Wrath of the Void Strider by Erik Harlow Page B

on the Sanguine Shadow ’s deck plan.
    “I’ll have someone transfer one of the double bunks from the shuttle.”
    Valerie nodded, but she frowned somewhat.  “Have you figured out how to wake up Gavin’s starsight?”
    “I hope so, but it’s a very old technique, and I’m not sure it’ll work.”  She rubbed her eyes.  “I’ll give him a little time to acclimate before trying.”
    Valerie cautioned, “We’re running out of time.  How important is our punctuality?”
    “Critical.  If we’re late, another crew will get the job.”  Glancing to her first mate, she said, “We’re first in a very long line.”
    Valerie nodded and hunched forward on her elbows.  “I wish we had warp engines.”
    Zerki puffed her cheeks as she released a drawn breath.  “Depending on how this goes, we should be able to buy a warp core and engines to go with it.”
    “That’s one hell of a payday.  No hints?”
    “Not yet.”
    A quiet moment passed, and Zerki clapped Valerie’s knee before pushing up to stand.  “I’ve already made some suggestions to Collins about assignments for Taryn and Takeo, but I’d like you to confirm with him.  If I can coax Gavin’s starsight out of its shell, I’ll be calling that all-hands meeting to discuss the details of the job.  If not, we’ll have to reach out to an agency and start looking for something else.”
    “Aye, aye, Captain,” Valerie affirmed.
    After Zerki had departed, she leaned over her tablet and used it to hail the bridge.
    Collins appeared onscreen and smiled at seeing her.  “Greetings, Ms. Sawyer.”
    “Hey, Collins.”  She waved with her fingertips.
    “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
    Valerie sent him copies of the enlistment forms.  “Got another Navigator.”
    “So I heard.  Congrats on the good read.”  He paused to review the files he had received.  “Don’t know about this guy,” he muttered.  “Navigators are women.  In fact, this may be the first male Navigator I’ve ever worked with.  He reliable?”
    “Captain thinks he will be.”  Valerie raised her brows.  “Can you give his friends something to do?”
    Collins took a moment to review his assignment list, and he puffed his cheeks.  “Going to have to start splitting the load down to the absurd.”  He shrugged.  “Well, Captain suggested they get started on D’Arro’s team.  Seems like a good fit to me.”
    “She did?”  Valerie warned, “I don’t think she thought it through.  Taryn’s ospyrean.”
    Collins nodded.  “Yeah, I see that.  It’ll be good for the old bird.  He’s been mourning Threena for how many years, now?”
    “They mate for life, Collins.  He’s never getting over her.”
    He shrugged.  “Couldn’t hurt to give the poor guy a chance.”
    Valerie shook her head, and she laughed humorlessly.  “You don’t understand ospyreans at all!  I’ll be sure to expedite the request for team transfer when it comes in.”
    “Wow, no faith in this old man,” he snorted.  “Have some faith in me, huh?”
    “Bye, Collins,” she responded and switched off the comm.
    ·· • ··
    After reaching the end of the barracks’ corridor, Taryn and Takeo invited Gavin to enter the cabin assigned to them.  Located at the aft-most starboard side of the top deck, it bore its designation in black on a medium gray steel door.  Takeo pressed his hand upon the scanner, and a cheerful sound chimed as a green mote blinked.  The door slid aside, and one by one, they crossed into the cabin’s confines.  Recessed lights flickered on overhead, and Taryn tapped the door closed.
    “Not bad,” she noted.  “Not bad, at all!”
    The walls and carpet were light gray, with brick red and pale blue trim.  Just inside the door, against the right wall, was a video kiosk seated atop a wide storage compartment.  Across the room, a long glass table stood amidst four glassy chairs, placed before a wide porthole that looked out upon the stars.  Left