When the Dust Settled

by Jeannie Meekins

  McReidy saw his discomfort and glanced at his console. “No, don’t,” she whispered, placing a hand over his as he began to answer.

  He restrained. But the next comment of “hiding behind a woman” had him on his feet. An angry outburst in his native tongue brought Humphries to his.

  “All right, that’s it!” John exploded. “Sort out your problems elsewhere, not on my bridge. You’ve got twenty four hours to kill each other in. If there’s even a hint of this sort of behaviour continuing when you get back, you will both be off the bridge. Permanently. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir,” they both answered, and sat down slowly.

  There was another ship in orbit around the planet – the hulking battlecruiser Shimodo. A crew of over two thousand, including several hundred fighters.

  John couldn’t help wondering if she’d encountered the enemy. Scanning the ship would have him in trouble with her captain. As she came up on the main screen, he couldn’t see any signs. Her hull was undamaged, her paintwork consistent.

  Giacomo put the ship into orbit and set her on automatic.

  John glanced at his watch. The crew were waiting like a class to be dismissed. “Twenty four hours, no longer… Now, get out of here.”

  They disappeared within seconds.

  Was that a hint of a smile on McReidy’s face as she made her way to the door? John shook his head: now he was imagining things.

  There was still the rest of the crew, and he needed a minimum of staff on board. He grabbed a pen and a copy of the roster from the office. The engineers had worked themselves into the ground. They were getting the full twenty four hours. The senior officers deserved as much time as he could give them. They’d stepped up and taken on extra responsibility, and that was only going to increase. It wouldn’t hurt the others to rotate a few hours on board. He scribbled the changes and notified everyone, sending a copy to each department so everyone knew exactly when and where they might be required.

  Peace and quiet at last, John sank back in his chair. That was exactly what he wanted. To completely forget everything for a day. No problems to solve, no fights to break up. Unlike the rest of the crew, he had no desire to go down to the planet.

  It seemed only minutes that the intercom beeped and John screwed his face up at the intrusion.

  “Permission to come aboard,” a familiar voice requested.

  It stopped him in his tracks; a smile of recognition came over his face.

  “Permission granted. I’m on the bridge.”

  *

  The bridge door opened. He was tall and handsome. His short blonde hair sat perfectly on his head and his eyes were the colour of a warm, summer sky. His athletic body moved swiftly across the floor. A warm grin lit up his face.

  “Sean, how are you?” John greeted his friend. A high five turned into a firm grasp.

  “Good, I’m really good.” Sean looked around approvingly. “Nice little ship you’ve got here.”

  “Yep, and she’s all mine.”

  Sean raised one eyebrow. “Legally, I hope.”

  “Actually, Powers gave her to me.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Only on a temporary basis.”

  Sean ignored that formality. “You mean ‘I’ll see you in hell before I ever let you in charge of one of my ships. As long as I live and breathe, Madison’ll never command even a lifeboat!’” Sean did his best imitation of Admiral Powers; he was fairly convincing. “That Powers?”

  John grinned.

  “I would have loved to have seen the look on his face.”

  “He wasn’t too thrilled about it.”

  “So, tell me what you’ve been up to.”

  “It’s a long story. You?”

  “Flying fighters on Shimodo. But it’s starting to get dangerous out there.”

  “Tell me about it. How did you find me?”

  “I have my –”

  “Sean!” McReidy’s voice cut him off.

  “Ways,” he managed to finish as she crossed the floor and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the hug, his arms closing around her shoulders. She came up to his chin.

  “I’ve missed you,” she told him quietly.

  “Yeah, right,” he answered as he released her.

  “And if I remember correctly, you,” she pointed a finger into the middle of his chest, “owe me dinner.”

  “I do?” he questioned, with a doubting frown.

  “Uh-huh. Candlelit dinner for two, soft music, champagne, followed by strawberries and whipped cream.”

  “Wha…” he began, but found he had no voice. He cleared his throat and started again. “What time would you like me to pick you up?”

  “Give me an hour,” she grinned and raced from the bridge.

  “I see how you found me,” John said when she was out of earshot. “So, you and McReidy?”

  “Nah,” Sean shook his head. “Just friends.”

  “But…?” John hinted.

  Sean grinned. “Guess I’ve got an hour to kill. What’ve you been up to?”

  * * *

  An hour later, Sean picked McReidy up from her quarters. She was worth waiting for.

  He knew the perfect spot to take her: an intimate little restaurant. The band played soft music that filtered around the room. Small palm trees grew out of the floor, creating small pockets of privacy without blocking one’s view.

  Sean waved over a waiter, who led them to their table. A single orchid reached out of a long stemmed glass, two candles sat in elaborate candlesticks and a bottle chilled in an ice bucket next to the table.

  “I see you haven’t lost your touch,” she smiled as the waiter pulled out her chair for her.

  She sat down as the waiter eased the chair under her, took a serviette, flicked it open and placed it on her lap in one smooth movement. He lit the candles and opened the wine, pouring a small amount into Sean’s glass to sample it.

  Sean didn’t bother sampling it. He pointed to both glasses and the waiter filled them, replaced the bottle in the bucket and backed away into the room.

