“Yeah, I’m in,” I agree immediately, thinking of Nala. What if the slavers target her? Or perhaps they already have? The thought makes my insides twist. She wasn’t wearing a slave collar and acted like an independent female, but…what if it was just pretense? “Do we know who these slavers are and where their base of operations is?”
With a somber frown, D’Aakh replies, “Unfortunately, no. The data is encrypted and the slaver network uses pseudonyms for everyone involved. This one is nicknamed the ‘Leashmaster’.” D’Aakh rolls his eyes. “Fucking original, right? We have some fractured intel, but nothing that would help us identify him, especially since we don’t have access to the UGC database anymore.”
Silence greets his words. I don’t think any of us regret the decision to disobey orders in order to save Astra’s life, but being outlaws certainly hasn’t made our lives easier.
I think about Pakri, the UGC officer who came aboard to take the captured slavers into custody. He claimed we still have friends back at the force. “What if we shared the intel with the UGC?” I suggest.
“Why would they want to help us?” Omni snorts.
“They wouldn’t,” Tareq says, giving me a thoughtful look. “But they might take it as us helping them. We’re all on the same side when it comes to slavers. They must know a trafficking ring operates here at the Farpoint Gateway. If we combine our intel with theirs…”
“We could get rid of this Leashmaster,” I finish, snarling through gritted teeth.
Captain nods his agreement. “Good thinking. Does anyone have any trustworthy contacts at the local UGC embassy?”
“I do. Well, I hope I do,” I amend with a chuckle. “Give me the data. I’ll contact the officer who was here earlier to collect the prisoners. He seemed friendly and keen to offer his support, should we need it. Unofficial help, of course.”
“Of course,” Zarkan nods, sighing. The situation must be difficult for him, more so than for the rest of us. He’s spent his entire life in the UGC forces and now, he’s officially an outlaw. He’s not one to share his feelings with anyone, though, keeping a tight grip on that aloof expression he’s known for as he says, “Alright, I think that’s all for now.”
I almost let slip a relieved sigh. The meeting is over and no one asked about the missing money. I still have time to retrieve it before anyone notices.
“Actually,” D’Aakh starts, my breath hitching momentarily. “I’d like to request permission to run some further diagnostics on Cai.”
This time I don’t manage to hold in my obvious relief. Still no questions about the money. Luckily, no one notices.
“Has my performance been outside of the required parameters?” the computer asks. I wonder if I’m the only one to notice a hint of worry in its tone.
D’Aakh rubs the end of his antenna before answering, “Yes and no. You’re exhibiting some unusual behavioral patterns. I'd like to explore them, that’s all.”
“Is it dangerous?” Zarkan asks.
At the same time, Cai says, “Do you wish me to power down? I’m not detecting any malfunctions but of course, if I’m malfunctioning, my malfunction detector might be malfunctioning as well.”
“Gods,” Lyriana snorts, doing her best not to start laughing out loud. “This computer is whacked. I love it. But seriously, D’Aakh, is it going to snap and murder us all?”
“No. Its prime directives remain to protect and obey the crew, which is us. This is just about satisfying my scientific curiosity.”
Zarkan grunts. “Fine, fiddle with the computer if it makes you happy. Just make sure not to break it. Cai?”
“I will provide D’Aakh with all of the assistance he needs to conduct his examinations,” Cai replies. “If that’s what you were about to order?”
“These computers are getting too smart,” Zarkan grunts. “Yes, that’s what I was about to order you to do. But if we encounter any abnormalities, we’re going to shut you down.”
“Of course, Captain,” Cai replies without a second’s hesitation. “I would never endanger the crew or the ship.”
The Captain nods. “It’s settled then. Dismissed.”
The meeting concludes with no one mentioning Tareq’s stash box, not even him. Watching him with Astra, I understand his mind being elsewhere. “I wanted to take you for a tour of the station,” he tells his mate, “but if there are slavers around, I won’t risk it. I guess we’ll just have to stay in our room.”
“What a shame,” she pouts, faking sadness. “We’re doomed to christen our new bed over and over. And over and over. Lead the way, my poor tiger.”
Growling, Tareq throws her over his shoulder and rushes out of the bridge, Astra’s squeals and giggles following them down the hallway.
“Those two,” Lyriana snickers, her eyes rolling.
I grunt in agreement, even though I’m a little envious of my friend and his mate.
Soon, I promise myself. Soon I’ll have Nala by my side and we’ll be the ones annoying the rest of the crew with our loud and passionate lovemaking.