Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 203: Captures from the Past, Part 2
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Friday, 06 Jul 2525
Pena Spaceport, Kerry
Georgia (Huang Long) system
It's a five hour flight to Kerry from Boros, just a walk next door really, and Rachel readies Delilah for take off. She mutters to herself as she's going through preflight, not really liking the idea of running into Muriel Bloom after all these years. Vikki calls out from underneath one of the consoles, where she's double checking some of her work:
Vikki: Look at it this way. When you run into her, you can put Delilah in reverse and run into her again.
Rachel is preoccupied and grouchy, however, and starts to lift off much to the ground crew's consternation. They hail her.
Crew: Uhhh, Delilah, we'd like to decouple the ship before you take off.
Rachel: (blinks) Oh!
Crew: We got fuel and sewage lines still hooked up. Please turn off your engines. Allow us to decouple. (on internal comms) Papa, could you just repunch the engines in—
Crew: If you refer to your handbook, you'll see the lift-off procedures clearly spelled out.
Vikki: Oh, now they're just being impudent.
Rachel: Oooooh! (to crew) I'll have you know that I was flying ships when you were not even a Āng zāng de mìmì zài nǐ nǎinai de yǎnjīng!
Valentine: Wow.
Valentine looks at Rachel with some respect from his usual position in the copilot's chair. That's some spit and vinegar from her today. The crewman on the other end of the line pauses and then comes back with:
Crew: 'S that Rachel?
Rachel: Yes, it's damned well me an' I don' wanna hear nuthin' about—
Crew: All right, all right! Just let us unplug ya! You don't wanna set the whole place on fire!
Rachel: Fire, people below me? What would I notice?
It's not like she's got a rear view camera mounted aft and Rachel's not the sort that looks back anyhow. She punches the engines and burns atmo for the next port. It's what she does. But she waits until all the hoses are uncoupled from Delilah and takes off without a by-your-leave once she gets the all clear.
Once free of atmo, Rachel picks up Mortimer and nuzzles him.
Rachel: We hate Muriel. We're gonna bite Muriel, aren't we? We're gonna bite her good. Yes, we are. Bite, bite, bite, bite, bite.
Valentine: No, you're not …
Rachel: Don't tell me my rat won't bite people that I want him to bite. (pets rat) That's my Mortimer, that's my good boy…
Tian sticks her head in.
Tian: (dry) You realize of course that rats are only supposed to live three years? And Mortimer's not that old? Otherwise he might be scabbers and I might have to kill it.
Rachel: I know. (covers rat's ears) What, you thought this was the one and only? "Mortimer's dead. That's okay, long live Mortimer." (nuzzles rat)
Vikki: C'est mort! No, c'est Mortimer!.
Rachel: Huh?
Despite the flames on take off, the rest of the flight is uneventful.
Kerry is typical planet with oceans and land masses but the land masses are mostly vast high plateaus that thrust up abruptly from relatively shallow flat runs of shore. Breathtaking cliffs more often than not tumble straight down into the sea. Therefore, most of the population of Kerry lives on those coasts that have enough arable land to sustain them. Inland on the plateaus, the soil is often very poor, being mostly basalt and volcanic rock, with little vegetation. This mixture runs for several hundred kilometers inland until the character changes to something richer, allowing forests to grow and flourish. Most of the rivers are non-navigable as well. The plateaus are sparsely developed as a consequence, though there are some settlements here and there. Overall, Kerry is a contrast between intensely built-up coasts and boondocks interiors.
Pena is the main starport. It has a mixture of high tech industries and Core-side skyscrapers side by side with Rim-side poverty and make-do ingenuity. Rachel gives it all a critical eye as she comes in for a landing.
Rachel: Hmm… been a long time since I been to this place.
Earlier in the flight, as soon as Tian came in wave range, she commed Han Zhang to arrange a meet.
Han: We can meet at my office or you could come to my working office down at the port.
Tian: Either one would be fine, Zhang. I don't wish to gnarl up your day.
Han: It's at Lot 7-B. I'll arrange that they'll know you're coming. Are you bringing anyone?
Tian: Not at the moment. Not to see you.
Han: Okay. Otherwise I'll need to tell security. Looking forward to it. It's been a long time.
Tian: (smiles) I'll see you shortly.
She cut the channel and started securing for landfall.
Currently, Rachel starts the shake and bake through atmo. She lands Delilah just fine, thank you. Poco doesn't even need to help from the engine room. Actually, come to think of it, no one's seen or heard much of him during the flight over. In fact, he's come down ill. Something in his package isn't agreeing with him.
