THE MOTHER LODE BY ABRAXIS
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Chapter 26 - Testing, Testing
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Jeeter didn't feel comfortable sitting in the captain's slot. He woulda used his own weapons/security slot to watch and record the meeting with Sen but both Jack and Ben were still on the bridge. Lady'd made it real clear that she didn't want anyone to know what he was doing.
Had to give her credit. She was too trusting for her own good but she wasn't blind about it. Still, it was a puzzle that she trusted him and Barrol over 'em that raised her. What'd Ben said? Like since she was seven or eight for Sen, Syrus and David. The jerk, Jeff, had shown up later. When Jeeter had asked why there weren't any women in the group, Ben had got all bent and snapped off that women didn't go genius like men did. Jeeter couldn't buy that one. After a little thought, he decided the truth probably was that women, genius or not, were a hell ah a lot better at surviving on their own. Most ah the ones that he'd known were.
But, weird collection that it was, they were Lady's family and she was trusting him and Barrol and having the security system watch and record the others every move; even Ben. The only way he could figure it was that they really weren't blood to her in the first place and that Lady was smart enough to know that contracts were more binding than blood anyway. That was why family most always worked for the same boss or gang. You didn't, you might wind up having to kill each other.
Then there was that tarantula thing. Him or Barrol coulda put the tracker box in the bay but that fancy techno-shit had to be someone in the group doing a deal with the wrong people. But who? In the short time he had had to study 'em, there were only two that he would trust; well, trust to be for Lady whatever came down; Ben and, here was the real shocker to admit, Syrus.
The guy was as scary as Barrol in his own way. Truth, he was scarier. With Barrol you had something to work with. He had rules. Street rules, slam rules; sure, but rules. With Syrus you just didn't know. Well, that wasn't completely right. Jeeter had managed to find two things he could be sure ah. Syrus loved Lady the way Barrol loved Jack and Syrus didn't fool around when it came to the doctor stuff.
The first Jeeter'd seen in the bay of the BC. The look'a pride on Syrus' face at the way she handled Nagia told that story. The second Jetter'd found out just a little later in the infirmary.
Syrus'd had the holyman settled, the poison Nagia'd used identified and an antidote pumping into the old man before they had finished transferring the plants from the BC. Then, when he'd given Nagia a padd and stylus to record all her plants and what they did, he'd been real patient explaining that all she had to do was write in New Meccan and the computer would translate for her. Patient about telling her how the hydro-garden worked, too. 'Course, when he caught sighta Jeeter still hanging around, he'd got snarky again.
"I can't imaging that the ship's Security Officer has any further business in my infirmary. I would hate to think that you are contemplating renewing the aggressive stance of our first meeting."
The sneery smile and the gleam in his eyes didn't say that he would hate it. Lady'd been right about watching him on that. Then maybe he thought Jeeter was there to hassle Nagia. Jeeter wouldn'ta liked someone doing that either.
"Nah, you're not the slime G was. I just wanta see about getting my eyes fixed. Lady promised me the same job her and First got. I'm gonna be down for sleep time anyway and wondered if you could fit me in."
"My God, I am running a walk-in clinic."
But, Syrus'd already been reaching for the color chart book. He hadn't treated Jeeter like an idiot when he explained the process and, shock, he'd called it a "wise decision" when Jeeter opted to keep the dark brown eye color he'd been born with and keep the night shine to a minimum. He'd meant it, too; no sneer. It'd been the same when Syrus roused him outa the chamber, checked the healing and did the tests on his vision. But that had ended it.
"Perfect. Now, get out and stop cluttering up my infirmary."
Jeeter decided that Syrus had a rule about that snarkiness, too. It wasn't fun if you weren't strong enough to be fair game. That's why the patience with Nagia, someone he barely knew, and the games he played with Lady, maybe the only person he really gave a shit about.
This observation brought Jeeter back to the present and more thoughts about the attempts to sell the group out. The only way he could see it was that there was two; one real smart and one pretty stupid. The tarantula had been smart but the box was stupid. In fact, the box had been a piece ah luck insteada the trouble it was meant to be. Without it, they probably wouldn'ta went red zone and Ben wouldn'ta found the other ...... or maybe not found it so quick. That kid is a genius. Well, yeah, he is. But what did that make Jack? The way she was sucking up everything he could throw at her and begging for more.
Jeeter watched the two, their heads ear to ear and their eyes shining with excitement. Hell, he liked hacking but it didn't turn him on that much. Those two looked good together, too good. They were a pair, all right; a pair that 'big brother' Barrol would approve ah. But, Sweet Mother, the girl was so .............. everything; young, beautiful, smart, ..... tall, blond, willowy ... beautiful ....... What would she want with a sawed off, ugly, gutter rat like him with somebody like Ben around, somebody so much like her? Him moving on Jack wouldn't be like Barrol getting Lady, either. They were another ah those matched pairs; even if Barrol didn't know it yet.
