Seraph's Gambit by Wayne Basta

Author:Wayne Basta
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Space Ships, SciFI, Seraph, Aliens, Space Opera, Crew
Publisher: Many Worlds Fiction
Published: 2022-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

30- Vlasa

“I should be the one to go,” Vlasa stated.

Ariana shook her head emphatically, “You are still recovering. I’m not sending you on an EVA with a lunatic killer.”

“You could leave the lunatic killer here. I am capable of monitoring Serene on my own.”

In the brief silence that followed, Ariana smiled and Noah tilted his head slightly before saying, “Hold on a second.”

Ignoring Noah, Vlasa continued, “If Noah is correct, Serene is intelligent enough to know that she would only be hurting herself by betraying us to an unknown group of pirates. In which case, it does not matter who goes with her, as I will not be in danger. But if Noah is wrong, as he often is, then I am the one most likely to be able to ascertain if she has betrayed us.”

Ariana sighed, “And you are sure you could not disarm it yourself?”

“No, I am not sure. There is a greater than zero chance I could indeed do it entirely myself. But given my lack of experience with this kind of situation, our odds would be better with someone more familiar with the potential problems.”

“All right, suit up.” Ariana decided.

“But Cap...” Noah began.

Ariana cut him off with a look, “Bring our guest down to the cargo bay.”

Noah departed, and Vlasa turned to make his way to the cargo bay. Ariana followed silently. She helped him don the cumbersome EV suit and then prepare the second one. Before they had finished, Serene appeared flanked by Noah with a gun.

“Noah said you wished to see me, Captain?” Serene asked.

“You said you wanted to help out. Here’s your chance. You’re going to prove how useful you can be.” Ariana said with a smirk, “Suit up. You’re going for a little trip.”

“There is some lock you want me to pick?” Serene asked, and then after a moment she smiled, “No, a bomb you want me to disarm.”

Ariana nodded, “Potentially. There’s an abandoned ship sitting out there broadcasting a distress signal. You and Vlasa are going to see if there are any survivors and make sure the ship isn’t booby-trapped.”

“I am not a fan of space suits,” Serene said with a frown.

“You can go without it if you want. But I wouldn’t recommend it.”

As Serene reluctantly started to don her suit, Vlasa opened the weapon locker and checked the charge on one of the pistols. Before he could strap the gun belt on, Noah stepped over to him.

“You don’t want to take that.”

“You are suggesting I go off the ship with a prisoner while unarmed?”

“If you want to come back in one piece.”

“Explain.”

“If you take a weapon, it won’t be long before Serene borrows it. She has sticky fingers when it comes to that kind of thing.”

Vlasa frowned, “I thought you said she would not try anything while she has no means to escape.”

“No, I said she would not butcher us all in our sleep and strand herself in the middle of nowhere, or signal a group of pirates who are just as likely to rape and murder her as the rest of us.

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