Out in the reaches of space, Hiwi traded places with Brighand and took back her robotic arm. He took control of the ship and flew straight ahead as she went over to check on the engine. As he couldn’t see where he was going, he just continued flying forward while glancing back where the outline of the stealthed ship was approaching. Since the part of the engine that took power from the radioactive fuel was different from combustion of the solid fuel, there was no need to leave it at a low speed. At the same time, he wasn’t suicidal so he didn’t max out the speed. A stable 70% power pace.

“So where are we even going? You seem to be able to navigate this ship despite this crate that should be blocking your vision. This engine will probably pop if you stress it out or run it for longer than a few hours straight so we better not be going blind,” said Hiwi.

“Don’t worry, we just need to get out of range of the port’s detection range. It really doesn’t matter which direction we go as long as we get out of that range and the other ship will meet us,” said Brighand.

“So what, the other ship will just drive itself to us?” asked Hiwi.

“It’s literally right behind us now and waiting until we’re out of range so it can pick us up,” said Brighand.

“That doesn’t answer the question. Is it driving itself to us or do you have someone else piloting it? And why does detection matter if it’s already within that range and not lingering outside waiting for us?” asked Hiwi.

“It’s uh, driving itself. There’s like this computer or ship AI that can control most things on it. As for why it’s with us and waiting, it has a way to block detection but I’m pretty sure docking with it will make that detection drop temporarily. That or it’d be really suspicious if our ship just suddenly fell off the radar. Especially since you robbed the quartermaster they’re probably keeping tabs on us. Let’s exit the range of detection, get on the ship, and then change direction so there’s no chance of pursuit,” said Brighand.

“If that’s why you’re doing this, then it should be fine for us to dock with it now. There won’t be a pursuit. In fact, there won’t be a space station there for much longer,” said Hiwi with a suspicious smile on her face.

“What? No station? I mean I guess you’re right that they’ll all die from the virus eventually. But if any of the nearby planets send out authorities they might find info on us or cure some of the survivors if they can,” said Brighand.

“No no no, you don’t get it. That bomb I set off to knock Mr. Ledger off his feet was only the first one. There’s more set to timers. A lot more. I didn’t take over the entire service tunnels just to hide but to prepare for my great escape. The main issue with planetside authorities putting me on a blacklist is a space station full of diseased people. They might just forget about the list if there’s no more station, right?” asked Hiwi.

Just then, a light flickered along the edges of the crate blocking the view of the outside. The only thing that traveled through space after an explosion was light and debris. Hiwi used the robotic arm to shift the crate blocking the view into a different spot and Brighand turned the ship around and watched as the space station split apart into tiny pieces that each exploded with secondary explosions.

“Why?” asked Brighand.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“You said it yourself, they were all doomed to die anyway. The slower their deaths, the more likely it’d implicate us in some way. This is wiping the slate clean. Oh is that the ship. I see what you meant by it avoiding detection now,” she said as the military ship decloaked and docked with their ship.

The airlocks opened up automatically and allowed them to go inside. Hiwi rushed in and immediately began inspecting one of the space suits. Brighand turned off the engine and stepped out while still a bit absentminded about the space station exploding.

“Captain Brighand, is this the new mechanic, a female?” asked the computer.

“A female? I heard you’re an AI and I will spill tea on your electronics during the repairs if you look down on me,” said Hiwi.

“There is no officer position for mechanics and engineers as they’re generally put directly under the command of the captain. However, military law dictates that females below the rank of officer be given any free officer rooms to maintain order in cases where the male to female ratio is unbalanced,” said the computer.

“Wait, does that mean I get a nicer room and better meals? Nice. Show me where I’ll be staying… computer? AI? Brighand what’s the name of this thing talking to us now?” asked Hiwi.

“Wait, male to female ratio? Does that mean what I thought was a medical android is actually a normal guy?” asked Brighand.

“I might be the cause of that,” said Dr. Ripperov as the door to the cargo bay opened.

“What? Why are you onboard?” asked Brighand.

“Had enough of slinking around and tailing us finally?” asked Hiwi.

“Well, I wouldn’t call it slinking around but more of embarrassment from ditching our young captain here in the service tunnels. I tried exiting at a few spots and kept bumping into very angry people and angrier people with guns. Backtracked a bit and found some light only to get shot with a syringe by an angry miss and decided to keep some distance. I found my own ship and sent out a message over comms for anyone to read about my medical expertise and the fact that I was cured of the disease and this amazing ship picked me up out in space. That medical area has very expensive medications that I don’t have to even worry about people stealing due to military law and all the cameras,” said Dr. Ripperov.

“Computer would you be comfortable with me calling you Arty, as in Artificial Intelligence?” asked Hiwi.

“No, you may not,” said the computer.

“Hey, how are we supposed to get the supplies off my ship? There’s no magnetic arm for loading and unloading supplies. Door’s too small even if we got the crates in here. That one crate is lead lined to prevent rads leaking so should we all put on the spacesuits over here to roll it over to the engine?” asked Brighand.

“Allow me to assist,” said the computer.

Just then, the airlock closed and the scavenger ship undocked as a drone came over. Brighand was relieved, thinking the drone would guide it to another entrance meant solely for unloading cargo rather than people getting in and out. Also, the hose on his spacesuit got cut again. Instead, a high powered laser cut the ship in half while the drone began to grab the crates as they floated out to bring back to another entrance to the ship.

“My ship! Why’d you cut it in half?” asked Brighand.

“Kind of a junker anyways. It’s a good idea to scrap it,” said Hiwi.

“Couldn’t we use it like a scouting ship or something to get supplies without revealing this ship? Like what I just did with the space station?” asked Brighand.

“Well there’s always the ship I stole to get here,” said Dr. Ripperov.

“Exactly, your old ship has lost all value due to the presence of a better secondary vessel and the unrepairable damage to its engine. As it was before it got sliced, it was simply taking up valuable docking space. Only six small sized ships such as that one or two medium sized ones can dock on this ship. Due to two of said small slots being taken up by automated drones, your ship on top of the freshly recruited doctor would prevent a medium ship from being able to dock,” said the computer.

“That’s still depressing. It was the ship I lived in for years,” said Brighand.

“Captain, instead of ruminating, I suggest as her superior officer, guiding the new mechanic to her room and workplace. Also stop by your room to change into proper attire,” said the computer.