Dieselbabe - your e-mail listed on your profile isn't working. Please e-mail me with your new one.
Author's note: C0.01 is notations for credits equivalent to $0.01 for US Dollars. I would have gone for a niftier symbol but what can you do in plain text.
I know that I have slowed down on my postings. I do apologize BUT until they come up with a battery powered, water proof lap top compatible with floating around in the creek, summer posting is just going to be that way.
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THE MOTHER LODE BY ABRAXIS
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Chapter 20 - Them and Us
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When Riddick laid Jenna's head on his shoulder, she uttered a soft, weary sigh. He wanted to mangle something. Turning a piece of angle iron into a corkscrew would have been a good start. The fact that she was feeling embarrassed about what she would have to do to get Imam to save his own skin really pissed him off. If it wasn't for Jack's feelings, he would tell Jenna to forget it and would take the holy man off planet tied up like a bundle of firewood. No, that wasn't the real truth. If it wasn't for Jack, he'd leave Imam to the consequences of his own choice. The only reason he wouldn't was because he owed him for taking care of Jack when Riddick couldn't. But, from what he'd seen so far, he wasn't any too happy about the way Imam had been doing that.
What was she doing in that ugly, cover-everything-six-times, can't-hardly-breath native clothing at home? When Jeeter had startled her and her hands had gone searching for the shiv Riddick had made her, why wasn't it there? And what the fuck was this bullshit about arranging some native marriage for her? His Jack the property of some prick who would think she had no right to even think her own thoughts? It would have been a toss-up who Riddick killed first, Imam or the bridegroom.
He suddenly understood why he hadn't been told that there was trouble here. Imam hadn't wanted him back; hadn't wanted him interfering with his plans to do what he thought was best for Jack. Somehow he had convinced Jack to go along with it; probably by telling her it would threaten Riddick's safety to come back. Oh, he had known that Imam had reservations about him, about his being able to change. Hell, he had doubts about it himself. He knew Imam absolutely didn't understand that, in order to survive and stay free, he had to continue with the old life until he could finance the changes necessary for the new one. Imam had shook with anger when he had offered to send money to help with Jack's care. Blood covered he'd called it and accused Riddick of trying to use support of Jack as an excuse to continue his evil ways.
Still, he hadn't thought the man had such a low opinion of him that he would force Jack into that kind of slavery rather than have Riddick back in her life. Nor had he thought that Imam's own convictions of what was right and proper would blind him to Jack's innate independence. Jack was a free bird. Stuff her into that kind of cage and she'd either escape or die. Imam had been running that kind of play and now Jenna was feeling guilty about manipulating him? What a crock of shit!
A soft contented murmur brought his attention back to Jenna. He didn't know how she was still on her feet after seventy-two hours of nothing but stress and maybe twelve hours sleep; all but the six in the healing chamber nothing but scattered cat naps. Instead of resting, she'd spent most of the time in the BC scanning local communication, finding and recording anything not directly related to landings and take-offs; even Captain to Captain chit chat.
When he had voiced his doubt that such junk could be worth the rest she was sacrificing, she had informed him that Mr. Sen could take the most obscure and, to everyone else, unrelated bits of trivial information and predict the price of your morning coffee six months from now to within C0.01 or the direction the United World Council was going to jump in the next general elections and be right. Ok, ok. He's not going to argue with her. He's going to get them planet side and Jeeter busy getting the info she needs as fast as possible. Then, while he talks to Imam and Jack, he's going to see to it that she gets some sleep if he has to use that damn non-lethal earring of hers to do it.
It was a good plan; a good plan that had gone straight to hell. Instead of getting some rest, she had thrown herself at his problems as eagerly as she attacked her own. Now, she was a five times blooded veteran infiltrator and had added another four people to her list of responsibilities. He hadn't even had to ask. She had read the situation the same as he had and offered Jack sanctuary for everyone immediately. He could only hope that the information Jack and Jeeter were getting was worth the effort she was putting into being 'a friend to his friends'. Then again, by taking his people on board the Hole, she would certainly think that she had increased his interest in the welfare and survival of her 'friends' as well.
He wondered how long it would take her to figure out that Jack was the only one who really counted for that. The way he saw it, it would be no harder for him to stuff them into the BC and escape with Jack added to the package than it had been before. That he had included Ben and Jeeter in any emergency escape plans already had him doubting his sanity. He wasn't about to allow himself to add any more to the list; a list that would be shortened to only Jenna and Jack if the situation became that bad. He knew that both Ben and Jeeter would agree with him on that at least as far as Jenna was concerned but, oddly enough, that would only make it harder to leave them behind. This re-joining the human race shit was fucking complicated.
The shuffle of soft slippers crossing the courtyard caught his attention. Jack and two other females were coming toward them. Jack was the only one without the required head coverings so he couldn't tell much about the other two. One was quite petite, the top of her head barely reaching Jack's shoulder. The other was taller than Jack, probably about half way between Jenna's true height and Riddick's. The layers of their robes hid any clue to body size and shape; the veiling, all facial features and coloring. The look on Jack's face and her purposeful stride told Riddick that she had something more in mind that introductions. As much as he hated to do it, he eased his hold on Jenna.
"We got company coming. It looks like the exodus has begun."
Jenna lifted her head to take a look for herself. Taking a deep breath, she turned to deal with whatever the approaching three wanted. When Riddick would have finished releasing his hold on her, she placed her hands on his in a silent appeal for him to keep his arms around her, his hands laying easy across her belly. He could feel the quivers in her muscles as she struggled to stand tall.
Jack left the two veiled women standing some distance away and came on by herself. She immediately got down to business.
"Captain, I informed Imam that we were being rescued. I didn't tell him that Bro was involved only that you were a friend that he had asked to check on us. I told him that you had offered us transportation off planet or to some other sanctuary here. He says he wishes to talk to you before he decides. But ..... he's lying. I already know what he is planning, has been planning for quite a while. He's going to ask you transport all of us to Sheik Malich's compound near Second City. Once there, he intends to arrange marriages for both Mira and me. Before you speak to him, Mira and I want to make it very clear that neither one of us want that. We both wish to go off planet.
