The eggs would hatch in the water and turn into aggressive aquatic creatures and breed. When the time was right, perhaps after several generations, a coordinated attack from the sea would defeat an unsuspecting population of land dwellers and seize the world.
As she allowed the ideas to flow, the captain saw it was a long-range plan, perhaps decades if properly carried out. There was no doubt of the outcome. The sea-people would overrun the air breathers and within days control the entire world.
The sea-people might be like amphibians in that they could exist on land and water. A few “trainers” would arrive to educate the warriors and teach them how to construct and use the best weapons. If they were not amphibious, they might wear protective suits filled with seawater while on land. The result was the same.
Her mind reeled at the implications. Three planets had been targeted this time, maybe many more. How many other cargo pods filled with eggs had been shipped to the human sphere water worlds earlier, maybe even decades ago?
Lila sat on the edge of the bed and nervously waited, sweat covering her forehead. She looked too scared to speak.
Captain Stone realized the girl would know, or suspect, more than she had shared, even if she didn’t know the importance of the details. Captain Stone also realized she needed to build trust with the young girl who couldn’t be twenty years old. And she needed to deliver the girl to the admiral of the Bradley Concord where she could answer additional questions.
The girl had asked for a berth on her ship. The captain hadn’t fully answered.
With the salvage money, Stone planned to purchase another ship for exploration. That plan hadn’t been altered by the added information. While trade was profitable if done correctly, exploration and discovery were where real wealth lay. New trade routes, products, and useful knowledge could be converted into what some called generational wealth. That simply meant there were enough universal credits to last for generations of offspring.
Purchased ships normally do not come with crews, so she would need at least five people for an explorer, and depending on the size of the ship, ten. She could split part of her existing crew, but she still needed more bodies, and the girl sitting in front of her had risked her reputation to explain the rumors she’d heard.
That act showed good judgment. The first part of building trust between them was to hire the girl. She asked, “Did you sign a contract to work on this ship?”
“Yes. For stewards, the contract can be renewed at each port by both parties, or terminated, by either. We are expendable. If there are fewer passengers on the next trip, one or two of us are left on the ground until we can sign on to another ship.”
“I see. Well, I plan to buy a second ship. I won’t need any stewards because we do not carry passengers.”
The expression on the girl went from fear to disappointment.
Captain Stone continued as if she hadn’t noticed, “However, what I do need are members of my crew who can stand bridge-watches, wield a wrench or weld a seam, and direct cargo handlers while in port. If you can cook a meal for the crew now and then, you’d be even more valuable.”
“I can’t weld or direct cargo handlers. I haven’t been on the bridge long enough to know the basics, and my cooking is terrible.”
Stone laughed. “Can you learn?”
“Yes.”
“Then, I want you to pack your things. When we reach Heshmat Habitat. You’ll let them know you’re coming with us to the Escolta and I’m sure there will be no problems from the owners of the ship. When we return to the star base, I’ll want you to talk to the admiral and share your information and insights.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“How much do you earn as a steward?”
The answer was minuscule. Stone shook her head and said, “Here’s how it works with me. You’ll be paid what the other new members of my crew earn, which is about ten times what you now get. You’ll also earn a percentage of our profits. And for that, I expect you to work harder than you ever have and to be loyal to me.”
She nodded her head so fast and so hard she would probably have a headache later. Stone said, “Bert, find the employment records for Lila and make certain we can take her on without incident.”
A ping sounded and Bert said, “She is accurate that either party can sever the relationship in any port, and the Heshmat Hab certainly qualifies as a port. I’ll tell the others she is now one of us.”
“Good point,” Captain Stone said. “As acting captain of this ship, I’m officially relieving you of your steward duties and you will not be paid for those services from this time on. Bert, make a note of that in the official log. Then get together with Lila and begin her education for working on my ship. Find a career she can learn. Something she is interested in.”
Bert pinged. “That will be done. May I suggest you get some rest before we reach port, Captain? You have not slept in some time.”
Lila leaped to her feet, understanding that she was being dismissed. She reached out and shook the captain’s hand, then rushed out, her face still flushed with excitement.
Stone began taking off her slippers and getting ready for sleep. Just before dropping off, she asked, “Bert, was I right to hire her?”
A single, pleasant ping responded. No words were needed. She fell asleep wondering how Bert had managed to incorporate an entire language into a one-syllable ping of sound.
When she awoke, bathed, and changed clothes, she felt as if
