The Shadowstars discuss what to do about MacBeth. Bronwen says Aaron can have her ship but she won’t kick off her crew. Aaron takes over and kicks Bronwen off for her own safety.
After bandages, showers, and lots and lots and lots of sleep, the next evening…
Dion: *Dion claimed himself the best seat. The one that wasn’t anywhere within swinging distance of Aaron. Luckily, Cassius was probably going to be getting the brunt of affections with the way he had been moaning all day. Dion lit up a ciggy!*
Brennen: *He sat at the table, too worried about all of this to eat any cake! He rubbed his temples at the staring contest between Bronwen and Cassius!* ….
Cassius: *GRINGRIN-ARGH FUCK! He reached under the table to rub his knee, muttering some curse words at Bronwen!* You just wait.
Aaron: *He was at the head of the table … and Cassius was within striking distance!* Alright. So let’s cut to the chase. We’re having this meeting to figure out what to do about MacBeth … now that you all know he’s Morgan’s kid.
Dion: …Now that we all know…? *Dion asked curiously. Aaron tended to learn things far sooner than the rest of them, but this was one of those ‘big’ things.*
Cassius: *Cassius was still rubbing his knee.* Does it matter anyway? He’s fucking dangerous and needs to go.
Brennen: *He was scratching his head.* Cassius, you’ve always thought Mac needed to go. You weren’t too keen on taking him on the last time we had a meeting about him.
Cassius: *Cassius flashed Bronwen a toothy smirk.* I don’t know why we got stuck with some kid and had to raise him. And look what we got for it. Morgan’s brat making the moves on our sister. I liked him just fine up until he started putting his hands where they didn’t belong!
Aaron: We got stuck with this kid because I gave my word to someone. A Shadowstar keeps his promises. *He looked ready to knock Cassius out of his seat as he cracked his knuckles.*
Cassius: WHEN? How about when he fucking tried to kill me! On more than one occassion! *He was warily shifting his chair to the side!*
Brennen: … You’re not exactly an innocent bystander, Cassius. *He eyed him!*
Dion: …According to Duncan, Cassius stuffed Brownie in a shipping box and that was the start of it. *A puff on the ciggy!*
Cassius: Oh right, it’s MY fault and we’re going to ignore how Bronwen yaps her mouth like a bitch in heat everytime that kid is around.
Brennen: *He quickly stood and put a hand on Bronwen’s wrist! He shook his head!*
Aaron: *THWACK! Out came Aaron’s hand again toward Cassius’ face, easily crossing the distance between the older Shadowstar and the one shooting his mouth off!*
Cassius: *FUCK! He tilted backwards and nearly fell out of his chair! Cassius rubbed his face.* She pointed a fucking gun, and you’re hitting ME?
Aaron: Watch your mouth. *He cracked his knuckles again.* We’re getting sidetracked. If all of you remember, I was the one who called that meeting those years ago and told you about an eleven year old boy I had promised to care for.
Dion: *Clearing his throat…!* Now that I think about it, it was pretty strange for you to do, Aaron. Especially after Ma and Fa were killed. Would have been nice if you told us.
Brennen: *He blinked!* Yeah … This isn’t the type of thing you usually keep to yourself.
Cassius: Fucking would have made a difference to ME. We taught that kid everything we know. Who is to say he’s not going to decide to turn around and join mommy-dearest and use that against us? *His face fucking hurt. He scowled darkly at Aaron and back at Bronwen again. Aaron could have at least hit her too!*
Aaron: It isn’t the family you came from that makes the difference. It’s the family who raised you. Mac isn’t just Morgan’s kid. He’s Ian Gordon’s son, too.
Dion: Ah… That Tech King. Fa had Ian Gordon doing most of the work on Brownie’s own ship.
Brennen: You know … it stands to reason … if Morgan’s best locks are DNA signature, we might have a way of one-upping her.
Cassius: Yeah, and it also stands to reason that Morgan is going to be fuckall pissed and be scouring the galaxy with her goons twice as much. Having him around is asking for more trouble.
Brennen: … She has a point. And it’s not like we shy away from trouble in the first place.
Dion: But do we know how MacBeth will deal with it? He never did quite feel right with any one of us up until Bronwen, and scourge of the galaxy Morgan may be, she is still his mother. …That’s bound to mess with a guy’s head.
Cassius: And what if Morgan has some mind control psychic bullshit in her bloodline and one day he wakes up and slaughters us? It HAPPENS.
Brennen: But he still stuck by us, even when he knew we were going up against Morgan … And he was went on a wild goose chase to get Bronwen after Morgan split us up.
Cassius: Went after Bronwen after we told him NOT to. And then let her come after us where she could have gotten her kamikaze gunslinging ass killed.
Dion: *Dion couldn’t help but grin around his ciggy.* …Brownie wins the point. If he didn’t find her, we might all still be Morgan’s toys. It didn’t look like we were getting out any time soon.
Cassius: MacBeth saves the day, big hero. Whatever. I ain’t dealing with some cocky asshole pushing his knives in my face every chance he gets!
Brennen: Things were looking real bleak but we can’t deny, they’ve done good so far. *He was thoughtful.*
Cassius: Aaron is the oldest, and I’m pretty damned sure he makes all the choices around here.