"Second says it would 'make things all nice and legal' for you to help us if we were part of your crew. That's fine for me, I'm eighteen, legal age by United World standards, Imam has no legal hold on me and I've plenty of useful talents. But Mira is only sixteen, is legally his ward and doesn't have any technical training at all. Is there any way you can give her political sanctuary or something?"
Riddick's temper flared. Only a slight tightening of Jenna's hand on his arm restrained him. Then, her next comment caught his attention completely.
"Why the game, Jack? Why didn't you tell The Imam that Riddick was here?"
A hard look came into Jack's eyes.
"Because I don't trust him. He doesn't want me joining up with Bro again. The less he knows about Bro's new life the better. The less he knows the less he can tell."
Riddick may have had his doubts about Imam but they didn't go this far.
"He's had four years to turn me, Jack. Why would he do it now?"
Jack dropped her eyes away from his. Obviously whatever she had against Imam wasn't something she felt comfortable telling him.
"Spit it out, kid. Waiting doesn't make it any better."
He was amused and pleased by the way she straightened up, took a deep breath and used that fiery strength of hers fuel her courage. Now, that was his Jack.
"He never believed you'd make it. Every time I said something about what we might do, where we might go when you got yourself straight, he kept telling me not to count on you; kept telling me that you were just going to get yourself caught again; that it's Allah's will that we pay for our sins. And he's been getting worse about that .... the Allah thing and paying for our sins. The sicker he gets the more he talks about it. And now, ........... Well, now you are going to make it. Your shine's gone, you got a righteous contract, you got righteous friends like the Captain here and Second. How's his Allah going to get to you? So maybe he decides that Allah wants him to see to that."
"And Mira and Nagia?"
"It's just better that they aren't involved if they don't come with us."
Riddick didn't know how to answer her. I mean, who in their right mind wouldn't warn a kid not to count on a bad bet like him. And the Allah stuff ..... Hell, wasn't that what religious types did all the time, worry about getting right with God? Made sense that they'd do a lot more of it if they were sick, if they thought they were going to be closing the books pretty quick. For the kid to connect all that and come up with the idea that Imam would turn him for finally making a new life, something that the old man was always nagging him to get started with, didn't make sense. There had to be something more; something the kid wasn't willing to tell him. Fuck! Another problem of his that he was going to have to ask Jenna to deal with.
"This is going to take some time to discuss. Captain's dead on her feet. You have somewhere we can sit down and some good strong coffee?"
Jack blushed with embarrassment.
"Oh. Sure. I'm sorry. I should have thought of that." Her attention turned to Jenna. "Second told me you were the one working the circle with Bro. That can't be easy. Keeping up with him, I mean. I'll see if Nagia has something in her herb case that's better than coffee. Come in the house. We can use the small parlor. It's nowhere close to Imam's quarters."
Riddick cut in before Jenna could answer.
"You go ahead, Jack. We'll follow in a minute." As soon as Jack was out of hearing range he spoke to Jenna. "She's adding two and two and getting five."
He wasn't surprised when Jenna immediately understood. This ability to communicate with the smallest clues wasn't something that he had experienced before but somehow it seemed totally natural that he should be able to do it with her.
"Yes. There is something that has predisposed her not to trust Imam where you are concerned. I'll see what I can do to find out what it is. So Nagia is an herbalist, interesting. I think I already have a crew position in mind for her. But .. I really would rather have a good hot cup of coffee than herbal tea right now. If they still brew it the way their ancestors did, it should be able to walk, talk and stir itself."
While she was talking, Jenna had handed Riddick his shirt and vest. He released her long enough to put them on and then partially reclaimed her so that they were now walking side by side, his arm around her waist. As they neared the others, he couldn't resist shifting his hand down to cup the cheek of her butt; rounded softness made even sexier by the strong flex of muscle underneath. Damn! When were things going to settle down and give him the time do a righteous job of bedding this woman. He was convinced that she would have the same eager open attitude about that new experience as she had about every other one so far. He was damned if he wasn't going to draw that experience out to its farthest limits and enjoy every second of it.
This thought was reinforced when he felt Jenna's hand on his own rump. She stroked gently, slowly back and forth over both hips and the small of his back before returning her hand to his waist and using her other hand to return his to her waist. Fuck! See you, raise you and then put the game on hold.
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Jenna felt more than heard Riddick's low rumble; transferred through his rib cage to hers where their sides pressed together. There seemed to be so much communicated in that deep, soft growl; pleasure and frustration; a warning; a promise. It was totally primal. That same level in her responded; a level she hadn't been aware she possessed until she met Riddick.
She almost hadn't done it, hadn't returned his caress in kind. Her intent had been to move his hand to a more socially acceptable location before reaching the group of women. It seemed rather wanton not to. But, it also seemed rather priggish to do so. Returning his caress before moving his hand had seemed a good compromise to her. His visceral reaction, as extremely pleasing as it was, left no doubt in her mind that from now on, when in public, she had better err on the side of priggishness. Being dragged off into the bushes was an exciting idea and would probably be even better than imagined but she really wasn't sure she could handle the embarrassment of returning afterwards.
Jenna was thankful that, as they made their way into the house and he retrieved his cloak, Riddick took care of canceling the herbal tea and insisting on the coffee she craved. After the introductions had been made, the taller of the local women, Nagia, had fetched both coffee and tea from the kitchen and proceeded to serve Riddick and Jenna coffee but Jack and Mira tea. This didn't seem to please Jack but she didn't argue about it. Jenna began to understand what Jack had meant when she had said that is was questionable who owned who between Mira and Nagia.
The service cups were hardly bigger than a double shot glass. After heavily sweetening the coffee, Jenna drank the first cup in two swallows as if it had been liquor. As Nagia moved to refill her cup, Jenna became aware that the woman hadn't taken a seat with the rest of them but was standing behind Mira; a position she returned to as soon as she had finished pouring the coffee. Oh, well, what was another problem in the mass she had to deal with. She decided to get the easiest solved first.
"Jack, I'd like to deal with your requests to be taken off planet first. After that Nagia and Mira may prepare for whatever their destination will be while we talk further. Do you have any idea of what crew position you would like to fill?"
"Second says he will vouch for my com abilities, for Second Com Officer but ..... he says that the Nav slot is open, too. I have all the book hours necessary for a Basic License in navigation with the University of New Mecca by correspondence. The only reason I haven't finished it is that I never could figure out a way to get on campus and do the simulator work without them finding out I was a woman. Would you maybe take me on as a Nav trainee, too?"
