The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

June 29 - Location Classified

"In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies." - Winston Churchill

-----

It was a charming place. One you might imagine coming to for your holidays. But the seaside village was one of those places that doesn't appear on a map.

During the war, senior officers injured in combat were sent here to recuperate under the warm sun, in the cool sea air. After the conflict, it was retained for government purposes, serving, in part, as a retirement community for civil servants with secrets too sensitive to trust to the outside world.

At the edge of the village sat a tall stone lighthouse. Isolated from the rest of the community by a long wooden causeway, it was free from onlookers. The crashing of the waves made any listening devices virtually useless.

A secure, silent tower in a place that didn't exist.

It made an ideal spot to meet.

I made my way to the water's edge.

Guards posing as fishermen repaired their nets. If they noticed me, they showed no sign.

As I approached the door, I peered into the window. The lower floor was cluttered with the distractions of a scientific man. Weather charts. Soil samples. A computer or two. Some souvenirs of a life well lived. Anyone who happened to stop by would think the apartments here were occupied.

"I am at the top," called out a voice.

Once inside, I pressed a button on a small podium and waited until an ornate brass cage descended through the central shaft.

After a brisk ascent to the top of the tower, I stepped out of the cage and into a small featureless room with an archway on one wall. I took a deep breath of the refreshing sea air.

"Up these stairs here," called the voice.

I followed the voice and came to the topmost platform

To one side, a brass telescope peered out at the horizon. An open fire burned in a central pit. A covering sheltered the whole assembly.

Standing next to the telescope was Colonel M_________, Union of Allied Planets, Special Projects.

My commanding officer.

"Hello Colonel," I greeted him.

"Major," he answered, "glad you could make it."

I gave him a warm smile, "A lovely location."

"I fought the temptation to enjoy myself," he replied, "I lasted 10 minutes."

"Thank you for meeting me," I began, "I have a few items to report."

"There has been a lot going on," he acknowledged, "this was probably the safest venue to meet. I know you have been withholding information on reports for security concerns."

"Yes Colonel," I admitted.

Time to jump right in.

"I have salvaged the Colchester."

"Amazing," remarked the Colonel, "Was it intact?"

"Yes. We have retrieved Professor Aurotharius. He is in stasis. There is evidence of three persons who boarded the ship ahead of my team."

"He was alone?"

"Alone?" I asked, "Why yes. Who else would have been with him?"

"A woman he was closely associated with who had also been missing. And the remains of his daughter."

"I see," I replied, frowning as I turned this information over in my mind.

"Tell me," I continued, "was he a friend of yours?"

The Colonel answered with a question of his own. "Do you know what a National Security Letter Suppressing Disclosure is?"

"Yes I do. Sometimes when a project is cancelled and files expunged, confidentiality statements are sworn by the staff involved."

"A gag order," he said simply.

I nodded.

"I have limits on what I was able to say," he began, "but you found this in the normal course of your investigation. I would be a General now if it were not for Wylder. I was a full lieutenant and assigned as a liaison for the Aurotharius Project. Two years with no staff or support."

I smiled a bit. Nothing new under the Sun. Everyone's always stretched too thin.

"Meanwhile the best corporate espionage in the 'verse was raiding classified information," he added.

"I found your picture... with Wylder and a few others."

"May I see it?" he asked.

"Of course." I offered the Colonel a photo showing the picture as found on the Colchester. "That is how we found it. Over the stasis chamber...the last thing Wylder would see as he fell asleep."

"That's me as a lieutenant," he indicated. "The man in the back is Wylder. The girl with the pig is Mercedes."

I bit my bottom lip and shook my head, "I thought so."

"It was a happier time," observed the Colonel, "before his daughter fell ill."

"And Audrey?" I asked.

"The red haired girl is Audrey," he replied.

I nodded.

"This is Doctor Qui and his father. And that is Constance to the side. And that computer mainframe is where the Ardra program was born."

Okay, I thought. We will take this point by point.

"Qui ... he is the professor that has been visiting Al Raqis."

"Elitist tenured....." muttered the Colonel.

"And his father?"

"I have not heard from the senior Qui in some time. I don't think Mercedes has either."

