Resolution

by Ell Leigh Clarke

  Nickie raised an eyebrow. “Who the fuck are you, my therapist? I get enough of that shit from Meredith. I don’t need it from my second-in-command.”

  Keen held up his hands. “Fine, if it’s none of my business. But I’m here to talk if that’s what you need.” He got up from his chair. “I’ll go round the rest of the crew up.”

  Keen left Nickie to her thoughts once again. Although, Nickie wasn’t too sure if being left alone with her thoughts was the right thing at that moment.

  She didn’t have to talk to her mother. In fact, Lillian didn’t even need to know Nickie was anywhere near QT2, wherever the hell that was. It was too late, so everyone might as well just forget about it.

  Nickie sat back in her chair with her hands laced behind her head and closed her eyes to look through the ship’s systems in her HUD while she waited for the crew to arrive. She could let it go, since the dilemma was nothing compared to the shock of what Barnabas had done to her ship.

  Nickie wasn’t sure how she felt about the revamp of the Penitent Granddaughter. After all, this was her ship, gained by trickery fair and square. Now the old Skaine freighter had a huge Silver Line Trading Co. logo sprayed onto the side, and everywhere but the bridge had been remodeled to keep up the appearance.

  To Nickie, it screamed, “Easy target” in the way that only big company freighters could.

  It wouldn’t have been her choice.

  However, Barnabas had been very clear that they were to remain under the radar at all costs, and the cover from Vietania was still good. She opened her brief and read it closely.

  QT2 turned out to be a system way outside the safe haven of the border systems Nickie was used to haunting.

  The shipyard attached to the QBBS Helena was relying on the cargoes of processed metals and other components that Nickie’s fake company was going to ship, entirely legally, right under the Federation’s noses.

  Nickie found the whole thing just a little bit delicious.

  Meredith spoke up, sensing Nickie’s amusement. What is it that you find so funny?

  It’s the irony, Nickie replied. This job is so insane. One day I’m breaking up a smuggling ring, the next I’m setting one up.

  I suppose, Meredith drew out her reply, that you find the unpredictability of your assignment satisfying.

  Nickie smirked. I suppose I do. It sure beats sitting in a box somewhere doing endless repetitive tasks like some robot. No offense.

  None taken, Meredith assured her, since I am not a robot.

  Sorry, Nickie offered. Working for Barnabas, I never know what will happen from day to day. It makes life interesting, you’re right.

  I also enjoy the variation in our days. Meredith paused. Adelaide and Durq are boarding the ship. I will begin the prelaunch processes.

  Nickie was barely listening. “This is some frontier shit.” She read on, gaining an understanding of what her aunt had been building since stepping down as Empress. “So this stretches... Wow.”

  Something at the bottom of the brief caught her eye. “That bastard…”

  I was wondering when you would get to that, Meredith chipped in.

  I’m wondering why you get such a kick out of these moments, Nickie shot back. He’s made me the fleet captain. What am I supposed to do with that? I shouldn’t even be managing myself, let alone a crew, and he wants me to take on a shit-ton of management responsibility. Do I look like a desk monkey?

  What have you learned from Barnabas’ management style? Meredith asked.

  Not a fucking lot, since he likes to delegate so much. She rolled her eyes as the answer hit her. Outsourcing, right?

  Meredith made the sound someone would make if a pet did a clever trick. You have the whole of the former Voidrux Industries infrastructure to work with, and the brief doesn’t demand you take the position right away.

  Nickie thought about it for a moment. I can handle that. Okay. I need a brief that covers the open part of the assignment to give to the crew, then I’ll start digging around my new company. I should probably start by finding out what I have to work with before I make any decisions.

  She turned her chair when the bridge door cycled open, admitting the crew.

  Nickie flashed a bright grin at them as they filed in and took their stations. “We have an assignment. Remember me telling you that quick job we did for the General was going to come back to bite us in the ass? Well, here’s the bite.”

  She indicated the viewscreen with a finger. “This is our brief for the moment. We will be reprising our cover as the Silver Line Trading Company, working with General Reynolds and Admiral Thomas to keep the shipyard at QT2 supplied with materials.”

