Chapter 7 – Harlequinade

There were heavy footsteps coming up the staircase, and Vacy looked over her shoulder as she pondered Viidu's suggestion. Corso walked up to the doorway and hesitated, then came in when the big man nodded. Vacy turned back again, frowning a bit. "How do you know your contact isn't actually one of the separatists?"

Corso pulled out a chair on the other side of Viidu, across from Vacy, as the older man shook his head and replied. "He hasn't had contact with any of them in weeks. Used to live down on Mannett Point, and that was the first town they took on the island. Been moving inland ever since. Reki noticed that the situation was getting hot, and he's always been good at finding things out. He gathered what information he could and then left town before anyone found out. He's been helping the Republic troops that are occupying Talloran Village."

With a snort of derision, the dreadlocked merc folded his arms across his chest. "Helping? More like squeezin' creds out of 'em." He scowled. "Man's an opportunistic bastard." His eyes widened suddenly and he cleared his throat, his face reddening a bit. "My apologies, ladies, that was … inappropriate."

Vacy bit back a smile, noticing that Syreena rolled her eyes. "So he'll know where we can find Skavak?"

"I'd stake my life on it." Viidu sighed, rubbing at his forehead, and drained the rest of the caf from his mug. "Guess I kind of have staked my life on it," he added with a humorless chuckle. "I'm friendly with the Republic commander over at Talloran, so I'll send a message letting them know you're on your way. That should be enough to get you their cooperation. As for Reki…" He grunted a bit as he lifted out of the chair, which creaked in relief, and shuffled over to a cabinet. "Here… this… and some of these… Syreena, honey, will you get me a crate? Just a small one."

Syreena smiled thinly and strode from the room as Viidu returned to the table with an armload of bottles and boxes. "Reki shares my appreciation for the finer things in life. First check in with the troops guarding the village. Then take this to Reki, and he'll tell you a way to find Skavak." He pulled at his mustache for a moment. "But, um… you might not want to wave it around too much. With the blockade on, it's not easy to get ahold of luxury items. Folks may get… uncooperative… if they know you have something that's not intended for them."

Corso let out a sharp breath, leaning forward. "Beyond that, the area between here and Talloran's likely to have patches of seps. You'll need to stay alert. Fortunately, any you take out will help prove your loyalty to the officers in charge of the village. Guess that's a good thing." He peered at Vacy almost suspiciously. "Have you got them injuries more'n patched up yet? Boss, you got a med droid, right? Way you're talkin' it sounds like we need to make da—" Corso hesitated only a moment before recovering, red-faced again, "— dadgum certain she gets through safely."

Her protests only made the young man more insistent, just as she'd hoped. Vacy was secretly glad she'd read him right. She had no problem admitting to herself that she was a coward ("better a live turkey than a dead duck," she used to chide her brother) but having that sort of reputation was bad for business. Cautious, sure; craven, no way. She didn't actually want to talk them out of it, though, and so she watched their expressions carefully as she mocked them for fussing over her like a pair of grandmothers.

Syreena walked back in with a duraplas tote under one arm and its lid in her other hand, just as Vacy rolled her eyes and 'gave in,' promising to let Viidu have his droid give her a thorough physical. She set them down beside him and sat down next to Vacy again, curiosity sparkling in her dark eyes. "Do you have a problem with needles? It's okay if you do — it does kind of pinch a bit. But it's not bad, honest."

"What? No!" Vacy glared at her, hoping that the well-intentioned encouragement hadn't completely undone the work she'd put into developing her brash persona. She pushed her chair back and stood up. "But I'm ready to go out and take back what was stolen. I'm not used to bein' doted on."

Syreena's gentle smile broadened. "It's not doting," she said, her tone warm. "It's looking out for each other. You're part of a team now, Captain. We've got your back."

Vacy could feel a sudden panic rising up inside her and forced herself to keep her expression neutral. We're not a team. I don't know you, and you don't know me. You're not my team. The thought of pledging loyalty to someone else, however temporary, made her innards start to tighten and twist, like she was betraying her brother all over again. But as she looked from Syreena to Viidu to Corso, she saw… well, nothing so mushy as encouragement… but acceptance.

Corso smiled as well when she looked at him, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Nobody's sayin' you can't get things done on your own," he added. "Just… that you don't have to."

For once, Vacy found herself unable to say anything. Not that it lasted, of course. A moment later, her mouth curled up in a smirk and she shook her head. "I've gotten used to solo jobs," she said, glancing around at the others without meeting anyone's gaze. "But…" She chewed on her lower lip as she thought. "Doesn't mean that's how it always has to be."

Viidu chuckled as he stood. "Riggs, help Syreena box that up while I take the Captain down for her physical." He reached over and thumped her on the shoulder with his meaty hand. "Welcome to Rendia Freight."

And Vacy didn't know quite how it happened, but for some reason, she felt her smirk easing into something that might have been a smile.

Author's Note: Yay! I actually finished something! I can't tell you how good that feels. On the other hand, it's given me plotbunnies for at least two more stories… *sigh*

For those of you who are "in the know," PLEASE avoid leaving any spoilers in the comments!

Oh, almost forgot: a Harlequinade is a type of drama that spun out of the commedia dell'arte. What's interesting about it is that while it keeps to certain archetypes, there are an infinite number of subtle variations in the story that's told. It came to mind as a title indirectly; my first thought was some kind of riff on "motley crew," indicating that Vacy had become part of the team. "Motley" is also the word for the variegated costume often worn by jesters, which made me think of Harlequin. And of course, Harlequin is something of a scoundrel, so I immediately started seeing parallels! So here's the "revised cast list," hopefully without giving too much away:

Vacy Fiorst as Harlequin, the clever, plucky mischief-maker and romantic lead.
Corso Riggs as Columbine, the sensible, soft-hearted love interest who sometimes plays hard to get.
Skavak as Clown, the troublemaker.
Viidu Beretton as Pantaloon, the greedy merchant that the others work for.
Syreena Sanphroix as Pierrot, the idealistic dreamer disappointed by reality.