Take the Stars

DEVIL'S BARGAIN

“Pleasant sort of type, isn’t he?” the stranger remarked pleasantly as we watched the Governor waddle away in fury. None of us answered… instead we watched, mesmerized, as the figure reached up and slowly pushed back his hood. He was young; I would wager no more than a year or so my senior, and handsome. His eyes were emerald green, burning gaily in the sunlight, and when he smiled it was with the impish impression of a schoolboy in trouble. His hair was thick, black as the night sky, and sat like a crown of curls on his head, all tangled and out of place and dashing. He grinned back at us, warmth, eagerness written in every line of his face, and when he walked to the auctioneer and handed him a purse heavy with money, it was with an air of utmost confidence. I had never seen anything like this stranger before, all across the planets, with his stride and his broad shoulders… and I immediately distrusted that fact.
“Good Lord in heaven,” Rebecca muttered under her breath.
The stranger laughed-a musical laugh, like heavy chimes ringing in the wind,” I apologize for startling you. I hope my offense of our charming Governor doesn’t upset you?”
“Not in the slightest!” Rebecca replied eagerly,” He’s a hideous toad! We were up all night trying to figure out a way to not let him take our ship!”
“I’m glad I’ve solved your dilemma,” the stranger said with a dazzling smile.
I interrupted cautiously,” Our thanks for our part of the favor, but there’s still a problem to be dealt with.”
“Oh?”
“You got our ship instead.”
“Oh, that!” the stranger waved it off with a flick of his hand,” A mere formality! Tiny print at the bottom of a page, I assure you.”
“Who are you?” I demanded, unimpressed.
“Where are my manners, of course!” the stranger took my hand and bowed with a flourish,” Lord Benedict Rein, at your service!”
“Lord?” I repeated, resisting the urge to snap back my hand.
“I am the younger son of Lord Rein-obviously-a lower ranking noble on Terrain.”
“What’s folk like you doin’ on Galger?” I asked suspiciously.
The Lord Rein shrugged carelessly,” As a younger son, I am entitled to only 30% of my father’s estate. I decided I would go out into the world and make my fortune.”
“Strange thing,” I raised my eyebrow,” Wantin’ to make a fortune… so with feet barely planted on outer-rim soil, ya buy a rickety Firefly model, when ya coulda done with a ship twice what Serenity’s worth?”
“Oh, my dear Captain, you’re missing the big picture,” Lord Rein replied cheerfully,” With any other ship, I’d have to take time and energy to find a halfway decent crew. With this charming Firefly, I’ve got a crew built right in.”
I crossed my arms doubtfully,” Not sure I follow ya, your Lordship.”
“I’m offering you a job, Captain,” Lord Rein laughed,” You and your crew. I’ve heard good things about your… hmm… work ethics, and they fit nicely into my overarching plan.”
“What sort of jobs are we talking?” I asked,” I ain’t doin’ anything illegal.”
“Oh, at its very worst, my jobs skirt illegal waters,” Lord Rein said, now smiling at my crew,” Transportation jobs only, though some of the materials may be… sensitive.”
“ ’ure off your rocker! Using my ship as a carrier service?” I asked incredibly.
Lord Rein raised his sculpted eyebrows in surprise,” I must have been mistaken, Captain… I was given to understand most of your independent contractors demand the exact same services that I’m offering you full-time pay for. But you take my offer, and you’ll always find yourself with a job.”
“What sort of pay?”
“3,000 a month.”
I snorted,” That’s barely enough to fuel the engines, and split between us three…”
“I beg your pardon, Captain. I meant 3,000 each.”
I bit my lower lip anxiously. Lying through the teeth could only carry me so far. “Still awful steep…”
“Captain!” Will suddenly grabbed my elbow and pulled me back into a tight circle with Rebecca.
“What are you doing, Captain?” Rebecca demanded acidly,” He’s offering us a fulltime job! 3,000 a month! And we’d get Serenity back!”
“Don’t trust him,” I said stubbornly.
“Nor I, Captain,” Will agreed,” But it’s good pay-“
“It’s incredible pay!” Rebecca cut in angrily.
Will cleared his throat,”-and it is a solid job. Legitimate, too.”
“Goin soft on me, Will! We’d have no way ‘a knowin it’s legit!” I argued.
“That’s never bothered you before, Captain,” Rebecca pointed out sharply.
I glared at her,” That was different. We were free agents. We don’t know what this Rein character is driving at.”
“He’s an Alliance noble,” Will pointed out calmly,” It’d save us a lot of hassle dealin’ with Alliance brass.”
“What is there to distrust?” Rebecca glanced warmly in Rein’s direction,” He’s gorgeous!”
“Hate to tell ya, Bec, but looks and personality rarely line up,” Will muttered out of the side of his mouth.
“Seems to me both of yours lined up for the worst!” she snapped.
“All right, that’s ENOUGH!” I took a deep breath and set my teeth. When I was sure I had myself under control, I turned back to the patiently waiting Rein.
“Okay, Rein,” I said carefully,” We accept the bargain.”
“Marvelous!” he cried in triumph,” I already have our first cargo all lined up!”
I stared at him in disbelief,” You didn’t know you’d have a ship or a crew! How could you have arranged a job?”
“Oh, now Captain Reynolds,” Rein smiled craftily at me,” I think we both know the answer to that.”
I bit my tongue so hard I drew blood to keep from replying.
“Though,” Lord Rein gracefully slid up to Rebecca’s side, and gently kissed the tips of her fingers,” I should be flogged for my manners! Captain, who might your charming crew be?”
“This is Rebecca, our sharp shooter and mechanic,” I said with a tone of disgust,” And Will, our pilot and my second in command.”
“So big a ship,” Rein commented wryly,” Yet so few people. How do you manage it, Captain?”
“Carefully, Lordship,” I said with an edge in my voice,” Everyone does their fair share, and nothing is changin’ about that.”
“Naturally, but with so much responsibility, I have to imagine it’s difficult to do any one job to its fullest capacity,” Rein gestured nonchalantly over his shoulder, and from the shadows of the neighboring ships appeared a man. No… a giant.
He was as tall as a pine tree, with limbs as big around as barrels and a bald plate that gleamed in the bright morning light. He strode towards us, heavy eyes and down turned mouth blank of expression. He stood at Rein’s side, staring down at him like a puppy to its master, and when Rein gestured to the ship, the giant followed his silent instructions without even batting an eyelash.
“Who on God’s green Earth was that?” I demanded.
“His name is Polo, and he’s my bodyguard. Rebecca seems a capable mechanic, so perhaps it would be best if Polo took charge of safeguarding responsibilities from now on,” Rein replied pleasantly.
I stared at this young man, this boy, aghast. This here was my ship… what was he thinkin’ on? “Where’s he gonna sleep? We don’t have any cabins big enough!...”
“Oh you needn’t worry Captain. Despite his appearance, Polo takes up very little room. Though speaking of living arrangements, perhaps you best show me to my quarters so we can begin on our first assignment. Time is money, so they say!”
Hand to heart, I nearly blew a vein to keep myself from hurling something heavy and fatal at the noble’s head. “Your quarters?”
“Well, of course. I’m your investor, and if the cargo isn’t delivered, I bare the brunt of the responsibility. It’s only natural for me to tag along. It is, after all, my ship.”
My cheeks flushed a brilliant, fiery red, but I couldn’t bring myself to do anything but stand there and glare.
Lord Rein smiled-that ridiculously charming smile-and turning, flounced off into the cargo bay. “No need to worry, Captain!” he called over his shoulder,” You’ll barely know I’m here!”