WCGW Chpt 14

<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
==Chapter 14 - What Could Go Wrong==
----
11 December 3040
Toten (Former Outworlds Alliance System)
----
The departure of the Intruder Assault Dropship did lower the threat level a few notches, but Captain Mitchell still had some serious doubts. Another day or so and the Mule Cargo Dropship would be back and at least all his people would be together again. Entering the grav deck to eat his dinner Captain David Mitchell spotted MS. Campbell sitting alone on the far side of the dining area, so he headed that way.
"Mind if I join you, Ms. Campbell?" he asked
"Not at all sir, please have a seat." Ms. Campbell replied
After getting himself situated, Captain Mitchell took a bite and grimaced, not the best, but not the worst he had ever eaten. He caught her smiling, so she had obviously seen his reaction to the food, mostly taking his meals aboard the Intruder Dropship alongside his own people. The cook there was much better.
"Hansel tries her best, but she definitely goes light on the seasoning. Here put some pepper on it, a lot." Ms. Campbell said
"It's better than field rations, but not much." Captain Mitchell replied while he started laying on the pepper.
"Your definitely not a spacer, so you served?" Ms. Campbell asked
"Yes Ma'am, AFFS, Infantry. Just got out not long ago. Most of my people served under my command." Captain Mitchell replied
"I figured as much, too many sirs when they speak to you. That first day, after you all had left the bridge, Major Lockton commented that you had military written all over you." Ms. Campbell said
"Yeah, I have not been out long enough to lose it. Tell me, how long have you served with Master Kellog and Major Lockton?" Captain Mitchell asked
"A year. I did three years on another ship before being transferred aboard here. Master Kellog is a decent Ships Master, but he has been with Major Lockton quite a long time, or so I have heard." Ms. Campbell replied
"So, what did they find way out there?" Captain Mitchell asked
"No clue, but it must be important, Master Kellog took the people that have been with him the longest. Lead pilot, primary navigator, chief engineer and some of the other lower ranks." Ms. Campbell replied
"I thought you were the Navigator." Captain Mitchell said
"Normally I would be, but Master Kellog has his favorite. Been with him a long time. I do most of the navigating, except on the really important stuff. Then Mister Dawkins takes over." Ms. Campbell replied
"Making a jump into an unknown system is not considered important by Mister Dawkins?" Captain Mitchell asked
"Mister Dawkins usually takes over when we are making jumps into inhabited systems, especially in the Periphery. Thinks I might put us on top of another ship. I take over once we have departed an inhabited Periphery system or inside one of the House systems. Only the longest serving with Master Kellog man the bridge when making those kinds of jumps." Ms. Campbell said
Hearing this, a small voice inside Captain Mitchell's head went "pirates, they are raiding Periphery systems". That means most of the crew do not even know it is happening. Jump in, Major Lockton and his band of thugs make a burn to the target if they find one, make the hit and then scoot back, he thought. 
He saw her look up and smile at someone approaching and heard "Ms. Campbell, making friends?"
"Assistant Engineer Zuniga, please join us. Any progress on that fault we are getting?" Ms. Campbell said
"What fault?" Captain Mitchell asked
"The drive is down. We keep getting a fault when we run a jump test. Like it is not getting the data from the navigation system. We are tracking it, could just be a computer glitch." Assistant engineer Zuniga replied, "Pass the pepper please."
"When did this all start? Call me curious but we are out here by ourselves." Captain Mitchell replied
"Just this morning, we were running our weekly test on the drive. Once the chief engineer returns, we will be back up and operational. He is one of the best." Engineer Zuniga said, taking a test bite and then putting more pepper on his meal.
Sabotage, the voice in his head said. "I have a computer genius with me, he can help you if you want once he gets back." Captain Mitchell said
"Hmmm, maybe when the chief gets back. He is pretty particular about who gets into engineering. I was surprised when we spoke on the radio and told me to use some of Major Lockton's people to help move a few things from engineering. He usually has a conniption fit when anyone outside his engineer team enters engineering." Engineer Zuniga replied
Tomorrow, hopefully Davis will be back, safe and sound. He thought silently to himself. But if we have been sabotaged, what the hell do any of us know about Jumpships.
-----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
14