“Gabriel, where’s the new kid?”
Gabriel looked up from his communications terminal.
“Which new kid?”
Thane stared at him.
Gabriel smiled innocently.
“Sorry. Haven’t seen any children aboard.”
“Gabriel.”
“Oh! You mean our newest crew member. The nineteen-year-old wolf who somehow managed to convince three otherwise intelligent individuals to let him live here?”
Thane grinned.
“That would be the one.”
“Last I saw, he was getting breakfast.”
Mark looked up from the engineering station.
“He was here ten minutes ago.”
“Really?” Thane asked.
“Yep. Asked if he could watch departure preparations.”
“And?”
“Told him to grab something to eat and come back.”
Thane smiled.
“Good.”
Gabriel leaned back.
“Look at us. Four wolves. A hundred-and-fifteen-meter salvage ship. An entire galaxy of broken machinery to play with.”
Mark nodded.
“And one of those wolves who apparently believes he gets paid to talk.”
Gabriel looked wounded.
“I contribute enormously to this organization.”
“Your mouth does,” Mark replied.
Thane burst out laughing.
The three wolves occupied their familiar stations aboard Freya’s bridge.
Beyond the forward observation windows, Calder Industrial Station stretched across the view, its enormous docking structures illuminated by hundreds of navigation lights.
Cargo vessels drifted slowly between berths.
Maintenance craft moved among the structural supports.
Farther away, the manufacturing world of Veyra hung against the blackness of space.
Freya was ready to depart.
Her supplies were aboard.
Her maintenance was complete.
The new fabrication processor had been secured for flight.
And for the first time in the ship’s history under their ownership, there would be four wolves aboard when she left port.
Thane glanced toward the bridge entrance.
A moment later, Tavin appeared.
“Morning!”
The young rust-red wolf stepped into the compartment carrying a mug of coffee.
His amber eyes were bright, his cream-colored muzzle freshly groomed, and his tail moved enthusiastically behind him.
He wore a clean dark shirt and comfortable trousers.
Like the others, he was barefoot.
Thane smiled.
“Morning.”
Gabriel looked him over.
“Well, look who’s decided to join the working class.”
Tavin glanced at the black wolf.
“Morning, Gabriel.”
“Sleep well?”
“Great.”
“Good. Enjoy it while you can.”
Tavin raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
Gabriel gestured dramatically toward the bridge.
“Because this is a working ship, young man. Hard labor. Long hours. Grueling responsibility.”
Tavin looked around.
Then back at Gabriel.
“Wow.”
Gabriel nodded solemnly.
“Exactly.”
Tavin took a sip of coffee.
“So when does your shift start?”
Thane immediately began laughing.
Mark lowered his head.
Gabriel stared.
“My shift?”
“Yeah. You said this was a working ship. Just wondering when you were planning to start.”
Mark’s shoulders began shaking.
Gabriel slowly smiled.
“Oh, you little shit.”
Tavin grinned.
“Morning, everybody.”
Departure preparations proceeded normally.
Tavin settled into an auxiliary seat near the rear of the bridge, where he had a clear view of the primary displays without interfering with the operational stations.
Thane had explained that he could observe freely, ask questions when appropriate, and follow along with the departure checklist.
He wasn’t being assigned a flight-control responsibility.
Not yet.
This was his first day aboard a working vessel.
And Thane intended to let him enjoy it.
“All right, gentlemen,” the captain said. “Departure checklist.”
Mark brought up engineering status.
“Primary reactor stable. Distribution systems nominal. Environmental systems green.”
“Propulsion?”
“Ready.”
“Attitude control?”
“Ready.”
Gabriel opened the communications channel.
“Calder Traffic, salvage vessel Freya, Berth Seventeen, requesting departure clearance for Hesper transit.”
The response came several seconds later.
“Freya, Calder Traffic. Departure request received. Confirm four persons aboard.”
Gabriel smiled.
“Affirmative. Four souls aboard.”
Tavin’s ears lifted.
He looked toward Thane.
The captain smiled faintly.
Gabriel continued.
“Destination Hesper Belt commercial recovery zone. Flight plan transmitted.”
