“This time in a service dock will allow us to make the stay on Kashi-Sulak shorter and open an alternative time slot for the departure.” Despite knowing every person currently sitting at the table, Nikolai still felt nervous about announcing changes on such a short notice. Especially changes that put extra pressure on stewards. It also put extra pressure on engineers, of course, but they have been waiting for this overhaul for quite some time anyways.

Petra frowned and pursed her lips, tapping her interface pen on the table (she preferred writing instead of using a keyboard, hence the special pen she kept as an accessory). “We have at least two dozen transit passengers to Kashi-Sulak. Moving them to a hotel and back will be a hussle. And I don’t even mention the cost of it all…”

“We’ll pay for it.” Nick licked his lips and took a deep breath. “The new departure slot means we can use the short corridor to Antio. And then hop to Tiktik. Extra stop, but altogether it will take the same time.”

Everyone around the table stared at him.

This was one of their regular operational meetings where every department chief and a couple other crew members were present. Petra was here with Zulu; any kind of route change affected stewards the most because they were the ones who had to deal with the passengers. 

Getting the ship into a service dock required everyone but essential crew to disembark and life support mostly turned off. Outside of the engineers who would work on the engines (represented here by Rob and Irene. Irene was second in command, and hopefully soon to become Chief. No, Rob didn’t necessarily plan to retire, but they kept discussing it with each other from time to time), it also included all three pilots and the comms operator. Paolo was not thrilled about this and glared at Nick as if this was done specifically to spite him (it wasn't). Andrew had to be sat on the other side of the table to avoid direct conflict; unfortunately, he was also frowning which was strange, because any kinds of delays rarely affected him. But now he looked really sceptical.

Nikolai sighed. “Okay, let’s listen to the concerns. In the current seating order, Rob?”

“Well, we’ll need to make sure to load more fuel. Not sure what else is there from us.” He looked at Irene who nodded. “Maybe get extra coolant and other chems. Shouldn’t be a problem at Kashi-Sulak.”

Paolo made an effort to un-grit his teeth and after a deep breath replied. “Outside the sudden lack of shore leave on Colossus, which I understand is non-negotiable,” Nick could see out of the corner of his eye that Andrew crossed arms over his chest in a clear attempt not to react to this jab, “Extra stop at Antio means more working hours at the cockpit. Extra pay for you. No concerns otherwise.”

Petra exchanged glances with Zulu and turned to face Nikolai. “We don’t have data for the interest in travel between Kashi-Sulak and Antio, but Antio and Tiktik are well-connected. That is, by Gemi transport, of course.”

Nikolai nodded. That was exactly why he wanted this extra hop to happen. New pilot’s licence meant they could use the fast subspace corridor with extra subspace turns. No other private passenger ship used it; it was mostly occupied by cargo haulers and some Gemi vessels.

Gemi were wonderful people. They were welcoming, treasured life over riches, and built tight communities even in the harshest of environments. Nick and Rob spent the first part of their lives on Tiktik, despite being humans with no connections and stamps in their IDs. Gemi didn’t care about human policies, and following their own laws felt quite easy (though they had to drastically change their dietary habits). 

The only problem with Gemi was that they were about four feet tall on average. And had eight limbs. And they didn’t sit but fold down. Humans who travelled on Gemi ships had to bring proper camping supplies with them and were forced to constantly walk bent forward. The life support was also just slightly different, enough to leave a human in a constant state of lightheadedness. 

Zulu chimed in. “I think we’ll probably have to travel half empty between Kashi-Sulak and Antio, but if we post our route on Colossus, there’s a chance to sell out for the hop to Tiktik.”

Nikolai realised they expected him to answer earlier and this was their patient attempt to snap him out of this space-out. “Right, I agree. If we make Antio a regular stop, it can be profitable in the future.”

The others looked thoughtful and less sceptical as before. But Nick also noticed not everyone voiced their concerns yet. “Andrew?”

Haasan took a moment to gather his thoughts. He always tried looking neutral but the deep frown kept finding its way to his forehead. “You do realise that the fast corridor is a popular pirate route?”

Paolo leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling, Irene and Zulu were clearly surprised, Rob sighed, and Petra turned to look at Nick. “That’s a valid concern.”

Nikolai pressed his lips together and leaned forward. “Surely, they won’t be interested in a passenger ship? Especially ours? The cargo haulers are a much easier target…”

“And they will tell the difference how exactly?” Andrew’s voice was cold. “They set up subspace interdiction fields and check afterwards.”

“Oh, fuck no.” Rob and Paolo had the same reaction.

“Subspace interdicts won’t work on us.” Rob grumbled.

