Chapter Nineteen

They’d spent ten hours in bed and got two hours sleep. Jan slipped silently out from the thin, frictionless covers and made his way to the door, throwing a robe on as he did so. Frans snored lightly with a content smile on her face, her fiery red locks a tousled bolognese of hair. Jan softly stroked her forehead, careful not to wake her. They’d talked and talked last night after he’d finally returned from Armella D’Staan’s residence complaining of cramp in his writing hand. Frans was in the shower when he got back and told him the best relief for cramp was hot water and a massage. How could I resist?

Paige was already asleep, curled up around a tool kit and an instruction manual, her long legs and arms twitching in her slumber. Aurran greeted Jan upon his return with a cup of Chav and a Shleven rashers sandwich before returning to his alcove and recharging for the night. Gimo waved a cheery welcome from the hold and continued with his welding work. Finally Jan and Frans had the chance to talk, to begin discussing their future plans. Where they were headed. And to love and laugh the night away, just like old times. Jan smiled as he stroked Frans’ hair and left their quarters to head for the cockpit.

It was night time on Abrogard. The sky was burnt peach; the persistent rain a trickle of liquid veins down the cockpit window. Jan closed the door behind him and flicked on the console. His favourite Jizz band played over the speakers, and along with the hypnotic drizzle of rain he found himself drifting off to sleep again.

He dozed for maybe an hour, the rain continuing to pour, when the cockpit door opened to reveal a silhouetted figure. Jan mumbled something unintelligible to himself and spun the seat slowly around. Who’s gonna wake me up this time…07.54. 07.54? Hell, time to get up.

“Jan?” It was Paige, sheets wrapped around her, hair a mess. “Can we talk?”

Jan invited her into the cockpit, the early morning light illuminating them both. She sat beside him in the co-pilots seat and wrapped the sheet even more tightly around her. He waited for her to begin.

“I think you know what I want to talk about.” She stared out of the window at a squad of Stormtroopers on early patrol. Jan nodded.

“Yes I do. I’ve given it some thought myself.”

“You have?” She looked around at him. “Positive or negative thoughts?”

He shrugged.

“Depends on which way you want to think about it. Truth is," He shifted in his seat and flicked off the music. “I don’t know what to make of it. Either way.”

Paige frowned. Time for my big play, she thought.

“If I showed you something, something that proved you met my Mother and spent the night with her fifteen years ago, would you believe me?”

Jan squinted. What’s she got that’s that convincing? He nodded.

“I’d have to. You can’t deny the truth.”

Paige smiled as she pulled a crisp, sharp photo from the sheets and handed it to Jan. He took it and held it up to the early morning light….

…and was taken back fifteen years to a grimy, run-down station above a low-tech world, where the only excitement was cheating easy prey or charming easy women. Except Saah hadn’t been an easy woman. Far from it. He smiled sadly. If he’d only been his Fathers age…

“Why didn’t you show this to me when you first came on board?” He said, handing the photo back to her. She shrugged nervously. She’d had the photo with her for the entire trip, ever since leaving Amagad. Indeed, why wait?

“I wanted you to accept me for who I am. As a person. Everyone can see I’m your daughter. Except you.”

Jan grinned.

“You should have shown it to me sooner. It would have saved us so much time.” Paige’s eyes opened wide, her eyes filled with tears. Does he finally believe me , after all the searching, all the endless starports and travelling? Was this the moment she had so long wished for? Jan nodded emphatically and stood from his chair.

“Dad?”

Jan Lomona opened his arms wide.

“C’mere.”

Paige shrugged off the sheet and threw herself into Jans waiting arms, both of them laughing and crying in unison. They stayed like that for a while until Frans entered the cockpit to see what the commotion was about. She waited in the doorway, not wishing to break up their special reconciliation until it came to a natural end. Jan caught her out of the corner of his eye and beckoned her over.

“Frans Latka, meet my daughter Paige Retgarr.”

