“Gabriel, why are there forty-eight containers of coffee on this supply manifest?”
Gabriel looked up from his terminal.
“Because forty-seven wasn’t enough.”
Thane stared at him.
“Gabriel.”
“What?”
“Forty-eight containers?”
The black wolf leaned back in his chair, looking entirely pleased with himself.
“Captain, have you considered how much coffee we consume aboard this ship?”
“Yes.”
“And have you considered how long we might be away from a decent supplier?”
“Yes.”
“And have you considered the potentially catastrophic consequences of allowing Mark to run out of coffee?”
Thane paused.
Then slowly nodded.
“All right. That’s a fair point.”
Across the galley, Mark looked up from his maintenance tablet.
“I heard that.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Excellent. Then you understand the importance of adequate provisioning.”
Mark shook his head.
“I drink two cups a day.”
“Two cups when you’re behaving yourself,” Gabriel replied. “Six when you’re working on something complicated.”
Thane laughed.
“And how many do you drink?”
Gabriel considered.
“That’s classified.”
“Gabriel.”
“Commercially sensitive information.”
Mark returned to his tablet.
“He’s impossible.”
Thane smiled.
“And yet, somehow, we keep him.”
The three wolves were enjoying a relatively relaxed breakfast aboard Freya.
Outside, Calder Industrial Station continued its ordinary morning operations. Cargo vehicles moved through the docking complex, maintenance crews inspected incoming vessels, and enormous freight elevators carried supplies between the commercial and industrial levels.
Inside Freya, the atmosphere was considerably more peaceful.
For once, nobody was dismantling machinery at six in the morning.
Thane considered that a welcome improvement.
The ship had been in port for several days.
The new fabrication processor was installed and commissioned.
Routine maintenance was nearly complete.
Fuel, consumables, and replacement parts were being replenished.
And Gabriel had located another potential contract.
All that remained was a final round of preparations before departure.
“Speaking of supplies,” Thane said, “how are we looking?”
Gabriel opened the manifest.
“Food stores are nearly complete. Medical supplies arrived yesterday. Consumable fabrication materials are scheduled for delivery this afternoon.”
“Fuel?”
“Transferred and verified.”
“Replacement hardware?”
“All received, except the two hydraulic couplings Mark ordered.”
Mark looked up.
“Those arrived this morning.”
Gabriel blinked.
“They did?”
“Six forty.”
“Six forty?”
“Yep.”
Gabriel stared at him.
“You were awake at six forty?”
Mark smiled.
“Of course.”
The black wolf slowly closed his eyes.
“There’s something fundamentally wrong with you.”
Thane burst out laughing.
The new contract was straightforward enough.
A commercial materials carrier operating near the Hesper Belt had experienced a cargo-handling failure during a routine transfer operation.
One of its external loading assemblies had become detached, carrying several valuable industrial containers into a slow, predictable drift.
The operator had recovered most of the cargo using its own equipment, but several heavy containers and a damaged loading frame remained outside the vessel’s safe handling capability.
Freya was well suited to the job.
The recovery would require careful maneuvering, external grapple work, and possibly some cutting and fabrication.
Nothing particularly exotic.
Nothing especially urgent.
And, most importantly, no indication that the carrier itself was in danger.
Gabriel had negotiated a preliminary recovery agreement worth forty-two thousand credits, with additional payment for any recoverable equipment beyond the original inventory.
The work would require approximately eight days of travel, including the interstellar transit and local approach.
Thane liked the arrangement.
It was the kind of ordinary commercial job that kept a salvage company profitable.
Mark liked it because the new fabrication processor might actually prove useful.
Gabriel liked it because the money was good.
And because the client had agreed to his terms without making him argue for three hours.
An unusual bonus.
After breakfast, Thane headed to the cargo bay for the final loading inspection.
Mark was already there.
The gray-and-white wolf stood beside a stack of secured industrial supply containers, checking the electronic inventory against the actual deliveries.
His tail moved slowly behind him.
Thane approached.
“How’s it going?”
Mark looked up.
“Pretty good.”
“Everything accounted for?”
“Almost.”
Thane smiled.
