S. Welles - To Ocean's End

“But if any of you come up with any ideas on how to find Captain, I’m all ears. The sooner he’s back, the sooner we can start resting easier.” Many nodded and a few voiced their agreement. Jacobi looked like he wanted to speak. His jaw muscles flexed with tension. “So this brings us to one last bit of business before we push off.” Two fingers threaded in the belt loops of his pants, he marched over to Jacobi. “After your attempt to throw Jessie overboard, your job is on the line. I’ve given you all week to clear your head and think about things. We will hear you out, then decide your fate as a group. Speak.”

The whole energy of the crew shifted from casual to tense. Everyone turned their attention to Jacobi as he thought out his words. Jessie braced herself for lots of arguing and maybe even more flying fists. Her presence was controversial in a sense. Jacobi was angry but at least he was smart enough to not run his mouth. “I’m not throwing away my job because of her.”

“The duration of her crew membership is uncertain, which is the only reason why you’re even getting a second chance. You know it’s forbidden to physically harm another crew member.”

“She’s not even a real crew member!”

“Wanna have Sam show you her registry in payroll? She is. There’s no excuse for what you did to her.”

Jacobi shook his head. “This is insane. Why are you all going along with this? What do I have to say to get you to see things my way?”

“What do we have to say to get you to see things our way?” Scully said.

Rammus held up a finger at Scully, getting an apology out of him.

Jacobi said, “I’m not interested in seeing things your way. I know I’m right. She’s not worth the trouble to keep around for Captain’s sake.”

Rammus said, “I will not run the risk of you undermining mine or Captain’s authority just because he’s not here. You either need to accept and respect Captain’s decision to make Jessie a part of the crew, and convince me you won’t harm her again, or you need to pack your bags and find another ship to work on. I respect his decision to hire Jessie, as does everyone but you.”

“Then you all must be under Amphitrite’s spell or something. I can’t believe not one of you agrees that she doesn’t belong on this ship.”

“Her position isn’t up for debate. Yours is. Right now all I see is you digging yourself a bigger hole.”

Jacobi let out a resigned sigh. “I’ve shut up and put once already. I can do it again. I refuse to lose my job because of her.” He looked at the crew, his eyes falling on Jessie last. “But if things get worse, I’ll say I told you so.” He folded his corded bronze arms.

Rammus waited a moment, then said, “Anything else you wish to add?”

“If my past actions aren’t proof enough that I can’t coexist, then I don’t want to be a part of the crew anymore.”

“Alright then. You—” he pointed to Jacobi “—have a seat.” He pointed to the weapon crate. “I’ll see each of you individually in the wheelhouse. You will not discuss your decision amongst each other while you wait your turn. I want unadulterated decisions. Come back down here when you’re done. No one is to leave the bow until I tell you to.” Jacobi plopped on the weapon crate, arms still folded, and Rammus headed for the stairs. “Scully, you first since you’re closest.” Scully followed him up and shut the door behind him.

The rest of the crew, except Jacobi, lined up along the railing and waited in silence. O’Toole hovered near Sam and watched Darwin’s residents mill about the dock, which had been recently renovated with fresh wood. Mido stood behind Jessie with his arms wrapped around her and his body brushing against hers. She refrained from leaning against him because of his broken ribs. She’d forgotten now and then during vacation, inadvertently causing him pain. Within a few days she learned to be just as delicate with him as he had with her for weeks. She loved him all the more after realizing how mindful and restrained he’d had to be.

Darwin was one of the rebuilt ports, but on the conservative side with technology. No solar panels, no paved streets, no watermills or windmills to generate electricity. Just traditional wood and stone buildings with lots of fireplaces and candlelight, and streets full of kinetic bikes zooming alongside horse-drawn carts. It was the past with a dash of the present.

Jacobi glanced Jessie’s way now and then but kept all thoughts and glares to himself. She did her best to ignore him, then reluctantly left the comfort of Mido’s arms when it was her turn to go in the wheelhouse. Sauna popped her a friendly smile as he waved for her to go up. “See you in a minute,” Jessie said to Mido, then ascended the steps and closed the door behind her.

Rammus flipped over a marked piece of paper so Jessie couldn’t read anything, then swiveled the chair and folded his hands in his lap. “So Jessie, is there anything you wish to discuss, or have you reached a decision?”

“I’ve reached a decision.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I don’t want the crew to fall apart because of me. I wish to let him stay.”

“Are you sure?”

“I intend to leave him alone. He made it clear he’ll do the same with me.”

“Do you trust him to?”

Jessie hesitated. Her gaze fell on the pencil threaded in Rammus’s interlaced fingers. He must be tallying everyone’s decisions. How divided was it? He’d spent a couple of minutes with each person. It hadn’t been a simple yea or nay from each of them. How much did the others trust Jacobi? “To an extent,” she reluctantly admitted.

“Why?”

She gave him a grimace. She didn’t want to explain. It was harsh.

“I don’t care what it is so long as it’s the truth. Tell me. I need to know.”

“I’m afraid he won’t respect your authority as much as Captain’s. If he was here, I wouldn’t be worried.”

“He’s got authority issues but I believe his pride will keep him in line from now on.”

“Are you sure?” She still had no intention of reversing her decision but the truth might help her relax.

“Positive. Captain and I discussed many things, including Jacobi, before the cave. No one but him and Cancer ever had any complaints about you being on the Pertinacious. Cancer obviously respects you and your membership. Sure, all of us thought it was a little strange enlisting you but we’ve come to enjoy your company and cooking, along with your fighter’s spirit. If things turn out alright and you part ways with us, we’ll all miss you sorely.”

Jessie couldn’t help but mirror Rammus’s warm smile. It was great to hear she’d be missed, that she’d grown on them as they’d grown on her—except for O’Toole and Jacobi. O’Toole was harmless and all but she’d never forgiven him for spying on her while showering, or for ruining her blissful state after her breakfast-in-bed morning. And Jacobi hadn’t grown on her for obvious reasons. He needed a few kicks in the nuts, but.. she didn’t want to carry the guilt if he lost his job because of her. “How would all of you feel if you had to let go of Jacobi?”

“Disappointed,” he admitted. “But the safety of the crew is the bottom line. I’d be furious with myself if something happened to you or anyone because I didn’t use my better judgement. He is everyone’s friend, but so are you. If he can’t stop being a threat, he goes; not you. Understood?”

She nodded. “Then I stand by my decision to let him stay.”

“Very well. Thank you. Go ahead and tell Mido to come on up.” Rammus swiveled around and flipped the paper over.

Jessie returned to her spot at the railing and sent Mido up. Jacobi was still seated, looking quite nervous. Hopefully that was a sign the severity of his behavior had finally sank in and he’d be true to his word to behave. The rest of the crew was chatting among themselves about their vacation, completely at ease as if they weren’t in the middle of deciding the fate of one of their friends and crew mates. Stunned to silence, Jessie leaned against the railing and listened to Ed and Ted tell Sauna about an adventure inland gone awry thanks to Ted getting a heat stroke. It hadn’t been funny at the time, but Ed ruthlessly poked fun at Ted’s few days of misery, until Mido and Rammus exited the wheelhouse. Mido rejoined Jessie, and Jacobi hopped to his feet. The crew fell silent and gave their full attention to their surrogate leader. Rammus looked down at all of them from the top of the stairs, a piece of paper in one hand, his gaze serious.