Once we're settled on the dirt, Tian tells Valentine of her meeting with Han Zhang.
Valentine: Do you need anyone to go with you?
Tian: I wasn't planning on it, no.
Valentine: You're not meeting some non-existent couple in a non-existent café in a back alley, so I'm not so much worried about something happening. Just, these days, I'd feel remiss if I don't tell everyone leaving the ship to just stay alert. Okay? Let me know how it goes.
Awww … ! Tian gives him a fond smile and walks off the ship, her medical bag slung against her hip.
During the flight, Vikki hasn't been able to find anything odd with the taser's innards and she reassembles it. She finds Valentine as he's seeing Tian off the ramp.
Vikki: You want this taser? I didn't find anything but it was kinda dusty inside. Do you want it?
Valentine: No.
Vikki: All right.
And down it goes into her bag. She'll figure out what to do with it later.
Valentine decides to look up Muriel. He has limited contact information, however, just a snippet of an address. It's just a PO Box but he's confident that asking around would get him more information. He rounds up crew who are interested in going with him. It may be a business call but it's still a chance to get off-ship and walk around a bit. Vikki readily agrees. Her crush on Valentine is still with her. Besides, her insane curiosity would make it hard to keep her cooped up inside anyway.
Vikki: So, where are we going?
Poco: I'm gonna go to my bed and maybe the bathroom in a little bit.
Valentine: Okay, at least one of those statements was too much information. You get to determine which one it was, but don't overshare it.
Vikki: (concerned) Are you okay?
Poco: Well, in retrospect, maybe it was too good a deal. I'll be okay.
Vikki: What did they do? Put laxatives in your cigarettes?
Poco: They weren't cigarettes.
Valentine: Yeah, well guess what? We all figured that out about five seconds before you said it.
Poco: Look, do you want me to be sick right here? Or do you want me to be sick in the bathroom?
Vikki: Bathroom, please.
Poco makes a fast exit.
Vikki: Awww ….
Valentine: No, he doesn't get an "awww" from us.
Vikki: Tian, do you have any immodium? I think he's going to need some.
Tian: Uhn-uhnnn. Whatever he's ingested, he needs to go ahead and purge.
Valentine: I'm sure he's done this sort of thing many times before.
Vikki: Why would you do that twice?
Valentine: Yeah … A lot of people ask that sort of thing.
Tian: And yet.
Valentine: If there's one thing that separates us from the animals, is when the animals learn that something hurts them, they stop doing it. We go back for more. Just watching the people at the casino is an illustration of that particular rule.
Vikki: Okay. Well, when you put it that way …
Nuri volunteers to oversee the passenger departure. Valentine makes sure everything's in order and within Nuri's capabilities, then leaves with Vikki and Rachel.
Tian goes to Han's office address and finds out it's a ship and not building as she'd expected. It's a Kerry System Defense Boat, painted right there on the hull. She goes up to the security point on the landing pad and announces her appointment.
Tian: Gentlemen, Secretary Han is expecting me.
One of the guards holds out a pad for her to touch. She puts her hand on it. It verifies her identity and she's waved aboard. She's escorted by a naval serviceman and she thanks him. She notes the uniforms and rank insignia of the KSD. It's not as fancy as the Alliance or the PDF navies, but neither is it rough and tumble cowboy wear. She's led up a ladder and down a short corridor to a small but functional office. Han Zhang is waiting for her there.
He looks … nervous, maybe?
Han: Doctor Grace.
Tian: Secretary.
Han: Zhang. (small laugh) Please.
Tian: (smiles) It's nice to see you again, Zhang.
Zhang approaches her and they engage in the handshake/hug tango, unsure which would be appropriate. He settles on the handshake.
Zhang: Ah. I caught your wave. I wish I had good news to share with you. I have contacts on Whitefall. I'm afraid I have some troubling news. The … ah, … There's a group there. They call themselves the Lakota. I don't know what you'd call them. Separatists? They don't like Patience, who is the Magistrate of the planet. they don't much like the Alliance, they don't much like the PDF. As near as I can figure it, they don't really like anyone. But they know the land incredibly well and they've ridden up into various canyons and all that. I think that … Patience was getting sick of them, so she got in some Alliance 'advisors', which I believe your son was part of.
Tian: (moans) Oh, God …
Zhang: There's been a claim that his squadron was captured by the Lakota. (off her look) Now, captured. Not killed.
Tian: You know, on some level that might almost be good news, honestly, Zhang.
Zhang: Explain to me how this is good news?