“Almost?”
“One crate of replacement coolant fittings was packed under the wrong stock number.”
“Wrong parts?”
“No. Right parts, wrong label.”
“Ah.”
Mark tapped his tablet.
“Already corrected.”
Thane grinned.
“Of course you did.”
The engineer continued down the manifest.
“Fabrication stock is secured. Hydraulic spares are loaded. Replacement sensor modules are in storage.”
“Power tools?”
“Charged and stowed.”
“EVA equipment?”
“Inspected.”
“Work pods?”
“Both serviced.”
Thane nodded approvingly.
“Excellent.”
Mark looked around the cargo bay.
“She’s in good shape.”
Thane smiled.
“She is.”
The two wolves stood quietly for a moment, appreciating the enormous compartment.
Freya’s cargo bay had been almost unrecognizable when they’d purchased her.
The original handling equipment had suffered years of neglect.
The deck plating was damaged.
Several overhead supports required reinforcement.
And the electrical distribution system had been an absolute nightmare.
Now the bay was clean, orderly, and fully functional.
Heavy cargo-handling equipment rested in its designated positions.
The overhead cranes were properly aligned.
The external salvage tools were secured against their mounts.
Everything had a place.
And everything worked.
Mark looked toward the forward bulkhead.
“Remember what this place looked like when we bought her?”
Thane chuckled.
“Unfortunately.”
“That starboard crane barely moved.”
“That starboard crane tried to kill me.”
Mark smiled.
“It didn’t try to kill you.”
“The damned thing dropped a hydraulic cylinder six inches from my head.”
“Because you were standing in the wrong place.”
Thane looked at him.
“You’re still defending it?”
Mark grinned.
“She’s a good crane.”
Thane laughed.
“You’re hopeless.”
By eleven thirty, the final maintenance checklist was complete.
Freya was ready for departure.
Thane had deliberately scheduled their next flight for the following morning, giving them the rest of the day to finish paperwork, relax, and enjoy one final night at Calder.
Gabriel was in the communications office finalizing the Hesper contract.
Mark was organizing the fabrication shop.
And Thane had decided to take advantage of the rare opportunity to do absolutely nothing for an hour.
He was sitting in the common room with a book when the personnel airlock chimed.
He glanced toward the wall display.
“Visitor?”
The ship’s security system showed a familiar figure standing outside the boarding hatch.
Rust-red fur.
Cream muzzle.
Amber eyes.
A backpack slung over one shoulder.
Thane smiled.
“Well, hello there.”
He activated the communicator.
“Afternoon, son.”
Tavin looked toward the camera.
His expression brightened immediately.
“Hi, Thane!”
“Come to visit?”
The youngster hesitated.
“Yeah. If you’re not busy.”
Thane grinned.
“Never too busy for a friend. Come on aboard.”
He released the access lock.
Then stood.
Tavin was waiting just inside the personnel airlock when Thane arrived.
The young wolf wore a clean dark shirt and casual trousers. His rust-red fur was neatly groomed, and his amber eyes carried the same bright curiosity Thane had noticed during his previous visit.
But something about him seemed different today.
He looked a little nervous.
Not frightened.
Just uncertain.
Thane approached with a warm smile.
“Hey, son.”
Tavin smiled.
“Hey.”
“Good to see you.”
“You too.”
Thane gestured toward the corridor.
“Come on in.”
The youngster followed him toward the lift.
“How’s everything going?”
“Pretty good,” Tavin replied.
“Work?”
“Yeah. Actually, really good.”
Thane smiled.
“Glad to hear it.”
They entered the lift.
Tavin glanced toward the control panel.
“Are you guys still working on the ship?”
“Just finished the last maintenance checks.”
“Oh.”
“Why?”
The youngster shrugged.
“Just curious.”
Thane noticed the slight uncertainty in his voice.
But he didn’t press.
The lift doors opened onto the residential deck.
“Come on. Let’s see what the others are doing.”
Gabriel was in the galley when they arrived.
He looked up from his terminal.
Then grinned.
“Well, look who it is!”
Tavin smiled.
“Hi, Gabriel.”
“Hey, kid!”
