“We'll be ready.” He turned to one of Agameg's security team, a tall brown haired woman holding a heavy pulse rifle. “Escort the Minister to the brig. Make sure you search him thoroughly. Don't leave him with anything. No devices, no jewellery, and not a stitch of clothing. ”
“Yes sir,” she guided the Minister to the rear of the bridge, smiling at him.
“Go watch. Stay out of striking distance and keep your weapon trained on him.” Captain Valance instructed another female security team member.
When Minister Lorne and the two guards had left the bridge Captain Valance sighed and looked at Agameg, who smiled uneasily.
“A day that will live in memory,” said the issyrian. The fine, thread thin tendrils beside his mouth puffed outward for a moment. The only parts of his face that didn't look strange to anyone outside of his race were his lips and his eyes. The lips were thin, but much like a humans. His eyes were completely different, however. They were wide, deep or bright green depending on his mood and much larger, but their expressiveness was always easy to read. When he looked nervous they were almost completely O shaped. When he was concentrating they formed into wide slits, and when he was nervously trying to comfort someone it was somewhere in between, just like the expression he was making in that moment. The bright green tint of them told the Captain that Agameg was unsure, nervous. When the thin issyrian was relaxed the colour normally darkened, but they could also be a deep shade of green when he was tired.
“Have a seat.” Captain Valance said, gesturing to his left.
Stephanie looked up from the small control panel and holographic projector built into her chair and smiled at Agameg for a moment before it drew her attention once more. “Are all these applicants Cynthia?” she asked.
“They are. We're up to about eight hundred now including the military. Should I filter them or just send them to you?”
“I'm filtering them here. The variety of applicants we're getting is amazing. Some of them are from the starliner, others are from the escape shuttles. There are even specialists and highly educated people here.”
“Good, work with Cynthia to choose people for each department. We'll need everyone from technicians to reserve pilots.”
“Oh, if you find any washed out pilots or gamers, send 'em my way. They're crap in the cockpit, but gold in a gunnery turret.” Frost added from the security station. “And track someone down to help me here, security and tactical is a wee bit much.”
Captain Valance and Price moved to stand at the same time. “I can try sir. These systems look interesting and I've already worked with them a little,” Agameg said.
“Go ahead,” Jake invited. “How is that docked transport doing?” he asked the helm.
“They're still locked onto us.” Ashley reported.
“According to my readings they still have full life support. It looks like they're just clinging on for safety,” said the fellow at navigation.
“Or they're out of food and water. What's your name, by the way?”
“Larry Nevil. I was brought on as navigator when Wheeler got his deal from Regent Galactic. Before that I was navigator aboard the Cestrio. It was a long range customs pursuit ship that was damaged in an Aucharian attack.”
“He's one of the good guys sir,” Ashley said, smiling at him.
“Good to have you aboard. Sticking around?” Asked Captain Valance.
“Aye sir, if you'll have me. Living aboard this ship is better than living on a customs frigate or even a diplomatic cruiser. Even if it doesn't pay as well. Get a few shops and restore the botanical gallery and we'll have a real town square.”
“What's a botanical gallery?” Ashley asked with interest.
“On this ship it's a big space that used to have all kinds of plants and animals from Earth. There were paths going between them and a few different levels. I started working on it in my spare time using some of the seeds in storage. I didn't make much of a mark though, just the center part alone is huge.”
“After we get the ship repaired we'll have people work on it on a voluntary basis. It would be good for morale.” Captain Valance put in as he started looking at a security screen. “Is this right, Frost?”
“What's that sir?”
“It looks like a lot of emergency shuttles are powering up.”
“That's right sir. Hangar two is the busiest place on the ship.”
The Changing Of The Guard
Lawrence held on to his mother's hand as he watched the first of the shuttles depart. He was mesmerized by the sight of the little ships powering their engines up and lifting off from the deck. Following the directions of the Aucharian soldiers who waved their arms up, to their sides, down and all around. He tugged at the collar of the child sized vacsuit Liam had brought them while they were in the racks. The man didn't stay long, just for a minute, but he liked the older fellow, seeing him made him feel safe. His mother wore one of the vacsuits as well. “When are we going Mom?” he asked.
“We'll be on one of the last ones. Your dad is waiting for us on the Darian. ”
“Is that his ship?”
She knelt down and looked at him face to face. “No, it's a ship that helped him when he escaped from his space station.”
“Is Liam going there?”
“No, he has to stay here.”
“Why?”
“Well, there are a lot of other families who need his help. The people on this ship need him too because no one knows how it works better than him.”
“This is a ship?” Lawrence said, his eyes wide.
“Yes, it's one big ship.”
“The whole thing?” he asked in disbelief, thinking of how long it took them to get from the smelly, messy bunk rooms all the way down to the hangar deck even using the fast express car.
“This whole thing.” Shelly said with a smile. “And they're going to go help people just like us.”
“And they need Liam?”
“Yes they do.”
“Should we stay and help? Maybe dad could come too?”
“No, we need to go visit your Gran again. She misses us and wants to see all of us this time, even your dad.”
“Oh, can we come back and visit Liam?”
Shelly laughed a little and stroked her son's cheek. “You like him, don't you?”
He nodded.
“Maybe some day, but not for a very long time. He's going to be very busy and very far away for a few years. I'm sure you can send him a message when we get to Gran's though. He might like that.”
“Okay.”
An Aucharian soldier walked over to them and smiled. “We can load you on the next one. We're loading it with everyone going to the Darian. ” s he said, holding her rifle across her armoured chest.
“Thank you,” Shelly replied, standing up. “Let's go Lawrence.” She took his hand again.
They walked across the hangar around other groups on their way to board shuttles made for four, six, eight and twelve. As they drew nearer it became clear they were being loaded onto one of the larger military boarding shuttles. “I thought these would be reserved for your people,” Shelly said to the soldier as she picked Lawrence up in her arms. He was getting a good look at the big dark grey ship.
“Most of us are staying. After seeing what Captain Valance can do with a converted cargo hauler and what's left of Enreega, we want to see what kind of fight he can put us in with the Triton. ”
“Good luck. I hope things work out,” Shelly said as she moved up the line.
“I have a good feeling about this ma'am, you'll hear about us again,” she replied with a smile. “You take good care of your son and tell Tanner that Junior Lieutenant Eccleston says hello.”
“You know my husband?”
“He was my commanding officer during my tour aboard station four. I wish he was coming with us but with you two around, I can see why he's moving on.”
“I'll tell him. Take care of yourself.”
“I will.”