Still not getting paid. But that's okay, since I do love it so.
Chapter Twenty One
Time in deep space was funny. It passed slowly and quickly at the same time. A contradiction that made deep space work difficult for some but perfect for others. It might take days or even weeks to reach your destination, but work aboard ship was rarely done, merely up to date.
Sometimes it seemed as if all you could do was wait. Jayne Cobb had patience but he was also on edge. After four days in the black aboard the small ship Fury, he was feeling closed in. He took advantage of Bosch's offer of the treadmill and weights, sometimes working himself to complete exhaustion so that he could sleep.
The work felt good and the pent up energy was expended each day in exercise, but his mind was always working. Thinking. Planning and plotting.
His talk with Many-Horses had gone well. By now the old man would have begun laying the groundwork for what had to be done and would be finished by the time Jayne arrived. Jayne was not entirely pleased with his plan because it left Flint and his daughter alive, something he really didn't want to do.
But this was a delicate matter that had to be handled just so or it would cause problems for him for the rest of his life. River, Chelsa, Liam, none of them would ever be safe if Jayne triggered a blood feud between himself and Dos Osos. They would never rest until everyone Jayne considered family was dead.
And so he'd come up with a compromise that would prevent Flint from getting what he wanted while eliminating the possibility that it could happen again for the same reason. If Flint was smart, he'd recognize that and let it go. If he didn't, then the Council would recognize that Jayne had tried to calm the situation and hopefully intervene between himself and Flint's clan. It would seem silly to outsiders, but even a Blood Feud had rules in Tokalan culture. If the Council refused to recognize it, then Flint would be hard pressed to find warriors willing to take up his standard. Some still would in an effort to cater the old man's favor, but not many.
If things didn't work out the way he hoped, then he'd do something else. Something that would almost assure that he would never leave Tokala again. Something that would be sung about for generations to come. The thought brought a very cold smile to his face as Jayne hoped for just a second that Flint would be unreasonable about things and continue to pursue his illegal and dishonorable actions. By doing so he would free Jayne to deal with the issue another way.
The Shade way. A thought that made him very happy indeed.
FF FF FF
Joseph Many-Horses was surprised to say the least when he received an emergency message from George Flint for a funds transfer. What would he need so much money for? He couldn't question Flint directly nor could he refuse to do as bid, so he had transferred the money as ordered, sending a message that the transfer was done.
In any event, George Flint would soon have more pressing needs and problems that whatever he was dealing with on Astra. Much bigger problems.
The son of Ironhorse was returning home and his blade was thirsty.
Muad'dib was making good time, cutting through the black like a knife in the dark. While unhappy with the reason for this trip, Mal had to be happy with his new ship. Kaylee had tuned her to perfection and Pete, Susan, and Sammy Bertram made the nucleus of a good crew. He'd need another hand or two of course before the ship could start working regular, but still he was more than pleased with the ship's performance.
Yet he was still pensive. There was only so much that he could do while in the black. He was keeping up his exercises, using the cargo bay to go through his therapy routine. He had to stay at it or risk losing his mobility again. It was painful at times and a complete pain in the ass time wise, but it was one of those things he had to do if he wanted to keep walking Inara to lunch, weather permitting.
He sat down heavily, winded after all that exertion. As he wiped his face with a towel, he contemplated on how he came to be here. To say that the road had been long and winding was the height of understatement. He'd come close to death many times over the years but his brush with death that had cost Kathy Baker her life had been a wake up call of no small proportion. His next health scare came in the middle of the hunt for the Slasher and again had almost cost him his life. Mal started his leg lifts as he continued to reflect.
The toll on Inara had been the worst for him. He had wronged Inara far too many times over the years and yet she was still by his side. There couldn't be any doubt of her love for him. She had given up life in the Guild to follow him to Argo, and then given up piloting to stay on the ground with him when he made Sheriff.
Now she had a school up and running in Bickford that was attracting students from all over the moon. Students from wealthy families who wanted their children educated by a trained Companion on social graces and etiquette, dances and formalities, all the ins and outs of social life before they departed Coreward for higher education. The school already had a waiting list and students were actually putting off their enrollments in colleges to await Inara's instruction.
Mal changed to his right leg as sweat popped out on his forehead. This leg was the most damaged, along with that side of his hip.
