Page 42 of Journey to the Forbidden Zone
“Liquidation remains the most economically sound option, Captain,” Norvik put in, “despite the elevated risk profile.”
“Oh, hell, no,” Letitia swore. “Not this shit again.”
“However,” Norvik went on, “my primary concern is the unknown variable of the Forbidden Zone itself. Beyond the UPA interdiction, we possess minimal intelligence. Mila has told us that the Kovoids rule her planet with an iron fist. Their defensive capabilities, territorial claims, and cultural view of the UPA are all unknowns. Presenting ourselves, damaged and carrying one of their Harimi under ambiguous circumstances invites unpredictable and potentially hostile responses.”
“The alternative is what, exactly?” Carmen’s voice sharpened. “Sell her? After what just happened? You think whoever jumped us wasn’t connected to Maltese or whoever the hell wants her?
“Even if they weren’t, even if they just saw a damaged vessel hiding behind a moon and decided to jump it in hopes there was something worth getting, we’re fucked. That was a Kestrel-class ship, a tiny-ass blockade runner. And she kicked our ass. We’remoredamaged now. You think we can take on arealpirate ship? Who the hell do you think is going to respect us enough not to just take Mila from us by force and space us afterward?”
She let her gaze sweep across the bridge. Letitia and Sark looked shocked at her frank assessment. Norvik studied her dispassionately as always.
And Mila? She bored that green-eyed gaze into Carmen as confusion danced across her vaguely feline features. She seemed to be studying Carmen, looking for an answer Carmen herself didn’t know to a question that had never been asked.
“Trying to sell her now is walking into another trap, guaranteed,” she went on. “And we don’t have the teeth or the legs to fight our way out of it this time.
“I’m sorry, everyone, but the choice has been made for us. Ouronlyoption is sneaking into the Forbidden Zone and taking Mila home. With luck, we can make repairs there, so when we come back here, we’ve got a fighting chance, can be back in business.”
She sighed. Sometimes complete honesty was necessary to get people to follow.
“And practical concerns aside, it is the right thing to do,” she said. “Trafficking sentient beings is wrong. I don’t give a damn how voluntary your slavery is, Mila. It’s wrong. I hope I can make you realize that.
“But if you want to go straight back into slavery when you get home instead of resuming your career as a starship engineer, that’s your business. In the meantime, while you’re aboard my ship, you areno one’sproperty.”
Mila held her gaze, her expression baffled, but her green eyes thoughtful. Carmen turned her attention to the rest of the crew.
“Any questions?” she said.
No one spoke. Letitia and Sark shook their heads. Norvik only stared.
“Yes,” Mila said. “I have a question.”
Carmen’s head snapped towards her. She put a feral look on her face to let the other woman know this was not okay.
“What?” Carmen growled.
“If I am to be aboard your vessel, I would like to be of use, Captain,” she said.
Carmen bristled. She couldn’t be offering that. She wouldn’t.
“My engineering knowledge includes Kovoid vessel schematics,” Mila went on. “While theAntillesis different, the principles of thruster efficiency modulation are universal. With Zed’s assistance and access to the engineering bay, I may be able to improve the current thruster output beyond the eighteen-percent estimate. Not to full capacity, but perhaps significantly enough to improve maneuverability in the event of a conflict.”
Hope, fragile and unexpected, flickered in Carmen’s chest. This woman kept surprising her. The worry that she would propose being concubine to the crew vanished. Carmen’s respect for this strange, unintentional stowaway deepened.
“How significantly?” Carmen asked, her voice tight.
“Without diagnostics, it is impossible to quantify precisely,” Mila admitted. “But potentially thirty- to forty-percent efficiency.”
Thirty to forty. Not great. But better. A lifeline. Carmen looked around the bridge. Letitia was watching Mila with a new, appraising look. Sark seemed marginally less despondent. Norvik’s expression remained unreadable, but he gave a slight, considering nod.
“Do it,” Carmen ordered, the decision solidifying. “Zed, give Mila full access to Engineering, all diagnostics, whatever tools she needs. Assist her. Priority one: get those thrusters breathing a little easier.”
“Acknowledged, Captain,” Zed responded instantly. “Mila, please proceed to Engineering Bay Alpha at your convenience. Full system access granted.”
Mila turned toward the hatch smoothly.
“Thank you, Captain. I will begin immediately.”
She gave a slight nod to the others and walked out, her movements purposeful. That distracting scent lingered in her wake. Carmen watched her go, then turned back to the crew, bracing her hands on the back of the command chair.