"Mercedes?" I asked.

"Mercedes Celestalis nee Serendipity. Celestalis is her married name. Qui's daughter."

I sighed. "Well, quite a photo then."

"Mercedes was a sweet kid."

I laughed a bit harshly, "And what happened there?"

"We totally underestimated how Audrey's death affected her," he answered, "Audrey was her only friend until college."

"And Audrey," I said, "how can I say this? I think she has been revivified and is the human side of Ardra. The Ardra I have spoken with has told me stories of when she was a girl."

The Colonel interrupted, "I think you are a fine officer and have a lot of integrity...."

I stopped talking and listened.

"....so I am going to relate something that I have been given an administrative order to suppress. You will not repeat it."

"I will not repeat it," I echoed.

"If you can figure it out in the course of your investigation, so be it," he added.

"Just point me in the right direction," I asked.

He began, "Audrey had familial amyloidosis, an uncontrolled growth of amyloid proteins. It clogged every system in her body. Like Cancer and Leukemia and Lupus all at once. She was terminal.

"Wylder used his position and influence to attempt an illegal course of treatment. Among other things, it involved a massive infusion of the Mu Draconis Desert Spice. He was in a rush and didn't have time to make proper studies. He didn't know about the mutagenic effects in large doses. It mutated and mutilated her body.

"She spent her last days plugged into machines in terrible pain that no pain killer affected. Then she died. Wylder and presumably Constance took the body and left in the Colchester. Leaving me to explain. I have been on cleanup duty since."

"And what do we do now?" I asked, "Someone has restarted the Project."

"Defrost the troublesome man."

"He will need to be kept safe," I said.

"He knows a lot of classified information," answered the Colonel.

The Colonel walked close to the fire roaring at the center of the platform.

I followed him. The dry, intense heat on my face contrasted with the cool, moist sea air on the back of my neck.

"Tell me about Constance," I asked.

"The Quantum Mind Project," he replied, "A theory of the mind that fell out of favour. Research reached a dead end because of moral concerns. Readers. She studies them."

"Readers?" I repeated.

"The studies are inconclusive," he explained, "The Quantum Mind theory is that some aspects of consciousness are formed by quantum effects. It was thought that Reader's brains might possess a greater facility to identify the mechanism. Massive human rights violations followed. The program was shut down."

"Ardra mentioned something about harvesting the brains of Readers," I remarked, "I thought it was speculative."

"Sadly, no," replied the Colonel, "Constance worked with Qui to try and replicate the quantum effects mechanically. But AI went in other directions and it was abandoned. Qui returned to academia and occasionally publishes about the upcoming android uprising or the zombie apocalypse or other nonsense."

"The AI... the primary Ardra program?" I asked.

"There were two parts to the Ardra AI. One is the Overmind that resides in the mainframe and is distributed through the cortex servers. The distributed intelligence controls a series of semi-autonomous drones. The Ardra program was mothballed over 20 years ago. Qui freaked out when he heard that there was evidence that it was reactivated."

I nodded.

"He found out on his own," added the Colonel.

"And the biological component... the part that was human...that was Audrey."

The Colonel was skeptical. "One early attempt at true artificial intelligence was the Mind's Children. You create the program like a child and allow it to learn and hope for the best. One shortcut was to instill into the program the memories of a person. Use that as their life experience."

"So the Ardra Overmind identifies with Audrey," I suggested.

"That would explain it," he replied, "The reports on Ardra make her sound cyborged instead of purely mechanical. I have no explanation for that."

There was a natural pause in the conversation as I considered this information.

"What else did you recover from the Colchester?" asked the Colonel.

"Six data files, five books, several cases of minerals, many radioactive...the computer itself and it's components."

"Was it difficult to decrypt?" he asked.

"I have opened two files and decoded the labels on all containment cases," I reported.

"The Colchester was an asteroid surveyor," remarked the Colonel, "Strange to think that he actually did a survey."

"There is a report of a laser coming from Ardra's ship," I said, "This may be connected to the research we found on the Colchester."

"Do you think that Ardra needs that research and is only feigning sentimental interest in locating her alleged father?" he asked.

