Roo the Day, page 13
part #13 of Bob and Nikki Series
Majel said, “If I understand you correctly, Captain, that won’t do you much good. Our computer systems aren’t able to have their programs changed while they are running.”
“Wise precaution. We may need to trade for that technology. We run into a lot of folks who would like to hurt our computers.”
Nikki said, “I’ve seen systems like that before, but their speed usually left something to be desired. Also, it usually isn’t that hard to spoof the system into thinking it is reading its software from where it should be, when it isn’t.”
Majel asked, “You, also, are skilled with computers?”
“Yes, but we hired Lakki to help with her people’s computers. They’re just enough different to be confusing. She’s taught me a great deal, since we’ve been working together.”
Lakki said, “Mrs. Wilson is too modest. She’s very good. Mostly I just translate the code into Galactic, so she can understand it.”
I replied, “Now who’s being too modest? You are both good at what you do.”
Lakki said, “Thanks, Captain.”
Majel said, “What makes you think you could hire one of us, anyway?”
“Ellie, here, has considered it, since she has gotten to know us. I doubt she is the most likely recruit in your whole species.”
Ellie replied, “That’s true, but there is the small matter of you rescuing me and Lilly from captivity. That does tend to color my thinking, you know.”
Majel asked, “Captivity?”
“It isn’t as altruistic as it sounds, Ma’am. One of my people had tried to retire, and got found by the authorities who are trying to acquire our technology. Ellie and Lilly happened to be in the same facility. Not like we set out to rescue Ellie, we didn’t even know she existed, until we tried to rescue Joanna.”
“Wait, the authorities on your planet don’t know about your operation?”
Ellie said, “It’s a long story. You can hear it all from Joanna. We don’t want to take up all the Captain’s time.”
“Well, the most important item on my agenda right now, after getting us back on our way, is heading to the Frisbee bay, and playing with Lilly. If any of you want to tag along, feel free. Scotti will get busy putting your ship back together. Ellie can show you the galley, if you’re hungry, and the Marines will be happy to show you to some quarters, to use until you’re ready to leave.”
Majel asked, “Where is the ship headed, Captain?”
“Into your space. I have a scout I need to pick up, and we are taking Ellie home, unless she decides to stay aboard. At any rate, we were hoping to do a little business, since we were out this way anyhow.”
Majel replied, “Doing business with a sneaky being such as yourself sounds risky, Captain.”
“Likewise, I’m sure.”
She turned to Nikki. “You’ve taken on the task of keeping him corralled? You must be quite a woman, yourself.”
“I do alright.”
One of the other Roos asked, “Captain, would it be alright if I stayed? I’m the Engineer, and it’s my duty to make sure the repairs are done properly.”
“Of course. We wouldn’t want to get in the way of you doing your duty. Get with Scotti or Tikki, whichever one is supervising the repairs, and they’ll make sure things are up to your standards. We may not be able to make hull metal that is quite as good as what you’re used to, but I’m sure they can come up with a work-around.”
“Why do you say that, Captain?”
“Scandium. It’s rare on our worlds. My engineer tells me that if we can trade for some, she can build better hull metal. I assume you use scandium in your hull metal, and therefore, we won’t be able to match it, with what we have on hand.”
“I see. Didn’t you just show your hand, Captain?”
“Ellie already knew. I’m sure she would have told you, if I hadn’t. Besides, this way she doesn’t have to do all that thinking about who she wants to be loyal to. Easier all the way around.”
“Don’t you worry about your negotiating position?”
“I think I’ve got something to trade that will make that pretty much irrelevant, so I’m not too worried.”
“What could you possibly have, that we need that badly?”
Majel spoke up. “You’re a little slow, aren’t you? What were we out here looking for? What do we need worse than anything else? If he found out we had scandium to trade, Ellie must have told him what we would want in return. He’s got a planet he would be willing to let go of.”
I said, “We’re still checking it out, but it looks promising so far.”
Majel asked, “Don’t you need it for yourself?”
“We have leads on other worlds. It doesn’t mean as much to us as it does to you.”
Ellie said, “He’s hard to understand, isn’t he? Just go with it, for now, until you get to know him better.”
I said, “I’m overdue for Frisbee. You folks just ask Gene, if you get lost.”
I picked up Lilly, and turned to go. Scotti and Tikki were waiting. I said, “Sorry, ladies. I didn’t know I was holding you up.”
Scotti said, “We’ve been going over the scans, to see what needs to be done. You were right, we can’t match what they use for hull metal, but we can go to a slightly thicker section, and get the same strength.”