And Barrol did have Lady. No doubt ah that. Jeeter hadn't meant to spy; only been wanting to locate Lady, deliver Sen's message and see what orders she had for him. Then there it was, right up on the main screen; her and Barrol's blips together in the bedroom ah her quarters. Ben'd clouded up heavy until he saw Jack's big smile. Damn, she smiled so pretty. Then the two ah 'em had a conversation so heavy into hacker lingo that Jeeter had trouble following it, especially because he was using it as a chance to contact Lady without 'em listening in.
Their conversation ended about the same time as his with Lady. So he still didn't get a clue as to what Jack had said but, whatever it was, it'd made the kid lighten up. He wasn't happy about it the way Jack was but he wasn't scowling. More looking thoughtful like he had after Barrol had talked to him when Lady fainted. Now, that was interesting.
Yeah, but that wasn't the same as him wanting Jack. No chance there. He'd learned to live with not having what he wanted a long time ago. He'd just have to do it again. He buried himself in the console, setting up all the camera angles in the library and making sure everything was on record mode to the protected file Lady wanted. Still, it was a relief when Jack and Ben decided to call it a day and left the bridge. It was a lot easier to stop wanting if you weren't having your face rubbed in it.
Sen and that merc, Red Rafferty, entered the library and Jeeter used 'em to make final adjustments to the cameras. Lady wanted constant film on each ah 'em; something about studying their faces and body language later. Then a soft voice brought him up straight, his head whipping around. Jack was standing behind the command slot.
"You're recording that for Captain Jen, aren't you. She doesn't trust her own people any more. Ben thinks the tarantula had to be an inside job. I guess she does, too. Oh, look. Ri..... Barrol is coming in with her. Damn! He's shaved. Scoot over. I want to watch this, too."
The comment about Barrol snapped Jeeter's attention back to the screen. Shaved? He'd scalped himself! If he'd looked scary before, shit, Holy Mother protect us now. Jeeter was so focused on the change in Barrol that he barely felt Jack move into the slot beside him. He was startled when he turned to find himself almost nose to nose with her. OH. This wasn't good. This really wasn't good. He scrambled for a way to get outa it.
"Ah ..... ah ... You ..... you really shouldn't be here. Lady .... she don't want anyone to know she's doing this."
Jack gave him a sweet, half pouty smile. He felt his insides turn to jelly.
"But, Jeeter, I was under siege by that merc and his men for days and days. They were going to kidnap me. Surely, I deserve to know what they're up to? I promise I won't tell on you if you let me watch. Not even Ben."
Ok. He couldn't argue with that. But he was pretty sure that it was the smile not the words that was getting to him. He tried again to put some distance between him and Jack.
"Well, let me put it on the com slot screen for you. The meeting might go for a while and you can get comfortable over there."
"That's not necessary. This chair must have been built for a giant. I'm just fine here. ... Unless you're not comfortable?"
Oh, Sweet Jesus, give me strength. But no help arrived and there was no way he could force himself to drive her away by hurting her feelings. She just wanted to be friends. Him wanting something else was his problem.
"No. I'm ok. ......Ah .... "
"Oh, they're starting. Turn the volume up a little."
Jeeter tried to concentrate on the meeting; tried to ignore the warm sweetness sitting so close to him. It didn't take long for that to become easier that he thought for. Oh, the first ah it was just a rehash of stuff he had already figured out; the merc working for some big law firm that was hot to burn the Company legally.
Then it got a little more interesting. Ben had done a real coredump to Jeeter on that 'Institute' of theirs and the shit the Company was doing to 'em. Now, Sen had gotten with the lawyers and they were gonna take on the Company on that too. The thing was, they wanted statements from Jack and Imam about the crash ah some ship called the Hunter-Gratzner as part of the deal.
Barrol went a little stiff on that one. Not so a stranger would notice but enough for Jeeter to see it. He was pretty sure that Lady knew he had, too, but she agreed to the statements like she didn't have any worry about it. Still, she made some terms ah her own. The questions would be in writing. Jack and Imam would answer the same way. No one could interview 'em in person. They wouldn't be showing up for any court but, if what they knew was important, they'd have their identities certified so it could be used. Rafferty could make sure that they were saying what they wanted to, not being forced.
He checked Jack out. She was looking interested but not real worried about it, either. He guessed that both Lady and Jack were sure they could cover what was bothering Barrol. Jeeter decided a little look-see at the reports on that crash wouldn't be a bad idea.
Then it got real interesting.
Sen had hired Rafferty and his men to do security for the group when they got settled. He was telling Lady he wanted her to pick up the rest ah 'em and to put 'em on as crew on the Hole.
"No."
She just said the one word and sat back. If Sen wanted an explanation or to argue about it, he was gonna have to make the first move; stick his neck out and show his cards first. Sen had a face harder to read than Barrol's but Jeeter would bet his poke that he wasn't real happy right now. The longer it took Sen to react, the more Jeeter was sure he was right about that. The man was his same quiet, benign self when he finally spoke but something in his eyes reminded Jeeter too much of G.
"I assure you, Jenna, I conferred with the rest of the group about this. I saw no reason to disturb your rest once a majority had been reached."
