I shake my head as the door clanks shut behind her. Apparently my family is all about the dramatic exits today, but at least this one works in my favor. After double-checking to make sure that nobody’s coming down the stairs to bother me, I make my way to the far corner of the engine room. There, I pry the cover off an air vent and pull out the box inside.

The black cube is a couple inches in each direction, punctured with small holes to allow airflow, and sealed with four pressure-pad-controlled locks.

“You still alive in there?” I ask, shaking the box and pressing my ear against it. Something shifts within. “Good. You’re gonna make me a lot of money, little one.” I tuck the box into the front pocket of my jumpsuit and head to the cargo bay.

This room is the biggest area of the ship, though right now it’s mostly full of metal boxes tied down in neat rows. It looks like they were secure enough that the landing didn’t topple any, which is lucky for me, as I’m sure I’d have gotten more than a single slap and an earful of scolding if they weren’t. The twins are lost somewhere among the cargo, muttering to each other. Since I’d rather not get dragged into any manual labor, I dodge through the rows and head for the far side of the cargo bay.

Momma waits there, arms folded over her chest. Lyre stands a few paces away with her hands clasped behind her. I take a deep breath as I approach, steeling myself to hear the news I already know. It’s a good thing I already saw that transmission; wouldn’t want to have a breakdown in front of the whole family, especially not when I’m meant to lead them one day. Maybe Momma will be impressed by my stoicism, if she doesn’t suspect right away that I viewed the message. I stop right between my mother and sister, glancing back and forth between their mirrored frowns.

“Is this the family meeting?” I ask. “Twins not included?”

Momma gestures for me to lower my voice.

“I don’t need them getting all riled up before a job,” she says, casting a look toward the stacks of cargo. “This is between us three for now.”

“Sure, sure,” I say, and wait. Momma takes her time clearing her throat and brushing off the front of her jumpsuit. Though Lyre must be dying of curiosity, she’s completely still and silent, ever the attentive student.

“Guess I’ll keep this short,” Momma says, but her lips twist one way and the other, as if loath to let the words free. “I got a transmission from Titan when we arrived,” she says, finally.