Free Drifter by William C. Dietz

quarters on some cargo carriers. Had a tech type come along for the ride? Had they mistaken The Tink for one of the company's tugs and activated the landing lights? Should Lando abort the landing and run like hell?
    No, wait a minute. They'd be on the comset by now. "Hi there, it's about time you showed up," or something like that.
    Lando scanned the most commonly used radio frequencies,
    just to make sure. Nothing. The most obvious explanation was best.
    The cargo carrier's NAVCOMP sensors had detected another ship's presence and assumed that it would land. After all, The Tink was the approximate size and shape of a medium-sized tug. Lando released a long slow breath.
    The Tink's NAVCOMP made its approach, disapproved of the landing zone, and started to abort. Lando switched the computer to standby and took control.
    The cargo carrier was closer now, and Lando could see that the landing path was more like a channel than a flat surface. It had thick raised sides with nothing at either end.
    The sides were far from empty, though. They contained cargo-handling equipment, a variety of ship's systems, and yes, the emergency crew quarters. An area that held increasing interest for him.
    The ship jerked slightly and the larger ship rose with alarming speed. Wendy closed her eyes.
    Lando cut power to the main drives, fired the ship's retros, and used steering jets to push The Tink towards the carrier.
    Wendy opened her eyes and saw lights flashing by. The freighter skimmed only feet above the carrier's durasteel skin. The raised sides were only feet away from The Tink's stubby wings.
    Then, just when it seemed certain that The Tink would zip through the landing zone and shoot off into space, the lights slowed to little more than a crawl. There was a gentle thump as Lando put the ship down at the very center of the green X and activated the electromagnets built into the ship's landing jacks.
    Wendy let out a sigh of relief. "That was something to see… and I never want to see it again!"
    Lando released his harness and laughed nervously. "Thanks. I think. So much for problem Number One. Now for problem Number Two."
    "Which is?"
    "Which is breaking and entering," Lando replied, getting up from his seat. "With the emphasis on 'entering.' Breakage could cause problems. We don't want the company to know that we've been here."
    Wendy released her harness and also stood up. "Won't the carrier's NAVCOMP tell them that we landed?"
    "It would if they asked," Lando replied. "But I'm banking on the fact that the company has no reason to ask. Not until they hear about what happened on Weller's World, anyway."
    Wendy nodded. What Lando said made sense. But how would they get inside? Surely there was an access code or something.
    Lando pulled a keyboard out of a wall recess and tapped on the keys. "How about it, Wendy? Have you ever gone for a walk outside?"
    "As in outside the ship? In space armor?"
    The words PROGRAM CHECK COMPLETE rolled up on a small screen. Lando eyed them and tapped a key. The words disappeared. "Yeah, as in 'outside the ship in space armor.'"
    "Never."
    Lando nodded and straightened up. "That's what I thought. But that's okay 'cause there's plenty for you to do right here. See this keyboard?"
    "Yes?"
    "Well, when I get outside I'll ask you to operate it. If the keyboard's a problem, use voice. Keep an eye peeled for visitors too. The sensors are set for max. If one goes off, then let me know right away. Got it?"
    Wendy nodded. "Operate the keyboard and monitor the sensors. Got it."
    Lando grinned. "Good. Then how about a kiss?"
    Wendy slid into his arms and met his lips with hers. The kiss lasted a long time.
    When it ended, Lando cleared his throat. His voice was hoarse. "You're a very distracting lady. Too distracting. Remind me to continue this conversation a little bit later."
    Wendy smiled. "It's a deal."
    It took Lando half an hour to gather what he needed, to don his space armor, and exit through the ship's tiny