(… continuing)

With the others taking their leave, Dukk checked the system logs, then followed Marr into the kitchenette. He checked his bracelet. It was still green as was Marr’s.
“Marr, don’t take me for a fool”.
Marr turned around to face him. Her expression suggested that she was listening.
“I sense there is a lot more than what is obvious here. I realize that I am not, nor perhaps will ever be, privy to that. Yourself and Luna clearly have some sort of connection to Mentor. That’s not worrying me. The thing that concerns me is trust. Trust is everything out here. It means the difference between life and death. We push the boundaries too far and things get ugly. It’s not about knowing everything. I realize that some things are better not known. But, I need to know that we are on the same page.”
Marr held his stare for a moment. The silence felt like an age to Dukk.
“What does he want? Can he be trusted? I hope so?” Marr asked herself.
“Dukk, we are on the same page.”
“I need more than a hollow commitment at this stage. I need to know if I am close to the mark.”
“Okay, yes Luna, myself and Mentor are connected. Mentor to me is as per what his name suggests. Me to Luna, is the same.”
“Thank you. That is a start. What else?”
Marr paused again. Thinking.
“Okay, so we may have more knowledge and skills than what is outlined in the details we provided. But honestly, I know little more of why we are here on this rig than you do. As you suggest some things are better not known.”
“That doesn’t help me with the trust issue. What is an example of more knowledge and skills?”
“That is best for another time.”
“Okay, however to trust you I need to know something of what motivates you. I am not getting that from anything you have shared.”
Marr paused once more. She was in conflict. Her training told her to withdraw. Her gut told her otherwise.
“We are at war Dukk. What the observers tell you is a lie. The war never ended. They just won a few major battles. There are those of us who are still fighting to turn the tide. That is what motivates me.”
Dukk paused. He allowed that to sink in. It felt authentic.
“Thank you for being honest. I sense that took a lot of courage. You don’t have to spend much time away from Earth in other systems, to understand that things shouldn’t be taken at face value. However, it also is clear to me from observing what is going on outside of Earth that it’s never really clear who the enemy is. Or what one might be truly fighting for.”
“I guess you need to figure it out for yourself, Dukk. The real question is where you stand with respect to me and the others. Like you say, push the boundaries of trust too far out here and we’re all dead,” Marr replied and looked Dukk straight in the eye. Her expression wasn’t threatening. It was empathetical. A plead. Dukk held her stare.
“You are either very good at this game or it is your truth. I am going with what I’d prefer,” Dukk thought to himself.
“I know where I stand. We’re good,” Dukk replied empathetically and still holding her stare.
“Good, I am glad. Can I ask you something that will help me do the same?”
“Sure.”
“Before launch, when we were talking with the observers about the room allocations, you seemed surprised that they were in the same cabin. Is that not usual?”
“Good observation. I’d forgotten how the younger observers behaved on their first rig assignment. It has been a good while since I was involved with the Chief mate role, dealing with them and their accommodation. Also, for the last few years Rachelle has tended to take shorter contracts which are favored by the older and more privileged observers. They always insist on the larger cabins for themselves.”
“That is good.”
“What is?”
“That you are willing to share openly. That puts us on the same page.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“So, what is the plan for the rest of the watch?” Marr asked softening her expression even further.

The tension shifted immediately away from confrontation. The tension was back to where it was the moment they first looked at each other in The Triggerarti.
It was obvious to them both. It was even more frightening than the confrontation. They both blushed and looked away briefly.
“I know what I’d like to do for the rest of the watch,” they both thought to themselves.
“We will start by finishing clearing away after the meal,” Dukk started with as a first peace offering.
“I’ve got that covered. What else?”
“I’d like to check in with the observers and passengers. I’ll then do a rig walk around before heading to the cockpit. Will you keep an eye on the system logs until I get up stairs. Then you can join me in the cockpit and we will plan the rest of the watch from there. That work?”
“Perfect,” Marr replied smiling.
Dukk smiled back, turned and headed towards the crew mess door.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 11 - Orbit (Passage 4 of 5)]

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