Majority? That only had to be three 'sides Sen. Jeeter had no trouble guessing who Sen'd gone to first to make sure he had it. The way the group lined out, Sen sure had the controlling vote. Disturb her rest, my ass. He just didn't want her maybe changing one of their minds. Shit!
Maybe him backing Lady that first meeting had just been 'cause she had more muscle on her side. But if Sen was thinking that now he and Rafferty could take Barrol and him, Jeeter guessed he'd better think again. 'Course Sen didn't know that it'd be three to two; didn't know what Lady'd learned to do on New Mecca. Rafferty might suspect that Lady had a hand in it but couldn't know for sure. Nobody had done any talking in front ah him.
"You misunderstand me, Mr. Sen. If the group wishes to hire Mr. Rafferty and his men rather than learning how to defend themselves, it is of no consequence to me. However, as captain of this ship, the safety of the ship is my first duty. I will not be dictated to as to whom I will or will not employ as crew. Nor, will I be dictated to as to whom I will or will not transport nor under what circumstances I will transport them. I had thought that I had made that quite clear."
Way to do it, Lady. Jeeter fingered the knife hilt at his side. On a secondary screen, he did a quick check of the locations of the terrible trio. They were all at their duty stations, a safe distance from the library. He relaxed again.
"Jenna, you are the only one of the group qualified to serve as captain and for many reasons a great deal more important than your ability to pilot. I would not have supported your claim to it otherwise. However, as preferable as it might be for the group to be able to defend ourselves, you must be realistic. While you, I and, quite probably, Syrus have the ability for that, the others have neither the mindset nor the stability to be depended upon in such a capacity. A trained security force is needed for the defense of the colony should that become necessary. As the elected leader of that colony, I must insist that you provide them transport.
"As for Mr. Rafferty and his men becoming a part of your crew, I intended that only as a recommendation. It was my thought that you would welcome the opportunity to fill your roister with experienced personnel. You can not continue indefinitely with only four individuals manning the bridge. Would you care to enlighten me as to why this is not acceptable to you?"
Recommendation, hell, it'd sounded like an order to Jeeter. He threw Jack a raised eyebrow and got a wicked smile and a snake like motion of her hand in return.
"He's a real bessa closer."
"Huh?"
Jack smiled mischieviously.
"A top notch stinger ......... He could make a very good living as a con artist. A real mark wouldn't stand a chance."
Now, where'd a nice kid like her picked up that kind of street knowing? He didn't have time to think further about that as Lady began talking again.
"I will be happy to do that ..... once you have told me why, with a ship of their own, Mr. Rafferty's men need transport on my ship?"
Both Jeeter and Jack started when Rafferty laughed.
"Captain, you're as good as Mr. Sen claimed you were. I wouldn't allow a force of unknown mercs aboard my ship, either. I apologize for this farce but I found it very hard to believe that someone institution raised could be all that he said you were. Then there was also the fact that you were too influenced by emotion when you allowed the transmission from the skimmer. I wanted some proof that you were better than that. I won't risk my people unless I can be sure mistakes like that aren't going to happen again. My man had your location pinpointed by your second sentence."
Now, Lady laughed.
"Not hardly, Mr. Rafferty. The skimmer's com system has cycling reflection with power modulation. The track he received came from every direction possible with no variation in strength. Even a Hauser Mark Z-XII couldn't detect a location."
Rafferty looked puzzled. Served him right to have the tables turned. Some cajones, him thinking he had the right to test Lady. Maybe Jeeter'd just see how the merc liked a little testing going the other direction.
"Z ... XII? The highest Hauser makes is a IX and there is no Z series."
"The Z series is produced only for the Forces; Eyes Only technology. If our association proves stable, I'll have Ben whip you up as many as you need. You will also be provided with compatible coding programming to communicate with the colony and my ship. Now, answer me why your men require transport on my ship? Or was that simply part of your .. test?"
Oh, that pause. Lady wasn't taking that test shit as easy as Jeeter had thought she was. Rafferty'd better watch his back on this one. Jeeter was really gonna enjoy it if Lady decided to rip some skin off ah the merc.
"No, Captain. The men I am supplying the colony will require transport. They aren't the same type as the ones that were with me on New Mecca. Mr. Sen has discussed your group's plan to begin a colony and recruit settlers, artisans and such. The men I am supplying are on average older that the young bucks I use on trouble jobs and all have families, wives and children, that will relocate with them."
"And why would they be willing to do that? To leave all but what they can carry and move to a colony world?"
Jeeter thought he knew the answer to that one. He was real interested in seeing if Rafferty would talk square to Lady.
"Because, Captain, it isn't easy for our kind if we try an settle down. We just don't seem to fit in with civilians very well. We have to lie about what we've been, make up cover stories. They don't like the idea that good old John who lives next door knows a thousand and one ways to kill them before they have time to blink.
