Harry does OK

Brenan had hoped to question Castillo about his sailing experience, but the noise of the market stopped any real conversation. Still Brenan got to see how Harry responded when he realized that his best shirt was covered with chicken poop. He took it well, all things considered although each time Brenan stopped to buy items from Sasha's list he noticed Harry brushing futilely at the brown smudges.

"A couple of my men are Lantian half-breeds" He told Harry during one of the quieter moments. "You OK with that?" Brenan watched Castillo carefully and wasn't completely comfortable with what he saw. Harry's words were correct:

"Sure Captain, I go no beef with anyone so long as they do their job right." But there was something in his eyes that made Brenan decide that it might be best to keep Castillo from working the same watch as the twins until he got to know them better.

"How about taking orders from a woman officer?" Brenan asked, this time Harry's answer seemed natural and spontaneous.

"As long as she doesn't order me to polish her bilge area with my tongue, I've never had any trouble taking orders from a dame." Brenan smiled at Castillo?s description of pussy licking. He wondered if Castillo would change his mind about licking his superior's pussy when he saw what his first officer looked like. He'd have to remind Red about his rule about officers sleeping with the crew, he didn't want to think about what he'd do if he walked in on Red and this able bodied seaman getting it on.

All in all, Brenan decided Harry was OK. He didn?t protest about the dirty job, and he was easy enough to get along with, by the time he got back to his ship Brenan decided that he could do a lot worse than this overdressed sailor who may or may not dislike Lantians. Back on ship, the freight had been loaded and the tide was just about to turn.

"You still want the berth Castillo?" Brenan asked and when the man nodded yes, Harry extended his hand in welcome. "I think you're going to work out just fine." Brenan told him, hoping that he was correct.