That seemed like a little too much of a fortunate coincidence to Jenna.
"What prompted you to study navigation?"
"I want to be a pilot. Nav is the first step for that. You never know when knowing how to pilot could save your life."
That explanation set Jenna's suspicions to rest. It was a totally logical decision for someone who had crash landed on and then escaped from a hostile planet.
"With that amount of education, we'll cut out the middle step. You are now my Nav Officer. As soon as we get the kink worked out of the main computer, we can get you your new identity with all the proper certificates. You'll parallel nav with myself or First until you're ready to solo. After you have that under control we'll start with pilot training. Tell me, how do you react to cryo?"
This question seemed to puzzle Jack but she answered without making any comment.
"Like everyone, I guess. I've only been in it once. I went to sleep until the .... until they woke me up."
Jenna was a bit disappointed. It seemed the fortunate coincidence had run out.
"Well, we'll test you for hyper anyway but Keller will probably be all you can handle. Now, Mira, it's your turn. But, before we discuss any crew position, I need to question your choice of going off planet rather than seeking a safer sanctuary here on New Mecca. I must assure myself that you realize that going off planet will require you to take on a totally new life style; one that may be extremely uncomfortable for you given the cloistered upbringing you have experienced. You will be required to assume ships dress; similar to First's but with a less revealing shirt and not quite so full trousers. There will be no veiling. Also, you can no longer consider Nagia your property. There will be no slavery on my ship. Your own personal moral and religious beliefs will be respected but you will be required to respect those of other members of the crew that differ from yours.
"You will be required to take several tests to discover both your present abilities and any vocations that you would be suited for and then to make a genuine effort to become educated and trained in several of those fields. The last thing you must understand is that this is basically a final decision. Once you join the crew, you will not be allowed to leave unless I can be certain that you will never reveal any information about it or the ship to anyone. This includes the very fact that it even exists. There is a possibility that we will be establishing a colony at some time in the future but I can't promise anything other than the life of a space vagabond for a very long time."
Mira was silent for a time. When she finally spoke her soft soprano voice had a slight trill. To Jenna's ear it sounded rather flute like.
"What of the mating and childbearing? Do you, as Captain, decide such things?"
Jenna didn't have to see through the veiling. She could hear the shyness and embarrassment. She gave the young woman points for courage.
"No. I do not interfere with the personal lives of my crew unless it in some way compromises the safety or efficient functioning of the ship. In such personal matters, no one has the right to force anyone else to do anything they do not want to do. When and with whom you decide to bond will be your own choice. I do warn you, however, that such freedom of choice carries a great deal of responsibility with it. I would recommend that you make sure that your knowledge of who you are and what you want is well developed and that you make a detailed comparison of those same factors in any potential mate before making such an important decision. Physical attraction alone isn't a good basis for stable bonding. Also, be very doubtful about any promises a man may make to talk his way into your bed. There won't be anyone who will force him to keep those promises unless you get them in writing and his signature witnessed by at least two other people and a representative of the local government. On board ship, that will be me. On planet, probably a Judge or his clerk."
"You make it sound as complicated as the marriage contracts are here?"
"Not legally. Most places it is no more than a matter of paying the fee for a marriage registration and both of you signing it. But there are a wide variety of cultures out there. In many of them, a simple marriage registration makes a woman her husbands property just a it does here unless you have a detailed contract that prohibits that. There are also matters of wealth and property that should be addressed. I do presume that even though you go off planet any inheritance, dowry moneys or such that you have will be held in trust. What I am trying to tell you is that you and you alone will be responsible for the result of your choices. Unless you have the physical capabilities to protect yourself you had better arrange for legal protection. While I object violently to forced marriage, I find detailed marriage contracts to be a excellent idea. They eliminate a great deal of misunderstandings and conflicts later. Also, even if you do develop the expertise in martial arts, which by the way will be one of your first studies, it is still usually preferable to take a man to court rather than slitting his throat. It doesn't upset the children as much."
Mira drew back a little and, even behind the veiling, Jenna could see her eyes had widened. Then a small, smothered giggle escaped the layers of cloth.
"You speak very bluntly but with wisdom. I would go with you. Here I am nothing but a ... a female for breeding. I have no value but the blood line I carry. Knowing Jack, I have seen that a woman can be more. I would be that more."
The answer was right but would she produce the actions to match it.
"Then get rid of the veil and free Nagia."
Mira immediately removed her veiling and placed it in the center of the low table around which they were seated. Jenna was shocked by her beauty; an almost unreal, fairy like beauty. Her skin was blemish free and the color of creamed coffee. Her heart shaped face was graced with delicate, finely drawn features and large milk-chocolate colored eyes. All this was framed by tightly coiled, raven wing hair. She couldn't stop herself from taking a shifty side-ways glance at Riddick to see what his reaction was.
He was looking back and forth between Mira's ethereal beauty and Jack's more earthy, yet no less beautiful, face. One eyebrow was raised, his lips were pursed and there was a somewhat murderous light in his eyes. It seemed that Riddick had just acquired another little sister and Jenna was going to have to have a very serious talk with the rest of the male members of the group if she didn't want the gangways running red; or black and blue at the least. She would need to give particular attention to Jeff.
Jenna was so focused by this that she almost missed the silent argument that was occurring between Mira and Nagia. Mira was holding out her hand, palm up, in a request for something and Nagia was doing her best to ignore it. Finally, with a deep sigh and a significant amount of difficulty, she removed a plain iron band from the ring finger of her left hand and handed it to Mira. Mira placed the ring on top of the veiling. With a nod of approval, Jenna turned her attention to Nagia.
"From what I have seen, I presume that you are very attached to Mira and I would have a serious battle on my hands if I were to refuse to allow you to accompany her. But ... I will do just that if you will not agree to the same terms as I have detailed to her. Whatever personal relationship the two of you work out between yourselves will not be allowed to interfere with your duties to the ship. You will also be expected to encourage her search for a new life style, not impede it. You will adjust to the ship's dress. You will put forth the effort to educate yourself to the limits of your abilities. You will show the same respect for the cultures and beliefs of others as will be accorded you. Do you have any questions?"
Nagia's voice was a soft alto; very soothing, motherly. Her question wasn't.
