Wrath of the Void Strider by Erik Harlow Page A

“Actually, you don’t enlist with a starship, you get assigned to one, but that’s great news.  I can’t tell you how grateful we are.”  She was visibly relieved.  “Here, I’ve got the Merchant Star Navy enlistment forms already pre-filled out for all three of you.”  She rotated a trio of brightly lit sheets of paper to face them correctly.  “Since we’re trying to keep you guys under the radar, Captain’s planning to pay you all in cash credits.  Regardless, you should still fill these out so your rank and pay grade can be transferred to another starship, in case this ever blows over.  I put a transmission lock on them, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally submitting them to Fleet.”
    Gavin studied the document.  “Thanks.”
    Taryn and Takeo collected their respective forms.
    “At the top, you’ll find the details of your rank and pay grade, as well as the pay schedule and company holidays.  You’re covered under Privateers Healthcare.”  She scrolled along the surface of Gavin’s contract until she found the section she was looking for.  “The details are here.  Everyone starts out with 10 vacation days, 2 personal days and 5 sick days, prorated annually.  Captain pays out unused personal time at the end of every galactic calendar year.”  Quickly, she swiped through several subsections.  “If you should ever decide to leave, these are the details on severance and how to transfer your Merchant Star Navy progress.”
    Takeo chuckled dryly and set down Zerki’s keys.  “I doubt that will ever be a realistic option.”
    Valerie’s cheer faded noticeably.  “Sorry, guys.  I know this is a pretty big adjustment, especially considering the circumstances.”  She squeezed Gavin’s hands.  “Still, thanks for your help, from all 60 of us.”  With a nod, she withdrew her grip and passed Gavin a stylus.
    Taking a deep breath, he gripped it and signed the document.  Taryn and Takeo soon did the same.  Gavin gathered all three contracts and passed them back to Valerie.  “Where do we sleep?”
    “Taryn and Takeo, you two will be sharing quarters in the barracks.”  Retrieving it from her lap, she studied her data tablet.  “E-052.  Gavin, your quarters are in the command module, but they’re not ready yet.  I’d give it until after the all-hands meeting before paying them a visit.”  As a question formed in his mind, she answered it with, “Your name will be on the jamb.”
    He looked surprised.  “Oh!  Thanks.”
    “Should we check out the new digs?” asked Taryn.  She bounced slightly.
    “Absolutely,” said Takeo, and he hugged her sidelong.  “Never thought we’d be roommates.”
    “Me neither,” she said and turned to face the exit, prompting Takeo to do the same.
    Gavin offered Valerie a casual salute.  “Thanks for all of this.”
    She smiled warmly.  “You’re very welcome.”
    He turned away to join his friends.
     

Chapter 07
     
     
     
    Valerie watched Gavin, Taryn and Takeo exit the rec room, and she slowly shook her head, wearing a grateful smile.  A moment later, Zerki stepped through the doorway, and she took a seat next to her first mate.  She leaned forward and collected her keys.
    “I don’t know how you do it, Captain,” said Valerie.
    “Do what?”
    Valerie crossed her arms and leaned back.  “You know what.”
    Zerki chuckled quietly and looked ahead.  “Please make sure each of them gets a chance to call their families.  Encrypted, of course.  It’s probably the last time they’ll get to talk to them for a very long time.”  After a moment, she nodded and asked, “You gave them quarters?”
    “I did, but now we’re really out of space.  If we take on any more crew, we’ll be over capacity, and food is already very tight.”  She breathed deeply.  “Anyway, I gave Gavin Kendra’s old place, but I had to put Taryn and Takeo in the same cabin.”  She presented her tablet to Zerki and tapped