Intrepid

This might have been of minor interest, except the owners had insured the ship and cargo with a consortium of assurance companies. Now they were retaining lawyers. The case of Humanity v. the Compton Maru pirates moved into a larger courtroom.

Kris was taken aside by half a dozen pale men in suits and told that there would be a finders' award for her and her crew. Now would the Navy kindly go back to doing whatever it was Navy people did when decent citizens weren't interested in them.

Kris took one look at the quaint sum of the finders' fee and had to leave before she punched out some well-dressed type.

The crew of the Wasp had gone through the experience of capturing her from pirates, and well remembered the prize money the Chance court had awarded them when the pirate ship was sold to become the Wasp. For the last two weeks there had been little talk among the different tribes aboard the Wasp other than how they would spend their portion of the prize money.

The crew of the Wasp firmly held that they had the main claim on the prize money. They had fought the Compton and captured her fair and square.

The Marines pointed out that they certainly had something to do with the capture of the pirates. So advised, the sailors graciously concluded that the Marines did have a point.

Few people are dumb enough to argue with Marines.

But when the boffins waded in with their claim, things got heated. ''Where were you when they were shooting at us?'' was a rather strong point in the sailors' and Marines' favor.

''Our necks were as much on the line as yours when that pirate was taking potshots at us.'' And ''It was three of the containers that we were in that got sliced open to space.'' And ''It was our sensors you were using for ship ID and targeting.''

That did seem to provide a certain counterbalance to ''You was all hiding under your bunks.''

The atmosphere on the Wasp got downright frosty, and several mixed work details almost came to blows before Kris called a public meeting and let each side choose four speakers to say their piece. Being well aware her crew could implode, Kris took the extra precaution of having Captain Drago and Professor mFumbo included in their four. And met with them beforehand. Some might say the fix was already in.

Both captain and professor let their hotheads have their say, then carefully got the stampede going in a circle. The final conclusion had the advantage of a certain logic.

Clearly, the crew and Marines of the Wasp had their necks on the line as the Compton attacked. And they fought her until she was dead in space and surrendered. There was also no question the boffins had their necks on the chopping block when the Compton started shooting. Not a totally unforeseen event, since they had all signed on to a ship with one of those Longknifes, if not at the helm, then too close to it for any real comfort.

The final agreement split the prize money. The crew and Marines who fought the ship would get a double allotment from those who risked their neck aboard it. With portions being organized in accordance with the old law of the sea.

That left the crew in a happy mood. Gliding back to her quarters with Abby and Cara, Kris discovered just how far that happy mood went.

''And you will get part of that money, too,'' Abby told Cara.

''Me!'' said the twelve-year-old. ''I didn't do nothing.''

''Even the cabin boys on those old sailing ships got a portion,'' Abby assured her.

''I could get some money?'' Cara let out a squeal.

''For your college fund,'' Abby pointed out.

''I'm going to college?''

''Why not. I did,'' Abby said. Now Kris listened closely. Any new word about Abby's hidden life before she started running Kris's life was always to be treasured.

''But Ganny Ganna said a girl didn't need to know more than she needed to—''

''You ain't with Ganny Ganna, and you saw what her way of living ended up doing to your momma and Ganna.''

That left the youngster silent.

''I put myself through college at night,'' Abby said. ''I worked hard to earn the money and learn what I could. You, girl, can go to college like people like the princess do. The right way. And this money will be the start of your nest egg.''

Which all sounded great until the assurance people made their offer. Their finders' fee would pay for about five minutes of education for Cara.

''Nelly, does Nuu Enterprises have an office on Cuzco?''

''Yes, Kris.''

''Get me in touch with our chief.''

The chief shortly referred Kris to the sharpest law firm on Cuzco dealing with maritime issues. Several of the partners had been following the Compton situation and were a bit disappointed not to have become involved in the case.

To their delight, Kris ended that.

''Exactly what is your interest in the Compton?'' the senior-most partner asked Kris when he came on the line.

''I, and the crew of the Wasp, captured the pirate ship. Under the traditional law of the sea, the Compton and cargo are ours.''

''All of it?''