Valorie's heart was still racing after shouting point-blank in Dupont's face. Of course, in reality, she hadn't shouted at all. But the mental command to stop would be perceived that way. She had used it to keep Quinns out of danger. Angering the Captain of the Hayes was only a side effect. A very embarrassing one. Leon had swooped in to pull Dupont's attention off of her, while Gareth checked to see if everything was okay. Valorie's shoulder relaxed under the warm weight of Gareth's hand.

Valorie picked up his thoughts the moment he touched her. “Was she talking to Quinns?” She wished she could give a direct answer.

Instead, she mouthed, “Don’t worry.” It was weak but it was the first vague thing that came to mind. The lines between his brows deepened, and his jaw tightened. Had she only made it worse? He glanced at Jovic’s displays before meeting her eyes again.

“Time?” He mouthed back. She frowned at first. Time? Gareth raised one eyebrow before glancing up. Oh, she thought, how much time did Quinns need. She reached out to ask Quinns and found him entering the second duct.

Quinten

Twenty minutes, I think.

Making quick time.

I just wanna get off this thing.

Another twenty minutes. Valorie looked to Jovic’s displays. It did not seem like enough time was left on the progress bar. It would be tight. Her brows furrowed and she mouthed the word, “Twenty.” He nodded, closing his eyes for a moment, a frown tugging at one side of his lips. When he opened them again, his resolve had returned.

Valorie faced forward, eyeing Jovic’s displays. Was waiting and hoping the only thing she could do? She kept watch on Quinns' progress out of the ship.

“And never take on someone who has not been vetted by a person you trust. That, young man, is asking for trouble.” Dupont said, smacking his hands together decisively. Leon nodded, eyes wide with awe. She sensed his feelings were the opposite of his expression.

“Yes, sir. Fantastic advice.” Leon finally broke eye contact as he looked to Gareth. “Right, Captain? Is there anything else we should ask?” He added. Behind his smile, his eyes were that of someone silently begging for help. Valorie could sense his irritation and couldn’t understand how he kept up such a friendly smile.

“Are you sure you are ready to move on, Leon? I’m sure Dupont has a great deal more to share.” Gareth said. His stoic tone from earlier was friendlier. Leon’s eye twitched.

“Captain Dupont, Sir.” Jovic interrupted. “The initial scans are complete.” His voice was not pleased. In fact, the intimidating aura around him diminished as Dupont rounded on him.

“Ah, wonderful. What are the results?” Dupont asked as he approached. Jovic’s jaw clenched.

“Results almost entirely match the ship’s manifest.”

“What?” Dupont's expression soured.

“There are a few anomalies we can investigate, sir,” He pointed to an outline of the ship. “In this section here, and this one here.” His fingers traced along the display, onto the Gardens. Valorie felt her breath catch in her throat and had to force it out as evenly as she could.

“So, there is something?”

“Maybe,” Jovic’s free hand balled into a fist, “It is possible, however, it is, uh, not likely.” He said. Valorie felt Leon’s irritation evaporate. He had the same smile on his face, but now it was genuine if a little twisted. Her Captain’s attitude did not change. Gareth had the same confident look he started with. Dupont leaned closer to the screens, dropping his voice down.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“No. There has to be something.” He said, a hint of desperation seeping into his voice.

“As I said, Dupont. Your source lied to you.” Gareth said. Dupont seemed a little older as he turned to face Gareth.

“There are anomalies worth investigating.”

“Maybe you could run the scan again? We can wait for them, right, Captain?” Leon said. His tone was light, his face sympathetic. Jovic looked away, tapping at his screens. A smirk tugged at the corner of Leon’s facade.

“Yes, but scanning over and over isn’t going to change the facts,” Gareth said.

“Ah-ha. Your confidence does not falter. You do your parents proud.” Dupont said. Valorie felt a twinge of sadness from Gareth and glanced up at him. The sad feeling she got reflected in his eyes, but his voice did not waver.

“I do my best.” He said. Dupont nodded, but he seemed deflated.

“The physical inspection will be carried out by myself and four of my men. You will return to your ship. We will follow shortly. Have your crew ready to greet us.” He turned away to look over the scans as he spoke into the ship-wide intercom. Gareth looked to Leon, who opened his PD. Valorie took this moment to check in on Quinns. He was nearing the point he had entered the ship.

Evie

You are running out of time.

Quinten

Wow.

I’m going as quick as I can.

Is there anyone out there?

Evie

Maybe one on the outside.

There is no one in the direction you're moving.

Quinns

Oh, perfect.

It was the last message he sent, and it left Valorie wondering what exactly could be perfect. Without a map of the ship, it was hard for her to predict exact locations. She did notice his speed increase but it wasn’t fast enough. She glanced up at her Captain and shook her head. Leon frowned at her but looked to Gareth for his answer. Gareth stepped forward, despite the growing uncertainty Valorie sensed in him.

“Dupont,” Gareth said. Jovic opened his mouth to say something but was silenced by a look from his captain. Dupont took his time turning around. Good, Valorie thought, waste our time.

“You have a question, Hughes?” He asked.

“You expressed an interest in meeting my family. What are you hoping for?” Gareth said.

“If you’re trying to say something, out with it.” He said, eyes narrowing. Jovic leaned towards his captain.

“Everyone is lined up and ready, sir.” He said, his eyes on Gareth. Dupont waved him off.

“I’ve asked my question,” Gareth said. The two captains stared each other down. Gareth was in no rush, and Dupont gave in first.

“It seems an obvious one. One favor begets another.” He smiled, bushy eyebrows raised. Valorie remembered Dupont’s offer to drop the whole inspection in return for a connection to the Hughes family.

“You may find the Hughes do not consider such a favor worthy,” Gareth said. There was something sharp in his voice. The tone surprised Valorie. Dupont’s face fell, and he turned away.

“Let me worry about that. This isn’t over. Not yet.” Dupont said. The decontamination room opened up behind them, and Dupont gestured toward it. “No time like the present.” He said.

Gareth stood firm, staring down Dupont. He stared back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the physical inspection is what really scares you. Lead the way, Captain Hughes.” Dupont twisted his tone on Gareth’s title.

Without another word, Gareth turned away to enter decontamination. Leon and Valorie followed him. The door slid shut behind them, and the exit across the room unlocked. Gareth’s squared shoulders sank a little and he rubbed his temples with one hand.

“Is he out yet, Valorie?” He asked. Leon stepped forward to get the hatch, ushering them through.

“He is...” Valorie began but was interrupted by a thump below her feet. Each of them looked down at the floor. “He is crossing back to the Helianthus right now.” She said. Gareth breathed out with a laugh. Leon rolled his eyes.

“Do I even want to know?” He asked, and Gareth shook his head and grinned. The look made him look much younger. Leon nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right."

The farther they got from the Hayes, the more it all sank in. Somehow, they had made it this far. The electricity in the air energized Valorie. She trailed behind them, listening. Now that Quinns was away from the Hayes, she could ease back into her normal role.