Chapter 6: Outpost

About an hour after sunrise, we saw a shuttle approaching from the west. It circled before landing on level ground nearby.

On the same frequency as earlier, we heard a call.

“Attention, please enter via the port airlock,” said the voice.

The shuttle cut its engines, and we approached the port side airlock.

The outer door was already open, so we stepped inside the airlock.

Soon after the outer door closed, and the atmosphere cycled, the inner door opened.

We stepped inside, and a male Ori greeted us. He wore a dirty orange jumpsuit. It had been a while since I’d been in Ori Major. They were notably taller than humans.

“Welcome! You can open your visors. The air is breathable,” he said.

I opened my visor and took a breath. Laine watched me for a moment, then opened hers.

“Thank you. My name is Brian, and her name is Laine,” I said in Ori.

“My name is Nefi. Please take a seat and strap on the restraint. I’ll get us off this rock,” he said.

We took our seats and strapped on the restraint, which was a belt to keep you in your seat during turbulence. The shuttle looked well worn. Laine clenched my hand. I looked at her and smiled.

Soon, the shuttle took off, and we were ascending into orbit. Laine took out a sample container with water in and handed it to me.

“We haven’t had a drink for hours,” she said.

I drank about half the container and passed it back to her. She finished the water and put away the empty container.

It took about half an hour to reach orbit. The shuttle then steered away from the planet and towards the asteroid belt.

Nefi came back soon after we broke orbit.

“I set the autopilot to return us to the mining outpost. How are you two doing?” asked Nefi.

“We are doing much better now that you rescued us,” replied Laine. She had her infectious smile on her face.

“You both speak fluent Ori, but you aren’t Ori. Where are you from?” he asked.

“I was born on Tian Prime, but I have Ori citizenship. Laine is from Quard,” I replied.

“You look familiar,” he said.

“We were on Ori Major a while back, perhaps you saw me on a news video,” I said.

“Perhaps I did. I will have to check that when I return,” he said.

“We fought Lagaid pirates that were preying on Ori freighters,” said Laine.

“I remember something about that, now you mention it. Pirates are bad for business. Anyone against pirates is a friend of mine,” he said with a grin.

“We are seriously against pirates,” I said.

The rest of the trip went by without him asking how we ended up on an uninhabited rock.

Jem and Mina returned and changed back into their regular jumpsuits. Then they took the elevator to the main bridge.

Mina fetched two coffees from the food dispenser and they sat together on the sofa.

“We were lucky to catch those androids in time. They would have taken over this vessel if we didn’t stop them,” said Jem.

“They terrified me. It was the worst experience I’ve had,” said Mina.

“I feel stupid for authorizing Ship to bring them aboard for study. I risked everything,” said Jem.

“We didn’t know. They looked inert,” said Mina.

“Ship, don’t bring androids aboard for study. The risk is too great,” said Jem.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

“And fix the mess they made in the cargo bay. Monitor for any unusual activity. Inform us sooner,” said Jem.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

“What can we learn from this experience?” asked Mina.

“Don’t bring androids aboard, duh!” replied Jem.

“Can we improve internal security to catch it sooner?” asked Mina.

“Yes, I agree. Ship, please design a better internal security. Add more sensors, shields and weapons. Start with the cargo bay level,” said Jem.

“Confirmed. During reconstruction, the cargo bay level will be closed to all crew,” replied Ship.

“Do we need to drop out of hyperspace for reconstruction?” asked Jem.

“Negative, Commodore,” replied Ship.

“Ship, please inform me when I can get access to the garden and my lab. I’d like to look after the plants,” said Mina.

“Confirmed, Lieutenant,” replied Ship.

“I just had a horrid thought. If those androids were on the orbital station, they could have killed Brian and Laine,” said Mina.

“You’re right. With the numbers of androids aboard the orbital station, it would have been a massacre,” said Jem.

“I’m glad the station blew up, so those androids can’t hurt anyone else,” said Mina.

“I just wish we hadn’t lost Brian and Laine in the explosion,” added Jem.

Mina turned to Jem. “I suppose you will return to the lido?” she asked.

