>>5191204>>5191214>>5191343>>5191409>>5191424>>5191453>>5191479You lay your cards on the table, and say as candidly as possible: “Following the boss’ orders brings the paycheck home. I’ll toe the line and do both whatever’s expected and what’s needed of me.
“But I know what I’m worth,” you say in a deceptively light tone, “And I’ve met too many people who disabuse that notion. I’ll readily admit to being a slave, but I’m nobody’s fool.”
The officers share a look, and a silent communique. But Elishani seems to be pleased with your answer. “Of course not. I think you’ll fit just right into this crew, Mister Unami.”
A sharp knock at the door bleeds the tension from the room. Geary jumps, but Elishani looks remarkably disaffected.
“Come in.”
Even before he’s finished, the person on the other end of the line’s already moving. The bulkhead opens with a heavy <span class="mu-i">CLUNK</span>, and the security detail parts to let an overalled, rubber-booted deckhand into the wardroom. Rather than the indifferent look you received upon entry, they almost seem respectful as she passes through the threshold.
No, not just a mere deckhand, you realize as she presents herself to the captain. You spot the telltale marks on her arms, patches of discolored skin caused by the haptic link of a NERVlink jumpsuit. Her hair’s just at the borderline of being too long, but it should fit snugly inside of a TAComm helmet.
If she isn’t a PUEXO pilot, then you’d eat your sea-chest. But hers isn’t a familiar face. Not that you’ve kept an ear to ground for the latest to come out of the program. Fairly young, mid-to-late-twenties…couldn’t have had more than three, max four, years of experience. But that’s plenty of room for dozens of dives and clocked-in operation hours.
This must be the <span class="mu-i">Calypso’s</span> other pilot.
<span class="mu-i">Wonder what she’s piloting?</span>
The mystery woman snaps off a salute to Elishani. Not the crispest you’ve seen, but still sharp enough to be reverent.
“All departments are reporting that we’ll be ahead of schedule,” she reports, “They’ll be done within the hour. Beyond that, we’re just waiting for gas and fuel, but with the tide as it is, we won’t be losing anything.”
Geary smiles. “Excellent. Give the department heads my regards.”
She sniffs, and her eyes register a faint surprise as if she only just noticed you. “Who’s this guy?”
Elishani hums, clearing his throat. “Ah, I was just about to introduce you. This is our new pilot: Sinleq Unami. The recommendation from Mister Stolze. He’ll be joining us for the expedition, and if all goes well, the foreseeable future.”
Hopefully it’s a future that’s going to be <span class="mu-i">profitable</span>. But you don’t say that aloud. The woman's already giving you a scrutinizing look. Definitely a pilot with this kind of attitude.
“Best of all, he’s cert’d and seasoned. Not some greenhorn, wet-behind-the-ears rook.”
(cont.)