"A lot of them would have already colonized but they can't afford the fees for anything but a first-in world; not some place you would take a family if you had any other choice. Your colony would be different; all the perks of an established settlement with none of the drawbacks. There would be housing, an excellent medical facility and education for their children and, with no entry debt to pay off and fairly priced import and export, they could be certain they weren't going to be nothing but indentured slaves for several generations.
"Don't worry, I'll have no trouble finding takers from the best of them to fill every slot you've got open. They'll also have other occupations besides killing. Two I have in mind are herdsmen. One raises Lartian cattle and the other, horses. They will want to add their own lines to your genetic banks."
Damn, Lady sure sat up on that one.
"Horses? ... as in Equus, Earth horses?"
At Rafferty's nod, she continued, snapping it out like orders.
"Tell him to research the proper meds for hyper and I'll turn every inch of the common areas into stables for him. To be fair, I'll do the same for the cattleman. If you can find a pig, or reasonable facsimile, farmer, he gets the same privilege. In fact, the same for any raising food animals. Any farmers or gardeners are required to bring their seed collections. I will also transport any specialized equipment for any occupation. If such is too large for easy handling, have them pod it. The same for their household furnishing and personal property. If they pod it, I'll transport it."
Then Lady slowed down and her voice got all sweet like.
"You see, Mr. Rafferty, I can be very accommodating ........ if you give me a reason to be."
Jeeter couldn't stifle his chuckling. The merc looked like he'd had a run in with a stunner. Then, Lady got her revenge.
"But, since we are in a 'testing' mood. I have one for you. There was a child left behind on New Mecca. I want you to arrange for the rescue of that child before we discuss this any further. When you have decided whether or not to take my challenge, com the bridge. Good day, gentlemen."
Lady stood and she and Barrol were outa the library at a fast walk. They weren't rushing but they were gonna to be at the elevator before Jack could get there from the bridge. Jeeter was still thinking when Jack acted. Jumping up, she headed for the bay hatch.
"I'll hide out until they've passed and then act like I'm just coming in from the core."
Jeeter was about to give her security clearance on the bay hatches when his conscience hit him up the side ah the head. It wasn't a big shot, his conscience was pretty puny from lack ah exercise, but he felt it.
"No! Lady's got too many people playing games with her. You go sit in the nav slot and don't worry. It'll be my neck not yours 'cause I'm the one broke orders."
Jack gave him a strange questioning look.
"You sure about this?"
"Yeah, Lady's been straight with me, I gotta play the same with her. You just stay mum and I'll take the heat. Like I said, she ain't gonna blame you anyhow. But you better sit in your nav slot and say you watched from there. Barrol I ain't as ready to be so honest with."
Jack's laughter was like silver bells but her eyes were something wicked. Damn! what he had admitted to with that last one!
"I'm eighteen, Jeeter. Who I choose to .... to be close to .. is my own business. Big Bro is just going to have to get used to that. But, I'll play it your way ..... for now."
As she moved to the nav slot, her hips moved in a gentle, easy sway that he couldn't take his eyes off of. Her words kept ricocheting inside his head. She couldn'ta meant what it sounded like. She really couldn'ta. But the look in those eyes had said that she did.
No! She was just a kid. Raised by a holy man, for Christ sake! She had no idea what she was messing with; no idea of how black a man's soul could get living like him and Barrol had had to live. Barrol for a big bro was one thing, a man like him for 'her man' was something else. Even if she meant it, he couldn't let nothing come of it. The Blessed Mother might forgive a lota things but not something as low as that.
They had time to get settled and put on their faces before Lady and Barrol arrived on the bridge. For Barrol it worked but Lady wasn't buying it. He could see it in the slight narrowing of her eyes that she knew they'd been up to something. He confessed before she had to ask.
"I let her watch, Captain. She woulda left if I'd told her to."
"And why didn't you, Second Officer?"
Lady's face wasn't telling him a thing. He couldn't decide if he should try some excuse or not. Then, Jack was standing up. Shit! Why didn't she just lay low like he told her?
"He's lying .... to protect me. He told me to leave and I wouldn't. What could he do? Throw me out physically? I can just imagine Bro's reaction to that."
Jeeter snuck a look at Barrol. Hell! He had that twisted smile like he thought it was funny, like maybe Jack had pulled the same shit on him.
"This isn't the streets, Jack. He's Second on this ship. Next time you forget that, he has my 'ok' to do what ever you force him to do to carry out his orders! Clear?"
Barrol was serious but Jeeter was damn sure that he didn't want to put that 'ok' to a test.
"Yes, Bro." Then she turned to him. "I apologize, Second. I had no right to put you in that position."
Her voice sounded like she meant it but, as she turned to sit back down and Barrol couldn't see her face, she winked at Jeeter. He didn't know what to think about that. She had covered his back. Why'd she done that? And what was that crack ah Barrol's about this not being the streets? Jeeter decided he better do some finding out and a lota thinking before he did something that might be real stupid.
Then, he looked at Lady. She had the same wicked look in her eyes that Jack had had earlier but there was some kind of warning there, too.
Oh, yeah. He really needed to do that thinking. He had a lot more to worry about than Barrol breaking him in half.
