“I’ll be informing the authorities that Auvi Thenal has died.”
“You mean the captain?”
“I’m the captain, now. I will inform them of the death so that his assets can be transferred as he instructed. I think it would be best if you remain on the ship since you’ve been so ill.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“No?” He jerked his gaze from his food to her.
“I have some things to take care of. I’ll be off the ship for several hours.”
Varik sputtered, his face purpled with rage. Why was he so angry? If anything she expected him to kick her off as soon as they docked. His hatred of her wasn’t a secret.
“Captain Varik, she respectfully declined your request.” Doc’s voice was calm and controlled. “At this time you are the interim captain. Once you become the official Captain, you can, of course, set any rules you want for your crew. I suspect you will need to re-contract the existing crew as their contracts technically expired when Captain Thenal died.”
Varik glanced around. The nearby crew watched the show. He tugged his uniform and picked up his fork. “Right, of course. If you feel that Cyra is able to travel off the ship with no ill effects to her health, then, by all means, she should go.”
The meal continued in uneasy silence. Right before everyone rose to leave, Varik spoke. “Doc? Is it still your intention to retire after we land at Cassan?” He tried to sound casual. “I just ask so that I know how many contracts I need to have drafted.”
“This is my last trip onThe Treasure. I’ll miss the ship and the crew, but I’ll enjoy spending my remaining time relaxing in paradise. But please let me know if I can be of assistance before we arrive.”
“A status report on our living cargo. I need to know that my—ourinvestment is healthy and this detour, necessary as it is, won’t impact the quality of our goods.”
“Yes, captain.” Doc rose and waited politely for Cyra and Veda to rise and leave, following them closely.
Cyra glanced back and caught the calculating scowl on Varik’s face before he smoothed it and turned away. A cold chill shifted up her neck, leaving her with a headache and a gut full of worry.
Chapter5
Cyra paced in her quarters.Doc’s plan required too much waiting and too little certainty, but she didn’t have a better one. Finally, the Cassan station master cleared the ship to dock. Cassan was a huge manmade station—a city without a planet. The docks were cavernous, multi-tiered structures with the ability to store spaceships stacked and packed like protein bars in a box. Hangers opened and encapsulated the spacecrafts, creating airtight seals around each one. Decontamination units automatically deployed. The ships and crews were cleared of radiation and foreign bodies before access was granted to the rest of the station.The Treasure’shazardous, live cargo caused the approval to take longer than usual.
As soon as they entered the hangar—freed from the protective bubble—Doc arrived at Cyra’s quarters and escorted her to the lower-level loading dock.
Varik, dressed in a pristine flight suit, practically vibrated as stared at the dock’s door as if he could open it by will alone..
Cyra hung back, partially hidden by Doc. A beep sounded twice, and the loading bay ramp lock clicked, releasing the wide metal panel to lower—the inside of their sealed hangar slowly revealed through the gap. Gray metal panels as big as a quarter of the ship, welded together, formed the giant cell of the bay. Beings in white hazmat suits waited to guide them to the decon units.
Varik took the first steps down the ramp before it had settled on the floor. He spoke over his shoulder to the gathered crew members. “I expect you to be here in two hours when I return, at which time we will complete the new contracts.”
None of the crew members made eye contact or even nodded in acknowledgement to her or Doc on their way down the ramp. Their avoidance didn’t bode well.
Doc called out to Varik. “I believe you will need me to record the death and its cause as the captain’s physician.”
“What?” Varik whipped around midway down the ramp.
“You’ll need me to sign off on the cause of death and certify there was no external influence.” Doc slowly descended toward Varik.
Varik grunted. “Come with me.”
“Cyra, you should come with us as well.” Doc held out his hand toward her.
“Why would you thinksheneeds to be there?” Varik asked. His narrowed burned into her.
“They may want another witness. Cyra was closest to him, spent time with him prior to his passing.” Doc’s voice was level and a bit condescending.
“Whatever. I don’t have time to argue. Those spiders have to get delivered on time or I’ll lose a fortune.”
“I’ve asked Veda to stay on board. Keep an eye on all the cargo.” Doc held Cyra by the elbow, guiding her down the rough ramp.
