Dark Vengeance by E.R. Mason Page A

Obviously they have the skills to fit the bill, however.”
    “Yes, but they have never been a problem on any transport that I know of. They do not seem like assassins for hire to me.”
    “We haven’t given up, Captain,” I added. “We’ll hit on something sooner or later. I promise you.”
    “It’s nine more days to Enuro. Our flight center is probably starting to wonder why our subspace communications have ceased, but that’s not enough to make them come looking for us. And, there is another issue I need to address later this afternoon. I’m getting too many inquiries about our situation. Many of them border on hysteria. Fantasia and Elachia are being overloaded. Both the staff and quite a few of the guests continue to be too unsettled about all this. I’m going to hold an open meeting in the gallery later today to meet everyone in person and try to allay their fears a little bit. The two of you should be there and if the opportunity arises I hope you will assist me in reassuring everyone in any way you can.” The Captain stood. “If we’re lucky, our assassin has completed his contract and there will be no further violence onboard. At least he’ll be trapped here when they quarantine the ship upon arrival at Enuro. So keep at it, Gentlemen, and I do appreciate your efforts.”
    Less than an hour later the notice of the upcoming meeting in the grand gallery popped up on my monitor. I showered and changed into slacks, a gray dress shirt, and sports jacket and met R.J. already waiting outside my door. He had on blue jeans, a blue work shirt and suspenders. His unlit Royal Dutch pipe was in his left-hand. The only thing missing was a beat up straw hat, thankfully.
    “He wanted us to appear casual,” said R.J. defensively as I eyed his apparel.
    “Except for the pitch fork I thought you might be going to sing ‘New Country Cornflakes.’”
    “Let me tell you about corn flakes, my friend.”
    “Oh boy.”
    And so I had to listen to a rambling dissertation on the evils of processed food all the way to the gallery. It was my own fault.
    The crowd was already well formed by the time we arrived. More were still showing up. I was shocked when the Ancient came floating in, her nervous gestures in full swing. She seemed not able to find a comfortable spot. The two staff members assigned to look after her appeared annoyed and exhausted, as usual.
    A small platform was brought in. Captain Mars appeared in the crowd and stepped up onto it. The gathering quickly quieted.
    “My friends, I am here to assure you we remain at light speeds and are only nine days out from Enuro. All critical systems are working well; I see no reason we will not arrive at Enuro on time.”
    Someone bluntly yelled, “What about the deaths, Captain?”
    “Yes, yes, we’ve had two unfortunate events aboard, as you all know. But I do not expect any further disruptions. I believe the situation is well in hand. Everyone should try to enjoy the rest of the cruise.”
    “What about the last death being a murder, not natural causes like we’ve been led to believe?” someone called out.
    “By maritime law I am unable to add to what has already been said about that unfortunate death. The family of the deceased person must be fully informed before anything further can be said. I’m sure you all understand they deserve that kind of privilege and privacy in their loss.”
    It was a very talented way of avoiding admitting the death was actually a murder, and the crowd did seem at least partially consoled. Hands were still raised in the crowd by people with questions. As the Captain began to point at one, I noticed a blur of action coming from the concourse. It was my favorite irritants, Ambassador Sulik and her belligerent aid, Ms. Purser. They were late. They were trotting with bursts of outright running trying to join the assembly. It was just my luck they were headed right for me. Before I could make a space to get out of the way, Purser banged