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“ALL STATIONS, WE’VE arrived safely in Spica. Perform cross-checks and report issues. Captain out.” Porter rose from her workstation, taking her usual wide stance with her arms behind her back. She faced the big holo in the middle of the new Command and Control center.
“Pilot?”
“No issues. We’ve arrived on target, and I’m messaging fold control to confirm our previously arranged fold hold orbit,” B’Hoover said.
Q didn’t wait for Porter to ask. “Surveillance is clear. Well, as clear as a crowded core system orbit can be.”
“Keep watching and anticipating,” Porter replied. “Engineering.”
“No issues,” Lashtar said over the comms. “Full fold recharge in twenty-two hours without engine charging.”
“Good. Security?”
Ruth said from her workstation, “No issues. Yet.”
“Keep a close eye out,” Porter said.
“Of course,” Ruth said but frowned at Porter.
Q relaxed back in her workstation, watching for changes. She’d worried about the fold into congested Spica. Their previous folds, to lightly inhabited fringe systems, were easy. Hardly any folder traffic and little shuttle traffic. Here, there were easily a hundred different fold transports and ten times that many shuttles, all zipping about. It reminded her of Valenti. Hopefully, they wouldn’t have to hide a shuttle inside a plas transport and deal with Blattos. Q couldn’t help the icy shudder up her spine at the thought of the meter-tall cockroaches. Yuck.
“Message away, nothing to do but wait,” Doc said.
“If they’re on Copernicus Station, it shouldn’t take long at all,” Porter said. “With Los’s wording, I’m pretty sure he’s next to desperate.”
“Sending the advance on his salary ought to have gotten all of them to the station easily,” Lashtar said.
“He’ll be working that off for a while,” Porter said.
“Like Los ever had any credits?” Doc snorted. “Every credit went to his family. If we went out, I bought.”
“I know he was a little conflicted about that,” Porter said. “Despite your reassurances.”
“He shouldn’t have been. I was happy to spend the family trust on people my father thought of as servants and not worthy of regard.” Doc’s tone was haughty but his mouth twisted like the words tasted bad.
Q knew Doc came from big credits, but she didn’t realize it was Familia-luxury-level credits. That kind of security would be wonderful, but it sounded like it came with a little baggage. Q bit her lip, thinking about Los’s imminent arrival. She was a little nervous about meeting Los; she knew a lot more about net security and maintenance than most, but next to a military-trained guy like Los with years of experience? Hardly anything.
“Are we picking him up or arranging for commercial transport?” B’Hoover asked.
“Not sure yet,” Porter said. “Keomi, please check on the availability and cost of commercial transport from Copernicus Station to us. Get the approximate time requirements, including any pre-reservation limits too.”
“Yes, Captain,” Keomi answered.
Q wasn’t sure what to think of the rest of their applicants yet. The eight of them, five men and three women, were fairly quiet so far. At dinner last night, one of them said she was still in “sponge mode” soaking up information and turning it into knowledge. Which was an interesting way to put it and probably meant she was going to fit in well here. Hard work with a science-based personality would do well on a research folder. Q wasn’t so sure she fit in nearly so well. She didn’t have any kind of science background, and she wasn’t an academic. More of a doer than a thinker.
“Lashtar, have you heard back from Vai or Ruslo?” Doc asked.
Lashtar, down in Engineering with Sinfi, appeared on Q’s top-left screen. “Negative. I thought they’d contact you.”
“I thought so too, but I’ve heard nothing.” Doc shrugged. “Maybe they’re in the far fringes someplace.”
“Or maybe they’re having trouble with the Patriarch and the paters,” Ruth said. “They wanted to throw all of us out an airlock.”
“Well, not an airlock,” Lashtar said. “They are non-violent, for the most part. But far away from them, yes.” Sinfi and two of the other applicants stood near her.
“Shortsighted,” Porter said.
“How so?” Keomi asked. “You’re upending their entire lives and their faith. If non-believers can smooth the infinite road...” She shook her head.
