“If the other guys are worse than you they'll need an ambulance. You have three fractured ribs and a fractured left ulna.” Lowering the tablet viewer, Betty looked directly at the battered man. “I'd say you were on the receiving end of a severe beating.”
Jimmy moaned and closed his eyes, unable to reply.
“It was de Ukrainians; dis be de second time,” said Jesse. “Dem rude boys is no good, I tell you.”
“Why were they picking on your waiter?” asked Mizuki, her butterflies hovering near the door, showing worried shades of dark blue and purple.
“Dis stupid boy! He got de gamblin' sickness. If dey is a card game or someone throwin' dice he has to bet on it, for true. Trouble is he don' ever win, he just lose all his money.”
“And now he is over his head in debt to the Ukrainians,” said Beth, adding one and one together. Most fleet officers were aware that there was a criminal element on Farside and much of it was controlled by the Ukrainians.
“Dat's right, Miss Elisabeth. He owe dem 500 credits.” Jesse wrung her hands and shook her head in disapproval. “I'd pay it, but he would just be back in debt de next time he found a bettin' game.”
“And just what do you think we can do about it, Jesse?” asked Beth, sensing that the Jamaican woman was leaving things unsaid.
“I hopin' dat you could take him wit you on de Peggy Sue. I heard you was needin' a cook and he can cook pretty good. He really is a good boy—he don' drink or show up for work late—he just can' resist gamblin'.”
“I am going to give him an analgesic and get a cold pack on those ribs and bruising,” said Betty. “He needs to stay on his back until the fractures knit. Even with regrowth stimulators, I will need to keep him at least overnight for observation.”
“I think that Jesse needs to talk with the Captain about her ward here,” added Beth.
“Oh yes, please let me talk wit' Captain Billy Ray. He a good mon, I just know he help Jimmy.”
With that Beth and Mizuki led Jesse forward to see the Captain, butterflies in tow. After the women departed Matt looked questioningly at Betty.
“You need me to stick around, Doc?”
“No, you can go back to whatever you were doing. Thanks Matt,” Betty said with a smile. “I used to work on wounded Marines; I think I can handle one beat-up Rastaman.”
Port Cargo Hatch, Peggy Sue
Chief Hank Zackly was standing at the top of the short ramp leading from the surrounding dock platform to the large, rectangular door opening on the forward end of Peggy Sue's main cargo hold. He held a tablet in his hand, allowing him to check off late arriving crates of equipment and supplies against the master inventory in the ship's computer. He looked up to see a woman in a tan civilian jumpsuit coming up the ramp.
The woman had short hair and walked with an assertive stride. She was full bodied, but not to the point of being stocky; attractive but not beautiful. Something about her tickled the Chief's memory.
“Permission to come aboard, Sir?” the woman asked, coming to a halt at the top of the cargo ramp.
“Granted,” the Chief replied, “come aboard, Ms. Acuna.”
Rosey smiled at the wiry little man and stepped over the lower lip of the door and into the ship's interior. The hold was stacked full of crates and equipment strapped to pallets, all secured to the deck with clamps. Despite the use of deck gravity old habits died hard, all the cargo was made fast so it would not shift while underway. The Chief squinted and looked Rosey up and down.
“So what brings you to the Peggy Sue this fine afternoon, Marine?”
“Ex Marine, Chief,” Rosey replied, “sort of.”
“How can you be 'sort of' a Marine? Yer either a jar head or you ain't.”
“They tried to shanghai me into a four year reenlistment so I sort of missed a troop movement,” the nervous woman said. “I'm AWOL, Chief.”
“I guess this is just my day for collectin' strays. First Jesse brings her waiter, then Bear's cub shows up and now you,” the old Chief said, shaking his head. “Let me guess, you would like to talk to the Captain, to see if we have room for one more on the crew? ”
“Sorry Chief, I didn't know where else to turn.” Rosey stared dejectedly at the deck, avoiding eye contact. The Chief looked at her silently for several moments and then sighed.
“Alright, if yous can find yer way forward I'll tell the Captain yer coming.”
