Owner's Share (Trader's Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper)

by Lowell, Nathan

  When I got to the chandlery, it took me a few ticks to find the right department but eventually I located the counter where they dispensed the rank insignia and stepped up to the counter only to find the clerk arguing with Avery Wyatt.

  The clerk was apologetic, but adamant. “I’m sorry, but I can only sell those to a Captain.”

  “But I’m buying them for a Captain. She’s just on duty and can’t come get them herself right now.”

  The clerk just shook his head and dug in his feet. “You don’t understand, sar. I know what you’re saying, and I’m sure your captain really needs these stars but I can only sell them to somebody of equal or higher rank.”

  I cleared my throat and they both turned to look at me.

  “Excuse me, but I think I can solve this problem.”

  Relief washed across the clerk’s face. “Captain! I was just trying to tell Mr.—” he leaned over to read the name on his shipsuit, “—Wyatt here that I can’t sell him Captain’s stars.”

  I smiled. “I know you can’t, but I’m a captain.” I fingered the worn stars at my collar. “You can sell them to me, can’t you?”

  “Of course, sar.”

  Avery finally recovered himself. “Captain? What are you doing here?”

  “Apparently the same thing you are, Avery.”

  “Gwen sent me down to pick up some stars so she’ll have them for the change of command.”

  “Sorry, Avery, that’s just not possible.” I grinned at him.

  “So it seems.”

  I turned to the clerk. “I need a pair of gold captain’s stars, please.”

  “Of course, Captain.” The clerk pulled a black velvet box holding a pair of captain’s stars from the locked cabinet under the counter. He held them up for me to see before snapping the lid closed and offering me the tab to sign before giving me the box.

  I took the box and looked at Avery. “See? Easy.”

  He held out his hand for the stars. “Thanks, Captain, I’ll—”

  I stood there with a grin, shaking my head. “Sorry, Avery. This is one job I’m going to do. You’ll have to get her something else.” I nodded to the clerk and headed out of the chandlery with Avery on my heels.

  “I’m not following this at all, Skipper.”

  I grinned at him. “It’s okay, Avery. It’s just one of those things. As her captain, it’s my honor to give her her first stars.” We exited onto the promenade and headed for the lift. “Freddy deGrut gave me my first ones and I intend to pass the favor on to Gwen.” I winked at him. “It’s a captain thing.”

  He chuckled. “You win.” We walked almost all the way back to the ship in silence. Just outside the lock he turned to me. “Can I tease her a bit about not being able to buy any before you give them to her?”

  “Are you sure you want to get her mad at you, Avery?”

  “Well, we can always make up after.” He winked at me.

  I was still laughing when we keyed the lock and went back aboard.

  Chapter Eleven

  Diurnia Orbital:

  2372-December-20

  Around 1130, Captain Thomas came down from officer country and stepped into the glorious aromas that filled the mess deck.

  “Avery, what are you cooking?”

  He smiled over at her. “I found some fresh turkey at the chandlery, and thought this was a good reason to cook it.”

  She wandered over to the galley and examined the array of foods that we’d put together. She looked up at me with a smile. “Your last few stans ,and you’ve been cooking, Captain?”

  I grinned down at her. “I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to do this again. It seemed as good a way as any.”

  She chuckled and shook her head. “You never cease to amaze me, Captain.”

  I snapped my fingers. “I keep trying for amuse...”

  They both laughed at that.

  She turned to Mr. Wyatt. “Avery, did you get that other thing I asked you to pick up?”

  “Oh, no, I meant to tell you when I got back.”

  “No?” Her face clouded and she cocked her head to one side. “No, you didn’t get them?”

  He paid very close attention to the gravy that was thickening on the stove. “That’s right! They wouldn’t sell them to me. Apparently you have to be a captain to buy them.”

  She visibly deflated and looked at the chrono on the bulkhead. “Well, I guess I have time to run down there myself, but—”

  She looked at him again and saw his grin, stopped in mid-sentence, and cocked her head to the other side.

  I reached up to my collar and pulled my stars off the tabs. “Lucky there happens to be a captain in the neighborhood, huh?” I reached forward and removing her First Mate pips, replaced them with my stars. “It’s also traditional for the new captain to get her first stars from her last captain.”

