“Or even a bloody night light, Reed added without smiling.

“Captain Vance already explainedabout all of that, Searles said, frowning and speaking with the same slow meter Archer had used. “I had to take the navbeam offline for a few hours, just for the duration of our other repairs.

“Thats why I took the Marusomewhat off the beaten path, Captain Archer, Vance said, holding up a hand in an obvious effort to prevent Searles from aggravating Archer any further. “Out of consideration for any other vessels that might happen by while our trousers are still down, so to speak.

“How very considerate of you, said Archer.

Vance didnt appear to have noticed the jab. “On the other hand, space is bloody huge. I hardly think were posing any serious danger to anyone, navbeam or no.

“Then humor us, Captain, Archer said. “And remember, the sooner we complete the inspection the regs require us to make, the sooner you can get back to carrying, as you put it, the blessings of civilization to the farthest reaches of the galactic hinterlands. Where no man has gone before, as it were.

Vance appeared to be making a careful study of Archers expression, which was resolute. Then he spread his ruffle‑fringed hands before him in an almost theatrical concession of defeat. “So be it, he said, turning and retracing his earlier steps down the corridor. “Follow me.

Mayweather found the nearly two‑hour inspection tour both tedious and nostalgic. Tedious because there was precious little for a pilot to do while the more engineering‑oriented portions of the inspection proceeded, and nostalgic because the freighters interior, in which he found himself wandering, was so much like the one in which he had grown up.

He passed part of the time in a surprisingly congenial conversation with Arturo Stiles, who also had found himself with little to do for nearly two hours other than to hang around the freighters crowded, ramshackle crew lounge, awaiting Mike Burchs detailed assessment of the freighters condition.

“I tried getting into Starfleet once, Stiles said, leaning against a bulkhead near one of the battered coffeemakers, from which he had just poured himself a full cup. “Couldnt quite pass the physical, though. His tone sounded vaguely resentful of the fact, though he offered no further explanation.

“Im sorry, Mayweather said, his elbows resting on a dull stainless steel table as he sipped at a cup of coffee that tasted as though it once might have been used to cool old‑style plutonium fuel rods. He felt stupid that he hadnt been able to come up with anything better to say.

“Im from a Starfleet family, though, Stiles continued, apparently unfazed by Mayweathers well‑intentioned gaffe. “I have a niece whos just earned her lieutenants commission, a grand‑nephew whos a freshly minted ensign, and a couple of cousins who made it as far as lieutenant commander. At least one of ems bound to make captain sooner or later.

“You must be very proud, Mayweather said, pushing the nasty‑tasting coffee to one side, taking care not to spill any lest it eat through the table, the deck, and the Marus ventral hull.

Stiles chuckled mirthlessly, then looked around as though to make sure he wouldnt be overheard by any of his shipmates. “Im just glad I can take pride in somethingwhile Im serving aboard this tub.

While Stiles was speaking, a small group of men and women brushed past Mayweathers table on their way to the freighters self‑service galley area. Most of them looked somewhat weather‑beaten, though they all seemed strong and fit, fairly radiating both confidence and competence. As Mayweather quietly watched them going about their mealsthey all seemed to be doing their best to avoid any contact with the Starfleet intruders who had temporarily disrupted their ships routinehe reflected that these people represented the true cutting edge of the permanent expansion of humanitys presence throughout the galaxy. This crew reminded him of the stories his late father had told him of the hardy professional survivors whose livelihoods had required them to drive incredibly heavy multiaxle trucks over the treacherous ice roads of the remote Alaskan wilderness. Like those survivors, these people were the strong backbone of the human species ongoing effort to make a permanent mark on the eternal stars themselves.

Pioneers, as it were, on a wagon train to the stars.

“So youre bound for Gamma Hydra next, he said, turning back toward Stiles in the hopes of directing the conversation toward a happier topic than career regrets.

Stiles nodded. “If we ever get this inspection business out of the way so we can finish our repairs.

Mayweather tried to defuse the thinly veiled complaint with more small talk. “You know, my familys in the interstellar hauling trade, too, working with the Earth Cargo Service. I was born on a freighter, in fact.

Stiles chuckled around a sip of his own coffee. “Ah. A Boomer, huh?

“Better believe it, Mayweather said, grinning. “The family is still doing business in the ship I was born in. That boat has to be at least as old as this one. In fact, family legend has it that the inside of her warp casing was autographed by Zefram Cochrane himself.

“Get outta town, the other man said in an almost bantering tone.

Mayweather grinned. “Thats Moms story, and shes sticking to it. Anyway, the family freighter has a few stops in the Gamma Hydra sector planned for the near future.

“Really? Whats the ships name? Stiles asked, sounding genuinely interested.

“The Horizon.

Stiless eyebrows rose in surprise. “Its a small galaxy, Ensign. The Horizons scheduled to make a cargo pickup from us when we get to Gamma Hydra.

Mayweather didnt try to conceal his delight in hearing that. His grin broadening involuntarily, he said, “Do you think I could trouble you to deliver some personal mail to Rianna and Paul Mayweather, care of the E.C.S. Horizon?

Stiles shrugged. “I dont see why not. Assuming we can get there in time to make the rendezvous, that is. He rapped his knuckles against the bulkhead, and the sound made hollow echoes throughout the somewhat squalid crew lounge. The earlier curtain of glumness abruptly descended once again over the first mates demeanor.

Once again at a loss for a satisfactory reply, Mayweather felt relieved when Captain Archer, Captain Vance, Lieutenant Burch, and Jacqueline Searles chose that moment to step into the room, followed by Lieutenant Reed and the two MACOs.

Burch wasted no time handing Stiles a small padd, which the first mate studied with a steadily lengthening face.

“Heres a copy of my report, Mister Stiles, Burch said as he pushed a pair of old‑style reading glasses onto the thatch of graying blond hair at the top of his head. “As Ive already explained to Captain Vance, this vessel is going to need some serious repairs before shes back up to UESPA code. Burch shook his head. “Dont ask me whats been holding your life‑support system together.

“Clean living and noble intentions, for the most part, Vance said, looking vaguely dyspeptic. “The repairs will be expensive ones, no doubt.

“No doubt, Burch said. “Youve either just flown this ship through the flames of hell and back, or else youve been deferring your major maintenance problems and ignoring component‑replacement issues for years.

Vance responded with a noncommittal smile. “Lets just say that the vicissitudes of interstellar trade have lately placed some severe limitations on my ability to keep this vessel in factory condition. And all the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the formation of the new Coalition hasnt helped matters any.

Archers brow furrowed. “Uncertainty and confusion, Captain? Its funny how law and order can make everything look uncertain and confusing. Particularly when youve gotten used to making a living in the absenceof law and order, that is.