“Get with their engineer, and make sure that won’t cause other problems, but it sounds good to me.”
I asked, “Gene, could you connect me to Topper, please?”
Topper answered, “Yes, Boss?”
“Go ahead and take us back to FTL, if you would.”
“Sure, if you don’t want to supervise.”
“I have faith in you. About time I was showing it.”
“Okay, Boss. Talk to you later.”
“Later, Topper.”
When I got to the transit, I found I had an entourage. Haffi and Lakki had tagged along, as well as Majel. She was chatting with Nikki. Velma was with us, as well. Luckily, we all fit in one transit car, but it was snug. We got to the bay, and I got out a Frisbee. Lilly started playing with Snitz, and I was just watching, until Lakki and Haffi got out another one, and we started a game. Majel and Nikki were still deep in their conversation. We had a good time, until my comm went off, and I had to drop out.
“Captain Wilson.”
“Bob, it’s Jim. We’ve talked to all those people from the Guide. All but one of them passed with flying colors.”
“Not Benny, I hope.”
“Nope. One of the others. What do you want to do?”
“I’ll be down in a few minutes, and we’ll figure out where to go from there. Don’t let him wander off before that.”
“Angus will make sure of that, Boss.”
“Sounds good. See you soon.”
“Bye, Boss.”
I gave Lilly a hug, and started for the door. Nikki asked, “Do you need me, Caveman?”
“Always, Sweetheart. It might be best if you tagged along. I’m not sure what Jim and Janice have found.”
“Be right with you.”
Majel asked, “Would I be intruding, if I came along as well?”
“I don’t think that would be a problem, Ma’am. If it gets to be, I’ll let you know.”
We got on the transit, and Gene routed us to where we needed to be. Ian was waiting for us, when the doors opened. “Right this way, Boss.”
I went into the room where Jim and Janice were interviewing. Jim said, “Captain, I’d like you to meet Brangus Rottum. He has no desire to work for, as he puts it, a ‘Slongum lover’.”
I said, “I thought we put an end to that feud. Learn something every day, I guess. I’ll arrange for him to get a ride back to the Commonwealth.”
Brangus said, “Aren’t you afraid of me telling all that I have seen?”
“If you’re far enough out that you’re still fighting a feud that’s been settled, I can’t imagine your word is going to count for too much. Besides, it’s not like you have any proof of what you say.”
Nikki asked, “Did you see that, Caveman?”
“Oh yeah. Wonder what he has? Pictures on his comm? Recordings of some kind?”
“Definitely his comm.” She fiddled with her watch. “There we go. All deleted.”
Looking at his face, I said, “Nope. He must have another copy, somewhere.”
Angus said, “Boss, we’ve scanned him, he doesn’t have any other gadgets on him.”
“So, it must be back on the ship we took him off of.”
Nikki said, “Bingo! Too bad we already put it in the black.”
I stepped out, and commed Scotti. “Yes, Boss?”
“Did you go over that Guide ship before we put it overboard?”
“You mean those nasty little copies of the log, on every device that could hold them? Yes, I wiped all of them.”
“Thanks. I should have thought to ask you to do that. Glad you’re on top of things.”
“No problem, Boss. You’re welcome.”
“Talk to you later.”
“Bye, Boss.”
I went back into the interview room. “I sure am glad I have an efficient crew.”
Nikki asked, “Scotti thought to wipe his backup copies, before we jettisoned the ship?”
“She did.”
“He doesn’t believe you, Caveman.”
“I can’t say as I care. I’m more worried about having to send crew to haul his heinie back to the Commonwealth.”
Nikki said, “I suppose we could let him sit in the brig, until we get back to that part of the galaxy.”
“Tempting, but I don’t want him around any longer than we have to keep him. Angus, can you set him up with some guest accommodations?”
“That I could, Boss. Should I take the long way, getting there?”
“I don’t think it would help. You could beat on this hardhead from now till breakfast, and not do a bit of good.”
“Be fun to try, don’t you think, Boss?”
“That it would, Angus. That it would.”
Jim said, “I think you may have gotten his attention, finally.”
“Doesn’t matter, Jim. He’s already proven he isn’t worth the trouble.”
Angus hauled him off to the brig. Once he was out of earshot, Jim asked, “I guess I’m a little slow. Why is it a problem to send him back to Commonwealth space?”
“I can’t send a bot into the Commonwealth, because they aren’t legal there. We’re short of human crew, at the moment.”
“I see.”
