by Jon Gerrard
* * *
I paused to let what I just told them sink in. I had finished briefing the department chiefs on what we had learned from Captain Saha. We were all crowded into the small conference area at the back of the bridge. The only sound was the various electronic humming noises from the different consoles.
“I think we need to help the captain get his report back to his superiors as soon as possible,” I said.
“Absolutely!” Bobby said. “If that bastard, Sebastian, is behind this I want to help him get what’s coming to him!”
“That will be up to the courts,” I said. “All we can do is help Captain Saha get back safely to make his report.”
“We’re with you, Captain,” Chris said to a general murmuring of agreement and head nodding.
“You understand that’s going to mean taking the Prometheus into Gilead space.” I watched the understanding register on their faces as they realized the extent of the danger we would be exposing ourselves to. “In fact, the best chance Saha has of completing his mission is for us to get him to Haven itself so he can make contact with the officer who sent him. Since we don’t know the full extent of the corruption we can’t risk someone intercepting him before he has a chance to deliver his report.”
A few of them began exchanging nervous glances.
“Excuse me, Cordass,” Lucky said, “but given our status as convicts and all, not to mention this ship we’re flying, do you really think that’s a smart idea?”
“As a matter of fact, no. But I believe it’s necessary.”
“If you really think that’s what we have to do then we’re behind you, Cordass,” Bobby said. One by one each of the others nodded their assent as well. “Should I set course for the Argo system?”
“Thank you, but not yet. First I need each of you to talk to the people in your departments. All of them. I will not take anyone with us who does not want to take the risk. If I’m not mistaken our course should take us past the Rana star cluster. Anyone who does not want to make the trip will be put ashore there until we return. On the table in front of each of you are flatpads with the rosters of everyone in your sections. I’d like you to speak to each of them personally and find out what they want to do. Anyone who chooses to stay behind should be packed and ready to leave in thirty six hours.”