  “How are you getting on with John?” Sean asked as McReidy took a sip, knowing he had put her on the spot.

  She choked, but managed to swallow the wine. “I didn’t come here to discuss him,” she fired back.

  Now it was Sean’s turn to smile. His whole face lit up. “Still the same.”

  “There are times when I could kill him,” she admitted.

  “That’s my best friend you’re talking about.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “That’s all right. There’ve been times I could have killed him myself.”

  They had built up a strong friendship in the past few years. Sean had wanted more, but she had put him straight on that matter right at the beginning. He had accepted it without complaint and never tried to change her mind. That in itself had earned him great respect. He treated her like all his other friends, yet never forgot she was a woman.

  They discussed many things over dinner, relating almost every incident they could remember since their last meeting. She flirted terribly with him, automatically blaming the wine. He responded the way she wanted him to, but he had enough sense not to take her seriously.

  It was only during dessert that he began to feel uncomfortable. A tension was building up between them; something he felt was becoming too intimate. He picked up the wine bottle, holding it at eye level to check its volume, before straightening his arm and reaching across to her glass.

  “More wine?” he offered.

  He had positioned himself so that her eyes, on seeing the bottle, also met his.

  “We might as well finish it,” he smiled.

  She nodded.

  He emptied the bottle; it half filled their glasses. Then he noisily put it back in the ice bucket. She took the hint and he felt the distance increase to a more comfortable level. Then a new idea struck her as her eyes lit up.

  “Sean, come dance with me.” She gra
bbed both his hands in hers.

  By the look on his face, she could have asked him to jump off a cliff.

  “I don’t dance very well,” he began. “Especially not after a bottle of this stuff,” he added for extra emphasis.

  “Aw, come on… Please?”

  He reluctantly let her pull him to his feet and to the middle of the room. There were a few other couples there, all quite happy in their own little worlds. The music was soft and slow. He took her hand, his arm automatically sliding around her waist.

  She snuggled into his shoulder and closed her eyes. The blood pounded through his temples as her body nestled his. Her hair felt like silk on his cheek. He couldn’t help the way he felt about her. He could have almost any woman, except the one he wanted – the woman in his arms.

  She began to lean heavily on him.

  “Hey,” he whispered softly. “I think it’s time to take you home.”

  “Hmmm,” she sleepily agreed, but had no intention of moving.

  He hailed a waiter and inclined his head towards the table. The waiter nodded, and led him to the pay register.

  Somehow, he managed to pay the bill and walk McReidy out of there without disturbing her. The air outside had a chill and she shivered slightly against him, his arm still around her. It woke her a bit. Enough to pull away from him and walk under her own steam.

  He escorted her back to the ship, back to her quarters. He didn’t ask to come in; she didn’t offer. That was definitely going too far.

  As a finishing touch, he kissed her hand. His eyes looked up into hers. “Good night,” he winked.

  Her eyes were warm with wine and music, and her touch lingering. But he deliberately held back. The end to a perfect evening, with no promises and no regrets.

  * * *

  Giacomo and Humphries were going to sort out their problems one way or another. Humphries had pushed to the point where Giacomo could take no more. His Latin heritage demanded satisfaction. And when two male egos clashed there was only one method.

  As gentlemen, they agreed on a time and place – right now and out in the woods where no one would find them. They didn’t speak as they made their way down to the planet. Ignoring each other, apart from the not so subtle sideways glances as they tried to size each other up. They told no one. This was personal and an audience was the last thing either of them wanted.

  They found a clearing a mile or so into the woods. The ground was reasonably flat and free of rocks, a light covering of moss on the shaded side. The light was good. The sun filtered through the trees that towered above.

  Giacomo looked around approvingly; Humphries leant against a tree, his arms folded across his chest. “Any time you’re ready,” he called.

  “Then get over here… unless you’ve turned chicken.”

  Humphries pushed off the tree and stepped forward. Giacomo moved in to meet him. They stopped about a metre apart. Humphries was taller, but was very definitely outweighed. His intention was to stay on his feet. His longer reach was to his advantage.

  They shaped up, dancing around each other for a few minutes before Giacomo walked into a right cross. He answered it with a combination that had Humphries down. He was on him immediately.

  Humphries tried desperately to get him off. A thump in the solar plexus winded Giacomo for a second, allowing him to be rolled off. Humphries was back on his feet. He waited for Giacomo to get up before advancing on him again. It was unfair to hit him while he was down.

  This time, Giacomo was more careful and it became more of a sparring match as they blocked and defended most blows. With a speed that shocked Humphries, Giacomo got under his guard, grabbed him and threw him to the ground. From there, they wrestled each other, fists flying everywhere as they rolled around the clearing.

  Giacomo heard something. He was astride Humphries, sitting on the man’s chest when he stopped. “Wait a minute.”

  “What for?”

  Humphries threw a fist, which Giacomo ducked and grabbed. “I heard something.”

  Humphries stopped and listened. A low growling was coming from the woods. It started from one direction, but seemed to move as though it was circling the clearing.

