# XVIII: Bargain Concluded explained — Plague Ship

> Chapter companion for Plague Ship by Andre Norton.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plague_ship_se/chapters/xviii-bargain-concluded
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plague_ship_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plague_ship_se/chapters