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Chapter 26 - Testing, Testing
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Jeeter didn't feel comfortable sitting in the captain's slot. He woulda used his own weapons/security slot to watch and record the meeting with Sen but both Jack and Ben were still on the bridge. Lady'd made it real clear that she didn't want anyone to know what he was doing.
Had to give her credit. She was too trusting for her own good but she wasn't blind about it. Still, it was a puzzle that she trusted him and Barrol over 'em that raised her. What'd Ben said? Like since she was seven or eight for Sen, Syrus and David. The jerk, Jeff, had shown up later. When Jeeter had asked why there weren't any women in the group, Ben had got all bent and snapped off that women didn't go genius like men did. Jeeter couldn't buy that one. After a little thought, he decided the truth probably was that women, genius or not, were a hell ah a lot better at surviving on their own. Most ah the ones that he'd known were.
But, weird collection that it was, they were Lady's family and she was trusting him and Barrol and having the security system watch and record the others every move; even Ben. The only way he could figure it was that they really weren't blood to her in the first place and that Lady was smart enough to know that contracts were more binding than blood anyway. That was why family most always worked for the same boss or gang. You didn't, you might wind up having to kill each other.
Then there was that tarantula thing. Him or Barrol coulda put the tracker box in the bay but that fancy techno-shit had to be someone in the group doing a deal with the wrong people. But who? In the short time he had had to study 'em, there were only two that he would trust; well, trust to be for Lady whatever came down; Ben and, here was the real shocker to admit, Syrus.
The guy was as scary as Barrol in his own way. Truth, he was scarier. With Barrol you had something to work with. He had rules. Street rules, slam rules; sure, but rules. With Syrus you just didn't know. Well, that wasn't completely right. Jeeter had managed to find two things he could be sure ah. Syrus loved Lady the way Barrol loved Jack and Syrus didn't fool around when it came to the doctor stuff.
The first Jeeter'd seen in the bay of the BC. The look'a pride on Syrus' face at the way she handled Nagia told that story. The second Jetter'd found out just a little later in the infirmary.
Syrus'd had the holyman settled, the poison Nagia'd used identified and an antidote pumping into the old man before they had finished transferring the plants from the BC. Then, when he'd given Nagia a padd and stylus to record all her plants and what they did, he'd been real patient explaining that all she had to do was write in New Meccan and the computer would translate for her. Patient about telling her how the hydro-garden worked, too. 'Course, when he caught sighta Jeeter still hanging around, he'd got snarky again.
"I can't imaging that the ship's Security Officer has any further business in my infirmary. I would hate to think that you are contemplating renewing the aggressive stance of our first meeting."
The sneery smile and the gleam in his eyes didn't say that he would hate it. Lady'd been right about watching him on that. Then maybe he thought Jeeter was there to hassle Nagia. Jeeter wouldn'ta liked someone doing that either.
"Nah, you're not the slime G was. I just wanta see about getting my eyes fixed. Lady promised me the same job her and First got. I'm gonna be down for sleep time anyway and wondered if you could fit me in."
"My God, I am running a walk-in clinic."
But, Syrus'd already been reaching for the color chart book. He hadn't treated Jeeter like an idiot when he explained the process and, shock, he'd called it a "wise decision" when Jeeter opted to keep the dark brown eye color he'd been born with and keep the night shine to a minimum. He'd meant it, too; no sneer. It'd been the same when Syrus roused him outa the chamber, checked the healing and did the tests on his vision. But that had ended it.
"Perfect. Now, get out and stop cluttering up my infirmary."
Jeeter decided that Syrus had a rule about that snarkiness, too. It wasn't fun if you weren't strong enough to be fair game. That's why the patience with Nagia, someone he barely knew, and the games he played with Lady, maybe the only person he really gave a shit about.
This observation brought Jeeter back to the present and more thoughts about the attempts to sell the group out. The only way he could see it was that there was two; one real smart and one pretty stupid. The tarantula had been smart but the box was stupid. In fact, the box had been a piece ah luck insteada the trouble it was meant to be. Without it, they probably wouldn'ta went red zone and Ben wouldn'ta found the other ...... or maybe not found it so quick. That kid is a genius. Well, yeah, he is. But what did that make Jack? The way she was sucking up everything he could throw at her and begging for more.
Jeeter watched the two, their heads ear to ear and their eyes shining with excitement. Hell, he liked hacking but it didn't turn him on that much. Those two looked good together, too good. They were a pair, all right; a pair that 'big brother' Barrol would approve ah. But, Sweet Mother, the girl was so .............. everything; young, beautiful, smart, ..... tall, blond, willowy ... beautiful ....... What would she want with a sawed off, ugly, gutter rat like him with somebody like Ben around, somebody so much like her? Him moving on Jack wouldn't be like Barrol getting Lady, either. They were another ah those matched pairs; even if Barrol didn't know it yet.