  The crew murmured as they read through the assignment brief, surprised Nickie had taken an assignment that wasn’t even slightly action-y.

  “Logistics?” Grim couldn’t contain his disdain when he saw their assigned routes. “This isn’t quite what I was expecting, Boss. How are you feeling about returning to the Federation?”

  Nickie bit back her retort, her decision to keep Barnabas’ offer secret weighing on her already.

  Chapter 4 Nickie and Tabitha

  Outskirts of Yollin Space, Waystation, Aboard the Penitent Granddaughter

  Nickie paced in front of the viewscreen while the crew waited to receive clearance to dock at the mini-asteroid base. “I always forget what a pain in the ass Federation security is.”

  Keen snorted. “You’ve got that right. What’s that now, two hours? Sucks to be a civilian. All that waiting in line was a damn shock when I retired from the Marines.”

  Grim nodded his agreement. “It’s like culture shock. When I left the Guardian Marines, it was the same.”

  Nickie narrowed her eyes at the confirmation of her long-held suspicion that her friend had not always been the lover he often proclaimed himself to be. “You’re just full of surprises lately, aren’t you, Grimmie?”

  Grim shrugged, which Nickie always thought looked funny on a Yollin, and laughed. “My Yollin behind lived for a long while before we met.”

  Nickie fixed him with a stare. “One of these days, you and me are going to sit down with an extremely large bottle of that excellent whiskey you’re so good at finding, and you’re going to tell me all about this long life of yours.”

  Grim raised his hands. “Maybe. Maybe we’ll be stuck here waiting for permission to land for the rest of our days.”

  Adelaide giggled. “You two are the funniest. This is just standard. I went all the way to the Meredith Reynolds with my mom and dad when I was like, fifteen. We waited in line the whole day and thought nothing of it.”

  Nickie’s eyes widened. “Fuck that. How did you not go insane?”

  Adelaide’s eyes lit up. “Oh! Dad made snacks and got out his guitar, and we sang camp songs and had s’mores over the portable heating element. The next day our mom played games, and we all told stories. I had a fight with my sister over nothing. It was a part of the vacation.”

  Nickie compared Addie’s tale of family road trips to the trips she’d taken with Tabitha and her grandad John. “Sounds…great.”

  “It was!” Adelaide bubbled, missing the note of pity in Nickie’s tone.

  “We have clearance to land,” Meredith announced from the speakers.

  Nickie threw up her hands, glad of the distraction. “Finally! Take us in, Meredith.”

  They disembarked in a large public hangar, where they were met by a two-legged Yollin with a datapad. “Captain Dakkar?”

  Nickie waved somewhat awkwardly, wondering why the Yollin was using her scrapped cover name. “Yeah, um…”

  The Yollin looked her up and down. “Funny, you look more like a Grimes to me.” His mandibles clicked in laughter. “I’m kidding. My name is Roh’dun, and the General sent me to make sure everything went smoothly at this end.”

  Nickie raised an eyebrow. “You mean, Uncle Lance sent you to make sure I don’t trash the place?”

  Roh’dun shrugged. “You
can put it that way if you like. I was being polite.”

  Grim snorted behind her. “Roh’dun, don’t annoy her. It hurts too much, as I can tell you from experience.”

  The Yollin almost dropped his datapad. “Grim’zee? The General said to expect a familiar face, but I can’t believe it’s you!”

  Nickie glared at Roh’dun, who nodded, then at Grim. “You two know each other?”

  Grim sidestepped Nickie to get to Roh’dun. “We’re third…no, fourth cousins twice removed in the matrilineal branch of my family.”

  Roh’dun grasped Grim’s outstretched arm. “That’s the side that wasn’t so stupid during the Yollin revolution,” he joked to Nickie.

  Nickie shrugged, having skipped that class.

  Adelaide and Keen appeared at the hatch. They hesitated before exiting, attempting to coax a reluctant Durq to leave the ship.

  “No luck,” Adelaide commiserated as she reached Nickie and Grim.

  Nickie looked up at the hatch. Durq was there, peering around the hangar curiously. She handed her datapad to Keen. “You two take care of the cargo. It’s time Durq saw some of the galaxy.”

