After a long silence Ambel said, ‘In the morning we’ll be at the atolls, and there we’ll refine us some sprine. With that, I’ll free meself of one of those bits. Time the Skinner went to his locker for good.’ He took another steak out of the barrel and began eating it.
‘You shoulda done that long ago. Don’t know why you didn’t. You know it whispers in the night?’ said Boris.
‘I know. Does it to Peck, mainly. Makes him all skittery.’
‘That don’t take much.’
‘Yeah.’
They both eyed each other knowingly, then Boris nodded and turned to walk away, swinging his lantern in the night. Its light glinted on the open eyes of Windcheater as the sail watched Ambel move to the rail.
‘What was that all about?’ the sail queried through his aug.
‘Memory loss through intense pain,’ replied the Warden.
‘Oh, so glad I asked,’ said Windcheater.
‘It’s interesting that you chose this ship,’ the Warden told the sail. ‘Why did you choose this ship?’
‘It happened to be in the area,’ said Windcheater. ‘And you wanted me to look out for anything unusual in this area.’
‘And what have you found?’ the Warden asked.
Windcheater, with his long understanding of human language, was not immune to sarcasm. ‘Well, I’ve found the ship with Jay Hoop on board, and I’ve found a molly carp with a big lump of scrap metal inside.’
‘I heard that!’ interjected Sniper.
‘Yes, I know you’re here,’ said the Warden. ‘Is that molly carp well?’
‘Think it might have a bit of a stomach upset. Reckon it ate something that disagreed with it, and I don’t mean me,’ replied the war drone.
The Warden was silent for a moment, then, ‘You, Sniper, will stay with this ship and keep watch. When you’re free, I may have further instructions for you. You, Windcheater, will leave this ship in the morning and fly to Olian Tay’s island. By then Captain Sprage’s ship will have arrived. You’ll join it and keep watch. I’ll want constant reports.’
‘What’s happening?’ asked Sniper, unable to keep the frustration out of his communication.
‘The exploding Prador vessel was a cover for the arrival of Rebecca Frisk. Where she is now I have only a rough idea. The Old Captains, who are aware of her presence, are gathering for a Convocation.’
Sniper hissed excitedly, ‘Frisk here?’
‘Yes, she is here.’
‘She won’t be alone,’ said the war drone.
‘She is not,’ said the Warden, and withdrew contact.
‘Come on, you damned haddock! I want out of here!’
Windcheater turned his attention to where Captain Ambel had focused his. There was a disturbance in the sea, and white water glinting in the dark, as the molly carp swirled and rolled and thrashed its tail against the waves.