"Will the Imam be subject to these same regulations? Most particularity the admonition against being an impediment?"
It seemed that the Imam wasn't getting a vote of confidence from anyone. Jenna found this quite understandable as he was a product of a culture that made little more than slaves of it's women, iron ring or gold.
"Yes. If he wishes to board my ship for medical treatment and then leave, it will be allowed as a special circumstance. But, if he wishes to remain aboard my ship he will abide by my rules. Now, if you wish to become a member of my crew, remove your veil and join us instead of standing aside like a servant. I have a possible crew position to discuss with you."
Nagia complied but she seemed more perched on than seated in the chair. Jenna wasn't put off by that. You couldn't expect a life time of training to be switched off in a short second. When she removed her veiling, placing it with Mira's and then reached a cup from the service and poured herself some tea, Jenna decided that the perching might be a part of her natural posture. Jenna used the excuse of refilling her own cup to study her face.
Her age was hard to judge. Jenna speculated that she was probably in her early thirties but she could just as easily have been either far younger or far older. Her skin was a rich ebony. Her tightly curled hair was cut short and packed into a three inch deep frame for her oval face. Her features were broad and full. The one startling aspect of her face was her eyes. They were a taffy brown, as near to gold as human eyes can be. Taken alone, her physical features would have been labeled merely pleasant. However, there was an aura of calm serenity gracing them that Jenna thought a much more desirable attribute.
"Jack informed me that you brew herbal teas. How far has your training in medicinal herbs progressed?"
Perhaps the perching was a sign of discomfort for, while Nagia had removed her veiling, she was avoiding direct eye contact.
"I am full trained as an herbalist. It is not proper for male physicians to treat the women of a household. I was prepared to assume that duty in Mira's."
"Do you grow, collect and prepare your own herbs?"
"Of course. One can not be assured of the quality otherwise. I have with me the full of my seed collection and also bedded cuttings for those that can not be grown from seed. I shall regret the loss of the cuttings. Some are quite rare and hard to collect."
"I would consider those to be irreplaceables. If you can pack them to survive for twenty-four hours before they can be permanently re-established and do it quickly, we can take them. Your title will be Ship's Pharmacist. You will work closely with the Ship's Doctor. I warn you that, while he is excellent in his profession, he has a very bad personality. He is totally intolerant of inept or sloppy work. On a good day, his wit resembles an unsheathed blade and on a bad day is his just plain nasty tempered. However, his interest in medicinal plants has become an obsession. You bring him herbs and knowledge that he doesn't have and you will probably buy yourself enough good days to learn how best to deal with him. Personally, I stand up in his face. I have since I was eight years old. But, you will have to decide what works best for you. If he becomes completely unbearable, come to me."
Jenna turned to Riddick.
"First, please assist Nagia in storing her plants in the under deck storage. If she needs the room, set the SO's weapons on self-destruct and toss them into the gully."
She turned back to Mira and Jack. Both Riddick and Nagia recognized this as gentle dismissal and left the parlor with Nagia in the lead.
"Mira, you will need to see to your and the rest of Nagia's packing. I want to be gone from here as soon as possible. Remember, we are very restricted on space. Bring only valuables and mementos that can't be duplicated. Jack, I need to talk to you for a few minutes and then you can check on Second and see to your own packing."
It took a second glance at Mira and a moment of silence before she rose, smiled sweetly at Jenna and left the parlor. She was probably going to have more difficulty adjusting to the less formal manners of the rest of the universe than Nagia would. Jenna had been serious about leaving as soon as possible. She wanted to be off planet before sunrise. She got straight to the point with Jack.
"Your suspicions about the Imam don't make sense unless there is something else. Something you don't want to tell Riddick. Well, I'm the one nominated to deal with the Imam and I need to know everything to do that. So, as Riddick said, spit it out. You can consider that an order, Navigator."
Jack got an extremely stubborn look for a split second and then seemed to reconsider her position.
"Yes, Captain, but ...... what has he told you about what happened when we crashed?"
"Nothing. I know what the general public knows plus a great deal more about the indigenous creatures you had to deal with. When they located the wreck. Galactic sent in a standard rescue operation. They lost every one of them but received enough information from the few transmissions they made to turn it over to the Forces. They sent in a full section. They lost half of it and came back with one specimen; a juvenile about three feet long. It tested out to be one of the nastiest beasties they had ever encountered. I have full copies of all of the testing that was done. The geological reports they salvaged were so poor both United Worlds and Galactic decided that the planet wasn't worth the cost of exterminating them. United Worlds put a permanent quarantine on it. How the three of you survived and got off planet, I have no clue."
Jenna had watched Jack's face turning paler and paler as she was speaking.
"Don't try to tell me the whole thing, Jack. Just tell me whatever happened that concerns the Imam."
Jack seemed to relax a little.
"Ok, but you have to understand that the only reason we survived was him, was Riddick. He could see and .... he could kill the mother fuckers. I saw him do it. With nothing but his shiv he killed on of the big ones. It was ........ he was ....... "
Jenna helped Jack fill in the blanks.
"I've seen him kill, Jack. And, yes, there is a terrible beauty in the way he does it."
Jenna felt a little embarrassed by the astonished gratitude that Jack aimed at her.
"That's it! That's it exactly. I never thought anyone else could see him like that. But if you can, then maybe .... maybe you can understand the rest of it. It was when we got back to the skiff. There was just Riddick and me and Imam and Carolyn left. Carolyn was the pilot. We thought that Riddick was right behind us but he wasn't. Then we heard him yell. It was hurting and angry and desperate and crazy and ....... Carolyn ...... she and Riddick had come back for us and she went back for him. But Imam tried to stop her! He tried two or three times to get her to get into the skiff and leave Riddick behind. It was like, after all he had done for us, he was still garbage; just garbage to be left behind. Imam is just like all the rest of them. No matter what we do, they throw us away like garbage. Get us off their hands and out of their lives as soon as they can and fuck what happens to us."
Not "He" and "Him"; "We" and "Us". Now, Jenna understood. Most therapists would label Jack as paranoid and delusional. Jenna didn't. A good percent of the human race treated the rest of it exactly as Jack had described. However, Riddick, more mature and experienced, had a different view of the Imam. It seemed that it was up to Jenna to make her own assessment and decide which of them was right.
