THE PRICE PAID--CHAPTER FOUR –SOMETHING FRIVOLOUS

This is the next chapter in the story of what happened between the laying down of arms and the picking up of passengers. Please feel free to let me know your criticisms. I really am interested even if you didn’t like the story, hell, especially if you didn’t like the story. Once again I would like to thank Archer for his tireless beta. At his suggestion I am putting the glossary at the top to make translation easier.

All of the customary disclaimers apply, please do not archive without permission.

Chinese Glossary

pofù [bitch]

bao bei [darling]

PRESENT DAY

They didn’t make it on the next boat but the one after that they got the berth. He must have done his best for the woman, because the berth was a good one. The ship was a converted troop carrier, now used to carry terraforming crews to the outer rings but had to refit at the Eavesdown Docks on Persephone. They got a miniscule cabin to themselves for the two week trip, giving them time to map out a plan. She had known he was hatching something since before they made it to Relocation and she figured he’d tell her when he was ready. He was ready the second day out.

He came in to their berth to find her reading on the bunk. She could tell he was nervous as he wandered around the tiny cabin picking up and putting down the oddiments that collect when people live in too small a space, her hair combs, the chess pieces left on the board, his razor. Seeming to make up his mind to take the plunge, he turned to face her and took a deep breath.

“Zoe, I’ve been studyin’ on what to do when we get to Persephone.”

She put down the book and gave him her full attention. “You ain’t serious about buying a spread.” She made it a statement not a question.

“I made up my mind, ain’t never gonna call a place home that someone can take away from us again.” He looked at her with an unreadable expression in his eyes, only the restless movem