Q regarded Keomi. Maybe she wasn’t so quiet after all.
“It is shortsighted,” Doc said. “The word is filtering out already. We’ve seen some crazy rumors, but they have a core of truth.” Doc’s tone changed to a gossip-vid star’s. “Soothing stones can be used like fold clocks only better.” He sighed. “The price of soothing stones is rising exponentially, thefts are way up, people are trying crazy things with the stones they have, and the number of soothing stone-enraptured people is increasing. If the Travelers don’t start actively messaging, they’re going to find themselves attacked, captured, ships destroyed, and their people killed.”
Ruth said, “Maybe that’s why they haven’t answered. Cosmic Vardo is a well-known Traveler folder. What if someone or something already went after them?”
“Oh, blast and rad, you’re right,” Porter said. “Okay.” She was silent for a moment then barked, “Q, find out where Cosmic Vardo is or where they were going. Use every contact you can think of.”
“Sending messages now, Q,” Watson said in her ear. They weren’t telling the applicants anything about Watson or the other AIs until they knew they were staying and were trustworthy.
“Thanks,” Q told him quietly, scanning his list of addresses. She added Eli Baley, more to let him know about the problem rather than any hope of gathering information.
“B’Hoover, what’s our fastest transit to the station and back?” Porter asked.
“Nineteen hours and twenty-three minutes, depending on berth location and exact time of departure from Quantum Fold and the station.”
“Keomi, time of commercial transports?”
“Um, I’m sorry, I was listening, not working. I’ll find out.” Keomi’s head drooped, long blonde hair falling around her.
“Belay that,” Porter snapped. “Work with B’Hoover. Get us the fastest transit possible without going broke on a VIP berth. This is a snatch and grab, so we don’t need a berth for long. Engineering, use the engines for charging. Let’s get the ship to fold-capable as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Captain,” Keomi and B’Hoover answered. Keomi walked over to confer with B’Hoover, which seemed strange to Q. Why not message him? They were all connected via net.
Porter announced, “I want Los and his family here as soon as possible, without breaking the bank, so we can fold out and get to the Travelers if they need help. Ruth, message all the Traveler ships to let them know we think the threat is real now. I’ll message General Kerr,” her mouth twisted for a moment, “and ask if they’ve seen problems in Thuban or gotten anything from the Travelers.”
“Captain,” Ruth said. “How are we going to help? We’re pretty lightly armed for a ship this size.”
Porter blinked at her for a moment. “You are correct. But we have more weapons than most Traveler ships.”
B’Hoover said, “No, you don’t. Travelers are well armed for self-defense. They just hide the weapons well. They don’t want to make trouble, but they will finish it if they have to. I think they are generally better armed than Quantum Fold. And much smaller targets. Plus, since they travel in groups, they have backup.”
“We need more weapons,” Ruth muttered.
“Find a good, reliable, trustworthy source,” Doc said. “I’ll spend more family credits.” He smirked.
“I used to know a few,” Ruth answered.
B’Hoover said, “Why not go back to Aljanah? They’ve got what you need. Where do you think the Travelers get their weapons?”
Porter and Doc laughed at each other. Porter said, “Of course they do. Thank you. That makes all the sense in the world.” She sighed ruefully. “Please don’t hesitate to interrupt me if you have information like this. I’m used to operating with Gov Human, where acquisition is someone else’s job. I just have to request something.”
“And get turned down,” Doc said with an amused little huff.
“Usually.” Porter nodded. “Q, when you’re done with the messages,” she lifted both eyebrows, “plan our fold back to Aljanah and get us a time slot from fold control.”
“Yes, Captain,” Q answered.
“I will contact fold control for you,” Watson said.
“Thanks,” Q whispered back, pulling up navigation. She pulled up fold control’s stats, checking the average time between a request for fold departure and actual time assigned, then programmed in the potential factors. All of these time factors would change significantly between now and when they folded, but it didn’t hurt to start. She sent a request to B’Hoover to check her math.