"I have still not discounted a biological component," I replied, "Her stories of modifications...these are not the words of an AI."

"It also doesn't sound like Audrey."

"Yes..." I allowed. It was indeed a riddle.

"Are you having Manda defrost Wylder?" he asked.

"I haven't assigned anyone yet," I admitted.

"I received a notice that Captain Westminster picked up Winterwolf's remains from the rogue Ticonderoga."

"His remains?" I asked.

"Yes," elaborated the Colonel, "Apparently he was delivered live, but left in a body bag. Two Alliance officers checked him out the local jail and delivered him to the Ticonderoga. His only injury had been a broken leg."

"And he died aboard the Ticonderoga..."

"We are not notifying Ishtari until after the autopsy," he added.

"Why wasn't he delivered to Silvermane?" I asked. She had the place under martial law.

"I have no idea," he replied, "I have no idea why the Ticonderoga is even there."

"This seems highly unusual," I remarked skeptically.

"I spoke to Colonel Silvermane," he said, "She was very professional about it. She says that the Ticonderoga was a rogue ship. I can't make it my concern. They cooperated with Westminster easily enough when it suited their purpose."

There was that word again. "Rogue....then someone should shoot it down," I said flatly.

"I would think so," he replied.

"This is all wrong," I announced. It all felt wrong.

"All secrets require lies," he said patiently.

I took a deep breath, "Yes."

"Where you find lies, there are secrets. There is more going on."

Was he still talking about the Ticonderoga? I cycled back to Ardra.

"The burn order Blue Sun put out on Ardra..." I began.

"2506." He gave the year.

"Against an AI?"

"Audrey would have been 15...." he answered.

"There is more going on there too then," I concluded.

"...not even old enough to drive," he added. "You have three links. Umbrella, Blue Sun and the Angels of Mercy. Angels of Mercy has an obvious history with Audrey. She died there."

"Umbrella," I said. "that's Mercedes."

"Yes," he replied, "recruited her and Manda before they even graduated from University."

"And when did the Ardra Overmind come on line?" I asked.

"New Years Day, 2500."

Wait. Backup.

"Excuse me?" I said suddenly, "Manda was recruited by Umbrella?" A heartbeat. "Why was I not informed?"

"It should be in her file," replied the Colonel, "You have clearance for that. We recruited Manda at the same time. To get an inside on Umbrella."

There was no such entry in her file. "I will have to have a little chat with our Captain..."

"We figured they wanted Mercedes because of her link to Project Aurotharius.... You don't socialize with your team do you?"

I picked my words carefully. "I'm used to working alone."

"You should do enough to be acquainted with them," he advised.

"There was nothing in her file about Umbrella," I answered darkly. Incomplete files. I'm going to pin someone to a wall somewhere.

"I will get it sent to you myself. I don't know who messed with her personnel file. We assigned her to you BECAUSE she had a link to Mercedes and Umbrella. It is supposed to be a valuable asset for you to utilize."

"I will get to the bottom of this..." I managed to say.

The fire roared.

I cooled down.

"I will start the defrosting of Professor Aurotharius." Then as an afterthought I asked, "Oh...tell me, did Audrey get any modifications on _________?" I mentioned a planet, the same planet where Ardra was said to have received her cybernetic work.

"Not modifications," he replied, "Life support, a few things to give her mobility and relieve strain on her body. She couldn't even stand or sit up. We had to move her to a microgravity environment."

I nodded. This fit with what Ardra said of herself. She cannot even stand in normal gravity without mechanical assistance.

"And the woman Wylder was closely associated with who had also been missing...that you asked about in connection with the Colchester, who was she?" I asked.

The Colonel had another point to make first. "It might be important enough to send in a recon team to get some intel pictures on that Liner over Mu Draconis."

"I plan to go myself," I replied.

He continued, "We might not be able to trust CI5 to not filter information.. But we should still make the intel exchange agreement."

"Agreed."

"But do your recon before you formalize the agreement," he advised.

"Very well."

He then answered my question. "Constance, the other woman in the picture. They were close after Audrey's mother died. She looked out after Mercedes and Audrey during cloister times. She helped Wylder take the body and load it into the Colchester. We presumed she was with him."

