Alexis dashed forward and leapt onto the man’s back, wrapping her arms and legs around him and knocking him off balance so that his kick missed. Keeping her grip with one arm, she reached her other hand around the man’s head and clawed at his face. The man swung around and his partner drove a fist into Alexis’ side that forced the breath from her, but still she hung on and dug her nails into his skin.
A few people were coming out of the corridor’s stores and pubs, some staying to watch the fight, but most hurrying away, and Alexis caught sight of a familiar uniform.
“Merlins!” she yelled, then let out a loud oof as the man’s fist drove into her side again.
That blow caused her to lose her grip and she fell from the man’s back to land awkwardly on the deck. Dazed by the fall, she was watching helplessly as one of the attackers drew back his leg to kick at her face, when the world was suddenly filled with flailing arms and legs clad in Navy blue jumpsuits as cries of “Merlin!” rang through the corridor.
While most of the arriving spacers kicked and pummeled their attackers, driving them down the corridor, others grasped Alexis, Philip, and Roland to drag them from the melee. The three of them leaned against a shop window and watched as their five attackers broke off and ran, the spacers from Merlin hurling taunts and insults in their wake.
“I think we’d have had them ourselves in another moment,” Roland muttered. The fight seemed to have sobered him immensely. Alexis saw that he’d not been able to hold them off entirely, as one eye was rapidly swelling and his lip was puffy.
Philip nodded, his head tucked down to press part of his jacket to a nose streaming blood. “Yes. Another moment or two is all we needed.”
Alexis stared at the two and shook her head. “Quite. I’m sure, come morning, their fists will be most sorry they ever met us.”
Alexis lay in her bunk, her cheek and lip throbbing where she’d been hit in the fight and her side ached. She wondered for a moment if she might need to see the ship’s surgeon about her ribs. Only moments after the five men had run, the Station Patrol had arrived and taken all of the crew, including Alexis, Roland, and Philip, into custody. But, with no one from the other side of the fight present, they’d decided to simply turn the lot of them over to Merlin immediately. The group of them had been marched back to the ship — the crew cheerful and thanking the three midshipmen for a fine little tussle to end their liberty.
Lieutenant Caruthers had been called from his cabin when they’d arrived. He’d sent the crew off to quarters without a word, then simply stared at the three of them for a moment, taking in the sight. All three of them had battered faces and one of the sleeves of Alexis’ jacket had ripped during the fracas — she’d have to ask Acker to repair it, if the spacer could find the time.
Caruthers had simply shaken his head and muttered, “Captain’ll see you lot in the morning,” before sending them off to their berths.
Despite the excitement of the fight and her dread about seeing the captain in the morning, her thoughts kept going back to that moment just before they’d spotted Roland, when she’d been looking up into Philip’s eyes and the world had suddenly gone all warm and fuzzy for a moment.
In retrospect, she decided it had simply been the result of a pleasant, relaxing evening in his company after weeks in a stressful new environment.
After all, he was two years younger than she was. Though very mature after almost a year aboard ship. More so than most of the older boys on Dalthus — at least of the holders’ sons.
And she’d only known him for a few weeks. Though I do enjoy his company and I’m sure I’d enjoy it even if we weren’t thrust together aboard ship every day.
And serving together aboard Merlin, anything of the sort would be out of the question. Though … well, no, I can’t really argue myself out of that one, can I?
No, the regulations were quite clear about officers serving aboard the same ship or even in the same chain-of-command.
Not to mention that they were already sharing a berth and she’d felt a bit awkward as they’d hurriedly prepared for sleep after returning to the ship. Just as he seems to have gotten quite over my 'and-suches', now it begins to bother me?
Absolutely not. No, that moment had to have been nothing and she’d think no more about it. For, if it weren’t, it would cause no end of problems and awkwardness between them while they both served aboard Merlin. Perhaps, one day, we’ll be on separate ships and …
She pulled her pillow out from under her head and pressed it to her face despite her sore cheek and lip.
“Oh, bother.”
“Brawling on station? Brought back to the ship by the Station Patrol like a lot of drunken spacers?”
Alexis stared straight ahead at the bulkhead of the captain’s day cabin, face set and still as he spoke. Philip and Roland stood to either side of her, similarly stoic. And similarly battered, she thought, having seen the extent of their injuries in the gunroom as they’d prepared to face the captain.
Philip’s nose was swollen and both eyes blacked, while Roland sported a livid bruise across one side of his face and his lip was split and swollen so that it was painful for him to speak. For Alexis’ part, she’d woken to find that she had to concentrate not to wince at every breath as her side where their attackers had repeatedly punched her was quite tender. At least I didn’t get hit too badly in the face. I shouldn’t like that, I suspect.
“Would one of you like to explain your actions?” Grantham asked.
The three remained silent. Alexis, for her part, wondering how they’d manage to explain what happened without it being clear that Roland had been about to be well-rolled by a gang of ruffians, something, she was certain, that would not improve the young man’s chance for advancement. Perhaps if they simply explained that they were set upon by those intent on robbing them without getting into the specifics, he might be satisfied.
Captain Grantham’s face darkened as the silence continued.
