Back aboard the Ghost, now siting in orbit over Fury and safely out of reach of the religious zealots that run Pulto City, Wil leans back against the lounge sofa. “So, we all good with this?” He looks around. Zephyr and Maxim are sitting together at the small kitchenette table. Gabe is standing near the hatch leading towards engineering and Bennie is sitting in a chair facing the sofa.
Bennie raises his hand. “I say we do it. It sounds straightforward, and the money is good—correction, the money is great.”
“Nothing is ever straightforward where Xarrix is concerned,” Zephyr offers, looking at Bennie. “You should know that.”
“Well, sure,” Bennie replies. “But the money is outstanding.”
“While I have no strong opinion one way or the other, I will say that our current financial situation is at least not so dire as to make taking this opportunity a must,” Gabe offers. “However, Bennie is correct in his assessment of the sum.”
Wil nods once. “Gabe’s right. Money-wise we can pass on this job and be okay. Bennie’s folks paid a hefty reward for rescuing Len-Lu.” He looks at Bennie. “Maybe someone will kidnap her again?” Bennie sticks his tongue out in reply.
“You mean, Bee-Bees parents?” Maxim asks, not even a hint of a smile on his face.
Bennie raises both fists and slams them together as he raises his arms, then for good measure sticks his tongue out again.
Wil just stares for a moment. “What—the hell—was that?”
“Friends.” Bennie says, smiling. “Ross Geller, I like him.”
Wil chuckles. “I was always partial to Chandler. Anyway, sounds like there aren’t any strong nays, am I wrong there?” He looks around the room at each member of his crew in turn. Each shakes their head. “Okay then.” He tilts his head upward. “Computer, open a channel to Xarrix.”
“Working,” the ship replies.
After a moment, the telltale soft beep announces that they’re connected. “You’ve made a decision?” the crime lord asks.
“We have. We’ll take the job. You know the deal, pay upfront.”
“That’s excellent news. My representative will bring the payment on a transfer stick when they come aboard.”
“I’m sorry, what now? Who’s coming aboard? For what reason?” Wil asks, glancing at Maxim and Zephyr who have visibly tensed.
“You didn’t expect me to pay you all that money upfront with no way to ensure you didn’t go back on your word—”
“You son of a—” Wil starts.
Xarrix makes a hissing sound, silencing Wil. “Do not forget, it was you who broke the deal between us first, by trying to keep the droid.”
“His name is—” Wil starts, again.
“I don’t care,” Xarrix continues, cutting over Wil. “My representative will be aboard your ship for the duration of the operation, to ensure you do not cross me.” He pauses, then adds, with a smile in his voice, “Look at this way, you get the payment without worrying about transfer intercepts, and you get to make a new friend. I know how much you were dying for friends not so long ago. You’ll receive the coordinates shortly.” Before anyone can say anything else, the soft beep of the comm system lets them know Xarrix has terminated the call.
“Asshole,” Maxim mutters, then looks at Wil. “I used that right, right?”
“Most definitely, buddy.” Wil looks around. “Okay, let’s hang here and prep the ship for our visitor. Bennie and Zee, go get one of the guest berths ready. Maxim, run a diagnostic on the weapons systems—let’s make sure we’re solid there.” He looks at Gabe. “Everything good down in Gabe town?”
Gabe tilts his head. “By Gabe town you mean engineering? Yes, everything is operational and within acceptable tolerance ranges. We are, as you say, good to go.” He smiles, then turns serious. “Captain, we should be cautious on this mission. It is one thing to work with Xarrix again, but to have one of his operatives aboard poses a significant risk to the ship and crew.”
Wil places a hand on the shiny metallic shoulder. “No argument there my friend. We’ll be careful.”
“Can you configure the terminal to capture everything that goes on in here?” Zephyr asks Bennie, as they enter the guest berth to be assigned to Xarrix’s representative. “I suspect knowing what goes on in here may be of value at some point.”
Bennie gives the Palorian woman a sly look. “Sure I can. You’re not worried that’s a little, you know, invasive?”
Zephyr shakes her head. “Whomever this person is, they are not our friend or even our ally. They’re here to make sure we do the job Xarrix has paid for and to spy on us.” She looks around the room. “They will likely try to kill us at the first reasonable opportunity.”
Bennie shudders. “You think it’s Lorath?” he asks, taking a seat at the terminal built into the small desk in the corner of the room. “I mean, who else would he trust to watch over us?”
“Could be. She is Xarrix’s right hand. It would make sense to put her with the crew he trusts the least.” Zephyr moves to the small dresser and opens each drawer, making sure the previous occupant has not left anything behind. She picks up a small bundle of data cards. “I suppose it depends on who the other crew he’s hired as protection is.”
Over the ship’s address system, Wil’s voice announces, “We’re about to dock with Xarrix’s ship. Maxim and Zephyr, meet me at the port airlock.”
Zephyr glances at Bennie. “Looks like we’re about to find out the answer to that. Hurry up in here,” she adds, as she stalks out of the room.
“Any communication with the ship?” Zephyr asks, joining Maxim and Wil outside the airlock.
Wil shakes his head. “Nope—just got the coordinates, then this shuttle arrived.” He looks at his wristcomm. “They’re docked.” He reaches over to the control panel and presses a button, opening the outer doors.
A single space-suited figure walks in and presses a control on the inside of the airlock, closing the outer doors. Wil presses another control and after a brief moment allowing the airlock to fill with a breathable atmosphere, the inner doors open. “Welcome aboard the Ghost,” Wil says as the figure steps into the ship, dropping a duffel bag to the ground.
The new arrival reaches up and twists the helmet, releasing the seals, then lifts it up off its head. “Thank you, Captain. It’s a pleasure to be aboard.”
“Cynthia,” Zephyr growls.