Blackguard

Episode 6

"Have I angered you?"

Teri jumped, and whipped around to face the young man. He'd already taken several steps away. "You scared me half to death!"

She stopped, stared at him a moment then returned to the solitaire she was playing, feeling her face flush with embarrassment.

He frightened her? Ridiculous. And even more so when she saw him back away, wearing the ill fitting night clothes the cruise ship had supplied.

"Why aren't you ready for supper?"

"Why won't you answer the question?"

This had been coming on for several days. Several long days confined to the cabin.
". . .I think you're an ass for abandoning your clan."

"I don't have a 'clan'." Long pause. She was careful not to look back. "It wasn't my choice. If you don't like it, why'd you take the job?"

"I'm still asking myself that."

He ran his hand through his short hair and sat down opposite of her. If possible, she managed to become more focused on the game.

"I didn't want to leave. Kat--my friend--she wanted out and I tried to help her. She was no good to us. Then they took me to get her back. There was this woman--a Specialist-- she seemed to know everything. I don't know how. But they caught Kat, and I well, I guess I panicked. I ran. They caught her and I got away. Now neither one of us is happy."

"Why don't you go back?"

"Do you really think they'd take me?"

"Grandmother seems to think so. How did Grandmother get a hold of you, anyway?"

"I tried to hijack a limo to escape. I picked hers."

"Are you kidding?" she giggled. "That must've been one of the easiest jobs in her life." She sobered, grinned again and played another card. "Your friend wasn't worth it."

"I have to disagree with you there."

"Ohh."

"What?"

Teri shook her head in dismissal. She saw it all now. The Madam would use him as a bargaining chip in exchange that small fortune she'd lost to the Emperor. The Madam would trade the man back for the treasure.

"What does your tattoo say? It's different than mine."

"It's the symbol of my family. My Clan."

"It's beautiful."

"I guess."

"And this red pattern?"

"It means I'm a direct female descendent of the Madam, my great grandmother. Our clan counts by the mother."

"You're an heir then?"

"No. I mean, she selects one. She picked Janet."

"It doesn't sound like she's very happy with her heir apparent."

"And that might mean I'll have a another chance at it. If this goes well."

"That's--" She turned suddenly and gently kissed him. "You ask too many questions." She hesitated a moment then turned away, thinking that it was the quietest he'd been in days. "Get dressed, it's time for supper. The captain expects us." 'I shouldn't be here,' she thought. 'Neither of us should be.'

He returned from the bath, adjusting his cravat. Teri straightened it for him while he smoothed out the wrinkles in his vest. "How do I look?"

"Like you were to the manner born."

"It's nice." He admitted, and turned to examine himself in the mirror. "Kinda sad. Don't imagine I'll wear something like this in the future."

"At least it fits better than those night clothes."

Minutes later they were in the core of the cruise ship, in the dining area. It wasn't one of the monstrous voids of space often seen on other cruise ships. It was cozy, boasting only five tables. The cruise line catered to a very exclusive clientele, very few of whom wanted to dine in the company of strangers.

A quartet played softly from the stage. Teri recognized the lead singer from school. He had left to pursue his career full time and appeared to have done quite well for himself. He winked at her as they passed.

"The captain's the only living member of the crew. He's--"

"I know that," he replied, cheeks flushing.

"Sorry--"

"Never mind."

They arrived at the captain's table which was occupied by six guests. The center piece of the table hummed to life and rose a meter to draw attention to itself. "SIR, MisTRESS TERIesa Reed Of THe DaNEZ CLan AND MisTER HarRIS."

The captain stood to greet them. "Please be seated." He gestured to the chairs before them. He was a thick-set, pleasant looking man with wavy blonde hair. His duties were more in the area of entertainment, and being thoroughly versed in a wide area of topics, none of them being navigation or ship operations.

The majority of the people at the table were strangers to Teri. She did recognize Admiral Donnavin of the Emperor's Enforcers who sat on the captain's right. His torn voice rasped about some general in his staff. The thick browed enforcer was responsible to his emperor for Atur and the sector surrounding it.

Jim and the Admiral exchanged blank stares. The Admiral coughed noisily and resumed his conversation. Jim took his seat.

The waiter handed the new arrivals menus and waited patiently for their decision. Jim placed his on the fine Damu tablecloth so as to not give away the shaking of his hands.

Directly across from Teri sat Leo Pacra, a member of the Blairmann pirate clan. The Saurian wore a heavy lavender robe. The Blairmann Clan was one of the few equals to the Danez in standing. There were other pirates to be sure but they did not weld the political power these two clans had come to control. Teri nodded politely to the creature, seeing that Slade was not the only one interested in the Jewels this ship held.

Next to Pacra sat Carter Lebo, executive assistant to Nero Casdon, the owner of Pani where they were bound. Lebo debated with a woman, Terri did not know as to whether or not the carnival was damaging to youths. Lebo handled business contracts with the Casdon Corporation and served as a filter to keep most from actually speaking with Master Casdon personally.

Pacra's lip curled back to form what seemed to be a smile at the new arrivals. "A pleasure to see you, Mistress Reed. Are you traveling on business or pleasure?" it hissed.

"Pleasure, obviously. I don't have a business."

"I don't believe I've met your companion." It studied Jim as if he was more a meal than acquaintance.

Jim's eyes flickered to Terri. She smiled pleasantly at the creature. "I should hope not. Mister Harris is accompanying me to Pani. It's his first trip." She tapped off on the menu items imbedded in the table. It promptly vanished at her touch.

