Wrath of the Void Strider (43 page)

“This is the ideal vessel for our needs,” he said quietly with a grin, and he looked around for an attendant.  After a bit of searching, he found one, and the fellow patiently explained to him how the bidding system worked.  Excitedly, Fogg returned to the
Axiom
and placed his bid increments.  The buyout price was more than he had to spend, but not by much, and he was willing to commit every last credit he could spare.

By midmorning, Takeo and Filan had arrived.

“How’s it going?” asked Takeo.  Filan leaned sleepily against him.

Fogg smiled nervously.  “I enjoy this sensation!  There is a thrilling level of uncertainty mixed with competitiveness that is most invigorating!  As of this moment, there has only been one other person who has bid on the
Axiom
, and this individual only raised the price by two thousand credits.”

“What’s the buyout price?”

Fogg called up the sales information on the placard and read the buyout price aloud.

Takeo widened his eyes for a moment.  “That’s cheap!”  He chuckled wryly.  “What’s wrong with her?”

“The interior needs a good deal of work, and the vessel is 97 years old,” replied Fogg.  “Aside from that, she is in excellent condition.”

Filan said, “What if someone outbids us at the last second?”

“Well, if we pay the buyout price, that would virtually clean us out,” cautioned Takeo.

“But we’d own a starship, free and clear,” said Filan, and she grinned.  “Our own starship!”

Fogg rubbed his hands together and shoved them into his pockets.  “Alternately, we can counterbid until the auction has ended, and if fortune favors us, we will win the
Axiom
.”  He raised his brows.  “If not, we continue to return until we obtain a starship that suits our needs.”

“I’ve never seen a starship that size going for that cheap.”  Takeo blew into his hands.  “You know there’s no guarantee we’ll ever get a starship that way, right?”

Fogg nodded.  “In fact, for as long as we attempt to outbid in person, while our opponents do so electronically, there is a very little chance we will ever win the auction, unless the item to be auctioned is wholly undesirable.”

Filan said, “We would all be co-owners.”

Takeo hugged Filan close, and she squinted happily as she nearly disappeared into his long coat.  “We would be,” he confirmed with a wide smile.

Fogg regarded him.  “I am willing to brave the risks inherent to such a purchase.  If we offered private transportation services to start with, it should generate enough money for us to eventually launch our primary investigation business.”

“I’m in,” Filan cheerily said.

“Alright, let’s do it,” said Takeo.

He and Filan each took turns at the bidding console, adding themselves to Fogg’s auction token.  Filan tapped the “Buy Now!” button.  A loading screen followed, politely asking them to wait.  The sale was approved, and all three cheered and embraced.  Not long after, an attendant approached and handed Takeo the access codes and title to the
Axiom
.

They hurried to her boarding ramp.

It was dark inside, but Filan brightened her eyes enough to serve as lamps.  What few interior lights still functioned switched on and flickered, and the air had a dusty smell.  Thrilled nonetheless, they all three rushed across the concave deck for the central lift and stepped onto it.  Fogg wiped the grime from the input terminal and tapped a faded image that read, “Bridge.”

The lift rattled for a moment and stayed right where it was.  “Likely, it was not designed to bear this much weight,” Fogg supposed, and he hopped off.  Takeo tried the bridge button again, but met the same result.  He also hopped off, and with fading hope, Filan pushed the button a third time, to no avail.

Takeo informed the harbormaster that he needed more time to restore the vessel to operational capability.  He was given a two-week berthing period as part of the sale, but he was informed that modest fees would be charged for every day the starship remained beyond that.  Takeo thanked him and vowed that the
Axiom
would be functional well before two weeks had passed.

All day and well into the night they labored, and their sense of hope swelled.  The lift was functional by the end of the first day, and all the interior lighting had been gutted and restored fully by the end of the fourth.  Every stuck door was fixed by the end of the first week, and they bent themselves to the task of repairing the nacelle articulators.

Near the end of the second week, they had painted the cabins and science bays, touched up the bridge dome, and were ready to apply an exterior coat of light steel blue.  Filan looked through local registries for an illustrator to render their nose art while Fogg and Takeo left the site to purchase the supplies needed for the job.

Fogg returned, driving a rental truck loaded with pressurized smart pigment.  Takeo sat at his side, uneasy at first about the AI taking the wheel.  “Do not worry, old friend,” Fogg assured him, “I am fully versed in the methods of piloting automobiles, and I perfectly recall our many adventures with Gavin Santiago.”

