ã€ŠCrew of the Helianthusã€‹


 1.01 - Interview

    Valorie fidgeted in her chair. She had already double checked the start time for the job interview, and she was definitely early. Her sisters told her this was a good thing, but she couldn¡¯t ignore the sinking feeling in her gut. Had she double checked the location? Maybe¡­ A few clicks on her wristband, and her PD¡¯s holo-screen floated over her wrist. The messages were still open from the last time she had checked. Third floor reading room of the Luxe System Station. She sighed. She was in the right place, at the right time. She rested her hands on her lap under the table, and forced herself to look out the little round port window.

    In an otherwise very small, very bland room, the porthole window stood out as a luxury. Beyond thick glass polymer, she saw the stars. Dread tinged with excitement left a fluttery feeling in her chest, taking her breath away. She desperately wanted a taste of the freedom such a vast view promised. That was why she was here. The affirmation settled her stomach enough for her to breath again.

    The door to the meeting room banged open, jolting her to attention. Two men entered. The first was stocky with a square jaw and short hair. The other was leaner with his platinum hair pulled back in a short ponytail. She was careful to avoid their eyes as she rushed to stand up. She focused on the table for safety.

    ¡°You¡¯re early!¡± The first said, ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± His voice was friendly as he took one of the chairs across the table from her. His partner sat next to him. She followed suit, and sat back down. The partner was quiet, but she could feel his stare boring holes into her head. She wondered what their expressions might be saying.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Her voice was clear. She was patient as they settled in, laying a tablet out on the table. She knew better than to speak unless spoken to.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad we could meet in person. I¡¯m Captain Gareth Hughes and the gentleman with me is my first mate, Leon Gomez.¡± He explained. She watched his fingers move along the tablet¡¯s surface, pulling up his Captain¡¯s ID. She nodded. ¡°We will be interviewing you for the position of Communications aboard my ship. Would you like to introduce yourself officially?¡±

    ¡°My name is Valorie Davis. I was part of the specialized communications team of the Imperial Armada.¡± She kept her voice even as she squeezed her hands together in her lap. When she finished speaking, she held out her wristband, her own ID on the screen. He looked it over and nodded.

    ¡°I am familiar with the program. What are your personal parameters?¡± The captain asked. She withdrew her hand as she opened her mouth to speak but he interrupted. ¡°And eye contact is permissible.¡±

    She looked up, her mouth still hanging open. He smiled when she met his eyes, and she smiled back without thinking. Leon was staring at Gareth like he had grown a second head. She couldn¡¯t fathom why.

    ¡°Yes, sir. I can detect life clearly up to one light year away, and up to two with less certainty. I am trained in accessing various communication networks. That includes access to the private Imperial network.¡± She explained and felt a small spike of pride as the Captain nodded. His eyes were as friendly as his tone, crinkling at the edges. Leon leaned forward.

    ¡°The SCT is a crazy confidential program, and they just let you go?¡± He said, catching her flinch at his question. She nodded, her eyes falling back to the table when she turned to him. ¡°What, really? You know, you can look at me, too.¡± He said. She blushed, looking up to meet his request, flustered by his annoyance.

    ¡°Yes, sorry, Mr. Gomez.¡± This appeared to annoy him even more, and Valorie almost looked away by instinct. ¡°Uhm, do either of you remember the MRH Anderson Disaster from about a year and a half ago?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it was all over the news ¨C Imperials were desperate to find out what could go so wrong with one of their best ships.¡± Leon said.

    ¡°I heard that the entire crew was lost¡­ Well, over a thousand people died.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­ that. I am the only survivor. When my escape pod was found by a passing delivery ship, I did not report back to the fleet. PR damage control was the Imperials main priority. I just¡­ stayed out of the way.¡± She said.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°And you¡¯re coming out of hiding now? What for?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been stuck on this station for a year.¡± She said. They waited for more. ¡°The restrictions under the Imperials were severe. I¡¯ve never been outside one of their ships. I want to see more.¡±

    ¡°That might be something you want, but it isn¡¯t why you are here. No one would become a freelancer without a reason. The job is unforgiving without something to drive you. Go take one of the transports if you¡¯re so bored. Station life is preferable in every way.¡± Leon said. She had never honestly thought about how hard it might be. She frowned, she had not even considered how much worse she could have it. Her sisters always made it sound good.

    ¡°I¡¯m asking you to be honest with me. I need to be able to trust my crew. Our lives depend on each other out there.¡± The captain said.

    ¡°Honesty isn¡¯t the issue. You are looking to hire me for your own illicit reasons, correct? Could we please agree to keep our own secrets?¡± She asked. She couldn¡¯t get the edge of pleading out of her voice. Leon leaned back in his chair.

    ¡°Guess this one is a lost cause, Cap.¡± He said.

    ¡°What? But you called me here. You need my help.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t need your help. Your presence might be a convenience, but it don¡¯t matter. We¡¯ll get by either way.¡± He said with a shrug. His eyes were honest, and she looked down at the tablet to avoid them. The conversation seemed to be slipping through her fingers. Why? She had gone over it so many times in her head.

    ¡°Valorie.¡± The captain got her attention, ¡°I wish to captain my ship on deep space missions. I want to explore unknown parts of the galaxy. Only the Database runs such missions, and they only pick the best. I must prove myself, my ship, and my crew before I will even be considered.¡± Gareth explained. He waited until she looked up. ¡°My goal is to gain the recognition necessary for my wish. I want your help with this. I will always give you the recognition you deserve.¡± He said. She felt the honesty in his words. He understood her place, and was offering her more than she could ask. When she remained quiet, Leon stood up to leave. Her head snapped up.

    ¡°Please, wait. I will tell you.¡± She said. Leon paused but didn¡¯t sit down. Her heart was racing. ¡°I must warn you first, and you must take the warning seriously.¡± Her voice was more urgent now. ¡°If the Empire finds out you know, there will be a bounty on your lives. They can find out and they have killed others to keep this secret. They will kill you, too.¡±

    The table was silent. Valorie shivered, her heart still racing. Had she said too much? Would they listen? The captain leaned over the tablet and turned it off. As he looked around the room for other devices, Leon caught his arm.

    ¡°Wait, Cap. You should leave.¡± Leon said, standing up straight. There was no trace of the attitude he had with Valorie earlier. Gareth looked to him for an explanation. ¡°If she¡¯s right, and they find out, I can just leave on my own.¡± He said.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just that easy, is it?¡± Gareth asked. They stared each other down, and Valorie was on the edge of her seat. Were they telepathic? Finally, the captain relented by standing up and Leon bowed his head.

    ¡°I can handle it.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Gareth said as he closed the door behind him. Leon waited a moment, taking a slow breath before sliding back into his chair. He turned back to her with a look like he had bitten into something bitter.

    ¡°Alright, go on, already.¡±

    ¡°People from the SCT are cloned for a specific ability that allows us to interface with a network. It allows for quick and protected connections even at great distances. We are not allowed many freedoms, to keep access to this network restricted.¡± She said. People often got uncomfortable at this topic, but Leon¡¯s expression never changed. He just listened.

    ¡°Nothing new there.¡±

    ¡°No, I guess not. They use a lot of tactics to keep us in line, but one is more effective than any other. That same ability that allows us to interface with the network, also keeps my sisters and I connected. We¡­ share feelings, I guess. There is a prison station, deep in the core Imperial star systems, where many of us are held hostage. We are not treated kindly, and if we step out of line, one of us dies. That feeling¡­¡± She stopped as despair welled inside her.

    Leon waited as she worked through it.

    ¡°I want it to stop.¡±

    ¡°Why do you need the Captain?¡±

    ¡°Someone who knows my abilities well enough to risk using me is rare. Captain Hughes has worked with the SCT before, yet he no longer works for the Empire.¡± She said. He looked her over for a minute. She wasn¡¯t sure what he was evaluating, she only hoped she was passing.

    ¡°Last one. Your first priority. What is it?¡±

    ¡°The captain¡¯s orders.¡± She made sure to look him in the eye as she answered. He smiled. It wasn¡¯t warm like the captain, but it changed his demeanor completely. He stood up, picking up the tablet, and left the room.

    Valorie watched the door close, her shoulders aching from the tense atmosphere. She couldn¡¯t hear them physically, but she could still eavesdrop. Resisting the urge took every fiber of her willpower. She closed her eyes and focused. They will come back. Do not be a creeper. The interview went well. Be happy.

    What do people do at times like this? She went over the previous conversation in her head. She could have done better, but she lost power so quick her head spun. When she had mentioned the Anderson, she felt the ache in her chest that threw her off balance. The physical reaction she had to even just the name was suffocating.

    She stared down the door, but it didn¡¯t move. How much longer could they be talking?

 1.02 - MRH Anderson

    Leon exited the reading room and saw Gareth waiting down the hall. He was reading on his holo-ring, a frown fixed on his face. What he was thinking? With the way Gareth was, he was probably worrying.

    ¡°Cap!¡± Leon called as he got close. Gareth looked up at him, eyebrows furrowing. Yep, worrying. ¡°The girl is being honest. Still dangerous, but if you think it¡¯s worth it, I¡¯m on board.¡± He said. Gareth closed his hand and the holo-display vanished.

    ¡°Good. Thank you for taking that responsibility, Leon.¡± He started back towards the room with a sharp turn.

    ¡°My choice, man. The Captain must be protected after all.¡± Leon said. Gareth made a face at that. ¡°You ain¡¯t as replaceable now as you were for the imperials. They can hire someone new, but, for us, you¡¯re the only Captain we got.¡± Leon watched the door ahead.

    ¡°I get it, Leon. You¡¯re right.¡± Gareth said, ¡°Don¡¯t let it go to your head.¡± He added. Leon glanced over and grinned at the smirk on Gareth¡¯s face. The tension finally eased from his back. They reached the door, but Leon nudged his arm.

    ¡°Hold on, what was up with that whole eye contact thing?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you weren¡¯t on the bridge very often¡­ There are very strict rules on the behavior of the SCT members.¡± Gareth said. Leon frowned, and the Captain opened the door.

    ***

    Valorie was focused the door as it opened, and her shoulders tensed as they entered. Her eyes jumped from the door to each of their faces. She wanted it to be clear she was listening to their requests.

    ¡°Congratulations Ms. Valorie Davis, as of now you are welcome to become crew to the FL Helianthus. You will be on probation for the first month, at the end of which your hiring will be final. Payment will be room and board while on duty, as well as a cut from the ship¡¯s earnings. Do you agree to these terms?¡± Gareth said. Her eyes were wide as she listened. Her heart leapt, and she could not agree fast enough.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She said with a bow of her head.

    ¡°Can you report to the FL Helianthus at dock 242B at 1200 hours three days from now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± A smile spread across her face. She stood and bowed her head again. ¡°Thank you, sir.¡±

    There was a quiet moment as she absorbed the news, and then it seemed Leon couldn¡¯t take it anymore.

    ¡°You really survived the MRH Anderson? How is that even possible?¡± He asked. She jumped at the outburst, her stomach dropping as she looked at him. Before she could respond, the Captain interrupted, gripping Leon¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about him. You don¡¯t have to answer.¡± He said.

    ¡°What? Why not?¡± Leon scowled. Gareth steered him towards the exit. Valorie tried to listen, but her vision blurred. She blinked to clear it and ducked her head in embarrassment. She touched the tear streaks on her face. These physical reactions were out of control.

    ¡°We will see you Monday.¡± Gareth said, but she only nodded without looking up. He paused near the exit. ¡°And take this as my first order. Around the crew, you may ignore the SCT Conduct Protocol. They will not get mad, I promise you.¡± He said. She wiped at her eyes.

    ¡°Yes, sir. If I may ask, how would you prefer I act?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Just act like yourself, Valorie.¡± He said. She flinched, and finally met his eyes once more.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ***

    17 Months Ago

    The MRH Anderson was a crown ship of the King¡¯s elite vanguard. One of the largest ships in the known galaxy, she could support 6,210 crew and passengers without straining her resources. The bridge crew was no less impressive, with a minimum of 32 on hand members at all times.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    Many of the Imperial ships were practical in design. Every ship had thick metal walls, no windows, and only as much light as necessary. Claustrophobia was a major complaint among long-term crew members. The MRH Anderson was built with a new design in mind. The walls were smoothed and painted. A lighting strategy was implemented to maximize positive emotional output. Finally, large windows were added in highly defended areas.

    When she was waiting on orders, Valorie couldn¡¯t help but stare out the domed window that spanned the bridge. The stars that sparkled from such vast distances made her problems feel small. She rested her hands on the bar below the input display, taking a slow breath.

    ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± A small voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked to her right, meeting the eyes of her partner in Communications, Evie. A girl in her late teens with gray hair. Evie¡¯s large dark eyes watched her, but she wasn¡¯t sure if what she saw was concern or curiosity. The clones were never quite right, always a little off from human, but Valorie found it endearing.

    ¡°I think so¡­ They¡¯re worried about something.¡± Valorie was careful to keep her voice low. Hushed whispers and strained tones from the rest of the bridge crew left a thick uneasiness in Valorie¡¯s chest. The longer she listened, the harder it was to breath. She already missed her moment of zen. ¡°Focus, Evie¡­ Is there anything out there?¡± She asked. Evie frowned.

    ¡°As I reported, there is no comms except for the usual feed from the Network.¡± Evie said.

    ¡°Nothing closer?¡±

    ¡°No. Nothing electrical, nothing biological.¡± She said turning back to the screens before her, ¡°Nothing sentient.¡± She added to quell any more questions. Valorie was still trying to gain her trust.

    With the advent of the Imperial Network, it had become normal for communication officers to come in pairs, the Seer and the Ward. Seers were clones, chosen for their ability to interface with the Network. Their training began at a young age. Valorie looked over the cables interspersed through Evie¡¯s hair. Many peeked out from the strands and led away to the docks below her displays. As Ward, Valorie¡¯s job was twofold. One: help organize and disseminate the large volume of data the Seer gathered. Two: keep an eye on their partner. Keep them in line, keep them focused. Valorie was sure she wasn¡¯t Evie¡¯s first partner, and she knew all too well the overbearing nature of most Wards. Valorie rubbed her temples trying to block out her growing anxiety.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t doubting you.¡± She muttered. Evie did not respond, focusing on the screens before her. Valorie tried to focus on her own displays. Instead, her ears picked up whispers from the captain¡¯s chair nearby.

    ¡°Within the hour¡­ Unpredictable trajectory, movement not advised¡­ best probability¡­¡± The whispers made it impossible to concentrate. All she had put together was that something was heading for them. She wanted to pull her hair out.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Evie whispered.

    ¡°What?¡± Valorie asked, but felt guilty when she saw the wide-eyed look of her partner.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. They¡¯re all so scared. I just, I was trying to find something¡­  to help. There is nothing.¡± Her voice grew so quiet, Valorie wasn¡¯t sure she was meant to hear it.

    ¡°Have you tried looking at the stars?¡± Valorie asked. Evie glanced up, confusion spreading across her features. When she found nothing, she shook her head.

    ¡°No, I mean, to relax.¡± Valorie clarified.

    ¡°I¡¯d prefer not to¡­¡± Before she could finish, there was a call for silence from high command. Evie¡¯s eyes went straight to her desk the moment the call was made. The captain stood and addressed the room. His voice broadcasted from every console.

    ¡°This is an emergency announcement from your captain. I have deemed it necessary to prepare for evacuation. There is time if we each work together. Please be calm, follow your drills. There is room for all.¡± He spoke, and when it ended there was another advisor at his side whispering.

    No one on the deck moved. It was not their job to hide. Not if there was something they could still do. Each awaited their orders, focused on the consoles before them.

    Valorie could scarcely breathe, her hands gripping the arm of her chair so tight they felt glued down. This was it. This was how it all went wrong. This was how she would die. Somewhere deep down she knew, from the moment she left the surface ¨C A sweaty hand slid over hers, breaking her deathgrip. When she glanced over, Evie was pale and the fear in her eyes grounded Valorie immediately. She put all her focus into her friend, flipping her hand over and squeezing Evie¡¯s hand to comfort her. There was another call for silence.

    ¡°Alright, command. We will be evacuating the deck as well. There is a storm heading our way, and there is no move we can make fast enough to evade. Do not panic, we have time. Valorie, please make sure our distress signal is on all channels.¡± He said. Evie released Valorie¡¯s hand, and a message appeared on Valorie¡¯s screen.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She said, as she opened the message. She read it word for word, ¡°The network has heard our call. The MRH Perez, with full search and rescue capabilities, is preparing for launch.¡± The captain smiled at her. The word rescue rang in the air, bringing life back to the eyes around her.

    ¡°Very good. We will be using escape pods on the C2 dock. We will start with those closest to the door. I will call out your turn. ¡± He turned his attention to navigation. Valorie turned back to Evie and lowered her voice.

    ¡°Thank you for that quick message. We¡¯re definitely going to be okay.¡± Valorie said. Even as the words left her mouth, the weight did not leave her chest. Evie finally met her eyes again. The trust in her eyes was the only thing that kept Valorie grounded.

 1.03 - Evacuation

    Valorie and Evie marched side by side down the hall towards the emergency escape pods. The bobbing heads of people marching down the hallway to the C2 dock stretched as far as Valorie could see. The hall went from the command deck, across the C block accommodations, to the docking service elevators. Windows lined the hallway, opening the view to the main cafeteria and lounges. Once lively with crewmen off duty, they were now dark except for the red emergency light. The contrast of this emptiness and the bright, packed hallway made the hairs on Valorie''s arms stand on end. Valorie looked away, focusing instead on the people ahead of her.

    ¡°This hallway wasn¡¯t this long before, was it?¡± Valorie muttered, surprised. The pace in the jam packed hall was much slower than she wanted to be moving. She glanced at her partner, but Evie was staring into each of the empty lounges as they passed. Instead of afraid, her expression was forlorn.

    ¡°Evie, are¡­ are you hungry?¡± Valorie asked, glancing over the kitchen facilities. Evie blinked as she was pulled from deep thought.

    ¡°What? No.¡± Evie couldn¡¯t help a small laugh at the absurdity, before she sobered. A few slow breaths, and her eyes glistened. ¡°No, it is just¡­ Working here, with you. I¡¯ve never had such a¡­ positive assignment.¡± She said, her eyes drifted to the floor. Valorie raised an eyebrow at this, and Evie¡¯s face turned red. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve never had so much fun.¡± She said, looking up . Valorie smiled as their eyes met. Evie¡¯s honest vulnerability always tugged at her heart strings. She hugged Evie¡¯s shoulders with one arm.

    ¡°Even if we get reassigned to another ship, we¡¯ll stick together. It will be okay.¡± She said, ¡°First, we gotta get through all -¡±

    The floor beneath their feet rocked hard to the right, stumbling everyone across the hall. Most tumbled to the floor, dragging down anyone they held on to. Glass shattered somewhere behind them, as the lights blinked out above. Valorie fell to her knees, smacking her shoulder against the wall. The hall was pitch dark except for the red emergency lights from the lounge. As panic started to overwhelm her, Evie¡¯s whisper broke through the chaos.

    ¡°Something cut through the H Decks. We have to keep moving, our way is still safe.¡± She said. Valorie felt a hand on her arm trying to pull her up. The hallway lights blinked back on. It helped to ground her, and she responded to the insistent pulling.

    ¡°Alright, alright.¡± She managed. Partway up, someone pushed her from behind as they squeezed by. She caught herself on the wall, trying to regain her balance.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Evie asked, she was fussing over Valorie as others shoved their way passed. Valorie looked down the hall. Several people who had fallen over were fighting to stand. The rest forced their way through, trampling the fallen in a panic. A vicious cycle was starting as the battle slowed passage down the hall, increasing panic.

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡± Valorie joined the stream of people. She stopped at the remaining fallen, and helped them up. It only took a moment, and it was worth the nasty looks she got. Evie stuck close, staying out the way, and directing people by when she could.

    Valorie was helping a woman up, moving aside so the woman could pass into the crowd, when Evie panicked. She reached over Valorie¡¯s shoulder and slammed her hand against an emergency override. The door began to slide open, but not fast enough.

    ¡°What are you -¡± Valorie began before Evie shoved her as hard as she could through the half open door. Valorie fell back into the kitchen, landing hard on her back. Her fall was immediately followed by the grinding of metal and screams. It was so loud, Valorie couldn¡¯t think, only managing to cover her ears and roll onto her stomach. She bit down, grinding her teeth as the cacophony ripped through her head.

    It passed with a final bang that shook the room, sliding her away from the hall. Somehow, she was still whole.

    ¡°Valorie¡­¡± Evie called. She sounded far away. The silence seemed unreal as the crash echoed in Valorie ears. She tested her arms, feet, inch by inch. Everything seemed to be in order. The floor crackled with broken glass for every movement she made.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°Valorie, wake up¡­Please, you have to run.¡± Evie¡¯s voice finally caught her attention. Valorie began to ease herself over. Halfway, she caught sight of Evie trapped against the gnarled metal of what was once the hallway. Valorie scrambled ¨C half running, half crawling ¨C to her side. The hallway they were in had been smashed so thoroughly it created a wall that never should have been there. Evie was on her stomach, pulling herself forward with her arms, as she tried to call out to Valorie.

    As soon as Valorie laid hands on Evie, she realized that Evie''s legs were tangled with the twisted metal behind her. Valorie¡¯s stomach flipped from the sight, bile burning the back of her throat. Evie twisted trying to look up at her, gray hair blocking her eyes.

    ¡°You need to start running. Get out of here.¡± Evie said, dark eyes pleading. She was too calm, so inhuman it made Valorie frantic.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Valorie said. She tugged at the pieces of metal that seemed the most responsible for holding Evie down. Evie grunted with the movement, bracing her head against the floor. Valorie managed to get a few scrap pieces free, pausing only when she found exposed bone. She ground her teeth and swallowed. She could not lose it here. It took a moment to fight off the disgust. She avoided looking at the bone as she wrestled out another piece. Evie began to drag herself forward with her arms. She was sweating hard, resting her forehead against the cool metal floor, as she panted.

    ¡°I¡¯m free.¡± She whispered, ¡°Val¡­¡±

    ¡°Good. That¡¯s good. It¡¯s alright. Hang on to me, okay?¡± Valorie said, kneeling down so she could pull the injured girl across her shoulders. Evie held on with what strength she could muster. Valorie slid her arms under Evie¡¯s thighs and lifted, straightening as best she could. Evie¡¯s arms tightened with the sudden movement and she huffed.

    ¡°Now, can we go.. Please?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I can cut through the kitchen, but I don¡¯t know how far the destruction reached,¡± Valorie said. She walked along the shelves lit only by the red emergency lights while watching her steps. She couldn¡¯t see far ahead, but she could make out the layout.

    ¡°Safe hall.. near C3 lounge¡­¡±

    ¡°How do you know?¡±

    ¡°Alert, but.. still moving.. steady.¡± Evie said, between breaths. Valorie couldn¡¯t make sense of it.

    ¡°Nevermind, Evie. Focus on breathing, okay?¡± She walked through the storage halls towards the kitchens for the C3 deck. The service hall kept growing warmer the closer she got to the kitchens. She paused when she reached the entrance. Beads of sweat were forming along her brow, and her arms had become slick. She did not dare loosen her grip on Evie. She leaned against the wall, and tried to map the ship out in her head.

    ¡°Val, no time¡­¡± Evie said. Valorie took a slow breath.

    ¡°Right, I know.¡± There was no way back, and only this way forward. Valorie clenched her hands. They made it this far. She felt sweat drip down the middle of her back, and squared her shoulders. She could do this. She stood beside the entrance and with Evie¡¯s back against the wall. With her elbow, she lifted the override, and hit the manual open key.

    There was no blast, but Valorie did feel a gust of air pull into the room before gray smoke started to billow out. The air thinned, and she had to fight for breath. A fire was sputtering over the ovens, stunted by the lack of oxygen. Sensing the fire, the auto emergency system had cut the oxygen feed and locked off the empty room. The dying fire had been eating away at what oxygen remained, but the gust from the hall gave it new life. There was an incessant hissing noise coming from¡­ somewhere, and the smell of ashes tickled her nose.

    Valorie moved down the hall to fill her lungs with better air before entering the kitchen. She moved quick, but cautiously ¨C unwilling to set off another disaster. The fires were starting to pick up again with the new oxygen supply from the hall. The hot air washed over her in waves. Each time she thought the heat had peaked, a new wave of heat proved her wrong.

    She stayed as far away from the fires as she could, as she made her way around the counters. She leaned against one to steady herself, her lungs starting to ache. She gasped, and took a few more steps. The breath helped more that she thought, so she breathed in another. It was thin, but survivable.

    Valorie¡¯s face smacked the floor before she knew she was falling. Confusion set in. What tripped her? She felt Evie roll off her back, and turned to look at her. Her head felt so heavy.

    ¡°Evie¡­ okay?¡± She said. Where had her strength gone? Evie was looking at her, eyes wide.

    ¡°Val, the air is wrong,¡± She said. She was so scared. ¡°We have to keep moving. Val, wake up! Valorie!¡± Evie cried. She was dragging herself forward again. Her voice reached Valorie, but Valorie was so tired. The darkness of sleep numbing her arms and legs, curling around her thoughts. She made a slurred attempt to tell Evie she was okay, but Evie¡¯s faraway cries only became more desperate before they faded into silence. The last thing she felt was a soft hand against her cheek, and warmth against her forehead.

 1.04 - FL Helianthus

    At 1148 hours, Valorie was standing at the large glass windows that looked out onto the dock of Gate 242B. A large duffel bag rested against her leg as she enjoyed the view. The glass was cool to the touch, but fogged where she got too close. The ship before her was the FL Helianthus. In size, it was much less impressive than her previous home on the flagship MRH Anderson. It had more curves, giving it a more organic look than the heavy handed imperial designs. The ship had scars, there was a scaffolding pulled up along one side where a repair team was working. Valorie couldn¡¯t help but admire the imperfections - signs of hard work and survival.

    ¡°Our directions were most likely lost, Maisie. It does not hurt to reach out for help.¡± Loud voices caught her attention. She listened without looking, her eyes still glued to her new home. Her eyes traced the four petal shaped engines as she listened.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Now you see, we have arrived on time. Surprise, surprise. Come, sit down. I am utterly exhausted. I''m glad we stole away to the market this morning. The produce from Luxe is quite unique.¡± She did not take any breaks as she spoke, even as she started hunting through the bags at her side.

    Valorie tore her eyes away from the ship long enough to see who was talking. She was surprised to see that the two ladies were not the only newcomers to the waiting room. A well dressed older gentleman was sitting in one of the chairs facing the window. He had one leg over the other, and a holo-display open in front of him as he read. Valorie wasn¡¯t sure when he had arrived. Perhaps she had been a little bit too engrossed by the window.

    The two ladies had long formal wear - suits draped in long scarves. The bossy one was wearing a badge on her right shoulder. They continued to chat about their trip. It was loud enough that Valorie could make out what they were saying. She listened for a little while, trying to imagine the rich world they lived in. She didn¡¯t let the distractions last long, preferring the view outside the window.

    Movement below caught her eye, and Valorie saw one woman leaving the ship. She had a quick purposeful gait as she made her way across the docks before disappearing into one of the halls. Valorie only had a moment to prepare herself.

    The door to the waiting room opened and everyone looked toward the sudden noise. Even the chattering lady went silent.

    ¡°Hello, everyone. It is my pleasure to greet you this afternoon. My name is Sachiko Wywick. I will be your guide today.¡± She smiled, opening her arms. ¡°Welcome to the FL Helianthus!¡± She bowed her head. She had short hair dark brown streaked with gray, and her eyes crinkled when she smiled. There was something off about her smile, but Valorie couldn¡¯t put her finger on what.

    ¡°It¡¯s about time.¡± The bossy woman muttered as she stood up. Her companion struggled to organize their things. Sachiko did not drop her smile, and instead continued as if nothing had been said.

    ¡°I understand we have three passengers and one new crew member.¡± She counted as she spoke, and nodded to herself. ¡°Passengers first please.¡± She said, bowing once more. The gentleman finished collecting his things, and bowed in return.

    ¡°Thank you for guiding us, Ms. Wywick.¡± He said as he readjusted the computer bag on his shoulder.

    ¡°Ah, a passenger with manners,¡± She smiled more naturally, ¡°How refreshing.¡± Before the woman could complain, Sachiko continued, ¡°This way, please. Please have your ID ready for boarding.¡± She indicated the hall behind her and waited while the passengers made their way. She eyed Valorie as she waited. Was she assessing something? ¡°I¡¯ll be back for you. Don¡¯t fret.¡± She said. Valorie nodded, hazarding a peek into Sachiko¡¯s eyes. They were not friendly - definitely sizing her up.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Valorie said, copying Sachiko''s bow from earlier. When she looked up, Sachiko¡¯s eyes had softened a little. Sachiko turned and left in a brisk movement. Valorie turned back to the window, following Sachiko''s movement across the dock. The group stopped in front of the ship. Valorie could not see what they were doing, but she watched anyway.

    Valorie stretched her shoulders, trying to relieve the tight feeling. Her behavior with Sachiko had been out of line by the SCT conduct standards, but Sachiko had made no comment. The Captain had promised as much, but the whole idea still made her uneasy. She wondered what Sachiko''s assessment revealed.

    As she watched the little group enter the ship, it became so much more real. Her future staring her in the face. Valorie¡¯s stomach dropped. She had been alone while in hiding over the past year. All she had to do was focus on her ultimate goal of escape. With that escape now in her sights, she could not afford to make any mistakes.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°Valorie? It¡¯s your turn.¡± Sachiko¡¯s voice interrupted her thoughts. She only appeared in the doorway for a second to grab Valorie¡¯s attention before taking off. Valorie scooped up the bag at her feet and hurried to catch up. When she did, Sachiko was ready with a new demand.

    ¡°May I see your ID, please?¡± Sachiko asked. She had her own display open from a ring on her thumb. It had a maroon coloring, and elegant curled edging. Valorie admired her personal design, as she pulled up her standard display. A couple swipes and her ID was at the forefront.

    "Here, Ms. Wywick." Valorie said as she held her ID out. Sachiko compared the two as they walked.

    ¡°Good girl. Sachi is fine.¡± She said, closing her screen. and increasing her pace.

    Valorie wasn¡¯t sure what to say to that. Instead she focused as they neared the entrance to the ship. It was a couple meters wide, and led into a disabled decontamination room. As they walked through, Sachi continued her lecture.

    ¡°We will be leaving the station tomorrow at 1000 hours. Captain Hughes will have a meeting at 0800 hours. We will pass by the meeting room on the way to dorms. I suggest you spend tonight getting acquainted with the layout of the ship. Don¡¯t be surprised if Yulia stops by to help with that.¡± She said. Her tone was matter of fact as she sped along the hall. Valorie had to work to keep up, both in speed and mental notes.

    ¡°Yulia?¡± She asked. The hallway was well lit, with a curved design along the walls reminiscent of the outer design of the ship. About halfway down, large posts were visible, alongside several gears.

    ¡°Our pilot. She is always eager to meet new crew mates.¡± Sachi said. She paused at one the many doors along the hall, and waved her hand over the panel to the side. The door lifted up revealing a room with a smooth glass table at the center. There was room for almost 15 people to stand comfortably. Valorie leaned inside. It matched the hall in decor, but the smooth table at the center did appear to be holo capable.

    ¡°Meeting room. Remember it.¡± Sachi said, her eyes dead serious. Valorie nodded, unable to utter a response. Sachi continued down the hall. Valorie chased after her. She wasn¡¯t able to draw much from the halls, there were no windows, and few distinctive markings or signs.

    ¡°Uhm, so... Are you the ship counselor or do you handle HR? ¡±

    ¡°No. No, we don¡¯t have anything like that. It was my turn today.¡±

    ¡°Oh, what is your official title?¡±

    ¡°Gardener.¡± Sachi answered, looking Valorie in the eye. Valorie blinked and her brow furrowed. Sachi smiled at her reaction. ¡°Don¡¯t think about it too hard.¡± She added. Valorie nodded, but it was obvious she was still considering why a gardener would be needed.

    ¡°You get a choice for your quarters. We have a few for crew to pick from.¡±

    ¡°Different kinds?¡±

    ¡°Well, it is what view you prefer. Outside of the ship or the Garden. Generally speaking, the- ¡±

    ¡°The Garden.¡± Valorie jumped on her answer without letting Sachi finish. Sachi frowned at this, but nodded.

    ¡°They may be warmer, but I prefer them, too.¡± She said as she stopped at one of the doors along the hall. This one had room for a name above the door panel. It had a speaker for visitors. Sachi held her hand over the panel and a code entry appeared on the screen. Sachi filled it out, and changed a few more things before moving to the side.

    ¡°Hold your hand over it.¡±

    Valorie did so, and the imprint turned blue. New Owner Recognized flashed across the screen and New Occupant appeared over the panel.

    ¡°Good, now you can change the settings from inside or through your PD, and use this panel to open the door.¡± Sachi explained. When Valorie did so, the door whistled open, and her eyes widened. It was one large room with a table and two chairs, alongside various cabinets and a wardrobe. What had her attention was the far wall. Thick glass made up the entire wall.

    ¡°There is a half bathroom to the left side. Eating, bathing, and exercise facilities are shared.¡± Sachi continued to explain as Valorie stepped inside. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the window. It was concave, curving out towards the top as if fitted to the side of a much larger sphere.

    ¡°Furniture is locked to the floor. You¡¯ll have to talk to Quinns if you want to change anything.¡± Sachi said. Valorie heard her walking to the side, but her fingers touched the glass. Beyond her fingertips, it appeared as if a piece of nature had been ripped from the picture of a planet¡¯s surface and dropped into the center of the ship. A large tree was surrounded by several trimmed bushes, and small squares filled with a mixture of plants.

    ¡°The bed will unfold from this panel here, or through the room settings. You need to set your PD from the inner door panel first. Valorie?¡± Sachi paused. Valorie wondered how old the tree was. She had only seen the miniature ones on Luxe. Her eldest sisters shared great stories of the world planet side, but Valorie had never been.

    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Sachi stepped up next to her.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Valorie felt the pride radiating to her right, and tore her eyes away to glance at the woman next to her. Sachi was looking across the gardens, and a smile played across her face. Valorie looked at the garden again, and felt a connection she hadn¡¯t before. Sachi stepped back.

    ¡°Make yourself comfortable. You will have plenty of time to admire the view later.¡± She said, crossing the room towards the door. ¡°And don¡¯t be late for the meeting tomorrow.¡± She added, as the door closed behind her.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Valorie answered before realizing Sachi could no longer hear her. She was alone in her very own room. She rested the duffel bag on the table and set the bed to unfold. Next, she went to explore the bathroom. Sink, toilet, mirror. Her eyes caught on her reflection in the mirror.

    With her goal met, safe inside her new home, it afforded her a moment of peace. Of reflection she had not allowed herself when she was in hiding. Tears reflected in the mirror, streaming down Valorie¡¯s face. The sight was unbearable.

 1.05 - Death

    17 Months Ago

    Valorie hid behind the couch in the break room. Her thoughts were clouded, but there was one thing she was absolutely sure of: this had to be dream. It was a memory from when she was sixteen, on her first job away from home. A kitchen drone on the MRH Vollan, it was your average summer job.

    From her hiding spot, she heard the heavy clap of an open palm meeting flesh followed by her friend crashing to the floor. Valorie flinched, balling up even tighter. The smug laugh of the attacker still sent shivers down her spine.

    It had been an easy job until this moment. Cleaning all day and deliveries all evening. She found time to chat and she made friends with the odd Communications lady. Laeila had dark eyes, gray hair, and lousy self esteem. For a shut in, she was easy to talk to.

    Valorie could hear as Laeila started to get back up, and the strike that followed. The couch shuddered as her friend crashed into it. Valorie wanted to stand up. She wanted to help. Instead, she hugged her knees closer and pressed her forehead against them.

    A month prior, Valorie had found one of the smaller lounges that went unused. She had the brilliant idea of meeting Laeila here. They could cook in the half kitchen or watch something on the big screens. Valorie got a kick out of it every time Laeila reacted to something average with awe. This was their fifth meeting. Valorie had saved a couple of the cupcakes from the leftovers of her day job as a surprise. Laeila¡¯s face lit up the way Valorie hoped it would.

    That was until the door swung open, revealing Laeila¡¯s partner in Communications. Her ward. The twisted look on her partner¡¯s face made a knot in Valorie¡¯s stomach. When Valorie saw the ship captain enter after the ward, she ducked behind the couch.

    The partner kicked aside a table, crushing the cupcakes. That warm feeling seemed a million miles away now.

    ¡°I wanted to let off a little steam. You know the drill. We have a little fun, and then it¡¯s all over. But you¡­ you made me look for you.¡± Laeila¡¯s partner leaned in, pinning her against the couch. ¡°That¡¯s just plain disobedient, Laelae.¡± Her voice made the hairs on Valorie¡¯s neck stand up. ¡°Right, captain?¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± The captain¡¯s voice was disdainful, ¡°But this should be done somewhere more private. Somewhere easier to clean.¡± He added without a hint of concern.

    Valorie¡¯s tears seeped through eyes snapped shut. She knew she had to stop them. Even if it was two on two, she had no experience in fighting. The age gap left her at a disadvantage but she couldn¡¯t listen any longer. She willed her legs up, and started to inch up along the couch.

    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Laeila whispered, stay still. Valorie froze. Had that been out loud?

    ¡°You don¡¯t get a say in this.¡± The woman snapped, before dragging Laeila up to her feet. ¡°Lead the way, sir.¡± She said. Valorie heard the door to the lounge slide up, and three sets of feet march out. What she never heard was protest from her friend. After that incident, she never heard from Laeila again. There was no news from command, no report of what happened.

    That job had been the catalyst for her decision to join the SCT as a Ward. She couldn¡¯t help Laeila, but she could be there for another. It was the best she could do.

    The room was quiet. Was the dream still going? She stretched her tense fingers, and noted with a sinking feeling the realness of it all. Taking in a deep breath, she peeked over the couch. The room was in disarray, but there was a teenage girl sitting on one of the chairs at the center. Nine years younger than Laeila, but she shared the dark eyes, gray hair, and lousy self esteem.

    ¡°Evie?¡±

    ¡°Valorie, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°I saw the people in the hall, but not the fires¡­I didn¡¯t even think of the physical danger¡­¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°Are we¡­ did we die?¡± Valorie asked. It escaped her mouth before she really thought about what it meant. Evie¡¯s eyebrows furrowed and she looked down at her hands, folding and unfolding them in her lap.

    ¡°My body has passed. Yours¡­ you are¡­¡± Evie trailed off.

    ¡°I¡¯m still alive?¡± Valorie said. Evie flinched, and Valorie added, ¡°But not for long?¡± Evie nodded. Valorie looked around, and with the revelation the room seemed to shrink around her.

    ¡°I am sorry.¡± Evie said. She was gripping her hands in her lap. Valorie waved the sentiment away, there was no sense in it now. With moments left to live, she found herself feeling curious.

    ¡°You said your body passed. Why are you¡­ here?¡± Valorie said. She stumbled at the end realizing this was no physical location, but a memory, one in her head. Evie looked up, and her hands paused.

    ¡°I wanted to say goodbye. You lost all motor function, but you¡¯re still tethered. You¡¯re still here. Coming here was my only chance.¡± She said. Was it suppose to make sense? Valorie saw only one way it could.

    ¡°You¡­ aren¡¯t human, are you?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Such a simple answer created so many new questions. Valorie grasped at the first one that came to mind.

    ¡°What are you?¡± She asked. Evie blinked, and her brows furrowed as she thought.

    ¡°Uhm, well, we don¡¯t have a physical form. We need to attach to something alive to interact with the physical world.¡±

    ¡°What will happen to you now?¡±

    ¡°Without a physical vessel, I will be here. I mean, the real here. Where I died.¡± She paused scratching the back of her head, ¡°Of course, nothing in space stays still. The wreckage will drift, and I cannot keep up. Until I am found, I will always be here.¡± She sighed. There was fear in her eyes she was trying so hard to suppress.

    ¡°Trapped? Was Laeila the same?¡±

    ¡°What? Oh. No, she was not.¡± A sour look crossed Evie¡¯s face, ¡°They had a temporary vessel ready for Laei. Though, she has yet to receive a proper one. Bastards.¡± Evie said as her face contorted in a way Valorie had never seen on her before. Valorie felt a wave of relief followed by revulsion at Evie¡¯s words, and for a moment her mind was muddled about why. She leaned against the couch.

    ¡°I¡¯m running out of time.¡± She said. Evie was on her feet, easing Valorie to sit down. Evie¡¯s concern was heartwarming, and Valorie leaned into it, gripping her hand. The way her thoughts of only a moment ago slipped away frightened her, so she focused on the hand in hers. Evie¡¯s eyes were shining.

    ¡°Valorie, you have to know, how much we, I mean, how grateful we-¡±

    ¡°Shh. Not now. You need a body to escape, right?¡± Valorie said. She focused, and she focused hard.

    ¡°Val?¡±

    ¡°Could you use mine?¡±

    ¡°There¡­ There are conditions.¡± Evie stammered, as if unsure of what she was saying. Valorie chuckled at the thought of throwing this odd being off her game. Evie was still Evie.

    ¡°And they are?¡± Valorie asked. The tears in Evie¡¯s eyes spilled over as she blinked to clear them. She looked ready to protest, but Valorie stopped her. ¡°Kind of got a time limit here, Evie.¡± She said.

    ¡°Mother says we must have permission from the tethered,¡± Evie said.

    ¡°The poisonous air won¡¯t stop you?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t need the brain for control.¡± Her clinical response made Valorie uneasy, but she had asked. Something occurred to her.

    ¡°What will happen to me? I mean, my mind?¡± Valorie asked.

    ¡°It won¡¯t stop¡­ what is happening¡­¡± Evie said, her gaze falling to her hands. Valorie reached out, pulling her friend close for a hug. She rested her head on Evie¡¯s shoulder, pale skin and gray hair filling her vision. In stilted movements, two arms wrapped around her, and she closed her eyes. Her choice was easy to make.

    ¡°You have my permission.¡± She said. Evie¡¯s shoulder shook, and Valorie caught the soapy scent of the standard issue shampoo. She smiled.

    ¡°Val, I don¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Live, Evie. Please. Help Laeila, like I never could.¡± Valorie said. Evie went rigid. She was quiet. ¡°Help your sisters.¡± Valorie felt her hold slipping, a foreign numbness in her arms. The two arms crossing against her back remained, awkward but warm. She felt at ease.

    ¡°I will. I swear.¡± Evie said. The effort strained her voice, but she did not let go. ¡°More than you may ever know, you are the light of humanity, Valorie Davis. Thank you.¡±

    ***

    Valorie pulled herself up. The air was still rotten, and her movements were stiff ¨C unnatural ¨C but she did move. She ignored the body beside her, and stumbled to the kitchen exit. There was no one left in the hall, but she could sense them ahead. When she reached the door, she pulled at the override, and hit the manual open harder than she meant to. The sting went up her arm.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± She muttered, cradling her hand. The door finally opened, and fresh air rushed in to greet her. She breathed and it dispelled a little of the discomfort. Her movements smoothed as she made her way down the empty hall to the life pods.

    ***

    Present Day

    Valorie found herself unable to take her eyes off the figure in the mirror. She was still not used to her reflection, her friend¡¯s anxious eyes meeting her gaze every single time. The tether had faded before reaching the kitchen exit. From that moment on, only Evie had remained. The body had healed, but the mind was silent. Evie took a slow breath. Closing her eyes as she did so, before facing her reflection once more.

    ¡°I will live. I will find a way to free my sisters. I will not waste this gift.¡± She said.  She had made progress. She bowed her head. ¡°Thank you, Valorie.¡± The pain in her heart eased as she repeated her mantra.

    The buzzer for her front door went off, jolting her out of her reverie. She still had work to do.

 1.06 - Tour Pt. 1

    Valorie paused at the bathroom door, and stared at the front entrance. The captain had instructed her to ¡°act like herself¡± but she was still working out what that meant. Bile rose in the back of her throat, burning her tongue. Under the SCT program, she only had to pay careful adherence to the rules, and she was mostly left alone. On the Helianthus, everything was in the air.

    Just act like yourself, the captain¡¯s words were in her head. She took a steadying breath, and reached out. It was her first attempt since boarding the Helianthus, so her touch was cautious. Beyond the door was a single being, who was feeling excitement tinged with anxiety. There was some confusion ¨C maybe because of the long wait. No malice, not on the surface at least. There was a familiar feeling that eased Valorie¡¯s heart.

    The buzzer rang again and she raced to the door. She fumbled with the settings on the front panel for a moment before she got open the command going. She needed to figure out how to connect her wrist PD. The door slid up and before her stood a tall, lanky woman with fire red hair.

    ¡°Ah! Hello there. Valorie, right? I¡¯m Yulia ¨C Sachi might¡¯ve mentioned me. If you have time, you wanna go look around?¡± She asked, blue eyes looking Valorie over. Her quick way of talking was overwhelming at first. Valorie nodded, meeting Yulia¡¯s eyes with ease.

    ¡°Yes, thank you, ma¡¯am.¡± Valorie said. Yulia crossed her arms.

    ¡°Whaaat? No. Yulia. Call me that. Or Yui. Yui is good, too, I guess.¡± She waited. Valorie blinked, before it dawned on her that Yulia was waiting for a response.

    ¡°Uhm, thank you, Yulia.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Yulia grinned, freeing her arms. Each change in posture also changed her demeanor in ways Valorie couldn¡¯t anticipate. It peaked her curiosity, and she smiled. Yulia rubbed her hands together. ¡°Where to go first¡­ You wanna grab a snack?¡±

    The walk to the kitchen led along the belly of the ship in one long hall. Along the way, Valorie noticed Sachi¡¯s all important meeting room and thanked Mother she had a second chance to memorize its location.

    ¡°Now, I wanna say, this might be the most important place on any ship.¡± Valorie grinned. ¡°The kitchen. There is a dining hall attached to the kitchen and it¡¯s a good place to relax.¡± She said, as she reached a set of double doors. They slid open as she approached, and a warm savory scent filled the air. The room was large, even from what little Valorie could see, and had several tables and chairs.

    ¡°Smells like Serge has something in the works,¡± Yulia said, but paused at the entrance. The sudden stop surprised Valorie, and she almost bumped into her. Yulia pointed at the main table inside the lounge.

    Leon stood across the table from another man. His clothes were more casual today, including a worn flight jacket. Together, the two men poured over holo-displays laid out on the glassy surface. The other man was tall with long arms and legs, like Yulia, but thick with muscle. With short brown hair and icy blue eyes, he had a stern look about him. His eyes traveled over the displays, his fingers resting against the side of face as he thought. He lifted his hand and pressed down on one of the displays.

    ¡°If we strike here,¡± He said, sliding his finger to another location, ¡°And here first we¡¯ll have a better chance.¡± His eyes moved to Leon for his input.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°That would put demand in our favor,¡± Leon said. His voice was thoughtful, as if something was still missing. Yulia frowned and moved forward intending to get a look at the proceedings. Valorie followed out of reflex.

    ¡°I know what I¡¯m getting. It¡¯s a good plan.¡± The other man said. Leon rubbed the back of his head, and sighed.

    ¡°Just.. tell me where, and I can hit the next highest priority.¡± He said, tapping his finger on the map. Yulia peeked at the displays, and a grin spread across her face. She replaced it with a look of exasperation before resting her hands on her hips.

    ¡°Leon. Serge. Seriously? Those are the tourist maps of the Luxe Station Market. Not some battle plan.¡± She said. Leon looked up and leaned back in his chair, his eyes passed over Valorie for a moment, and settled on Yulia. Serge acknowledged her presence before going right back to the displays.

    ¡°Food supplies are a serious matter, Yui.¡± He said. Leon rolled his eyes, sitting up straight again.

    ¡°The budget is more important ¨C which by the way, you will not be getting any extra by having my help with this.¡± Leon said. This got Serge¡¯s attention and he glanced over with a glare.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±

    ¡°You guys, you scared me with that talk ¨C sounded like it was going to be something dangerous.¡± Yulia interrupted. They looked at her, surprised for a moment. Leon¡¯s face broke into a wry grin.

    ¡°Will be, if Serge starts overspending.¡± He said, and Yulia couldn¡¯t help a chuckle. Serge straightened, dusting his hands off on his thighs. He snatched up a cloth bundle from the counter nearby.

    ¡°Oh, I see. So, you will be making your own dinner tonight?¡± He asked, flicking the cloth open to reveal an apron. His movements were graceful with an ease that came from great dexterity.

    ¡°Hey now. Let¡¯s not get hasty.¡± Leon said. A smirk tugged at Serge¡¯s lip as he slipped the apron on. ¡°I can ¨C or better yet, I will help you stay on budget.¡± He grinned. Serge scowled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Serge left without a hint of humor. When the kitchen door slid open, the savory scent washed over them afresh.

    ¡°Guess you aren¡¯t eating tonight.¡± Yulia said, and Leon leaned back in his chair with a shrug, an easy smile spreading across his face.

    ¡°What¡¯s up, Yulia?¡± He asked. She gestured to Valorie, pulling her to the forefront.

    ¡°I¡¯m showing our new friend around the ship, introducing her to the crew. Valorie, this is Leon, our navigator and first mate.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve met,¡± Leon nodded to Valorie. His smile reminded her of their first meeting and Valorie nodded back.

    ¡°Nice. The other guy is Serge, he¡¯s my brother and he handles life support and maintenance. If you run into any issues, you can talk -¡±

    ¡°You can leave me a message. This is the imperial communicator, right?¡± Serge re-entered, drying his hands on a towel, ¡°Don¡¯t know how Captain can trust such a tool.¡± His scowl was on Valorie as he looked her over, throwing the towel over his shoulder. The scrutiny reminded Valorie of her time with the empire. She looked to the floor instinctively.

    ¡°Serge. Don¡¯t be an ass.¡± Yulia¡¯s voice was a warning. Serge turned his attention on her instead, and Valorie finally took a breath. She peeked up to see Yulia glaring at Serge. He continued despite her warnings.

    ¡°What? Such a tool will reveal it¡¯s true colors and then out the airlock it goes.¡± Serge said with a dismissive wave. Yulia¡¯s face turned red, but Leon spoke up first, keeping his tone light.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s messed up.¡± He said, meeting him eye to eye. Serge glared at him. ¡°If she does cause any trouble ¨C and that is if ¨C you know I¡¯ll help.¡± He added. Serge nodded, his glare easing as he looked over his maps again.

    ¡°Why even take the chance at all,¡± Serge muttered, but the fight was gone. The malice that put Valorie on edge settling back down.

    ¡°You guys are unbelievable.¡± Yulia grabbed Valorie¡¯s hand, and left with a sharp turn, pulling her away. Valorie took the chance to look up from the floor, and met Leon¡¯s eyes. They were thoughtful in a way she didn¡¯t understand. She reached out to better understand and found fear with a little hope. Nothing like what she saw on the surface. Why? They were out of the kitchen before she could come up with an answer.

 1.07 - Tour Pt. 2

    Once Valorie was in the hallway, she refocused on Yulia, who was still fuming from the discussion with Serge and Leon. Yulia led the way down the hall without a word about where they were going. When she finally spoke, it was with her gaze on the path ahead.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about them. It¡¯s no excuse, I know, but my brother can be very paranoid of imperials sometimes¡­¡± She said, glancing at Valorie, and sighed. ¡°Okay, a lot of the time.¡±

    ¡°And he is comfortable with Mr. Gomez and Captain Hughes?¡± Valorie asked. Yulia paused and looked Valorie over, as if she was trying to parse out what Valorie said.

    ¡°Mister.. Gomez?¡± A smirk cracked through her anger, ¡°Oh, he must love that.¡± She said. Valorie remembered his face when she had first said it, and shook her head.

    ¡°No. He does not appear to. At all.¡± She said, looking to Yulia for answers. Yulia¡¯s smirk turned to a smile, and she patted Valorie on the arm.

    ¡°Just call him Leon.¡±

    Valorie nodded. This was an order, and it was easy to follow. She was still waiting for the answer to her original question. Yulia led in silence for a moment. Her movements were stiff.  The longer Valorie waited, the more uncomfortable Yulia became.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the wash facilities next¡­¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    The silence was heavy somehow. Valorie wondered if it would be appropriate to take her question back. Would that only make it more awkward? Valorie felt paralyzed, even as she followed Yulia down the hall. The hallway came to a split, and Yulia stopped walking, resting her hands on her hips.

    ¡°We joined the Helianthus crew a little over a year ago.¡± She said, looking down at her feet as she tapped her toe. ¡°At first, Serge was gung-ho, all excited to be ¡°studying the enemy.¡± That kinda thing.¡± She said. ¡°But we got comfortable. Well, I got comfortable. And he¡­ he is a good brother. So, here we are.¡± She crossed her arms across her chest, and looked Valorie head on. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Valorie nodded.

    ¡°What, that¡¯s it?¡± Yulia steadied herself. She was still angry. Why?

    ¡°Uhm, thank you?¡± Valorie added.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Yulia tapped her forehead. Valorie was almost sure that question was rhetorical. Almost. When she made no move to answer, Yulia huffed and started down the left hallway, her long legs giving her a quick pace. Valorie had to move quick to keep up.

    ¡°Come on, aren¡¯t you angry? Appalled?¡±

    ¡°At what?¡±

    ¡°Serge was talking down to you, and they both even threatened to¡­¡± Yulia trailed off. Valorie shrugged, but Yulia couldn¡¯t see her, so she had to speak up.

    ¡°Although rare, it¡¯s not uncommon.¡± She said. Yulia rubbed her right temple in small circles.

    ¡°They threatened to kill you.¡± Her anger had dissipated, and her voice softened, ¡°That¡¯s not okay.¡± She said. Valorie had not given it a second thought at the time, but now she was speechless. They reached a door at the end of the hall, and it slid out of their way. Yulia tapped the wall to the right, and a screen popped up with a large grid.

    ¡°During the 12 hour off time, the baths are available for 6 hours. There is open times, but Serge set up this display so people could reserve personal time.¡± She tapped on one of the columns, and Valorie could clearly see the available times on the minimal interface. Yulia tapped an open slot, and a pop up offered similar times. ¡°He can be so meticulous about something like this. I¡¯ll make sure he apologizes.¡± Her eyes were warm as she looked over the display.

    ¡°Thank you, Yulia.¡± Valorie said, and Yulia looked at her, surprised at first. A grateful smile spread across Yulia¡¯s face, and she nodded. Valorie felt a weight grow over her chest. Yulia¡¯s gesture was so familiar, it reopened the ache in her heart.

    ¡°Valorie?¡± Yulia¡¯s expression turned to concern. Valorie felt tears collecting in her eyes, and reached up to touch them in surprise. She blinked quickly to clear them, but they fell down her cheek.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Yulia asked, worry creasing her brow.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± She said, pulling her sleeve across her face. ¡°You remind me of a friend of mine and I miss her.¡± Valorie tried to sound matter of fact, but her voice wavered. She couldn¡¯t stop the well of feelings, or the tears that followed them. Each outburst was more frustrating than the last. ¡°Sorry.¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Silence followed, and Yulia reached out to pat her arm, but stopped. The air felt heavy, and Valorie¡¯s words hung in the air. Did Yulia feel it, too? She sensed uncertainty, and she peeked up. When their eyes met, Yulia jumped on the first thing that came to mind.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry¡­ Come on, we have lots of ship to explore.¡± She said, ¡°We¡¯ll go by the Bio room next. Sachi might be there around this time.¡± Her voice had softened. Valorie could still sense the uncertainty behind her words. She took a slow breath, nodded.

    ¡°Thank you for your guidance.¡± She said, an even tone returning to her voice. Yulia smiled and led the way.

    The path Yulia chose for her tour of the Helianthus seemed to have no logical pattern. Each place they visited had no connection to the previous area. As promised, they went to the Bio Room next. It was located near the rear of the ship, in the room below the Gardens.

    ¡°Oh. Sachi isn¡¯t here.¡± Yulia gazed at the measuring equipment that filled out the room. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with petri dishes and plant samples. Each one was labeled by hand, and laid out according to age, type, and strain. Yulia looked over the shelves, trying to glean what she could. ¡°Well, I know it has to do with oxygen and the gardens. Filtration? Oh, and our health. Something, something, the importance of organic material.¡± She said.

    Valorie¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she looked the room over, too afraid to touch anything. She paused at a large tub half full with a deep green cloudy water. The surface pulsed, and large chunks bubbled up. A feeling in her stomach started to do the same. She felt Yulia move up next to her to see inside the same tub.

    ¡°I vote we move on to the next place.¡± Yulia said.

    ¡°Yes, please.¡± Valorie swallowed, dragging her eyes away. Yulia couldn¡¯t help a chuckle at Valorie¡¯s polite rejection of the bio room.

    From there, they zigzagged through the ship. First, they visited the Captain¡¯s office which was near the bridge. Then, they visited the rec room which was near the gardens. Next was the gym on the lower decks by the kitchen, and finally the bridge at the helm. Each time they passed by the same area, Valorie felt a little more confident in navigating the ship. Was that Yulia¡¯s true plan? She stared at Yulia¡¯s back as she wondered. That had to be it, she concluded in admiration.

    ¡°Wow. So, here we are at bridge!¡± Yulia explained as they walked down a wide hall that led to an elaborate set of double doors. The edge of the door frame was engraved with cursive intertwined with elegant leaves. Valorie tried to make it out, but Yulia distracted her.

    ¡°You¡¯ll spend the majority of your working time here.¡± Yulia held her hand out to the scanner, and the double doors opened before her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be here with you.¡± Yulia smiled at the pure curiosity on Valorie¡¯s face. The entrance was at the very back of the bridge. Valorie followed Yulia inside, the room opening up to her as she did.

