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Ariana walked into the crew mess, and immediately forced back a sigh. After a hard day of working on their captured pirate ship, she had been looking forward to a nice meal. Unfortunately, she had forgotten that it was Noah’s turn to cook.
The rest of the crew sat around the mess table quietly. Olivia watched something on her handheld while Squee appeared to be either sleeping or meditating. Vlasa fiddled with a power cell. The Echanic had cords from the cell connected to several of his cybernetic components.
Javi looked quite pleased to see her, “Ah, Ari, come sit down. Vlasa just told me the good news.”
“Good news?” Ariana asked as she took her place at the table.
“Yes, that the repairs and integration of the new components are complete.”
“Ah, yes. I admit I won’t mind never seeing this system again.” Ariana said remembering her encounter with the spiders and involuntarily shuddering.
“Indeed. I am quite eager to get underway to my destination.”
“Umm...about that. We’re going to have to take a little detour.”
Javi fixed one of his eyestalks on her in a look that she knew very well. Despite all the years, it still made her squirm in her seat. It had been almost twenty years since he had been her instructor, but some things never changed.
He remained silent, his eye fixed on her, waiting for her to continue, “With this salvaged ship, we’re going to have to head back to the Hub. It’s the closest port. I don’t want to divide the crew between two ships for longer than necessary.”
“That goes completely in the wrong direction. I hired you to take me away from the Hub.”
“And I did that.” Ariana said hopefully, “And I’ll even do it again for no extra charge.”
“What’s that?” Noah said as he came into the mess from the kitchen, “We’re going back to the Hub?”
Noah was carrying a large sizzling pan with steam wafting up from it. He set the pan in the center of the table, and then picked up a serving spoon. In turn, starting with Ariana, he scooped out a generous helping of something that vaguely resembled green noodles. Little bits of other colors were mixed in among the stringy substance.
“Well, at least it smells good this time.” Ariana said as she poked the thing on her plate, “These aren’t actually noodles are they?”
“Nope.” Noah said with a proud smile. “Zucchini. With peppers, garlic, onion, and some radishes. All sautéed in a little olive oil and seasoned with a few spices.”
“It sounds delicious,” Javi said with his usual sincerity.
“It sounds like it’s missing all of the food.” Ariana grumbled, “Couldn’t you have included some chicken at least?”
Noah shook his head, “I don’t understand how you can advocate eating animals.”
“But it’s not animals. Everything is built one molecule at a time. It’s packaged proteins and carbohydrates reorganized.”
“Yeah, but why reorganize it into the flesh of an animal?”
“You’ll kill a sentient person without a moment's hesitation, but you won’t even eat food that is built to resemble an animal?”
Noah shrugged, “I’m a man of many layers.”
“I must agree with the captain.” Vlasa said, “This meal is lacking many required nutrients, most notably the aforementioned proteins.”
“Bah,” Noah said with a dismissive wave. “You’d be happy eating the slurry straight out of the storage packs.”
The conversation died down for a few moments as everyone started eating. Squee made many satisfied noises as he rapidly downed several portions. Despite her complaints, Ariana had to admit, to herself at least, that the food did taste pretty good. But that traitorous thought could probably be blamed on how hungry working all day had made her.
After several minutes of peaceful eating, Javi said, “Now, about our earlier discussion?”
“I’m sorry, Javi, but it’s just not a good idea to continue to Triask with the crew split between two ships. We need to head back to the Hub, sell our salvage, and then we can move on to Triask.” Ariana said, trying to sound decisive.
“You ran Seraph with just yourself, Vlasa and a pilot before.”
“M wiff Ha, Cap,” Noah said, his mouth full of food.
Ariana raised an eyebrow and stared pointedly at Noah. He looked confused for a second, staring back at her with his mouth hanging open. After a second, he finished chewing and then said, “I’m with Javi, Cap. Heading back to the Hub with that thing in tow ain’t a good idea. Might make us look like pirates.”
“We’ll have our sensor logs if there are any questions. Hub security doesn’t ask too many questions.”
“They did arrest our former pilot for smuggling,” Vlasa said.
“Exactly, he wasn’t paying the customs duties which is what keeps the station running. We’ll give them their cut. Besides, that was some pretty nasty drugs. This is a legitimately salvaged ship.”
“Why don’t we just leave the ship here?” Javi asked.
“This is potentially our biggest booty ever. A mostly intact ship, ours by right of salvage. Perfectly legal.”
“Technically, since we killed the crew, it is not salvaged.” Vlasa interjected.
“Legalish then.” Ariana said with a wave of her hand. “It will keep us flying for years. I can even refund you your fair. I know getting there is important and we will have you there before the Memorial Day events. I promise. We’re looking at a delay of two, three days tops.”
“Yeah, leaving the ship is not an option.” Noah agreed, “But we should take it somewhere else. Like Worcee.”
“Worcee? That’s nowhere near Triask.” Javi said disgustedly.
“It’s on the way,” Noah said.
“No, it’s not,” Olivia said, speaking for the first time while she stood up. She wobbled on her feet for a moment before starting toward the door, “I’ll go get started on plobbing...er...plotting a course back to the Hub.”
Ariana nodded approvingly, “See, Olivia knows how things are supposed to work. The captain makes a decision, crew listens.”
“I’m not part of your crew, Ari.” Javi pointed out.
“I know. And I will get you to Triask as soon as I can. I promise.”
A sudden wretching sound from the doorway made everyone turn around. Olivia knelt on the deck all of her recently consumed dinner in a puddle at her feet. She continued to convulse as more came out. When she finished, she fell back onto her rear and collapsed against the bulkhead, her eyes closed and groaning.
“Olivia, are you all right?” Ariana asked as she knelt before the girl.
“Hmmm?” Olivia mumbled, “I’m gewed, er, good. I just need to close my eyes for a moment.”
She immediately followed this announcement by leaning over and vomiting onto Ariana’s shoes. Ariana sighed.
Behind her, Noah whistled, “Wow, that girl really can’t hold her liquor.”
Slowly, Ariana turned to face the table behind her, “Liquor?”
“Yeah, she asked for something before dinner. Sounded like a good idea, so we shared a couple of shots.”
“She’s sixteen.”
“So? I was fourteen when I started drinking.”
“That certainly explains many things,” Vlasa said.
Ariana sighed again, “I’m going to put her to bed. Noah, your booze, your mess.”
“That’s not fair,” Noah grumbled.
Lifting up Olivia, who offered little resistance, Ariana said, “Fair would have been her throwing up on your shoes.”