And Barrol did have Lady. No doubt ah that. Jeeter hadn't meant to spy; only been wanting to locate Lady, deliver Sen's message and see what orders she had for him. Then there it was, right up on the main screen; her and Barrol's blips together in the bedroom ah her quarters. Ben'd clouded up heavy until he saw Jack's big smile. Damn, she smiled so pretty. Then the two ah 'em had a conversation so heavy into hacker lingo that Jeeter had trouble following it, especially because he was using it as a chance to contact Lady without 'em listening in.
Their conversation ended about the same time as his with Lady. So he still didn't get a clue as to what Jack had said but, whatever it was, it'd made the kid lighten up. He wasn't happy about it the way Jack was but he wasn't scowling. More looking thoughtful like he had after Barrol had talked to him when Lady fainted. Now, that was interesting.
Yeah, but that wasn't the same as him wanting Jack. No chance there. He'd learned to live with not having what he wanted a long time ago. He'd just have to do it again. He buried himself in the console, setting up all the camera angles in the library and making sure everything was on record mode to the protected file Lady wanted. Still, it was a relief when Jack and Ben decided to call it a day and left the bridge. It was a lot easier to stop wanting if you weren't having your face rubbed in it.
Sen and that merc, Red Rafferty, entered the library and Jeeter used 'em to make final adjustments to the cameras. Lady wanted constant film on each ah 'em; something about studying their faces and body language later. Then a soft voice brought him up straight, his head whipping around. Jack was standing behind the command slot.
"You're recording that for Captain Jen, aren't you. She doesn't trust her own people any more. Ben thinks the tarantula had to be an inside job. I guess she does, too. Oh, look. Ri..... Barrol is coming in with her. Damn! He's shaved. Scoot over. I want to watch this, too."
The comment about Barrol snapped Jeeter's attention back to the screen. Shaved? He'd scalped himself! If he'd looked scary before, shit, Holy Mother protect us now. Jeeter was so focused on the change in Barrol that he barely felt Jack move into the slot beside him. He was startled when he turned to find himself almost nose to nose with her. OH. This wasn't good. This really wasn't good. He scrambled for a way to get outa it.
"Ah ..... ah ... You ..... you really shouldn't be here. Lady .... she don't want anyone to know she's doing this."
Jack gave him a sweet, half pouty smile. He felt his insides turn to jelly.
"But, Jeeter, I was under siege by that merc and his men for days and days. They were going to kidnap me. Surely, I deserve to know what they're up to? I promise I won't tell on you if you let me watch. Not even Ben."
Ok. He couldn't argue with that. But he was pretty sure that it was the smile not the words that was getting to him. He tried again to put some distance between him and Jack.
"Well, let me put it on the com slot screen for you. The meeting might go for a while and you can get comfortable over there."
"That's not necessary. This chair must have been built for a giant. I'm just fine here. ... Unless you're not comfortable?"
Oh, Sweet Jesus, give me strength. But no help arrived and there was no way he could force himself to drive her away by hurting her feelings. She just wanted to be friends. Him wanting something else was his problem.
"No. I'm ok. ......Ah .... "
"Oh, they're starting. Turn the volume up a little."
Jeeter tried to concentrate on the meeting; tried to ignore the warm sweetness sitting so close to him. It didn't take long for that to become easier that he thought for. Oh, the first ah it was just a rehash of stuff he had already figured out; the merc working for some big law firm that was hot to burn the Company legally.
Then it got a little more interesting. Ben had done a real coredump to Jeeter on that 'Institute' of theirs and the shit the Company was doing to 'em. Now, Sen had gotten with the lawyers and they were gonna take on the Company on that too. The thing was, they wanted statements from Jack and Imam about the crash ah some ship called the Hunter-Gratzner as part of the deal.
Barrol went a little stiff on that one. Not so a stranger would notice but enough for Jeeter to see it. He was pretty sure that Lady knew he had, too, but she agreed to the statements like she didn't have any worry about it. Still, she made some terms ah her own. The questions would be in writing. Jack and Imam would answer the same way. No one could interview 'em in person. They wouldn't be showing up for any court but, if what they knew was important, they'd have their identities certified so it could be used. Rafferty could make sure that they were saying what they wanted to, not being forced.
He checked Jack out. She was looking interested but not real worried about it, either. He guessed that both Lady and Jack were sure they could cover what was bothering Barrol. Jeeter decided a little look-see at the reports on that crash wouldn't be a bad idea.
Then it got real interesting.
Sen had hired Rafferty and his men to do security for the group when they got settled. He was telling Lady he wanted her to pick up the rest ah 'em and to put 'em on as crew on the Hole.
"No."
She just said the one word and sat back. If Sen wanted an explanation or to argue about it, he was gonna have to make the first move; stick his neck out and show his cards first. Sen had a face harder to read than Barrol's but Jeeter would bet his poke that he wasn't real happy right now. The longer it took Sen to react, the more Jeeter was sure he was right about that. The man was his same quiet, benign self when he finally spoke but something in his eyes reminded Jeeter too much of G.
"I assure you, Jenna, I conferred with the rest of the group about this. I saw no reason to disturb your rest once a majority had been reached."
