Chapter 9 – Down to Business

It wasn't quite yet morning when a solitary door cracked open and Amelia's head peeked from Doppler's quarters. Her glance darted up and down the hallway, making certain no one was there. It wouldn't do to be seen leaving Delbert's quarters at this early hour.

Once certain no one was about, she opened the door a bit wider, readying for her covert departure. A moment later, she found herself unceremoniously pulled back in and on the receiving end of one very thorough kiss. When she could finally pull away, she was left breathless.

Delbert winked. "That's to make certain you don't forget about me."

"Hardly," she murmured, still a little dazed. "I'll see you in a few minutes?"

"You will." He released her hand. "I love you, you know."

"And I you," she smiled softly, before letting her hand fall to her side and assuming her captain façade.

When he took his place at the conference table a few minutes later, Delbert was pleased to note Amelia was slightly off-kilter. His lips curled in a satisfied smile and he dropped a quick wink before focusing his attention on the papers in front of him.

She noticed his gaze and felt a faint blush tinge her cheeks. Damn you, Delbert Doppler, she thought with an inward smile. You're the only man I know who can still make me blush like a schoolgirl. She frowned slightly. Did I even blush when I was a schoolgirl?

It was highly unlikely, she reasoned. Her schoolgirl days consisted of pirate stories, sailing with her father and proving to that she could be just as tough as any boy. She smiled to herself. Ah, those were the days. But, now was not the time to reflect on that. She had a damaged ship to tend to, and the gentlemen seated before her would be able to tell her exactly what needed to be done.

Reports from weapons were heartening. The crew had managed to fire off several well-placed shots yet still maintain almost complete capacity levels on ammunition. A damaged sail needed extensive repair work, but the reserve sail would tide them until the repairs could be completed.

Amelia took all of this in with a satisfied nod. The Legacy had held her ground and looked as if she would need only a few hours more before being ready to get underway again. A subconscious weight lifted off Amelia's shoulders. While she had mostly known her ship would be seaworthy without too much trouble, the concern and worry were still present throughout the night. Of course, those two demons had been given a slight reprieve for a while when Delbert had given her other things to think about. She smiled and glanced over at Delbert who had his head bent down over a book of star charts, and then shook herself free of those thoughts. She had a ship to tend to. What was she doing letting her mind wander. It was highly unlikely for her. She filed that question away for later reflection and brought her attention back to the briefing, listening carefully as Ravenwood detailed the engineering crew's all-night efforts to repair the Legacy'saft thrusters, which had sustained considerable damage in the previous day's firefight. She was pleased to hear they were almost fully functional. Working with a damaged sail was one thing, a damaged thruster … well that was another matter entirely.

As Ravenwood finished, Amelia had only one question for her trusted engineer, only one concern which must be addressed.

"Mr. Ravenwood, would you say we'll be ready to resume course by 1230 hours?"

"Most certainly, Captain. I wouldn't be surprised if we could do it by 1145."

"Then so be it. I expect to be underway at 1115."

Ravenwood smiled. He should have known better. "Aye, Captain. 1115."

"Very good. Well gentlemen," Amelia announced, looking around the table and rubbing her hands together briskly. "Let us conclude our meeting and be about our business. I, for one, have much to get ready before we depart."

Murmurs of agreement met her announcement and in a few minutes the cabin had emptied out, leaving only Delbert and Amelia.

She waited until everyone was gone before turning away from the table and strolling over to the cabinet against the far wall. Delbert watched her as she walked, content to wait for her to speak. She finally obliged him, wheeling around and fixing him with eyes narrowed.

"Smugness does not become you, Doctor," Amelia frowned. "It doesn't suit you at all."

Doppler raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Do I seem smug to you? Hmm. I would have rather thought it was more like satisfied. Very, very satisfied ... oww!" He cried out rubbing his upper left arm where Amelia had just landed a well-placed blow.

Amelia smirked and flexed her fingers as she uncurled her fist. "This, my dear doctor, is the look of someone who is quite satisfied. Yours, I reiterate, was smug."

"Quite right," he agreed, not wanting to have a matching bruise on the other arm.

"I'm glad we're in accord. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bridge I must attend to."

Doppler watched her waltz toward the door, frowning while still rubbing his arm. "I must teach her to express herself in less violent ways," he muttered.

"Coming, Dr. Doppler?" Amelia smiled. She reached out to grasp the doorknob, but the door swung open to reveal Ambassador Wellington.

"Captain Amelia, if you've a few moments, I'd like to discuss a few items with you about docking at Ronan."

Delbert glanced a wary eye at the ambassador. What was it about the man that rubbed him the wrong way?

"Of course, Ambassador. Please do come in."

"Please. Call me Drake. Ambassador is too formal for two souls of the Etherium."

Amelia frowned slightly. "Souls of the Etherium. Where have I heard that? It is quite familiar."

"Minx," Drake drawled with a wide smile.

"Now wait one minute," Delbert interjected, jumping in to wave a finger beneath Drake's nose. "Slang like that is insulting, not to mention highly inappropriate given your and the Captain's positions, and I–"

"Done Minx, Doctor," Amelia growled. "Poet Laureate of Felinia."

Doppler's face dropped. "Oh, I see. Well, I uh …"

Amelia sighed and turned back to Drake. "Ambassador you were saying?"

"There are a few kinks I'd like to work out."

Doppler didn't like the way the man was leering at Amelia. How could she not see it? He couldn't quite pin it down, but he was very much inclined to stay around while the man was in Amelia's company. But apparently Amelia was not of the same mind.

"Of course," she acquiesced. "Doctor, if you would kindly excuse yourself."

"What-," Doppler looked surprised at the dismissal, while Drake merely smirked in his direction. "I, uh, yes, of course, Captain. I have to see to some navigation charts."

"Very good, Doctor," she nodded before turning to Drake and closing the door behind one very confused canid. "You were saying, Ambassador?