Atal looked after him. "That," he said, "is the best news I've had in quite some time."
"Sir," said Cernaq, who still cradled Aer'La, "I regret to inform you that, in the course of rescuing Aer'La, I struck a fellow officer."
"I know," said Atal. He grinned. "Quite a shiner you gave him."
"I submit myself for disciplinary action, Captain," said Cernaq. "I regret my failure to conform to regulations."
Atal nodded. "I know you do. I only wish I did. Well, Cernaq, if your fellow midshipman can forgive an equally inappropriate attack by his Captain –"
He looked to Metcalfe, who smiled. "I rolled with it, sir. You really telegraph a punch, you know."
"If I ever really hit you, you'll never see it coming," said Atal. "Don't worry about it, Cernaq. Regulations only kick in if Five – er – Mr. Blaurich – wants to press charges. I believe I can safely say that... he's going to find it to his advantage not to."
"I don't understand, Captain," said Cernaq.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
"Thank you sir," said Cernaq. He looked at Aer'La, for once, content to be quiet in his arms. "For everything."
* * *
Some time later, Metcalfe and Cernaq coaxed Aer'La up to go and share their good news with Kaya and Carson. Atal and Mors were deep in conversation with Celia, and Pallas hung nearby, looking a trifle uncomfortable. Surprising both Metcalfe and Cernaq, Aer'La went to her and invited her to join them for a drink.
Pallas, though clearly stunned, said, "Thank you... I'd like that very much."
"You know, Doctor," said Aer'La, "I have to tell you I never had much use for Phaetonians. I mean –"
Pallas smiled at her, very tenderly. "I understand. Our peoples are pretty much diametrically opposed."
Aer'La nodded. "But you went out on a limb for me. I won't forget it."
Pallas shrugged. "It was the least I could do for anyone in your situation. And... " she grinned mischievously, "it was kind of fun."
They said their goodbyes to their elders, and went out into the corridor. Pallas fell into step beside Metcalfe. He looked at her warily, wondering what she could possibly say after all they'd said.
"I'm sorry," she said simply.
"You? But I –"
She smiled. "You are a 'mean-spirited, bigoted, jack-ass,' yes."
"I... I... "
"Well, you said it."
"I thought it. There's a difference."
"Not on my world."
"Well, there is here. And you're right. I mean I'm right, I am."
"No you're not. I lied to you. I wouldn't blame you if you never spoke to me again."
"I know you were just acting."
"Partly," she said seriously. "Some of the anger, well..."
"Well?"
"You... you hurt my feelings."
"But you knew I was just... I mean... you can read minds!"
"That doesn't really make it hurt less when you're insulted by someone who... "
"Someone who what?"
There was a long pause, during which Metcalfe thought how unfair it was that one of them could read minds and the other couldn't.
"Someone who really knows how to insult a girl."
"I really am sorry."
They walked another moment in silence. Aer'La and Cernaq were engrossed in a quiet conversation of their own.
"If you don't mind my asking –" Metcalfe said after a moment.
"– yes?"
" – how did you get that recorder close enough to Harl's mouth to get a sample?"
Pallas chuckled and walked on ahead.
Epilogue
"... and welcome back to The Naked Truth's weekend edition. Joining me in the nude is yummy John Smith, CEO of Concubines Limited! What's new, John?"
"Well, Vixyn, it sounds like Bos'n Aer'La's troubles are over. The investigators from Varthan Freespace have cleared her of all charges in relation to the murder of young Treva Maklyn and –"
"I'm sorry, John, should I know that name? Erla?"
"Aer'La, Vixyn."
"Right. Who?"
"The escaped Varthan feral who's bos'n on the Titan. She was all over the news – ?"
"Great! I'm sure someone somewhere remembers. So. She died?"
"No, she's free. Cleared of all charges. Allowed to stay aboard the Titan and keep her commission."
"Hadn't there been some talk of making her return to Varthan Freespace?"
"There had, but, since she hasn't committed a crime, the Varthan government isn't going to force her to come home. If she doesn't want them, they don't want her. They're reasonable people, after all. It's not like Aer'La's a slave..."
