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The Gimble Molyneux was a large, majestic steam Storm Runner from the late 3930s. She could carry 300, and had a crew of 100 to move the ship around and take care of its guests. It shone white on the horizon, and could been seen as soon as it crested over. She had been the site of famous international mediations — of the end of the Monitrova and Ido war, the handover of Bei Land to Lingguo, and the surrender of the pirate captain Winifred Tosh — host to diplomats and government officials, the ship where Lat Prime Minister Sylvester Pendelton snuck away to have emergency surgery. Like her name, The Gimble Molyneux carried history, so it was fitting that the Family Molyneux kept her as their flagship.
The interior was no less impressive: dark woods, great staircases and chandeliers, a fine dance hall, four great dining rooms, and, of course, the very private family quarters. Those rich enough, and lucky enough, to sail on the Gimble Molynuex, could very well catch a glimpse of a member of the famous family as they took time off from their busy lives. But more often than not, the family hid in the family quarters.
Cait moved past security check points, waved through by guards, until she was delivered into a darkened room. Inside was a long table, chair arranged on either side, with her parents, Shanda and M’Ba, at the very end. Her brothers and sisters, all 12 of them, sat on either side, and their eyes fell on her as she entered. Though this was a meeting of the family, they had come as formal as they could, with the exception of Ilonanda, who looked no different than he ever did. There was a seat open between Jing, in her COS Navy Captain’s uniform, and M’Bana, wearing, almost comically, his official vestments from his scholarly recognitions.
“Well,” Shanda said, appraising her children from the head of the table. “Shall we get started?”
There was a pause. The formality was completely unneeded, and Cait felt the fur on the back of her neck bristle.
“I believe,” Chou started, holding a stack of papers, “the cost of the map in question should be covered by our insurance, and we’ll be able to reimburse both the price of the map and the cost to Cait…”
Next to him, Galle stirred in his chair. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice soft, breaking only slightly as he spoke. “Did I hear that right? Is our first, and may I guess, only order of business here to talk about a map that was stolen?”
“Compensation must be considered,” Chou said.
Galle tried to form words, stumbling over his shock and anger. “Nina, your niece, your granddaughter,” he looked at his parents, “my daughter is dead. And we’re talking about a map?”
“It was a valuable map,” Chou said.
“Are you MAD?” Galle stood, knocking his chair back. “My daughter was murdered. A Molyneux was murdered. What are we going to do about it?”
Galle was met with silence. M’Ba, at the head of the table, cleared his throat. “We do not know who killed Nina.”
“I have their paperwork,” Cait said. “They are both registered Travelers. What do you want to know about them?”
“The Travelers who disappeared into the ocean?” Chou said, staring hard at Cait. “Who we cannot find?”
“I did not realize we were looking,” Cait said, matching Chou’s stare.
“And you are sure of it?”
“My helmsman and a hand were both witness to the assault.”
“Your witnesses are two teenagers?”
“My helmsman has been nothing but trustworthy, Chou, and I would appreciate you not insinuating she is a liar.”
“Forgive me for being skeptical, Caitie,” Chou started, “but as far as I know, you are the only one of us who employs an admitted murderer on board.”
Cait stood, too. “My first mate is reformed, and under the sanctuary of the Oracle. If you wish to locate him, I can assure you he is in her presence right now. He has been and is paying for his crime, but he would never hurt, much less kill Nina.”
Chou dropped his eyes from Cait. “One can never be too sure.”
Cait opened her mouth, but Galle cut her off.
“Nina’s killers are on the ocean right now, and I would like to know what we are going to do about it.”
“Nothing.”
The attention of the table focused on Shanda, who had her hands folded in front of her.
Galle’s jaw dropped open. “Nothing?”
“It is too risky to chase after killers like that,” Shanda said.
“We are Molyneux!”
“And yet, we cannot change the will of Nibiru. As far as I’m concerned, it was a tragedy that Nina was killed, but-”
Galle left the room. Cait followed.
Galle had made it all the way to the deck before Cait caught up with him. He leaned over the railing, his head down, his eyes closed. Cait stood next to him a moment, and then, very carefully, she put her arms around him.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I failed you.”
Galle shifted so he could hold her back. “It wasn’t your fault.” He wiped a tear from his eye. “I just don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.”
“What do we do now, Cait?” Galle asked.
“We go after them.”
Galle’s eyes grew wide. “We…”
“If they will not, the Rose will. We want our crew member back, and if we can’t get that, we want justice.”
Gall took a step out from Cait, and looked out over the port. He scrubbed his face with his hands, and leaned back over the railing. “I… I will talk to the Kelonio tonight. If they agree, we will join you.”
“You know where to find me,” Cait said, turning to go back to the Rose. Galle caught her by the arm. He drew his check book from his pocket and scribbled out a check for 2 million Leagues.
“I cannot take this,” Cait said.
“Refuse their money,” Galle said, holding out the check. “Take mine. I will keep you sailing for as long as it takes to find them.”
“This is twice as much as the map was worth.”
“I know,” Galle said. “That’s a retainer. When we find the bastard that killed Nina, I want him to myself.”
“I cannot take this,” Cait said again, pushing the check back.
“Cait,” Galle said, his voice cracking. “Let me help you, so you can help me.”
Cait’s shoulders slumped. She took the check and neatly folded it. “We set out after the funeral.”
“You’ll have an answer no later than an hour from now.” Galle pulled Cait into a hug, and then left the Gimble Molyneux. Cait took a moment for herself. She leaned on the railing, just as Galle had done, let her eye wander down the deck of the ship. Down at the aft of the ship, she could make out the short form of Logan, talking with Chou. Cait narrowed her eyes, and started off towards them, but Logan noticed, and ducked back inside. By the time Cait got to the door, Logan had disappeared into the Gimble Molyneux.
[g]
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