Tian's laugh is soft, short, and bitter.
Zhang: Captured by a terrorist organization. Better than the Reavers, I guess, but …?
Tian: Yes, because getting captured by a terrorist organization was oh-so-bad for his mother.
Zhang: They're not soldiers.
Tian: And maybe they aren't either and we can at least hold out some hope for that.
Zhang: Well, they're guerillas. Terrorists is not the right word. They're a tough crew. Their leader goes by the name of "Red Cloud". His real name is Fred Lawton. They all use these old Earth That Was indigenous population names based on historical figures from old wars and such.
Tian: I appreciate that you were even able to get that much information, thank you.
Zhang nods. Is he embarrassed by Tian's gratitude? Or is he touched, perhaps … attracted? Relieved? Hard to say. He clears his throat.
Zhang: Yes … I know a woman. Her name's Akbari. Fatima Akbari. She's an opium … distributer, I guess is the right word. She works for some of the farmers in some of the rough and tumble country that the Lakota manage or control. They need her to distribute in order to get money for food and fuel and that sort of thing. She needs their protection for the opium fields. She's managed to stay a little bit above the fray. She works with Patience as well. I might be able to arrange contact, through her, to them. If you have something you might be able to offer to them. And that's the one thing I don't have the authority to arrange.
Tian: No, and I certainly wouldn't ask that of you anyway.
Zhang: I'm sure they're hoping that the Alliance will pay some big ransom. As you may know, the Alliance isn't big on paying ransom for soldiers. If there was a … Ariel blueblood, I'm sure they'd be paying ransom right away. But … (sighs) … near as I can tell, your son's troops were mostly working for pay.
Tian: They're young.
Zhang: I wouldn't put it past the Alliance to send in some other group to take them out.
Tian: That is why I made the comment that I did because … I sincerely doubt he's worth the effort to send in anyone else in to—
Zhang: Well, the Alliance has been—I don't know what the word for it is—they've been attempting a new technique here on the Border. It's a soft sell, as it were. They come in by invitation. They advise, they do logistics, some security operations where necessary. Peacekeeping. Helping to establish elections. A lot of … potentially admirable activities, except there are always strings attached. And the people that they tend to pick are the ones that are prone to corruption that they feel they can buy. Unfortunately, a lot of the poor people in this system and others, they don't have enough sway with those in power. So really, the PDF has kind of pulled back to Blue Sun, leaving systems like Georgia and Kalidasa mostly on their own. I'll patrol the areas around the planet to provide assistance but my influence goes not much further than Kerry.
Tian: (understandingly) You're one man.
Zhang: If I hear about one pirate escaping Boros and I'm in the area, I might take him out but I don't have the authority or the resources to extend much beyond the planet. I feel bad about that. There was a time when the war was going on that there were plans having a much more integrated system but it's fallen apart and the Alliance has really taken advantage of that.
Zhang shifts in his chair and leans forward.
Zhang: So. The good news for you is they might do a face-saving operation. they don't want to seem weak to Patience and others. If they want to keep her invitation open, they may need to demonstrate their power. That might be good.
Tian: It depends on how much pull that—
Tian starts to say something but thinks better of it. Then:
Tian: I don't know what kind of pull or even who's exactly behind what's going on with me.
Zhang: Yes.
Tian: The one person I've had contact with indicates on a regular basis that it's not personal, that I'm just the one who was in the right place at the right time and was just visible enough to make a good example. But … it sure feels personal. Threatening my son to come at me like that sure feels personal.
Zhang: Well … (sighs) …
Zhang can say nothing but his expression tells Tian much. She responds by acknowledging what he cannot say.
Tian: I do appreciate everything you did to even get this information. That was really all I could hope for.
Zhang: It was the least I can do. If I'd even known that your son was to be stationed out here, I might have been able to intervene earlier and prevent the capture in the first place. I'm sorry I didn't.
Tian: You didn't know. I had no idea and I wouldn't even ask that of you. It's not fair to put you in that position anyway, so I actually feel bad that I sent the wave the way I did.
Zhang: This is a rare occasion that I am able to parlay my title into any sort of use. As you can see, I've taken to commanding this vessel because I get more done doing that than—.
Zhang points toward Pena's gleaming skyscrapers hugging the water's edge.
Zhang: (continuing)—in my office. When I'm up there, nothing at all happens. At least down here I can make a difference.
Tian: Well, at least I can parlay your title into some help for most of your corps. The ship I came in on is carrying the clinic that I told you that I was still working with, so I can do any of the vaccinations at the towns and places you've pinpointed as needing help. I can also run, if maybe not a full surgery, but at least a reasonable facsimile of such.