“It was my fault all entire, sir,” Roland said suddenly. He took a deep breath before continuing. “I fell in with a bad lot and would have come out far worse if Mister Easely and Mister Carew hadn’t stepped in.”
Grantham nodded, apparently satisfied that someone had come forward to take responsibility.
“I expect you’ll take better notice of the company you keep in future, Mister Roland. And where they plan to lead you,” the captain added, apparently better informed about the details than they’d thought. “As for you two, while it’s commendable to come to the aid of a fellow officer, I still I can’t have my officers involved in drunken brawls. The three of you are confined to the ship for the duration of our stay at Zariah — not that the Station would allow you back aboard this trip regardless.” He stared at each of them in turn. “As you’ll have some time, you may assist Mister Dudgeon in keeping Merlin properly maintained. I’m quite sure he would appreciate a report on the state of our rigging, standing and running.” Alexis felt her eyes widen at the thought of examining kilometers of cables and wires that made up the rigging. “Including all of our ready-made spares.” She felt Philip and Roland slump in despair beside her. “A quite thorough report, if you please, and in Mister Dudgeon’s hands before we leave Zariah.”
Alexis breathed a sigh of relief as they returned to the gunroom with the captain safely behind to two hatchways and the companionway and saw the other two do so as well.
“Could’ve been worse, I suppose,” Philip muttered.
“I’m sure I haven’t heard the last of it,” Roland said.
Alexis saw that Philip was looking at Roland with much the same expression she suspected she was herself.
“What?” Roland asked, darting his gaze between the two of them.
“It’s just that you …”
Roland scowled and cut him off. “Oh, come on,” he said. “I’m not a total prat, you know. You lot did pull me out of a right mess last night.” He looked from Alexis to Philip, then shook his head and s
talked off.
Philip turned to Alexis. “You spotting the crew saved us all. The look on that fellow’s face as he was yanked off his feet was worth a bit of pummeling. And when the Station Patrol came along at the end,” he said, laughing, “with only us from Merlin left around? Puzzled them, I think, to find no other side to the brawl.”
Alexis grinned. “It was a spot of fun, wasn’t it?”
“Worth every bit,” Philip agreed, gingerly testing his battered nose.
Sixteen
“Whatever is that racket, Philip?” Alexis asked.
The two were in the aft companionway, passing the gundeck on their way down — Philip to the hold in order to supervise making room for the supplies Alexis’ crew would be bringing up from the planet’s surface. They’d been four weeks in transit from Zariah to Eidera, stopping periodically at uninhabited systems to check for signs of pirates, smugglers, or just simple merchantmen who’d had trouble in darkspace and made for the nearest transition to normal-space.
“Ah.” Philip glanced at the closed hatch. “No liberty for the crew on Eidera, but the captain’s put the ship out of discipline, so the bumboats have come up.”
“Bumboats?”
“Merchants and …” He cleared his throat. “And some others. Allows the wives on board and such.”
Alexis grinned. “The crew’s families? I should very much like to meet them,” she said, reaching for the hatch.
“Alexis, I wouldn’t …”
Alexis opened the hatch and found that the gundeck had been transformed into a colorful bazaar by a herd of merchants come aboard to sell to the men. They carried trays of food, crafts from the planet, and …
“Oh my,” Alexis whispered as she noticed the women, all colorfully dressed, or not, to attract the attention of the spacers.
Philip peered over her shoulder. “That would be the others, yes.”
Alexis’ eyes widened. “But …”
“Can’t give them liberty on most planets, else they’ll run,” Philip explained, tugging her arm. “Let’s go then.”
“But you said … wives …”
Philip looked down at the deck. “Not as though the bosun checks a certificate when they come aboard.”
She looked at him, eyes wide. “You mean they’re not really …”
“Heard it said of a spacer that there’s a wife in every port?” He looked away and tugged at his collar. “Well, it’s enough to get her aboard that a man says she is.”
Alexis looked back through the hatchway, fascinated. “Do you mean to say they’re all paid women? But some of them are … right out in the open …”
“The men have no cabins and most can’t afford but a three-penny upright.” Philip colored, then tugged harder on her arm. “Come on, then, we’ve work to do. And it’s right to leave the men their privacy when the ship’s out of discipline. They’ll, none of them, have a bit of pay left before we make sail.”
Alexis ignored him, trying to take in the chaotic scene before her, then gasped. “Oh, heavens … well, that can’t be at all comfortable.”
Philip made to slide the hatch shut, but she stopped it and peered through again.
“Alexis!”
“Oh, I suppose you’re right,” she said, releasing her grip and letting the hatchway slide closed. “But aren’t you the least bit curious?”
“No … well, yes,” he flushed a deeper red. “But we’ve work to be doing.”
Alexis grinned, he was so easily flustered. “I suppose you’re right.”
They went down the companionway to the hold where Philip exited. Alexis continued down the keel lock and entered the ship’s boat. It was already filled with the men and three marines and the pilot was waiting for her in the cockpit. She slid into a seat next to him, excited that she’d be in the front of the boat for the flight down. She couldn’t suppress a wide grin as the boat sped toward the planet then down through the atmosphere to finally pass over the port city and land at the broad field on its outskirts. Eidera had been settled about twice as long as Dalthus and had a much larger population. Its main city was three or four times the size of Port Arthur.