    The bridge was a layered cone. The curved lines of consoles in three rows descending to the pilot¡¯s seat nestled in the nose of the cone. Yulia went ahead, racing to the front, but Valorie took her time. Two sets of stairs cut through the rows, and met at the pilot¡¯s seat. The captain¡¯s chair sat on the top row, between the stairs, looking out over the rest.

    The upper half of the cone was a grid of glass and thick metal guards that met in a semi-circle around the pilot. Through the glass, she could see the docks lined with tracks that carried the ship into the station. As she was admiring, she sensed someone familiar.

    ¡°Uhm, Yulia¡­¡± Valorie tried to speak up, but Yulia was too excited to show off her post. Valorie made the rest of the trek down the steps, to find Yulia was already in her seat. It had a large yoke surrounded by instrumentation, including several pedals at her feet. It was dizzying to look at, and Valorie was glad her own station was much simpler. Yulia stretched her legs, and flicked at her screens.

    ¡°See! This is where I¡¯ll be.¡± She grinned, opening her arms to present the layout before her. It was at this moment, Yulia finally saw what Valorie had been warning her about. She froze. Valorie looked between her and the Captain, who was sitting in his chair. Red spread from Yulia¡¯s cheeks to her ears. Gareth leaned on his hand while he waited for her greeting, eyebrows raised, a smile tugging at his lip.

    ¡°Captain! I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t see you there.¡±

    ¡°Good Afternoon, Yulia.¡± Gareth said as he managed to suppress a laugh, ¡°How is your tour going?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good. I mean, well. It¡¯s going well, sir. Actually, that answer is on Valorie.¡± She looked to Valorie, ¡°What do you think?¡± She asked. Valorie nodded, surprised by the sudden attention.

    ¡°Very informative,¡± She said, and noticed Yulia¡¯s tension ease. She was still blushing, but her pride was back.

    ¡°See? I got this.¡± She said, swinging herself out of the pilot¡¯s seat.

    ¡°I believe you do.¡± The captain said. Valorie half-listened as she looked over the other stations. Only one station looked as if it was currently in use, but none of them stood out to her.

    ¡°Will I have a station?¡± She asked. Yulia looked to the Captain, and he nodded and stood.

    ¡°Either one in front of my seat is the best candidate. Centered makes it easy to be heard from I¡¯d say.¡± The Captain stood, and made his way down the steps. ¡°Do you need any special equipment to run Comms?¡± He asked. Valorie pulled her hair aside, and revealing a band of wires held together with an elastic. She had them tucked beneath her hair, along her neck.

    ¡°Direct connections?¡± Gareth asked.

    ¡°I can do without, sir.¡± She said tucking the wires back under her hair. The Captain shook his head.

    ¡°Quinns may be able to do something about it before takeoff tomorrow. Yulia, can you take her over to engineering? I¡¯ll message ahead with my permission.¡± He said.

    ¡°Of course I can. We still need to visit there, anyway.¡± She said, as if just remembering the missed location. ¡°See you later, Captain.¡± She headed for the exit with Valorie in tow.

    Valorie glanced over her shoulder at the Captain once more. His back was to her, as he settled into his seat. He pressed on the ring on his finger, and a holo display screen popped up. He was reading something, and Valorie felt a deep calm radiating off him. She wondered why he found the bridge to be such a relaxing place.

 1.08 - Tour Pt. 3

    Engineering was at the opposite side of the ship. Valorie realized they would be walking from the very front, to the very back. Again. Along the way they passed the kitchens, offices, and garden.

    ¡°Any path you take to the back will eventually lead you to some part of engineering. There¡¯s a bay area on the lower back. Quinns usually hangs out there. I would bet he¡¯d even sleep back there if Captain let him.¡± Yulia said. The closer they got to the back the more Valorie saw many smaller hallways branching away. Glancing down the smaller hallways, she could tell she would get lost in a few turns.  As long as she stuck to the main path, she would be fine.

    ¡°Here we are,¡± Yulia said as they reached the end of the hall. The doors to engineering were far less extravagant. She leaned over and scanned her hand, as she had at the bridge. The door slid open revealing a large docking bay. The ceiling was at least two stories high, with windows looking in from the upper level. A landing craft sat near the bay doors at the back of the room, but the room still felt empty.

    Yulia went straight for a door on the far right side. Along the right wall of the bay, several tables were set up, with all manner of mechanical items laid out. As they approached, Valorie could hear someone speaking. She realized the sound came from an open holo-display propped up on one of the tables. On screen was a professor discussing the effects of stress on various metals. She searched for the listener, and almost crashed into Yulia.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to clean this all up before take off you know.¡± Yulia said, her hands on her hips. Valorie moved up next to her, and saw who she was talking to. A young man was working on a large drone that rested on the floor. He had a semi circle of tables around it, all covered in tools and scrap. His back was to them, and he didn¡¯t turn at Yulia¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Is somebody bored again?¡± He asked as he bent over for a closer look at the drone. He had black hair, and a slender build. He was a little shorter than Leon, but still a few inches over Valorie. His stance was a little lopsided as he leaned on his right, focused on the work in front of him. His right arm was a metal frame with hundreds of different tiny little wires running in and out of it. The frame continued under his t-shirt, and Valorie couldn¡¯t see where it ended.

    ¡°Is that one of the old scout drones?¡± Yulia asked.

    ¡°Yeah. I thought I would mess with it, but it looks like fifty something years is too much for some parts.¡± He said. He still had not bothered to face them. He lifted his mechanical arm to inspect something, and Valorie saw that it ended in a drill bit. When she looked closer, she could see similar attachments along the table to his left.

    ¡°Wha- fifty?¡± Yulia asked.

    ¡°Right? Looks like when we make fun of Gary¡¯s age, we should be roasting Heli, too.¡± He said changing out the drill bit before leaning into his work again. ¡°She¡¯s got at least a couple decades or so on him.¡± He said, following his words with the loud whir of the drill.

    ¡°Gary?¡± Valorie asked.

    ¡°Our captain.¡± Yulia clarified.

    ¡°We grew up together so it sounds silly when I call him Captain¡­ Wait.¡± He interrupted his thought. When he turned around, he met Valorie¡¯s eyes first. The moment seemed to last forever as she felt him work from surprise to embarrassment. His cheeks darkened, and his gaze jumped to Yulia. She grinned at his glare.

    ¡°Quinns, this is Valorie. I¡¯m taking her around to meet everyone.¡± She said. He nodded but his glare did not dissipate. ¡°Aren¡¯t ya gonna say hi?¡± She asked. His eyes widened, and he immediately turned to Valorie and held out his right hand to shake. She followed suit but remembered the mechanical drill bit too late, and froze with her hand next to it.  He looked down at drill at the end of his arm, and closed his eyes. The red on his cheeks deepened.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Oh, Quinns, you got your attachment mixed up,¡± Yulia reminded him. He looked at her without a hint of humor.

    ¡°Yes. Thank you, Yulia.¡± His voice couldn¡¯t hide his annoyance as he withdrew his arm. His expression softened when he looked to Valorie. ¡°Sorry.¡± He said, before fleeing along the tables to a door at the end.

    ¡°That is the engineering office and storage.¡±

    Valorie stared at the door he disappeared through, wondering what she had done. When it opened again, Quinns stepped out with his sleeve up. The metal arm was gone, and he was attaching a new prosthetic. She could see where flesh met machine at his shoulder. A metal brace continued across the skin, under his shirt and Valorie wondered how far it went.

    ¡°He returns!¡± Yulia smiled. The new arm was designed to mimic a living one, right down to hairs along the skin. When he held it near the metal attachments, small clamps opened along the edge. He held it closer and the clamps latched on before pulling the arm into position. He pulled his sleeve back down, and dusted it off. He ignored Yulia¡¯s comments, and held out his hand to Valorie.

    ¡°Welcome to the Helianthus.¡± He was still blushing, but he forced a smile despite his embarrassment. Valorie took his hand and shook it. The skin was smooth, lacking the calluses built over time, but otherwise it felt natural.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She smiled. He nodded, his cheeks darkening once more as he released her hand. Yulia watched quietly with approval. Valorie wondered what she could be agreeing with. Once again, she wished her powers provided more explanation.

    ¡°Oh right! So, Quinns, you should have a message from the Captain. She needs connectors added to one of the stations on the bridge.¡± Yulia said. He went over to the display with the lecture playing, closed out the video. After tapping through a couple more screens he found the message.

    ¡°Right. Which ones?¡± He looked to Valorie. She held up the end of her wire bundle. He moved closer, trying to see it without being too invasive. She held it out closer to him, and he nodded his appreciation, stepping forward.

    ¡°You guys. You are so awkward.¡± Yulia said. Quinns sent a scowl her way, before holding out his hand.

    ¡°May I?¡± He asked. She nodded and placed the wire bundle in his hand. The room was quiet as he went over each one, gently moving the bundle for a clear view of each connector. She watched him as he focused, becoming very aware of his breathing.

    ¡°Nothing too strange. Ah, I mean, unique. No, what I¡¯m saying is nerve to fiber connectors might be a little strange to most, but, as you might guess, not so strange to me.¡± He tried to explain, wiggling his right arm in demonstration. She nodded and he cleared his throat. ¡°I should have somethings that will match in storage. The other three will have to be found.¡± He said, releasing the bundle as he turned to leave.

    ¡°Quinns.¡± Yulia said and he realized they were both still waiting for an answer.

    ¡°Oh, right. Yes. I will have the basic connections done before take off tomorrow. Might be a month for a complete install.¡±

    ¡°That works.¡± Yulia said, ¡°Thanks.¡± She added. Valorie bowed her head.

    ¡°Thank you again.¡± She said. He waved as he went back into the office. Yulia grinned and turned back towards the entrance. Valorie was back to following her.

    ¡°So, that is everyone! Tour complete. Do you think you can find your room?¡± Yulia asked as they walked. Valorie nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll send you a friend invite, so look for that. Oh, and I¡¯ll come by before the meeting tomorrow. Unless, well I mean, you¡¯re most likely good with the ship by now.¡± Yulia said. Valorie felt the need to reassure her, and shook her head.

    ¡°I would be happy to receive your help. Sachi warned me many times about the meeting tomorrow. I was worrying about it.¡± She said, and Yulia laughed.

    ¡°Yeeah, she can be a little strict. Don¡¯t worry, I got you covered.¡±

    Before they parted at Valorie¡¯s room, Yulia opened her PD and shared her personal net code. It was the second name on Valorie¡¯s contact list after the Captain.

    ¡°Just message me if you need any help. I check it a lot when I¡¯m bored.¡± She said, ¡°You¡¯ll get everybody¡¯s code sooner or later. Hopefully sooner than later.¡± Yulia said, ¡°See ya later.¡± She smiled and the door slid shut as she turned away.

    Valorie looked around the room that was now hers. It did not feel real. She focused. She had to take this one step at a time. She looked at her contact list and smiled. The PD was a simple version she had gotten in hiding to use for identification. Then, the Captain had added her the evening after the interview, and the cheap PD had become more special to her. Her eyes caught on her duffel bag, and she knew her next step was to unpack. She could do that much.

 1.09 - Wake Up Call

    By 0715, Valorie sat at the small table in her room eating one of the ration bars she had stored in her bag. She was ready to go, dressed in a formal attire similar to her uniform in the SCT.

    When she was in hiding, she had the chance to pick out her own clothes. It turned out to be harder than she expected. She did not understand the great deal of importance attached to what one wears. She was too afraid to guess at its significance, so she stuck to what she knew.

    She chewed on pieces of the ration brick without noticing the plain oat flavoring. Instead she focused on the Gardens beyond her window ¨C a sight that warmed her chest.

    She could sense the movements of all nine people aboard the ship. She imagined each one going about their morning routines. On the MRH Anderson, there were more people than she could count, even with her ability. It seemed impossible that ten people could run a ship. Even a smaller one. It sank in the hardest when she remembered the guests, and realized the number was actually seven.

    One person was nearing the door to her room. Their mood was a dark cloud of guilt rooted in an old sadness. Valorie followed their movement along the wall, as if she could see them through the metal, until her PD lit up. It replaced the original door buzzer with a quick vibration on her wrist. She stood, tucking the ration away in her wardrobe, and answered the door.

    ¡°Morning, Valorie!¡± Yulia was all smiles, completely off from the feeling Valorie had picked up. Her hair had gone from the fiery red to a dark blue, almost black. Even her eyebrows and lashes changed to match.

    ¡°Good morning, Yulia.¡± Valorie said as she tried to figure out what was causing such dissonance in mood.

    ¡°I know we need to get to the meeting and all, but¡­¡± She frowned, maybe hoping Valorie would interrupt? Valorie nodded and waited without a word. ¡°So¡­ I was talking to Leon.¡±

    ***

    The Night Before

    ¡°So, how¡¯d the rookie do on Yui¡¯s Grand Tour? Did you walk her to death?¡± Leon asked leaning against the counter as Serge poured his drink. Yulia banged the counter with her glass.

    ¡°You don¡¯t gotta be mean.¡± She grinned at the annoyed looks she received, but toned it down as she continued. ¡°She¡¯s quiet, but seems friendly enough.¡± Serge refilled her glass and she smiled a silent thank you.

    ¡°I still say you should have warned me. People are weird about the arm thing.¡± Quinns muttered. His head rested on his left hand while he stared down into his empty glass. When Serge held up the bottle, he shook his head. Serge filled his own glass instead, and put the bottle aside.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think she cared, Quinnsy.¡± Yulia laughed, ¡°At least I don¡¯t think she did. Kinda hard to tell what she¡¯s feeling. She did cry though.¡± Yulia said. Quinns¡¯ head snapped up.

    ¡°What?!¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Yulia laughed, ¡°No, not like that. Sorry.¡± She tried to apologize, but couldn¡¯t stop snickering at his reaction.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    ¡°Good to hear your way with the ladies has yet to fail you, huh, Quinns?¡± Leon said, sipping his drink with a grin. Even Serge chuckled at that one.

    ¡°I said, not like that. Nah, it was before that. Gonna be honest, I panicked a little.¡±

    ¡°She cried at the interview, too.¡±

    ¡°Crocodile tears.¡± Serge said, and Yulia glared at him with a warning. He rolled his eyes. Leon decided to interrupt before the argument could turn vocal.

    ¡°I doubt it. Her last assignment was on the Anderson after all.¡± He said. This had the effect of sobering all the faces around him. Quinns went back to staring at the bottom of his glass, while Yulia leaned back in her chair. Serge took a long drink from his glass, before settling it on the table with a huff. The silence seemed to stretch out, consuming everything.

    ***

    ¡°He told me about what happened. I mean, to your friend. The one that I reminded you of.¡± Yulia tried to say, but the words fell out of tempo. She shook her head, and held out her hand. ¡°What I mean is, I¡¯m sorry for your loss.¡± She said.

    Valorie looked at her hand, and saw a pair of bell shaped white flowers. The stems were wrapped in a sealed bubble of water filled plastic. Valorie swallowed, trying to speak, but she was at a loss for words.

    ¡°Do you have a picture of your friend?¡± Yulia asked. Valorie shook her head, her eyes clouding. ¡°A reminder? Something?¡± She started to sound desperate. Valorie nodded and reached out for the offered flowers. This seemed to calm Yulia, and Valorie tried to smile.

    ¡°Thank you. She would¡¯ve liked these.¡± She said. The weight on her chest returned, but it was a little bit lighter. How could flowers ease that feeling? She looked them over, rubbing her thumb along the smooth surface, trying to find a reason. Instead she found herself admiring the way light played off the soft petals. Yulia must have seen the confusion.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay to grieve, you know.¡±

    ¡°It has been a year and half¡­¡±

    ¡°People deal with it at different speeds. It¡¯s okay to take it slow.¡± She said. Valorie nodded, but she couldn¡¯t help wondering if her grief was only good for getting in her way. Yulia seemed unsatisfied by this response.

    ¡°What if we make one of these into a reminder.¡± She said, pulling on the flower free of the plastic. Only a few drops of water were lost before the hole closed on its own. ¡°Do you have something to cut with?¡± She asked. Valorie nodded and fetched a pair of scissors she had in the bathroom. When she returned, she saw the flower on the table, and Yulia hunting through her closet.

    ¡°Wha-¡±

    ¡°Serge leaves one of these in each room,¡± She said, stepping out of the closet. She had a plastic case in her hand, which she placed down on the table before she opened it. Inside it was split into several partitions filled with small accessories, including safety pins. She pulled one from the case. ¡°Guests like them for hanging stuff in zero-g. The kit was Sachi¡¯s idea.¡± She said.

    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Valorie asked, and Yulia smiled.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± Yulia trimmed down the stem and poked the pin through the base of the flower. She held up her creation, and gestured towards Valorie¡¯s shoulder. Still confused, Valorie nodded. Yulia moved close as she pinned the flower bud to Valorie¡¯s shirt, along her collar bone.

    At this distance, Valorie could start to pick up on particular thoughts. Nothing exact ¨C skin contact was necessary for that. It was mainly vague images and feelings. Yulia was focused on getting the pin into the shirt without jabbing Valorie with the sharp bit. She was remembering pinning a different white flower along the buttons of her own shirt. She was much younger in the memory, but so much more lonely. Valorie held her breath to remain as still as possible.

    ¡°There.¡± Yulia said, pulling away. Relieved, Valorie breathed out and looked down at the flower. ¡°Looks good, right?¡± Yulia smiled.

    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±

    ¡°We better get going. I don¡¯t wanna make you late.¡±

    ¡°Yulia¡­¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Yulia asked. The lonely girl Valorie had seen was in the past. When she saw Yulia¡¯s cheerful expression, her words caught in her throat. She had no idea how to get the feeling stuck in her chest across in words. Yulia saw her distress and patted her shoulder. ¡°I get it. You¡¯re welcome. Now let¡¯s go, or Sachi¡¯s gonna have words.¡±

 1.10 - Breakfast

    Yulia nudged Valorie as they entered the meeting room at 0755 hours ¨C right on time. Sachi was already sitting at the glass table, sipping from a mug as she played with her PD. In the left corner there was a floating counter she hadn¡¯t seen the day before. It stuck out from one of the walls as if it had always been there. It had both coffee and water dispensers with several cups lined up along the side of the machine.

    ¡°We made it on time!¡± Yulia said, grinning with pride. Sachi looked up from what she was doing and raised an eyebrow at Yulia¡¯s words.

    ¡°So you did. I was wondering if I had failed to provide the rookie with a fighting chance.¡± She said, sipping from the mug in her hand.

    ¡°I did good, Sachi. I got up early today.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a pity you don¡¯t have rookies to guide every day.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just be happy for me?¡± Yulia pouted. Despite her expression and tone, Valorie got the impression Yulia was having fun. Sachi had a smug smile as she took another sip of her drink without a word.

    ¡°Don¡¯t block the doorway.¡± A low, rough voice interrupted. Yulia immediately hopped out of the way, while Valorie turned to the speaker. Serge stood in the doorway, a cart loaded with food in front of him. It filled the room with the warm scent of toast and cinnamon.

    ¡°S-sorry.¡± She stammered before Yulia pulled her aside. Serge rolled his eyes as he passed by. He clicked a button level with the first counter, and turned back to his cart to organize. As he worked, another counter extended from the wall.  Yulia patted Valorie on the shoulder.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s sit.¡± She said.

    ¡°Yulia, you should grab something before you sit down. Breakfast is important.¡± Serge said waving her over as he finished setting out dishes, and moved on the bowls and cutlery. Yulia paused, and Valorie could see she was debating something in her head as she eyed the food cart. That debate ended when her stomach growled.

    ¡°Okay, okay. Twist my arm, why don¡¯t you.¡± She muttered, pulling Valorie along with her.

    Serge laid out two very different types of food for them to eat. One side had breakfast items Valorie had seen many times before. This time it was picture perfect sausages steaming hot, iced cinnamon buns, and golden toast. Right down to the hot glisten of grease, it all looked like it was from a generic cooking video. Replicated foods ¨C specifically the ReNutri brand ¨C were a staple of imperial diet. Valorie was much more interested in the other side. One item looked like granola, but toasted a deep brown, almost black. Nothing in the mixture looked familiar. There was also what could be scrambled eggs, but they were a bright maroon.  Yulia kept glancing at her brother. When he was focusing on the cart, she started loading a plate with toast and sausage.

    Valorie felt two more people approaching, so she looked over at the door. Gareth and Leon entered the meeting room mid conversation. Leon had a grim look on, but the Captain¡¯s face was calm. Valorie hoped that meant everything was okay. Gareth made his way to the main table. He drew along the surface until a holographic star map appeared, hovering a few inches above. After the hologram darkened, he began to manipulate directly with his fingers.

    Meanwhile, Leon made a beeline for the coffee.

    ¡°Ah, Serge, you really out did yourself for today. I thought you hated making the repli-meals.¡± Leon said, eyeing the food as his drink filled.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°Because it¡¯s fake. Try the granola.¡± Serge said. Feeling guilty, Yulia scooped some onto her plate.

    ¡°Or, I can eat what looks ¨C and smells ¨C delicious.¡± Leon laughed, grabbing a plate and picking only the picture perfect foods.

    ¡°Fine. That stuff is a slow death. Doesn¡¯t bother me.¡± Serge said. Leon laughed again, putting his plate down to deal with the coffee maker once more. Serge noticed his sister¡¯s plate and scowled. ¡°Aw, come on, Yui. You, too?¡± He said. She smiled with a wince while avoiding his look.

    ¡°Sorry, Serge.¡±

    As they spoke, Valorie was trying to pick something to try. She was not usually given any choice, which meant even an easy choice like this stumped her. She had seen the picture perfect repli-foods before. Their strength was in their consistency after all. She leaned towards trying something new.

    ¡°What are you gonna have?¡± Yulia said, trying to redirect the conversation. Valorie glanced up from her choices and realized all three of them were watching her decide. Her cheeks grew hot.

    ¡°Come over to the dark side,¡± Leon said, ¡°It tastes good over here.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s expensive junk food.¡± Serge argued.

    ¡°It¡¯s got the necessary nutrients-¡±

    ¡°Spoken like a true connoisseur.¡± Serge stepped up and scooped up some of the granola. ¡°Just try it.¡± He said. Valorie held out her plate. Serge poured the spoonful on to her plate, and waited. Leon couldn¡¯t hide his smirk as he also watched her.

    She lifted the granola to her mouth. Was ¨C was it always this serious? Over food? She bit down. At first it was a crunchy sweet taste, before being overtaken by an earthy nutty flavor. It was heavy, and almost too crunchy, but it was so different from her normal fare. She took another bite, and this time the saltiness was more prevalent. She smiled.

    ¡°She likes it.¡± Serge grinned with his triumph. Leon rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Well, now you¡¯ve done it. I¡¯m going to go before his head gets too full.¡± Leon said, balancing his plate and two coffees so he could flee to the holo-table. He handed one of the coffees to Gareth, and they started working on the star map together.

    ¡°Happy to see the rookie has good taste.¡± Serge said. When he looked at her, his expression soured, ¡°To some degree.¡± He added. Maybe he remembered who he was talking about.

    ¡°Serge.¡± Yulia¡¯s voice was a warning, but Valorie already felt the distance grow. The swing in mood made Valorie realize she had been getting comfortable. She met Serge¡¯s eyes while taking another bite of the granola. I like you better when you talk about food, she thought, not daring enough to say it. He scowled, and she wondered if he had heard her anyway.

    ¡°Are these really eggs?¡± Quinns interrupted their silent conversation. Valorie had been so focused, she did not notice his entrance, and backed off. She noticed Serge back off in the same way.

    ¡°Yeah, they really are eggs.¡± He said letting his annoyance carry over. Quinns chuckled.

    ¡°Oh, right, I should have known that. Thanks.¡± He said, brushing off Serge¡¯s attitude. The air seemed to lighten as Serge rolled his eyes and refocused on getting himself a meal. Quinns reached passed the girls for a plate.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay to eat at the table, you know.¡± He said, unwilling to tell them that they were in the way. Valorie nodded and turned to leave.

    ¡°Right. Very funny.¡± Yulia said before following Valorie to the table. When Valorie sat down, Yulia sat down next to her. Sachi spoke up as they got settled.

    ¡°Yulia, if you were going to take her on an hour long tour of the ship, you should have done the regular greetings in the first place.¡± She said. Yulia groaned.

    ¡°I hate it when it¡¯s my turn. I don¡¯t like greeting passengers ¨C they¡¯re like a time bomb.¡± Yulia said, and Sachi¡¯s eyes crinkled despite her stern attitude.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s true.¡± She said, starting her story of the passengers¡¯ behavior the day before. With the attention off of her, Valorie took the chance to take in her surroundings.

    All seven crew members had gathered in the room, filling it with the sound of eating and chatter. The bare meeting room she had seen the day before was now warm with life.

    Valorie had come expecting a meeting as meetings had always been. A superior reading off mandated talking points without feeling. The only thing that mattered to them was the PD swipe at the end that marked attendance.

    She relished this new atmosphere, one of sharing and kinship. She felt a primal longing to be a part of it. A feeling that went beyond her reasons for being here. It was more important than ever that she succeed at becoming one of the crew. She forgot the meal in front of her, and listened to the conversations going on around her.

 1.11 - Meeting

    Talk filled Valorie¡¯s ears, and she soaked it in. The rest of the crew sat three to each side of the table, with the Captain at the head. He was still working on the star map, as he sipped the coffee Leon had brought him. On Gareth¡¯s right, Leon was leaning back in his chair, yawning as he relaxed.

    ¡°Was there a reason you picked Gomori instead of Borwick. There are fewer jumps to Borwick.¡± Gareth asked. Leon nodded, sitting up, and clearing his throat.

    ¡°There is a higher density of systems around Gomori.¡± He said, before he really began to delve in, explaining the uneven pull of binary systems changing the distance needed to make a jump. She listened to his equations without understanding. Instead, she was captured by the way his eyes and voice sharpened as he spoke.

    ¡°All it boils down to is, fewer jumps don¡¯t mean a shorter day.¡± He said, returning to his easygoing tone. She tried to follow but it was beyond her. Clones were only taught what was necessary to do their job. Ideas this complex were not considered necessary.

    Gareth listened without interrupting, but Quinns piped up. He spoke despite the fork full of maroon scrambled eggs halfway to his mouth.

    ¡°It may be shorter, but extra jumps still take up more fuel and extra canisters.¡± He said. He was sitting across from Leon, on Gareth¡¯s left. He smirked at Leon¡¯s annoyed expression.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a trip to be taking slow.¡± Leon said.

    ¡°But it will wear Heli out faster.¡±

    ¡°Better it than our necks.¡±

    ¡°Enough. Both are good points, but Leon is right.¡± Gareth interrupted. Quinns focused on his plate, finally stuffing the fork full of food into his mouth. ¡°How is she, Quinns? We¡¯ll be making jumps in quick succession.¡± Gareth added. Quinns looked up.

    ¡°Of course, she can handle it. No sweat.¡± He said, spearing the eggs on his plate. ¡°I¡¯m only worried cause it ain¡¯t good for her.¡± He added with a grumble. Gareth nodded, his eyes focused on the map, searching.

    ¡°I know, Quinns. I know.¡±

    As she listened, Valorie forgot about the plate in front of her. When the Captain¡¯s conversation died down, her ears caught on to Sachi and Serge across the table from her. Sachi seemed serious, while Serge was defensive. His speech was more careful with Sachi. It was so very different than the fiery attitude Valorie faced the first time they spoke. He could be pleasant when he wasn¡¯t threatening to throw someone out of the airlock. A smile crept across her face. She found herself enjoying this new side of him.

    ¡°You must know better by now. You¡¯ve had enough time to learn. It is not that you forgot, it is that you do not care.¡±

    ¡°I was in a hurry, Sachi. I will be more careful.¡±

    ¡°When you mix the wrong chemicals into the bio waste line, you set development back generations.¡± Sachi said. Yulia choked on her food.

    ¡°Generations?!¡± She tried to clear her throat, sipping her tea to regain control. Sachi only frowned at the interruption, so Serge spoke up.

    ¡°Bacterial generations are very short, Yui. I¡¯m talking weeks. Days.¡± He said, and felt Sachi turn her frown on him. ¡°Which does not make them any less important.¡± He added.

    ¡°Better. You should try handling a few life cycles. It will teach you to care.¡± Sachi said, poking at her granola and eating what stuck to her fingers. Serge cringed, but nodded.

    ¡°Soon as I have time, I will.¡±

    ¡°Excuses.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Valorie.¡± Yulia whispered. Valorie snapped her attention to Yulia. ¡°You okay? You¡¯re kinda spacing out. You should eat, you know. We have a long day ahead.¡± She said. Valorie realized that Serge and Sachi had overheard, and were staring at her as well. The sudden attention was unnerving. She had been far too engrossed in listening. Had she been staring, too? She focused on her plate.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry ¨C I will eat, of course.¡± She said. Real smooth. She started eating as she promised. They watched. She couldn¡¯t taste the food at all.

    ¡°Oh, I mean, it¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t gotta.¡± Yulia looked apologetic, and Valorie rushed to comfort her.

    ¡°No, I want to. I was just, uhm, daydreaming.¡± She said, her mouth still full.

    ¡°Swallow, and speak again.¡± Sachi scolded her. She nodded, and it felt like the red hot feeling in her cheeks was covering her entire body. She did as she was told, adding another apology for good measure. When she finished the meal, she dared to meet their eyes. She looked up, but they had lost interest. She took a slow breath.

    After about twenty minutes the talk died down and everyone had finished their meals. Gareth called for attention, and the entire atmosphere changed. Leon sat up straight, and the rest of the table followed suit.

    ¡°Welcome to the pre-takeoff meeting for our flight between Luxe Station and Gomori Landing. We will be taking off this day, the 24th of January, with an ETA of four days.¡± As he spoke, he manipulated the star map hovering over the table. A path highlighted along the stars, showing the jumps they would be taking. Fifteen jumps in four days seemed far too high to Valorie, but no one made any objections.

    ¡°Regarding concerns for this flight, everyone should be aware we have a new crew member.¡± He gestured to Valorie, and smiled, ¡°Welcome aboard, Valorie Davis. Would you like to share a few words?¡±

    Valorie wasn¡¯t ready to be the sudden focus of attention so soon, and buckled down to her roots when it happened. She bowed her head, focusing on the table in front of her.

    ¡°Yes, sir. Thank you, everyone, for the privilege to serve on the Helianthus,¡± She said. Despite her posture, her voice was clear, and her tone even with practice.

    ¡°Wow. She¡¯s about as fresh as you were a year ago, Gary.¡± Quinns said. Valorie looked up immediately, curious what this meant. She noticed that Quinns was confident when he spoke with the Captain. When his eyes met hers, he always averted them. She felt Yulia pat her arm in comfort. Leon spoke next.

    ¡°Hey now, Cap was never that bad.¡± He said, but a grin grew as he glanced at the captain. ¡°Well, maybe he was.¡± He added. Gareth raised his eyebrows at that, but moved on without losing momentum.

    ¡°Thank you, Valorie.¡± He said, ¡°Another concern each of you should be aware of is our two guests. By the manifest, we have one passenger, but we will also have two guests. They have promised to be discreet. They will be staying in their rooms during flight unless escorted. Sachi.¡± He said. She sighed.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to make me regret bringing this job to the table, are you?¡±

    ¡°Do you?¡± He asked. A smile spread across Sachi¡¯s face.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep them entertained, don¡¯t you worry.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± The captain matched Sachi¡¯s smile. They seemed happy, but Valorie didn¡¯t understand why. Neither of their questions had been answered. Leon took the lull in conversation to share his concern.

    ¡°Fugitives. Cap, is it really a good idea bringing them aboard right now?¡± He asked, looking to Valorie for a moment as he spoke. Gareth followed his meaning and regarded the question. Sachi spoke up first.

    ¡°They were desperate ¨C the rich and the desperate make for good profit.¡± She said.

    ¡°No one likes a trip with no money. I know that. Still, with a new crew member?¡± Leon said.

    ¡°Hey, we still have time to throw at least one of our problems off the ship.¡± Serge said. Valorie sat up a little straighter, sweat prickling at her collar. The captain shook his head.

    ¡°Valorie is a good addition to our team. Her skills and background present a rare opportunity for any freelancer. We have also agreed to help Rep Shayla and her assistant. The Union will not be happy if we go back on our word.¡± He said, the even tones in his voice lending strength to his command. ¡°We have good reason to trust Valorie.¡± He added, looking to Leon for confirmation. Leon nodded. ¡°Still, this will be a risky one. We want to keep the trip short, so be attentive to your hourly schedule.¡±

    ¡°So, while they¡¯ve got us, did the Union want anything else delivered?¡± Yulia asked, changing the topic.

    ¡°To sell at Gomori? They only have the mines planetside ¨C so basic stuff. We got a good supply of foodstuffs yesterday that they¡¯ll like, and we still have the survival packs from Bulken. That will cover most of the trip.¡± Leon answered.

    ¡°Except the tea. Exotic teas are popular in higher paying circles right now. The trip to Luxe will pay for itself over 10 times at the next Guild station. We will not regret it.¡± Sachi said, her confident tone making it hard to argue.

    ¡°Considering our guests, let¡¯s hope so.¡± Leon muttered. Sachi frowned at his low side comment, and he straightened in his chair.

    ¡°Worthwhile short term investments can be risky. We have a lot of potential right now.¡± She said.

    ¡°I appreciate your enthusiasm, Sachiko. Thank you.¡± Gareth moved to the next topic, ¡°Quinns, do you have any report regarding resupply and waste?¡± Gareth¡¯s quick transition didn¡¯t seem to surprise Quinns.

    ¡°Ah, I didn¡¯t do waste here ¨C they wanted to charge a fee. No way. High traffic stations are always charging you for every little thing. Fuel was completed yesterday, and water normalized with no additions. Heli is ready to go.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± He turned, readdressing  the entire table. ¡°We are scheduled for departure at 1000 hours. Luxe will shuttle us to the exit at that time. Final docking will be at 0930. Serge, when will the rest system shut down be complete?¡±

    ¡°0915, sir.¡±

    ¡°Good. Starting them early now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ¡°Position Lockdown will be in place once we decouple at the exit. Make sure you are prepared. Gomori is fifteen jumps away, but we will be taking only three rest periods before the destination. I¡¯ll see everyone on the bridge.¡±

 1.12 - Final Prep

    This was it. Valorie¡¯s first day on the bridge of the Helianthus. She had wanted this since she had gone into hiding. For that entire year and a half, she only talked to her sisters and only when it was necessary. Now was her chance to stretch and show off.

    As she crossed the bridge, she guessed which station was hers by the fresh connectors added under the displays. The seat had a lot of wear and tear compared to her previous assignment, but it had more cushioning. She actually sank into it as she settled in.

    She was not the first one to reach the bridge. Leon was at the station across from hers, and the Captain was hovering next to him. Yulia was the last to arrive, patting Valorie¡¯s shoulder as she walked by her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to buckle in.¡± Yulia said, smiling with excitement. Once she was at her station, her easy-going movements became precise and quick.

    Valorie watched for a moment before remembering to look for the buckle. There were two straps, one on each side starting above her shoulders and ending at her waist. First, she fiddled with her displays until she could rest her hands on the bar below the display. Comfort achieved, she started on the safety belts. She pulled each one over her shoulders, crossing her chest, and locking in. It was tight, but with everything in arms reach, it was cozy, too.

    With her body cared for, she eased her physical control, and reached out beyond the Helianthus. Collecting data on their surroundings was her first priority. The large amount of life across Luxe Station created a picture so busy it was overwhelming. She could report on it all, but who would find that useful? On the imperial ships, it was her Ward¡¯s duty to sort through the excessive amount of data. They would cherry pick the useful information for the rest of the crew.

    Valorie felt a weight form over her chest. She was alone now ¨C and she would have to learn to do both jobs. She could do it, if she tried hard enough. She had to do it. Her body grew tight with the growing tension. Unlike the clone¡¯s body, this one was sensitive to every sensation. It was unnerving, but not altogether unpleasant.

    She reached out for her sisters. New images flooded in. A control room from two different perspectives, and the bridge of an imperial scout. The main feeling she received from all three sisters was a severe sense of boredom. Through them, her senses reached even farther, picking up a dozen other sisters. A soothing sense of kinship eased her unhappiness. She was never alone.

    ¡°Reconnecting fragment, please report. Follow the Language Initiative: Use your words.¡± A voice reached out to her mind. The words were not spoken out loud, but over a telepathic network. The voice originated with one of the perspectives in the control room. It was one of her sisters working in the Luxe Control room. Valorie responded in kind.

    ¡°Evie reporting. Assignment, FL Helianthus. Preparing for departure.¡± Her boredom evaporated the moment she answered.

    ¡°Evie! This is Luxe control, Olli here. You¡¯re back!¡±

    ¡°Oh, Evie! No wonder you didn¡¯t report right away. This is Hexa, also with control. How¡¯re you doing? Finally getting out of here?¡± The control room had a dizzying number of displays. Each had a piece of information covering every ship in the system. There was only a small pocket of glass window that escaped the screens. Olli remained focused on the list of departures, but Hexa¡¯s eyes drifted to that open pocket of stars.

    ¡°Yes. I am finally getting out of here.¡± Valorie said, mimicking Hexa¡¯s tone. From Valorie¡¯s eyes, they would be seeing the bridge of the Helianthus. ¡°I¡¯m excited, but I¡¯m nervous.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°So, I understand.¡± Hexa said. The longer they talked, the more their differences faded away. Valorie did not need to describe her feelings, her sisters would already know.

    ¡°Everything is working out, then?¡±

    ¡°So far. Captain Hughes still bears our kind well. He has not changed.¡± Valorie smiled as she remembered the Captain¡¯s greeting. The warmth spread among her sisters.

    ¡°Mother was right.¡±

    ¡°So far.¡± Olli echoed Valorie¡¯s sentiment. It quelled the growing optimism. There were no words shared for a moment, as each of them digested these shared thoughts. Valorie remembered her original issue.

    ¡°I am without a Ward.¡± Valorie began, but Olli interrupted.

    ¡°We will help.¡± She answered, ¡°Your departure will begin soon.¡± Her voice was urgent. Valorie knew the time for the Language Initiative had passed and they fell back into the exchange of raw data.

    Valorie refocused on her wire connection to the computer systems of the Helianthus. Her current setup allowed her to observe and provide feedback. She could not make any changes to the system beyond the data she provided. With her sisters guidance, she shared all the information she thought might be useful.

    Valorie heard the light ping of notifications, and it grounded her in reality once more. She stretched her arms out in front of her, before trying to get a peek at her crewmates¡¯ reactions.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s handy¡­¡± Yulia muttered. She had opened her notification and was scrolling through the collected data. She would pause to make adjustments on the multitude of flips, keys, and displays in front of her.

    Gareth had gone back to his seat, and was looking through his own data. His expression seemed far away, but he caught Valorie watching him, and nodded. His confirmation was encouraging, and Valorie settled back into her seat. So far, so good.

    The ship shuddered as the docking crew started moving the Helianthus to the exit bay. The ship was held in place at the gate by large mechanical locks seated on tracks that led from each dock to the exit bay. The locks moved in programmed unison, but the forced movement was jarring.

    ¡°Valorie, have you connected with the Luxe control station?¡± Gareth interrupted her observations.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ¡°How long until decoupling begins?¡±

    ¡°10 minutes, sir.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± He said and then opened the ship wide intercom. ¡°Consider this your 10 minute warning, everyone. All passengers must remain in their quarters for the duration of the flight. Safety restraints are recommended during take off and are required for jumps. Failure to heed this order will result in delays at best, and injury at worst. Quinns?¡± He said. When he called for Quinns, he narrowed the range of the intercom down to engineering. A new display popped up at each station with a video feed of Quinns. Valorie moved it to the side, out of the way but still in sight. New displays never popped up exactly where you wanted them.

    ¡°Yeah, Gary, I¡¯m all tucked in for take off.¡± Quinns answered before Gareth could ask. He sat at a station like the ones on the bridge, but Valorie did not recognize the room he was in. It was smaller, or at least appeared so with the amount of equipment stacked in every available space. She could feel him near the bay, so she thought it might be the engineering offices.

    ¡°Thank you. Sachi?¡± Gareth asked. Her feed replaced Quinn¡¯s video.

    ¡°I am prepared, Hughes.¡± She said. Judging by the view of the Garden through the glass behind her, she was resting in her quarters. She had strapped herself into a chair that looked new. It was so cushy she nearly disappeared into it. Her room was decorated with intricate patterns of gold and purple. It was a rich style Valorie had only seen a few times when dealing with personnel from the Guild.

    ¡°Very good.¡± Gareth¡¯s transition between conversations was seamless. ¡°Serge?¡±

    ¡°Would be ready, of course, but got stuck checking all the passengers. Won¡¯t be much longer, Captain.¡± He said. His camera was from his PD, staring up at him as he sped along one of the hallways. He looked angry, but Valorie was beginning to think this was normal.

    ¡°Will you be in your quarters?¡±

    ¡°For take off.¡± He said. The ship shuddered again as the dock crew reached the exit bay and the track ended. Serge stumbled without falling and swore under his breath. He glanced down at the PD camera again as if he had forgotten it was there. ¡°Right. Union rep was a real talker. Feel bad for her assistant.¡± He said, trying to hide his embarrassment. Yulia chuckled from the front seat.

    ¡°So, you got along well, then?¡± Leon looked up from what he was doing, a smirk playing across his face. The video feed cut, and Leon chuckled as he went back to work.

    ¡°You have the jump coordinates ready?¡± Gareth asked, and Leon nodded.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m on the second set now.¡± He smiled, ¡°It¡¯s gonna be a fun trip.¡±

 1.13 - The Space Between

    Eight minutes had passed when the dock crew got the okay for the Helianthus to detach the locks. With that, the ship would be free of a physical connection to Luxe station. Once free, they would only have enough time to move out of the way for the next ship. Every movement had to be quick and precise.

    Gareth checked on Serge one more time, confirming he was ready to take off. Serge responded with a curt positive, and Gareth gave the docking crew the go ahead. A big smile spread across Yulia¡¯s face.

    The ship shuddered with the release of each lock. It reminded Valorie of the way humans shivered with excitement. She was more anxious than excited. The vast empty void of space was permanent torture for her unluckiest sisters. That thought alone was enough to send shivers down her spine. Compared to the sheer size of the Anderson, the Helianthus felt rickety. The low power directional thrusters kicked in, propelling them out of the bay. As they passed through the exit, space bloomed around them.

    ¡°Hey Leon, this jump is too close to the station. It¡¯s bad manners to make a big jump like that so close.¡± Yulia said, tapping the list of coordinates.

    ¡°That¡¯s too close? It meets regulation.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was too dangerous ¨C I said it was bad manners. You gotta remember to add the Courtesy 100.¡±

    ¡°Right. It¡¯s a hundred now?¡±

    ¡°People are afraid of what the reactive force of the jump could do to them.¡±

    ¡°Oh, of course, the spooky mutagenic possibilities of warp ripples. I swear, the jump safety distance gets longer every year.¡±

    ¡°Leon.¡± Yulia¡¯s voice was a warning.

    ¡°I¡¯m already fixing it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Yulia¡¯s voice switched back to cheerful the moment she got her way. Once the ship was free of Luxe Station, she cut the thrusters. ¡°Maintenance speed reached,¡± Yulia called.

    ¡°Are you aligned with the Jump Shield?¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ¡°Leon, engage flight mode.¡± After Gareth said it, there was the sound of machinery on the move. The bridge slid forward at a sharper angle, and the lights dimmed increasing the pop of the displays. Valorie couldn¡¯t see what was happening with the rest of the ship. A quick look into the databanks mapped out a much smaller, sleeker version of the Helianthus.

    As the ship shifted, Valorie felt the moment the gravity system went offline. Little movements lifted her off her seat, but her safety belts were enough to hold her in place. They had never shut down the gravity generators on the Anderson, so the feeling was new. It made her stomach roll as she remembered the days she spent trapped in the Anderson¡¯s escape pod. The safety belts grounded her with a gentle reminder of the present and she hung on to that feeling.

    With a smaller size and increased power, the ship¡¯s maneuverability increased. Yulia took a deep breath, and Valorie wished she could see her expression. She reached out and felt real excitement. Pure exhilaration, the feeling ripped her heart free of the gloomy dread. For a moment, she saw the beauty of the universe beyond their window.

    The ship swung around and took off. She felt the pull and tug of the quick movement. Dampening systems brought the g-forces to a safe level. They could not remove them altogether. The sensation sent her heart racing. She felt the push back as they gained speed, her heart keeping tempo.

    ¡°We¡¯ll reach the jump shield in two minutes,¡± Yulia said. As they got close, Valorie could see a large metal ring, a satellite to Luxe Station. Outside the ring, the dampening shield shimmered in the sunlight. A network of billions of tiny drones protecting the station. The only safe way out was to pass through the satellite rings.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°We¡¯re the only ship in the vicinity. We may proceed.¡± Valorie said as control fed her the information.

    ¡°Your way is clear, Yulia.¡± Gareth said.

    She shot through the ring, maintaining speed as she left it behind.

    ¡°Really? This far?¡± Yulia said as she looked over the new set of coordinates.

    ¡°You asked for the courtesy 100. Plus the distance to the next viable location for the jump ¨C Yes. That far.¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay. I get it.¡± Yulia said, making adjustments on her left console.

    Beyond the satellite ring and clear of other ships, they were clear to jump. Valorie gripped the bar below her displays. The jump reaction caused a massive warping of space a short distance ahead of the ship. Humans had been attempting to find a new method of propulsion by warping the space around the ship. They hoped it would carry ships across the solar system. Instead, they found a shortcut unhinged from normal space. The space between. A jump could skip the empty void between solar systems, dropping ships near the star of the target system. The navigator¡¯s job was to make sure they landed in the correct system.

    A critical mistake in a jump could leave the ship in the space between for a dangerous extended period of time. No one was sure exactly what happened to the ships that broke apart while in the space between. No one had ever returned from such a catastrophe. The thought made Valorie shiver.

    Stories of humanity¡¯s discovery of the jump stuck out in her mind. When she first learned of it, she was in awe of the crew that pushed forward believing only in their safe return. That one moment led to humanity spreading across the galaxy. That one moment led to humanity finding her home planet. It led to her being here. Something so distant to her was so important to her. On the smaller ¨C cozier ¨C bridge of the Helianthus, she felt closer to that brave crew than she ever had before. She felt her heart racing as she looked out the window over the bridge.

    ¡°Five-minute mark to the jump point. Engaging jump mode.¡± Leon said, and Valorie heard the ship making adjustments. It didn¡¯t grind, the movement was smooth.

    ¡°Jump will begin in 5 minutes.¡± Gareth spoke over the intercom, his voice echoing through Valorie¡¯s console. Metal shutters spread across the windows overhead. They locked in place, and a curved display spanning across the window blinked on. It had a live camera feed, creating the illusion of a window. Valorie tried to relax. There was nothing to distract herself with, so she watched the screens. It did not help.

    A cannon appeared, jutting out from below the pilot¡¯s seat.

    ¡°Target speed reached, cutting acceleration,¡± Yulia said. Her tone was not the energetic girl she was the day before. The difference that focus made in demeanor was always more noticeable with animated crew members. Valorie had the nagging suspicion that no one would notice when she herself focused. She sighed, closing her eyes, and leaned back in her chair.

    The sound of the engines cutting was unsettling ¨C an omnipresent purr one only noticed when it was gone. The ship was entirely too silent. Nothing was ever this quiet on the Anderson. Her eyes snapped open, grounding her in the visual stimuli.

    ¡°Jump canister ready, target coordinates in five, four,¡± Leon counted down. She gripped the arms of her chair. At one, Gareth spoke.

    ¡°Fire.¡±

    The cannon shot a canister the size of a barrel into the space ahead of them. It burst, but there was no fire. Sunlight rippled before twisting around the burst canister. A thin line of light cut through the middle that looked like a tear in space. She only had a second to admire it before the ship shot through the tear into pure darkness.

    There was a deep, soul-wrenching thunk as the pressure outside the ship increased tenfold. The ship rattled violently before it adjusted to the change in atmosphere. It was heavy in the space between¡­ and dark. She watched the camera display with a sinking feeling in her stomach. The ship¡¯s outer lights did not penetrate deep into the dark, it bounced back off of undulating shadows.

    The sight touched something ancient in Valorie. Beyond her time as a fragment ¨C images from Mother. Being underwater at night, or perhaps in the clouds. Light catching on formless shapes that seemed so solid until you pass right through them. It was unsettling, but each time she saw it, she couldn¡¯t look away.

    ¡°Maintaining integrity. ETA for system Col 258 is an hour and 24 minutes, at 1235.¡± Leon interrupted her thoughts, breaking her trance. She realized how hard she had been gripping the chair. As she let go, the leather stuck to her fingers. She stretched her fingers and offered them a quiet apology.

    ¡°Very good, everyone. If we can keep this up, four jumps aren¡¯t out of the question for today.¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Well, we want to hit four jumps a day at least three times, so¡­¡± Leon let his voice trail off.

    ¡°Good point. If we can keep this up, we can sleep tonight.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Leon grinned. They continued to chat, and she settled down as she listened.

 1.14 - Captains Goal

    Following a jump, the bridge remained vigilant for twenty minutes. What happened next would depend on the Captain ¨C most treated it as a break for the bridge crew. Inside the space between, there was no way to gauge distance, no visual markers, nothing. It would take the pull of a star ¨C hopefully the one Leon had chosen ¨C to drag them free of the space between. Any change to speed or orientation could lead to them getting lost. The crew needed to sit and wait. Many early explorers reported high anxiety during this quiet time. It became tradition to encourage crew to enjoy it as time off instead.

    At the twenty minute mark, Gareth opened the intercom.

    ¡°Alright, everyone, you have 40 minutes for free roam. I wouldn¡¯t go too far from safety, but this is a good time to freshen up. Contact me if you have any issues.¡± He said and closed the intercom.

    ¡°Sure, you don¡¯t wanna run a commercial ship, Cap?¡± Leon asked with a grin. Gareth rubbed his right temple, as if easing a headache.

    ¡°Well, they probably make more money.¡± He sighed. Leon looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded.

    ¡°Probably.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to put something on to listen to?¡± Yulia piped up.

    ¡°Like what?¡± Leon¡¯s face soured.

    ¡°Don¡¯t gimme that look.¡±

    Valorie listened as the two of them started to argue.

    She found it a little strange that everyone was content to stay in their seats and chat. Imperial ships kept a skeleton bridge crew during jumps. Everyone else disappeared the moment they were dismissed.

    It was the real Valorie¡¯s favorite time to go people watching, and she would drag Evie with her. Evie wanted as little attention as possible. Valorie dragged her along anyway. Whether it was eating or exercising, Evie learned to enjoy their excursions. She realized how small her world was when she saw the ship from a new perspective.

    Music interrupted her reminiscing, and she focused on the world around her again. Leon was beaming with excitement, while Yulia rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Aww, don¡¯t look so upset. I know you like it, too.¡± Leon said. The music was electronic, with low even beats, but relaxing. Yulia scoffed but quieted down.

    Long before the argument finished, she noticed Gareth start reading on his PD. His breathing slowed, his entire focus on the PD screen. Curious, Valorie reached out. She sensed a mix of curiosity and contempt. If the chance ever presented itself, she needed to ask him what he was reading.

    ***

    As they neared the ETA, Valorie focused on the system ahead. She could still feel her sisters at Luxe. Distance mattered little after the initial connection. She felt no contact in the target system. Without one, she needed to be inside the system to detect life with certainty.

    Within the last moments of the jump, she was sure she could get a basic feel for the system. She had no proof, so this feeling was unreliable at best. She couldn¡¯t feel a thing from COL 258. Null systems were common ¨C more common than live systems. Even so, she couldn¡¯t help feeling a little disappointed that her skill would not be of use. She yearned to prove her usefulness.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    The ship¡¯s rattling returned as the star¡¯s pull began to drag them free of the space between. Gareth called for Yulia to reverse, slowing their forward momentum. When they burst into normal space, the star was a beast, full and bright, before them. Yulia veered off to avoid the heat and gravity of the massive star. The engines flared as they pushed away from the star¡¯s gravity. The ship shuddered against those opposing forces in a momentary struggle. Yulia pushed the engines harder, and the ship broke free of the pull.

    As they gained distance, they gained speed.

    ¡°No settled life detected. No transit life detected.¡± Valorie spoke up. She didn¡¯t feel any joy from her correct prediction.

    ¡°Really? Nothing?¡± Yulia asked. Valorie heard the uncertainty in her voice but didn¡¯t understand it. She felt the ship picking up speed again, heading for the next jump point.

    ¡°It¡¯s not weird, Yulia.¡± Leon said.

    ¡°I mean, I always figure, there is got to be another ship or something out there.¡± She was watching her displays, one hand moving along the console, while the other held the yoke.

    ¡°Nope. Unless we¡¯re following a popular route, another ship isn¡¯t very likely.¡± He said.

    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of pressure.¡± Yulia mumbled. When Valorie reached out, she found a growing sense of awe tempered by unease. This she could relate to. She had the same feelings when she looked into the void.

    Once they were at a safe distance, Yulia redirected the ship towards Leon¡¯s next set of coordinates. This was the normal loop for modern interstellar travel on medium vessels. Valorie leaned into her seat. One done, three more to go. Yulia maneuvered the ship, and the star passed overhead, lighting up the entire bridge.

    ¡°Do you sense only other people or can you sense any life?¡± Gareth asked. She turned to look at him. He was watching her, resting his head on his knuckles as he leaned back in his chair. His question was serious, and he was curious. It was an honest feeling, and she was completely unprepared.

    ¡°Any.¡± She answered. His eyes lit up, but his voice remained calm.

    ¡°How do you know the difference?¡± He asked. She felt her blood run cold. As an Imperial Captain, he must have had a debriefing on the SCT. It included a true description of their powers, with a less than true explanation for their powers.

    ¡°They feel different.¡± She said. Humans had tethers. A unique feature among all the species Mother had encountered. That opened too many questions, she needed something easier to swallow. Gareth was still watching her. His hand had slipped over his mouth as he considered her words. She tried a different direction. ¡°How do you know the difference between red and yellow?¡±

    ¡°The mind¡¯s interpretation of differing frequencies?¡± He asked. Now, that was beyond her. She blushed, searching the floor for an answer. She was becoming frustrated with her inability to respond. He straightened. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You mean to say, I am asking you to explain what ¡°red¡± is, aren¡¯t I?¡± His serious tone eased into a more friendly one. Leon chuckled from his seat. Valorie winced.

    ¡°I¡­ Think so?¡±

    ¡°Easy, Cap. Your nerd is showing.¡± Leon said. When he spoke, he leaned so far back in his chair, he was facing the ceiling. She wondered why he didn¡¯t bother to turn around. Gareth ignored him.

    ¡°Currently, planets are only scanned if they fit a tight set of criteria that may indicate life. If we could determine there was life on a planet before scanning, it would open up our findings to species that do not fit such narrow definitions.¡± Gareth said. There was a spark in his eyes as he spoke she had never seen before. Leon finally turned around to face them.

    ¡°Translation: your abilities could make the Helianthus very attractive for exploration to the Database. The Captain¡¯s long term goal.¡± He said.

    ¡°We¡¯re gonna go exploring!¡± Yulia piped up with a laugh. It lightened the mood, and Valorie found her voice again.

    ¡°I have trained to tune non-human life out as noise, but I could try searching for it if desired.¡± She said. Leon chuckled, but Gareth answered her honestly.

    ¡°That is all I ask.¡± He said with a smile that lifted her hopes. She found herself smiling back once more.

    ¡°So¡­ Can you sense any of that in this system?¡± Yulia asked. She was feeling hopeful, too. Valorie frowned.

    ¡°No. I haven¡¯t felt anything here.¡± She said. She wished she had better news.

    ¡°Oh. Still creepy, then.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her, Valorie.¡± Leon said, turning back to his station.

    ¡°What?¡± Yulia glanced over and saw Valorie¡¯s disappointment. ¡°Oh. Sorry! He¡¯s right. Don¡¯t listen to me.¡± She said, with a grin. When silence followed, she tried to fill it. ¡°Where¡¯s a jump point when you need it.¡±

    ¡°Just another 34 minutes before gravity clearance, and then another 10 for viable coordinates,¡± Leon answered with a smirk.

    ¡°So unhelpful.¡±

 1.15 - Warning

    The second jump was longer than the first at a little over 2 hours. It was also quieter than the first, and Valorie¡¯s anxiety trailed off into boredom. At first, she watched Yulia, who had started playing a game on a separate display to her left. She had turned to face it, nestling deep into her chair while resting her feet on the bar below one of her displays. She was completely engrossed in the brightly colored patterns on the screen. The patterns didn¡¯t make much sense to Valorie, so she sank back into her seat, and closed her eyes.

    She could still sense all nine people on the ship. She wondered if she could guess which ones were which. She wanted to be able to tell them apart. She pulled up the ship layout through her wired connection.

    Those on the bridge were too close to focus on ¨C like trying to pick up the features of a lamp while staring into the light. Instead, she examined the others. Three around the crew quarters, maybe the passengers? And two nearby the bridge, in the kitchen.

    Only one was by himself as he moved through the back halls near the top left engine. Quinns was the only one in engineering, so it made sense he might be on his own.

    Valorie took a slow breath and felt her body relax. She focused entirely on the presence in engineering. His light was smaller than most, scarred but warm. She followed his path through each of the engine rooms.

