Representative Shayla stood at the door to the meeting room. Her scarf and pin were missing, her hair was loose, and her face was red with exertion.


    “Why are we stopping? What is happening?” She asked, trying to brush the loose hairs behind her ear. Sachi was on her feet faster than anyone.


    “Excuse me, as a guest on this ship, you were not to leave your room without an escort.” She said. She moved forward to block Shayla from further intrusion.


    “Nope. No way. You can’t keep things from me. I demand to be properly informed on the current proceedings.” She was making things up now. Gareth wondered for a moment if he had left any painkillers in the pocket of his chair on the bridge. He hoped so.


    “You have no right to make such demands.” Sachi said.


    “I am not just some Union grease monkey revolutionist. I am an upstanding member of the Mercantile Guild elite! The Free-Stations Union chose me as a representative for my caliber in both circles. Treating me this way will make you enemies within both the Guild and the Union.” She shouted, ignoring Sachi’s attempts to redirect her. “I suggest you approach your answers with a great deal more consideration!” Shayla left no room for anyone else to speak.


    If he was being honest, Gareth found her ability to shout for so long impressive. Perhaps it was why she got into politics. Other than money – it was always about money. Especially so when it came to Guild. He glanced at her assistant, Ms. Palomo, still standing beyond the doorway. She was glaring at Shayla. Her cheeks were red – either from embarrassment or anger. She was most likely sent by the Union as a guide for a new representative.


    “I assure you we are doing everything we can to keep you out of Imperial hands.” Gareth said. This had the opposite effect he intended, and the look on her face told him he was in for some real drama now.


    “I will not die in the dark on some weird failed experiment of a ship.” She said.


    Gareth felt the temperature of the room drop. He knew Heli’s issues better than anyone, even Quinns, and he accepted them. Heli was his ship. He loved her. He did not expect anyone else to do the same. The faces of his crew after Shayla’s words was gratifying. He was not the only one who loved the Helianthus.


    “Representative Shayla.” He said, and she looked at him, “Please calm down. No one is dying on my ship.”


    “Well, I am only…” She stumbled on her words, unsure how to handle the cold looks she was receiving. For her part, she seemed to be regretting her words.


    “We are experiencing a delay. Yes, the UEE appears to be looking for us. We were just discussing our options when you joined us.” Gareth explained.


    “They found me?” The fear in her voice was reasonable. Her eyes widened, and the anger returned with a storm. “Who! Who is the rat?” She noticed Valorie watching from the screen and pointed. “It’s her, isn’t it? The rest of you are here, but she’s being detained?” Shayla stepped forward and slammed her hand on the table. “I’ll have you tried in the Court of the Union as a spy!” She was shouting again. Gareth got the feeling this was more angry nonsense, but Valorie went pale, her eyes wide. He had not seen such a change in her since the interview.


    “Just desserts.” Serge muttered, and Valorie’s eyes snapped to the floor.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    “I’m right – aren’t I?” Shayla said, excited with her progress. Gareth intercepted.


    “We do not know for sure. Blame will not change our situation. Representative Shayla, we will have a room for you to stay in during the UEE visit.”


    “You mean, to hide in.”


    “This time when you are instructed where to stay, please listen. For your own sake.” He said. She pouted, but Sachi took this chance to herd her out of the room.


    “Do not worry, Captain. She will not present such poor decorum again.” Sachi’s voice was cold. Gareth nodded unable to hide a small smile. Sachi had ties with the Guild and, judging by Shayla’s wide eyes, Sachi knew exactly what to say.


    “Excuse me?” Shayla began but her assistant bowed, first to Gareth then to Sachi.


    “I am very sorry, Captain, Ms. Wywick. We thank you for this second opportunity.” She said,


    “Masie, you don’t have to-” Shayla began, but her assistant glared at her. Shayla’s mouth snapped shut. Sachi nodded and directed them down the hall. Once they were out of earshot, Gareth sighed, rubbing his temple. Quinns chuckled.


    “I do not miss dealing with customers.” He muttered. Gareth gave him a curious look, but Leon came right out and said it.


    “You? Dealing with customers? I feel bad for the customers.” He leaned back as he spoke.


    “Working at a store is a normal planetside job in high school.” Quinns said, looking to the Captain for help. Gareth snapped his fingers when he finally remembered.


    “That’s right, the warehouse.” He said.


    “Wait, so you were moving boxes?” Leon said.


    “I still had to deal with customers too…” Quinns said, but he knew it was weak. “Don’t make dealing with them any easier,” He said.


    “No, I get it. I’m trying to picture it.” Leon laughed. The tension in the room had eased with their conversation. Gareth redirected his attention to Valorie’s display.


    “Anyway. Valorie. You will get that chance to do your job, as you asked. We will discuss specifics tomorrow. For now, get some rest.” He said.


    “Yes, sir. Thank you, Captain.” Her tone changed as she thanked him – a sign she was going off script from SCT protocol. Her personality peeked through in those moments. It made Gareth curious what lay beneath the surface. He closed out the call and her display disappeared.


    “Are there any further concerns?” He addressed the rest of the table. Serge gave him a look that said, you already know mine. He nodded, and looked over the others. Quinns caught his eye – there was a new determination in his eyes. He had settled on his plan. Gareth nodded to him, gaining strength from that determination. Everything would work out.


    “Leon, Yulia, Serge – You will be in charge of freeing the entrance beneath the alufte tree. Get Sachi’s help when you are ready to start. I can only give you tonight.” He said. Serge stood up.


    “We’ll have it done.” He said.


    “You know we will.” Yulia grinned. Her energy was back. Gareth couldn’t help but smile.


    “That’s what I want to hear.” He said. Leon stood up next to him.


    “Alright, well, we better get started then.” He said. He led the way, and Serge and Yulia followed. Once they were gone, Quinns let out a breath, and his shoulders sagged. Gareth wondered if Quinns knew how obvious he was.


    “You’ve a plan, too, don’t ya?” Gareth asked. His formal tone evaporated around his childhood friend. Quinns grinned, an expression that brought out his boyish features.


    “You won’t like it.” He said. Gareth frowned.


    “Do I ever?”


    “Sometimes. When it isn’t so risky.”


    “So, you’re saying it’s risky?” Gareth asked. Shaking his head with a laugh, Quinns stood up. His movement with the prostheses had become so smooth. Such a simple sight still lit Gareth’s pride.


    “Sorry, Gary.”


    “Okay. I’ll bite. How risky?” Gareth asked. Quinns said it all when he stopped to think about it and winced.


    “Not that risky?”


    Gareth sighed and began to reconsider. Why was he gambling with his crew at all, when a talk and probably a few favors for his family could – Quinns interrupted his thought.


    “Gary. You’re thinking of talking to your grandfather again, aren’t you?” Quinns said. The guilty look on Gareth’s face must have been obvious because Quinns scowled. “No. Just no. Your family has been surprisingly quiet since you retired. Don’t go giving them an opening.”


    “True enough. I shouldn’t make it any easier for them.”


    “Exactly. This’ll work. Heck, the hiding place may even be enough. And I’ll be fine.” Quinns grinned, “We’ll go over the idea in full, and you still have full veto power, alright?” He added. Quinns knew him too well. Gareth wanted to hear him out.


    “To engineering, then?”


    "Lead the way, Captain.”


    "Don’t start.” His voice was dry, but he knew Quinns would see the laughter in his eyes.