[center][h2]Ship’s Business[/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YGKOIA3.jpg[/img]
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“Snakeskin,” Yuri read off the manifest.  “Reticulating Python, two pallets.”  He offered the clipboard to the driver.  “Please sign there and you can drive ‘em away.”

“Sure.”  The man pulled a stylus from his pocket.

“So what do you make out of snakeskin?” the new First Mate inquired.  “Boots, maybe?”

“Lotta boots.”  Larry, the driver, gave a nod.  “Jackets, hats, wristbands…you name it.  Even upholstered a guy’s shuttle seats in it once.  Some people’s children,” he smiled with a rueful shrug.

Yuri laughed.  “Too rich for my blood.  Speaking of,” he added, “this is my first time in Capital City.  Where should a poor man go to grab a bite or a drink?”

The driver waved an arm.  “You’re there, sorry to say.  Got a few diners and saloons around the port’s cargo exits.  That don’t work, grab a city transit shuttle and ride it as far outside town as it runs.  When the pretty stops, the price drops.”

“Mmmm.  Good word.”

“And stay clear of the Blackout Zone!” Larry shouted as he climbed into his truck.  “Poor folk like us get caught in there, they never letcha back out!”  He tossed a wave through the open window.  After grinding the clutch enough to rouse Yuri’s sympathies for the poor gearbox, the truck lurched forward.   He watched it leave, the cloud of blue smoke in its’ wake speaking volumes to the former mechanic.

“Did I hear right?  Are congratulations in order?”  Edina Wyman stood at the top of the ramp, looking fresh and pretty in a sweater and blouse. 

As he took in the sight of her, Yuri couldn’t connect the dots between this sweet appearance and the furious woman who jerked a pistol into the air last night.  Regardless, her smile never failed to coax his own.  “I’m not so sure,” he chuckled.  “The captain says until I find us a new mechanic I’m on double duty.”

“No good deed,” she teased.  “But isn’t this Abby’s job?  Looks like triple duty to me.”

“I think being kidnapped earns her some extra time off,” Yuri answered as Edina joined him.  “How’s she doing?”

The woman’s face seemed to fall a bit.  “She was sound asleep when I stopped by.  Far too many bruises, from what I could see.  Doc’s watching over her like a mother bear.”

A sage nod was his response.  “Dr. Lysanger’s a rarity.  I have that one on personal experience.  But how are you doing this morning?”

“Oh,” Edina’s eyes darted away, “I’m fine.  Still a bit shaken up.”

“Me too.”

“Really?”

He nodded emphatically.  “First time I’ve ever pointed a gun at anyone.  I’m just relieved that we all came through it.”

“So am I,” she admitted, “but in that moment…I nearly lost it.  I know it was my gun that started things Southbound.”  The woman’s eyes hollowed with a mixture of guilt and grief.  “I could’ve…gotten us all…”

“But you didn’t,” he replied, taking her hand.  “It all worked out.”

Her eyes fell for a moment, taking the sight of her hand in his.  “It…” Edina shook her head, “was a rage that took me.  To see that girl all battered as she was…”  Her eyes lifted.  “I wanted to kill ‘em.  There’s a part of me says that’s all in my past now, but seeing Abby’s face…just brought it all back down on me.  And I,” her hand clutched his more tightly, “nearly brought it all onto you.  Can’t tell you how sorry I am for that.”

Understanding that his words couldn’t offer more than a superficial comfort, Yuri let the time go in silence.  He chose instead to just be here with her as she sorted things out.  After a moment passed a sheepish smile rose from her lips to her eyes.  “I should go,” Edina withdrew her hand.  “I need to find a bookstore.”

Yuri’s hand fell to his side.  “What’s on the reading list?”

“Abby’s nearly done with the first 'Mei Lin' book,” Edina’s smile was warming again.  “Thought I’d get her the second.”

“That’s a great idea!” he exclaimed.  “So, question.  Are you planning to stay with us for the next run?”

“Depends on where we’re headed.”

“Captain says Pelorum,” Yuri said.

This was met with an eye roll from Edina.  “Ugh, beaches and oceans!” she groused.  “I’ve had a lifetime of that.”

“Had more than my fair share of ocean as well,” Yuri smiled.  “But there’s much more to do than just the beach thing.  Museums, galleries, and some pretty great jazz bars, I’m told.”

“Well,” she made a show of considering the idea, “I might be talked into riding along for that.”

“Shiny!” he grinned.  “What say we talk about it over a drink tonight when I’m off duty?  I hear there are some really awful bars close by.”

Edina laughed.  “You make it sound so tempting.”