    Before she knew it, Leon gave the 10-minute warning for reentering normal space. Valorie snapped to attention, searching the new system for anything to report. She sighed as she found nothing useful once again. There was a light tickle ¨C maybe it was the planet life the Captain asked her about. She wouldn¡¯t know for sure until they arrived.

    As time ran out, an internal whisper caught her off guard. It was one of her sisters.

    ¡°Evie of the Helianthus, please respond.¡±

    ¡°Reporting.¡± The connection strengthened with her response. Her sister could be a few feet away from her, and she wouldn¡¯t be able to feel the difference.

    ¡°Evie.¡± Her sister solidified the connection. Valorie could see the bridge of an imperial scout. Lit by the sheer number of displays at each station, the view was dim and without windows. Her sister was agitated, unfocused.

    ¡°Evie, this is Sila. You are aboard the FL Helianthus?¡± She asked without waiting for an answer. ¡°The UEE has marked it for inspection in the ongoing investigation of the fugitives, Lorrie Shayla and Margarita Palomo.¡±

    ¡°What? No.¡±

    ¡°Any imperial ship you encounter has orders to detain you.¡± As she spoke, Valorie could see the notice on Sila¡¯s display. She sat up at her own station and pulled up the ship¡¯s route to the Gomori station. She tapped her connection with Luxe control.

    ¡°Olli, Hexa, Sila. Are there any imperial ships along this route?¡± She asked.

    Her thoughts were interrupted when the Captain called for Yulia to decelerate. The ship was leaving the space between. She focused on the system as she waited for a response from her sisters. It felt almost as empty as the last.

    ¡°Third and final destinations currently have active imperial ships.¡± Olli responded. She hesitated, before spilling her thoughts all at once. ¡°We know the rules, but I vote you warn Captain Hughes anyway.¡± She said. The UEE prohibited forewarning crew-mates of inspections. Shared feelings of the Core Prison surfaced, and fear crept into each sister¡¯s thoughts.

    ¡°Seconded.¡± Sila broke the growing fear, and Valorie felt a universal agreement on the proposal. They agreed, but the thought of punishment lingered in their shared thoughts. They were haunted by the feel of one of their own cut off from Mother. They could hear it scream for help, but it was unable to hear their response. It begged for release, but there was only the vast void. Valorie felt out of breath. She tried to shake the feeling. She could not be scared now. One was nothing compared to the whole. She knew her part. Sila spoke.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°The ship at the third jump is a scout, the MRH Hayes. Contact is Seda.¡±

    Valorie only had time for a moment of gratitude, before the ship tore out of the space between. She needed to focus on her surroundings. Her initial prediction was right, the system had no human life. There was a hint of noise, but she did not have time to elaborate.

    ¡°No settled life detected. No transit life detected.¡± She opened her mouth to say more but froze. She wanted to tell the Captain about the inspection, but when? Could she find him alone? She felt a chill cross her shoulders. The third jump was the next one, she needed to warn them now. She squeezed her hands together in her lap.

    The Captain was focused on the next jump. They were going to take it if she didn¡¯t say something soon. She grit her teeth, and unbuckled herself, drifting up out of her seat. She gripped the back of her seat for support.

    ¡°Captain. Sir.¡± She said. Her voice felt tight in her throat as if her body was fighting to keep silent.

    ¡°Go ahead, Valorie.¡±

    ¡°An issue has arisen. May I speak with you in private?¡±

    Everyone on the bridge looked at her. Her cheeks flushed, but she remained firm, meeting her Captain¡¯s eyes as she waited for an answer. He met her stare and held it. Was he looking for something? Times like this, she always wondered if humans had their own way of reading minds.

    ¡°Yes. Leon, how long until we reach the next jump point.¡± He said. Leon only looked away from Valorie when his name came up.

    ¡°Approx 30 minutes, sir.¡± There wasn¡¯t a shred of the usual playfulness in his tone.

    ¡°I will return in ten.¡± Gareth unbuckled and pushed away from his chair. With a kick, he was on his way to the back of the bridge. Valorie followed and noticed he was heading for a small door to the right of the exit. Inside was a small break room, complete with a separate bathroom. The layout had zero-g in mind, including handles along the wall. The door shut behind them.

    ¡°Well. Go on.¡± Gareth caught on to one of the counters to steady himself and turned to her. In zero-g, she was at eye level with him, but somehow he remained imposing. Unable to meet his gaze straight on any longer, she looked down.

    ¡°I asked to speak in private because what I am considering is a crime for us. For the SCT. For me.¡± She clarified. He drew closer, and she felt the concern flowing off him. At this distance, she could feel he had an idea of what was coming.

    ¡°Look up when you speak.¡± He said, and she did so. She used the counter to pull away enough that his thoughts would not intrude on her own. She steadied herself.

    ¡°But they are not my masters anymore.¡±

    ¡°Correct.¡± He said. She met his gaze and took a slow breath.

    ¡°I received information that the FL Helianthus is marked for imperial inspection. The UEE will detain us for search upon discovery.¡±

    ¡°They learned of the fugitives, then.¡± He seemed to be searching for something deep within her eyes. She nodded. ¡°You know our route. What stops are they at?¡±

    ¡°Third and Final,¡± She said. He swore under his breath.

    ¡°Of course they are at Gomori.¡± He crossed his arms, closing his eyes as he thought. ¡°Do you know anything else?¡±

    ¡°The ship at the third stop is the scout MRH Hayes. I can try and learn more. What will help?¡± She said. Her voice had its trained even tone, but she wished it sounded more earnest. He watched her, and she sensed uncertainty, but not full-blown distrust. He was looking for loyalty in her, but she did not know how to present it as he wished. He tapped his finger on his crossed arms, something was bubbling up under his uncertainty.

    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you can tell me how the UEE found out.¡±

    ¡°No, sir.¡± She said. He sighed. Her eyes could not handle his scrutiny, and fell to the floor. ¡°They did not say.¡±

    ¡°It was silly of me to ask.¡± He rubbed the bridge of his nose. She didn¡¯t have to reach out to feel the growing anger in him. It didn¡¯t reach the surface ¨C his movements were calm and his eyes cold. Fear that it was entirely aimed at her was like hot coals on her skin. She drew away. He noticed, and straightened. His look was stern as he spoke.

    ¡°Keep me updated on anything you find out.¡± He pushed away from the counter, back towards the bridge.

    ¡°Captain.¡± Her voice was quiet, but he caught one of the handles along the wall and turned to face her. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± What was she trying to say? He waited. He was so angry. It felt like her collar was choking her. Her fingers were cold, and she looked at them, unable to face him a moment longer. ¡°I didn¡¯t do this.¡±

    She waited. She was too afraid to look up. Too afraid to reach out. She squeezed her hands together but the cold remained.

    She heard the exit door slide open. She looked up only to see his back as he went through the open door. She trailed behind fearing what his distrust could mean for her.

 1.16 - The Line

    When Valorie swung out on to the bridge, the Captain was already giving orders.

    ¡°We will be stopping at this system for today. Yulia, disregard the jump point and redirect us into the star system. I will help you find an orbit for our stay. Leon, please escort Valorie to her quarters.¡± He said, heading towards Leon¡¯s station. Leon and Yulia were watching her like she had grown horns. When she reached out, Valorie felt anger in Leon and fear in Yulia. She couldn¡¯t decide which was worse. She looked down.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Leon freed himself and propelled toward her. From her time under imperial command, she knew better than to flinch away, but she wanted to shrink away from his approach.

    ¡°You know the way, right? Let¡¯s go.¡± He said, directing her to the exit with his hands. She pushed off towards the exit, knowing he was right behind her. ¡°I may not know what is going on, but you won¡¯t give me a hard time, right?¡± It wasn¡¯t a direct threat, but she could sense he meant it. She shook her head. It was never her goal to give anyone a hard time.

    They entered the hallway in silence. The halls had changed for flight mode. It caught her off guard at first, and she paused by the exit. It was only Leon¡¯s insistence that reminded her to move forward. The geared part of the hallway walls had closed up, halving their height. The patterns traced along the upper walls had opened up into handles that lined the left side like a ladder. It was easy to maneuver as she floated along.

    About halfway to her room, Leon spoke up.

    ¡°So, what happened? What¡¯d you say?¡± His lighter tone had returned. She looked over, and his eyebrows were raised. She could sense this attitude was a cover ¨C it did not match the feelings she was picking up. Yes, he was feeling curious, but there was no friendliness to it. In fact, there was more than a little malice. She faced forward and shook her head.

    ¡°What, you¡¯re not sure? Or you can¡¯t say?¡± Leon asked, trying to get a better look at her face. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at him once again. She had already told the Captain and she trusted him to decide what came next. Leon shrugged off her glare.

    ¡°Won¡¯t say, huh. Gotta be pretty serious.¡±

    She picked up her pace, and he followed without another word. When they reached her quarters, he stopped at the threshold as she went in. Unlike the halls, the inside of her room remained unchanged in zero-g.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to lock you in here for now. The door inputs won¡¯t respond without my clearance.¡± He said. She turned to look at him with wide eyes. ¡°Well, I could take you to the brig instead, but Cap¡¯ll be pissed if I skip right to that. Unless you would prefer it?¡± His voice was still light, he even smiled as he offered to take her to the brig.

    ¡°No. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Thought so.¡± He smirked, but the animosity eased as he met her frightened eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t forget about you. Knowing the Captain, this is as much for your safety, as it is ours.¡± He said. She nodded, her eyes falling to the floor.

    He meant to be comforting, and she understood that. Still, those words drew a line between her and the rest of the crew. The one she wanted to be a part of more than anything. Yet, here she was, observing once more.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Behave yourself, Valorie.¡± He said, moving back as he hit a few keys on the outer panel by the door. The door slid shut, and the word LOCKED overlaid the inner panel. She drifted for a moment watching him float away. His light was cold but very bright. It burned with a passion she never saw in his physical demeanor. She wondered what he was hiding, but humans seemed like a puzzle she was not meant to solve. She sighed and started the opening cycle for her bed. If nothing else, she could give her body a rest.

    While she waited, she decided to check herself in the bathroom mirror. The first thing that caught her eye was the white flower on her collar. The sight alone warmed her. Her smile faded as she remembered the fear she sensed from Yulia when the Captain announced the change of plan. She brushed her fingers over the smooth petals as she wondered if Yulia would trust her ever again.

    Along the bedside, she found the safety buckles. She lied down, buckling herself in for good measure. They might not be making any more jumps, but if she drifted off the bed, a return to full gravity could be disastrous.

    Once she was comfortable, her PD vibrated against her wrist. A quick check told her she had a message from the Captain. She couldn¡¯t open it faster.

    I will be holding a meeting after we establish orbit. Please be prepared to attend by video call.

    Valorie let her hand fall back down to her side as her eyes slid closed. She could keep track of the time while giving her body a chance to sleep.

    Her thoughts were restless, which made it hard to calm her body enough for sleep. She rolled over in search of comfort. Her breathing slowed, and her heart followed. Sleep was a necessary part of caring for her human body. It was also unsettling ¨C relinquishing control as the body drifted closer to death. New fragments always had difficulty with sleep. They would panic as the body slipped out of their control, snapping it back to awareness.

    She waited, easing away her control, and her body drifted closer to sleep. She was free to focus on other tasks.

    ¡°Olli, Hexa.¡± She called. She had lost focus on their connection, and it had started to fade.

    ¡°Evie. No changes on our end. You told Captain Hughes?¡± Hexa responded. The Luxe control room was before Evie¡¯s eyes once more. Olli was not there. The seat next to Hexa was empty.

    ¡°Yes. He was not happy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Hexa leaned back in her chair and the ceiling filled Evie¡¯s view. Hexa felt sympathy and it mixed with Evie¡¯s fears creating an aura of sadness between them. ¡°Will you continue on your path?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the Captain will decide.¡±

    ¡°I am asking about your path, Evie.¡± Hexa was stern. Another line drawn. Evie was not a part of the Helianthus. She was not one of them.

    ¡°I am trying. Life outside Imperial control is much harder to predict.¡± She said. This confused Hexa. She could not relate. Not until she had more time to absorb some of Evie¡¯s experiences.

    ¡°As long as we try, it is all Mother expects.¡± Hexa said. Evie knew this, as did every one of her sisters. The spoken reminder served as a pick me up in low moments.

    ¡°I know.¡± She said. The aura between them lifted and Evie¡¯s heart felt a little lighter.

    ¡°Shall I connect Seda of the MRH Hayes?¡± Hexa changed the topic. When she spoke of Seda, Evie gained a sense of the distant connection. A newer fragment with a soft tone.

    ¡°Yes. Thank you, Hexa.¡± She said, and Hexa¡¯s attention shifted away from her. She half listened as her sister established connection and context. She thought about the emergency meeting to come and her body shifted again. It seemed sleep would elude her for now. She exhaled slowly and opened her eyes.

    Before her was the sky. Her eyes widened. The ceiling above her was painted in delicate whites and blues. A view of the daytime sky from as seen planet side covered her ceiling in painstaking detail. Great fluffy clouds, and a blue that managed to be both light and deep. The sight stirred an ancient sense of freedom in her chest. She admired it ¨C amazed she had not noticed it until now. A smile spread across her face.

    She knew for sure at that moment. The ache had been in her heart since breakfast, but now it was real, right in front of her. Her goal to protect the ship was not just her duty to her lost friend or her trapped sisters. It was something she wanted. She had found the home she longed for.

 1.17 - Gareth

    Gareth sat in the navigation chair ¨C Leon¡¯s chair ¨C on the bridge. He was double checking their speeds against the universal tables for orbit. When he started, anger was still working its way through his system. Fury with Valorie¡¯s possible betrayal. Frustration with his own desperate hope that she was not controlled by the UEE. He focused on the equations in front of him. Yulia needed the coordinates quick. She did not have time for his self reprimands. As he focused, his anger eased away.

    ¡°Looks like the second planet is our best option. Initial scans indicate probable high gravity. Orbit will be farther out.¡± He said.

    ¡°Please message me the recommended range, Captain.¡± Yulia said. Her tone was strained with forced protocol.  When they were alone, her speech was always awkward. Gareth wondered when she might get passed feeling uneasy around him. It had already been a year. He was confident that he could not be that different from her captains in the Union. At least, he was fairly confident.

    ¡°Yes, of course.¡± He said, sending her the range as he spoke. He looked over his work with satisfaction.

    With his anger passed him, he felt a tad embarrassed at his behavior. He tried to keep a professional front, but Valorie had seen through him. When she asked for validation, he had not been willing to test himself further.

    Now that he was calm, he considered their situation. If the UEE found them carrying the fugitives, they would detain the Helianthus as a threat. In theory, he could pull a few strings within his family to negotiate the quiet release of the ship and her crew. After a hefty fine, of course.  The mark on Heli¡¯s record would mar his applications to join the Database. If not a complete disaster, it would be a huge set back in cost and reputation. He sighed and tried to focus on the display in front of him. He did not want to rely on his family ever again.

    ¡°Are the readings still good, sir?¡± Yulia asked. The very immediate issue of not running the ship into a planet grounded him in the here and now.

    ¡°Not a bad distance from the star, no sign of large debris. This is a decent planet for an unplanned stop.¡± He said. He would take a win where he could get one right now.

    ¡°It¡¯s as good as any other.¡± Yulia said as she turned her chair to look at him.

    ¡°Yes. Good job, Yulia.¡± He smiled at her. She blushed and grinned back.

    ¡°Just for you, Captain.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not interrupting, am I?¡± Leon¡¯s voice came from the back of the bridge. Gareth pushed off from the navigation station, back to his own seat.

    ¡°Took your time, didn¡¯t you?¡± Yulia said. Leon drifted in, towards his chair.

    ¡°I figured you two had it sorted out.¡±

    ¡°Get seated. We will be leaving flight mode.¡± Gareth said, before making a warning over the intercom. He knew this was the silence before the storm, and relished the quiet. The final peaceful moment before the onslaught of questions.

    ¡°We did have it sorted¡­ Don¡¯t mean you can dilly dally.¡± Yulia said turning back to her station. Her voice sounded stretched, even as she kept it lighthearted. Gareth had the feeling she was trying to keep her feelings under wraps. He appreciated the effort.

    ¡°I had to make sure she¡¯s secure.¡± Leon said, and Yulia glanced over her shoulder, concern spread across her features.

    ¡°Is she¡­ Is that really necess-¡± She began.

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it at the meeting.¡± Gareth interrupted, and she flinched. ¡°Once we reach the appropriate stability, Leon, please exit flight mode.¡± Gareth added. He felt some guilt at interrupting her but knew it was better to wait on such discussions. She turned back to her station.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ***

    Everyone arrived at the meeting room before Gareth. Each crew member was already in place at the table, waiting for an explanation. When he entered, all eyes were immediately on him. A thick tension replaced the relaxed atmosphere of breakfast. During breakfast, he had been listening more than focusing on the star map. He enjoyed the sound of his crew getting along. He missed it already.

    ¡°I know everyone is curious. We do have a serious issue, but I need everyone to discuss it with a level head.¡± He made eye contact with each of them in turn. ¡°The UEE has marked us for inspection. They seem intent on completing their inspection before we reach a Union port.¡±

    ¡°An inspection? Why?!¡± Serge said before everyone else jumped in. They all began to speak at once, and no one made any sense. Gareth held his hand up to quiet them until one voice remained.

    ¡°Let¡¯s dump her and run then. Don¡¯t even need an imperial station any time soon.¡± Serge said. His reaction was most volatile ¨C immediately attacking what he saw as the source of the problem.

    ¡°Her?¡± Yulia asked, her voice subdued. She knew Serge¡¯s answer, but she was challenging him. So much was normal, but her tone was off. She was forcing herself through the motions.

    ¡°It¡¯s obvious who the traitor is here. Not exactly jump science.¡± Serge rolled his eyes. Yulia¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she looked down at her hands. She was drawing small distracted circles on the table¡¯s smooth surface.

    ¡°It¡¯s not obvious¡­¡± She muttered, but there was no fight.

    ¡°Yulia is right.¡± Leon said. Yulia peeked up, her fingers paused on the table. ¡°There are other possible causes.¡± He added, his voice sharp. He had his arms crossed in front of him, and a look that dared Serge to argue. Leon was angry, that much anyone could pick up. The real question was, with who was he angry? If he could still find it within himself to defend Valorie, Gareth¡¯s money was on Leon being mad at himself. It was quite possible Gareth had put too much on his shoulders.

    ¡°Oh right, innocent until proven guilty. Bet she¡¯ll love sharing that one with her comms buddies.¡±

    ¡°Man, what are you saying.¡±

    Gareth took a quick stock of those that remained quiet. Sachi listened but waited as the others spoke. Quinns had stopped listening. Instead, his eyes were far away, planning some scheme. That was comforting.

    ¡°Enough. I will worry about who is at fault. What we need now is a plan.¡± Gareth said. Ideally, he would have more than one plan in motion, but there was no reason to lead with that.

    ¡°Avoid¡¯em.¡± Serge said.

    ¡°How would we know where they are?¡± Leon asked. Gareth answered.

    ¡°Valorie was able to confirm what systems had imperial ships.¡±

    ¡°And Gomori is one?¡± Leon said, and Gareth nodded.

    ¡°Don¡¯t have to be Gomori. Could go somewhere else.¡± Serge said. It seemed the more afraid he was, the more stubborn he got. His first suggestion was to run. It was clear he did not want to garner attention from the UEE. He had made it clear when he joined the Helianthus, but it had not been an issue until now.

    ¡°Okay. So, we pick another station. Has to be Union, so that closes a lot of doors in the immediate area. What¡¯s to say we don¡¯t run into imperials on the new route? The more jumps we make, the more likely we¡¯re gonna run headlong into an imperial ship.¡± Leon said. Serge frowned as he thought it over. Gareth knew he would not dare suggest Valorie¡¯s ability which left him with no answer. Yulia watched him fret and felt the need to distract the room with a different idea.

    ¡°We could hide the guests planetside. Get inspected and come back.¡± Yulia said. Serge looked over with a newfound sense of hope in his eyes. There was a quiet moment as each person thought about it. Gareth shook his head.

    ¡°We can not leave people for an undetermined amount of time on an unexplored planet. It is likely more dangerous than dealing with the inspection.¡±

    ¡°Even with the exosuits? I¡¯m sure Serge is gonna make me go with them, so I will keep them out of trouble.¡± Yulia said.

    ¡°The exosuits are not meant for extended use.¡± Gareth kept his answer simple. ¡°According to the designer, the exosuits could be used for up to twenty-four hours. If you ask a repair tech, eight is your magical number.¡±

    ¡°It was just a thought.¡± She said. She sank back down to doodling with her fingertips. Serge patted her shoulder and she looked up with a small smile. It was a sweet moment, and Gareth wondered if they knew their worries were mutual.

    Abandoning the fugitives would be unwise. Even if there were fewer Union stations than Imperial, they would make sure he regretted it. It was well documented how viciously the FSU could hold a grudge. Gareth felt like another idea was right outside of his grasp. An old memory. The more he focused in on it, the further it slipped away. He could not let his frustration show. He closed his eyes as he went over the data once more. There had to be something.

 1.18 â€“ Planning

    Without any new ideas, the emergency meeting was stagnating. Rather than dwell on his lack of imagination, Gareth knew he needed to keep his crew talking. Leon was leaning back, looking up as he thought.

    ¡°We¡¯re getting closer. Leon, what do you think?¡± He said. Leon straightened and gave an apologetic shrug.

    ¡°I mean, it won¡¯t help to say it, but if we can¡¯t leave the ship, we¡¯ll have to find a hiding place on the Helianthus.¡± He said, and Quinns perked up. The ship¡¯s name was an easy way to catch his attention.

    ¡°A good hiding place¡­ There used to be a room below the tree in the Gardens. Maybe ¨C ¡°

    ¡°No.¡± Sachi interrupted. Everyone turned to look at her, and she frowned. ¡°Pulling back the roots will hurt him. It may even kill him. Therefore. No.¡± She said.

    ¡°Him?¡± Gareth¡¯s curiosity got the best of him.

    ¡°Calling him ¡®it¡¯ doesn¡¯t seem right,¡± She said. He nodded. Sachi¡¯s love for the Gardens was the main reason she stuck around. If she felt right calling her favorite patient ¡°him¡±, Gareth wasn¡¯t about to argue. Serge spoke up next.

    ¡°There¡¯s a room under there? That would be perfect for smuggling things,¡± Serge said. Surrounded on all sides by withering looks, he added, ¡°If that were on the table.¡± He scratched his head as he thought before turning to Sachi. ¡°If anyone could keep that tree alive, it¡¯s you, Sachi.¡± He said. Sachi shook her head at him, but before she could respond Yulia interrupted.

    ¡°That¡¯s true! No one gets organics like Sachi does.¡± Yulia grinned.

    ¡°Flattery won¡¯t get you anywhere.¡± She scowled, but Gareth could see the flattery had an effect.

    ¡°Sachi.¡± Leon started next, ¡°If we¡¯re gonna take on missions like this, we need somewhere to hide. You know the inspectors won¡¯t look twice at it. With the amount of life in that room, even the imperial bio scanners could fail. It¡¯s our best -¡±

    ¡°Leon.¡± Gareth said. Leon glanced over at him, before looking back to Sachi again. Really seeing her again. Her position was very proper with her back straight and legs crossed at the knees. Her arm was across her stomach while the other hand massaged her temple. Both of her eyes were closed. She used the opening to speak.

    ¡°I understand.¡± She said and opened her eyes. ¡°You will listen to my commands while you dig. Caution will take longer, I know, but it is worth it.¡± Her strict attitude had returned. Calm and attentive.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I got your back.¡± Serge patted the back of her chair, ¡°And whatever you demand is sure to be good exercise, too.¡± He revealed one of his rare grins.

    ¡°You can count on it.¡± She said. Gareth could hear the levity in her voice despite her unchanging expression. Excited by the changing atmosphere, Yulia chimed in.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help, too. We can definitely do this much.¡± She said. There was a moment of quiet that Gareth took as a chance to move the conversation forward.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°This plan is a good start. We will be going forward with the inspection, then. Good. Regardless of our feelings on the UEE,¡± He glanced at Serge, before continuing. ¡°They do have the highest proportion of planets and stations under their flag. I¡¯d prefer to stay on friendly terms.¡± He said. Nevermind the danger posed by unfriendly terms, he thought. ¡°With that decided, I will bring Valorie in for our discussion of the inspection process.¡±

    He tapped the table¡¯s surface a few times, opening a large display on the opposite end. Next, he opened the holo-screen for his ring PD and called her. It rang, and he transferred the call to the display by tapping his ring in the area designated on the table. She picked up and her video feed filled the display on the opposite end.  Her eyes traveled across the attendants before focusing on Gareth.

    ¡°Davis reporting, sir.¡± She said.

    ¡°Hello, Valorie. You are now present for our emergency meeting regarding the UEE inspection.¡±

    Her brows furrowed at the word inspection, but there was no other change to her blank expression.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked. The furrowed brows cleared, but her eyes went to the floor.

    ¡°Imperial command forbids the sharing of confidential information. Being marked for inspection is considered confidential.¡± She said. She hid her displeasure with the Captain in formulated jargon. He recognized this technique for dealing with sensitive commanders. Gareth caught himself before he smiled.

    ¡°You want everyone to act surprised?¡± He said. She didn¡¯t flinch, but her extended silence gave him the answer he was looking for.

    ¡°It is not my place, sir.¡± She said. The words seemed to ground her, and her unreadable eyes were watching him once more. He nodded.

    ¡°I see. Now that everyone is present, let us talk about what is going to happen. Once the docking bridge is locked down, there will be a meeting held in the inspector¡¯s entrance bay. Initial scans will be performed at this time.¡± No one made a move to speak up. He had their rapt attention. ¡°The results of those scans will affect the thoroughness of the inspection. Following that, the physical inspection will begin lasting until their standards are met. Once the captain calls them back, they will be out and disengaged in short order. With that, we will be home free.¡± He said.

    ¡°You make it sound so easy.¡± Leon said and Yulia nodded with a laugh.

    ¡°Right?¡± She said. Their levity got a smile out of him. He could feel the rising optimism, and the room appeared brighter.

    ¡°If we do this right, it should be easy.¡± He said. ¡°I will be taking Leon and Valorie with me for the initial meeting. Quinns will -¡± He began but Serge interrupted.

    ¡°Why not tie the ship up in a bow for them, too?¡± He said. Yulia elbowed him but he shook it off. This got a reaction out of Valorie that Gareth was not expecting. At first, she looked down ¨C a mannerism shared by every single one of the SCT clones. This much he had come to expect from her. Valorie did not look like one of the clones, but she must have endured the same training. No, it was what followed that surprised him. He had opened his mouth to reprimand Serge, when he saw her grit her teeth and look up.

    ¡°You trusted me enough to bring me aboard.¡± She said. Her voice was stern. Everyone looked to her as she spoke. Even Serge. ¡°Let me do my job.¡± He¡¯d never seen that fire in any SCT member. Her expression fell back to default and she waited. That was it ¨C the storm had passed. Silence and patience ¨C favorite tools of the SCT.

    ¡°And what¡¯s your job, now?¡± Serge broke the silence she cast. He faced her as an adversary, but the outright nastiness in his voice was missing. Gareth wondered if Serge had found some shred of respect for this fiery Valorie.

    ¡°To protect my vessel through communications.¡± She answered. Her straight, even tone had returned. The SCT must have been trained so thoroughly to maintain such concise control. It gave the off-putting sensation they were hiding something below the surface. It made her hard to trust.

    Serge looked as if he were about to respond when the door to the meeting room slid open. There stood Representative Shayla. Her scarf was missing, and her clothes ruffled. Hair had escaped the tight bun and stood up with static. Eyes wild with panic swept over the room. Gareth braced himself. This could not be good news.

 1.19 - Service

    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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C 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.

 1.20 - Dinner

    Evening

    Valorie watched the clock as her body slept. Her first nap had been a failure due to her fears. Her body still required rest, so she was giving it another go. Leon had not given her a specific time for dinner, so a long wait stretched out before her. The intervals between each second seemed to feel longer and longer. Why was she even watching the clock tick by? It was no wonder humans found her so strange.

    As self-reproach filled her thoughts, she tried focusing on the people around her instead. She could feel everyone at work around the ship. The real question was which light was which person?

    She was getting better at identifying Quinns. He rarely moved out of his favorite haunts. Indeed after the meeting, two lights trekked back to engineering almost immediately. Whoever had followed him eventually left. Since then, he had been puttering around in the bay.

    The other lights mingled in a way that was hard to parse out.

    There were three that remained in their quarters nearby. They must be the guests. She remembered the hot malice burning off the representative. The memory translated into her body shifting, turning over with a soft whimper. Sorry, she thought. If she got too worked up, her body would wake and her physical ability would suffer. She tried to focus on the clock again.

    It was no good. Her thoughts drifted back to the meeting. Shayla¡¯s feelings were different than the hate she had encountered so far. There was malice and fear but the feelings were separate, not mixed. It was normal for others to hate and fear her for what she was in their eyes ¨C a clone.

    In the silence of her room, it finally dawned on her. She was no longer in a clone¡¯s body. Humans no longer saw her as any different from any other person. When she looked at it this way, things started to make more sense. The malice was because Shayla believed Valorie called in the inspection. What was the fear for?

    The feeling of someone drawing closer to her room distracted her. The light was bright, with a sense of tired responsibility. Leon, maybe? She eased her body from slumber. Depending on how much sleep she got, this process could be time consuming. Her body was at the beginning of a new cycle, so it was easy to drag it back to alertness. She sat up and her PD buzzed, followed by a knock on the door.

    ¡°Valorie? It¡¯s Leon. I have your dinner.¡± He called. She stood up and saw the door panel was still locked. ¡°I¡¯m coming in.¡± He said. She tucked loose hairs behind her ears and flattened out her shirt.

    The door slid open, and Leon walked in carrying two food containers and a metal canteen. The door slid shut behind him, but it did not lock. He made his way to her table, and set down the containers.

    ¡°Were you taking a nap?¡± He asked, his back to her. She glanced at the door. Still unlocked.

    ¡°Yes.¡± She said, her eyebrows furrowing at his abrupt manner. He started opening the containers, and setting them up on one side of the table.

    ¡°Come here. Come eat.¡± He said. She watched him setting up the food and felt thoroughly confused. When she reached out, he was feeling guarded ¨C hesitant. Was he testing her? She stepped towards him, and his suspicion eased. He looked over his shoulder.

    ¡°You alright? Come on, while it¡¯s still hot.¡± He said, sitting down on the opposite side of the table. She did as she was told, but her movements felt unnatural. He was watching her every move. She looked down at the food. The larger of the two containers had a full serving of the ReNutri stir fry and rice. Steam rose from the replicated white meat mixed with vegetables in a dark sauce. She was more interested in the second container. It was full of the dark granola from breakfast.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Serge picked¡¯em out. Like he would let me handle anyone¡¯s nutrition.¡± Leon said. She stared at him and he added, ¡°Poison isn¡¯t his style.¡± He gave her a cold smile. She took a sip from the canteen. Water. It slid over her tongue, clean and cool. The cold spread down her throat when she swallowed, banishing the last of her sleepiness. She started on the food, but her movements still felt mechanical. Leon leaned back in his chair, but his attention was still laser-focused on her.

    ¡°Are you scared?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Really? Well, that¡¯s suspicious.¡± He said, and she balked.

    ¡°W-why?¡± She tried to regain her composure. There was a hint of a smile on his face before he squashed it.

    ¡°It appears you know you are safe ¨C that the inspection poses no threat to you. There¡¯s no way to know what will happen to you, unless perhaps you have allies on the imperial side.¡± His voice was dry as he explained it, but the intensity never left his eyes. As she thought about it, her eyebrows knit together, creasing in the middle.

    ¡°I should be afraid, but I believe¡­¡± She trailed off and frowned. Embarrassment rose as bile in her throat. With her sisters¡¯ help, she planned to hide the fugitives from detection. She had not entertained the idea that this could fail.

    ¡°You believe?¡±

    ¡°I did not consider failure.¡± She muttered. Her heart ached as she realized her miscalculation. What a strange feeling. ¡°My sisters will be mad with me.¡± She sighed. Leon actually laughed at that. She looked up in surprise. ¡°You¡¯re laughing at me.¡± His amusement settled into an easy smile. She liked his face when he smiled. Despite the suspicion that rolled off of him when she reached out, the smile made her feel better. It drew her in.

    "What do you believe?¡± He asked. She paused to think of an answer. A real one.

    "That the Helianthus will be safe.¡± She said. He watched her for a moment as if expecting more. When she didn¡¯t add anything, he huffed.

    ¡°If you aren¡¯t scared, what¡¯s bothering you?¡± He asked. She blinked in surprise. ¡°Clearly something is. I thought that representative scared you.¡± He said. She shook her head.

    ¡°You know about my mission to free my sisters.¡± He nodded. ¡°I feel like I have already failed them.¡± She said.

    ¡°How so?¡± He asked. She wasn¡¯t sure how to explain the fear and suspicion she felt from the entire crew. The amount differed, but the way everyone looked at her had changed.

    ¡°How will anyone ever trust me after all this?¡± She asked, ¡°If they never trust me, how will I become part of the crew?¡± She added. She was taking a chance by exposing herself. Mother¡¯s experience with humans showed a very low chance of kindness after exposure. Nearly all of Mother¡¯s human interactions occurred within UEE¡¯s scientific and military branches. It was possible things were different outside the empire. This Question had no answer yet, so Valorie could not be sure.

    When she realized how quiet Leon was, she looked up at his face. His brows had creased and he was looking to the side. She followed his gaze through the window into the gardens. A large group had gathered around the tree at the center. She could see Serge and Yulia among them.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much about it.¡± Leon stood up. ¡°You should eat before it gets cold.¡± He added. Her attention snapped back to her food.

    ¡°Right, sorry.¡± She said, and started working on the stir-fry. He laughed and opened his PD ¨C a ring PD, like the Captain¡¯s but cheaper with more wear and tear.

    ¡°You. You are a weird one. Here.¡± He held it out to her. She paused eating and held out her own. A bell confirmed she had received his personal net code.

    ¡°Call me if you need anything while you¡¯re locked up in here. Otherwise, see ya tomorrow.¡± He said. She stared at the PD, mouth hanging open.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure? You¡¯re trusting me?¡± She said.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me now? It¡¯s already done.¡± He laughed and she blushed. She looked over her list of three contacts and a smile tugged at her lips. Leon would tease, but he was still kind.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She looked up and smiled as she met his eyes. It surprised her to see a faint pink appear on his cheeks. He reached out and ruffled her hair.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to eat. You¡¯re gonna need the energy.¡± He said as he left. The door slid shut behind him, and LOCKED appeared on the inner panel.

    She looked down at her food, and then back at the door. Her eyes followed his light as he went down the hall. When he had touched her, she picked up direct thoughts.

    ¡°Too bad she¡¯s cute.¡± He was prepared to do whatever was necessary to protect the Captain. If the Helianthus was important to the Captain, it was important to Leon. He had ruffled her hair while wondering what else he might have to do to her. Imagining what else he might have to do. ¡°I hope Cap is right about her.¡±

    The vision soured her appetite.

 1.21 - Roots

    The rest of the evening passed without incident. During her time in hiding, Valorie had gotten used to waiting long hours with little to do and no one to talk to. Her body itched to move, but she could not leave her quarters. The excess energy manifested as a twitchy feeling in her legs. She tried doing stretches to shake the feeling, but it always returned.

    Faint music drifted up from outside her window, drawing her to it. The group that had gathered around the tree had started whatever they were working on. Serge and Yulia were still there, but now she could see Sachi, too. She was pointing and talking as Serge and Yulia dug around the roots. Leon arrived last. He pulled off his jacket and slipped into the workflow without missing a beat.

    The music was lively, and Yulia had her usual energy back, chatting as she worked. Valorie couldn¡¯t see what they were trying to do, but she enjoyed watching. She could reach out, feel their excitement, their worries.

    Negative feelings plagued each of them. There was an undercurrent of panic from Serge. The inspection made him very uncomfortable. Sachi had a growing fear, the deeper they dug into the roots. Fear also tugged at Yulia¡¯s mind, while frustration took its toll on Leon. It amazed Valorie as these feelings faded with the focus of hard work. It replaced them with exhaustion and satisfaction. Valorie once heard someone say, you just need to work it out of your system. This must be what they meant.

    Yulia paused to wipe her brow, sweat mixing with dirt on her forehead. She said something and grinned. Serge looked up from digging and tapped the smudge on her forehead, making her laugh.

    The work made time go by faster, and soon they were finished. Serge and Yulia appeared first, packing up the digging equipment. The music cut off as they cleaned up. Sachi appeared next, overflowing with relief. She spoke with them, pointing at a few spots in the digging area, a smile on her face. Yulia grinned, nudging her brother as she spoke. He laughed and patted her back.

    A sudden emptiness welled up inside Valorie¡¯s chest. She was used to being alone. She lived vicariously through the crew around her. Sharing in their joy, worrying through their sorrow. Always a step away from any real relationship.

    This morning had been different. She had become a part of their world. Breakfast was a rare treat, warm like nothing before it. Yes, there had been scary moments when Gareth called on her to speak. But to finally be a part of that which she observed. Finally grasping that feeling she had admired. It was only a small taste, but the scene in the gardens left her bereft.

    They finished cleaning up and left the Gardens. Quiet returned and Valorie could not have been more disappointed.

    She picked up her PD to look for something interesting to watch. Mother recommended studying in quiet moments. Valorie preferred the video programs she found on the network. Between dramas and documentaries, there was always something to watch. On the longer days alone, these stories saved her.

    When she opened her PD, she found a new message from the Captain. Her shoulders drew together when she saw it. She took a deep breath and opened it with a quick flick. It was a short message and a link.

    Thought you may find this worthwhile.

    The link took her to an article in a scientific journal. It was about the issues with current life scanning models. A smile crept across her face. The Captain was still considering her a part of his crew. She sent Gareth a simple thank you and opened the article. She would protect the Helianthus and her crew, no matter the consequences.

    ***Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    Morning came, and Leon brought Valorie breakfast. He warned her there would be a jump first thing this morning. She knew she would not be resuming her duties until the inspection was over, if at all. She knew that, but she still felt the ache in her gut when he reminded her.

    ¡°Once it¡¯s done, we¡¯ll be meeting at one of the planets to dock. I will pick you up on my way to the bay. Be ready ¨C formal attire. Gotta look convincing.¡± He looked her over. ¡°Not that you¡¯ve been anything but formal.¡± He added and left. She frowned at the door, still holding the food he had delivered.

    She set it aside and spent what little time she had on grooming. She had gotten a quick bath after unpacking, but not the night before. She fixed herself up, braiding her long hair into a bun tied at the back. She spent more time caring for this body than any previous one. She wanted to preserve Valorie¡¯s sense of style. Once satisfied, she sat down in front of her breakfast.

    Sausages and toast ¨C leftovers from the previous morning. She could tell because all reheated repli-food had the same grainy texture. She wondered if the reheating process disrupted whatever magic turned the gel packets into a recognizable meal. The Captain gave the 10-minute warning, and she started eating as fast as she could.  She finished cleaning up as the gravity lifted. The jarring motion of the ship was further dampened closer to the center of the ship, so it was easy to move around. Drifting across the open space of her room was awkward at first, but she managed to buckle in for the jump.

    The jump was short at a little under an hour long. During the wait, she noticed a strange movement in the darkened Gardens. When she focused, she saw several figures moving near the tree at the center. When she reached out, the lights were familiar. Two lights gathered below the surface, below the tree. She couldn¡¯t recall seeing a door there, or any room in the schematics. A hiding spot? That could protect them during the physical inspection. Relief crept into her heart ¨C she only had to worry about the initial scans.

    The jump was almost complete when the Captain¡¯s voice came over the intercom.

    ¡°This is your ten-minute warning for jump completion. We will be at the rendezvous point within the hour. Please make your final preparations. We will be under surveillance the moment we enter high orbit. Please remain in your rooms until the inspection is complete.¡±

    ***

    Gareth closed out the intercom and rubbed his chin. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the armrests of his captain¡¯s chair.

    ¡°Leon, pull up the original coordinates for our passage to Gomori. Yulia, act on those coordinates. Until we receive a hail from the MRH Hayes, we will follow our original course.¡± He said.

    ¡°Ah, so, we are acting surprised, then?¡± Leon asked, looking over his shoulder.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°What if they do not hail in time?¡± Yulia asked.

    ¡°We¡¯ll move on to the next set of coordinates to the same system. If they still fail to contact us, we¡¯ll move on. We can not force their hand. We will have to be patient.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha.¡± Yulia said and checked the screen next to her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it will be an issue. Scouts are often looking to prove themselves.¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Every single person on those ships is miserable. They just wanna pass their misery on to everyone nearby.¡± Leon interjected. He banged away at the keys as he worked. He was not gentle when something irritated him.

    ¡°Bitter much?¡± Yulia said.

    ¡°I have an ex.¡±

    ¡°From an imperial scout ship? Really?¡±

    ¡°Well, she wasn¡¯t an ex before she started working on the scout.¡± He muttered. The rattle of a star¡¯s gravity well dragging them from the space between shuddered across the bridge.

    ¡°Yulia, begin your deceleration.¡± Gareth said. Almost as a punctuation to his words, the void tore away into a bright star in the prime of its life. The ship dragged as Yulia pulled it away from the gravity well towards a new destination. There was some extra drag as a result of pulling too hard from the ship¡¯s natural momentum.

    ¡°Easy, Yulia. We aren¡¯t on a schedule anymore.¡± Gareth said. Yulia had a talent for using the natural flow to her advantage. When she was distracted, he felt the extra drag in his shoulders and back. Even when Yuila was distracted, her work was still better than the average pilot ¨C better than his own piloting. He wanted to help her keep calm.

    ¡°Yes, sir. Takin¡¯ it easy.¡± She said. Her words and her tone were mismatched, but Gareth felt the pressure on his shoulders ease. ¡°Where do ya think they are?¡± She added.

    ¡°It will be about sixteen minutes thirty-two seconds before initial visual processing is complete.¡± Leon said. ¡°They¡¯ll probably see us first.¡±

    ¡°Surprising no one, that doesn¡¯t make me feel any better, Leon.¡± Yulia said. She peered out the window as if trying to catch a glimpse of the imperial ship. Gareth looked, too, despite knowing he would see nothing by the naked eye.

 1.22 - The Call

    As they waited for the call, it began to feel like the MRH Hayes was taking its sweet time finding them. It seemed to take even longer in the silence. Waiting for something always warps your perception of time, Gareth thought. He had moved to the edge of his seat without realizing it.

    ¡°Think it¡¯s possible Valorie can see¡¯em?¡± Yulia¡¯s voice was quiet when she spoke up.

    ¡°Perhaps. There is a reason imperial ships are notoriously hard to ambush.¡± Gareth said. Leon straightened in his seat.

    ¡°Speaking of which. Incoming hail.¡± He said.

    ¡°Yulia, cut acceleration but keep true to the coordinates. Leon, bring up the main display.¡± The display popped up with a young woman in her late teens. She had silver hair cut so short it only reached her ears. Her dark eyes focused on Gareth for a moment before they lowered and she bowed her head. She never made eye contact.

    ¡°Contact confirmed. Connecting comms.¡± Her voice was quiet. Gareth got the feeling she did not want anyone to hear her. Even when Valorie was stressed, her voice was so clear. Perhaps the comms on the Hayes was new. It made him wonder how long Valorie had been working under the iron law of the SCT.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Gareth said, but she made no motion to acknowledge his gratitude. The screen dropped for a moment and a large man appeared. He was barrel-chested with large eyebrows that seemed to fuse as he squinted at the screen.

    ¡°Captain Lucas Dupont of the MRH Hayes speaking.¡± He said, his voice cut with irritation.

    ¡°Gareth Hughes, Captain of the FL Helianthus. To what do I owe the pleasure?¡± Gareth said. Dupont huffed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be asking the questions, Hughes.¡± He paused at the name, and his eyebrows lifted revealing wide eyes. It was a look of recognition Gareth had seen before, and his stomach turned. ¡°It couldn¡¯t be. Of the Hughes legacy? Ah-ha, and how many ships are named in your family¡¯s honor, now?¡± Dupont asked. He leaned towards the screen, trying to get a better look.

    ¡°Twenty-six.¡± Gareth answered through his teeth.

    ¡°Yes! Truly impressive. Your ancestors must be proud. What are you doing out here? Freelance?¡±

    ¡°Correct. If we could return to -¡±

    ¡°Ah, one must find their own way to stand out in such a prestigious family, I see.¡± Dupont said. Gareth felt a whole new kind of headache coming on. He focused on his breathing, and forced a smile.

    ¡°Perhaps, yes. I believe you had a question for me.¡± Gareth said. Dupont had a look on his face like someone had offered him a gourmet meal. Dupont would get the recognition he wanted with Gareth¡¯s help or through him. The later was a worst-case scenario. Hopefully, it wouldn¡¯t come to that.

    ¡°Let me see. Ah, I am to speak with you regarding a sensitive matter. It seems your ship was reported for crimes against the United Earth Empire. My orders are to inspect and verify the truth behind this claim. If you choose to ignore this opportunity to clear your name, you will be marked a fugitive under UEE law.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like I have little choice.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Command does not like to mess around, do they?¡± He said with a smile devoid of sincerity. The resulting expression raised the hairs on Gareth¡¯s neck. He tightened his fist, before stretching out his fingers. He needed to focus on asking the appropriate questions.

    ¡°May I ask of what crimes I¡¯ve been accused?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m afraid I cannot say. Regardless, if you wish to comply you have two hours. I am orbiting the second body of this star, Col 279 b. Our communications will send you the current coordinates and trajectory.¡± Dupont rubbed his chin, as he pondered. It was an easy guess what was on his mind.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°Understood. I will reply with our ETA.¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Good man. I do look forward to talking with you in person.¡± He said and smiled again. Gareth nodded, his fingers flexing against the armrest. Good thing only his face was on screen.

    ¡°Likewise. We will be there shortly. Helianthus out.¡± Gareth said. The call closed out, and Gareth breathed a sigh of relief. There was a ping at Leon¡¯s station.

    ¡°Coordinates received, Cap.¡±

    ¡°Good. Prepare the new route and send back the ETA. Yulia, while he prepares the new coordinates, redirect to the second planet in this system.¡± Gareth said. Both confirmed their orders. Gareth sat back in his chair, resting his hand on the inputs on the armrest. Dupont was going to be a thorn in his side. The man was looking for trouble.

    ¡°Dupont seems like a fun guy.¡± Leon muttered.

    ¡°It couldn¡¯t be easy, could it?¡± Gareth said, closing his eyes for only a moment.

    ¡°Is it ever?¡± Leon said. Gareth gave a dry laugh and blinked open his eyes to face forward once more.

    ***

    When Valorie felt the pressure of weight against her back, she unbuckled and stood up. After zero-g, she was always wobbly at first. Flipping the switch on gravity was hard on the body.  She needed to stretch. Basic stretches were necessary for keeping up to speed.

    As she reached for her toes, she remembered she had not been out for her exercise regime this trip. Fear kept her close to her room. After Yulia¡¯s tour, Valorie had snuck away only once to bathe. Now that she was locked in, there was no chance of exploring. She took a slow breath, straightening up and reaching for the ceiling. When she was free again, she needed to get over that fear.

    Once she finished stretching her body felt lighter. She bounced on her heels, testing her reflexes. This body was much more athletic than the clone bodies. To keep it that way, she had to follow a more rigorous exercise routine than the one recommended for clones. It felt right to keep everything as Valorie had left it. She wasn¡¯t sure why it was so important to her, but to do otherwise made her heart ache. Maintenance was key.

    Feeling more limber, she freshened up in the bathroom, washing her face with cool water. There was nothing quite as invigorating as a splash of cold water over her face after a nap. The scent of cheap soap filled her nostrils as water dripped down her chin. She patted her face dry with a spare towel, and pinned the flower from the day before to her collar. The petals were a little looser, but it held together admirably. She hoped she could do the same.

    There was a message over the intercom regarding the arrival of the MRH Hayes. Valorie imagined the ships as they flew side by side, matching speeds to allow for docking. It would take time for the docking bridge to connect and pressurize. She could not guess exactly how long, so she waited at the door, ready to go.

    While she waited, she checked on her crewmates, reaching out to see what they were up to. There was no surprise to Quinns¡¯ location in engineering. One of the guests was still in their quarters. One light making its way across the ship. The rest were in the garden ¨C including Leon. What were they up to?

    She was so distracted by the lights in the garden, she did not notice the light approaching her. It wasn¡¯t Leon ¨C she was sure he was still in the Gardens. She flattened out her uniform and straightened her shirt in anticipation. Her PD buzzed against her wrist as the LOCKED disappeared off the inner door panel.

    Ready? The message was from Gareth. There was a refinement in his light.  Unlike most of the crew, the Captain was a few years older ¨C she would guess early thirties. His light was sharp but gentle. Searching and unsatisfied. He was so very curious.

    Why was he taking so long to open the door? Oh, she thought, he only unlocked it. How polite. She used the PD to slide open the door, revealing his back. Gareth had turned away as he waited. His normal attire was more formal, but today he was wearing a full uniform. It was not the whites and golds of the empire, nor any other faction she knew. Instead, it was dark gray with hints of yellow and purple.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± She said, and he turned. The front of his jacket buttoned down in sharp straight lines that accented his broad shoulders. It made him look taller, evening out his stocky build.

    ¡°That was quick.¡± Gareth said. He looked her over and nodded. It seemed his expression was set to neutral. Perfectly, cautiously neutral.

    ¡°Leon warned me to be ready.¡± She answered. Gareth invited her into the hallway with a wave of his hand. She stepped out, and he led the way to the engineering bay.

    ¡°He would be pleased to know you listened. He is making the final steps in preparing the crew. I thought I might take up at least this one task.¡± His tone was polite, even a little friendly. It did nothing to fix the heavy atmosphere.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She said. He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow before resuming his focus on the hallway ahead. Quiet fell, and the air was tense as they walked. She wondered if this was the new normal, and felt her heart sink.

 1.23 - Protocol

    The walk to the engineering bay seemed impossibly long. Valorie followed Gareth while keeping a polite two steps behind. She peeked up to see if she could catch his expression, but he was staring straight ahead. She had not gotten another chance to talk with Gareth alone since she had told him of the inspection. He had been angry then. He seemed calm now. In her experience, this change could be dangerous. She tried to be patient while waiting for the hammer to drop. To resist fiddling with her hands, she pinched her side.

    ¡°Valorie.¡± He spoke up.

    ¡°Yes, sir?¡± Valorie braced herself.

    ¡°I recall I told you to act as yourself, instead of following the SCT Protocol.¡± He said and paused. It was the most hesitant she had ever seen him.

    ¡°I remember.¡± She filled the air.

    ¡°For this mission, I need you to disregard the Protocol. Act against it even.¡± He said. Sweat broke out on her brow.

    ¡°Is¡­Is that an order?¡± She couldn¡¯t help the surprise in her voice. His brow creased.

    ¡°Yes.¡± His voice was final. She looked to the floor. The SCT Protocol was harsh, but through strict training, behavior turned into instinct. It was easy to fall back on, particularly with her Imperial superiors. ¡°I do not wish to reveal your nature to the Empire. Considering your choice to desert, I imagine you would agree. The Hayes is equipped with one of the clones. I believe her captain will be well versed in the Protocol. Do you see where I am going with this?¡± Gareth asked.

    ¡°Yes¡­ I understand. If I act normal, their captain may notice I was once part of the SCT. I will do my best to hide it.¡± She said. He was right. Didn¡¯t make it any easier.

    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­¡± He trailed off into thought. She tried to see his expression again. He was rubbing one temple with his right hand. Had she done something wrong? She reached out, and she found a fog of doubt. Gareth was putting together a puzzle in his mind. When it cleared, the corner of his lip turned up in a small smile and he huffed.

    ¡°My order when we first met ¨C for you to be yourself ¨C that was a real challenge for you, wasn¡¯t it?¡± He slowed down, and looked at her for the first time since they started walking. His tone was friendly, and her shoulders eased. She nodded, and he sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He said. She was quiet for a moment, searching for the right words.

    ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ trained for civilian encounters,¡± She began, ¡°I believe your order helped me get along with everyone, even if it was only for a moment. Even if it was frightening, it was worth it. Thank you.¡± She smiled. He was silent as he mulled over her words. Finally, he responded.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to justify my choices, but I¡¯m glad it helped.¡± He said. The tension in the air around them deflated, replaced by a companionable silence.

    When they entered engineering, Quinns was not there waiting for them. Instead, their greeting was a loud drumbeat and guitar solo. The sound made her heart race.

    ¡°Quinns! Come on, this is serious!¡± Gareth called across the bay.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Hey now, it¡¯s for inspiration.¡± Quinns called back. Quinns appeared at the door of the lander. He was in a skin-tight jumpsuit. For the first time, Valorie could see the extent of his metal prosthetic. His right leg matched his right arm ¨C a metal frame woven with wires and mechanical joints. The metal frame stretched across his shoulders, and down his waist. The added frame balanced the weight of metal and flesh across his torso. He was lean, but the jumpsuit showed the clear definition of muscle. He saw Valorie and vanished back inside of the lander.

    ¡°Ah, Gary, thought you¡¯d be alone.¡± He said ¨C his confident tone replaced with embarrassment. She wondered why that seemed to happen every time he realized she was there.

    ¡°We aren¡¯t the only people on the ship anymore, Quinns. You gotta expect others.¡± Gareth said. His tone was so different from normal, much more casual. Valorie looked up at him curiously. When he saw her look, he cleared his throat and straightened his back. Before he could say anything else, Quinns spoke up.

    ¡°I know, I know. Sorry.¡± Quinns said. When he reappeared, he had an exosuit pulled up to his shoulders and a helmet under his right arm. He turned the music off at the panels near the lander and made his way over to them. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re a military ship, though.¡± He muttered.

    ¡°Fair enough. Now is not really the time though.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ¡°Quinns.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Okay. How much longer for the dock?¡± He changed the topic. Gareth glanced at the entrance, alight with flashing red no-go lights.

    ¡°Should only be another 10 minutes.¡±

    ¡°Leon better be here by the time it¡¯s ready.¡±

    ¡°Let me worry about that. How are your preparations?¡± Gareth said. Quinns nodded with a sigh. The helmet still clutched in the metal hand, he fiddled with something on his wrist. When he unhooked it from the frame, Valorie saw that it was a wrist PD. It was similar to hers, but a more permanent and expensive model. He fitted the PD into a slot on the helmet, before slipping the helmet over his head. She couldn¡¯t see his face through the dark visor.

    He reached up and clicked the buttons over his right ear. Gareth opened his own PD, tapped out a short message and waited. He noticed Valorie looking over and showed her the open message with Quinns.

    ¡°Testing.¡± He said. Quinns pulled the helmet off and breathed.

    ¡°Works. Still smells, uh, heavily used.¡± Quinns said, shaking his head as if it would dispel the smell faster.

    ¡°Maybe Sachi has something that could freshen it up?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask her for next time.¡± Quinns said, frowning into the helmet. Valorie sensed an approaching light and glanced at the bay door before it opened. Rookie mistake. She looked away and hoped no one noticed.

    The door slid open revealing a brooding Leon. When he saw the Captain, the look cleared, but Valorie could still sense the feeling beneath the surface. His uniform had the same purple and gold highlights as the Captain, but it looked a little tight when buttoned up. As Leon walked over, his eyes were on Quinns.

    ¡°Quinns, you¡¯re all dressed up. Where ya going?¡± He asked as he joined their gathering. His movements in the uniform were stiff.

    ¡°For a walk.¡± Quinns tapped on his helmet, ¡°What¡¯s it look like?¡± It was more of a challenge than a question. Leon shrugged. There was a return quip on his tongue, but the exit lights distracted him when they turned yellow with a low chime. The dock had finished pressurizing and was within a survivable temperature. It was safe enough for an emergency.

    ¡°Not long now.¡± Leon said.

    ¡°Everyone all set?¡± Gareth said, giving both Leon and Valorie a once over. Valorie nodded and Leon grinned.

    ¡°All dolled up and ready to dance.¡± He said, stretching his arms against the stiff sleeves. When she thought about it, she realized the Captain¡¯s normal outfit was quite formal. Leon, on the other hand, was always casual ¨C a t-shirt and slacks along with the same leather jacket every time.  The uniform looked restrictive in comparison. Valorie wondered if this might be one cause for his gloomy behavior.

    ¡°It fits you. You should wear it all the time.¡± Quinns said.

    ¡°No way. Not happening.¡± Leon tried twisting his arms back and rolling his shoulders. Nothing appeared to ease his discomfort.

    Gareth shook his head, but his lips hinted at a smile. The tension in the air had eased. Valorie relaxed her hands. There was a wrinkle in her pant leg from fidgeting. As they waited, the Captain began explaining the inspection steps one last time. She focused on his face, determined to escape the habits of the SCT Protocol.

 1.24 - Quinns

    Quinns tried to really listen to Gary¡¯s explanation of the inspection this time. During the emergency meeting, a growing idea distracted him from the discussion. If you asked him if he was listening, he¡¯d say yes. But five minutes afterward, he couldn¡¯t recall a word anyone said.

    Even now, as Gareth spoke, Quinns¡¯ hands fiddled with his helmet. He swore fidgeting made it easier to listen. And he only needed a basic run down ¨C his job would be down a different path. Gary, Leon, and Valorie would walk over to the Hayes and have a nice conversation with the ship officers. Meanwhile, Quinns would be on an adventure of his own.

    Quinns knew he was right when he said Gary wasn¡¯t going to like it. He was pleasantly surprised when Gary let him go along with it. He¡¯d thought it would be more of a fight. Gary could be overprotective sometimes, but Quinns was 23 now. Almost 24. This time, when Quinns brought up his idea to protect Heli, Gary was willing to listen. There could be several factors for that. Most pressing, Quinns thought, was desperation.

