Damn it all to hell.

"Damn it all to hell," Tak swore.  This overnighter to Mars was fast turning into a nightmare.  Halfway back the power plant began tripping on and off; seemed to right itself, and then quit altogether.  I tried every trick I knew to get back underway, but after drifting off the shipping lane for a day and a half, I was beginning to loose hope of being found.  I breathed a sigh of relief when a big Covalex transport stopped to help. Truckers could always be counted on to stop when others zipped on past; later claiming they had never seen you.

"Why howdy," said the voice on the open channel.  The friendly face grinned through the portal.
"Er they bitin' out here?"
"Not even a nibble," I said, smiling back.  "Not for 37 hours."
The other man raised an eyebrow appreciatively.

"Name's Ros Mittens...any idear what's wrong?" he asked, looking over the dead ship.
"Not really," I answered uncertainly. "This engine should have been retired 10,000 hours ago, but other things kept coming up and the short hauls don't pay like they used to.  I think she's just about had enough." His  hand couldn't help but give the dash a wistful rub, and then he turned back to the Samaritan.

"Forgive the whining Mr. Mittens - I'm I Dig Takwira from Jersey."
"Forget the 'Mr.' bullshit.  'Ros' will do just fine.  I work for a livin'."
"Okay Ros... those who know me call me 'Tak'"

"Well, you can't do nothin' from there," surmised the pilot.  "Let's tether up these two gals and you come on over.  I got some Horton's coffee in a Therman and a box of Timbits that Mama best not ketch me eatin'. Our outfit's got a platform off-planet.  You'll be able to see to your freight and get one of the techs to have a look at that engine."
"Sounds good," I said.

My docking collar was port side, just behind the cockpit.  The one on the Covalex was amidships, just above the big thrusters on the ship's keel. Tak saw the collar telescoping out.  He used the last of his air thrusters to roll over and coax his ship alongside.  In less than 10 minutes he had linked with the bigger vessel.  Ros sealed the deal by activating the tractor beam, instantly locking the two together.

Tak put on his helmet and opened the hatch.  He stepped into the extension and heard the the hatch close behind him. The transport airlock was open at the other end.  He entered, shut the door and waited for the indicator to flash green.  It did almost immediately.  Tak undid the snap lever, lifted the helmet off the collar of his suit and tucked it under his left arm. Then he took off his right glove and reached for the other hatch button.  It opened to reveal Ros waiting on the other side.

"Permission to come aboard, Captain," Tak requested, standing with his feet together.
"Permission granted."
Tak held out his hand.  The older man met the grip and tested it with an ever increasing pressure, watching Tak's eyes all the while.  Tak put everything he had into the grip and kept his gaze and smile steady.
Ros grunted and stepped back.
"You got a flight suit on under that gear," he asked?
"Yes sir."
"Good.  The last time I picked up a feller he was wearing nothin' but a slingshot sack under his suit.  Gave me the willies. Made him put it back on.  Just stow that gear by the door and make yourself at home."
Covalex spent a lot of money on their rigs and attracted the best pilots as a result.  This was a late model Aegis.  Once used as Retaliator bombers, the company only produced civilian haulers and transporters these days.  It was a solid deep space transport and Tak looked appreciably at the mod cons.  The galley was lush and close enough to the cockpit for the pilot to keep an eye on things while he ate or relaxed.  Tak saw seating and berths for four and looked around for any other crew members.

"We just took delivery on this baby and I'm shakin' her out for the day, before she starts long haul service," explained Ros, unscrewing the lid of the insulated flask.  "This transport has the latest AI - that's why I'm alone, but I thought you light-haul fellas travelled in pairs?"  In truth, Mittens knew commercial ships always had at least one other crew member on board.
Tak took the steaming hot coffee offered to him and nodded in the affirmative.
"Most do.  I'm just trying to keep costs down."
Ros felt there might be more to the explanation, but the other man sipped on his coffee quietly.  Tak noticed the awkwardness and quickly changed the subject.
"Good coffee... and did I hear something about Timbits?"

"Right." Ros took a shoebox sized container from behind the glass galley cupboard, peeled open the lid, and set it down in front Tak.  Inside were four dozen mixed donuts; bite-sized and fresh. Tak popped one into his mouth and washed it down with the coffee.  He ate half a dozen more, sucked the sugar off his fingers and peeled off a One Wipe Charlie from the packet stuck in the middle of the table to wipe his hands. Usually found in the head. Tak held one up to his host.
"Aren't these for wiping your ass?" Tak ventured.
"Works good on sugar, too," Ros retorted.  The two men laughed.