  “But, Captain, you can’t go without stars!” Gwen’s alarm was evident on her face but she didn’t dare move with the sharp points of the insignia so close to her skin.

  “I’ve got stars. Several sets actually, including the pair Federica deGrut gave me when I got my ticket.” I stepped back and admired my handiwork. “I’m just continuing the tradition.”

  The scrutiny left her looking back and forth between Avery and me, searching our faces for some clue.

  “Well? How do I look?”

  “Like a captain,” I told her.

  “Beautiful,” Avery said.

  We were both right.

  “But, Captain! I can’t take your stars!” She reached for her collar.

  “You’re not, Gwen. I’m giving them to you.”

  “But you need stars!”

  I grinned, reached into my pocket and pulled out a black, velvet box. Flipping it open with my thumb, I pulled out a pair of shiny, new gold stars and clipped them to my collar. “I just happen to have a pair. What are the odds?”

  Avery looked at me with a grin, and just shook his head.

  I heard the lock cycle and realized that it was getting to be time.

  Captain Thomas and I went to the brow to meet our guest, and found Mr. Hill showing Kirsten Kingsley aboard. Mr. Schubert had his head in the guest locker, stowing the co-op’s flea market gear. I looked at them curiously.

  “Closing early today, gentlemen?”

  Mr. Schubert grinned. “Sold out, Captain. We’ll start our buying run tomorrow.”

  “Besides,” Mr. Hill continued, “we didn’t wanna miss the change of command.”

  Mr. Schubert grinned. “I was there when you came aboard, Skipper. I wanted to be here to see you go.”

  “To say good riddance, Mr. Schubert?” I asked, grinning back at him.

  He laughed but his eyes were serious. “To say thank you, Captain.” He winked at Captain Thomas. “And to see if I could fall asleep on the watchstander’s station again.”

  That got a full round of laughs, even if Ms. Kingsley didn’t really get the full joke. The image of Mr. Schubert asleep on the tiny desk must have been sufficiently funny.

  I took it as a measure of how far she’d come that even Gwen Thomas laughed.

  “Well, Captains,” Ms. Kingsley began, “if I could have a few words with you before we begin? Satisfy a few formalities?”

  We made our way back into the ship, leaving the crew to finish sorting themselves out. As we entered the cabin, I knew I was going to miss that port. Having a view out of the ship was a constant reminder of the wonder that surrounded me whenever I was aboard, even if it only showed me the stained and too shiny metal of the orbital.

  Gwen and I took seats on one of the sofas, leaving Ms. Kingsley to face us across the table.

  She smiled at us. “First, thank you both. This is a tough time for the company, and the repercussions will be felt for stanyers. You two are in the right place to help us over this rough patch, and I’m sure we’re going to be even more grateful in the future.” At this last she cast a meaningful look in my direction.

  Gwe
n sat primly, her hands folded in her lap. “You can count on me, Ms. Kingsley, and of course, we’re glad to do whatever we can.”

  Ms. Kingsley smiled at Gwen. “So, you’re willing to take on responsibility for this ship and crew? I feel like we’ve rather steamrollered you into this position, but you do have the choice. You can turn it down if you wish.”

  Gwen glanced at me and then back to Ms. Kingsley. “My concern is that by taking command here, I’m costing this man his job.”

  Ms. Kingsley flashed a smile at me before answering her. “And if you are?”

  “Then, I’ll respectfully decline, Ms. Kingsley. I’d much rather sail under Captain Wang, than take his command knowing he was beached and unemployed.”

  “We have a rather odd job for Captain Wang—one that only he can do for us.” She glanced at me with an apologetic shrug. “We don’t know exactly how that job is going to get done, but will you accept my assurance that there will always be a place for him in our organization?”

  Gwen looked at her curiously, and then at me. “Do you know what this job is, Ishmael?”

  “I think so.” I shrugged. “I’m not sure how we’re going to manage it either, but I know what they want me to do.”

  “Are you willing to do it?”

  “Yes, Gwen. It sounds like an interesting challenge. One that I have no idea if I can pull off.”