“They are not fucking real!” This was Paolo.

Andrew’s eyes narrowed as he glared at the Chief Pilot. “I see we’ve found an expert. Isn’t it wonderful knowing everything about everything?”

“Please, let’s not.” Nikolai raised his hands to stop the fight before it broke out. “Andrew, how ‘popular’ would you say this corridor is? Was?”

Haasan made an effort to face him and ignored theatrical eye-rolling from Andrade. “I can check the news once we are in the normal space. Usually, the time between attempts is at least a year. So the patrols get bored and leave.”

“Even then, the corridor is wide. The chance we get into a tiny interdict is miniscule.” Paolo still felt the need to voice his opinion. “Smaller ships get affected by the subspace flow. Hopestar doesn’t.”

Andrew pointedly didn’t look at him. Nikolai nodded and tapped the table surface with his fingers. “Alright. Then I expect an interest projection from Petra and the news analysis from Andrew two hours after we return to normal space. Afterwards, we’ll have a video call and make the final decision. Everyone agreed?”

Paolo sighed heavily and got up. “Fine with me. I should go break the news to the crew.”

As he left, others voiced their agreement. Irene gathered all her interfaces and hurried back to the engineering deck. Petra turned to Andrew and asked in an even voice. “If you have any recommendations for the stewards department on how to deal with any possible… accidents, please let me know.”

Andrew nodded and tapped his interface, indicating he would send her something. Then she and Zulu also left. Haasan waited a moment longer to get Nikolai’s attention and evenly said: “Please, reconsider. Licensed routes have been made so not just because the government wanted to make them harder to operate for stamped ships.” He didn’t wait for an answer.

Nick slid down low in his chair with a long sigh. The only other person remaining was Rob and he poked his shin with his foot. “Well, this went well, didn’t it?”

Nikolai glared at his husband with a pout. “Did you have to confront Andrew this openly? I treasure his expertise, I want him present. He has good insights.”

Rob rolled his eyes and crossed arms on his stomach. “I didn’t say his knowledge was bad. But we shouldn’t worry about these ‘interdiction fields’, they are made out of scrap with almost no scientific basis by people who barely understand anything outside of electronics. They work sometimes on small ships out of pure luck.”

Nick reached out to poke him in the arm. “Are you ready to risk everything just because your pride insists you know everything?”

He prickled at this and even took a deep breath to object. Then paused and slowly exhaled. “I am not. And this is why you are the captain and not me.”

Rob got up and walked behind Nikolai’s chair and bent forward to kiss him on the forehead. Nick smiled and closed his eyes in bliss. “Maybe, one day I wouldn’t be. Maybe we’ll see Antio and choose to retire there together with a small habitat, a greenhouse, and three raptoparrots.”

“Oh, hell no! No fucking animals! I’ll assemble you some bots to take care of if you insist.”

He didn’t mind the retirement bit though, Nick thought. Not being the Chief Engineer meant Rob would have more time to spend with him. If Nick stopped being the captain… Well, they could still stay on Hopestar for the most part, but they could also finally travel. Going through the renovation was exactly for this reason. Getting your cells and DNA renewed was an expensive procedure, especially if you had no planetary citizenship, and especially if you had a stamp in your ID. But they were the two people behind building the Hopestar, and once all the side investments had been paid for, they started saving money.

Rob always wanted the renovation. It was something unavailable on his home planet and therefore impossible to get for 90% of the population. He was the youngest of four children, never knew his father because he perished in the mines a few months before he was born, and grew up with a rapidly ageing mother, who had no constant job, and struggled to provide for her sons. And when Nick randomly showed up in the port town (he was found aboard a cargo transport and had no idea why he was there and where he was from. The medical analysis showed he was probably 12 years old and grew up on a space station. At first, they even thought he couldn’t talk. He could, he was just not sure he should speak with strangers), she immediately offered to take him in. Four years later, she was the only person not actively threatening him and Rob to leave. 

She also didn’t ask them to stay. But Nick held no grudge against her. She was still supporting three sons who were finishing their education, and if sending away the fourth and the strange kid who ‘turned him deviant’ meant she could keep good graces of the community, she had to take the rotten deal. Nick wondered if she had the rest of her life in peace, they’ve never received any correspondence. Rob always changed the subject, when he tried to raise it. 

“What’s on your mind?” Rob asked and rested his chin on the top of Nick’s head.

“You are.” He murmured with a little smile. “Not returning back to your station?”

“Nah, I figured you’d need some support after the meeting. It’s been some time since we took time off.”

Nikolai smiled wider. “Cuddles?”

“Cuddles.” Rob straightened and turned Nick’s chair around. Then he smirked. “For a start.”