Zhang: Pena has a decent hospital but they would be happy to have your assistance in the vaccination campaign. There is still some lingering suspicion of these campaigns. I don't have a lot of influence there but I can help expedite the red tape. I don't think there will be much if you're setting up in the poorer shanty towns.
Tian: I know. I figure your influence is more knowing where I should go and who needs it most.
Zhang: Yes, and if anyone hassles you, feel free to mention there are … (off her look) … well …?
Tian: It's not exactly my style to be a name-dropper, Zhang.
Zhang shakes his head.
Zhang: Here's the thing. There are elements in this town, on this planet, that are … How shall I say this? … In order to secure the peace, certain compromises had to be made with regards to law and order. And so, there are police that are corrupt, on the take.
Tian: Oh, shiny.
Zhang: And they wield enough influence that if we try to clamp down on them, we would lose what control we have. Just be aware they might try to muscle you but if they do, let them know that you visited me. I think that that influence might prevent that from happening.
Awww. If she didn't know already that he was in her corner, this would have clinched it.
Tian: (laughs lightly) Just as long as it won't get me shot.
Zhang: (smiles) My name shouldn't get you shot.
Tian: Okay, I'll be all right then. (sobering) These days I'm not entirely sure what won't get me shot.
Zhang leans forward again and his demeanor changes from professional to … something else.
Zhang: How long do you think your ship will stay? At least until I hear back from Akbari?
Tian: (soft) I wasn't going to ask you to do that.
Zhang: It's the least I can do.
His voice and his gaze soften … and then the moment passes and it's all business again.
Zhang: So stick around for a little bit. It will take at least a few hours for the waves to get out there and honestly, she may not be available by wave. It might take a day or two for her to respond back.
Tian: We'll stay a while. Like I said, I don't have a … um … You were my only option to find anything.
Zhang: Pena doesn't have much to offer in the way of tourism but I know a really good fish place down on the beach.
Wait. What? Did he just ask Tian out on a date?
Why, yes. Yes, he did.
Tian: That would be wonderful … (smiling now) … I'd like that.
Zhang: (smiling back) It's late. Perhaps today you can set up your things and tomorrow night we'll have something to look forward to.
Tian: All right. Let me know.
She rises. He stands and offers his hand for a shake … but he holds hers for a long second and gives her fingers a squeeze. Tian leans in and kisses him sweetly on the cheek.
Tian: Thank you. More than I can say.
Zhang doesn't ruin the moment with words but personally sees her out.
Meanwhile, Valentine and his little group are making their way to the post office where they've got Muriel's last known address. The Post Officer is a shriveled-up apple of an old man who peers at Valentine askance, his reedy voice tinged with suspicion.
Post Officer: Whaddya want? I can't give you names. Or addresses. But I can take packages.
Valentine: (to Rachel) She's your friend.
Rachel sighs. Damn Muriel. Always more trouble than she was worth … Rachel steps forward and turns on her sweet-talkin' charm.
Rachel: Darlin', she's—I know you're not supposed to get names, I know—but see, Muriel's an old friend of mine.
Post Officer: Yeah?
Rachel: (nodding) Muriel Bloom. She's an old friend of mine.
Post Officer: Muriel Bloom …
Rachel: Yes.
Post Officer: You want to leave her package?
Rachel: No, I'm the package I want to leave for her, baby.
Post Officer: I can't take live packages.
Rachel: (smiles) Can you tell me where I might be able to drop the live package off at?
Post Officer: Ahhh ... (strokes chin) … well … if you want to find Muriel—how do I know you not try to kill her?
Rachel: Well, when we were kids, we thought about it but we didn't.
Rachel leans on the counter, shrugging her shoulders. It does interesting things to the neckline of her shirt.
Rachel: Babydoll, I—she's an old friend. Why would I—?
Post Officer: People kill people all the time here.
Rachel: Oh, Muriel won't. It's fine. She'll just laugh. She'll be so happy—
Post Officer: I don' know. I don't want her to try to kill me.
Rachel: Muriel won't try an' kill you. You're just a sweet lil' ol'—
Post Officer: Oh! So you think you know her?
Rachel: Oh, you're just as cute as a button. Why would she wanna hurt you?
Post Officer: Let's just saat that sometimes our interactions are not … Look, I don't know anything about this person. If she exists, I can pass on a package to her but I cannot tell you anything.
Rachel: Oh, you just let the cat out'a the bag, cutie pie. I know you know her.
