“Did what you learn help?” Asked Ashley.
Captain Valance nodded slowly. “For the first time in years I have a place to start. There's something else. Today I met a nafalli who gave me a lead to my old life. There's only one problem; they're in opposite directions.” He shook his head and continued to look through the manifest, finally finding the nafalli who he had been helping. They didn't keep many details; approximate age, size, weight, but at the bottom he found what they had been earmarked for.
He said it aloud; “General purpose test subject for research and development.”
“Sorry sir?” Stephanie asked.
He scrolled down through several different profiles, some in stasis tubes, some in the non-human section of the cargo train. “They're all slated to be test subjects. Some for specific initiatives and others for general purpose. That's what Regent Galactic would be doing with them if we made this delivery.”
“Thank God we found them,” Ashley said.
Jake switched to the navigation file and started checking the logs. “Sorry Ash, you're forgetting. We were the bad guys. It's our job to deliver these people back to the labs. So none of you have to ask, I'm not going to make that delivery. I'd rather pay all your shares than see that happen. I'm sick of being the ultimate bearer of bad news.”
“So am I, I'll pass on my share,” Stephanie said quietly.
Captain Valance looked at her. She looked back at him with a weary, relieved smile. “I'm going back to the cargo train, I have to make sure things stay together until we get help from Search and Rescue,” he said quietly as he started to stand.
“Captain, you look like you're about to fall down,” Stephanie said quietly.
“That's what stims are for. Besides, I can't lay down while everyone else is working their asses off for a cause I chose.”
“I'm right behind you sir.”
Return To Thadd
When the Samson emerged from hyperspace they were greeted by half the system defence fleet. At the head of the various carriers, destroyers and smaller vessels were five Search and Rescue cruisers fitted for everything from vessel rescue to planetary evacuation. Two of them had reported from neighbouring systems.
The hand off was professional and quick. One craft docked with the Samson briefly to drop off several specialists, including a pilot, engineers and combat medics. The engineers got to work at inspecting the connection between the Samson and the cargo train to ensure it was ready to detach and reattach directly to one of the rescue vessels. The medics headed straight to the back while the pilot headed for the bridge.
The commanding officer walked straight into the rear cargo container and announced that everyone should relax and sit down while they attached the cargo train to a rescue ship. She ordered the Samson's crew members out of the container and when they were back in the Samson's hold, Ashley and Silver were guided through detaching from the cargo train properly and carefully. They didn't need the help, but after so many hours on the bridge it was good to have someone making sure everything went by the numbers.
Within ten minutes the Samson was clear and the primary rescue vessel, nearly two kilometres long on its own, had docked with the cargo train. Dozens of medics, engineers and rescue technicians were at work, carefully evacuating the occupants as soon as it was safe.
As the shuttle that dropped off the first group of rescue officers was loading up and getting ready to detach from the Samson, the commanding officer stepped onto the bridge and saluted Captain Valance. “Major Patricia Del'Marr of Thadd Search and Rescue.”
“Captain Jake Valance of the Samson. How is it going over there?”
“No further losses, though we're tracking five dead for every person we were able to rescue. You were just in time.”
“I'm glad we got to it at all. I'll have a report for your branch of the military in a few hours. I'm still gathering data.”
“Thank you Captain but I'd like to invite you and your crew to rest for at least ten hours before debriefing. You've all done the impossible with the number of people you had. Our medics were impressed with the quality of care you managed to provide.”
“Thank you Major, who do I report to when we're rested up?”
“You'll be contacted. Until then, please have your navigation team release the helm. We'll have you dock with the TRF Peter.”
“Consider it done.”
“Goodbye Captain, and good work,” the Major congratulated with a smile before leaving the bridge.
After the shuttle detached the Samson was guided to the TRF Peter and docked there. Captain Valance leaned back in his chair, sighing in relief.
“A good day Captain.” Ramirez said from behind. He and Price were both standing there, filthy, tired but pleased with themselves.
He turned his chair to face them. “I couldn't be more proud of everyone who lent a hand. We saved thousands of lives today. Speaking of which, did Oomal and Loori get in touch with their children?”
“Their eldest daughter, she's on a trade expedition about four days away. She's on her way to pick up her parents. They wanted me to thank you for them.” Ramirez said with a grin. “Several others are going to hitch a ride back home with her.”
“That's something. It's time we got some rack time. If we're light on crew in a few hours don't panic. I knew we'd lose some people when I decided to take us in the right direction.”
“I know we're losing Frost, he woke up and wasn't too impressed. He and Burke were already on their way off the ship to catch a transport when I was on my way to the bridge. Burke wouldn't even look at me when I asked what was going on.”
“Well, that's trouble out our airlock. I had words with Burke, he didn't like what I had to say.”
“Sir, I'd just like you to know that I'll be staying on board. I've never seen a mercenary ship that would give up a large payday in favour of helping others,” Price said. He was still in his native form and the fibres extending down from his cheek bones to the bottom of his small jaw waggled as he spoke. The fine, soft appearance of them combined with his dark green eyes were eerily appealing.
“Thank you Agameg, I'm looking to make a habit of it. I'll be more careful in picking and choosing our jobs. I'm done with doing everything and anything we're assigned. I've already transferred the pay everyone would have gotten it if we had completed this job, but from here on out this is a salary ship. There may be bonuses but everyone will be getting a regular payday.”
“I can live with that,” Ramirez said.
“Sounds good to me, as long as I'm your rudder girl,” Ashley announced as she stood up and leaned against the seat she had been in for over ten hours.
“I don't think there's anyone on this bridge who would walk, it's some of the maintenance and boarding crew that'll leave,” Cynthia said.
“I'm staying. Just need a few winks,” Finn yawned.
“Good idea,” Captain Valance agreed. “Everyone get eight hours rest, then we'll head down to the planet. I'll probably be in debriefing but that doesn't mean everyone else won't get some leave time.”
“A night's sleep then at least a few hours on the beach. Sounds like heaven,” Ashley said as she lead the pack off the bridge.
No Good Deed…
Wake alarms started going off seven hours after everyone had gone to their bunks for some well deserved rest. Ashley's wrist computer buzzed and she slapped it off the very next second. She was already awake, sitting in a crimson kimono, watching Lawrence Silver pack.
“I'm sorry, the high times on this ship are over. I didn't sign on to be a wage slave. I came aboard because Captain Valance had a reputation for getting work and snagging big paydays.”