Porter scrolled through her holo, brows rising. “B’Hoover, Keomi, belay all shuttle plans. Los and family are en route. The commercial shuttle they hired is coming here directly. Evidently, the pilot-owner is related to Los and looking to leave with him. B’Hoover, shuttle identity and orbit going to navigation now. Ruth, sending his info to you now for security check.”
“Well, that would have been nice to know,” Doc said.
“From the tone of the message, I don’t think Los knew,” Porter said. “I don’t think this cousin Ed’Dyd told him until they were well into the transit orbit. Los must have suspected something was up, though, because the credits weren’t nearly enough. Not even for family.”
“Wonderful,” Ruth groused. “More family drama. The kid brother is bad enough.” She was scrolling through something. Ruth barked a laugh. “Well, well, well. Ed’Dyd should be related to you, Q. He’s got Familia on his orbit. But unlike you,” she shot a glare at B’Hoover and Keomi, “his seems to be well-deserved. Took their credits and didn’t deliver. Not sure what it was he didn’t deliver but something valuable.”
Q told her, “Probably people. If it was, good for him.”
Ruth nodded, lips compressed. “Could be. I’ll be digging hard, though. What if he’s a Familia plant, trying to get to you?”
Keomi shot a worried look at Q. “Why is Familia looking for you? I don’t want any part of that trash.”
Q shook her head frantically. “Trust me, I don’t either.”
“If we keep you on, you’ll find out,” Porter said. “If you don’t stay, it’s better for all of us that you don’t know.”
Keomi nodded but kept glancing at Q. B’Hoover just nodded. He said, “Q, you’ll need to request the first possible non-urgent fold slot out. They’ll get here in five hours, eleven minutes.”
“Copy that,” Q told him. She brought up the automated scheduling system and changed the parameters Watson originally sent to fold control. They sent a slot assignment back immediately, and Q entered it into navigation. “Already got it.”
“Good job,” Porter and B’Hoover said, then flashed ironic smiles at each other.
Ooh. Was there some attraction there? Q considered them speculatively.
B’Hoover cleared his throat. “Q, are you going to update your fold calculations?”
She jolted in her seat. “Oh. Yep. Sorry!” She snickered at herself and got busy, updating the parameters and running a few different orbit scenarios. “I’ve entered three possible orbits and folds for you, Pilot.”
“Very good, I’ll check.” B’Hoover did so. He frowned at his holo. “Why did you enter a time well past the assigned time in fold number three, Q?”
“Because I’m anticipating an attack or interception or something else delaying us from departing.”
Porter shook her head. “Not going to happen here. They’ve got a reputation to uphold. Spica would rather incinerate someone themselves than let a firefight break out in their fold orbits.”
“Doesn’t mean it can’t happen anyway,” Q said.
“Well, I guess if the folder in question doesn’t want to ever fold into a core system again, you’d be right,” B’Hoover replied.
“Most folders can’t afford that kind of reputation,” Keomi said.
“In the core or other civilized places, that’s true,” Ruth said. “But there are plenty of gray stations and true pirate systems in the fringes. Or just plain desperate systems that need supplies. A reputation in the core can actually be a selling point in some fringe systems, especially with pirates.” She sniffed. “It’s almost a requirement some places. If you’re too good, they’ll assume you’re a rat for Gov Human or someone else.” She looked away, her mouth twisted. “Trust me, I know. I also know it’s not a fold you want to take if you’ve got a choice. It’s a hard life.”
Poor Ruth. She didn’t need reminders of her past. Keomi, who already seemed uncomfortable around Ruth, now glanced worriedly between her and Q.
“Q is right to do some worst-case planning,” Porter said. “It’s almost a guarantee we’ll get attacked someday. Probably soon. By the way,” she scanned everyone as she spoke, “for the applicants, if you can’t handle the idea of being attacked, you should withdraw when we return to Aljanah. It really is almost guaranteed. I know we told all of you this before you came on board, but reality sometimes makes things clearer.”
Silence rang loud for a moment. B’Hoover interrupted. “Captain, looks like your new people will arrive in the shuttle Artemio as planned.”