His two cargo vessels were doing well and now he had this ship and part ownership in a factory as well. He smirked a bit as he thought about it. Malcolm Reynolds, space rogue, had actually done all right for himself of late. Not without friends, not without making an enemy or two and not without cost, but he'd done pretty well for a man who had made a delivery to an agri-moon with just about enough coin in his pocket to fuel his ship. He shook his head as he remembered the lean times when Serenity was living hand to mouth compared to how they lived now.
They were all doing pretty well. Even as he thought that an image of River popped into his mind and he frowned, not entirely because of the pain in his leg. Mal didn't blame Jayne for being pissed at her. River had played too fast and loose with things for the big man not to be angry over it. But Flint's machinations had caused pain to his family, including his Albatross. That he could not forgive.
He would enjoy putting a bullet in George Flint's head before this was over. He really would.
River was sitting in the small lounge off of the galley, feet pulled up, knees beneath her chin, arms hugging her legs to her. Her chin was resting in her knees while she stared at a blank spot on the bulkhead. She didn't move even when Goldie walked in and sat down beside her.
"What's wrong little'un?" he asked, propping his feet up on the small table. He held out a cup and she took it without asking what was in it.
"Tea," he told her anyway, sipping on his own cup filled with coffee. "Inara said you favored it."
"Thank you," she replied, taking a sip of the liquid.
"So, you wanna talk, or just sit here?" Goldie asked, looking at her closely. River turned to regard him. Goldie sat unflinching as she studied him.
River wondered if Goldie knew how much Jayne had looked up to him so long ago. If the older man realized that much of Jayne was modeled in many ways after the man now sitting before her. She doubted it. Both men would deny the truth that she could see regardless of what they thought or even believed.
"He is much like you," she said finally. Surprisingly Goldie nodded.
"I know," he admitted. "Stormy used to feel guilty about him," he added, leaning back slightly, lost in memory. "Probably wasn't the best thing for him, fallin' in with us. But he was determined. Meant to do what he meant to do, know what I'm saying? If he hadn't done it with us, he would have done it on his own."
"I told her that," River nodded agreement. "He would have done it anyway. She had accepted that I think, when she died." A shadow of sadness crossed them both.
"I know you feel bad right now," Goldie said into the silence. "I know you made some mistakes, River. I also know that he loves you, and he already forgave you for whatever. And if you'll stop and admit it, you know it too."
"Yes," she nodded again, taking another sip of the tea. "I know."
"Then stop punishing yourself," Goldie said flatly and his tone of voice drew her eyes back to him. He was no longer the laughing Golden Child. His aura had shifted now into something much like what she saw when she looked at her zhang fu. For all his light-heartedness, for all the love he had for Zoe and for life in general, Butler Tarrant was a stone killer underneath. He would fight to the death for those he loved and hunt anyone who hurt them to the end of the 'verse. Much like the man they were chasing after right now.
"I am not punishing myself," she said at last. "Not as such. I am. . .I am studying," she settled for saying. "I am not accustomed to being wrong. That sounds arrogant but I do not mean it that way." She set the cup on the table and pulled her legs tighter to her.
"All my life, Goldie, I have been smarter than anyone else around me. I have rarely if ever been wrong. When I have been it was because that data I was given to make my decision was inaccurate. I simply do not make mistakes." There was no pride in her voice. No bragging.
"Yet in the most important thing in my life I made the worst mistakes I could possibly make," she continued. "Every time I tried to fix the mistake, I instead made another, further complicating the matter. It has. . .it has shaken my confidence in a way I have not known in a very long time. Since before we came here." She looked at him then, and Goldie could see the haunted look in her eyes. Near desperation in fact.
"Now, when he should have been able to tell me what he is doing, what he is planning, when it should have been the two of us against all challenges, he was unable to depend on me. Because I made so many errors I had poisoned the well, so to speak. And now he is alone, facing something that we should be facing together. And I cannot overlook the fact that if I had been less. . .me," she grinned wryly, "then not only would he have been able to confide in me, we might not be in this situation to begin with. Might never have had any of these problems."
"And had you been less you," Goldie interrupted, "there might not be a you to worry about. Ever think about that?" She looked at him, clearly puzzled.