“Flight plan confirmed. Stand by for departure authorization.”
Thane reviewed the navigation display.
Mark checked the station-service connections.
Tavin watched silently.
The three older wolves moved through the process with practiced ease.
Nobody seemed hurried.
Nobody appeared uncertain.
Each handled his part of the operation almost automatically.
But Tavin noticed something else.
They talked constantly.
Not unnecessary chatter.
Useful exchanges.
A quick confirmation.
A warning about a minor sensor discrepancy.
A reminder about an upcoming procedure.
And occasionally a joke.
“Station umbilicals disconnected,” Mark reported.
“External pressure seal?”
“Confirmed.”
“Docking clamps?”
“Still engaged.”
Gabriel glanced toward Tavin.
“See? He’s making sure we don’t leave half the station attached to the ship.”
Tavin smiled.
“Probably a good idea.”
Mark looked up.
“Especially with Gabriel handling the paperwork.”
Gabriel placed a paw against his chest.
“Why am I being attacked this morning?”
Thane grinned.
“Because it’s easy.”
Calder Traffic granted departure clearance at eight seventeen.
“Freya, you are cleared to disengage Berth Seventeen and proceed to outbound corridor Four. Maintain station-relative speed limits until the traffic boundary.”
Gabriel acknowledged.
Thane looked toward Mark.
“Release docking clamps.”
“Releasing.”
A series of mechanical thumps traveled through the hull.
One by one, the massive docking restraints disengaged from Freya’s structural hardpoints.
The bridge display confirmed that the ship was free.
Thane placed his clawed hand on the maneuvering controls.
“Attitude thrusters.”
“Available,” Mark replied.
Thane engaged a gentle lateral thrust.
Outside the forward windows, Calder Station began drifting sideways.
Tavin leaned forward slightly.
His ears turned toward the low vibration coming through the deck.
There was no dramatic jolt.
No sudden acceleration.
Just the steady, deliberate movement of a large industrial vessel easing away from her berth.
“Wow,” Tavin murmured.
Thane smiled.
“First departure from the working side of the bridge?”
The youngster nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Little different from the passenger seats?”
“Very.”
Thane grinned.
“Better view, too.”
Tavin looked toward the enormous docking structures sliding past the windows.
“Definitely.”
Freya moved through Calder’s outbound traffic corridor with the calm efficiency of a ship whose crew knew her intimately.
Thane handled the helm.
Gabriel coordinated traffic communications.
Mark monitored propulsion and environmental systems.
Tavin followed along on the auxiliary display, occasionally glancing between the three stations.
At one point, a cargo shuttle crossed their projected route several kilometers ahead.
Thane reduced acceleration slightly.
Gabriel acknowledged the traffic advisory.
Mark confirmed their revised maneuvering profile.
Nobody made a production of it.
They simply adjusted.
Tavin watched the exchange.
“Do you guys always work like this?”
Thane glanced toward him.
“Like what?”
“Like you already know what everybody’s going to do.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Telepathy.”
Mark shook his head.
“No.”
“Ancient wolf magic?”
“No.”
“Years of profound spiritual harmony?”
“Gabriel.”
“What?”
“Stop.”
Thane laughed.
“Practice, son. Lots of practice.”
Tavin nodded.
“Seems like it.”
Mark looked toward him.
“We use standard procedures. Everyone knows his responsibilities. That makes the coordination easier.”
“And we’ve spent enough time together to recognize each other’s habits,” Thane added.
Gabriel smiled.
“For example, I know Mark will check every pressure reading at least twice.”
“Because it matters.”
“And Mark knows I’ll be exceptionally charming to traffic control.”
“Because you can’t help yourself.”
“And Thane knows both of us will eventually start arguing.”
The captain grinned.
“Usually before breakfast.”
Tavin laughed.
The outbound transit took nearly three hours.
By the time Freya reached the system’s interstellar departure boundary, Calder Station had become a small cluster of lights against the distant curve of Veyra.
Thane completed the final navigation checks.
Gabriel confirmed the assigned transit window.
Mark verified that the faster-than-light drive’s support systems were ready.