“Thank you, Chief,” the relieved Marine replied. She quickly turned and hurried forward through the airlock door leading to the crew quarters.
“Captain Vincent, Cargo hold,” Zackly called over his collar pip.
“This is the Captain, go ahead Chief.”
“I think we just picked up another lost soul from earlier voyages, Sir. I just sent Rosey Acuna forward to talk with you.”
“Roger that, Chief. Thanks for the heads up.”
Polar Bear Quarters, Peggy Sue
Given his experience in the Marines and having sailed on the Peggy Sue before, Umky was quickly accepted as a member of the crew by the Captain and, equally important, the Chief. He ambled aft to find the his quarters, a refrigerated compartment with a small pool for bathing and ice shelves for sleeping. As he approached the entrance to the converted reefer he detected a scent, the unmistakable odor of a female polar bear. The door slid open and he was presented with the sight of a furry white rump.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“Huh?” the smaller female exclaimed, turning to face him.
“I said, who are you?” Umky repeated.
“I'm Ahnah. And who the hell are you?”
“I'm Umky, I just signed on for the voyage. Why are you here?”
“I'm going on the voyage as well. You're crew?”
“Sensor operator and combat ops if needed. You?”
“I'm on the science staff,” the she-bear replied with just a hint of superiority in her voice.
“Really? Are the humans going to study you during the trip or something?”
Ahnah's eyes narrowed and her ears flattened. In a not so friendly tone of voice she replied, “I'll have you know I have a PhD specializing in developmental biology and chemical ecology.”
“Whoa,” Umky said, “Didn't mean to raise your hackles, sweetheart.”
This reply antagonized the ursine scientist even more. “Listen, you stupid bruin, don't get any amorous ideas about this trip or I will remove your hairy testicles and feed them to you. Understand?”
Damn it all! Though Umky, I signed on for this trip to get away from uppity females, now it looks like I'm bunking with one. “Look Ahnah, I've got no desire to take a tumble with you. I signed up to get away from romantic entanglements, not for a shipboard romance with a she-bear I've never met. Can we call a truce? I have equipment I need to check out in the Armory.”
Ahnah snorted. “You've got the left side of the habitat.”
“Port side,” Umky replied, “on a ship it's the port side, not left side.”
“Whatever. Try to stay on your side in the future.” Ahnah pointedly turned her back on the exasperated male and took two bounds, landing in the pool. This effectively ended the conversation.
Well, talk about getting off on the wrong paw, Umky thought to himself as he went back into the passageway and headed forward toward the Armory. No, that didn't go well at all...
Main Lounge, Peggy Sue
Rosey finished her interview with the Captain and was headed aft. Her intended path took her through the ship's main lounge and down the companionway at its rear. This would take her to the lower deck and the crew's quarters. Ahead, she spied the ship's First Officer leaning against the lounge's curving mahogany bar, viewing a data tablet.
“Good afternoon, Ma'am,” the ex-Marine said.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Acuna,” the officer replied. “I take it from your smile that things went well with the Captain?”
“Yes, Ma'am, he said I was welcome to join the crew for the next voyage.”
Well, nothing for it, she thought. Decision reached, she straightened up and laid the tablet on top of the bar. “You know, Ms. Acuna, I talked with Gen. Rodriguez about you.”
Rosey swallowed and said, “Yes, Ma'am?”
“The Corps Commandant said she remembered you from the Peggy Sue's second voyage,” Beth continued in a neutral tone, “that you were a good Marine; steady under fire. She also said you were well liked by your squad mates and members of the crew.”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
“I also know why you ended up on the Corps' shit list.”
Not knowing what to say, Rosey came to attention—back straight, eyes focused at a spot six inches above the officer's head.
“I am also sure that my husband, the Captain, was too much a gentleman to mention this.” Beth paused to let that sink in. “What's past is past, and I have no interest in those events, Ms. Acuna. What I am concerned with is the morale of the crew and the smooth operation of this ship.”
A pause followed by silence.
