“You think they are expecting chivalry?”
“The only other answer I have, is that they are morons. Morons don’t build starships.”
“That is going to take some work to get my head around, Ace. They sneak around, and do all kinds of dishonorable stuff, and they expect us to give them chivalry? I can’t make those numbers add up.”
“I didn’t know you were a Swede, Boss.”
“Norwegian, not Swedish.”
“Remind me not to turn my back when you have a knife, Boss.”
“You have been hitting that culture pack.”
“Just trying to fit in, Boss. We’re here.”
“We’ll probably need to go out again soon. I don’t know yet how long it’s going to take to get these ships up and ready to go.”
“You want me for your personal pilot, then?”
“Want? Yes. I think there are other jobs where the ship needs you worse, though.”
“Thanks, Boss. It’s nice to be appreciated. I’ll see who I can round up to be your chauffeur.”
“Later, Ace.”
“Later, Boss.” I wound my way up to the bridge. Saucy announced, “Commodore on the bridge.”
I replied, “As you were. What fun things are happening in our corner of the universe today, Mr. Topper?”
“Things are quiet right now, Boss. Scotti has loaded the Squirrel vessels, anticipating that you would want to return them and their occupants to their point of origin. Work on the Armstrong is continuing, but since her Captain is otherwise engaged, Scotti has also started work on the Aldrin. She hopes to have both ships ready soon.”
“Any news on the Conrad?”
“Scotti says it appears to be in better shape than the others. She won’t know for sure until she gets a crew aboard.”
“The stealth glitch on Black Beauty?”
“There is good news, and bad news, Boss.”
“Bad news first, then.”
“There isn’t a glitch, that’s as good as the stealth can do.”
“What kind of good news is going to offset that?”
“The Shepherd was built with an experimental sensor array. She’s the only ship around that can see it.”
“How long until Scotti is able to give the other ships those sensors?”
“If I understood correctly, she expects to be able to do that once we get the ships to someplace safe.”
“What is her agenda, then?”
“Get drives and navigation safe to fly, and head out of this system. Fix the weapons on the new ships while they are in FTL. Upgrade sensors, and do whatever other maintenance is required when we get to a safe harbor.”
“How are we fixed for bots on the other ships?”
“With everyone we salvaged from being adrift, each of the ships that will have to fly on its own has a sufficient compliment. I don’t think anyone would mind if Captain Sloan made a few more shopping trips.”
“That reminds me, how sure are we that we found all the bots that the Squirrels set adrift?”
“I don’t suppose we are, Boss. What would you like us to do?”
“Are Taz and Willum still on board Black Beauty?’
“They are.”
“Have them launch and search for any more drifting bots.” There was a short pause, and Topper said, “Black Beauty away, Boss.”
“Nicely done. It looks like you have everything under control, Topper. Don’t hesitate to call if you need me.”
I headed out to medbay. John was waiting for me when I got there. I asked, “Gene warned you?”
“He did. I guess being Captain Branham has its perks.”
“I just have one question, really. How bad was the radiation sickness among the prisoners?”
“There wasn’t any. Scotti has someone looking at their shielding, to see if we can copy it.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried we had done them a great deal of damage.”
“Now, Bob, they came here with the intent of doing us grievous damage, and you were worried about a little radiation sickness?”
“It’s just something Ace said. It doesn’t make sense, and yet it does. He thinks they come in the way they do, because they are expecting us to do some sort of chivalrous ritual before battle.”
“That does line up with what they do, but how would we go about testing his idea without putting ships at risk?”
“Gee, I was hoping you could come up with a brilliant idea. Isn’t it your turn?”
“I think so, but I got nothing. Let me think about it, okay?”
“Fine with me. Sally has the Shepherd, Dingus is lined up to take the Armstrong, do you want the Aldrin, or the Conrad?”
“Doesn’t matter to me, they’re both names to live up to. Does Steve have a preference?”
“You didn’t hear? I miscounted. Steve had the low scores and got knocked down to a destroyer. He was happy about the whole deal, since he wouldn’t have to worry about Bucky being Air Boss and wanting to go flying with her pilots. Diego has the other carrier.”
“How’s he taking his former crewmates getting spaced?”
“He knew Jennie was bad news, but he didn’t know how bad. I think he feels he should have kept Bill from getting so close to her, but I don’t see how he would have done that.”
“Well, Bob, I wouldn’t know anybody who gets the guilts when somebody on their crew goes off the rails.”
“Yeah, I resemble that remark. Wish I knew how to help him over the hump.”
“I think that’s Zoom’s job, and if she can’t fix it, it ain’t broke.”
“Dang, John. Where have you been with all this good advice? I could have used some of this before now.”
“Staying in my lane, Bob. As long as Nikki is around, it’s her job, not mine.”
“That makes
