Dragging the broken MISC

When Ros first came across Tak’s ship he radioed the Covalex Shipping Hub Dispatcher to say he was stopping to help a distressed ship.  “No.  He had no idea how long it would take.  Yes, he would radio when he was back under way.  And would someone please let Mama know he’d be late.”

Dragging the broken MISC Fiera slowed the AEGIS to a crawl.  Tak hung his head over the empty cup and shook his head.  He looked up to see the grizzled pilot studying him as he leaned back on his chair. 

“You need to let anybody know where you are?” Ros inquired. 

“No.  There’s nobody waiting except the customer for this back-haul load.”

“Parents?”

“No.  My dad passed away a year ago... my mom died last January.”

“That’s tough, one after the other. What happened?” Ros saw Tak’s shoulders stiffen and watched the man’s knuckles turn white around the cup.  “Never mind a nosey old bugger.  It’s none of my business anyhoo.”

“No Captain, it’s a straight enough question.” Tak looked into the wizened eyes, took a deep breath and started talking.

“Dad and Mom had a small transport business - started with ‘Liberty’,” he jerked his thumb to indicate the MISC Fiera being pulled outside. “I learned how to fly her when I was 14, and soloed when I turned 16.  Anyway, dad won a contract to run supplies to SynthWorld.  The UEE contract provided the collateral for three new Freelancers and they built a small Terminal in Jersey.” 

“My dad’s dream was to build a business empire.  My dream was a naval career,” he added wistfully.  “I worked hard at school and was accepted to the Virginia Military Institute where I studied History.  When I graduated, dad gave me Liberty, and even paid for lifetime insurance in the hope I would forgo the military and join the family business.”

“But I was stubborn.  I joined the Navy for a life of adventure and guess what?  After training they assigned me to a damn transport! How’s that for irony?”

Ros chuckled in a low rumble then grew quiet while Tak gathered his thoughts. 

"Eventually I moved from freighters to warships and was on assignment to MacArthur when mom hinted at trouble.  She said that SynthWorld was bleeding financially, forcing contractors like them to take it on the chin.  Dad made light of it all and assured me that he had plenty of options.  Nothing more was said, so I figured everything had worked out, like it always had.”

“But it hadn't.” Ros suggested gently.

“UEE lawyers and Militia showed up with writs to seize the company and all assets.  My folks were arguing with the lawyers when dad spied two men enter one of the Freelancers.  He took off after them.”  Tak looked the other man in the eye.  “The Militia pilot didn't know anyone was out there when he fired up the thrusters. Dad got sucked into the intake...there was nothing left to bury”

“By the time I got leave and found a way back home, the Terminal and everything in it had been sold to PATH at auction.  The only thing they couldn't take was the MISC, because it was in my name.  An associate of dad’s moved Liberty to a spot behind his hangar and that’s where I found my mom; living on board; half-starved and half-mad.  She kept telling me dad would be home soon.”

“Most of my earnings were spent getting mom into a private residential clinic in Atlantic City.  When that ran out I put on a flight suit and hired out with Liberty as an independent.  Every time I saw mom she was a little worse, often just sitting by the window and staring outside.  Six months ago the duty nurse found the bed empty; they searched the grounds and followed a set of tracks through the snow.  She was found dead of exposure.”

“Why didn't you go back to the Navy?” asked Ros, breaking the lengthy silence.

“The thought of keeping the shipping lanes safe for UEE lawyers and rich merchants like PATH made me sick.  I resigned my commission after mother’s funeral.  I didn't know what else to do so I kept at the hired work. 

“So if you can’t fix that ship you got nothing,’’ Ros Mittens came right to the point.  

“Couldn't even pay to get her fixed,” Tak said.

“But you got the insurance?” Ros broke in.

“Like I said, lifetime.” Tak replied.

“I got a plan then,” said Ros.