"Slave! Hah! That's a good one, John. Slavery in this day and age. Moving back to the real world, let's talk about the ugliness surrounding Brand Greer's penile replacement surgery."
"Oh, let's not! The footage of the accident at his concert was too much for those of use with everything to lose..."
* * *
"It's customary to ask for the doctor's bill plus two-hundred per cent," said Darby. "Of course, one can always add pain and suffering."
"As if that spindly gelding could cause me pain," spat Five. "But there is my reputation to consider. I can't base it on the doctor's bill, since Dr. Flynn didn't charge me. The Navy paid for the corrective treatment." He brushed his fingers over the skin under his eye, where, until this morning, there had been a large, purplish bruise. The bruise was gone now, the perfection of his face restored.
"Market price can still be established. I'll instruct Romney to work up a properly inflated estimate –"
"Do you think he has any money? Don't those intellectual types all cast their fortunes on the star winds?"
"Hey, Sestus, how's your eye?" It was Kaya. She floated towards them, pulling herself along the Command Deck's handholds until she was an arm's length away. Carson was with her.
"Hardly. Phaetonians prize wealth. I believe you'll find –"
"My eye is on your lovely backside, as always, Atal."
"I hear you were jumped by at least six strapping men," said Kaya in wonder. "It's a miracle you're still alive."
"I don't know where that story started."
"You mean you don't know where you were when you started it?" asked Carson.
"Laugh all you will, Carson. I'm thinking of naming you as a party in the lawsuit. It's the atmosphere of hostility created by yourself and Metcalfe that caused Cernaq to attack me."
"It was your own stupid fault for standing in his way," said Kaya. "I'm sure any trial board would understand that there was a life at stake, anyway. But it won't be going to trial."
"You mean Mr. Cernaq is going to settle?" said Darby. "Extremely wise of him."
"Perhaps, Captain," said Five. "Depends on what he's offering."
"Cernaq isn't offering anything," said Kaya. "But you might want to check your mail. I believe you'll be hearing from your family attorney."
"Wha –?" Sestus grunted. He tapped his palm and scrolled through the illuminated characters of his mailbox menu. There was, indeed, a note from his father's attorney. He read it quickly, then spat out a stream of expletives. "Problem?" wondered Kaya.
"What have they done now?" demanded Darby.
"It seems," said Sestus through his teeth, "that Atal Holdings has awarded a lucrative pharmaceutical contract to one of my family's subsidiaries."
"Damned nice of them, too," said Kaya. "Your people did not have the lowest bid. Guess your service is just better."
"Our service! Listen to this: 'In light of this lucrative award, it would be in the best interests of corporate goodwill if no claims were made against Atal Holdings or its interests at this time. Contract signatures are dependent on the signed release of all – ' Perfect!"
"Meaning you'd better not sue Cernaq, if you know what's good for you."
"How," Five demanded, "is Cernaq considered an interest of Atal Holdings?"
"He's being represented by our
defense team," said Kaya. "As a favor to Dad."
"I don't believe this!" hissed Darby.
"Buck up, Five," said Carson. "Won't this increase the value of your shares in your family's company?"
"But Cernaq doesn't have to pay!"
"I dunno," said Kaya. "He still has to look at you every day. Isn't that payment?"
"If you and your family weren't so... shifty –"
"Shifty!"
" – he and his friends wouldn't be here to look at me!"
"Well, get used to us, Five," Carson smiled. "We're going to be here to annoy you for some time to come."
"Shifty, Mr. Blaurich? Who's shifty?"
"Captain!"
"Apparently, we are, Daddy."
"That's Captain Daddy. Care to rephrase that assertion, Mr. Blaurich?"
"Well, y-yes, sir, I... uh... "
"I thought so. Thank you for the effort. Save it. I don't care."
"Captain, I'm sure Mr. Blaurich didn't intend –"
"I'm sure he didn't intend to damage his promotional chances either, Mr. Darby; and I did not ask your opinion."
