When the Dust Settled

by Jeannie Meekins

  Anna’s soft voice caught his attention as she asked Gillespie something. She was a science officer and her experience at communications was limited. North had been there in Tan’s absence. For a moment, John was tempted to call him back. But things had settled down to some sort of normality since they were no longer being chased. Anna would do, and Gillespie had enough experience at the station to help her through any difficulties – or take over if the situation called for it.

  John rubbed his forehead and returned to the protocols. All worlds he wasn’t familiar with. The computer had crossmatched the crew’s personnel files with each world and listed anyone who had been there. There were huge gaps as the system only knew what someone had bothered to put into it. He also had Mark’s information, but that wasn’t complete either.

  “Anyone been to Neelund?” John asked.

  Heads shook in the silence before Gillespie ventured, “McReidy.”

  John let out a low growl and the tension on the bridge elevated a fraction.

  * * *

  Kowalski skidded through the open doorway to a halt. “Sorry I’m late,” he apologised. “We’re still having problems in engineering.” His eyes fell on McReidy.

  The tan blouse she had chosen to wear wasn’t revealing, but it was open at the throat. The black sleeveless vest that fitted her snugly was left unbuttoned all the way down the front. On her head was a peaked poker cap, shading her eyes from the telltale signs of the state of her cards.

  “Hey, she’s out of uniform. That’s cheating!” Kowalski claimed.

  “Too much of a distraction for you, Sam?” she teased.

  “No, I… no.” He wasn’t about to reveal his thoughts.

  “I’ve been out of uniform for the past week, if you hadn’t heard.”

  The entire ship had heard.

  “Didn’t think you were coming,” Giacomo commented. “You missed the other night.”

  “You want to give us a hand building more torpedoes, I’ll have more time,” Kowalski threw back.

  “Are we going to play or what?” Gillespie’s hands fiddled with the cards, impatient to begin. They took their places and he dealt.

  The cards flicked effortlessly around the table while they threw their opening chips into the pot. Kowalski cashed a handful of credits in for chips and tossed in his opening stake. Gillespie finished dealing and put the deck down beside him. Bets came in and chips flew into the pot. Before they knew it, half a dozen hands had been played and McReidy had a nice pile of chips in front of her.

  Giacomo dived into the bowl of potato chips and began munching noisily.

  “No greasy hands on the cards,” Gillespie instructed.

  “Sorry,” Giacomo mumbled through a mouthful of chips. His hand dropped beneath the table.

  “Don’t wipe it on your pants,” McReidy chastised. “Use a serviette.”

  Serviettes and coasters were her idea and she insisted they be used. There was no excuse for bad manners.

  Giacomo obeyed instantly, placing his cards face down and wiping his fingers clean before picking them up.

  “I see you’ve got him well trained already,” Dunlop observed. “By the way, how is Miss Engineering?”

  Giacomo muttered something unintelligible.

  Dunlop raised his hand and cut him off. “English, please.”

  “I wouldn’t repeat it in front of a lady.”

  “So you are going out with Bricks,” Kowalski made the connection.

  Giacomo raised his hands to his head and looked helplessly up at the ceiling. That was just what he needed! To be the latest topic of gossip! Kowalski couldn’t keep his mouth shut about anything. He was saved by Gillespie’s timely intervention.

  “Sam, I believe it’s your call.”

  Kowalski glanced at his cards, sighed and tossed them face down into the centre of the table. “I’m out.” He turned to Giacomo. “Did you really –?”

  “Shut up, Sam.” McReidy’s warning was accompanied by a swift kick under the table.

  “That hurt.”

  “It was meant to. I’m in for a dollar. What about you, Doc?”

  “I’m in. And I will raise you…” Dunlop paused for dramatic effect. “A whole fifty cents.”

  “Oooh, last of the big spenders,” Gillespie teased.

  “I got burnt the other night. I’m not taking chances.”

  Gillespie and Giacomo folded, leaving only McReidy and Dunlop.

  “Why don’t I trust you?” she quietly asked. She picked her cards up again and glanced at them, then eyed Dunlop carefully. Deciding it was too early to risk herself on a pair of threes, she folded.

  Dunlop grinned, turning his cards over. He had nothing.

  “You were bluffing!” She could have kicked herself. “That’s it. I want a second opinion on my next medical report.”

  They played contentedly for the next half hour. It was McReidy’s deal. She was shuffling the cards and not aware that the door opened behind her.

  “Room for one more?”

  A sudden chill struck her at the sound of John’s voice. She froze, one hand poised over the other, ready to mix the deck.

  “Always,” Gillespie answered. “We’ve missed your money.”

  “Looks like you’re losing again tonight.”

  “I never cheat a friend.”

  John read more into the statement than what was implied. Had Gillespie been playing seriously, he could easily have wiped out the lot of them. He was playing for fun. He was serious when the stakes were high.

  John grabbed a chair. Giacomo slid towards Kowalski, making room between himself and Gillespie. That put John directly opposite McReidy. Her mood dimmed and she avoided eye contact, focusing on shuffling the cards.

