by Ryk Brown
Nathan stepped back down the ladder, backing away from the ship as he stepped back onto the dirt. The ship had several impact marks where it had obviously been struck with weapons fire. There was also charring around the nearest engine pod, probably from an internal fire. “And you think this thing is still space-worthy?”
“Yes, I am almost certain of this.”
“You think the technology on this little ship would be of value to us?”
“The compact nature of her FTL systems alone would be of great value. Maybe not to us, but definitely to the Fleet.”
“I wonder if Tug would be willing to sell it to us?”
“Oh, Nathan,” Vladimir drooled. “Do not tease me.”
* * *
Nathan entered the small bunkhouse behind the main house. It was a simple building of wood, clay, and rock construction similar to the others. The floor, although it looked like dirt, was fused solid and smooth in a way that Nathan had never seen. There were ten modest beds of wood-frame construction, a pair on each side of the main entrance, with six more along the back wall. Each bed was covered with a heavy woven-cloth blanket.
Nathan entered the bunkhouse, turning to his right to head toward what he hoped was a door to the bathroom at the far end. The room was lit with softly glowing pale-white lighting panels above the head of each bed, casting a soft and relaxing glow in semi-circles around them. There were larger, overhead lighting panels spread across the beamed-ceiling of the room, however these were not lit.
The room appeared relaxing and comfortable, despite its overall rustic nature, and Nathan looked forward to getting some rest after a long and somewhat emotionally exhausting day. He came to the end of the room and reached out to take hold of the doorknob to what he assumed was the bathroom door, when it suddenly swung open away from him, startling him.
“Oh, Nathan,” Jalea said, a bit surprised herself. “I didn’t realize anyone else was here yet.”
Nathan stepped back out of surprise. Jalea had removed much of her outer clothing and was dressed only in a tight-fitting body suit that was rolled down to a few centimeters below her navel and an old, worn undershirt that covered most of her upper torso. Nathan had always been captivated by Jalea’s eyes. In fact, their effect on him had caused him to question his own decisions to place trust in her from time to time. As she had always been dressed in loosely fitted clothing, he had not noticed her voluptuous figure until now.
“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to intrude,” Nathan apologized. For some reason, he was embarrassed, despite the fact that she was still fully dressed. Nathan turned and stepped over to the nearest bed, taking off his cloak and dropping it on the bed.
Jalea moved past him, turning down the bed next to his. Nathan watched her out of the corner of his eye. The skin on her lower back was the same olive complexion as her face. She was not like most of the women he had known. For the last four years, Nathan had only dated classmates from the Fleet academy. Most of them had been the athletic type, all toned and muscled from the hours of intense physical training that they were subjected to during their time on campus. This woman was softer, more curvaceous than he could ever remember seeing.
“Tug seems like a good man,” Nathan said, trying to distract himself from Jalea’s ample charms.
Jalea climbed into her bed, “Yes, he is that.” She pulled her blanket just up to her hips, making no effort to cover herself as she lay on her side facing him. “I believe he found your tales of Earth quite interesting,” she told him as she propped her head up on one hand, her elbow against the bed. “As did I.” She looked at him a long moment as he removed his jumpsuit, stripping down to just his standard-issue uniform pants and Fleet undershirt. “You seem to know a great deal of Earth history. Are all your people so knowledgeable?”
“It was my major,” he explained, realizing that she probably wouldn’t know what he meant. “It was my area of focus during my formal education.”
“A rather fortunate coincidence, as you have become an emissary for your world.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Did your engineer find Tug’s ship interesting?”
“Very much so,” Nathan told her. “Actually, I was thinking of asking Tug if he would be willing to part with it.”
“I doubt that would be the case,” she assured him.
“You wouldn’t think a farmer would have much use for a space fighter.”
“Perhaps,” she admitted. “But Tug is not your average molo-farmer.”
“How so?” Nathan asked, sitting on the side of his bed facing her.
“Do not misunderstand me, there are many like him. Men who have spent years fighting for the cause of others who then give it all up to lead a more simple life. I can cite many examples, albeit not on Haven, mind you. However, I would think that if the ship was of no use to him, he would have parted with it long ago.”
Nathan nodded agreement, having not thought that far yet. “You may be right.”
At that moment, the main door swung open and Jessica walked in. Jalea immediately pulled her blanket up to cover herself, laying her head down on her rolled up cloak. “I suppose it would not hurt to ask, however.”
Jessica eyed them both suspiciously as she approached. “I made contact with the ship,” she told him.
Nathan rose and headed for the bathroom, with Jessica following him. “You got them up to speed?”
“Yes, sir. Cameron said Tobin had some problem with the port authority, which put him out of contact for several hours.”
“Sound right to you?” Nathan asked as they entered the bathroom.
“Could be,” she said, following him into the bathroom. She fumbled around the faucet for a moment. “How the hell do you turn the water on?” Finally, after tapping the top of the faucet, the water began to run. “Something just isn’t right, Nathan,” she whispered, hoping the sound of the running water would mask their conversation.
“What do you mean?” Nathan whispered back.