“Any action, any activity that sows discord among the crew or interferes with the safety and operation of the Peggy Sue will not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
“Very well,” the First Officer said, closing the subject. “In any case, welcome aboard—it's good to know we have people who have been there before. You can carry on.”
“Aye, aye, Ma'am,” the ex-Marine acknowledged, then she turned smartly and resumed her journey aft.
Well that was rather unpleasant, Beth said to herself. I had forgotten what a thankless job being XO really is. Still, best to make sure everyone understands the ground rules before the ship gets underway.
Cargo Hold, Peggy Sue
Jacobs and Hitch were in the armory, adjoining the aft end of the main cargo hold, checking out their suits of heavy space armor. The suits were identical to the ones they had worn on the trek across the Ring Station, meaning they were more advanced than the ones used by the Fleet Marines.
“I tell you these are the same suits, Matt,” said Hitch.
“I can't argue with that, Stevie, this suit fits me like a glove.”
“Yeah, even with all the weight you gained on those freighter runs.”
“Very funny.”
“If you primates are done clowning around, how about breaking out my suit,” a new, deep voice rumbled. The two humans turned to find themselves facing a full grown male polar bear.
“Lt. Bear?” asked Hitch.
“No way, Stevie,” his friend replied, “Bear shipped out with Captain Jack a couple of years back.”
“Well he sure looks like the LT.”
“Did you ever think of just asking me who I am?” the bear asked.
“You have to be Umky,” Jacobs replied, ignoring the bear's suggestion. “The Chief said you had signed on for the voyage.”
“You sure are the spitting image of your daddy,” Hitch commented.
“And now you know why I am trying to get off this rock,” replied Umky. “He's been gone over two years and I am still living in his shadow.”
“Major bummer, Nanook,” said Hitch.
“Umky. My name is Umky.”
“I thought that Nanook just meant 'bear'?”
“It does, Umky means bear too.”
“Wow, great nickname: Bear 2.”
“Just forget it,” said the annoyed Umky. “How about helping me find my suit? There is supposed to be armor for a full sized male bear stowed here somewhere.”
“Yeah sure, just give us a second to get out of our armor and we'll help you look,” said Jacobs. “Good to have you aboard, Bear 2.”
* * * * *
The Chief was standing where he had been for most of the past several days, just inside the forward cargo door on the port side. His inventory was almost complete and only a few of the crew had not yet reported, science section types mostly. The sound of footsteps on the cargo ramp caused him to look up. There coming up the ramp was half a squad of Marines.
“We're looking for an AWOL Marine, Pops,” said the sergeant leading the detachment of four. The Chief bristled.
“Stop right there, you ignorant jar head!”
“Hey, don't get your knickers in a twist, Pops. We need to search your ship for the AWOL Marine, so stand aside.”
The Chief spoke into his comm pip in a lowered voice: “Hitch, Jacobs, get yer asses forward, we got a Marine infestation.”
Then, placing his hands on his hips, the Chief look the Marine sergeant in the eyes and said, “you listen to me you snot nosed, scupper turd, yous ain't setting a foot on the Peggy Sue...”
* * * * *
“What the hell is that all about?” asked Hitch, having received the Chief's somewhat cryptic message.
“I think the Chief is in trouble,” said Jacobs, “look at the monitor from the port side cargo door.”
“Looks like a squad of Gyrenes trying to come aboard.”
“Maybe we should go forward and see what they want,” said Umky, standing up in his suit of heavy space armor.
“Good idea, Bear 2,” Hitch said, climbing back into his suit of armor. “Come on Matt, shake a leg, we got some jar heads to mess with.”
* * * * *
The sergeant in charge of the shore patrol detachment had had about enough of the unpleasant little sailor who barred their way. He had his orders and no damned civilian swabby was going to stop him from searching this ship, yet there the diminutive sailor stood at the top of the ramp.
“Listen to me, you little runt. We are going to board your ship and search for the missing Marine, you get me you sawed off asshole?”
