A new job

Two days ago, Nick Greer gave Rome and Rei all the information they needed to start the hunt for Troutman and Steele. In fact, rebuilding his lost right hand seemed to change Greer into a new man. He accepted his fate and decided to live again. It was nice. But now it is time for Rome and Rei to return to Deucado, track down Paul Chung and find their would-be assassins. All they have to do is drop off Virga and Bonnie and away they go:

     “OK,” Rei said to Virga. “Well, we got what we came for. We’ll take Bonnie back to the ranch, drop you off then head back to Deucado.”
     Bonnie stepped forward. “About that…” she said.
     “Yes?” Rome asked.
     “What did Keller say about your plan?”
     “He was behind it,” Rei answered. “He said he hoped we caught these jokers.”
     “That’s what I figured,” Bonnie said. “So I was thinking, what if I came with you?”
     “Back to Deucado?” Rome asked skeptically.
     “Yes. Like I said, my days as a brood mare are over.” She bit down on her knuckle and continued. “I don’t think any of my babies are coming back. It’s been a year.” She looked at Rei plaintively. “I really am kind of useless on this planet. I know what Steele and Troutman look like. Maybe I can help you track them down.”
     Rei looked over at Virga. “Do you mind?” he asked.
     “She is one of yours,” Virga said. “If you trust her, we have no objections.”
     Bonnie pressed the issue. “I really have nothing to do here other than looking after the ranch. They don’t need me for that.” She bent her knees slightly to look Rome in the eye. “After we catch the bad guys, maybe I could come work for you, at your library. It’s what I was trained to do.”
     Rome pointed to the back of MINIMCOM, the starship. “You do not wish to return here? What about Gemen?” she asked. “You two seemed to have some sort of connection.”
     “Gemen?” Bonnie said. “He’s sweet but he is Vuduri. He won’t care.” She turned to Virga. “Will he?”
     Virga touched her index finger to her temple. She nodded once. “He does care but he understands,” Virga said.
     “You promise to be good?” Rei asked.
     Bonnie put her hand over her heart. “I swear it, Rei. I just want to do something with my life. This seems like it.”
     “OK then,” Rei said. “Let’s get going.”

Do we really trust Bonnie? Do we really need her back on Deucado? The answer is yes and yes. For the denouement, I needed someone who needed a new purpose in life and Bonnie fit the bill.

Next up, one of my most favorite scenes of all-time, eight years in the making.