“Copy that.” Porter lifted both brows. “Make sure we’re ready for thrust as soon as we get them docked. We’ll leave them in the shuttle until we’re underway then bring them into Quantum Fold. Q, you stay here, just in case this was some sort of stupid snatch and grab plot to get Familia off this guy’s back. Ruth, you’ll be there with me and Doc. Lashtar, I want you up in Command.”
“Porter,” Doc said. “You stay here, and I’ll handle this with Ruth’s help.” A little smirk with a lift of the brows. “It’s my job now.”
“Excellent point.” Porter lifted one brow. “I’ll stay here. Lashtar, you stay in Engineering.” Porter didn’t seem to take the contradiction personally. Q could learn a lot from her.
“Q, I agree with Porter,” Doc said. “Stay here. I don’t want you around them until after we fold out. We’ll keep Los’s family in their quarters until Ruth can go through all their records and interview all of them.”
“Yes, Sir!” Q snapped.
Doc simply smirked at her, while Porter raised a brow.
“Q, Ruth,” Watson said, “Artemio has very good net defenses. I suspect Los is responsible, at least partially. But we need to insist on a full connection between Artemio and Quantum Fold.”
“I’ll be interrogating Los as well,” Ruth said. “This kind of surprise doesn’t bode well for our working relationship.”
“Sounds like it was a surprise to him, too, Ruth,” Doc said. “But I agree.”
“Family,” Ruth practically hissed. “People have such blind spots with family. A former Gov Human pararescue operator ought to be more suspicious, even of his own family.”
Watson said, presumably just to Q and Ruth, “I understand what you are saying, Ruth, and it is certainly a good idea to consider all sides of an issue and all possibilities. However, time has shown that humans who are suspicious of everyone are often part of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The willingness to believe the worst ensures the worst occurs.”
“I don’t like surprises,” Ruth said. “I’d rather have a plan in place and execute it rather than be surprised by something I can’t handle. Or didn’t think to handle.”
“I can see both sides of this one,” Q told both of them. “But right now, I’m on Ruth’s side. Too much of a chance Familia will get me if I don’t consider all the horrible possibilities.”
Ruth laughed and Q stared at her. Such a rare sound. “That’s ridiculous, Q. You are terrible at planning for the worst case. Most of the time, you can’t even envision the scenario. But that’s okay because I’m doing it for you. Keep your joy in life intact.”
“Hasn’t been much of that the last few years.”
“No, but we’re going to change that, Q,” Ruth said forcibly. “You wait and see. We will change that.”
Q hoped Ruth was right because, under the right circumstances, folding randomly around the universe would be a ton of fun. But with Familia on her tail and whatever it was that attracted the Travelers to her, it didn’t seem like fun was likely to be a priority. But she could hope. It was better than being sure everyone was out to get her. And bringing all her shipmates down with her.
#
“ALL STATIONS, WE’VE arrived safely in Aljanah. Perform cross-checks and report issues. Captain out.” Porter swept away the ship-wide comms and turned to the big holo in the middle of the new Command and Control Center. Watson had helped Ruth move the holo from the original Bridge, and he’d optimized it for the new compartment. “Pilot?”
“No issues. We’ve arrived on target and I’m messaging fold control for a fold hold orbit,” B’Hoover said.
Q said, “Surveillance is clear.”
“Keep watching and anticipating,” Porter replied. “Engineering.”
“No issues,” Lashtar said over the comms. “Full fold recharge in eighteen hours without engine charging.”
“Good. Security?”
Ruth said from her workstation, “No issues. Yet.”
Doc stood. “Q, Lashtar, come meet Los. And his huge family. We’ll see if we can’t separate Los out after the initial meet and greet. Q, you can bring him—and him only—up to Command and Control. Don’t tell Los about your Familia troubles until we’ve got him integrated and we figure out what the deal is with the cousin.”
Q followed Doc out of C2 and into the barebones corridors. They went through the secured hatches and up a couple of levels and entered the section of housing they’d hurriedly set aside for families. They also designated sections of the former crew quarters for classrooms and play areas, and Q assigned a separate net to both areas.