The Chief crossed his arms, squinting hard at the Marines. Behind him, footsteps could be heard coming from the hold—heavy footsteps. From the shadows emerged two seven foot gray black monsters which took up positions on either side of the diminutive Chief. Then a third armored figure appeared, this one twelve feet tall. The Marines' eyes went wide.
“Oh good!” said the armored bear in the middle. “I love snack food in green wrappers!”
The Marines backed down the ramp, eyes fixed on the three armored figures behind the little sailor. None were even tempted to draw one of the stunners they carried on their belts—they knew what men, and bears, in powered armor could do.
“You'll regret this, asshole!” the sergeant shouted as their retreat turned into a route.
“That's Master Chief Asshole, dickhead!” Chief Zackly shouted in reply, happily waving at the departing Marines. “These fuckin' new Marines can't find their asses with both hands in the shower, not without an officer tellin' 'em which end is which.”
Chapter 5
Jimmy's Apartment, Farside
The day after being brought to the ship, Jimmy Tosh was visited in sickbay by Captain Vincent. After talking with the prospective new cook, Billy Ray decided that Jimmy could join the crew. Jimmy seemed a good man, in spite of his vices, and the Captain had a soft spot for Jesse. He didn't want to disappoint the Jamaican bar keeper.
Since the mobsters were undoubtedly still looking for him, it was decided that Jimmy should not leave the safety of the ship to fetch his belongings. Instead, Mizuki and Bobby volunteered to gather his personal effects from his apartment and bring them back to the Peggy Sue. The couple from the ship were accompanied by Mizuki's flock of butterflies, causing a number of passersby to gawk.
“At least we got new uniforms,” Bobby commented.
“Yes, they are very stylish, much nicer that the old jumpsuits.”
Their outfits were quite attractive, having a two toned color scheme that was mostly black with a departmental color designation on the upper part. Mizuki's was black and burgundy and Bobby's black and dark blue.
“Yeah, except I sort of feel like we're Star Trek TNG wannabees, attending a convention.”
“There is just no pleasing you sometimes,
Bobby.”
In all, it was a ten minute walk from the docks to Jimmy's apartment. Arriving without incident, they soon had Jimmy's worldly belongings stuffed into a duffel bag and were ready to head back.
“I think that's about it,” said Bobby, looking around the small apartment one last time. “Hardly worth the trip.”
“Yes, I think we've gotten everything, excluding the recreational drugs,” Mizuki replied. “At least we took the aoi chō for one last walk before confining them to the ship for many months.”
“As long as they're around you they are happy, sweetheart.” About the only thing I have in common with the flying circus.
The couple stepped outside of the apartment and closed the door. As the door slid shut, two burly men confronted them.
“Where is the black boy?” demanded the one on the left, closest to Bobby. “He owes us money.”
Bobby and Mizuki were not an imposing couple. Mizuki, though tall for a Japanese woman, was not all that large and Bobby was not much taller than she. At one time Bobby had been a pudgy couch potato and not much for physical conflict. That was before they both spent a year in the company of a group of Marines and SEALS, fighting aliens and being fine tuned by the M'tak Ka'fek's AI. That meddlesome sentient computer viewed its crew as biological systems whose performance needed to be optimized. As a result, both Bobby and Mizuki were strong, well trained in the martial arts, and startlingly quick.
“We have no business with you,” said Bobby, as he and Mizuki moved apart slightly. “Stand aside and there will be no trouble.”
“I think you already have trouble,” said the thug on the right, reaching behind his back. Mizuki's butterflies formed a swirling red and yellow cloud above her head.
The thug nearest Bobby lunged at him, throwing a roundhouse right. At the same time, the thug nearest Mizuki produced a knife from behind his back and stepped toward her.
Bobby seized his assailant's arm, pivoted and used the man's momentum to execute a hip throw. The man landed heavily on his back, his head striking the floor and rebounding. His face was traveling upward from the rebound when it met Bobby's fist descending in a straight armed strike. Bone and cartilage crunched audibly.
T'aafhal Legacy 1: Ghosts of Orion Page 6
