Devereux quickly surveyed the reactions of those seated around the table. While Hawke’s expression was, as usual, nearly unreadable, she saw concern in the autumn brown eyes behind the lenses of his spectacles. Rusty, on the other hand, appeared ready to jump right up, don a spacesuit, and head out to find whatever was waiting out there for them.
That worked out so well when we found that derelict Argolian vessel, she mused without rancor.
Hope’s large dark eyes revealed nothing of the Aerian’s thoughts. They simply watched her, waiting for her to continue. Elizabeth was clearly uneasy, and Devereux suppressed a slight smile. Extra-vehicular excursions were far, far down on her new First Officer’s list of favorite activities.
All part of the job, Devereux considered. The truth was, Elizabeth might be spared this time around, as she had not decided yet who would participate in this particular mission.
“Based on what we have so far,” Devereux said, “it might turn out that the best instruments we have for investigating this phenomenon are our eyes.”
“Doesn’t it always come to that?” Rusty quipped. “I’ve said so.”
Devereux shot him a quick glance. He countered with a quick grin, but quieted down.
“We would be putting ourselves at considerable risk, Captain,” Hawkes stated.
“We’re not going,” Devereux responded with an impish smile. She turned back to the rest of the group. “I want to keep the team small,” she told them, surveying their expressions again.
“I’m assuming for the moment that we’re dealing with some kind of astronomical phenomenon,” she went on. “But I don’t want to discount the possibility that there’s some of device in there causing these effects.”
She turned toward Rusty. “Chief,” she said, “I’d like you and one of your engineers on the team. You’ve probably logged more space hours than any of us, so you’ll be in charge.”
Devereux turned next to Elizabeth. “Who do we have who might be a specialist in space geology?”
Elizabeth consulted the tablet in front of her, running a quick search through the crew records. “We have two,” she reported a moment later. “Lane and Jeffries. I’ll see which is coming on duty next.”
Devereux nodded her approval and then turned toward Hawkes. “Lieutenant,” she said, “I want someone from your Security team accompanying them—preferably someone with heavy weapons experience so they can help out the others, if needed.”
“Yes, Captain,” Hawkes responded evenly. “I’ll see that someone is assigned immediately.”
Devereux offered him a quick smile. She leaned back and addressed the others again. “Have your team ready to depart in two hours,” she told them. “Make sure they review what material we have beforehand.”
Elizabeth and Rusty each nodded their understanding. Hawkes entered something onto his tablet. Hope, as usual, remained almost perfectly still.
“Any questions?”
Devereux surveyed the faces around the table. She saw nothing to indicate that anyone was holding back.
“All right, then,” she said. “Dismissed.”
She rose, but waited until the others had left the room before exiting it herself, musing silently that there were sometimes distinct disadvantages to being the Captain.
I hardly ever get to see the sights any more . . .
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