Author's note: C0.01 is notations for credits equivalent to $0.01 for US Dollars. I would have gone for a niftier symbol but what can you do in plain text.
I know that I have slowed down on my postings. I do apologize BUT until they come up with a battery powered, water proof lap top compatible with floating around in the creek, summer posting is just going to be that way.
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THE MOTHER LODE BY ABRAXIS
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Chapter 20 - Them and Us
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When Riddick laid Jenna's head on his shoulder, she uttered a soft, weary sigh. He wanted to mangle something. Turning a piece of angle iron into a corkscrew would have been a good start. The fact that she was feeling embarrassed about what she would have to do to get Imam to save his own skin really pissed him off. If it wasn't for Jack's feelings, he would tell Jenna to forget it and would take the holy man off planet tied up like a bundle of firewood. No, that wasn't the real truth. If it wasn't for Jack, he'd leave Imam to the consequences of his own choice. The only reason he wouldn't was because he owed him for taking care of Jack when Riddick couldn't. But, from what he'd seen so far, he wasn't any too happy about the way Imam had been doing that.
What was she doing in that ugly, cover-everything-six-times, can't-hardly-breath native clothing at home? When Jeeter had startled her and her hands had gone searching for the shiv Riddick had made her, why wasn't it there? And what the fuck was this bullshit about arranging some native marriage for her? His Jack the property of some prick who would think she had no right to even think her own thoughts? It would have been a toss-up who Riddick killed first, Imam or the bridegroom.
He suddenly understood why he hadn't been told that there was trouble here. Imam hadn't wanted him back; hadn't wanted him interfering with his plans to do what he thought was best for Jack. Somehow he had convinced Jack to go along with it; probably by telling her it would threaten Riddick's safety to come back. Oh, he had known that Imam had reservations about him, about his being able to change. Hell, he had doubts about it himself. He knew Imam absolutely didn't understand that, in order to survive and stay free, he had to continue with the old life until he could finance the changes necessary for the new one. Imam had shook with anger when he had offered to send money to help with Jack's care. Blood covered he'd called it and accused Riddick of trying to use support of Jack as an excuse to continue his evil ways.
Still, he hadn't thought the man had such a low opinion of him that he would force Jack into that kind of slavery rather than have Riddick back in her life. Nor had he thought that Imam's own convictions of what was right and proper would blind him to Jack's innate independence. Jack was a free bird. Stuff her into that kind of cage and she'd either escape or die. Imam had been running that kind of play and now Jenna was feeling guilty about manipulating him? What a crock of shit!
A soft contented murmur brought his attention back to Jenna. He didn't know how she was still on her feet after seventy-two hours of nothing but stress and maybe twelve hours sleep; all but the six in the healing chamber nothing but scattered cat naps. Instead of resting, she'd spent most of the time in the BC scanning local communication, finding and recording anything not directly related to landings and take-offs; even Captain to Captain chit chat.
When he had voiced his doubt that such junk could be worth the rest she was sacrificing, she had informed him that Mr. Sen could take the most obscure and, to everyone else, unrelated bits of trivial information and predict the price of your morning coffee six months from now to within C0.01 or the direction the United World Council was going to jump in the next general elections and be right. Ok, ok. He's not going to argue with her. He's going to get them planet side and Jeeter busy getting the info she needs as fast as possible. Then, while he talks to Imam and Jack, he's going to see to it that she gets some sleep if he has to use that damn non-lethal earring of hers to do it.
It was a good plan; a good plan that had gone straight to hell. Instead of getting some rest, she had thrown herself at his problems as eagerly as she attacked her own. Now, she was a five times blooded veteran infiltrator and had added another four people to her list of responsibilities. He hadn't even had to ask. She had read the situation the same as he had and offered Jack sanctuary for everyone immediately. He could only hope that the information Jack and Jeeter were getting was worth the effort she was putting into being 'a friend to his friends'. Then again, by taking his people on board the Hole, she would certainly think that she had increased his interest in the welfare and survival of her 'friends' as well.
He wondered how long it would take her to figure out that Jack was the only one who really counted for that. The way he saw it, it would be no harder for him to stuff them into the BC and escape with Jack added to the package than it had been before. That he had included Ben and Jeeter in any emergency escape plans already had him doubting his sanity. He wasn't about to allow himself to add any more to the list; a list that would be shortened to only Jenna and Jack if the situation became that bad. He knew that both Ben and Jeeter would agree with him on that at least as far as Jenna was concerned but, oddly enough, that would only make it harder to leave them behind. This re-joining the human race shit was fucking complicated.
The shuffle of soft slippers crossing the courtyard caught his attention. Jack and two other females were coming toward them. Jack was the only one without the required head coverings so he couldn't tell much about the other two. One was quite petite, the top of her head barely reaching Jack's shoulder. The other was taller than Jack, probably about half way between Jenna's true height and Riddick's. The layers of their robes hid any clue to body size and shape; the veiling, all facial features and coloring. The look on Jack's face and her purposeful stride told Riddick that she had something more in mind that introductions. As much as he hated to do it, he eased his hold on Jenna.
"We got company coming. It looks like the exodus has begun."
Jenna lifted her head to take a look for herself. Taking a deep breath, she turned to deal with whatever the approaching three wanted. When Riddick would have finished releasing his hold on her, she placed her hands on his in a silent appeal for him to keep his arms around her, his hands laying easy across her belly. He could feel the quivers in her muscles as she struggled to stand tall.
Jack left the two veiled women standing some distance away and came on by herself. She immediately got down to business.
"Captain, I informed Imam that we were being rescued. I didn't tell him that Bro was involved only that you were a friend that he had asked to check on us. I told him that you had offered us transportation off planet or to some other sanctuary here. He says he wishes to talk to you before he decides. But ..... he's lying. I already know what he is planning, has been planning for quite a while. He's going to ask you transport all of us to Sheik Malich's compound near Second City. Once there, he intends to arrange marriages for both Mira and me. Before you speak to him, Mira and I want to make it very clear that neither one of us want that. We both wish to go off planet.
"Second says it would 'make things all nice and legal' for you to help us if we were part of your crew. That's fine for me, I'm eighteen, legal age by United World standards, Imam has no legal hold on me and I've plenty of useful talents. But Mira is only sixteen, is legally his ward and doesn't have any technical training at all. Is there any way you can give her political sanctuary or something?"