Tavin sat quietly, watching.
“All right,” Thane said. “Transit configuration.”
Mark nodded.
“Primary propulsion reduced. FTL containment systems ready. Thermal reserves nominal.”
“Navigation solution?”
Gabriel checked the display.
“Confirmed. Hesper transit corridor, estimated arrival in seven days, nineteen hours.”
“Good.”
Thane glanced toward Tavin.
“Comfortable?”
The youngster smiled.
“Yep.”
“Any questions before we go?”
Tavin considered.
“Does it feel different from a passenger transport?”
Thane smiled.
“A little. Freya’s drive is older, and the transition is slightly more noticeable.”
“Anything I should do?”
“Stay seated until we’re established in transit.”
Tavin nodded.
“Got it.”
Gabriel leaned toward him.
“And if you hear a horrible grinding noise, that’s perfectly normal.”
Mark looked up.
“No, it isn’t.”
Gabriel grinned.
“I know.”
Tavin smiled innocently.
“So if I hear a horrible grinding noise, should I assume Gabriel’s trying to fix something?”
Thane burst out laughing.
Mark grinned.
Gabriel turned slowly toward the youngster.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Tavin took a sip of coffee.
“Immensely.”
Freya entered faster-than-light transit at eleven thirty-two.
The transition began with a deep vibration that traveled through the ship’s structural spine.
The forward display shifted as the navigation system exchanged ordinary optical imagery for the synthesized transit representation.
The stars disappeared from the windows.
For a brief moment, Tavin felt a peculiar sensation of pressure, not painful or particularly uncomfortable, but unmistakable.
Then it was gone.
The ship’s systems settled into their steady operating rhythm.
Mark checked the engineering display.
“Transit established. Drive stable.”
Gabriel reviewed navigation.
“Course confirmed.”
Thane nodded.
“Excellent.”
He leaned back in the captain’s chair.
“Well, gentlemen.”
Gabriel grinned.
“And?”
“Welcome to the first day of the Hesper run.”
Tavin looked around the bridge.
Then smiled.
“That was awesome.”
Thane laughed.
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
Gabriel folded his arms.
“See? Much better than a passenger transport.”
Tavin considered.
“Definitely.”
Then he looked toward the black wolf.
“Although the onboard entertainment seems questionable.”
Mark burst out laughing.
Gabriel stared.
Thane grinned.
“Oh, he’s going to fit right in.”
The first engineering lesson began after lunch.
Mark had prepared a modest training session in Freya’s fabrication shop.
Nothing extravagant.
Just an introduction to the ship’s maintenance procedures, equipment safety systems, and the practical differences between ordinary electronics repair and work aboard an operating spacecraft.
Tavin arrived carrying his personal terminal and a small notebook.
Mark noticed.
“Ready?”
The youngster smiled.
“Absolutely.”
“Good.”
Mark gestured toward the main workbench.
“First thing you need to understand: working on a ship is different from working on a personal terminal.”
Tavin nodded.
“Because the equipment can affect other systems?”
“Exactly.”
The engineer smiled.
“A faulty communications panel might be inconvenient. A faulty pressure-control system could kill everyone aboard.”
Tavin’s expression became serious.
“Right.”
“That’s why we have procedures.”
Mark showed him Freya’s maintenance authorization system.
Every major piece of equipment had an identification record.
Critical components required formal isolation before work.
Some systems could only be serviced with bridge authorization.
Others required additional safeguards.
Tavin listened attentively.
“Even if you know what’s wrong?”
Mark nodded.
“Especially then.”
The youngster looked curious.
“Why?”
“Because knowing the likely fault doesn’t mean you understand every consequence of changing something.”
Mark opened an example system diagram.
“Say you identify a failed control module in an environmental unit.”
Tavin nodded.
“You replace it.”
“Sounds straightforward.”
“Except that module also controls an emergency isolation valve. If you disconnect it without following the procedure, the system might interpret the missing signal as a fault.”
“And close the valve?”
“Exactly.”
Tavin considered.
“Which could affect pressure or airflow somewhere else.”
Mark smiled.
“Very good.”
