Phaeton

Chapter Four

Jack's instincts were serving him well. With Ianto gone – back to his cabin to change – Trisster, the steward, was proving a mine of information. As they sorted the clothes the man had brought for Jack's inspection, the details of life aboard ship came out.

A spacer crewman for all his fifty nine years, Trisster had survived an explosive decompression that had left him with burns to 40% of his body, especially his face and chest and was grateful to Hyperion for giving him a job. His service had been restricted to the Tallequin run, on The Helios initially and for the past seven years on The Phaeton. Of the six officers he did not like Loomis but accepted that the man was only on the return leg of his first run so might yet settle; had little time for Mux, the pilot, who was a drunkard as Jack suspected; respected Ianto and Feugard; liked Beettle, the Cargo Chief; the midshipman was too young and inexperienced to be of interest.

"No doctor?" asked Jack looking at himself in the mirror. The coveralls fit well enough but were stiff and smelt from being too long in storage.

"No." Trisster grimaced. "Company said we'd have to do this trip without after the last one jumped ship. Supposed to have a replacement waiting when we get back to port."

"Taking a bit of a risk."

"Don't I know it! Never like hauling out without a doc on board but what can you do? I need the credits." The steward gathered together Jack's clothes. "I'll launder these for you."

"Thank you. Captain Loomis said something about a Kendal. Was that the doctor?" Jack knew it wasn't but a little ignorance often brought confidences.

Trisster shook his head. "No. Kendal, she's with the Aurora Line. Sector chief or some such and captain of her own ship. They're new on the run and taking a lot of business that used to be ours. Got better ships, see, newer ones. Can do the run faster." The steward leant in closer to Jack and lowered his voice. "Word is Loomis has to get into port in ten days or Hyperion lose the contract and he's out on his ear. He's convinced Kendal's out to stop him."

"Ah, I see. So that's why he wants to pile on the speed."

"Yep. But Feugard will make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Now, I'd best get on." The old spacer gave a half salute and left the cabin.

Jack adjusted the coveralls one last time then sat on the sofa to consider all he had learnt. As he went over it in his head, he used the remote control to activate the holo-wall, idly cycling through the scenes until he found one of mountains and water that pleased him. The set up on board was interesting. Officers who were not at ease with one another did not make for an efficient ship. Throw in a drunkard for a pilot and a paranoid captain having to prove himself and it could be the recipe for disaster. Jack could not assess the threat from Kendal and the Aurora Line on the little he had found out so far and decided to dig into it some more, perhaps with Ianto.

Thinking of him, Jack smiled. The man was tough and suspicious, which was understandable in the circumstances on board, but Jack thought he might have detected a small thaw towards himself. The tarot girl had said, back in Cardiff, that by travelling in the spaces between time he, Jack, might find his true love. It had not happened so far but he refused to give up hope. This Ianto was very different to the one Jack had loved but he could fit into Torchwood just as well. If that was what he wanted. If it was what Jack wanted. The more he wandered the stars the more he doubted that Cardiff would ever contain him again. He had been happy there, and it still held Gwen to draw him back, but perhaps he should consider starting a new life with the Ianto of his dreams in some other place. And a spacer's life wasn't so bad.

The door buzzer sounded and Jack used the remote to release the door. Ianto was framed in the opening, dressed in black leather from head to toe. The outfit was tight in all the right places and Jack swallowed hard.

"Captain says I'm to show you around."

"Thanks."

"We'll start here and work our way down," said Ianto as they stood outside the cabin. He gestured further down the corridor. "There's Trisster's hidey-hole and a couple of spare cabins then it's all storage down there. Doesn't lead anywhere, just to a staircase."

"Bit dangerous, having no better escape that way."

"Typical of the ship. Talking of escape, this is the nearest pod." Ianto had walked a couple of metres back towards the open area at the top of the stairs and put a hand on the airlock door. He carried on walking.

The tour took forty minutes and included: the Bridge, captain's quarters and Officers' Mess on the top level; the second level with the officers' quarters and storage; the third level which contained the engine room and associated equipment storage units and workshops as well an empty medical bay; and the fourth level where the fifteen crew members lived and messed and which also held the brig. The bottom three levels – five to seven – were cargo holds, enormous areas currently full of besquite, a mineral essential to the production of various everyday plastics. On level five Jack was introduced to the Cargo Chief, Beettle, a toughened veteran who was too busy ensuring the cargo stayed cool – warmed besquite gave off noxious vapours – to bother with visitors.

