Prelude

Oct. 8 - Alliance Transport, Alexander class, in transit

"You tossed a blanket from the bed
You lay upon your back, and waited;
You dozed, and watched the night revealing
The thousand sordid images
Of which your soul was constituted" - T. S. Eliot

-----

The door of my cabin hissed closed behind me as I stepped into the corridor. We were now on board an Alexander class Alliance transport, leaving MacLaren's Drift orbit on route to Zenobia. A standard in the Zenobian fleet, the Alexander is adaptable in carrying cargo, research supplies, fuel and, in this case, prisoners.

I heard Sentry's voice as I approached the detention cell. "Better than some places I've been. "

I could hear Mr. Boomslang making our guest feel comfortable. "This'll be yer home away from home...enjoy."

"Um, ok... I'll try," answered Sentry

"Thank you Mr. Boomslang," I said as I reached the door.

"Well an' if it ain' room service. Yeh need me fehr anythin' else, Cap'n?"

"We will go back for Mr. Winterwolf next time," I said.

Sentry did not to react.

Mr. Boomslang nodded, "Jes lemme know the time and day."

"All in good time," I added, "Your payment will be in the usual fashion."

Brillig Boomslang gave the prisoner one last look and then stepped out into the corridor.

"There's somethin' people can't complain bout the Alliance...yeh pay yehr bills on time."

"We pay for good service," I offered, "Thank you once again."

Mr. Boomslang nodded.

"Kinda small in here..." Sentry chipped in.

"I would like a few words with our guest here. You are welcome to the galley."

Mr. Boomslang nodded again and stepped away to give us privacy. I entered the cell and locked the door behind me.

Sentry smiled. "So, whats new?"

There had been enough dancing tonight. I got straight to the point.

"Very simple," I stated, "I will have the charges against you dropped in exchange for some cooperation."

"Sounds easy enough," replied Sentry.

I continued, "We are interested in the increase in trade between Hale's Moon and MacLaren's. I want details. I want information. In exchange you get a clean slate."

"Shouldn't you be asking someone that actually DOES the trading?" demanded Sentry.

"You are well placed," I explained.

"I'm a bartender," said Sentry, "That's as far as I go. I wish there was more... my pocket could sure use it... but that's it. I sling drinks, people come in, talk, and go their merry way."

"People talk," I said.

"Hell, give 'em 'nough alcohol, and they even have sex. Not my business."

"Information is what I want," I stated plainly.

"Might want to be a bit more specific. I don't run the routes, I don't know who goes from one place to another."

"But you can find out," I countered.

Sentry quirked an eyebrow. "So that's it.. you want a mole."

I said nothing. He could do his own math.

"Tell ya what...." said Sentry, "I can tell you what has been moved, but not by whom or when."

We had entered the marketplace. He knew what I wanted. I had something he needed. He would now try to buy his way out with minimal cost to himself.

"And why hold back on who?" I asked.

"Cause I don't know who. Bars are loud, in case you didn't notice. Voices get mingled. I can't tell one from the other. But words... some of them ring bells."

"Well I will tell you what then. I will keep this warrant nice and safe and when I feel I have enough good information to make me happy... then everyone gets their cookies."

I smiled.

Sentry laughed a bit. "Enough information... and of course, there's no limit to what exactly is enough, now is there?"

"No," I agreed, "Like Brooke said...paperwork is slow."

"Yeah... Brooke. Gonna have to talk with that little one about why we saved her ass before."

I became defensive. "She is a good woman... she saved a lot of lives today."

"She does that a lot. As do I."

"Then do we have an understanding Mr. Swashbuckler?"

"What I understand, is that you have all the cards. And I don't have squat."

"Oh sir... You have the choice to cooperate with the law... and the chance for a new life without those charges hanging over your head."

"Or?"

"Or you face persecution for these charges." It was all very simple.

Sentry sat down against the wall and sighed. "Lemme see if I can remember what it is you need me to remember, and we can talk again soon."

"Very well. Think about my offer." I turned to go. Some time alone might help him contemplate the nature of imprisonment.

"One thing before you go...." he added suddenly.

"Oh?" I asked.

"The blastomeres are gone."

My heart started pounding. This was unexpected. This was supposed to be a routine arrest with one of two outcomes: Sentry cooperated and became a source of general information on the trade situation on the Rim, or he went to jail. I did not expect information on a critical case from such an unlikely source.

"Go on," I said softly, delicately.

"That's all. Someone was trading them, and they are gone. Don't know where."

"And tell me how you know this," I pressed.

Sentry knew he had touched a button. He chuckled, "Told ya, I hear words. That isn't one you expect to hear on the Rim, in a bar, without it stickin'."

"Tell me exactly what you heard and how."

Sentry shrugged, "I was washin' mugs, when I hear someone sayin' they wanted to offload blastomeres, and some other guy went for it. They got real hush-hush once the second fella's interest was up."

"Two men?" I asked.

"Second one was. Couldn't tell if the first was or not. Deep voice though."

I twisted my mouth in thought. How shall I pursue this?

"Anything else?" I asked.

"Nope. Best I can remember. Figured it might make you better at delivering cookies."

I laughed a merry little laugh. "Why Mr. Swashbuckler that is exactly the sort of information I am looking for."

"Um, ok..." he replied.

I think he expected a different response.

He pointed to his arm. "Can I get a bandage for this? Hurts like hell."

"Your arm? Certainly. Let me see it."

Sentry put his arm out, showing the nail marks Brooke left. "Damn blonde drew blood too..." he complained.

I knelt down beside him and gently examined his arm. Those were deep claw marks. Whatever was she thinking?

"Hmmm. Okay ... I have some salve."

"Thank you."

I returned from the Infirmary with the supplies that I needed and gently applied a salve to Sentry's wound. I wrapped the arm with clean bandages.

"There..." I said. It would have to do until he could get better medical care.

"Thanks, that's much better."

"Try the bunk," I suggested. "You should rest."

"Will do," he replied.

I nodded. I had a big day planned for us tomorrow.