Part 17 (1/2)

”'The detail shares the duty,'” quoted Wiggin with a smirk.

Bitt nodded. ”Agreed, Supervisor,” he said, as the others mumbled their a.s.sent.

”Very well,” Riker said in dismissal. ”Apology accepted. Wiggin, call over a facilitator and put all that into motion, will you?” He suddenly grinned. ”Everyone here seems pretty thirsty to me.”

”Right away!” Wiggin chirped. He held up a hand with two fingers extended, and one of the female facilitators hurried through the crowd.

Bitt stood silently before Riker. ”Well?” Riker finally asked. ”Are you waiting for something, Bitt?”

”I was wondering if, er, that would be all, Supervisor,” the Krann asked quietly.

”Oh,” Riker replied. Clearly, he could impose yet another penalty on Bitt, but he had no idea of what it might be or of how to enforce it-and something in his gut told him that, in any case, enough was enough. ”Yes,” he said, his tone magnanimous. ”That will be all.”

There was a roar of approval from everyone present, and the music began playing again. Bitt was clearly relieved. One of Bitt's female friends hugged him hard while the two others, a male and a female, thanked Riker profusely.

Troi saw an opportunity and took it. She bent her head against the renewed clamor to speak to Wiggin. ”Would you mind if these people joined us?” she asked him.

”Why, no, not at all,” Wiggin replied grandly. ”Plenty of room, plenty of room-and it's a great day, after all. C'mon, you pot cleaners, drag over some chairs and sit down with me and my friends Dex and Pralla.” He clumsily patted Troi's hand, and she frowned at the uninvited approach. Wiggin blinked and withdrew his hand quickly.

Understandably, Bitt and his friends seemed hesitant to sit down. ”Are you sure, Supervisor?” Bitt asked, ignoring Wiggin.

”Certainly,” Riker told him. ”I don't hold a grudge-and, after all, it's a great day.”

”It certainly is,” Bitt acknowledged. ”Well, thank you, Dex Portside Sanitation Systems Supervisor. I and my friends would be pleased to join you.” Bitt pulled back one of the chairs and sat down. ”Come on, all of you,” he said to his friends, a note of surprise in his voice. ”We've been invited.”

”That you have,” Riker said. ”Courtesy of our good friend Wiggin, here.”

”Eh?” Wiggin asked. Then he shrugged and grinned. ”Oh, well, a day like this one comes only once every couple of years, and I suppose my account can stand it.” He looked at Troi and winked. ”After all, the company is more than worth it.”

Troi thought about it for a split second and then winked back, adding a slow and meaningful smile. Wiggin looked drunkenly blank at her for a moment and then, realizing that she had returned his volley in kind, seemed startled and confused.

Bitt cleared his throat and addressed Riker politely. ”Permit me, Supervisor, to introduce my friends.”

”Please,” Riker said. ”Call me Dex. And my wife is Pralla.”

Bitt looked uncomfortable. ”Uh, well, certainly, Dex and, uh, Pralla. Going antispinward around the table, I am pleased to introduce to you my friends Sharra Portside Electrician Journeyman, Nozz Portside Shaftway Maintainer Journeyman, and Lettana Starboard Plumbing Specialist Journeyman. As you can guess, Lettana recently transferred to our section.”

”We're pledged,” Lettana said, taking Bitt's hand. She smiled. ”We're to be mated soon.”

”Congratulations.” Troi beamed. ”That's wonderful.” She took Riker's hand and looked very sincere. ”I hope you and Bitt will always be as happy as Dex and I are now.”

”Thank you,” Bitt said uncomfortably.

”We decided we wanted to work in the same gang, too,” Lettana added. ”You know what they say: 'The couple that maintains together remains together.'”

”How very true,” Riker commented.

”That's what I always say,” slurred Wiggin.

”We wanted to be together as much as possible,” Lettana said. ”That's why I transferred from my duty station on the starboard side.” She smiled at Bitt, who responded with a self-conscious, sheepish sort of grin.

”That's nice,” Troi said, smiling. ”Just the kind of story that puts you in the mood for a day like today. It is a great day, isn't it?”

”Sure is,” Lettana said brightly. ”A great day! Posting Days usually are, of course-and it's been a long time since the last one.” She patted Bitt's hand. ”I hope we'll be as fortunate as Agrell and Twesla are, when our turn comes.”

”How long do you think it'll take them to catch?” Bitt wondered.

”Not long, I bet,” Nozz said. ”I mean, just look at 'em. They probably can't wait for the party to be over so they can get started.” He laughed. ”Two months, tops. I'll put five work credits on it.”

”There you guys go again,” Sharra complained. ”I swear you two have waste tubes for brains. Can't you ever behave?”

”Who? Us?” grinned Nozz. ”When a lucky couple gets a fleet permit to breed, how and when they go about it is a fit subject for public speculation.”

Ah, thought Riker. He glanced at Troi, who nodded.

”And private profit, too,” Bitt said.

Lettana blinked. ”Private profit? Are you guys betting on Agrell and Twesla? Our friends? I'm ashamed of you both.”

”Good for you, Let,” Sharra said approvingly.

”Thanks, Shar,” Lettana said. ”You know, you boys should have let us in on it from the beginning. Is there a pool yet? I've got seven work credits that say it'll take them six months.”

”Oh, Let!” Sharra said, frowning. ”Not you, too! Well, at least you and Bitt-for-brains over there are compatible.”

Lettana ignored her. ”I hear Agrell is working lots of extra watches, some of them on outside maintenance. Let's face it. Walking the hull every watch doesn't do much for your fertility.”

”Hey, that's good information,” Nozz said. ”Thanks, Shar. Bitt, I hereby retract my wager.”

Bitt looked properly regretful. ”Can't let you do that, s.h.i.+pmate. Wouldn't be quite ethical.”

”Ethics,” complained Nozz. ”Phooey.”

”Uh, guys,” Sharra began. ”I don't quite think-” She gave a sidelong glance at Riker and Troi.

”Don't mind us,” Riker said quickly.

Bitt frowned. ”Actually, Supervisor-I mean, Dex-under fleet regulations, wagering is pretty high on the list of unauthorized financial transactions. We really shouldn't be-”

”Put me down for ten work credits on one month,” Riker interrupted, a glint in his eye. ”Agrell doesn't look like the type who'd let a few stray wavicles bother him any.”

”My,” Troi said mildly. ”Relative of yours?”

The five young people erupted in loud laughter. ”Oh, you're bad, Pralla,” Wiggin said, wagging a finger.

”Why is Agrell going outside?” Sharra asked, puzzled. ”His station doesn't require it.”