Riddick's temper flared. Only a slight tightening of Jenna's hand on his arm restrained him. Then, her next comment caught his attention completely.
"Why the game, Jack? Why didn't you tell The Imam that Riddick was here?"
A hard look came into Jack's eyes.
"Because I don't trust him. He doesn't want me joining up with Bro again. The less he knows about Bro's new life the better. The less he knows the less he can tell."
Riddick may have had his doubts about Imam but they didn't go this far.
"He's had four years to turn me, Jack. Why would he do it now?"
Jack dropped her eyes away from his. Obviously whatever she had against Imam wasn't something she felt comfortable telling him.
"Spit it out, kid. Waiting doesn't make it any better."
He was amused and pleased by the way she straightened up, took a deep breath and used that fiery strength of hers fuel her courage. Now, that was his Jack.
"He never believed you'd make it. Every time I said something about what we might do, where we might go when you got yourself straight, he kept telling me not to count on you; kept telling me that you were just going to get yourself caught again; that it's Allah's will that we pay for our sins. And he's been getting worse about that .... the Allah thing and paying for our sins. The sicker he gets the more he talks about it. And now, ........... Well, now you are going to make it. Your shine's gone, you got a righteous contract, you got righteous friends like the Captain here and Second. How's his Allah going to get to you? So maybe he decides that Allah wants him to see to that."
"And Mira and Nagia?"
"It's just better that they aren't involved if they don't come with us."
Riddick didn't know how to answer her. I mean, who in their right mind wouldn't warn a kid not to count on a bad bet like him. And the Allah stuff ..... Hell, wasn't that what religious types did all the time, worry about getting right with God? Made sense that they'd do a lot more of it if they were sick, if they thought they were going to be closing the books pretty quick. For the kid to connect all that and come up with the idea that Imam would turn him for finally making a new life, something that the old man was always nagging him to get started with, didn't make sense. There had to be something more; something the kid wasn't willing to tell him. Fuck! Another problem of his that he was going to have to ask Jenna to deal with.
"This is going to take some time to discuss. Captain's dead on her feet. You have somewhere we can sit down and some good strong coffee?"
Jack blushed with embarrassment.
"Oh. Sure. I'm sorry. I should have thought of that." Her attention turned to Jenna. "Second told me you were the one working the circle with Bro. That can't be easy. Keeping up with him, I mean. I'll see if Nagia has something in her herb case that's better than coffee. Come in the house. We can use the small parlor. It's nowhere close to Imam's quarters."
Riddick cut in before Jenna could answer.
"You go ahead, Jack. We'll follow in a minute." As soon as Jack was out of hearing range he spoke to Jenna. "She's adding two and two and getting five."
He wasn't surprised when Jenna immediately understood. This ability to communicate with the smallest clues wasn't something that he had experienced before but somehow it seemed totally natural that he should be able to do it with her.
"Yes. There is something that has predisposed her not to trust Imam where you are concerned. I'll see what I can do to find out what it is. So Nagia is an herbalist, interesting. I think I already have a crew position in mind for her. But .. I really would rather have a good hot cup of coffee than herbal tea right now. If they still brew it the way their ancestors did, it should be able to walk, talk and stir itself."
While she was talking, Jenna had handed Riddick his shirt and vest. He released her long enough to put them on and then partially reclaimed her so that they were now walking side by side, his arm around her waist. As they neared the others, he couldn't resist shifting his hand down to cup the cheek of her butt; rounded softness made even sexier by the strong flex of muscle underneath. Damn! When were things going to settle down and give him the time do a righteous job of bedding this woman. He was convinced that she would have the same eager open attitude about that new experience as she had about every other one so far. He was damned if he wasn't going to draw that experience out to its farthest limits and enjoy every second of it.
This thought was reinforced when he felt Jenna's hand on his own rump. She stroked gently, slowly back and forth over both hips and the small of his back before returning her hand to his waist and using her other hand to return his to her waist. Fuck! See you, raise you and then put the game on hold.
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Jenna felt more than heard Riddick's low rumble; transferred through his rib cage to hers where their sides pressed together. There seemed to be so much communicated in that deep, soft growl; pleasure and frustration; a warning; a promise. It was totally primal. That same level in her responded; a level she hadn't been aware she possessed until she met Riddick.
She almost hadn't done it, hadn't returned his caress in kind. Her intent had been to move his hand to a more socially acceptable location before reaching the group of women. It seemed rather wanton not to. But, it also seemed rather priggish to do so. Returning his caress before moving his hand had seemed a good compromise to her. His visceral reaction, as extremely pleasing as it was, left no doubt in her mind that from now on, when in public, she had better err on the side of priggishness. Being dragged off into the bushes was an exciting idea and would probably be even better than imagined but she really wasn't sure she could handle the embarrassment of returning afterwards.
Jenna was thankful that, as they made their way into the house and he retrieved his cloak, Riddick took care of canceling the herbal tea and insisting on the coffee she craved. After the introductions had been made, the taller of the local women, Nagia, had fetched both coffee and tea from the kitchen and proceeded to serve Riddick and Jenna coffee but Jack and Mira tea. This didn't seem to please Jack but she didn't argue about it. Jenna began to understand what Jack had meant when she had said that is was questionable who owned who between Mira and Nagia.
The service cups were hardly bigger than a double shot glass. After heavily sweetening the coffee, Jenna drank the first cup in two swallows as if it had been liquor. As Nagia moved to refill her cup, Jenna became aware that the woman hadn't taken a seat with the rest of them but was standing behind Mira; a position she returned to as soon as she had finished pouring the coffee. Oh, well, what was another problem in the mass she had to deal with. She decided to get the easiest solved first.
"Jack, I'd like to deal with your requests to be taken off planet first. After that Nagia and Mira may prepare for whatever their destination will be while we talk further. Do you have any idea of what crew position you would like to fill?"
"Second says he will vouch for my com abilities, for Second Com Officer but ..... he says that the Nav slot is open, too. I have all the book hours necessary for a Basic License in navigation with the University of New Mecca by correspondence. The only reason I haven't finished it is that I never could figure out a way to get on campus and do the simulator work without them finding out I was a woman. Would you maybe take me on as a Nav trainee, too?"