The youngster grinned.
“So don’t just yank the broken thing out.”
“Precisely.”
“Even if it’s being a little bastard.”
Mark laughed.
“Even then.”
They spent the next hour working through practical examples.
Mark demonstrated lockout procedures.
Electrical isolation.
Independent verification of de-energized equipment.
The importance of documenting changes.
And the difference between a temporary repair and a permanent, certified restoration.
Tavin proved to be an attentive student.
He asked thoughtful questions.
He remembered details.
And when something didn’t make sense, he said so.
Mark appreciated that.
At one point, the engineer displayed a simplified power-distribution schematic.
“All right. What do you see?”
Tavin studied it.
“Two independent feeds.”
“Good.”
“One primary, one backup.”
“Correct.”
The youngster pointed toward a protective relay.
“But why’s this connected here?”
Mark smiled.
“Good question.”
He explained the relay’s role in preventing an unsafe transfer between the two supplies.
Tavin nodded.
“Oh.”
Then his ears lifted.
“So if that relay failed closed, you’d have a problem.”
“A potentially serious one.”
Tavin looked thoughtful.
“Wouldn’t you want independent feedback?”
Mark’s smile widened.
“Exactly.”
The youngster grinned.
“Cool.”
Mark nodded approvingly.
“You’re catching on.”
Tavin looked pleased.
Then asked, “So does this mean I get to take something apart?”
Mark laughed.
“Eventually.”
“Something expensive?”
“Preferably not.”
Tavin sighed theatrically.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
From the workshop doorway, Gabriel’s voice answered.
“Mark, you’ve created a monster.”
Both wolves looked up.
The black wolf stood with his arms folded, grinning.
Mark smiled.
“He’s learning.”
Gabriel looked at Tavin.
“Apparently.”
Tavin regarded him innocently.
“Don’t worry, Gabriel. I’ll make sure not to touch any of your equipment.”
“Good.”
“Wouldn’t want to damage anything held together with accounting software and arrogance.”
Mark burst out laughing.
Gabriel stared.
For a moment, his mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
Tavin smiled sweetly.
“Something wrong?”
Gabriel slowly shook his head.
“Oh, you’re going to be trouble.”
Thane’s voice arrived from behind him.
“He already is.”
The captain stepped into the workshop carrying two mugs of coffee.
Then looked between the younger wolves.
“What’d I miss?”
Mark was still laughing.
Gabriel pointed at Tavin.
“This one has developed an attitude.”
Thane grinned.
“Good.”
Gabriel stared at him.
“GOOD?”
“Yep.”
Tavin looked delighted.
Mark wiped at one eye.
“Oh, this is going to be entertaining.”
By the second evening in transit, Tavin had begun settling into Freya’s routine.
He was learning the ship’s layout.
He understood the basic residential procedures.
He had completed his initial safety orientation.
And he had discovered that Gabriel was remarkably easy to provoke.
The discovery pleased him enormously.
At dinner, Thane served roasted chicken, seasoned vegetables, and rice.
The four wolves gathered around the galley table, relaxed and hungry.
Gabriel looked toward Tavin.
“All right, kid. Time for an important lesson.”
The youngster raised an eyebrow.
“Another one?”
“Yes.”
“Should I take notes?”
“Probably.”
Tavin set down his fork.
“I’m listening.”
Gabriel leaned forward solemnly.
“New crew members are responsible for washing all the dishes.”
Tavin blinked.
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“Why?”
“Ancient maritime tradition.”
Thane glanced toward Mark.
The engineer was already smiling.
Tavin considered the statement.
Then nodded thoughtfully.
“Huh.”
Gabriel looked pleased.
“Exactly.”
Tavin took another bite of chicken.
“That’s interesting.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Where I come from, the wolf who talks the most usually does the dishes.”
Thane nearly choked on his drink.
Mark burst out laughing.
Gabriel stopped.
Tavin continued calmly.
“Something about keeping him occupied long enough for everybody else to get some peace.”
Thane laughed harder.
Gabriel stared.
“Excuse me?”
Tavin looked up innocently.
“What?”
