Adrift (Dawson's Star Book 1)

by J. P. Larson

 

 

 

  Alex smiled.

  Celebration

  “We’re docked, Captain,” Linda announced. “Shutting down.”

  “Nice job, Linda.”

  Alex got on his comm. “Status, Gina?”

  “We’re at the airlock. We’re all visibly armed. We know our jobs, Alex. Don’t hover.”

  “Yes, Gina. Thank you.”

  Pamela was speaking. “Security, are you paying any attention at all?”

  “Sorry, Captain. Gina, Jimbo and Sue are waiting to secure the dock.”

  “Finance, have you sold our cargo yet?”

  “That’s next, Captain, right after securing the ship. It’s a commissioned run, so it’ll be easy enough.”

  “At your soonest, Alex. The sooner we dump the cargo, the sooner I can give leave. You, Gina and Jimbo will have the duty. It was nice of you three to volunteer earlier.”

  “Aye-aye, Captain. Gina and I will take the ship, and Jimbo will watch the captain.”

  Pamela eyed him suspiciously.

 

  Pamela turned away and started arranging for fuel and supplies. Alex got on his comm.

  “Gilbert. Quietly spread the word. Anyone on leave carries a few toys, and absolutely no drinking. We’re on duty. Watch the captain. Jimbo will be obvious, the rest of you play it subtle.”

  “Sure thing, Alex.”

  Alex got off, then started selling the cargo. It didn’t take long.

  “Cargo sold, Captain,” he announced. “Buyers will send to pick up. Credit is already in ship’s accounts pending release at pickup.”

  “Any problems, Alex?”

  “Of course not. I sold the extras, too.”

  “What extras?”

  “Two bottles of Dawson’s Star wine, Captain. I didn’t get a lot for them, but we made a profit on them.”

  Pamela looked at him strangely. “From my bags, Captain. Gina has the little tradition covered, and I have a party to finance.”

  “You financed the party on two bottles of wine.”

  “They’re very good bottles, Captain. Yes, I believe I financed the party with them. If not, I have additional funds available, but I need to get to a bank to retrieve them. I’ll need to do that, anyway. I owe your mother a little money.”

  “All right, people, let’s get ready to unload.”

  * * *

  Alex was on the boards. Gina was on the station deck, hiding in the shadows. “Someone coming, Gina,” Alex told her.

  “I’ve got them.” Alex watched the screens. A spacer walked by with his date. He had been drinking. She hadn’t. They passed Gina, didn’t even glance at the Ghost, and kept moving.

  “A fool and his money,” Gina said quietly.

  “You sure you don’t want to switch places?”

  “Captain said they would all be back in a couple more hours, Alex. I’m fine.”

  “Sorry about this, Gina.”

  “Someone had to watch the ship. It’s not fair you have to pay for a party you don’t even get to enjoy, though.”

  “I don’t mind. Well, not much. I hope she’ll let me ask Dad for a security detail at Random Walk, though. I’d like to see my parents. It’s been months.”

  The conversation drifted away for a few minutes as both of them thought about home.

  “I hear people coming, Alex,” Gina said. “No visual.”

  “I’ve got them. You’ve got a few bulkheads in the way. They’re heading to the ship at the next dock.”

  “This is exciting, Alex. Do you think I could shoot the next one, just for some fun?”

  “I was thinking of calling station security and tell them we saw a few hooded figures leaving that ship next door.”

  And so it went.

  “Voices, Alex.”

  “I have visual. Familiar faces, but make sure, Gina.”

  “I’ve got them. I can see Jimbo.”

  “Right, and there’s my lovely wife, wondering why the ramp is up and no one in sight. What, she wanted us to leave the ship open with just the two of us watching?”

  “You want I should say ‘boo’?”

  “Look around, Gina. I don’t see any other surprises, do you?”

  “No, Captain. And I recognize all the faces. Looks like we’re short a couple.”

  “Any reason I can’t open up?”

