Washtown (Part One)

August 15 - Washtown, Burnet

"So, a desk jockey? Who'd you kill?"

I smiled, "Hey Brooke."

She was my oldest and dearest friend. Brooke and I had roomed together at the Academy. We did a lot of growing during those years. While I had stayed with the service, Brooke had chosen a different path, one that matched her conscience and independent spirit.

I hadn't seen her for months. When she called and asked to meet, I did not hesitate, even though it meant a flight to Burnet in my condition.

Brooke just grinned. "So," she pressed, "what's with all the paperwork?"

"I'm on light duties," I explained, "I was shot in the back."

Brooke's expression darkened, "Sorry to hear that...." She bit her lip and sighed. "I've been in the black for a while. Weird to see you out of uniform."

"I thought you said you wanted to see that," I countered.

"Yeah," she laughed, "but not by you getting shot in the back."

"How have you been, Brooke?" I asked, "You are looking well.

Brooke's response indicated otherwise, "I'm .... okay. Hard ... been gone so long. The black swallows you up, you know." She frowned. "Dex decided that well ... out there was better than here. I found a good school for the kids." She shrugged, "Just .... " She left the last sentence unfinished.

"Let's go somewhere we can talk," I suggested and glanced around for a suitable spot.

"Sure," she said, "the bar."

"Sounds good," I agreed.

-----

Washtown was a typical frontier town. Simple wooden structures, nestled up against the hills. Farming and ranching were the main industries in the area. Far from the Core, the old Indy flag flew everywhere. Defiantly.

I followed Brooke through what I assumed to be the center of town, and passed some sort of monument. It was dedicated to a man named Wash. A local hero perhaps.

I pushed open the doors of the saloon and stepped inside.

The room filled with the deafening sound of a revolver. I froze, too surprised to head for cover. I thought my heart had stopped. I turned to the right, towards the source of the sound.

"Matthew!" I cried.

Matthew 'Sentry' Swashbuckler jumped at the sound of my voice, almost putting a round in the wall.

"Matthew?" asked Brooke, tilting her head.

Sentry grinned slightly, "Why Pepper Siamendes! As I live an' breathe... still."

"Shooting off a hand gun like that, you could give someone a scare." The words tumbled out. Why I didn't use harsher language, I have no idea.

Brooke looked at us, one then the other, "Matthew?" she repeated.

"Yes," I replied simply, "that's his name."

Sentry smiled awkwardly at Brooke, "Well, you didn't think my momma named me Sentry, did you?"

"Matthew," she repeated. "Okay ... Matthew..." She then turned to me and said directly, "I need some info about Alliance activity in the area."

"Info?" I asked, "Let's start with what you have been up to..."

Sentry motioned towards the chairs. "Shall we all take a load off?"

"Yes, good idea," I acknowledged.

We took our seats at a round, wooden table at the edge of the dance floor. I selected a chair positioned so I could see the door.

I addressed Brooke, "I saw you last in Paquin, gathering medicine for the Rim worlds."

She sighed. "I've been .... running some medicine. Got in the way of some slavers ... but we really shouldn't talk about that with Matthew here."

"Oh, so now I'm a liability," said Sentry.

"Don't feel that way, Matthew," I said pleasantly.

"Trying," he replied, putting on a happy face. "Better to hear it now, than to guess..."

Brooke smiled at Sentry. "No, but you'll get upset, so rather you not hear." She then shrugged. "So, really, not much....Honestly, Pepper I was out there earning a few coin and making sure that the Faiths never ever get their hands on the twins. They're safe now ... and happy."

"And how are the children?" I asked, "When do I get to see them?"

Brooke leaned forward. "You will. But ... uhm. Not for some time. There's a school that will take care of them. Give them all they need to know about making it in the Core ... or in the Black." She let out a sigh. "It's what's best. I'm dangerous to them. This way I can do my job, and not always worry they're going to get it because of me."

"Dangerous to them?"

"Just my way of life," she explained. "One of the reasons I need to talk to you. I heard someone here got an Alliance contract," she nodded towards Sentry, "they have him looking at planets, for what I don't know. Just wondering if you have heard anything."

"An Alliance contract?" I asked, "From what department?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out," she replied.

"And you both think it is something sour?"

Brooke looked at Sentry, then back at me. "Uhm ... no offense, but I think anything that the Alliance is doing around here tends to be sour."

Sentry agreed, "You don't get paid good money to map a moon."

I thought this over. "When you say an Alliance contract, are you saying someone in the military or the government?"

"That's the part we don't really know," Sentry replied.

"I spend my life fighting that type of corruption," I stated, "if you think that something is in the works, maybe we can stop those responsible."

"I know you do," answered Brooke, "And I know you're not out in the field anymore, but if you can learn anything ...."

