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“Yes,” the man whispered, trying to nod.
Rafe let go, and the man fell to the carpet and scurried off to the door between the cars, his hands shaking so that he could hardly open it, before disappearing.
“Are you okay?” Rafe growled, spinning on her.
His green eyes flashed with a fury that left her frozen.
She remembered that he was a soldier first. This was the reason for all the security sweeps. But his caution didn’t mean he was timid. He was searching for enemies. His job was to fight, without mercy.
When all you have is a blaster, everything looks like a target.
She opened her mouth and closed it again.
“Did he hurt you?” Rafe asked, reaching for her arm to see.
“No,” she said quickly, moving out of reach. “Not at all.”
“He won’t touch you again,” Rafe said, his voice deep with some emotion she couldn’t name.
“Great news, passengers,” a man called out happily. “The conductor has asked me to announce that each of you will be receiving a complimentary upgraded beverage. Please take your seats. I’ll be coming around with a bar cart.”
The silent tension in the train car melted into chatter.
“Wheeeeee-doggies,” a man in the seats across the aisle from them said. “It’s about time someone put that stiff-shirt old bastard in his place. I’m Tag Pricketts. Nice to meet you folks.”
Jade looked up to see that Tag wore an old-fashioned cowboy hat and a wide smile.
A little old man with a sour look and a prosthetic arm sat across from Tag, nursing a glass of murky brown liquid. They must not have been together, because he didn’t even glance over.
Tag offered Rafe his arm.
The big warrior studied him a moment before clasping.
“Rafe,” he said plainly. “Jade and Gus.”
“You know who that was, right?” Tag Pricketts asked.
Rafe shook his head.
“That’s old Judge Gaxx,” Tag said. “No idea how much research you all did before coming here, but he’s the one who’s trying to dictate how our land is used. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t come all the way out here to be bossed around.”
At that, the little old man with the glass sitting across from Tag chuckled and took a sip of his drink.
“I’ve got the prettiest piece of land, perfect for deer,” Tag went on. “And I’m looking to expand, especially after that agency of yours paid me so much to get you folks started with your own herd. But if the judge won’t allow it, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
A small woman wearing a big pair of glasses rose from the seats just behind Tag’s and headed to the door between the cars. She had to flatten herself against the seats to allow for a big Bergalian man heading in the opposite direction.
“I’m Reverend Zoll,” the Bergalian said in a friendly voice. “I wanted to welcome you folks to Sigg-3.”
“Well, met, padre,” Rafe said, offering his arm. “I’m Rafe and that’s Jade and little Gus.”
Reverend Zoll looked delighted.
“I’m pleased to meet you all,” he said. “And an Invicta warrior in our small community - what an honor. But, son, I’d like to take the opportunity to caution you a mite.”
Rafe cocked his head, as if he was ready to listen respectfully.
“Though it’s the frontier, and folks think it’s rough out here, we still try to settle our disputes with words in Rothbart,” Reverend Zoll said lightly. “You might keep that in mind in the future. I’m sure in plenty of the places you’ve served, you couldn’t afford to give peace a chance. But here, I hope you’ll find a more thoughtful sort of citizen, at least within the town limits.”
