Nicodemus watched Aiden go, making sure he would not double back. He turned back to Zebadiah, who was tinkering with the remains of the Sentinel.
"Why'd you want me to stay behind?" asked Zeb as he heaved a leaking fuel cell out of the smoldering chassis. "I do somethin' wrong?"
"I want to know why the Captain went into the Matrix last night, and why I wasn't told about what happened in there, "demanded Nicodemus.
"Listen kid, the Captain will do as he pleases; you just stay outta his way. Abner has his reasons; don't get all pissy because you're not privy to why. If you don't like the way he runs the Nemesis, transfer out."
Nicodemus shook his head, "Look, I don't have anything against the Captain; I just want to know what's going on. I know I'm still a newbee on this ship, but on the Judicator, crew members didn't keep secrets."
Zebadiah stood up, picking up the parts he managed to salvage from the dead Sentinel. "It's not just you." He gave Nicodemus one last look and eased past him, muttering under his breath.
"When you're ready, the Captain will tell you everything."