"River, he don't love you cause you're never wrong," Goldie told her. "He loves you cause you're you. He's doing this cause it's the way it has to be. I'm fairly certain he considered just goin' to Astra and killin' Flint and that bitch daughter of his both. But if he does, then it starts a feud that can only end one way, and that's with one side or the other all winding up dead." He paused for a moment, clearly considering his next words.
"I've seen war like that," he told her finally. "War between families. War between kin. It's horrible, River. It don't end, it just hits highs and lulls and keeps going just like a river flowing to the sea. There's never an end so long as both sides still got one member. They raise their kids to hate each other. To look for ways to hurt the other side, no matter what."
"If he can prevent that, River, it's better all around. Trust me," he placed his large hand over her smaller one. "Kid loves you girl. Don't get sidetracked thinkin' otherwise. Don't get the idea that cause you ain't perfect, that you make a mistake, or two, or ten, that he won't love you no more. If he didn't love you, he could have just left and took the trouble with him. Disappeared somewhere no one would ever find him and let it go at that." He stood suddenly.
"But he didn't. Instead, he's fighting for what he loves the only way he knows how. You remember that when you start thinking you're somehow to blame for a greedy old man and a conniving witch." He reached down and stroked her hair softly once then turned to go.
"Goldie," her voice stopped him and he turned to look at her again.
"Thank you," she smiled up at him.
"Anytime, little bit," he winked and grinned. Suddenly he was Goldie again. The fun-loving, laughing rogue.
River sat for a while longer after he departed, considering many things. Finally she stood and left the lounge, and her depression, behind her. She had something that needed doing as well. She had made Annassa Flint a promise.
One she intended to keep.
FF FF FF
George Flint was not accustomed to doing his own dirty work. It was beneath him. This time however he had little choice. His time was short if he wanted to get himself and his daughter off this planet before Barum Ball could make good on his threats.
It had been a relatively simple matter to find a dishonest office among the Astra Capital Police that was willing to sell his services. Such men were plentiful throughout the 'verse.
This one had demanded a steep price for his cooperation however. Flint had been forced to send for additional funds to meet all the needs of his party. The hireling had made good on his end, 'allowing' One and Five to escape custody with a feigned blow to the head and stolen keys. Clothing and papers left for the two had enabled them to pass unnoticed and unhindered through the city to the port.
His daughter had managed to find them transport, again at a steep price. A sleek vessel that was fast enough to get them home far faster than they had made the trip to Astra. This ship had been hired to take them directly home at the best possible speed, hence the cost. One of his retainers had visited a weapons dealer and secured armament for the entire party, including several small, easily concealed handguns. They would not be aboard ship again at the mercy of the Captain and crew.
As they approached the ship Annassa had hired, Flint felt a stirring of unease. Nothing had gone as planned on this venture. This should have been a simple thing. His daughter was attractive, his people wealthy, his stature great. What man would refuse all that? Why would he refuse it? And yet Ironhorse had done just that, and more.
But once he was home Flint would start the wheels that would make this right. He would convince the Council that Ironhorse had killed members of the Dos Osos clan without provocation, something that would enable a blood feud between the two. Once that was accomplished, he would send as many men as were needed to eliminate Ironhorse and all his 'family'. Every insult would be repaid in blood.
And to the warrior who killed Ironhorse would go his daughter. He would never actually allow that, of course, but for such a prize his young men would willingly march off to war. It would be easy enough to ensure that any unsuitable winner did not survive.
He would convince the Council to grant Dos Osos the DeMuertos land as recompense for the blood that had been shed without provocation. Such a claim could easily be substantiated, especially as the land lay fallow and unused. He allowed himself a small, cold smile.
He would have all he desired, one way or the other.
FF FF FF
Elaine Bosch looked at Cobb from the corner of her eyes as he ate breakfast with the crew. Now only four days out from Tokala, half the trip down, and she still couldn't place what it was about him that was so familiar.
And it was driving her to distraction.
"So, Mister Cobb," Teena smiled from her end of the table. "You got a family?"
"Teena," Elaine cautioned.
"It's all right, ma'am," Jayne told her. "Yeah, I do. Wife and an adopted daughter. Boy that's most of a son, though he's got his own folks still. Few others, family like. Brother-in-law who's almost okay," he added with grin.