“Are you suggesting I talk too much?”
The youngster considered.
“Well, I haven’t seen you doing much else.”
Mark put down his fork and laughed openly.
Thane leaned back, wiping at his eyes.
Gabriel slowly grinned.
“Oh, you are SO going to regret moving aboard this ship.”
Tavin smiled.
“Why? Are you going to talk me to death?”
Thane lost it.
Mark bent forward over the table.
Gabriel threw up his paws.
“UNBELIEVABLE!”
The argument continued for another five minutes.
Neither young wolf was particularly serious.
Both were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Gabriel was theatrical, expressive, and relentlessly sarcastic.
Tavin, meanwhile, had developed a remarkable talent for delivering devastating remarks with a completely innocent expression.
The contrast was wonderful.
Thane watched them with undisguised delight.
Mark kept trying to eat.
Mostly unsuccessfully.
Eventually, Gabriel leaned back.
“Fine. New rule.”
Tavin looked up.
“Another one?”
“Yes.”
“Should I notify the authorities?”
Thane snorted.
Gabriel ignored him.
“No making fun of the senior crew.”
Tavin looked thoughtful.
“Senior crew?”
“Yes.”
He gestured toward himself.
“Experienced professionals.”
Tavin nodded slowly.
Then glanced toward Thane.
“He’s fifty-five.”
Thane smiled.
“Yep.”
Tavin looked toward Mark.
“He’s fifty-eight.”
Mark nodded.
“Correct.”
Then the youngster turned back toward Gabriel.
“And you’re twenty-eight.”
Gabriel folded his arms.
“Yes.”
Tavin considered.
Then smiled.
“So you’re the middle child.”
Thane burst out laughing.
Mark nearly dropped his fork.
Gabriel stared at the youngster.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he slowly pointed one claw toward Tavin.
“That.”
Tavin smiled.
“Yes?”
“That was uncalled for.”
Thane laughed so hard his sides hurt.
Eventually, the conversation wandered toward wolf culture.
Tavin had been sitting comfortably with one leg stretched beneath the table when he glanced down.
His toes flexed against the deck.
Then he looked toward Thane.
“Can I ask something?”
Thane smiled.
“Of course.”
Tavin gestured beneath the table.
“How come you guys don’t wear shoes?”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
Mark slowly smiled.
Thane’s ears lifted.
“Oh?”
Tavin nodded.
“I mean, I noticed it when I first came aboard. You don’t wear boots or anything around the ship.”
Thane grinned.
“Nope.”
“Even when you’re working.”
“Usually.”
The youngster looked curious.
“Why?”
Gabriel groaned softly.
“Oh, here we go.”
Thane ignored him.
“Because I like my paws.”
Tavin blinked.
Then laughed.
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely.”
Thane stretched one leg slightly forward, resting his large brown-furred foot against the deck.
His broad paw was powerful and well formed, with thick pads and substantial curved claws.
“Look at these things.”
Gabriel slowly lowered his head onto the table.
Mark chuckled.
Thane continued.
“Excellent traction. Natural grip. Useful when climbing. And if somebody decides to get stupid, they’re pretty damned effective weapons.”
Tavin looked down at his own paws.
Thane grinned.
“And besides, they’re cool as hell.”
The youngster laughed.
Gabriel raised his head.
“Captain, please tell me we’re not having another discussion about how magnificent your feet are.”
Thane smiled sweetly.
“Of course we are.”
Mark laughed.
Tavin looked delighted.
Thane continued.
“You know what I always say?”
Gabriel closed his eyes again.
“Oh, God.”
Thane grinned.
“Powerful paws, powerful you.”
Tavin considered the phrase.
Then looked down at his own rust-red legs and cream-marked paws.
He flexed his toes.
The curved claws extended slightly.
Then he smiled.
“You know…”
Thane looked toward him.
“Yeah?”
“I never really thought about it like that.”
“Oh?”
Tavin shrugged.
“I’ve never liked wearing shoes either.”
Thane smiled.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Always felt weird. Like I was covering up something that was already better than whatever I put on.”
Mark nodded.
“That makes sense.”
Tavin looked thoughtful.