That seemed like a little too much of a fortunate coincidence to Jenna.
"What prompted you to study navigation?"
"I want to be a pilot. Nav is the first step for that. You never know when knowing how to pilot could save your life."
That explanation set Jenna's suspicions to rest. It was a totally logical decision for someone who had crash landed on and then escaped from a hostile planet.
"With that amount of education, we'll cut out the middle step. You are now my Nav Officer. As soon as we get the kink worked out of the main computer, we can get you your new identity with all the proper certificates. You'll parallel nav with myself or First until you're ready to solo. After you have that under control we'll start with pilot training. Tell me, how do you react to cryo?"
This question seemed to puzzle Jack but she answered without making any comment.
"Like everyone, I guess. I've only been in it once. I went to sleep until the .... until they woke me up."
Jenna was a bit disappointed. It seemed the fortunate coincidence had run out.
"Well, we'll test you for hyper anyway but Keller will probably be all you can handle. Now, Mira, it's your turn. But, before we discuss any crew position, I need to question your choice of going off planet rather than seeking a safer sanctuary here on New Mecca. I must assure myself that you realize that going off planet will require you to take on a totally new life style; one that may be extremely uncomfortable for you given the cloistered upbringing you have experienced. You will be required to assume ships dress; similar to First's but with a less revealing shirt and not quite so full trousers. There will be no veiling. Also, you can no longer consider Nagia your property. There will be no slavery on my ship. Your own personal moral and religious beliefs will be respected but you will be required to respect those of other members of the crew that differ from yours.
"You will be required to take several tests to discover both your present abilities and any vocations that you would be suited for and then to make a genuine effort to become educated and trained in several of those fields. The last thing you must understand is that this is basically a final decision. Once you join the crew, you will not be allowed to leave unless I can be certain that you will never reveal any information about it or the ship to anyone. This includes the very fact that it even exists. There is a possibility that we will be establishing a colony at some time in the future but I can't promise anything other than the life of a space vagabond for a very long time."
Mira was silent for a time. When she finally spoke her soft soprano voice had a slight trill. To Jenna's ear it sounded rather flute like.
"What of the mating and childbearing? Do you, as Captain, decide such things?"
Jenna didn't have to see through the veiling. She could hear the shyness and embarrassment. She gave the young woman points for courage.
"No. I do not interfere with the personal lives of my crew unless it in some way compromises the safety or efficient functioning of the ship. In such personal matters, no one has the right to force anyone else to do anything they do not want to do. When and with whom you decide to bond will be your own choice. I do warn you, however, that such freedom of choice carries a great deal of responsibility with it. I would recommend that you make sure that your knowledge of who you are and what you want is well developed and that you make a detailed comparison of those same factors in any potential mate before making such an important decision. Physical attraction alone isn't a good basis for stable bonding. Also, be very doubtful about any promises a man may make to talk his way into your bed. There won't be anyone who will force him to keep those promises unless you get them in writing and his signature witnessed by at least two other people and a representative of the local government. On board ship, that will be me. On planet, probably a Judge or his clerk."
"You make it sound as complicated as the marriage contracts are here?"
"Not legally. Most places it is no more than a matter of paying the fee for a marriage registration and both of you signing it. But there are a wide variety of cultures out there. In many of them, a simple marriage registration makes a woman her husbands property just a it does here unless you have a detailed contract that prohibits that. There are also matters of wealth and property that should be addressed. I do presume that even though you go off planet any inheritance, dowry moneys or such that you have will be held in trust. What I am trying to tell you is that you and you alone will be responsible for the result of your choices. Unless you have the physical capabilities to protect yourself you had better arrange for legal protection. While I object violently to forced marriage, I find detailed marriage contracts to be a excellent idea. They eliminate a great deal of misunderstandings and conflicts later. Also, even if you do develop the expertise in martial arts, which by the way will be one of your first studies, it is still usually preferable to take a man to court rather than slitting his throat. It doesn't upset the children as much."
Mira drew back a little and, even behind the veiling, Jenna could see her eyes had widened. Then a small, smothered giggle escaped the layers of cloth.
"You speak very bluntly but with wisdom. I would go with you. Here I am nothing but a ... a female for breeding. I have no value but the blood line I carry. Knowing Jack, I have seen that a woman can be more. I would be that more."
The answer was right but would she produce the actions to match it.
"Then get rid of the veil and free Nagia."
Mira immediately removed her veiling and placed it in the center of the low table around which they were seated. Jenna was shocked by her beauty; an almost unreal, fairy like beauty. Her skin was blemish free and the color of creamed coffee. Her heart shaped face was graced with delicate, finely drawn features and large milk-chocolate colored eyes. All this was framed by tightly coiled, raven wing hair. She couldn't stop herself from taking a shifty side-ways glance at Riddick to see what his reaction was.
He was looking back and forth between Mira's ethereal beauty and Jack's more earthy, yet no less beautiful, face. One eyebrow was raised, his lips were pursed and there was a somewhat murderous light in his eyes. It seemed that Riddick had just acquired another little sister and Jenna was going to have to have a very serious talk with the rest of the male members of the group if she didn't want the gangways running red; or black and blue at the least. She would need to give particular attention to Jeff.
Jenna was so focused by this that she almost missed the silent argument that was occurring between Mira and Nagia. Mira was holding out her hand, palm up, in a request for something and Nagia was doing her best to ignore it. Finally, with a deep sigh and a significant amount of difficulty, she removed a plain iron band from the ring finger of her left hand and handed it to Mira. Mira placed the ring on top of the veiling. With a nod of approval, Jenna turned her attention to Nagia.
"From what I have seen, I presume that you are very attached to Mira and I would have a serious battle on my hands if I were to refuse to allow you to accompany her. But ... I will do just that if you will not agree to the same terms as I have detailed to her. Whatever personal relationship the two of you work out between yourselves will not be allowed to interfere with your duties to the ship. You will also be expected to encourage her search for a new life style, not impede it. You will adjust to the ship's dress. You will put forth the effort to educate yourself to the limits of your abilities. You will show the same respect for the cultures and beliefs of others as will be accorded you. Do you have any questions?"
Nagia's voice was a soft alto; very soothing, motherly. Her question wasn't.
