“Next you’ll tell me nothing matters but the weekend.”
“Is it Tuesday already?”
“Out here, it might as well be whatever day you want it to be.”
“I do have a question, a little more serious.”
“No, Mongo straight.”
“Smartass. What do you think the Squirrels will do when their little expedition fails to report in?”
“That’s a lot more serious, Bob. I’d think it would depend on how fast they thought we could get those ships into the black, and I doubt they think we’ll be anywhere near as fast as Scotti actually is.”
“So, you’re saying they will send another fleet, hoping to catch us before we get mobile?”
“Well, Bob, based on the way they’ve acted so far, I think that’s the way to bet. Don’t you?”
“Yes, I do, but I was hoping you had a good reason I was wrong.”
“Sorry to disappoint you. I’d like to be able to think they weren’t coming, too.”
“If you’re going to be like that, I guess I’ll keep wandering around, and see what it was that gave me the wanderlust.”
“You mean to tell me that you think it’s problems calling to you that bring you out to wander around the ship?”
“Doesn’t make any sense to me, either, but that’s the way it seems to work.” Even though I knew better, I detoured around Frank’s cabin on my way to Engineering. I wasn’t up for having my applecart turned over right then. Scotti met me as I came into her area. “What do you need, Boss?”
“Four more like you, to take care of the new ships?”
“We’ve found bots who are close, but you know I’m the best that’s ever been.”
“No way I’m going to find out, I don’t even play fiddle.”
“Good answer, Boss. You’re worried about something, or you wouldn’t be out walking around. Spill.”
“Any way you’re going to have enough folks to get some weapons going on these ships we’re waking up? I’m thinking the Squirrels might try again before we get out of here.”
“The carriers, probably not. The destroyers were shut down a little differently, we might have a chance with them.”
“Pick the best one for Steve Mason. I counted wrong and wound up with too many Captains.”
“He’s okay with that?”
“He said he thought it would fit his way of thinking better than a carrier, anyway.”
“Some day when we don’t have hostiles breathing down our necks, you’re going to have to explain to me how you get so lucky.”
“All the good folks I have working for me.”
“Mrs. Sloan is right. You must wear blue contacts.”
“I better get out of your way, you have a lot to get done.”
“Later, Boss.”
“Later, Scotti.” I headed for the brig, to see if the interrogators had any luck. On my way, I found a big bot, who looked lost. I asked, “Where are you headed?”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I was posted on a destroyer before, and I don’t understand the layout here.”
“No biggie. Where were you supposed to report?”
“I am MK-369. I am tasked to the brig to help with prisoners.”
“You’re a Mick? You must be Sean, then.”
“Sean, Sir?”
“I’m no good at remembering all those numbers. All you folks get nicknames. You’re a cop, your prefix is MK, there’s no doubt you’re a Mick. Sean seems like the next logical name. Why, do you have a problem with it?”
“No, Sir, but who are you to be handing out new designations?”
“Oh, sorry, didn’t introduce myself. I’m Commodore Wilson. You work for me, now. By the way, that’ll be enough of that ‘Sir’ stuff. Call me Boss, please.”
“And where are we going?”
“To the brig. I was headed there, anyway.” We got to the brig, and Angus was out front. He asked, “Hi, Boss. Who’s this fella with you?”
“This here is Sean, your new help. He’s not used to carriers, and got turned around. I was headed this way, so I brought him with me.” They froze for a second, exchanging information. Sean said, “Thank you. I think I can find my way, now.” Then he turned to me. “Thank you, Boss, for taking the time to help me out.”
I replied, “I’m sure you’ll be worth it, Sean. Don’t hesitate to get ahold of me, if you need something.”
He looked at Angus. Angus said, “He means it. He takes good care of us, here on the Gene.”
Sean took off, presumably to whatever task Angus had assigned him. Angus asked, “You don’t have three or four more of those in your hip pocket, do you Boss?”
“Not that I know of. Let me check for you.” I called Topper. “Yes, Boss?”
“Could you have Sue run an internal scan, and make sure there aren’t any more MK series bots running around, looking for the brig?”
“Sure, Boss, but why?”
“I found one who used to work on a destroyer, and couldn’t find his way on the Gene. Angus needs all the help he can get.”
“Okay, Boss, she found two more, and she’s got them on the right path to get to Angus. Need anything else?”
“Nope. Thanks, Topper. Talk to you later.”
“Later, Boss.” I turned to Angus. “Found you two more, they’re on their way.”
“I was joking, Boss, but thanks.”
“I didn’t think they would find any, either.”
“I’m guessing you’re here to check in with the interview teams?”
“I am.”
“They are in interview rooms one and two. You know where the observation rooms are, don’t you?”
“Yep. Thanks.”
I went into the first observation room. Dingus’ team seemed to have their subject upset, and it looked like they might be about to make some progress. I doubted that interrupting them for a progress report would help, so I tried the other observation room. Jane, with an all-female team, wasn’t doing