“And I like having my claws available.”
Thane grinned.
“Exactly!”
The youngster stretched one leg forward.
His cream-colored toes spread slightly, displaying the curved claws.
“Besides, they look pretty good.”
Thane laughed.
“See? You get it!”
Gabriel threw his head back.
“OH, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!”
Mark burst out laughing.
Tavin turned toward Gabriel.
His ears angled backward in exaggerated annoyance.
He bared his teeth in a theatrical little snarl.
“Hey! I like them too!”
Gabriel stared.
Then looked toward Thane.
“Great. You’ve converted another one.”
Thane laughed.
“Didn’t have to convert him. He was already there.”
Tavin grinned.
Then deliberately dragged his claws across the deck.
Skrrrritch.
Gabriel closed his eyes.
“Wonderful.”
Tavin scratched the floor again.
Skrrrritch.
Mark was laughing now.
Thane grinned.
Gabriel pointed at the youngster.
“Stop that.”
Tavin smiled innocently.
“Stop what?”
Skrrrritch.
Gabriel looked toward the ceiling.
“I’m surrounded.”
The conversation continued for another twenty minutes.
Thane talked about the practical advantages of strong paws and the importance of maintaining claw health.
Mark pointed out that claws weren’t universally suitable for every working surface and that certain tasks still required protective equipment.
Thane agreed.
They weren’t foolish about safety.
During spacewalks, their pressure suits incorporated protective foot assemblies.
Some hazardous industrial environments required specialized barriers or temporary protective coverings.
But aboard Freya, under ordinary conditions, they preferred the unrestricted movement and natural grip of their own paws.
Tavin understood perfectly.
He’d spent his entire life barefoot.
He simply hadn’t realized that other wolves might take the same pleasure in it.
At one point, Thane demonstrated how he could grip a narrow maintenance rung with his toes while climbing.
Tavin tried the same movement using the edge of a low footrest beneath the table.
He managed it easily.
Thane grinned.
“See?”
The youngster laughed.
“That is pretty cool.”
Gabriel shook his head.
“You two are going to spend the rest of the voyage comparing claws, aren’t you?”
Tavin smiled.
“Only after we run out of things to criticize about you.”
Mark burst out laughing.
Thane leaned back in his chair.
“Oh, I LOVE this kid.”
Gabriel stared at them.
Then slowly grinned.
“All right.”
Tavin raised an eyebrow.
“All right what?”
Gabriel pointed at him.
“War.”
The youngster smiled sweetly.
“Pretty sure you’re losing.”
The next morning, Tavin reported to engineering precisely when Mark had asked him to.
He arrived carrying his terminal, notebook, and a small toolkit.
Mark looked pleased.
“Morning.”
Tavin smiled.
“Morning.”
“Ready to work?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good.”
The engineer gestured toward a maintenance bench.
“Today we’re going to review the ship’s communications control architecture.”
Tavin’s ears lifted.
“Nice.”
Mark smiled.
“Thought you’d like that.”
They spent the morning examining several noncritical communications modules removed during Freya’s earlier upgrades.
The components weren’t particularly valuable.
But they provided excellent training material.
Mark explained how the modules communicated with the ship’s central systems.
He demonstrated signal tracing, diagnostic testing, and component identification.
Then he allowed Tavin to work through several faults on his own.
The youngster did well.
He wasn’t flawless.
At one point, he misidentified a failed interface driver as a power-regulation problem.
Mark didn’t immediately correct him.
Instead, he asked a question.
“What measurement would confirm that?”
Tavin considered.
Then checked the relevant test point.
The reading didn’t match his hypothesis.
He frowned.
“Huh.”
Mark smiled.
“Something wrong?”
Tavin looked at the circuit.
“Yeah. I think I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“Good.”
The youngster blinked.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
Mark leaned closer.
“You recognized that the evidence didn’t support your original diagnosis.”
Tavin considered.
“Okay.”
“Now what?”
The young wolf smiled.
“Keep looking.”
“Exactly.”
They continued.
Ten minutes later, Tavin identified the faulty driver.
Mark nodded approvingly.
