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"So how long will we be there? When will we get to Earth?"
Atina gave me a wry smile. "I don't know."
8
Atina
Sivilia wasn't the worst planet to get stranded on. It was beautiful and calm, but remote and the population didn't take well to foreigners, which was a bit of an issue for the intergalactic crew of the P0TA-2.
I jogged down the loading dock to where Captain Ellabee was chatting with one of the engineers. The captain was a stern woman at the best of times but she looked downright murderous at the moment. I really hoped it wasn't my fault or negligence that caused our system to malfunction like this.
The captain looked up when she saw me. "Atina. You flew well."
"Thank you." I gestured back at the ship. "What happened?"
"I'm running a full diagnostic scan now but it's looking like some sort of virus. Best guess? Queri sold me some dodgy parts last time I was there." The way she said his name spelled trouble for him next time she saw him.
"So what now?"
"I'll have to make repairs, so no flying for a while. I need you to gather some people; the malfunctions messed with the livestock bays and the rashipis got out of their enclosure. They're all over the cargo hold. Get them back in their bay."
I wanted to point out that I was a pilot, not a rashipi-sitter, but in a situation like this, it was all hands on deck. I'd just have to find some help to herd what I considered some of the most annoying animals that existed on Kendar. I wasn't sure what planet they were bound to, but they'd made nothing but a huge mess ever since we'd taken the herd on board. I was glad I wasn't usually in charge of our living cargo.
"Maybe ask our passengers," the captain suggested, "I've heard they've got some sort of animal park. Perhaps they'll volunteer to help."
For some reason, having an excuse to spend more time with Heather cheered me up. I checked my controlband for her location. She was in her cabin, which luckily wasn't far from the cargo hold.
When I stood in front of her door, I hesitated. Was I presuming too much? Did she even want to help? Maybe Heather had enough of me after all the excitement she'd had on the bridge. But then I thought of the loose rashipis and how much work it would be to herd them back into their pen. I could do with some company.
As soon as I held my hand against the scanner, I heard a chime announce me inside the cabin. I hoped she knew how to let me in - and yes, the door slid open, revealing the pretty human.
"Hey," she smiled.
"Hey."
We grinned at each other until I remembered just why I'd come here.
"Do you want to me help catch some rashipis? They're loose all over the cargo bay and the captain asked me to herd them back into their enclosure."
"Rashipis?" she asked. "I assume they're animals?"
"Yes, sorry, they're a fairly dumb animal from planet Kendar. They are bred for their fur, it's fluffy and pink and looks like clouds on their planet. They have six stout legs with sharp talons, but they're usually very docile. They're too stupid to fight, basically. When they get loose, they forget where they came from, so it's a pain to find them and bring them back together."
"They don't sound too dissimilar from sheep, except for the talons and the six legs," Heather said cheerfully. "I'll try to help the best I can. If they're anything like sheep, I have a few tricks up my sleeve."
I looked at her shirt until she laughed. "Another expression. I don't literally have anything up my sleeve except my arms."
"They're pretty arms," I blurted. My ears grew hot at the blunder. I was as dumb as a rashipi sometimes.
"Are you ready?" I asked quickly.
"Yes, it's not like I have anything better to do. I was planning to read something before you appeared, but I couldn't even decide on which book to start. This sounds like a much better use for my time."
She followed me down the deserted corridors. The rest of the crew were either hard at work or using the unplanned stop for a bit of shore leave. I kind of wished I'd be able to show Heather some of Sivilia instead of chasing after rashipis, but at least I got to spend more time with her. I'd never been this interested in a passenger before. What made her so special? Sure, she was beautiful in an exotic way, but I barely knew her.
As soon as we entered the main cargo hold, the honking of confused rashipis reached my ears. They were making more noise than should be possible.
"Is that them?" Heather shouted to make herself heard over the racket.