The black wolf stood.
“Come on in. Want something to drink?”
“Sure.”
“Juice? Water? Coffee?”
Tavin considered.
“Juice would be good.”
Gabriel retrieved a glass.
“Excellent choice.”
Thane smiled.
“Where’s Mark?”
“Workshop.”
“Still?”
Gabriel rolled his eyes.
“He’s organizing the new machine’s tooling.”
Thane laughed.
“Naturally.”
Gabriel handed Tavin his drink.
“So, kid. How’s life treating you?”
Tavin smiled.
“Pretty good.”
“Still enjoying the restaurant?”
“Yeah.”
Gabriel leaned against the counter.
“Excellent.”
Tavin glanced toward the corridor.
Then back at Thane.
“Are you guys leaving soon?”
Thane nodded.
“Tomorrow morning.”
The youngster’s ears moved slightly.
“Oh.”
Gabriel smiled.
“New contract. Hesper Belt.”
Tavin looked interested.
“Another salvage job?”
“Yep.”
“What kind?”
Thane explained briefly.
“Lost cargo and some damaged loading equipment. Pretty straightforward recovery.”
Tavin nodded.
“Sounds interesting.”
“Should be,” Gabriel replied. “And hopefully less complicated than the last one.”
Thane laughed.
“Don’t tempt fate.”
Mark arrived a few minutes later.
He stopped in the doorway.
Then smiled.
“Well, hey there, Tavin.”
The youngster brightened.
“Hi, Mark!”
“Good to see you again.”
“You too.”
Mark glanced toward Thane.
“Everything okay?”
Thane nodded.
“Just had a visitor.”
“Good.”
The engineer poured himself a glass of water and sat at the table.
Tavin settled into a chair opposite him.
For a few minutes, the conversation remained casual.
They talked about the restaurant.
About the new fabrication machine.
About the spare communications panel Mark had shown him during his previous visit.
Tavin asked whether he’d repaired it.
Mark smiled.
“Sure did.”
“Was it the regulator?”
“Exactly.”
Tavin grinned.
“I thought so.”
Mark nodded approvingly.
“Good diagnosis.”
Gabriel looked between them.
Then sighed.
“Here we go again.”
Thane laughed.
But as the conversation continued, he noticed Tavin becoming quieter.
The young wolf kept glancing around the galley.
At the photographs.
At the comfortable furniture.
At the three older wolves seated around the table.
Finally, he set down his glass.
“Thane?”
The captain looked toward him.
“Yeah, son?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
Tavin hesitated.
Then looked at all three of them.
“How did you guys become a pack?”
For a moment, the galley was quiet.
Gabriel looked toward Thane.
Mark leaned back slightly.
Thane smiled.
“That’s a good question.”
Tavin looked embarrassed.
“Sorry. I know it’s kind of personal.”
“Nothing to apologize for.”
Thane considered the question.
Then chuckled.
“How much time have you got?”
Tavin smiled.
“Plenty.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Oh, this could take a while.”
Mark nodded.
“Especially if Gabriel tells it.”
The black wolf looked offended.
“My recollection of events is impeccable.”
Thane laughed.
“Your recollection of events changes every time you tell the story.”
“Creative interpretation, Captain.”
“That’s what you call it?”
“Absolutely.”
Tavin laughed.
Thane leaned back.
“Well, the short version is that we’ve known each other a long time.”
“How long?”
“Longer than I care to admit.”
Gabriel grinned.
“He’s ancient.”
Mark looked at him.
“You’re not exactly a pup anymore.”
Gabriel placed a paw against his chest.
“I remain youthful and magnificent.”
Thane shook his head.
“Anyway, we didn’t start out as a pack.”
Tavin looked interested.
“You didn’t?”
“Nope.”
Thane smiled.
“We were friends first.”
The story took considerably longer than Thane expected.
Mostly because Gabriel kept interrupting.
And Mark kept correcting him.
They talked about the years before Freya.
About working together on difficult projects.
About the times they’d helped one another through personal troubles.
About disagreements, arguments, bad decisions, and occasional spectacular mistakes.
