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“So, you think it could be a bomb?” Noah asked as he worked the crowbar into the sides of the crate they had retrieved from space.
“It is not a bomb.” Vlasa said matter-of-factly, “I have already performed x-ray scans and checked for traces of explosive compounds.”
“Sure. But you could be wrong.”
“I am never wrong.”
“Never? Wow. I hope I get to be there when your ego deflates after being proven how wrong you are.” Noah said with a smile. Then it fade as he considered. “Unless that is right now. I really hope right now isn’t the time you are wrong.”
With a final flick of the crowbar, Noah popped the side of the crate off. A loud clang echoed through the cargo bay when it hit the deck. Packing foam spilled out everywhere, prompting him to groan.
“Uh, I hate cleaning this crap up.”
Vlasa bent down to inspect the contents of the crate. He pushed several more piles of the foam on the deck, “The surest path to happiness is to love what you excel at. If you strive for that, when you are done cleaning all of this up, you will have achieved nirvana.”
Noah frowned for a second, but then started chuckling, “Did you just give me a compliment while attempting to insult me?”
Looking up, Vlasa cocked his head, “I do not see how you could come to that conclusion.”
“You just implied I’m a bad ass when it comes to cleaning. And it must have been intentional seeing as how you never make mistakes.”
Leaving Vlasa sitting there looking confused, Noah went to the locker and got out the vacuum. Turning back to survey the mess still spilling out onto the deck, he reconsidered his plan. If instead of trying to clean it, he moved everything else out of the cargo bay, he could just blow the bay doors. Then everything left in here would be vented out into space. And space was a vacuum so he would, technically, be vacuuming.
While Noah considered which route would require less effort, he watched Vlasa resume his work. The pile of packing foam continued to grow. Every handful made the idea more and more appealing. Lost in thought, he failed to notice Javi slithering up behind him.
“I think it’s time we finished our conversation from earlier.” The Slu said.
“Oh, which one?” Noah asked without turning around.
“You know what I’m referring too,” Javi said forcefully.
Turning to look directly into the eyestalks of the Slu, Noah shook his head, “No, I really don’t.”
“After we encountered that first LFD ship. Neither of us was interested in discussing what happened over there. Now I’ve come clean about my dealings with LFD. And I’ve realized why you were as concerned.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Those same banners we saw on the ship were hanging in Gerald’s chamber. He must be part of LFD.” Javi said.
“Maybe. I haven’t had anything to do with him for a long time.” Noah snapped defensively.
“No, obviously not. You didn’t recognize the LFD banner that hung beside it. But you did work for him at some point.”
“Worked for is a nebulous description.”
Javi sighed, “You don’t need to be so coy. I don’t care what you did for this slaver. But others might. Serene is certainly making every effort to play up your association with them.”
“I’m sure she is. Wants everyone to associate the two of us and either get the crew to turn against me, or get some good will thrown her way.”
“This does not surprise you?”
“Nah, I would expect no less from her.”
“And you’re not concerned?”
Noah shrugged, “Why should I be? I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“You’re not ashamed of being associated with slavers?”
“It is what it is.”
Javi lowered his eyestalks and studied Noah more intently, “You are a curious human.”
“Nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, mate.”
The pair settled back into silence for a few minutes, watching Vlasa continue to study the items coming out of the crate. The engineer appeared oblivious to them and quite thrilled with his task. He’d never known anyone who loved gadgets and gizmos more.
A high pitch alert suddenly sounded from everyone’s handhelds. The warning tone was quickly followed by a stern voice, “Crew of the transport ship Seraph, this is the PUG patrol ship Diligence. You are ordered to cut your engines and prepare to be boarded. Any attempt to resist will be met with deadly force.”
Noah shared a look with Javi and Vlasa before bringing up the ship’s sensor display on the cargo bays computer. He saw nothing for several seconds. Then slowly the approaching PUG ship started to come into view as Seraph started to rotate.
“Everyone get to your battle stations,” Ariana ordered over the shipside comm network.
“This is a good thing. We’ve been trying to reach PUG HQ. A ship is just as good. Right?” Vlasa asked.
“Not when they start out by ordering us to heave too. That’s usually followed by being arrested.” Noah said with clear confidence.