The Post Officer looks past her at Valentine and Vikki standing there, then steps back from the counter.
Valentine: Don't worry. We won't mention anything to her. We'll just say we asked around elsewhere.
Post Officer: Well … I tell you this. If you wish to find her, it's always good to start by having some good tea first.
Rachel: Oh, is there a tea shop you can recommend?
Post Officer: Well, … There is one not too far from here. Bodhi, it's called.
Rachel: Bodhi. Well, I reckon we'll have to go get some tea then … (turns to Valentine and Vikki) … Y'all up for tea? I mean, it's an old person's drink but you know, you young people could do good with tea.
Valentine: Sure.
Vikki: I grew up on tea.
Rachel slips a credit across the counter to the Post Officer for his trouble and Vikki air-kisses him good measure through the barred counter window.
Vikki: Thank you, Grandfather.
And away they go to the Bodhi Tea House. It's in an area that had government buildings at one time, now abandoned for newer digs, and the civilian inhabitants have come up with some creative re-tasking of them. One such is the Tea House and Japanese signage announce it as such. Valentine stands a little distance away first and looks it over. The tea house door opens and a few patrons stumble out accompanied by a thick haze of whitish-grey smoke. It looks like maybe the Bodhi sells more than tea? Either that or the kitchen's on fire.
Vikki: Looks like they take cash and hashish.
Valentine: Let's go get some tea.
They walk inside and it's rather like entering an Arabian boudoir tent. Braziers accent the corners. Rugs and pillows and low tables are everywhere. Prayer flags and windchimes hang from the rafters. Smoke and conversation drift on the lazy breeze from the ceiling fans. Slow music from an exotic stringed instrument catches the ear.
Vikki: Is it the weekend? It sounds like Sittarday.
The main floor has people sitting and drinking tea, smoking tobacco from hookah pipes, or lying in couches in an opium haze. A variety of ethnicities are represented and the overall impression is a soothing melting pot of mellow.
Woman: This is a special tea, infused with poppy seed. It should provide you with a delightful journey as you take this time …
The crew sees the back of a woman with long brown hair tending to the customers there. She's bending over pouring tea as she talks. Rachel sighs. It's been a few years but she'd know that voice and backside anywhere.
Valentine: How would you like to handle this? Would you like me to order some tea? Or would you like to go ahead and just get this out of the way?
Rachel: You can go up and introduce yourself as Val's son. It's much more polite than "Oh, you!"
Valentine: I'm happy to do that.
Muriel Bloom finishes pouring and bows before circulating and pouring tea for others. Valentine threads his way around the tables and couches and pillows to her as Rachel leans against a plastered wall to watch. Muriel catches sight of Valentine and she straightens to greet him.
Valentine: Excuse me.
Muriel: Yes, sir? … (smiles) … Hello.
Valentine: I would like to order a tea selection.
Muriel has had a chance to get a look at him at this point and her smile slides from polite to puzzled.
Muriel: Have we met before?
Valentine: You may have known my father.
Muriel: (thinking …) Hmmm …
Valentine: Lazarus?
Muriel's eyes widen as she comprehends. She puts the teapot down and looks up again … and her expression changes when she catches sight of Rachel. Rachel nods when their eyes meet.
Rachel: Hey, honey.
Valentine: Laz is dead, by the way, so … If you hadn't known.
Muriel: Word had come out … (harder tone) … Well, I'm sorry about that.
The look she sends Rachel's way could flash boil tea.
Muriel: And you. Helen of Troy.
Valentine: Let's not drag out the overloaded literary references yet. We've got time to have some tea before that.
Rachel: (back at ya, bitch) I just reckoned we'd just come by and say "Hi".
Well, that's a lie, but Valentine keeps it behind his teeth, thank you. Muriel looks at Valentine, Vikki, and Rachel in turn, then says to Valentine with her eyes nailed to her rival:
Muriel: Let's go to my office.
She leads the crew through a beaded curtain and whispers to some of her staff to take her place on the floor. Muriel continues on to her office and once inside, she addresses Rachel.
Muriel: I never expected to see you again.
Rachel: Well, circumstances that drive us apart sometimes drive us back together again.
Muriel: Nothing's happened to Chase and Bosche?
Rachel: (laughs) They're in jail, honey.
Muriel: But they're still there, right?
Rachel: Yeah. Why? You expect them to break out?
Muriel: No, I thought maybe … I don't know … with all the wars and everything, they got let out and got themselves into some real trouble.
Rachel: No, right now they're tucked safely in jail.