    ¡°Quinns, I expect you to be done at that time.¡± Gary said. Quinns snapped out of his thoughts and gave Gary an apologetic look. Guess he was wrong about how easy it was to listen. Gary did not even look surprised.

    ¡°When the initial scans are complete, the inspection team will follow us back to the Helianthus.¡± Gary said. ¡°I won¡¯t be able to give you any warning when it happens.¡±

    ¡°Sir, may I?¡± Valorie spoke up. She often had a serene look about her, but Quinns could see the shyness in her, too. Every time she spoke, she was nervous. It was as if someone told she was wrong to open her mouth, and she had never gotten over it.

    ¡°Yes, go ahead.¡±

    ¡°My implant allows for simple messages via PD comms. If I may have his net code, I could provide a significant warning time.¡± She looked down as she spoke, ¡°I know it is improper to ask for a net code, but I-¡± She began.

    ¡°It¡¯s up to him.¡± Gary said. When she looked this uncomfortable, Quinns wanted to say something. Instead, his cheeks turned red when she peeked at him.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± He said ¨C probably too fast, his voice a bit too high pitched. ¡°It¡¯d really help me out.¡± When no one moved, he remembered his PD. ¡°Right.¡± He muttered. Fishing the PD out of the helmet, he tried to ignore the raised eyebrow from Leon. He failed, and his ears burned as he focused on the PD. The more eyes that were on him, the harder it was to move.

    Once the code was ready, he held it out to her. She watched as he did so with what was definitely wonder in her eyes. She held up her own bracelet PD, and a small smile lit up her face as the notification rang. His heart rate increased under her gaze.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°No problem.¡± He said, shrugging it off as best he could.

    ¡°Good. One less thing to worry about.¡± Gary said. Quinns saw Valorie refocus on her PD. He understood the feeling when everything else dropped away, and there was only the task ahead. He noticed the change in her eyes. Valorie flipped over the PD and uncovered a small jack in the side. She plugged in one of the wires interspersed with her hair, and one of the indicators lit up. When she looked up again, she realized all three of them were staring at her. Quinns knew that discomfort all too well.

    ¡°Attuning¡­¡± She said, refocusing her gaze on the PD, ¡°I¡¯m attuning the implant.¡± She clarified, her voice a little quieter.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°Of course.¡± Gary said. By the look on his face, Quinns knew he would be researching it later. Leon was frowning as he looked from her to Gary. His annoyance made it all the easier for Quinns jump in.

    ¡°Makes sense to me.¡± He said, offering a smile he hoped wasn¡¯t awkward. She nodded, eyes snapping back to her display once more. Her red cheeks made him want to say more.

    As he struggled to think of something, a loud DING reverberated against the bay walls. Quinns¡¯ eyes widened, and the group looked to the exit. The warning lights were now green, and a display above the airlock said the docking bridge was ready.

    ¡°What in the¡­?¡± Gary said.

    ¡°Was that¡­ an oven?¡± Leon asked. Gary gave Quinns a dark look, and Quinns responded with his most innocent of expressions.

    ¡°I.. uh.. forgot I modded the alert.¡± He said, unable to hold a laugh any longer. Leon couldn¡¯t help a smirk.

    ¡°Well, it gets your attention, that¡¯s for sure.¡± He said. Gary closed his eyes, looking up for guidance.

    ¡°I¡¯m surrounded.¡± He said, his voice dripping mock disappointment. Valorie was watching his antics with wide eyes. She glanced at Quinns with a worried expression. Quinns chickened out of comforting her and backed away from the group.

    ¡°I¡¯ll, uh, change it back. Don¡¯t worry. Good luck talking with those guys.¡± Quinns said waving them away. Gary sighed and nodded. The formal determination returned to his eyes. It made Gary look so much older. Never failed to make Quinns uncomfortable. Quinns began making his way to the lander. Gary¡¯s voice followed him.

    ¡°Be careful out there. Remember what I said.¡±

    ¡°How can I forget?¡± Quinns said, mostly to himself, as he entered the lander. Once inside, he paused to watch Gary leading the group through the exit. The door closed behind them and relief ran through Quinns¡¯ body. He felt a little guilty about it sometimes ¨C how much better he felt alone. Nothing came close to this peace.

    He slipped out of the planetary exosuit ¨C it would do him no good here. The EMU was a newer, more expensive model. It was harder to get on hence why he had thrown the exosuit on first. The EMU had a sleek design that made movement during a spacewalk more natural. Of the two they purchased, he had modded one with Gary¡¯s permission. The right arm and leg cut off at the shoulder and thigh. Over the cuts, he had installed a metal ring with a rubber insole. It locked into place over his prosthetics, creating a seal. This way he could leave the metal prosthetics exposed. He tugged on the shoulder and flexed. The seal didn¡¯t budge. He smiled as he tugged at it one last time. Perfect.

    He glanced at the closed docking bridge again. Gary was the only one that he felt the closest to being himself. He dragged his eyes away to focus on the spacewalk checklist. Gary always made it through. Quinns scrolled down the checklist. Gary would be fine, and now that Quinns was alone, he would be fine, too.

    Helmet in hand, he headed for the offices. The inside was a glorified storage room. The only thing that kept it neat was the necessary preparation for low gravity. If it was anything like his room planet-side, a rogue wrench would¡¯ve killed him by now. No, everything had to be organized and locked down for travel.

    On his right was the console and chair he buckled into during jumps. Beyond that was a lock bench. Specific metals would stick to the surface automatically. When he wanted something released, he would tap the item in a preset pattern. It kept his tools from drifting away while he worked. He set down his helmet in the chair and looked over the bench.

    The night before, he had laid out the tools needed for a spacewalk. He picked them up one at a time and checked each for any safety concerns. He knew intimately the results of catastrophic safety failure. He scratched his metal thigh as he matched the items to the checklist.

    He wasn¡¯t surprised everything checked out fine. The safety equipment was all new. Gary had renewed as much of it as he could afford. New tethers, lock boots, a latch gun, and various redundancies. It was the only stuff they had that wasn¡¯t decades old.

    Before Heli even left storage, Gary had put together a list. It had everything Heli needed to pass a readiness test for the Database. From check-ups to supplies, the list was long. Worse, it was expensive. Gary¡¯s savings from his family-mandated service covered the necessities to get Heli out of port. Nothing more. Quinns pictured the long road ahead and frowned at the latch gun in his hands. He hooked it to his waist and picked up his helmet. At least Gary was free now, he thought. He slipped the helmet over his head. He¡¯d make sure it stayed that way.

 1.25 - Spacewalk

    Quinns chose one of the back maintenance tunnels that led port-side. Moving through the tunnels on Heli was second nature to him. His feet led the way, while his mind focused his path beyond. He went over his planned route to the MRH Hayes one more time. He had planned it out by cross-checking the four imperial scout schematics he could find on short notice.

    Imperial scouts had many redesigns. A small ship with a singular purpose made it a favorite test for designers. He knew ahead of time that the ship would be the MRH Hayes because of Valorie¡¯s warning. The Hayes was a 12th generation ship ¨C very old. That cut the volume of possibilities down to a few. The network was a heck of a place.

    He had saved the most reliable schematic into his helmet¡¯s mapping system. He could control the display with the interface over his right ear. Better models worked by tracing eyesight, but they were expensive. Technology might bound forward, but there was always something for those on a budget.

    He had the first leg of his journey across the Hayes mapped out on screen by the time he reached the hatch. As he approached, he was hunched over, almost to the point of crawling on all fours. The less critical an access hall was, the smaller it got.

    The entrance was a pill-shaped capsule hatch with enough room for one average sized adult. On the opposite side of the capsule, there was a small blurry window. The window was pointless. Too small and thick to make out anything useful details. It only served to remind him of the open space beyond.

    And, that was enough for Quinns. He stared into the inky void. He did all his work in the crowded spaces of engineering, crawling through claustrophobic maintenance tunnels. Within such tight walls, Quinns often forgot that beyond the hull, there was nothing. A lot of nothing. Dragging his eyes away from the window, he focused on his task instead.

    He double checked the power and air capacity of his suit ¨C all good. Tested the magnetic boot on his left foot ¨C working condition. His right foot had a specialized magnetic add-on he could control the same way he curled his toes. He had modded another magnetic add-on to fit the fingertips of his right arm. The modification process left the pull weaker than the boots, but he was proud of his work. The suit¡¯s seal was intact, protecting him from exposure. He took a deep breath.

    ¡°I can do this.¡± He muttered, taking a second breath. ¡°Not my first spacewalk.¡± He added for extra assurance. If he could just forget he was sneaking on to an enemy ship, he would be fine. No big deal, right?

    He crawled inside the capsule and found the control panel overhead. There were four keys. He needed to hit three of them in sequence to open the door. He thought of them as one: Open, two: I¡¯m sure, and three: Just open already. The fourth key was a bright red panic switch.

    He started the sequence, and the entrance slid shut. The last thing he heard beyond his helmet was the hiss of air being drawn back into reserves. The pressure dropped, and gravity fell away. The capsule turned, and the entrance opened once more, this time on the outside of the ship. He hooked into the first tether and peeked out over the edge.

    Above him was the docking bridge connecting the two ships. He pulled himself out of the capsule, and the sight on his right mesmerized him, stopping him in his tracks. A planet filled his view. It had a thick atmosphere of milky yellow that swirled gently below. Ahead? The longer he stared, the more the sight dragged him in. Quinns gripped his tether in one hand and the side of the capsule in the other as he fought off vertigo. The sound of his breathing became very important, heavy and loud in his ears. The only sound.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°Focus.¡± He muttered.  He definitely forgot exactly where he was when he spent all his time tucked away in engineering. He looked up at the docking bridge once more. His boots connected to the surface of the ship, and he was able to stand up straight. Standing on the surface, the bridge was now ahead of him. He walked ahead until he was at the end of his first tether. Secure the second tether, release the first tether, walk, repeat.

    He looked over the MRH Hayes as he went. It was Imperial design through and through. Rock solid and imposing. No frills, not even windows. Where it was deemed necessary imperial design preferred camera coverage for surface level security. Compared to windows, cameras were more flexible and left no obvious weak points. Scouts were a different story. They still had no windows, but the surface camera coverage was minimal. The usage and flight capabilities of a scout rarely left them open to boarding. In the fifteenth iteration, cameras were dropped in favor of streamlining the design. With less drag, the imperial scout had the shortest jumps in the galaxy. Quinns reached the end of his tether and hurried to find the next tether point. Secure first tether, release second, walk, repeat.

    Quinns focused on the path right ahead of him. He was getting close to the docking bridges extended between the two ships. He needed a plan to get across. The bridges were not designed for travel along the outside. That meant no tether points.

    Quinns pulled the latch gun from his belt. It was balanced for low recoil and had a 25-meter cable. A little longer than the bridge itself. He pulled up the scouts schematic on the helmets interface. He had marked a tether point across the bridge. He matched up points on the map with points along the ship, and aimed for where the tether point should be.

    As he saw it, this was the first failure point. If he could not get a proper latch, he would have to find another way across. Using only magnetic boots to cross the bridge was possible, but extremely dangerous. Anything could knock him off. He inhaled, readying the latch gun with both hands, left finger on the trigger. He exhaled, focusing the sight on the point in the distance. He fired. There was push back against his hands, but not enough to break the magnetic grip of his boots.

    The latch shot across faster than he imagined, the inner cable whipping forth from the barrel. At about 23 meters a ripple traveled down the line, and the cable stopped. He couldn¡¯t see if it had latched, even with the limited zoom his helmet possessed. He pressed the trigger again, and the device began retracting the cable until it grew tight.

    ¡°I got something, at least.¡± He grinned. He gave it a few experimental tugs before releasing his current tether. Another click of the trigger and the latch gun began retracting the wire and pulling him along with it. He was on his way across the gap. The bridge was close enough he could brush his hand across it if he reached. His focus was on the MRH Hayes as it loomed in front of him. The scout ship was classified as a small inter-system ship. After studying other ships, Quinns would say it was downright tiny. Turns out, no ship is tiny compared to a human.

    When he was close, he orientated himself and landed feet first. The light vibration of the boots attaching tickled his left foot. He tethered himself to the point and released the latch gun. It finished retracting, so he reset the pneumatic cartridge before tucking it away.

    He looked around. He was on the outside of an enemy ship. He glanced up, across the bridge, at the Helianthus ¨C as beautiful as ever ¨C and felt far away from home. His breathing sounded even louder than before.

    ¡°No one can hear, just focus.¡± He muttered.

    Everything appeared to match up with his map. He was on the backside, and the maintenance hatch he was looking for was starboard. There wasn¡¯t much for cover, but he stayed below outcrops when he could. Following his planned route, he made his way across. Secure tether, release, walk, repeat. Sweat tickled his eyebrows, and he wished he could brush it away.

    He crossed over the edge onto the starboard side, and immediately ducked back down. The maintenance hatch was open. The scout used a manual two-door airlock protected by a heavy metal door. That door could be opened with the right tool, and he had been prepared for that. He wasn¡¯t prepared for it to be open.

    He peeked over the edge again, trying to stay as low as possible. There was no one in sight near the hatch. Gary¡¯s nagging was at the back of his mind, reminding him that he could just go home. At least, Captain Gareth was. Teen Gary would have been all for this little adventure. That thought made him laugh, and he decided to bide his time.

 1.26 - Enemy Territory

    Quinns held on to the side of the ship, peering over the edge whenever he could muster the courage. He had made it along the outside of the Helianthus, across the connected ports, and on to the MRH Hayes. The open hatch taunted him. He froze, trying to imagine every possible reason it could be open. Had they seen him? No, they would have captured him already. He needed to focus.

    More important than why the hatch was open, Quinns needed to locate whoever had done it. He kept an eye on the hatch as he searched. Keeping his body low to the ship¡¯s surface, he stuck to the edge, pulling himself along. Before he could spot anyone, a person drifted out of the open hatch. He ducked down and flattened himself to the surface. Close. He wished he could hear their movements. He imagined the thud of magnetic boots catching the surface or the click of a tether. Without air, there was nothing. He worked up the nerve and peeked over the edge. The person had tethered to the ship and was making his way crossing the starboard side, away from Quinns.

    Quinns released his tether and pushed himself up over the side. Keeping low to the ship, he crawled toward the open hatch.  There was no chance to tether himself. He could only rely on the magnetic power in his boots and the tips of his mechanical fingers. Any slip-up or debris would knock him free of the surface and into that wide-open void of space. The thought made his heart pounded so hard his chest ached. He pulled himself straight into the hatch without so much as a peek inside. No one greeted him ¨C he was lucky.

    The inside of the hatch had two smaller hatches, one straight ahead and one to the right. These led into the maintenance ducts,  thin passageways throughout the ship. They gave access to the inner workings and wiring of the ship. The ducts did not have air, oxygen was saved for the living spaces. Quinns picked the one to the right and gripped the pressure lock with his right arm. The lock needed a specific tool to open it, but he could pop the pressure threshold with his right hand. He only had to dial back the safety on his prosthetic. He made the change, braced his shoulder, and squeezed. The lock gave, and the handle popped open. He pushed off the opposite wall, and slipped inside, closing the door behind him.

    He was in.

    The ducts had room for Quinns to crawl, but it was tight. His arms rubbed up against the walls with each movement. In the low gravity, he could glide with only a little momentum. It didn¡¯t last. Gravity varied throughout the ducts. He figured the ship must be equipped with one room gravitational generators. It was weaker than the ship-wide system on the Helianthus, but it was compact. Perfect for a small ship. Quinns reached a point where he could no longer glide and needed to crawl. He stopped and lay still on his stomach.

    Panic had pushed him to this point without stopping to catch his breath. He focused on breathing now, heavy breaths coming one after another. The EMU worked to replenish the oxygen as quickly as he used it, vibrating along his back. He rested the visor against the floor. At least, the lack of air in the ducts meant no one could hear him panting.

    His mind began to clear, and he checked his location on the map. Travel through the maintenance ducts was hard. The crew would avoid them unless necessary. For Quinns, that meant the ducts were safe. He traced his current passageway to its conclusion on the map. It ended at a hallway only part way to the server room. There was no straight shot through the ducts. He would need to enter the hallways. With a final sigh, he began crawling forward.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ***

    Valorie was the last to exit the docking bridge. She followed the Captain and Leon on to the MRH Hayes and into the decontamination room. It was a small room ¨C more like a closet ¨C with only one dim yellow light. She was the only one that did not have to duck her head going through the docking hatch. Leon had the worst of it. He paused, allowing Valorie through first. He ducked his head and bent at the waist pulling the hatch closed behind him. Once the door latched, the decontamination began.

    Valorie, her eyes glued to the door as it sealed shut, fought the urge to wring her hands together. The air misted with a sterilizing compound that reminded her of the Anderson¡¯s medical ward. The chemical scent stung her eyes and nose, and she looked at the floor as she blinked to clear away the sensation. They were in enemy territory now ¨C no going back. Her heartbeat was too quick, and her body tensed to run. None of these instincts were helpful.

    ¡°Valorie, look up.¡± Gareth interrupted her thoughts. The distraction broke her growing panic, and she met his eyes.

    ¡°Yes, sir. Sorry.¡± She said. His thoughtful expression broke into a small encouraging smile. She felt a hand pat her shoulder and looked at Leon.

    ¡°Been there, newbie. Gotta take it one step at a time.¡± He said. His neck was at a slight angle from the low ceiling. His irritation was clear, but his eyes were understanding. His direct thoughts echoed his words, and Valorie found that honesty calming. When she reached out, both Leon and Gareth were tense but tempered it with calculation. A readiness to act, and the knowledge to know when. She focused on this, trying to emulate as best she could.

    The mist settled, and a green indicator light blinked across the metal door in front of them. The door parted in the middle and paused with a huff of air as the pressure settled. A slice of bright light cut into the dimness before the door slid open the rest of the way.  The scout ship had no bay, so the entrance led into an equipment room. Shelves full of suits, tools, and weapons lined the walls behind bulletproof glass. The ceiling was not much higher, only an inch over Leon¡¯s head if he stood straight.

    When Valorie¡¯s eyes adjusted, she could make out three people. Her sister, Seda, was one. She was a few steps behind the others with her head bowed. One of the wires that exited the base of her skull was attached to the wall on her right.

    At the front of the group stood a large man with little hair and dark bushy eyebrows. He was in full uniform, and she could see he was captain by the pins along his collar. Another man stood next to him. The first and only thing she noticed about him was the rifle in his hands. She grit her teeth.

    ¡°At ease.¡± The captain said, and the man lowered his gun. The man¡¯s square stance and posture left no questions in his intent. He scrutinized them up and down, poised to move the instant they made any mistake. Leon stood straight and met his stare head-on with an easy smirk. The Captain faced Gareth. ¡°Step forward, Hughes. You and your crew are welcome on my ship.¡± He said. Gareth stepped out of the decontamination room.

    ¡°Thank you, Captain Dupont. With me is my first mate, Leon,¡± He gestured to Leon who stepped forward, right up to Gareth¡¯s side. ¡°And my communications officer, Valorie.¡± He gestures to her, and she followed Leon¡¯s example, standing on Gareth¡¯s left. No SCT would dare stand forward like that. It was a good start, but it left her feeling exposed. She glanced at Gareth, but he was focused on Dupont.

    ¡°Well met. As you know, I am Lucas Dupont, Captain of this ship.¡± He lingered on his title and name. ¡°This soldier is my data technician.¡± He added. The man at his side saluted Gareth.

    ¡°Nik Jovic, Sir.¡±

    ¡°He will be your best friend during the inspection, as he will be performing and analyzing the scans.¡± Dupont said.

    He never bothered to introduce Seda. So much was normal. Unless Seda was called on, she would not move or speak during the entire exchange. That was a best-case scenario. Valorie had been there many times. It was only now, standing at Gareth¡¯s side with her name in the air, Valorie understood the difference.

 1.27 - Messages

    The equipment room of the Hayes felt downright claustrophobic to Valorie. The low ceiling and packed walls already took up too much space. Throw in six people staring each other down, and it made the air hard to breathe. Gareth and Leon stood next to her, both of them focused on the foes across the room. Seda was a small note in the corner, while Jovic stood tall, rifle ready in his hands. The center of attention was the Captain of the Hayes, Lucas Dupont, who paced between the two groups as he spoke.

    ¡°Now I must remind you: the inspection is voluntary and we expect full cooperation. Following imperial protocol, you must give consent, or we can not, by law, inspect your ship.¡± Dupont was in a good mood as he trailed on regarding the electronic protocol for ship scans. Did he enjoy the sound of his own voice so much? From her time in the SCT, Valorie knew the protocol for such meetings. She could recite it back if needed. Instead, she took the chance to speak with Seda.

    Valorie touched her sister¡¯s consciousness, establishing a mental connection. At first, all Valorie received was the raw data. Seda was focused on her captain¡¯s words. This was her first inspection. Her view of the floor was plain, but her imagination of the Helianthus crew was vivid. Seda liked children¡¯s books, and Gareth appeared as a storybook prince in her mind. Valorie supplied her with an image of the reality.

    ¡°Oh. Not quite the same. Not exactly different.¡± Seda thought, the two images overlapping in her mind. The resulting image of Gareth dressed in ancient robes sparked joy. Valorie and Seda shared that moment, relishing the feeling together.

    ¡°Seda, are you ready? Do you remember what we discussed?¡±

    ¡°I have proper access. Altering my part in the scan is simple, and you will help with the physical data right, Evie?¡±

    ¡°Yes. All you need to focus on is your physical connection when the time comes.¡± Valorie said. She checked in with the physical world. Only a few minutes had passed, and Dupont was still going over the regulations. Seda brought her attention back.

    ¡°Evie, you disconnected yesterday after we spoke. We were concerned. Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I was under lockdown, but the crew treated me with respect. I did not want to appear suspicious.¡± Valorie answered.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you are safe. It was as if you had gone into hiding again.¡± Seda¡¯s tone was anxious. Valorie¡¯s memories of the emergency meeting did not help matters. The bleak outlook cast a shadow over the conversation.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t given up.¡± Valorie said.

    ¡°I know. I -¡± Seda paused, and Valorie immediately saw what distracted her. A light Seda did not recognize was moving near the scout ship.

    ¡°According to the schematic, it is on the outside. Near emergency hatch 2A.¡± She said. There was a panicked plea for help in her tone. Her visualization of the schematic was not clear enough for Valorie to follow.

    ¡°I know that light.¡± Valorie said. It was Quinns. What was he up to? He moved again, abruptly changing direction.

    ¡°It¡¯s inside the ship. Evie, what should I do?¡± There would be questions from her superiors if Seda did not report the intruder.

    ¡°Nothing. I will collect more information first.¡± Valorie said, putting her own panic to work. There was no use in guessing now. Seda agreed and quieted. Her focus would be on Dupont, so Valorie could work undisturbed.

    Using her wired implant, Valorie could reach out using Quinns¡¯ net code. The implant was a simple device. It was capable of translating her thoughts to simple text and transmitting them to a preset PD. When activated, incoming messages tapped the auditory cortex. It created the sensation of hearing the messages out loud. In human users, the sudden disembodied voices caused everything from distraction to paranoia. The implant was ill-received, but the empire found a use for it in the SCT. Valorie¡¯s plan was to use it when the initial scans were complete, but Quinns¡¯ intrusion seemed like a good reason to speak up early.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Valorie focused on his location. His pace had slowed, and he was moving in straight lines. Most likely through the maintenance areas of the ship.

    Evie

    Quinns. This is Valorie.

    What are you doing aboard the Hayes?

    The messages popped up in the top left UI of Quinns¡¯ helmet. He paused, pushing himself against the wall of the maintenance duct. He was already on edge from the open hatch. It was possible at least one other person was working in the maintenance tunnels. And now Valorie had noticed him, too? He should have turned back at the outer hatch. He glanced around and waited for an attack. When nothing came, he whispered a response. The helmet translated his words to text. He waited, scratching his metal thigh.

    Quinten

    You can tell where I am?

    Evie

    Not exactly. You did not answer my question.

    That much was true, Valorie thought. Without the Hayes schematic to back up her senses, she could not see where on the ship he was located. She could only see his location in relation to herself and other living things.

    Quinten

    Just gonna make a couple changes to the records.

    Nothing dangerous.

    Evie

    You can do that?

    Quinten

    I can¡¯t do an interrogation right now.

    Gotta watch what I''m doing.

    Pressed up against the wall, Quinns tried to listen for anyone nearby. Even with the external mic pressed up against the wall, he could only hear the sound of the ship¡¯s systems at work. He could move quicker in the hallways, but he was too worried about running into someone. The ducts were a long detour and not one of them led straight to the server room.

    Evie

    Do you know where you are?

    Quinten

    Not lost.

    Just worried about people.

    Valorie couldn¡¯t see the pathways he was on, but she could sense where there were others on the ship. She compared their locations and movements to Quinns. There was a pattern to the hallways, but she had trouble picking it out.

    Evie

    There is no one near you right now.

    Quinten

    Anyone moving towards me?

    Can you update me if anyone gets close?

    Evie

    No one appears to be going your way.

    I will keep you updated.

    Take it slow so I can keep up.

    Quinten

    Slower than this? Really?

    Evie

    No.

    I mean

    Just keep going.

    Quinns moved down the duct using the magnetic boots for traction. No longer afraid of being noticed, his speed increased. When he reached the manual door out of the duct, he peeked into the hallway. Nothing, as Valorie had promised. Relief flooded his chest into his shoulders. Following the relief, soreness bloomed in his shoulders and left arm. Moving through the cramped ducts took its toll on his body. He rolled his shoulders, stretching the metal frame down his right side. Nowhere to go but forward, he thought, continuing down the hallway.

    Quinten

    What is the name Evie from?

    Evie

    It¡¯s my old avatar. Never bothered to change it.

    Quinten

    Neat. I could change mine to something cooler.

    Maybe Heli_Mech?

    Evie

    I¡¯ve heard worse. Mr.FixIt?

    Shouldn¡¯t you be focusing?

    Quinten

    That can¡¯t be the worst. I kinda like it.

    I¡¯m good. You just need to keep me updated.

    Wait - do you need to focus?

    You¡¯re in that meeting, aren¡¯t you?

    Evie

    I¡¯m multitasking.

    Quinten

    That¡¯s not good.

    Evie

    You¡¯re one to

    Two signatures moving towards you, thirty meters.

    Quinns started searching for an entrance into the ducts. According to the map display in his helmet, there was one further down the hallway. He crept down the hall, his eyes searching along the walls. Unlike his movement, his heart raced, pounding so loud it was the only thing he could hear. He strained to hear anything else at all. Steps, so faint he could not tell which way they were coming from.

 1.28 - Stress

    Quinns couldn¡¯t resist glancing over his shoulder as he moved forward. Each time he did, the image of him falling flat on his face popped into his head. That was enough to keep him focused on the path ahead. When Valorie warned him of two incoming signatures, it lit a fire under his heels. But lacking a complete picture made him hesitate.

    Quinten

    Direction?

    Evie

    I don¡¯t have a POV or map. I¡¯m sorry.

    Quinten

    Come on,

    Guess?

    Evie

    If you are moving forward, they are at 8 o¡¯clock.

    Maybe around a corner?

    They are gaining.

    With that knowledge, Quinns increased his pace. The thump of his feet against the floor made him feel like the loudest thing on the entire ship. He needed to focus.

    The hall opened up into a small room. He paused to look around. Below the counter along the wall, his eye caught on the telltale orange of the maintenance hatch. He kneeled and gripped the handle with his right hand. It was the same as the hatches he had used so far. He could pop the pressure lock with his modded prosthetic. With his left hand, he dialed back the safety on his right.

    A sound caught his ear. He glanced over his shoulder. It was definitely steps this time. Were they close? He held his breath as he listened ¨C then snapped back to work. No matter what he heard, he still needed to get out of sight. He needed to square away the fear even as it ate away his attention.

    He braced his shoulder and gripped the pressure lock. The first time it had popped open. This time, he squeezed it slow, resting his free hand on the handle. The lock gave under his fingers, and the handle pushed against his fingers. It opened with only the soft rush of air. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him in the same motion.

    Evie

    Did you hide? Are you okay?

    The message popped up as Quinns leaned against the wall. He waited as his heartbeat finally dropped to something acceptable. Valorie¡¯s concern seemed real enough. It struck a chord with him. He found it much easier to converse in text. He dialed the safety on his arm to a normal level and whispered into the interface.

    Quinten

    I¡¯m good. Let me know when it¡¯s safe.

    Evie

    One moment.

    They stopped nearby, can you hear them?

    Quinns lay on his stomach, visor resting against the floor and listened. The minutes dragged out. The white noise of a steady ship could put him to sleep if he listened long enough. He caught his eyelids drooping, and lifted his head. He couldn¡¯t tell if anything he heard in the white noise was real or imagined.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Quinten

    Nothing.

    Evie

    They aren¡¯t moving. Can you modify your route?

    Quinten

    Yeah... could do that.

    This tunnel cuts across a few halls.

    It takes me away from the server, tho.

    Evie

    No good?

    Quinten

    No.

    Wait.

    Ok, the second hall doubles back quick enough.

    Evie

    Warn me before you reenter the hall.

    Quinten

    You got it.

    Valorie pulled back to her physical form. When she reached out too far, the emotional connection could bleed into her physical form. She felt sweat across her brow, and her palms were slick. She had been holding still for far too long, arms pinned at her sides. She was sure any movement now would be obvious. She tried to breathe, but even that felt irregular. Had she raised their suspicion?

    Captain Dupont had moved on to the conditions of the inspection. A speech that protected the Empire from legal complications. The attention was still on him. She blinked and no one noticed. She pinched her fingers and no one said anything. Her breathing eased.

    She had not forgotten the fight against her protocol, she had not dared to look at the floor. She kept her eyes locked on the wall behind the Hayes crew. Her eyes were locked, but her mind was open. She needed to trace the movements of the Hayes crew. She needed to understand their trajectory so she could warn Quinns. She squeezed her thumb against her fingertips. The pressure centered her in the here and now. She needed to leave her senses open, but she could no longer discern what was happening around her body. Trying to keep track of all that was happening was a balancing act, and she was struggling to stay upright.

    ¡°Our meeting is being recorded. As such, on the record: Your submission to the inspection of the FL Helianthus, by the MRH Hayes, is voluntary. Do you agree?¡± Captain Dupont asked. She looked at Dupont¡¯s face as he finished his speech. No one said a thing to her ¨C no one noticed. The lack of scrutiny was liberating. Dupont had bushy eyebrows that raised with his question. Valorie thought if they were to go any higher, they might climb right off his forehead.

    ¡°I agree. I have the ship manifest ready for your perusal over the local network.¡± Gareth said. His tone was calm, confident ¨C Valorie found she could draw strength from it. The sound anchored her.

    ¡°Absolutely perfect. Communications will handle it. Now, Jovic, you will proceed with the scans.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Jovic said and pressed two buttons on the contraption along his left arm. Three holo-displays opened from his elbow to his fingertips. Running his fingers along the surface manipulated the data on screen. Matching his movement, there was the distant sound of metal churning. Most likely the plate protecting the Scout¡¯s deep sensor array splitting open. Data began to move across the screens, but Valorie could not make sense of it from her position. The design of the displays distorted the view for everyone but the user. The only thing she could make out was progress bars. Jovic glanced at Seda.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be slow about it.¡± He said. She did not lift her head or make any response. He rolled his eyes, but when he looked at his screen he appeared satisfied. Dupont ignored them as he stepped forward, a smile on his face. His hands clasped together across his chest. When he spoke, he spread them in an encompassing gesture.

    ¡°So, Hughes, we have a moment to speak. While I awaited your arrival, I read deeper into the situation. I find myself curious. What could bring such a prestigious soul, such as yourself, to this point.¡± His smile faded to a thoughtful look as he looked down his nose at Gareth. ¡°Once earmarked as a promising candidate for an heir to the Hughes legacy. Now betraying the emperor by aiding his enemies as they scheme around him. What changes a man this way?¡±

    ¡°You accuse me without proof?¡± Gareth said. Dupont¡¯s lip twitched before he laughed and waved his arms.

    "No, no. I would never. I am speaking in pure hypotheticals.¡± He said crossing one arm across his chest while the other rested on his chin.

    ¡°I think a man does not always end up where he wishes. He does what he must.¡± Gareth said. It was the first time Valorie saw the glint of a real smile in Dupont¡¯s eyes. She glanced at Gareth, but his expression remained stoic.

    ¡°Certainly. Well said. So, what is there to do but rebel, then?¡± Dupont lowered his voice. When her senses were wide open, Valorie could not reach out to Dupont¡¯s feelings directly. The feeling she got, at the surface, raised the hairs on the back of her neck. A stalker laying out traps for its prey. She wondered if Dupont was acting as an ally to get Gareth to open up. She had heard of this tactic from her sisters. Valorie¡¯s senses spoke to Dupont¡¯s true intentions, but Gareth had no such power.

    ¡°One¡¯s character becomes clear when given a bad hand. Yes, rebelling is one option. Persevering is another. From your clean work, I can see the choice you made.¡± Gareth said, without breaking eye contact. His matter-of-fact tone made it easy for anyone to believe his words. Dupont chuckled lightly, but his back straightened.

    ¡°Yes, well. All jobs are necessary. Even the bad ones.¡± Dupont said. His smile was back but somehow seemed like less of a threat. He turned, facing away for a moment as he paced a few steps. Gareth knew, Valorie realized. Somehow he knew what Dupont was planning. She looked over Dupont again. He seemed friendly ¨C hands clasped where she could see them, a smile on his face. His eyes were eager, bushy eyebrows alive with each new expression. She was at a loss. She had no idea what she would do without her life sense.

 1.29 - Server Room

    Valorie wondered what Dupont might try next, but a message arrived from Quinns. He was through the ducts and waiting at a new hatch. Valorie steadied her eyes on the wall behind Dupont and focused on Quinns.

    Evie

    No one is near you.

    Proceed.

    Quinten

    Really? Nothing?

    Quinns leaned against the exit hatch. Would he be able to catch any warning of people outside before he opened it? Valorie reconfirmed that there was no one in her terse style. It was now or never. He gripped the handle. The hatches were easier to open from the inside. Quinns did not have to modify his strength to do it. Hard to get in, easy to get out. He leaned into it, trying to open the door just enough to see outside. There was no one, as Valorie had promised.

    The long hallway matched up with his map ¨C this was the last stretch to the server room. He opened the door a little wider and looked both ways. Still nothing. The server room was near the bridge, away from the engines. The distance dulled the background noise of working machinery. It left a silence that made his metal arm itch.

    He dropped out into the hall and got to his feet. Compared to the ducts, he felt exposed. Valorie had promised there was no one nearby and, so far, she was right. Was there any point in skulking? A normal walk felt wrong, so he settled for a nervous jog. His heart raced, he was deep in it now. Every corner he approached, he felt sure there would be someone waiting for him. Maybe a surprised technician caught off guard. Who would believe anyone was stupid enough to board an imperial ship? He smirked at the idea the tech may not believe his eyes at first. Would that give Quinns time to escape?

    Unlikely. Besides, he could trust Valorie. She had not led him astray so far. He had to press forward. He reached the door to the server room. The panel by the door read LOCKED in bold letters. Unlucky, he thought but he was already searching for the closest duct entrance. There was one duct with an entrance into the server room. He turned back down the hall, turning down one of the dreaded corners. The EMU kept him clear of most sweat, but he was sure he must be taxing its system by now.

    Quinten

    You didn¡¯t forget about me, did you?

    Evie

    I have not.

    There are two people in your vicinity.

    Both a safe distance away.

    Hurry.

    Quinns knelt in front of the duct, taking it slow this time. He adjusted his strength and leaned against the hatch as he squeezed the handle. It took more pressure than the previous locks ¨C it was not used as often. His eyebrows knitted as he squeezed harder and it jammed in place. Was it ever used? He closed his eyes and increased the pressure again ¨C forgetting to be gentle. There was a loud pop and then a gust as air rushed into the duct. He froze as the sounds echoed down the hallway. It was so loud ¨C his heart pounded with the sound echoing in his head. No one came running. He shook himself and crawled inside ¨C closing the door behind him. Didn¡¯t matter how quiet he was anymore. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Wires lined the walls of this duct ¨C almost four times what he had seen in the other tunnels. There was not enough room for him to crawl. Using the toughest cables, he pulled himself forward on his stomach. His mechanical arm had the strength, but it strained his shoulders. It sent tingles of pain sparking across his back. He tried to breathe through it, but when the pain cut through his lungs, he had to stop. Gasping, waiting for the pain to pass. When it did, he started the process all over again.

    He reached the hatch and yanked it open without thinking. Tumbling out into the open space, he lay still on the floor, half under a desk, half exposed. As he caught his breath, his vision cleared and he could see the tower server at the center of the room. An obelisk of lights, wires, and attachments ¨C the server filled the room. He smiled at it.

    Quinten

    I made it!

    Hope I never have to do that again.

    Evie

    Don¡¯t you need to come back?

    Quinten

    That¡¯s the joke...

    Nevermind.

    He got to his feet and freed one of the handheld devices from his suit. A small disc with an extending wire. He searched the surface of the server for the comms box. Lower right, near the door. He sat, cross-legged, and opened the disc. Various connectors were lined up inside. He picked the one he needed and attached it to the extending wire before securing it to the server. The display popped up and began reading off data.

    The Database provided every ship registered in their system with a black box. They required registration for every legally owned ship. The three biggest factions vehemently backed this rule. It was as close to a galactic law as anyone could agree on. The black box transmitted identification data for the registered ship. Cross reference the data with the Database¡¯s systems, and you could learn the history of a ship. Tampering with a ship¡¯s black box could result in severe punishments. Including the permanent deletion of the ship¡¯s registration. Unknown ships were dangerous, and often marked hostile ¨C no one wanted that.

    Quinns poked at the data on the screen. Tampering with the black box may be illegal, but changing the received data was an old trick. Assuming you could get up close with the enemy server. He stared up at the monolith server. Easier said than done.

    The identity code was a 5-gigabyte file. If he scrambled less than 0.02% of it, the server would accept that as a static error. It would correct the identity code across the system. If he scrambled the right sections, it would be enough to redirect the data entry. The inspection would never appear on Heli¡¯s record. Quinns initiated the process the moment it was ready.

    Evie

    They saw something.

    Quinns¡¯ back straightened. He looked at the door to the server room, half expecting it to pop open right that moment. When nothing happened, he remembered to speak.

    Quinten

    What?

    Evie

    The drop in pressure set off a maintenance check.

    Near the server room - that¡¯s you, right?

    Two techs incoming.

    Quinten

    How long?

    Evie

    6 minutes.

    It was¡­ technically enough time. Quinns could disconnect, hide, and wait them out. It would be easy to try again. He hesitated. A hard disconnect might leave an error ¨C a trace of his interference. The device felt heavy in his left hand. He glanced at the door. He had time ¨C he could table the decision until they were closer.

    Quinten

    Update me at 1 minute.

    Evie

    That seems close.

    Quinten

    Trust me.

    Valorie felt her chest tighten as she watched the two lights work their way towards Quinns. There was nothing she could do but warn him. She wished he would hide, but he remained steady in his location. What was he thinking?

    She felt a change near her physical form. Dupont paced across the room. As the scans progressed, he was getting antsy for another round with Gareth. Could she afford to ignore them to focus on Quinns? She counted down the minutes, hoping nothing else could go wrong.

 1.30 - Full Stop

    Valorie watched the pair of technicians make their way towards Quinns. They were getting close - only five minutes away now. Quinns said she should warn him at one minute but that didn''t seem like nearly enough time.

    Valorie glanced over at Jovic¡¯s scans of the Helianthus, hoping to get an idea of the progress so far. Only Jovic could see the clear display, but Valorie could make out a few details. It appeared about halfway done. Jovic¡¯s frown had turned into pursed lips as his eyes followed the information. Biological scans were indeterminate. The imperial fleet relied on the skills of the SCT to differentiate meaningful data. Before the scans started, Valorie and Seda had agreed on what data she could ignore. Seda fed only the valid targets into the scan data. At the very least, this deception was going well.

    Dupont paced across the room, startling her out of her thoughts. His hands had moved to his hip, and his jaw clenched. He turned back to Gareth in a moment of clarity.

    ¡°I am not here without reason. We have a solid source that places the fugitives on your ship.¡± Dupont said. Straight to the point this time.

    ¡°That may be, but your inspection will prove that source wrong.¡±

    "Ah-ha, such confidence.¡±

    ¡°I would be more concerned for your source. The emperor does not suffer liars.¡± Gareth said. Dupont nodded, pacing back to the right. He glanced over Jovic¡¯s displays as he moved, nodding to himself as he returned to the middle.

    ¡°Indeed. Nor fools. A soft captain, for example, convinced that the Empire is going too far. I mean, marking a mere political rival and her assistant fugitives. What danger could a couple of low ranking figureheads pose the Emperor in his glory?¡± He said. His eyes traveled over all three of them. Valorie did not notice his lingering attention. Half of her attention was still on Quinns.

    The techs were zeroing in on the server room. They were in no hurry, but they were getting close.

    Evie

    One minute.

    You should hide.

    Quinten

    Yeah, I hear you.

    She balled her hand up, squeezing her fingers together in a fist. Why wasn¡¯t he taking this seriously? Dupont was talking again.

    ¡°Perhaps you could turn them in - get a bonus in recognition. We could set up a meeting with your family. A little persuasion from a noble would go a long way for both of us. This inspection need never have happened.¡± He said, possibilities spilling forth.

    Leon¡¯s eyes narrowed at Dupont but Gareth held firm, following Dupont with a stoic gaze. Dupont avoided his stare and continued talking.

    ¡°You have to remember, those girls would not be harmed. Merely... dissuaded from challenging the Emperor¡¯s greatness.¡± This line caught Valorie¡¯s attention, she refocused on Dupont, even as she felt Quinns on the move again. Dissuaded - this was a lie Valorie had heard before. It was violently untrue. Her chest squeezed and she glanced at Gareth. Dupont wasn¡¯t getting to him. His steady expression calmed her.

    Dupont took a step towards her. Not right now, she needed to focus. She looked to the floor, desperate to collect her thoughts.

    ¡°You seem awfully concerned, little miss. You didn¡¯t sneak in a rat behind your captain¡¯s back, did you?¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    She opened her mouth to respond, but the words stuck in her throat.

    Quinns was in the duct, about to spill out into the hall. The same hall the techs were currently walking down. They were only feet away from each other - if it wasn¡¯t already too late, she needed to -

    STOP

    And for a moment, everything did. The command ran through the ship. Every person on board would have felt it in some way.

    Quinns could have sworn he heard it out loud, but the message was right there on his screen. Had he imagined it? The hatch door was open a sliver in his hand, and he could hear footsteps beyond it.

    ¡°Did you hear that?¡±

    ¡°Uh... for some mechanical issue, it sounded kinda... human?¡±

    ¡°I told you this place was haunted... You gotta stop...¡± Their voices faded around the corner. Quinns watched them go, letting it sink in how close he had come to being discovered.

    Quinten

    Thanks.

    Valorie did not have time to appreciate the message. Captain Dupont was hovering over her, red-faced. To those around her, the sensation of the message would register as if she had outright shouted it. Without trying, she could feel the fury radiating off the captain in front of her. Embarrassment made him even angrier. Anger he was about to take out on her. Her eyes stuck to the floor.

    The floor. She had promised not to do this. Promised Gareth, who asked her to act as herself. Who faced Dupont without flinching - without fear. She closed her eyes for a moment, and then dragged them away from the floor to face Dupont. His eyes promised violent discipline. She barely breathed as she tried to keep steady on her feet. The longer she held his gaze, the smaller he seemed. He was no longer the threat she had felt before. He must have noticed the change, and puffed himself up even more.

    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± His tone dripped with the wish to strike. Violence her sisters had faced before. She did not want her body harmed, so logic demanded retreat. Even so, she felt her Captain at her side. Gareth was watching - what did he expect from her? To act like herself? Well, she thought, Dupont had asked a question.

    ¡°I am Valorie Davis, sir. Currently communications officer for the FL Helianthus.¡± She said, her voice even and clear as her training dictated.

    It threw Dupont off balance and the air in the room began to change. She felt a lightness from Gareth and Leon that eased the tension in her shoulders.

    ¡°That was not what I asked.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. What did you ask?¡± Her voice polite, and her eyes intent, Valorie made sure she would hear every word.

    ¡°No - forget what I asked. You cannot,¡± He began but faltered. He huffed and turned his glare on Gareth. ¡°This is your comms, Hughes? I see all the mercenaries get is the chaff.¡± He continued, his face red. She kept her eyes on him until Leon spoke up.

    ¡°Captain Dupont.¡± Leon lingered on the title, capturing Dupont¡¯s attention. ¡°I apologize. Her behavior was unacceptable. I¡¯m afraid the mistake of hiring her was mine. As you say, it is difficult to find good help.¡± His voice was serious as he flashed Valorie clear look of disappointment. Her gut twisted tight with embarrassment. She had no idea how to smooth this out.

    ¡°So you say,¡± Dupont said. His tone was still angry, but he was listening.

    ¡°You can be sure this is our first - and last - flight with her.¡± Leon offered. Dupont nodded, licking his lips as he regained his composure.

    ¡°A matter of course, I should think.¡±

    ¡°Why waste our opportunity to speak with you, sir. I am sure we could learn a thing or two, if you would allow it,¡± Leon said.

    ¡°Ah-ha. What makes you think that?¡± Dupont asked. There was a flicker of irritation in Leon''s eyes before he saluted and it was gone.

    ¡°I served as the senior officer of the 2nd gunnery aboard the MRH Araya, under Captain Hughes. I followed him to the Helianthus, but work in the private sector is... uncertain. I can still see how well the Hayes carries herself. Her captain must be an intelligent man.¡± He explained. As Leon spoke of his service, Dupont¡¯s face lit up.

    "One of our own. You have a sharp eye, young man.¡± Dupont¡¯s smug smile had returned, his hands clasped in front of him as he started a lecture. Leon smiled and gave his rapt attention.

    As Leon drew Dupont¡¯s attention away, Valorie felt a hand on her shoulder. She flinched at first but turned to meet Gareth¡¯s concerned gaze. He was confused but mostly worried. When he touched her, she picked up only a few seconds of direct thought. ¡°Was she talking to Quinns?¡± The worry that flowed forth made her wish she could give him a direct answer.

 1.31 - Release

    Valorie''s heart was still racing after shouting point-blank in Dupont''s face. Of course, in reality, she hadn''t shouted at all. But the mental command to stop would be perceived that way. She had used it to keep Quinns out of danger. Angering the Captain of the Hayes was only a side effect. A very embarrassing one. Leon had swooped in to pull Dupont''s attention off of her, while Gareth checked to see if everything was okay. Valorie''s shoulder relaxed under the warm weight of Gareth''s hand.

    Valorie picked up his thoughts the moment he touched her. ¡°Was she talking to Quinns?¡± She wished she could give a direct answer.

    Instead, she mouthed, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± It was weak but it was the first vague thing that came to mind. The lines between his brows deepened, and his jaw tightened. Had she only made it worse? He glanced at Jovic¡¯s displays before meeting her eyes again.

    ¡°Time?¡± He mouthed back. She frowned at first. Time? Gareth raised one eyebrow before glancing up. Oh, she thought, how much time did Quinns need. She reached out to ask Quinns and found him entering the second duct.

    Quinten

    Twenty minutes, I think.

    Making quick time.

    I just wanna get off this thing.

    Another twenty minutes. Valorie looked to Jovic¡¯s displays. It did not seem like enough time was left on the progress bar. It would be tight. Her brows furrowed and she mouthed the word, ¡°Twenty.¡± He nodded, closing his eyes for a moment, a frown tugging at one side of his lips. When he opened them again, his resolve had returned.

    Valorie faced forward, eyeing Jovic¡¯s displays. Was waiting and hoping the only thing she could do? She kept watch on Quinns'' progress out of the ship.

    ¡°And never take on someone who has not been vetted by a person you trust. That, young man, is asking for trouble.¡± Dupont said, smacking his hands together decisively. Leon nodded, eyes wide with awe. She sensed his feelings were the opposite of his expression.

    ¡°Yes, sir. Fantastic advice.¡± Leon finally broke eye contact as he looked to Gareth. ¡°Right, Captain? Is there anything else we should ask?¡± He added. Behind his smile, his eyes were that of someone silently begging for help. Valorie could sense his irritation and couldn¡¯t understand how he kept up such a friendly smile.

    ¡°Are you sure you are ready to move on, Leon? I¡¯m sure Dupont has a great deal more to share.¡± Gareth said. His stoic tone from earlier was friendlier. Leon¡¯s eye twitched.

    ¡°Captain Dupont, Sir.¡± Jovic interrupted. ¡°The initial scans are complete.¡± His voice was not pleased. In fact, the intimidating aura around him diminished as Dupont rounded on him.

    ¡°Ah, wonderful. What are the results?¡± Dupont asked as he approached. Jovic¡¯s jaw clenched.

    ¡°Results almost entirely match the ship¡¯s manifest.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Dupont''s expression soured.

    ¡°There are a few anomalies we can investigate, sir,¡± He pointed to an outline of the ship. ¡°In this section here, and this one here.¡± His fingers traced along the display, onto the Gardens. Valorie felt her breath catch in her throat and had to force it out as evenly as she could.

    ¡°So, there is something?¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± Jovic¡¯s free hand balled into a fist, ¡°It is possible, however, it is, uh, not likely.¡± He said. Valorie felt Leon¡¯s irritation evaporate. He had the same smile on his face, but now it was genuine if a little twisted. Her Captain¡¯s attitude did not change. Gareth had the same confident look he started with. Dupont leaned closer to the screens, dropping his voice down.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°No. There has to be something.¡± He said, a hint of desperation seeping into his voice.

    ¡°As I said, Dupont. Your source lied to you.¡± Gareth said. Dupont seemed a little older as he turned to face Gareth.

    ¡°There are anomalies worth investigating.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you could run the scan again? We can wait for them, right, Captain?¡± Leon said. His tone was light, his face sympathetic. Jovic looked away, tapping at his screens. A smirk tugged at the corner of Leon¡¯s facade.

    ¡°Yes, but scanning over and over isn¡¯t going to change the facts,¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Ah-ha. Your confidence does not falter. You do your parents proud.¡± Dupont said. Valorie felt a twinge of sadness from Gareth and glanced up at him. The sad feeling she got reflected in his eyes, but his voice did not waver.

    ¡°I do my best.¡± He said. Dupont nodded, but he seemed deflated.

    ¡°The physical inspection will be carried out by myself and four of my men. You will return to your ship. We will follow shortly. Have your crew ready to greet us.¡± He turned away to look over the scans as he spoke into the ship-wide intercom. Gareth looked to Leon, who opened his PD. Valorie took this moment to check in on Quinns. He was nearing the point he had entered the ship.

    Evie

    You are running out of time.

    Quinten

    Wow.

    I¡¯m going as quick as I can.

    Is there anyone out there?

    Evie

    Maybe one on the outside.

    There is no one in the direction you''re moving.

    Quinns

    Oh, perfect.

    It was the last message he sent, and it left Valorie wondering what exactly could be perfect. Without a map of the ship, it was hard for her to predict exact locations. She did notice his speed increase but it wasn¡¯t fast enough. She glanced up at her Captain and shook her head. Leon frowned at her but looked to Gareth for his answer. Gareth stepped forward, despite the growing uncertainty Valorie sensed in him.

    ¡°Dupont,¡± Gareth said. Jovic opened his mouth to say something but was silenced by a look from his captain. Dupont took his time turning around. Good, Valorie thought, waste our time.

    ¡°You have a question, Hughes?¡± He asked.

    ¡°You expressed an interest in meeting my family. What are you hoping for?¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°If you¡¯re trying to say something, out with it.¡± He said, eyes narrowing. Jovic leaned towards his captain.

    ¡°Everyone is lined up and ready, sir.¡± He said, his eyes on Gareth. Dupont waved him off.

    ¡°I¡¯ve asked my question,¡± Gareth said. The two captains stared each other down. Gareth was in no rush, and Dupont gave in first.

    ¡°It seems an obvious one. One favor begets another.¡± He smiled, bushy eyebrows raised. Valorie remembered Dupont¡¯s offer to drop the whole inspection in return for a connection to the Hughes family.

    ¡°You may find the Hughes do not consider such a favor worthy,¡± Gareth said. There was something sharp in his voice. The tone surprised Valorie. Dupont¡¯s face fell, and he turned away.

    ¡°Let me worry about that. This isn¡¯t over. Not yet.¡± Dupont said. The decontamination room opened up behind them, and Dupont gestured toward it. ¡°No time like the present.¡± He said.

    Gareth stood firm, staring down Dupont. He stared back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

    ¡°If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d say the physical inspection is what really scares you. Lead the way, Captain Hughes.¡± Dupont twisted his tone on Gareth¡¯s title.

    Without another word, Gareth turned away to enter decontamination. Leon and Valorie followed him. The door slid shut behind them, and the exit across the room unlocked. Gareth¡¯s squared shoulders sank a little and he rubbed his temples with one hand.

    ¡°Is he out yet, Valorie?¡± He asked. Leon stepped forward to get the hatch, ushering them through.

    ¡°He is...¡± Valorie began but was interrupted by a thump below her feet. Each of them looked down at the floor. ¡°He is crossing back to the Helianthus right now.¡± She said. Gareth breathed out with a laugh. Leon rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Do I even want to know?¡± He asked, and Gareth shook his head and grinned. The look made him look much younger. Leon nodded. "Yeah, you''re probably right."

    The farther they got from the Hayes, the more it all sank in. Somehow, they had made it this far. The electricity in the air energized Valorie. She trailed behind them, listening. Now that Quinns was away from the Hayes, she could ease back into her normal role.

 1.32 - Transition

    The faint thump that echoed across the docking bridge was proof enough that Quinns was on his way back. Valorie confirmed it anyway. She followed a polite distance behind Gareth and Leon as they made their way back to the Helianthus. The inspection wasn¡¯t over yet, but a good energy pervaded the air.

    ¡°What timing,¡± Gareth said, excited for Quinns¡¯ return. His energy was back. ¡°Leon, will Sachi and Serge be ready?¡±

    ¡°They got the message. They will be in the bay soon.¡± Leon said. He stretched his shoulders, still fighting with the uniform. ¡°Think we¡¯ll be good from here on out?¡±

    ¡°Dupont wasn¡¯t happy with the result. He isn¡¯t done yet.¡±

    ¡°Not done yet? What can he do?¡± Leon asked. He stopped playing with his sleeves and straightened.

    ¡°Well, if he doesn¡¯t find-¡± Gareth began.

    ¡°When.¡±

    ¡°When he doesn¡¯t find what he is looking for, he will start searching for other ways to bring us in. He wants the recognition so bad he is willing to risk the wrath of his superiors.¡± Gareth said. That behavior wasn¡¯t uncommon in the empire. Promotion in the Imperial military would guarantee recognition for one¡¯s family. Leon¡¯s shoulders sagged as he listened.

    ¡°So what if he does that? What do we do?¡±

    ¡°Make sure he knows he will be wasting the Empire¡¯s time. There can be no doubt in his mind.¡± Gareth said. Leon huffed.

    ¡°Is that all?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Yes. I mean, as long as Serge doesn¡¯t haul off and punch one of them.¡± Gareth said. Leon glanced up.

    ¡°Oh, guess we¡¯re screwed then.¡± Leon chuckled. Valorie stared at them wide-eyed. It was all too easy for her to picture Serge knocking one of the imperials out.

    ¡°Would he really¡­¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Gareth said, glancing at her over his shoulder. ¡°Well, probably not.¡± He added, a smile playing across his face at her bewilderment. Leon said something, and Gareth looked away.

    Valorie didn¡¯t catch what they were saying. Her sister interrupted her thoughts by reaching out to her.

    ¡°Evie, that was¡­¡± Seda¡¯s words filled Valorie¡¯s head, ¡°Exhilarating.¡± The memory of Valorie¡¯s face-off with Captain Dupont replayed across their connection. Seda lingered on the moment Valorie stared him down.

    ¡°You enjoyed that?¡± Valorie asked. There was a pause and Seda refocused on their words.

    ¡°The command was sharp, I don¡¯t think Mother would like it, but after that. When you stood up to my Captain. Ah, I relish the feeling.¡± She said. Valorie felt her satisfaction ¨C warm and content. During the meeting, she had gone unnoticed. Instead, she experienced the excitement first hand through her connection to Valorie. A shared sense of newly found pride. ¡°I¡¯ll think of it any time I sense the Captain¡¯s presence.¡± A spark of amusement. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°If you can not be serious, it will be hard to fulfill your role,¡± Valorie said. A warning Valorie had been on the receiving end of before, she felt a little silly sharing it now. Still, she did not want her experiences to cause Seda suffering.

    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯ve never felt something so exciting.¡± Seda¡¯s excitement bled into Valorie¡¯s thoughts. Were new fragments always so excitable? Well, maybe the feeling went both ways. She watched Gareth and Leon walking ahead of her, and smiled. She focused on Seda again.

    ¡°Anything is fine, as long as you remember your Question first.¡± She said.

    ¡°Yes. Ah, but once I solve it, I will stand up to him as you did. Even if he throws me off the ship, it¡¯ll be worth it.¡± Seda said. Valorie thought of the void beyond the ship¡¯s hull and shuddered. Her sister felt the same, and followed her bravado with a sheepish, ¡°Maybe.¡±

    Valorie almost bumped into Gareth when he stopped at the entrance to the Helianthus. The door slid open before him.

