Gerrin and Anna stood by the cargo bay door as their “cargo” migrated up the cargo bay ramp out of the rain – passengers. Some dragged wheeled luggage along behind them, some carried small packs on their backs. “Just passengers?” Anna asked.

“Well, a job’s a job”, Gerrin shrugged. “Besides, we’re getting twenty five percent of what Baresh charged these people”.

Anna looked at him. “I thought you wanted thirty?”

“Certain compromises had to be made”, Gerrin admitted.

As they observed their passengers Aldous crossed the cargo bay toward them. “Captain, we’ve got a little problem” he said in a low voice. “Someone went in the engine room and stole my– “ he looked around to see if anyone else was listening “ -recreational programs”.

Gerrin fought the impulse to smile. “I don’t think anyone here would really be interested in your – ‘recreational programs’, Aldous”.

“I’m telling you”, Aldous insisted, “there’s a thief around here somewhere. I had that stuff locked up in the storage cabinet and now it’s gone”.

Gerrin turned to him. “Cabinet broke into?”

Aldous shook his head. “They picked the lock”.

“Nothing else missing?”

Aldous thought for a second. “Not that I noticed”.

“We’ll look around for them, then”, Gerrin assured him. “Just do me a favor and don’t do any ‘recreating’ while we have passengers on board”.

“Can’t now”, Aldous frowned.

“Let us get these people settled in and I’ll help you look”, Anna offered.

At that point one of the passengers, a woman in an expensive coat with delicately finished blonde hair, approached them. “Are you the captain of this – vessel?”

Anna and Aldous pointed to Gerrin. “Yes?” Gerrin asked.

“Captain, I have certain concerns about the accommodations on this ship. I’m used to a slightly more refined atmosphere when I travel, and a simple cot in some corner just won’t do”.

Gerrin looked at her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name”.

The companion looked at him as if she couldn’t believe the question. “I’m Shayla Inabran. Surely you’ve he