“May I help you, gentlemen?” Allan stood in the doorway waiting for an answer. Dupont stepped up to speak.

“Yes. I am Captain Dupont of the MRH Hayes. My team and I are performing an imperial inspection of this ship.” Dupont expected his words to carry some weight but did not get the reaction he was hoping for. Allan studied him and took a sip from his mug.

“And, how may I be of assistance?”

“I have a few questions for you, and I need to inspect your quarters.” Dupont stood straighter, puffing himself up. Still, his demand came out more like a request.

“I am not obligated to comply.” Allan’s eyes narrowed, but he smiled again. “However, if it will expedite the process, I will allow it.” He stepped aside, inviting them in with a wave. “Please ask your questions as you look.” He said, taking another sip of his mug.

Dupont stepped inside, Gareth behind him, and Valorie last. She looked around, comparing the room to her own. It was larger, with two doors leading away from the main room. There was a long couch and two recliners around a coffee table. Across the room, there was a large window over half her height. It revealed the milky yellows and greens of the planet they were orbiting. She glanced at the ceiling but there was no painting in this room. She found she liked her own room more.

When she focused on Dupont again, she noticed Allan watching her. When he was caught, he gave an embarrassed smile – this one reached his eyes. She returned a small smile, and his expression warmed. She sensed he felt a familiarity with her, but she did not understand why. Was it possible he had known the real Valorie? The thought sent her into a panic.

“So, Mr. Foster.” Dupont began. Allan looked away, his expression falling back into that professional smile. “Did you see any other passengers enter the ship?” Dupont asked as he approached one of the doors. The main room was bare and offered few hiding spots.

“I have not seen any other passengers since we left Luxe,” Allan answered.

“I see. Any strange behavior from the crew?” Dupont entered the bathroom and checked the cabinets.

“Having known them for all of a week, I can not be certain. I haven’t seen anything alarming.” He took another sip from his mug.

“Any areas that are off-limits to you?” Dupont moved on to the second room. Valorie could not see where it led from where she stood. He banged around as he searched, and Allan’s fingers tightened on the handle of his mug.

“I had not discussed that with Captain Hughes, but I only visit the living facilities and the Gardens. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary to me.” Allan answered. Dupont reappeared, looking a little more ruffled for his exertion. He took one more look around the room before striding up to Allan.

“Thank you for your cooperation. That will be all for now.” He said, leaving in a huff.

“Thank you, Allan. I’m sorry for the interruption.” Gareth said. Allan nodded.

“It’s not an issue.” He said, taking another sip. “Just another exciting day in space travel.” His tone was light, and his eyes sparkled with humor. “I look forward to dinner tonight.” He added turning away.

“See you then,” Gareth said, following Dupont into the hallway. Valorie lingered behind.

“Uhm.” Allan turned when he heard her, surprised that she remained. “Do you know me?” She asked. He laughed.

“No, young lady, I’m sorry. You appear to be around the same age as my daughter. She often observes the world with that sense of awe that you seem lost in. It was very nostalgic for me.”

“Oh. I worried I was being rude. My name is Valorie.” She bowed her head.

“Very nice to meet you, Valorie. Now, you should hurry and keep up with your Captain.” Allan said.

“Right, thank you.” Valorie excused herself and exited into the hallway. Dupont and Gareth were talking, and neither noticed her entrance. Dupont made new demands, and Gareth led the way. Along the way, Dupont visited with each of his men. The whole thing dragged on, and how long could one day-cycle possibly feel? When he finally had his fill, Dupont instructed everyone back to the bay for the completion.

Gareth and Valorie waited with Dupont as his men gathered. He lined them up across the exit and paced in front of them. He ordered a report from each in turn, ending with Jovic. There were no findings. When it came to Jovic’s turn to admit this, he could not meet Dupont’s eyes. Dupont sent his men back to the Hayes with terse orders but paused on the threshold as they left. When he turned to face Gareth, there was one last bit of hope in his eyes, that final desperation.

“I could always take you in anyway – say I found reasonable evidence of the fugitives. A little more digging into your systems might tell us where, say, you dropped the fugitives off.” He said. The threat was clear, but Gareth was ready for it.

“And when another captain discovers these fugitives on the opposite side of Orion’s arm?” Gareth said, and Dupont’s face twisted, his upper lip twitching. “Well. You know how the Empire deals with liars. If one man lies to get ahead and it succeeds, what will the other trillion do?” Gareth said. Dupont ground his teeth, his jaw clenching with a pulse.

Valorie watched this last stare down with curiosity. Is this how she looked earlier? No, she thought glancing up at Gareth’s face, there was no way she had this much composure. She looked back to Dupont in time to see him falter, turning his gaze away. His face was red, but there was no fight left. Her hand tightened into a fist. That – was that how she looked each time she followed SCT rules? Her fingers ached as she drew them tighter.

“Indeed,” Dupont broke the silence. “Only the foolish risk the integrity of the Empire. Without it, we would crumble.” His voice was tight. “You have passed our inspection. Thank you for your cooperation. Once the decoupling is complete, please be on your way.” Dupont turned on his heel and disappeared through the bay exit. The door snapped shut, and Gareth breathed a sigh. The relief that radiated off him was hard to ignore, and Valorie smiled.

“Good work, Valorie,” Gareth said. She blinked and looked at him. His eyes were tired, but he grinned despite it.

“Sir?”

“Quinns messaged me.” He said. Oh, she thought, of course, he did. Gareth was feeling grateful, and that warmth spread from Valorie’s chest to her fingertips. Now her hands felt sweaty. What kind of physical reaction was that? She nodded, looking away as the feeling overwhelmed her. Gareth chuckled. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. “Alright,” He opened them again. “Little more work and then we’ll break for the evening hours.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Valorie asked.

“Keep an eye on the Hayes.”

“Yes, sir.” She did not say she was already enjoying the feeling of Dupont moving farther and farther away. Gareth pressed his ring PD and a display opened in his hand.

“Bridge,” He said, and the device connected. “Leon, you there?” A chair squeaked as it turned.

“You know it, Cap.”

“Initiate the two-stage decoupling.” There was a pause as Leon moved across the bridge.

“Did you mean emergency decoupling?” Leon said, but the exit behind them clamped shut and the lights around it turned yellow. There was no other sound. Two-stage decoupling would not proceed without secondary initiation from the Hayes. Gareth shook his head but smiled.

“Thank you, Leon. I’ll be there shortly. I want to make some distance before we relax.” Gareth said and turned away from the exit. Valorie followed without hesitation. He was talking with Serge before he reached doors to the bay.

“Tell me the moment facilities are ready for flight, Serge.” He was walking fast, relief flowing off of him. Valorie had to rush to keep up, but excitement ran through her. What would happen now?