“Why this world? Why Tobin? Why Tug? Oh, and Tug just happens to have a Ta’Akar fighter, and a compound equipped with emitters. And let us not forget the gun strapped to the underside of his dinner table.” Jessica looked at Nathan, waiting for him to put it together.
“What? You think this is all planned? By who?” Nathan stared at her, waiting for a response that never came. Instead, Jessica glanced back toward the door. “Jalea?” Nathan laughed.
“Who else?” Jessica asked.
“When did she have time to put this all together, Jess?”
“She had plenty of time alone with Tobin back on the Aurora. And they seemed a bit too buddy-buddy for just business acquaintances.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t you think you’re reaching a bit?”
“Oh, Nathan,” Jessica whispered in a mock-sexy voice. “Do not misunderstand me, Tug is a simple farmer. Good and honorable—”
“What were you doing, listening from outside the door?” Nathan’s eyes widened.
“Of course not,” she insisted. “I bugged the room more than an hour ago.”
“Jesus, Jess. Is this how all spec-ops operate?”
“The good ones, yeah. Just don’t let her fool you with her sexy green eyes and her big tits.”
“What?”
“Oh, you know what I’m talking about, Nathan.”
“What am I, sixteen?”
“No, but you are a guy. And all guys tend to think with their dicks.”
“I’m not that simple-minded,” Nathan defended.
“Bullshit. It took me all of three minutes to get your pants off, remember?” she told him as she rinsed her hands in the running water.
“I was drunk,” he reminded her.
“Maybe. But your dick wasn’t, and that’s my point. Just be wary, that’s all I’m saying. Jalea does everything for a reason, Nathan. And you need to keep that in mind at all times.” Jessica dried her hands off on her cloak as she spoke. “Now clear out. I’ve gotta use
the can,” she ordered, pushing him toward the door.
“Just close the stall door,” he suggested, not quite ready to leave.
“That molo did not agree with me,” she warned. “Trust me. You wanna clear the room,” she added, pushing him toward the door.
- 7 -
Nathan and Vladimir sat on the bench on the porch of the bunkhouse. Nathan’s watch had ended just as the sun was coming up, and Vladimir and Danik had only just returned from spending their entire night examining the systems on Tug’s fighter.
“She is correct, you know. All men are more easily manipulated by beautiful women, at least to some degree. Even if we do want to admit to this, it is true. But it is not only this way for men. Women do this as well. Maybe not as much as us, but still.”
“Then you think I only trust Jalea because she’s attractive?”
“I think because you find her attractive, you are willing to assume she is trustworthy. If she had been an old hag, you would’ve dismissed her without a thought. But that is to be expected, because you and I are men. That is how we are. But if you know this about yourself, and you always question your motives, then you will be okay.”
“Then Jessica was just reminding me to check my motives?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Not exactly the way you treat your captain though, is it?”
“Nathan. You have been captain for less than one week. To us, you are still an ensign. You must earn their respect. It does not come with the bars, you know.”
Nathan thought about it as Tug approached, carrying a steaming hot pot and a stack of bowls.
“Good day, Nathan,” Tug called. “I brought your morning meal,” he added, setting the pot and bowls down on the bench next to them. “It is not much, just a simple porridge I’m afraid. But it is very filling and should get you through the day.”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Nathan assured him. “Thank you.”
Vladimir was already scooping up a bowl full and shoveling it into his mouth. “Kasha. It tastes like Kasha.”
“Tug,” Nathan continued. “We were wondering if you’d be interested in selling your ship?”
“Oh, no. I don’t think I could part with it. Besides, what use do you have for such a small vessel? Your ship is a hundred times its size.”
“There are some interesting systems on your ship that we’d love to study. We might be able to integrate some of your technology into our own systems, possibly give us additional advantages.”
“I’m sorry, Captain. Perhaps I can let you have one or two of her redundant systems. Say, a shield emitter, or one of the pulse cannons. Perhaps they would be helpful?”
Vladimir nodded. “Better than nothing, I suppose. I was hoping to get a better look at your FTL system.”
“Well, you still have several hours until your friend arrives,” Tug said. “Perhaps you can spend it examining the FTL drive.”
“I’m afraid it would take me much longer than a few hours to understand it,” Vladimir admitted.
“I will send my oldest daughter, Deliza, to help you,” Tug boasted. “She is quite knowledgeable in such matters.”
“Any help would be appreciated,” he assured him between spoonfuls of porridge.
“Very well. I shall send her to you after her morning chores are completed,” Tug promised. “Now, Captain, if you’ll excuse me. I have my own chores to complete. I will return later and we can begin preparing your purchase for shipment.”
“Thank you,” He watched Tug walk back toward the main house. “Looks like you’ve got yourself an FTL tutor.”
Vladimir said nothing. He just kept eating.
* * *
Tobin’s ship kicked up dust in all directions as it hovered a few meters off the ground, slowly rotating to point its nose back in the direction it had come before it settled to the ground in the middle of Tug’s compound. Nathan, Jessica, Jalea, and Tug all huddled behind Tug’s vehicle to shield themselves from the whirling dust and debris as Tobin’s ship settled to the ground and its engines began to spin down. Nathan looked around, noticing that the dust was slow to disperse.
