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way. 
Overhead light touched her golden hair in such a way that it seemed to glow. 
It cast soft illumination upon her eyes and high-set cheeks.  Her fair skin was
flawless, and her chin was proud.  “I sincerely appreciate your patience.”
    Gavin’s mouth fell
slightly open.  “You’re… uh, no problem.”
    She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. 
“Focus, Gavin.”
    “Right.”  His heart was racing.  “So, what’s up? 
What did you want to talk about?”
    “What you did on the surface,” she replied, but
Gavin looked confused.  “Your truck.”  Zerki leaned closer, scrutinizing him. 
“You really don’t know?”
    “There’s a lot I don’t know.  Ask any of my
professors.”
    “I mean what you did.  What you can do.”
    Gavin stared at her questioningly.  “Details would
help.”
    Her shoulders sagged.  “You’re serious.”  She
puffed her cheeks and brought her hands to her mouth, clapped them quietly
together.  “Gavin, you’re a Wellcaster.”
    He blinked and shrugged.  “Is that bad?”
    Zerki’s throat was suddenly dry.  “Not usually. 
Do you know what a Wellcaster is?”
    “I really don’t.”
    She nodded slowly and looked angrily toward the
heavens.  “I’ll be back.”  Zerki turned away, tapped the activation plate, and
the door retreated.  She glanced down the hall.  “Just my luck,” she muttered,
and the door sealed shut after she passed through.
    Gavin sank against the wall at his back.  “What
was that about?” he whispered to himself, and he allowed his thoughts to
wander.  Zerki Ibarra…  Why does that name sound familiar ?
    ·· • ··
    “He doesn’t know,” Zerki repeated as Valerie
joined her in the hall leading to the cockpit.
    “That’s bad.”  She shoved her hands in her pockets
and puffed out her cheeks.  “Is it too late to get Kendra back?”
    Zerki nodded solemnly.  “She’s on her way to New
Falkirk.  Besides, she’s burned out.  Even if we could somehow intercept her
transport, another trip might kill her.”
    Valerie shrugged.  “I don’t know.  She was the
best Navigator we ever worked with.  She could probably make a few more jumps
before it got dangerous.”
    “Her eyes are fully red, Val.  She wore contacts
the last couple jumps to spare anyone having to look at them.”
    Her first mate winced.  “OK, you’re right.”  She
stared blankly at the wall across from her.  “What do we do?  The Shadow ’s
built around her entanglement drive.  We’ll have to hire someone from an agency
if we can’t get Gavin to wake up and take the helm.”
    Zerki considered silently awhile.  At last, she
raised her brows and looked to Valerie.  “I’ve got an idea.”
    ·· • ··
    “It’s been more than an hour,” grumbled Taryn as
she stepped back into her quarters, and the door closed behind her.  “I talked
to a couple guys in the hall.  I guess this is just her shuttle, not her starship. 
Why can’t Zerki talk to us here?”
    Takeo checked his phone.  “I have no idea.  I’m
about to ask them to send us home.”  He reached for the touch plate, but to his
surprise, the door slid open.
    “This way,” said D’Arro.  He hardly fit in the
hallway, he was so tall.  “Both of you, if you would.  Captain wants you up
front.”
    “Is it meeting time?” asked Takeo.
    D’Arro considered.  “I don’t think so.  She wants
you to see something.  That’s what she said.”
    Taryn and Takeo stepped out, moving in front of
the massive ospyrean.  The door slid shut, and he urged his guests forward. 
Soon, they reached the bulkhead leading to the command room, where Gavin
twisted to meet their eyes, and he smiled.  “Hey, guys,” he whispered.  Krane
manned the flight controls.  Zerki and Valerie stood on the other side of
Gavin.
    “Hey, Gavin,” said Taryn.  “What’s going on?”
    “You’ll like this,” Zerki interjected.  She
pointed toward the stars.  “Just