Gabriel told a story involving a rental cargo transport, an incorrectly secured equipment crate, and a very angry warehouse supervisor.
Mark insisted Gabriel had left out several important details.
Thane remembered the incident rather differently from both of them.
Tavin laughed until his sides hurt.
Then the conversation became quieter.
Thane spoke about trust.
About the way the three of them had gradually stopped thinking of one another merely as friends.
They’d become the people each depended on.
The people who showed up when things went wrong.
The people who stayed.
“Eventually,” Thane said, “we realized we’d been acting like a pack for years.”
Tavin looked thoughtful.
“So nobody really asked?”
Thane considered.
“Not exactly.”
Gabriel smiled.
“We didn’t hold some elaborate ceremony.”
Mark nodded.
“No speeches.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Well, there were speeches. Mostly from you.”
Mark stared at him.
“I did not make a speech.”
“You explained the practical advantages of shared residential arrangements for forty minutes.”
“That was a financial discussion.”
Thane burst out laughing.
Tavin grinned.
Gabriel leaned forward.
“See? Pack life is mostly arguing with people you love.”
Mark smiled faintly.
“That’s not entirely inaccurate.”
Tavin looked down at his paws.
For a little while, he was quiet.
Then he asked another question.
“Do you ever get tired of each other?”
Gabriel immediately answered.
“Constantly.”
Thane laughed.
Mark shook his head.
Tavin smiled.
“Seriously.”
Thane considered.
“Sure. Sometimes.”
The youngster looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Of course. We live together. Work together. Spend weeks at a time aboard the same ship.”
Mark nodded.
“We disagree.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Occasionally threaten bodily harm.”
Thane looked at him.
“Mostly because you deserve it.”
“See?”
Tavin laughed.
Thane continued.
“But we work things out.”
“How?”
“Talk. Argue a little. Sometimes give each other space.”
Mark nodded.
“And apologize when necessary.”
Gabriel looked thoughtful.
“That last one is primarily theoretical.”
Thane laughed.
Tavin smiled.
Then his expression grew serious again.
“So you don’t have to be perfect?”
Thane looked at him.
“Perfect?”
“Yeah.”
The youngster shrugged.
“I mean… to be part of a pack.”
Thane shook his head.
“Good grief, son. If perfection were required, Gabriel would’ve been thrown out years ago.”
Gabriel placed a paw against his chest.
“Captain!”
Mark laughed.
Tavin grinned.
Thane smiled warmly.
“No. You don’t have to be perfect.”
He glanced toward his companions.
“None of us are.”
For a while, Tavin studied the table.
Then he looked up.
“Do you think somebody like me could ever have something like that?”
Thane’s expression softened.
“Of course you could, son.”
Tavin hesitated.
“Even if I don’t have much?”
Thane frowned slightly.
“What’s money got to do with it?”
The youngster looked embarrassed.
“I don’t know.”
Gabriel leaned forward.
“Kid, when we bought Freya, we had a ship that barely worked and a bank account that was considerably less impressive than it is today.”
Mark nodded.
“That’s putting it mildly.”
Thane smiled.
“We had each other, though.”
Tavin looked toward him.
“Yeah.”
“And that mattered a lot more than what we had in the bank.”
The youngster nodded slowly.
Then glanced around the galley again.
“You guys are really lucky.”
Thane considered that.
“Yeah.”
He smiled.
“We are.”
The conversation drifted for a few minutes.
Gabriel retrieved a plate of leftover pastries.
Mark poured another drink.
Thane watched Tavin quietly.
The young wolf seemed to be gathering his courage for something.
Every so often, he opened his mouth as though preparing to speak.
Then stopped.
Finally, he looked toward Thane.
“Can I ask another question?”
Thane smiled.
“You can ask as many as you want.”
Tavin nodded.
“Does Freya ever take on more people?”
Mark looked up.
“More people?”
“Yeah. Crew.”
Gabriel glanced toward Thane.
The captain remained relaxed.
“She’s designed for fourteen,” Thane replied.
Tavin’s ears lifted.
“Fourteen?”
“Yep.”
“And there’s only three of you.”
“That’s right.”
