Due Diligence (Adventures in the Liaden Universe®, #24) by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

Author:Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: liaden, space opera, social science fiction
Publisher: Pinbeam Books
Published: 2017-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

V

The good ship Comet, out of Chonselta, Liad, belied her name somewhat, erring on the side of dependable and everyday, rather than on flash and glitter. She was patient with two pilots who continually tried her, teasing out her strengths and her limits; unapologetic when they confirmed that she was not a scout ship, for they had also found that she was not a garbage scow. A working small trader, that was all and everything that she claimed to be, and that was, in fact, exactly what she was.

Pilot Fer Gun pen'Uldra proved to be something other than Chi had had anticipated, given his scores, his Guild test ratings, and his speed. Oh, he was everything that was quick and knowing at the board–that she had expected. But she had not expected Fer Gun pen'Uldra to be patient with the limits of so pedestrian a vessel. She had, in fact, rather rather thought that he would chafe under those limits, perhaps show a bit of temper, and even some disdain for work-a-day Comet, so far beneath his abilities.

Instead, he fair crooned over her, and gave her fulsome praise when she held her line and refused to be intimidated by the demands of an extended run at the top of her range.

"She won't let us down, this lady," he told Chi. They had finally gotten done with testing and trying and got themselves on the way to Mondaw. Comet had gone into Jump with nary a complaint nor a bobble, all boards green and steady.

"She has heart," Chi agreed.

They were in the galley, sharing a celebratory cup of tea. Fer Gun was having a bowl of soup, too, while Chi contented herself with some salted crackers.

"We won't be picking up anything at Mondaw?" asked Fer Gun. "The whole reason is to meet this Vigro Welsh?"

"We are running podless, with two pilots the whole crew," Chi pointed out. "How much cargo can we take?"

"Small packages, and courier work," he said, lifting a shoulder. "Ships don't fly for free."

That was spacer economics, and true, so far as it went. Chi sipped her tea.

"We may find some small thing which needs to travel in our direction, but you will recall that the primary purpose of this trip, Captain pen'Uldra, is to introduce you to those firms and contacts with whom you will be working, once this ship is fully crewed and wearing her pods."

As he was still frowning, she added.

"Korval funds this tour as part of the cost of doing business."

"True enough, though it goes against the weave," he said, finishing his soup and rising to put the bowl in the washer. "Would you like more tea? Or something a little more to eat than two crackers?"

"By the time I am done here," she told him with dignity, "I will have had three crackers. And yes, I would like it if you would warm my tea."

He did so, and stood looking down at her. He was, she thought, much more suited to a ship than to Liad.

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