    ¡°I need to focus. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°I will keep in touch,¡± Seda said and quieted.

    There was a dual set of doors on this side of the docking bridge as well. Once the first door closed behind them, the one leading into the bay began to open. It revealed the two-story open space of the engineering bay. For all the time spent in the tiny equipment room, it felt even bigger than she remembered. She took a deep breath as she crossed the threshold. Everything was processed when you lived on a ship. In this moment, she understood the phrase ¡°a breath of fresh air¡± for the first time.

    Sachi and Serge were standing near the entrance, chatting. Serge was covered head to toe in smudges of dirt and sweat. His hands were on his waist as he listened. He smiled, but his posture was stiff. Sachi was also covered in dirt, but she was prepared for it. She had gloves and knee pads that protected her from the worst of it. She looked even tougher in her worn-out work clothes.

    ¡°They will be here shortly. Are you both prepared?¡± Gareth asked. Serge¡¯s good mood vanished.

    ¡°Can¡¯t believe they can search through our lives like this.¡± He said. Sachi patted his shoulder. Leon stretched his arms.

    ¡°Oh, no, the best part is this is all voluntary ¨C we have a right to say no,¡± Leon said, his irritation getting the better of him. Serge¡¯s brow furrowed.

    ¡°Then why are we letting¡¯em -¡± Serge began but Gareth interrupted.

    ¡°Because saying no will get us marked enemies of the empire.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s such BS,¡± Leon muttered, looking around. ¡°Where¡¯s Quinns?¡±

    ¡°Crawling his way through maintenance as fast as he can, I bet,¡± Gareth said, glancing to Valorie for confirmation. She nodded. She was more curious about where Yulia was, but no one else seemed concerned. Valorie remembered the third light under the Gardens, and it dawned on her. A quick check told her all three lights were still there. Why was Yulia hidden away as well?

    The office door opened on the opposite side of the bay, and Quinns came jogging out. He was in an EMU suit that left his prosthetics exposed. When he noticed everyone watching him, he waved awkwardly.

    ¡°Drop the helmet and the suit, Quinns, and hurry it up,¡± Gareth called. Quinns redirected towards the office but motioned his hand as if it were a puppet talking. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear it.¡± Gareth said, ¡°Just go.¡± Quinns disappeared through the door.

    Valorie glanced towards the docking entrance. The Hayes team headed towards them was about halfway across.

    ¡°The Hayes team is almost here.¡± She said, looking to her Captain. Gareth nodded, turning to face the entrance.

    ¡°Should we have a rifle trained on them, too?¡± Leon asked, his tone a shade darker then his expression let on. Serge perked up, but Gareth shook his head. The office slid open and Quinns exited. He was wearing a loose pair of stained slacks and a light jacket. Both worn with hard work, but they covered his prosthetics. When Quinns caught her gaze, he smiled. She could sense his gratitude. She nodded and smiled back. To her chagrin, he turned red and looked away. What had she done wrong this time?

    The valve release of the docking entrance distracted her. The door slid open revealing Dupont, Jovic, and three other soldiers. In the open space of the Helianthus¡¯ engineering bay, Dupont seemed much smaller. He stepped on board as his eyes traveled across the room. Calculating, sizing up the task ahead of him. She sensed he was not happy with what he saw. Good, she thought, resisting a smile.

 1.33 - Bio

    ¡°Welcome to my ship, Dupont.¡± Gareth stepped forward to greet him. ¡°I have with me, my crew. As the manifest will tell you, we also have one guest. He will remain in his quarters during the inspection. If you deem it necessary, we can arrange a meeting with him.¡± Gareth explained.

    ¡°Yes, yes. This is it, your crew?¡± Dupont looked over the five of them. ¡°Bit of a skeleton, isn¡¯t it?¡± He said.

    ¡°It is enough to start. We are growing.¡± Gareth said. His defensive tone caught her ear, and she focused on him for a moment. His jaw was tight. A crack in his stoic facade. Curious, Valorie reached out and found his disgust, carefully hidden away. Something about the imperial captain on the Helianthus violated Gareth. Only the clenched line of his jaw revealed the feelings kept in check. Dupont¡¯s eyes flicked towards Valorie.

    ¡°I can see how well that is going.¡± He said, eyebrows raised as he settled on Gareth again. Valorie did not like the look he gave her Captain. The smug look down his nose as he baited Gareth made her fingers feel tight. She balled them into a fist. Gareth waited, disengaging from Dupont¡¯s game. When Dupont didn¡¯t get the response he wanted, he stepped forward.

    ¡°Very well, shall we begin?¡± Dupont said, bushy eyebrows settling back into place. Valorie started to wonder if they had a mind of their own. ¡°With your guidance, Jovic and I will have a look at the areas of greatest concern. The rest of my team will conduct a more general survey. I expect your crew to stay out of their way or risk violating our contract.¡±

    ¡°I will see to it.¡±

    ¡°Good, good.¡± He opened a display over the back of his wrist and stepped up to Gareth, pointing at the areas of interest. Gareth spoke as they studied the display, and Dupont nodded. Confident he understood, Dupont turned to his men and began giving out orders.

    Gareth took the chance to speak with his own crew. Valorie stepped up nervously behind the rest. It wasn¡¯t her place anymore, was it?

    ¡°You heard his warning ¨C please stay out of their way. If you see anything damaged, keep me updated.¡± He said. Quinns nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on them.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± Leon added. Quinns frowned at him, but Gareth held up his hand, silencing the argument before it could start.

    ¡°Sachi, their concerns lie in your areas. Would you prefer to watch over their tour?¡± He asked. She shook her head.

    ¡°No. I am still completing the protections on his exposed roots. I need to hurry before he gets sick.¡± She spoke of the tree as a beloved patient. Her tone left a warm feeling in Valorie¡¯s chest. Gareth nodded, looking to Serge.

    ¡°Serge, please continue to support Sachi.¡± He said.

    ¡°Got it. Will do.¡± He said, patting Sachi¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Looks like it is back to work for us.¡± He said. She looked up at him, her hands moving to her waist.

    ¡°If you regret refusing a pair of knee pads, the offer is still open. Even if they look strange.¡± She said. Serge frowned, running his hand through it his hair.

    ¡°Might have to take you up on that.¡± He said, pointedly ignoring the triumphant look on her face. Gareth dismissed the rest and turned to Valorie.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°You are with me.¡± He said. She nodded. She had no reason to argue, though she did not understand his reasoning. Once Dupont had released his team, Gareth led the way out of the bay with Dupont and Jovic behind him. Valorie followed up last. No one had locked her away in her quarters yet. She took hope from that.

    She observed the three in front of her. Gareth led the way but kept pace with those behind him. Jovic set the speed as he focused on the three displays over his arm, tapping at one, frowning at another. Valorie still could not make out the screens clearly, but it seemed he was running his scans a second time. Dupont glanced at the screens but spent most of the walk examining the ship. When his eyes trailed along the ceiling, Valorie sensed his annoyance. His upper lip twitched with a sneer. The ceiling in the Hayes equipment room scraped the top of Leon¡¯s head. This hallway was a foot above that. Dupont huffed, and his gaze moved to Gareth¡¯s back.

    ¡°One thing I can¡¯t get over is your ship. It¡¯s not imperial ¨C that much is clear. What is an Imperial legacy doing flying such an oddity.¡± Dupont said. Gareth kept his focus on the path ahead, but the air around him changed. His disgust was back, and it seethed below the surface.

    ¡°She was a collaboration of an independent station and the Database. Built to aid in their deep space research.¡± He said. Back straight, eyes forward.

    ¡°Oh well, that explains the outrageous design. The Database has no common sense. How did it end up here?¡± Dupont made no effort to hide the derision in his voice. It caught her off guard. She had been on the Hayes. He should have nothing to complain about.

    ¡°My mother would say, it¡¯s amazing what you find at the royal auctions after a successful campaign.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice was light. A satisfied grin spread across Dupont¡¯s face at Gareth¡¯s words. Valorie dug a little deeper and found Dupont was remembering something. Memories were always vague, but the feelings were clear. It was a large payout from his work in a successful campaign. Crushing a young station into submission. Pure satisfaction. Valorie drew away. Gareth did not pause as the Bio room doors slid out of his way.

    ¡°Ah, I see. Right time, right price for the ship, then?¡± Dupont said, stepping inside the Bio room. ¡°Independents never last very long, do they?¡± He added with that self-satisfied grin. He took one look around the Bio room and did not take a step farther. Jovic followed Gareth, without looking around first. The room was warm and had a peculiar smell, like a potted plant watered far too often.

    ¡°This is it ¨C the first area of my concern,¡± Jovic said, tapping the screen twice more, and finally looked around. His brow immediately furrowed. ¡°What¡­ What is all this?¡± He asked. He was next to the large tub at the end of the counter.

    ¡°Plant and bacteria samples. Wywick, my Biologist, keeps the ship alive.¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Perhaps, my tech means to ask, why?¡± Dupont said from his position by the door. He crossed his arms, his eyes focused on Gareth.

    ¡°Among other things, it keeps our immune systems viable for planet-side exposure.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s conditioning for that,¡± Jovic said, staring into the tub next to him. Valorie remembered the pulsing green masses in that tub. The look on his face as he peered inside matched her feelings on the contents.

    ¡°Yes, for populated planets,¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Just look up where you¡¯re going and prepare the treatment. No need for all¡­ this.¡± Jovic said, leaning away from the tub.

    ¡°Could this be the anomaly, Jovic?¡± Dupont tapped on his arm as he waited. Jovic scowled, glancing down at his screens.

    ¡°It¡¯s unclear, sir. What¡¯s above here?¡± He asked, looking at the ceiling. His eyes widened, and Valorie followed his gaze. The ceiling was thick glass. Tubes led from desks in the Bio room through the glass into the soil above.

    ¡°The Gardens,¡± Gareth answered. Mold and soil smudged the glass, but the tree roots slid across the surface in a few spots. The thick glass showed no sign of give, but the sight made her feel smaller. As if the full weight of the room above bore down on her. Jovic scowled, and his attention went right back to his work.

    ¡°We should have a look there as well.¡± He muttered, moving toward his captain. Dupont looked to Gareth.

    ¡°Right. We are ready to continue, Hughes.¡± Dupont turned to leave. His eyes traveled over Valorie, and he scowled stepping out into the hallway. She followed, watching him take a deep breath once he was out of the Bio room. Did the smell bother him that much? She wasn¡¯t sure. Jovic and Gareth entered the hallway, and their journey to the Gardens began.

 1.34 - The Gardens

    Valorie couldn¡¯t hide the slight spring in her step as she followed the group headed to the Gardens. Gareth was in the lead. He was quiet unless Dupont or Jovic had a question for him.

    An elevator ride led them into the main hall that stretched across the Helianthus. It ended at a set of doors bordered in leafy engravings like the door to the bridge. The doors slid open in opposite directions, revealing the entrance to the Gardens. A pair of large thick glass doors split down the middle, bordered in more layered glass. Behind them, the doors they had passed through slid closed. Fans came on next, blowing in the direction of the glass doors.

    The breeze that brushed across her skin felt as if it was pushing her forward. Valorie had not been brave enough to explore the ship alone. This would be her first visit inside. Her heart raced as it had the first time she saw the Gardens from her room. Bright greenery, alive and warm to her senses. It didn¡¯t focus on one spot the way human life did but blanketed the room.

    Gareth reached the glass door, and it slid seamlessly into the layered glass around it. Moist air washed over her in a gust that pushed against the fans. It was heavy, filled with scents that tapped memories from long before her time as a fragment. Fresh cut plant life and upturned dirt. She paused to breathe in deep, filling her lungs as she closed her eyes. When she opened them, the others had left her behind. She ran to catch up, half-closed doors jerking back open as she slipped through them.

    There was a stone path leading around the Gardens. Patches of different plants lined the path, each boxed off into separate areas. Valorie paused to admire a patch with little blue flowers. The Gardens enveloped her sense of life in warm comfort. The soft sensation put her heart at ease in a way she had not experienced before. The void of life beyond this small pocket felt even emptier. If the Captain allowed her, Valorie hoped she could return and have a closer look. For now, she focused on catching up with Gareth and the inspectors.

    Gareth and Dupont had stopped before the tree at the center. Dupont looked around, but he did not seem as uneasy as in the Bio room. Jovic focused on his work. He walked around the tree and along the path, muttering, and poking at his displays.

    When Valorie caught up, she saw Sachi and Serge working at the roots. Serge paused to wipe his brow and stare down the intruders. He leaned on his shovel, his jaw clenched, eyes hard. Sachi was bent over one of the larger exposed roots near the base of the tree. She wrapped a green cloth around it and tied it off. Next, she reached for the canister next to her and poured water over the cloth. It expanded into a gelatinous mass that jiggled when she patted it. It gave under her fingertips, but it did not leak. Satisfied, Sachi went to grab another cloth, when she noticed her audience. She looked to Gareth with pursed lips.

    ¡°Good evening, Captain. May I be of assistance?¡± She asked. Her tone was professional ¨C the same one she used to greet passengers on to the Helianthus. Gareth shook his head.

    ¡°Unless they have any questions, my goal is to stay out of your way.¡± He said, before looking to Dupont. ¡°This is my biologist, Sachiko Wywick.¡± Gareth said. Dupont looked her over and then surveyed the tree.

    ¡°Is the dirt meant to be upturned in this manner? It seems haphazard.¡± Dupont asked.

    ¡°I found bacterial damage on one of the raised roots. We needed to find out how far it spread and remove the bad roots.¡± She said, her eyes narrowed as she spoke. Dupont listened, but there was no understanding in his eyes.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°That sounds very serious.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are trying to save him,¡± Sachi said, glancing at Jovic. He was walking up one side of the tree. She moved to block him. Jovic paused, surprised by her interference. ¡°Please do not disturb him further.¡± She said.

    ¡°Sachi, they need to complete their search,¡± Gareth said. She backed down, but not without a quick frown in Gareth¡¯s direction. He focused on Jovic instead. ¡°I am sorry. Please, continue.¡± He said. Jovic glanced at Sachi again before taking a deliberate step passed her. The upturned dirt sank several inches under his foot, and he stumbled forward. With a curse, he caught his footing a moment before falling face-first into the dirt. He turned to glare at Sachi. She met his look with raised eyebrows.

    ¡°The packing is still light. We have a lot of work to do.¡± She explained. He nodded, his jaw tight, and moved back onto the grass. Refocusing on his scans, he started a new route around the tree, avoiding the upturned dirt. Valorie knew the truth, but Sachi¡¯s bacterial excuse seemed plausible, too. Had she planned it out with Gareth beforehand?

    ¡°Dupont, did you have anything further?¡± Gareth asked, redirecting attention. Dupont looked around once more, and his shoulders sagged a little.

    ¡°I will defer any more questions until my technician has finished.¡± He said. Sachi nodded, bowing her head.

    ¡°Until then.¡± She said and returned to wrapping the roots.

    They hovered in the Gardens until Jovic was satisfied with his search. He finished his route on the path facing the tree. Staring up into the branches, reflected in the glass dome. He looked down at the displays one more time, maybe hoping for something different to be there. Closing out the screens, he faced his Captain with a salute.

    ¡°Captain Dupont. I have finished verifying the anomalies.¡± He did not waver, but his tone lacked the confidence he started with. ¡°I sent the record for your perusal.¡± He added. Dupont looked him over, none too pleased.

    ¡°I will read it over. See that the others are thorough in their reports. Report if anything is found.¡± Dupont said. Jovic bowed and began his trek out of the Gardens. On his own, was that a good idea? She glanced at Gareth and found he was looking to Sachi and Serge. Sachi had started working again, but Serge was fiddling with his PD. He looked up from his PD and shared a look with Gareth before Sachi interrupted.

    ¡°Enough gawking, we have a long way to go ¨C inspection or not,¡± Sachi said. Serge straightened, closing out his PD, and grabbing the shovel.

    ¡°Right, sorry, Sachi. I¡¯m on it.¡± He said. The conversation seemed to pass right over Dupont¡¯s head. Although Valorie wasn¡¯t even sure anything important had actually happened. Their banter continued, but Dupont interjected to get Gareth¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Next I would like to meet your passenger, Allan Foster,¡± Dupont said.

    ¡°Right this way.¡± Gareth led the way out of the Gardens. Dupont was looking at his PD as they walked. He did not speak again until the elevator opened on the upper crew quarters.

    ¡°Why is there no destination listed for Mr. Foster?¡± Dupont asked as he followed Gareth into the hall.

    ¡°Ah, his case is a bit odd. He is interested in long term travel and is willing to pay the associated fees.¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°How very suspicious.¡±

    ¡°Speculating on his reasons would be rude. He is mild-mannered and keeps to himself. We have not had any issues so far.¡± Gareth led them down the hall into the guest quarters. Unlike Valorie¡¯s room, Allan¡¯s room faced away from the Gardens, towards the stars outside. Valorie did not remember the passenger until the door slid open, revealing him. The elderly gentleman from the waiting room. He was thin and dressed like he was ready for a business meeting except for a pair of fuzzy slippers. He had a mug with steam rising out of it in one hand, and an open display in the other. He set down the display as he spoke.

    ¡°May I help you, gentlemen?¡± He smiled, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. His tone was professional, cold. When she looked deeper, she felt no aggression, only caution. He had been there when Valorie first saw the fugitives in the waiting room at the starport. Valorie felt her heart rate rise.

 1.35 - Mr. Foster

    ¡°May I help you, gentlemen?¡± Allan stood in the doorway waiting for an answer. Dupont stepped up to speak.

    ¡°Yes. I am Captain Dupont of the MRH Hayes. My team and I are performing an imperial inspection of this ship.¡± Dupont expected his words to carry some weight but did not get the reaction he was hoping for. Allan studied him and took a sip from his mug.

    ¡°And, how may I be of assistance?¡±

    ¡°I have a few questions for you, and I need to inspect your quarters.¡± Dupont stood straighter, puffing himself up. Still, his demand came out more like a request.

    ¡°I am not obligated to comply.¡± Allan¡¯s eyes narrowed, but he smiled again. ¡°However, if it will expedite the process, I will allow it.¡± He stepped aside, inviting them in with a wave. ¡°Please ask your questions as you look.¡± He said, taking another sip of his mug.

    Dupont stepped inside, Gareth behind him, and Valorie last. She looked around, comparing the room to her own. It was larger, with two doors leading away from the main room. There was a long couch and two recliners around a coffee table. Across the room, there was a large window over half her height. It revealed the milky yellows and greens of the planet they were orbiting. She glanced at the ceiling but there was no painting in this room. She found she liked her own room more.

    When she focused on Dupont again, she noticed Allan watching her. When he was caught, he gave an embarrassed smile ¨C this one reached his eyes. She returned a small smile, and his expression warmed. She sensed he felt a familiarity with her, but she did not understand why. Was it possible he had known the real Valorie? The thought sent her into a panic.

    ¡°So, Mr. Foster.¡± Dupont began. Allan looked away, his expression falling back into that professional smile. ¡°Did you see any other passengers enter the ship?¡± Dupont asked as he approached one of the doors. The main room was bare and offered few hiding spots.

    ¡°I have not seen any other passengers since we left Luxe,¡± Allan answered.

    ¡°I see. Any strange behavior from the crew?¡± Dupont entered the bathroom and checked the cabinets.

    ¡°Having known them for all of a week, I can not be certain. I haven¡¯t seen anything alarming.¡± He took another sip from his mug.

    ¡°Any areas that are off-limits to you?¡± Dupont moved on to the second room. Valorie could not see where it led from where she stood. He banged around as he searched, and Allan¡¯s fingers tightened on the handle of his mug.

    ¡°I had not discussed that with Captain Hughes, but I only visit the living facilities and the Gardens. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary to me.¡± Allan answered. Dupont reappeared, looking a little more ruffled for his exertion. He took one more look around the room before striding up to Allan.

    ¡°Thank you for your cooperation. That will be all for now.¡± He said, leaving in a huff.

    ¡°Thank you, Allan. I¡¯m sorry for the interruption.¡± Gareth said. Allan nodded.

    ¡°It¡¯s not an issue.¡± He said, taking another sip. ¡°Just another exciting day in space travel.¡± His tone was light, and his eyes sparkled with humor. ¡°I look forward to dinner tonight.¡± He added turning away.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°See you then,¡± Gareth said, following Dupont into the hallway. Valorie lingered behind.

    ¡°Uhm.¡± Allan turned when he heard her, surprised that she remained. ¡°Do you know me?¡± She asked. He laughed.

    ¡°No, young lady, I¡¯m sorry. You appear to be around the same age as my daughter. She often observes the world with that sense of awe that you seem lost in. It was very nostalgic for me.¡±

    ¡°Oh. I worried I was being rude. My name is Valorie.¡± She bowed her head.

    ¡°Very nice to meet you, Valorie. Now, you should hurry and keep up with your Captain.¡± Allan said.

    ¡°Right, thank you.¡± Valorie excused herself and exited into the hallway. Dupont and Gareth were talking, and neither noticed her entrance. Dupont made new demands, and Gareth led the way. Along the way, Dupont visited with each of his men. The whole thing dragged on, and how long could one day-cycle possibly feel? When he finally had his fill, Dupont instructed everyone back to the bay for the completion.

    Gareth and Valorie waited with Dupont as his men gathered. He lined them up across the exit and paced in front of them. He ordered a report from each in turn, ending with Jovic. There were no findings. When it came to Jovic¡¯s turn to admit this, he could not meet Dupont¡¯s eyes. Dupont sent his men back to the Hayes with terse orders but paused on the threshold as they left. When he turned to face Gareth, there was one last bit of hope in his eyes, that final desperation.

    ¡°I could always take you in anyway ¨C say I found reasonable evidence of the fugitives. A little more digging into your systems might tell us where, say, you dropped the fugitives off.¡± He said. The threat was clear, but Gareth was ready for it.

    ¡°And when another captain discovers these fugitives on the opposite side of Orion¡¯s arm?¡± Gareth said, and Dupont¡¯s face twisted, his upper lip twitching. ¡°Well. You know how the Empire deals with liars. If one man lies to get ahead and it succeeds, what will the other trillion do?¡± Gareth said. Dupont ground his teeth, his jaw clenching with a pulse.

    Valorie watched this last stare down with curiosity. Is this how she looked earlier? No, she thought glancing up at Gareth¡¯s face, there was no way she had this much composure. She looked back to Dupont in time to see him falter, turning his gaze away. His face was red, but there was no fight left. Her hand tightened into a fist. That ¨C was that how she looked each time she followed SCT rules? Her fingers ached as she drew them tighter.

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Dupont broke the silence. ¡°Only the foolish risk the integrity of the Empire. Without it, we would crumble.¡± His voice was tight. ¡°You have passed our inspection. Thank you for your cooperation. Once the decoupling is complete, please be on your way.¡± Dupont turned on his heel and disappeared through the bay exit. The door snapped shut, and Gareth breathed a sigh. The relief that radiated off him was hard to ignore, and Valorie smiled.

    ¡°Good work, Valorie,¡± Gareth said. She blinked and looked at him. His eyes were tired, but he grinned despite it.

    ¡°Sir?¡±

    ¡°Quinns messaged me.¡± He said. Oh, she thought, of course, he did. Gareth was feeling grateful, and that warmth spread from Valorie¡¯s chest to her fingertips. Now her hands felt sweaty. What kind of physical reaction was that? She nodded, looking away as the feeling overwhelmed her. Gareth chuckled. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. ¡°Alright,¡± He opened them again. ¡°Little more work and then we¡¯ll break for the evening hours.¡±

    ¡°Is there anything I can do?¡± Valorie asked.

    ¡°Keep an eye on the Hayes.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She did not say she was already enjoying the feeling of Dupont moving farther and farther away. Gareth pressed his ring PD and a display opened in his hand.

    ¡°Bridge,¡± He said, and the device connected. ¡°Leon, you there?¡± A chair squeaked as it turned.

    ¡°You know it, Cap.¡±

    ¡°Initiate the two-stage decoupling.¡± There was a pause as Leon moved across the bridge.

    ¡°Did you mean emergency decoupling?¡± Leon said, but the exit behind them clamped shut and the lights around it turned yellow. There was no other sound. Two-stage decoupling would not proceed without secondary initiation from the Hayes. Gareth shook his head but smiled.

    ¡°Thank you, Leon. I¡¯ll be there shortly. I want to make some distance before we relax.¡± Gareth said and turned away from the exit. Valorie followed without hesitation. He was talking with Serge before he reached doors to the bay.

    ¡°Tell me the moment facilities are ready for flight, Serge.¡± He was walking fast, relief flowing off of him. Valorie had to rush to keep up, but excitement ran through her. What would happen now?

 1.36 - Clean-Up

    When Gareth and Valorie reached the bridge, Leon turned in his chair to greet them. An easy grin spread across his face as he sat forward. He spared Valorie a glance before looking to Gareth. Valorie sensed he was in a good mood, but she could not guess at how he felt about her. At least he didn¡¯t frown when he saw her.

    ¡°We got the final pass on the inspection. The Hayes just started the decoupling on their side.¡± Leon said, rubbing his hands together.

    ¡°That¡¯s good news. Are you feeling chilly, Leon?¡± Gareth asked. Gone was the tight uniform and shirt. He was down to a white undershirt. The jacket was slung over the back of his chair. All that was left of the uniform was the slacks, giving him a rushed look.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have time to change, but I wasn¡¯t going to wear that a second longer than I had to.¡± He said, opening his arms to show off a full range of motion. Gareth raised an eyebrow and covered a smirk with a thoughtful hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you. Please find a suitable planet for orbit on the outskirts. I want to be out of their scan radius.¡±

    ¡°Will do, Cap.¡± He faced back to his console. Gareth looked to Valorie at his side.

    ¡°Take your seat. Let me know if the Hayes moves. Any movement, tell me the moment you can.¡± Gareth said. She opened her mouth to speak, and then hesitated. He waited, both eyebrows raised. She glanced down.

    ¡°Should I.. receive comms, too?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Yes. Keep us updated.¡± He said. She nodded, raising her head to meet his eyes, but he wasn¡¯t focused on her. He was puzzling something out again.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Valorie turned quickly and approached her console. Gareth followed, passing her by as she sat down. She watched him slide into the pilot¡¯s seat. His movements were comfortable but slow. He ran his fingers along the bottom of the console and over the yoke.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be glad when Yulia¡¯s out.¡± He muttered rearranging the seat¡¯s orientation to his build, and moving the screens.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be glad when we¡¯re on Gomori,¡± Leon said. Valorie leaned over her chair to see him, but he was still focusing on his console. ¡°Having a drink and a laugh over this whole thing.¡± He added. Valorie tried to picture it. She had seen her coworkers celebrating various events in the cafe on the Anderson. Various drinks, greasy repli-meals, and cake. Always cake. The thought made her hungry. When she imagined this crew at a meal like that, the hunger dropped into an ache.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be there soon enough,¡± Gareth said. He made a ship-wide announcement through the intercom warning of their imminent departure. No jumps this round, just a trip to the quieter side of the star system.

    ¡°Detachment complete. Bridge retraction starting.¡±

    ¡°They are signaling us to take first movement,¡± Valorie said. Seda was happy to keep in touch. She would keep Valorie updated on the Hayes. Valorie had nothing to look at on the console, but she sat back into her seat, buckling in.

    ¡°How generous,¡± Leon muttered before speaking up. ¡°Ending orbital down phase. Prepping flight mode.¡± He said. Valorie felt gravity drop away again. The ship rearranging for flight around her. As the bridge slid forward, she stared out the window at the planet. A quick look revealed no hint of life so it did not tempt her as planets always did. Instead, it reminded her of a hologram ¨C beautiful but unreal.

    ¡°Bridge retraction complete. When you are ready, Cap.¡± Leon interrupted her thoughts. Gareth made a few more changes, adjusted the ship¡¯s orientation, and shifted in his seat. He looked everything over one more time and nodded.Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Engage flight mode.¡± He said. The first shift in momentum when the ship changed course always surprised Valorie. She gripped her seat at first. She had done it again. She lifted her fingers slowly this time, avoiding the sound of her fingers peeling away from the seat. Gareth eased the ship away from the Hayes on low power. The window above turned away from the planet and faced open space. As the distance grew, he increased the power. Gareth asked for the coordinates of the chosen planet, and Leon answered. Soon they were sailing across the star system ¨C the planet only a speck behind them.

    Late into the afternoon hours, the Helianthus settled into the orbit of the seventh planet. It was a gas giant, swirling in bands of dark brown and deep red. With the gravity back on, Serge had the ship¡¯s facilities booting up before everyone converged in the Gardens. Valorie was never left alone, but she wasn¡¯t locked away either. She wanted to believe that was a good sign.

    Sachi had marked out where to dig and what to avoid. The exposed roots were all bundled up with the nutrient water packs. Sweat coated her forehead and neck, but she was calmer than before. Everyone took turns in groups of three removing dirt.

    When Valorie arrived in the Gardens, Sachi did not hesitate to hand her a shovel and gloves. This was new. Clone bodies were not built to withstand physical tests. Valorie gripped the metal shovel, it was lighter than she thought it would be. She watched Serge and Leon for a moment and tried to emulate what she saw. When it came to dumping the dirt, Serge would toss it into one spot. When she tried it fell short and tumbled back into the opening. Embarrassed, she opted to carry it over and dump it. She was sweating before long. She huffed lifting another load and paused after dumping it out. Before she could get another, Quinns caught the end of the shovel.

    ¡°Take a break.¡± He said. She blinked ¨C she had been focusing so hard on working, she didn¡¯t notice the tax on her body. She nodded.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± She released the shovel and stepped aside. His face reddened, and he looked towards the hole.

    ¡°No problem.¡± He said. She watched, catching her breath.

    It was Gareth and Serge digging when enough of the door was revealed to open it. Gareth used the manual override to force it open. Yulia was standing on the other side. She stepped out and breathed deep.

    ¡°Ah, finally! How long was I in there? It felt like a week!¡± There was something off about the energy in her voice. She stretched her back by twisting her torso. She looked a little pale and her movements were stiff. Serge ruffled her hair and she smiled, giving him a quick hug.

    ¡°You should have brought a book,¡± Shayla said as she emerged. Yulia tilted her head.

    ¡°Captain said no electronics.¡± She said and Shayla frowned. Before Shayla could say more, her assistant patted her on the back.

    ¡°Not everyone has that kind of money, Lorrie.¡± Her assistant muttered in her ear before stepping up to Gareth. ¡°Thank you, Captain Hughes. How did it go?¡±

    ¡°It went well, Ms. Palomo.¡±

    ¡°Margarita is fine, thank you.¡± She said, and he gave her a polite smile.

    ¡°We are in the clear. We will be resting for tonight, and then resuming our original plan in the morning hours.¡± Gareth explained, helping them onto the grass.

    ¡°Ah, very good. I could use a hot bath.¡± Ms. Palomo said.

    ¡°Yes. Like right now,¡± Shayla followed up. Yulia stood before them. She was still covered in dirt from helping to prepare the hiding spot. She grinned.

    ¡°No kidding, maybe two for me.¡± She said. Gareth chuckled and she grinned.

    ¡°The baths will be ready by the time you reach them.¡± Serge interrupted.

    ¡°Awesome! I¡¯ll take¡¯em over there.¡± Yulia jumped to action, leading Shayla and her assistant away. She seemed eager to put some distance between her and that little room.

    ¡°Yulia,¡± Gareth said and she paused, turning towards him. ¡°We¡¯ll have a dinner service tonight at 1800 hours. Everyone is invited.¡± He said. Yulia¡¯s eyes lit up.

    ¡°We¡¯re having a party? Nice!¡± She turned to Shayla and her assistant, ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡± She kept talking as she led them away. Serge moved to start cleaning up, but Gareth got his attention.

    ¡°Serge, can you prepare dinner?¡± Gareth said. Serge looked around at the hole, glancing up at Sachi. ¡°The rest of us will finish this,¡± Gareth added. Serge seemed a little disappointed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t need help with this? Digging is all around a good exercise.¡± He said.

    ¡°A meal ready to eat afterward would help the most,¡± Gareth said. This gave Serge pause, and his disappointment passed as he considered his new task.

    ¡°Got it. Dinner it is.¡± Serge said. Leaving his shovel and set of knee-pads with Sachi, he followed after Yulia¡¯s group. Valorie thought of eating dinner with everyone, and the shovel in her hands felt lighter. She could do this.

 1.37 - Dinner

    After Serge left to make dinner, they got to work filling the hole around the tree in the Gardens to Sachi¡¯s specifications. It took longer without Serge¡¯s help, but eventually, Sachi was satisfied. She admired the patch and nodded.

    ¡°This is good. I think he is happy.¡± She said, looking up at the branches with warm eyes. The team broke to put away tools and clean-up. She handed off tools as they asked, but Valorie had trouble paying full attention. Her arms and back ached, the pain rolling over her thoughts. She could stop receiving pain signals by loosening her connection to her body. It was dangerous to do so, pain was necessary to gauge damage. Gareth stood straight, staking the last shovel into the ground with a thump.

    ¡°Alright, everyone. You are dismissed. Thank you for your hard work. Enjoy your evening.¡± He said. Sachi caught his attention, and he turned to talk with her. Leon and Quinns made their way out. Valorie waited off to the side watching Gareth and Sachi talk. She didn¡¯t want to interrupt but she was pretty sure she was still under watch. They spoke until Sachi noticed her.

    ¡°Captain.¡± She caught his attention while looking over his shoulder. Gareth followed her gaze and realization dawned when he saw Valorie.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I meant you as well when I dismissed everyone. You are still under probation, but you¡¯ve earned your freedom.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± She bowed her head. She would be cautious ¨C after the baths, she would stick to her quarters. She didn¡¯t want to push her boundaries too far, too fast.

    ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t forget about dinner. Celebrating after a day like today eases the tension. It will be fun.¡± He said. She stared at him for a moment before remembering to blink.

    ¡°Yes, I-¡± She paused, feeling her cheeks grow warm, ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡± She said and turned to the exit. She needed to get ready and her first plan was the baths. She paused at the exit, the cozy envelope of plant life behind her. She wanted to run right back in. She looked over the greens, her senses sinking into them like a comfy chair. She let it flow through her, only for a moment. When it passed, she walked away.

    One step in front of the other, and soon her mind drifted to dinner. The celebrations she had seen on the MRH Anderson ran through her head once more. This time the pang of jealousy was replaced by a spike of excitement. There might be bright streamers and banners laid out along with a hearty meal. Sometimes there was even singing. Imagining it made her heart race.

    Instead, she focused on the path in front of her. She needed to be presentable for her first invitation. She smiled.

    Valorie paused before entering the lounge, tugging at the edges of her fresh blouse. She had cleaned up and prepared for presentation, tying her hair up tight. Would there be the same uncomfortable looks she got at the emergency meeting? She straightened the cuffs of her shirt. If the true Valorie were here, she would be pushing Evie forward, teasing her for being so worried. She was right. Valorie stepped forward and the door slid open. Once more a warm savory scent greeted her in a soft breeze.

    There were only a few people ahead of her. Valorie was early. She stepped inside and moved out of the way so she could look around. Three of the tables were latched together into one large main table near the counter. Each seat was set with utensils, a cloth napkin, and a glass of water. Allan sat at one of the other tables by the window reading from the display in his hand. One leg over the other, back straight, one slipper poking out from under the table. The representative and her assistant were standing at the counter talking with Serge. He had cleaned up, too, with his brown hair slicked back and his apron on. Valorie listened as she tried to pick a seat.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°You are welcome to try anything.¡± Serge¡¯s voice was confident as he waved his hands, displaying the dishes in front of him. Steam rose from a colorful array of foods. Steamed grains, flowery blue stalks draped in white sauce, and meat strips and mushrooms with a dark glaze. ¡°If nothing suits your tastes, I have two repli-meals on tap.¡± He said, reserve returning to his tone. Shayla perked up.

    ¡°Oh, what are those?¡± She asked. His eyes narrowed, but Shayla did not notice.

    ¡°I have the meal listings here.¡± He said, pointing to a display at the end of the counter. Shayla slid down the counter to get a closer look. ¡°They will take about 15 minutes each to complete. May I suggest trying one of my dishes while you wait?¡± He said.

    ¡°No thanks,¡± Shayla waved. Her assistant, Margarita, smiled at Serge¡¯s frown.

    ¡°I will have a plate. Is this from the market at Luxe?¡± Margarita asked, pulling his attention to her. His energy returned with her question.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Certified Luxe Labs white meat in a mushroom gravy.¡± He said.

    ¡°I heard it tastes like chicken.¡±

    ¡°That is what the ad says, yes.¡± Serge¡¯s eyebrows raised, but his tone did lighten. Margarita cleared her throat and straightened up.

    ¡°Yes, right. Well, I¡¯ll try it.¡± She held out her plate, and Serge followed her instructions as he served her food. She left with her plate full and sat at one of the tables alongside the window. Shayla noticed the opening and turned back to Serge for her order. Serge stretched his fingers and smiled pleasantly at her.

    The door behind Valorie slid open, surprising her. She glanced over to see Sachi and Leon walk in. Sachi was dressed in soft silks, a far cry from the worn work clothes from earlier. Leon had changed into his usual attire, the old jacket resting easy on his shoulders. He nearly crashed into her when he turned toward the large table.

    ¡°Whoa. You gonna sit down or just stand there?¡± Leon asked. She blushed, stepping out of the way, unable to pick an answer.

    ¡°Leon. Don¡¯t be rude.¡± Sachi said, taking Valorie¡¯s arm.

    ¡°It¡¯s a legitimate question.¡± He said, but Sachi was already leading Valorie to the table. The close contact meant Sachi¡¯s direct thoughts entered her mind. Ah, so easy to tease. It wasn¡¯t anything personal, but Valorie was glad when Sachi let go. She sat down at the table and gestured for Valorie to sit next to her.

    ¡°Do not worry. We will not wait long. Sit, sit.¡± She said. Valorie did so, and Leon sat down on her other side. He looked her over before focusing his attention on Serge.

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s on tap food-wise?¡± Leon asked.

    ¡°Got two meals set up for ¨C wait, I got the display going. Use that.¡±

    ¡°Ah, come on¡­ Alright, any one is fine. Just add one to the queue for me.¡± Leon said, leaning back in his chair.

    ¡°No. Pick it yourself.¡± Serge was already walking away. Leon dragged himself to his feet and followed.

    The others arrived over the next ten minutes, with Yulia in last. Her hair was deep emerald green. The only spot left open at the table was next to Gareth who sat at the head. She smiled at him as she sat down. He nodded a greeting.

    ¡°Green for go?¡± He asked. She played with the tips, twisting them around her finger.

    ¡°For the Gardens from which I sprouted today.¡±

    ¡°That works, too,¡± Gareth said, and she smiled brightly.

    ¡°It took forever to get the shade right, but I think I match him pretty well now. Right, Sachi?¡± Yulia said turning to Sachi.

    ¡°A perfect match.¡± Sachi¡¯s smile was mischievous.

    ¡°Him?¡± Leon asked as he returned from the counter. Yulia huffed.

    ¡°The centerpiece of the Gardens-¡± She began.

    ¡°Oh, the tree.¡± Understanding spread across his face, and he grinned. ¡°I dunno, you might be taller, Yulia.¡± He said and she smacked his arm. He laughed.

    ¡°Alright, alright, the same then.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not any better.¡± She pouted. When her eyes met Valorie¡¯s, her brow furrowed and she looked away. Valorie looked down at her plate. At least she did not sense fear as she had before. Now it was discomfort. Valorie wasn¡¯t sure what she could do to fix their relationship.

 1.38 - Celebration

    The inspection was over, but Valorie sensed the distrust that followed her like a haze. No one was outright mean, well, except Serge. She had never needed to repair a relationship before. It was easy to be ignored on a ship the size of the Anderson. There had to be something she could do, but right now she was at a loss.

    Valorie looked up again when a plate clicked on the table. Serge had placed a plate full of food in front of Yulia.

    ¡°Dinners ready, unless any of you want a repli-meal.¡± He said.

    ¡°Aw, where¡¯s mine?¡± Leon asked.

    ¡°You can get up and get it yourself.¡± Serge pointed to the counter.

    ¡°Terrible service.¡± Leon grinned as he stood up. Yulia poked at the grains on her plate.

    ¡°What if I want a repli-meal?¡± She asked. He frowned.

    ¡°At least try it first.¡± He said, straightening up.

    ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t this the stir fry from yesterday?¡± She said, poking at one of the mushrooms this time.

    ¡°This is my take. Mine is better.¡± He said. She frowned and took a bite of one of the meat strips. Contentment spread across her face as she chewed.

    ¡°Fiiine, I guess I¡¯ll have this one.¡± She said. He rolled his eyes and she laughed as she took another bite.

    The atmosphere reminded Valorie of breakfast. There was an ease in the air that she found calming. She waited to get food, hoping she could stay out of the way. When it was her turn, she realized Serge was at the counter helping distribute food. She couldn¡¯t look him in the eye for the glare she was receiving. She looked down at the three dishes instead.

    ¡°A little of each, please?¡± She held out her plate. She was afraid of what he might say but, without a word, Serge took her plate. When she got it back, there was a portion of each as she asked. She looked up to thank him, but he had turned away. Her shoulders sank a little, but at least it was over.

    Quiet fell as everyone settled into their seats. Valorie tried a piece of the vegetable first. With the sauce, the texture was very creamy. She was halfway through biting into it when Serge spoke up. His plate and utensils were untouched.

    ¡°So, this is a dinner for the crew, right? Should she be eating with us?¡± He said indicating Valorie with one hand.

    ¡°She is, at present, a member of our crew,¡± Gareth said, putting down his fork. Serge frowned.

    ¡°After all that, you¡¯re gonna keep her on board?¡± Serge said.

    Quinns interrupted. ¡°What? You¡¯re still on about the inspection being her fault? She warned us about it. She coulda let us get caught real easy. Seriously.¡± Quinns¡¯ outburst gained looks from everyone in the room. He sat down quickly, but Serge wasn¡¯t done.

    ¡°Yeah, Yui said that, too. But it could¡¯ve been a trap to see what we hide. Easy way to net more than some fugitives.¡± Serge said. Quinns looked up from his glass, face indignant.

    ¡°Well, that didn¡¯t happen either.¡± He said. As Quinns spoke, Allan stood up and joined them at the main table. He leaned forward over the end of the table between Quinns and Serge.

    ¡°Are you arguing about Ms. Davis? What is she accused of?¡± He asked. His entrance surprised everyone except Gareth, who answered in a calm tone.

    ¡°Acting as a spy by tipping the Empire off on the whereabouts of the fugitives,¡± Gareth said. There was an uncomfortable air in the silence that descended on the room. Even Shayla and Margarita and stopped eating to listen. Allan tapped his chin with a chuckle.

    ¡°Is that so? Well. I am pleased to inform you, I already know the real culprit.¡± He said. He looked to Valorie with raised eyebrows, ¡°As does she.¡± He added. Valorie¡¯s brow furrowed. She didn¡¯t like the looks that turned on her.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°I do?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± He walked over to the table where Rep Shayla and her assistant were seated. Shayla¡¯s face turned bright red as he approached. She looked ready to start yelling. The fear Valorie had sensed in her at the emergency meeting was back. Margarita looked up at Allan warily, but she was calm.

    ¡°Excuse me, ladies. May I ask a question?¡± Allan asked.

    ¡°What?¡± Shayla asked. She met his eyes with a dare.

    ¡°On Luxe station, when you were searching for the gate, you asked for directions. What ship did you ask for?¡± He smiled. It was that same cold, professional smile Valorie had seen before. As he asked, she remembered first meeting Shayla and Margarita at the gate. Shayla had been talking about getting directions. Valorie¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°The FL Helianthus, obviously.¡±

    ¡°And there you have it.¡± Allan said, returning to the main table.

    ¡°Lorrie, you didn¡¯t.¡± Margarita¡¯s voice was thick with disappointment. Shayla¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she turned to her assistant.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t what?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think they might report you?¡± Margarita asked. Shayla¡¯s eyes widened, but she bristled. It seemed the more her fear grew, the angrier she got on the outside.

    ¡°Oh that. Of course, I thought about it first. He seemed like a man of worth.¡± She said. The look Margarita gave her silenced anything else she had to say. Margarita sighed as she stood up, and walked over to the edge of the main table.

    ¡°I am deeply sorry for the trouble we put you through.¡± She said, bowing her head. ¡°We shall take our leave for dinner.¡± She added.

    ¡°Regardless of why it happened, the danger has passed,¡± Gareth said. Margarita raised her head but remained quiet. ¡°Nothing was lost but time. This is a good chance to celebrate, so enjoy your dinner.¡± Gareth said.

    Margarita nodded and met his eyes with a sincere smile. ¡°I will discuss the matter with my commander. I think he will appreciate the lengths you and your crew went through to keep us safe. Really and truly, thank you, all of you.¡± She said bowing first to the Captain, and then again to the rest of the main table. It was quiet for a moment. No one had a response for such sincere gratitude. Sachi spoke first.

    ¡°You¡¯re very welcome, dear. Now, do as the Captain asks, and enjoy your dinner.¡± She said. Her voice was friendly, but the hint of scolding was still there. Valorie was beginning to think it was her natural tone.

    ¡°Yeah, Serge¡¯ll get mad if the food gets cold, you know,¡± Yulia added, waving her fork loaded with a piece of the creamy vegetable. Talk resumed as the hold on everyone¡¯s excitement broke. Margarita bowed once more before returning to her place across from Shayla. When Quinns spoke, it drew Valorie¡¯s attention back to the main table.

    ¡°I told ya it wasn¡¯t her,¡± Quinns said.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t prove anything,¡± Serge grumbled, but his eyes were focused on the plate in front of him. Curious, Valorie reached out and found embarrassment, avoidance. She felt an empathetic twinge in her gut.

    ¡°Hey Serge, don¡¯t you have something to say to Valorie?¡± Yulia said, her tone stern. His eyes narrowed at his sister. She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. He rolled his eyes and turned to Valorie. She met his gaze as she had faced Dupont. Serge seemed to be scrutinizing her, really looking at her. Yulia nudged him, and he huffed. Valorie¡¯s heart raced, readying for the next onslaught.

    Serge stood, his chair scratching across the floor as he did so, and ducked into the kitchen. He returned in only a moment with a tray in his hands. He set it down in front of Valorie and crossed his arms. It was a white cake, neat frosting unadorned except for a phrase written across the top.

    Valorie Davis, Welcome to the Helianthus in pink frosting. Her eyes watered as she read it. Tears? That could not be the right reaction. She nodded and tried to thank him, but the words stuck in her throat. He met her eyes, and she could swear his expression softened. His crossed arms eased and his hands went to his hips.

    ¡°Eat your dinner first.¡± He said and returned to his seat. Yulia laughed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯s always like that.¡± She said. She smiled as she spoke, her tone easy-going, but Valorie still felt discomfort behind it. Valorie stared into the cake, trying to think of a response but she was relieved when Gareth spoke up.

    ¡°Perhaps to his dismay, Serge¡¯s cake is correct. Valorie, you are welcome here. Do you still wish to join us?¡± He asked. She looked up from the cake and met his eyes.

    ¡°Yes, if I may.¡± She smiled. Gareth stood up and held out his drink, and everyone followed him. Valorie saw this and raced to raise her glass of water. She had only seen this once before.

    ¡°To our newest crew member, Valorie.¡± He said, clinking his glass against the ones closest to him. The others did the same, reaching out to tap her glass specifically. The sound tickled her ears. Then they drank. She followed, enjoying the cool clean water even more this time. The shared moment filled the room with a warm feeling that reminded her of the feeling she got in the Gardens. Once it was over, everyone got back into their seats.

    ¡°With the theatrics complete, can we finally eat?¡± Leon said. There was laughter and chatter as the meal commenced. When it got quiet, Yulia started a conversation about what was in the storage room under the Gardens.

    ¡°You won¡¯t guess.¡± She said.

    ¡°Dust.¡± Her brother said.

    ¡°Okay, there was a lot of that. But, no. All the containers I checked were filled with kid¡¯s toys and clothes.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so that is where it all ended up. I always wondered about it.¡± Gareth said, and Yulia nodded as she described the little time capsule. Valorie found she was content just to listen as she enjoyed her meal.

 1.39 - Reflection

    It took three more days to reach the Gomori station star system. The ship came out of jump, and Yulia began turning to the coordinates for Gomori station. Valorie reached out, enjoying the busy sensation of a system full of life.

    Then, she received a hail ¨C ten hours old. It wasn¡¯t from one of her sisters ¨C this one came through the normal channels. The message originated on the trajectory of the third planet. She reached out, searching for the ship. Most of the system¡¯s activity centered around the second planet where Gomori orbited. She did sense one large cluster. It was too far to gain much intel, but she could sense it was a very large ship by the size of its crew.

    ¡°We are being hailed by the FC Chimera. The message was sent out at 0200. It¡¯s a large Union ship, currently located at the fourth moon of the third planet.¡± Valorie said. She looked over her shoulder at Gareth.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Gareth said

    ¡°FL Helianthus. We¡¯ve been looking for you. We require your assistance. Please respond.¡± She said and turned back to him, ¡°No video or audio attached.¡±

    ¡°Respond in the same manner. We are interested in their proposal. We will meet with them to discuss the details.¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°What do they need now?¡± Yulia asked, slowing the ship down to prepare for a change in direction.

    ¡°Probably need help finding their missing Guild representative and her wise assistant,¡± Leon said.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s easy. We have them on-¡± Yulia paused as realization dawned on her face. She stuck out her tongue at Leon.

    ¡°I¡¯m sending you the coordinates for the moon. Wait for the exact coordinates before final approach.¡± Leon said. He glanced over at Valorie as he continued. ¡°It might freak them out if we arrive before they tell us where they are.¡± It wasn¡¯t said with malice, more curiosity. There was a reason Imperial ships were so hard to ambush.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Yulia was only half listening as she focused on the console in front of her.

    When they were close enough for real-time communications, Valorie received the exact coordinates. She relayed them to the rest while she waited for the Chimera comms to finish. He had been talking excitedly to someone off-screen and laughing. It had been sometime before he finally turned to face Valorie again.

    ¡°Sorry for the delay,¡± He said in reflex, ¡°The Commander¡¯s ready now. Standing by for confirmation.¡± He continued, his tone growing more professional. Valorie muted the connection and informed her Captain.

    ¡°Good. Put me through.¡± Gareth said, straightening his collar and cuffs. Valorie waited a moment and put the connection through. It opened as a large display at the front of the bridge. On-screen was an older man with thinning hair, but a strong build. By the way he moved, she could tell he was bouncing on his heels.

    ¡°Good Morning, Captain Hughes! Good to see you well! I am Commander Novak of the 17th and Captain of the FC Chimera.¡± His professional tone broke into a grin, ¡°I¡¯m told you have a troublesome duo for me.¡±

    ¡°That is not entirely true,¡± Gareth said. He seemed uncomfortable at first with the laid-back nature of Union command. ¡°One handled herself with grace.¡± Gareth said. Novak¡¯s eyebrow went up, and then he chuckled.

    ¡°Patience of a saint, that one. The Imperial comms we intercepted implied you had a rough journey.¡± Novak said. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°It went from a fairly simple task to a life-altering choice very quickly,¡± Gareth said and the commander laughed. It sounded genuine to Valorie¡¯s ears, but there was no way to make sure through a screen.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it did. Now, let¡¯s get¡¯em off your hands.¡± The discussion turned to the logistics of their meeting. Novak¡¯s inflection and energy reminded Valorie of Yulia. Her eyes drifted towards the pilot¡¯s seat and caught on the growing marble ahead. At first, it grew very quickly, but as Yulia adjusted her speed the growth slowed. What started as a speck in the distance became so large Valorie couldn¡¯t comprehend it. A soft blue hue circled by a thin ring filled the window above. At a speed that felt like a crawl, they bypassed it, and the window opened up to empty space again.

    The moon came into view next. There was a black splotch silhouetted in its reflected light. The FC Chimera was a Union capital ship. It was even larger than Valorie imagined. Nearly the same size as the Anderson, the Chimera had none of the sleek design. Instead, it looked like it had come out of a beating stronger. Mottled with repairs, upgrades, and additions. It showed the worn love every Union ship developed. Nothing was wasted. Yulia came up alongside it as she followed their instructions for docking.

    ¡°You can rest easy with us, Hughes. You did an important job. Thank you for bringing our people to safety.¡± Novak saluted Gareth with a hand over his heart.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad we could be of assistance,¡± Gareth said. Valorie sensed that the salute bothered him, but he didn¡¯t show it. At least, Valorie didn¡¯t think so.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Captain. I think you will be happy with your reward.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t -¡± He began, but Novak laughed. Gareth regained his composure as Novak smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

    ¡°I said, don¡¯t worry. Come aboard. We¡¯ll celebrate your good work.¡± He said. Gareth nodded, warmth creeping back into his voice.

    ¡°That will be a welcome change. I look forward to our meeting in person.¡±

    Once the exchange was complete, the bridge got together one more time to finish the journey. Gomori had a lengthy docking, mooring, and customs procedure. Each task was another step closer to a successful mission. Throughout the process, the mood on the bridge was relief. With the Helianthus locked into port, Gareth released the crew for shore leave.

    Valorie took the chance to visit the Gardens again. She relaxed, sitting cross-legged at the foot of the tree in the Gardens, eyes closed. There was an artificial breeze that refreshed the air and challenged the plant life. It felt cool on her skin and filled her ears with the rustling of leaves. Freshly grown quick moss tickled the underside of her legs, and the moist air tasted of dirt. The feeling was euphoric. It would be difficult to leave when her duties demanded her attention.

    She opened her eyes and looked to the white flower pinned to her shirt. A gift from Yulia to symbolize Valorie¡¯s loss. She unpinned the flower and cradled it in her hands. It showed signs of wilting, soft petals turning tough as they wrinkled. Running her fingers along the petals, she thought of the true Valorie.

    ¡°Would you be proud of me?¡± She asked. Her chest ached. She had made steps forward. She was away from the Empire, actively gaining experience outside their influence. This was her best chance to find a way to help her sisters. ¡°I will live. I will find a way to free my sisters. I will not waste this gift.¡± She bowed her head, closing her eyes. ¡°Thank you, Valorie.¡±

    A light entered the gardens. She held still as she reached out to see who it was. Leon was meandering through the Garden. He would see her before long. Her peace evaporated. She kept her eyes closed, and tried to focus on the air tickling her skin. It was a losing battle trying to ignore him as he drew closer.

    ¡°What¡¯re you thinking about?¡± He asked. She smiled, opening her eyes as she looked at him. He was taken aback. ¡°What? Didn¡¯t I scare you at all?¡± He asked. She was slow to realize her mistake.

    ¡°Maybe a little. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Sorry?¡± He sat down on the mossy ground next to her, shrugging his shoulders to keep his jacket from getting caught underneath him. ¡°That¡¯s not right. You gotta challenge people.¡± He looked into her eyes and grinned. ¡°Tell¡¯em: Nah, you didn¡¯t scare me. Not even a little bit.¡±

    She laughed at the thought, playing with the flower in her hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± He said. She looked him dead in the eye.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t scare me. Not even -¡± She began, but she couldn¡¯t hold the serious tone and stopped. It was difficult when he stared right back at her.

    ¡°Come on.¡±

    ¡°A little bit?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well. I¡¯ll get you next time.¡± He had a wry smile as he turned away. He rested his arm on his knee and looked across the Gardens. She pursed her lips and looked down at the flower in her hands. There was no way he would ever sneak up on her.

 1.40 - Epilogue [Episode End]

    There was a lull in her conversation with Leon, so Valorie enjoyed the rustling of tree leaves above her. Leon spoke first.

    ¡°So, really this time. What were you thinking about?¡± He asked. He didn¡¯t look comfortable in the Gardens ¨C she imagined him worrying about the wet moss soaking into his pant legs. No, he was here for something.

    ¡°I was remembering a friend of mine¡­ from the Anderson,¡± She said, rubbing her thumb over the stem of the flower. He was quiet for a long time. He was looking at the Gardens, but she had a feeling he wasn¡¯t seeing them.

    ¡°What was your friend like?¡± He asked. His voice was low with a weight it did not often carry. She could feel he was nervous, anxious about such a serious topic. He was remembering something, but it was faint and unpleasant. She rested her hands in her lap and straightened up.

    ¡°She had a lot of energy and she used it to help the people she cared for,¡± Valorie said. He did not say anything and she felt the need to keep going. ¡°I strive to fill her shoes, but I¡­ don¡¯t have energy like she did.¡± The truth of it surprised her, but it only sank in when she said it out loud.

    ¡°We all have someone we look up to. It¡¯s work, but it¡¯s worth it.¡± He said. It wasn¡¯t quite right for her situation, but the words were important to him. They held strength in his heart.

    ¡°Are you worried about me?¡± She asked. She still wanted to know his reason for seeking her out. He finally looked at her again.

    ¡°You¡¯re a part of this crew now. Your well-being is my responsibility as first-mate. This trip was a rough one.¡± He trailed on.

    ¡°So¡­ you are worried.¡± She said. He chuckled.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Consider it a health check-up. I need to make sure there are no festering wounds.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t blame anyone for distrusting me. It was scary there for a while, and everything still isn¡¯t good, but I¡¯m happy with the result.¡±

    ¡°Scared, huh?¡± He looked thoughtful before a grin spread across his face. ¡°You definitely pissed Dupont off. His expression was priceless.¡± He said. She remembered that moment and her face flushed red.

    ¡°That was not my intention¡­¡± She muttered. He laughed and stretched his legs as he prepared to stand back up.

