Twenty-Five Minutes to Go

[Zem Vymes]

<font size=-3><center>Twenty-Five Minutes to Go - by Johnny Cash

Well they're building a gallows outside my cell I've got 25 minutes to go
And the whole town's waitin' just to hear me yell I've got 24 minutes to go
Well they gave me some beans for my last meal I've got 23 minutes to go
But nobody asked me how I feel I've got 22 minutes to go
Well I sent for the governor and the whole dern bunch with 21 minutes to go
And I sent for the mayor but he's out to lunch I've got 20 more minutes to go
Then the sheriff said boy I gonna watch you die got 19 minutes to go
So I laughed in his face and I spit in his eye got 18 minutes to go
Now hear comes the preacher for to save my soul with 13 minutes to go
And he's talking bout' burnin' but I'm so cold I've 12 more minutes to go
Now they're testin' the trap and it chills my spine 11 more minutes to go
And the trap and the rope aw they work just fine got 10 more minutes to go
Well I'm waitin' on the pardon that'll set me free with 9 more minutes to go
But this is for real so forget about me got 8 more minutes to go
With my feet on the trap and my head on the noose got 5 more minutes to go
Won't somebody come and cut me loose with 4 more minutes to go
I can see the mountains I can see the skies with 3 more minutes to go
And it's to dern pretty for a man that don't wanna die 2 more minutes to go
I can see the buzzards I can hear the crows 1 more minute to go
And now I'm swingin' and here I go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!</center></font>

It had been a good hard week since I'd last killed me a man, and that son of a bitch deserved it.

The planet magistrate didn't think much of my point of view. Seems my attitude wasn't wanted in this here Empire. Seems also that stupid dead bastard was his rotten son. Got to put on airs and look civilized. It's a new era. An era ain't got much use for a man like me, and it was high time for an example to be made. My number was coming up, and coming fast. Were I on a clod a bit closer to the core, maybe I'd get me a fancy buttoned-down lawyer man.

But there ain't a bit of durasteel beneath my feet, and I'm trompin on chert rock and mud, breakin my back for the man before time comes around to break my neck.

Come around time for a killin here, and they even make a man bring up his own gallows on the sweat of his back. I got nails in my mouth and a hammer in my hand. The boss man's takin a drink of water with a blaster in the crook of his hand. He's got that killin gleam in his eye. He'd love me to up and take a swing at him with this here hammer, cause it'd be my last.

But I keep a'hammerin on this gallows. Plank by plank ticks down my time. I'm a murderer and I must die, and this town's thirsty for blood like I'm thirsting for a drink of water.

The townfolk gather behind me, screamin for my head. They push up on that barbed wire fence till they cut their knuckles on it. Some call me a killer. A few call me a Rebel, but I got no flag to wave for nobody.

My name's Zem Vymes and I'm a cold hard murdering son of a bitch who's seeing his last day.

Course, thing is about killing people, is you sometimes bury secrets with 'em. And I got me a whopper. One that'd sure as hell redden up that fat magistrate's face a bit, and make a rich man out of the free man who knew it.

When I laid his no-good son low, I also laid low the money he'd taken from his old man's coffers. Money for drugs, and the whores he'd cut on a full moon night. Money ain't a soul gonna find, and money whos only company will soon be my bones.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The group meandered through dusty streets and equally dusty people, halfway between wandering and actually having somewhere to go. A tavern was decided upon, and they stepped inside to find a table and sit.

Prent had decided to stop over for supplies on some seemingly no-name planet, and to stave the boredom of waiting, Layla's crew had taken to the streets of the town in search of ways to pass the time until they could lift off once more. s'Il had only been with Sanis, James, and Cirr for a few short weeks now, and she was greatful for the chance to put her feet on solid ground and breathe fresh air once again. Even if said 'fresh air' seemed stale and plain to her olfactory senses. After living on Cathar for so long, she had come to enjoy the rich smells of incense, perfumes, spices, and fresh foods that permeated the air like a living being.

She had hated to leave it all.

With Tak sitting on her lap, s'Il sat at the table they all now surrounded, letting her daughter munch on a bowl of nuts. The Lupine leaned back only just a little, watching with a peripheral eye at the goings on of those around them. The bar they now occupied wasn't particularly crowded - in fact, it was almost empty. Even the tender seemed aggravated that he had patrons, as if there was somewhere else he wanted to be.

Her hand closed around the drink she'd ordered, and she took a sip. Swallowing, she made the barest of disdaining faces. Bantharot.

The cup was set back on the tabletop, summarily pushed away, and s'Il canted her head to the side, giving Sanis a look from the top of her good eye.

[Sanis Prent]

"Whiskey."

I sat beside s'Il, pocketing a ragged checklist of sundries we'd put into port for. Might as well use it for toilet paper, because pickings were a bit slim here.

"Out."

The gruff bartender shined a glass and glowered at me.

"You don't say. Ok, I'm not picky. Suprise me."

He filled a ceramic mug full of lukewarm beer, which I knocked back. It was heavy and heady, the kind of brew you needed mustard and lunchmeat to go with. Real liquid bread.

"General store's pickings are thin."

I tossed s'Il a thin-lipped expression as I crossed my arms.

"Not much to see here. They got fuel, so I figure we top ourselves off and push out. No sense staying when we can get work and supplies further down the rim."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Indeed," was her only half-mumbled answer as she seperated her dismissed drink from Tak's wandering hands.

Sanis' own expression went unreturned though, as the Lupine cast him only an unimpressed sidelong glance.

" 'We get work?' You act like I'm a part of your crew."

[Sanis Prent]

"Never said as much."

I corrected quickly, wiping foam from my upper lip.

"But you're on the ship, same as me and mine. Got as much a right to know as any, less I say different."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il offered no immediate reply, choosing to simply stare into Prent's eyes. "I see," she finally said.

No other words were said on her part, as the Lupine turned her attentions back to Tak. A glass of water was deposited none-too-gently before her, and s'Il helped her daughter lift the glass to her lips.

[Sanis Prent]

"You lookin fer work?"

I turned back, and the bartender's eyes met mine.

"Interested in hearing bout it."

I nodded, and the tender dropped a thick book on the counter that looked like it had been well-used.

"I got tips outstanding from a regular of mine and he ain't paid. Mighty kind of drinker, if his tab says anything of it."

My face had gone blank.

"You want me...to hustle deadbeats for booze money?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il turned from her daughter, her expression just as blank as Prent's. She stared at him, then the tender, then back at Prent.

Surely he wouldn't...

The Lupine turned her gaze back to the tender. "You've got to be joking."

[Sanis Prent]

Apparently the bartender knew it sounded outlandish, and he chuckled.

"Sounds a might funny with only half the information, offworlders. Spell your tongues a bit and I'll continue.