“No, I don’t think so. I’ve had enough of the lido. I will hang out here for a bit,” replied Jem. Mina turned to study Jem’s face.

“I could hardly get you to leave the lido, and now you’ve had enough?” asked Mina.

“I guess it has lost its appeal. Besides, I nearly lost this vessel. I have to focus on our survival rather than relaxing on a fake beach,” replied Jem.

“Since I can’t tend to my plants, would you mind if I stay here too? I don’t want to be alone,” asked Mina.

“I’d be glad of your company too. Thank you, Mina,” said Jem.

They sat and talked and watched the tactical display.

Shortly before arrival at the mining outpost, Nefi returned to the shuttle controls. Soon after, we felt the slight jolt as the shuttle docked with the mining outpost.

Nefi returned to us. “We have arrived. Please follow me,” he said.

We all stepped into the airlock and waited while it cycled. The door opened, and we stepped out into an open space. Ahead of us was a window that overlooked several nearby asteroids.

“This is the Banart mining outpost in the Phoosie system. We mine various ores and sell them to the Ori Confederation. Let me show you to your quarters,” said Nefi.

He guided us through a door and along a corridor until we reached a cabin.

“I only have one spare cabin. You need to double up in there. You should find everything you need. I’ll come and fetch you when dinner is ready, in about four hours,” he said.

“Thank you, Nefi. This will be just fine,” said Laine with her smile. He smiled back.

We stepped inside the cabin, and the door closed behind us.

I looked around the room. There was an en-suite, a bed, and little else.

“Our amazing plan is working,” I said.

“It isn’t a tropical beach with blue skies, but it’s a step closer to civilization. Please help me get out of my suit,” said Laine.

I helped Laine, then she helped me with mine. I stowed our suits, which was a challenge in a small cabin. We took turns to visit the en-suite and clean up the sweat from wearing a space suit for an extended period.

“He said we have about four hours until dinner. I suggest we rest until then,” I said.

“I agree. We need rest, plus he didn’t give us leave to go wandering around his outpost. I don’t want to abuse his hospitality,” replied Laine.

The bed was rather narrow, but we made do.

I was soon asleep.

I woke up confused. There was a door chime ringing. Then I remembered where I was. I sat up on the bed.

“Laine?” I called.

“Huh?” she replied.

“Time to get up,” I said.

I searched for the control panel and turned up the lights.

“We’ll be there in a moment!” I called out towards the door. I didn’t know if he heard me.

Laine was getting up by now. We still had our jumpsuits on, so I pressed the button to open the door. Nefi was standing outside in the corridor.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. We were resting,” I said.

Our host merely smiled and nodded.

We stepped out into the corridor.

“Please follow me to the mess hall,” said Nefi.

We walked along the corridor, through another door and along another corridor until we reached the mess hall. It had a single table and three chairs set out.

Nefi waved us to take a seat.

“Aren’t there more crew?” asked Laine.

“I’m all the crew. Most of the outpost runs by itself. I’m here for when things need fixing,” replied Nefi.

Laine nodded.

“A freighter visits every few days to bring supplies and take ores. The next one is due tomorrow. I will arrange passage for you,” he said.

Nefi fetched plates loaded with food and placed them in front of us.

“Thank you!” said Laine.

He got a third plate and sat with us.

“Enjoy! Your company is unexpected but I won’t be a poor host,” he said with a smile.

The food wasn’t bad. I’d not eaten for a day, and it was most welcome.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” I said.

“While you were asleep, I dug through the news videos from Ori Major. I found this,” he said.

He pressed a button on a remote, and a wall-mounted display came to life. It was a video of the speech I gave on Ori Major about the pirates.

“That’s me,” I said.

“You paid respect to the Ori who died. You’re a legend back home,” he said.

“I didn’t intend to become a legend. I started out my career on an Ori freighter. Pirates killed the crew and destroyed the freighter. I survived in an escape pod. Since then I am seriously against pirates,” I said.

“I don’t know how you ended up on Phoosie three. I don’t care. Tomorrow I’ll get you on the freighter and back to Ori Major,” he said firmly.