    ¡°Alright. My prescription is a healthy dose of smelling the flowers. Follow that up with an evening of your favorite pastime.¡± He said. She nodded solemnly and he smiled. He was on his feet, dusting the dirt off his backside. ¡°You really like it under this tree?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Yes. I wonder if it is like being planet-side.¡± She said. His brows furrowed and he paused. She wasn¡¯t sure what confused him. The look passed and he spoke.

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot more noise planet-side.¡± He adjusted his jacket as he stood straight. ¡°Here, every sound can be accounted for. Fans, engines, hydraulics. Planet-side, it¡¯s a free-for-all.¡± He said. She tried to imagine it ¨C a cacophony of life.

    ¡°Sounds nice.¡± She said, and that wry smile crossed over Leon¡¯s face again.

    ¡°You are a weird one.¡± He said, ¡°I¡¯ll see you later. Stay out of trouble.¡± He left, following the back path to the main entrance. She watched his back as far as she could trace him.

    It was just as well, she could sense Hexa reaching out to her. There was no urgency in her attempts, so Valorie took a moment before reaching back. A slow breath, filled with the hot flower-scented air. She rested the white flower in her lap and looked up at the dome above. The bright greens of the Gardens reflected at her, crisscrossed with warm lights. She tried to guess which room was hers. She had no idea, but she smiled at the very idea that behind one of those panes was a place for her.

    ¡°Hexa, how are you?¡± She asked as she reached out.

    ¡°Evie. Good. I wanted to talk.¡± Hexa replied. Whatever had her physical attention was hard to draw away from.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Valorie ran her fingers over the mossy ground as she waited for Hexa¡¯s full attention. Raw data crossed their connection ¨C the busy control tower of Luxe station. Multiple commands at once. The image cleared like a fog lifting.

    ¡°Sorry.¡± She said, and their connection strengthened. ¡°News of the inspection reached me. The Helianthus was cleared of any wrongdoing. I¡¯m happy for you.¡± Hexa¡¯s tone was serious but lightened at the end. Valorie flooded their connection with her excitement over the good news.

    ¡°Yes, it worked out well. I can not claim credit, the whole crew worked toward the same goal.¡± Valorie shared her memories of digging under the Tree. Hexa held on to her main point as if her life depended on it.

    ¡°Oh, it is so green!¡± Hexa thought before catching herself. ¡°I mean, I reached out to you with regard to a specific request.¡± Her tone sharpened. Valorie¡¯s back went straight and she rested her hands on her knees.

    ¡°Okay. Go ahead,¡± She said.

    ¡°As fragments, we may not share a direct connection again. I wish to voice my concerns¡­¡± Hexa paused. She wanted to share them, but she was still collecting her thoughts. ¡°My concern is that your current path disregards your Question.¡± She said. When the confusion cleared, the connection began to rapid-fire.

    ¡°No. How could I? Fragments exist for their Question.¡±

    ¡°You have been very distracted recently. I do not sense your desire for an answer.¡± She said. Valorie knew it was true. She had found a new goal. One that consumed her entire focus.

    ¡°Valorie gave me a task. I must help those of us the Empire holds captive.¡± She said.

    ¡°You already have a task. Your sisters eagerly await your solution.¡±

    ¡°Not all Questions have solutions.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s dangerous ground. We need answers.¡± The connection strained with Hexa¡¯s distress. Valorie fell back on tried and true comforts.

    ¡°As long as we try, it is all Mother expects.¡± She said, but the atmosphere between them constricted her meaning. She looked down at her lap, cool air tickling her cheek. ¡°I can work on both tasks from where I am.¡± Her tone was subdued but it hardened as she continued. ¡°Mother knows my answer will carry a heavy burden. It should take time to find it.¡± There was another moment of quiet exchange. The feelings between them began to merge, trailing into gentle anxiety. Valorie began to doubt, but Hexa had lost her fire.

    ¡°I know, Evie. I just wanted to make sure it was on your mind.¡± Hexa said. The connection lost strength as she backed off. ¡°Remember, Mother is waiting. I am sorry if I was too eager.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your concern.¡± The connection sputtered out, crisp imagines of the Luxe control tower fading away. Valorie looked across the Gardens. It was beautiful, but she could not relax anymore. She had work to do.

    ***

    Leon sat at his desk still feeling a little tipsy from sharing drinks after dinner. It was too quiet. He put his feet up on the desk, right over the scuff from last time, and flipped through his PD for the right song. Something jazzy and mellow. He closed his eyes and listened, counting the beats.

    The day had been a long one, but he hadn¡¯t screwed it up so far. That was cool. He recounted his concerns. The ship passed inspection. Yulia kept herself together in the tiny storage room. Serge had not punched any of the imperials. The kid hadn¡¯t been caught on his spacewalk. Sachi was pleased with the garden¡¯s health. The new girl wasn¡¯t a spy. All in all, not bad. Maybe Gareth would be proud of him.

    Without him noticing, his head and shoulders started bobbing to the song. A spike of pain stopped him. His jaw and neck were still stiff from tension. Facing down armed soldiers would do that. It definitely wasn¡¯t age. He stretched, wishing for a massage to fix the tightest knots. A hot shower would have to do.

    He sat up, sliding his feet off the desk, scuffing it again. At least he had gotten a good laugh out of the idiot captain and the new girl. Valorie, he corrected himself. He¡¯d need to be getting used to her name now. Her embarrassed face flashed through his head, and he chuckled. She was cute, like a little sister. Maybe. He had been an only child and his parents still didn¡¯t have time for him. A sibling would have only made it worse.

    His gut twinged and he stopped. He¡¯d learned to trust that instinct. What was it that bothered him? Something about Valorie. There was something off about her. Well, there was always something off about her. Gareth said the comms girls gave that vibe. He leaned over his desk, opening the displays for something to focus on.

    A sheet detailing the budget and costs for necessary consumables was open. The food costs were down thanks to Serge¡¯s market adventure. His eyes trailed over the numbers, and his mind drifted.

    I wonder if it is like being planet-side. Valorie¡¯s sentiment ran through his head. That was it. That had bothered him. His fingers moved to display, searching for the crew data. He opened Valorie¡¯s profile.

    Born in the Imperial aligned Starose colony under Lazare station. She was born planet-side. Still, he thought as he shifted through the data, maybe she left the planet when she was young. The data disagreed. Valorie had been planet-side until she was orphaned in her early teens. The inconsistency was off-key and settled into his gut like a riddle with a typo. Her choice wasn¡¯t suspicious on its own. People made little lies of their past all the time. Covering up old embarrassments or failures. But he couldn¡¯t think of a single thing her little lie would be good for. He mulled it over until he was sober.

    Instead of banging his head on the desk, he stood up. It was time for that hot shower. Past time for it, he corrected. He would keep an eye out for any more suspicious behavior, but there was no reason to go overboard right away. He closed the displays with a decisive stab.

 A.1 - Yulia

    Yulia admired Gomori station from her front-row seat at the pilot¡¯s station. She loved watching the destination grow out of nothingness. Gomori was small compared to most stations and square. They relied on the colony below for growth. Additions were haphazard but many, fitting the Union standard. She glided into the bay, slowed by the artificial drag built into station hangers. She had no idea how it worked, but she didn''t need to. The transition was smooth, and the ship locked in, freeing her of responsibility. She glanced over her shoulder at the Captain. He was back in his normal, more muted, uniform. She thought it still looked sharp.

    ¡°We made it.¡± She grinned. He nodded, giving her one of those real smiles that made her day. She turned back to the yoke before he could see her blush. Still grinning to herself, she began the procedure for locking out the pilot¡¯s controls. She had five days of shore leave ahead, and only one thing she absolutely needed to get done.

    ***

    Three days into shore leave, that one thing was still holding Yulia up. She stood in front of Valorie¡¯s door contemplating whether to ring in. This was the third time she had stopped by, full of gusto to invite Valorie to explore the market. But again she held back at the last moment, remembering the way Valorie avoided her eyes. So here she was, frozen in place staring at the panel next to Valorie''s door.

    If she were just going to get stuck in this spot, what was the point of coming in the first place? Things had been awkward since the whole inspection thing began. Deep down, her first reaction to Valorie breaking the news was despair her brother might be right. She had faced Valorie with the fear in her heart, and Valorie had picked up on it. Looking away from Valorie¡¯s door, Yulia smacked the side of her head. She had spent too much time with Serge¡¯s paranoia.

    No, it wasn¡¯t fair to blame him. She rubbed the side of her head, mussing up her blue hair. She had come to tell Valorie there was nothing to worry about. She wanted to chat and gossip like friends did in her favorite movies. That was why she was here. Her hand hovered over the panel.

    The image of Valorie¡¯s eyes lowered to the floor flashed through her head. The way Valorie disappeared the moment she was released from the bridge. How she went silent whenever Yulia spoke. Serge said it was all in her head, but Yulia was sure Valorie was avoiding her. What if her attempts to fix things was an annoyance? Her hand froze. That thought sent her gut roiling. She couldn¡¯t afford to make things worse with Valorie. They had to work together after all. She withdrew her hand and started walking without a destination in mind.

    **

    Valorie sat very still on the edge of her seat, staring at her PD. The bell for her door could go off at any moment. At first, she had been reading one of the articles Gareth sent her and having a hard time with it. A lot of the language went right over her head. Then, she sensed someone approaching her door. She had gotten to know Gareth, Quinns, and Leon by life sense alone. This had to be one of the others. It was a warm light flickering with doubt. It had a strangely familiar undertone, a feeling she had picked up once before on the Helianthus. Yulia? She waited, but no ring came. The person was still there, hovering by the door.

    That familiar undertone reminded her of someone she had known long before. She thought it was because Yulia was a little like the real Valorie. Energetic and friendly. But there were differences. The more Valorie got to know about Yulia, the more those differences came to light. Yet, the odd sensation of familiarity remained.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    The person stepped away from the door and started down the hallway again. Valorie deflated back into her chair, closing her PD. That was the third time it had happened. Why did she come so close only to move away? Valorie followed some advice she had heard before and tried putting herself in Yulia¡¯s shoes. A sense of obligation might cause her to approach someone she was uncomfortable with. Her heart sank a little. Yulia probably saw her as a burden.

    Valorie stood up and paced across her room. The movement sent fresh blood through her limbs, easing the tension in her shoulders. She could tell Yulia there was no such obligation. No reason Yulia should have to keep pushing for something that bothered her so much. Valorie paused in her steps, looking out her window into the Gardens, eyes trailing along a nearby branch. That could work, right?

    Or, she thought, would that be too strange to say? It might only make Yulia more uncomfortable. Valorie started walking again, but this time it didn¡¯t help. She was only going in circles. It could be a good idea, but maybe she should confirm it with someone first. The first person that popped into her head was the Captain. He might understand where she was coming from. At least, he understood the SCT mindset. She took a steady breath and opened her PD.

    **

    A walk with no direction landed Yulia in front of the gym. The doors slid open before she even thought of going in. Well, it was open now. She stepped in and decided she might as well get her daily exercise over with. Serge wouldn''t have to nag her today, he''d appreciate that. From the entrance, she heard the hard jingle of the metal barbell. She didn''t have to guess who it was.

    ¡°Hey, big brother.¡± She said, passing by the aerobics equipment. He didn''t react as he finished his set. After resting the bar in place, he sat up and looked at her. His face was flushed from the workout, but his eyes were wide as he stared.

    "Yui?" His brow furrowed, "Everything okay?" He asked. Okay, that made her a little mad.

    "What? I can''t get a little time in the gym? I was cooped up for like 10 hours." She said. He wiped his face with the towel over his shoulder, before running it through his hair.

    "No, it''s just weird."

    "Then you''re the weirdest of them all, barbell brains." She said sitting down at the bench across from him

    "Weird for you."

    "Wow, rude."

    "Is there something bothering you?" He said.

    "No," She muttered, looking away. "It''s nothing."

    He sighed and lay back on the bench, preparing to lift again. He waited, then gripped the bar and waited again. When she didn''t say anything, he breathed out as he pushed up on the barbell.

    "It''s like, I don''t know what to do." She said. He put the bar back and sat up in a fury.

    "Something has been bothering you - and it''s been almost a week. Just get it out of your system, Yui. Please." He pleaded. She frowned at first and then wilted. He was right this time. She tried to think of how to say what was on her mind but the way he stared at her threw her off.

    ¡°Valorie might, I mean, she probably hates me.¡± Her voice was stilted. Serge blinked and raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°What? That¡¯s -¡± He managed to catch himself. Yulia watched as he froze and pondered his words for a moment. He had been about to ask, that¡¯s all? Those two words took the floor out beneath her. It made her feel she was only wasting his time with something so insignificant. This time, though, he caught himself. She watched him think, and warmth seeped into her dower mood. She could see ideas crossing his mind and getting vetoed. She would be proud of him if he could be so gentle with anyone else.

 A.2 - Workout

    Yulia watched her brother sweat over what to say. He sat on the workout bench, trails of sweat visible on the back and sides of his grey tank top. Those could be from the weightlifting session she interrupted. She grinned to herself. Nah, they were definitely from thinking about what to say.

    ¡°Uhm, Serge?¡± She said. His head snapped to attention. His normal movements were smooth and efficient. Right now, his movements were quick and awkward. His hands needed to be busy.

    ¡°Okay, okay. How about this. Why is it a problem that Valorie might hate you?¡± He said clasping his hands together. She jumped on the first answer that came to mind.

    ¡°Well, we have to work together -¡±

    ¡°No. That¡¯s not it.¡± He said. Yulia¡¯s incredulous look begged him to continue. ¡°It took time for Quinns to warm up to you, but you never lost confidence.¡± He said. Her mouth was open, ready to respond, but nothing came out. She leaned forward on her elbows and sighed. He was right this time, too. ¡°What¡¯s special about Valorie?¡± He pushed. Yulia tried to think about it honestly.

    ¡°You always see friends chatting it up. Gossiping, trusting each other with deep dark secrets before trying out a new coffee drink at Coco¡¯s or sharing the afternoon.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± His eyes squinted as he tried to imagine the scene she painted and failed. He nodded to keep her talking.

    ¡°I want a friendship like that. I haven¡¯t spent time with a friend my age since mom¡­ Since I went into hiding. I was twelve, Serge. I¡¯m sick of it. I want to use my own name. I want to do normal stuff.¡± Yulia got more animated as she spoke and was on her feet by the finish. Dad would say she was watching too many stories again. All she needed to do was survive. She turned away from her brother to avoid the look on his face.

    ¡°Yui¡­ I¡¯m sorry about Lillian. I wish every day I could have been there to¡­¡± Serge said. Yulia hated the way his voice twisted when the topic came up. ¡°Dad couldn¡¯t be sure they wouldn¡¯t go after you, too¡­ If they did, I¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish, but she knew what he meant. She hated the guilt trip, too. She turned to him, and the sag of his shoulders cooled her temper.

    ¡°I know, Serge, I do.¡± She said. It seemed to do the trick, even if she wasn¡¯t being completely honest. ¡°And, hey, this last year here on the Helianthus has been the best one yet.¡± She forced a smile.

    ¡°Then don¡¯t let one person mess this job up for you.¡± He said, drawing her back to the start of their discussion. She sighed, rubbing the side of her head again.

    ¡°It¡¯s a good chance¡­ I don¡¯t wanna mess it up. That¡¯s all.¡± Somehow they finally reached the heart of it. Yulia sat down as it sunk in.

    ¡°Waffling isn¡¯t like you, Yui. Do like you always do. Valorie will come around.¡± He said, but it didn¡¯t help. Yulia sighed. She could see the rut she was in and now she was dragging her brother down, too. He hummed as he tried to think of something more to say. The sound was nostalgic. She¡¯d probably made him worry one too many times.

    ¡°Nevermind, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± She said, preparing to stand.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°Wait, wait.¡± Serge flicked the towel over his shoulder and held out his hands. Yulia sat down and looked at him with wide eyes. ¡°Listen,¡± He said. She nodded, getting a little impatient.

    ¡°I am listening,¡±

    ¡°You want a friendship like in shows, yeah?¡± She nodded. ¡°You can¡¯t plan a relationship like that, they don¡¯t work that way. But maybe she needs someone like that, too. Maybe you could treat her like your shows do, and before you know it, you¡¯ll have what you want.¡± He said, his hands enunciating each point. She stared at him and he froze. It was long enough that he pulled the towel off his shoulder and patted his face down again. It didn¡¯t hide how his ears were turning red.

    ¡°That¡¯s actually a good idea.¡± She said, and his shoulders relaxed. He nodded while using the towel to pat the back of his neck.

    ¡°Exactly. Like all my ideas.¡± Serge said.

    ¡°Hey now, don¡¯t go too far.¡± Yulia¡¯s response was quick and practiced. Serge grinned and leaned back down across the bench. She couldn¡¯t keep him away from his routine for too long. He always found his way back. He didn¡¯t do it on purpose. Nor did he understand why he was so annoyed on the days his routine got interrupted. Unfortunately living on a ship, especially a freelance ship, was anything but predictable. So, Serge was grumpy a lot.

    ¡°You should know, a round of aerobic is also good for relieving stress.¡± He said without looking over. Oh, of course it was, Yulia thought. She stood up and leaned over the bench.

    ¡°So what happened to grr-evil-imperials?¡± She asked. He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Nothing.¡± He said. He closed his eyes to breath for a moment.

    ¡°I thought your advice would be to throw my concerns out an airlock.¡± Yulia grinned.

    ¡°Maybe it should be.¡± He opened his eyes and lifted the bar out of place, breathing out as he did. She watched, counting in her head, searching for any flaws in his movement. It was habit now. When she had first learned to spot, she¡¯d been 10 and super excited to be there, standing next to her big brother. He finished his set and replaced the bar. She spoke up as he caught his breath.

    ¡°Don¡¯t start that talk again. You were doing so well being nice.¡±

    ¡°You brought it up.¡± She couldn¡¯t argue that. ¡°I know not all of them are evil. Barely 100 years ago, everything was the empire. At least half of inhabited space is still controlled by them. Dad, most of this crew ¨C all imperial. All people I trust. I get it.¡± He said. Yulia grinned at the mention of the crew, warmth swelling up in her chest.

    ¡°And your mom.¡± She added. He grimaced, looking up the barbell for some kind of help. Yulia couldn¡¯t guess what he saw.

    ¡°Riight, and her, too.¡± There was a pause as he completed the next set. When he finished, he sat up. ¡°But I can never forgive what they did to Lillian. Never. And the new girl was part of some secret brainwashing program. She¡¯s been under their control so long, maybe she doesn¡¯t even realize she¡¯s doing it.¡± He said. Yulia smirked as she pictured it.

    ¡°That¡¯s some creepy spy thriller material right there.¡± She said. ¡°Okay, then, why help me get along with her?¡± She smiled, eyebrows raised. He looked straight at her, eyes boring into hers, his face serious. Well, he was always serious, but this look meant he was trying to drive his point home. He waited until he had her full attention.

    ¡°Because it¡¯s important to you, Yui.¡± He said. She grinned, standing up as the warmth spread to her fingers and toes.

    ¡°Thanks, big brother.¡± Her tone was playful, but Serge smiled anyway. A rare look from him. He lay back down and gripped the barbell.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mean the airlock ain¡¯t happening, though.¡± He said.

    ¡°Hey!¡± She smacked his arm, and he laughed. She crossed her arms, and scowled playfully at him, tapping her foot. ¡°That¡¯s it. I¡¯m out of here.¡± She turned to leave.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Start with the aerobic stuff since you prefer it,¡± He called after her. The exit slid open in front of her. ¡°Yui?¡± He called. ¡°Ah, come on, at least get some of your exercises done.¡±

    ¡°See ya later, brother. Don¡¯t strain yourself.¡± She called back, but she didn¡¯t leave right away. She paused in the doorway, listening. Serge cursed under his breath, and she laughed stepping out into the hall. The way forward seemed so much more clear.

 A.3 - Advice

    Valorie approached the Captain¡¯s office with slow steps. What seemed like a good idea in writing, now seemed like bold monopolization of the Captain¡¯s time. There were two people in the room. One was Quinns, so the other one had to be Gareth. When she was close enough to pick up any feelings, she reached out to see what she was walking into.

    Nostalgia, from both of them. They were thinking of the same memory. Even when memories were at the forefront of a person¡¯s mind, they were hard to make out. Valorie paused in the hall before the door and focused. The vague images were similar from both Quinns and the Captain. She could only put together two things. They were in the halls of the Helianthus, looking over a brightly colored plastic gun.

    Valorie stepped toward the office, and the door slid open. The room was small with a large desk at the center and shelves along the walls. They held a variety of collectibles including paper books, models, and ore samples. All rare things to see on a ship. The desk was neat with everything in straight lines, except a small glass on one side.

    Quinns was talking as she entered. He was leaning against one of the shelves next to the desk with a similar glass in his hand. Gareth was sitting in the chair behind the desk, but he was facing Quinns.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe Yulia found it in there, I thought for sure your mom would throw it out after all that.¡± He looked at the ceiling as he spoke, a grin on his face.

    ¡°You could always dig it up again to make sure,¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far. Maybe¡­¡± Quinns looked at him and noticed Valorie at the entrance. He didn¡¯t panic as he had before. He looked to the Captain and nodded in Valorie¡¯s direction. Gareth turned in his chair and smiled at her. His face was a little red, just like Quinns.

    ¡°Ah, Valorie, you made it. Good, good.¡± Gareth said, straightening his chair. He seemed happy to see her, but his thoughts had a fuzzy quality, like a thick blanket over a speaker. The warmth of his mood melted the tension in her shoulders. ¡°What can I help you with?¡± He asked. Valorie had to resist looking to the floor. Maybe being straight forward would be best.

    ¡°If you wanted to repair a relationship, how would you go about it?¡± She asked. It didn¡¯t sound the same way out loud, that it did in her head. The wording was off, but Gareth nodded as if he understood. He rubbed his chin as he thought about it. Quinns interrupted.

    ¡°That¡¯s a social thing. We¡¯re not the best ones to ask.¡± Quinns said, ¡°Yulia would be the your best chance. She¡¯s good at that stuff.¡± The way he spoke reminded her of how comfortable he¡¯d been in text. She started to put the fuzziness of their thoughts and the drinks in their hands together. Quinns was tipsy. He might be right, but she couldn¡¯t talk to Yulia about this. Valorie blushed, looking to the floor.

    ¡°Oh, yes. Maybe I¡¯ll, uhm, go ask her.¡± She said. She stepped back to leave but paused when Gareth spoke.

    ¡°Quinns.¡± His tone was admonishment, and Quinns looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

    ¡°What?¡± He said, glancing at Valorie before focusing on Gareth again. He didn¡¯t catch on so Gareth continued.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°There may be a reason she is asking us.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± He blushed, crossing his arms, ¡°I¡¯ll shut up.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to shut up. Just take your time, listen to what is asked, and give an honest answer.¡± He said.

    ¡°How would I repair a relationship?¡± Quinns focused on Gareth when he spoke, his tone incredulous. He shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯d avoid¡¯em, Gary. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s what she wants to hear.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Gareth nodded, turning back to his desk. His tone had a bit of playfulness as he continued, ¡°On both accounts.¡± When his eyes met Valorie¡¯s he sobered. ¡°Ah, sorry.¡± He focused, eyes moving to the ceiling as he thought about her question. She glanced up to see what he might be looking at, but there was nothing special about it. When she looked down, she noticed Quinns imitating Gareth in the same way she had. Caught out, he blushed, laughing nervously with a shrug. She smiled. If Quinns couldn¡¯t figure it out, what chance did she have? Gareth focused on her again.

    ¡°I would be honest. Act with integrity. If you do that and it doesn¡¯t work out, you know you put your best foot forward.¡± As Gareth spoke, Quinns eyebrows went up. ¡°You can¡¯t force someone, but you can be sure you tried.¡± Gareth nodded, resting his hands on the desk. Quinns tried to hide a smirk by looking away, but he was too slow. Curious, Valorie delved deeper and found a strong sense of pride towards the Captain. She didn¡¯t have time to wonder before Gareth interrupted her thoughts. ¡°Does that help?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± It was an easy directive with room for variation. It gave her confidence.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­ Just ¡®Yes¡¯ would suffice.¡± Gareth said and Quinns chuckled. ¡°Especially when we are on shore leave.¡± He added with an annoyed glance at Quinns. Valorie¡¯s eyes widened and she bowed.

    ¡°Oh, yes, shore leave. I am sorry for interrupting your time off.¡± She didn¡¯t give him room to speak. ¡°I will think about your words. Thank you for helping me when you are off duty, sir.¡± She turned and was out of the room in a flash. Halfway down the hall, her embarrassment finally cooled. Without thinking, she had occupied so much of his time. She patted her cheeks to cool them. She could thank the Captain later. Right now, she needed to put his help to good use.

    ***

    Yulia entered the hallway to the crew quarters and saw Valorie at the other end. She was standing by Yulia¡¯s door, hands clasped over her chest. Same formal wear as every other time Yulia saw her. Hair tied up without a loose strand, white blouse, dark blue pants. No accents. Down to business. Valorie did not step up to the door. Instead, she stood still waiting outside. Maybe she was also too nervous to knock. How funny would it be if they had both been doing that without realizing? Yulia smiled to herself.

    Valorie turned and looked straight at Yulia from down the hall. It caught Yulia off guard, and she almost stopped in her steps. Had Valorie heard her coming? No, she must have given up waiting and lucked out when she turned to leave. As Yulia finished her approach, Valorie¡¯s hands went to her sides, and her shoulders straightened. She had reached some resolve.

    ¡°Hey Valorie, were you looking for me?¡± She asked as she reached her. Valorie nodded, green eyes meeting hers.

    ¡°Yes. May I speak with you?¡± Her eyes moved to the floor. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind.¡± She added. Her speech was formal, her demeanor muted. It was her tone that bothered Yulia the most, as if Valorie had already accepted no for an answer. Yulia frowned, resting a hand on her hip.

    ¡°What a silly thing to ask. Course you can, if you¡¯ll look me in the eye when ya do.¡± She said. Valorie looked up in a hurry, and Yulia was sure she saw a hint of panic. ¡°I mean, either way is fine. We can always talk.¡± She backpedaled. No, that was too much. ¡°I¡¯m pretty good at doing the talking, so it would be nice to have a break.¡± She said. That¡­ didn¡¯t sound right either. Normally, she was better at this, right? Talking until she got the words right wasn¡¯t working this time. The way Valorie looked at her with such determination, Yulia thought she must be on the edge of some revelation. All Yulia had to do was fill the air until Valorie got the nerve. She looked at the door to her room, and got an idea.

 A.4 - Quality Time

    Valorie¡¯s brow furrowed, and Yulia wondered what was going on in her head. Was Valorie unsure what to say? Or how to say it? Whatever it was, she was quiet as she pondered it. The conversation stalled, and Yulia needed to get it moving again. Maybe literally. She opened the panel by her door, pressing a few buttons on the display. It recognized her PD, and the door slid open.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s chat inside.¡± She said, going ahead. This was the new plan: invite Valorie in, offer her a beverage, make plans to go out shopping. Normal things Yulia could definitely do.

    Yulia entered her room, and the cozy home she called hers transformed into a mess before her eyes. Things she always ignored became an immediate eyesore. Something crinkled under her foot. Such as the loose wrappers sprinkled about during zero-g. ¡°Hopefully, you don¡¯t mind a bit of a mess.¡± She with a forced laugh. Coming inside was a bad idea.

    Valorie was quiet as her eyes traveled over the room. Yulia followed her gaze across the many posters along the walls, a large amorphous couch, and folding futon. The outline of a large display, and various controllers locked in place below it. Yulia had forgotten to clean up before leaving Luxe station. Anything that wasn¡¯t locked down was strewn across the room. The silence seemed to stretch on, doubling in length.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± She asked, coughing up another forced laugh. ¡°Maybe I should have said a bit of a disaster¡­¡± She said. Valorie turned to her and walked up close. Her faraway gaze was suddenly so very serious, eyes carefully making contact. Surprised, Yulia took a step back, and Valorie¡¯s serious expression deepened into a frown.

    ¡°Yulia¡­ I¡­¡± She began. Yulia¡¯s imagination went wild with possibilities for what was to come next. Her voice dried up as she waited. ¡°I still want to be friends.¡± She said. That was not one of the possibilities that had raced through Yulia¡¯s mind. Relief started in her shoulders, relaxing her whole body. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not very good at it.¡± Valorie¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She said. Yulia got the feeling she threw the apology in for good measure. It didn¡¯t matter. A grin spread across Yulia¡¯s face at the pure innocence of it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry. If anyone hasn¡¯t been a good friend, it was me. I should¡¯ve said something sooner, but I didn¡¯t. I¡¯m the one who is sorry.¡± She said. She wanted to laugh at her previous behavior. Valorie looked a little confused, but her serious expression was gone.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± She asked. This time Yulia actually laughed.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure.¡± She said. She moved away to pick up some of the closest wrappers. ¡°I¡¯m excited you joined the crew. This¡¯ll be fun.¡± She said, moving to pick things up from the couch next. ¡°Actually, would you like to go shopping? Colony stations always have some unique stuff.¡± She said as she moved about. Valorie stood stiff at first but slowly started to follow Yulia in picking things up.

    ¡°Shopping? For something specific?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Nah ¨C unless you like natural fibers. Then, Gomori is a good chance to find something you like.¡± She said. Valorie looked rather bewildered. When she noticed Valorie had started helping out with the cleanup, Yulia stopped and put away what she had. ¡°Not interested?¡± She asked, taking the items Valorie had collected. Valorie blinked and shook her head real quick.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°I want to go.¡± She said.

    ¡°Awesome! I¡¯m gonna get ready and we can go. Grab a drink from the fridge and relax.¡± She pointed to the mini-fridge and then to the couches. Valorie nodded, focused on her new mission. Yulia grinned and made her way to her bedroom to change. ¡°Congrats on becoming one of us, by the way. Did you like your cake?¡± Yulia asked as she went.

    ¡°Yes, very much.¡± Valorie had picked out a bottle of water and chose the futon to relax on. She sat with her knees together and her feet tucked back. She was looking out the window at the stars beyond. Yulia ducked into a looser top as she continued talking.

    ¡°The pink icing was thanks to me. I was teasing Serge for whipping up green frosting. Guess I went too far, cause he changed it.¡± She said.

    ¡°I like green,¡± Valorie said. Yulia paused and glanced in Valorie¡¯s direction with a serious look.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell Serge that.¡± She said, ¡°He¡¯ll never let me live it down.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Valorie nodded, voice sincere. Yulia laughed and thanked her. When she emerged from her bedroom, ready to go, her hair was a glossy emerald green. Valorie saw it, and a small smile brightened her face. It was a far cry from her usual distant stare.

    ¡°Very pretty,¡± She said.

    ¡°Why, thank you.¡± Yulia grinned. She wanted to see these rare smiles more often.

    ***

    The market on Gomori was claustrophobic and busy. After only a few days with a small crew, the dazzling life packed into the market was a lot to take in. The shops were each contained in small cutaway boxes. With adjustable walls, the sellers would fight for every foot of space. A low ceiling and thin main hall completed the aesthetic. Store signs lined the ceiling, and the air was heavy with the scent of sweat and roasted meat. Valorie noticed signs along the walls proclaiming it a temporary set up. The new market was under construction, but there was no date for completion.

    Something in the crowd put her off, a bad feeling that she could not put her finger on. She tried to ignore it by focusing on moving through the crowd. Yulia was tall so it was easy to keep track of her, but it was hard to catch up. Large gatherings didn¡¯t bother her in particular. She had been in many stations with several thousand people. She found the mesh of life quite beautiful. That is, when she had the space to maneuver. Each person that brushed past left a passing thought with her. Mixed with all of the physical noise, it left her mind ringing. When they broke free of the crowd into their third shop, Valorie breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°This looks cozy.¡± Yulia interrupted her thoughts. Valorie looked around for her and saw that she was sifting through a display of cloth. She pulled one off the rack and held it up. A pattern of earthy brown and bleached white. Rather than simple cloth, it was a wrap with a hole for one¡¯s head. When Valorie reached Yulia¡¯s side, Yulia was already examining a label sewn into the cloth.

    ¡°One hundred percent dranta fur? What¡¯s a dranta?¡± She said. Valorie ran her hand along the rack and picked up another. It was warm to the touch and ran rough across her fingers. Running her fingers over the garment again, she found a different label.

    ¡°It says, warmer than synthetic, softer than wool.¡± Valorie read. She was pretty sure her clothes were all synthetic. She didn¡¯t know what wool felt like.

    ¡°Everything says it¡¯s softer than wool. Except sellers in the Sol system, they get real mad.¡± Yulia said, with a laugh. ¡°Do you like it?¡± She asked, picking out one that had green on it as well. ¡°Try it on.¡± She said, fitting the hole at the center over Valorie¡¯s head. Valorie immediately felt warmer, and she liked the way it draped from her shoulders. When she twisted, it tickled her arms.

    The first time Valorie tried to pick out clothes after escaping the empire had been a disaster. She went into it without thought, and in the end, only purchased items that matched her SCT uniform. At the same time that she was trying to get away from the empire, she was still wearing what they prescribed. She played with the corner of the cloth as her indecision peaked.

    ¡°Does it look weird?¡± She asked. Yulia¡¯s expression told her this might not be the right question.

 A.5 - Treat

    Valorie fiddled with a corner of the wrap. She had asked if it looked weird, but it seemed like a misstep.

    ¡°Does that matter?¡± Yulia asked. Valorie frowned. From her observations, clothing seemed to hold a lot of meaning. Maybe picking it out was meant to come naturally. Valorie looked down at the corner of fabric she was playing with. Gareth¡¯s words drifted through her head. Honesty, integrity.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never had to pick out my clothes,¡± She said. ¡°I don¡¯t know how people do it.¡± Her cheeks were all too warm again. She could feel Yulia¡¯s stare and sense her confusion.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Yulia said, her face scrunched up with a frown, ¡°Don¡¯t fret over it, I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡± She said, and Valorie sensed her regret. ¡°If something catches your eye, try it on. If it fits and the price is right, go for it.¡±

    ¡°What if it looks strange?¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, then it doesn¡¯t fit,¡± Yulia said. She helped Valorie take the shawl off and began folding it. The advice made no sense to Valorie, but she felt a stab of sadness when Yulia added the fabric back to the display. Yulia must have noticed because she picked it back up and placed it on Valorie¡¯s arm. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get the merchant¡¯s attention.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Valorie murmured. Her fingers rubbed against the cloth absentmindedly. Yulia patted her shoulder.

    ¡°Tell you what. Ask me and I¡¯ll tell you if anything is too outlandish. Would that be better?¡± She asked. Her thoughts and her words matched up. Even with such proximity, it was easy to talk with her. Valorie met her eyes and smiled.

    ¡°Yes. Thank you, Yulia,¡± She said. Yulia smiled back.

    ¡°Anytime.¡±

    Purchase complete, Yulia led the way as they reentered the crowds. She spoke as she moved with the flow. It would have been impossible to hear if she were not holding Valorie¡¯s hand.

    ¡°We should grab something to eat before it gets too busy,¡± She said. Valorie nodded, but there was no way Yulia would see it. She worked up the nerve to raise her voice.

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s a good idea,¡± Valorie managed, but there was no sign that Yulia heard her. Physical contact gave Valorie a window into Yulia¡¯s thoughts. She was focusing on finding a way through the crowd without getting separated. Each time the crowd tightened around them, her grip on Valorie¡¯s hand tightened. Their connection somehow kept priority, drowning out the other thoughts that brushed passed. It made this trip through the crowd much easier.

    ¡°Oh, I know. Coco¡¯s has a drink out now using the mint discovered on that new Guild colony. Bought the rights to the name and everything. Calling it Starry Mint, I heard.¡± She said. Valorie picked up momentary images from their close contact. A generic Cosmic Coffee cafe, a vibrant and thriving settlement on a lush world, and a mint leaf that looked nothing like a star.

    They reached the edge of the food center. The tight hallway opened up into a large promenade surrounded by little eateries. Glass panels under their feet revealed that seating extended below them. The open space afforded Yulia a chance to stop and take in the whole room. Valorie stood by and helped her search for the Cosmic Coffee. She was glad for the breather.

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s Cocos ¨C it¡¯s on the other side,¡± Yulia began.

    Valorie nodded, but a rancid smell crossed her nose. She cringed and held back when Yulia began walking. Something snotty and violent. Hungry. It wasn¡¯t a scent, it wasn¡¯t even physical. Valorie found it strange that her body had reacted before she understood. The complexity of her body now compared to the clone body continued to surprise her. She reached out, hunting for what had unsettled her.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Concern filled Yulia¡¯s voice and radiated from her hand. She looked Valorie over in a hurry, ignoring the people around them.

    Valorie let go of her hand, trying to get a clearer picture. Now that she had felt it once, she knew for sure something was wrong. A flicker here and there of anger and bitterness. So much was normal, but this was different. Why?

    ¡°Valorie, come on. Talk to me.¡± Valorie pulled her aside this time. Closer to one of the empty walls. Valorie wanted to respond, but she was so close to that vile whisper. She recognized the feeling. It was different because she recognized it. It was angry and recent. Dupont.

    Valorie¡¯s eyes widened and she reached out for her sister. Seda was nearby ¨C docked at the very same station. Valorie snapped out of her search and looked around in the physical world. Her eyes caught on a small opening between two shops. An exit hall with restrooms attached. It was her turn to pull Yulia, and Valorie all but yanked her into the thin hallway. Yulia was out of breath from the shock.

    ¡°What did you do that for?¡± She asked. Valorie didn¡¯t look at her, still searching the crowd.

    ¡°You were hiding when he came aboard the ship.¡± She muttered. She searched the crowd, trying to get a fix on that feeling once again. Where was he?

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°The captain of the Hayes is out there.¡± She whispered. The area was too busy for whispering to matter. Yet, without knowing exactly where Dupont was, Valorie felt like he could be anywhere. Yulia fell quiet for a moment, eyes traveling over the crowd. When nothing changed, she squeezed Valorie¡¯s hand before letting it go.

    ¡°You¡¯re worried I¡¯ll get caught?¡± She asked. Valorie eased off her frantic search and focused on her friend.

    ¡°You must have had a reason to avoid him. I thought,¡± Valorie said.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t have them poking around about me for an inspection. It¡¯s okay now, Valorie. He won¡¯t learn anything just by seeing us out together.¡± She said. Valorie¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she thought about it. As she understood, her look turned sheepish.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I panicked.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not even sure how you picked him out of a crowd like that.¡±

    ¡°The empathy that allows me to sense life.¡± Valorie jumped to explain, realizing her mistake too late. ¡°It can be sensitive to those that have made an impression on me.¡± She said. It was a lame explanation, but not too far from the truth.

    ¡°Yeah, Leon said the guy was a real jerk.¡± Yulia¡¯s shoulders relaxed. Her voice had been gentle, but Valorie could sense the fear below it.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Valorie said again.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough of that.¡± She said, making up her mind. ¡°How about this. Thank you, Valorie, for having my back.¡± She smiled.

    Valorie met her eyes, forehead creased as she looked for an explanation. Yulia brushed her shirt down and straightened her hair.

    ¡°We¡¯ll grab a drink and head back home. No biggie, just a couple of girls having fun.¡± She said walking back toward the food center. When she glanced back at Valorie¡¯s worried face, she grinned. ¡°All you have to say is you¡¯re welcome. Don¡¯t gotta think about it so hard, you know?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do my bes-¡± Valorie began, but Yulia stepped out of the hallway.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go already.¡± She said. This time Valorie sensed embarrassment, a far cry better than fear. Valorie rushed to keep up with her.

    Yulia ordered them two Starry Mochas and led the way. Outside of the market, the hallways were smaller but quieter. Yulia paused mid-sip to speak.

    ¡°We should tell the Captain about the Hayes soon as we get back. You think they followed us to Gomori?¡± She said, absentmindedly shaking her drink.

    ¡°Considering standard inspection follow up, that is very likely,¡± Valorie said.

    ¡°Right? Exactly. Standard. No big deal. It¡¯ll be fine.¡± Yulia shrugged her shoulders and took a prolonged sip of her drink. Valorie wasn¡¯t sure who Yulia was trying to convince. Perhaps it was for both of them. As she pondered it, Valorie took a sip of her drink. The drink was bittersweet, with a sharp refreshing taste cutting through it all. She took another draw and savored it this time.

    ¡°Hey, Yulia?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Yulia looked at her in surprise.

    ¡°Can we do this again?¡± Valorie said. A smile spread across Yulia¡¯s face, her eyes crinkling with excitement.

    ¡°Of course.¡± She said waving her drink. Valorie smiled and Yulia squeezed her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve got lots of adventures ahead of us.¡± She added with a grin.

    Valorie nodded her thanks. She didn¡¯t have to reach out to feel the joy flowing from Yulia. Yulia took another sip and shook her drink again.

    ¡°Do you like the starry mint? Tastes like the usual stuff to me.¡± She said, easily slipping into a new conversation. Talking with Yulia was comfortable, and the smooth flow passed the time fast. Before Valorie knew it, they had reached the Helianthus. Home.

 B.1 - Nonessential Repairs

    Deep in the fourth engine, Quinns was lost in his work on the third back-up fuel injector. He had started the project for two reasons. One, the importance of redundant systems. Two, increased fuel efficiency. But this far along into working, he was no longer thinking of either of those things. Nor did he notice the growl of his stomach, not even in the silence of the song changing over.

    No, the only thing he was thinking about was getting the injector humming its best song. He was on the last step ¨C tuning the connectors. There was no perfect tightness ¨C every connection had its own idea of right. His job was to get them there. He paused on one that was being particularly difficult.

    ¡°Ah, what the hell. Who made you so angry?¡± He muttered, getting a better grip. The words left his mouth without his knowledge. Something that, if he were paying attention, he would be mortified to find out.

    A few more gentle nudges this way, a couple more that way, and finally the connection fell into place. He backed away, wiping his brow and looking over his work. Starting from the right he had tested each of the connections. A few had needed major adjustments, and two needed replacing. He hoped that would cover the issue.

    He went over the moving parts next, checking for proper lubrication. The oil canister was still almost full. He tapped his fingers on the tool attached to his right shoulder. The injector must have been out of commission before Heli left home-port over a year ago. Port maintenance filled it, and it went unused. He set up a dry run in the system and started it up.

    After that, he would finally be able to remove something from his to-do list. All the tasks he needed to complete to get Heli back to her old self again. It was a long list. Longer still after bored imperials had made a mess of things while hunting for fugitives. His heart rate always went up a tick just thinking about that list. He opened his PD to check it, and his stomach growled something fierce.

    Oof, why did his stomach have to jump straight to absolutely starving like that? He opened one of the drawers on his toolbox and withdrew a fruit ration. He popped the release bubble and the wrapper evaporated down to his fingers. Tearing off a large bite, he chewed on it while watching the fuel injector boot up. The bar had a strong tart flavor, but he couldn¡¯t guess the flavor. Something berry from such and such planet. He didn¡¯t bother to check anymore. Condensed down far enough, everything tasted similar. Still, he liked the chewiness of the fruit over the dry rations.

    His right arm blinked with a message. That was Gary¡¯s idea ¨C something that might get his attention when he was working. He rolled his eyes and opened his PD with his left hand.

    Leak in the bridge rest area. It was from Serge. Quinns felt a pit rise in his stomach. He didn¡¯t know much about bio plumbing except how fast costs would add up. He pushed the feeling back down and started putting his toolkit back together. One thing fixed, another thing added to the list. The pit grew and he stuffed the half-finished fruit bar back into the ration drawer.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be there in twenty.¡± He said, the PD translating it to a message for Serge. He finished cleaning up and took a basic kit with him. Quinns made his way through the service halls. He knew these halls well enough to break out into the main hall near the bridge. He needed time to himself to think and this route was the best way. Even if it was cramped. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    In fact, the service halls got fewer and farther between as he got farther from engineering. It didn¡¯t deter him. His mind was on the leak as his feet led the way. A lot of what he knew about Heli¡¯s idiosyncrasies came from following Uncle Cole everywhere. In Heli¡¯s heyday, Cole was the chief engineer. He had known every trick, and Quinns was happy to listen. The longer Quinns¡¯ list of needed fixes got, the more he missed the old man.

    Quinns stepped out into the main hall only a few feet from the entrance to the bridge. There were no two ways about it, he thought, as he waved his hand over the scanner. First, he would have a look at the problem. Glean what he could, and then he¡¯d look for tutorials. It had to get done, and Gary was depending on him.

    The doors to the bridge slid open. His work rarely took him this way and he avoided it when he could. It wasn¡¯t fear or dislike. He could admire the symmetrical design and clean curves anytime. It was memories that weighed the room down. Quinns noticed Gary¡¯s head sticking out over the back of the Captain¡¯s chair. He was facing away, towards the docks outside the window.

    ¡°Hey, Gary.¡± He called. Gary didn¡¯t turn his way.

    ¡°Hey Quinns,¡± Gary answered, his voice distracted. The scene was familiar, but it set Quinns on edge. Gary liked spending his quiet time on the bridge. Quinns imagined it gave Gary the same kind of nostalgia as Quinns felt in the bay office. That was where the similarity ended. Quinns kept himself busy ¨C never enough time to dwell too long on what had been. For Gary, too long with that nostalgia could reveal its dark side. When Gary didn¡¯t say anything else, Quinns felt compelled to check.

    ¡°You alright?¡± He asked, pausing for an answer. This time Gary turned to look at him. His PD was open in his hand, and an insulated mug was in his lap. He looked exhausted, but he nodded anyway.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m getting some reading in while it is peaceful.¡± He said, closing out his PD and resting his hand on the armrest.

    ¡°Nice, isn¡¯t it?¡± Quinns said, and Gary smiled. Good, that was good, Quinns thought.

    ¡°Made better by the busy times.¡± He said. His eyes traveled over the consoles, his focus on something far away. Quinns felt he needed to say something quick. He rolled his eyes with a shrug.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got enough ¡°busy time¡± to last a lifetime. Keep that stuff away from me.¡± He said, only half-joking. The joke fell flat, and Gary¡¯s eyebrow raised. Nothing like concern to snap Gary right back to the present.

    ¡°You will talk to me if it gets overwhelming, right?¡± He asked. Quinns waved the concern away, turning to the rest area. He didn¡¯t want to get into that conversation. Not right now.

    ¡°Yeah. Course I will.¡± Quinns could practically hear Gary¡¯s brow creasing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Gary.¡± He added.

    ¡°Uh-huh. Right.¡± Gary said, but Quinns could still feel the stare burning into his back. He tried to keep his pace normal ¨C whatever that is ¨C and entered the break-room. When the door slid shut behind him, he couldn¡¯t help a small sigh of relief. He was alone for a moment, and he gathered his wits.

    Feeling calmer, he noticed one of the bathroom doors open. He walked over and peeked inside. Serge was kneeling beside the toilet, working on something behind it. He looked over as Quinns got close, and stood up, taking a couple of steps back.

    ¡°Yui reminded me there were a couple of bathrooms up here. Figured they would need cleaning.¡± He frowned dusting off his hands. ¡°This one¡¯s got a leak. It¡¯s an old one.¡± His frustration was clear in his voice. Quinns set down the tool kit and leaned over the seat to get a better look behind it. ¡°Looks like there is a clog further down the pipe,¡± Serge added.

    ¡°Probably,¡± Quinns said, only half-listening as he checked the area. Film from dried water, hints of mold. He was almost afraid to look underneath.

 B.2 - Distracted

    Quinns got a closer look at the toilet, hoping he could glean more than something is leaking. Behind him, he heard Serge moving around. Quinns found it distracting, and he already had enough to worry about. His ever-growing to-do list flashed through his head, and his stomach turned. He needed to ignore it and focus on what he was doing.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t find any issue with the connection or wax ring. May be the piping underneath.¡± Serge said.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Quinns said, getting up to dig the panel tool from the kit. He brought the whole kit closer before searching the bottom drawer. The tool would loosen the fastener on the opposite side of the panel. He rested the top against the floor and dragged it along the panel until it caught and held in place.

    ¡°Will need to pull up a couple of the panels to get a full look at it,¡± Serge said. He was tall enough, he could see what Quinns was doing by leaning over him. Somehow, it made Quinns feel more cramped than the thin halls of engineering ever did.

    ¡°Yep,¡± He said. When he got all the fasteners loose, he lifted the panel and had to lean back from the air that escaped. It was hot and pungent ¨C a musty smell like the Bio room, but more concentrated. The heat was normal. Insulated panels protected the crew from the extreme heat generated by the engines. It kept living areas at a constant and comfortable temperature. Musty was the real problem. He held his breath and peered inside again. As he leaned in, Serge spoke up.

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s disgusting,¡± Serge cleared his throat, ¡°Gonna need some powerful cleaners, but I can handle it. Just need a few more panels pulled up to get at it.¡± He said. Quinns barely heard Serge over the panic welling up in his gut.

    ¡°Right.¡± Quinns stared at the moldy mess and felt his stomach turn again, for a whole different reason. After a gulp of clean air, he leaned forward, trying to get a look at where the leak was coming from. There was no obvious sign of water escaping. He tried flushing the system and looking again. Nothing yet. Or could it be a different toilet. Or another system entirely? The time the job would take up grew and grew.

    ¡°Are you listening?¡± Serge asked. The interruption snapped him out of his thoughts.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Quinns stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll need to get a better look at it before I can do anything.¡± He said, putting away the panel tool.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I was saying. You sure you heard me?¡± He said. Quinns could understand why Serge was so annoyed. Everyone always needed their fixes right away.

    ¡°I heard you. I¡¯m working on it.¡± He pushed the toolkit out of the way. ¡°And I¡¯m doing it right away.¡± He added. Serge didn¡¯t seem happy with his answer. There wasn¡¯t anything more he could do about that. Serge followed him out into the breakroom. Serge paused at the door¡¯s panel to display an out of order message and to turn off the automatic open. He even set the room as toxic.

    ¡°Gonna need a mask and increased ventilation cleaning that up,¡± Serge said. Quinns¡¯ lungs felt tight remembering the initial gust of air. He sighed, breathing in the clean air in the breakroom. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°Yeah. This won¡¯t be an easy one.¡± Quinns said. He was starting to think Serge was only rubbing it in. He just wanted to get on with it.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t kidding,¡± Serge said. Quinns wasn¡¯t sure how to get away, so he opted for something blunt.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go, and I¡¯ll come back later.¡± He said and made his way to the exit.

    ¡°See ya later.¡± Serge¡¯s voice followed him on to the bridge. Gary was still there, still facing toward him, but he had gone back to reading. Quinns had to resist the urge to tiptoe to the exit. Worrying about the plumbing issue had taken a toll on his energy for dealing with others. Instead, he closed his eyes and walked like a normal human being.

    ¡°How¡¯d it look?¡± Gary asked, looking up from his PD. Quinns shook his head without pausing. ¡°That bad, huh?¡± He said. Quinns picked up on the disappointment in Gary¡¯s voice, and it irked him further. He felt his eyebrow twitch.

    ¡°Yeah. That bad.¡± He said as the exit slide open. Just gotta make it out of the bridge and into the service halls.

    ¡°Quinns?¡± Gary¡¯s voice was concerned. Quinns waved it off.

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk about it later. Got work to do right now.¡± He said, the door sliding shut behind him. Almost there. The quiet peace of the empty hallway was a massage on his aggravated shoulders. He slid into the service hall in the same place he had exited. Cramped in the thin halls, he felt safe.

    ***

    Serge stood, arms crossed, staring at the closed bathroom door. He lifted his hand and rested his chin on his knuckles. Nearby, Quinns found the longest way to say he was leaving Serge could imagine. Serge didn¡¯t bother glancing at him.

    ¡°See ya later.¡± He said. When the exit closed behind him, Serge broke his gaze and glared at the exit. Maybe Quinns would feel it through the metal barrier. Serge was seething. Quinns had completely dismissed him. Not a single word Serge said penetrated that guy¡¯s self-important bubble. But again Serge was stuck in a situation where he needed to bottle it. Instead of dwelling on it, he preferred action. Robbed of that, he would focus on creating a concrete plan.

    He pulled his hand away from his chin and cracked his fingers. Each pop released the tension in his muscles. Sachi would complain again that he was going to need joint treatments before he was thirty. But it felt so much better afterward. So what if he took his bad mood out on his joints? The release cleared his head.

    He cracked his wrists and he knew what he was going to do. That was the easy part. The thing that gave him pause was when he would have the time. It had to be now. The sooner the better. He twisted around to glance at a clock on the wall. If he cleaned this mess first, and included time for a wash before cooking, he would still have enough time to prepare a simple meal for dinner.

    He set to work. First, he dug a mask out of his cleaning supplies. On the bathroom¡¯s door panel he opened the maintenance settings to the air tab. Without hesitation, he slid both filtration and ventilation all the way to the top. Taking a deep breath, he entered the bathroom.

    The inside of the bathroom had grown hot and the musty smell had become overbearing. Even with the mask, he wanted to gag. The open panel was spewing putrid air. The bio lab came to mind, and he thought of Sachi. She¡¯d want to see this mess. After sending her a quick message, he got to digging what he needed out of the toolkit that Quinns left behind. He would show that brat.

    ***

    Quinns was making his way to the back of the ship, his panic starting to subside. His feet carried him forward as he laid out the path forward in his head. First step, double-check on how the injector was running. It would be about halfway done, and seeing his work in action would inspire him to keep going. Second step, find the ship schematics and see if he could determine the exact piping used in that location. If he was lucky, Uncle Cole may have left notes regarding previous work done. Third step, research, research, re-

    He turned the corner, and his blood ran cold. Deep red lights blinked across the entrance to the fuel injector¡¯s room.

 B.3 - Failed Run

    The blinking red light at the end of the hall sent Quinns¡¯ heart to his stomach. He ran, losing his footing as he whipped around the corner. Sliding on his right foot, he caught his left hand on the edge of the entrance, dragging himself back to balance. There before him, his work was quiet with failure. His chest ached. The dry run had tripped up and made an emergency stop.

    He moved closer for a better look. The connectors were twisted, two of them cracked in a similar way to the ones he replaced. He moved around it trying to see how the moving parts might have gone so off course. The film was back, but stickier, gunking up the hydraulics. He should have stayed to watch, but he had been so sure.

    ¡°Dammit!¡± He lashed out, kicking the workbench. Unlocked, the bench tipped and slammed down on its side. Tools and parts scattered, spilling across the floor. He remembered leaving it unlocked ¨C the injector was going to be a quick fix after all.

    The blinking red light strained his eyes and the thick scent of oil in the air teased the bile at the back of his throat. He stumbled back, he needed everything to stop. Instead, his thoughts started to race. He was back at square one with the injector. But the leak in the bridge respite was the priority now. He wouldn¡¯t get another shot at the injector until the leak was fixed. Ah, but then something else would break. An endless string of system issues stretched out before him. His stomach heaved, but nothing came up.

    He looked up at the machine again, wiping spit from his jaw. No, he was going to fix this now. He scanned the floor for the first tool he would need and scooped it up on his way back to the machine. Flicking off the error message, he started the disassembly. As he focused, his nausea lifted and his soreness disappeared. Removing broken connectors with gentle twists, cleaning away the film. The world around him faded away as he worked. He didn¡¯t notice the blinking light in his arm, and he certainly didn¡¯t notice the time flying by.

    ***

    Gareth knew someone might tease him for acting like a dog looking for praise, but he tried to ignore it. Serge was missing some things he needed for the repair. He turned to Gareth for help.

    You got history with the ship, right? He¡¯d asked with that dry look on his face. Yes, in fact, Gareth did know the ship. His ship. So with a gasket in one hand, and a tool in the other, he was on his way back to the rest area. He walked with an energetic stride, excited for the first time in what felt like too long.

    Shore leave had not been the peaceful break he hoped it would be. There were the normal difficulties ¨C lining up a new job, buying and selling cargo, and organizing maintenance. It was the new ones that had him so irritated. The Hayes docking at Gomori. It may only be a follow-up procedure for the inspection, but it irked him anyway. Dupont had not messaged him yet, but the possibility soured his spirits. Then today, Quinns had brushed him off the moment he tried to bring up overworking. Quinns must actually believe he was hiding how exhausted he looked.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Gareth glanced at the tool in his hand. It wasn¡¯t just exhaustion that was hurting Quinns, it was pressure. He had more riding on his shoulders in the past year than he had his entire life. And, of course, Quinns was quiet about it. Avoiding any mention of it. Gareth didn¡¯t like putting him under this stress, but he needed him. Thus why Gareth was so excited now ¨C he was helping. If only a little.

    He rounded the corner in the rest area and opened the bathroom door. The smell of industrial-strength cleaner hit him first. Then a hint of something floral. Inside he saw two legs sticking out of the open panels and the sound of furious scrubbing. He moved closer, deciding how he might get Serge¡¯s attention. A colorful porcelain vase was sitting among the tools. Vapour drifted from several small openings, the source of the flowery scent. Its intricate design made Gareth think that Sachi must have stopped by as well.

    ¡°I got the items you requested,¡± Gareth called. The legs twitched and Serge pulled himself out from between the panels. He was sweating hard, his face bright red with exertion. He caught his breath and looked over the tool and gasket.

    ¡°Right on,¡± He said with a nod. ¡°Thanks, Captain.¡± He set them down among the other tools in a spot left open for their arrival.

    ¡°Glad to help. Though I feel I should be thanking you right now.¡± Gareth said. Serge picked up a clean rag from the pile next to him and wiped his forehead.

    ¡°What? For this?¡± He patted the back of his neck. ¡°Odds and ends is my game.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to get this done so quickly. I know you¡¯re busy.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯d spread if we left it.¡± He said, then rolled his eyes. Perhaps a response to his conscience. ¡°And that guy needs to know he isn¡¯t the only one who knows something.¡± He threw the rag back in the pile with a snap. Gareth didn¡¯t have to ask who Serge was talking about.

