The little thief Scrabber sat on the countertop in the barge cookhall, his stubby legs jutting out around the air cleaner that he was working on. He had a number of the component compartments open and an assortment of delicate tools lay scattered about him on the countertop. He had a magnification monocle fixed in place over one eye.

He didn’t lift his head from peering at the electronics, and seemed to be speaking to both what he was working on, and to the figure behind him at the prep table – the young lad forming rice cakes with a skillful and quick hand.

“… diometer checks out ok…, wiring…, and ground looks good…, You know, Pots was my mate. Funny how you have taken his job, along with his name, as it’s Pots they are calling you now…, my old mate’s name after you had him enslaved and left in that village.”

The young lad lay the last cake on a tray, carried it to the oven and set the full tray of cakes in to bake.

“I think you’d call it ‘re’-slaved. And I was just lucky he wasn’t able to make it, or they wouldn’t have been able to take me on.” He said, wiping his hands on a towel.

“Warrant came to me, searched me, took my coins and spread them amongst his crew.”

“Ya. I heard about that. I didn’t get any. A new recruit and all, not part of the regular crew. Kinda funny how you got what you took taken.”

“I earned it. It was my second story skills and lock picking that got them, not the skills of a couple of rapists…, Second transistor looks ok. Seventh prong is good. The eighth bad, but still got enough contact to work for now… Rapists not good for much other than, well…,”

“Pots was a cook. And the other was a boat hand. They did have some skills.” The lad went over to the water barrel, twisted open the spigot and began filling a water carafe.

“Now I’ll give you that, Pots was a cook. But I’ve tasted his cooking along with yours, and I’ll give you your cookin' is far better. Raz, the talker of the two, he never was a boat hand. He could tie knots and lashings though. A fair magical hand at that. He would have been able to bluff the rest. Quick minded him. Pots, well, about as quick as a pot. So I figure it’s about thirty credits you owe me.”

“Pardon?” He asked, setting down the full carafe and twisting closed the spigot.

“That’s what the crew took. They took it all. Only left me with thirty chips.”

“So how is it what you stole and lost is now my debt to you?”

“Openin' that smart mouth of yours to the Warrant cost me that, and you’ll pay it up.”

“With what? I don’t have anything.”

“I’ll take that old armour you’ve got locked in your trunk at the end of your cot. That will start paying the interest.”

“That’s my Grandfather’s hand down so I could join The Peoples Army and wear the black right away. It’s got his mark says I can join they gotta’ take me. You won’t have it.”

“Ok then lad. Best start payin’ somehow. Maybe a little steelin’ of yur own. Most of the sick down below in the surgery. I’ve got duty down there too. They do a lot of sleepin' down there. Maybe some of their trunks will have the locks freed up somehow as I pass the foot of a cot or two. You lift the lids.”

“I won’t.”

“Then you got the maimed and the bargemen. More aware them, but you’re right, you look sneaky enough. I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“I’ll tell what you’re saying to the Warrant. How bout that?”

“About you trying to get me to open locks for you? Well, go ahead if you like, but I’d be quiet if I were you and keep all that to yourself. I can understand why you’re worried. It is a large debt after all, and when debts don’t get paid, well, we all know accidents then seem to happen. Good luck bein’ the new ‘Pots’ then when you can’t earn your passage.”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“You two better be working and not just sitting on your arses chatting in here all day.” The Warrant’s voice came to them from across the mess and the cluster of long tables. “What are you talking about anyway? What accidents?” His boots were soft and quiet on the deck. Camomile added this to her list of growing observations.

“Oh yes, we’re good workin' lads. We are Warrant. Straight up and fair. I was just telling the young cook here, Pots, as you call em’, to be careful about the ship, foks not used to sailing have accidents all the time, rope trippin' at night and such things to watch for.”

“What do you know about it you little shit of a man.”

“Nothin’ Captin-warrant Sir, nothin’ whatsoever.”

“Then shut your cake hole and get to inspecting every one of the scrubbers on this ship. If those purifiers are not ready when we need to batten down, I’ll string you up from one of those ropes by your neck and leave you there for the crackles and grabbers to eat.”