“Paige Retgarr-Lomona.” She corrected. “I want to be Paige Retgarr-Lomona.” She smiled at Frans. “And what about you Frans? Are you going to be Frans Latka all your life?”

Frans folded her arms against the early morning coolness and grinned.

“That very much depends on your Father.”

“This must remain a secret.”

Armella paused, the stringy Linguina dripping thickly from her fork. She looked at the fork and nodded. From their balcony viewpoint the whole of the Glades and Allapead beyond was laid before them, glistening in the rain.

“Of course, you are right. If this news got out it could seriously affect both our concerns.” She swallowed the Linguina. “My true lineage shall remain a secret.” Glann smiled and ate his meal. She is a wise, confident young woman. Under any other circumstance he would buy her employment. Offer her a top job in his organisation. But it was not to be, not now. Armella would have to remain on Abrogard, to run D’Staan and begin its integration into the Cipple organisation.

“I shall consult with my operations staff. Have a small team of agents operate in the Verlence Sector. That way we can keep in contact, share information and ideas.” Armella nodded, sipping from her wine.

“A sensible idea.” She breathed out. “Father….”

“Armella. We must be strong. No one must know. It is our greatest strength and our most vulnerable weakness. In time we shall come together and work as one. Until that day….” He trailed off, almost wearily.

Armella smiled sadly at him. Her Father appeared almost upset. Sorrowful.

“Biologically you have been my father all my life. But to me you have only been my Father for a day.”

“I had not thought of it that way.”

“Nor I, until now.” Armella smiled at him, her hair shining in the light. “Before you depart I wish to give you something. A gift, from D’Staan to Cipple.”

Glann smiled and finished his wine.

“D’Staan has given plenty to Cipple in the past. You, for example.”

Armella smiled widely. She eased her chair away from the table and moved off the balcony back inside for a moment. She returned with a hard plastic case in her hand. Standing next to Glann she offered it.

“What is this?”

“Like I said a gift. A prize. A token of my esteem. Call it what you will.”

Glann took it, frowning.

“There is no need for gifts.”

Armella returned to her chair and ate another fork-full of Linguina.

“Open it.”

Glann complied. Inside sat a tiny diskette. He raised his eyebrows. Enough disks already.

“Our slicers have had no luck decoding it. It had been in my father’s possession for many years. Perhaps you shall have more success.”

“What does it contain?”

Armella raised an arched eyebrow. So like her Mother thought Glann.

“Co-ordinates. Locations. Burial sites. Many things. Dessio knew what was on the diskette but never divulged, not even to me. I think it’s fitting that you be given the opportunity to crack it.”

Glann nodded his appreciation and placed the diskette back in the covering, then into his pocket.

“My thanks. Once we have deciphered it I shall tell you of its secrets.”

“Be sure you do. How shall you travel home?”

Glann wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin and leaned back in his seat. A fine meal.

“Since we no longer require the clandestine movements of old I was thinking of taking the Buck Aroo back to Amagad. After all, it has sat unused for twenty years. It will soon be in need of a run, to charge the batteries back up.”

Armella licked her lips and wiped her hands.

“I’ll see to it right away.” She leaned forward. “And Father?”

“Yes Armella?”

“Thank you. For the truth.”

Glann Cipple smiled and raised his hands.

“It was no trouble. Cipples always deal in the truth.”

The Berone Sunrise was re-charged, re-fuelled and ready to lift off. Jan Lomona was underneath her, adjusting a power valve with his hydro-spanner and cursing in ancient A-desandian as Feese, Cipple, Gimo and Terrie approached from the far side of the docking bay. Noticing their entrance he smiled and hooked the tool onto his belt. Smudges of grease and dirt smeared his face, the humid atmosphere and drizzle sheening his features but he cared little. It would soon be time to lift off and head back for the Setnin Sector. Time to go home. He reached the group, just under the shadow of the fifty metre long Freighter and waited, hands on hips.

“It’s about time you got here. We’ve been ready to scratch gravel for a while.” He motioned to Terrie. “You’d better get inside; Paige wants to talk to you.”