“Very good.”
The youngster grinned.
“Thanks.”
By the third day in transit, Tavin had begun participating in ordinary shipboard life.
He helped with meals.
Assisted with inventory checks.
Learned the location of emergency equipment.
And began understanding the maintenance routines that kept Freya operating.
He was conscientious without being overly eager to please.
When he didn’t understand something, he asked.
When he made a mistake, he admitted it.
And when Gabriel made a sarcastic remark, he usually returned one before the older wolf finished speaking.
This last development delighted Thane and Mark beyond measure.
One afternoon, Gabriel found Tavin reviewing a cargo inventory in the common room.
“Hey, kid.”
Tavin looked up.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing?”
“Inventory.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Good. Making yourself useful.”
Tavin smiled.
“Trying.”
Gabriel leaned over his shoulder.
“Any problems?”
“One.”
“Oh?”
Tavin pointed toward the display.
“This section.”
Gabriel examined it.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Your formatting.”
Gabriel blinked.
“My formatting?”
“Yeah. It’s terrible.”
The black wolf stared.
“Excuse me?”
Tavin smiled.
“Some of these labels are inconsistent. A few abbreviations don’t match the standard list. And you’ve got three different naming conventions for the same type of equipment.”
Gabriel looked at the screen.
Then slowly frowned.
Tavin was right.
Not catastrophically.
But definitely.
The youngster leaned back.
“Don’t worry. I fixed it.”
Gabriel turned toward him.
“You fixed my inventory?”
“Yep.”
“Without asking?”
Tavin considered.
“Well, I figured you’d appreciate the help.”
Gabriel stared.
Then slowly grinned.
“Oh, you clever little bastard.”
Tavin smiled sweetly.
“Learned from the best.”
Gabriel placed a paw against his chest.
“Finally. Recognition.”
Tavin continued.
“Mark.”
From the galley, Thane burst out laughing.
That evening, Thane found Tavin sitting alone in the common room.
The young wolf had a small electronic module in his lap and was studying its circuit board beneath a portable inspection light.
He looked up as the captain entered.
“Hey.”
Thane smiled.
“Hey yourself.”
He settled into a nearby chair.
“Working on something?”
Tavin nodded.
“Mark gave me this to practice on.”
“Anything interesting?”
“Little audio interface module. Bad capacitor, I think.”
Thane smiled.
“Sounds like fun.”
Tavin grinned.
“Actually, yeah.”
The captain chuckled.
For a few minutes, they sat quietly.
Then Tavin set the module aside.
“Thane?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I ask you something?”
Thane smiled.
“You know you can.”
The youngster looked down at his paws.
“Do you ever feel like you don’t know what you’re doing?”
Thane raised an eyebrow.
“Constantly.”
Tavin laughed.
“Seriously.”
“I am serious.”
The young wolf looked surprised.
Thane continued.
“Not about everything. But sure. There are plenty of times I have to stop and figure something out.”
Tavin considered.
“You don’t seem like it.”
Thane smiled.
“That’s because I’ve had a lot more practice hiding it.”
The youngster laughed.
Then his expression grew thoughtful.
“It’s just…”
He looked around the common room.
“There’s so much to learn.”
Thane nodded.
“Yep.”
“Mark knows everything about this ship.”
“Pretty close.”
“Gabriel knows all the business stuff.”
“More than he’d ever let us forget.”
Tavin smiled.
“And you…”
Thane raised an eyebrow.
“Me?”
“You just seem to know what to do.”
The captain chuckled.
“Well, that’s flattering.”
Tavin looked down.
“I feel like I’m constantly asking questions.”
Thane considered.
“Good.”
The youngster blinked.
“Good?”
“Absolutely.”
He leaned back.
“You’re nineteen, son. You’ve been aboard Freya for three days. Nobody expects you to know how everything works.”
Tavin nodded.
“I know.”
“And you’re doing fine.”
The young wolf looked toward him.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Thane smiled.
“Mark’s impressed with you.”
Tavin’s ears lifted.
“He is?”
“Very.”
“That’s nice.”
“Gabriel likes you.”
Tavin grinned.