“Yes Sir Captian Warrant Sir. Not a problem. I’ll have them all running in a wink.”

“You’ve got three, remember? You’ll do both the big ones in the sick ward and the men’s quarters and the small one in my cabin.”

“Yes Sir.”

“And you’ll check the water pumps operate both ways. Lasher is doing the overhaul now but you’ll check it too. Understand?”

“Yes Sir.”

“And if you don’t start calling me Warrant, you’re going to taste my boot.”

“Yes S… Warrant.”

“Now you’ve used up all your words for today. If I hear another damn rambling run of your mouth until after sunup tomorrow, I’ll make sure you have an accident of your own. And overall, a lot less words out of you for this entire voyage can only be a good thing. You keep working and don’t open that mouth again. You just lost your food rations for today. You say too much tomorrow, you’ll lose food rations for tomorrow too. Pots, make sure that man gets none of those keen-smelling cakes you’re baking.”

Pots simply nodded, and the little man kept his mouth shut and bent his head back to his work. The Warrant stood and watched the little man for a moment or two, and then continued his stride through the kitchen.

“Warrant?” Pots, said. The Warrant halted his march but did not turn to face the young man.

“Ah. Warrant Sir. You just came through the aft door. From the Sister. Is she doing ok Warrant?” The Warrant turned to and directed a mean stare at the young man but said nothing. Pots continued, his voice taking on nervous shake, “It’s just that I haven’t seen her since we came from the lodge house Warrant, and I was just wondering if she was ok being locked in your cabin and all.” The Warrant didn’t move. Even Scrabber put his tools down and looked up.

“Are you trying to accuse me of something, kid?”

“No Warrant. I was just wondering if she was hungry. She hasn’t been coming for meals?”

“Are you trying to be smart with me?” the warrant stepped closer to the young man and put his hand on the back of the blaster. Scrabber slid back away from the two of them. The young man with the new name of Pots met the warrant’s gaze, swallowed nervously and took a step back.

“Ok kid. I think you’re being straight with me, but there is something about you I can’t figure. Maybe it’s your pure blank-faced innocence like this is your first time out in the daylight. It may be rare, but it could be, or you're full of shit. Either way, I’ll tell you a few things so you and this idiot thief sitting on the counter don’t step out of line again. I run the biggest barge in the fleet. Half the men on board are between the edge of the army and jail, so they give them to me to put to work. The other half are malingering, sick, or wounded and would rather be deserters than be here. That leaves the bargemen. Gotta be of a sturdy build just to be selected to be one. Nudge a barge with a steel pole all your life, now that makes a strong man. Ever see a bargeman in a fight? Takes about five men to stop one. I’ve got six of the best bargemen in the fleet. And who keeps discipline and control of this whole lot? Me and this blaster.

The young man shook his back and forth ‘no… no’… no’ – “I didn’t mean to imply anything Warrant. I was just asking…”

“No one gets a second chance here, and no one challenges me or my authority. If my blaster doesn’t get you, then one of the bargemen will cuz I got them all paid off. You both understand now?”

“Yes Warrant.” The thief only nodded. “Good job. Now, as for the simple answer to your question, since it didn’t have any double meaning, it wouldn’t hurt that woman to miss a few meals. She’s been living the high life and she’s been running as high on her opinions as she has her food. I gave her my cabin so I could keep her away from the men and she’ll stay in there if she knows what’s good for her. I’ll kill the man that starts a fight over her on my boat. Now you’re just a young-un. You take her meal to her every day, make sure she has clean and fresh water, I’ll make sure this runt of a thief gets a kick in the guts if he threatens you again. You got that?”

“Of course Warrant.” Pots said.

“Bring me some cakes when you’re done, and then take her some. Take some time. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the visit. That woman is all full of questions. Maybe you can answer some. Don’t neglect your duties, and you can keep it up. Make sure ships last meal is ready and you have the food for the night watch and bargemen.

“Thank you Warrant. I will do so. As soon as the cakes are ready.”