CHAPTER 21

Hera: 14 Months Ago, outside Mossberg Salvage

Good thing we set down when we did. Couple more minutes and we’d all have been just one big smokin’ crater. ENTIRELY too damn close.

Feels good to just sit here in the sun a spell. Smells like......home. Naw, don’t even get to thinkin’ that. Remember all the reasons ya took off in the first place.

Yeah, but......they still valid?

You was young and dumb, full of fire, if not much sense. Wanted glory in the war. Didn’t find much of that, now did ya? Wanted SHUT of that when the purple-bellies cut ya loose. Just wanted to make a place for yourself, on your own terms.

Didn’t work out so well, did it? Just gettin’ by ain’t no way to live. So ya kept on lookin’, tryin’ this ‘n’ that, never seemed to get anywhere.

Best get my head out an’ wrap it around this next bit.

Get everything lined up straight, don’t wanna spend more time doin’ this than I have to. Already took a handful of pills to stave off the damage, but it’s gonna hurt anyways. Least I know what to expect.

Here comes the captain. Looks as if they’re ready for me.

........................................two weeks later

Run a hand over my head. Yup, smooth as a baby’s ass. Prolly looks like one too. Gonna take awhile for my body to heal, still a bit weak.

Talked a lot with Jeb of the evenings after I woke up. Traded tales of where we been, what we’ve done. Maybe not friends yet, but there’s an understanding between us. Right kind of ‘im to offer me a job given that he knows about Barty and all.

Didn’t see the ship take off, I was too busy bein’ passed out. Nice of the captain to put a little money my way for doin’ the repair. Weren’t much, just what he could spare, but I appreciate the thought.

Still don’t know if I oughtta stay, urge to keep movin’ is pretty strong. I dunno, give it a month or so after I’m healed up. Then we’ll see............

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Hera: Night, Close to Jeb’s

“And what guarantee do I