  “Can you tell me what it is?”

  I looked at Ms. Kingsley. “Ms. Kingsley?”

  Ms. Kingsley looked back and forth between us. “You didn’t tell her already?”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t think it was something we wanted spread around.”

  She looked at Gwen. “Will it make a difference to your taking command here if we say we can’t tell you?”

  Gwen smiled. “Goodness, no. I’m just dying to find out what impossible task you’ve picked for this poor man next.”

  That made us both laugh.

  Ms. Kingsley nodded. “Fair enough. We want him to train our new CEO.”

  Gwen’s eyes bugged out and her head swiveled from Ms. Kingsley to me and back. “What do you think Ishmael can teach him?”

  “Her,” Ms. Kingsley corrected, “And we don’t know.”

  “Her?” Gwen looked confused. “The new CEO is a woman?”

  “Christine Maloney. Geoff left the majority share in DST to his daughter. That gives her, traditionally, the title of CEO.”

  Gwen focused on me. “You knew about this?”

  I shrugged. “Of course, and I still have no idea about how we’re going to do it, but yes.”

  She shook her head in amazement. “You’re either the bravest man I’ve ever met, or the dumbest.”

  “Those aren’t mutually exclusive,” I said.

  “So?” Ms. Kingsley refocused our attention. “Captain Thomas? You’ll take the Agamemnon?”

  “Of course, Ms. Kingsley.”

  “Any questions?”

  “Can I get the cabin painted?”

  Ms. Kingsley struggled to put some meaning to the question, but it was all I could do to stifle a laugh.

  “Painted, Captain?”

  She nodded. “I understand it’s traditional at DST that the company paints the cabin for any new captain.”

  Ms. Kingsley looked at me.

  I shrugged. “Geoff started it. Ask Captain Delman about it next time you see him.”

  She looked bewildered by the idea, but acquiesced. “All right, sure. Just let us know what color you want.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Kingsley. I’ll think on it and let you know later today.” She settled back into her seat a satisfied smile on her face.

  “Anything else?” Ms. Kingsley looked back and forth between us a couple of times.

  I shook my head. “Nothing here.”

  Gwen shrugged. “Me, either.”

  “Well, then let’s get this thing taken care of and I’ll let you get on with that delicious smelling meal.”

  “You’re invited if you like, Ms. Kingsley,” Gwen told her.

  That startled her. “Really?”

  “Why not?” I asked. “Plenty of room at the table, and if I know Avery, enough food to feed half the dock.”

  She looked like she was thinking about it, but shook her head. “First things first, let’s get this change over done.”

  We left the cabin and headed for the bridge. W we got to bridge, we found most of the crew already there. I heard footfalls on the ladder behind me and turned to find Mr. Wyatt following Ms. Arellone up the steep steps, rounding out our company.

  Mr. Pall grinned at Gwen. “Crew present or accounted for, sar.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Pall.” She turned to me. “Captain, Second Mate reports all hands present or accounted for.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Thomas.” I turned to Ms. Kingsley. “You’re on.”

  She flipped up a document on her tablet and looked around at the assembled company before reading. “My name is Kirsten Kingsley and I represent the authority of Diurnia Salvage and Transport, legal owner of this vessel named Agamemnon. I hereby give notice to all assembled that at noon on this date, command of Agamemnon will pass from Captain Ishmael Horatio Wang to Captain Gwendolyn Murray Thomas, along with all rights, privileges, appurtenances, and responsibilities. I would take this opportunity before this company to thank Captain Wang for his service as commander of this vessel and her crew. I would further congratulate Captain Thomas on this occasion of her first command and wish her a long and prosperous career. Thank you.”

  Mr. Pall spoke from the back of the bridge. “Logged at 1200 hours December 20, 2372.”

  For a small crowd they made a lot of noise, but Mr. Wyatt’s voice rose above the hubbub. “Can I suggest that we save the speeches for the mess deck? Lunch mess is ready to be served.”

  I turned to Gwen. “Captain, I believe the honor falls to you, now.”

