Banished! — 17: Two Captains Speak

While waiting in his quarters for his meeting with Carson and Jada, Matt picked up the ship communicator and entered the code to call the Balboa Captain. He waited a full minute before she answered.

“Yes, Captain?” she asked. “This is Sheila Reyes.”

Matt had known her name, but hadn’t heard it spoken since back on Earth. He couldn’t think of the name of the Abdullah’s Captain just at the moment. No wonder we’re not off to such a great start as a single unit, he thought. We know too little about each other to feel any close relationship.

“Yes, this is Captain Burke of the Eriksson. Call me Matt.” He paused, but she didn’t say anything back. “Is now a good time to talk?”

“Yes, Matt.” Her voice sounded cool to Matt. “What did you want to speak about?”

He wondered if he should mention Jada’s intercepted conversation between the other Captains, decided to wait for now.

“I noticed that you are nearing completion already on the installation of your extenders. We are a little behind you, but making good progress. I see that you are currently too distant for their interconnection between our ship and yours.”

“Yes, we are holding off for the present. There are other dangers that I believe you are aware of, but are hesitant to speak of. The…