Aaron: … Bronwen is staying out of this. *He gave his no-nonsense look at Bronwen in case she had objections!* She’s been put into too much danger as it is. We’re taking her somewhere safe and then I’m rallying my men.
Cassius: Now, Brownie, Aaron knows what’s best for you. *Cassius grinned like a cat!*
Dion: …Cassius. *Dion warned… and scooted his chair back slowly. This was about to get ugly quick.*
Brennen: *He was glancing between Cassius, Bronwen, and back again! He was definitely not getting into this one!*
Cassius: *Cassius flailed a minute before righting his chair and standing up. He pointed a finger across the table.* How would you like to go in another damned freezer until we’re done!
Aaron: … *He reached out and grabbed Bronwen by the back of her shirt, then took the gun away from her! He released her to turn and press the intercom!* Duncan. Land this ship at a safe place. Your captain is getting off.
Duncan: *He blinked!* Uh … Um … *He wasn’t sure what to do!* Um … Captain …?
Cassius: *Cassius had to duck and dodge to avoid gunfire, but oh did he look smug as hell!*
Dion: *Cough..!* That went slightly less bloody than I expected…
Brennen: *He finally opened his eyes!* … It’s over …?
Duncan: *He blinked!* Uh … Yes, ma’am! *He did as told and set the coordinates for the Hessing farm! Ma and Fa would know what to do!*
Cassius: Ah, nothing like having a REAL Captain on board. I guess she’ll be mighty pissy for awhile. *Grinning so much his face was hurting, but boy was it worth it!*
Duncan: *He blinked and turned to her.* Uh … Yes, Captain? *The look on his face showed just how confused he was about all of this! What had happened?!*
Duncan: *He blinked.* Um … I’ll go with you, Cap–er, Bronwen. *He glanced at Tiny sitting in the captain’s chair.*
Tiny hopped off and went over to Bronwen. It sat down at her feet and placed one paw on her boot. “Greeoww greeoww!” it growled!
Brennen: … I still feel weird about this. *He muttered as he sat up.*
Dion: No kidding. *He muttered in reply to Brennen.* Granted I’d rather not see her involved any more either, but… I don’t know.
Duncan: *He breathed a sigh of relief!* That’s good to know. It’s weird calling you by your first name. Oh, I set us to land at my family’s farm. I hope you don’t mind.
Cassius: You’re just a couple of pussies that can’t say no to a women, even if she’s your own sister. Bronwen doesn’t have any business doin’ this shit.
Brennen: Shut up, Cassius. *He shot a glare at him. He looked over at Aaron.* I’m sorry, Aaron. I’m asking that you drop me off at Heather’s place. I need time to think.
Aaron: She should never have been involved in this the first place. *He suddenly had a cigar and was lighting it! He had finally sat down and looked at Brennen long and hard before nodding once.* Aye. We will come back for you.
Dion: …I think I’ll be getting off with Bree, myself. I’d like to take care of some things. *It was a relief to know he wasn’t the only one having second thoughts about all this.*
“Greeoww greeoww!” went Tiny. It closed its eyes and rubbed its head against her fingers!
Aaron: *A hard, long look at Dion! But he finally nodded once.* As you will. *His eyes went to Cassius.* Cassius …?
Cassius: *Cassius snorted. Bunch of babies.* Hell no, I’m staying.
First stop … the Hessing farm!
Duncan: *He looked over the ship with Tiny on his head.* Me, too. I guess we can start looking for a new one.
Cassius: *Cassius would have loved to say “goodbye”… but he knew which planet this was, and he wasn’t taking any chances being spotted by Betty! He stayed on the ship to take over the flying!*
Dion: *Dion sighed with a wry grin. He wasn’t going to press Brownie, he understood why she was mad.* We’ll be seeing you again soon, don’t worry. Take care of your Captain.
Brennen: *He was still real troubled about this!* Be careful. I’m sorry it had to end up like this.
Aaron: We’ll come back for all of you once this is over. *He promised.*
Dion: *Biting back a snicker, he nodded his head to the others and reboarded the ship!*
Duncan: Bye, Brennen. Bye, Dion. *He was sad to see them go. He really liked them!*
“Greeoww! Grreeoww!” Tiny made sure to jump on Brennen’s shoulders and rub up against his cheek! Then it jumped onto Dion’s shoulders and did the same to say a fond farewell!
Dion: *A small (manly) snuggle for Tiny and a wave for Duncan. …It was a damned shame to lose a good crew!*
Brennen: *He scratched Tiny between the ears and waved before he disappeared into the ship after Dion!*
Aaron nodded to Cassius for them to take off!
Cassius: *And thus Cassius, though not nearly as smoothly as Duncan and possibly very badly took off with the other Shadowstars – minus one – in tow!*
Duncan: *With Tiny in his arms again, he watched the ship take off! And tried not to shudder at Cassius’ flying skill!* Uh … I’m gonna tell Ma and Fa we’re here.
Duncan: *He stepped out on the back porch and cupped his mouth!* CAPTAINNN!! MMAAACCC!! YOU HUNGRY?!
Duncan: *He waited for them to get there before explaining.* Ma and Fa said it’s alright to stay here for as long as need to.