As they neared the section assigned to Los, the sound of chattering people and yelling kids grew. Before they reached the cabins, they caught several kids chasing each other down the corridor and turned them around.
Watson said, “I’ll secure the area so the children cannot reach the float tubes.”
“Thanks, Watson,” Q said.
The clamor increased, but before they saw the source, two men walked toward them. Both were medium height, with warm brown skin, darker brown hair, and milk chocolate eyes, but their attitudes were entirely different. Los walked, confident but alert, surveying his surroundings. Ed’Dyd slinked down the passageway, wincing every time the voices behind them raised.
“Doc! Great to see you!” Los said. The two men hugged with a lot of back pounding.
Q looked at Ed’Dyd. He slumped against the wall, scrolling through something on his holo, ignoring her completely.
“Q, meet Carlos Lopez, who goes by ‘Los.’ Los, this is Lashtar and Q,” Doc finally said, pulling Q in with an arm around her shoulders. “Q is a net specialist, but she’s looking forward to working for you.”
Los frowned. “For me? I’m in charge?”
Doc said, “You’re in charge of net security at Q’s request. Ruth, who you’ve already met, is in charge of security overall, so you work for her. Ruth’s expertise is more on the physical security side.”
Los, face impassive, nodded at Doc and bowed to Q. “It’s very nice to meet you, Q, and I look forward to working with you.”
“I look forward to working with you too. I’m Ed’Dyd, master pilot.” He smoldered at her, still leaning against the wall. “Want to see Artemio? I’d love to show you around.”
Los elbowed Ed’Dyd, hard, if Ed’Dyd wasn’t faking the way he was rubbing his ribs. From the pouty, angry look Ed’Dyd shot Los, Q guessed he was the fakiest fake around.
Q was careful not to show her annoyance or any other emotion. “Thank you for the invitation, but we have two shuttles I can fly on my own.”
“Ooh, a pilot too. Nice. Bet I can teach you a few tricks.” He waggled his brows at Q, continuing to ignore Doc entirely.
“No, you can’t,” Doc said. “Right now, you’re about two seconds from finding a short fold into a big black hole.”
“Told you, Fast Eddie,” Los muttered.
Ed’Dyd snapped, “Don’t call me that.”
Doc said, “Fast Eddie, we have two shuttles and several expert pilots. You have one minute to convince me you’re worth keeping on. Every lie or half-truth takes ten seconds away. Go.”
“I’m the best shuttle pilot you’ll ever see,” Eddie started.
“Fifty seconds.”
Eddie glared for a second. “I can fly Artemio in and out of places most people can only dream of.”
“Forty seconds.”
“I can! I really am an expert.”
Los sighed. “Doc was pararescue with me. He’s flown with the best of the best. You aren’t.”
“Fine.” He scowled at the decking for a moment then looked up, with a defeated expression. “Look, I’ve got nowhere left to run. I rescued a bunch of kids from Familia, and now they’ve got a kill order out on me. I am a great pilot, and my ship has some extras that aren’t common.”
“Smuggler’s hides?”
Eddie smirked. “Well, yes. But they’re really good. Nobody’s found them yet. Artemio has upgraded engines and thrusters too. He’s fast and highly maneuverable. And I really am a great pilot. I’m also an out-orbit thinker. I can find unusual solutions to most problems.”
“By creating more and worse problems,” Los muttered.
Eddie shot him a dirty look. “You’re supposed to be helping me.”
“No, I’m not. You didn’t give me any choices, here. You are on your own.” Los held up both hands and pivoted to stand on Q’s other side. “And flirting with my employee is not helping.”
Q kept her face blank but was snickering inside.
Doc said, “Time’s up. You wasted most of it. I’m not going to drop you to your death, but I’ve heard nothing that makes me want to keep you. Q is underage and off-limits.”
Q snorted. “Q wants nothing to do with Fast Eddie.”
