Dax keyed in a message on his personal comms.“I love the initiative.I just sent you the ship’s banking details.Get whatever you think we need.We’ll meet you at the docks in a few hours.Fortunaout.”
Dax and Burn grinned at each other like idiots, while I tried not to get overwhelmed by the feeling of being an outsider again.I missed the camaraderie of a tight group.Every time I thought there was a chance on theFortuna, new people arrived to remind me I didn’t belong.
“I should go get the cargo hold ready.And the report on Kottke,” I said quietly and escaped the bridge.
44
Dax
The cargo holddoor had barely closed when Mercer began demanding answers.
“What the hell, Dax?She just gets to make decisions for the ship?”He gestured at Lacy, who stood close to the door that would take her to the crew quarters.I didn’t think he was a danger to her, but I was glad she was near an exit.
Burn stood between her and Mercer, and that was where he directed his ire next.“And you, Burn.Just laughing like a loon.Last I heard, you voted to leave her on the mining station, too.Now here you are aiding and abetting.”
Burn stopped laughing and glared at Mercer.“Calm the fuck down, dude.”
I had to get control of the situation.I couldn’t openly side with Lacy, though I was impressed with her logic.Showing up with cargo made a lot more sense than just showing up and poking around.
I hooked two fingers into my mouth and whistled.It echoed in the empty cargo hold and more than one person winced.
Oops.
“Stand down, “I demanded.“Let’s act civilized here.First, introductions.Lacy, meet Mercer and Orion.Mercer, Orion, meet Lacy.”
Lacy nodded at them.
I glanced over at Burn.“You all know Burn.”Burn smiled and waved, her middle finger extended.I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
“Second, yes.Lacy was a stowaway.Yes, she tried to steal our ship.”
Lacy muttered, “I did steal it.”Given the way everyone glared at her, they’d all heard her comment too.
Did she not get I was trying to help her?
“But,” I said, holding up my hand to forestall any comments, “she’s made amends.She’s secured us valuable cargo and has been teaching Burn and me the ins and outs of this new business.And I gotta tell you, we were in over our heads here.”
“You trust her?”Mercer asked.“Finn said she’d served on Orpheus Blazer’s ship.”
“Yes, I trust her.”I had my own thoughts on what her role on that ship had been.If I was right, things could still blow up in our faces.So I kept my suspicions to myself.“In this, yes, I trust her.”I flicked my eyes over to her.Hoping that she knew that this wasn’t the only way I trusted her.
Her gaze met mine briefly and I hoped she’d gotten my message.
“What about you, Burn?Finn said you were against her too.”
Hands wrapped around the railing, Burn leaned forward, eagerly watching Mercer.“You’ve talked to Finn?He’s awake?How’s he doing?”
Mercer shoved a hand into his hair, his features pained.“Yeah, shit, sorry.Called to check up on him on our way here.He woke up two days ago.I couldn’t talk to him, but the doctor said he was groggy, in pain, and pissed that you’d left him there.”
His tone turned soothing.“Based on his injuries, you guys made the right choice.He’s had two surgeries.They’re keeping an eye on one of his legs, just in case they need to do another.You made the right choice.”He nodded at me and at Burn, then turned to Lacy.“Still not sure about you, though.”
“What’s his prognosis?”I asked Mercer.
He whistled low.“Best guess, two to three months.Maybe less if he’s an ideal patient.But you know Finn.He’s never been an ideal patient.”
“No kidding,” Orion muttered.It was the first time he’d spoken.And while he wasn’t the most talkative guy, that seemed unusual for even him.I’d check on him later, but for right now, we needed to hash out the Lacy situation.None of us could afford to be distracted when we made the rescue attempt.
“Thanks for the update, Mercer.”I meant it.I’d hated to leave Finn there, but without a qualified medic onboard, I’d been afraid we’d lose him.