The youngster looked thoughtful.
“So there’s room.”
Mark nodded.
“Plenty.”
Gabriel smiled.
“Though somebody would have to help clean the galley occasionally.”
Thane laughed.
Tavin smiled faintly.
Then looked down.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Finally, he took a breath.
“Would you ever consider…”
He stopped.
Thane waited.
Tavin swallowed.
“Would you ever consider letting me come with you?”
The question settled into the galley.
Not dramatically.
Not with some great sudden revelation.
Just a nineteen-year-old wolf sitting at a table with three older friends, asking something that clearly mattered enormously to him.
Thane looked at Tavin.
The youngster’s ears were low.
His paws rested together on the table.
He looked nervous.
But he wasn’t frightened.
He was waiting.
Thane considered the question seriously.
Then he looked toward Gabriel.
The black wolf’s expression had softened.
He gave a small smile.
Thane looked toward Mark.
The engineer nodded.
A simple, unmistakable nod.
Thane turned back to Tavin.
“Well, son.”
He smiled.
“I think we’d be happy to have you aboard.”
Tavin blinked.
“What?”
Gabriel grinned.
“You heard him.”
The youngster looked between them.
“Really?”
Mark smiled.
“Really.”
Tavin stared.
Then slowly smiled.
A broad, disbelieving smile.
“You mean it?”
Thane nodded.
“Absolutely.”
The young wolf looked down at his paws.
Then back up.
“Wow.”
Gabriel chuckled.
“That’s one way to put it.”
Thane leaned forward slightly.
“But there’s something you need to understand.”
Tavin’s ears lowered.
“What?”
“You’re not coming aboard because you owe us anything.”
The youngster blinked.
Thane continued.
“And you aren’t obligated to stay.”
Tavin looked uncertain.
“But if I’m working here—”
“Working aboard Freya is a job,” Thane said gently. “Being part of our pack is something else entirely.”
He paused.
“You don’t have to earn one to deserve the other.”
Tavin stared at him.
For a moment, his amber eyes glistened.
Gabriel smiled.
“And if you decide you hate living with three old idiots, we’ll help you get somewhere else.”
Mark looked at him.
“Speak for yourself.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Sorry. Two old idiots and one extremely elderly engineer.”
Thane burst out laughing.
Mark shook his head.
“You’re impossible.”
Tavin laughed.
A slightly shaky laugh.
But genuine.
Thane smiled.
“Seriously, son. We’d be glad to have you.”
The youngster swallowed.
“Thank you.”
Thane nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
The next conversation was considerably more practical.
Thane insisted on it.
Tavin was nineteen.
He had never worked aboard a salvage vessel.
He had limited experience with spacecraft operations.
And while he clearly had a talent for electronics, there was a substantial difference between repairing personal terminals and working on the industrial control systems of a hundred-and-fifteen-meter commercial ship.
There would be training.
Safety procedures.
Responsibilities.
And plenty of things he wasn’t yet qualified to do.
Tavin listened carefully.
Mark explained that he could help with low-risk electronic repairs while learning the ship’s maintenance systems.
Gabriel described the administrative side of the business.
Thane explained the crew’s working arrangements, pay, and expectations.
“This isn’t a debt arrangement,” he said firmly.
Tavin nodded.
“I know.”
“You’ll be paid for your work. Properly. We’ll put the terms in writing, and you’ll have your own account.”
“Okay.”
“And if you decide you want to leave, you can.”
Tavin smiled faintly.
“Okay.”
Thane continued.
“We’ll cover your normal meals and accommodations while you’re aboard. That’s part of living here, not something we’re going to charge against your wages.”
The youngster looked surprised.
“Really?”
Gabriel grinned.
“Unless you eat all the chili.”
Thane laughed.
“Even then.”
Mark nodded.
“We’ll make more.”
Tavin smiled.
Then looked toward Thane.
“Can I ask something?”
“Of course.”
“Would I have to call you Captain?”
Thane considered.
“When we’re working in a situation where I need to give operational instructions, it’s probably a good idea.”
Tavin nodded.
“Okay.”
“But around here?”
Thane smiled.
“Thane’s fine.”