  Adelaide grinned. “You go and have fun together. We’ve got this.”

  Nickie headed back up the ramp and into the ship. She took a seat on a crate near the hatch and smiled at her timid Skaine friend. “Hey, Durq. You feel like coming out to see the outpost?”

  Durq hung around the threshold, looking at his feet. “I want to.”

  This had been their ritual ever since Nickie had accepted Durq as a part of her life and decided to help him get over his fear.

  Nickie grinned, stepping out onto the ramp. “You know, I believe you this time.” She held out her hand. “Come on, we’ll go get something to eat, yeah? We’ll be gone for an hour, two max.”

  The little Skaine hesitated a moment longer, his foot hovering before he placed it on the ramp. He grasped Nickie’s hand like he was drowning and she was a lifebelt.

  Adelaide clapped her hands delightedly. “That’s great, Durq!”

  Durq put one foot in front of the other, his knees wobbling a bit with each step. When they reached the bottom of the ramp, he looked around with delight. “I am leaving the ship! I have got this!”

  Nickie squeezed his hand gently. “That’s right, buddy. You’ve got the hell out of this.”

  That made no sense whatsoever, but it seemed to do the trick because Durq straightened up a touch more and let go of Nickie’s hand. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

  Outskirts of Yollin Space, Waystation, Spaceport

  Nickie led Durq out of the spaceport and into the urban crush surrounding it.

  Durq’s eyes darted around as the clash of many cultures coming together to sell their wares swamped his senses. His already-pale blue skin took on a gray tinge. “Where are we going?” he asked. “This place is busy.”

  Nickie glanced around the crowded market, sniffing to locate the source of the aroma that had just caught her nose. “There,” she told Durq, pointing out a renovated shuttlecraft with neon signage reading Nice to Meat You. She tilted her head at Durq. “What do you think?”

  Durq nodded, deciding that as long as they got out of the crowd and somewhere a bit quieter so he could think, he didn’t care much what was on the menu. “I suppose so?”

  Nickie paused to read the sign on the door. “Bad Company-certified beef? I don’t know who Bad Company is but I sure as hell could go for a steak.” She looked at Durq, who was hovering behind her, looking for all the world like a lost puppy. “Have you ever tasted beef?” she asked.

  Durq’s blank expression told Nickie everything she needed to know. She winked as she pushed open the door to the restaurant. “Come on, you’re in for a treat.”

  They went inside and waited to be seated by the Torcellan hostess.

  The hostess approached with a bright smile that quickly faded when she saw Durq. “I’m sorry, we don’t serve—” she caught sight of Nickie’s expression, “um… breakfast after midday, so get your order in fast if that’s what you’re looking to eat.”

  Nickie removed her hand from the grip of her JD Special. “We’re not in the breakfast mood,” she ground out. “Table for two.”

  “This way,” the hostess told them. She seated them by the window and dumped two menus on the table, not trying too hard to keep the disapproving expression off her face. “Take your time,” she told them, turning her back without waiting for a reply.

  Durq shuffled in his seat.

  Nickie didn’t miss his discomfort. He appeared to take the Torcellan’s speciesism as though it were his due. She made a face at the Torcellan’s back as she walked away. “Stuffy bitch.”

  Durq gasped when the server stiffened briefly. “I think she heard you,” he whispered.

  Nickie grimaced. “Good. I hope she fucking chokes on her lemon face.” She scooted over to a table in a different section, waving for Durq to join her. “C’mon, she doesn’t deserve our custom.”

  The server for that section came over. “Ma’am? I’m so sorry, you’re seated in Camille’s section.” The young human man smiled at them both apologetically as he spoke, glancing nervously at Camille.

  Nickie smiled brightly, leaning in to get a look at the young man’s nametag. “Lucas? You seem like a nice guy, and that snotty, speciesist bitch was probably going to spit in our food. I think here will be just fine, thanks.”

  Lucas looked at the two-legged Yollin behind the counter for approval, receiving a minute nod. “Okay, then!” He returned Nickie’s grin with a hearty smile and handed them both an interactive menu. “What can I get you to drink?”

