Two days into FTL, Wil has the computer assemble the crew in the lounge again. When he arrives, everyone is already there, waiting.
“Okay, right,” Wil says. “We’re all here. I have to say, this is the first time since I got the Ghost that it’s been more than just me for more than a few days. It’s kinda nice, so, you know, don’t screw that up.” He looks right at Bennie, who affects a stricken look on his large-eyed face.
“What? What did I do?” Bennie screeches, then dodges a pillow launched by Zephyr.
“Settle down, you animals!” Wil raises his voice. “And Bennie, whatever you are, you’re part plant right?”
“Because I’m green!? You racist prick!” Bennie plops down into his chair, glaring at Wil, then Zephyr and Maxim, and back to Wil again.
“Kidding! Calm down. You’re so sensitive.” Wil smiles at the two Palorians, then winks at Bennie. “Look, we need talk about the job I accepted.”
Zephyr and Maxim look at each other. “What job?” They say, simultaneously.
Then they look at Bennie, who just shrugs. “I was with you two on Fury, remember? How would I know?”
“It’s the job I took while you two were shopping,” Wil says. “Before getting chased by your former colleagues. The job we’ll need to do to get the ship’s accounts back to a point that doesn’t make me lose sleep, and that lets us get ramped up with what we need, now that it’s not just me.”
“Ok, so what’s the job?” Zephyr is leaning forward, hands clasped, interested.
“A snatch-and-grab from one of our employer’s rivals. There’s a small station in the Barsoom sector, mostly a depot for folks to store things, away from the prying eyes of the authorities.”
“What authorities?” Maxim asks.
“All of them,” Wil answers, dryly. “Apparently most of the major crime bosses and syndicates rent space on the station. Only they know where it is, or how to get aboard.”
“What’re we stealing?” Bennie seems interested. “Valuable? Tech?”
“No idea. I try to ask as few questions as I can where Xarrix is concerned. Here’s what I know: the station is in the Barsoom sector, sitting out in open space. From what I’m told there’s a central reception area, well guarded by a private security firm, that answers to none of the clients. Whatever it is that Xarrix wants, it’s being kept on the station, in a section one of his competitors owns.” A hologram begins hovering over the coffee table, and then rotates and zooms in. Wil continues: “Xarrix gave me a transponder ID that, once we’re in the hold, should help ID the crate we want. But first we’ll need to get to the right hold. Apparently, there’ll be trace isotopes we can scan for, but only in close—and I mean like at each door close—proximity. We’ll have to go door-to-door to find the right one, before breaking into it.”
Wil looks at Bennie. “That’s where you come in. I thought I’d have to hire a hacker when I took the gig, but thanks to a lucky turn of events, you’re here.” He smiles at the surly Brailack.
“I can do that.”
“You don’t even know what’s involved,” Zephyr says, looking over at Bennie.
“Doesn’t matter, I’m that good.” The little hacker leans back in the chair, crossing his arms behind his head.
Wil smiles. “That leaves the three of us. We’re the muscle. I can get us into the central reception area, but from there, Bennie will have to hack in and lead the way. If possible, I’d rather this be more a burglary than a fight. If it turns into a fight, we’re screwed.”
Zephyr and Maxim look at each other, then at Wil. It is Zephyr who speaks up. “Well, I doubt you were worried, but we’re in.”
“I wasn’t, since it wasn’t optional. Okay then, step one: we case the joint.” Wil zooms in further on the hologram. “This map is as accurate as any that exists, I’m told. Technically none actually exist. This was pieced together from various visits.” He points to a lower portion. “This is the docking section—the station can handle four ships at once, but according to Xarrix, the protocol is only to allow one ship at a time to dock.”
Maxim points to something. “Looks like only one lift connects the two sections. That’s a dangerous choke point.”
Wil nods. “Agreed. Hopefully, if needed, Bennie can hijack the lift controls.” At this, Bennie nods.
The view moves up to the reception and vault area. It’s a large circle, two levels tall. In the center is what looks like a control console, marked as ‘security.’ The lower level has eleven vault doors; the second tier has twelve, equally spaced around the perimeter. The two levels are connected by a staircase.
The team spends the next three tocks looking over the plans, talking through ideas. Then a beep comes from Wil’s wrist comm. “We’re getting close. Let’s go see our prey.” He stands and heads toward the bridge, and the others follow.