  Giacomo sat back on his heels, taking his weight off Humphries’ chest. His head turned, following the sound. “Where are we?” he asked apprehensively.

  “I don’t know. A few kays from town, I suppose.”

  “Uh-oh. I think we’ve crossed the line.”

  All visitors were free to roam the city limits and to a marked border around it in complete safety. Once past that line, they were at the mercy of the planet’s other inhabitants. The crittens disliked strangers, and killing anyone who crossed into their territory made perfect sense.

  The border was not marked clearly through the woods. Or if it was, Giacomo and Humphries had had other things on their minds and not noticed. Giacomo was on his feet. He grabbed Humphries’ hand and pulled him to his. Their own disagreement could wait.

  “Which way’s out?” Giacomo asked, cautiously looking around.

  “You’re the pilot,” Humphries conceded in an unconvincing tone.

  There was no time to argue as the crittens charged at them from behind the trees. Small dark shapes that seemed all arms, legs and teeth moved quickly and blended with the shadows. Shrill hisses filled their ears and claws flashed. Dribbles of thick saliva, sprayed through the air as teeth snapped or heads were blocked away from their fleshy targets.

  Only the practiced teamwork that came to them automatically was going to help. The crittens were smaller and not very brave, relying on their numbers as their greatest strength.

  Tired as they were, Giacomo and Humphries fought desperately. They both knew the alternative. At the first chance, they bolted for the city. Teeth snapped at their heels and claws scraped the backs of their jackets. Occasionally, a shape lunged from a tree causing them to duck or roll, scrambling to their feet and taking off again before a hand could take hold.

  The crittens would not cross the border but the two men weren’t willing to take that chance. Even after the chase broke off, they didn’t stop until they could see the city through the thinly scattering trees.

  Humphries dropped to his knees, his head slumped forward. He couldn’t breathe as his heart pounded in his chest. Giacomo was on his back, staring up at the sky. Neither of them could speak, both gasping for air.

  “That was close,” Humphries finally managed, checking himself for damage. Plenty of bumps and bruises, but no broken skin or blood. “They get you anywhere?”

  Giacomo didn’t answer. He was studying the swelling rapidly coming up below Humphries’ left eye. His knuckles hurt and he remembered making the connection. He slowly sat up. His heart had stopped racing, his breathing was almost normal.

  “Giacomo?” Humphries stopped inspecting himself and looked at Giacomo.

  “No, I’m good,” Giacomo quickly diverted his attention to his own injuries.

  “How about a drink?” Humphries asked, standing up.

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Giacomo was on his feet quickly. “But, look at you, boy, you’re a disgrace. Can’t take you anywhere.” His tone was reminiscent of Captain Decker as he began to brush Humphries off.

  “You’re no oil painting yourself,” Humphries answered, pushing Giacomo away and proceeding to clean himself up.

  They were both covered in muck dirt, grass, leaves and moss; and both a disgrace to their uniform. They brushed themselves down as they headed into the city.

  Looking reasonably respectable, they found a bar that would let them in and began to drown their aches and pains. Much later and both in a happy mood, they returned to the ship. They staggered along the corridor, using each other for support and singing at the tops of their voices. They only knew the chorus, but their words were unintelligible to anyone but themselves.

  * * *

  After being relieved from the bridge by Tan, John retired to his quarters.

  It anno
yed him that McReidy had known Sean’s whereabouts and kept it to herself. Sean was his friend. But then, he wasn’t the easiest person for her to talk to. And she did tend to bring out his worst. He also figured that her “debriefing” would have been a whole lot worse than Kowalski’s.

  He could reason it out until his head exploded, but it still annoyed him.

  He was sprawled in a chair listening to some music, his eyes closed as he drifted into another world, when the door beeped. He opened his eyes as he heard it again. Maybe if he ignored it, whoever it was would go away. It was no good. The person was persistent. Eventually, he had to answer.

  “I’m not here! Go away!” he called.

  “Yes, you are. Now open up,” Dunlop called back.

  John sighed heavily. He sat up, leaned over his desk and flicked a switch. “It’s open, come in.”

  The door opened and the doctor entered. “I thought I’d find you here. What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I was trying to get some peace and quiet.” John’s voice showed irritation.

  “I mean, why aren’t you down on the surface?”

  “Because they are.” By ‘they’ John meant the rest of the crew. “I just want to be left alone to do absolutely nothing.”

  “You don’t know how to do nothing. And with your stress levels, you couldn’t if you tried.” Dunlop was prowling. He spied a basketball which John had failed to put away. He retrieved it and began to bounce.

  John’s eyes watched the ball, but he didn’t move.

  “You’re going to explode.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “You spend all your time on the bridge or working on the ship because you don’t want to stop.”

  “I have stopped, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  Dunlop smiled. “No, you haven’t.”

  John’s eyes deliberately avoided the doctor’s. The bouncing ball rang in his ears. “And stop bouncing that damn ball!”

  “I’ll stop if you play.” Dunlop threw a quick short pass.

  John’s hands came up automatically. He caught the ball centimetres from his face. “All right, I’ll play. As long as you leave me alone afterwards.”