Free Collateral Trade by Candace Smith Page B

passed would transport the expendable crew to the shuttlebay… and open the doors to space.
    “Is it my imagination, or does Dr. Terar seem to be ignoring us?” Janella asked. She focused on dusting the leaves of her plant and collecting debris on slides to study later. Janella noticed her beans were not thriving, and most were small, hard marbles when they released from the stalks. There was some sort of problem with the size of the vein delivering water and nutrients, but she had yet to isolate the cause.
    Sharell shrugged. “He’s ignoring everybody. After they promoted those five to first tier three weeks ago, we’ve even lost our other two scientists that used to hover over us.” She hoped it meant they were thinning the need for so many researchers in the nursery, and that her request to transfer to Navigation was under consideration. “They must have found whatever they were looking for to boost the food supplies.” Sharell was bored to tears working with vegetables. If she could not wear her tool belt, she wanted the excitement of working with the crew that found a new home.
    Sharell made a pass by the promotion board on her way back to their quarters, and she noticed that within the divisions an unusual number of transfers had been moved up. It made no sense, as the average was one or two per month. She scanned the Navigation post for new names and noticed the list was the same one posted two months ago. You bastard, Jerome. Sharell was convinced he blocked her transfer after she refused his disgusting offer.
    She spent the evening scanning her tablet, reading another romance. Thank god the two of them got in the habit of hiding the small devices in their uniform pockets to read on break, or they would not have had them when the ship launched. They had hidden them under the cushioned seat of the cart when they passed through Security.
    As the only off-time distraction, both she and Janella loved the stories, the mushier the better. They quoted love passages and read descriptions of virile heroes rescuing women, wondering if they would ever experience the touch of a man again.
     
    * * * * *
     
    On the bridge of the Manerea, there was excited commotion. Jerome and most of the Decision Board were looking out the viewport at the spaceship. It was not from Earth, but did not attack. It was also the size of two city blocks, dwarfing the Manerea to the size of a dinghy.
    The Communications Officer was trying to unscramble their advanced signal. Ultimately, it was the alien craft that managed to decode the beacon. The aliens’ clipped dialect was a bit difficult to decipher, but it was obvious they wanted a meeting. Manny detected no deception, so they were trying to negotiate which ship to use.
    “I think we need to visit them ,” Jerome decided. “They might be trying to evaluate our supplies or weaknesses.” He tapped his fingertips on the console. “It is obvious we need to keep our Executive Officers on board in case there is a problem. Keep Security on high alert, and I’ll go with Bruce and Manny. Commander, you are in charge in my absence.”
    The alien craft saved them fuel by sending a shuttle. Word spread quickly throughout the Manerea. There were few viewports along the sides of their ship, and Janella and Sharell stood behind three others for a turn to see the craft.
    “God, look at the size of it,” Sharell whispered. “I sure as hell hope they’re friendly.”
    “Move it, it’s my turn.”
    Sharell and Janella moved back, but they continued to try to catch glimpses of the vessel.
    On board the Cathisis, Jerome sat facing Danilo, the Commander of the ship. For the first time in years, Jerome was in his element, working out details of the trade agreement. There was no need to barter over the Actana’s request. They were fine-tuning what the Manerea would get in return, and Jerome was quite pleased with the negotiations.
    “Chairman, what you refer to as Adam One will indeed support