Jewel by Veronica Tower

for this disaster, but her observation actually permitted her to
strengthen the record that it was someone else’s fault. “I attempted to
requisition the standard twenty percent reserve,” she told the engineer, “but
my request was overruled as prohibitively expensive.”
    All eyes turned toward Captain Kiara, who had to approve all
major requisitions. Kiara seemed unfazed by Jewel’s statement. “That twenty
percent reserve may be standard operating procedure in the League or in the
Confederacy, but it’s not out here on the Fringe and you all know it. Cargo
transport is about playing the odds. This time we crapped out. Now do you all
want to waste time bemoaning a bad turn of fate or do we want to figure out how
to get out of this mess with minimal losses?”
    “The fuel situation is not our only serious supply problem,”
the Deck Officer noted. “I spoke with Dr. Brüning and he tells me our medical
supplies were never intended to accommodate the large number of passengers
we’re carrying this trip. We’re running short of all the basics and I seriously
doubt that we have enough pharmaceuticals to get the whole human complement of
the Euripides through two more translations.”
    “That’s correct,” Jewel agreed. “We didn’t factor an
unplanned translation into our supply acquisitions. Food is going to be a
problem too if we have to make additional stops to secure fuel and medical
supplies.”
    “Of all the short-sighted incompetence,” Ana muttered.
    Unfortunately, Jewel agreed with her, she just hadn’t had
the influence or authority to force a more responsible policy.
    “So how are we going to resolve this problem?” Erik asked.
    “Exactly the subject I’ve summoned you here to address,” the
captain said. “If we can resolve these issues here in the Valkyrie System, it
will minimize the costs by negating the need for additional extraneous slide
translations. To that end, Mr. Peron has made some discoveries regarding the
inhabitants of this system, which I’d like him to share with us.”
    Erik leaned forward with obvious interest. “Have we heard
from them yet?”
    Captain Kiara shook her head. “Nothing since the automated
buoy message, but…Mr. Peron?”
    “I have discovered what I believe to be a space station
orbiting that gas giant two million miles out from the white dwarf. It’s
actually circling one of the larger moons. It’s a planet-size mass about one
hundred and ten percent of Earth-standard.”
    “While there is still no contact from the station inhabitants,”
the captain cut in, “we’re hopeful that we can cut a deal with them to make up
the current deficiencies in our stores and reserves. Ms. Aurora, it will fall
to you to negotiate the exchange, of course.”
    Jewel nodded. “An isolated colony like this may be more
interested in trading with us then simply selling goods for credits. I’ll draw
up a list of items we can use for that purpose.”
    The captain agreed. “I’ll want that list on my terminal for
my approval four hours before we dock with the station.”
    You can always count on the captain to stir herself when
it comes time to pinch a penny , Jewel thought. Instead of voicing this
opinion, she passed the baton to Peron. “And we’ll reach the station when?”
    “At our current fuel-conserving pace we’ll be docking in
just under thirty-two hours.”
    The briefing continued, but Jewel only listened with half an
ear. Her mind was already deep into her own task, itemizing the sorts of
equipment the Euripides might be able to trade.
    Underneath the table, Erik’s foot reached out and touched
hers.
    Jewel glared at him a moment before pointedly moving hers
away.

Chapter Four
     
    When Erik stepped out in the corridor in front of her, Jewel
immediately turned around and started back the other direction.
    “Don’t do that, Jewel,” he pleaded. From the increasing
frequency of his footsteps she figured he was running after her.
    The last thing