Washtown (Part Two)

August 15 - Washtown, Burnet

Once Sentry had left the saloon, Brooke turned to the man that had arrived moments before.

"Mr. Cobb," she greeted him, "good to see you."

The man glanced over at the empty chair, "Mind iffin' I join ya'll?"

"Please do," I said.

"Thanks so kindly," he responded.

Brooke looked at the man and then at me, "So ... Pepper," she began, "tell me again how the desk job at Alliance headquarters is suiting you."

The man looked me over upon hearing the word 'Alliance'.

I was feeling impish, and so I decided to have a little fun.

"Well, it will take some getting used to Brooke. I'm so used to hunting down Browncoats and the like. I just don't know where I will get my exercise!" I said with a smile.

"Huntin' down Browncoats?" asked the man.

Brooke wrinkled her nose, "I still have a gun ..." she declared.

As fun as it was, I couldn't let this get out of hand. "Oh, don't mind us sir," I explained, "Brooke is just trying to drop you a hint about my day job."

The man tapped his hand gently on the table and listened intently, "I ain't much of a sir, ma'am," he replied, "I appreciate the kindness though."

It felt like the right time for introductions.

"I'm Major Pepper Siamendes of the Special Investigation Unit, UAP. And you are?"

Brooke spoke up, "Pepper here thinks she's going to catch me with my pants down .... But, you two have something in common, both working for the Alliance."

"I see... I'd not know anything about that," he replied. "I'm Cobb, Cobb Compton. I generally run the store and help supplies move through Washtown as needed, " he said with a deadpan expression, then a bit of a smile.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Compton," I said and responded with a warm smile of my own.

"I'm sure the feeling is mutual," he said with a hint of cynicism, "so what would bring a UAP official way out to our friendly township?"

"Actually, this is just a social call," I replied, "I've known Brooke for years."

"Wonderful," said Mr. Compton, his smile widening a bit more, "Brooke is good folk."

Brooke acknowledged the compliment. "We went to school together," she explained, "I have stories..." She laughed. "See, they don't know me out here." she said to me.

Yes, I thought, especially when we use words like 'school', and not 'Military Academy'.

"I can imagine," said Mr. Compton politely, "I knew her from... well, shoot... it's been a few now. Back before TeeTop nuked the settlement on Shadow."

"I'm still trying to get her to bring her children to see their Auntie Pepper," I added, "but I fear she thinks I will make them enlist."

This seemed to confuse Mr. Compton. However, instead of clarifying I addressed his remark concerning Shadow.

"Commander Faith can run, but he can't hide forever," I said with the voice of certainty.

Mr. Compton quickly changed his expression back to social friendliness, "Commander Faith?" he asked.

"I'd rather not talk about Tee..." said Brooke. She addressed Mr. Compton, "He was a traitor ... to all of us."

"Yes," I replied, "of course Brooke."

"Traitors happen," said Mr. Compton, "that was a bad happenin' though. Was he ever caught and given a proper burial, on maybe say, seven worlds?"

"There is a tribunal waiting for him," I replied. It was as much a promise as it was information.

"So, he's still free?" He sounded stunned by the revelation.

"He's living ..." answered Brooke. She looked down and then at her hands. "He's ... still the father of ...." She bit her lip. "I'd rather ..." She then stopped and changed the subject. "So Cobb, how goes the survey?"

I was the one with the back full of holes. Brooke was the one who was wounded.

"I've got eleven moons done," replied the man, "it's a bit of an open-ended contract though, which is good. I can use the coin."

"Are you involved in the settling of the refugees from Hale's Moon?" I asked.

"No," replied Mr. Compton, "I had nothing to do with Hales other than a few cargo runs, helpin' in a few defensive missions, nothing too much though." His face was expressionless. He continued, "Hales was often a dangerous place back in the days of the Sun Tzu being assigned for protection and assistance."

Brooke looked at Cobb a slight frown on her brow. "What exactly do they have you doing again? ...They take those crackers?"

The man chuckled a bit, "I'm just flyin' radar surface mapping. I fly a grid. Save the data. Send it off to.." he looked at me, "...my business associates."

I nodded, "Does it pay well?"

Mr. Compton coughed, "Well, I'd not be flyin' empty moons if it didn't pay well... pays damn well."

"All dead moons?" asked Brooke, tilting her head.

"All of em," he replied, "so far. Terraforming held, or mostly held, just ain't settled. I assume it's so they can send out colonists to expand some influence."

"Big business in terraforming," I remarked absently. I was listening to tone and pattern as much as the content. Making no conclusions.

Brooke frowned. "Right ..." She rubbed her neck. "Not sure I like that idea." She looked in my direction.

Mr. Compton continued, "Well, most of these moons are livable, with a lot of hardship, but a few have been pretty dead."

"Still doesn't make any sense to me," remarked Brooke, "but I'm sure you know what you're doing Cobb..." She winked at him.

"I don't know whether they plan to send out the Terraformers again, or colonists," said the man, "I got a contract, happy to have it...I'm makin' money." He winked at Brooke in return. "That's what matters to me."

"Making real coin," said Brooke.

"And on that happy note," I said with a smile, "I should be heading out."

"Sounds fair enough," answered Mr. Compton, "pleased to meet you, Pepper."

"Brooke, take care. Nice to meet you, Cobb."

Mr. Compton stood up as I did. "Ma'am," he said, "take care. Please come visit anytime."

"Keep me in mind Pepper," said Brooke. She stood up and gave me a hug.

The wound on my back burst into flame at the contact. I winced, "Ouch, ouch..."

Brooke frowned then gave me a careful squeeze. "Take care Pepper."

"I will," I said, recovering myself, "you stay safe."

-----

The half-sized doors of the saloon swung closed behind me. I could still hear their voices.

"Do you want a drink?" asked Brooke and then she added with a laugh. "Always..."

"I'd be okay without drinkin' tonight," replied Mr. Compton, "still embarrassed about my behavior last night."

It sounded like they were settling in for the evening.

Good, I thought. It would give me a chance to look around.