I doubt the fella'd mind paying his dues, as it sure beats his current predicament. See, he's got a meetin' with the rope at sunset. Course, I happen to know he's more than good for his bill. Only problem is, no matter how big his cache may be, I ain't privy to where he's kept it."

The barkeep smiled, straining the creases on his leathered face.

"I'll pay you a modest wage, comisserate with what's due me. I imagine he's good for a whole lot more."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il gave Sanis a critical eye before addressing the tender once more.

"A date with a rope... a criminal."

She made a face then turned back to Tak. "How lovely."

[Sanis Prent]

"That doesn't concern me...just wanna get paid.

And I need assurances it's the kind of money fit for laying my neck on the line. I'm assuming this planet's got law men, if it's further got nooses."

I leaned closer to the barkeep.

"You got any collateral? I break this guy out of the stockade, I want more to hold onto than a handshake."

The bartender laughed gruffly.

"I known the man half as many years as I've been in business. I'll wager every chit in my strongbox to you and bank my word on it. You think I'm crawfishing this arrangement and you breeze off with the cash. If not, I imagine you'll be in a might better spot."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Arren't we forrgettjing a majorr detajil?"

Cirr, who usually preferred to be seen and not heard in these negotiations, spoke up from his seat opposite Sanis and s'Il.

"Usually, jif jI'm ljiable to be shot at, jI'd ljike to know about how many guns arre apt to be dojing the shootjing."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

This was getting less appealing the more people talked about it, and s'Il resigned herself to looking after Tak. She was only a passenger, after all, and had no say in who Sanis dealt with or what jobs he chose to take. Which was just as well, but still. He was her transportation, and the Lupine had no desire to be left stranded on this rock of a world.

Unless she could ensure that he had to keep her nearby.

Still tending to Tak, s'Il idly answered Cirr's inquiry.

"An easy obstacle to overcome."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr made a face at her, and his ears quivered a little.

"jI'm not even gojing to prretend to know what you'rre talkjing about."

Of course, it wouldn't behoove any of them for him to openly mention s'Il's special talents. This was backwater territory, but it still flew an imperial flag from the mast in town square.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She still focused her attention on Tak, but Cirr's reaction didn't go unnoticed completely. She had seen the Imperial flag herself and knew the danger of revealing herself in the presence of those of this world.

The Lupine turned to look briefly at Sanis, hoping he had enough wits about him to take her silent offer.

[Sanis Prent]

"I gotta smoke on this."

I pulled a stim from a crumpled pack in my jacket.

"s'Il, mind keeping me company outside?"

Pulling up from my seat, I left my beer and headed for the door.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

A smooth handoff and Tak now sat very happily in Cirr's lap.

Sliding her seat back, s'Il stood fluidly and followed Sanis through the empty tables. Without the normal patrons littering the bar, it was an easy task.

Stepping out into sunlight, the Lupine had to shield her eyes for a moment until her eyes adjusted to the brightness.

[Sanis Prent]

I fired up my smoke, and passed the pack onto her as a formality.

"You're taking a bit of interest in my affairs, for a passenger." I said, eyes squinting against the sun.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I just don't want to get left behind anywhere; especially on a planet like this one."

She politely declined his offer of a smoke.

"We've known eachother for a long enough spell, but sometimes I have to wonder about where your priorities lie, is all. And if I can make myself useful to ensure Tak and I don't get unloaded at the most convenient spot for you, then so be it."

[Sanis Prent]

"I got more riding on your protection than the money that changed hands between Dan and myself, if that's what you're wondering."

I nodded, exhaling.

"You got a right to that protection full and well, but anything over that's an imposition. Layla's an expensive mistress. That means my crew and I've gotta be extra creative to keep her in the sky.

I don't aim to confound your morals in doing so, but those are toes I ain't above stepping on. You really want to make yourself useful to me?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She gave him a sidelong look, holding up a hand.

"For me to offer anything to you, I need something from you in return."

[Sanis Prent]

"Ask."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"The Black Cat. If I'm to travel with you and yours, then I need somewhere private. I can't have my daughter running around your ship without some vestige of... well, something to call a home. As well, I need my own privacy."

[Sanis Prent]

"No."

I tossed my spent stim aside, and laid a boot to it.

"I only got one shuttle, and I have use for it on occasion as you might recall."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

There was a silence between the two, and s'Il mulled over his short response.

Finally, she spoke. "I would compensate you monthly, in addition to providing my own services to you when doing jobs like the one you've just been offered.

"Think about it, Sanis. it's beneficial to the both of us."

[Sanis Prent]

"Compensate me monthly with what?"

I arched an eyebrow at her.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Screwing her features at him, s'Il reached out faster than anything, slapping Prent across his face.

[Sanis Prent]

"Ah, hey!"

I recovered, rubbing the tender side of my face.

"Y'know, you got an awful smutty mind for a warrior priestess. I'm referring to the cash money you're not getting for a wage at present. Passengering's not exactly a profitable venture."

Still rubbing my face, my expression softened a little.

"You & Tak take the shuttle. I'll ask you live meager, but you can live there and I'll respect it. If I need the Cat, I'll buy the time off of you.

If you're serious about crewing, you've got your pick of any supplies and sundries. We don't got much but it'll be equal share. Assuming the picking's good, I'll even cut you a small stipend on top of it. You need spending cash beyond that, best figure a way to earn it yourself."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Eyes still cold, s'Il stared at him a few seconds before her own gaze softened. "We won't need much, and if there's something I do need, I will get it myself.

"I can earn my keep easily enough."

Looking away from him, the Lupine turned her gaze skyward. "I'll help you with this job, if you decide to take it - you need someone to ferret out them that's got aims to put holes in you, and I can do that."

[Sanis Prent]

"Sounds like you're planning to start a scene. Better make sure that's attention you can deal with. I don't intend to linger here, and if anybody does take notice, our trail will be cold long before they make it to this rock. Still, thats the kind of risk that up until now you haven't had to take."

I looked back at her, stopping in the doorway of the bar.

"You sure this is what you want?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I plan on making no diversion whatsoever. I'm not so far removed from my early teachings as to forget some things."

She hesitated, and then went on as he stood in the doorway. "And yes, this is what I want. There's no safe harbor for me anymore, and the best I can manage is to find something that doesn't stay in one spot for too awful long."

s'Il pursed her lips. "You're it, sorry to say."

[Sanis Prent]

I paused for what seemed like a minute, and eventually nodded.

"Alright then. Welcome to the team."

I walked back in the bar, and moved toward the table.

"Alright 'keep. You got yourself a crew. Consider that tab paid."

The bartender laughed, slapping Cirr on the back as he drummed his fingers on the strongbox he'd carried to the table.

"Well then, you fellas best hang onto this till you see I'm on the up & up.