"Never been to Pani?" Carter gaped down the length of the table at Jim. "Why you'd have to be locked up for cycles."

Jim managed a smile, relieved that the Admiral wasn't paying attention to him. "College does that," he replied hoarsely.

Carter nodded in agreement. "Spent eight years there myself. Wouldn't do it again mind you. Make sure you see the air show. Master Casdon's particularly proud of that."

"Thank you, sir. I will."

A commotion at the lifts drew the group's attention. Heads turned to watch a long-legged man brush past the robo, sending it spinning in place. The new arrival bounded to the captain's table, his long scarf flowing behind. He hastily apologized for his tardiness and the captain motioned him to a seat.

The stranger eased into his chair, a hush falling over him as if he'd been there for hours. He touched the table top, summoning a menu and perused his options. He tapped out his selections and then his green eyes took in the others at the table. A small smile flickered on his long face as his saw the woman Lebo spoke with. If she recognized him, she gave no outward acknowledgement. He then turned his charismatic smile on Jim and Teri.

"Dave Hawkins," he announced.

"No, I'm Jim Harris."

Teri couldn't hold back a smile. At least he'd managed his new name without stumbling. She set her hand on his. "Jim, this Dave Hawkins." He glance fell away embarrassed then he shook the man's hand.

"It's not often we have this many Danez at the table, sir," the captain rumbled.

"I'm not Danez, captain," the new arrival was quick to retort. "Like yourself, I go to the highest bidder."

"And what do you do, Master Hawkins?" Lebo's female companion asked.

"Logistics." Lebo snorted in disbelief, but said nothing. The conversations shifted back to their previous groups.

Hawkins smiled again at Teri as their drinks arrived. He spent the rest of the meal discussing banalities but managed to make it clear that they had a great deal more to discuss.

***

"Get the door, Jim. That'll be Hawkins," Teri called out from the sleeping chambers. Jim did as instructed. The lanky man rolled into the room with an easy gait, glancing the place over like it was a potential mark. He nodded to Jim and dropped down onto a couch, drink in hand.

"How'd you know where to find us?" Teri asked entering the room. She ordered up two drinks joined Jim on the other couch, opposite of Hawkins.

"Your cousin." He looked pointed to Teri, raising an eyebrow. "You know Diane Dianez's taken over this project personally."

"Are you serious?"

"Sweetie, I don't kid about Diane Danez."

"And why hasn't she taken me off this job?"

"She has." Hawkins said.

"That's what you meant by logistics. You're a trouble shooter."

"Bright kid," the man added. "Your cousin wouldn't tell me much but I've been around your family enough to know that something's up."

"Quit exaggerating, Hawk. It's not like she's going to kill him."

"I wouldn't bet on it."

"I'll get him to Pani. You don't need to do this."

"Kid, this is the wrong time to be impressing your grandmother. And it won't fly with me. I already know you're good. As long as you can keep a leash on your dammed temper."

"But why--"

"Meat," Hawkins interrupted Jim. "Isn't it time you went to bed?" Jim gaped at Hawkins, then turned to see Teri had found something of interest in her drink. He nodded and woodenly rose to his feet. The door to the sleeping chambers snapped shut behind him. "It's not that easy, kiddo. And with that Blairmann Saurian running around, well, it's got me nervous."

"Janet said the Blairmanns aren't interested in him," she responded, looking after Jim.

He touched her chin and pulled her attention back to him. "You're not playing with him, are you?"

"What? No, Hawk. I'm not stupid."

"Hey, I was your age once."

"You still are. This is my first job. You think I'm going to go hormone crazy and crash it? All right, I thought about it, Hawk but no." She shook her head. "And I don't think the Blairmanns are here for him." She told him of Slade's plan to heist the cruise ship's jewel cache and her cousin's involvement in it.

Hawkins rose to him feet, discarding his empty glass. "Y'know, kid, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that the Blairmanns aren't here for the meat. What gets me is that Janet is playing you. Your cousin is doing what she has to to save her position with Diane. And Diane will sooner kill her then see this project crash."

"Grandmother's hard in business but--"

"Don't defend her to me. This is getting nowhere. I'm taking him to Pani. You're welcome to tag along and we'll tell Diane it was you all way, all right?" He dug a room chip out of his pocket. "Here's my room if you need me. I'll see you two in morning. Try to stay out of trouble until then, all right?"

"Always do." He kissed her forehead and slipped out of the compartment. Teri returned to the sleeping chamber were Jim sat nervously on the edge of the bed.

"I thought I'd had it when that guy asked why I hadn't been to Pani," he admitted after a moment.

She settled down behind him and put her arm around his shoulders. "So did I. I should've known better. I mean, you did make it off BAbel."

"Your grandmother is going to try and kill me, isn't she?"

"Don't pay Hawk any mind."

I've heard that she's very vengeful."

"Let it go, Jim. She won't hurt you."

He nodded. "They'll kill me to save themselves the trouble they went through with Katz."

"I'd think you'd be worth the trouble."

"Didn't he tell you to stay away from me?"

"Were you listening at the door?"

"No. It's what I would say if I were him."

"Well, you aren't him." She gently kissed him. "He's going to be chaperoning us to Pani."

"You'll pardon my saying so, but he's not doing a very good job."

"Do you want me to call him back in here?" Jim shook his head.

Episode 7

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