Nikki said, “I bet Willum is going stir crazy, stuck on the Gene. Why not send him?”
“I knew you were more than just a pretty face. That’s a great idea! Might put his cover in danger, though.”
“Call him and see if he’s willing.”
I said, “Gene, connect me to Willum, please.”
“Here you go, Boss.”
“Hi, Delicious. What can I do for you today?”
“I have a stray, that needs to get back to the Commonwealth. Do you have a good enough cover to take him, without someone finding out you’re still alive?”
“Aww, Bob, that’s not even a challenge. All I have to do is dress plain, and act straight, and nobody will think twice about me.”
“The fastest thing we have is Ozzie’s Toy. I’d keep the mouthy turkey on a nighty-night, if it was me. You can’t have Taz for a copilot, sorry. I may need someone to fly Black Beauty before you catch up with us.”
“Do you mind if I take a bot to help me fly?”
“Take a Marine, if they have any pilots. That way you have help, if he wakes up. Just be sure the bot knows to act dumb when your around Commonwealth types.”
“That sounds like a plan. Ace and Ruth are right out, I assume?”
“Yes, indeed. How soon do you think you can be ready to go?”
“Give me two hours.”
“Good enough. Talk to you later.”
“Bye, Bob.”
I turned to Jim. “All the rest of them are good enough to hire?”
“We couldn’t find any reason not to like them, Boss.”
Janice didn’t quite look like she agreed. I asked, “What, Janice?”
“I got a funny vibe off one of them. I would make sure he is never alone with the girls.”
“Make sure Topper and Gene have your recommendation. He’s your project, keep an eye on him.”
“Yes, Boss. You don’t need any more proof than my funny feeling?”
“We can’t have that kind of thing happening on this ship. I’d rather catch it, before I have to space him.”
Nikki said, “Why not just send him back with the other fellow?”
Jim replied, “I think that would be the better course, myself.”
I said, “I thought you were sticking up for him, a minute ago?”
“I felt off about him, too. I had tried to ignore it, but I suppose I shouldn’t have.”
“I understand. You don’t want to be the one that screws up an opportunity for someone, on a hunch.”
“Exactly, Boss.”
I said, “Gene, page Benny to this room, please. Then connect me to Willum.”
“On it, Boss.”
Willum came on the comm. “Yes, Bob?”
“Can you hold off on leaving for a bit? We may have another passenger for you.”
“No problem, I’m not ready to go yet, anyhow. I’m having to print some clothes for my cover.”
“Hold till I call. I’ll let you know what we’re doing then.”
“Look forward to hearing from you, Delicious.”
“Later, Willum.”
Benny showed up right after I hung up. “Yes, Boss?”
“Our interviewers found some things they didn’t like about one of your people. I wanted to get your thoughts, before I sent him back to the Commonwealth.”
“I see.”
Jim and Janice explained who they were talking about, and their reservations about him. Benny said, “He does make me feel odd, when there are young women around. It might be best if you did send him home.”
The speaker came alive. Andre’s voice said, “Captain, one of the Guide people you are in the process of hiring is down. We got him to medbay ASAP, but he was dead on arrival.”
“What happened, Andre?”
“He failed to believe young Milly, when she told him she would shoot him, if he didn’t release her.”
“I assume there was an equipment malfunction, and Milly’s pistol went full-auto?”
“It would appear so, Captain. Her magazine was empty, at any rate.”
Jim asked if it was the fellow we were discussing, and Andre confirmed that it was.
I turned to Benny. “It seems we bothered you for no reason. Hope we didn’t pull you away from something important.”
“Not at all, Captain. You’re not going to investigate the shooting?”
“He was dead, as soon as he laid hands on her, against her will. Whether that happened by pistol, or by airlock, isn’t relevant.”
Benny snapped to, and saluted. “Yes, Captain.”
I came to attention, and returned his salute. “That’s not how it’s done, in the Guide?”
“No, Captain. He would have found a lawyer, and managed to get the charges reduced, just like the last time.”
“You knew he had a history of this sort of behavior, and you didn’t mention it to anyone? Any particular reason for that?”
“He was my responsibility. I thought I could keep him under control. I was wrong, obviously.”
“Any other personnel issues I might want to know about, Sergeant?”
He thought about that for a moment. “None come to mind, Captain.”
“If you recall something, please don’t hesitate to let someone know.”
“Yes, Boss. Do you need anything else?”
“No. Dismissed, Benny.”
He turned and left. I turned to Nikki. “Did I handle that right, Space Cadet?”
