Tempest Company

A relationship forged

'She's three days overdue.'

'I know.'

'Could have gone native. Wouldn't be the first time.'

'Not really her way Rob.'

'Then she's...'

'I'd want to be sure before making that call.'

'Not like we can just wander in and ask you know.' Robin looked up as Jeanne entered the cockpit and sat down, 'No news I take it?'

Scott shook his head, 'How's Yue?'

'Resting. It is Narmedian Pox. Be fine in a few days.'

'Thought everyone got a jab for that.'

'Guess sex slaves don't get that in the Republic. Either way she's got it but will be fine.' She'd spent the morning reading up on the illness, 'Just sapping a lot of her energy.'

'Jabbed her?'

'Not until its passed. Don't want her immune system dealing with too much at once. Don't expect her to be up and about for a few days and even when it breaks it will take some time.' She looked at them both, 'Trust you both were vaccinated?'

'Sure. Kids got it and we got boosters in the Fleet. She needs anything in the meantime?'

'Just sleep. I've given her the recommended meds and have some blood samples running.' She didn't admit that she'd also spent an hour cursing herself for not checking the vaccination statues of all of them. 'Ideally I'd want to do that for you both.'

'Want our medical records?' Robin smirked.

'It would help. Also, it would stop her feeling like she is being singled out.' Fortunately, the other woman had been out of it at the time she'd drawn the sample, but she was conscious that there were still feelings of resentment on her part towards Scott. 'Helps with any nasty surprises.'

'We'll sort it.'

'Thanks boss. So, Xinga?'

'Nothing.'

'That's what? Three days?' She looked out of the cockpit windows and took in the lime green and orange sky, 'And that still confuses me.' They'd been on Mortel for a month, ostensibly carrying out internal repairs, and the sky still managed to throw her whenever she saw it. 'Think she's in trouble?'

'Hard to say. She may just have decided to go off on her own.' Scott turned and looked at her, 'This job was always a strange one.'

'Understatement.' Being asked to track down a runaway couple had to be one of the stranger jobs Jeanne had come across in her two and a half years with Tempest Company. 'Still don't get why they care.'

'Pride.' Robin shrugged, 'Altier Liners are one of the older ones out here in the zone. Think they wanted the girl for some arranged marriage, and she's been off fucking a cabin boy. Image is all amongst them.' He didn't elaborate but she knew he was right. The few times she'd met the shipping moguls in her past life as a Princess had shown her that there were plenty of people who had more arrogance than any faction ruler. 'So, do we go look for her? The last lead was that bar, wasn't it?'

'Bar's probably overstating it.' Scott pointed out, 'And not easily. Rob and I would stand out a mile as we were seen coming out of Altier's offices. If the girl is involved with one of the crime syndicates to try and get out of the zone, then they'll be watching there.'

'And Yue's in no state.' Robin added. His eyes widened when he saw the look on Jeanne's face, 'No.'

'Why not? I wouldn't stand out and they wouldn't know me.'