"I didn't come for Cindy"

"I didn't come for Cindy!" Brenan responded curtly. "I came for you." Brenan's words brought Red to a halt. She still had her back to him so Brenan couldn't see her reaction, but he hoped for the best as he continued.

"I need a first officer to act as my sailing master and help train my crew." I want you to fill that position. Brenan watched her face as Red slowly turned for any hint of how his news would be received. Had he thrown away any chance of success when he assaulted Cindy? What he saw was a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

"You don't even like me." Red's words were not encouraging. "How many times did you turn me down?" Red's voice hardened slightly as she continued. "I remember your disapproval of me and my reward system And now you want me to be your first officer?"

"Damn it Red!" Brenan could feel his anger rising "You know more about sailing and ship combat than any officer I've ever served with. What's so hard about believing I want you to be my sailing officer." Red gave him a second look that showed a spark of interest, but then turned him down again.

"I've been out of the game for almost four years now Brenan, you'd do better to find a rising star on one of the other island hoppers."

"Red I know what I want, and it isn't some hot-headed youngster who plans to make his reputation on my deck." Brenan hurried on before Red could interpret what he said as him calling her old. "Besides I need someone to take two raw men and turn them into sailors as fast as possible, and not whip the intelligence and initiative out of them in the process."

Red smiled a little condescendingly at Brenan,

"I remember how you hated the lash Brenan. I'm not as young as I used to be, do you think these two would see me as a reward?" To Brenan's eyes she was even more desirable after four years of living on the beach; eating a steady diet and without the stress of dealing with a ship load of pirates. However the thought of her 'rewarding' one of the Caruthers twins sent a cold shudder through his body.

"No whips, no rewards." The firmness of the words surprised even him. "I want you to explain to them just like you explained to me. Show them why, not just how so they can understand what they are doing and not just follow orders." Brenan could see Red's interest as he spoke. She had salt water running through her veins, he just had to remind her how good it felt to have Pandora's oceans stretched out before her.

"I need to think about it Brenan, can you give me a week or two?" It was a lot better than a flat out 'No' thought Brenan, but now he had to hit her with the bad news.

"I'd love to Red, but I've been hired to get a load to Veertor in ten days, I want to leave on tomorrow's afternoon tide." He saw Red shaking her head as she got ready to answer him so he played his trump card before she could turn him down flat.

"Sign on for the one trip, we'll be there and back again in less than one month. If you don't like the ship or the crew, or..." Brenan added with a rueful smile "...the captain, then I'll drop you off in this very harbor."