Reavers (Book 3) (6 page)

Rim worlds didn’t provide for education like the developed core worlds.  On a ranching rim world like Jeirude, education beyond the basic levels was prohibitively expensive.  Cassandra hated the idea.  She didn’t like being treated like an invalid and constantly ordered the student/servants to leave her be.  Truth be told, he didn’t enjoy the idea any more than his wife.  However, like the reports and quizzes, it was one of the requirements the university wouldn’t be talked out of.

Brent had felt the approach of Cassandra’s parents some time ago.  Being a Weaver, he knew where every emotional being was around him, but he tried to ignore it for the most part.  Nothing bothered people more than realizing he knew their every movement.  However, ignoring these two was next to impossible.  Rupert Foster’s disapproval was a massive signal flare on the magnitude of a super nova.

He often wondered exactly how far away he would have to be before he wouldn’t feel that man’s revulsion at the notion of his only daughter living in the same house as a
norm
.  Abigail Foster wasn’t as negative as her husband, but she was equally noticeable to him.  Her emotions were always incredibly complex.  He guessed she wanted Rupert to approve of her daughter’s choice in husband while secretly agreeing with him that Brent wasn’t good enough for Cassandra.  Dinner was bound to be interesting, to say the least.

Like the rest of the house, the dining room was several times larger than need be.  Normally, they would simply eat in the kitchen.  It had a couple of tables, and the couple enjoyed eating alongside the students.  It reminded them a bit of the mess hall from the academy.

“So where is the norm?” Rupert asked in almost a shout.

“Be nice, dear,” Abigail said, slightly embarrassed.  “We are in their house after all.”

“It isn’t
their
house.  The university paid for it!  That norm probably couldn’t afford a shack on his own.”

A male student tried to conceal his revulsion as he served the meal to Rupert.

“Something wrong?” Rupert asked the student.  “Not enjoying being a norm’s servant?  Serves you right.  If you knew what’s best for you, you’d forget the university and its nonsense.  Join a ranch proper, that’s the way to go.”

“Dad!” Cassandra said in clear annoyance.

As the student walked away, he stuck out his tongue at the back of Rupert’s head.  A wide grin formed on the student’s face when he noticed Brent entering the room.

“Rupert, Abigail, it’s a pleasure to have you back in our home,” he said warmly as he took his seat.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” Abigail said diplomatically.

“Speak for yourself.”  Rupert folded his arms as he looked at his plate.  “I’d rather eat in the barn back home.”

Cassandra looked down at her plate, clearly disappointed.

“So you still working at the university?” Rupert asked, leaning toward Brent.

“I am,” he said as he took a bite of his meal.

“It’s a miracle they haven’t fired you yet.  All that nonsense you teach.  The idea we and the Shards are related is a joke.”

“In a cosmic sense I suppose you’re right,” Brent said with a grin.

“You actually believe that junk, don’t you?” Rupert asked incredulously.

“Rupert!” Abigail said, nudging him forcefully.  “We are their guests.  Be civil for once in your life.  So how have you been, Cassandra?  It seems like it has been forever since last we saw you.”

“Of course she’s been good.”  Rupert started speaking again before Cassandra could get a single word out.  “Back among her own people.  So, have any of the young men at the university expressed interest?”

“We’ve been through this.  I’m Brent’s . . .”

“For now,” Rupert said, quickly interrupting.  “When you’re done with this norm, you’ll find a
real
man.  Trust your old man.”

Cassandra shot a concerned look at Brent.

“Hopefully she’ll enjoy herself until then,” he said nonchalantly.

The four ate the rest of their meal in an awkward silence.  Brent made sure he was the last to finish, so Cassandra could see her parents off without him ruining whatever pleasantness her father could offer.  As he sensed the departure of Rupert and Abigail, he got up and left the dining room.  Making his way back to their room, he quickly started to change back into something more comfortable.  As he was just about finished unbuttoning his shirt, he felt a heavy sense of disappointment behind him.

“Why do you put up with me?” Cassandra asked from the doorway.

“I’d think that would be obvious,” he said with a smile as he continued changing.

“I mean it.  This can’t be fun for you.  I can’t believe Dad said all that.”

“I didn’t marry your father.  Plus, what are the words of one man?”

“This is so stupid!” Cassandra fumed as she flopped on the bed.  “Why can’t we just tell him you saved the
entire
Commonwealth?”

“Do you think he’d honestly believe you?”

“Well . . .”

“Even if he did, I’m supposed to be dead - remember?  We can’t tell anyone what really happened.  This pleasant life we lead is thanks to the fact the Commonwealth thinks I didn’t survive three years ago.”

“Pleasant life,” Cassandra muttered sarcastically.  “This must all be torture to you.  I put you through so much.”

“Torture?” Brent asked as he sat on the edge of the bed next to her.

“Don’t play dumb.  You’re horrible at it.”

“I don’t see any torture here.  I see a beautiful girl who I’m lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with.  If this is torture, let’s hope I have the strength to
endure
it for as long as possible.”

“Casanova.”

She pulled her husband close and gave him a long passionate kiss.

“You sure he doesn’t bother . . .” Cassandra started.

Brent quieted his wife with a kiss.  As the two embraced, he could feel her warmth wash over him.  Being a Weaver had some additional perks.  Ending the kiss, he pulled back and looked at his wife.  She wasn’t the apple red beauty he had originally met, but she was still just as stunning.  A warm smile filled her face as she wrapped her arms around him.  With a start, he realized she was snaking her hands down his back - removing his shirt as she went.

“No regrets,” he said as they embraced.

“You two finished yet?” Andreas asked with a snicker.

“Almost,” Tardos said in a placating tone.

