Chapter 33 Lacy
Lacy
It took hours to get clearance for Fortuna to leave Rigel Naught.
Hours where I had nothing to do. I’d tried to pop into engineering, make sure everything was stowed properly, but Finn had met me at the door and refused to let me enter.
I could have argued, maybe even dragged Dax into it, but tensions were high and Finn already disliked me, so I didn’t push it.
When I walked away, his angry muttering followed me down the corridor. I was obviously some Blazer plant and they were all going to regret letting me on board, blah, blah, blah.
I’d left him down in the engine room, though it nearly killed me to do so. Over the last week, I’d come to think of it as my domain. Plus, I was pretty sure he had no idea what he was doing.
Whatever. Not my decision.
Being on the outside looking in with Dax and his crew was lonely. Some moments, like when I’d been loading the cargo, it was easy to fool myself that I was one of the team. But the in-between hours, like waiting for launch with nothing to do, made it clear that I was not part of Fortuna’s crew.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.” I chuckled as Dax’s voice came over the intercom. “We’ve exited the atmosphere and have set a course for the mining station Harrier. You are now free to move around the cabin.”
Finally!
The past few hours had been torture. I’d paced my room, I’d showered, and I’d rewatched so many of Layla’s videos. And I was starving!
I may not be allowed in the engine room and wasn’t sure I’d be welcome on the bridge. So I went to the next best place: the mess.
The kitchen was fully stocked now, thanks to the orders I placed on Rigel Naught. I’d purchased enough fresh groceries to feed the four of us for several days, as well as enough dry goods and shelf-stable foods to last several weeks.
Dax had hammered out watch crew schedule for the three of them, but no one had thought about a cooking schedule. Did they even realize that would be something they needed? Based on the number of pre-packed rations we’d eaten on the way to Rigel Naught, I didn’t think so.
Technically, it wasn’t my problem. Practically, though, my stomach was grumbling and I needed something to do.
Thirty minutes later, the kitchen smelled garlicky and delicious. I dipped my fork into the bowl and dangled a single noodle over my open mouth. Bursts of garlic and chili hit my tastebuds as I chewed. Maybe not quite up to my favorite restaurant, but they were damn good.
Before I could second-guess myself, I put out four place settings, as well as extra chili oil. Then I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and pressed the intercom. “Dinner’s ready.”
Would anyone even show up?
The thump of boots down the corridor sounded like Burn, so I wasn’t surprised when she was the first into the dining room.
“That smells amazing. Did you cook?” She stood by the table and stared down at the bowl of noodles with a hungry look.
“Yeah,” I admitted. “We didn’t really talk about cooking schedules, but I was hungry. There’s enough for everyone.”
“Not if they don’t get here soon.” Burn dropped into one of the chairs and with a quick look at me for permission, served herself. “I can cook,” she said, “but it’s not my favorite thing.”
Something that looked like regret flickered over her face. “It’s one of the things I miss about the corps. They fed us three squares a day.”
My nose wrinkled. “I’ve tried some of your meal pouches. You ate those three times a day?”
“The meal packs?” Burn grimaced and shook her head vehemently. “Oh no. Not those. Those were for missions only. Or this last week, since Dax didn’t buy proper food.”
I laughed and took a seat across from her.
“When we were on the ship, we had actual food. Proper meals with a meat, a vegetable, and a dessert. Not those horrible heat-and-eats.”
Burn took a bite, smiled, then liberally added chili oil to her bowl.
Maybe I should have bought more. Good thing I’d purchased a variety of hot sauces.
Dax and Finn entered the mess hall at almost the same time, though they came from opposite directions. Dax looked good, excited. Finn looked like the miserable asshole he was.
I sat at the table with my bowl of noodles studying the others as they took their seats and served themselves.
Finn just glared at the bowl. I ignored him and watched Dax from the corner of my eye.
He took a few bites, then added the chili oil, too.
Looks like I should probably up the spice a bit next time.
“Thanks for making dinner, Lacy.” He smiled at me.
My answering smile practically cracked my face. “You’re welcome.”
Twirling the noodles on his fork, he said, “These are really good. Almost as good as the ones you had the night you stole the ship.”
My smile faded and I stared at him in shock. Had he just . . .
A look of absolute horror crossed his face. That answered that question.
The room was silent for a moment, then filled with a chorus of “what the fucks” from Burn and Finn.
I carefully placed my utensils on the table next to my bowl, waiting for the explosion that was sure to come.
“You stole our ship?” Finn practically bellowed.
Someone should teach him about inside voices, I thought randomly. I didn’t say anything, just waited to see what Dax would do. He’d created the problem—well, we’d created the problem—so I was going to let him take the lead. He knew his crewmates far better than I did.
“Well,” Dax said, rubbing his neck. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“Gosh, that makes it okay, then,” Burn said sarcastically.
“What. The. Fuck. Happened?” Finn asked.