  “I think she’s about to start pounding on the door.”

  Alex keyed some buttons, and the ship’s ramp descended. Then he opened the airlock. Pamela stormed up the ramp, followed most of the rest of the crew. Jimbo stayed at the bottom of the ramp.

  “Anyone notice your position, Gina?”

  “Most of our people. I don’t think anyone else did.”

  “They better not be that sloppy, Gina. They’re supposed to be spacers.”

  Pamela stepped onto the bridge.

  “Welcome back, Captain,” Alex said brightly. “Was it a nice party?”

  “You left Gina alone on the docks?”

  “Gina, absolutely everyone noticed you.”

  “I’m getting sloppy, Alex.”

  He looked at Pamela. “She says she’s getting sloppy if you noticed her.”

  “I had to look. I knew you wouldn’t leave the ship unguarded, so someone had to be around somewhere.”

  “Gina, she says your mind is a bright beacon of light in a sea of darkness.”

  “I’ll bet she did.”

  “Alex, is this your standard security?”

  “Yes, Captain, it is. Gina and I got a good look at everyone who wandered by, and I got some amazing pictures. You want to see all the faces? I didn’t recognize anyone, but you might. No one seemed particularly interested in us, if you’re wondering.”

  “Secure the ship, Alex. Get Gina in here and put someone on your boards. Get some sleep.”

  “I count two missing crew members, Captain.”

  “Linda and Mary have friends here. They’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “Right. Gina, come to bed. Grab Jimbo. We’ll lock up and put someone on the boards. Get me some volunteers, would you? Two-hour shifts?”

  “Got it, Alex.”

  “Alex, this isn’t how I run security.”

  “Pamela, do you know anyone more paranoid than I am? Do you think I would be sloppy?”

  “No, Alex, I just want to understand.”

  “Eyes can be fooled. Monitors can be fooled. It’s really hard to fool both. I like the way I ran this.”

  “What kind of cargo do you expect to find tomorrow?”

  “There are some very nice artists here, Pamela. They make these interesting pieces of furniture. I’ve never been able to carry them, but I’ve always wanted to try. And Random Walk is always short on certain kinds of foods they produce here. I think we can get some intellectual property of some sort or other, and maybe a commission.”

  Gilbert walked onto the bridge. “Commander? Gina sent me to watch the boards.”

  “You’re awake, Gilbert?”

  “Yes, sir. No drinking, as you asked. Wide awake.”

  Pamela looked between the two of them. “I find this very educational, Alex. I think you’re going to end up taking the duty a few more times before I get all your secrets out of you.”

  “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, Captain.”

 

 

  “Anthony, are you
armed?” she asked him.

  “Of course, Captain.”

  “Heavily armed, Anthony?”

  “Not really. Just a couple of things.”

  “Go to bed, Alex.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  She smiled.

  * * *

  Alex finished his calls. “Captain, would you care to join me for a bit of shopping?”

  “Anything special, Alex?”

  “Just a few luxury items. I know where to find some nice things, but I don’t want to pay top dollar.”

  Alex got on the comm. “Jimbo, escort duty. Meet us at the airlock. Grab Sue, too.” He turned to Pamela. “Let’s go find my little chair.”

  * * *

  Pamela was laughing as she pushed Alex up the ramp and back into the ship. “Did you see his face when you told him exactly what he had paid for that shipment? I can’t believe the profit he was trying to make.”

  “Pamela, get a new finance officer after this run.”

  She stopped pushing and stared down at him. “What?”

  “I don’t know how to find the sort of cargo this ship can take. A few pieces of furniture, some art, some intellectual property, and the mail?”

  “We’ll make money, Alex.”

  “The ship can make more. I’m great at making money for a small ship, but I’m totally at a loss for the Ghost. Borrow Kari or something.”

  “Run by what we have so far.” Alex recited the manifest. “So we’re about twenty percent full with lightweight, high margin items?” Alex nodded. “Expected profits to cover our costs, including salaries.”