Old age was a terrible thing.  Even when he tried not to, his mind would wander aimlessly.  As Tardos returned his focus to the job at hand, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had made the right choice to drag the two of them on this ship.  In the two weeks following their acceptance by captain Rosalyn they had cleaned every square inch of the ship - twice, often right after another pair of newcomers had just finished cleaning it.  Each morning Andreas had personally awakened the new crewmembers and given them their cleaning assignments.  While the rest of the crew slept, they would mop floors and scrub walls until their hands were sore.

The second in command was an unassuming man.  He had an average height, an average weight, and a completely forgettable face.  Andreas seemed average in every respect, save for his attention to detail.  Nothing got past him.  If any of the new crewmembers missed a single spot scrubbing the floor plates, it would be the first place his eyes would wander.  Finally, Tardos finished.  This had to have been the third time he’d cleaned this particular section.  Andreas gingerly walked into the corridor and surveyed the job just completed.  Tardos waited for the bad news.

“Good job,” Andreas said at last.  “You
finally
got it right.”

“About time,” Rosalyn said with grin.

Tardos spun in place.  He had been so focused on Andreas he hadn’t noticed her arrival.  He had known the captain was a beauty, but now she was flaunting it.  Her outfit hugged her curves while exposing a bit of skin here and there.  From the way Andreas stiffened, it was obvious he wasn’t comfortable with her attire.  As Tardos was about to address the captain, he realized she wasn’t looking at him.  In fact, she wasn’t looking at Andreas either.  Following her gaze, he found she was locked on Kevin. 

Instinctively Tardos started biting his lower lip, a bad habit he couldn’t shake.  Kevin was sleeping against the wall.  Winking at Andreas, Rosalyn nodded toward the sleeping figure.  Tardos’ stomach started to churn as Andreas silently closed on Kevin.  Whatever the pair had planned, it wouldn’t be pleasant.  Andreas reached down and lifted the bucket of dirty water the two had been using to clean the floor.  As he brought the bucket over the sleeping man’s head, Tardos forced his eyes to remain open.  Just as he started to spill the bucket, Kevin’s eyes flashed open.

Startled, Andreas jumped back sending the bucket flying into the air.  With a single graceful motion, Kevin rose to his feet, crossed the room, grabbed Rosalyn with one arm and spun around to catch the falling bucket with the other arm.  Not one drop escaped from the plummeting bucket.  Tardos had to blink to make sure he wasn’t dreaming the whole thing.

For a while, they all stared at the young man in stunned silence.  After several silent moments, Andreas forcefully cleared his throat.  Rosalyn looked at him with a raised eyebrow.  With a shrug he gestured toward Kevin.  For the first time, she realized her close proximity to the man who still had his arm wrapped around her waist.  With a forceful shove and a mild blush, Rosalyn moved away from Kevin.

“If you ever do that again I’ll . . .”

“I didn’t want to ruin your dress,” Kevin said quickly, interrupting.  “Although, if you want, I’ll let the bucket land squarely on your head next time.”

Again the three stared at Kevin in surprise.

“So you can speak,” Andreas said, making a note on his pad.  “Took you long enough.”

“You wanted us to learn the layout of the ship,” Kevin said, handing over the bucket.  “Didn’t think anything I could say would contribute.”

“How did . . .”

“Why else would the captain and her second in command
personally
watch us clean?” he asked as if it was obvious.

“. . . If that’s true, did we pass?” Tardos asked.

“You’re slipping, Andreas,” Rosalyn said with a snicker.

“Just a fluke,” he said indignantly.  “They are the only ones to see through the exercise.”

“I don’t really care,” she said with a quick shrug.  “It’s about time we got to business anyway.”

“Business?” Tardos asked curiously.

“We’ve had to wait two weeks for you and the others to fully join the crew,” Andreas said, studying Kevin.  “That’s two weeks of targets we’ve had to pass on while you got up to speed.”

“So, do you have a target in mind now?” Tardos asked.

“Why do
you
care?” he quickly turned on the short man.  “I doubt you’ll be of any help boarding a ship.”

Kevin took a defensive position between the two.

“Settle down, boys,” Rosalyn said with a trace of annoyance in her voice.  “Save that energy for when we really need it.  The two of you are free to go.  Run back to your friends in the crew quarters.  Leave the planning to us.”

With a smug look, Andreas followed after Rosalyn.  With little more than a shrug, Kevin turned and headed back to their bunks.  After Kevin had made light of it, everything was obvious.  Why else would the captain have them do something as useless as hand washing every inch of her ship?  Knowing Andreas, he’d do it just to torment the crew.  The captain, on the other hand, was above such petty things.  Rosalyn acted with a purpose.  Tardos actually found himself excited at the prospect of taking on a job or two.

“Congratulations!”  Revel forcefully slapped Kevin with his mended arm as they entered the crew quarters.

“Don’t tell me you knew!” Tardos asked flabbergasted.

“Of course I did; we all did!  What do you think the rest of us did for our first two weeks?”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Andreas is a little rough around the edges, but his methods are sound.  I bet you know this ship better than the back of your aching hands.”

“Surely there is an easier way to have us learn the ship,” Sasha grumbled as she meandered toward her bunk.

“Easier?  Sure,” Revel said with a wide grin.  “More enjoyable for our sadistic leader?  Nah.”

As Sasha gingerly lowered her aching body onto her bunk, Tardos realized she was once again wearing the outfit Kevin had given her.  He couldn’t help but chuckle.  Kevin acted cold and distant toward her, but Tardos knew better.  He would often complain she had no place on the ship, but Tardos knew the boy was just worried about her safety.  It was cute, in a way.  The big strong Kevin was tied up in knots worrying about the sweet young thing he had publicly humiliated.

“So what can we expect now?” Tardos asked the still grinning Revel.

“What do you mean?”