“Good work, Wells.” Ranvir missed the shock on the civilian’s face at the praise as he turned to look at Tane. “Are there security protocols that will seal off sections of the ship?”
Tane went to the control console next to communications and drilled down through its menus. “Yes, by specific rooms and levels.”
“Does it also give personal locations and numbers?”
“Yes.” He turned back to Ranvir. “Why?”
“Several of the colonists aren’t happy about being left on Yelmurn. They were aggressive with Taly, even going as far as to demand she should be doing more for them.”
“More?” Vujcec’s shock filled the room. “How much more do they think we can do? They know we’re fugitives.”
“Fugitives who can change their unfortunate circumstances if they turned us in,” Ganesha told him.
“But we saved them.” Vujcec couldn’t believe anyone would do that.
“That was yesterday. Now they’re worried about tomorrow.” Ranvir looked back to Tane. “Taly’s in medical. Can you isolate her signature so we can track her?”
“You actually think someone might harm her?” Vujcec asked.
“I’m not taking any chances.” Ranvir watched Tane’s fingers fly as he responded to Vujcec.
“There are currently five contacts in medical,” Tane told him.
“She’ll be near the med beds, near the control panel. She wanted to treat more colonists.”
Triumph flashed over Tane’s face. “Got her.”
“I want an active trace on her at all times.” Ranvir moved to take the captain’s chair Pike had vacated. “When she leaves that deck, I want it sealed.”
“Understood, Major.”
“I’ll go down and stay with her.” Vujcec rose from his seat and headed for the door.
“You think you’d be any good in a fight?” Ganesha sneered as the civilian passed him.
Vujcec stopped and glared up at the cyborg. “Go ahead. Laugh. It’s not like I haven’t dealt with bullies like you my entire life. I know I’m short and skinny, but I’m also scrappy, and while I may not win the fight, I can give Taly enough time to get away.”
A stunned silence filled the bridge as Vujcec stormed off. Ranvir found his respect for the smaller male growing. No one knowingly or willingly took a beating, but Vujcec was willing to for Taly. Ranvir just hoped it never came to that.
“Get a trace started on Vujcec, too,” he told Tane. “I don’t want him left down there when the deck is sealed.”
“Done,” Tane replied. “I’ve also logged all our signatures into the system.” It usually wasn’t needed, as pods could always locate their members. It was another reminder that they weren’t one.
“We need to talk.” Ranvir sat back in his chair, and the other three turned, waiting for him to speak. “Ganesha and I discussed this last night during our shift. Were either of you able to communicate with your pod members during the trial?”
Pike and Tane looked at each other and replied, “No.”
“And no one has felt the loss of a pod member?” Ranvir continued.
Again everyone responded no. “Then we need to assume they somehow survived and will be looking for us, the same way we will be looking for them. But for that to happen,weneed to form a pod.”
All three surged to their feet.
“No!”
“Fuck that!”
“Absolutely not.”