"I will have a chat with Qui as well. Is he close to his daughter?" That would be useful to know going in.

"No. Quite estranged. He didn't want her to go work for Umbrella."

"Fair enough," I replied.

"He thinks they will be the cause of the 'Zombie Apocalypse'. You will see. He will help you be able to understand the data files."

"Good," I replied. I could use the help.

The air was turning cooler.

"If there is nothing else Colonel, I should go."

"Minor matters," he replied, "The relics."

"They are secure."

"Have you authenticated them?" he asked.

"I will engage with Bihar Sanctuary staff," I replied.

"They are qualified."

"I am a bit troubled however," I continued, "Ardra mentioned having employers in connection with the relics."

"There is nothing to indicate that Ardra has any interest in Alliance or Zenobian politics. Someone must have hired her."

"Exactly," I agreed.

"Have we determined when the relics were originally switched?" he asked.

"I will look into it."

"Last item," he said, "I spoke with Mr. Woodhen."

"Yes?"

"We are going to have the court appearance for Matthew and Michala on Paquin."

"Good," I replied. It will be safer for them than bringing them into the Core.

"Lordhunter and Arcana are going to see about arrangements. You might want to see what security arrangements you want for the escort. No guns on Paquin. Prepare yourself accordingly."

"I will send a special team," I answered.

Besides, I was on good terms with the new police captain.

Six of Coins (Part Two)

June 28 - Zenobia

"It so beautiful, so very beautiful...all that my mind dream."
- LilyBell Snoodle

"I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness.
The issue of my friend oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness.
The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness.
How can I stay silent, how can I be still!
My friend whom I love has turned to clay..." - Gilgamesh

-----

Eight days.

For the past eight days, I have been pouring over the items we salvaged from the Colchester.

I managed to open two of the data disks and I have been studying the research papers therein. This included tracking down and reading the secondary research as referenced in the papers themselves. Material stretching back centuries.

So far, I have also read two of the books that had rested on the floor next to Wylder.

Bai Feargynym may very well chide me for falling off the workaholic wagon.

There was a lot to absorb. But a few points jumped out at me.

1) Monopoles are elementary particles with only one pole of magnetic charge. They can be a source of an extremely powerful magnetic field.

2) Monopoles have a direct connection to the topology of the cosmos.

3) Superconducting quantum interference devices are used in the search for monopoles by making sensitive measurements of magnetic fields.

4) A powerful enough ring laser will produce a certain amount of bending of time and space.

5) If the energy is sufficient, a circulating laser might produce closed time-like curves.

I thought of Lily's words about Ardra's laser. It could be that Ardra is attempting to bend or fold space-time.

It made my brain hurt.

There was something else that caught my interest.

Ronald Mallett, one of the researchers quoted in Wylder's paper. His father died young and at the age of ten Mallett resolved to build a time machine, go back and save his dad. Mallett went on to become one of the world's leading theoretical physicists.

It made me think of Ardra.

The loss of her mother. Her transhumanist views.

It can drive us to excesses. It can drive us to greatness.

But our mortality defines us.

-----

I received a communication.

It was Lynx. A welcome voice after a week of theoretical physics.

"Good afternoon Major. I wanted to inform you, Jai has given me a tour of the facilities and I received my uniform."

I smiled warmly, "Very good Lynx. I plan to be on Al Raqis within the week. I look forward to seeing you in uniform."

I examined the image of Lynx standing next to Consulari Raghilda. He did look very smart.

"Are you recovering from your injuries?" I asked.

"I am doing much better," he replied, "The injuries have healed although I do have aches."

"That will pass I am sure. We were very lucky that the bullet missed the spinal cord."

"Yes. I am very grateful as well to the medical staff who helped."

Lynx continued, "I have just met with the synthetic once more. She has informed me that Ms. Zhangsun has my photo and name in a notebook."

"Do you have any idea why?" I asked.

"No. She was not very informative."

"Ms. Zhangsun wanted you to supply her with information as I recall," I mused, "Perhaps that is why."

I didn't want him worrying.

"Perhaps," he replied, "However I have not seen her on Hale's Moon today. I thought I would come and see the new place."

