Chapter 11

The Ion Drive throbbed happily as Freebird roared toward her destination, humming quietly to herself.

Her crew was busy each in their own way.

The captain was at a communication station engaged in some project which he was keeping to himself.

Echo was running in-flight systems checks as dictated by the manual.

But since he was the only one who seemed to think it was important,

he was beginning to wonder why he was bothering.

The man they called 13 was tied to a chair at an observer station where he couldn't reach any controls,

and was trying to chew through Bix's neckerchief, which they had gagged him with when he refused to shut up.

Thera was standing in front of the command viewscreen as if it were a dramatic vista,

her hands clasped behind her back, looking regal and imperious even in her prison-issue jumpsuit.

She seemed completely absorbed by her own thoughts,

and Echo took advantage of the situation to wheel over to Bix quietly.

Captain Banderson, he began.

Bix Echo, Bix.

Yes, all right.

The robot glanced quickly towards Princess Ther's back.

I was wondering.

You finished those track-wists?

Bix asked, not looking up.

Well...

The robot offered.

...