(… continuing)

Dukk found Marr waiting at the crew table.
“How do you want to run this watch? Annee mentioned that we don’t really have much to do?” Marr asked.
“That is correct. We are basically responsible for opening and closing the security door. The lock is coded to only those on watch. So we must open and close it for others to move on or off the rig. That way we can ensure no-one unauthorised comes on board. We also need to keep an eye on the other external doors and hatches. As well as monitor the proximity scanners. This hub is relatively safe, but we still want to make sure the rig is secure and not at risk. And, that is all automated so we really just have to respond to alerts.”
“That sounds straight-forward. It doesn’t sound like it would take two?”
“True, so we have plenty of time to exercise, sleep or whatever else. If we hear an alert or door opening request, we can have a quick exchange on the comms to see who handles it.”
“Excellent. Now that I know that, I might get a little rest. Take the edge off the wine. How about a wall ball match later?”
“Definitely.”

“Before you go, I have to ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
Dukk enabled his bracelet. Marr did the same.
“Have you heard of the picture app, Antiw?”
“Absolutely,” Marr replied.
“You use it?”
“Yes, it is how I get paid for jobs,” she replied without thinking. The wine was still at play, clearly.
“Jobs?”
Marr smiled cheekily. Dukk took the hint that he wasn’t going to get more on that for now. He laughed. She did too.
“Anyway, let’s take a selfie.”
Dukk came along side Marr and took the selfie. He then interacted with his wrist wrap and flicked the picture over to Marr. She caught it and interacted with the app.
“One hundred thousand? What is this for?” Marr replied in shock.
“It is your share of a contract sweetener. The code among hauliers, is that apprentices get a half share. Normal crew, a full share. Chief mate gets a share and a half, as does the First Engineer. Captain gets a double share. That formula applies to all gains.”
“Wow! For a three month gig that is excellent. In EUs, one hundred grand is what I make a year as a Keeper.”
“Well, out here there are a lot more risks, so, all being equal, a normal crew member should make twice that in an average year.”
“Nice. But this would buy a lot of drinks on Earth. More than I could drink in a life time. What else can I use it for?” replied Marr smiling.
“It is standard currency out here. This hub hasn’t a lot of extra services, but places like Mayfield have lots of ways to spend it. Have you tried skiing?”
“In snow!”
“Yep, Mayfield is covered in the stuff. At the staff village, you can get lessons and buy lift passes. We have plenty of spare clothing and gear on the rig. Some of it might need a wash, but there is plenty of time to do that before we arrive into Mayfield,” laughed Dukk.
“Have you been skiing?”
“Absolutely. You have got to make the most of every moment we have planet side, as there isn’t a lot of it.”
“Can’t wait,” Marr said gleefully as she turned towards her cabin.

Later that evening, Dukk, Marr, Annee and Mentor were in the crew mess about to do the watch hand over. Annee and Mentor had just returned from the hub’s pub. Dukk and Marr had just got changed, ready to head there.
“You look hot!” Annee said as she looked Marr up and down.
Dukk spun around. He had caught Marr in the corner of his eye as he exited his cabin. He hadn’t paid much attention as she was wearing the customary haulier blue. He paid attention now. Her top was the customary colour, but not style. It was a deep v plunge peplum frill top that was skater flared at the waist. “Annee was right!” thought Dukk.
“Anything to know about, Dukk?” Annee asked.
Dukk said nothing. He was staring at Marr.
“Dukk?” Annee repeated.
“Things have been very quiet with you all off enjoying yourselves,” Dukk replied quickly trying to recover his distracted moment.
Marr laughed, aware of the source of his distraction. “I like your shirt, Dukk.”
“Thank you,” Dukk said in a tone that was somewhere between embarrassment and pride. Embarrassment because he was berating himself for not commenting on her look first. Pride because it was his favourite red shirt, the one that Larinette didn’t think was good enough any more.
“Speaking of enjoying ourselves,” Annee said as she smiled and looked between Dukk and Marr. “It is pretty chaotic in there now. The place was packed when we left. It feels like the entire population of the station is in there.”
“Sounds like fun. How are the others?” Marr asked.
“Luna has been having a ball. Centre of attention. Bazzer is pretty lively too. The observers are in some state after drinking solidly since the meal with Ileadees. The girls have been watched closely by Bognath and Carltor, but they have still managed to kick up their heels.”
“Excellent. Let’s join them hey, Dukk?”
“Yep, absolutely,” Dukk replied still quite distracted. “Annee and Mentor, the rig is in your hands. See you a little later,” Dukk said as he opened and then held the door for Marr.

It didn’t take long for Dukk and Marr to reach the pub.
It took a lot longer to make their way through the crowd and find the others.
They found them at tables in the back, near a small dance floor. The girls were dancing with Luna. Bognath and Carltor were standing nearby, giving hard looks to any man that went near the girls. Bazzer was sitting with Trence and Kimince. The observers looked worse for wear.
Luna spotted Marr and came rushing over. She grabbed her hand and dragged her back in the direction of the dance floor.
“Drink?” Dukk shouted at Marr.
“Definitely. Make it a double”, Marr shouted back.
Bazzer looked up.
“I’ll help you. You order while I use the bathroom,” Bazzer said as he slid out of his seat.
Dukk followed Bazzer away from the table and then headed for the bar as Bazzer headed towards the bathrooms.
He pushed his way through the crowd and arrived at the bar.

The moment Dukk got to the bar, he felt a body push up next to him and an arm wrap around his shoulders. He felt a little pressure at the side of his stomach. He looked down. A knife.
“Follow that idiot, Bazzer, into the bathroom or I’ll slit you right here. Your choice!”
He looked around. It was Joantyi.

She turned him and the two of them walked arm in arm, seemingly casually, through the crowd, to the bathroom.
“Larony, here is the second fool,” Joantyi said as she used Dukk to shove the bathroom door open.
Dukk stumbled in with her. A pair of legs lay half out of a stall. Someone was lying there. The person was not moving.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared from behind. They were knocked forward.
Dukk was released and shoved. He spun around and stumbled backwards towards the sinks.
There was a blur of limbs.
“Nice try, you scumbag,” shouted Bazzer.
The knife was now in Bazzer’s hand. Bazzer had one of Joantyi’s arms twisted behind her and the knife was now at her throat. She froze.
Dukk could now see who was in the stall. It was Larony.
“Yes, your plan hasn’t exactly gone the way you’d hoped. Larony has seen better days. Struggle and I’ll happily end yours,” Bazzer whispered.

Then there was another voice.
“Put the knife down, Bazzer and step back. Do anything else, and I will gladly shoot you!”
Dukk looked over at the door.
Ileadees was standing just inside the door. He had a very large gun. And, it was pointed at Bazzer. Further security people slid in behind Ileadees, guns raised.
Bazzer dropped the knife and stepped back.
Joantyi laughed out loud.

(to be continued...in the next chapter)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 17 - Layover (Passage 5 of 5)]

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