Captain Doashang apologized that they didn't get the complete transmission, explaining that the alien emissions interfered with the signal quality. He assured Rena, however, that the ship had decelerated as quickly as it could upon receiving the transmission, but that, sadly, they were unable to locate Segundo or any of the other men. "Thank you for trying," said Rena. "I appreciate you being considerate enough to play the transmission for me. It means more than you know."
"We took the liberty of making you a copy," said Doashang, offering her a small memory disc. "We thought you would want it for your personal records."
It was that act of kindness that pushed her over the edge. She broke down briefly and cried silent tears, covering her face with her hands. A female member of the crew consoled her with a gentle arm around her shoulders, and it was that touch that steeled Rena again. She stood erect and wiped at her eyes. "Forgive me," she said to the captain.
"There is nothing to forgive, Mrs. Delgado. You have my most sincere condolences. I will provide grief counselors from my crew for you and those from your ship."
"That is very kind. Thank you."
"I have prepared a few statements for your people to explain the events of the battle. I think it necessary to give the families an account of the bravery demonstrated by their husbands and fathers."
Doashang had politely asked the women and children to stay in their rooms for the duration of the attack so that he and his crew could perform their duties without interruption. Rena, pulled from her room moments ago, was the only person from El Cavador who knew it had been destroyed.
"Everyone is eager to hear news," said Rena. "Thank you."
Captain Doashang looked at her with compassion. "I want to be as sensitive as I can with the families, Mrs. Delgado. Now that I've met you and heard your husband's transmission, I wonder if the report of the battle would be better delivered by you."
"Me?"
"I will accompany you, if you agree. But you know these families best, and I wonder if such news is better delivered by a friend instead of a stranger."
It took Rena a moment to find her voice. "With all due respect, Captain, I don't know if I'm in the right emotional state to do that."
He nodded, blushing. "Of course. It was inconsiderate of me to ask, particularly in your own time of grief. Forgive me."
But before Rena excused herself, she reconsidered. If she could choose someone to tell her such devastating news, she would want it to be someone she loved, a friend, a fellow sufferer even, someone who could take her in her arms and weep with her.
"On second thought, Captain, I think you may be right. I will meet with the families individually. But first, I must hear the full account myself."
He showed her everything. She watched the vids and listened to the transmissions. She seethed when Lem Jukes's ship pulled away and fled. Her heart broke when El Cavador disintegrated before her eyes. Her home, the only world she knew, was gone.
Why hadn't Concepcion come with her? Rena had insisted that she join them on the WU-HU ship, arguing that by Concepcion's own orders, all women and children were to leave El Cavador. But Concepcion had laughed this off. "Old, stubborn women are the exception," she had said.
Now she was gone. They were all gone. Bahzim, Chepe, Pitoso, Mono: cousins, brothers, nephews, uncles. Half of everyone she knew and loved in the world. As well as the man she loved more than them all.
The vids ended. She knew everything she needed to know. Her back was straight. Her eyes were dry. "Come, Captain. You and I have work to do."
*
Captain Doashang stayed at Rena's side as she met with every woman from El Cavador. Doashang promised each of them protection and safe passage to the Asteroid Belt. The ship would have to ration its food supply--corporate hadn't planned for this many passengers--but neither Doashang nor his crew would get an ounce more food than anyone else. The children would not go hungry. The women wept in sorrow and gratitude, and one even kissed his hand as she cried.
In the corridor afterward, he faced Rena. "My senior officers and I will vacate our quarters for those families who do not yet have a room."
"That's not necessary, Captain."
"I have children of my own, Mrs. Delgado. We have quite a trip to the Asteroid Belt ahead of us. The more comfortable the children are, the more pleasant the flight will be for all of us."
She nodded. "True. I'll see to it. Thank you. Also, with your permission, I would like to organize a work detail. Those of us from El Cavador don't want to be a burden. We would appreciate being allowed to help maintain the ship however we can."
"Permission granted. Work out the particulars with one of my officers." His wrist pad vibrated. "Now if you'll excuse me."
Doashang hurried to the helm. His first officer, Wenchin, was waiting for him at the monitors. "We found a Formic drifting in space," said Wenchin. "It's dead. Or at least we think so. It wasn't wearing a suit. It must have fallen from the ship. I have a team outside checking it now."
On the monitors, five spacewalkers in WU-HU suits surrounded the Formic. They had attached various instruments to its body, but the men were keeping their distance.
"It couldn't have survived in a vacuum this long," said Doashang. "Restrain its limbs and bag it. Use every precaution. Treat it as if it were the most lethal of biohazards. Have the men outside decontaminate their suits. Then get the Formic to Dr. Ji to examine. The more information we can send to Earth about these creatures the better."
"Yes, sir."