The youngster grinned.
“Good.”
They talked for another hour.
Tavin explained that he had very few possessions.
Some clothes.
His personal terminal.
A few small electronic tools.
Several photographs.
And a couple of keepsakes from his childhood.
Everything would fit into two bags.
He still had his room above The Last Berth, but the rental arrangement was flexible.
He’d need to notify the restaurant and settle his final wages.
Gabriel offered to help review the paperwork.
Tavin smiled.
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Absolutely.”
Mark glanced toward the clock.
“We’re scheduled to leave tomorrow morning.”
Thane considered.
“Could delay a day if necessary.”
Tavin looked up quickly.
“Oh, no. I can get everything done today.”
Thane smiled.
“No rush, son.”
“Really. It’s fine.”
The youngster looked thoughtful.
“I’ve already got tomorrow off. And I can talk to Mister Braddock about tonight’s shift.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Good.”
Thane looked at him.
“Just make sure everything’s settled properly. We don’t want you leaving unfinished business behind.”
Tavin nodded.
“I will.”
Then he smiled.
“I can’t believe this.”
Thane chuckled.
“Believe it.”
An hour later, Tavin stood outside the personnel airlock with his backpack.
He looked excited.
And a little overwhelmed.
Thane stood beside him.
“Everything okay?”
Tavin nodded.
“Yeah.”
He smiled.
“Really okay.”
“Good.”
The youngster hesitated.
Then looked up at the older wolf.
“Thane?”
“Yeah, son?”
“Why did you say yes?”
Thane considered.
Then smiled.
“Because we like you.”
Tavin blinked.
“That’s it?”
“Pretty much.”
The youngster looked toward the ship’s interior.
Then back at Thane.
“You barely know me.”
Thane nodded.
“True.”
He considered for a moment.
“But what we’ve seen so far, we like.”
Tavin smiled shyly.
Thane continued.
“And we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better.”
The youngster nodded.
“Yeah.”
He looked toward the station corridor.
“Guess I’d better get my stuff.”
Thane smiled.
“Need help?”
Tavin considered.
“Maybe carrying a bag.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
The youngster looked surprised.
“You don’t have to.”
Thane grinned.
“I know.”
The trip to The Last Berth was uneventful.
Tavin talked almost the entire way.
About his room.
About the things he wanted to bring.
About the tools he’d collected.
About the kinds of electronics he hoped to learn to repair.
Thane listened with a smile.
There was something wonderful about the youngster’s enthusiasm.
Not because he was naive.
Not because he had no idea what life aboard a working vessel involved.
But because, for the first time in quite a while, he seemed excited about his future.
At the restaurant, Tavin approached the manager’s office.
Mister Braddock looked surprised to see Thane standing beside him.
The older wolf smiled pleasantly.
“Afternoon.”
Braddock nodded cautiously.
“Afternoon.”
Tavin cleared his throat.
“Sir, I’d like to give notice.”
The owner looked at him.
“Notice?”
“Yes. I’m leaving the station.”
Braddock glanced toward Thane.
Then back at Tavin.
“Going somewhere?”
Tavin smiled.
“Yeah.”
He took a breath.
“I’m going to work aboard a salvage ship.”
For a moment, Braddock said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“Well.”
Tavin waited.
The owner sighed.
“All right. We can settle your account.”
Gabriel had already prepared a checklist of the required documents.
Tavin produced it from his terminal.
Braddock reviewed the list.
There were no outstanding debts.
No restraint obligations.
No remaining advances.
The restaurant owed Tavin his wages for the completed pay period, including his accrued share of tips.
The account was settled electronically.
The room rental was closed without penalty.
And Tavin received written confirmation that his employment had ended voluntarily.
Thane watched quietly.
He didn’t speak for the youngster.
Didn’t negotiate on his behalf.
Didn’t interfere.
Tavin handled the conversation himself.
And he handled it well.
They collected his possessions from the small room above the restaurant.
It took less than twenty minutes.
Thane carried the larger bag.
Tavin carried his backpack and a smaller case containing his electronics tools.
The room looked strangely empty when they finished.
Not that it had contained much to begin with.