As for you, Captain...I think I just remembered misplacing a bottle of whiskey for just such an occasion."

He laughed again, and went behind the bar to retrieve a dust-shrouded bottle with no label.

"That'll do." I said with a reserved smile.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"jI ljiked thjis all betterr when we werre just rrefueljing the shjip."

Cirr sighed, resting a big hand atop Tak's tawny mop.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Peaking her head back in the door, s'Il made a slight handmotion to Tak, and the little girl lively hopped from Cirr's lap to run happily for the door and Dama. Taking her daughter's hand, and giving a last look to Sanis, the Lupine began putting distance between herself and the bar.

The town itself wasn't necessarily large, but there was walking distance to her target, so s'Il was able to allow Tak the chance to, well, tire herself out. A few of the locals smiled at the young girl's enthusiasm and energy, but their faces soon turned grim as they went back on their own ways - which seemed to be going towards the same place.

Such behavior, coupled with the knowledge of an apparent hanging, was enough to let the Lupine know that all she had to do was follow.

Angry cries and people yelling could be heard in the distance.

It seemed she was correct in her initial summation.

[Zem Vymes]

The Boss Man tossed me a sack lunch and a water canteen, and I leaned up against them gallows, mindful not to get a sliver of unfinished wood in my back. Like it mattered. Guess I wanted to get my hanging over and done with as little annoyance as possible.

Nerf & cheese on whitebread. Must've cost the Man a whole credit. His special dose of empathy, tucked into a paper bag. A slice nicer than the cold lump of flavored protein I'd gotten three times a day for the past week. Course, the water was warm as urine. I wet my lips on it and spit in the mud.

"Boss Man. Hey, Boss Man! Can't a man get a beer in him 'fore you push him off and down the line?"

The Boss Man's sunglasses glinted as he canted his head, a smile forming under the triangle of his moustache.

"Got a credit, Mistuh Vymes?"

His hands choked up on his blaster, and I held out my last meal.

"I got this sandwich, Boss Man. That's worth least a warm beer."

I caught the old screw in a rare moment of charity, and he nodded to a deputy to run and fetch from the stockade's break room.

As I imagined what my last beer would taste like, the Boss Man kicked the sandwich from my hands. It landed in the mud, and an old hound shuffled up to it, waved his nose at it, and walked off.

"See that Mistuh Vymes. Your best ain't even fit for the dogs. Wonder if the worm'sll touch ya when you're cold and laid low."

I sat there and took it. It was worth at least a beer.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The closer she got, the more she figured she didn't like this planet. Hanging a person? Inhumane. At least in her mind it was. And the gathering crowd - no, this was no crowd, it was a mob - certainly didn't impress the Lupine in any way.

s'Il and Tak made their way through the growing throng, and eventually she scooped up the little girl into her arms, propping her on one hip as she continued on with her wandering path through the bodies.

She circled the gallows loosely, discretely studying those around her with a quick eye. She saw the object of everyone's ire and slung insults, his back to her.

Meandering towards the outskirts of the mob, s'Il ever so slowly made her way to the front of the wooden monster.

[Zem Vymes]

It finally arrived. True to form, it was warm, but for the situation, it couldn't have tasted better.

I took my time with it, savoring every gulp, as I took in the world around me. I'd always figured I had been living on borrowed time for decades, but I'd hoped that when I died, I wouldn't see it coming.

This, I'd had a week to think about, and I was scared as hell. I'm an old man now, but fear of death isn't easier with wrinkles on your face. You start seeing all the lefts you took when you shoulda took rights. Every regret, every misdeed. You cry, but only cause you can't turn those around.

I'se long since cried my tears out days ago. I was dried through and through, and I felt cold, even in the sun and sweat. I felt like a person drinking that beer, but it was about spent and so was I.

I thought about before the betrayal, and who I was and what I believed. Oh, I wish'd I'd had tears to cry again cause I missed that feeling and missed it hard. I wanted to believe again and I wanted to be again. Ain't never been so clear a path laid out in a man's life, and for some reason I'd stepped off the trail and never come back on.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Dodging a few people who had rushed by in the hopes that they hadn't missed the macabre show about to be displayed, s'Il inwardly frowned. Such a disregard for justice, no matter what a man does or what he done. Everyone deserved mercy to some degree, even if their crime was murder.

Tak had busied herself with tracing the scar that seared through Dama's right eye, fingers deceptively tender for such a young girl.

It was something she did quite often, and no matter how many times she'd asked Dama to tell the story of the scar, Dama always said no.

s'Il now stood a few steps back from the edge of the gathered folk, as if being in such close quarters with hate stifled her. The front end of the gallows had come into view now, and the Lupine turned to cast a wary eye around her before focusing her attention back to that which stood before her, both wood contraption and man.

And for the first few seconds, she didn't realize just who it was she was looking at.

[Zem Vymes]

"Last call for alcohol Mistuh Vymes."

Boss Man tilted the bottle back with the end of his night stick and I drank eagerly, draining it all away. He then yanked the bottle free from my grasp before I could get any creative ideas with it.

"Up you go, you!"

The crowd whipped up in a mighty fuss when they saw me move up the scaffold. A thick man in a black hood dropped a bag of sand through the trap door, tugging the rope around it snug. That would be me in just a few.

Now, it was the waiting that tore me up. It was gonna happen so it might as well get done quick. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, ready for that rough noose to itch on the back of my neck.

"You'd best bury me good and far from here!"

I yelled out at the crowd.

"I'll haunt the hell out of this town for laying me down! Your crops'll grow dust sucking on my bones with their roots! My name will blow on the wind through every tree in this valley!"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Those few seconds of unrecognized staring were suddenly brought to a halt, and before the condemned man's third word left his lips, s'Il took an involuntary step back.

The crowd had grown silent at the man's yelling.

Startled by Dama's quick movement, Tak let out a slight yelp of surprise before s'Il clapped her hand over the little girl's mouth.

[Zem Vymes]

The crowd burst into applause when the noose went 'round my neck. I'd said my piece. I'd spit in their eyes but I only had so much in me.

The hangman drew the knot flush against the base of my skull, and edged me toward the trapdoor. He offered me a blindfold and I refused.

Then, I saw an angel come to take my soul. The sight of her filled me with shame, and I fixed my eyes on my mud-caked shoes. My soul ached and hurt all inside my chest and now that damn trap couldn't spring fast enough for my satisfaction.

[Sanis Prent]

"s'Il? s'Il? You coming in?"

I hung on the Black Cat's utility skid as we did another loop near the stockade. The wind whipped up fierce and blew my hair every which direction, as I double-checked the rig to make sure I was held fast.

"Hate to crawfish our deal before the ink's dry, but I went and borrowed the Cat. How're you situated? From up here the natives look restless."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Righteous indignation filled her, and s'Il let her hand fall from Tak's mouth.