"That's the tour," said Ianto, climbing back to the upper levels.

"Pretty much what I expected."

"It's okay, I suppose." Ianto had stopped on the central open area on level three. "It's a sound ship. She's done this run without trouble for years and she'll do it for years to come."

"I'm not arguing," said Jack, hands up in mock-surrender. "I … just wondered if a few corners were being cut. I understand there's no doctor. And some kind of rivalry with another company."

Ianto narrowed his eyes and stared at Jack for several silent minutes. "Who told you that?"

"I heard."

"Trisster I suppose. Big mouth, that one." He went up the next flight of stairs before adding, "Aurora want to make a name for themselves. They've invested a lot in new ships and need all the contracts they can get. They're undercutting us now but if we go out of business the prices will skyrocket. Our customers know that and they're loyal. We just have to fulfil our delivery requirements."

"Get to port on time."

"Right. And we will. We would have done anyway but with what you did to the crystal, we'll get there early."

"So why's Loomis so worried?"

Ianto shrugged elegantly but did not reply. "Captain wants to see you. We don't carry passengers so I'm guessing he'll be giving you a job." They were now on the top level. "He's in his quarters." He nodded to the left.

"Okay. And thanks again for the tour."

Jack stood and watched Ianto's lithe figure disappear in the opposite direction into the Officers' Mess. The slight swing of the hips may have been necessary to keep his balance but it could also have been for Jack's benefit. This was a ship of twenty plus men, they had to do something to while away the empty hours when they weren't working. Spacers were away from home for long periods of time and few could maintain a family life with partners left planetside. A lot gave up the struggle and settled for a girl or boy in every port, regular or picked up for the layover, while others found companionship with another member of the ship's complement. The minority became loners who rarely stepped off the ship and were avoided by everyone. Unable to decide which category Ianto fell into, Jack walked to the captain's quarters and buzzed for admittance.

"Harkness, come in." Loomis was sitting at a large desk which was spotlessly clean with all the papers in neat piles. This was a place of business. A door to the right led into the sleeping cabin. "Jones has shown you around?"

"Yes, thanks for arranging that."

"And what do you think of my ship?"

Jack thought carefully before he answered. If Loomis wanted him to work for his passage, he had something in mind. "It's well-run and most of the officers are good men."

"Most?" Loomis picked up on this, just as Jack had hoped.

"I don't want to speak out of turn, Captain, but I think your pilot could be a problem." He paused. "The drink."

"You've spotted that already? Yes, it is a concern. So far it's not affected his work but I'm watching him." Loomis stood and moved around the desk to a seating area. "Please, sit." When they were both seated, Loomis continued. "I don't know where you came from but so far you've only been helpful. Our speed is at 75% now and the crystal is holding up well, thanks to you."

"It was nothing."

"It betters our chances of making port on time and that's essential. Feugard agrees." He paused, regarding Jack solemnly. "I'm willing to trust you but only so far. Step out of line and you'll be posted out of an air lock. Understand?"

Jack nodded, just as solemn.

"Good. I want you to be my eyes and ears in engineering. Keep watch on the crystal and ensure it doesn't fail again. Plus, as you pointed out, Mux has his problems. I may need you in the pilot's seat occasionally."

"I'd be happy to pay my way by helping out." Jack settled back in the chair more comfortably. A roving brief suited him perfectly and he could ensure the other officers did not see him as the captain's spy.

"Good. Let's seal the deal." Loomis stood and poured two glasses of green liquid, giving one to Jack. "Skol."

"Cheers." They drank. The fiery liquid burnt a trail down Jack's throat and left a warm sensation behind.

"You may as well have those back." Loomis indicated a tray on the side which contained Jack's remaining personal effects, including the rod that would open the time portal. "I can't find anything dangerous about them."

"They're not, just some junk I've collected." The coveralls he was wearing contained a number of pockets and Jack stowed away his possessions trying not to make them look important.

"Be on the Bridge at the start of the next watch and you can see how things are run around here."

"I'll be there." Jack took his dismissal and left the cabin, keen to seek out Ianto once more.