“Possible,” Veda responded. Cyra scowled at her. Veda shrugged. “Varik didn’t use Cifer’s name. He could be lying or confused.”
“I don’t know anyone named Varik Pectoral.”
“Pectori.” Cyra glared at Cifer. “How would he know we have anyone on board?”
“I filed our docking request with Cassan a couple cycles ago.” Bodi’s wings fluttered. “It requires me to list the number of sentient and non-sentient beings on board.”
Standard procedure. Blaize had filed those requests herself when she’d owned her own ship. When Varik had been her partner. She shuddered.
“He can’t really fire on us. All bluster.” Rhysa returned her focus to her screen.
“Are you sure?” Cifer asked. Bodi rattled off the details of the class of ship Varik flew. An image of the ship threatening them appeared on screen. Cifer shifted closer to the display. “That’s not right.”
“What?” Blaize asked.
“There was a ship on Kolben. And I paid for passage off the planet. They didn’t ask any questions, but I didn’t meet the captain. It left without me. It’s the right size, but look at the name. He changed it.” Cifer closed his eyes. “The Harlan Johnson. The identification number is different too, I’ll bet. Stolen?”
“I wouldn’t put anything past Varik. He still believes he should own The Treasure.” Cyra moved behind Bodi, staring at the screen. “Is it possible he changed the identification chip too?”
“Easily,” Cifer answered.
Blaize crossed her arms. She was torn between admiration and distrust. Cifer’s knowledge of the possibilities for stealing an entire ship gave her a bit of concern. But his confidence, his calm in a potentially deadly situation, soothed her.
“If he left without you and you paid him, maybe he really is trying to get you back on board.” Blaize didn’t believe Varik would have any qualms about taking Cifer’s credits and leaving him, but something didn’t make sense. “He hasn’t asked for you by name. Did you give him your name? Why would he be so committed to getting you on board? Where did you contract him to take you?”
Cifer’s gaze never left her and he didn’t interrupt, letting her finish. After she hadn’t spoken for a moment, he replied, “I never met with the captain of the ship I contracted. And I paid to go to Cassan. We’re nearly there. He wouldn’t care to find me. Has no reason to.”
Dez pointed at the ship on the screen. “More likely he thinks we have the person he tasked with blowing up The Treasure. Varik might be trying to keep the male from testifying against him if we file charges.”
“If I were leading this negotiation,” Cifer said to Cyra, “I would remind them if they harm the ship, the person they’re looking for would be harmed too.”
Dez moved behind Cyra. “But they aren’t a threat.”
“And if he went to the effort to change the identification, it’s possible he retrofitted offensive weapons. We have to act as if his threat is credible.”
Cifer had a point. Blaize squinted at the image, searching for signs of any modifications.
“Send the message,” Cyra told Bodi.
Bodi keyed in Cifer’s words. “We’re nearly close enough to Cassan to be picked up by their sensors. They should detect the fake ID chip or at least send security since they’re threatening us.”
“Keep him engaged.” Cifer pointed at the screen. “I’m not sure the authorities will see the ship as a threat, depending on what, if any, weapons they have. You could alert them, but as close as he is, he’d likely pick up the transmission as well.”
“New message,” Bodi announced. “He says we’ve kidnapped his crew member, and he’s going to file charges on Cassan against Cyra Maejzur and Blaize Dreheer and everyone else on the ship conspiring in the crime.”
“Ask him if this is the same crew member who tried to blow up my ship.” Cyra’s gills were moving fast enough to flutter her hair.
Scant moments passed.
“He responded that false allegations won’t protect you from charges. He’s demanding proof of life. A current image.” Bodi turned to Cifer.
“Technically, we could…fake an image.” He laughed. “But that would only make him more aggressive. We should try to defuse the situation or escape it.”
Blaize stared at Cifer. How could he find any humor in the situation?
“Are you okay?” Cifer moved behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Blaize swallowed the story about how she’d once trusted Varik that threatened to burst from her lips. There wasn’t time. “We wouldn’t be in this position if you hadn’t snuck on board.”
