Chapter 15 – Corso's Replacement

Corso winced, cursing under his breath as he wrangled his way out of the shoulder straps of Ms. Puffs' harness. He clenched his teeth, breathing slowly and steadily as the pain in his side receded somewhat, then made his way toward the ship's lounge. It was difficult to walk normally, but he thought he did a pretty good job.

Vacy was there with Bowdaar. She frowned when she saw him walk in. "Riggs, shouldn't you be in the med bay?" she asked, peering at him somewhat suspiciously.

"Nah, I'm fine," he replied, waving one hand dismissively. "Already checked in with C2 an' everything, just like I said. Nothin' a little kolto won't fix." He set Ms. Puffs and Grabber on the counter, then rummaged through the drawers, pulling out tools and supplies. "Besides, I need to get Grabber offa here right quick so's we can head out an' free those slaves."

Glancing at Bowdaar with an apologetic smile, Vacy walked slowly up to the counter. "Ah… Riggs… I asked Bowdaar if he'd come along with me on that mission. You need to rest a bit."

Corso paused, setting his hands palm-down on the counter, and looked at Vacy, his jaw tight. "Captain, I told you, I'm fine. Now you're the boss, so if there's somethin' you need me t'do here, that's fine, but don't expect me to just sit around while you're out there gettin' shot at." He picked up a screwdriver with significantly more energy than was actually required and went to work on the harness.

It didn't take long for his shoulders to loosen up a bit, and a few moments later, a smile played over his lips. "Besides. That speeder of yours barely holds the two of us." He glanced over at Bowdaar, grinning. "Actually, might be rather innerestin' t'see just how the pair a' you manages to fit on that one little seat."

Vacy blushed deeply, pressing her mouth tightly closed. Wouldn't do to laugh, not at the moment. She looked at the Wookiee with her brows quirked upward. "He does have a point," she admitted.

Bowdaar let out a howl and a series of short barks interspersed with rumbling. "Captain, if it is all the same to you, I would prefer not to fight, when possible. I know that you were introduced to me as a warrior, and it is true that I have no small skill at arms, but that was out of necessity due to culture and my enslavement. By choice, I am a pacifist."

Given that his vocabulary up to this point had consisted of "I will never forget this service," "Yes, Captain," and "I will not fail," there were several moments of stunned silence that followed Bowdaar's speech.

"Well… Bowdaar… if that's what you'd like, sure, that's fine," Vacy said when she was coherent enough that she didn't think she'd stammer. She shook her head, as though to clear it, and then added, "Y'know, if you're gonna stay here, why don't you have C2 debrief you on the co-pilot's console and expected duties?"

Bowdaar growled his assent with a short nod and headed out to the hallway.

Corso looked up a moment later. "Captain?" he said quietly.

She turned around and smiled. "Yeah?"

"Have I… did I do somethin' wrong?" Grabber was back to her original state, if a bit worse for the wear. Corso had gathered up his tools, but had paused to look at Vacy, worry in his eyes.

Her smile faded and her brows pulled together. "Well – beyond nearly killing yourself with that thing?" she said, nodding to Ms. Puffs. "No… why?"

He went for a smile, but it was a little uncertain. "Just – well, first you ask me to stay here and you were gonna have Bowdaar go with you instead. Then you tell him to study up on co-piloting… and…" He lifted one shoulder, looking down.

Biting back a grin, Vacy nodded, her heart softening. "No. It's not like that at all." He looked up at her uncertainly, and she nodded again. "Honest. Cross-training's important in a small crew." She narrowed her eyes at him, one brow arching. "I mean, c'mon. You get yourself banged up all the time, Farm Boy. Sooner or later, the time'll come when for one reason or another, you can't be in that seat, and I'm gonna need somebody else to fill in for you. I s'pose it might not ever happen, but we need to be ready in case it does. I promise, though, it'd only be a temporary substitution."

She took a careful breath before continuing. "And… that brings up something I've been meaning to ask you. I'm gonna get Rish to give me some pointers on engine repair. But I need to cross-train someone to pilot if I'm not available." She saw him frown, and then his eyes widened as he realized what she was going to say a split-second before she said it. "Think you could manage that?"

"Pilot the Wonder?" He did a rather good impression of a ghoti, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly several times before he managed to stammer out, "I – well – Captain, I'd be honored to. If… if you're sure?"

Vacy reached over and placed her hand on top of his. "I am," she said quietly. "I trust you, Corso. There isn't anyone else I'd rather have backing me up."

He looked down and carefully turned his hand palm-up, and then closed his fingers gently around hers.

With a smile, she squeezed his hand, and then, laughing, she stepped away. "Now get a move on, Riggs, we've got some heads to bust!"

"Full speed ahead!" Corso replied. Smiling broadly, he slung Grabber over his shoulder and jogged after her.