You.

Her initial shock changed over into a cold feeling that she let radiate from her in veritable waves. She said nothing to Sanis at first, letting the air between her and the man on the gallows hang thick with unspoken anger.

Eventually she answered Sanis.

"Wait for my signal, then drop down right in front of the gallows. Don't worry about anyone carrying guns in this crowd. The guards are the only ones who have iron, and they'll be dead before you touch dirt."

Without waiting for a reply, the Lupine shiffted Tak to her other hip, and with a smooth motion, she pulled her slugthrower from the holster at her hip, pointing it at the man on the gallows.

Look me in the eye, bastard. Look upon your shame.

[Sanis Prent]

"Copy that. Out."

The shuttle bucked, and I bumped my head against the frame of the access port.

"Easy Cirr! Frell, you don't fly it so much as you wrangle it and beat it with a stick."

The shuttle drew up and descended softly, coming up from behind the gallows.

[Zem Vymes]

Something inside and far away told me to look back at her. Much as I didn't want to meet her eyes again, I did. I full expected her to strike me dead with them, and it would be better for me than any hanging.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Time seemed to stand still, the people and distance between them gone into nothingness as she let all of her senses settle onto him. Of all the people she would ever want to see again; and now here she was, pointing a pistol at him. Such a bittersweet end to an age old transgression.

She wondered what he felt - if he harbored regret. If he held any remorse for how badly he had hurt her. How terribly he'd crushed her.

Her heart was the only thing she could hear, it thudded against her ribcage in the vain attempt to pound its' way out. She felt Tak bury herself into the crook of her neck.

And she had to wonder, as she watched the hangman pull the trapdoor lever, whether Zem Vymes was ready to face judgement.

Her finger tightened, pulling the trigger.

[Zem Vymes]

The trap fell, and so did I. Seemed like forever to fall, and at some point of it, I was sure I'd fallen more than I should. Wasn't till I'd hit my knees and rolled in the mud below that I knew things were really amiss. I pulled at the rope 'round my neck, till I got to a frayed and scorched end.

I'd been loosed by a blaster.

Her blaster.

She'd cut me loose for reasons I was afraid to ask, but here I was still a living man. It was time for me to deal with that.

The Boss Man come up with his shootin' iron drawn down my way. The hangman had his and let it go, and he was on the rebound.

I rushed him, hands still tied behind my back from the hanging prep-work. I had no plan save to die with a sneer full of vinegar.

[Sanis Prent]

WHOOM

The Boss Man fell in a heap, bundled up by a microfilament net. I half-smiled, and unhitched my harness, sliding down the skid a few meters to the mud below, where I grabbed onto the old man's noose rope.

"You gonna get on this boat or do I gotta start pulling on this?"

Cirr set her down next to us a little on the rough side. My head was on the swivel for trouble. s'Il had my six, but it was always a good thing to be a little paranoid.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The pandemonium that swept through the crowd was intense. Intense and swift. Women screamed, and men cried out in surprise as s'Il strode forward with sure steps. It seemed that the crowd - even in their confused state of flight - parted before her.

The hangman fell dead with a slug in his neck, and the one in the net stopped his struggles; now just as dead as his compatriot. Two more guards were felled in smooth, calculating shots from s'Il's gun.

She still held Tak tightly, close to her chest and whispering reassurances into the little girl's ear.

The Lupine stopped her advance as she neared Prent.

"Best to get moving," she said quietly, "No telling how fast the help will get here."

She didn't even look at Vymes.

[Sanis Prent]

I swept the crowd twice over with my shell gun as I led Vymes toward the shuttle. I paused, and canted my head toward the hatch.

"Ladies first. We'll bring up the rear and then we're skyward."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

A moment passed, as if she was going to argue the matter, but s'Il relented. When she did look at Vymes, she let her eyes, one a steely orange and the other stark white, linger on his own; let him see the fruits of his cowardice.

His shame and his failures.

Tak scrambled into the shuttle, desperate for the protection she knew she could find in Cirr, even though he was piloting the Cat.

The Lupine followed, taking her gaze from Vymes as she holstered her slugthrower and disappeared into the shuttle.

[James Prent]

I had been stuck with the grocery list, again, and shopping went even slower than usual because Daani was in a Mood. Cirr had mentioned something about it being normal for a Cizerack female to be grouchy for up to two years before they matured to adulthood, but Daani was only ten.

But what do I know about xenobiology.

I was beginning to feel grumpy myself, and not just because I was stuck with Daani. Sanis had been spending more and more time with s'Ilancy, and while I am not by nature a jealous person, I was feeling a bit left out. He hadn't been distancing himself from me, persay, just ... forgetting about me. I was feeling more like the 'grocery girl' and less like a needed crewmember.

I had picked up some juicy galactic gossip while shopping, however. Seems that the Executor of the Empire, Khendon Sevon, had been charged with trashing a hotel suite a week earlier. Thousands of credits worth of damage was reportedly done, including the destruction of some priceless antiques. Now, I didn't say it was earth-shattering, just interesting.

Daani sat on the hoversled, kicking her legs as I pulled it along. There was some sort of commotion going on in the square as I neared it, and I noticed something that was earth shattering right away.

The Black Cat was not where Sanis had told me to meet him.

Daani swiveled around on the boxes of supplies, and then hopped off. "James, wherrre arrre thejy?"

"Good question." My heart was sinking down into the region of my intestines. Had they finally just forgotten completely about me? But Cirr wouldn't just leave his sister here. Would he?

An enormous crowd was swiftly reaching mob status around the gallows that had unnerving prominence in the square. I halted well clear of it, unsure of what to do. Some people were standing on the raised platform of the gallows, and I saw them point at me.

"Uh..." I reached for my commlink.

[Sanis Prent]

"James, where you at?"

I flipped on the comm as I shoved Vymes into the shuttle. I followed up behind him, and the repulsor engines whined, taking us skyward.

"We got a little side-tracked with some local flavor. Stick close to market, we're moving to you."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Okay, but lets not dally arround."

Cirr muttered, intent on his piloting duties.

"The soonerr we pull up stakes herre the betterr forr my ease of mjind!"

[James Prent]

Daani pointed at the far end of the square where the shuttle was rising. I growled, and snapped into the commlink, "I'm not close to the market anymore, but I'll go back."

And quickly. While the mob mostly seemed a confused mass of people, some of the men from the gallows were trying to push their way in my direction. I felt for the snub nosed hold-out blaster I had secreted in my pocket, reassured myself it was still there, and instructed Daani to push while I pulled. The sled was nearly weightless due to the repulsor field underneath it, but we needed to get out of there fast.

