'Shouldn't you be making yourself useful?' said Cin as she settled beside me on the woven vine seat in our new arbor in the vines, the following round.
'I'm being very useful up here' I replied, tapping my forehead.
'Imagining yourself useful isn't being useful and isn't going to save you.'
'I was thinking. I've examined all the landing jets and have hooked them up to the control panel to get a read on their status. Unfortunately, we have only three undamaged ones, - one less than the minimum I'd hoped for. Two other ones are operational, but their exhaust bells are cracked or dented which will cause problems over time. I'm thinking I'll trim the exhaust bells to eliminate the damaged area - we did that to the Starry Shore's main engine - which should prevent the damage from spreading to the combustion chamber. We can then use them for the steering rockets since they'll operate only sparingly. The only downside then is that our Pela operational speed will be reduced with only three drive rockets. I was just reviewing what needs to be done before I tackle the next phase.'
'And what are we looking at, time-wise?'
'Optimistically, we could launch in two weeks, maybe a bit more if problems pop up, but I expect we can soon get our operation underway.'
'We'll miss the rescue boat; it will be here any day now.'
'Yes. I made no promises about that. The thing is, that in two weeks we'll have an armored vessel to ply the Pela. And if no problems crop up in the environmental unit, we'll be able to sail the outer reaches at near interplanetary speeds as well. In short, the next phase of the operation is nearly at hand.' I realized I was tempting fate with that announcement, and regretted it instantly.
She shot me a quick glance. 'You're rather unconcerned about your future. I'm thinking the next phase might be somewhat different than you appear to expect.'
I gave her a smile. 'Oh, I think, in the end, you'll find that my usefulness will not end after getting the gig launched. I rather doubt Siss can steer and stand watch. And well, we haven't settled how we're going to accomplish our missions yet.'
'I believe I've settled mine. Which is the only one that counts.'
'Oh? Care to fill me in?'
She shook her head. 'Nothing has changed from what I said during our first meeting.'
'I doubt this gig will ever get you close to the rebel fleet, even if you could locate it. And without me, you have no in with the rebels. And I doubt you're of much value to the Empress any longer. I can't image what you can do to affect the outcome without my cooperation.'
'I don't need your cooperation. All I need is your body, Litang, preserved in a sleep-pod,' she replied coldly. 'They needn't know it's lifeless.'
She seemed deadly serious. I suppose Litang in desperate need of medical attention might get her near Min and Vinden.
'We'll see how that lifts, Cin, when it comes time to launch,' I replied with a sigh, and then hoping to pilot the conversation back to a more sociable course, added. 'In the meanwhile, have your survey glasses with you? I'm thinking that patchwork of greens on the plains on the island looks a lot like planted fields. They look too regular to be completely natural. We may have come across our first inhabited island.'
She pulled the thin set of glasses out of her jumpsuit pocket and placed them to her eyes. 'You're right, farm fields and workers,' she said after a pause, and handed them to me.
I brought the island into focus and slowly zoomed in. The patchwork of greens were definitely planted fields - I could see tiny figures moving in the fields and seed-shaped punts loaded with produce being pushed and pulled low over the fields using a long pole wielded by the boatman. The pole likely had a hook to grasp the tough moss covering the fields in which the crops were planted, no doubt to preserve the soil from being washed or blown away. The figures appeared to be a mix of broad and fine-feathered people, though mostly broad-feathered.
We passed the glasses back and forth.
'I haven't seen a village or a city yet,' commented Cin, putting down the glasses.
'Given dragons in the sky, and other potential raiders, they may well have built their villages hidden under the trees or in caves - out of sight and easy to defend. I would.'
'It appears that the punts are heading for that clump of forest, so you might be right. Do you think the spacesuit jet packs could reach the island?'
I considered the question, and its possible implications. 'I'm sure they could get us there and back. Do you want to pay them a visit?'
She shook her head. 'Just wondering.'
Was that a hint to jump ship?
'I wouldn't recommend calling on them. I have it on good authority that outside of the civilized island nations, you need to assume the natives are no more friendly than dragons, and every bit as dangerous,' I replied.
'Oh, but look how well you get along with dragons!' she laughed. 'I'm sure your pleasant, Unity Standard manners would smooth over any instinctive urge to serve you for dinner.'
'Still, I've little interest in putting it to the test,' I replied, innocently. I had, in fact, none. I had no intention of jumping ship to save Cin the unpleasantness of killing me, should she actually feel the need to do so.
She gave me a darting glance - a warning? -and then rose saying, 'I guess I should be making something to eat. I think it'll be viento vegetables with sarrin-rice.' (A Tienterra dish.)
I laughed. 'My dear Cin. Don't subtly hint that I should jump ship when the opportunity arrives and then announce that you're going to make my favorite meal. I'll not voluntarily abandon vilento and sarrin-rice. Nor you,' I dared to add.
She gave me a rather hopeless look, but said, 'Right. Five minutes.'