by Bruce Marcom
***
The next morning, 42 goes to check on Eve after his shift on the bridge. He arrives in the infirmary and sees Helma and Nelma sitting on both sides of Eve’s bed. Eve is sitting up with some pillows supporting her back and she is talking to the twins. 42 walks up to Eve.
“Boss, you gave us a real scare there,” 42 says.
“I will survive. Just got caught with my pants down so to speak. I am more embarrassed that they caught me in an ambush unprepared. Any idea who the assassins were? Or which one of my enemies sent them?”
“From what we can tell, they came aboard one of the shuttles from Endure that was picking up the supplies that you were sending to them. They pretended to be members of the Endure crew. Nobody noticed them not getting back on the shuttles when they left. Unfortunately, there was not much left of their bodies after you were finished with them, Boss. New abilities I presume? Not that I mind, it just means that my favorite boss will be sticking around a lot longer than my previous bosses; they were much weaker. We did find metal tags on them, and it looks like they were possible spies for the telepathic police from the Elemental Empire. My guess is they thought you were part of the telepathic underground movement and were trying to take you out.”
“Makes sense. I guess I am on their hit list now, too. I was not expecting an assassination attempt a few minutes after another assassination attempt. I mean they don’t usually come that close together, and certainly not from two different parties. Our former First Officer was working for the merchant group Apel. They promised him my ship if he took me out. Unfortunately for him, his attempt failed.”
“The Apel Group is one of our current challengers. We need to start taking out some of these challengers to show them who is on top, right Boss?” 42 inquires.
“Yes, that is one thing we need to attend to as soon as we get back. Give me the ship status. And how long before you get to the coordinates I gave you?” Eve inquires.
“All systems go, cleaned up the fires, and repaired the damaged halls where you were ambushed. Should be at the coordinates in about two hours.”
“Very good, 42. You will make a fine First Officer. Give yourself a 5% raise. Do you think I should hire someone else to do the accounting or communications? I can do that. Or do you think you can handle First Officer duties along with the duties you already have?”
“It is okay, Boss. I am an Android and I can handle it all. You do not need extra personnel for those other two jobs.”
“Very well. Inform me when we arrive at our destination. It will take me two hours to convince the doctor to let me out of this place.”
The doctor in the next room replies, “I heard that. You need bed rest and time to heal, Captain. You do not need to be out exploring, adventuring, or being shot up. Besides, you never know when the next assassination attempt will be. You need to be at full strength.”
“I assure you, Doc, I am fine,” Eve promises.
“I don’t tell you how to captain ships, do I? When it comes to you and this crew’s health, my job is to make sure that your well-being comes first. Now, the rest of you clear on out of here and let her go to sleep.”
The twins and 42 leave the room. Eve begins to rest and quickly falls asleep.
