Chapter 9: Pirates

I didn’t have to wait long. Laine and the captain arrived in the engineering section.

I opened my visor as they approached me.

“Thank you so much!” said the captain. He hurried over to the environmental control panel and checked the readings.

Laine was staring at me.

“That was my longest time outside,” I said.

Laine hugged me. “I was so worried,” she whispered.

“Let’s hope I don’t have to do that again,” I replied.

I turned around to face the captain.

“How is the air pressure?” I asked.

“It is stable. That patch should hold until we arrive in Quard. Now I have to get the engines started,” he replied.

The captain wandered further in, leaving us at the entrance.

“I’m not familiar with the engines or I would offer to help,” I said.

“You’ve done plenty,” she said.

She had those annoying goo-goo eyes. If only I knew how I could avoid it.

I retrieved the Lagaid weapon from the deck.

“Here, this might be useful. Be careful not to shoot the outer hull,” I said. I gave her the weapon.

“They will need to remove the bodies and store them somewhere,” said Laine.

“I guess I can help,” I replied.

I dragged the body of the crew member past the emergency bulkhead. Then I fetched the Lagaid.

“He told me there were two crew in the engineering section,” said Laine.

“I’ll go look for the other one,” I replied.

I wandered back into the engineering section. The body of the other crew member wasn’t far from the captain.

“He made a mess of things here. It will take me a while,” said the captain when he saw me approaching.

“I’m removing the bodies,” I said as I picked up the corpse.

“Thank you. That was my chief engineer,” he replied.

I returned to the entrance carrying the chief engineer and laid him next to his crewmate.

“Brian, I have removed an explosive vest from the dead Lagaid,” said Laine.

“Thank you, Laine,” I said. I felt tired, so I sat down in the corridor with my back against the wall.

“Brian?” asked Laine.

“What? I’m just tired. I can wait here while you find that useful server. Tell them the captain is working on the engines and we could use help to store these dead bodies,” I said.

She looked at me, reluctant to leave.

“I’m fine. Please go fetch help,” I said.

Laine put the weapon within my reach on the floor and left.

Two days later, Jem visited the garden. She’d hardly left the main bridge for days, but suddenly she felt an urge to go somewhere.

“Hello, Mina,” said Jem.

Mina looked up from her work to greet her visitor.

“Hello. This is a pleasant surprise!” replied Mina.

Mina stood and brushed dirt off her jumpsuit as Jem approached.

“I hadn’t seen you recently, so I thought I’d pay you a visit,” said Jem.

“I had a lot of planting to organize. The growth medium Ship created is potent stuff. At first I’d plant extra seeds in case some didn’t germinate. But they all germinated and grew at a faster rate,” replied Mina.

“So it kept you busy? You’ve made even more progress,” said Jem.

“Yes, I’ve planted almost half of the garden. Soon it won’t be planting, but pruning as plants mature,” replied Mina.

“You could ask Ship to alter a maintenance bot to create an assistant gardener for you,” offered Jem.

“I might do that. Thank you for the idea,” replied Mina.

“When you are on away missions, your assistant can take care of the garden,” said Jem.

Mina nodded.

“Ship, please configure a maintenance bot to create an assistant gardener for Mina. Consult with her on the tasks it will perform,” said Jem.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

Jem walked over to the seating area and looked at the plaque.

“This was his favourite seat?” asked Jem.

“When I saw him in here, that was where I’d always find him,” replied Mina.

Jem stood there, taking in everything.

“That’s the best spot. He chose the best spot to sit and meditate, even before you finished the garden,” said Jem.

Mina grinned. If it wasn’t already, she was making sure it was the best spot.

“Mina, after we visit Ori Major. I think we should visit Quard. I need to tell the ambassador about his daughter,” said Jem.

Mina paused.

“Yes, we should go there next. It’s the right thing to do,” she said.

“I don’t know how they pay respect to their departed on Quard. I shall research the topic before we arrive,” said Jem.

“Let me know what you discover,” said Mina.

“How about dinner this evening?” asked Jem. “Maybe Quard recipes?”

“Sure, that would be nice,” replied Mina.

