Dez and Cyra were the last ones to join the meeting. Dez ignored his tea and remained standing.
“There’s been a security incident on the ship. We have an unauthorized passenger currently being held in the cargo hold.”
“What? How is this possible?” Bodi’s voice was shrill and her face pale. Her hands trembled slightly, and her wings twitched as she reached for her tea.
“There was a window where we were awaiting the fuel delivery and cargo loads, and everyone was otherwise occupied. The loading bay was left unattended. I was assured by the dock master when we landed that the ship would be guarded at all times, but I think we know that wasn’t the case.” Dez’s voice remained calm but tight.
Not even close. Blaize crossed her arms and curled in on herself. She should have been more vigilant.
Cyra gave his hand a quick squeeze before letting him go again.
“We can’t fix the breach, but we need to decide what action we are taking with him.”
“Him? Is he cute?” Rhysa bounced a little in her seat.
Blaize glared at Rhysa to no effect.
“He’s very kind.” Veda sat down finally. “He saved Blaize’s life.”
“What? Your life was threatened?” Bodi snapped her attention to Blaize.
“There was a loose light in the engine room. Must have come loose during the jump, and it gave way, but he kept it from crashing into me.”
Bodi shuddered but said nothing.
“How do you know it was the jump? Couldn’t he have sabotaged the light?” Rhysa asked.
“Why would you assume that?” Veda’s eyebrows were pinched.
“I’m not assuming anything. He could be an assassin for all we know.”
“An assassin?” Bodi gasped. Her wings buzzed. Definitely not the party girl Blaize knew.
“He’s not an assassin.” Veda’s voice was louder than Blaize had ever heard it. She had to explain.
“In addition to the light fixture being so high it would require a hoist to get to it, it would be difficult to predict where I would be in the engine room when the light fixture failed. If he’s an assassin, he sucks. Besides, I think he’s trying to steal a ride, not kill anyone. He’s been on the ship for cycles, and there’ve been no problems.” Other than him watching her as she did her job. Did he watch her at other times? The hair on her arms raised. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s an escaped miner, but I mean, who wouldn’t want to get away from that place? He says he’s working a contract for another planet.”
“Blaize has a very good point,” Dez spoke over her words as they continued to spew out of her mouth. “It is unlikely that he is on the ship to intentionally harm anyone. Otherwise, why prevent the accident?” Dez’s focus was on Bodi.
“But he’s still a stowaway.” Bodi turned the teacup in her hands.
“He is. And we are well within our rights to eject him. Honestly, it was my gut response.” Dez’s voice was gentle but firm, and his yellow eyes traveled over each of them. “As the crew, and Cyra’s partners, it is appropriate for you each to have a say in what happens to him.”
“The extra weight on the ship will impact my fuel calculations, and he will need to be fed.” Blaize offered up the facts as calmly as possible. “Will that hurt our food reserves?” The vote needed to consider all the variables, not just the fact that Cifer’s voice made her want to melt.
“Valid points.” Rhysa tapped her lip with her forefinger.
“Are we so tight on fuel that the added hundred kilos will create a problem?” Cyra asked.
“No.” Heat burned Blaize’s cheeks. “But it’s not free.”
“As for food, my queen—er, the captain—worries I don’t eat enough.” Blaize thought Dez’s slip was cute but held back her grin. “I believe we have sufficient stores should he prove to be ravenous.” It was obvious he wanted to be professional, but hell, with the way the ship had to be boosted to make it out of atmosphere, everyone was on intimate terms with Cyra—at least as a voyeur.
“Has he told you why he’s on the ship?” Rhysa asked.
Usually, it made Blaize a little nuts the way the navigation officer questioned authority. But the decision to kill someone shouldn’t be taken lightly, no matter how big a rule they broke.
“He has not explained his presence, but he did offer to pay for his transportation.” Dez’s voice gave no indication of how he would decide the issue.
