Spiral Dance
Dock A
Chernak and Stost had both been available to him. The tour had been extensive, and fascinating.
Jen Sin lingered on the bridge, considering the board, subtly different from the standardized boards he knew best. The screens were more numerous, pilot and copilot each having six tiles, and an extension that could be opened at will.
She had worked hard in her life, had Spiral Dance. The tale of long hours was told by the pattern of wear on the piloting boards. Some keys were smooth and blank, the symbols quite rubbed off, but they would have been the most used, that the pilot had by heart.
The leather seats were worn, and the copilot’s chair showed scars where the rope lashing the tree into place had rubbed.
Jen Sin sighed.
“And she dances, yet,” he murmured.
“We flew her, Stost and I. She was a great-hearted and giving lady, recognized by a hero of the Old War as a hero of the Old War,” Chernak said.
“Captain Theo’s brother was to have seen her refitted and brought back to spec, but she was recalled to duty before he was able,” Chernak added.
Jen Sin rubbed the top of the pilot’s chair, the leather like silk under his fingers.
“We will eventually have a full-service yard here,” he murmured. “Perhaps…Captain Theo’s brother…will allow us the honor of restoring her.”
Stost and Chernak exchanged a glance.
“That would be worthy,” Stost said. “Tinsori Light, the greatest of the Enemy’s works, has been defeated, hero-ship at dock, awaiting her next call to duty.”
“You say it well, my Stost. We will bring it to our captain.”
Chernak looked to him, and bowed her head.
“Light Keeper. My apologies. It is yours to bring to the captain.”
“And so I shall,” Jen Sin said, turning away from the board with a pang.
“In the meanwhile, my friends, I have been longer away from duty than I had anticipated. I am called.”
“Yes,” said Chernak, and Stost extended a large hand.
Jen Sin looked down at the ship’s key, looked up into Stost’s wide brown face.
“We must go through channels, do we agree? Captain Theo was willing for me to hold key and ship, I know. However, her brother will soon arrive on-station. Let everything remain where it is, until we hear his decision.”
“Yes,” Stost said, and slipped the key into his belt.