"Oh, I'm just behind a desk for a few weeks at most," I said optimistically, "The doctor says I have to rest." I made a rude noise to indicate what I thought of the matter.

Sentry grinned, "Place is a little less safe while you're stuck behind that desk, ya know."

I smiled warmly, "Thank you Matthew. I'm thankful for the break. It is a chance to get caught up on my paperwork."

"Think you will ever settle down, Pepper?" he asked.

"Oh, I may get the taste for it," I admitted, "I'm a bit gypsy I suppose, but I do like a safe harbour."

Brooke nodded a bit. "I agree with Sentry. It's important that you're out there. But I think it's good you're getting some rest." She then laughed. "Pepper slow down. When we were girls, she never did," she added with a wink.

Sentry looked at us both. You could tell he was wondering what sort of mischief we used to get ourselves into when we were younger.

I was saved from explaining by the sound of footsteps.

Sentry turned and faced the new arrival. "Oh, hi Dav. Good to see ya," he said cheerfully.

Brooke, recognizing the fellow, smiled broadly. She greeted him, "Hello there. How is life?"

I smiled politely.

The man stopped, standing near the doorway. He tapped his boots to remove some mud, then squinted in our direction. After a moment, he turned around. "I'll wait outside," he said.

"I ... Dave ..." said Brooke with a pained expression on her face as the man withdrew from the room. "I guess I left a few in the lurch, didn't I?" she said aloud.

"Well, I'm glad your back," I said firmly.

Brooke sighed. "Yeah...."

I glanced at Sentry for support. Come on Matthew, I thought, say something nice.

Sentry spoke honestly, "Brooke, it's just been a while since anyone has seen you. I don't know how the others felt, but I was right upset. Things go on, and now you're back. That can't be a bad thing."

Brooke looked at the two of us. "I ... should probably ..." She stopped mid-sentence. "What do I say? I guess, 'hi, I'm sorry I left you, but' ...." She paused and sighed again. "I did it for everyone's good. Just sure most people don't see it that way."

"The Verse is a big place, Brooke," I said, "you can get lost in any city in the Core." I tried to downplay the matter.

Sentry took a different approach. He yelled towards the door. "Dav, get yer scrawny butt in here... I ain't gonna talk bad about you when you can't hear me!" He laughed a bit at his own humour.

Brooke rubbed her neck. "I .... know ... but that doesn't ... I .... It isn't easy." She then smiled. "Sorry, not saying much with lots of words ... " She exhaled. "I know no one sees it, but I did it because it was the only thing I could do. Now I lost Dex for good and just about everyone I care about. But, my job is to make sure that the Alliance, well the bad part of it, doesn't ruin everything we love."

"About that other matter," I glanced at the door and spoke quickly and quietly, "You are both ex-military. Trust your training.... and keep me in the loop."

They both nodded.

"Will do," added Brooke, "And you'll do the same I take it..."

From outside the saloon, the man Dav walked away, the click of his boots growing more and more distant.

I spoke further, "Hard evidence brings a successful prosecution. I can't condone vigilante action."

Sentry grinned, "Brooke? Vigilante?"

Brooke just smiled. "Don't worry Pepper. I've never been caught." She gave me a wink.

I narrowed my eyes and smiled in response, then added, "Maybe, working together, we can stop some of those criminals who would hide behind the flag, who think they are above the law."

Sentry piped up. "I'll make sure she doesn't kill anyone without good reason."

"Yes, you do that, Matthew," I replied. Always helpful.

Brooke nodded, "Behind the flag or no. I'm happy to help you catch those who wrap themselves in brown, if they deserve to be caught."

I indicated my agreement.

"So," she said, "besides having your back used as target practice, any developments, Pepper?"

I laughed aloud.

"I heard you had Tee put away," she continued, "for a while at least."

"He is still out there," I admitted, "but in hiding or on the run."

Brooke's face grew white. "Oh..." she managed to say.

I continued, "We are proceeding with war crime trials for some of the others involved in the attack on Shadow."

She gave a nod. "Good to know."

"Possibly, he has found shelter," I told her, "in the house of someone sympathetic to his cause. It is not unheard of..."

"Wouldn't be surprising," remarked Sentry, "knowing his plethora of connections."

Brooke swallowed as she ingested this information.

Sentry suddenly jumped as his commlink sounded off. "Well, ain't that timing..."

"Do you have to go Matthew?" I asked.

"Need to head off?" asked Brooke.

"'Fraid so," he answered, "hope you both have a good time catching up without me. Great to see you again Pepper. Take care of yourself."

"You too," I replied.

"Always," he whispered. He turned to Brooke, "I'll catch you tomorrow for an update, if you don't mind."

"Of course," she smiled.

As he departed, Sentry waved to another man who had just entered the bar.

"Stay safe," I called as he made his way outside.