  She grinned and, head high, sailed off the bridge and down the two ladders to the mess deck with the crew, in order of rank following. I held Ms. Kingsley on my arm and followed up the rear. She looked at me in question. “Some forms need to be observed,” I told her. When we got to the main deck, I turned to her again. “Will you join us for lunch?”

  She looked at the throng gathered on the mess deck and back at me. “I’d love to, but I need to get back to the office. We’re still on for dinner tonight?”

  “I’ve got nothing on my calendar.”

  She snorted a small laugh. “Okay, then Marcel’s at 2000? There should be a few people you’ll find interesting.”

  “Marcel’s at 2000. Got it.”

  Captain Thomas saw us with our heads together in the passage and came to join us. “Thank you, Ms. Kingsley,” she said. “Can you stay for lunch?”

  Kirsten smiled and shook her head. “Duty calls, I’m afraid.”

  Gwen smiled and nodded. “We know that song and dance, by the numbers.” She turned and looked into the mess deck. “Ms. Arellone, would you log our guest ashore?”

  Ms. Arellone looked up from her conversation with the other two ratings and scampered over. “Of course, Captain. My pleasure. This way, Ms. Kingsley?”

  With a flip of her hand Ms. Kingsley followed Stacy down the passage toward the lock, and Gwen and I stepped onto the mess deck to the applause of the assembled crew.

  I caught Gwen’s eye and nodded to the mess line. “They’re waiting on you, Captain.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Diurnia Orbital:

  2372-December-20

  Between lunch mess and the details of helping Gwen get established in the Agamemnon’s systems as captain, then helping her verify that my codes were inactive, followed by an extended good bye chat with Gwen and Avery on the mess deck with requisite coffee, it was nearly 1500 before I was ready to leave the ship. I should have realized that something was going on because Gwen kept looking over my shoulder at the passageway outside. Eventually she saw what she was looking for and I heard a soft whump, like a duffle bag
hitting the deck behind me.

  I turned to see Ms. Arellone standing in the door of the mess deck, her duffle on the deck beside her, and a look that was part challenge, part plea.

  Avery chuckled softly. I turned to find Gwen and Avery both grinning at me.

  Gwen murmured, “You’re not the only one with surprises today, Ishmael.”

  “What’s this, then?”

  “Your new crew.”

  I blinked, trying to process it.

  Avery nodded in the direction of the passage and Ms. Arellone. “You might want to go speak to that spacer, Ishmael.”

  Curiosity furrowing my brow, I placed my half empty mug on the table and unfolded myself from the bench. As I crossed the mess deck toward Ms. Arellone, she backed into the passageway and out of the line of sight from the table.

  I stopped just outside the door and looked at her. “Ms. Arellone?”

  “Please hear me out, Captain.” She looked up at me with some expression in her eyes that I couldn’t quite fathom.

  “You’ve got my attention, Ms. Arellone.”

  “Will you take me with you, sar?”

  “Take you with me?” I felt almost like a parrot. “I’m going onto the beach, Ms. Arellone.”

  She gave me an impatient toss of her cropped head and an equally impatient look. “That’s temporary, Skipper, and you need me now.”

  “I need you, Ms. Arellone?” I tried to keep the humor from my voice because this woman didn’t see anything funny about her statement. I knew I better not either.

  “Sar, in about a week, maybe less if the newsies catch on, you’re going to need a bodyguard.”

  The astonishment rendered me speechless for a moment. I turned to look at where Gwen and Avery still watched me from the galley table. The gentle amusement on their faces did nothing to help my comprehension.

  “A bodyguard, Ms. Arellone? Why would I need a bodyguard?”

  “Because, sar, you will become the richest bachelor in Diurnia. The story will make the rounds, and you’re going to be hounded by newsies, mongers, and gold diggers.”

  “Aren’t you being a little premature, Ms. Arellone?”

  To her credit, she thought before answering. “Maybe, but if you wait until you realize you need me, I’ll be gone. The Agamemnon will have sailed. Worse, you’ll already be buried and digging you out will be more difficult. This way we have the foundations built before we need to actually construct the fort.” I saw a tiny wince flash across her face at that, like she’d said something she hadn’t meant to.