Spindrift
Chapter 19: Captain Pym

It was still dark when I awoke and discovered that I wasalone.

Ari?

I’m out here, in thesitting room.

I found her sprawled on the floor with the gown the Prefecthad given her and a pair of shears.

“What are you doing?”

“I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I’m preparingmy wedding gown. Did you know thisestablishment provides every suite with a sewing kit?

“I had no idea.”

“Yes. This gown’sgorgeous but much too long. I’ll not behiding my tail at my own wedding.” Sheput her fists on her hips and sighed. “It’snot going well, however. I can cut, butI know nothing about sewing. It’s myupbringing. I never wore and hardly evensaw a stitch of clothes ‘til we came to Terra, I was eight. I used to whine and complain about having to cover up ‘til it drove mymother to distraction. Finally sheconvinced me of how pretty clothing can be. Even then, I was never really interested in making or modifying clothes.”

“Actually, I can help.”

“You can?!” She wasincredulous.

“Of course. In theNavy, officers and enlisted are expected to maintain their own uniforms. Nothing fancy just basic darning, hemming andso forth.”

“Darning? Hemming? You even know sewingwords!”

I laughed. “Most ofmy ‘sewing words’ are stronger than that; especially when I stick myself.”

“You would have been shocked at the words I was using.”

She had already cut several centimeters from the bottom andhad made openings for her pelvic fins. Ishowed her how to hem all the raw edges. We finished up by turning the cut off portion into a head-covering.

“Well, how do I look?” she asked after trying it all on.

“Like a bride and a very beautiful one at that.”

Her eyes lit up. “Well I like that! Get yourselfready and let’s go!”

It was barely daylight when we came to the door to thechaplain’s suite. I was a bit reluctantto knock. “Are you sure he won’t mind?” I asked.

“Absolutely! Youafraid he might excommunicate us or something? Dammit!” She grimaced and tuggedon the skirt. “I got a bit twisted whenI hopped into my chair.”

“Don’t worry, you look great. And watch your language!”

I pressed the buzzer and was surprised when the door openedright away. The chaplain (I assumed itwas he) stood smiling in black cassock and clerical collar.

“Commander Morgan I presume; Father Gregory Harrod at yourservice. And Lady Ariadne too! What might be bringing you two to my doorthis fine morning?”

“We want you to marry us, Father!” she bounced.

“Dear oh dear!” thepriest winked. “That’s a seriousmatter! Come in; let’s discuss it oversome tea. Have you had breakfast yet?”

We stepped into the dining room to replace the table set forsix and Justin and Sergeant Windridge already seated.

“Here are your two witnesses,” said Father Gregory. Lady Jen sends her regrets; she’s having herhand operated on this morning.”

You were aheadof me. I thought. Way,way ahead of me.

Of course, get used toit. Ari grinned wickedly.

Just then the Prefect emerged from the bedroom in full navalregalia. “Could someone help me buttonthis epaulette, the bloody damn thing won’t…Oh, sorry Father and Milady.”

“And this foul-mouthed gentleman will be giving the brideaway.”

“Father will be so happy to hear you could stand in forhim,” said Ari as she raised her chair. “Let me help you with the bloody damn thing.”

The Priest rolled his eyes and sighed.

We all shared an omelet and toast that Father Greg had whippedup and washed it all down with a very good local tea.

“Well,” said the prefect as he put down his cup, “Let’s getto it, shall we. The Crockett needs her captain.”

We made a small caravan to the chapel which was all readyfor us. The Prefect carried Ari down theaisle then stood her upon her tail next to me. Father Gregory used a ceremony out of the Western Prayerbook which didnot involve much moving about. Ari hadlittle difficulty standing or kneeling, so long as her arm was in mine to giveher balance. The music was some Bachpiped over the chapel’s sound system. Whenit came time to kiss the bride, we made a good show of it though her eyes werefilled with tears. There was noreception really, just a bottle of local champaign popped in the vestry.

The Prefect was apologetic, but we did have to leaveimmediately after the ceremony for the hospital. There we had to part, Ari to see to Jen, meto Captain Pym’s room.

I dreaded seeing Pym, though it was the final step for me togain the Crockett. She had had her first command torn awayfrom her and was perhaps crippled for life. Even though I had nothing to do with her misfortune (she strapped theskis on herself after all) how could she not be bitter and resentful?

I buzzed the door which was answered by a nurse whoannounced my arrival and discreetly left. I approached the bed, cap in hand. Pym was lying flat and supine, a brace on each side kept herimmobile. Despite the circumstance, shewas an attractive woman; only a little older than myself, with shoulder-lengthauburn hair that was scattered over her pillow. Her face was pale, except for some scratches; both arms were bruised andabraded. Her eyes were puffy, whetherfrom medication or tears I didn’t know.

“Good morning.” She smiled wanly. “You’re Captain Morgan?”

“Yes.” I nodded, thenasked the question I dreaded most but couldn’t not ask. “How are you feeling?”

