Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

Chapter 16

The Way Home

Five days later, April sat next to Shona within the Fox Mendes enlisted mess hall. Hunched over April’s datapad, they studied a starship’s sales profile. “Phlogiston Coachworks makes very nice ships,” said April. “I think we have almost enough money between the three of us to put a down payment… on the down payment.” She set a small stack of digital papers on the seat next to her.

“Awesome, let’s do it!” said Shona.

“I was being facetious,” said April. “Besides, a leviathan like that is a lot more starship than we’ll ever need. We should look for something a bit more sensible.” She changed how the list was sorted and tabbed through a few panels until she stopped at a much smaller starship. “This is what’s in our price range.”

“Why can’t we put a down payment on a down payment?”

April folded her hands together. “It’s just not a good idea. We’d be taking out a loan so we can take out an even bigger loan, and we have no idea what our income is going to look like.”

“We’ll be fine,” said Shona. “Have a little faith.”

“It’s not a matter of faith,” said April.

They heard the boatswain’s call, and conversation quickly filled the adjacent passageways as the starship’s crewmembers started lining up for afternoon chow. They filled the mess deck with a lighthearted din. “Let’s resume this discussion with Malmoradan after he’s out of surgery,” said April.

“Sure,” said Shona. “Did you add the Phlogiston to our list?”

“I didn’t,” said April.

“It’s okay, I’ll add it,” said Shona.

April winced slightly. “Fantastic.”

Mike appeared at the threshold with Orin and Torsha at his side. Spotting April and Shona, he waved them over. April gathered her electronic paperwork and joined the others in line.

Sharing a brief and tender embrace with Shona, Mike glanced back the way he had come. “You know I can get us into the officers mess, right? The food all comes from the same place, but it’s a lot nicer up there.”

“I like it here,” said April.

“It’s roomier here, too,” said Shona.

“Fair enough,” said Mike. With a nod toward April, he tapped his jacket pocket. “What’s the word?”

“On Cajun?” asked April.

“If you’ve got an update,” said Mike. “Not to be rude, but it’s been five days since we left Rocksaugh’s.”

“Unfortunately, Cajun’s got his hands full training Watchtower’s new recruits. He sends his apologies and promises to have a look at Nimbus as soon as he can.” April regarded him sympathetically. “I wish Casey would’ve taken me up on my offer. I’m sorry, Mike.”

“No, it’s okay. It’ll take time for Casey to pick up Blacktusk’s bounty. At worst, I hope Cajun and I can meet then.”

“She was trying to keep that secret,” said April. “How did you hear of it?”

“As the Falcon prince of this sector, Izel isn’t allowed to hide any tactical or logistical information from me,” said Mike. “Basically, I asked, and she answered. Anyway, I’ll arrange some time to meet with Cajun once we’re all on Rhyon.”

Torsha looked first at her phone, then pointedly at April. “Which is in six hours, right?”

“Well, we’re scheduled to reach the reactor-free horizon at that time, but it’s anyone’s guess when the Orbital Guard arrives,” said April. “When they do, it’ll take some time to fill out all the paperwork and ferry the prisoners over to the transport ship.”

Suddenly irritated, Torsha asked, “So what, another day?”

April shrugged. “Sure. Half a day, maybe up to a day sounds probable. If nothing goes wrong.”

“Why can’t you ever give me a straight answer?”

“I gave you a range,” said April. “I’m sorry, but it’s the best I can do.”

Torsha stared sullenly.

“Hang in there,” said Mike. “We’re almost home.”

“I can’t wait,” grumbled Torsha.

Orin indicated April’s paperwork. “What’s that?”

“Something I think you’ll be very excited about, but I need to discuss it with you in private,” said April.

“Interesting,” said Orin, and he sidestepped out of the line. “Where should we go?”

She shook her head. “It can wait until after lunch.”

“Sure, of course,” said Orin, and he got back in line just as it started to move.

In short order, they all sat around a square table with fixed steel seats. Mike sat on the table’s edge as they talked and ate.

As Shona returned with a heaping plate of thirds, the ship’s head nurse caught up with her. “Malmoradan’s doing fine,” said the nurse, as Shona scarfed down her food. “He’s in and out of consciousness, but he’s recovering nicely. Dr. Fairly says it’s okay for you to visit. Just you right now since you’re family.”

With an enthusiastic nod, Shona gulped down the last of her sliders and drained a cup of water. She set her dishware down on the table and smiled at her friends. “Be right back.”

“This way,” said the nurse, and she led Shona away.

Orin delivered the used dishes and utensils to a wash bin near the scullery. When he returned to the table, April greeted him with an earnest smile. “Shall we?” she asked, and she aligned her stack of electronic papers.

“Lead on,” said Orin, and he followed April out into the passageway.

“Looks like it’s just you and me,” said Mike. “Would you care to check out the observation deck? This might be your last chance to do so.”

“Do I have to look at stars?” asked Torsha.

“It would be hard not to,” said Mike.

“Then no,” said Torsha, and she buried her head in her hands.

Mike sat next to her and rested his hand on her back. “Oh, hey now. Torsha, what’s wrong?”

“It’s just that whether we’re slowing down, speeding up, or going really fast, the stars don’t move at all.”

“That’s because they’re so far away, stars appear stationary no matter how fast we go,” said Mike.

“I know that,” said Torsha. “I’m not stupid. You’re hearing when you should be listening.”

“My apologies,” said Mike. “I’m listening now.”

“What