Tavin stood in the doorway.
He looked around.
Then switched off the lights.
“Well.”
Thane smiled.
“Well?”
The youngster took a breath.
“Guess that’s that.”
Thane nodded.
“Looks like it.”
Tavin closed the door.
Then turned toward him.
“Ready?”
Thane grinned.
“Whenever you are, son.”
Back aboard Freya, Gabriel met them at the personnel airlock.
He looked at the bags.
“That’s everything?”
Tavin nodded.
“Yep.”
Gabriel smiled.
“Well, that makes moving considerably easier.”
Mark appeared from the lift.
“Welcome back.”
Tavin grinned.
“Thanks!”
Thane set down the larger bag.
“Let’s show him where he’ll be staying.”
Mark nodded.
“Already picked out a cabin.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
“Of course you did.”
The engineer ignored him.
“Deck Two. Starboard side. Near the common room, but far enough from the machinery spaces to be quiet.”
Thane smiled.
“Good choice.”
They took the lift together.
The cabin was simple.
But comfortable.
A proper bed occupied one wall.
A desk and work surface stood beneath a small exterior viewing port.
Storage compartments lined the opposite bulkhead.
There was a private bathroom, a compact wardrobe, and a small seating area.
The room had been cleaned and prepared.
Fresh bedding covered the mattress.
The environmental controls were set to a comfortable temperature.
And a small welcome message glowed on the wall terminal.
WELCOME ABOARD FREYA, TAVIN
The youngster stopped in the doorway.
He stared.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then he stepped inside.
Slowly.
He touched the desk.
Looked toward the viewing port.
Opened one of the storage compartments.
Then turned toward Thane.
“Is this really mine?”
Thane smiled.
“As long as you want it, son.”
Tavin looked around again.
“All of it?”
Gabriel chuckled.
“Well, the ship technically belongs to the company.”
Mark gave him a look.
Gabriel grinned.
“But yes, kid. This is your cabin.”
Tavin smiled.
Then looked toward Thane.
“Really?”
The older wolf nodded.
“Really.”
The youngster swallowed.
For a moment, his expression trembled.
Then he smiled.
A broad, delighted smile.
“It’s perfect.”
Thane felt something warm settle in his chest.
“Glad you like it.”
They helped Tavin unpack.
It didn’t take long.
A few shirts went into the wardrobe.
His personal terminal settled onto the desk.
Several small electronic tools were arranged neatly in a drawer.
A framed photograph of an older rust-colored wolf went beside the bed.
Thane glanced at it.
“Family?”
Tavin nodded.
“My grandfather.”
Thane smiled.
“Good-looking wolf.”
Tavin grinned.
“Yeah. He was.”
The youngster looked at the photograph for a moment.
Then placed it carefully on the desk.
Mark showed him how to adjust the cabin’s environmental controls and access the ship’s internal communications network.
Gabriel helped register his personal terminal with Freya’s crew systems, giving him ordinary residential access while leaving safety-critical equipment permissions restricted until training.
Thane explained the emergency procedures.
Nothing overwhelming.
Just the basics.
Where to find the nearest evacuation route.
How to contact the bridge.
What to do if the ship’s pressure alarms sounded.
Tavin listened attentively.
Then looked around his new cabin again.
“I still can’t believe this.”
Gabriel smiled.
“Get used to it, kid.”
By early evening, everything was settled.
Tavin’s belongings were unpacked.
His residential access was configured.
His employment paperwork had been prepared for review and signature before he began working.
And Mark had already scheduled an introductory safety tour for the following morning.
Thane stood in the galley, reheating a large pot of leftover chili.
Gabriel sat at the table reviewing the next day’s departure schedule.
Mark was checking the ship’s final readiness report.
Tavin appeared in the doorway.
He hesitated.
Thane looked up.
“Hey, son.”
The youngster smiled.
“Hey.”
“Settling in?”
Tavin nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
Thane gestured toward the table.
“Grab a seat. Dinner’s almost ready.”
Tavin looked at the chairs.
Then smiled.
He sat down.
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Just pulled out a chair and made himself comfortable.