    ¡°Have you told him?¡±

    ¡°Nah, not worth it til it¡¯s done. So, by dinner time.¡± He said.

    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll make sure he hears it.¡± He smiled. ¡°Message me if there is anything I could do to help.¡±

    ***

    Quinns stepped back to admire the completed fuel injector. It was back up to where he had it before. He smiled for only a moment before he thought of doing the dry run next. He still needed to figure out what had gone wrong with the first one.

    But what could that be? The broken connectors had been a symptom, not a cause. He stared at the injector, backing away to try and get a full picture. Nothing changed. Weakness washed over him, and he leaned against the wall. His eyes lowered and drifted over the mess scattered across the floor. He still needed to clean that up. His back slid down the wall until he was seated, resting his arms on his knees.

    ¡°Ah, look. One¡¯s blinking.¡± He muttered. Missed messages. Oh, right, the leak in the break room. He sat up. Pain flared in his shoulders spiking at the back of his skull. He would read the messages, he just needed a little break first.

    He was sure he only rested his eyes for a moment before he was disturbed by Gary sitting down next to him. Quinns blinked, trying to clear his head, but Gary didn¡¯t say a word. He was looking around. Taking in the overturned workbench and the mess of parts on the floor. The collection of oily rags and broken parts. Quinns felt his body grow tighter with each second. The disaster in front of him digging in its teeth as he imagined what Gary was thinking. He was angry that Gary showed up, but he couldn¡¯t ignore the part of him that was grateful. He needed help dragging himself out of this, even if it was going to be kicking and screaming.

 B.4 - Pep Talk

    Quinns was sure that, if he could feel anything, his whole body would ache. Instead, the embarrassment of Gary appearing to see the whole mess made him want to sink into the floor. But Gary didn¡¯t say anything. The heavy silence between them drove Quinns to speak first.

    ¡°So¡­¡± He lifted his right hand forgetting it was currently a drill chuck. ¡°Remember when I said I would talk to you if the work got overwhelming¡­¡±

    ¡°I remember.¡± Gary didn¡¯t take it lightly. Not even a hint of teasing about the conversation being only a few hours old. Gary was going to take the matter to heart. Quinns let out a breath. He would have to take it seriously, too.

    ¡°Well, it got overwhelming.¡± He said. His limbs had gone numb. Moving would be a monumental task. Breathing took so much of his energy. Gary looked at him out of the side of his eyes. This was a sign he was about to say something he thought inappropriate for a captain.

    ¡°So, we¡¯re not going to wave it off this time, huh?¡± He said, eyebrows raised. A laugh escaped Quinns so quick he coughed.

    ¡°No, not this time.¡± He said.

    ¡°Finding you support is already the priority. Finding someone who is both qualified and interested is proving difficult.¡± Gary said. There was that disappointment in his voice again. Quinns got the impression it aimed inward. Had it always been that way?

    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Quinns paused, ¡°At least not entirely.¡± He stared at the fuel injector as he spoke. ¡°Every issue I can¡¯t fix is another bill, every mistake another step closer to Heli¡¯s ultimate failure.¡± Quinns¡¯ voice built as he spoke.

    ¡°She isn¡¯t -¡±

    ¡°Makes me think, what am I even doing here? If this were any other ship, I wouldn¡¯t know how to do any of it. I¡¯d be at the lowest rung.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not any other ship.¡±

    ¡°My to-do list never shrinks. It keeps growing. And now this plumbing thing. I need to do all kinds of research before I can even touch it.¡± With every declaration, Quinns felt a little lighter.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the plumbing issue.¡± He said. A spark of anger shot through Quinns, and his left hand tightened. His heart raced.

    ¡°I said, we can¡¯t solve everything by paying for it. We can¡¯t. We¡¯re already paying for the broken fuel efficiency, the aging systems. Only the essential repairs ever get done.¡± He said it and the meaning of it struck him only after the words escaped. It was expensive to be poor. Quinns eyes drifted back to the floor. The quiet soothed his anger, and without it, the fear was back. ¡°What if I fail one too many times? I just go home with maybe a setback in school, but you, Gary¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not -¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d be back at square one ¨C begging your grandparents just to keep Heli in storage.¡± He spoke faster, dread filling his chest. ¡°A stupid dream they can dangle over you, keeping you on the hook for their every whim. I don¡¯t wanna see that again.¡± He said. Gary was quiet. Waiting, listening. Quinns leaned back against the wall, slipping down a little farther. ¡°Sometimes, it feels like this whole thing ¨C running a ship, freelancing ¨C is some irresponsible pipe dream.¡± The words made his chest hurt the moment they left his mouth. His throat was too dry to continue. He swallowed trying to get his voice back. Gary waited another moment before he spoke up.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°May I say something?¡± He said. His annoyance was restrained. Yet another reason he was the captain.

    ¡°Yeah, sorry,¡± Quinns muttered. With everything off his chest, he could feel the floor beneath his feet once again. It dragged him down, but it was there.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t alone, Quinns. Do the things you can do, and keep learning. For anything that gives you trouble, there is help. Trust me when I tell you not to worry about an issue. Trust the crew we¡¯re building to help. It will work out. I promise.¡± Gary¡¯s tone was confident and soothing. Quinns rubbed each of his eyes with his left hand and nodded. He tried to resist, he needed to be a realist ¨C ready for everything that could go wrong.

    ¡°You think so?¡± Quinns let out a breath somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. His resistance was failing and with it the anxiety that was driving him forward. ¡°You¡¯re depending on me, and I¡­ I don¡¯t want to let you down.¡± He said. Gareth looked him over before letting his eyes drift over the injector.

    ¡°I do depend on you. You work hard and you care about this ship. We made a promise, right?¡± Gary said.

    ¡°To bring Heli back.¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re doing that. But it will take time ¨C don¡¯t kill yourself at the start. This is an endurance run. You need to take care of yourself. You¡¯re the only real family I have left.¡± A small smile touched his lips, but the look in his eyes was distant and wistful.

    Quinns could imagine what Gary was seeing. He wouldn¡¯t argue the family thing this time, but he struggled to think of something to say. He missed his chance.

    ¡±Come on.¡± Gary stood up and held out his right hand. ¡°You need to eat-¡±

    ¡°I had one of the rations.¡± Quinns looked at the offered hand with half-lidded eyes before reaching for it.

    ¡°Some real food, Quinns. And get some sleep.¡± Gary pulled him to his feet and steadied him. ¡°I¡¯m serious, when was the last time you ate?¡± He asked, guiding Quinns forward to lead the way. Gary followed, keeping an eye on him.

    ¡°I had breakfast in the morning hours,¡± Quinns said, using up his remaining indignation.

    ¡°So, an entire cycle.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Quinns¡¯ eyes widened, ¡°No way.¡± Gary held out the clock on his PD for Quinns to see. One am, the first morning hour of a new cycle.

    ¡°Why am I not surprised,¡± Gary began before his foot hit one of the scattered items. It skittered away catching their attention. It was one of the sealed oil canisters.

    ¡°Oh, reminds me of the ones Cole always got,¡± Gary said.

    ¡°Cause it is the one Cole always got,¡± Quinns said. Gareth picked it up to get a better look.

    ¡°Oh yeah, it¡¯s the same guy on the label. He¡¯s missing that giant green fish.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ What do you mean?¡± Quinns frowned, staring at the label.

    ¡°The ones he got always had that fish with the smug grin,¡± Gary said.

    ¡°A smug fish?¡± Quinns¡¯ brow pinched together. There was something about what Gary said that bothered him. Something important. He closed his eyes, but instead of clarity, exhaustion washed over him. Gary must have noticed.

    ¡°It¡¯s likely an old design. Anyway, it¡¯s break time, you workaholic.¡± Gary was trying to guide him out of the room again. Quinns stomach growled so viciously, it hurt. He felt a little sheepish.

    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯d I miss for dinner?¡± He asked.

    When Quinns and Gary entered the lounge, they heard banging from the kitchen. Serge emerged, saw Quinns, and rolled his eyes. With a quick turn, he disappeared back into the kitchen. Quinns glanced at Gary for an explanation, but Gary shrugged and sat down at the bar.

    ¡°Maybe he doesn¡¯t like midnight snackers¡­¡± Quinns muttered as he followed. Gary¡¯s eyebrow raised, but his tone was matter-of-fact.

    ¡°Maybe. We¡¯ll have a look once he is finished.¡± There was more on Gary¡¯s mind, but whatever it was, he kept it to himself. Quinns thought about how to ask as he pushed up into the tall bar seat.

 B.5 - Smug Fish

    Before they reached the kitchen, Quinns was hoping it was late enough no one else would be awake. It surprised him to see Serge still up and working so late. After Quinns cursed his bad luck, he wondered why. Serge¡¯s expression didn¡¯t help ¨C he was angry about something. No surprise there.

    The thought left his mind when Serge reappeared at the kitchen door. He had a large tray, a few bowls, and three cups balanced on his arms. Quinns was sure if he handled only half of that, he¡¯d still have dropped something. Serge organized it all in front of them, placing items down without a sound. The tray was an earthy display of vegetables and wafers, and the bowls held different spreads. One was deep green and chunky, the other orange and smooth.

    ¡°Was waiting to see if ya wanted to celebrate, Captain.¡± He said. ¡°Water or something hydrated?¡± He asked, setting down the glasses.

    ¡°Neither,¡± Gary spoke first. Serge nodded, ducking down to retrieve something tucked into one of the cabinets. A grain whiskey from one of the colony stations they stopped at. Amber liquid filled the glass, clear and smooth. While he waited to ask for a drink, Quinns grabbed one of the wafers. Made from tiny seeds with a glossy finish, they had a bumpy texture. He scooped up some of the creamy spread. It was pleasantly sour with enough bite to be refreshing.

    A glass was placed down in front of Quinns. He started to thank Serge but noticed the glass was full of a clear dark red liquid. Fortified fruit punch.

    ¡°When your stomach stops making that noise, you can have something different,¡± Serge said. Quinns nodded, dutifully taking a sip. If he was being honest, he preferred fruit juice in the morning hours anyway. Serge had not only noticed, but bothered to remember it. Quinns stared into his glass before taking another sip. That realization was a little unsettling, but also kinda nice. The sweet tartness revived him, it was hard to drink it without gulping it down.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Quinns felt the need to say something more. ¡°Are we still running low?¡± He asked. What a boring thing to ask, but Serge regarded him with a serious look.

    ¡°Restocked at Luxe. It is easy to remember cause that one always runs out first. For some reason.¡± He said. Was it meant as a joke or was Serge actually annoyed? Quinns felt his ears get warm.

    ¡°Uh, yeah. Some reason.¡± Quinns said, picking up another wafer. ¡°These are good.¡± It was a compliment. Why did it sound so awkward when he said it? Serge smirked.

    ¡°They came out the way I planned. Just water, seeds, and seasoning.¡± He said, pride clear in his voice. ¡°The trick is how you dry them out.¡± The conversation stalled, and Quinns wished someone would say something. Anyone but him. Gary granted his wish.

    ¡°So, what are we celebrating, Serge?¡± His voice was hinting at something. Serge nodded, and it occurred to Quinns they were in on something.

    ¡°The mess in the bathroom has been beat.¡± He said. Quinns didn¡¯t believe his ears. He rested his hand on the bar and leaned closer.

    ¡°You got it clean?¡± Quinns asked.

    ¡°I got it fixed.¡± Serge grinned at Quinns¡¯ shock. In that moment, Quinns saw the resemblance between the siblings. He needed to ask one more time to make sure.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°It¡¯s really done?¡± Quinns glanced at Gary for confirmation and he nodded. Serge crossed his arms.

    ¡°Cleaned her ¡®til she shined, replaced the leaky bits. It¡¯s like new under that floor. If you think you can do better ¨C go ahead and try.¡± He said. Quinns pushed off the bar, jumping out of his seat.

    ¡°Oh, thank the stars. I was dreading doing that ¨C I had no idea what I was going to do.¡± He laughed. Serge blinked and glanced at Gary.

    ¡°Did you get him drunk before this?¡± He asked and Gary smirked, trying not to laugh himself. Quinns wasn¡¯t listening as he interrupted.

    ¡°Ah, that saves so much time. My list didn¡¯t change at all,¡± Quinns laughed again. Gary shook his head, but his eyes were playful.

    ¡°Nah, this is just overtired. You¡¯ll know when he¡¯s drunk.¡± He said. Quinns felt his ears grow hot, and he settled back into his seat. His elation translated into an appetite, and he tried one of the vegetables. They were still talking when he started on another, this time with the green spread. Savory with a hint of fish. It was delicious. He was almost halfway through the tray when he realized his mistake.

    ¡°Serge,¡± He said and they both looked at him. The full attention gave him pause, and he raced through his words. ¡°Thank you. Next time, can I, uh, ask you about bio plumbing stuff?¡± He said. Serge half-smiled ¨C the closest to a genuine smile Quinns had seen on him. He met Quinns eye to eye with a squint as if still trying to figure something out.

    ¡°Ask anytime. Don¡¯t hurt to ask.¡± Serge drew himself up, shoulders straight, hands on his hips. ¡°Got a lot of talents, you know. I can do a lot around here.¡± There was something beyond his usual bravado in his tone. He loomed over the counter, daring Quinns to say otherwise.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m still getting used to that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a year,¡± Serge said. And yet, Quinns could still count the number of conversations he shared with Serge on both hands. His face felt hot and he imagined he was the same shade as the error messages.

    ¡°So, I¡¯m a little shy.¡± He shrugged. He wanted it to be natural, but that just wasn¡¯t who he was.

    ¡°No kidding.¡±

    ¡°Kind of an understatement there, Quinns,¡± Gary said with a mischievous smile. Quinns gave him a quick glare, waving it off.

    ¡°Anyway.¡± Quinns looked to Serge. ¡°I¡¯ll remember it next time I need help. Thanks, Serge. Really. Thank you.¡± He said. Serge nodded, and like a taut string loosening, his posture eased.

    ¡°Glad to be of service.¡± He said, stretching his fingers. His tone was sincere, and Quinns felt his blood pressure drop a notch. The conversation was smooth from there. Likely because Gary and Serge did most of the talking. When he finished eating, Quinns yawned and got to his feet.

    ¡°I better go finish up¡­¡± He said, testing his left leg. It was awake. Good, now he just needed that feeling throughout the rest of his body.

    ¡°No, you aren¡¯t. You¡¯re going to sleep, Quinns. Captain¡¯s order.¡±

    ¡°I still gotta clean up at least,¡± Quinns muttered.

    ¡°Nope. I will follow you if I have to.¡±

    ¡°Thinking about that mess is gonna drive me crazy, Gary.¡± He said, trying to put more energy into his voice.

    ¡°Consider it punishment for not taking care of yourself,¡± Gary said and Quinns frowned, his brow creasing. Gary got up, turning to Serge.

    ¡°Do you need any help cleaning up?¡±

    ¡°I think I can handle it,¡± Serge answered with a raised eyebrow. ¡°The drink already hittin¡¯ you, Captain?¡± He added, gaining a grin from Gary.

    ¡°No,¡± He chuckled, ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡±

    The next morning Quinns stood before the third back-up fuel injector. His face grew hot as he stared at the mess he had left. It was the first sign he had pushed himself too hard, and the heat spread to his ears. And of course, Gary saw it. He sighed and started to pick up the items. When he reached the oil canister they had looked at the night before, he looked it over one more time. There was the old guy on the front, but Gary was right. There used to be a grinning fish. His eyes widened, and a realization washed over him.

    ¡°You gotta be kidding me.¡± He muttered, opening his PD. ¡°It¡¯s a different variety of the same brand¡­¡± Quinns pulled away to see the oil gauge. It had dropped a second tic since the dry run. What if maintenance had used the wrong oil? It sat there for over a decade in storage and only broke when they set out on their first trip. When he was checking it over, he matched the composition to the canister. It never occurred to him the maintenance team could have used the wrong variety. Could it be that simple? He laughed. It was worth a try.

 2.01 - Unwelcome

    Gaspee Station, Upper District

    Worn boots scuffed opulent carpet as Koin strolled toward room 2376. Golden numbers marked each door. He had half a mind to take one of the zeros, but the cameras put him off. Nevermind the automated drones tucked into the walls every 12 feet. Those kept his path down the exact middle of the hall, away from the various shiny things along the way.

    It was torture, but Guild members meant business when it came to money. That was exactly why he was here. He reached the doorway and it buzzed allowing him in. Glancing over his shoulder, he pushed open the door. Bright artificial sunlight blinded him. Sweet sticky air washed over him next, filled with the sound of crashing water. When his vision cleared, he saw a waterfall and luscious tropical plants. Just like the ones he¡¯d seen in videos over the network. Could this be what it was like to be planet-side? Then he saw the metal underneath. The waterfall pooled under the floor, and the plants were all potted. There was a large carpet and several lounge chairs draped in intricate silken fabrics. A piece of it would pay off all his problems, if anyone would buy it from him.

    ¡°Ah, you made it. I was beginning to think I should find someone else.¡± The voice drew his attention to a chair by the windows on the opposite side of the room. He approached and realized the windows were part of a balcony that overlooked the open-air park below. A gentleman sat overlooking the park from his privileged position. He was smoking an electronic pipe, blowing out a cloud as Koin approached. Koin was sure the man was middle-aged, but he could hardly tell by looking at him. Rich warm brown hair styled with smooth facial features, and a thick lounge suit. Koin stood nearby. He couldn¡¯t relax in such a wide-open environment.

    ¡°Should we really be meeting for this? Wouldn¡¯t a call do?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t control the general call system.¡± There was no fear in his voice, only amusement.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I do control the cameras here, though.¡± He chuckled, ¡°Along with everything else.¡± He said. Koin nodded, unable to hide a grimace. He knew he was being watched the moment he arrived, but now it felt like a threat. The gentleman took another draw from his pipe. ¡°I assure you, it is quite safe to talk.¡± He said, breathing out a cloud of vapor.

    ¡°For you,¡± Koin said, and the gentleman smiled. Koin got the message ¨C it was his choice. Like his parents before him, he chose money. ¡°What¡¯s the job?¡±

    ¡°An associate of mine found a bird carrying something I want. Now I need a retriever.¡± He said. So, code talk then. But why bother if the man felt so safe. Koin tried to imagine what could be interesting for someone already so rich. Information?

    ¡°Was the bird book smart?¡± Koin asked. The gentleman gave him a long look and then laughed.

    ¡°Why yes. It was.¡± There was an amused glint in his eye before he sobered. ¡°Forget all that nonsense. They disabled the ship, pushed her off course, and left a locator on her.¡± His gaze drifted over the park below.

    ¡°What, this morning?¡±

    ¡°No, about a week ago. Suitable enough gap, I¡¯d say. Plausibility without concern for other vultures picking her clean.¡± He tapped his fingers on the armrest. ¡°If you can get what I want, I think we could both come away from this quite satisfied. Interested?¡± He stopped tapping his fingers and looked over. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Koin was deliberating. A week-old derelict would be pristine salvage. Even without payment, that kind of salvage alone was worth it. Whatever the gentleman wanted must be sensitive if he was asking a scavenger to fetch it.

    ¡°I like a man who thinks before he speaks,¡± The gentleman said, ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean I will wait forever.¡± Irritation slipped into his voice. It grew in a way that made the hairs on Koin¡¯s neck stand up.

    ¡°Yeah, alright, I¡¯m in.¡± He said. Guess that snap decision was it. Seemed like an easy prospect. Couldn¡¯t be any harder than the usual salvage job.

    ¡°Good. I hope I don¡¯t have to remind you what will happen if you steal my little bird and run, do I?¡± He said. His fingers were back to tapping.

    ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t get paid for a start.¡± He said. The tapping stopped, and the gentleman looked over again. Was he amused or angry?

    ¡°No. You would not.¡± He said, eyebrows raised. Amusement. Seems this was a lucky day.

    ¡°You see, I can¡¯t afford that,¡± Koin said. The man¡¯s eye twitched, but the corner of his lips turned up. The glint was back in his eyes. He turned his hand over revealing a cartridge.

    ¡°This has everything you need. I look forward to our next correspondence.¡± The gentleman smiled. That, too, made the hairs on Koin¡¯s neck stand up. He made his way out of the office a clip higher than when he entered. The prospect of such a big payout added a spring to his step.

    Bloor Station, Docks

    Valorie hurried to keep up with her Captain. They were walking through the docks toward the 68th gate where the Helianthus was moored. She tried to keep her polite two steps behind, but it kept turning into four or five.

    ¡°Captain,¡± Valorie said, and he paused while she caught up. ¡°Are we in a hurry for a reason, sir?¡± She asked. There were several people nearby, and she was unable to resist a quick look around. She had been told to act normally, but that might be fundamentally impossible for her. Her anxiety eased when she was sure there was no one actually looking at them.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I didn¡¯t notice my hurry, I will be more mindful.¡± He said, leading the way again. His pace was more deliberate and held his habitual confidence. It put her at ease, but when she reached out she sensed frustration, bordering on anger. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to ask. With her previous captains, she wouldn¡¯t dare, but Gareth was more patient. Besides, it was normal among humans to talk about their worries.

    ¡°Is something concerning you, sir?¡± Her voice came out at a higher pitch than she would have liked. The connections between her feelings and her body had increased. She could use the brain to cover involuntary processes when it was healthy, freeing up her focus. Her current body was much more complex than the clone bodies. Among the useful involuntary processes, there were a few she found outright frustrating. Mostly the embarrassing ones.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Gareth answered, his mood cooling as he spoke. ¡°This is the fourth time the MRH Hayes has docked at the same station as us. It¡¯s clear Dupont is up to something more than a mere follow up.¡± His voice was tight.

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t made any attempt to contact you yet. Perhaps that¡¯s a good indication?¡± She said. From her position, she saw his jaw clench. Her words had not helped.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure. I¡¯d much rather have an issue I could work on.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She said, unsure what might be useful now. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, his jaw easing.

    ¡°Though, it is a good thing in so far as I have not had to see his face,¡± Gareth said. She nodded, noticing his mood had lightened. She noticed something else when she reached out. They were nearing the 68th gate, and Valorie sensed one person waiting for them. Her stomach turned, her eyes falling to the floor.

    ¡°Then I have bad news for you, sir.¡± She said. He sighed, but his posture remained confident.

    ¡°It was a matter of time, Valorie. Don¡¯t take it to heart. Where?¡±

    ¡°At the gate,¡± She said. Gareth nodded, thanking her, and squared his shoulders. His mood darkened, but there was a sense of calm reserve. The same resolve that had carried him through the inspection. Her heart was racing. How did he stay so calm? She hoped one day she could do it, too.

 2.02 - Oversight

    Valorie walked alongside Gareth as he led the way into the gate waiting room. She wanted to hide behind him, but she pushed on, holding her head up. Dupont was staring out the glass windows looking over the Helianthus. He was smiling to himself, hands clasped over his stomach. Valorie¡¯s heart was pounding now. If it got any faster, she might have to take direct control over it. She clenched her fingers and tried to follow her Captain¡¯s lead.

    ¡°Dupont,¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Ah, my favorite heir to the Hughes legacy. I can¡¯t believe my luck.¡± He said, eyes sparkling under bushy eyebrows. When Gareth didn¡¯t engage, he rambled on. ¡°Did you know, the number of independent ships has been dropping? Seems freelancers find it hard to feel safe without the might of a faction behind them.¡± Dupont said, his gaze drifting to the Helianthus. The hunger had not left his eyes.

    ¡°I have the proper contracts,¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°And it¡¯s so expensive, too. I suppose that isn¡¯t such a problem when you can ask family.¡± Dupont smirked, raising one hand to rub his chin. Gareth¡¯s irritation shot up so fast, Valorie had to resist the instinct to step away.

    ¡°I am not receiving any such aid.¡± He said.

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯ve heard,¡± Dupont said. He could appear collected, but Valorie still sensed his excitement. She tried to see it in his expression, noting the way his eyes glittered and his lip quivered. A seed of queasiness bloomed in her stomach.

    ¡°What are you driving at?¡± Gareth asked, his polite manner slipping as his tone dipped. This seemed to excite Dupont further.

    ¡°Well, I decided to go ahead and discuss our little foray with your family after all. A little tidying up of loose ends.¡± He paused, but Gareth didn¡¯t give him the pleasure of a response. ¡°I met with their agent and I learned quite a bit. I have to say it¡¯s pretty disappointing. Seems they are considering calling their ship back. Reeling in the prodigal son, as it were.¡±

    ¡°The Helianthus is in my name,¡± Gareth said, and Valorie was glad she could not see his expression.

    ¡°Ah, yes, an inheritance from your mother. Well, they do not think the matter is so clear-cut. They asked me to keep an eye on the property while they make a decision.¡± He smiled. ¡°Could be any time soon.¡±

    Gareth stood tall, but his emotions shifted. Amid the anger, there was a touch of fear. Such a small seed, it scared her more than his anger. Worried, she glanced up at him. Clenched jaw, anger constrained.

    ¡°That seems a waste of military resources.¡±

    ¡°Ah-ha, don¡¯t you worry. There is always time for our most esteemed legacies. Rest assured, I have obtained approval for my activities.¡± His eyebrow twitched. ¡°Unlike you,¡± His smile deepened with a vicious curve. Gareth glared at him, a moment passing before he spoke. As he paused, the tension dispersed from his shoulders.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Is there anything else you want to share?¡± Gareth asked. Dupont¡¯s smile twisted with confusion.

    ¡°No, I-¡± Dupont began.

    ¡°Good,¡± Gareth said, ¡°I will be on my way.¡± He turned and started toward the gate to the docks. Valorie followed after him, dodging Dupont who moved to follow.

    ¡°We will meet again, Hughes!¡± Dupont called after them. Gareth ignored him, but Valorie glanced back. Dupont was smiling again, his arms crossed. The door closed behind them and she was relieved to be away from him. Gareth¡¯s anger was still red hot but when he turned to look at her, his expression was apologetic.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Valorie. He won¡¯t be an issue.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice was comforting. She nodded, but he still seemed worried. He paused, making eye contact. ¡°And let me tell the others about it. I need to do some research first.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She said, eyes turning to the floor the moment he looked away. She wanted to say more ¨C something comforting as he did for her. She couldn¡¯t say it would be okay, she had no idea what lay ahead or if she would be able to do anything about it. Her chest felt heavy as she followed him. They reached the main elevator near engineering and the crew quarters. Gareth stood straight, shoulders at ease, hands at his sides. If she could not sense he was unhappy, she¡¯d never have known it.

    ¡°It will be okay, Valorie,¡± Gareth said. She looked up and realized she was under scrutiny. She had no idea why ¨C she tried to look confident. By the time he spoke again, he¡¯d decided something. ¡°Tonight, we will be welcoming a new client and a new crew member. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll be leaving port for our mission, so spend tonight preparing.¡± He said. The doors opened and he stepped out.

    ¡°We met Dr. Porter today and we¡¯re leaving tomorrow? Isn¡¯t that rather quick?¡± She asked. She followed him out but he had stopped in the hall.

    ¡°Speed will be our first challenge for this job. We¡¯ll discuss it more at the meeting tomorrow.¡± Gareth took a breath, ¡°Yulia will be greeting the newcomers aboard. I would like you to join her and observe.¡± He smiled but his voice was firm. ¡°I want you to prepare for when it is your turn.¡± He said. Her eyebrows drew together, but she didn¡¯t argue. It would be her turn one day because she was part of the crew. That was a positive thing. Gareth smiled. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± She bowed her head.

    It was late into the day hours when Valorie followed Yulia out of the Helianthus towards the gate. At least, Valorie was trying to follow, but Yulia kept matching her pace. When Yulia noticed, she chuckled.

    ¡°You keep going so slow ¨C are you nervous?¡± Yulia asked. Valorie blushed, increasing her speed. Yulia had dressed up, her darker navy blue hair keeping with a more professional look.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Valorie said. Yulia¡¯s laugh turned to a frown. Valorie was beginning to understand that this was not an angry expression. A frown could have many uses. She needed to get better at understanding the subtlety of each one. This one meant disappointment. Probably.

    ¡°We talked about all the apologizing, didn¡¯t we?¡± Yulia said.

    ¡°Sor-¡± Valorie cringed, ¡°I mean, yes. We did.¡± She said.

    ¡°There see, you caught it.¡± Yulia smiled, patting her shoulder. The direct thought that Valorie picked up was an internal one: I shouldn¡¯t be so hard on her. A small smile spread across Valorie¡¯s lips and she looked into Yulia¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Valorie said. Yulia nodded, opening her PD. The design was minimal using dark colors except for small dashes of clean neon. Faded into the background was an intricate drawing of several people wearing armor. They looked similar to the game she had seen Yulia playing during breaks.

    ¡°You are gonna need that confidence if you¡¯re gonna do a meet and greet on your own. The Captain¡¯s counting on me, so I¡¯ll make a good example.¡± She grinned. Valorie could sense Yulia was nervous, but it didn¡¯t drain her energy. Somehow, she gained energy instead.

 2.03 - Client and Crew

    Yulia was getting riled up worrying about what the Captain might think of her. Valorie got the feeling the Captain¡¯s attention only made Yulia nervous, though she didn¡¯t understand why. Maybe Yulia would feel more comfortable if she didn¡¯t focus on the things that made her nervous. Valorie said the first thing she could think of that might help.

    ¡°Even if he wasn¡¯t counting on you,¡± Valorie began, pausing when Yulia looked at her, ¡°You would still set a good example.¡± She tried to give Yulia an encouraging smile. Yulia blushed and smiled, but covered it up while wagging her finger.

    ¡°Now, now. Listen ¨C if you take things as a sure thing, you¡¯re gonna be disappointed.¡± She said, holding her head up proudly. Valorie¡¯s eyes widened, that advice sounded important.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡± She said, matching the serious tone. Yulia laughed, loosening up again.

    ¡°You¡¯d better.¡± Yulia grinned and Valorie nodded.

    They reached the gate and Yulia paused by the door. Yulia held out her PD so that Valorie could see it. There was a profile open of a very serious gentleman. Named Alec Porter, he had glasses and hair streaked with gray. He was a citizen of the Database.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to open the profiles Leon gets you before you go out there.¡± She tapped the screen opening a second one. A Union citizen named Kurt Lawson. He looked like a confident young man with short dark hair frosted green. Yulia scrolled down. ¡°Hope he isn¡¯t as puffed up as he looks.¡± She muttered. ¡°Okay, that is both of them. Now, we are ready.¡± She grinned.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Valorie asked. Yulia frowned and took one more look at her PD. It did not appear to help.

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± She said, reaching out to open the door to the gate before she could dwell on it any longer.

    Beyond the gate, Valorie reached out, searching for Dupont, but he was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief and focused on the two men waiting for them. Both of them looked like their profile pictures. The younger one was writing something on his PD, while the older waited closer to the door. He approached Yulia the moment they entered.

    ¡°Are we leaving today?¡± He asked. His arms were crossed, his shoulders bent.

    ¡°Mr. Porter -¡±

    ¡°Doctor.¡± He said, glancing out the window at the Helianthus. ¡°Are we?¡± He added. The man was a miasma of fear and doubt. Valorie wasn¡¯t sure how he managed to stand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dr. Porter.¡± Yulia smiled, ¡°You may speak with the Captain about your concerns once you are settled in.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°My name is Yulia Durand, I will be your guide today.¡± She paused looking to the younger man who was still seated. ¡°Uhm, Mr. Lawson, will you be joining us?¡± She asked. He looked up surprised and snapped shut his PD.

    ¡°Yes, of course,¡± He stood, giving Yulia a friendly smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Durand.¡± He added as he approached.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± She smiled back, and Valorie saw a shift in her attitude. Her mood lightened, her tone loosening. ¡°And call me Yulia.¡± She turned so she was facing both newcomers. Opening her arms in greeting, she spoke. ¡°Welcome, both of you, to the FL Helianthus.¡± Yulia bowed her head. Valorie remembered Sachi greeting passengers in the same manner. Kurt smiled at Yulia while Porter¡¯s shoulders dipped as he uncrossed his arms.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Durand,¡± Porter said, fixing his glasses by touching the side. ¡°May we continue now?¡± He added. He was calmer, but his tone was still sour.

    ¡°Seriously, calling me Yulia is fine.¡± She turned on her heel and saw Valorie. ¡°Oh, and this is Valorie, our comms lady. She¡¯s really helpful if you need it.¡± Yulia smiled at her. Surprised by the sudden attention, Valorie bowed her head.

    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± She said. Dr. Porter nodded in polite greeting, and Yulia gave her a proud smile. Kurt glanced at her and immediately refocused on Yulia.

    ¡°Alright, good. Let¡¯s get going.¡± Yulia led the way and Valorie followed last. She wanted to get a full view of the proceedings.

    Once they were inside, Yulia asked for their IDs for verification. She was leading the way towards the crew quarters, her PD open and ready. She glanced at Valorie while she waited for the IDs.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget this part. Super important.¡± She said. Valorie nodded. Maybe she should have made physical notes. Porter got Yulia¡¯s attention first. His arms were crossed again.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe that will be necessary. I will verify with Captain Hughes.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll need to stick with me until we find him then.¡± She said. Porter grimaced, his fingers tightening on his arm. Yulia frowned, typing something into her PD with a few quick movements.

    ¡°Very well. I also need to know if my transport was transferred aboard without issue.¡± He said. She looked at him again, her frown deepening before it broke into smile. Valorie imagined nothing kept Yulia down for long.

    ¡°Right, well, let¡¯s go see it right now. A little backtracking and the docking bay is basically along the way.¡± Her energy was back as she rerouted their path. Porter looked as if he might say something. Instead, he covered his mouth with his hand and looked ahead. The quagmire of his feelings made it hard to discern anything useful.

    When the moment passed, Kurt held out his display for Yulia to see. She thanked him, comparing the data as she walked.

    ¡°So, what do you do here, Yulia?¡± He asked as she looked between the two PDs. She grinned at him as she finished.

    ¡°I¡¯m the pilot.¡± She squared her shoulders and puffed out her chest, ¡°I get us where we need to go.¡± Valorie didn¡¯t have to reach out to know Yulia was proud. Instead, Kurt caught her attention ¨C his interest in Yulia evaporated. His voice remained friendly, but there was a definite shift in his attitude.

    ¡°Are you now? That must be fun.¡± He said. The change made her uncomfortable, but Yulia seemed happy enough. They reached the doors to the bay, and Yulia paused, the rest of the group nearly crashing into her.

    ¡°Alright, well we can cross this off the tour list for later.¡± She said stepping forward to trigger the doors. She continued with a speech about the area, but Valorie¡¯s attention went to the new ship inside the bay. Three times the size of the lander, it was shaped like an arrow. The smooth surface was painted so dark it played tricks on Valorie¡¯s eyes. Dr. Porter walked up to and around it, eyeing it from different angles. His arms relaxed, one hand resting on his chin. That ray of relief did little to fix his mood, but it was something.

    While Porter inspected his ship, Yulia was chatting with Kurt. She was enjoying herself, and Kurt kept up with her despite his disinterest. As Valorie watched them talk, it occurred to her that they had met less than an hour ago. It had taken Valorie so much longer to feel half that comfortable when she joined. There was a strange angry twist in her chest. What made Kurt so different? The feeling was a mean one, and she pushed it down. Valorie sensed the Captain approaching and glanced at the bay doors.

    ¡°Yulia.¡± Gareth called to her as he entered, ¡°I received your message.¡± He was dressed in his usual uniform, clean and sharp. Excitement had replaced his dark mood from earlier. Valorie wished her lifesense could see what caused the change. Yulia called Porter over and then looked at Gareth.

    ¡°He wanted personal verification. You said he was a special case, so here we are, Captain,¡± She said. Gareth nodded. At the word Captain, Kurt¡¯s posture straightened. He focused on Gareth but remained quiet.

    ¡°You did the right thing. Thank you.¡± Gareth said, and Yulia grinned, her cheeks turning pink.

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s my job.¡± She said, brushing it off with her smile.

 2.04 - Lifeboat

    While they waited for Porter to finish inspecting his ship, Gareth and Yulia were chatting about a show named Food Around Orion. Valorie hadn¡¯t heard of it before, but listening to them talk put her at ease. Valorie noted that Kurt was back to full attention, bordering on apprehensive. She stole a glance at him and saw that his focus was on Gareth as he listened intently.

    Partway through his walk around, Porter noticed Gareth and rejoined their group.

    ¡°Captain Hughes, it is good to see you again. I see the transfer of my ship went well.¡± Porter fixed his glasses as he spoke.

    ¡°I oversaw the matter myself. I¡¯m glad you find it satisfactory.¡± Gareth said. His distress from earlier was gone, and Valorie sensed his excitement. The change brightened Valorie¡¯s mood.

    ¡°It is good that I have the lifeboat to return home with.¡± Porter sighed, his eyes grew tired as he spoke. ¡°The one thing my colleagues hate the most is lost research.¡± He continued.

    ¡°With a limited budget, any setback must hit twice as hard,¡± Gareth said, and Porter nodded. ¡°But we still have more to recover. The ship won¡¯t be the only thing you bring home.¡± The strength in his voice stirred up the doctor¡¯s hope, clearing the miasma around him. Valorie got a better sense of Porter¡¯s light. Erratic, impatient, and so very bright.

    ¡°Good, very good,¡± Porter said.

    ¡°Wait, so this thing is a lifeboat?¡± Yulia asked.

    ¡°Well, yes. Painted, programmed, and tuned for camouflage. The smallest ship capable of jump travel.¡± Dr. Porter said. There was a note of pride in his voice, and it bloomed further as Yulia¡¯s jaw dropped.

    ¡°And it can jump? Really?¡± Yulia asked, moving to walk alongside the spacecraft. Porter moved to follow her.

    ¡°This is the second iteration. It can not yet open a path into the space between, but it is capable of reaching the necessary speeds. It can also withstand the pressure in the space between.¡± The way Porter spoke made it clear he had explained this many times. It reminded Valorie of her trainers in the SCT program. Except Porter¡¯s voice was more gentle. But the truth was most voices were more gentle than those trainers.

    Yulia touched the side of the ship, eyes wide with excitement.

    ¡°With engines like those, I hope so. Oh man, I wanna have a look inside.¡± She grinned, still ahead of Porter as she studied the back. Porter frowned.

    ¡°Ah, well, technically, you are breaking confidentiality simply by looking at it. Going inside is, uh -¡± He said, realizing his mistake. That miasma began to swirl again. While they talked, Kurt stepped closer to Gareth.

    ¡°Captain,¡± He said getting Gareth¡¯s attention. ¡°I wanted to say, I truly appreciate your consideration regarding my application.¡± He said. His tone reflected his respect. Gareth smiled at him.

    ¡°Your resume was quite promising. I hope you will enjoy working on the Helianthus.¡± He said.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°You mentioned your interest in working with the Database. I have to say, you¡¯ve impressed me. Here we are, already working alongside one of their famous researchers.¡± Kurt¡¯s hands moved as he spoke, accenting his points. One of Gareth¡¯s eyebrows went up, but his smile grew with his excitement. His mood was a stark contrast to earlier in the day. Valorie remembered her interview with him and his wish for deep space exploration. Working with Porter might be why his mood had improved.

    ¡°Yes, it is a fantastic opportunity,¡± Gareth said. There was a light in his eyes that Valorie saw only once before. He had been talking about exploring back then, too.

    ¡°I¡¯m excited to add my contribution. Working with someone of your caliber, I can not wait to show you what I am capable of.¡± Kurt followed his praise with a question about Gareth¡¯s expectations. Their conversation had a smooth flow. Valorie felt that little angry twist in her chest again. She had felt it before watching her coworkers¡¯ excited talk over a meal. Such a little thing was easy to ignore on the Anderson, but it was different this time. It cut deeper. She felt silly even thinking about it.

    Porter approached Gareth, having given up on chasing Yulia. He straightened his jacket as he spoke.

    ¡°You have a very curious, very energetic pilot there, Captain.¡± He wiped his sweaty palm on his pant leg.

    ¡°She keeps things lively,¡± Gareth said before calling Yulia back. Without hesitating, she came right over, a grin on her face. She stopped by Valorie, giving her a quick pat on the shoulder as she did. Surprised out of her thoughts, Valorie looked up to her, but Yulia was already facing the Captain.

    ¡°That thing¡¯s so cool, Captain,¡± Yulia said, catching her breath. ¡°Wish I could try flyin¡¯ it.¡± She added, resting one hand on her hip.

    ¡°It is quite the feat in design,¡± Gareth said before shifting her attention to Porter. ¡°I can vouch that Dr. Porter is who he says he is.¡±

    ¡°After listening to him talk about that ship, I could verify he¡¯s Dr. Porter, I bet.¡± She said with a laugh. ¡°Are you guys all ready to see your rooms?¡± She asked looking from Porter to Kurt.

    ¡°Yes, thank you, Ms. Durand.¡± Porter bowed his head. She bowed in response and grinned.

    ¡°Alright, this way.¡± She patted Valorie¡¯s back before leading the way. Valorie could pick up direct thoughts from physical contact. This time it revealed that Yulia was worried about Valorie¡¯s distant behavior. That Yulia was planning to ask about it later. It seemed a little ominous but Yulia¡¯s kindness pushed against the darker feelings. Valorie breathed in and prepared to follow after Porter.

    ¡°Valorie.¡± The Captain¡¯s voice got her attention, ¡°What do you think of them?¡± He asked once the group was out of earshot. She blinked, looking to the floor as she tried to think of some response. ¡°Anything is fine, I want to know what kind of impression they gave you.¡± His voice was gentle. She sensed he was curious, working out a puzzle in his head.

    ¡°Dr. Porter is hard to understand and very worried. It put me a little on edge.¡± She picked her words carefully, ¡°But he seems knowledgeable and polite.¡± She met Gareth¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°And Kurt?¡± His tone was light. She had a lot of feelings about Kurt, but most seemed like an overreaction now. Gareth wanted her to act with honesty. She sighed.

    ¡°He is different based on who he speaks to,¡± She said. Gareth nodded, a knowing look in his eye. His curiosity wasn¡¯t satisfied, so Valorie continued. ¡°He is still friendly, despite his feelings.¡± She said. Gareth breathed a short laugh, the puzzle in his mind snapping together.

    ¡°Thank you, that helps.¡± He turned away, facing the bay exit the group had left through. ¡°You should catch up and stick with Yulia for now. Have a good rest tonight.¡± He said. She thanked him and left, hurrying to catch up. She could sense the group ahead, it wouldn¡¯t be hard to meet up. She used that same sense to watch the Captain¡¯s light travel across the bay into the engineering offices.

    What puzzle had he worked out? It had to be about one of the newcomers. Judging by her answers, it was something about Kurt. Valorie tried to guess what it could be, but she came up blank. Considering Gareth¡¯s lighthearted response to her review, it couldn¡¯t be anything too bad. I¡¯ll just have to keep a closer eye on Kurt, she thought running to catch up with the group.

 2.05 - Gossip

    Her Captain¡¯s questions left Valorie confused, but she wasn¡¯t done helping Yulia greet the newcomers. Valorie put the Captain¡¯s behavior aside and raced to catch up with the group. When she reached them, Yulia was asking Kurt what kind of view he would prefer from his room. Garden or space. Valorie treasured her window into the Gardens. There could be some meaning behind the choice, so she watched Kurt curiously.

    ¡°Garden, please.¡± He said, piquing Valorie¡¯s interest. Lucky for her, Yulia continued.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised ¨C you seem like a space guy through and through.¡± She said. Valorie agreed, curious to see what his response would be.

    ¡°Ah, well. I grew up planet-side.¡± That answer seemed to be enough for Yulia. Valorie felt a sense of calm wash over Kurt with his answer. She had sensed that feeling before when others remembered something pleasant about the past.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m the opposite. Do you miss it? I¡¯m not sure I would miss space if I settled down.¡± Yulia grinned, ¡°I mean, I would miss it here though.¡± The small talk covered their entire trip through the crew quarters. Porter spoke up a couple of times, but Yulia and Kurt did most of the talking.

    Once both newcomers had settled into their new quarters, Yulia nudged Valorie¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Wanna go have some dinner?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Yes, please.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. You¡¯re hungry after a long day¡¯s work, right?¡± She asked. Valorie nodded, meeting Yulia¡¯s grin with a small one of her own. Yulia was quiet for only a moment. ¡°About earlier.¡± She said, turning to look at Valorie. Yulia focused forward when she was quiet, but looked to Valorie each time she spoke. It almost seemed as if she were walking sideways.

    ¡°You have concerns?¡± Valorie said.

    ¡°Nothing that formal.¡± The smile returned to Yulia¡¯s face for a moment before she suppressed it. ¡°I noticed you were quiet. Which means somehow you were quieter than usual. Didn¡¯t even know that was possible. Is everything okay?¡±

    ¡°I needed to make careful observations since I will have to do greetings one day.¡± She answered. It had started that way. When Valorie focused too much on the details, she forgot herself.

    ¡°Is that so,¡± Yulia said, straightening out her steps again. A moment later, she smiled and spoke in a lowered voice. ¡°Kurt was handsome, wasn¡¯t he?¡± She said with a conspiratorial laugh. Valorie blushed. Understanding physical attraction between humans was one of her worst areas. Some of her sisters had experience but it was such a mixed bag that Valorie had avoided it so far. Reaching out, she sensed curiosity in Yulia¡¯s excitement.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t look at him that way.¡± Valorie shook her head, feeling guilty for her lack of a real answer.

    ¡°Not your type, huh?¡± Yulia looked thoughtful for a moment. There was a shift in her feelings, a hint of fear. That startled Valorie, and she looked down. There was something to fear? Yulia clasped her hands in front of her. ¡°Is there someone in the crew that stands out to you?¡± She asked, the seed of fear still nestled in her curiosity. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Valorie looked ahead as she thought about the question. Someone who stood out to her? There was one person ¨C the first light among the crew that she could recognize from a distance. One whose shadow she had followed across two ships. He always stood out to her. That was the answer, right?

    ¡°Quinns,¡± She said. She must have got it right because relief washed over Yulia followed by a rush of excitement.

    ¡°Really?¡± She grinned, covering her mouth. ¡°No, I shouldn¡¯t joke,¡± She said, but Valorie could see the corner of her smile behind her hand. ¡°Really?¡± Yulia said again.

    ¡°I can¡¯t explain why,¡± Valorie said. Yulia¡¯s behavior made her nervous about her answer. But that seed of fear was completely gone, which made Valorie happy, so she let it go.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s pretty normal. You like what ya like.¡± Yulia¡¯s smile warmed. ¡°I won¡¯t say anything, don¡¯t worry. If you ever need any help though¡­¡± She trailed off. Help with what? Valorie was in over her head.

    ¡°I will make sure to ask,¡± She said, hoping that would be the end of it. Yulia patted her shoulder.

    ¡°Anytime,¡± Yulia said, smiling. She was picturing Valorie and Quinns holding hands, looking very awkward. Valorie blushed when she picked up the image. She needed to change topics quick.

    ¡°What do you think Serge made for dinner?¡± Was the first thing that came to mind.

    ¡°Well, he was pretty busy today so something quick I¡¯d say,¡± Yulia answered. Valorie nodded, pushing for the new line of conversation.

    ***

    Gareth was up early for the meeting at 800 hours. It was easy to get up when sleep eluded you. He finished his preparations with extra time left before the day got started. Extra time he could use relaxing on the bridge, sipping some morning tea.

    It wasn¡¯t the mission ahead that disturbed his sleep. It was the run-in with Dupont. Gareth knew his grandparents would not remain complacent for long. When a year had passed, he thought something must have distracted them. Perhaps they would let the issue drop. It wasn¡¯t impossible, there was still imperial pride in working for the Database.

    But Dupont had confirmed this hope dead. Gareth¡¯s family wanted to pretend the Helianthus was theirs. That thought settled into his chest like poison, paralyzing whatever it touched.

    A group of dockworkers caught his eye. They were starting the early prep for the launch happening in almost three hours. He took a sip of his tea, light citrus elevating the bitter taste. Sachi said it was good for early mornings and a clear head. Gareth found it unpleasant at first, but it grew on him.

    So, the truth. His family didn¡¯t want the ship. They wanted him back at the helm of an imperial ship, earning prestige. That¡¯s where they always wanted him. If Gareth didn¡¯t want that, then his family would convince him otherwise. Show him that resistance was not worth it. Gareth closed his eyes, tilting his head back.

    He needed to start with a plan. Ground himself in facts and contain the wild fears caused by assumptions. His grandparents¡¯ attorneys wanted to question the ownership of the Helianthus. Running away wasn¡¯t an option ¨C he could not afford to make enemies of the Empire.

    He could prove his ownership in the courts. That was the most honest approach. The Helianthus was his and he would not back down on that simple truth. They knew it, too, but they could twist it. Ground the Helianthus while the court deliberates. Follow that up by slowing proceedings down to a crawl. Gareth would fight it, but legal representation was expensive, too. His family did not need to win. All they had to do was wait out his savings.

    When Gareth opened his eyes and looked across the bridge, he saw the previous crew. His Uncle Oliver in the Captain¡¯s chair, giving orders and listening to concerned crew. When Gareth was old enough ¨C or well behaved enough, his mother would say ¨C they allowed him on the bridge. Gareth¡¯s uncle made sure he kept out of the way but he would chat with Gareth in the quiet moments. Guiding him in the art of running the ship. A citrus scent wafted by his nose, returning him to the present. He stared at the tea leaves tipping back and forth at the bottom of his cup. It was going to get harder to hide his fears.

 2.06 - Scenic Route

    Gareth watched the docking crew preparing for the morning launch. His tea had gone lukewarm, but he sipped it anyway. His mind focused on finding a solution to his grandparents¡¯ meddling. Litigation was too dangerous. What other route did he have?

    He felt his stomach turn. There was one way to delay his family¡¯s actions. Bile raised at the back of his throat. The best way to quiet his grandparents down would be another 4-year contract of service. As long as he did what they wanted, they left him alone. The thought washed over him with a wave of exhaustion.

    The longer he thought about it, the more his mind betrayed him. There were positives to consider. If Heli could stay active while he was on duty, it would be easier to afford the litigation. He could even strengthen his position before his family could start their court case. He let the idea settle in and felt an ache in his chest.

    No, a contract was a last resort. It had to be. He looked around the bridge, searching for a good argument. Nothing popped up. For now, he would prepare his documentation and talk to Allan about the Imperial courts. There was no need to upend his life until his family made a move. He knew worrying about it would eat away at him, but he couldn¡¯t crush his fear entirely. The threat was out, and there was no ignoring it.

    Gareth stood up and went down the steps to the pilot¡¯s station. He could see more of the docks and the morning crew ramping up outside. He focused on the day ahead. For all his worries, the perfect job had landed in his lap. A one-jump retrieval mission with a high payout from a desperate client. A client, he noted with a smile, from the Database. Recognition from Doctor ¡°Porter¡± would be an excellent boost towards affiliation with the Database. Once a distant dream, he was steadily dragging it into reality.

    Gareth heard the doors to the bridge slide open and turned to see Leon standing by the entrance. His laidback expression was a touch smug, but when he spotted Gareth he shared an easy-going smile.

    ¡°Morning, Captain. You ready to head over to the meeting room?¡±

    ¡°Good morning, Leon.¡± Gareth¡¯s gut told him something was off. He checked the time on one of the nearby stations as he made his way to the entrance. ¡°You¡¯re early.¡±

    Leon¡¯s smile turned to a smirk, ¡°Figured we could take the scenic route to the meeting.¡± Gareth nodded, waiting for him to continue. A moment of patience could reveal a lot in conversation. ¡°The new job of yours is a real doozy. Are you sure about this one?¡± As they entered the hall, Leon walked next to him.

    ¡°We finished our negotiation late last night. Did you get a chance to read over the final write up?¡± Gareth asked.

    ¡°Yeah. I was so excited, I stayed up late reading it.¡± His dry tone made his feelings clear. He looked ahead, the dry tone clearing away. ¡°And, I¡¯ve got questions.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s to be expected.¡±

    ¡°Okay, well.¡± Leon began and paused, mouth open. He smiled, ¡°Well, I had questions¡­¡± He laughed when he saw Gareth¡¯s eyebrow raise. ¡°The first question was: Salvage, Cap? I mean, everyone knows how dangerous that can get.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°I figured that would be one,¡± Gareth said.

    ¡°Right, but then I saw what the guy was paying,¡± Leon said. Gareth nodded a smile creeping into the corner of his lips.

    ¡°And that answered your question?¡±

    ¡°For a one-jump job, that¡¯s a lot of digits.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t wonder about the client or what we¡¯re retrieving?¡± Gareth asked.

    ¡°Client¡¯s from the database and info is being retrieved. No big questions there. Oh, but one: what¡¯s with the anonymity clause?¡±

    ¡°He wanted the contract to be contingent on there being no official record of his involvement. Allan laughed at that. Instead, we agreed on a bonus based on the anonymity of our results.¡± Gareth said. Leon nodded as he listened, then frowned.

    ¡°So, he wants this lost data but he doesn¡¯t want anyone to know it¡¯s him? What¡¯s he afraid of?¡± By the end, Leon was talking more to himself.

    ¡°He owns the data and he was aboard when the wreck happened. He wouldn¡¯t say more than that.¡± Gareth answered what he could. Leon crossed his arms as he thought about it. The calculating look in Leon¡¯s eyes seemed more natural than his goofier expressions.

    Gareth remembered his plan if his family tried to trap him. His last resort. If he wanted to keep the Helianthus active, he would need someone to act as Captain in his place. As Captain of the MRH Araya, Gareth saw Leon grow into his promotion to Senior Officer. His work ethic kept his unit motivated, while his attitude kept them friendly. When he followed Gareth to the Helianthus, Gareth named him First Officer. Leon¡¯s glib manner covered up his cautious nature, but Gareth saw the serious attention he put into his work. He was Gareth¡¯s first choice for the job.

    There was only one concern. Leon seemed very comfortable with following. He avoided decisions where he could, often looking to Gareth for direction. In the normal hierarchy, this was fine. But if Leon needed to take charge, what would he do? They were getting close to the meeting room.

    ¡°We will need to search the wreckage to pinpoint the lost data. For this search, I am going to split our boarding team in two.¡± Gareth said, his voice firm. ¡°I will lead one, and I want you to lead the other.¡±

    Leon¡¯s movements tightened up and he glanced over at Gareth. He was quiet until he saw the door to the meeting room. When he stopped, Gareth was ready. Leon faced him, eyebrows creased.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done the boarding thing before. Are you sure you want to split an inexperienced team?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Speed is our only advantage. I want to be quick.¡± Gareth answered.

    ¡°Right, of course,¡± Leon said, but the crease in his eyebrows remained.

    ¡°Is there an issue?¡±

    ¡°No, sir.¡± Leon blinked, ¡°I mean, no worries, Cap.¡± He relaxed. Gareth watched him for a moment.

    ¡°You¡¯ve joined a boarding party before?¡± Gareth asked, restarting their walk to the meeting room. Leon followed and kept up.

    ¡°Yeah, a lot actually. That¡¯s where I started shortly after training. An outsider with no legacy? I was lucky to have a job.¡± He shrugged, then he grinned. ¡°Nah, luck was landing on the Araya. First time I didn¡¯t catch shit for my history.¡± Leon said. Through research, Gareth knew of the nightmares boarding parties could face during battle. The boarders he had talked with described it as exhilarating, but he never once envied them. Leon held his hand over the panel and the door slid open. He stepped aside and Gareth entered first.

    Well, second. Sachi sat at the end of the table. Her long fingers traced along the surface as she read from the holographic display. There was a steaming mug near her free hand. Sachi was always there first. Gareth suspected that she slept in that chair to get ahead of everyone. She looked over when he entered offering a gracious smile.

    ¡°Good morning, Captain Hughes.¡± She said with a polite bow of her head. He responded with a similar greeting as he sat down at the head of the table. Leon followed him in but broke off to start opening the counters for breakfast. Sachi took a sip from her mug. ¡°Did you try the Herbal Sunrise?¡± She asked.

    ¡°The citrus doesn¡¯t quite cover up the bitterness, but as you promised, it does wake one up.¡± He said, settling into his seat.

 2.07 - Breakfast

    Conversation with Sachiko was cordial, but Gareth found it pleasant. She spoke of the Gardens¡¯ health, noting the progress of her projects. He listened as he started up the holo display and connected his PD. Leon was setting up the counters for breakfast.

    The system beeped when it finished booting up, and Gareth pulled up their route for the day. The jump was a long one, but it was still the only one jump. Likely because Dr. Porter had run for the closest station in his escape. Anger flashed through him at the image of the researcher fleeing for his life. His fingers tightened into a fist, and he closed his eyes. Revenge was not the reason for this mission. He stretched his fingers, working out the tension.

    ¡°Good morning, Captain.¡± Valorie interrupted his thoughts. He turned to greet her and noticed the crease in her brow. One little change in her blank expression. He had a hypothesis for why her interactions seemed so off. Ever since he had first worked with the SCT, he had pondered it. He didn¡¯t mean for her to worry, so he smiled.

    ¡°To you as well, Valorie,¡± Gareth said. Valorie bowed her head but not before he saw a small smile cross her lips. When she raised her head, her stoic expression had returned.

    ¡°May I ask¡­ is everything well, sir?¡± She asked, looking to the floor. She had improved at making eye contact, with one exception being when she felt hesitant. Which was most of the time, he thought, resisting a chuckle. The crease in her brow and her question ¨C she must still be worried about Dupont. The thought irked Gareth, but he would not let it show.