I turned us around and we started back towards the marketplace, picking up our pace without really running, choosing to stick to the wider streets. The hoversled wasn't all that manuverable, so the extra space was a boon.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Therre she jis."

Cirr pointed a clawed finger at one of the town's main thoroughfares, at a woman pulling along a hoversled with a little girl dangling on the side.

"Ok thjis'll be brrjief, rrude, and above all dusty!"

The shuttle dropped hard and fast, falling into an adjacent empty lot and kicking up a halo of dust as the repulsors slowed the descent.

Cirr eyed back at Sanis, as if to say How's that for flying, flyboy?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The rough ride was to be expected, and s'Il held doggedly on to one of the upper support bulkheads with one hand. She paid no attention to Vymes, instead keeping her eye on Tak as the little girl clutched her mother's leg in an effort to keep herself from falling on her rearend.

One hand went down to the little girl's head, placing a firm palm on her tousled hair in reassurance.

[Sanis Prent]

"Best find a good seat old man."

I gestured to a nearby utility seat mounted into the shuttle's frame, with a bare-bones crash webbing hanging from it.

"We're probably in for chop, and you need to stay in one piece and pay your bar tab."

I kept my eyes fixed on the outside, but I stole a glance back at the guy every few seconds. Looked like life had taken a good ten minute stomping out of him.

[Daanarri Meorrrei]

Daani coughed energetically as the shuttle fell out of the sky in front of them. Behind them someone shouted, but James shoved the sled into the opening shuttle, dragging Daani in with it.

The little cizerack made a face as dirt got in her mouth. "Who's that?!" She pointed at the old guy who was sitting apart from Tak and s'Il. James slapped the door controls, they closed, and Cirr threw the Black Cat into the air. Sometimes Daani liked to pretend she was the black cat it was named after, though she wasn't black. With the acceleration and upward motion of the shuttle the floor pitched underneath her feet, and she fell off of the hoversled that James had thankfully deactivated.

James held onto a strap by the door, leaning towards the stranger in the shuttle.

[Zem Vymes]

I eased into the seat like the young man asked.

"Tab? I ain't got a chit on me for to pay my due."

Of course, I knew what he was getting at now. Just needed to hear it from one of 'em.

[Sanis Prent]

"May not have a chit on you, but the by the by is you know whereabouts to dig for 'em."

I didn't like being on the ground. In a place like this, it attracted attention, especially after the stunt we just pulled.

"Cirr, lets grab sky and head for the outskirts."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Don't mjind jif jI do!"

Cirr gave the engine a push, kicking up a whirlwind as the shuttle angled skyward again. Behind them, a small group of agitated people gawked and gossiped.

The Cat peeled around in a bank, and headed out beyond the town limits.

"Well, all jI rreally need now jis to know wherre to land forr the pjickup."

Cirr paused, and quirked an eyebrow.

"Therre jis a pjickup rright?"

[James Prent]

Sighing, I sat crosslegged on the ground and reached into my sock. Give me the serenity to take this. I pulled out the flimsiplast copy of the holo of my father. He wasn't even looking at the camera. You'd never look at me.

He'd only seen me once, when I was too young to remember. But he'd walked away, just like Sanis was. Sanis just didn't know it yet. I studied the strength of my father's profile, and then tucked away the battered flimsy as the other people in the shuttle talked over the noise of the engines. It was probably for the best. Sanis was cool and all, but I was beginning to pull away from him as well. Not that we'd ever gone beyond hugging.

Well, not really.

I looked up Sanis, put away my muddled thoughts, and smiled. "What's this about a pick up? I hope it's somethin' that pays better than whatever it was you did last time. I could only get a third of the food on Cirr's wish list."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Hearing Vyme's voice once more caused an involuntary narrowing of her eyes. It had been so long since she'd heard it, yet after all these years it only brought resentment to her thoughts.

For the moment she ignored him, hoping the whine of the Cat's engines would drown out the horrid sound.

From her peripheral vision, s'Il watched James. The two women hadn't said much to eachother in the short time that she and her daughter had been aboard, though it was just as much the Lupine's fault as anyone else's. It seemed that the only time she'd had anything to say to James had been during their initial meeting while leaving Cathar, and even then it'd been to simply deposit Tak into the other woman's unsuspecting arms. A sort of self-reproach descended on her.

There was a sadness to James, that much she could sense. As if she was world-weary. s'Il could identify with that certainly.

She watched James stash the flimsi, catching only the barest of glimpses of a man looking away from the camera at the time it was taken.

It reminded her of the photos she herself used to keep of her own father. But it was how James had looked at it that'd caught the Lupine's attention so. As the Cat jostled lightly once more, s'Il resolved to bridge the gap between her and James once they were back aboard Layla.

Perhaps the two had more in common that simply knowing a one Mr. Sanis Prent.

[Zem Vymes]

"There's a brook next to a grove of fruit trees, east of them mountains about two strides. Pick a spot and set her down there."

I stared at my hands, suddenly aware of the dried mud at the knuckles. It was as good a reason as any to keep to myself, and to keep out of her way.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

In stark contrast to Dama's and James' situation, Tak had taken quite magnificiently to Daani, learning all she could from the Cizerack girl. By now she knew Daani's name, though her pronunciation was a bit different due to the foreign nature of it upon Tak's tongue. But still, she loved spending time with Daani, whether it be playing or rattling of some Cathar fairytale despite her friend's inability to understand.

Pulling away from Dama, the little girl carefully managed her way to where the Cizerack had tumbled, a wide smile on her face.

"Dahni! Okhappa mako'mako!"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"What exactly arre we lookjing forr, old man?"

Cirr's eyebrows knit as he scanned the landscape below intently. What did buried treasure look like from this high up? Did X actually mark the spot? Nah, that never happened.

[Daanarri Meorrrei]

Righting herself quickly, Daani grinned at Tak. "jI'm ok, jI'm ok!"

She jumped up and did a little dance to prove it, only to tip over again as Cirr adjusted the shuttle in the air. She fell on James, who sighed, and helped her sit down.

"We'rrre lookjing forrr frrujit trrrees!" she crowed. "jI hope they'rrre deljicjious."

[Zem Vymes]

"Got a bit of loot buried in that grove. Took it off the fellow that put me on the gallows."

Would she be suprised that I was a murderer? I doubted it. My eyes met hers, but this time I couldn't turn away.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

It was as she turned her head away from James that s'Il's eye met his. Her jaw set of its' own accord, and the knuckles of her hand that gripped the bulkhead went just a bit whiter.

She opened her mouth, as if to address him for the first time, then just as quickly shut it. No. He abandoned her. And apparently, had taken to killing people in the years since he left. Hmph. No real shock there.

The Lupine pulled in a long breath before turning to look forward, and silently rebuked herself for being the first to look away.

