Book 1: Every Storm Runs Out of Rain [Jenlisa]

Chapter 3: Rain

"You have an hour to collect the package. Pick-up point is here," Joohwang pointed at a spot he had marked on the map. "And we'll be docked here." He shifted his hand north to a spot a short way from their first point. "The queue to dock is pretty long so it would make sense for you three to make your way there via foot first."

"Sounds about right to me." Lisa rolled up the map and tucked it into a compartment on her belt. "It's not far anyway. Probably a half hour stroll from here."

She was looking forward to walking on actual ground. Space was nice and all, but she still missed her time on land. If she was lucky, she may even be able to purchase a few trinkets or food before she returned to the ship. She bet Bambam and Jin had the same idea.

She moved to press a hand on the transportation panel that would warp them to land but Joohwang stepped in front of her before she could do so. "Wait. Are you armed?"

"Of course Capt!" Lisa cheerfully whipped open the front of her black leather jacket to reveal her blasters and her knives, and those were not the only ones she had on her. The guys flanking her did the same. "We know the drill boss."

Joohwang nodded, uncharacteristically somber. "Be careful out there. For some strange reason, despite your doe-eyed wonder at everything and your unnaturally long limbs, you have good instincts. So be alert."

"Er," Lisa blinked, slow and unsure, "Not to be rude boss. But what do my long limbs have to do with my good instincts?" she air-quoted the last two words.

She swallowed when Joohwang stared at her for a long moment, worried that she was going to get a good chiding for her unintended insolence. Next to her, she could feel Bambam and Jin shuffling in discomfort too. Finally, the Captain gave his long-awaited response. "SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Lisa stepped back immediately, taken aback by their Captain's strange antics.

"Sorry boss," she finally squeaked out when Joohwang had not stopped his shushing after a good ten seconds. "I was out of line."

"Good. You're learning. Perhaps there's some hope in you yet."

"But boss! You just said that I've good instincts."

"You must have misheard." He turned his back on Lisa in a bid to hide his smile and started to pace along the corridor. "Now as I was saying, you were right to say there was something suspicious about the client tripling the pay. I have always been honest about my intentions." He made an abrupt turn and marched his way back to his three best Transporters. "I love my money. I would never say no to more money. So you three better not fuck this up. I will be very angry if I have to spend money getting any of you treated in a medical facility. Do you understand?"

A resounding "Yes Captain!" echoed but he had to deliberately ignore Lisa's very loud whisper to Bambam ("That's Capt's way of saying he doesn't want us hurt!")

"Good. Now get out of my sight!"

"Aye aye Captain! See you in an hour or two!" She beamed at him, waving merrily as they warped out.

Alone, Joohwang shook his head fondly. As much as he tried to keep a distance from the crew, he could not help but feel affection for them, even more so for a selected few.

Lisa felt the familiar tingling on her skin as her surroundings began to dissolve. The world faded to black before it reappeared and she found herself surrounded by silver; she was in an immigration pod.

"Scanning your insignia. Scan complete. Please proceed Lalisa Manoban."

She stepped out of the portal and into the busy port of JYP. Street musicians played in different corners, steam wafted from street stalls and honks from ships blared overhead. It was welcomed chaos after weeks on the ship.