Welcome home Captain...

Ros led Tak through the dispatch office to a room full of storage bays.  They walked to one and Ros waved his hand at the stencilled plate with ‘Mittens’ on it. 

“Stow your helmet and flying rig here.”  Then the two men walked to back to the hanger deck entrance.  Just inside the entry doors was another line of portals.  Ros went to one with a green light that opened as he got closer.  Once inside, he said, “Home level.”

Tak felt a five second vibration and the door slid open to reveal a bright wide hallway.  There were hatchways staggered on either side.  Some were marked with numbers and in other cases nameplates gave the family name.   “I'm at the end,” said Ros, “the one with the sign that reads: ‘Beware of Dog’.”

At the last door Ros lifted the MobiGlas on his wrist to the sensor.  It slid open to reveal a surprisingly tidy warm apartment.  Artefacts from all over the galaxy had places of prominence on side tables, shelves, or corners.   There was the picture of a young man hanging behind the sofa.    

“Welcome home Captain Mittens.” The Com came to life.

“Thank you; where’s Mama?” 

“When the message came that you were going to be late, she said she may as well go to work.  She’s at The Aerodrome now.”

“This here is Tak,” Ros stated.  “He will be staying with us for a bit.  He is to have access to all house services.” 

“I have linked with his MobiGlas.  Welcome Lieutenant Takwira.”

Tak made a mental note to change the title setting on his bio stamp. “Thank you.” Tak said in the direction of the voice.  “Really Ros, I can grab a bed at the spaceman’s hostel, or the Hotel, if I can get the insurance straightened away. 

“I’ll tell you what, you make that suggestion to Mama, because she would surely tear me a new one if I let a guest get away,” said Ros.  “The Insurance office is on the way to The Aerodrome.  Here’s our extra berth, try out your MobiGlas to make sure it works.”

Tak didn’t have a wrist model that could be synced with a home or work unit.  His was the larger, handheld unit issued to naval officers.  Aside from the bio-stamp, timeline record, and banking utility found in every MobiGlas; the Glas model he carried contained his service credentials and records, blueprints for every ship currently flying, a universal translator, and holographic map of the galaxy. 

The personal and civilian information was available to authorized scanners.  The military and strategic files were encrypted and could only be accessed by two people other than him.  He carried it in the forearm band preferred by most pilots needing access to visual information without having to reposition hands on controls in a fight.    

He held his palm up and said, “Open.”  The door slid open revealing what had obviously been a young man’s room.  Ship models swung gently from the ceiling, and a myriad of star maps and posters covered the walls.   

“Nice,” was all Tak said and put his bag on the foot of the bed.  The two men left the apartment and took the vertical transport to the main concourse.  Ros and Tak got into the closest in a line of PTVs.  The CovaPlex owned dozens of them scattered around the platform.   Some were dedicated to senior and essential staff, but most were available to any Covalex employee needing to get from place to place. 

The landscape changed from utility to commercial the further they moved from the company node.  Many of the larger carriers kept small offices there, as did foodstuff suppliers, ship manufacturers and a branch of the UEE Bank.  The UEE Insurance office was inside the bank.    

The attractive woman behind the desk got up to greet the two visitors.

“Uncle Ros, what a surprise.  You don’t usually drop by the office.”  The girl got up on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  Tak couldn't help but admire the compact body beneath the shoulder length red hair.  He was immediately conscious of the soiled flight suit he had been wearing for the past three days.  But the smiling girl looking up at him didn't seem to notice.  She looked between the two men and waited.

“This is Tak, Audrey,” said Ros, “He needs your help.”

Tak couldn't tell whether the serious eyes looking up at him were grey or green; in any case they showcased perfect alabaster skin and full red lips.  

“My ship blew up halfway between here and Mars,” he explained.  “Lucky for me the Captain was in the neighbourhood and gave me a lift.  Fortunately she was outfitted with a lifetime UEE policy more than a dozen years ago and I was hoping you could help me register a claim.”

“Gosh, you were very fortunate.”  She indicated the chair opposite her desk, “please take a seat, umm a Tak?”

“It’s short for Takwira, my family name.”

“There’s nothing for you to do here Uncle Ros.   Aunt Margaret is at work.  Why not go on ahead.  This will probably take us through to closing and I can show him the way afterwards.”

“I don’t know if I should leave you two alone,” Ros said cautiously.

“He looks safe enough to me,’ Audrey said smiling.

It wasn't you I was worried about,” Ros said, a serious look on his face.

They both laughed at Tak’s embarrassment.   

The relatives hugged and the big man walked over to the Greycat.  He waved as the PTV shot off.

“I'm going to need some things from you,” Audrey said, switching on her terminal.

“Something about the way she said it made Tak smile.  “Anything you want, Ms...?

“Walker - Audrey Walker, but please call me Audrey.”

Audrey proved to be as competent as she was pretty.  Tak produced the policy from his Glas, along with registration and fitness certificates for the Liberty.  Audrey said, “Wow,” when Tak produced the Investigator’s letter.  This happened today and you got this today?” she asked incredulously.  “That’s unusual.”   

“Well whomever, paid for this policy was certainly thinking down the road.   They don’t make those ships any more of course, which makes replacing it somewhat problematic,” she said, tapping a holographic keyboard projected on the table.     

“I have authorization to settle claims of up to 50,000 UEC.  If you choose to go before a settlement tribunal you might get more, but it would be months before you get a hearing.”

Tak didn’t hesitate.  “I’ll take the 50,000, if you don’t mind.  I don’t want to put my life on hold for what may or may not happen months down the road.  My luck has held today and I think it best to not tempt fate.”

“Good, then flash your account details to me so I can transfer the funds,” A couple of minutes later Audrey asked Tak to confirm the deposit. 

He checked the Glas.  It showed he had a balance of 53,000 United Earth Credits in his account.   It was more money than he ever had in his life. 

“I don’t know how I can thank you Audrey,” Tak said.

“Well, how about dinner?  I’ll even let you buy.”

“Not tonight, please,” Tak said indicating his attire. “I’d like to shower and get some more presentable clothes.”

Audrey turned off the terminal and walked around the desk. “Where are you staying?  Tomorrow is Saturday, so I can pick you up and take you shopping.  We can eat afterwards.”

“Sounds great,” he said, stepping aside to let her out first.