Phoenix Feathers, Part II

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: Joss is Boss, and…and…and all these ideas floating around in my head are mostly his doing. So it’s really just a lesser version of something that he could do much better. And I personally wouldn’t have any complaints if he did…

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Douglas Clarke was hot, sweaty, and footsore, but he would never have admitted the fact to his crewmates. He leaned against the shady side of a deserted alley and gently set down the duffel bag that had been chafing on his shoulders for most of the long walk across Dyton City.

Clarke took off his wide-brimmed hat, sighing as a small breeze cooled him for a few precious seconds. He then resumed scanning the crowded thoroughfare that lay just outside the mouth of the alley, watching for anything that might threaten his crewmates.

He reached up and scratched irritably at the grimy mixture of sweat and dust that had collected around his hairline as his trained eyes sought out his companions amidst the hustle and bustle of the sweltering afternoon streets. He saw a harassed-looking Koyi waiting in line for a public water fountain that was, at best, half-functional. She appeared to be simultaneously carrying on two separate arguments with the men on either side of her, and looked to be winning, at that.

Clarke had seen a marked change in the doctor’s demeanor over the past day- Koyi had warmed to the younger members of the Stallion’s crew, and sometimes included herself in their conversations. She had even developed a new level of tolerance for Cody’s juvenile antics. This newfound familiarity with her crew did little to dilute the scornful looks that she reserved for Clarke.

Out of the corner of his eye, Clarke spotted Nebula and Cody darting through the crowd, playing some childish game of their own devising. Cody was remarkably carefree during his down time, but he retained the boundless reserves of energy and curiosity that made him such a successful tinkerer. For her part, a different side to Neb