“First time up front, sir?” the pilot asked as he made the last setting to shut down the boat’s systems.
“And my first time on a planet other than home, Vaux,” she said, still grinning. “I can’t quite believe it.” She stood and turned to the cockpit’s hatch. “It’s customary for you to stay with the boat, I understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, then I’ll see you when we return with the supplies.” She slid the hatch open. The men had the passenger compartment’s exterior hatch opened already and the steps lowered, but no one had left the boat yet. Tradition called for the senior officer to board last and disembark first.
And that’s me. Alexis cleared her throat quickly to suppress a giggle. She knew it wouldn’t do to laugh outright, but the excitement was almost too much for her. Away from the ship, in command of the men, and about to step onto a strange planet for the first time. She took a deep breath of the fresh air coming through the hatch. Welcome enough after weeks of the dry, stale air aboard ship. Always just slightly flavored with the scent of too many men and not enough water for washing. Unless her memory was playing tricks on her, though, the air on Eidera even smelled a bit different than Dalthus.
She squared her shoulders and strode down the steps, taking a little hop off the last one so that she planted both feet firmly on the hard surface of the landing pad. She pulled her tablet and consulted the map of the town with the chandlery clearly marked. As the men and three marines exited, she was glad to see Acker among them. Then her stomach clenched as she noticed Alan was in the group as well. She looked away, determined to not let that steal any of her enjoyment.
“Form them up, Acker,” she said, “marines to the rear.” She’d been told that much by Lieutenant Caruthers when he’d given her the assignment. Always keep the marines to the rear of the group where they could watch for men trying to desert.
Alexis consulted her tablet again and led them off. Eidera was not only more populated than Dalthus, it also had a more advanced manufacturing base. The streets here were smooth and flat, not the cobbles or bare earth of Port Arthur, and there were only a few horses in sight. Instead, most of the vehicles were powered, though still wheeled and not airborne.
The chandlery, though, was not as conveniently located as Port Arthur’s. She led the group down a broad avenue to the chandlery gates some five or six blocks away. The shops near the port here were the same sort as on Dalthus, and she suspected would be so on every planet. Food stalls and peddlers vied for the men’s attention, having to be constantly waved off by the marines, and it seemed every third doorway was a pub of some sort. Things went well until they arrived at the chandlery, where she knocked on the high loading doors of the warehouse.
“Ah, you must be from Merlin,” a man said, sliding the doors wide and smiling. He was fat and balding, and seemed to be sweating a great deal given the mild day. “Wynston Maryott. I’ve your order all packaged and loaded aboard the trucks for you.” He nodded to three large trucks nearby.
This must work often enough for them to make it worthwhile, though how it ever does I can’t fathom. Caruthers had been quite clear in his description of the assignment that she was to trust nothing she hadn’t seen packed and loaded with her own eyes. It seemed such common knowledge aboard ship that the chandler would try to cheat them that she couldn’t see why they’d even try.
“I’m sorry, Mister Maryott,” she said, “but I’m to check every item against my list personally.” She held up her tablet. “My lieutenant was quite clear.”
“Well,” Maryott said, “that’s as may be, but you’re my last order for the day and I’ve sent most of the lads home. Just the three drivers here to take your things to the field.” He smiled. “I assure you everything’s in order.”
Alexis smiled back. “I’m sure it is, Mister Maryott,
but I do have my orders. I suppose my men will have to unload the trucks if you’ve none of your own to accomplish it.”
“On such a hot day, miss?” He pulled a cloth from his pocket and made a show of wiping his face and head. “Surely your lads would rather be off having a wet?”
Alexis clenched her jaw and fought down a flush of anger. And to think being called ‘miss’ would ever make me angry. “I’m sure they would, but alas, that’s not to be.” She started toward the trucks. “We’ll be about it as quickly as we can, Mister Maryott.”
“Now look, girl,” he said, hurrying to get between her and the trucks. He stopped and held up a hand, forcing Alexis to stop before running into him. “I don’t have time to be standing around waiting on this. Just take the trucks and send down a message if anything’s amiss when you get back aboard ship.”
Alexis stared at him a moment and drew a breath. “Acker!” she called.
“Sir?”
“I should like Mister Maryott removed from my path and these trucks unloaded instanter!”
“Aye sir!”
In a moment, Acker and another spacer stood to either side of Maryott and grasped him by the arms. “If you’ll step just over ‘ere ter the side, sir,” Acker said, easing the wide-eyed chandler in that direction. “There’s a spot o’ shade yer can wait in and we’ll be done in no time.”
The trucks were unloaded and the pallets unpacked in a remarkably short time. Alexis checked each item against her list as they were repacked and nodded as Maryott assured her he had no idea as to how so many things had been overlooked. When she was sure everything was aboard the trucks, she nodded goodbye to Maryott. She sent one of the marines to ride with the heavily loaded trucks back to the ship’s boat and led the men out of the chandlery.
Alexis Carew: Books 1, 2, and 3 Page 19