  She was not going to let him get to her, even to the point of ignoring him completely. She need not have worried.

  The conversation was light. John spoke very little. When he did, it was purely social, without the slightest mention of anything to do with work. There was still a tension between John and McReidy that couldn’t be eased. It could be overlooked, but when their eyes met, which often happened as they all tried to read each others’ faces, the contact was broken off immediately.

  *

  It was getting late. Giacomo yawned and stretched. Dunlop collected the chips in the kitty, circling his arms around them and dragging them back towards his own pile. He was having a good night. Gillespie shuffled the cards for the last time.

  “Okay, guys, last hand. Time to square off.”

  John watched McReidy as the cards were dealt. She was about to pick them up when he reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers, effectively stopping her. She looked up at him.

  “Do you want your job back?” he asked.

  The question must have put her in shock, for it suddenly seemed as though they were the only people in the room.

  “Yes.” There was no other answer.

  “Side bet. You and me. If you win, you’re back on duty.”

  It was tempting.

  “If I lose?” she asked cautiously.

  He shrugged. “Then you’re off my shift permanently.”

  The silence that enveloped the room was deafening. They all waited for her answer. The stakes were high – too high.

  She desperately wanted her job back, but not at the risk of what she saw as a demotion. She searched his face for any clue that might help her. She didn’t have to win the hand, only to stay in longer than he did.

  His eyes were blank. Deep pools of mud that would give no assistance. It would be entirely her decision. “Are we agreed?”

  The word ‘no’ faltered on her lips. “Yes,” was all that came out.

  “Good.” There was the smallest hint of a smile as he withdrew his hand and slung his arm over the back of his chair. He watched her cautiously as she picked up and sorted her cards. His eyes followed her every movement as she discarded three cards.

  “John… how many?”

&nbs
p; “Huh?” John suddenly realised Gillespie was talking to him. His cards were still face down, untouched from where they had been dealt. He picked them up, taking only a moment to decide. “Two.”

  It was a nerve racking hand. Kowalski was too distracted by John and McReidy to concentrate and folded almost immediately. Dunlop didn’t want to risk his winnings. Giacomo was tired and running out of chips. Overcome by intrigue, Gillespie chose discretion and backed out.

  That left only John and McReidy. The pile of chips in the centre of the table was large, but neither of them were interested in it.

  John was still. One arm was over the back of his chair, the other propped on the table. The only movement he made was the slow, deliberate stroking of his chin as he watched her like a hawk.

  She wasn’t going to back down; she refused to fold. If he was going to beat her then he would have to take her for everything she had, which he appeared quite content to do. He had more chips than her; she was down to her last one. Without thinking, she leant across and dragged Kowalski’s chips to add to hers. Now, she had more than John.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Kowalski demanded.

  “I’ll pay you back, I promise,” she told him.

  John smiled with approval. Ten out of ten for initiative. He dropped his hand to the table. They could go on forever at this rate. It was about time he ended it. He matched her bet. “I’ll see you.”

  It was crunch time. She turned her cards over. Three queens. She watched him for any hint before he revealed his own.

  He moved them neatly together as one and dropped them face down in front of Gillespie. “Beats me.”

  Gillespie quickly placed the deck over them, collecting the other discarded hands and putting them on top.

  John stood up to leave. “Giacomo, change the rosters. I’ll see you on the bridge in the morning.”

  McReidy stared at his empty chair as the full realisation of her win sank in. They all knew how much he hated to lose. After a moment, she followed him out.

  While the others sorted themselves out, Gillespie secretly checked John’s cards – a full house. He knew he had her beaten. For whatever reason, he had chosen not to.

  *

  McReidy caught up with John a little way down the corridor. “Commander,” she called out.

  John stopped and turned around. “What is it now?”

  “Are you sure there’s no hard feelings?”

  “I wouldn’t have made the bet if I had no intention of honouring it. If you had lost, I would have expected you to keep your side.”

  “Leave me alone!”

  The scream echoed from down the corridor. John’s jaw tightened and he was off like a flash. McReidy followed. Around the first corner and they were confronted by Kat and Rodgers arguing.

  “Get away from me!” Kat screamed.

  “Aw, come on, Kat.” Rodgers stepped towards her, his arms spread open. He was trying to charm her, his voice sweet as sugar.

  “Don’t you ‘Kat’ me,” she warned him, stepping back.

  “She means nothing to me,” he tried to defend himself.

  That comment only served to increase Kat’s hysteria. “And I suppose you told her the same thing about me!” She put her hands on her hips and thrust her chin out angrily.

  “What seems to be the problem?” John’s voice caught them both by surprise.

  “Nothing, sir,” Rodgers answered.

  “He is!” Kat spun around to John. “Keep him away from me! I never want to see him again!”

  John saw the hurt on her face. She was about to cry. Being angry was the only thing stopping her.

  “Mister Rodgers, I suggest you leave.” It was not a suggestion; it was an order. The even tone left no doubt about that.

  “But, sir –”

  “Now, Mister Rodgers.” John didn’t want to raise his voice. But he would if he had to. “I will see you in my quarters at seven hundred. Don’t be late.”

