Plague Ship · Chapter
XVIII: Bargain Concluded explained
The crew of the Solar Queen, still in Patrol custody, face questioning about their actions.
What happens
The crew of the Solar Queen, still in Patrol custody, face questioning about their actions. Van Rycke negotiates a deal with Combine, losing the Sargol contract to their rival but securing a mail run and 25,000 credits. The crew accepts the terms, including a ten-year exile from Terra, and Van Rycke departs for Sargol to finalize the arrangement.
Themes in this chapter
Corporate Power and Rivalry
Inter-Solar and Combine compete for the Sargol contract, with Combine stepping in to undercut I-S.
Law vs. Justice
The crew feels the Patrol's legal system is biased toward corporate interests, yet they must navigate it to clear their names.
Loyalty and Camaraderie
Jellico trusts Van Rycke completely, and the crew sticks together through the ordeal.
Characters to notice
- Dane Thorson
Feels stubbornly right during Patrol questioning, reflects on Free Trader distrust of law favoring companies.
- Rip Shannon
Concludes his report to the Patrol in a matter-of-fact tone, asks about their status.
- Ali Kamil
Present during the questioning and later confinement, sleeps after the ordeal.
- Captain Jellico
Delegates responsibility to Van Rycke, negotiates with Patrol, accepts the deal with Combine.
- Van Rycke
Sits impassively during Rip's report, negotiates the deal with Combine, departs for Sargol.
- Medic Craig Tau
Reports that the illness is proven to be from poison bugs, not plague, and that Terra-Lab is bidding on the specimens.
- Jasper Weeks
Thumb signs his statement, present during the questioning.
- Steen Wilcox
Talks with Jellico over coffee, asks about the contract loss.
Key passages
“unspoken warning that they were not free agents.”
The sealed door implied they were under surveillance and not allowed to leave.
The crew's confinement is emphasized.
“What's done is done—”
Van Rycke implies the actions taken cannot be undone, but he does not fully approve.
Van's cautious response to Rip's report.
“We've rammed it down their throats.”
Tau announces they have convinced the authorities the illness was caused by bugs, not plague.
Tau's triumphant report.
“I wasn't going to let I-S cash in on our loss.”
Van Rycke chose to deal with Combine to prevent Inter-Solar from benefiting.
Van's motivation for the deal.