  “Only because we don’t have payments on the ship, Pamela. If we had to make payments, we would be losing our shirts.”

  “We’ll make a profit with holds twenty percent full. Kari can’t do that.”

  “Kari can fill the holds. I can’t.”

  “You just don’t know how. Come with me.” She looked over her shoulder to Jimbo. “Stay handy. You too, Sue. We’ll be going out again.”

  Pamela pushed Alex to her cabin. She hit the intercom. “Who’s on communications?”

  “No one, Captain,” came Janice’s voice. “I’ll take it. What do you need?”

  “I want a station directory available in my cabin, plus an open line to make some calls.”

  “Oh. Already set up. Anthony took care of it earlier. He said it’s SOP.” Standard Operating Procedure.

  “Thank you, Janice.” Pamela turned to her computer, started hitting some numbers. “Watch over my shoulder, Alex. I’m going to move fast, and I assume you’ll ask questions when you need to.”

  Pamela found the numbers she wanted and moved them to a dialing queue. She told the computer to start trying to reach the selected people. The computer tried the top number, but reached a machine. The second reached a person, and a person came on the screen.

  “Hello, Frankie. Pamela Grey of the Grey Ghost.”

  “Grey Ghost? I’m impressed, Ms. Grey. Or shall I say Captain Grey?”

  “Thank you, Frankie. Look, how’s your warehouse? We’re heading to Random Walk.”

  “One moment,” he said. Pamela and Alex watched the man on the screen lean forward and type at an off-screen computer. “Hmm. Interesting.” He looked at them. “I’ve got a few things.”

  “It’s my first run, Frankie. I don’t have deep pockets, and I can’t afford to make any mistakes on this run.”

  “Captain, you know I never try to cheat Jane’s Gift. I’ll steer you straight.”

  “I’ve got a few more phone calls to make, but we’ll stop by. Will you be around in about an hour?"

  “That would be very nice. I’ll put on some tea.” He clicked off.

  The computer automatically started trying more numbers, reaching the fifth name on the list.

  “Ms. Grey! How good to see you. I didn’t know the Gift was in. Filling in for Ms. Waters?”

  “It’s Captain Grey now, Mr. Wilson. Grey Ghost.”

  “Congratulations! I always like when I gain a new trading partner. What can I do for you?”

  “We’re going to Random Walk. Got anything tasty they might like?”

  “Maybe a few crates, if the price is right.”

  “You tell me, Mr. Wilson. Will my price be right?”

  He paused. “I do believe so.”

  “We’ll stop by in, say, half an hour?”

  “I look forward to it. But, don’t you have anything for me?”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Wilson. It’s my first run, and we’re still shaking out the bugs. We’ll keep you updated with our schedule, and you can let us know the sorts of things we can get for you. How does that sound?”

  “That would be lovely, Captain. See you shortly.”

  Pamela canceled the other calls. “That should do it, Alex. We won’t make the same kind of margins you’re getting, but profit is profit. Shall we go? You can buy me something nice on the boardwalk.”

  “What do you need me for, Pamela?” he asked as she pushed him out of her cabin.

  She laughed. “You made our costs, Alex. I just filled the space you left behind. And the holds aren’t full yet. We still have to decide what will sell, and we’re going to your home next. I should think you would know more about it than I do.” She paused. “You always deal with small art dealers, that sort of person, don’t you?” Alex nodded. “Well, you talk to the warehouses, you buy in bulk. Like I said, smaller margins, but it fills the holds with things we can sell.”

  * * *

  “Status, Janice?” Pamela said as she and Alex walked onto the bridge after their shopping trip. Alex’s wheelchair was safely back in his cabin, but he was using the cane and headed straight for a chair. Pamela noticed, but said nothing.

  “Everyone is aboard, except Kevin. He’s out in the bay, doing security.”

  “I saw him. Have all the shipments arrived?”