"Captain! I protest! I should be at liberty to offer my opinion. I am your Deputy."
"So you are. As Deputy, then, would you arrange for the casuals to assemble for a formal transfer of command ceremony at 0800? If it's convenient for Bos'n Aer'La, of course."
"Bos'n Aer'La!"
"Yes, after her ordeal, and the embarrassment caused by a disgusting public arrest, I feel we offer her a firm show of support. Agreed?"
"Well… I'd rather assumed that… that is… Bos'n Aer'La is innocent of murder. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we're all thrilled at that news. But… she's still…"
"A feral?"
"A non-citizen, sir."
"Hardly. You see, Bos'n Aer'La was never a slave in Varthan Freespace. There is no slavery in Varthan Freespace."
"I'm glad to hear that!"
"Don't be. It's a lie. But it's a politically convenient lie. And we've made it convenient to us. The Varthans argue that the Inihu in 'medical custody' are mentally incompetent. That is their excuse for denying them citizenship in the Varthan Alliance. Legally, if an Inihu is mentally competent, she is ergo a Varthan citizen, and thus, a citizen of the Confederacy. Correct?"
"Sir, how do you propose to prove Aer'La competent?"
"By using the oldest defense in the book, Darby. We're going to do nothing."
"Eh?"
"Burden of proof of mental incompetence is on those who claim the individual is not competent. No one has to prove himself sane to enjoy his rights. Someone else must prove him sane to deny them. Or we'd all be institutionalized. So, until some court rules otherwise, Aer'La is sane and a citizen."
"I – I see…"
"So," Atal said, as if speaking to an idiot child, "she's staying."
"I'd already drafted her discharge orders –"
"That's why they call them drafts, Darby. Because they're not final until I say so. I don't say so. So, toss your discharge orders in the trash, get down to the hold, and do your damndest to make my Bos'n feel that she's the best thing to hit Confederate space since the stellar fusion."
"I – I –"
"Blaurich, you go help him."
"Aye… sir…"
"And make it a big show, boys. Music would be nice. Canned if you can't line up an honor guard. And maybe a citation for courage in time of adversity."
"And flowers," added Kaya. "Women love flowers."
"Aer'La doesn't," said Carson. "Unless they're edible."
"No flowers," said Atal. "Candy. Nice box of candy. You can afford that, right Darby? Not that it's an order, of course."
Darby sighed. "Oh, of course, sir. Come on, Sestus. We're going shopping."
* * *
"She's gonna fuckin' kill you, Shan. You know she is!"
"If I were you, I'd get offa this ship!"
"Too bad there ain't no way off this ship! We're in deep space."
"'Cept to jump out an airlock!"
"Hell, I'd jump out an airlock, if I was you, Shan. Be a less painful way to go."
"I hear the dry good bins ain't a bad place to hole up, if ya –"
"Shut up!" screamed Felicity Shan. "All of you just shut the fuck up!"
"Ungallant behavior's what I'd call it," said Volster. "Turnin' on the poor girl, just 'cause them two perfumed ponces handed her a medal and some chocolates! She's still nuthin' but a –"
"I think you'd all better be quiet," advised Ceres Smith. "Looks like the little hallway confab is about over." She looked with no pity at Felicity Shan. It was true enough that, until yesterday, they'd all been on her side. Until yesterday, the Bos'n wasn't coming back. Sadly for Felicity Shan, this was today. That was the way of it, when you rode public opinion and stuck your neck out, as she had. When self-interest caused the tide of public opinion to turn, your neck was still out, but no one would intercede if an axe came toward it.
Well, thought Smith, the silly little bitch should have kept quiet during the arrest. Whatever she thought of Aer'La, no one deserved to be treated that way. She'd had no business trying to play the cheerleader. Smith might have written her lack of discretion off to youth, but she suspected stupidity was the more likely cause.
Aer'La re-entered the hold, carrying her clipboard, not looking up from it.
"Okay," she said crisply, "I think some of you missed the zero-G training. And I see you haven't signed up for make-up training. I was serious about docking pay, people. Your checks are gonna be smaller than you wanted."