“That’s why I’m nervous,” Takeo grumbled.  During the course of the drive, however, he calmed and soon admitted that Fogg was a very capable driver.

Pulling up to the
Axiom
, they were surprised to see a gathering of Union Star Navy personnel.  One of the uniformed men was arguing with Filan, and she was yelling at him in return.  The truck’s brakes whined as the vehicle stopped, and Fogg tossed open the door, hopping to the ground.  “Cease your verbal assault upon my friend!” he shouted.  “What is the purpose of your visit?”

Visibly relieved, Filan rushed to Takeo and vanished into his long coat.

The ranking officer faced Fogg and recoiled somewhat.  “What are you supposed to be?”

“He’s my friend,” barked Takeo, and he stepped forward.

Regarding Takeo, the officer firmly stated, “The
Axiom
is being put back on active duty.  We lost a lot of starships recently, and we’re pulling everything out of mothballs until our Star Fleet gets back on its feet.  Sorry, but whether you like it or not, she belongs to the Union Star Navy!”

Takeo squared his jaw.  “She’s been decommissioned.  It was a legitimate purchase!”

“It doesn’t matter,” the officer shot back.  “Even decommissioned, we reserve the right to reclaim Union property.  You should be glad that we’re willing to refund your money.”  His expression softened somewhat.  “Look, son, I know you guys put a lot of work into her over the past two weeks, and we’ll pay you a fair rate for that, but the decision is made!  There’s no use fighting it.”

Takeo’s eyes darted between Filan and Fogg.  The sides of his jaw bulged.  He exhaled audibly and at last returned his attention to the ranking officer.  “Fine,” he conceded, and he shook his head.  “Take her.  We won’t try to stop you.”

“Thank you, son.”  The officer patted Takeo’s shoulder.  “Go and see the harbormaster.  He’s got your money.  It’s all in cash credits.  Hope you don’t mind.”  With a sympathetic nod, he returned to his men.

Downcast, Takeo, Filan and Fogg journeyed to the harbormaster’s office, where they collected their refund.

The days that followed were long and frustrating.  With the Union’s sudden demand for functional starships, the price of even used vessels skyrocketed.

“We’re never getting off this rock,” grumbled Takeo.  “It’s been four days, and we’re no closer to getting a decent starship.”  He sat at an outdoor table with Filan and Fogg, staring absently at a brightly lit Astroburger’s interior.  Miserably, he shoved one of his Moon Fries through a slick of ketchup to collide flaccidly with the remnants of his Deluxe Meteor Burger.

“I find this food to be highly enjoyable,” noted Fogg.  “You no longer find it to be an enjoyable experience?”

Takeo shrugged.  “We’ve had Astroburger every night this week.”

“It is inexpensive, while being highly savory and rich in essential proteins and fatty oils.  I am having difficulty understanding what more is needed to enjoy your meal.”

Filan squeezed Fogg’s hand.  “I don’t think he has a problem with the food.”

Takeo puffed his cheeks.  “No, I’m just discouraged.”

“Does that emotional state have the ability to sour the taste of food?”

Takeo regarded him flatly.  “Yes, it does.”

Fogg furrowed his brow, his expression concerned.  “I do not wish to feel discouraged while eating.  Perhaps you should endeavor to avoid discouragement during mealtime, as well.”  He bit into his burger and took a moment to enjoy its warmth and rich, salty flavors.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Takeo said with a quiet chuckle.

Leaning against his arm, Filan asked, “Did we do the right thing, leaving the
Shadow
?”

Fogg answered, “I am less certain than I was at the time of parting.  The
Sanguine Shadow
and her crew will carry on without us.  Now that the ellogon Lodoxol no longer threatens the safety of the starship, and now that she benefits from some minor celebrity through her association with Gavin Santiago…”  He trailed off.  Perking up, he looked skyward and scrutinized the stars.  “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” sighed Takeo, and he finished the last of his blueberry cola.

Filan glanced in the same direction as Fogg and shook her head.  “I didn’t hear anything.”

He shrugged.  “My apologies.  I thought I detected a familiar thruster whine.”  With a cheerful expression, he took another bite of his burger.  “In conclusion to the matter of the
Sanguine Shadow
’s ongoing success, it is my expectation that she will thrive.”