[Zem Vymes]

It was high time we nipped this in the bud. I was already tired of ducking the obvious.

"Ain't gotta use the force to know you got a novel on your tongue."

She deserved to speak her piece and I deserved to be on the receiving end of it. Time to get that past me.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine turned to face him once more. How did one start a conversation that was never anticipated? Thought about, dreamed about, yet never realized? s'Il never imagined that she'd ever face Zem Vymes again, but now here she was. And here he was.

"No, I reckon you don't," was all she said after a momentary silence.

Another pause. Was there even a way for her to begin?

"Time hasn't been all too kind to you."

[Sanis Prent]

The shuttle lazily approached the drop, and I was out the door when it slowed into a hover, a few feet off the ground.

"uh..."

Well, there were a few things in this clever plan we hadn't exactly thought through.

"Don't suppose anybody thought to bring a shovel on the boat?"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Grinning cheekily, Tak clambored past Daani, her little boots clomping along the shuttle's deck. She'd caught a glimpse of the straggled landscape, and it reminded her of home. Standing at the edge of the door, the little girl leaned out, hands reaching for either side of Sanis' neck.

And without warning, she hopped out to land piggyback on Sanis, her arms wrapping around his neck as her legs went as far around his sides as they could.

"Kai'yah, Sahnis," she laughed.

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"All jI know jis that you can forrget about me gettjing my paws djirrty."

For emphasis, Cirr flexed his claws in and out on his fingertips.

"jI say let the old man do jit. Hell, jI'll even get hjim a stjick, orr somethjing."

[Zem Vymes]

My eyes stayed on s'Il.

"It's what I deserve."

The commotion among the other two got my attention, and I let my own personal purgatory slide for a moment.

"Ain't buried deep. I'll do it."

I eased myself out of the shuttle, eyeing Sanis and his little passenger.

[James Prent]

I raised my eyebrows at Sanis, wanting an explaination to what the frell we were doing, but not expecting to get one. "What the frell is goin' on? Sanis? Are you goin' t' ignore me for the rest of the day?"

It was irritating to ask questions and not get answers.

[Sanis Prent]

I shifted weight on my feet to better accomodate the rugrat on my back, and gave James a bewildered look.

"Apparently our little jailbird friend is giving us a cut of some hidden loot that he liberated from some stiff."

I shrugged, which caused Tak to bounce slightly on my shoulders.

"Guess we're in the bail bonds business today."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il stood at the edge of the shuttle's door, watching as Sanis compensated for Tak's weight. Her eye went to Vymes as the old man started off a short distance, and kneeling in a slow, smooth motion the Lupine tapped the back of a finger against the outer edge of the hull.

"I wouldn't put much stock in his word, Sanis. He's never been trustworthy, and never will be."

[James Prent]

Frustrated, I grabbed my blaster and hopped out after the old man. "I'll watch 'im. Can't run too far, eh?" The repulsors kicked up dust and dried grasses, blowing my hair every which way as I followed the man in black.

[Zem Vymes]

I walked a path that only I knew, up to an old fruit tree with my initials carved in the trunk. The shade beneath the tree cooled me, and I took a few seconds to appreciate the scene around me. It was only just now occurring to me that I was a free man again, even if I may not deserve it.

I looked back to the brunette girl who was on guard duty, and nodded to her with a slight smile.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il watched James follow Vymes. At least she had a blaster with her. Hunkering down, she sat in the threshold of the shuttle's door and reached out to tickle playfully at the back of Tak's neck. It was a vain attempt at lightening her own mood, but at least her daughter's giggle and subsequent scrambling atop Sanis to use him as cover made her smile.

[Sanis Prent]

I bounced up and down occasionally to keep Tak giggling, and turned at the hip to look back at s'Il.

"I've seen you nicer to the guys we shoot. What's your angle on this guy?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Spent some time at his side when I was younger."

It was an open ended answer, and the Lupine scowled.

"Never thought I'd happen upon him again."

[James Prent]

I raised an eyebrow at the geezer. "Don't you have somethin' you should be doin'? Like, digging?"

The air smelled like fruit - frankly it was delicious. I leaned against one of the other tree trunks, my holdout blaster held casually in my right hand, left hand scratching my shoulder where the remains of a patch of synflesh was flaking away. Damn but those things itched.

[Sanis Prent]

"Tak, earmuffs!"

The little foreign-tongued girl, despite not having a grasp of Basic, had learned quite a while ago what this strange word meant. She climbed off my back and cupped her hands to her ears.

I stepped close to s'Il and spoke low.

"If you've got beef with this guy, I suggest we leave him in the hole after he digs it."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She was quiet for a few minutes, thinking on his words and allowing the temptation of such an action to tug at her. It would've been fitting, yes, to leave him here - at the mercy of the elements with a bolt in his side.

The Lupine shook her head, her eyes closing slowly. "No. If we did that we'd be no better than him. And as much as I'd like to send him on his way and put my back to him, I can't do that."

[Sanis Prent]

My brow furrowed, and I looked back at Vymes, then back to s'Il. Now I was smiling.

"Wait a second....you and..."

I jerked my thumb at Vymes and arched an eyebrow.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She rolled her eyes, turning to look from Sanis to James and Vymes.

"You're letting your imagination run away with you," was all the Lupine said, obvious annoyance in her voice.

[Zem Vymes]

I stooped down to my hands and knees, and removed a shoe for leverage against the packed-down loam. With a bit of a push, I wedged out a scoop of soil, and followed that up with a few quick jabs around the initial crater to loosen things up.

"So how'd a motley crew like yours find common path with Lok s'Ilancy, if you don't mind the asking."

[Sanis Prent]

"Am I really now?"

My smile widened in spite of the withering look she was giving me.

"I seem to remember the way you looked at Dan, too. Hey, if digging on old dudes is your thing, I'm by no means making fun. Who am I to judge your bizarre fetish?"

I choked back a laugh, and cautiously stepped out of slapping distance.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Gaze traveling over the pair in the distance, s'Il let her eye wander over the surrounding mountains.

A moment later she looked back to Sanis and gave him a sickly sweet if not tense smile. "Not everyone can have a nubile little whore for every day of the week, you know."

[Sanis Prent]

My grin broadened from ear to ear.

"You can't shame me when I have no shame to speak of."

[Daanarri Meorrrei]

Daani sighed. "jYou gujys talk too much." She pulled Tak's hands away from her ears, and tickled her.

[James Prent]

"I don't reckon it's any of your business." I frowned, pulling my hand away from the itchy spot.

Watching him turn back to the dirt and claw at it with his hands was a little weird though. I mean, he was an old man. And at this rate, he was going to take forever. I stuck the blaster in my vest pocket and walked over to him.

Kneeling down, I started to help. When he looked up, I muttered, "Can't be at this all day, old man."

