(… continuing)

Moments later, Dukk was awake again. The view had changed. They were in orbit of a rocky planet in the JR18 system. The traverse had put them in the shadow of the planet. It was dark.

Dukk fought back the traverse sickness. He got things back in balance. He looked around.
Marr had her head up. She was concentrating.
“Good woman,” Dukk thought to himself.
“Status,” he forced into the crew comms.
Bazzer, Annee and Mentor responded immediately.
“Back,” Marr said in a whisper.
“Bah,” Luna uttered before making a gagging sound as she fought back the nausea.
“Mentor, you up to med check?”
“Yep.”
“Transferring med control back to you. Give us the status when you are ready.”
“Cockpit, four stable, two stabilising. Passengers, two stable, rest are stabilising,” Mentor replied moments later.
“Excellent. Systems, Bazzer?” Dukk asked.
“All green,” responded Bazzer.
“Perfect. Let’s get the DMD going.”
The tingling sensation washed over them. Luna could be heard gagging again.

Dukk interacted with the controls.
“It is quiet here. Not a lot of traffic on this route. The next traverse is in just over nine hours at six, forty four tomorrow morning. Bazzer do you want to get us into slow running mode. Annee and Mentor, are you good with helping the passengers?”
Annee looked over at Mentor. He nodded.
“Yep, we’ve got it covered. Will you cover the start of our watch if we are delayed?” Annee replied.
“Yep, we’ll move down to the crew mess and cover you from there until you are sorted,” Dukk answered as he removed his helmet. He then continued, “Marr do you want to head down now with Luna? I’ll transfer the conn once you are down there.”
“Okay,” Marr answered softly.
Dukk turned around and looked at Bazzer. Bazzer nodded. He took the hint to stay put.

Whilst the others got up and left, Dukk watched the view. It was changing. A glow was appearing on the horizon. The auto pilot kicked in. The rig gently rotated so that its belly would face the sun as they approached the horizon.

“What’s up, Captain?” Bazzer announced as he plonked himself down in Marr’s seat.
“Useful things, these,” Dukk said as he waved his hand over his bracelet.
Bazzer followed suit.
“I need your help, Bazzer.”
“Shoot.”
“One of the passengers destine for Maple Tower, Joantyi, is coming on strong.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time for you. What’s the problem? Too much for you? Lost your nerve?”
“No, none of that,” Dukk laughed
“Too soon after Larinette?”
“What? No, it is not that.”
“Well, what then?”
“Something doesn’t feel right. Also, I overheard her talking with Larony, the other passenger for Maple Tower. They mentioned Thumpol and doing a job for him.”
“What kind of job?”
“They didn’t say. That is what I need your help with. It might be worth looking into it a bit. Get close to her, so to speak. Get a sense of what’s what. If it is about me, it might be wise for me to keep my distance.”
“If she had eyes for you, I’d have a hill to climb!”
“True. But I have an ‘in’ for you.”
“I’m listening.”
“She asked me for my thoughts on Maple Tower. The ins and outs. She doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers. I didn’t answer her, but she walked me into a corner and I figure she’ll use it to get my attention again. You could preempt that and say I asked you to help her out.”
“Interesting. But not ruffling feathers in Maple Tower might not be my area of expertise. Quite the opposite, if you remember.”
“Yes, I do remember. I was thinking you might be able to kill two birds with one stone. You could steer her in a direction which serves your purposes as well. Then you might get close enough to learn what the job is. And, if you did it right you’ll have some fun on the way.”
“It sounds challenging, but I like your thinking.”
“Looks like Marr is at the console downstairs, let’s head down.”
“Roger,” said Bazzer as he launched out of the seat.
Dukk followed.

Bazzer and Dukk used the aft ladder and were in the crew mess moments later.
Annee was sitting at the table interacting with her wrist wrap heads up display. She looked over as they exited the shaft door.
“Dukk, I got the profiles for the four passengers that need a ride out of Maple Tower.”
“Suitable?” Dukk replied as he sat down opposite her.
“I guess.”
“What’s your concern?”
“They are teenage girls. Fifteen or sixteen years of age. They were on board an elite cruiser that has broken down.”
“That is unusual. You said Bognath gave us the lead. And they are paying above the odds?”
“Yep.”
“Where is the broken cruiser registered?”
“Let me check.”
Annee flicked some panels around, then added, “Mayfield, under Craig Atesoughton.”
“Perhaps the presence of Bognath and Carltor has nothing to do with the beef contract. Interesting.”
“So what do we do?”
“I can’t see anything obviously wrong. But it is your call. What’s your instinct tell you?”
“The money is good and they are just teenage girls. They can’t be that much trouble. So, yes, we do it.”
“Cool.”
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“Joantyi approached me. She wanted to see if there was a possibility of joining us on the leg from Maple Tower to Mayfield.”
“Okay?”
“She got annoyed and snooty when I said that we already had a request ahead of her for the seats.”
“Interesting.”
“Yes, isn’t it. Something doesn’t feel right about that woman. The teenagers feel like the better option.”
“Yes, I agree. It feels like going with the teenagers would be a smarter move. Do you need a hand with Joantyi?”
“Nope. I can handle her type,” Annee replied smiling.

(to be continued...in the next chapter)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 14 - Troubleshooting (Passage 5 of 5)]

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