  “Unless you bought something in the past fifteen minutes. I hope not. We’re full. We also have full tanks and galley is overflowing.”

  “Do a roll call, Janice. Let’s make sure we’re all here.”

  Janice got on the intercom and told people to report in, then started reading off names. “Everyone except Kevin, Captain.”

  “Alex, get him in and let’s lock up.” Then she looked over in his direction. “Sorry, Gina. I see you have the boards. Lock us up, Gina. Janice, we’ll do another roll call after the doors are locked up.”

  She looked around. “Why isn’t the bridge fully manned?”

  “I sent everyone to the holds to batten them down. They should be done shortly.”

  “Alex, can you run communications for a few minutes?” Alex nodded and crossed slowly to the proper place. Pamela watched him. “As soon as we have a back up here, Alex, you are off duty.” He just nodded again as he sat down. “Alex, get us a clearance.”

  Alex looked at the controls in front of him before touching anything.

  “Problem, Alex?”

  “Board is unfamiliar, Captain. Just making sure I know where the switches all are. I’m fine, Pamela. Anthony will already have a line set up for departure clearance, and I just want to make sure I don’t mess things up for him.” Alex reviewed the computer for a minute, then punched some buttons.

  “StarInc Station Clearance, Grey Ghost at seventeen, looking for departure clearance.”

  “Ghost, we have a slot in seven minutes. Next opportunity in thirty-two minutes. Lots of slots an hour or more out.”

  Alex looked at Pamela, who looked at Janice. “Take the hour, Captain. Let’s make sure everything is stowed properly.” Pamela nodded at Alex.

  “Clearance, Ghost would like the first slot an hour or more from now.”

  “You have a slot in sixty-four minutes, Ghost. Contact control five minutes before departure.”

  “Six-four minutes, Clearance. Contact control in five-nine minutes. Grey Ghost.”

  “Have a good tr
ip, Ghost.”

  Pamela looked at him. “Alex, I don’t like my bridge crew to fumble at a board when I ask them to use it. I expect it with the junior officers, but not with you.”

  “I know the procedures, Captain.”

  “I know you do, Alex. But I want you to be able to sit at any chair on the bridge and do the required job. Janice can. I can. The navigators know helm and communications.”

  “I can handle the navigation board, Pamela. And helm, of course, it has standard controls.”

  “That only leaves you three more chairs to learn then, Alex. At your discretion and as time permits with the rest of the officers, I want you to start learning those positions.”

  Alex smiled. “Of course, Captain. Do I start with yours?”

  Pamela returned the smile. “You show me competence in every other position on my bridge, Alex, and you can sit in my chair.” Then she looked at Gina. “That goes for you, too.”

  Gina looked surprised. “Captain?”

  “You are a naval captain, aren’t you, Gina?”

  “Captain, I have no bridge experience beyond security.”

  “You’re a captain with no bridge experience?”

  “Which means I’m out of career opportunities, Captain. I’ve gotten about as far as I’m likely to. This gig is where I start deciding if I like the private sector or try to find the experience opportunities I really need.”

  “Janice, please find out what other shortcomings there are in my bridge crew. Then implement a training plan.”

  “It will be my pleasure, Captain.” She gave Alex a satisfied smile.

  “For that matter, include the entire crew. These are all good, smart people. Let’s make sure they have opportunities to learn. For instance, I think we should get Alicia on the bridge from time to time. I don’t want her tied to maintenance by never performing other duties.”

  Anthony showed up on the bridge. “Any other duties, Janice?”

  “Are you up to communications for our departure? We have a slot.”

  “Certainly, Janice.” He looked at Alex.

  “Alex will be leaving as soon as he can find the energy to get out of that chair.”

  Pamela got up and walked over to her husband. “Hungry, Alex?” He nodded. “Come on. I’ll put you to bed and see if I can’t find something for you.”

  “Pamela, I need to be on security during departure. From hyper and for several hours afterwards.”