Terrie Saffra grinned and shook her head.

“I’ve got to go inside alright. To get my stuff.”

Jan frowned.

“You’re not coming with us?”

“I’m going back out into the field. Glann wants me to set up a cell in this area and I’ve got a lot of work to do. Besides," She motioned back to the Sunrise. “I’d say you’ve got plenty to keep you occupied.”

Jan stepped towards her and stretched his hand out. She took it and, holding it tenderly, shook it.

“I have. It’s been good working with you.”

“You too Captain. I hope we cross paths again.”

Jan sighed and smiled.

“So do I.” He released her hand as she stepped past him. “And Terrie?” She turned. “Thanks for everything.”

“Not a problem.”

Terrie ran into the Sunrise, leaving Jan with Feese, Cipple and Gimo. Jan pointed at the short, thick-hided Gamp and looked at Glann.

“Gimo here would make an excellent information gatherer. He worked for Predd Jason, and a lot of us know of his work…”

“I have already made a business proposition to Gimo. His services are secured.” He glanced at Gimo who beamed all across his face. “As is his loyalty.”

“Loyalty is not an issue Mister Cipple,” said Gimo.

Feese shifted on the spot and leaned in.

“I doubt if Predd Jason would agree.”

Jan turned back to look at the Sunrise, sitting shining in the light, mid-morning drizzle. He jerked a thumb at it.

“Who’s travelling back with us? Glann?”

Cipple shook his head.

“I am taking another starship back to Amagad. Feese and Gimo shall travel with me.”

Jan stepped back in confusion.

“What ship? I thought you gave the Mannacks Renown to Dessio D’Staan?”

Glann nodded and smiled to himself. Very sharp Jan, dropping in the reference to Dessio instead of Armella, even in the trusted presence of Feese.

“I did, but D’Staan possessed a ship of mine called the Buck Aroo. It’s time I took her home.”

Jan nodded. Oh well, just me and the girls. No Feese to distract, no Gimo welding the plates in the cargo hold. And no Terrie leaving the door to the shower room unlocked. Damn. Guess I can’t have everything.

“Well then, I’ll be waiting for you back on Amagad.” He grinned. “I’ll get the first round in.”

“Whoever said you’d be the first to make it back to Amagad?” Cipple smiled as he motioned to the Sunrise. “Let’s talk.”

Terrie stuffed the last of her belongings in her shoulder bag when Paige stepped into the room, standing in the doorway and blocking the light. Terrie stood, swung the bag onto her shoulder and breathed out.

“That’s it, everything’s packed.”

Paige crossed her arms and frowned.

“Were you going to leave without saying goodbye? Or would you have left a note?”

Terrie tilted her head to one side. She had no intention of leaving without saying goodbye to the young A-desandian girl. We’ve become far too close over the last few weeks to go our separate ways without a farewell. Terrie shook her head.

“Of course not. I just had a few things to do before I left and I wanted to be alone to do them.” She moved over to Paige. “Why would I go without saying goodbye?” Paige shrugged.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”

“Just a bit.” Terrie sat on the edge of the bed. “How did it go with Jan? Did he give you an answer?” The smile on Paige’s’ face gave the answer before she spoke. Terrie grinned and nodded. “Good. I told you he’d eventually see sense. How did he take it?”

“Like he’d known all the time.” Paige smiled again. “Not that I should be surprised. He knows what he’s doing.”

Terrie stood and hefted the bag onto her shoulder again.

“Don’t be so sure.” She checked her chrono. “I’ve got to go.” Terrie embraced Paige with a sisterly hug and slipped a flim into her hand. “My comm. number and a few contact addresses. If you ever need me, that’s how.”

Paige wiped a sad little tear from the corner of her eye and nodded.

“Thanks for everything. I wouldn’t have been here without your help.”

Terrie paused in the doorway.

“Just make sure you stay Paige. As long as you can.”

