problem, Boss, as long as you’re okay.”
“Sending little girls out to defuse nukes? I’m not sure I’m ever going to be okay again.”
“Sally anticipated that, Boss. Said I should offer you some Canadian Mist.”
“Thanks, but no, thanks. The Squirrels could show up at any time. I better keep a clear head.” I headed off to bed. Cuddling with Nikki’s pillow wasn’t as good as the real thing, but it was better than nothing. I’m not sure how long I slept, but I woke up feeling a lot better. I got cleaned up, and headed to the galley to clean some of the blood out of my caffeine stream. Jasmine was waiting for me with a steaming cup. I asked, “Jeeves warned you I was on my way?”
“He did. He also said you were probably too deep in thought to figure out what you wanted to eat, so I went ahead and ordered you an omelet, with wheat toast and hash browns.”
“This crew is amazing. Did you pick me a table, too?”
“No, Boss.
