I sat back and huffed. “We don’t have room for more than three hundred.” And even then, we’d be packing them in like sardines in a can.

“Nevertheless, we’re the closest by several days.”

“Even taking into account our need to refuel and resupply?”

“The second nearest RV is the Staccato Signal, and it’s currently tracking a missing cargo hauler on the edge of the Penguin Nebula.”

“That’s at least a fortnight away.”

“At least.”

I sat up. “You say they’re under attack?” I knew the Gallery lay in disputed territory, on the bloody intersection of several political factions, both human and otherwise.

The Trouble Dog’s avatar shrugged. “Assailants unknown. But their last signal seems to indicate the ship’s AI has shut itself down, leaving them defenceless.”

I felt a prickle run up the nape of my neck. “Like with the Hobo?” Could the scout ship’s seemingly inexplicable ditching have been the result of a similar assault?

“The coincidence is remarkable.”

I looked at one of the screens still projecting a view of the Hobo’s slowly disappearing wreck, and the storm now mauling it. “How quickly can we get there?”

“Assuming emergency resupply times at Camrose Station, seven days.”

I made a face. “In seven days it’ll all be over. Can’t you get there any faster? I thought you used to be a warship?”

Lightning danced overhead. Below, the waves were getting up.

“We could reduce it to five,” the Trouble Dog said, “if you’re willing to risk significant engine degradation.”

“How significant?”

“Twelve per cent chance of malfunction, seven per cent chance of total failure.”

Although she spoke in neutral tones, I fancied I caught an edge of excitement behind her words. It seemed my professional crucifixion would have to wait.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“Full speed for Camrose Station?”

“Give it everything you’ve got.”

* * *

I settled deeper into my couch as the Trouble Dog rose through the hail and winds. Lightning crackled around us, skittering off the hull, reflecting back from the waves below. Rain blurred the external cameras.