Lynx

Dec. 29 - Al Raqis

The crowd dispersed leaving Lynx and I alone in the square.

"Well Lynx," I said turning to the boy.

"Yes Major?" he asked.

"I must say that I wish you hadn't let slip that this is my home too," I said. I smiled nevertheless.

"I'm very sorry about that," he replied.

"But we can use that to advantage," I said positively.

"I see."

"First, you will need a suit if you are planning to harvest spice."

"I don't have any money," he replied. "I started with nothing. No money, no memory, no clothes. I had to find what what I'm wearing now."

"We can fix that," I said.

"Oh?" he asked "I don't have any ID or papers. Perhaps you can help me with getting one?"

"Come with me," I instructed.

"After you Ma'am," he replied.

Together we crossed the square in search of provisions.

-----

As hard as we looked we couldn't find Lynx a hydrosuit that was his size in the public markets. It was important to get him one with a good seal if he was planning to enter the desert. Figuring we had wasted enough time and moisture, I took him to a greeting area on the main square in Al Raqis.

"Is this your place?" he asked "Or are you in an Alliance compound?"

"No" I replied, "but there is food here. You must be hungry."

He nodded and looked over at food processor I pointed out.

"You need to keep hydrated here. Do you have a canteen?"

"I grabbed one at the entry," he said.

I didn't bother to ask him if he had paid for it.

The food processor whirred with great industry then softly indicated that the soup was ready. Lynx took a bowl and began drinking it down.

"So tell me," I began "When did you arrive here?"

"Here?"

"You do remember that," I prompted.

"I woke up on Hale's Moon a few weeks ago. Roughly two weeks."

"Two weeks...."

Lynx nodded while sipping on the soup.

I did the math. "That was when the refugees started arriving or just before."

"Refugees?" he asked.

"From Shadow and Caliban," I explained.

He continued. "I was in a huge cargo container."

"Cargo?"

"Yes," he confirmed.

"Where were you before then?"

"I don't remember," he answered.

I frowned. "And how did you get from Hales to here?"

"I hopped a transport."

"Why here?"

"I was curious," he answered "I like to wander."

"And the building you were exploring just out here... why did you go inside?" I asked.

"I wanted to see what was inside."

"What did you find?"

"Tools, a few parts for engines, and an old flashlight," he replied.

Nothing of use to either of us it seemed.

"Well, I'd be interested to know more about that place," I said.

-----

The day was drawing to a close. We stood outside in the street, a short distance from where we first met.

"Where will you go now?" I asked. "Will you stay on this planet?"

"I don't know," he said "I was going to check a few places out."

"Well, be safe."

"I will. I learned my lesson with the Reavers."

"They don't get out this far..." I assured him.

"That's very good to know," he remarked.

"...but of course every place has it's dangers."

"Yes," he acknowledged "I'm still recovering from my injury."

"What injury is that?" I inquired.

"I think I was stabbed by a Reaver," he replied "Or it could be a projectile from the Warbots."

"You don't remember?"

Lynx pulled back his shirt from his right shoulder to reveal the healing puncture wound. "Things happened very fast. I didn't cry out or anything."

I smiled, "Good for you."

He covered his shoulder back up. "The doctor treated it while I was on the Drift."

"Here," I gave him a second canteen. "You will need this if you mine for spice."

"Thank you," he replied politely.

"Wear the hydrosuit and mask too..." I added.

"I will."

"...it will prevent water loss...."

"I understand."

"If you run into trouble, contact me..." I said.

He nodded.

"...and stay away from these people if you can." I pointed to Faith Industries.

"I'll try. But I don't see what's so problematic with them?"

"The man, William Faith, is not to be trusted."

Lynx nodded. "William Faith."

"Who is he? what does this man look like?"

I did not answer him. Instead I said, "I must go."

"Very well," he replied.

"Goodbye Lynx."

"I'm sorry for taking so much of your time Major."

"Not at all."

We said our goodbyes and I left him to return to my ship.