The transfer to the slug went smoothly. Rourke passed through the combined locks with his trunk on the air cushion and a steward gave him his room assignment - cabin 21, deck 2. The slug had 3 decks for passengers - 2 for rooms and 1 containing a dining area, gym, and entertainment center. The rest of the slug's bulk was devoted to engines, equipment, storage and crew. The ship had been in use a long time, and carried very few passengers when Rourke boarded. Including himself and the 2 retired, minor officials there were 10 passengers.

It made no difference to Rourke. He had no intention of mingling. He had 9 days before they would reach the rendezvous point, and he would spend them by himself - memorizing the manual and its codes, and getting into shape. He had no real knowledge of what his duties would be once he reached the worm, but he wanted to be ready, and besides it was law enforcement and that was all he cared about. That was what he was.

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The slug made stops at the Terran settlements on Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Passengers came and went. Cargo was loaded - on and off. The 2 minor officials, Rourke assumed, visited the people they'd dealt with - faceless - for years. Rourke kept to his own schedule, only coming into contact with others when he chose to eat. He ate alone, said nothing, and kept his eyes and ears open. He began to suspect something after the third port-of-call on Jupiter, and was certain by the first port on Saturn. There was a smuggling operation going on. He was sure of it, but he had no proof.

So he watched.

Like most criminal behavior - Rourke knew - this operation took place mostly at night, in the dark. And that was when he watched. He wore his black uniform, blending in to the surroundings, and haunted the below-decks areas, where the cargo was stored. He had it narrowed down to 3 crewmen, but he couldn't prove anything - yet. But he would...this is what he did.

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This was it. Rourke knew today was the day the slug would make the rendezvous, so he'd risen early. He was packed, dressed in the black uniform of the Peace Makers, and ready to go. But he still lingered, stalking the cargo areas, looking for proof when....
He heard voices. 2 men. Just ahead. Rourke moved closer. It was a stairwell junction between 2 decks, and the men were on the stairs. Rourke had a good view of the whole conversation, but couldn't be seen from there. He turned on his comp unit, and activated the audio/visual recorder. Just in time. There was an agreement made, and money changed hands. Rourke had his proof, but he also had a dilemma.

The rendezvous was soon, and both the slug and the worm were on schedules. If he pursued the smugglers, he would have to stay and testify. He would miss the worm, and renege on his contract. He couldn't do that. But if he made the rendezvous, he wouldn't be around to testify, and he didn't know who he could trust with  his recording.

The decision was taken out of his hands.

A very large hand grasped his right shoulder.
"There you are. I've been looking for you." A deep voice. Rourke turned, and came face to chest with a very tall man. A very tall, grinning man. Wearing the same uniform he was.
"You're Rourke, right? Hi. I'm Fin, with one "N"." He removed his hand from Rourke's shoulder, and held it out. Rourke shook it. Then looked back, but the 2 suspects were gone.
"Yes. I'm Rourke. And you're obviously a Peace Maker, too."
Fin pulled over his lapel, revealing a badge similar to the one Rourke carried.
"Yes, sir. I am. Here to escort you aboard."
"Well,...Fin, was it? I have a problem here. I've discovered a smuggling operation, and I need to report it."
"I'm sorry, Rourke, but we don't have any time for that. My orders are to bring you straight up, without waiting for the scheduled hopper. I've come in one of ours."
"At least let me give this recording to the captain here. I don't know if I can trust him, but I don't see that I have a choice." He showed Fin the short recording.
Fin was solemn while he watched it, then grinned again.
"No problems then. We can leave right now. I've had your trunk loaded."
"Wait. I just told you, I need to turn this in."
"You can't. That would ruin an ongoing investigation. The crewman you saw taking the money is a Peace Maker, undercover." He started to walk back along the corridor, heading for the docking area.
"How do you know?" Rourke caught up to him.
"Standard procedure. We may be removed from this sector for a very long period of time, but we get reports of all investigations on a daily basis. I reviewed the current open case files. That operative has been working that gang for almost a year. That payoff means he's probably been finally accepted." Fin paused, then turned to Rourke, "Blowing that case would not have been a great way to start with this Force, would it?"

He grinned again, and ushered Rourke into the dock where his hopper was connected.