I watched Finn carefully, not at all sure that he wouldn’t resort to violence. He seemed on that edge all the time.
The silence around the table grew longer. More tense.
Fuck it. I owned my mistakes.
I started at the beginning. “Then after the men broke into my apartment, I ran. I was looking for a safe place and ended up at the docks. I just wanted to hide out for a while, so I boarded Fortuna. When I saw the men searching the docks for me, I panicked and launched the ship.”
Burn seemed to be mulling over the story, but Finn was sending me a death glare.
“And what? You just let her take off with our ship?”
Pink tinged Dax’s cheeks. “I was asleep,” he admitted. “We were already off the station when I woke up.”
Finn lurched up from the table with a scowl. “I told you she was a fucking Blazer thief, but no one wanted to listen to me.”
I had to give it to him. He was 100 percent right, just not the way he thought.
“I want her off the ship. Now.”
Burn and Dax looked alarmed. “We’re not going to space her, Finn. That’s not how we do things,” Burn said.
“Then let her off at the next stop. She’s got no business being on our ship.”
Fuck.
If they dropped me off on the mining colony, it could be weeks or even months until I could get a ride on another ship. I’d never learn what happened to Layla.
Burn turned to me, hurt and betrayal in her gaze. “Was it all a lie? The story about your sister?”
I clenched my fists under the table. Somehow, I had to convince them to keep me on board. The truth was a place to start. “No,” I said softly. “That all was true. The only lie was how Dax and I met. We met on the bridge when he came to see why the ship had left Elegium.”
“Why didn’t you just turn the ship around?” Burn asked Dax.
I winced and answered that too, even though she’d asked him the question. “I’d called in an emergency so that we could get priority takeoff. Because of that, they wouldn’t let us back.”
“So that’s why Dax couldn’t pick up cargo on Elegium Station.”
“Yes. It was my fault he couldn’t make his meeting.” I leaned forward, trying to convince her of my sincerity. “That’s why I’ve been working on getting you well-paying cargo runs. To make up for it.”
“Bullshit!” Right on cue, Finn was there to cast doubt on my every word. “You’re here for Blazer, aren’t you? You want to steal our ship, steal the cargo and leave us hanging.”
“I don’t work for Blazer.” I spoke slowly, constantly studying his posture, his movements, so I could be prepared if he attacked me.
“I’m not here for your cargo. I just want to find my sister.
Dax said you all would help, but you needed cargo too.
That’s all.” I held my open palms out in a placating gesture.
Finn ignored everything I said. “I vote we drop her off with the cargo on Harrier.” He turned to Burn.
She sighed. “I don’t know, Finn. I see your point. But if she’s telling the truth, she’s done nothing to harm us since that night.”
“She stole our ship! Isn’t that enough? How can you believe her?”
“I don’t know if I do.” Burn’s tone was tinged with sadness. “But I’m not making a big decision like this on the spur of the moment.” She stood, grabbing her bowl. “Thank you for dinner, Lacy.” Then Burn left the mess hall, her steps subdued.
Left with just Finn and Dax, I sat quietly, aware that my fate was still up in the air.
Finn sneered at Dax. “I suppose you’re going to vote to keep her on the ship.”
I didn’t dare look at Dax. My hands curled into fists again, my nails digging into my palms.
“You’re right. I told her we would help her find her sister and I’m sticking with that.”
“You’re sticking something, all right,” Finn said, his expression as cruel as his words.
Dax stood, drawing himself up to his full height. “Stand the fuck down, Finn. I don’t know why you’re acting this way, but it fucking stops now.” Military command coated his words.
Finn flinched, but he didn’t back down. “She’s getting off the ship at the next stop. Burn will agree with me.” His chair hit the floor with a clatter as he stormed off.
The tension in the mess pulsed for several long moments, until Dax sighed. “I’m so fucking sorry, Lacy.” He retook his seat, but stared at the empty space where Finn had sat. “I didn’t mean for it to slip out like that.”
I patted his hand. “Neither did I. But maybe it’s better that it’s out there.” I didn’t really believe that, not when I didn’t know whether I’d still be on the ship in a few days, but for Dax’s sake I pretended.
His hand flipped over and he laced his fingers with mine. “Maybe. I honestly don’t know how Burn will decide. And I may be the captain, but they have equal votes when it comes to the ship.”
I understood, but I hated it. “Maybe they’ll come around.” We had three days after all.
“Maybe.” He gave my fingers a quick squeeze. “After we finish dinner, I need to confine you to your quarters.”
He squeezed my hand a little longer, a little tighter, until I looked at him. “And I need you to stay there. For real. I know you can probably still get out if I lock you in, but Finn will take that as more proof that you’re a threat, and I’m not sure what would happen in that situation.”
“I’ll stay in my room.” It would drive me stir crazy, but I’d do it, because Dax was asking.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” he asked. “Anything else that will come back and bite us in the ass?”
I shook my head. “No.” I wouldn’t—couldn’t—tell him about my dad now.