(… continuing)

After a few awkward moments, Annee spoke. “I have no problem sacrificing some of the bonus. However, I am not sure if Bognath can be trusted, yet.”
“What do you suggest?” Dukk asked.
“He is answerable to me and I have final say over what he does or doesn’t do.” Annee replied.
“Absolutely. Already a given. What else?”
“We restrict his access, for now. He remains as a passenger and therefore he can’t access crew only areas. His focus will be external security only. He will coordinate the hub’s security personnel. He will keep an eye on what is going on around the rig. However, whom ever is on watch must manage the door locks. Any diversion from the plan or suspicious behaviour from him or those he overseas, and he is off this rig. No second chances.”
Dukk thought for a moment. “Yep, that works for me. What about everyone else?”
The others agreed.
“Great,” Dukk said. “And, seeing as he is answerable to you, Ann, will you let him know what we agreed and take it from here?”
“Will do. Are we going with standard protocols?” Annee replied with a sincere smile.
“Yes, that is what I would suggest,” Dukk answered.
“What are those protocols?” Luna asked.
“For high value loads, before collecting, we do a risk assessment and then a circle-up to coordinate our activities,” Annee answered.
“When does that take place?” Luna asked.
“I guess that we will dock, get the ID checks complete, then do the assessment before anyone moves off the rig or we unload. Dukk?”
“Yes, that sounds right,” Dukk answered. “The security detail should be at the pad for our arrival. Perhaps you and Bognath could meet them immediately after the ID checks are complete?”
“Good idea,” Annee replied. “We can then do the circle up in the starboard airlock so we can keep an eye on what’s happening on the pad at the time?”
“Yep, that works for me. Everyone else good with that approach?”
Everyone was in agreement.

A little over two hours later and the Dinatha was safely down on a pad within a large hanger. The hanger was one of several fully enclosed areas located within the hub’s docks. It housed mostly transport vessels, like the Dinatha.
As planned, Annee had coordinated the risk assessment, circle-up and agreement on the approach.
They had agreed that the first risk event was in collecting the canisters. After the circle-up, Annee and Bognath headed to the collection point as forward reconnaissance. Marr and Dukk were tasked with taking the empty robotic containers to an adjacent hanger. A hanger typically used by space-bound mining and ice hauling vessels. They would hopefully find a buyer immediately. After that, the plan was for them to head to the load collection point. A separate security detail had been organised by the seller to help escort the load back to the hanger and then over to the Dinatha. Bazzer and Luna focused on preparing the rig for cleaning and repairs. Mentor was on point at the rig. He would operate the nose doors as the load approached.

“How are we looking?” Dukk asked on the crew comms. He and Marr were walking back towards the hanger. They had successfully found a buyer for the empty robotic containers.
“It is very quiet over here at the collection point”, Annee answered.
“Very little happening here, either”, Mentor added.
“Interesting,” Dukk replied as they were about to exit the corridors that connected the hangers.

As Marr and Dukk made their way towards the hanger, a group of three, two men and one woman, stepped into their path.
“Hello, Dukk, captain of the Dinatha,” said the man in the middle of the group.
Marr and Dukk stopped.
“Do I know you?” Dukk asked.
“No, thankfully,” the man answered.
“Then what are you doing standing in my way?” Dukk said firmly.
“I was wondering what a new comer like yourself is doing getting high value loads which, until earlier this morning, were scheduled to be on my rig?”
“I don’t know anything about you, your rig or your load. And, I care less. Take it up with your contract agent.”
Hands suddenly grabbed Dukk and Marr. Their arms were pulled sharply behind them.
They glanced around. Their two captors looked strong and capable.
“Here is the thing, Dukk! Me and my crew had plans for the bonus we’d get from that load. Some pleasures that don’t come cheep. And, now we won’t be able to afford it. So, I figure we might get some payback, right now. Perhaps your hot companion here will oblige.”

Marr was in conflict. She had already sized up the group. She was assuming there were no guns, given where they were and the security protocols. Knifes may be a problem, but so long as Dukk helped out a bit, she wasn’t worried about taking them on. She was, however, worried about blowing her cover.

Suddenly, out of the blue, the man in front of them collapsed forward. Bognath was standing in his place. Before the two on either side could react, Bognath ducked and swung his legs, bringing them both to the ground. A few fast and directed hits, and all three were out cold.
Marr and Dukk had reacted the moment they saw Bognath. They swivelled and ducked. They were free from their captors. The two remaining attackers took one look at their colleagues, then turned and fled.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 22 - Waves (Passage 2 of 5)]

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