"Adopted, huh?" Teena mused. "That's nice, Mister Cobb. Taking in a baby like that. Lotta folks wouldn't."
"She wasn't a baby," Jayne said absently. "She was a teenager living on Aberdeen, here while back."
"Oh," Teena's face fell a bit at that. "I'm sorry."
"Didn't hurt me any," Jayne shrugged. "I took her from some slavers who had slipped in under the smoke and the cover of the Reaver attack. Her family was gone and my wife decided we'd take her in. She's a good kid, if a bit head strong," he chuckled.
"Slavers, huh?" Elaine could have kicked herself. She was not, not, not going to get involved in whatever was going on.
"Yeah," was all Jayne said, nodding.
"Heard tell Aberdeen was bad, but ain't met no one who was actually there," Ginny said gently. "True the shale burned up?"
"Some of it anyway," Jayne nodded again. "Worst smoke I ever seen. Heavy, almost wet, I guess cause o' the oil, ya know? Almost gummed up the ship's engines. We just barely made it out."
"Lot o' folks didn't, I hear," she said evenly.
"I'd be sure of it," Jayne's voice was grim. "We took all we could cram on board. Almost smothered gettin' somewhere we could repair the scrubbers. Just did make it, to be honest," he admitted.
"Must have been some trip," Ginny remarked.
"I've had easier trips," Jayne snorted. "I wish we could have carried more, but if we had, we'd all have died I guess. Alliance was supposed to send help, but I never could find out if they did or not."
"Sent some," Elaine decided to offer. "Pulled a large number off by shuttle and carried them to different places around the system to refugee camps. I hear the standard of livin' is pretty low."
"I'd imagine," was all Jayne said. He was glad they had managed to get Kaylee's family off. "All of us didn't make it, either," he said, thinking back to Kaylee's brother and Lem Watkins' son. To George Mann who almost didn't make it, and to his family that Jayne and Liam had only just managed to save. Along with Chelsa.
"It was a bad time," he added finally.
"Sorry I made ya think on it, Mister Cobb," Teena said gently. "I didn't mean to."
"Don't worry about it," he smiled. "It turned out a lot better than we had a right to expect. We lost a couple people, but saved well over fifty. Don't seem like much against so many lost, but it's something."
"That is it," Elaine nodded firmly. "You still have family on Tokala?" she asked before she thought.
"No." Cobb's voice was flat and final. Shockingly so. And it reminded Elaine why she made it a point to stay out of her passenger's business.
"Well ladies, we have work to do," she said into the silence. "Let's get to it." Both women nodded and stood. Jayne was finished and stood up as well.
"Thanks for the breakfast," he said, and left the table. The three of them watched him go in silence. Both younger women endured the withering glare from their boss, having expected it.
"How many times do we need to go over this?" she demanded. "We don't ask personal questions, and we don't get involved in other people's business."
"Wasn't meaning to," Teena nodded. "Just being friendly. I didn't think about it, Cap'n. I won't do it no more."
"Me either," Ginny agreed. "I admit I was interested in what had happened on Aberdeen, but I didn't mean to open a wound. Just wanted to know from someone who actually knew what happened. I never did hear from my cousin or her family," she added softly. Elaine's look softened at that.
"I know," she nodded. "Look, forget all this. Let's just get our work done. Four more days, give or take, we collect a good paycheck and move on to another one. Just keep that in mind. Right?"
"Yes Cap'n," the two replied in unison. She watched them scuttle away, maintaining her look of sternness until they were gone. Her face fell flat once she was alone as she mulled over what she'd just learned.
Very few people left Tokala. Those who did rarely went back. But it wasn't because they didn't have family. Clans were just one large extended family, so for someone to have no family at all was almost unheard of.
Almost.
She was beginning to think she knew who Jayne Cobb reminded her of. And there was only one family, one clan that she knew of that no longer existed. At least mostly.
If she was right, then she could not possibly get him there fast enough and get him off her ship. Either he hadn't known or he hadn't made the connection, but Gig hadn't told her the half of it.
If 'Jayne Cobb' was who she was starting to think he might be, 'dangerous' didn't even begin to cover it. Her skin crawled at the mere thought of who she might be carrying. And she didn't even want to try and imagine what kind of 'family trouble' would be carrying him home again after all this time.
FF