"Now, Bos'n," Volster sighed heavily, "you should be forgiving. See, we thought that order no longer stood."
Aer'La smiled dangerously. "Did you? I guess that makes sense. You thought you were going to have a new Bos'n, who did things the way you're used to?"
"Well, no ma'am, we –"
"Don't lie to me, Volster. I hate liars. Worse than I hate people who don't take their work seriously. Got me?"
"Aye… sir."
"Make-up training. Here. Tomorrow. Oh-six-hundred. Miss it, and I'll put you off the ship without a suit."
"I'll be there, Bos'n."
"Good." Aer'La walked past him and stood before Shan. For a moment she stopped and glared at the other woman. Shan shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "Ms. Shan," Aer'La said finally.
Felicity Shan swallowed. "Bos'n?"
"You be there too."
"Wha – I mean – I –"
"Something wrong with you, Shan?"
"No ma'am. I – no."
Aer'La stepped closer. "You expected something else? A few loose teeth for that little cheer you gave the other day? Believe me, I thought about it. You thought it was funny to see me in irons like that, huh?"
"N – no."
"Yeah you did. But see, I think you've changed your mind. There was a time when I thought I only wanted to see the people I hated hurt. Thought nothing could make me happier. I changed my mind. I don't think it's funny to see anyone humiliated. I bet you've changed your mind, too?" She cupped the girl's chin in her hand. Both of them were aware that the simplest squeeze would shatter her jaw. "Haven't you, Shan?"
"Y – yes, Bos'n."
"Good. Don't forget it. And don't any of you think of ignoring one of my orders again. I'm here to stay."
* * *
"So, you don't object, Professor?" asked Pallas.
"Object? It's rather what I was hoping for. You know I don't approve of the cloistered life for a truly gifted student."
"But I won't be available to help you in your work –"
"You will be helping me, child. My current research project will attempt to tie together many social and political factors, to develop an historical mapping of the future of humanity itself. Almost any data is potentially valuable. And what could be more valuable than data collected by an operative in one of the nerve centers of Confederate power, the Titan herself?"
In a rare gesture of familiarity, he pla
ced his hands on her shoulders. "These young people, these Arbiters, can teach you a great deal. And you can be an asset to them, as well."
"I hope I won't be an imposition."
"I know Jan Atal. He wouldn't allow you to stay, if he didn't think his crew would benefit." Mors winked. "Some more than others, eh? I read that you're back on speaking terms with young Metcalfe. Planning on doing a little field work on those Terran mating customs you were so –"
"Professor!"
"Come now, Pallas. Prudery doesn't become a Phaetonian."
"Neither does being a... dirty old man," she said teasingly.
"Dirty old man? Terran expression no doubt." He grinned. "I rather like that. Yes."
"If you're so curious about their mating habits, you should do your own field work."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Oh yes. Someday I will. Time enough for that, though. Honestly, I'm only a little over two-hundred!"
* * *
Her diminutive form outlined by the pure white of her cloak against the ebon black of space, Celia Faulkner held out her hands for silence. Standing before the windows of the Captain's promenade was the closest one could come to being outdoors in space. Really, it wasn't that different from being enshrouded by the protective atmosphere of a planet. In fact, the view was slightly better, without the many layers of atmospheric gases in the way. If one had some imagination and wasn't too much of a purist, it was an ideal setting in which to feel the spiritual presence of nature.
Ordinarily, she would have led this service sky-clad, but, while these young people were no doubt comfortable being naked in each others' presence, she doubted they were ready for her to parade around in the altogether. The cloak brought a bit more dignity to the proceedings, and dignity was what was called for.
After a sufficient time of silence had passed, giving each person time to reach out – or in – to the infinite, she raised her hands up high. "Goddess," she intoned. "Time has passed since this, our brother, departed this plane of existence; but time is daunting only to us, with our limited capacity to understand. His spirit is in your care, as is each of ours."
Taken Liberty v5 Page 29