Majority? That only had to be three 'sides Sen. Jeeter had no trouble guessing who Sen'd gone to first to make sure he had it. The way the group lined out, Sen sure had the controlling vote. Disturb her rest, my ass. He just didn't want her maybe changing one of their minds. Shit!
Maybe him backing Lady that first meeting had just been 'cause she had more muscle on her side. But if Sen was thinking that now he and Rafferty could take Barrol and him, Jeeter guessed he'd better think again. 'Course Sen didn't know that it'd be three to two; didn't know what Lady'd learned to do on New Mecca. Rafferty might suspect that Lady had a hand in it but couldn't know for sure. Nobody had done any talking in front ah him.
"You misunderstand me, Mr. Sen. If the group wishes to hire Mr. Rafferty and his men rather than learning how to defend themselves, it is of no consequence to me. However, as captain of this ship, the safety of the ship is my first duty. I will not be dictated to as to whom I will or will not employ as crew. Nor, will I be dictated to as to whom I will or will not transport nor under what circumstances I will transport them. I had thought that I had made that quite clear."
Way to do it, Lady. Jeeter fingered the knife hilt at his side. On a secondary screen, he did a quick check of the locations of the terrible trio. They were all at their duty stations, a safe distance from the library. He relaxed again.
"Jenna, you are the only one of the group qualified to serve as captain and for many reasons a great deal more important than your ability to pilot. I would not have supported your claim to it otherwise. However, as preferable as it might be for the group to be able to defend ourselves, you must be realistic. While you, I and, quite probably, Syrus have the ability for that, the others have neither the mindset nor the stability to be depended upon in such a capacity. A trained security force is needed for the defense of the colony should that become necessary. As the elected leader of that colony, I must insist that you provide them transport.
"As for Mr. Rafferty and his men becoming a part of your crew, I intended that only as a recommendation. It was my thought that you would welcome the opportunity to fill your roister with experienced personnel. You can not continue indefinitely with only four individuals manning the bridge. Would you care to enlighten me as to why this is not acceptable to you?"
Recommendation, hell, it'd sounded like an order to Jeeter. He threw Jack a raised eyebrow and got a wicked smile and a snake like motion of her hand in return.
"He's a real bessa closer."
"Huh?"
Jack smiled mischieviously.
"A top notch stinger ......... He could make a very good living as a con artist. A real mark wouldn't stand a chance."
Now, where'd a nice kid like her picked up that kind of street knowing? He didn't have time to think further about that as Lady began talking again.
"I will be happy to do that ..... once you have told me why, with a ship of their own, Mr. Rafferty's men need transport on my ship?"
Both Jeeter and Jack started when Rafferty laughed.
"Captain, you're as good as Mr. Sen claimed you were. I wouldn't allow a force of unknown mercs aboard my ship, either. I apologize for this farce but I found it very hard to believe that someone institution raised could be all that he said you were. Then there was also the fact that you were too influenced by emotion when you allowed the transmission from the skimmer. I wanted some proof that you were better than that. I won't risk my people unless I can be sure mistakes like that aren't going to happen again. My man had your location pinpointed by your second sentence."
Now, Lady laughed.
"Not hardly, Mr. Rafferty. The skimmer's com system has cycling reflection with power modulation. The track he received came from every direction possible with no variation in strength. Even a Hauser Mark Z-XII couldn't detect a location."
Rafferty looked puzzled. Served him right to have the tables turned. Some cajones, him thinking he had the right to test Lady. Maybe Jeeter'd just see how the merc liked a little testing going the other direction.
"Z ... XII? The highest Hauser makes is a IX and there is no Z series."
"The Z series is produced only for the Forces; Eyes Only technology. If our association proves stable, I'll have Ben whip you up as many as you need. You will also be provided with compatible coding programming to communicate with the colony and my ship. Now, answer me why your men require transport on my ship? Or was that simply part of your .. test?"
Oh, that pause. Lady wasn't taking that test shit as easy as Jeeter had thought she was. Rafferty'd better watch his back on this one. Jeeter was really gonna enjoy it if Lady decided to rip some skin off ah the merc.
"No, Captain. The men I am supplying the colony will require transport. They aren't the same type as the ones that were with me on New Mecca. Mr. Sen has discussed your group's plan to begin a colony and recruit settlers, artisans and such. The men I am supplying are on average older that the young bucks I use on trouble jobs and all have families, wives and children, that will relocate with them."
"And why would they be willing to do that? To leave all but what they can carry and move to a colony world?"
Jeeter thought he knew the answer to that one. He was real interested in seeing if Rafferty would talk square to Lady.
"Because, Captain, it isn't easy for our kind if we try an settle down. We just don't seem to fit in with civilians very well. We have to lie about what we've been, make up cover stories. They don't like the idea that good old John who lives next door knows a thousand and one ways to kill them before they have time to blink.