"Will the Imam be subject to these same regulations? Most particularity the admonition against being an impediment?"
It seemed that the Imam wasn't getting a vote of confidence from anyone. Jenna found this quite understandable as he was a product of a culture that made little more than slaves of it's women, iron ring or gold.
"Yes. If he wishes to board my ship for medical treatment and then leave, it will be allowed as a special circumstance. But, if he wishes to remain aboard my ship he will abide by my rules. Now, if you wish to become a member of my crew, remove your veil and join us instead of standing aside like a servant. I have a possible crew position to discuss with you."
Nagia complied but she seemed more perched on than seated in the chair. Jenna wasn't put off by that. You couldn't expect a life time of training to be switched off in a short second. When she removed her veiling, placing it with Mira's and then reached a cup from the service and poured herself some tea, Jenna decided that the perching might be a part of her natural posture. Jenna used the excuse of refilling her own cup to study her face.
Her age was hard to judge. Jenna speculated that she was probably in her early thirties but she could just as easily have been either far younger or far older. Her skin was a rich ebony. Her tightly curled hair was cut short and packed into a three inch deep frame for her oval face. Her features were broad and full. The one startling aspect of her face was her eyes. They were a taffy brown, as near to gold as human eyes can be. Taken alone, her physical features would have been labeled merely pleasant. However, there was an aura of calm serenity gracing them that Jenna thought a much more desirable attribute.
"Jack informed me that you brew herbal teas. How far has your training in medicinal herbs progressed?"
Perhaps the perching was a sign of discomfort for, while Nagia had removed her veiling, she was avoiding direct eye contact.
"I am full trained as an herbalist. It is not proper for male physicians to treat the women of a household. I was prepared to assume that duty in Mira's."
"Do you grow, collect and prepare your own herbs?"
"Of course. One can not be assured of the quality otherwise. I have with me the full of my seed collection and also bedded cuttings for those that can not be grown from seed. I shall regret the loss of the cuttings. Some are quite rare and hard to collect."
"I would consider those to be irreplaceables. If you can pack them to survive for twenty-four hours before they can be permanently re-established and do it quickly, we can take them. Your title will be Ship's Pharmacist. You will work closely with the Ship's Doctor. I warn you that, while he is excellent in his profession, he has a very bad personality. He is totally intolerant of inept or sloppy work. On a good day, his wit resembles an unsheathed blade and on a bad day is his just plain nasty tempered. However, his interest in medicinal plants has become an obsession. You bring him herbs and knowledge that he doesn't have and you will probably buy yourself enough good days to learn how best to deal with him. Personally, I stand up in his face. I have since I was eight years old. But, you will have to decide what works best for you. If he becomes completely unbearable, come to me."
Jenna turned to Riddick.
"First, please assist Nagia in storing her plants in the under deck storage. If she needs the room, set the SO's weapons on self-destruct and toss them into the gully."
She turned back to Mira and Jack. Both Riddick and Nagia recognized this as gentle dismissal and left the parlor with Nagia in the lead.
"Mira, you will need to see to your and the rest of Nagia's packing. I want to be gone from here as soon as possible. Remember, we are very restricted on space. Bring only valuables and mementos that can't be duplicated. Jack, I need to talk to you for a few minutes and then you can check on Second and see to your own packing."
It took a second glance at Mira and a moment of silence before she rose, smiled sweetly at Jenna and left the parlor. She was probably going to have more difficulty adjusting to the less formal manners of the rest of the universe than Nagia would. Jenna had been serious about leaving as soon as possible. She wanted to be off planet before sunrise. She got straight to the point with Jack.
"Your suspicions about the Imam don't make sense unless there is something else. Something you don't want to tell Riddick. Well, I'm the one nominated to deal with the Imam and I need to know everything to do that. So, as Riddick said, spit it out. You can consider that an order, Navigator."
Jack got an extremely stubborn look for a split second and then seemed to reconsider her position.
"Yes, Captain, but ...... what has he told you about what happened when we crashed?"
"Nothing. I know what the general public knows plus a great deal more about the indigenous creatures you had to deal with. When they located the wreck. Galactic sent in a standard rescue operation. They lost every one of them but received enough information from the few transmissions they made to turn it over to the Forces. They sent in a full section. They lost half of it and came back with one specimen; a juvenile about three feet long. It tested out to be one of the nastiest beasties they had ever encountered. I have full copies of all of the testing that was done. The geological reports they salvaged were so poor both United Worlds and Galactic decided that the planet wasn't worth the cost of exterminating them. United Worlds put a permanent quarantine on it. How the three of you survived and got off planet, I have no clue."
Jenna had watched Jack's face turning paler and paler as she was speaking.
"Don't try to tell me the whole thing, Jack. Just tell me whatever happened that concerns the Imam."
Jack seemed to relax a little.
"Ok, but you have to understand that the only reason we survived was him, was Riddick. He could see and .... he could kill the mother fuckers. I saw him do it. With nothing but his shiv he killed on of the big ones. It was ........ he was ....... "
Jenna helped Jack fill in the blanks.
"I've seen him kill, Jack. And, yes, there is a terrible beauty in the way he does it."
Jenna felt a little embarrassed by the astonished gratitude that Jack aimed at her.
"That's it! That's it exactly. I never thought anyone else could see him like that. But if you can, then maybe .... maybe you can understand the rest of it. It was when we got back to the skiff. There was just Riddick and me and Imam and Carolyn left. Carolyn was the pilot. We thought that Riddick was right behind us but he wasn't. Then we heard him yell. It was hurting and angry and desperate and crazy and ....... Carolyn ...... she and Riddick had come back for us and she went back for him. But Imam tried to stop her! He tried two or three times to get her to get into the skiff and leave Riddick behind. It was like, after all he had done for us, he was still garbage; just garbage to be left behind. Imam is just like all the rest of them. No matter what we do, they throw us away like garbage. Get us off their hands and out of their lives as soon as they can and fuck what happens to us."
Not "He" and "Him"; "We" and "Us". Now, Jenna understood. Most therapists would label Jack as paranoid and delusional. Jenna didn't. A good percent of the human race treated the rest of it exactly as Jack had described. However, Riddick, more mature and experienced, had a different view of the Imam. It seemed that it was up to Jenna to make her own assessment and decide which of them was right.