Muriel goes silent for a beat, obviously thinking on Chase and Bosche.
Muriel: Of all things, you'd wouldn't think that a little larceny would lock them up in a for-profit jail.
Rachel: So what did they do?
Muriel: Rustling.
Rachel blows a raspberry at the idea.
Rachel: Neither'm can ride worth diddlely-squit. What were they doin' on horses tryin' to rustle anything, anyway?
Muriel: I didn't say it was horses.
Rachel: Oh. So … they rustled somethin' a little bit bigger.
Muriel presses her lips together … and her eyes unexpectedly twinkle.
Muriel: Mmm … It's actually somewhat funny. They're on the prison ship Alcatraz for rustlin' … ostriches.
Rachel: Now I want to write 'em a "Dear John" letter just so I can make fun of 'em.
Vikki: But, um, ostriches are good eating.
Muriel: You see, Jeffery had this plan and the ostriches would be his big score.
Rachel: Uh huh.
Muriel: And, well, ostriches are not as easy to rustle as you may imagine.
Rachel: No, they kick.
Muriel: They have a mind of their own, apparently.
Rachel: And they kick.
Muriel coughs … or a strangled laugh comes out as a cough. It's even odds.
Muriel: Well, anyway. They're in jail.
Rachel: (dryly) For rustlin' ostriches. At their age?
Muriel: Attempted ostrich rustling.
Rachel: At their age?
Muriel: Well, you're never too young to do it.
Rachel: Now Muriel I would'a thought you'd'a brought us some tea. Do you think your people can bring us some refreshments?
Muriel: You're staying that long?
Rachel: Uh-huh.
And just like that the humor in the room dries up. Valentine lays a casual but warning hand on his pilot.
Valentine: (pleasantly) Maybe, maybe not. It does look like you have a very nice teashop, though.
Muriel: Perhaps a little tea would make things more pleasant.
Rachel: A little bit won't be enough to make things pleasant.
Muriel summons one of her staff and as she's giving instructions, Valentine tries smoothing the ruffled feathers.
Valentine: Okay. It seems to me that there might be just a tiny bit of bad blood. (pinches the air) Just a tiny little bit.
Muriel: (steely) Every time that she came back—we tried to get Laz away from you—but every time you came back to the ship, something went crazy. Either with Laz or with the boys. You had them fightin' each other.
Rachel: I din't have them fightin' each other. I was just flyin'.
Muriel: Mm-hm.
Rachel: And they fought just fine without—
Muriel: Oh, yes, and you just forgot your pants that day.
Rachel's eyes go wide. She cuts a look at Valentine and back at Muriel.
Rachel: This is in front of his son. Do not bring up things like that.
Vikki: Hello, practically a minor over here.
Valentine: You're not a minor, Vikki.
Vikki: Tender ears.
Rachel: I can't help where he hung his pants at.
Muriel: His pants?
Rachel: My pants, either. (sniffs) Pants seem to be a problem on that ship. We got a new engineer an' he can't keep his on, either.
Oh boy.
Valentine: To be fair, from what I know of my father, it wouldn't take a whole lot to get him to abandon some people in favor of other people but that's neither here nor there, I guess.
Muriel: (slyly) That's right … Laz's son. I've seen you before.
Valentine: Have you, now?
Muriel: Yes, you were maybe eight or nine, I think. He came back one time and we had some … operation … that we were working on at the time and yeah, I thought you looked familiar.
Valentine: Yeah.
Valentine can't quite remember meeting her or encountering the circumstances described but decides a non-committal affirmative would be the best response. Muriel slants a look at him.
Muriel: So did your Pa ever … talk about us? The gang?
Valentine: I found the picture.
Muriel: Yeah?
Valentine pulls it out of his inner pocket and shows it to her.
Muriel: Huh. Oh yeah … that was quite a score we had there.
Valentine: Yes. I gathered that.
Muriel: It never got fully resolved. Your father was going to sell it and we were all going to get our share but he said he lost track of it. Somehow.
Rachel: Well, what was it? Cuz I wasn't involved in that one.
Muriel: (sly) Yeah. I guess he didn't trust you with that information. So … It might be best not to reveal that to you.
Rachel: (yeah, right) I guess not. You want me to stick my fingers in my ears so you can tell his son?
Muriel: You can stick them somewhere.
Rachel: Yeah, Muriel, maybe they can do this—
Rachel makes a rude gesture with said fingers and Valentine covers her hand with his.
Valentine: Okay. Enough.
Rachel: (to Val) Least your poppa won't be cold like she is.
