To Ean’s relief they made it back to the Willow without incident. All the way he had been thinking about the three other crews’ interest in Jax. One of them might resent missing out and challenge for him.
Tre would win, Ean knew that, but the less conflict the better.
That was how the Willow operated: be ready for a challenge but try to avoid one; never expose the ship or the crew to unnecessary risk; think situations through carefully before acting.
Which was why he was more than a little surprised that both Tre and Captain Mel had encouraged him to acquire two cabin boys without even a crew meeting.
For once Ean sympathised with Art; he had a perfect right to be pissed.
Art managed to wait until they were inside the ship with the outer door closed.
“We didn’t even discuss it,” he complained.
Ean gave him a look that meant “Not in front of the boys”, but he knew it would not work. Art was too annoyed.
Vic shepherded everyone through the airlock and closed the inner door.
“It was too good an opportunity to miss,” Captain Mel replied. “Sometimes there is no time for discussion.”
“But…” Art argued.
“Let’s vote now,” the captain announced, which was so outrageous that Ean wondered for a moment if he had taken some stuff. “The proposal is that we take Jax and Rae on as cabin boys for an honorarium payment of two hundred credits. Ean?”
Ean smiled at the boys, hoping that they were not too upset by the thought that Art might not want them. “I vote in favour.”
“Tre?”
“I vote for the proposal.”
“Vic?”
There was a resigned sigh. “Aye.”
“Art?”
There was a pause. Ean hoped Art would do the right thing. With Vic voting in favour, the proposal would be passed even if Art, Ben and Cas voted against. When he finally spoke he bit out the words. “In favour, but I want it on record that I object to the lack of discussion beforehand.”
“It will be entered into the ship’s log,” the captain assured him. “Ben?”
“In favour.”
“Cas?”
“For the proposal.”
“Obe?”
“Aye.”
Captain M