“This is why I don’t usually fly purchases out!” Tug yelled over the declining sound of Tobin’s engines. “It takes forever for the dust to clear! One of the disadvantages of living in a big hole!” Tug pulled his shirt up to cover his mouth and nose to avoid breathing in the dust as he rose from behind the vehicle. Nathan did the same as he followed.
The large cargo hatch on the starboard side of Tobin’s ship swung down until it touched the dirt, becoming a loading ramp on which Tobin quickly descended. “Captain! It’s good to see you safe.”
“Why wouldn’t we be?” he asked.
“This is Haven, Captain. Safe describes very little on this world,” he smiled. “Shall we begin loading?”
“Tobin, this is Tug,” Nathan introduced. “I believe we should first settle our bill with him.”
“Yes, of course,” Tobin agreed, feigning forgetfulness. Tobin produced a small bag from under his cloak. “This should more than cover it,” he told them as he handed the bag to Tug.
Tug took the bag from Tobin. Surprised by the excessive weight, he opened the bag to look inside and found many more credit chips than he had expected. “This is too generous, Captain.”
“Consider it a bonus for all your hospitality,” Nathan told him.
“But Captain, this is nearly twice what the molo is worth at market.”
“Yeah, well, we did almost blow your head off last night,” Nathan chuckled. “So I think you deserve it. Maybe it will get your wife off your back for letting a bunch of strangers stay for dinner.”
“Indeed it might,” he agreed as he tucked the bag of credit chips into his pants pocket.
“We should get going as soon as possible,” Tobin insisted, seeming a bit anxious.
“Of course.” Nathan turned to the others and signaled them to start loading the bundles of molo.
They quickly hauled the carefully tied bundles up into Tobin’s ship, stacking them down the middle of the small passenger area.
“Stack them wall to wall, Captain,” Tobin advised.
“How are we all going to fit on board if we do that?”
“I would prefer to take the cargo up separately,” Tobin explained. “It would be safer as there is no good way to secure the load. If we were to hit some turbulence, someone could become injured by flying bundles.”
Nathan looked about the cabin, comparing the available space with the amount of cargo still to load. Although he figured there would be enough room to squeeze them all in along with the cargo, he figured it was better to follow Tobin’s advice and err on the side of caution. And since Vladimir had not completed his study of the FTL systems on Tug’s fighter, the additional time would not be wasted. “Okay, wall to wall it is.”
Ten minutes later, the ship was loaded and ready to go. “Very well, Captain,” Tobin announced. “I will run this load up to your ship, and return for you in just over an hour.” Tobin waived as he climbed back up into his ship, the loading ramp swinging up behind him and filling in the hatch as it sealed shut.
Nathan and the others again moved behind the vehicle as Tobin’s ship began to spin up its engines. Within minutes, the whine of the turbines was replaced by the roar of the thrusters as it lifted off, ascending vertically until it was well above the top of the sinkhole before it began to turn and accelerate forward. They could no longer see it through the cloud of dust that enveloped them, but the sound of his engines quickly disappeared.
“My wife will be complaining about the dust for days,” Tug groaned as he brushed himself off.
“Jess, contact the ship and tell them that Tobin is on his way with the first load. And let her know we’ll be back on board in a couple hours. I’m going to go check on Vlad.”
* * *
“Commander?” Ensign Yosef said. “One of the cargo shuttles just departed on another run to Haven.”
<
br /> “Again? That’s their fourth load today,” Cameron said. “How much stuff is he buying down there?” Cameron twisted from side to side in the command chair. It had been a long night, and her attempts to take naps on the ready room couch had left her a bit stiff. “Any sign of Tobin yet?”
“He left Haven spaceport about an hour ago. He set down on the surface about thirty kilometers outside of the city for about fifteen minutes. I’m assuming that’s the landing party’s current location, as Ensign Nash contacted us just after Tobin lifted off again, to inform us he was inbound with cargo—something called molo. He should be arriving in a few minutes. I show him entering the rings now—”
Kaylah’s voice suddenly stopped in mid sentence, drawing Cameron’s attention. “What is it?”
“That’s odd,” Kaylah said. She double checked her readings before continuing. “I could’ve sworn I saw a rather large contact. But it’s gone now.”
“Did you get an ID on it?”
“No, sir. It was only on my screen for an instant before it disappeared. The system didn’t even have time to generate a track log for it.”
“A ghost? A false contact of some sort, maybe?” Cameron theorized.
“Possibly. But I’m pretty sure it was a legitimate contact.” Kaylah turned to face Cameron. “It might have slipped behind the planet, dropping out of our line of sight before we could get a fix on it.”
“Is that possible?”
“I’ve seen a few contacts come out from behind the planet that I didn’t see going in. I just assumed they had arrived on the far side.”
“How long until it would come out from behind and be visible again?”
“About an hour at normal orbital velocities,” Kaylah reported.
“Well, it’s not like we can go and investigate,” Cameron said. “Keep an eye peeled in case it comes back.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
“How much longer are you going to hide?” Jalea pleaded. She and Tug stood in the middle of the bunkhouse, arguing.
