The Hidden World by Melinda Snodgrass

Author:Melinda Snodgrass
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

17

TO DIE BRAVELY

It fascinated Mercedes that the expedition to the planet was discussed by the entire crew. As a princess she had almost never had to justify her actions or desires. She said do and go and people did and went and that went double for any alien she might be around. The idea that she would have to explain herself to aliens was head-spinning. Tracy might hold the title of captain, but in this area O-Trell rules clearly did not apply. It was clear that this ship was a democracy, and she couldn’t help but think that was dangerous.

They had gathered around the table in the galley. Mercedes hung back feeling awkwardly out of place as they debated. The Tiponi Flute, Jax, had argued strenuously against taking the ship down to the planet, pointing out that it would burn fuel that would have to be replaced, and since two days had passed without any communication from Kusatsu-Shirane it was unlikely there would be any trade or any profit to cover their costs. The Sidone spider was nervous and suggested they should maybe just leave and take the Infanta home. The Hajin doctor was concerned that the crew might not have the resources to deal with a crisis, if there was a crisis on the planet. The young human, Baca, offered to take the Talon and go down alone if everybody else was too much of a pussy. The Isanjo, who appeared to be Tracy’s first officer, pointed out that they had had no communication with ground control. They would be landing without permission and there were still four moons rigged as bombs to be negotiated. Tracy heard them all out, then stood.

“It seems like most of you are either ambivalent or actively against setting down so we won’t—”

Mercedes cleared her throat. They all looked at her. Large brown eyes from the Hajin and the Isanjo, the multiple faceted eyes of the Sidone, the strange ocular depressions on the Tiponi, and two pairs of human eyes. One black and the other that deep gray. They had always been Tracy’s best feature, though the raw-boned boy, and callow youth, had matured into a dignified man. She pulled her attention back to the moment.

“Forgive me, but you are all League citizens and therefore my subjects. We need to know what happened. I need to know. The souls of the men and women I lost demand it of me.” She nodded to Tracy. “So please take us down, Captain. The League will reimburse you for any expenses incurred.”

“Unless we get blown out of space by an exploding moon,” the Tiponi muttered.

Tracy glared at the alien then bowed. “As Your Highness commands.”

Everyone crowded onto the bridge. Luis and the Isanjo assisted Tracy as he plotted a course and input the coordinates. He stretched his back and glanced over his shoulder at her. “It’s going to take a few hours. No sense all of you hanging around up here.”

But no one moved.

“Since Dalea and I seem to be very superfluous why don’t we bring some beverages?” Mercedes suggested.

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