Omega Force 7: Redemption by Joshua Dalzelle

chance of pulling through. I'll know more after a few hours and he's had a chance to stabilized."
    "I'll take first watch with him," Jason said. "Lucky, you go get yourself cleaned up. Doc, grab some rest and chow ... you'll need to be at your best in the coming few days, I think."
    It was some time after the other two left when he heard Crusher stir next to him. As he watched he was amazed as the warrior’s eyes simply popped open, fully alert, albeit confused. He looked around the cargo bay for a few moments before fixing Jason with an intense stare.
    "I'm out," he said simply. "No more. I don't want any more." Jason sat back in his chair and tried to ponder what he had meant as Crusher fell back into a deep sleep.

Chapter 6
     
    "After Crusher left we tried to keep it together for a bit longer, but it was never really the same," Jason said. "Kage was the first to leave afterward and then Doc decided he wanted to return to doing research in a lab. Twingo, Lucky and I ended up out here shuffling light cargo until eventually it was just Lucky and I running a few hard-won contracts."
    "This ship you spoke of, the Phoenix ... that cannot be the same ship I snuck onto," Kalette said.
    "Actually—"
    "Good morning," Lucky said before he could answer. "I apologize for not informing you that Kalette requested to stay here last night, Jason."
    "No problem," Jason said. "We were just having a talk."
    "Oh?" Lucky asked, his interest obviously piqued. "Might I ask what about?"
    "Just telling her some war stories about the old crew," Jason shrugged. "Something to pass the time."
    "I see," Lucky said. "We have received a message from the Defiant . Doc is on his way back down to speak with Kalette."
    "He is the 'Doc' you spoke of from your old crew?" she asked. When Jason nodded, she continued, "Why does he now work with Crisstof? Does he have no loyalty for Crusher?"
    "He does," Jason said uncomfortably. "But it's a bit more complicated than all that. Doc is an idealist before anything else and he'd lived the sheltered life of an academic before we were all tossed in together. If there's a chance to accomplish something good, like helping people affected by a plague, he'll swallow his pride and do whatever it takes to get it done."
    She seemed to consider this for a moment. "I suppose that has a sort of dignity all its own," she said.
    "Well said," Lucky said. "I am going to the market for breakfast. I will return before Doc arrives." He turned and left before Jason could put in a special request or Kalette could make any dietary requirements known.
    "Is he always so imperious?" she asked Jason.
    "You have no idea," Jason groused. "He continually claims I'm in charge of this operation, but I've never been bossed around so much in my life. He does enjoy getting out among the locals, though. That wasn't always the case."
    "Don't they find it odd that a metal being comes into their market center to buy food?" she asked.
    "They're used to it by now," Jason said. "The locals aren't overly sophisticated and I'm beginning to suspect some have started worshiping him as a shiny, well-spoken god."
    "You jest!" she said with a bright laugh that Jason found adorable. Where the hell did that come from?
    "Mostly," he said with a smile, the expression actually feeling odd on his face after wearing a permanent scowl for so long. "There's only a single bathroom in this place. If you'd like to go get cleaned up first I'll see where Lucky put your clothes."
    "Thank you, Jason Burke," she said, rising from the chair. "I will not be long."
    Jason just shook his head as she walked into the house. He had a bad feeling his life was going to be seriously disrupted by the girl. It wasn’t that he was particularly fond of his existence as it was currently, but at least it was familiar.
    ****
    "No Crisstof this time?" Jason said by way of greeting as Doc walked in the front door.
    "He felt his presence was an uncomfortable disruption," Doc said as he and Jason