(… continuing)

With only himself and Marr in the cockpit, Dukk turned to Marr.
“Are you okay? You are very quiet?”
Marr looked up. She paused momentarily. She was troubled. She realised Dukk had read her attempts to hide her knowledge of the raiders. She wanted to share, but now wasn’t the time nor place. She had an idea.
“I have heard stories. It doesn’t always end well. I heard the rig can jump slightly with the pressure change when the doors are opened to let the raiders in. That jump could trigger the citadel defences. That kept going through my mind. I guess that I am in shock,” Marr answered genuinely.
Dukk looked deeply at her. He was still troubled by the way the raider had looked at her and Mentor. Dukk decided it wasn’t the time nor the place.
“Yes, true. I had that covered,” Dukk answered.
Marr paused. She looked out of the window. Then at the controls. She looked up at him.
“You started the depressurisation of the hold when you were first alerted to their presence?”
“Yep,” Dukk answered.
“So we weren’t at risk?”
“I wouldn’t say that. Nothing is without risk.”
“Any other tricks you haven’t shared?”
“Plenty, but now isn’t the time nor place,” Dukk said and smiled.
Marr smiled too. There was something in the way he said what she was thinking. They were in tune.
After a moment, Dukk broke the silence. “We’ve got some paper work to complete if we want to hit the bars and celebrate our first successful return. Do you want to look after the normal port clearance protocols and I’ll focus on the raiders report?”
“Sounds like a good plan.”

With the rig settled on the pad, Dukk prepared to leave the cockpit. Before leaving, he peered out of the windshield. There was the usual sentinel squad, typical of the welcoming committee for a high value load. He couldn’t see the investigators. Perhaps they were delayed, he thought.
When he got to the starboard door, only Annee was there. No observers.
“That is odd,” Dukk muttered.
Annee shrugged her shoulders as she was thinking the same.
Dukk dashed back up to the observer’s cabin. The door was open. Kimince and Trence were there getting out of their g-suits.
“Why aren’t you at the starboard door? The inspectors will want to see you immediately. Did Annee not tell you about this?” Dukk said in an impatient tone.
“Yes, she did. But just now we got a message from our supervisors,” Kimince answered. “Our supervisors want us to just read and submit your report. They didn’t feel it was necessary to conduct an investigation. Also, they said we don’t have to leave the rig tonight and can forgo the inspection tomorrow morning. Something about new protocols for high value cargo,” Kimince answered.
Dukk stood there stunned.
“Someone, clearly has significant influence. I’ve heard of short cuts being made, but this turn of events is on a completely different scale,” Dukk thought to himself.
“Oh. Right. So, will you be joining us again?” Dukk asked.
“Absolutely. We made a special request to stay with this assignment. They approved it,” Kimince replied.
“Brilliant, isn’t it,” Trence added.
“Very much so,” Dukk replied.
“We’d like to head into the citadel and enjoy some time with friends. Will you message us tomorrow’s departure time?” Kimince asked.
“Absolutely. I’ll check on the loading schedule and plan the departure time from there. Before you go, can you help us get the pad doors open so we can unload and disembark the passengers?”
“Of course, we’ll get changed and be on the pad in ten minutes.”
“Perfect. Enjoy your planet side time,” Dukk shared sincerely. Half surprised at himself as to how authentic it felt.
“We will,” came the reply as Dukk turned and headed back towards the starboard door.

Dukk’s external comms started ringing. He inspected the caller ID. It was Wallace.
“Wallace,” Dukk said as he accepted the call.
“Welcome home, Dukk,” Wallace answered. “You made great time. And, I hear you had quite an adventure.”
Dukk laughed. “News travels faster than rigs.”
Wallace laughed too. “So, I have some news of my own. The supplier wants to keep up the momentum. The beef will be ready for loading at eight a.m. tomorrow. What are the chances that you can accommodate a fast turn around.”
“There is always something with you, Wallace. Something to keep me on the edge.”
“At the edge is where I like it.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“We always have a choice, Dukk. You can choose to go with the flow or walk away.”
“That doesn’t sound like much of a choice.”
“How about I pay for your crew dinner. I’ll even cover the drinks. Will that make the choice easier?”
“I think that might help me sway the crew.”
“Excellent. I’ve made reservations for you at The Triggerarti. Eight p.m.. One of the best tables in the place.”
“I noticed the past tense in how you phrased the table booking.”
“Just staying at the edge. Enjoy!” Wallace said as he disconnected the call.

Dukk turned around and headed in the direction of the crew mess. His progress was halted by one of the passengers standing in their cabin doorway.
“What is going on?” the passenger asked.
“It appears there won’t be any delay in disembarking after all,” Dukk answered. “If you want to get changed out of your suits, we can help you bring your lockers to the pad door. We’ll have you on your way in no time at all.”
“That is excellent news. We’ll be ready in ten.”

“Circle-up. Crew mess ASAP”, Dukk said into the crew comms as he closed the crew mess door.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 23 - Pivoting (Passage 2 of 5)]

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