Read Online Recon Marines II: Marine's Heiress, The by Susan Kelley - Free Book Online Page B

and Vannie strode in and then
closed the door on the fading daylight. The big men caused the
floor to vibrate as they approached his work bench. They walked to
the other side so they faced him across it.
    Vin tried to read their intentions.
Anger, perhaps. Did they think to use their big fists on him? Would
the village throw him out if he hurt Moe and Vannie in
self-defense?
    “ Spoke to Emma a bit ago,”
Moe started.
    Vin continued oiling the chain but
watched the men while he did. Moe paused, one of those annoying
things civilians did, waiting for an answer without a question
being asked.
    Moe and Vannie exchanged one of those
glances. Vin felt a twinge of regret. He’d been able to communicate
without words with his fellow Recon Marines. That part of his life
was over, the other Recon Marines happily settled with the
civilians. They’d save Queen Callie and all her womenfolk except
Yalo. The regret threatened to blossom into bitter grief that
ambushed him again and again.
    “ Lots of people that
settle here have things they keep private.” Vannie leaned toward
Vin. “We don’t ask questions of those that come here as long as
they conduct themselves proper and do their share of work. People’s
past is their own business.”
    Vin finished with the oil and used a
clean spot on the rag to wipe his hands. Again the pause for a
response. He tried. “I don’t care about your pasts.”
    Vannie leaned further so his chest
touched the piece of machinery. “Not the past we’re interested in,
Mister Smith. We’re interested in your present.”
    Vin gestured at the workbench. “I’m
making a remote controlled crawler to clear the streambed so on one
else ends up like Russ. I should have it ready for a test in the
morning.”
    Moe’s face darkened. “Are you trying to
be funny? We don’t mean right this minute.”
    “ I’ve been working on this
since I checked outside the north gate for tracks.”
    Vannie slammed his open hand down on
the work table. “Are you trying to get your face beat
in?”
    Vin looked from one man to the other.
“No. I don’t think anyone here could do that.”
    Moe and Vannie grinned at each other
and then separated so each came around an end of the bench. The
shift of Moe’s body warned Vin a moment before Moe’s big fist flew
at his head.
    Vin evaded the heavy swing and kept
moving down and away, hearing the swish of cloth from the other
side as Vannie started his attack. Vin slid beneath the table,
sweeping his legs out to take Moe’s feet from under him. Before the
big man hit the ground, Vin rose to his feet and faced
Vannie.
    Vannie swayed off balance from his
missed punch but tried another one anyway. Vin avoid the jab and
grabbed Vannie’s wrist as it passed by his shoulder. He tugged
Vannie forward. Vannie stumbled into Moe who was trying to regain
his feet. They went down in a heap together. After much cursing
they stood up and faced Vin again.
    “ You may not beat my face
in.” Vin thought again of the men’s odd words though perhaps he’d
misunderstood. “Perhaps I don’t understand your question. Why do
you think I’m trying to be funny?”
    Moe and Vannie exchanged another one of
those glances but they both relaxed their clenched fists. Vannie
sighed and shook his head. “We’re going about this wrong. Will you
answer some questions, Vin whatever your name is?”
    They didn’t believe Smith was his name.
Vin had no papers or smooth talking to convince them. “Ask your
questions.”
    “ You’re a soldier,” Moe
said.
    It wasn’t a question but Vin corrected
the statement. “I was.”
    Vannie looked around the shop. “You’ve
cleaned this dump up in one day to military standards.”
    Vin tried a shrug. He’d seen civilians
use the gesture often and practiced it in front of the mirror along
with other expressions that would help him fit in.
    “ Why are you here?” Moe
asked. “What brought you to Merris Five and to our little
village?”
    “ I told you