  “What do you have?” Durq asked timidly, cringing slightly at the glare Camille was throwing their way.

  “All of the usual,” Lucas replied cheerfully. “Coke, Pepsi—“ He rattled off a long list of other drinks.

  Nickie looked at Durq, unable to hide her surprise. “Both?”

  “I’ll take a Pepsi, please,” Durq told Lucas.

  Nickie made a face. “I’ll have a Coke, thanks.” Don’t you say a fucking word, she told Meredith.

  I wasn’t going to say a thing. There was an undertone of amusement to Meredith reply that Nickie chose to ignore.

  It’s a question of taste, Nickie told her. As in, Pepsi tastes disgusting.

  They thanked Lucas when he returned with their drinks a moment later.

  Durq examined the menu. “I don’t recognize anything on here.”

  Nickie sensed his rising discomfort with the situation. She scooted over in the booth to sit beside him and get a closer look at his menu. “It’s mostly meat from different animals,” she explained. “I’m having beef, which comes from cows. It’s pretty rare outside the Federation.”

  Durq watched Nickie make her choice, then touched the same window on his menu. Nickie smiled at his safe—but excellent—choice and sipped her Coke.

  Durq fiddled with his napkin, suddenly quiet again.

  “What do you think of the Federation so far?” It wasn’t the most scintillating conversation starter, but idle chat wasn’t Nickie’s strongest skill.

  Durq shrugged, plucking his napkin off the table as Lucas arrived with their food. “I don’t really have anywhere to compare it to, except High Tortuga and the ship. It’s okay, I suppose?”

  Durq’s eyes widened when the aroma of his meal hit him, and his nose twitched as he regarded the thick, juicy steak on his plate. “This is the cow-beast you talked about? It smells delicious! I have changed my mind. This is a good place if there is food like this.”

  Nickie nodded, making a sound of confirmation around her mouthful of meat. She waved her fork to indicate Durq should start eating while she savored her first bite.

  “They’re from Earth,” she told him once she’d finished chewing. “We just ate bistok like everyone else on Yoll until someone brought a breeding herd from Earth.”

  Durq cut a small piece of his steak and placed it
delicately into his mouth. He chewed, slowly at first, moving the meat around his mouth to get every bit of the flavor from it. “Mmmm, ommm… Ohhh.”

  Nickie snickered at the series of blissful expressions that passed over Durq’s face. “There’s nothing like a real steak. Or all those weird-ass noises you’re making while you eat it.”

  Durq swallowed, nodding enthusiastically. “I can see why everyone wants to invade Earth so badly. I have never tasted anything so delicious. It would be worth death to get a single taste of the cow-beast again.”

  Nickie chuckled. “Or we can just eat here again.”

  Durq nodded. “Oh, yes.”

  Once dinner was over, they decided to walk back to the Penitent Granddaughter. They passed through the marketplace and back into the spaceport, Nickie making noises in all the appropriate places while Durq chattered about his experiences prior to meeting her.

  They parted ways at the top of the ramp, and Nickie watched Durq go with a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the half a cow she’d just eaten. She was very proud of Durq’s progress, and he didn’t even think anything of it.

  She found herself humming a song to herself as she made her way to her quarters, anticipating the unwinding part of the day since it rarely came around before she dropped off wherever she was working.

  It’s good to see you happy, Meredith remarked.

  Damn right, I’m happy, Nickie replied. My friend overcame a huge fear today. Maybe he’ll be able to do it again soon, maybe not. But he did it.

  The important thing is that Durq has seen that his fear of rejection was real, but he also saw that there are good people who accept others without preconceptions.

  Nickie waited for Meredith to open her quarters. Thanks to Lucas’ kindness. I want to do something to reward him. What can you find out about him? The door slid shut behind her. She kicked off her boots, stripped off her atmosuit, and dropped it to the floor on the way to the bathroom.

  I’ll check the databases here to see what I can find. Meredith paused before changing the subject. Should I be worried that this is becoming somewhat of a routine since the ship was refitted? After you were so annoyed at Barnabas for having your quarters refitted and expanded?