"The answer's no. Nothing personal, not against you anyway, but no. Garry has no right to come and ask me for help."
Van Wall finally got Connant to his home in the residential area, but once the physicist learned about Garry's involvement he flat-out refused to cooperate. Connant glowers - the sheer nerve of Garry wanting his help, even after everything.
Of course Garry needs help. He's not the only one not fully prepared for the worst, but Connant had hoped his old commander learned a lesson. Winter's coming and time is running out.
He wonders if the woman he talked to is all right, and if she found somebody to survive off of. His impression of her wasn't bad, exactly, but he thinks she's reckless. Wouldn't last five minutes in Antarctica, and from the sound of things Nexus winters aren't pleasant either. Some people have to learn the hard way.
Even if the people Lussmore warned him about stay out of their way, there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Connant's been stocking up on blankets, lanterns, food, bullets, and water ever since he arrived. No doubt that's the real reason why his old team wants his help.
"So Garry has a peace offering. How considerate. Reckon he has to since he's stuck here with me, and we couldn't stay out of each other's way forever." For his part, Connant consciously avoided most of his team until Van Wall cornered him in the downtown area and filled him in. "What does he want? A portion of my supplies? I know what happened last year, Van. I'm not spending the winter on an empty stomach because he didn't prepare properly. If he wanted some, he should have worked for them. He's been here longer."
If it was somebody else, Connant would have relented. He's not heartless. Garry, however, has a lot of nerve to ask Connant for help. Garry. He should have known that bridge had been burned.
"Don't do it for Garry, Jerry. There's other people who need your help. There's me and Kinner. Other people could come, too. More of us lived than died, though it was a close call."
"Glad to hear there were survivors." It's sharp but sincere. Then Connant becomes suspicious. "What's Garry after, anyway? Doubt he just wants to make nice with me. Tell him I'm no longer under his command." The physicist pointedly refuses to call Garry by his title. As far as he's concerned, Garry forfeited his right to it when he sent Connant to his death.
"Garry asks if you can share a portion of your supplies with the team and maintain contact with him. It's a suggestion, not an order."
Connant won't lie and say a vicious part of him wasn't satisfied when he learned that the alien creature killed Garry and Blair. Blair especially - he unleashed it, intentionally or no. He was less satisfied to hear from Van Wall that Garry's taken command again in McReady's absence and is organizing the team. He wouldn't be in a hurry to work for anyone, but McReady would have been preferable. His narrowed eyes when he was told the "suggestion" must have gotten the message across to Van.
"I know you have good reasons to be angry, and I don't blame you for hesitating, but there's possibly lives at stake. We need the team organized to keep an eye on everyone so we can work together in case the PINpoints freeze up again. The weather is unpredictable in winter. There's a creature..."
"The people in the Wilds? According to the pamphlets, we have some kind of non-aggression pact with them." Connant isn't a trusting man, and he doesn't completely trust a truce not written on paper, but he's also not one to provoke a small army of alien soldiers. He was overpowered by one alien. Still, if they mess with him or his supplies he's not afraid to defend himself. "The rules are simple. If we stay out of their territory, we'll be fine."
"No. Not them." Van clearly doesn't like them, either, from his dismissive tone. "There's a creature named Reynard, or spirit, I don't know what he is. He's in charge of Winter. Seasons work differently here. There's beings who control them. Yes, it's weird. No, I don't know how it works, either. But they're powerful and dangerous. We don't know how bad winter will be, and the Winter Spirit doesn't always play nice. We don't have any deal with him."
Connant is about to say something about seasons being caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, but he's got no clue if the Nexus is even a globe. Nobody's mapped the place. If there are spirits here who make the seasons happen, he'll take Van Wall's word on it. Van's blunt and honest, more qualities Connant respects.
"There's another thing. Garry also wanted me to tell you he's sorry for putting you on watch. He wouldn't have done it if he'd known-"
Connant's eyes narrow further to angry slits. "If he's so sorry he can talk to me himself, rather than sending you to do it. I think he knows the kind of reception I'd give him." Probably a solid right hook to the jaw and some choice four-letter words. "The last time I took an order from Garry, that thing had me for an appetizer and half the camp for a main course. I told you lot it was evil, didn't I? I was right. I might consider accepting his apology if he admits I was correct all along. How many people died?"
"You have a right to know what happened." Van shrugs, Connant guessing he can't disagree. "Fourteen casualties, all eaten by the creature. I can give you a full list later. Right now, we've got Kinner, Copper, myself, and Garry. A well-rounded team."
Practical skills, Connant notes as the names are given. His work is more specialized. The cook's good to have around in any situation, and Van's a capable mechanic. Connant likes Kinner, who was also on the right track about the alien's malevolence if not its appetite. He has no grudge against them. It's only working with Garry that he doesn't like. Connant would be the odd one out, anyway. A cosmic ray specialist would be little use in an emergency.
He notes Copper's name. After hearing Lussmore's story, no wonder McReady sent a doctor. Whatever Connant's issues with Copper's judgement, the man's skills are too important to leave behind. While Copper did agree with Blair on the matter of the alien, the doctor was a decent sort, and Connant's willing to entertain forgiving him more easily. The fact that he's got a necessary, practical skill doesn't hurt.
"And there's Blair. I forgot him. He distances himself from the rest of the team, so I'm not sure he counts. He didn't take the invitation."
"Blair's here, too?" Connant rolls his eyes. "Of course he is. I might make a concession with Garry if I have to, but Blair - him, I won't work with."
It's a good thing Connant doesn't know that Blair has a Thing with him, or he'd definitely refuse to go anywhere near, let alone work with, Blair. He's too traumatized to be alone in a small room, let alone run into a copy of the creature which murdered him.
"To be absolutely fair, I think he knows that. He doesn't want to work with us. Like you, I think he's got his own issues. We decided to let him be until he sorts them out. He's got a dog with him. Maybe an animal would be a good idea."
"Issues. Being swallowed alive in my own shack by some damned monster because of other people's bad decision-making is an issue." Connant gives ragged laughter. "I suppose that's one word for it."
"You weren't always this bitter, Jerry. That was my job." Van's clearly concerned under the joke. "You don't have to spend time with us if you don't want to, but holing yourself up isn't healthy, either. I'm sure Garry will understand if you never want to see him again. But do it for us. Please."
"Fine. Tell Garry we have a deal. I'm working with him, not for him. There's a difference. I reserve the right to refuse orders." Connant sighs. "One rmore rule, Van - if Garry wants someone on guard duty, he can go do it himself."
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