“What certainty do you have of that conclusion?”
Regi knew his people’s faults. “At least eighty-five percent, which are better than our odds here.” He gave Ter a hopeful smile. When Ter remained unconvinced, Regi decided he had to pull out his trump card. “This is something religiously significant.” Regi expected the same disgust or pity he got every other time he mentioned religion. Those were the attitudes that had probably led the Kowri to dismiss the rest of the universe as unenlightened and irrelevant.
Instead, Ter’s expression turned thoughtful. “Why now?”
“I really can't explain.”
“Can't or won't?”
“Twenty percent won't and eighty percent can't.” Regi said. Everything he’d learned in theology suggested that what was happening now was impossible. Reality had redefined itself in some way that Regi was incapable of divining. “I need to go home and consult with the exalteds. I believe my people will allow us through the border because this is a religious issue, and you will get to be among the first Coalition members to see the interior of the exalted Empire.” Regi dangled that like a lure on a hook. The Empire's unwillingness to let any ship sneak through their borders had given them a mystique that was unique in the universe. Regi thought the Kowri worlds resembled worlds in every other part of the universe, but if he had to manipulate his crew members in order to fulfill his duties to his god, he would.
Ter’s expression grew pensive. “It's that serious?”
“Yes.”
“And you came to me first?”
This was a delicate situation that Regi had to handle without offending anyone. His true fear had been that the captain would be so enthusiastic that Ter would dig in his heels and refuse. And when Ter refused, that was a problem because he controlled the engines. However, Regi did not want to imply that he found Ter illogical in his reactions to the captain. Ter’s respect for logic ran too deep for him to handle the suggestion with any grace.
“I don't know how the captain will respond, but I suspect it will be with great emotion. I wished to speak to you calmly and rationally before any of that emotion clouded the issue.” Regi was proud of the way he only implied untruths. Obfuscation had never been one of his great talents, but he was developing the skill.
Ter seemed faintly complemented. “If I can't get control of the ship, any debate will be moot.”
Apparently that was a dismissal. Ter swung back towards the controls and his long fingers once again danced across the keyboard.
Regi stood. “I understand. Second blessings to you.”
Regi turned to leave, but the computer beeped and suddenly panels started lighting up, one after another, until the entire control room was lit with readouts and displays and stellar maps projected in three dimensions. Regi turned back around. Ter sat with his hands poised above the keyboard like a musician ready to touch the first note.
“Never mind,” Ter said. “I'm in. I have control of the ship.”
Chapter Five
Regi found a newlywashed and antiseptic-smelling Dante sitting on his bunk with the door open. That last had set off Regi's alert, but Regi could hardly blame the man for having a prejudice against closed doors, not given his previous experience on the pirate ship. Regi stopped at the entrance, not coming inside without permission. “How are you feeling?”
Dante stood. Despite the visible muscle, he was tall and lean, like a tatbo tree. “Less like something dead that one of the dogs dragged home.” Dante’s statement was overly vivid, although it did effectively communicate his distaste for having been denied bathing privileges. If his current scent was normal, his earlier stench must've been quite uncomfortable. “So, what now?” Dante asked, his tone revealing no undue stress. Had Regi been forced into slavery, he was not sure he would have handled the situation with such aplomb.
