Young Rissa by F.M. Busby Page B

laugh was half a snort. “Nobody has to make allowances for Tregare. On this ship I make the allowances. Don’t forget that.”  
    â€œVery well,” said Rissa. She smiled.  
    She thought he would hit her, but after a moment he laughed, and this time freely. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you, Obrigo — I’ll keep that in mind.”  
    â€œAnd I will keep in mind, Tregare, that you are another.”  
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    Ship's time was measured by Earth days, but Rissa had no need to keep count. In her lock box an isotope-powered watch steadily noted, on its calendar dials, the subjective duration of her passage days. Those days were much alike — she ate, slept, visited various parts of the ship, and feigned lack of interest in the knowledge she eagerly accumulated.  
    She asked no questions; she waited until the answers came unasked, to fill gaps in her growing expertise. At turnover, in the control room, fidgeting and pretending boredom, she learned the location of Number One. Mentally she filed that answer with the rest.  
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    She had little converse with Tregare’s officers and less with the crew. She suspected that he had ordered it so, but did not accuse nor ask him.  
    In the case of First Officer Gonnelsen, no such stricture was needed. Except in line of duty, Rissa never heard him speak. Yet he seemed relaxed and calm; when he did talk, his voice was low and pleasant.  
    Third Officer Hain Deverel always greeted her with a smile. But the short, dark-haired man did not follow the greeting with talk, so neither did Rissa.  
    The one who did speak without constraint was Second Officer Zelde M’tana — a tall, very black woman, large-boned — but with her considerable height, slender in appearance. At first sight the woman startled Rissa — her strongly pronounced features, the tightly curling hair cut to a close-fitting cap, the deep voice when she spoke. From her left ear dangled a large heavy gold ring; on the right side, the lobe was missing.  
    Caught staring, Rissa felt herself flush. The other said, “The ear? Bandits — they used to be bad, in the back alleys of Parleyvoo. That’s on Terranova.”  
    â€œI — I am sorry — I did not intend rudeness. Even though you are very striking, still I — ”  
    The woman laughed. “I’ve been catching double takes ever since I got my growth. You’re Tari Obrigo, aren’t you? I’m Zelde M’tana — Second Hat.” Her hand engulfed Rissa’s smaller one, but her grip was gentle.  
    â€œI am pleased to know you, Second Officer M’Tana.”  
    â€œMake it Zelde, will you?” Rissa nodded. “Those bandits, though — out of the dark, two grabbed me and before I knew it a third one sliced my ear to get the gold. Lucky he didn’t get the whole ear — I guess I jerked sideways enough so he missed.”  
    â€œAnd then — how did you get away?”  
    â€œMe?” Zelde laughed. “I didn’t get away — and only one of them did. Bad luck, the one with the gold and part of my ear. I killed the other two, right enough.”  
    The woman was smiling; Rissa smiled also. “I am glad you did.” “Yeah? Most people don’t care for that part of the story. Tari — I think I like you.”  
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    At a later meeting — in the galley and by chance — Zelde asked, “You have any plans for yourself, on the ship here?”  
    â€œI — what do you mean?”  
    â€œJust what I said. I started as captain’s doxy myself. Not much future in it, I figured, on the long haul — so I learned things, how to help run a ship and all, and now I’m somebody in my own right. You could be, too — so think on it.”  
    â€œYes. Thank you. But I will not be on Inconnu much longer. My passage is to Number One.”