“See you in the main dining lounge in about two hours then,” said Jem.

“I’ll be there,” replied Mina.

Jem turned and left the garden.

I awoke to find Laine looking down at me.

“Brian, wake up,” said Laine.

“Ugh, what happened?” I groaned.

“You fell asleep while I went to get help,” she replied.

“Did you get help?” I asked.

“Yes. They took the bodies away, plus the explosive vest,” she said.

“Help me stand up,” I said.

Laine pulled and with her help I got to my feet.

I turned towards the engineering section. The captain was walking towards us.

“I’ve restored the engines. Let’s return to the bridge and get this vessel underway,” he said.

We followed the captain to the elevator, and along a corridor until we reached the bridge. Several crew members waited there.

“Helm, get us back on course,” barked the captain.

“Yes, Sir!” replied the helmsman.

The passenger transport accelerated. After a few minutes, the hyper space engines cut in, and we winked out of normal space.

The captain turned to me.

“You look exhausted. Everyone aboard owes you a life-debt. We will talk after you recover,” said the captain. He said something in Quard to Laine which I didn’t understand.

Laine took my arm.

“Come on, I need to help you get out of your space suit,” she said.

I didn’t argue. We returned to the elevator and down to our level. Soon we arrived in our cabin.

I put the weapon down on a table, and she helped me get out of my space suit.

Before I knew it, I was in bed and Laine pulled the covers over me. Shortly after, I was back in dreamland.

The Lagaid vessel dropped out of hyperspace somewhere between Ori space and Quard.

“Where are they?” he bellowed.

“These are the coordinates we received. They should be around here somewhere,” replied the Lagaid helmsman.

“Scan the area, maximum range,” barked the captain.

“No sign of the passenger transport, Sir!” replied another crew member.

“Our operatives didn’t stop the vessel on schedule. Perhaps they were delayed,” said the captain. He slumped into his seat.

All the bridge crew waited for the captain. He had a lousy temper, and they didn’t want to become a target.

“Prepare a course to take us to Quard. We might find them further ahead,” he said.

“Yes, Sir!” replied the helmsman.

He entered course information, but his colleague interrupted him.

“I’m picking up debris directly ahead, Sir!” he said.

“Helm, take us closer. Is it the debris from a passenger transport?” he asked, hopefully.

The Lagaid vessel closed in on the debris, just a little further ahead.

“No, Sir! It is too small to be debris from a vessel,” he replied.

“Put it up on the display, magnify!” yelled the captain.

A moment later, they saw the corpses of two Lagaid operatives and the remains of two explosive vests floating in deep space.

The captain slammed his fist down on the armrest of his chair. Several bridge crew cowered in response.

“They failed!” yelled the captain. “Helm, take us back to Lagaid.”

“Should we retrieve the bodies of our operatives?” said one of the cowering crew.

“No. They cost us a chance at revenge! I should have you join them for asking. Helm, why aren’t we moving?” he yelled.

The bridge crew scrambled to comply.

“Someone will pay for this...” he muttered.

After a journey lasting about fourteen days, Ship arrived at the border to Ori space. Ship activated the transponder code that identified them as allies. Both Jem and Mina sat on the sofa in the main bridge.

“Sensors show an Ori patrol vessel has detected our presence and is changing course to intercept.” Said Ship.

Soon they got an incoming hail. “Baglogi vessel, welcome back to Ori space.”

“Thank you for the welcome. We seek passage to Ori Major,” replied Jem.

“Baglogi vessel, it will be our honour to escort you to Ori Major. Please follow us.”

“Thank you. We will follow you,” said Jem. The Ori patrol vessel turned toward Ori Major and Ship followed them.

Jem turned to Mina.

“Last time we visited Ori Major, we brought back Koluna’s body,” said Jem.

“And now we return to drink to the memory of Brian and Laine,” added Mina.

“I know it’s your home planet, but I associate Ori Major with unhappy events,” said Jem.

“In Ori custom, as you honour the departed, you keep them alive in your heart. We give their lives meaning,” said Mina.

Jem nodded.

“Do you have your speech ready?” asked Jem.

“I’m still struggling with it,” replied Mina.