  Rodgers looked sulkily from John to Kat and back again. “Sir,” he acknowledged John’s order and stormed noisily away.

  His footsteps faded to nothing.

  “Kat.”

  John’s tender voice was all it took for Kat to throw herself at him. His arms went around her shoulders. She clutched his jacket in both hands, burying her head in his chest, her body trembling as the tears streamed down her face.

  “It’s all right,” he soothed. One hand moved to stroke her hair. His fingers brushed away the hair that had become plastered to her face, looping it behind her ear. He held her for as long as she needed him. Nothing else seemed important.

  The sobs eased as she relaxed.

  He lowered his right hand and gently lifted her chin with his forefinger until she met his eyes. “We’re both going to drown if you keep this up.”

  It brought a smile to her tear stained face. “I’ll be all right now.” She tried to put on a brave front.

  “Good. McReidy’ll take you back to your quarters.”

  “No. I want you.” Her arms slid under his and met behind his back. She squeezed him tightly to her.

  “All right, I’ll take you back,” he gave in.

  Her grip loosened slightly.

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” he told McReidy. The softness Kat had evoked was still in his voice.

  All the women knew his weakness. He had a protective instinct that made him vulnerable. A man they could turn to in times of need. A few tears was all it took to bring it out. But heaven help any woman who tried to abuse his nature and penetrate the depths of his heart. A woman’s charms could be dangerous. There was a chilling coldness that warned not to take advantage; that he had been pushed too far.

  * * *

  John didn’t get much sleep that night. It had taken him well over an hour to settle Kat. For somebody who didn’t want to discuss it, she had barely been able to restrain herself. He didn’t want all the intimate details. He got them anyway.

  He was at his desk reading an engineering report when Rodgers arrived. A fresh mug of coffee was steaming beside him. Hopefully, he could get through this before it got cold.

  “Would you mind explaining last night?”

  “I’d rather not, sir.” A nervous Rodgers remained at attention.

  “Then I will explain it to you. From what I hear, Kat – Nurse Lockett,” he corrected himself immediately, “found you in the arms of another woman.”

  “Yes, sir.” There was no use in denying that much.

  “And you would have made love to this other woman?”

  Rodgers blushed uncomfortably, refusing to answer.

  “I take it that’s a yes.”

  “That’s none of your business… sir,” Rodgers burst out.

  “Yes, it is. I don’t care what you get up to in your personal life, but I will not have it affect the running of my ship. You,” the emphasis was thrown directly on Rodgers, “will straighten this out. If it continues, I will have to transfer someone out of here.”

  “You can’t transfer Kat over something like this.”

  “I didn’t necessarily say it would be her. I will keep whoever I consider to be the greatest asset to this ship. Do I make myself clear?”

  Rodgers suddenly found his own position under threat. “Yes, sir.”

  John picked up the engineering report. He tossed it across the desk to Rodgers. “Is that accurate?”

  Rodgers picked up the report and scanned through it in a matter of seconds. “Unfortunately, it is.”

  “Dismissed.”

  Rodgers put the report on the desk and made a hurried exit.

  John picked up his mug and leaned back in his chair. The coffee had stopped steaming but it was still hot. He suddenly thought he had let Rodgers off too easily. After all, he hadn’t been the one kept up all night comforting Kat. Maybe he should have been left to the mercy of the two women. No… they would have torn him apart. In fact, he would probably spend the rest of his life trying to avoid them. That w
ould be punishment enough.

  John yawned and picked up the engineering report. He still had time for a quick read before he was officially on duty. Officially or not, he felt like he was on duty twenty four hours a day.

  He liked to be on the bridge early. It gave him a chance to catch up on anything that may have happened during his absence. Humphries reported that the shields were still not functioning properly – a confirmation of the report he had just read.

  It looked like they were going to have to pull in somewhere for repairs. According to the latest updates from Command, they were out of enemy territory, but that was no reason to relax their standards. The border changed like a leaf in the wind.

  It took him a short while to correlate their current position to the nearest suitable depot. They could be there by the end of the day. The new course was plotted and laid in before the morning shift started. A brief statement informed the crew of the change.

  Back to top

  Chapter thirteen

  The repair dock was in the Bachaan system. Bachaans had a good agreement with Earth and many other worlds for reliable repairwork to varying types of ships. They were also willing to take kickbacks for underhanded activities that didn’t directly affect such agreements. Caution being the better part of discretion, John warned his crew before allowing leave.

  They were welcome there, the General Manager told them. They could avail themselves of the facilities while their ship was repaired. And would they be paying directly or should the bill be forwarded to Earth?

  John tried not to show his tension at the question as the pale eyes sought to discover his intent.

  “That will depend on the amount.”

  The General Manager lowered his eyes and tapped a keyboard in front of him. A message appeared on the small screen on the arm of John’s chair and he glanced at the amount. A quote based on the damage he’d stated, subject to change on a proper investigation by repair engineers.

  “Money is such an ugly subject to discuss,” the General Manager smiled.

  It might be ugly to discuss, but certainly not too ugly to write down.