At the edge of the galaxy, where the paths of cargo ships lie, the rescue tug sailed slowly through the blackness of space, illuminated by the dim light of a white dwarf. The tug crew consisted of three people, the commander of the ship, Lu Tai, his brother, flight engineer Lu Tang, and his wife, pilot Song Mey. Their task was to find a cargo ship that went missing a month ago. Having reached the expected trajectory of the truck, they scanned the space for a week to no avail.

“Tang, we've been looking for a cargo ship for a week now. Our passengers have used up the supply of water, another day and we will have nothing to wash ourselves with!” May said, looking tiredly at the radar projection.

“Honey, be patient.” Tan replied calmly.

“We have insurance agent Logar on board, he decides when to stop the search.” Tai warned.

“There are twenty men in the hold, there is nothing to breathe in the ship, I go to the cabin with my nose closed.” May continued to complain.

“What's the problem" Tai interrupted.   “Put on a helmet from a space suit and walk in it!”

Mey got up from her chair and left the wheelhouse.

“What's wrong with her today?” Tai asked.

“She's just tired. You know that we want to return to Ladak and live like normal people.” Tan replied.

“What are you going to live on?” Tai asked. "Do you know why I mentioned Logar's insurer? He comes every day and asks. If we don't find this truck, it won't pay us bonuses. Besides, we'll have to fly back to land the repair team.”

Mey entered the wheelhouse:  “And you're right Tai, it's much more comfortable in a helmet”

A radar signal sounded in the cabin.

“What's there?” Tai asked.

“Here he is. We have been looking for you for a long time! Five degrees off course.” Tan reported.

Mei quickly sat in the pilot's seat, correcting the ship's course to the specified coordinates.

“May, slow down. We'll get there at low speed in five hours. We need to give the repairmen time to get together.” Tai ordered.

“Hope there's water on the truck.” Mei replied.

Five hours later, a rescue tug flew up to the cargo ship. A drone flew out of the maintenance hatch and inspected the cargo ship. It was a cargo platform KG-9 with a high wheelhouse.

“I see damage. Through hole in the superstructure.” Tai remarked.

“The fourth case in a month in this sector.” Tan confirmed.

“I would not want to look for this swarm of fragments.” May sighed. “ It's good that the ship is controlled by a robot. People would not wait for help.”

After docking a rescue tug and attempting to power the cargo ship's cabin, they were left without power, spending two hours troubleshooting and restarting the reactor. After examining the hole, Tai compiled an accident report and handed it over to the insurer.

“What's there?” Logar asked without opening the report.

“Splinter. Judging by the composition, this is part of the engine support ring. The collision was at high speed, so the shield did not work.” Tai replied quickly.

“The Accident Commission will most certainly order an inspection of the entire sector, since this is the sixth case, this transport corridor is becoming too expensive for the insurance guild. So next month there will most likely be a big hunt for a swarm of fragments.”

“I heard about four cases. Finding a swarm will be very difficult, I would say impossible.”

“Two more cases involved smugglers. You can be calm Tai, I will not involve your team in the search.”

For the Guild of Insurers, the presence of a swarm on the transport route was a serious problem, not only because they had to pay insurance premiums, but also increased the risks of fraud by transport and trading companies. Tai understood that, despite the assurances, Logar would send him sooner or later in search of a swarm of fragments.

The tug crew had to wait for the repairmen to restore the power system on the truck. After speaking with Logar, Tai returned to the tow and went up to the dining room, where May and Tang were waiting for him.

“Water is scarce, you will have to deviate from the route and replenish supplies.” Mey broke the silence.

“This flight did not pay off.” Tan muttered wearily.

“Tai, how much did we earn?” May asked.

“Two and a half thousand tal. Five hundred each, the rest to the ship.”

“We can earn extra money by shipping parcels.” Tang suggested.

“Brother, you know I'm against it. What others do is of no interest to me.” Tai replied angrily. “We are making good money. What else do you need! It's not my fault the insurance company took us off the patrol route.”

“Tai!” May interrupted him. “We won't be able to fly all our lives on this ship, you know that well.”

“Fine!” - Tai sighed. “ In three months our shift will end, I will let you go and I will look for another team.”

“By the way, you both owe me a hundred!”  Leaving the dining room, threw May.

“May, don't be rude! Why did you decide that!” Tai was surprised.

“By the way. I'm your husband, why me?” Tan seemed to wake up.

“For cleaning the cargo hold, after the repair team. There is a lot of rubbish and dirt. My dear, for taking apart a cleaning robot for parts!” May replied angrily. “If you don't agree, I'll wait for you in the cargo hold.”