“Not too bad, considering. They tell me my right ankle is shattered. Can’t feel it. Can’t feel anything below about here.” She pointed to a spot just above hernavel. “Spinal cord’s cut through asneatly as if it were done with shears.” She made a snipping motion with her right hand. I winced inside and she must have seenit. “Don’t fret yourself; it makes me abetter candidate for nerve implants. Seems the little nanobots work better on a clean break than if it wereall mangled up.” She spoke with adistinct Malabaran accent. “If all goeswell and my body doesn’t reject the little buggers, I should be walking by thistime next year. If not, well they tellme that the new exoframes can be discreetly worn even under women’sclothing. No one need even know I’mpa-paralyzed.” Her voice broke; she puta hand over her eyes for a few moments, and then recovered. “Sorry about the litany of bad; let’s startover.” She held out her hand. “Rachel Pym (what’s left of her) at yourservice.” I bowed and kissed it. “Ah, a gentleman.” She smiled again, warmly this time. “Well, pull up a chair and, if you’ll hand methat tablet, we’ll get started. They’reonly allowing me a few minutes.”

By the time the nurse came back and shooed me out, I hadgained a good bit more insight on my officers and crew.

“Irian Vennick is ambitious but solid, pure navy through andthrough,” she said. “He’s not anintriguer; he’ll do what he’s trained to do to the best of his knowledge andability. He will let you knowthough if he thinks you’re wrong, but not where the crew can hear.

“Tyra Ransome is a sweetheart. She looks so much like a waif that peopletend to overlook her. Rest assured,she’s a treasure. Not only does shehave knowledge about railguns, she was on the team that developed the bigones. If she tells you they can or can’tdo something, they can or can’t do it.

“D’Aubigny likes drink, gambling and women. He actually had the balls to make a pass atme once during shore leave!” shelaughed. “I took him down a few notches,but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted. He’s a handsome beast. On dutyhowever, he’s all business and he does know his business.

“Holt, our saw bones, is the ships father-figure. He’s saved more than one life already, including my own, thoughwe were commissioned at Capricorn Station no more than six months ago.

“I can’t say I know Bathurst or Rashid. They both joined the ‘Croc’ just a few weeksago. I’ve had no call to complain abouteither though, and their old captain, McEwen of the Kirov, had some nice words to say about them.

“The rest of the crew, the enlisted folks, are well trainedand well behaved. How they’ll act underadversity is anybody’s guess. We werenever tested together, so you’ll have to replace that out for yourself.

“I see Mrs. Rostov, my nurse, at the door with a disapprovinglook. I fear our interview mustend.” She took my hand. “Take care of my baby captain. I feel almost like I gave birth to her. She’s yours now, but I love her still. Goodbye!”

I found Ari, my bride, in a waiting room near the mainentrance. She was in her hoverchairquietly reading. When I neared, shelooked up and smiled at me, as though she had already sensed my presence. Perhaps she had.

“Hello, husband, how was Captain Pym?”

I sat on a bench next to her. “Very talkative, wife. She hardly let me speak at all. Regardless of what happens concerning herlegs, so long as she has her tongue, she will prosper.

Ari laughed.

“Seriously though, I was impressed. She's very nice. You should perhaps visit her while I’mgone. I think you’ll like her.

“How was Jen?” Iasked.

“She was in recovery and doing well. The surgeon was optimistic. I think she’ll be alright.”

We sat, holding hands and staring at one another.

“There’s a fountain out front,” I said. Wonderhow long I can hold my breath.

Not long enough forwhat I’m thinking of doing. Wonder if wecan lock ourselves in an empty room for a few minutes. Uh-oh, too late! The press gang is here!

I looked up to see a small security detail. The chief saluted. “Captain Morgan?”

I stood and answered the salute. “Yes.”

“We’re your escort. It’s time to report to the Crockett,sir.”

“Very well.”

The chief glanced at Ari and smiled nervously. “Actually, sir, if you don’t mind and ifyou’d like a few more minutes with the lady here. We want to say goodbye to ourold captain, if they let us. We couldalways say we got lost.”

I smiled back. “Thisis an awful big hospital.”

“Indeed it is sir.” He saluted again. “We’ll replace youin just a bit.”

After the detail left, I turned to her. “I want to tell you in advance, so you won’tbe offended. When I go, I won’t lookback.”

“Oh?”

“It’s a tradition, or perhaps a superstition in myfamily. When we part we don’t watch ourloved ones out of sight. It’s bad luck.”

Her grip on my hand tightened and she nodded. “Alright, I’ll do the same. That should insure we’ll see each otheragain.”

“I’ll send a message at every opportunity.”

“Tell his Grace that if he doesn’t let you give a note toevery courier he sends back, he’ll have to face my tail-slapping wrath!”

“I’m sure he’ll be impressed.”

“He’d better be, because I’m in earnest! Nothing is more frightening than an angrymermaid.”

“No truer words were ever spoken!” I nodded then kissed her.

She looked up at me, eyes glistening. “If Syrenkan singing could compel, I wouldput voice to a song that would keep you with me always!”

We were still sitting side by side when the Crockett’s people returned. I rose to accompany them. As we left, I did glance back for only amoment. Her back was alreadyturned. I smiled to myself. She isthe stronger of us two.