“Captain Jack is a very fair man,” replied the Treb. “The value of our prizes is known to all aboard, and the captain makes sure that everyone gets their fair share. The crew of theMaracaiboare the envy of others, and there are many who seek to join. This one is very fortunate to be a member of Captain Jack’s crew.”
“How did you come to be a pirate?” she asked. Aria wasn’t going to say it out loud, but the little Treb seemed to be the very opposite of a pirate.
“This one’s people are often enslaved and sold as domestics,” said Felipesegundo. “When theMaracaiboraided the estate where this one was a slave, this one killed the overseer and his enforcers to gain freedom. When Captain Jack saw what this one had done, he offered a place on the ship. This one has been here ever since.”
Aria swallowed as they kept walking.Okay, important lesson. Do not judge a book by its cover.Still, the thought of Felipesegundo surrounded by the bodies of those he had slain was a hard one to picture.
“Please don’t worry, milady,” said the Treb earnestly, patting her hand. “Many are deceived by this one’s appearance, and honestly, this one is happier with day-to-day domestic tasks. Killing can be most distressing.”
It was Aria’s turn to blush.
As they turned the corner, Felipesegundo gestured to a wide room to their right. “The mess, where the whole crew that is not on duty gather for meals. Since it is time for dinner, might this one recommend that we join in and eat?”
“Absolutely.” Aria allowed the Treb to lead her toward the lineup that was forming. The food was served buffet style and featured a wide variety of different proteins, starches, and vegetables. She picked things she thought she recognized, and was vaguely amused to see Felipesegundo pile his plate until it resembled a small tower.
Aria followed him to a seat at a table. She was conscious of a certain amount of covert glances—and a few outright stares—from crew members, but she affected not to see them. Instead, she paid attention to the Treb’s earnest explanations of the different types of food he had selected.
“Glad you could join us, milady,” came a voice at her shoulder, and she turned to see Jack, with his own tray of food, sitting down next to them. “I see you’ve made a friend in my favorite Treb.”
“Captain Jack, it has been this one’s pleasure to show the Lady Aria around the ship,” piped up Felipesegundo.
“Not the secret compartments and hidden treasures, I hope,” said Quinn wryly as she sat down.
“Only the most minor ones,” confided the Treb.
“Well thank goodness for that,” answered the captain. “I hope you find the food to your pleasure, milady?”
“It’s very good,” said Aria politely, although it was rather simple cafeteria fare to her tastes.
“I saw the menu lists you submitted to the mess of theArgus,” said Quinn. “Perhaps this is a bit more rustic than you are used to, eh?”
“Maybe I didn’t know what I was missing.” She refused to rise to the bait.
“More than the captain can say, isn’t that right?” snorted Quinn.
Jack frowned, and was about to speak, when Felipesegundo observed innocently, “I think this one can see what First Officer Quinn has been missing.”
Aria tried to hold back a snort of laughter, but it was lost amidst the general merriment. Quinn herself, appearing quite unperturbed, fixed the Treb with a glare and asked sweetly, “Are you volunteering to fill that need, Felipesegundo?”
Without looking up from his food, the creature said politely, “This one does not wish to injure the first officer with the frenzied passion of Treb lovemaking.”
The laughter doubled, and Quinn affectionately reached out and ruffled the fur on the top of Felipesegundo’s head.
Spearing a forkful of food, the creature said, “Careful, First Officer. That is considered foreplay on Trebizond.”
Jack was wiping tears from his eyes, and Quinn put her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, okay,” she said, “I should know better than to match wits with you, my dear Treb.”
“As you say,” said the creature, who continued eating.
“Well, it’s clear that you have been in good company this afternoon, Aria,” said Jack. “You have made the friendship of one of our very best hosts. What did you think of theMaracaibo?”
“From what I have seen of it, it appears to be a very nice ship,” she replied. “I don’t really have a full sense of it though. Perhaps you could take me on a tour of the command deck?”
Quinn made a small noise in her throat, but Jack said, “It would be my pleasure, as long as I have your guarantee of continued good behavior.”
“Of course.”
As they concluded their meal, Jack stood up. “Aria, follow me and I will show you where the dirty dishes go. Felipesegundo, with your permission, I will take over escort duties for the lady.”
