We don’t. We have no way of knowing.
In fact, if I was to bet money on it, I’m fairly certain theyarein on it. It certainly would be a convenient way to off-load illegal cargo without having to clear Customs, right?
Wouldn’t be shocked if, gee, look at that, we didn’t need the tow after all, because one more last-minute check of the systems shows that the problem has suddenly cleared itself.
In fact, I’d even bet good money that’s exactly what will happen, meaning no evidence remaining aboard thePRwhen we reach our destination, other than my word, the video and screenshots, and McMurtry’s word that he saw the video and screenshots.
McMurtry clears his throat. “I’m still going looking for what caused this to happen.”
“Oh, sure. Of course. You do that.” Blue flushes the captain’s cheeks. “Keep looking. But, I’m just saying, don’t panic. We’re fine. Once we’re underway with the tachyon drive, we’ll make time again. And when our tow arrives, of course, they’ll jump us close to the space station. Don’t stress.”
We stand there watching him as he turns and leaves the galley.
After waiting for a moment, McMurtry looks up at me, his voice soft when he speaks. “His shitter’s full.”
I nod. “He’s full of shit, yeah. I agree. The problem is, what are we going todoabout it?”
McMurtry braces his hands on his hips. “I don’t know, but we better decide fast, before they sneak everything off-ship.”
* * * *
I don’t understand how a ship that I had previously considered my “home” could, in the blink of an eye, transform into feeling like the heart of enemy territory. I’m now tense and on edge, wary. Like I need to watch my back literally, not just metaphorically.
This is a thousand times worse than any fear I ever felt during my scariest early missions after graduation.
Before we leave the galley and mess area, I switch its com system back on. McMurtry returns to Engineering. I return to my bunk and lock myself in.
Which is unusual. I rarely lock my door when I’m in my bunk, unless I’m sleeping, or doing something I want to keep private.
Part of me feels…terrified. Not gonna lie.
I don’t know who the stowaway is, or what, exactly, they’ve got in the life pod, but that the co-conspirators would jack around with our delivery schedule like this means there’s alotof money involved.
That’s my assumption, anyway.
It’sgotto be money, or some sort of deadly serious leverage they’re holding over the captain, to make him do this.
Either way, someone like me? Ether-jump nav or not, it’s something far above my importance. Besides if the ship’s not ether-jumping, I’m as useful as tits on a tin can.
Meaning I’m expendable.
This is a pretty damned ballsy way of trying to get around import laws and Customs and all of that.
Pretty damned dangerous way, too. There’s areasonthey have quarantines and customs for living animals. For example, there was a reptile-likesrahassiwhich was snuck on board a ship by a smuggler a few decades ago. Within weeks of arriving on Osarian Six, its destination planet, it got loose and then wiped out nearly three quarters of that planet’s domestic livestock population, and half its wildlife. All because of a bacteria thesrahassicarried that Osarian Six’s animals had no natural immunity against. If it hadn’t been for the coalition shipping in supplies, the whole planet would’ve starved to death.
I have a sworndutyto report this.
I also have a duty to myself and Olarte to stay alive.
To try to keep alive anyone on board who’s innocent, like McMurtry.
My communications line is private and scrambled. I know outbound is privileged and protected, but inbound…
If the captain was able to rig a sabotage that could escape McMurtry’s keen eyes, who’s to say they can’t intercept my out- or inbound messages?
Plus, that lends more credence to someone on McMurtry’s crew possibly being in cahoots with the captain. Overlooking the data and failing to report it to McMurtry.
A consolidated effort among several people.
