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Authors: Jamie McFarlane
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frigate, Sterra’s Gift and even the Adela Chen ," I added.
"So, let me get this straight. You’ve made most of your money by plundering pirates. Doesn’t that make for enemies?"
"No doubt it does, although it’s not like these guys are friendly towards anyone. So far, we haven’t been targeted and we certainly aren’t looking for trouble. It’s just that trouble seems to find us and we have a hard time turning our backs on it," I said. That felt like the understatement of the century.
"So what does your next run look like?"
"We have an outpost in Indian space. It’s one we took from the Red Houzi. We’re going to work our way out there, dismantle it and bring it back to Mars. We’ll stop by Colony 40 on the way back, which is where Liam and I come from," Nick answered. "Liam is lining up cargo deliveries along the way."
"Unmanned base? Why haven’t they taken it back?" Jake asked.
"The base is heavily defended and they know we pulled two cutters worth of cargo out. Our experience with pirates is that they understand value, probably more than most. They’re happy to take big risks as long as the reward is even bigger. The equipment they’d need to take down the base would likely destroy it, leaving them with nothing for their efforts. That’s my best guess," Nick answered.
Jake nodded thoughtfully. "Why me? I’ve got no experience trading… or fighting pirates for that matter."
"We’re dismantling the base and going to need help with the weapon systems. Your expertise would be valuable. We also always seem to be refitting ships. A real engineer would be a good addition," Nick answered.
"Not to be too mercenary, but what’s my cut?"
"Two things. First you’d get an officer’s share of each trip you participate in. Second, you get standard officer salary. This particular trip should be a good one. We consider the loot at the base to be at significant risk. Whatever goods are recovered will be included in your share with only fuel, O2 and food discounted. The recovered structures wouldn't be included. They’re considered assets of the corporation since they’re currently protecting the goods," Nick said.
"How about crew allowance for cargo? What if I want to do some of my own trading?" Jake asked.
It was the first time I’d ever seen Nick stumped, although it didn’t last long.
"Sure. We don’t currently have an allowance for that, but that’s mainly because I hadn’t thought of it yet. Off the cuff I’d say that I’m okay with it. There would be two classes. First is cargo loaded last minute, after we’ve finalized our load. I’d be good with one-hundred fifty percent fuel cost. Second would be regularly scheduled cargo. We’ll give you five cubic meters and up to five hundred kilograms. In both cases, we’ll assume no risk and require a bill of lading."
That was the Nick I knew - ready with a detailed answer in the space of a heartbeat.
"I’m in." Jake held his hand out across the table to Nick. They shook.
PACKING UP
I eagerly awaited Tabby’s arrival at the shipyard. The fitters had finished up with the pilot’s chairs and I couldn’t have been happier. They were just as nice as what Ada had on the Adela Chen . I would have liked another twenty thousand to spend on interior upgrades, but everything we’d done so far was high quality, if a bit sparse.
I was seated at the desk in the captain’s quarters working on scheduling our trip when I heard the now familiar chime of the airlock.
Show airlock , I requested. Tabby waved at the camera.
I ran out and hopped onto the grav-lift Nick had thoughtfully installed. His argument at the time had been safety. He didn’t want a hole in the floor of the bridge that people could fall through. I knew him well enough to know he’d put it in for me. I wasn’t sure what my problem with ladders was - I didn’t have trouble with most other activities - but ladders caused me no end of troubles.
"I hope you didn’t mind me
"So, let me get this straight. You’ve made most of your money by plundering pirates. Doesn’t that make for enemies?"
"No doubt it does, although it’s not like these guys are friendly towards anyone. So far, we haven’t been targeted and we certainly aren’t looking for trouble. It’s just that trouble seems to find us and we have a hard time turning our backs on it," I said. That felt like the understatement of the century.
"So what does your next run look like?"
"We have an outpost in Indian space. It’s one we took from the Red Houzi. We’re going to work our way out there, dismantle it and bring it back to Mars. We’ll stop by Colony 40 on the way back, which is where Liam and I come from," Nick answered. "Liam is lining up cargo deliveries along the way."
"Unmanned base? Why haven’t they taken it back?" Jake asked.
"The base is heavily defended and they know we pulled two cutters worth of cargo out. Our experience with pirates is that they understand value, probably more than most. They’re happy to take big risks as long as the reward is even bigger. The equipment they’d need to take down the base would likely destroy it, leaving them with nothing for their efforts. That’s my best guess," Nick answered.
Jake nodded thoughtfully. "Why me? I’ve got no experience trading… or fighting pirates for that matter."
"We’re dismantling the base and going to need help with the weapon systems. Your expertise would be valuable. We also always seem to be refitting ships. A real engineer would be a good addition," Nick answered.
"Not to be too mercenary, but what’s my cut?"
"Two things. First you’d get an officer’s share of each trip you participate in. Second, you get standard officer salary. This particular trip should be a good one. We consider the loot at the base to be at significant risk. Whatever goods are recovered will be included in your share with only fuel, O2 and food discounted. The recovered structures wouldn't be included. They’re considered assets of the corporation since they’re currently protecting the goods," Nick said.
"How about crew allowance for cargo? What if I want to do some of my own trading?" Jake asked.
It was the first time I’d ever seen Nick stumped, although it didn’t last long.
"Sure. We don’t currently have an allowance for that, but that’s mainly because I hadn’t thought of it yet. Off the cuff I’d say that I’m okay with it. There would be two classes. First is cargo loaded last minute, after we’ve finalized our load. I’d be good with one-hundred fifty percent fuel cost. Second would be regularly scheduled cargo. We’ll give you five cubic meters and up to five hundred kilograms. In both cases, we’ll assume no risk and require a bill of lading."
That was the Nick I knew - ready with a detailed answer in the space of a heartbeat.
"I’m in." Jake held his hand out across the table to Nick. They shook.
PACKING UP
I eagerly awaited Tabby’s arrival at the shipyard. The fitters had finished up with the pilot’s chairs and I couldn’t have been happier. They were just as nice as what Ada had on the Adela Chen . I would have liked another twenty thousand to spend on interior upgrades, but everything we’d done so far was high quality, if a bit sparse.
I was seated at the desk in the captain’s quarters working on scheduling our trip when I heard the now familiar chime of the airlock.
Show airlock , I requested. Tabby waved at the camera.
I ran out and hopped onto the grav-lift Nick had thoughtfully installed. His argument at the time had been safety. He didn’t want a hole in the floor of the bridge that people could fall through. I knew him well enough to know he’d put it in for me. I wasn’t sure what my problem with ladders was - I didn’t have trouble with most other activities - but ladders caused me no end of troubles.
"I hope you didn’t mind me
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