Vikki: Gee, that tea's taking an awful long time to get here.
Valentine:Lokk, it's obvious from the picture that there was most likely a serious find, that you dug something up. I'm not against the idea and I don't have any idea what Laz did with the whatever-it-was he dug up, because as far as I know it isn't on board our ship and he didn't leave me a treasure map with a big red X on it. I'm not against the idea of trying to dig it up and providing those of you who aren't currently serving sentences in jail at the moment your share of whatever-it-is. I'm kinda hoping it's gold doubloons. A treasure map implies gold doubloons.
Muriel subsides, partially mollified by Valentine's offer.
Muriel: Well, you know … the problem with treasure is often unburying is just the beginning.
Valentine: That's true.
Muriel: If pirates buried that treasure, they may come looking for it.
Valentine: Along with everyone else.
Muriel: It would be awfully helpful to know that if it's true. But, like you say, you no longer have that treasure anymore, it sounds like your father figured out what to do with it. It wasn't why he died, was it? I thought he had cancer or something.
Rachel: (narrowly) Yeah.
Valentine: Yeah.
Muriel: I think that's how he went out. Sad. He had more than enough enemies, but a few friends, too.
Valentine: Can you tell us anything else? About what it was? Where it was?
It's not certain if Valentine actually knew how his father died. He doesn't let it show, either way. He keeps his emotions hidden behind a polite expression.
Muriel: What was most intriguing about all that was what we found was just a part of a bigger treasure. It's worth a small fortune, what we found anyway, but there were hints there was a bigger one.
Muriel checks to see if the coast is clear and then leans in, her voice low.
Muriel: Have you ever heard of the Custodian?
Muriel takes in the looks she receives and tells them the story:
There has been an enduring legend surrounding the Exodus and the artifacts that made it off Earth-That-Was. During the beginning of Boarding, everything was carefully regulated. All the things humanity brought with them, every gram, was accounted for, so that the records would be clear and there would be no doubt as to what survived. By the end of the Boarding process, when most of the officials had left and they were cramming on as many as they could—and it was mostly people at that stage because they were trying to get as many aboard as possible—there were legends that one or more people had, through various means, secured quite a deal for artifacts. This deal was not with museums in mind. Rather, they would keep the things that they thought would be valuable when they got to the Verse. Another version of the legend is that someone on board the ship or at one of the Landing sites immediately began buying up those things because they knew they'd be valuable even though other people saw them as having only regular sentimental value.
Vikki suppresses a smile, having just won an internal wager with herself. She'd suspected that this is what Muriel would say. Vikki has always been a voracious reader and possesses an avid curiosity and a prodigious memory for trivia. The Custodian is one such tale stored in her mental library.
Rachel: Now I know why Laz wanted her to go … Dried up old history finding dried up old history.
Vikki: History may be old, but it's never really all that dry. There's always something of interest in it.
It goes without saying that any uncatalogued or undiscovered artifact from Pre-Exodus would be … so valuable as to be priceless. To say nothing of dangerous, if the wrong people—or even the right people—found out about it.
Valentine: Hm. I can see what you mean how sometimes the trouble is not the treasure, but dealing with the treasure. So you found some portion of it but not all of it. The tip of the iceberg sort of thing?
Muriel: I think we found a … it's a little complicated.
Valentine: It always is.
Muriel: I don't know how you feel about your father, but …
Valentine: There is nothing you can do to ruin him in my memory, let's put it that way.
Muriel nods, giving him that. She settles into her chair.
Muriel: He had heard that a portion of the cache had been stolen and reckoned that we could return it for a reward or possibly sell it ourselves for a bigger reward. So we took it from the people who were the thieves.
Valentine: Right.
Muriel: Thieves don't have any claim on anything.
Thieves don't have any claim to honor, either. However, depending on the thieves under discussion, they may have a powerful claim on revenge …
Valentine: Yes. I get the idea.
Muriel: And we think that even that person may have stolen it.
Oh great. How far back does the possible chain of vengeful thieves go? Assuming there is one. That's another thing about treasure: you're never sure about the chain of possible vengeance.
Valentine: anything that big, no one's going to hold it secure for too long.
Muriel: Anyway, Chase and Bosche did try to pursue someone like that. I think they know where the original thief who stole it from the heirs of the Custodian is. What with being in jail, they're not really forthcoming with that information.
Valentine: Shocking.
Muriel: I know they tried to contact Laz.
Valentine: How long are they in jail for? Anyone know?
Muriel: It can't be that long. It was just ostriches.