"A lot of them would have already colonized but they can't afford the fees for anything but a first-in world; not some place you would take a family if you had any other choice. Your colony would be different; all the perks of an established settlement with none of the drawbacks. There would be housing, an excellent medical facility and education for their children and, with no entry debt to pay off and fairly priced import and export, they could be certain they weren't going to be nothing but indentured slaves for several generations.
"Don't worry, I'll have no trouble finding takers from the best of them to fill every slot you've got open. They'll also have other occupations besides killing. Two I have in mind are herdsmen. One raises Lartian cattle and the other, horses. They will want to add their own lines to your genetic banks."
Damn, Lady sure sat up on that one.
"Horses? ... as in Equus, Earth horses?"
At Rafferty's nod, she continued, snapping it out like orders.
"Tell him to research the proper meds for hyper and I'll turn every inch of the common areas into stables for him. To be fair, I'll do the same for the cattleman. If you can find a pig, or reasonable facsimile, farmer, he gets the same privilege. In fact, the same for any raising food animals. Any farmers or gardeners are required to bring their seed collections. I will also transport any specialized equipment for any occupation. If such is too large for easy handling, have them pod it. The same for their household furnishing and personal property. If they pod it, I'll transport it."
Then Lady slowed down and her voice got all sweet like.
"You see, Mr. Rafferty, I can be very accommodating ........ if you give me a reason to be."
Jeeter couldn't stifle his chuckling. The merc looked like he'd had a run in with a stunner. Then, Lady got her revenge.
"But, since we are in a 'testing' mood. I have one for you. There was a child left behind on New Mecca. I want you to arrange for the rescue of that child before we discuss this any further. When you have decided whether or not to take my challenge, com the bridge. Good day, gentlemen."
Lady stood and she and Barrol were outa the library at a fast walk. They weren't rushing but they were gonna to be at the elevator before Jack could get there from the bridge. Jeeter was still thinking when Jack acted. Jumping up, she headed for the bay hatch.
"I'll hide out until they've passed and then act like I'm just coming in from the core."
Jeeter was about to give her security clearance on the bay hatches when his conscience hit him up the side ah the head. It wasn't a big shot, his conscience was pretty puny from lack ah exercise, but he felt it.
"No! Lady's got too many people playing games with her. You go sit in the nav slot and don't worry. It'll be my neck not yours 'cause I'm the one broke orders."
Jack gave him a strange questioning look.
"You sure about this?"
"Yeah, Lady's been straight with me, I gotta play the same with her. You just stay mum and I'll take the heat. Like I said, she ain't gonna blame you anyhow. But you better sit in your nav slot and say you watched from there. Barrol I ain't as ready to be so honest with."
Jack's laughter was like silver bells but her eyes were something wicked. Damn! what he had admitted to with that last one!
"I'm eighteen, Jeeter. Who I choose to .... to be close to .. is my own business. Big Bro is just going to have to get used to that. But, I'll play it your way ..... for now."
As she moved to the nav slot, her hips moved in a gentle, easy sway that he couldn't take his eyes off of. Her words kept ricocheting inside his head. She couldn'ta meant what it sounded like. She really couldn'ta. But the look in those eyes had said that she did.
No! She was just a kid. Raised by a holy man, for Christ sake! She had no idea what she was messing with; no idea of how black a man's soul could get living like him and Barrol had had to live. Barrol for a big bro was one thing, a man like him for 'her man' was something else. Even if she meant it, he couldn't let nothing come of it. The Blessed Mother might forgive a lota things but not something as low as that.
They had time to get settled and put on their faces before Lady and Barrol arrived on the bridge. For Barrol it worked but Lady wasn't buying it. He could see it in the slight narrowing of her eyes that she knew they'd been up to something. He confessed before she had to ask.
"I let her watch, Captain. She woulda left if I'd told her to."
"And why didn't you, Second Officer?"
Lady's face wasn't telling him a thing. He couldn't decide if he should try some excuse or not. Then, Jack was standing up. Shit! Why didn't she just lay low like he told her?
"He's lying .... to protect me. He told me to leave and I wouldn't. What could he do? Throw me out physically? I can just imagine Bro's reaction to that."
Jeeter snuck a look at Barrol. Hell! He had that twisted smile like he thought it was funny, like maybe Jack had pulled the same shit on him.
"This isn't the streets, Jack. He's Second on this ship. Next time you forget that, he has my 'ok' to do what ever you force him to do to carry out his orders! Clear?"
Barrol was serious but Jeeter was damn sure that he didn't want to put that 'ok' to a test.
"Yes, Bro." Then she turned to him. "I apologize, Second. I had no right to put you in that position."
Her voice sounded like she meant it but, as she turned to sit back down and Barrol couldn't see her face, she winked at Jeeter. He didn't know what to think about that. She had covered his back. Why'd she done that? And what was that crack ah Barrol's about this not being the streets? Jeeter decided he better do some finding out and a lota thinking before he did something that might be real stupid.
Then, he looked at Lady. She had the same wicked look in her eyes that Jack had had earlier but there was some kind of warning there, too.
Oh, yeah. He really needed to do that thinking. He had a lot more to worry about than Barrol breaking him in half.
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