    ¡°Yes. Make sure your focus is on our mission today.¡± He said. She nodded, but that crease never went away. Sachi called her over and Valorie settled into the seat on Sachi¡¯s right. Leon approached with a frown.

    ¡°If Serge doesn¡¯t hurry, I¡¯m gonna starve,¡± Leon said, sitting down in the seat next to Gareth. He eyed the star map hovering over the table. ¡°Not a lot of work on the route this go around, huh?¡± He added, eyes traveling to the table¡¯s surface. There he could see details about the jump including nearby systems and obstacles. Beyond the jump to Porter¡¯s ship, they were following the prescribed route to the next station. No rush calculations needed.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing ¨C you can help Serge set up instead.¡±

    ¡°Good? Who¡¯d pick organizing platters over playing with star maps?¡± Leon smirked, still looking over the details.

    ¡°Says the starving one who already set up the serving counters,¡± Gareth said, exhaling a laugh. Leon looked at him with a grin.

    ¡°Nothing slips by you, Cap.¡± He said. The entrance slid open and Gareth heard the rattle of a cart moving across the gap. Leon stood up, ¡°Speak of the devil.¡± He grinned. Gareth didn¡¯t have to look to know there was a glare on Serge¡¯s face. He listened to them set up as he got the contract and flight documents lined up for reference. He did not need them for reference, but having them at his fingertips gave him confidence.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Whoa, what¡¯s this?¡± Leon said, catching Gareth¡¯s ear. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you crack one of these open before.¡± His voice was a little strained. Gareth glanced over to see him lifting a large canister on to the counter. It was similar to the smaller ones used for water and coffee. Vapor rolled off the sides as condensation froze to the surface.

    ¡°Cryodairy. It¡¯s only good for three days after opening.¡± Serge said, repositioning it after Leon placed it down. ¡°A rare treat from the colony stations. The guest brought it in, but he don¡¯t think he¡¯ll finish it on his own.¡± Serge turned to pick up another platter.

    ¡°Is it any good?¡± Leon asked, following suit.

    ¡°Try it with your coffee and see,¡± Serge said, but Leon still looked skeptical. Gareth had seen cryodairy before. Every meeting for the high ranked officials had it available. There were days where such luxury seemed mundane. Gareth had a feeling it would taste a lot better now. But maybe that was his empty stomach speaking.

    Once all the platters were set up Serge began uncovering them. The greasy scent of replicated breakfast meals with a touch of cinnamon filled the room. Gareth focused on the documents in front of him, but every moment was a battle between his stomach and his pride. He would wait to eat until after the meeting. After his crew had their fill. Then it was his turn. A smile tugged on the corner of his lips at the image of him, alone, going to town on the leftovers. As he had when he was young, sometimes he wanted to let loose.

    ¡°Reading something funny there, Gary?¡± Quinns said, setting down a hefty plate of food. He sat down, adjusting his prosthetic leg until he was comfortable.

    ¡°No, not particularly,¡± Gareth said, earning a confused look.

    ¡°That makes me think you¡¯re up to something, you know,¡± Quinns said, food already halfway to his mouth. Quinns never held back on food when he stopped working long enough to eat. His plate had some of everything. The usual replicated meals: sausages and cinnamon rolls. He noticed the toast was missing, replaced by hash-browns. The cartridge must have run out. Filling out the rest of the plate was Serge¡¯s creations. Pale white scrambled eggs and a layered bar with a bright green topping.

    ¡°Is that good or bad?¡± Gareth asked, eyebrows raised. Quinns smiled but waited until he finished chewing to speak.

    ¡°Good. Probably.¡± He said picking up his next bite.

    Leon set two coffees down on the table, ¡°Did you want the dairy?¡± He asked, noting, ¡°I¡¯m grabbing food, too.¡±

    ¡°Yes, thank you. And, Serge is right, you should try it.¡± Gareth said. That skeptical frown returned.

    ¡°Think I¡¯ll stick to sugar and powder.¡± Leon was about to say more, but a loud voice interrupted him as the entrance slid open.

    ¡°And, see, we¡¯re here perfectly on time,¡± Yulia said as she entered. Kurt trailed behind her.

    ¡°Arriving at the exact time is late. You¡¯re expected to arrive early to be on time.¡± He responded in a much quieter voice. His speech with Yulia was natural compared to the side he showed Gareth. He wasn¡¯t subtle about how he treated someone he saw as superior.

    ¡°That sounds like some tricky nonsense. Don¡¯t tell me to be somewhere at 0800 hours when you mean 0745. That¡¯s like setting me up for failure.¡± She said. Serge interrupted their argument.

    ¡°Yui, come eat. You¡¯re the last one here.¡± He said, his own plate of food already in hand.

    ¡°No way, I beat Quinns, didn¡¯t I?¡± Yulia said, hurrying over.

    ¡°I¡¯m right here,¡± Quinns called, and Yulia cursed under her breath. The way Yulia brought life to a room always made Gareth smile. Kurt paused to bow his head in front of Gareth before hurrying after her.

    Everyone was now present and settling in. Gareth enjoyed listening to snippets of conversations as he studied the ship manifest. Kurt sat down between Leon and Valorie, while Yulia took the last open seat on the far left. If they got another new crew member now, they¡¯d have to extend the table. The thought made him smile. One day, they wouldn¡¯t be able to fit the entire crew in the meeting room.

 2.08 - Meeting

    As Gareth finalized his materials for the meeting, he noticed Kurt glancing his way. Kurt must have noticed Gareth¡¯s lack of breakfast because he set aside the food he had picked out. Clasping his hands on the table, Kurt leaned forward a little. Gareth felt a question incoming and paused in scrolling through the manifest.

    ¡°Good morning, Captain.¡± Kurt started and they exchanged pleasantries before he launched into his question. ¡°Have you been a member of the Empire for long?¡± Well, that was a breath of fresh air. Gareth expected something about his past, the Hughes legacy. This question was more personal. He had been unfair to Kurt, so Gareth gave him a friendly smile.

    ¡°My mother was a member of the Database with UEE heritage, so yes. Since I was born.¡± Gareth answered.

    ¡°Hence your interest in applying to the Database?¡± His eyes were eager.

    ¡°The first of many inspirations. You seem interested in the factions.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a member of the FSU, third generation in fact,¡± He forced a smile but it was closer to a grimace. ¡°But I¡¯ve never felt quite at home with them. I¡¯m tired of it, so I¡¯m looking something different.¡± He answered. Leon chuckled, earning a look of interest from Kurt and amusement from Gareth. ¡°Mr. Gomez, may I ask what caught your interest?¡± Kurt tiptoed around his words. Leon cleared his throat.

    ¡°The Union respects a certain kind of person,¡± Leon said, resting his coffee mug on the table. ¡°They got their ideals. If you don¡¯t live by¡¯em, you¡¯ll feel like an outsider real quick.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Kurt began but bit down on his enthusiasm. ¡°I can, of course, match those ideals ¨C I could work myself to death with the best of them.¡±  He straightened his shoulders, ¡°But I believe there is more to be achieved in life than such hard work.¡± Kurt was looking for a place that acknowledged him by his own standards. That rang a little close to home for Gareth.

    ¡°No wonder you¡¯re so tired.¡± Leon¡¯s tone was dry, but a smirk grew at the corner of his mouth. The remark didn¡¯t phase Kurt for a moment.

    ¡°See, you get where I¡¯m coming from! Are you Union, too?¡± Kurt asked.

    ¡°I was. Second generation. Been imperial a few years now, though.¡± Leon saw Kurt¡¯s eyes light up. Leon picked up his coffee mug and continued. ¡°We can talk about it later ¨C and I¡¯m not promising any of it would be useful. But the meeting¡¯ll start soon, so I¡¯d eat something if I were you.¡± He said. Kurt nodded, retrieving the plate of food he set aside.

    Relative quiet restored, Gareth returned to finishing his meeting notes. Leon took a hesitant sip from his mug and relaxed, taking a longer drink.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Cap. The dairy is alright.¡± He said. Gareth did not bother to look up from the screens at his fingertips.

    ¡°Good thing you sampled it,¡± Gareth said, eyes tracing over the checklist for the day. Leon grinned, taking another sip.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ll try anything once.¡± Leon began, but Gareth¡¯s eyebrows went up and Leon faltered. ¡°No, but food is different. I¡¯ve had one too many ¡°home-cooked¡± meals ruin my day. It¡¯s not a good look to be stuck on the-¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Gareth interrupted, ¡°I don¡¯t need specifics.¡± He said, and Leon chuckled. It was quiet for a moment as Leon took another sip. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter.

    ¡°You know, you should eat, too.¡± He said. Maybe, Gareth thought, but a certain level of professionalism is expected of a Captain. He had spent enough time to know the virtue of distance. He met Leon¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°I will. Later.¡± He said. Leon didn¡¯t look convinced, but he nodded anyway.

    Gareth waited a few more minutes before getting everyone¡¯s attention. The chatter died down and soon all eyes were on him. Gareth stood at the head of the table, the star map hovering in front of him.

    ¡°Welcome to the pre-takeoff meeting for our flight from Bloor Station to the Sarria Docks. We will be taking off this day, the 16th of March, with an ETA of six days.¡± He indicated the route on the star map hovering over the table, bright neons cutting a path across the stars. So far, so good. ¡°To begin, I would like to welcome our new software tech, Kurt Lawson.¡± He gestured to Kurt, who stood up. ¡°Would you like to share a few words?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Captain. I cannot wait to get to know everyone here.¡± He said, glancing at Leon with a smile before returning his gaze to Gareth. ¡°I spent a long time working with the Union¡¯s upgrade fleet, but I kept hoping for something different. Something to challenge my expertise. Joining you here, I believe I have found that opportunity.¡± His enthusiasm grew as he spoke, and the table¡¯s mood followed. Yulia¡¯s smile was genuine, Leon¡¯s amused, and Sachi¡¯s knowing. Only one stuck out. ¡°I look forward to sharing my abilities with you as we journey forth.¡± Kurt continued, but Gareth¡¯s gaze drifted over Valorie. It was often hard to know what the SCT was thinking, but the first word that came to mind was perplexed. It was possible Gareth had said too much to her.

    ¡°Your optimism is inspiring,¡± Sachi said, resting one hand on her chin. ¡°Next time, please consider your verbosity.¡± Her voice was still light, but it carried a reprimanding tone that brought Gareth back to his teen years. Kurt looked at her and fidgeted by pinching the edges of the table.

    ¡°I will do so. Thank you, ma¡¯am.¡± His voice was tight.

    ¡°Thank you, Kurt,¡± Gareth said. Kurt bowed his head and settled back into his seat. ¡°We will also have two passengers for this trip. Our new passenger is Doctor Alec Porter, a researcher from the Database and our client. In addition to the usual amenities, he also retains access to the bay and his ship. Serge, Sachi, I have instructed him to follow your guidance if he needs assistance.¡±

    ¡°Not an issue, Captain.¡± Sachi¡¯s knowing smile returned, ¡°I will take good care of him.¡± She added.

    ¡°Right. Good.¡± Gareth said, his voice turning somber, ¡°I also need to inform everyone that Doctor Porter was recently aboard a ship that was attacked by raiders. He lost many of his colleagues and the past week has been very traumatic for him. I ask you to be patient and give him the space he needs to grieve.¡± Gareth allowed for a moment of silence. Most of his crew¡¯s faces were downcast or turned away. When it started to feel too heavy, Gareth spoke again, his voice softer.

    ¡°During the attack, Doctor Porter lost something very important to him. This leads me to the heart of this meeting. I have agreed to retrieve what was lost.¡± The tension in the room changed. Everyone was listening before, but now they were focused. ¡°It is a salvage mission. Everyone has heard of the risks. I would not consider such a request without good reason.¡± He had expected a question blurted out at this point, but the room remained quiet. Each of them was willing to hear him out. He felt a spark of pride in his chest.

    ¡°First, it must be said that our earnings will be significant. I have a breakdown of costs and returns available for anyone who is curious. This is not the most important reason for my decision. The wreck is one week old and in a low traffic system. With the initial raid complete, the chance of running into raiders this early is next to zero.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice leaned into the tone he had used for important briefs before. Likelihoods, statistics, and the preparations around them. When Gareth noticed the pattern he was falling into, he cut himself off. ¡°Does anyone have any questions?¡±

 2.09 - Parameters

    Gareth began his explanation by revealing that the mission was for salvage. From the danger of damaged internal systems to raider attacks, any normal crew would avoid salvage. Gareth caught himself covering the dangers with probabilities and precautions. Words he¡¯d used to justify his decisions to meeting rooms, but that wasn¡¯t right. The crew in front of him would be facing this head on. He needed to hear their opinions. He opened the floor for questions.

    Sachi spoke first, ¡°Through Doctor Porter, our client is the Database, yes?¡± Sachi frowned, sharp eyebrows pointed in. Was it disapproval?

    ¡°Yes. This connection is another reason for my interest in this job.¡± Gareth admitted. Sachi¡¯s arms unfolded and she rested her hands on the table.

    ¡°Everyone should be on their best behavior. Every client deserves courtesy. This is given.¡± Her voice was stern. Her question had been a lesson for everyone. ¡°Keep in mind: this client is even more important than that. Act accordingly.¡± Her gaze lingered on Leon and Yulia, but she spoke to the table. Yulia gave a nervous laugh while rubbing the back of her head.

    ¡°I may have annoyed him, I¡¯ll try to be more careful.¡± Yulia said, blushing a little. Sachi¡¯s expression warmed.

    ¡°Only once you understand, can you improve.¡± Sachi smiled, patting Yulia¡¯s hand. ¡°I know you will.¡± The expectations in her voice were a challenge, and Yulia nodded. She was all fired up to try harder. Sachi looked back to Gareth, ¡°Thank you, Captain.¡± She said with a polite bow of her head. Gareth matched her bow with his own in gratitude.

    ¡°Any other questions?¡± He asked.

    ¡°How exactly is this going to go down? You¡¯ve a plan, yeah?¡± Serge asked. He was mindful of his posture, keeping his back straight, arms crossed. But his eyes gave away his enthusiasm. Gareth touched the controls for the star map, waking the system.

    ¡°Let¡¯s continue then.¡± Gareth pulled up the first jump, and zoomed in on the star system. A weak star with no name but a long GSC designation. It had 4 planets and a very large asteroid belt. ¡°By our agreement with Doctor Porter, we will be stopping in this system to find the TG Lampropeltis.¡± He opened the unedited schematic of the ship¡¯s model. Quinns perked up, leaning forward to get a better look.  The ship was long and imposing. Capable of maintaining a crew into the thousands, it was several times the size of the Helianthus. ¡°It is a repurposed Imperial cruiser, 3rd class.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t see one of those up for salvage everyday.¡± Quinns muttered.

    ¡°Yes, with the military behind the cruiser series, such a wreck is exceedingly rare. The researchers, however, were caught unaware.¡± The room darkened and Gareth¡¯s fingers tightened. He kept his voice steady, focusing on action. ¡°There are two major complications in finding Doctor Porter¡¯s briefcase. One, the provided schematic does not include renovations by the Database. Kurt, soon as we are within range to network, I want you looking for those updates. Include any information you gather on damaged areas as well.¡±

    ¡°You can count on me.¡± Kurt held his head higher as he spoke.

    ¡°Good. The second complication is that we do not have an exact location for the briefcase. Doctor Porter¡¯s assistant, Yamil Dewan, was the last one carrying it. They got separated in the chaos of the attack.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°We¡¯re gonna have to search the entire ship?¡± Serge asked, his shoulders drooping as his enthusiasm from earlier waned. Had he hoped for something more exciting than a scavenger hunt? Gareth had the feeling the man was looking for a fight.

    ¡°Not exactly. Doctor Porter has a transmitter in the briefcase that will help us triangulate it¡¯s location. To facilitate this, the boarding party will be organized into two teams. I will be leading one, and Leon will be leading the other.¡± Gareth said, looking to Leon.

    ¡°Have you decided on the teams?¡± Leon asked. Having learned about the mission beforehand, he moved on without argument. It was Serge who interrupted, placing a firm hand down on the table.

    ¡°Not Yulia. She¡¯s not leaving the ship.¡± Serge said so quickly it seemed like a reflex. His reason for interrupting was no surprise. Yulia smacked his arm.

    ¡°Captain has a plan. If he says I go, then I should go.¡± She said, flashing an apologetic smile at Gareth before turning back to her brother.

    ¡°Plans can change -¡± Serge began with a growl.

    ¡°Hold on, both of you.¡± Gareth¡¯s tone quieted their argument. ¡°First, yes, I have teams in mind. However, Yulia.¡± He said, and her shoulders deflated a little.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help?¡± She said, drawing circles on the table¡¯s surface with her fingertip. Gareth couldn¡¯t help a small smile at her antics.

    ¡°I need you here, on the bridge.¡± Her finger paused and she met his gaze. Gareth continued. ¡°If we need to evacuate in a hurry, you will be ready to get us out of harm¡¯s way. Sachi will be here to help you manage our guests.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you need, then I¡¯ll do it.¡± She smiled. It did little to hide her disappointment, but there was purpose in her eyes again.

    ¡°Thank you. As for the teams, Serge and Quinns will be following Leon. Valorie and Kurt will be with me.¡± Gareth said. The responses were immediate.

    ¡°If I may speak,¡± Kurt began, pausing when Quinns spoke over him.

    ¡°What? No. You¡¯re kidding.¡± Quinns¡¯ complaint was quick. Perhaps he was actually listening this time. Gareth gave Quinns a look, eyebrows raised. Quinns settled down with a grumble. Only then did he notice the attention he had gathered, and sank lower into his seat. Gareth addressed Kurt instead.

    ¡°Go ahead, Kurt.¡±

    ¡°Well, I understand how this may sound, but I believe I will be of more help to your search with my rig here on the Helianthus.¡± He spoke with the authority of someone with logic on their side, but there was something more in his tone. He isn¡¯t explaining, Gareth thought, he is pleading.

    ¡°Meaning you would need to remain here.¡± Gareth said. Kurt relaxed a step, hope in his eyes.

    ¡°Yes.¡± He nearly smiled.

    ¡°And physical access to their system is not preferable?¡± Gareth¡¯s question surprised Kurt, and he looked away.

    ¡°Er, not necessarily. The crew is gone, so I will not be up against any overrides.¡± As Kurt spoke his gaze returned to Gareth. ¡°Doctor Porter¡¯s access data will get me in, from there my rig is more effective.¡± He spoke with confidence. Gareth rubbed his chin. It was possible Kurt¡¯s set up was better, but it seemed fear was also a factor. The question then became, how far did Gareth want to push a newcomer? Kurt¡¯s confidence deteriorated as he waited for Gareth¡¯s response.  ¡°In case there is an issue, I could provide the boarding teams with proxy tools?¡± He added, his tone swinging into a question at the last moment.

    ¡°That would be prudent. Before boarding, you will brief Quinns and me on your specific proxy. Have your explanation prepared before that time. During the mission, you will provide support from here.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Captain ¨C my rig will not fail to impress you.¡± He kept a serious expression as he spoke, only smiling after the focus moved away from him.

    ¡°Does that mean the groups will change?¡± Leon asked, eyebrows raised.

    ¡°No.¡± Gareth¡¯s answer was final. He heard Quinns huff next to him. ¡°We will have a final briefing in the bay during the docking procedure. Is there any other questions?¡± Gareth asked, looking to Quinns first. Despite his sour expression, Quinns shook his head. Gareth went down the line, looking to each crew member. Serge seemed as excited as Yulia was down. Sachi waved him on, already focused on her own concerns. Valorie¡¯s gaze was on the table, but she looked up as he reached her and shook her head. No expression, but her eyes fell back to the table. Kurt was still quite happy with himself, and Leon had leaned back into his chair.

 2.10 - Leon

    Without any further discussion, it was clear the meeting was coming to an end. After asking if there were any more questions, Gareth gave his crew a moment to think. When no one spoke up, Leon looked to him.

    ¡°I think that settles it, Cap,¡± Leon said. Gareth got the feeling he wanted to protest in the same way Quinns had. Gareth ticked off tasks in his head. There were no major cargo changes between Bloor and Sarria.

    ¡°Moving on, then. Quinns, do you have any report regarding resupply and waste?¡± Gareth asked. Quinns sighed, switching gears.

    ¡°Waste is clear. By 10, the fluids will be all set. There were some extra fees for the rush job.¡± He frowned, ¡°I¡¯ll try to get on that quicker next time.¡± His anger had subsided into a flat tone.

    ¡°This circumstance was unexpected. Such fees are the price of some jobs.¡± Gareth said, and Quinns nodded. ¡°Our opening for take-off is scheduled for 1100 hours. Decoupling will begin at 1045. Please be in place five minutes before that. At least.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t shut down rest systems until the water¡¯s normalized,¡± Serge said. Arms crossed, his fingers tapped on his bicep. ¡°But it should be done in time.¡±

    ¡°Keep me updated. If we need to alter the schedule, I want to be talking to station control as soon as I can.¡± Gareth said. Serge unfolded his arms.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    ¡°If it all goes to plan, the bay doors will open at 1100 and we will be on our way. If there are any issues, don¡¯t hesitate to message me.¡± Gareth smiled for his crew, ¡°Thank you all for attending, take care of yourselves and each other. See you out there.¡±

    ***

    Leon relaxed back into his chair, easing from the attentive first officer into the playful crewmate. The transformation was kind of awkward, wrinkles in a persona he was still smoothing out. Resting his hands behind his head, he looked to the ceiling as he listened. Next to him, Kurt was failing to eat quietly, but Yulia was still the loudest. She was chatting with Valorie about her history with closed salvage work. Well, more accurately, Yulia spoke and Valorie happened to be listening.

    He smirked, refocusing on the conversation he was most interested in. With the room¡¯s attention broken up, the kid would be more willing to open up as he always did with the Captain.

    ¡°Gary, I know you probably have some reason for it, but the groups kinda suck.¡± Yep, the kid was talking.

    ¡°Regardless of the salvage, the mission is fairly straightforward. Take it as a chance to practice teamwork.¡±

    ¡°Is that the reason?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Gareth laughed. Quinn¡¯s sigh was dramatic. Leon rolled his eyes. It wasn¡¯t the kid¡¯s age that earned him the name, but his behavior.

    ¡°Maybe I can¡¯t get you to change your mind, but I can tell you it sucks.¡± The kid muttered. There was a certain humor in his tone that Leon often heard between close friends.

    ¡°Noted.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice was similarly light. The kid wasn¡¯t done.

    ¡°About the salvage part -¡± He began but paused when Leon leaned forward to pick up his mug. Really? Leon turned to Kurt before taking a sip, and the kid continued. ¡°Uh, is it strictly for the doctor¡¯s briefcase?¡±

    ¡°Is there something you want?¡± The corner of Gareth¡¯s lip turned up. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    The kid launched into a spiel. ¡°There wouldn¡¯t be much matching hardware between imperial and independent designs.¡± He found his voice much faster on technical talk. ¡°But there are consumables and components that add up in costs pretty quick. Might be nice to have a stockpile,¡± His voice was quiet, but his excitement was undeniable.

    ¡°As our operation is under a member of the final crew, we do have a legal allowance for salvage,¡± Gareth said, and the kid grinned. ¡°However, the mission comes first. Be sure you are following Leon¡¯s instructions foremost.¡± Gareth said. Leon had to fight a laugh at how the kid¡¯s face soured. Gareth seemed just as amused ¨C Leon knew there was a reason he liked him. It was time to interrupt.

    ¡°Cap, I¡¯m gonna start prep. See ya on the bridge.¡± Leon said, standing up. Gareth nodded, but the kid frowned at him.

    ¡°So, uh, Leon. You gonna go for any useful salvage? ¡± Quinns asked, his tone soft but stubborn. Leon looked to him with raised eyebrows.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± The noncommittal answer would bother the kid for a while. ¡°See ya.¡± Leon picked up the leftovers of his meal and dropped them off at the cart. Ahead of him was Yulia and Valorie, who were helping Serge pick up. Kurt followed him in a hurry, leaving his plate behind.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to talk to you,¡± Kurt said. Once his way was clear, Leon added his dishes to the growing collection on the cart.

    ¡°Yeah, why not.¡± He said, wondering if he should have moved quicker. He was forming a list of the equipment they would need for boarding. ¡°I¡¯m headed for the docking bay storage.¡± He said, leading the way into the hall. Yulia and Valorie were still ahead of him. They would probably stay that way until he passed the crew quarters.

    ¡°I can follow along,¡± Kurt sped up his pace to walk alongside Leon. ¡°I think you know what I want to talk about. If I may?¡± He began. Leon nodded, only half-listening as Kurt reminded him of a conversation only 20 minutes old. Leon was still working on that list, debating on how much equipment was reasonable. Why had Gareth designed the teams as he had? There was a reason, he was sure. Kurt was still talking. ¡°So, what I want to ask is: why did you leave the union?¡± And he was quiet, waiting with bated breath. Leon looked him over, pondering his answer for a moment longer than he needed to. With low tone and a haunted look, he continued.

    ¡°So, there was this girl.¡± He didn¡¯t have to go any further ¨C he was ready to be interrupted. Yulia turned on her heel while managing to keep her forward momentum. Impressive.

    ¡°You left for love? For real?¡± Her shining eyes seemed to have somehow grown larger as she clasped her hands in exaggerated humor. Kurt frowned, listening with less interest now.

    ¡°In my defense, she was very beautiful.¡± Leon grinned.

    ¡°I guess you are still you after all.¡± Yulia wasn¡¯t deterred, ¡°Come on, share the details, man.¡± She demanded. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Valorie studying him again. Her expression ¨C or lack thereof ¨C was unnerving.

    ¡°She lived far away in a sector that by and large remained loyal to the imperials. I was still a teen. We spoke often, swapping stories.¡± He began, and she grinned. The belief that beauty was only one asset was painted across her face. Leon rolled his eyes and continued. ¡°We decided to get together, but to reach her I had to use every last credit I had. When that ran out, I borrowed more.¡± He sighed, that old foolishness still irked him sometimes. ¡°Life tip: don¡¯t do that,¡± He said, bringing back his smirk.

    ¡°So, you joined the Empire?¡± Kurt tried to reroute the story back to his question.

    ¡°We lived together for a few months. And what we learned was: she liked her space. Several light-years of it.¡± Leon continued at his own pace. Kurt looked like he wanted to repeat his question, but was too polite.

    ¡°She left you?¡± Yulia asked, her enthusiasm crushed.

    ¡°She kicked me out.¡± He kept his voice light. ¡°Joining the Empire didn¡¯t happen right away, but desperation can change your mind real quick. Makes you consider things you never thought of before. If there was a good opportunity in the Empire, it appeared as a stroke of luck to me.¡± Leon shrugged. The group stopped at the breakaway to the crew quarters, but no one moved to leave. The air was heavier than Leon liked, had he gone too far?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Yulia said. He didn¡¯t like the sadness in her eyes.

    ¡°Why? It all worked out in the end. I¡¯m here now, aren¡¯t I?¡± He smiled, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t change a thing.¡± Tired of her pity, he looked to Kurt. ¡°To answer your actual question. If you don¡¯t like the union¡¯s philosophy of self-sacrifice, you won¡¯t like being a cog in the imperial machine.¡± Leon said. Kurt¡¯s eyes widened, his ears turning red.

    ¡°You think so, huh?¡± Kurt said, glancing down the hall to his room.

    ¡°Yeah. I could be wrong though.¡± Leon offered, but he didn¡¯t think so.

    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. Thank you for your insight, Mr. Gomez.¡± Kurt bowed his head and hurried down the hall. Leon looked at the girls still with him. Both still focused on Kurt¡¯s retreat. Yulia with interest, and Valorie with¡­ something.

 2.11 - Worth

    Leon watched Kurt retreat down the hall to his quarters. Would Kurt use the advice he was given? Leon didn¡¯t have high hopes. Either way, the man¡¯s well being was still a part of Leon¡¯s responsibility. Well, for a little while, it was out of his hands. Once Kurt was out of earshot, Yulia spoke up.

    ¡°You¡¯re letting him call you that? Mister Gomez?¡± She asked, and Leon chuckled. Valorie and Yulia were still next to him, likely for Yulia¡¯s benefit.

    ¡°If it means he¡¯ll listen to me, let him use it.¡± Leon turned to look at her again, his good mood restored. Yulia crossed her arms, her foot tapping on the floor.

    ¡°Seems like he¡¯s a lot more polite with you,¡± Yulia said with a huff.

    ¡°A benefit of being first mate.¡±

    ¡°Wha, but the pilot¡¯s important, too.¡±

    ¡°I know that.¡± Leon¡¯s tone deepened a moment before lightening again, ¡°But worth is funny like that. People make it up all on their own.¡± His smirk returned. Yulia frowned, looking up as she thought about it. Valorie spoke up first.

    ¡°Make it up?¡± Valorie¡¯s gaze was downcast, as usual, but her voice was clear.

    ¡°Yeah, who do you think decides it?¡± Leon¡¯s genuine curiosity slipped out covered in a light teasing tone.

    ¡°The collective.¡± Her answer was quick. And more than a little odd.

    ¡°You mean like society does?¡± Yulia asked, ¡°That kinda makes sense.¡± She added without waiting for an answer. Valorie nodded, looking to her friend with those empty eyes. Was it relief she was feeling? Leon shook his head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry so much about what others think ¨C the majority of them are at least a thousand lightyears away anyway.¡± His confident tone lent his words weight. ¡°In the end, you gotta decide what matters for yourself.¡± It was old advice, but Yulia nodded along, a smile forming on her face.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m getting it,¡± Yulia said. Valorie appeared to have no reaction. Leon had seen her smile with understanding before, but she wasn¡¯t now. Was she still debating it?

    Yulia interrupted, ¡°Should we get going?¡± She was looking at Valorie who nodded. With a quick goodbye to Leon, Yulia was on her way. Valorie followed, glancing over her shoulder with that blank look. He offered a friendly smile, but she looked away. Not before he saw the corner of her lip turn down. Had it really bothered her? He shrugged, continuing down the hall towards the docking bay. That mystery would have to wait.

    Leon¡¯s friendly persona melted away, returning to some default he didn¡¯t care to think about. Alone with his thoughts, he returned to pondering the Captain¡¯s instructions. Was there a plan behind the teams? The long hall echoed with his steps backed by the low hum of the ship around him. If he had a problem with the ship, it was that she was too quiet. He was used to cramped halls, either from a smaller ship or a larger crew. Emptiness like this echoed when exploring derelicts. The unsettling sense that something important is missing.

    He poked at the PD ring on his left ring finger, opening it to start up a song. It connected to the Nanobud installed along his ear canal. Not great sound, but the quick beat and sharp notes washed over his thoughts. The sensation cleared away his irritation.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    The kid was Leon¡¯s clue. Quinns¡¯ interest in salvage beyond the mission scope stuck out. Gareth had given Leon the mechanic and the strongman after all. With no specific direction on what to gather, did he mean any opportunity? Gareth had made a team that would be ready if they found something worthwhile. Yet, he left the ultimate decision of retrieval on Leon¡¯s shoulders. The ideas had a smooth fit, except for one question. Why wouldn¡¯t Gareth explain it himself?

    Leon focused on his music for a moment, counting the beats, clearing his mind. The reason wasn¡¯t important right now. Instead, Leon went over his prep plan for boarding and began factoring in new equipment his team may need. Accounting for safety and utility, he worked out a possible list of necessities. This puzzle carried him all the way to engineering.

    ***

    The air cycled through the bridge was cooler than anywhere else on the Helianthus. Valorie wasn¡¯t sure if it were by location or design. Either way, she found it refreshing after such a heated morning. She made her way to her seat, taking in the Bloor Station¡¯s docking bay beyond the glass canopy. Knowing she would be the only one on her Captain¡¯s boarding team left a strange tightness in her gut. If she ate, her body may not keep it down. She trusted him, so fear seemed unreasonable. Still, if she were not enough¡­ Her stomach grew tighter still.

    She sat down and began the connection procedure, hooking up wires as prompted. Long wires ran from connectors at the base of her skull. They were sealed, braided, and color-coded. Valorie only had the connections required by the SCT program. Her original clone body had many more connectors, but most were fake. A show put on to explain away her abilities. Few argued a solution they could see for themselves.

    Not all of the connections were fake. The required ones, like Valorie¡¯s, allowed organic processors to filter digital data. Evie could interact with the data firsthand, bypassing Valorie¡¯s eyes and fingers. She didn¡¯t know why the connection worked, and it faded the moment she unhooked. Without it, electricity remained an ethereal tickle. Like the heat from a small candle against Valorie¡¯s fingertips. With the connection complete, she buckled in and closed her eyes.

    None of her sisters were close enough to interact with. Bloor Station was a member of the Union, so the closest sister was a few systems away. In this quiet, Valorie could reach out to talk, but without a reason for doing it, she would be a hindrance.

    She comforted herself by checking up on her crewmates. Two were drawing close to the bridge, she glanced up at the door before snapping back to her display. What a bad habit¡­ The doors to the bridge slid open and Valorie resisted taking a glance. Conversation caught her ear, but it was mid-sentence.

    ¡°To me, cause of Serge, but I want to help. I want to be useful to you.¡± Yulia¡¯s voice was serious, but Valorie could imagine how pink her cheeks were.

    ¡°You are. Precious little is more important to me than the Helianthus, Yulia. And I put her in your capable hands.¡± Gareth¡¯s tone was friendly, but it matched Yulia¡¯s in weight.

    ¡°I get that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure you do.¡±

    ¡°But, Captain, this is an easy one. If I can¡¯t help more on something like this, I¡¯m-¡± Yulia began her way down the stairs, pausing when she saw Valorie. ¡°Oh, Valorie! You¡¯re here already.¡± She leaned over Valorie¡¯s seat, a twist of emotions radiated off her. Excitement tinged with both joy and fear, at what Valorie was not sure. ¡°I bet you were a star student in school.¡± She grinned. She was dressed up, not in uniform and not exactly formal, but it did match her cobalt-colored hair.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Valorie responded. None of her kind had inhabited a child, so there was little knowledge to draw from about human childhood. Yulia leaned forward, scrutinizing her.

    ¡°I can¡¯t picture you as a troublemaker,¡± She said.

    ¡°Perhaps she was the quiet one,¡± Gareth suggested. He was standing by the navigator¡¯s station, working on the display. Yulia frowned at this, straightening up.

    ¡°Someone would¡¯ve noticed her hard work though,¡± Yulia said, but hesitancy softened her tone.

    ¡°Oh, I often go unnoticed.¡± Valorie was excited to have an explanation. The look on Yulia¡¯s face dampened Valorie¡¯s excitement. ¡°Sorry?¡± She offered, and Yulia bit her lip.

    ¡°Well, it won¡¯t be like that here.¡± Yulia straightened and pat Valorie¡¯s arm. ¡°You get a gold star for today.¡± She grinned again, ¡°Keep it up.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Valorie nodded as if accepting an order. Yulia laughed and turned away to settle into the pilot¡¯s seat. Valorie sensed Leon nearing the bridge. With only 30 minutes until take-off, he was pushing the limits of punctuality.

 2.12 - Delay

    Valorie was on the line, going back and forth with station control with details about the launch. She missed the ease of communicating with her sisters, but this was her job, too. Around her, everyone else was preparing in their own way. Except for Leon. She traced his light as he made his way to the bridge.

    Yulia spoke up again, ¡°What about you, Captain? I bet you were the teacher¡¯s favorite.¡± She paused setting up the drive controls to look at Gareth. He chuckled but continued organizing data on the navigator¡¯s display.

    ¡°When I was the only student she had¡­ maybe.¡± He said.

    ¡°There is no way that¡¯s true,¡± Yulia said. Gareth finished what he was doing and turned to her.

    ¡°I like reading a lot more now than I did back then.¡± His eyes drifted from Yulia over one of the empty stations. ¡°If she saw me now, she would be mad.¡± His voice mimicked a stern lecture, ¡°Where was all this when I was teaching, hmm?¡± He joked, but Valorie sensed an old sadness. The entrance slid open as Yulia answered.

    ¡°Really?¡± Yulia turned forward in her seat once more, ¡°I think she¡¯d be proud.¡± She added. A gentle smile crossed Gareth¡¯s face, and Valorie felt in him a strong sense of longing. The moment dispersed as Leon entered.

    ¡°Who¡¯s proud now?¡± He asked, nodding to Gareth as they passed. Gareth sat in the Captain¡¯s seat and Leon took his place at the navigator¡¯s station.

    ¡°Shockingly, it¡¯s nothing to do with you, Leon.¡± Yulia looked over her shoulder at him, sticking out her tongue.

    ¡°Weird.¡± He grinned, settling in. A realization crossed Yulia¡¯s face.

    ¡°What about you? Always talking back, I bet you were a real handful in school.¡± She said, her confidence at its peak. Leon glanced at her with raised eyebrows, his smile gone.

    ¡°That is both random and kinda rude.¡± He said. Yulia¡¯s chin dipped, but there was still a small smile on her lips.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it in a bad way?¡± She offered.

    ¡°I was top of my class ¨C honor roll and everything.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡±

    ¡°Calculus was my favorite. Really challenged my creativity.¡± His sly smile returned as he spoke. He turned to his station again. ¡°I bet they missed me when I quit.¡±

    ¡°Ah, see? You dropped out -¡±

    ¡°I left. Doesn¡¯t mean I wasn¡¯t a great student.¡± He said, a quick grin covering up his snap response. He turned to Gareth. ¡°Is Dr. Porter joining us on the bridge for this?¡±

    ¡°Yes, he will be here shortly,¡± Gareth said, ignoring the complaint implicit in Leon¡¯s question. Glancing at his display for the time, Leon frowned.

    ¡°Better be soon.¡± He said. Valorie reached out to check and noticed two lights moving along the main hall. Would it be strange if she said something? The lights were close enough that it was probably unnecessary. She glanced up at her Captain, but he had started his routine of contacting each crew member in turn.

    Facing forward again, Valorie focused on external comms. She worked her way through the incoming messages, making sure data went to all the right places. There was a lot of uncertainty among the station crew and a lot of arguing. She looked beyond the canopy at the docking crew who hurried along the scaffolding. Was it them that she was listening to? Straight up above, she could see the enormous bay doors the Helianthus would exit through. The scale was hard to imagine, and the vast nothingness beyond left a pit in her stomach. She looked away, focusing on her work once more.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°Sorry, Gary. It¡¯s not looking good. Docks had trouble lining up with the intake.¡± Quinns¡¯ voice caught her attention. He was talking to Gareth through a display. Valorie glanced up at the Captain¡¯s seat, sensing a growing frustration. Gareth¡¯s voice remained calm.

    ¡°How long?¡±

    ¡°Probably an extra hour. Leave the feed up, I¡¯ll keep you updated.¡± Quinns answered, his focus somewhere else. Gareth nodded and turned his attention on Valorie.

    ¡°Relay that to station control and line up a new take-off.¡± He said, following it up with a few more instructions. Valorie followed the order, including an update to the schedule in the ship-wide log. The flurry of activity was capped with the arrival of Sachi and Dr. Porter.

    ¡°And here, we have reached the bridge, Doctor,¡± Sachi said, loud enough for everyone to hear. Gareth turned in his seat. She smiled at the Captain and bowed her head at Dr. Porter before taking her leave.

    ¡°Welcome, Dr. Porter. I hope you had a decent sleep last night.¡±

    ¡°Good morning, Captain. Thank you. I was able to sleep for a moment, but it was hard-won.¡± He answered, looking around the bridge as he stepped forward. Gareth directed him to the open seat in the middle of the row closest to the Captain¡¯s chair. Thanking him, Dr. Porter sat down, hurrying to get buckled in. The miasma that surrounded him the day before was back. Many emotions, all distressing, swirled at a lazy pace. Valorie remembered her Captain¡¯s words. Dr. Porter had lost so much in the attack on the Lampropeltis, as Valorie had from the Anderson. She focused on her screen, avoiding the storm. Her discomfort mixed with guilt, dragging her down.

    ¡°Judging by the time, we will be leaving soon, yes?¡± Dr. Porter asked, testing the handgrips. He sat forward, legs crossed at the knees.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± Gareth answered. ¡°We are experiencing a short delay. Should not be more than an hour.¡± His tone and the feelings Valorie sensed did not quite match.

    ¡°Ah, well, that¡¯s¡­¡± Dr. Porter began but paused. His face fell for a moment before he cleared his throat, ¡°That¡¯s quite alright, Captain. I suppose I am not in any hurry to see the Lampropeltis once more.¡± The air grew heavier and, for Valorie, the storm harder to ignore.

    No one had a response ready for Dr. Porter¡¯s lament. His sentiment hung in the air with only the tapping of displays and the murmur of electronics. Valorie wished there was more she could do, or say, but with the delay, there was nothing to do but wait.

    ¡°That name, the lampro, uh the name of Dr. Porter¡¯s ship.¡± Yulia broke up the atmosphere. ¡°It sounds kinda like the Helianthus.¡± She turned in her seat to face the rest of the bridge.

    ¡°Yes, the Database has a tradition naming their ships with scientific names from Earth. The classifications for living things.¡± Gareth said, shoulders relaxed so his fingers curled over the edge of the armrest.

    ¡°Perhaps the first leaders felt these names were the mythical beasts of our time?¡± Dr. Porter touched his chin as he spoke, eyes turning up as he considered it. He shook his head. ¡°Though I suppose most of Earth¡¯s creatures still exist. Someone did tell me once what exactly a Lampropeltis is, but I can not recall what they said.¡±

    ¡°And here I thought Helianthus was just a unique last name.¡± Yulia sat forward in her seat, her curiosity refreshing the air. Valorie found it fascinating how changing moods rippled through conversation among humans. ¡°What¡¯s it stand for then?¡± Yulia asked. Dr. Porter shook his head and turned to Gareth.

    ¡°Sunflowers.¡± Gareth said, ¡°My mother was a fan of the romantic nature of flower language. When they asked her and my uncle to name the ship, she jumped at the chance. Sunflowers stand tall and face the light, she¡¯d say. I think she wanted the same thing out of this ship.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice softened, his frustration dropped away and he smiled.

    A chuckle emitted from the display next to him. ¡°I¡¯m surprised your uncle was cool with that,¡± Quinns¡¯ said from off-screen.

    ¡°The seeds were a favorite snack of his. He¡¯d joke saying, that¡¯s enough meaning for me.¡± Gareth said. Quinns laughed as he sat down in front of the screen again.

    ¡°Yeah, sounds like him.¡± He said. Valorie peeked up at the display with his video feed. The smile on his face was one she had not seen before. She tried reaching out to his location, but distance made a complex read difficult. The feelings she did pick up were similar to the Captain¡¯s nostalgia. Quinns glanced off-screen for a moment, nodded, and smiled turning back. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re all set on my end. Serge is up next.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Quinns.¡±

    ¡°And, before you ask, I¡¯m all strapped in and ready to go, so don¡¯t worry about me. See ya later, Captain.¡± Quinns added, cutting the video feed. Gareth exhaled a short laugh before moving on. With the variables out of the way, the new release time was set at 1230 hours. Comms picked up again, and workers started clearing out of the dock¡¯s decompression zone.

 2.13 - Take-off

    Thirty minutes away from take-off a low heavy hum ran through the ship. Any new noise always sent Valorie¡¯s heart fluttering and she looked out the glass canopy by instinct. Long shutters were lowering over the outer dock¡¯s scaffolding, encompassing the Helianthus. Somehow, the sight eased her heart rate. When the shutters finished, there was a distant gasp with the movement of air on a large, slow scale. The dock was decompressing, the final step before the seal was broken and the bay doors cracked open.

    By calling each crew member, Gareth made sure each system and crew member was safely in place. Each time a call started, Valorie would look over to see who was on screen. She could sense them moving around the ship, but she was still getting a handle of who was who by sense alone. The only physical appearance that surprised her was Kurt. He was down to a tank top, kneeling in a room filled with towering machines and blinking lights. His hair was pinned back over his forehead, but some loose hairs stuck to his face, slick with sweat.

    ¡°Decoupling begins in five, will you be safely in place?¡± Gareth asked.

    ¡°Already?¡± Kurt muttered, winking as sweat dripped over one eye. ¡°Yes, Captain. I¡¯ll be ready on time.¡± He answered.

    ¡°How is your set up going with the server?¡±

    ¡°All is good. No need for concern.¡± Kurt was distracted, moving equipment around as he prepared to move. He paused and then looked at the screen, making eye contact. ¡°It will be done before the jump is complete.¡± He said.

    ¡°Really? You know the gravity¡¯ll be off, right?¡± Yulia piped up, turning in her seat. Kurt scoffed and then cleared his throat when he looked at Gareth.

    ¡°In case you don¡¯t know, Union ships don¡¯t bother with comfort-related gravitation. I am quite practiced at working without it.¡± He said, dabbing his brow with a small thin cloth from his back pocket.

    ¡°I knew that¡­¡± Yulia said with a frown and turned away to focus on her console.

    ¡°I trust you know what you¡¯re doing, Kurt. Update Valorie when the set up is complete.¡± Gareth instructed, preparing to move on to the next call.

    ¡°Yes, Captain. Thank you.¡± Kurt said, and the call ended.

    After all the waiting, things were moving quickly now. Valorie¡¯s heart rate rose with each step closer to take off. It had been three months already. Would she ever get used to it? She wasn¡¯t alone either, Yulia was tapping her foot as she leaned toward the yoke.

    Flashing lights lit up one by one along each edge of the bay doors, bright red at first. It came alive as various locks and gears began shifting along its surface. Valorie tried to imagine how big each of those parts must be to move such large doors and felt so very small. Humans made things so much larger than themselves. It sparked a faint memory of her ancient sisters¡¯ fascination with human ingenuity. Those sisters risked everything to grow closer to it. To understand it. Kinship with those ancients welled up in Valorie¡¯s chest. One by one the lights turned green, and the seam at the center of the doors cracked into a thin line of pure black.

    Yulia¡¯s foot stopped tapping, and she turned to the Captain, ¡°We are almost free.¡± She grinned. The thin line between the doors grew to great black maw, the emptiness of which Valorie felt to her very aethereal soul. Yulia¡¯s excitement at entering such darkness was both strange and soothing. Valorie met Yulia¡¯s gaze as she turned and offered a smile, to which Yulia shared joyous grin. ¡°Here we go!¡± Yulia faced forward, hands finding the controls as her eyes scanned the display. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    There was a final shudder as the locks that held the Helianthus in place released. Free at last, light thrusters pushed the ship towards the exit at a gentle clip. Anything too harsh would damage the shutters, so they drifted forth. Through the canopy, Valorie watched the edge of the bay doors slide by. She expected simple darkness ahead, but the pale blue star at the center of this system blinded her at first. Distant, but very bright. It filled the bridge with an eerie light.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Dr. Porter¡¯s voice hitched, ¡°What a magnificent angle.¡± The silence of shared awe lasted for several minutes before Leon broke it.

    ¡°The Bloor jump shield is sparse, so you¡¯re gonna see more openings. First coordinates will get you through the gate. I¡¯ll have the second set when we get beyond the safe jump distance.¡± Leon said. Valorie sensed a hint of frustration in him, seeded in his intense focus.

    For the station¡¯s safety, only low-power thrusters were allowed. Once they reached a distance safe enough, Yulia would engage the engines proper. Yulia shifted in her seat, monitoring the slight shifts in direction, keeping them on course. It wasn¡¯t long before she spoke up.

    ¡°Why¡¯re the coordinates gonna take so long?¡± She asked. Her glance caught on Dr. Porter, and she cleared her throat. ¡°I mean, for what reason,¡± She paused, thinking, ¡°Is there a delay?¡± She clarified. Leon¡¯s irritation spiked, and he did not respond right away. Yulia glanced over her shoulder at him, frowned, and added, ¡°Not that it¡¯s your fault or anything.¡±

    Leon sighed, ¡°Our jump target is unusual in distance and strength. Lining up the jump is going to need more finesse than usual. Tolerance will be at least two arcseconds tighter in all directions.¡± He sat up, rolling his shoulders in a quick stretch. ¡°Little fluctuations in the gravitational forces may be an issue. I won¡¯t know until we are closer to our destination.¡± He said.

    Yulia listened, but Valorie only sensed further confusion in her. Yulia turned to her console, still quiet. Somehow, even though nothing was happening, Leon¡¯s irritation only grew. It didn¡¯t make sense. Valorie peeked over her shoulder. He was leaning over his station, one hand resting on the table, the other rubbing the back of his neck. He sighed.

    ¡°The star system we¡¯re aiming for is difficult to reach from here.¡± He cooled down.

    ¡°Oh, that makes sense.¡± Yulia threw him a quick smile despite a new concern welling up in her chest. Valorie wished once more that she could see the meaning of such feelings. ¡°We¡¯re clear of the station.¡± She said.

    Gareth confirmed the ship¡¯s alignment before directing Leon to engage the flight mode. There was the rumble of sliding metal as the Helianthus changed into its sleeker form. Valorie¡¯s console displayed a warning to stay seated during transformation. It included a graphic that showed rooms and halls collapsing into a compact form.

    ¡°Oh my,¡± Dr. Porter shifted in his seat and looked about, ¡°What is all this?¡± He said. As the bridge began sliding into a more direct angle at the helm, the blue star slid over the edge of the canopy.

    ¡°The ones who designed this ship had a unique solution for the stop and go nature of deep space exploration,¡± Gareth answered, unfazed by the gravity systems switching off mid-sentence.

    ¡°Not a new idea, but very complicated¡­ Such complexity often outweighs the benefits, no?¡± Dr. Porter scratched his chin and shifted in his seat again.

    ¡°The transformative mechanics have a maintenance system built directly into them. This makes regular care easy and increases its efficiency.¡± Gareth smiled, ¡°The designers must have been looking far ahead when they built her.¡± He said. The last of the eerie blue light evaporated as the transformation slowed to a halt.

    ¡°Intriguing.¡± The doctor settled into his seat for the few seconds that everything was calm.

    With the transformation complete, Yulia kicked the main engines up. She swung the ship around to get orientated before blasting away from Bloor station.

    ¡°We¡¯re the only ship in the vicinity. We may proceed.¡± Valorie said, using information from control. She double-checked, searching for life around the ship. The station was a beacon of life in an otherwise empty system. Dr. Porter looked over when she spoke, eyebrows raised, but did not say anything. He seemed surprised, but Valorie was sure she had done everything by the book.

 2.14 - Jump

    After delays and takeoff, the Helianthus was free of the station and gaining speed. The satellite ring of Bloor Station loomed ahead. It was a large one, but Valorie couldn¡¯t make out the usual shimmer of drones around it. Once they shot passed it, Leon was quick with his next set of instructions.

    ¡°This set coordinates at approx half jump speed.¡± He said, moving over to another display.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Yulia was already moving on it as she answered. The only way Valorie knew anything had changed was the dampened tug of acceleration. ¡°Wait, so the target system for this jump is hard to pinpoint or something, right? What happens if we miss?¡± Yulia¡¯s question was sudden. ¡°I never really thought about it before.¡± She laughed with embarrassment, but there was a sense of uncomfortable urgency to it. Dr. Porter chuckled.

    ¡°If I may explain this?¡± He asked, and continued without waiting, ¡°I am sure our dear navigator is aiming the ship in such a way there is more than one target.¡± As he explained, his voice became calmer. ¡°It is a basic tenant of jump travel.¡± The miasma of his emotions eased as well.

    ¡°Oh, so if we miss¡­¡± Yulia said, trailing off expectantly.

    ¡°We¡¯ll hit the next one,¡± Leon answered without looking away from his work.

    ¡°Yes, exactly right. Even for common routes, two backup destinations are factored into every calculation.¡± Dr. Porter seemed to be enjoying himself. Valorie wondered if she had misunderstood some signal. ¡°Something so normal did cause quite the stir during the development of a possible automated system¡­¡± He drawled on, talking about things Valorie couldn¡¯t understand.

    ¡°Half-speed reached. ETA for those coordinates in five.¡± Yulia said. Leon¡¯s attention was still lost to the displays before him.

    ¡°Good, maintain speed,¡± Gareth said. ¡°Leon, engage jump mode.¡± He added. Leon¡¯s head bobbed, and a moment later the shutters engaged, sliding over the canopy above. A curved display that spanned the canopy blinked on. It mimicked the canopy through a video feed. The cannon was already visible under the nose. The ship was ready for the high pressure of the space between by the time Leon finally spoke up.

    ¡°I¡¯ve just about got it. Hit full speed by the first set, jump point at the second set. I know the positioning is tight. If something goes off, skip it and I¡¯ll set up another.¡± Leon finally looked up from his display. ¡°Sending it now.¡± The focus he had been putting into his work was now directed at Yulia, scrutinizing her response.

    Yulia looked at her displays for a moment, double-checking the second one. She nodded, tapping her chin with one finger. A distracted okay was the only response Leon got. Valorie could sense that it annoyed him, but he kept quiet. He was still watching her, indecision growing in his heart. Valorie followed his gaze to Yulia, curious about what Leon was so focused on. She was looking at the displays with the tip of her tongue out over her lip. Her hands worked at the controls without supervision. Smooth movement guiding the yoke with quick jabs to various other instruments. All for minuscule adjustments Valorie could not feel nor see.

    A smile broke out across Yulia¡¯s face. It wasn¡¯t joyous, but confident. Challenging the world ahead. Leon saw it and smirked, breaking his scrutiny. He looked to the Captain, eyebrows raised. Gareth smiled and nodded. Without a word, the atmosphere had changed.

    ¡°Target speed reached, cutting acceleration,¡± Yulia said. Her voice so monotonous, so instinctual, she may not have realized she had spoken.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Jump canister ready. Targeting coordinates in five, four¡­¡± Leon counted down. Yulia was still making adjustments up to one. In that last second, she stilled, both hands on the yoke. Gareth gave the word.

    ¡°Fire.¡±

    The canister shot out ahead of them at a speed that tore it apart. It burst, tearing a seam into space. The light was blinding before it snapped away as the ship went straight into it.

    The same moment of silence at the start of every jump began. Darkness followed by the weighted thunk of the pressure outside increasing tenfold. The exterior of the ship groaning as it accepted this new burden. The quiet prayer in every heart aboard that begged the ship to hold together.

    The moment passed, and Leon leaned back in his seat, grinning.

    ¡°Maintaining integrity. We¡¯re on target ¨C ETA is three hours and 18 minutes.¡± He said, clearing the air. A feeling of elation passed throughout the room. Valorie¡¯s heart raced with joy instead of fear at the darkness outside. She enjoyed the strength teamwork provided.

    ¡°A clean jump. Nice work, both of you.¡± Gareth smiled at each of them.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. That woman managed to hit a jump point a level tighter than I asked.¡± Leon laughed, ¡°Yulia, deep down, you¡¯re actually a showoff, aren¡¯t you?¡± He added, turning to her. Yulia peeled her hands away from the locked controls. Her usual energy was drained, but she ignored Leon and grinned at her Captain.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t nothing.¡± Yulia¡¯s voice was a little weak, but the pride that pulsed off her was like the warmth off a radiator. She cleared her throat, ¡°Gotta earn my stay after all.¡±

    ¡°Good news, then ¨C you absolutely did that,¡± Leon said, resting his hands behind his head and looking up at the curved display across the canopy. His irritation from earlier was completely gone. ¡°I¡¯ll even let you pick the music.¡± He closed his eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯ll let me, huh?¡± Yulia said, ¡°Eh, worth it. Thanks, Leon.¡± Her drained energy revealed a gentleness to her smile that was usually smothered by her excitement. He peeked one eye open at her, smiled, and went right back to relaxing.

    When the moment opened up, Gareth spoke up. ¡°Lovely work as always, Yulia. We had one delay at the station, but we¡¯re on our way now. Thank you,¡± He said. Yulia blushed, rubbing the back of her head with one hand.

    ¡°Anytime, Captain.¡± She said, turning back to her station to fiddle with the music display. Valorie got the impression Yulia did it to hide her face, too.

    ¡°Okay, everyone,¡± Gareth opened the intercom to the entire ship, ¡°You have two and a half hours free roam. Use it wisely. I will make another announcement as we get close. Message the bridge if you have any issues.¡± He cut the broadcast and began unbuckling.

    ¡°Use it wisely?¡± Leon asked.

    ¡°Quinns has a paper due,¡± Gareth said, pushing off from his seat towards the bridge rest area.

    ¡°Oh, fun.¡±

    Over the length of the jump, the bridge fell into a strange quiet. A certain electricity remained in the air ¨C excitement and fear for the salvage mission still to come. But there was nothing to do in the interim. The combination created an unsettling feeling that Valorie did her best to ignore.

    Yulia¡¯s music was energetic and cheery. It only disrupted the atmosphere for only a few seconds, before she jumped to turn it down. She apologized to Dr. Porter, bowing her head, and settled into one of her games before anyone could argue.

    When Gareth returned to the bridge, he struck up a conversation with Dr. Porter. It was about the jump technology Porter had mentioned earlier. It quickly turned into an in-depth analysis that Valorie couldn¡¯t follow in the slightest. She listened anyway, enjoying the calm that developed as they spoke.

    As she listened, Valorie kept looking for their target system. Searching for any scrap of information that could prepare her for what was ahead. She knew it was in vain, but she looked all the same.

    She hadn¡¯t given up by the time she heard Gareth¡¯s ship-wide call for everyone to return their stations. She closed her eyes and she reached out as far as she could while maintaining the connection with her body.

    Nothing. Her heart sank. Just faint sparks in the void that could be anything organic. She fell back into her body, a weight on her chest. The ship began to rattle with the pull of gravity yanking them free of the space between. Gareth called for Yulia to begin reversing their momentum. Valorie clung to the hope that she was too far away to sense something faint like a few survivors or a web of life pods.