An unexpected arrival Part 10

"Station V3, what can I do for ya?"

Well, at least the universal translator they'd pilfered was working. However, Miller wasn't exactly trained for first contact situations and didn't really know what to say.

"My name is Laurence Miller, Captain of the Event Horizon. I bid greetings to you from Earth and Humanity," he said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... But what do ya want?" they said with a definite tone of annoyance.

Hmmm... it seemed there was no point in wasting time on pleasantries.

"Very well. My scans show that your facility is capable of performing repairs of the type my vessel requires," Miller said.

"Yeah, well my scans show you're flying half a ship. We ain't no charity, pal. Whatcha got to offer?" they replied.

"Smitty, go ahead and transmit the inventory of that equipment we picked up," Miller said.

There was a long pause and then a husky voice, which clearly carried more authority, crackled its way through the comms station.

"This is Station Administrator Vrox. Where did you get all this Imperial equipment?" he asked.

"Does it matter?" Miller asked.

"...," the reply was unintelligible.

"Captain, if I may," Weir's voice came to him. "The ship wants to be whole again. If you let her, she can sway his thoughts in your favor."

Miller raised an eyebrow.

"For what little my word might be worth to you, I promise she won't harm anyone," Weir said.

Miller glanced at the possessed gravity drive.

"It better not," he mumbled and nodded.

A moment passed.

"Perhaps not. The... sheer volume of the equipment was just a bit surprising is all. But I'm sure we can work out a... mutually beneficial arrangement," Vrox finally replied.

"I'm glad you see it that way. Once we've arrived, we can work out the specifics of that arrangement," Miller said.

"Oh, you'll be green-lit for docking station 12 as soon as you arrive," Vrox said

The communication cut off almost immediately.

"You see, Captain? I can be useful," Weir said.

"I'm still not bringing you back," Miller said.

There was no reply, but he could sense Weir's frustration as he retreated back into the void.

"Captain, who'r you talking to just now?" Lieutenant Smith asked.

Kilpack was looking at him, too.

"Don't ask," he replied. "Just set a course for the station, so we can get started on repairs."

"Ey, Captain," Smith replied hesitantly.

A short time later, Lieutenant Commander D.J. caught up with him in one of hallways.

"It's Weir, isn't it? That fucking psycho is still on here somewhere, isn't he?" he demanded, pushing Miller up against a wall.

"D.J., you get your hands off me before I make you regret it," Miller commanded.

"You know what he did to me! You fucking know what he did!" D.J. said, taking his hands off Miller and stepping back. He drew a line from his throat to his groin, "He cut me from here to here!"

Miller let out a long sigh, "I know, D.J. I know. I'm the one that found you like that. And I spent a hundred years killing him to avenge you and the others. He's dead. His spirit still haunts the ship- and me, but the Event Horizon won't being him back."

Tears welled up in the medical officer's eyes, "I'm sorry Captain. I shouldn't have acted out like that. I don't know what came over me."

"It's okay. But rest assured, all that's left of that monster is a tortured soul. He's in his own personal hell, now," Miller said, clasping a hand on his shoulder.

"Is he? Or are we? Can I die for real if I wanted to? Or would my soul just be sucked back up by that thing inhabiting the gravity drive?" D.J. asked.

"D.J., if that's what you really want then I'll make sure the Event Horizon doesn't interfere. But I hope you don't. I need you," Miller said.

"I appreciate that, Captain. And don't worry, I won't kill myself without giving 24 hours notice to cover my shift," D.J. replied.

It was the darkest of humor, but at least it was an attempt.

"If that time comes, I promise to review your request fairly," Miller replied.

A hint of a smirk crept across the man's lips before he turned and left.