Erick blinked. "Hmmmm. Kid. What about the Cyrexions on board?"
"Everyone knew the plan. Not that they all agreed. Some left, but offered to come back," said Heinrich.
"Ah, huh. First order of business. You need a good crew. Good crew sticks with their captain," said Erick.
"I know. But their home planet, Saigon Six, is being invaded," said Heinrich. "They have families."
"So, you let them go with the promise of a job if they return," said Erick.
"Well, yeah. It seemed like the right thing to do." Heinrich glanced to the side.
"Not Fine!" Erick raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I will leave it slide this time. But you need to understand that letting crew come and go as they please is a danger."
"Does that mean?" Heinrich's eyes widened.
"Against my better judgment." He released his nose. His glabella wrinkled.
"Solitar will watch you." Solitar pointed at Heinrich.
"Yes!" Heinrich jumped up. "I want to participate in the anti-war rally for Saigon Six."
"Excuse me." Erick's eyes bulged. "Already?"
"Of course," said Heinrich.
"And we leave…" Erick trailed off, giving Heinrich a hard look.
"Will now." Heinrich shrugged.
Erick closed his eyes. He moved a hand to the side of his head. "Kid. You do realize I'm a junker pilot with a record."
"Yes. Not quite a pirate, but will do," said Heinrich.
"Hold up! We are never hiring pirates!" Erick's head whipped to the left, then back to the center.
"You said we." Heinrich sounded cheeky.
"Damn right I did," said Erick. "Someone needs to rein in your choices." Trevor moved over to the control panel, making clunky sounds. He stuck one foot in front of the other. A light-blue panel appeared, floating above the metallic control panel. Beeps echoed throughout the room. "Hold up, what is he doing?" Erick's eyes followed the stiff movements of Trevor's hands.
"Saigon six," said Heinrich.
"Right now." Erick inhaled. He looked up. "We can't do it right now."
"Why not?" Heinrich asked.
"We just met." Erick shook his head.
"So…" Heinrich gave Erick a blank expression.
"You don't have a full crew for a ship this size." Erick's tone raised in pitch slightly.
"So." Heinrich gave a single shrug.
"So, you want to go to a war rally with one." Erick. pointed at himself. "Two," he pointed to Solitar. "And three." He pointed at Heinrich. "Only three fully functioning members."
"You act like there aren't other crew members." Heinrich blinked and frowned.
"That's not what I said. You and I both know Cyrexions are not fully functional…. In certain areas," said Erick.
"I know… which makes the war proclaimed against them useless," said Heinrich.
"So, what happens when the United Planetary Federation turns its blasters on the war rally?" said Erick.
"They can't. It is a peaceful protest," said Heinrich.
"No, repeat after me. Rallies never stay peaceful for long." Erick walked over to Heinrich. "You need to accept the potential for dying. Because something dumb always happens or is planned."
"I know." Heinrich turned away.
"You know? Why does it sound like you don't know? Look, let me get us a crew…" Erick sighed.
"There won't be time." Heinrich stomped a foot. "We need to go now. After that, we can look for a crew."
"Fine, captain," Erick rolled his eyes. He dragged a hand over his face and stopped at his mouth. "This is a terrible decision."
Solitar rolled his eyes. "Child stomps his foot and gets his way."
"I'm almost an adult," said Heinrich.
"But still acts like an angsty teenager. Solitar turned away and marched out of the room. More Cyrexions huddled into the cockpit, narrowly avoiding Solitar.
Heinrich went over to the table behind Erick and sat on it butterfly-style.
Kid, you are going to regret sitting like that when they engage the thrusters.
"It's a rather smooth transition." As Heinrich spoke, he jolted. He reached back to steady himself.
Erick smirked, walked around the table, and through the damaged door.
Heinrich shot him a look before sliding off the table, following Erick out.
Solitar reached from behind a corner and grabbed Erick.
A quick gasp left Erick as he was pulled.
Solitar then pulled him down the hall.
Heinrich saw the weird action. He walked a few feet past and then pressed his back against the silver-and-white wall. A reddish silver bar with a curved design appeared on his face. Heinrich pressed it. Light blue lines manifested, creating a floating hologram of the security footage. He turned the volume down. "You've got to stop doing that," said Erick.
Solitar released him. "Found a bar."
"Not uncommon for a ship this size," said Erick.
"No alcohol, but there were glass specs on the floor. It has a brig." Solitar released Erick.
"Makeshift?" Erick questioned
"Recently used," said Solitar. "Smells like many."
"You think there's a story?" said Erick.
"There is always a story," Solitar grunted.
"That kid isn't just a good doer. Most don't hire Cyrexions. . ." Erick glanced down the hall and then switched his attention back to Solitar. "There is barely enough of them for the cockpit. Let alone to maintain the ship. . . " He blinked. "So, do you think that kid by himself commandeered this spaceship?"