“Even after I keep making fun of him?”
Thane laughed.
“Especially because you keep making fun of him.”
The youngster chuckled.
Thane continued.
“And I think you’re settling in just fine.”
Tavin smiled.
“Thanks.”
The captain nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
They sat quietly for a little while.
Then Thane added, “And there’s something else.”
Tavin looked up.
“What?”
“You’ve already got things to teach us, too.”
The youngster blinked.
“Like what?”
Thane considered.
Then smiled.
“We’ll figure that out.”
Tavin looked thoughtful.
“Okay.”
Thane leaned forward slightly.
“Look. You’re not here to prove you’re worth keeping around.”
The young wolf’s ears shifted.
“You’re here because we wanted you here.”
Tavin swallowed.
Thane continued.
“The work matters. Of course it does. Everybody aboard has responsibilities.”
He smiled.
“But you don’t have to earn your place at the dinner table every day.”
For a moment, Tavin said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“Thanks, Thane.”
“Anytime.”
Later that evening, the four wolves gathered in Freya’s common room.
Gabriel sat with his guitar.
Mark occupied his favorite chair, reviewing a technical drawing.
Thane stretched out on the couch with a book.
Tavin sat at the worktable, carefully examining the audio module Mark had given him.
The ship hummed quietly around them.
Outside, the faster-than-light transit continued without incident.
Gabriel played a few chords.
Then looked toward Tavin.
“You’re awfully quiet over there.”
The youngster didn’t look up.
“Sorry.”
Gabriel grinned.
“Something wrong?”
Tavin adjusted his inspection light.
“Nope.”
“Then why so quiet?”
The young wolf considered.
Then replied calmly.
“Figured one of us should try being useful.”
Thane burst out laughing.
Mark slowly lowered his tablet.
Gabriel stopped playing.
He stared at Tavin.
The youngster continued examining the circuit board.
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Then Gabriel slowly began to grin.
“Oh, you little shit.”
Tavin looked up.
“What?”
Gabriel laughed.
A genuine, delighted laugh.
Then he shook his head.
“You know what?”
Tavin raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“I think I’m going to like having you around.”
The youngster smiled.
“Good.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Good.”
Tavin returned his attention to the circuit board.
Then added, without looking up:
“Somebody has to keep you humble.”
Thane laughed again.
Mark shook his head, smiling.
Gabriel stared at the ceiling.
“God help me.”
Much later, when the others had retired, Thane stood alone on the bridge.
Freya’s navigation displays glowed softly in the dimmed lighting.
The ship was proceeding steadily toward the Hesper Belt.
Her systems were operating normally.
Her cargo bay was ready.
Her equipment was maintained.
And aboard her residential deck, three other wolves were settling down for the night.
Thane smiled.
He thought about the past few days.
About Tavin’s first departure.
His excitement.
His curiosity.
The way Mark had taken to teaching him.
The way Gabriel had finally encountered someone who could match his sarcasm.
And the simple pleasure of hearing four different voices around the dinner table.
Freya had always felt like home.
Now, somehow, she felt a little more alive.
Not because anything fundamental had changed.
The old ship was still the same collection of steel, composites, machinery, and carefully maintained systems.
Her engines still hummed.
Her environmental equipment still cycled.
Her cargo bay still smelled faintly of industrial lubricant.
And Mark would undoubtedly find something to take apart tomorrow.
But there was another wolf aboard now.
Another set of paws on the deck.
Another voice in the galley.
Another life intertwined with theirs.
Thane looked toward the forward navigation display.
Seven days of travel lay behind their next arrival.
A routine salvage job awaited them.
Probably a few complications.
A little hard work.
And plenty of opportunities for Mark to demonstrate why he was worth his weight in industrial equipment.
Thane chuckled.
Then he looked toward the bridge entrance.
Somewhere below, Gabriel and Tavin were probably already plotting ways to torment each other the following morning.
He smiled broadly.
“Oh, this is going to be fun.”
He dimmed the displays.
Then headed toward his cabin.
Freya continued steadily through interstellar space.
Four wolves aboard.
And everything exactly as it should be.