[Zem Vymes]

"Reckon it ain't." I agreed after a long pause.

The dig without tools was tough. My back ached like fire after a few minutes of working while stooped down. Didn't dare complain about it though.

I peeled away a handful of dirt and came upon a grime-caked patch of canvas.

"Here we go."

With care, I worked the dirt away from the edges of the bag I'd buried. Once free, I pulled at the available cloth. After a bit of initial resistance, it drug itself free from the hole.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She settle a little bit more, continuing to look at Sanis.

"You're young. Give it time and I'm sure you'll be a bit more chaste in later years."

s'Il idly tapped at the outer bulkhead beside her with a fingernail, canting her head to the side.

"And I can only hope that you'll be more discriminating in who you bed, as well."

[Sanis Prent]

"So, what are you doing after this jailbreak?"

I waggled my eyebrows mock-lecherously at the Jedi mystic.

A slight commotion caught my attention, as it looked like Zem and James pulled something free from the ground.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Tak burst into laughter, twisting away from Daani as the little Cizerack's fingers found sensitive tickle-spots. Darting through Sanis' legs, the little girl dashed off in the direction that James was, intent on reaching the other woman before Daani could catch her.

[James Prent]

I scrambled backwards from the hole, and the oiled canvas bag, already digging dirt out from under my short fingernails. "That it?" I leaned over cautiously and peeked back into the hole we'd dug, trying to see if there was anything more underneath it.

"Better get it back to the shuttle, the Boss man gets mighty impatient."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She sent Sanis a rather unimpressed stare.

"Something that hopefully has as little to do with you as possible."

[Sanis Prent]

Originally posted by Loklorien s'Ilancy
"Something that hopefully has as little to do with you as possible."

"I'm sure of it. There's a perfectly good explanation why a Jedi Master would seek refuge with a guy like me. It's certainly for reason of my guile or gun-hand and nothing else."

I crowed a bit, hands on my hips.

[James Prent]

Impatient, I tried to cow the old man with a glare. "Whatsamatter, Wookiee got your tongue? I said, is that it?"

[Zem Vymes]

"Tarnations, you've a mouth on you!"

I didn't so much as give her the bag, but threw it at her general direction.

"That's it."

I yelled aloud, towards the shuttle and s'Il.

"There's a bit of heft to that purse. All ill gotten gains. I don't want no part of it. If you're who I remember you were, you'll put it to a better use."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"You're talking to the wrong person," was all s'Il yelled back.

Rising to her feet she disappeared back into the shuttle, making her way to the copilot's seat before settling herself down beside Cirr.

[Sanis Prent]

"Hi. I'm the right person."

I smiled, and leveled my shell gun at Vymes.

"You've got our friend s'Il here spooked more than I usually get to see her. That spooks me, and I don't have time for it. I'd ask you to give me a good reason not to leave you cold in that hole you just dug, but I somehow think you'd like that."

I paused, and changed my aim.

"Maybe I'll settle for a foot instead and leave you to hobble here, unless you get to telling me what went sideways between you two. I don't take liabilities on my ship."

[James Prent]

I sighed, hefted the filthy sack, and got out of the line of fire. Walking back to the shuttle, I dropped it on the deck and wiped my hands off.

My fingernails were packed with dirt, which was annoying. "Can't we just go?"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

"Yeah." Cirr replied to James glumly.

"Not ljike therre's a lynch mob out therre lookjing forr us orr anythjing!"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine sighed - it was nice that Sanis seemed so concerned over something he needn't really concern himself with, but James and Cirr were right. They had to leave.

"Sanis, just let him on board. We'll drop him off on some other backwater world."

And as an afterthought, "Also, round up the little ones while you're out there.

[Zem Vymes]

Sanis was wearing his intentions on his sleeve, and I knew he'd do what he said.

"Ain't about knowing what I am. It's knowing what she is that matters."

I stepped away from the two girls, who hurried back onto the shuttle.

"One or both of us on your boat is more trouble than you'll ever know. You realize that?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Once again the Lupine appeared, and kneeling down into a crouch at the lip of the door, she looked to Zem. She stared at him long and hard, her good eye going over every inch of him as he stood there. As if she was inspecting a House Brand, she scrutinized his clothes, his skin, his bare feet, and finally, his face.

Finally, she spoke. Her voice was quiet, but the tone of command it held was unmistakable.

"Come here."

[Zem Vymes]

I eyed Sanis upon hearing her words. The gunslinger's barrel drifted away from me slightly as a wordless acknowledgement of s'Il's wishes, and I walked to my former friend.

I said nothing to her. I felt that now, I needed to listen to her.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Like a whipsnake uncoiling upon its' prey, s'Il lunged at him. She twisted an arm beneath his own, hooking it up so that her hand now used the front of his neck as a counterpoint. Seemingly in the same motion, the Lupine reared up and pulled back, pulling Zem with her in what had to be a very uncomfortable, very surprising relocation from where he had just been standing.

[Sanis Prent]

"Ha! Well, that's one way to do it!"

I watched with very bemused bewilderment as s'Il went to work on the old guy. I wasn't really sure if she was going to kill him or bring him aboard. I really didn't care either.

[James Prent]

I scrambled to get out of s'Ilancy's way, and ended up backing into Cirrsseetto who was still watching everything from the pilot's seat. I rebounded and sat in the co-pilot's seat, pulling one foot up underneath me.

"I don't know why we can't just goooo." I grumped, but not very loudly, and peeked into the rest of the shuttle to see what was going on.

[Zem Vymes]

I offered no resistance. I could've just as soon gone with her momentum and belted her in the head with a knee.

She now had a kill shot open, and I honestly wondered if she was about to take it.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The Lupine had no intentions of offering her newfound object of interest any sort of quick release. No. There was still the past to be reckoned with, and she would not deliver any sort of killing blow before she had discovered why he'd done what he did.

Roughly pulling Vymes up into the shuttle, s'Il deposited him on the deck without ceremony. She stood over him like a hunter over a trophy kill, and as she gazed down upon him her single functioning eye flashed in remembered pain. Pain that had over the years turned into a muted, unspoken fury.

And yet, she masterfully held that fury in check. She would let him explain his actions in due time. For now, the Lupine stood over him, her shoulders squared as she let her pride roll form her very being in almost literal waves.

She would allow him his time soon. After which, it would be up to her what fate he recieved.

s'Il turned her head to gaze down at Sanis, who was still standing outside the shuttle.

"I believe it's time for us to exit the stage."

[Sanis Prent]

I hopped back into the shuttle, relieving Cirr of the pilot's seat.

"Look, whatever. Just don't bitch at me when it turns out to be a bad idea. And don't get any blood on my seats."

The shuttle shimmied as it once again lifted off. I eased her skyward, mindful of the heavy weight of the added passengers.

