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Part 15

"One more down," Wes commented as he tipped another crate onto the rack. "Only another, oh, six or seven or a hundred dozen to go." He hopped onto the empty load-lifter, dragging the hoverjack up behind him. Ooryl set the ungainly craft into motion for the round-trip return for the next set of boxes.

"Ooryl is afraid we will not finish in time," the Gand commented, his name-diminution revealing his perceived shame in letting down a fellow squadmate. "It is after 0530 now."

Wes leaned forward to clap Ooryl on the shoulder. "Not your fault the odds are stacked so badly against us. I'm still glad you came along down, we'd have never gotten so far without your help. Hobbie and I would still have twelve or fourteen or two hundred dozen boxes to ..." He trailed off, frowning at a passing lifter with a full load of cargo. Cargo that looked suspiciously like his own set of interminable boxes. "... load," he belatedly finished his thought.

Another several meters, and they passed another lifter, with another set of familiar boxes. The driver of this one waved cheerily and sped by. Wes frowned harder. "Wait a minute. We haven't seen more than three other people in the past couple of hours, and now two in less than a minute? What's going on?"

"There are more people ahead," Ooryl commented, pointing forward. Their lifter presently reached the end row of the warehouse, the one adjacent to Wes's corridor, and stopped. And both pilots stared at the transformation that had taken place.

Warehouse personnel of every type and description were pouring in and out of the open doors, loading up several lifters with crates. As they watched, another one was filled to capacity and set off, its driver smoothly wheeling it about and sailing up the corridor at a fast clip. Wes watched in wonder. "By the stars of..."

"There you are," a voice called from behind him. Wes and Ooryl both turned to see Hobbie and another individual entering the warehouse.

The tall, stocky man wore a faded set of uniform coveralls and a wide grin, thrusting out a hand toward Wes as he approached. "You must be Janson," he announced with satisfaction, his rich voice rolling in echoes up toward the ceiling.

Wes recognized that voice. "Colonel Arpenau?" he answered as he hopped off the lifter, eschewing a salute in favor of returning the man's handshake.

"That's the name they stamp on my pay chits," he answered cheerily, eyes twinkling. "Pleasure to meet you, and glad I got it right this time. I'm afraid I confused your friend Major Klivian here when I swept in with my crew and started talking to him as if we'd known each other all night," he chuckled. "And is this another pilot-to-the-rescue?" he asked, looking to Ooryl.

Wes quickly introduced the Gand pilot. "But what are you doing here? I thought you said the loading docks were swamped?" he continued.

"Oh, they were swamped when you called," Arpenau answered. "I didn't want to make you any promises I couldn't meet. But the docks shaped up in good order, so when the early day shift started coming in, I pulled together a crew to come and see what we could do for you. Though you boys have all but finished the job on your own. That's a good piece of work," he declared appreciatively, nodding.

"Not good enough, though. We weren't going to make it by 0600 on our own. I can't thank you enough, sir," Wes said fervently.

The colonel waved away his thanks. "Not a problem. I don't like to criticize a fellow officer, but in my opinion you were placed in a very unfair position. I'm doing what I can to even things out."

Wes smiled. "Even so, if there's anything we can do to show our appreciation --"

"Don't even mention it," Arpenau interrupted, holding up a hand. "Not for a second. You boys put yourselves in harm's way for our sakes every time you go up in those fighters. It's the least we can do to help you out down here. And as a further thank-you, we've got fresh caf and the makings of a quick breakfast over at Control for the early crews, you're all welcome to come and grab a bite if you want to before you head back up to quarters." Off to the side, the last of Wes's boxes was being hauled onto lifters and carted off, the warehouse staff melting away as quickly and efficiently as they had arrived.

Wes watched them for a second, his eyes glinting speculatively. He turned back to the colonel. "As for me, I'm on duty for another few minutes, or I would take you up on your offer. How about you two go on, though," he suggested to Hobbie and Ooryl.

"I know that look. What are you thinking, Wes?" Hobbie asked suspiciously.

"What?" Wes said with feigned astonishment, holding up his hands. "I wasn't thinking anything."

Hobbie crossed his arms over his chest. "I crawled out of bed to come save your rear once today. I'm not doing it again. If you egg on this Colonel of yours, you're on your own," he said warningly.

"I'm not egging anyone on. I was just thinking, that Colonel Heshen doesn't really need to know that anyone else has been here, does he?"

Arpenau was the first to catch on, letting out a booming laugh. "I would say that what the good Colonel doesn't know, won't hurt him," he commented, still chuckling. "And I would also add, that I don't feel any particular need to tell him that the docks were cleared earlier than expected, or that my crews have been anywhere near this section of the warehouse." Wes grinned; even Hobbie slowly smiled. "Come on then, boys, we'll find you some caf and leave Janson here to finish up his shift." Arpenau strolled to Ooryl's appropriated load-lifter, settling himself at the controls.

"Hobbs, Ooryl, thanks again," Wes said as they turned to follow. "I still owe you both."

Hobbie smirked, walking backwards toward his ride. "Oh, trust me. We know." Hopping onto the lifter after Ooryl, he waved a cocky good-bye and was quickly whisked out of view, away toward the warehouse's central control area.

Wes stuck his hands in his pockets, whistling softly as he ambled out the nearest door and back toward his security desk. It had been a long shift, but the end was nearly in sight.

Continued in Part 16...