Jan and Glann watched Terrie exit the Berone Sunrise from the cockpit. She said her goodbyes to Frans at the top of the ramp and waved to Gimo and Feese as they made their way back to the D’Staan estate and the Buck Aroo. Jan and Glann silently watched her walk confidently into the distance, black silky hair tucked under her cap, until she was just another smudge on the landscape. And then she was gone.

Cipple turned to Jan.

“Do you still have that bottle of Geenau Whiskey I gave you back on Amagad? I feel a need for alcohol.”

“I always feel a need for alcohol. I’ll go get it.” Jan left the cockpit for a moment, returning with the bottle. Glann took it and found two tumblers, poured the drinks and handed one to Jan. They sipped in silence.

“Captain,” Glann swilled the drink around in his glass. “Do you feel that your time has been well spent? That your efforts have amounted to something?”

Jan shrugged, sipping his Whiskey.

“That’s not for me to say, is it.”

Glann smiled. Perhaps Captain Lomona felt that it was a loaded question. Which it is.

“I suppose not. How is your daughter?”

Jan barely suppressed the frown. How’s he found that out so soon? Stupid question. He’s Glann Cipple.

“She’s fine. Adjusting to being a Lomona. I’m not used to being called Dad yet, but it’s beginning to grow on me.”

“I know what you mean.” Murmured Cipple.

Jan understood what Glann meant and nodded. I used to think Glann Cipple was the last man in the galaxy likely to have kids. Shows you what I know.

Glann pointed out of the window, in the direction of the Glades and the D’Staan estate sitting through the hazy drizzle in the far off distance.

“What do you make of the D’Staan operation? It shall be a worthwhile asset to our operation, don’t you think.”

Jan finished the glass and poured another.

“Definitely. You’ve always wanted a route into the Core and now you’ve got it. There’s just a couple of things I don’t understand.”

“Yes?” Inquired Cipple, shifting in his seat.

Jan pressed on.

“Back on Amagad, before we left for Zelon, you told me about D’Staan. About how he took the details of the Core run and left you, Anzai, Dressel and Riger in trouble.”

“That’s right. Why?”

Jan leaned forward.

“Well, I know you Glann. I know that if you’ve been wronged, you get your own back.”

Glann nodded.

“That is correct. Ask Dressel and the others.”

“You have massive resources. Agents in the field. Why didn’t you search the whole of the galaxy if this deal was worth so much to you? You’ve got agents near the Core. You could have found D’Staan and got your revenge. Why leave him alone?”

“By leaving him alone I have had the final word. Armella was left instructions to hand the Core run over to me, so I triumphed in the end.”

“That’s no answer. You’re a visionary, not a clairvoyant. Why would he give all this to you now, when he risked so much to take it twenty years ago?”

Glann frowned. Dessio D’Staan had lied and cheated in order to build a better life for Armella. Why take that away from her now and give it to me? Unless…unless Dessio did know Armella's true lineage, and this was his way of redressing some balance? I’ll never know. Glann raised his eyebrows at Jan.

“Your other question?”

Jan rubbed his chin in thought.

“Armella. She’s very familiar. I’ve seen her before but I don’t know where.”

Glann shook his head.

“I doubt that very much.”

Jan pressed on.

“Glann, I’ve got an eye for women. I never forget a face. Or a thigh, or a…”

“I understand. But I don’t think Armella’s your type. Or you hers.”

Jan frowned. He wasn’t interested in her in that way – well, not for more than a few hours.

“Why? She’s a woman. They’re all my type.”

“You’re the wrong gender.”

Jan raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

“That’s not a problem. After all, there are eight sexes to choose from.”

Glann Cipple laughed easily and finished his Whiskey. Jan squinted up at him in the morning light as Glann raised his tumbler in salute.

“A wise man once told me you never know what you’ve got until it’s taken away.” Cipple looked out towards the Glades again. “You have a lot at the moment Captain. Don’t lose it.”

Solemnly he exited the cockpit, leaving Jan alone with his thoughts. Moments later Jan Lomona followed him to join his new family.