"So, about this barkeep? Are we really crazy enough to go back there?"

[James Prent]

I grabbed the sides of the co-pilot seat with both hands, keeping Cirr from pulling me out and forcing him to sit in the back of the shuttle with the two little girls.

"What barkeep?" I asked. "If we go back to the town, aren't they going to want to finish their public hanging?"

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr evicted the two little girls so that his derrier could find purchase on the back seat. Once settled, he rested each of the two on a knee.

"Exactly my thjinkjing. The old guy can pay hjis barr tab laterr."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Moving away from Vymes, the Lupine stood against the far bulkhead.

What they did now was not up to her, but once they returned to Layla things would change.

For now, she simply waited.

[Zem Vymes]

"Don't risk your necks on account of my old debts."

Zem stared out of one of the shuttle's viewports, as the ship climbed in altitude. The landscape crawled below them as they weaved through the clouds on the way back to the mother ship.

[James Prent]

"Good, let's not." I looked out the window, and added, "Although we could just drop him off at wherever it is he owes money and give the guy the credits and split."

I twisted to look at Sanis, "I mean, this was a job you were hired for, isn't it? Backing out of a job is not a great business practice."

[Sanis Prent]

"It must be a shock to you that you've cast your lot with occasionally dishonest people, but I think what's in that satchel just might be a heftier sum than a simple bar tab."

Layla was fast approaching, tucked into a lightly greened forest hollow.

"It isn't worth a lynching, certainly not mine at least. We can sort that out later, when people don't have murder on their minds, if at all."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Still lost in her own thoughts, s'Il almost didn't register as the Cat slowed as it approached Layla. She barely even took note of anything in her immediate vicinity as it was, and her eyes remained on Tak as the little girl still happily sat on Cirr's knee.

It was her daughter's giggle, followed by Daani's as they connected with Layla that brought her somewhat back to present. She inclined her head to Sanis.

"I'm not sure the thought of murder will leave that mob's mind. Righteous anger, even of the false kind, doesn't die easily - if at all.

"Your best bet would be to simply pull up anchor, make a note on your charts about this planet, and be on your merry."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem nodded in agreement.

"Best to be moving on. This ain't the Core or anything, but I reckon a few of 'em have seen a starship or two enough to chase us if we let them have the notion."

The shuttle docked, and Zem stepped through the airlock to free up room for the others.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Reaching an arm out, s'Il caught hold of Vymes' arm, holding him in place for a moment as the rest filed past and out of the Cat.

Her voice low, the Lupine spoke.

"You and I need to talk."

[Cirrsseeto Quez]

Cirr stepped from the shuttle, the last to depart, with a little girl tucked sideways uncer each arm like a piece of luggage. He jostled them around enough for a giggle fit, then saw the look in Lok's eyes as she momentarily flashed them away from Vymes.

He hurried away from the Cat.

"Who wants an jice crream and barrbecue taco?"

[Zem Vymes]

"I reckon we do."

Shifting weight on the soles of my feet, I looked down at my long-time associate and one-time friend.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Waiting as everyone filed out, s'Il stood at the door to the shuttle. She blinked, staring at nothing in particular before depressing the button that would close the hatch.

It slid shut, and the Lupine turned to look up at Vymes. She scowled, but her features soon became unreadable as she finally spoke. Her voice had none of her previous terseness, and it seemed just as impassive as her expression.

"You left me."

[Zem Vymes]

"I did."

I nodded gruffly, reluctantly turning my eyes on her.

"I really don't know where to begin to explain. I doubt it would even matter anymore. We was both in that awful time together for so long. I never got the nerve to tell you what I felt then. I been runnin from that part of me ever since."

The lines of age seemed to deepen on my face.

"We seen so much of the dark side and what it can do. But have you ever..."

I stumbled on my words briefly.

"...felt it?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Look at me Zem. Look at my face, and ask me again whether I've felt it or not."

Her shoulders fell. "It's touched me - more than once. It hounds me and I run." A small laugh as she looked to the decking, "Not unlike you, I suppose."

[Zem Vymes]

"I suppose."

I searched for the words to help define my reasoning to her.

"Mayhaps if it had happened to me later in life, I would've had the wherewithal to beat it back. Instead, I just ran from it like I was runnin from an angry dog.

How was I to tell you that? You were better to hide on your own than having me poisoning your head with half the doubts I had. Thats what I figured. Thats why I did what I did."

I sighed deeply, looking up with a remorseful face.

"How was I to know you'd wind up with the same scars I got?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I worshipped you back then. I needed you. And then you left - when I needed you the most."

The Lupine lifted her gaze back up to lock eyes with him.

"You were the only one who could help me, and then you just... left."

[Zem Vymes]

"I coulda just've easily stayed and turned you bad inside."

I snapped back incredulously.

"The only way I could think to help you, was to get you away from whatever was eating at me on the inside."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She jabbed a finger in his chest.

"Then why did I see shame in your eyes when you were standing on those gallows?"

[Zem Vymes]

"I never figured I'd see you again."

I scratched at my tussle-haired head, before running my fingers through the tangles.

"When I did, it all came back to me. I was glad to be wrong, but damned for it all the same. You're right to think wrongly of me. Reckon the road to hell is paved with good intentions after all."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I don't think ill of you," she sighed, "I just wanted answers.

"Even if there was the risk that I wouldn't like them."

[Zem Vymes]

"Now you got your answers."

I looked back at the shuttle long enough to catch a bead of tear that threatened to collect in the corner of an eye. Putting on my straightest face, I looked back at her.

"Now where do we stand?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I don't know yet.

"In the time it takes for us to find a suitable planet for you, I somewhat doubt any sort of decision could be made on where you and I stand in relation to one another."

[Zem Vymes]

"That's fair."

I extended a hand to my long-time friend.

"Thank you."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Letting out a heavy breath, as if she had been holding it in since first seen him upon the gallows, s'Il took his hand. Just like before, all those years ago, it seemed to swallow hers entirely. Reaching up with her free arm, she gave Vymes' shoulder a gentle pat.

"I can't say I'll forget everything, but at least I know why you did what you did. It might hurt, and I might not like it, but I can't change the past and neither can you. For now, things'll be what they'll be."

Stepping away from him, the Lupine threw a nod over her shoulder, and the tone of her voice as she spoke coupled with the words themselves heakened back to the days that they'd spent together.

"Now go get a shower. You're filthy."

[Zem Vymes]

A smile cut the creases on my face, and I nodded in agreement.

"Damn right. That border world's so dusty. Gets in your pores."

I made a move toward the shower, and stopped, turning around.

"I still got you in mind and in heart. I'm not the same as I was, but I promise you'll know me in word and deed. We been through too much hell to go any more of it alone."