S. Welles - To Ocean's End

“So we all playing lookout?” Ed asked.

I said, “A hundred extra bucks to the person who spots the fish I land. If multiple people spot it together, you split it. No complaints.” I smirked. “But good luck beating O’Toole to the punch. He’s the champion fish finder.”

My three newest members gave me puzzled looks as Mido and Scully gave me knowing grins. Ted said, “How’s that? I thought he’s just autistic.”

“I’m not the only supernatural thing on this ship.” That reminded me, we had yet to see what supernatural qualities Jessie was doing a superb job of hiding.

“He has his own curse?”

“He has his own strange powers.”

Scully said, “He’s immune to the effects of quasi-children, and for some reason he starts acting extra strange when we get close to a whale flounder.”

Mido said, “If you see him suddenly stop and stare out over the ocean, grab him. He will jump in and start swimming towards the fish.”

Scully sarcastically said, “That was a fun day when we learned that.”

“Duly noted,” both techies said, then Ed added, “We were wondering why you have O’Toole. How did you find him?”

“Long story short: he more or less found us in Ireland. Two years ago, I met his parents who, sadly yet fortunately, wanted to give him up to a good home. I took him after they demonstrated his ability to make quasi-children disappear.”

“Why do you find his immunity useful? Quasi-children sightings have gone way down over the years.”

“I carry a handgun, remember?” I patted my chest. “Now, do you all want to help me fish or what?” Ugh, Ed’s question killed my good mood. Wasn’t gonna make it worse by answering it. These three were a nosy bunch. However, I’d take them over stupid any day. Inquisitiveness meant they were learners. Learners kept themselves alive longer.

“Of course,” Ed said. Both techies looked at Mido. “What are we using for bait?”

“Time,” Scully said. “They feed on krill and plankton, and filter out the nuclear pollution in the water.”

I said, “They weren’t around a couple hundred years ago. They’re giant freaks of nuked nature who’re cleaning up after us.”

“Lucky us,” Ted said.

“Just keep an eye out. Happy hunting.”

“Is it okay if I don’t help?” Jessie asked with a frown.

“You’re missing out on the bonus, but yes. Why, what else do you want to do?”

She made fists and raised them slightly. “Train.”

“Fair enough,” I said with a shrug. Quite honestly, I needed her ready for Le Havre. “If we yell down to you, run up and watch the fun unfold.”

“But don’t hold your breath for it,” Scully said.

“Hey!”

“Your words.”

I opened my mouth to say the first thing on my mind but thought better of it. I turned to Jessie. “Have fun. Hit hard. And try to make my buy a replacement punching bag if you can.” I pointed at her. “With your practice gloves. Use the studded gloves on it and I take them away. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” she said with the same wicked grin she wore when I told her I was giving her steel toe boots.

“Oh, man, Captain,” Scully said. “You’re making her dangerous!”

Mido said, “Too bad Jacobi doesn’t like you. He’s the best fighter of everyone on this ship.”

Jessie led them down the stairs as they headed for the sleeping cabins. “You know how to fight, too.”

“Just some street and sword fighting, and some grappling. You have to know in this industry. I know for sure we’re gonna have a run-in with either pirates or mercenaries near Le Havre. We do every time.”

Jessie stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Then why do you keep making deliveries there?”

“People need their stuff.” He stopped before her. “Until we see the day where planes fill the sky again, we need to keep taking these risks. Now why we stopping?”

Jessie planted a kiss on his lips. Mido leaned into it and cupped her cheek. She found herself needing brief moments like these since they couldn’t sleep together anymore. She remained in the same cabin as Ed and Ted, and neither she nor Mido dared ask for a bunk shuffle. They enjoyed the moment of privacy until she felt like they’d pressed their luck long enough. She slowly pulled away. “That,” she said. “I’ll meet you in the cargo hold.”

“Okay,” he said, then they headed off in opposite directions.

Jessie headed for her new sparring gloves with pleasant thoughts of Mido flitting around in her head, but stopped and zeroed in on reality when she reached the galley. Jacobi was seated at the table, sipping at a sports drink and reading a book. His broken leg was propped on a fold-up chair. He looked up, pale eyes full of hate. With exception of his leg, he was in peak physical condition. He looked big enough to take Mido down with one swing. The solar-powered light hanging over the table made his bronzed skin look like he was made of copper, extra tough and intimidating.

She mentally yelled at herself to keep moving. Mido would get worried if she took too long. The last thing she wanted was to put crew members at odds with each other, especially over her. Sure, the men bickered with and yelled at each other from time to time, but in the end they were all good friends. This was another reason she found it so hard to fit in. She walked past him with her chin up and his hateful eyes followed her. He said nothing but his glare spoke plenty.

Jessie thought of going on deck for her return trip, then going back down, just to avoid Jacobi, but she didn’t feel like explaining her lengthy detour when she reunited with Mido. Besides, she needed to keep building courage. If she couldn’t stand up to stupid people like Jacobi, then she wouldn’t be fit to help lift Dyne’s curse. She grabbed her sparring gloves and ignored him on her return trip through the galley, but stopped dead in her tracks when he spoke.

“What the hell are you doing with sparring gloves?”

She slowly turned around. His crap attitude pissed her off, yet at the same time his deep voice intimidated her. She wanted to bolt for the cargo hold; however, she also wanted a little more respect. She didn’t deserve this crap. “What do you think?”

Jacobi dumped his book and surged to his feet, then grabbed the table to keep his balance. “Don’t cop an attitude with me. I will put you in your place, unlike the captain.”

“My place is bodyguard.”

“Your place is anywhere but this ship.”

“That’s not for you to decide.” She clenched her gloves.

Jacobi took a step closer with his good leg. “Doesn’t matter. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. I’ll get Captain to see things my way.”

“I’m here to help lift his curse.”

“Bullshit. You’re just here for the free ride, along with a ride on Mido’s dick. I heard about your escape attempt.”

Jessie clenched her gloves harder as she resisted the urge to punch Jacobi. He was proving to be an expert at getting under her skin. Anything she tried to say in her defense about her runaway attempt would sound like a lie.

He took another step closer. “Yeah, that’s right. Once you get home, you stay there. Stay away from my friend and crew mate, and stop playing with his dick.”

“Why? Are you jealous?” The venomous words slipped and she half regretted them. She wanted to piss him off as much as he’d pissed her off, but that really wasn’t a smart idea. Jacobi gave her a look of death. Good, they were evenly pissed. She backed up a step in case he was premeditating harming her.

He spoke in a menacingly low voice. “Maybe I should take a page out of Tethys’s book and use his tactics to put you in your place. How would you like that?” He took another step, putting him in kicking range.