Rachel: It depends on the dollar how much ostrich meat is, darlin'.
Muriel lifts one finely arched eyebrow in lieu of a smirk.
Muriel: Probably eight to ten. Maybe they've six to seven more years. Unless they've got good behavior. I don't know how that for-profit prisons do it.
Valentine: I'm not sure I'd be betting on good behavior.
Muriel: Unlike some people, I'm still on good terms with them. I even talk to Chen and Gloria on occasion. It wouldn't surprise me if they did a little research on their own. I don't know what it was about Gloria but she was all fine operatin' the way we were and then all of a sudden, she got this bug in her ear to go to Blue Sun. I heard she's all set up there.
Rachel: Yeah, from what I heard she set up pretty nice as a Magistrate.
Muriel: Yes. How did that happen?
Valentine: Grease the right amount of palms.
Rachel taps the victory picture of the crew.
Rachel: Where were y'all when this picture was taken?
Muriel: We were planetside. Where were you?
Rachel: Off doin' whatever the hell I was doin'.
Muriel: Well, there you go.
Rachel stifles a sigh. Why does Muriel always have to be a difficult bitch?
Rachel: You could give the name to Val, at least
Muriel: I could, but … why would I want to do that?
Rachel: Cuz you ain't gon' go find it. You're just gonna dry up here like your own damn tea leaves!
Valentine: All right.
Again, Valentine touches Rachel's arm: calm down, please. Vikki's watching all of this over the rim of her cup and as the pilot bristles, Vikki sucks down a large sip.
Vikki: Mmmm, nice tea.
Muriel: Always the charmer, Rachel. Always the charmer. I don't know how all the men resisted you. Oh wait. They didn't. You just took advantage of that, didn't you?
Valentine: (firmly) Okay. Let's back it up, let's just back it up. (a beat) Look. That's actually the question. Why haven't you?
Muriel: Why haven't I what?
Valentine: Why haven't you gone after it? Why haven't you tried to track down wherever Laz hid it? Or if there's more cash, why not go after that? Why not take the extra step?
Muriel: Well, as you know … I'm an older woman now. It's not easy for me to travel the dangerous Black like I used to.
Valentine: I get that.
Rachel tries not to roll her eyes. Muriel's gonna need a violin if she keeps up the poor-little-me tune.
Muriel: Your ship—you have Delilah now?
Valentine: I do.
Muriel: So, a ship and a crew. Who knows? Maybe I could help you? I could put in word for you. Of course, as I recall, you were saying that you didn't know anything about this other than the photo. That was some horrible alcohol, by the way. Of course, it was 500 years old.
Vikki: Champagne?
Muriel: No.
Vikki: Well, not by then, I suppose.
Valentine: My father had an amazing ability to collect an amazing amount of useless crap—
Muriel: Tell me about it.
Rachel: (rising) That's the last time you get to tell me anything.
Vikki makes herself as small as possible in her chair. Yikes!
Valentine: I'm sorry but you're just going to stop that right now.
The two rivals subside.
Valentine: Here's the thing. I haven't sorted through all of it. It's possible that somewhere in the pile there might be something that gives me some clues as to where he might have dumped his portion. I guess what I'm asking is if I do find it and I am interested in digging it out, are you interested giving up your portion of information in return for some portion of what we find?
Muriel: I don't know … The store is doing all right over here. I'm old and I'm not really in the treasure-huntin' mindset anymore. If I can recall anything that could help you out, I'll see what I can do.
A little red light starts blinking on her desk. She sees it and she rises.
Muriel: Just wait one second.
She passes through the bead curtain into the restaurant. The crew hears a ruckus as four rough-looking men walk in off the street and start going through the tea house. People start scurrying out of the way, encouraged to leave with a few kicks and blows from the thugs. Their leader is a weasely-looking man with stringy blond hair. They look a bit menacing Muriel's voice raised.
Muriel: Weasel, what are you doing here? I'm all paid up.
Weasel: Well … that's not the way I see it. I been hearin' you got some new materials you been movin'.
Muriel: But I'm all paid up with your boss.
Weasel: Yeah, Boss doesn't like competition.
Peering through the beads, Valentine gets a good look at the man called Weasel. It's an apt moniker: Weasel is tall and scrawny, a scruffy blonde with a scruffy moustache and goatee. Right now his narrow features are drawn narrower as he squints down at Muriel, who is standing with her arms akimbo looking up at him. His thugs are starting to tear up the place and a fight looks imminent.
Valentine sighs. Why can't business ever go smooth?
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