(… continuing)

The next twelve hours were intense. The night had passed with little rest.
Dukk, Annee, Bazzer and Luna worked together on the preparation for, and then doing the repairs. They all helped with printing parts. Dukk and Bazzer worked on the outer hull. Annee and Luna gave them support from inside the passenger area. It was challenging work. Wearing suits and having to take breaks to resupply the air tanks added to the challenge.
Marr had been put in charge of keeping an eye on the rig systems and other traffic. She also worked the airlocks as the others moved about doing repairs.
Mentor focused on helping Trence and supporting the other passengers.

Near six a.m., the repairs were done. Dukk suggested they celebrate by having breakfast together. Mentor had agreed to join them as Trence was resting contently with an arm that was already mending.
“Well done everyone,” Dukk said as they sat down to eat. “We have successfully made it through our first hull breach.”
“Yes, great team work,” added Annee.
“What a team!” Bazzer said.
Dukk looked around. Everyone was smiling, except Marr.
“Marr, are you ok?” Dukk asked.
“The breach was my fault!” Marr answered.
Everyone stopped and looked at Marr.
“How so?” Dukk asked in an empathetic tone.
“If I had updated the projection of the scatter pattern when we entered the void, we wouldn’t have come so close to the large fragment and then had the breach!”
“There is no way of knowing if that would have made a difference. The large fragment may have only just been dislodged moments before we came near it. Besides, constantly refreshing the projection also takes the auto-pilot offline for periods. That may have put us in even more danger. Your response, at each stage of the emergency, was timely and appropriate. Your contribution ensured we survived. No, the breach was not your fault.”
Marr tried to smile.
Dukk knew not to push it. This was something she needed to think about more.

“Does this type of thing happen often?” Luna asked to break the tension.
“No, thankfully,” Annee answered.
“Well, fingers crossed that it doesn’t happen again anytime soon!” Luna replied.
“It happens more often than you would hope,” Bazzer added. “Mostly we don’t get to hear about it. When it goes wrong, there isn’t anyone around to tell the tale. The discipline, preparation and practice, that is done on this rig, counts. You don’t get to my age by leaving things to chance.”
“Is that what happened to that rig?” Luna asked.
“A breach?” Bazzer replied.
“Yes.”
“I doubt a breach would cause a rig to breakup like that,” Bazzer replied.
“It wasn’t a rig. It was a cruiser,” Marr observed.
They all turned to look at her.
“What do you mean?” Dukk asked.
“I ran back over the footage of the near miss and then breach. The large fragment had a vessel identifier on it. I already knew that ID. It was the cruiser from Maple Tower. The cruiser the girls were on before they joined us.”
Annee gasped.
Dukk sighed and looked around the table. All were looking surprised. Except Mentor.
“Well, this is all very sobering news,” Dukk said quietly. “Perhaps after the events of the last twelve hours, rest is what we all need right now.”
“Totally agree,” Bazzer answered immediately.

“So, how are we looking?” Dukk asked, taking full advantage of the window created by Bazzer to shift the conversation.
“Pretty good shape,” Bazzer answered. “The drones picked up a few more things to fix, but they can wait until Kaytom Beach.”
“Great, let’s get some rest. I need a shower before going back on watch. Anyone want to help Marr and cover me while I do that?” Dukk asked.
“I’ll cover you,” Mentor answered.
“Great. After the shower, I’ll take the conn for a time and let the rest of you all get some downtime.”

Feeling refreshed, Dukk headed to the med bay. He hoped to find Mentor alone. He was in luck.
Mentor looked up as Dukk entered.
Dukk stepped into the middle of the room. He stopped and looked directly at Mentor.
Mentor straightened up.
They looked directly at each other for a moment without saying anything.
Then, Mentor swiped his hand over his wrist and enabled his bracelet. Dukk did the same.
“Who are you?” Dukk asked.
“Someone with a history.”
“Aren’t we all. Let me rephrase that. What is going on?”
“It is complicated.”
Dukk sighed. “I am getting tired of the mysteries. Let’s try a different angle.”
Mentor smiled.
“What ever it is,” Dukk said, “What ever is going on, does it involve a fiery and sticky end for us?”
“Not if I can help it.”
“Is there anything I can do to help avoid that outcome?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Stop asking impossible questions and instead keep doing what you do. Keep doing what you are good at. Keep this rig moving. And, keep the team focused on what they do best.”
Dukk sighed again. “On one condition.”
“Shoot”
“When I feel that I can’t keep doing that, you will level with me.”
“Agreed!”

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

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 21 - Turbulence (Passage 5 of 5)]

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