Naecia breathed out a sigh as well. The relief felt contagious.

“We’ll visit each of the pieces so any salvageable bits can be collected,” said Aptat. “Afterward, we can take the Child to the scavenger’s swap meet on Dzilugra. Since I can no longer sell you to anyone, I’ll need the guush.”

“You’ll split it with us,” Oush interjected, emerging from his chamber.

“Of course,” said Aptat. “We will split the proceeds evenly and get you each on your way. Agreed?”

“No!” said Naecia. “What are you all talking about? We have to go after the Earth man. If he helps the Scythin find the Chime, there won’t be anyone to sell salvage to. And there won’t be any of us left to sell it.” Oush and Izairis drooped noticeably. They’d also come from the Knell, so they understood. “I would love to get rich on Vortu salvage. I haven’t seen my family in years. But we have to get to the Chime before the Scythin do.”

“Need I remind you that the Scythin already have the Earth man?” said Aptat. “If indeed the Chime is designed to force dimensional contact and galaxy-wide destruction as you say, then the most prudent course of action is to loot that ship,” they pointed to the image of the carved-up cruiser floating in space, “and flee the Dasma Arm as quickly as possible.”

Izairis nodded. Oush raised a golden eyebrow.

Naecia was disgusted. They were flirting with extinction. “You guys were on the Knell. How can you even consider doing anything but going after the Earth man?”

“Well,” said Aptat, wryly, “you posit trying to chase down the Scythin and re-abduct Ben in order to kill him, after first, I presume, chemically wiping his brain. That seems, ahem, farfetched. I think there is a much more direct answer to our conundrum; a way to ensure our escape from whatever void is wrought by the Chime.” A quick upward gesture and the floor began moving. “You build me a cheat drive.”

“That is mine,” she snarled as the prototype ascended. “You stole that from me.”

“I feel more like it was abandoned. Salvage, if you will.” They grinned.

Naecia’s voice shook. “I was abducted.”

“Nevertheless, you weren’t coming back for it. And you know what they say? Possession is nine-tenths of the law.” A chuckle. “And I guess out here, in the absence of law, it’s more like ten-tenths.”

The drive was her life’s work. “I went into the hull space. I destroyed the sortie. I saved this ship. You owe me.”