“That too. No means no on this folder, period,” Doc said, scowling. “Actually, everyone on this folder is off-limits to you because you’re not staying.”
“What if I can do all the really dangerous stuff?” A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
“What dangerous stuff?” Doc asked. “We’re a research vessel. We’re not doing anything dangerous.”
“That’s not what I’ve heard,” Eddie said, his pleading look turning truculent.
Doc’s stare turned even more intense. “What have you heard?” He held up a hand. “Wait, not here.” He walked back to the float tube, opened the security hatch, then hopped across to one of the unoccupied sections of the ship.
They all followed. Q shivered a little; this section wasn’t heated.
Doc stopped, turned, and raised both brows at Eddie. “Well? And you’d better tell me all of it. I’m a medico, one who’s no longer tied to Gov Human’s rules. I work for the Sa’sa and the Time Guild. If I need to make sure you tell me everything, for the safety of my people and my folder, I will.”
Q shuddered at the menace Doc conveyed with his words and tone. She didn’t know if he meant it or not, but if she were Eddie, she wouldn’t take the chance. Up until now, Doc had seemed friendly and easy going. Q was pretty sure he normally was, but after being tortured to get at her, he was probably more than a little short-tempered. Or maybe this was a facet of the real Doc—Q just hadn’t met him until now.
Eddie swallowed, belligerence warring with uncertainty. “I heard you’re doing research on using soothing stones as some sort of fold clock and that you have a bunch of the stones. And you’ve got other valuables here too, with some sort of special connection with the Travelers, who also have lots of soothing stones. And they’re hoarding the stones all for themselves.” The words just spilled out of him.
“Blast and rad,” Doc muttered. “I didn’t realize it had gotten this bad this fast.”
Watson said, “I’m relaying all this to Porter and Ruth.”
Ruth said in Q’s ear, “We need those weapons a fold ago. Porter is sending warnings to Aljanah, the Travelers she can message, and Gov Human. This could get ugly.”
“Yep,” Q muttered. She turned away slightly. “Watson, message Hal and Lightwave too. We need to warn the Sa’sa.”
“An excellent idea,” Watson replied. “I’ll take care of those messages immediately.”
Doc said, “Porter, work with the Guardians and Gov Human to make sure they can keep us and the Travelers who might come back here safe. I’m contacting my family’s public relations firm, see if they can either work with us or recommend someone else, so we can get some counter-information programs going. I’ll need to go back to the Time Guild with this because universe-wide public messaging to all species is expensive.”
“I haven’t heard of any other species involvement,” Eddie said.
“Do you have contacts with other species?” Doc asked.
“Well, no.”
“I know some Grus,” Q told him. “Let me message them, see if they’ve heard anything.”
“You trust them?”
“They owe me a favor.”
Doc nodded. “Excellent. They won’t betray you then.”
“I’m not telling them anything about me, just asking if they’d heard about our ship and the research. I might even make it look like some sort of random survey. Although, I don’t know if they’ll answer then.” Q bit her lip.
“I’ll help you make it an anonymous message, Q,” Los offered.
“Thanks.”
“Of course.”
Doc said, “Los, take your cousin back to your family’s quarters, then join us on the Observation Deck. You’ll get a guide on your e-torc when you leave family quarters. For now, we’ll be confining your family to this level and the areas set aside for schooling and play. There’s a small kitchen area with food as part of your section. Q can show you where the big 3D printers are, so they can print toys and desks. And school materials. Eventually, they’ll get access to the rest of the public areas, but right now, we need to concentrate on improving our security and defenses, rather than worrying about how a kid got inside Engineering.”
“Understood and agreed,” Los said. “See you shortly, Doc. And thanks again. I owe you a lot. It was getting really dangerous for all of us.”
Doc huffed. “You’ll be working too hard to worry soon. See you shortly.” He glared at Eddie. “I’d better not see you.”
Q said, “Me neither.” She followed Doc to the float tube and returned to the new, interior Command and Control, glancing back at Fast Eddie as Los escorted him away. Fast Eddie was trouble, she knew it—and so did everyone else.