Marae doesn’t speak, and in her silence, I detect something dark.

“What aren’t you telling me?” I demand.

For the first time, Marae turns to look to the other Shippers for assurance. Shelby nods, a tiny movement that I almost don’t notice. “It was before I was named First Shipper. Before you were born. The First Shipper then was a man named Devyn.” Marae’s eyes flick to Shelby one more time. “Information about the engine has always been — selectively known.”

Which means, of course, that as few people as possible know the truth.

“I was apprenticing then,” Marae continues, “and I remember that Elder — the other Elder, the Elder before you—”

“Orion,” I say.

She nods. “Eldest sent him to do some maintenance on the ship, and when he came back, he didn’t report to Eldest. He went straight to Devyn. Whatever he said then… it made an impact on Devyn. All research ceased for a while after that.”

“The Shippers went on strike?” I lean forward, shocked. Of everyone on Godspeed, the Shippers are the most loyal. I don’t know if it’s because we trusted them even without Phydus, or if it’s because they’re genetically engineered to be loyal, or if it’s simply because they, like Doc and a handful of others, like the Eldest system of rule, but whatever the reason, the Shippers are unswerving in their loyalty.

“They didn’t strike exactly, not like the weavers did last week. They did all their duties as normal. Except for engine research.”

“What made them start researching the engine problems again?” I ask. I’m vaguely aware of the other Shippers in the room, the deep silence, the uncomfortable way they hold themselves, but my attention is focused on Marae.