Gabriel looked up from his terminal.
“Ready for tomorrow?”
Tavin nodded enthusiastically.
“Absolutely.”
Mark smiled.
“First interstellar trip aboard a working salvage vessel.”
“Yep.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Try not to throw up.”
Tavin blinked.
“What?”
Thane burst out laughing.
Mark shook his head.
“Ignore him.”
Gabriel looked offended.
“What? It’s a legitimate concern.”
Tavin grinned.
“I’ve traveled FTL before.”
“Passenger transports don’t count.”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re boring.”
Thane laughed.
“Gabriel.”
“What?”
“Stop trying to scare the kid.”
“I’m providing valuable operational guidance.”
Mark sighed.
“Of course you are.”
Dinner was lively.
Tavin discovered that Thane’s chili was even better the second day.
Gabriel insisted that this was scientifically proven.
Mark pointed out that no such study existed.
Gabriel offered to conduct one.
Thane told him he’d need to stop eating long enough to write down the results.
Tavin laughed until he nearly spilled his drink.
The conversation wandered from the Hesper contract to the ship’s daily routine.
Tavin asked about watches.
About meals.
About what happened during long interstellar transits.
Mark explained that most of Freya’s systems were automated, but crew members still monitored navigation, engineering, and environmental conditions.
Gabriel described the paperwork involved in commercial salvage.
Thane explained that everyone aboard helped with ordinary chores.
Tavin nodded.
“That’s fair.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Excellent. You can start by cleaning my cabin.”
Mark looked at him.
“No.”
Gabriel sighed.
“Worth a try.”
Tavin laughed.
Then looked at the three older wolves.
“You guys are ridiculous.”
Thane smiled.
“Yep.”
Gabriel placed a paw against his chest.
“Ridiculously charming.”
Mark shook his head.
“Something like that.”
Later, after dinner, Gabriel retrieved his guitar.
Mark settled into his favorite chair.
Thane stretched out on the couch.
Tavin sat nearby, listening as Gabriel played the instrumental he’d finished during the Mercy Dawn recovery.
The young wolf closed his eyes.
The music filled the common room.
Warm.
Melodic.
A little melancholy.
Then brightening into something hopeful.
When Gabriel finished, Tavin opened his eyes.
“That’s beautiful.”
The black wolf smiled.
“Thanks, kid.”
“Did you write it?”
“Yep.”
Tavin nodded.
“What’s it called?”
Gabriel considered.
“Still working on that.”
Thane smiled.
“I thought you had a name.”
“Had several.”
Mark looked up.
“All terrible.”
Gabriel stared at him.
“You’re a cruel wolf.”
Tavin laughed.
Gabriel grinned.
“See what I’ve been dealing with for thirty years?”
The youngster smiled.
“Seems pretty good to me.”
For a moment, Gabriel’s expression softened.
Then he nodded.
“Yeah.”
He looked toward his companions.
“Yeah, it is.”
Much later, Thane remained in the common room after the others had gone to their cabins.
The ship was quiet.
Calder Station’s industrial lights glowed beyond the observation window.
Tomorrow, Freya would leave her berth and begin another journey.
Another contract.
Another stretch of ordinary work among the stars.
Thane looked toward the galley.
Four bowls had been used at dinner.
Four glasses.
Four places at the table.
He smiled.
Nobody had discussed where Tavin should sit.
Nobody had made a ceremony of it.
The youngster had simply pulled out a chair and joined them.
And nobody had thought anything of it.
Thane leaned back.
Somewhere down the corridor, Tavin was settling into his new cabin.
Gabriel was probably reviewing tomorrow’s contract one last time.
Mark was undoubtedly checking the ship’s engineering systems before bed.
Everything felt familiar.
Comfortable.
Exactly as it should.
And yet something had changed.
Not the ship.
Not the work.
Not the routine.
Just the number of wolves who called Freya home.
Thane smiled faintly.
Then switched off the common room lights.
“Night, old girl.”
Freya’s machinery continued its steady, familiar hum.
And for the first time since three battered, exhausted wolves had brought her out of the shipyard years ago, there were four of them sleeping peacefully aboard.