“But what about us?  Don’t you ever think about going back?” Takeo asked.

Filan poked his shoulder.  “It’s only been a couple weeks.”

“Almost three.”

She tightly hugged his arm.  “Don’t give up.”

Takeo leaned far into her and uttered a muffled, “I never give up,” prompting her to giggle as she nearly lost her balance.  “I’m so passionate that I can only focus on one thing at a time!”  He came up with a smile, and Filan feigned anger, though it instantly dissolved into beaming laughter.

“I will resume this discussion at another time,” Fogg stated.

“Anyone else feel like taking up smoking?” asked Takeo.  “We can afford it now.”  He tickled Filan’s neck at the shoulders and wore a playfully menacing face.

“No!” she both howled and laughed, doing her best to retaliate.

“A reduction in playfulness is advised,” Fogg said with a brotherly smile, “as I believe you are scaring the normals.”  He took another bite of his burger.

Takeo regarded him with open wonder.  “Fogg!  You made a joke!”

“You are a perceptive man.”

Takeo hugged Filan close.  With quite a bit more cheer, they talked as they finished their food.

Fogg gathered up their trays, stepping inside to deposit the trash and use the restroom.  As he was washing his hands, he suddenly froze.  “I am certain that I recognize
that
sound!”  The sink shut off automatically as he raced through the dining area for the doors.  Pushing them open, he said, “I shall return directly!’

Around the corner he ran, slowing as the source of the engine growl he had heard came into view.  At the far end of the Astroburger’s parking lot, a black Hulkr Rhino—in perfect condition—idled, its tires’ sidewalls aglow with blue light.  As if in response to his presence, the driver revved it a few times, and Fogg smiled.  He turned back toward his friends and said, “It is a truck very much like Gavin Santiago’s!”

Takeo cast him an exaggerated thumbs-up, and Filan pulled down his arm.

Behind him, Fogg heard a familiar voice say, “Catch.”  He spun about in time to get hit in the palm with a set of keys.  Somehow, he managed to secure them before they struck the walk.  “Hey, Fogg.”  She was dressed in a black leather jacket, denim jeans, biker boots and a bikini-style halter-top.  Her red-feathered tresses had been tied up loosely at the base of her neck.

“Taryn Sikes?” he said.

She nodded, and her smile broke free of her forced calm.

Valerie climbed out of the vehicle and stretched.  Filan and Takeo rushed to greet them, and they exchanged joyful embraces.

“How did you find us?” asked Takeo.  “Not that I’m complaining, of course.”

“It wasn’t too hard,” Valerie cheerily answered, and she tapped the side of her head.  “Gavin knew where to start looking.”

“So did I,” Taryn added, and she raised her brow.

“Is Zerki here?” asked Filan.

Valerie nodded.  “Gavin, too.  They’re waiting for us at the cargo shuttle, maybe a couple blocks from here.”  Wistfully, she gazed toward the transport.  “As soon you’re ready, we’ll head over.”

With a delighted smile, Filan shouldered her backpack and said, “I think we’re ready!”

They all climbed into the Rhino and drove away from the Astroburger’s parking lot.

Up ahead, the curved dome of the
Sanguine Shadow
’s cargo shuttlecraft came into view.  The starship occupied most of an empty parking lot.  As they drew close, Gavin’s face lit up, and he hurried down the cargo ramp to meet them.  Glowing, he waited for them to exit the truck, whereupon he embraced his friends, each in turn.  “Welcome back, guys!”

Zerki stepped into view, wiping her hands on a grease-stained rag.  “Gavin, what do you think you’re doing?”  She gestured toward the cargo ramp.  “I didn’t buy that thing so you could leave it here!”

“Is there room for it in the hold?” he asked.

Zerki nodded in response.  “Plenty.  I made you a promise, back on Afskya.  I’m sorry it took so long to make good.”

Gavin giddily smiled.  “Thank you, Captain!”

Zerki crossed her arms and huffed as she regarded Takeo.  “I’m sure you had good reasons for it at the time, but please never leave my employ again, Mr. Sato.”

He laughed uneasily and nodded.  “I’ll do my very best not to, Captain.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

“Be right back,” Gavin responded, and he returned to his truck.  It roared to life, and he eased it around.  Slowly it crept up the ramp, and he idled it into place.  After everyone was aboard, he closed the cargo ramp and joined his friends in the hold.