Main Event

"Considering the travel time involved, I'm hoping that Ria and, possibly, Angus can leave within the next three to five weeks. They can register the unit with the Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission and conduct preliminary interviews until I arrive."

"Which will be when?"

"Barring a breakdown during transit from Solaris, I'll arrive four to six weeks after they do."

Rachel straightened the covers on her bed with her one good hand. "And where do I come in?"

Rose caught his breath before continuing. This was the only part of the plan about which he was uncertain. "You contract to take Rianna, Angus, and the two 'Mechs to Outreach." Rachel looked at Rianna and then back to Jeremiah before nodding. Rose continued, letting the words tumble out faster and faster as he went along. "We'll pay standard rates for the transport. Once we have a contract, however, Rianna and I would like you to serve as the transportation agent to our destination." McCloud was silent.

"Obviously it will mean more to us than to you, but I think it's a good business proposition."

McCloud looked up at him. "What do you know about business?"

"Just what I read in the papers, but consider it. We'll be in a stronger position to make a contract because we'll have our own transportation. The Bristol is a UnionClass DropShip. It can carry an entire company, plus aerospace support. We can take the profits from the stronger position and pass most of the cash straight to you."

"You're right, as far as you go," Rachel told him, "but there's plenty you haven't considered.

"First, the Bristol is just a civilian carrier, a commercial ship. It may have started out as a military vessel, but most of the 'Mech bays have been reconfigured to haul bulk goods. It would take a major overhaul of the cargo compartments to accomplish what you want.

"Besides, I've never had to use any of the Bristol 'sfirepower. It's true she still carries a full range of weapons, but I don't carry enough crew to man those weapons. It's too expensive.

"And finally, what makes you think I want to be a mercenary? I'm a transport captain and I like the work."

"Rachel, don't get me wrong. I know you're a good captain. I just thought this was a good idea." Rose glanced at his sister, who'd been watching the exchange in silence. McCloud dropped her head back against the pillows.

"Rose, it's late. My shoulder hurts like hell and this is my ship you're talking about. I owe you, but I don't want to make a decision right now."

"I don't need a decision right now, Rachel." The door opened and the floor nurse motioned Rianna and Jeremiah out of the room.

"I just want to know if you'll take Rianna to Outreach."

"Sure, I'll take her. Standard carrier rates for all equipment."

Rose nodded toward the door and Rianna took the hint to leave the two alone. "Rachel," he said, when his sister had slipped out the door, "I know your shoulder is bothering you, but what else is going on?"

From the way McCloud looked at him Rose thought he must have stepped over some invisible line. Then her features softened and she shook her head.

"It's nothing, really. I just get edgy when I have to start looking for another contract. I hate that part of my job. Looking for a cargo and trying to judge how safe it will be to make the run. Ask my crew. They can't stand to be around me during this part of the process."

Rose looked at McCloud quietly, trying to tell if she were speaking the whole truth. He had no idea what McCloud was like while trying to find cargo, having only just managed to squeeze aboard the Bristol on the trip from Terra.

"I call the Bristol my ship," McCloud went on, "but the bank owns almost half of it and if I can't get a decent cargo while I'm in port, they take a bigger chunk when I'm forced to go short on my payment." She looked at Rose with a harsh stare.

"That's what I mean about business. You've got to be one step ahead of the bankers. Being a good fighter isn't enough if you want to be a mercenary. You've got to be a good accountant too."

Rose knew she was right. He also realized that it wouldn't stop him from trying to create a mercenary company. Still thinking, he crossed to the door, then paused briefly and turned back to speak.

"Thanks, Rachel. We'll stop by tomorrow, and by the way, you owe me nothing."

Rose eased the door shut and followed his sister to the elevators at the end of the corridor.

Captain Rachel McCloud spent long minutes staring at the door before she finally addressed it aloud. "That's just great, Rose. I finally decide to care for someone and then he tells me goodbye." The station nurse heard McCloud speaking over the active intercom, and shook her head sadly.

Unaware of all this, Rose and Rianna waited in silence for the elevator car to arrive, but as the door opened, Rianna laid a hand on Rose's arm.

"She'll get me to Outreach. That should be enough." Rose entered the car first and punched the lobby button.

"It is enough. It's just that having her in on it would have made the entire plan so perfect."

"Are you two . . . involved?"

Rose looked at his sister, then caught a nasty look from the station nurse, whom he had never met. Returning his gaze to Ria, he wondered if it was amusement he'd heard in her voice. He saw not a trace of it on her face.

"Yes. No. Yes, but it's not serious. Hell, I don't know. It's just that I trusted her and this would have worked out so well for the unit."

The elevator door opened and Rose held it for his sister.

"Speaking of the unit, we'll need a name," she said, the excitement back in her voice. "I've got some ideas. How about you?"

Rose shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it. I just figured we'd be the Black Watch or the Northwind something. What have you got in mind?"

"Well, I thought about all the standard ones—Rose's Rangers, Rose's Roughnecks, et cetera, et cetera. Too boring. If we want to attract quality people, we need a catchy name."

"Such as?"

"The Black Thorns."

"The what?" Rose stopped at the hospital doors and looked at his sister. She was grinning from ear to ear. As he stood there staring, she opened the outer door and walked toward a single cab waiting at the curb. "It's a great name."

"It's a name, all right. Great, I don't know about."

"Just think about it."

Jeremiah nodded without enthusiasm.

"I've got to get back home," Rianna said. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow we talk to Angus. If we can come to terms, we're on our way."

"Great. Where are you staying?"

Rose opened the cab door and Rianna flopped inside. "I had my things moved over to the Hightower," he said. "I haven't actually been there yet, so I don't know my room number." Rose closed the door behind her and reached through the open front window to pay the driver in advance. As he waved away the change, Rianna rolled down her window.

"I'll talk to Angus and arrange a time to meet." She held out her hand and Rose grasped it in both of his.

"This is really happening, isn't it?"

"It really is, and Papa's going to be furious."

"Let him." Ria's voice grew hard. "It's my choice and I want this too bad to bow to his selfish desires." Rose did not respond, and Rianna's features softened. "Besides, I'll have almost a month to say goodbye. That should be enough."

Rianna pulled her hand away and the cab inched forward.

"See you tomorrow."

Jeremiah waved as the cab pulled out of the drive and into traffic. Turning in the other direction, he decided to walk the six blocks to his hotel. He could use the time to think and plan. The Black Thorns had been born and he intended to be a good father.