"I am sending you coordinates of the new trade station over Zenobia. Do you have a ship?" I sent him the numbers.

He did.

"I will also send the coordinates for a refueling station on the way. I have to go now but will meet with you when I come to Al Raqis. I would like to see where you are working and staying."

Six of Coins (Part One)

June 20 - Zenobia

"Sometimes learning a fact is enough to make an entire series of corroborating details, previously unrecognized, fall into place." - Jorge Luis Borges, "The Aleph"

-----

This is a catalogue and preliminary analysis of the contents of the Colchester.

Six data disks, labeled as follows:

Antimatter
Monopoles
S-T Twist Project
Oklo Gabon Alpha
ORCH Quantum Mind
Quantum Mind


While Ardra's sealed files bore the mark of the Guild, these disks resemble an Argentinian centavo from the year 1929. They are each the size of a dinner plate. My first few attempts to open them proved fruitless. I may need to consult with experts.

-----

The Colchester computer also revealed that my team was not the first to visit the ship. Logs indicate three persons boarded the craft recently. The computer logged unique markers for each of them. Biometrics cross checked with Alliance databases produced three names.

There was, however, no evidence of tampering with the surveyor. Professional work.

Was it a reconnaissance mission or did a preliminary salvage take place?

Were they hired by someone or were they operating independently?

Mercedes Celestalis once offered me the location to the Colchester in exchange for the brain of the cloned Aurora, providing we did not inform Ardra of the exchange. It is possible that she funded the operation.

Why then was Wylder left undisturbed?

-----

Five books. Laid out in a row next to the cryostasis tube. There would be a reason, whether sentimental or rational.

The Aleph by Jorge Luis Borges
The Zahir by Jorge Luis Borges
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

I will read these books and return them to the Professor once he has been defrosted. Perhaps he would like to discuss literature.

-----

Two dozen sealed containment boxes.

The labels on the containment cases proved a welcome diversion. I do enjoy cryptography.

+ looks like a T. Call it a T.

( looks like a C. Call it an C.

# follows + and ( so maybe it is H.

The most frequent word ending is !+3.

And so on. A simple substitution cipher.

Bismite, tyuyamunite, uranocircite, colbaltite...

Ceasar was right. No coffee and toilet paper in these containers.

-----

... and Professor Wylder Aurotharius. The founder of Project Aurotharius.

He is still alive and in cryo-sleep. When he is revived he will be placed in a safe house.

Somewhere safe. Somewhere very safe.

The Colchester

June 19

"He passes to be King among the dead,
And after healing of his grievous wound
He comes again."
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Idylls of the King "

-----

Analysis had been successful.

Examination of the data obtained from the HAL AI had given us what we needed to triangulate the current position of Wylder Aurotharius' survey ship, the Colchester.

As the location of the HAL AI played a role in this small victory, it was also a vindication of our renewed funding of Lab 81.

With me on this mission was Lieutenant Ceasar Otsuka, Mission Specialist and close personal friend.

We actually had a relationship of sorts a few years ago, before I made Captain. A combination of difference in rank and a stressful workload made it impossible to maintain even on a casual level.

Nevertheless, we remained on good terms and whenever we worked together we kept things on a professional level. He was set to return to civilian life soon, but a recent troop rotation meant I could add his name to my team roster at least one more time.

As our shuttle departed the hanger bay of the Alliance Monitoring Station, I began the briefing.

"Twenty five years ago, one of our top scientists, Wylder Aurotharius, led a team of researchers in a project to explore the application of cybernetics, robotics, Artificial Intelligence and other disciplines. Dubbed 'Project Aurotharius' it met with some early successes. After about five years however the project was shelved. The records sealed."

"Sealed?" asked Ceasar, "Not as successful as they'd hoped?"

"Early returns were good I am told."

"Yes," he acknowledged, "but there's only two reasons to seal. One, it worked out so well the needed to keep a lid on it. Two, it went very, very bad."

I nodded thoughtfully.

"My gut is saying number two," he added.

In the distance, an electrical blue sphere hung in space like a jewel.

I continued, "After the project closed and following the untimely death of his daughter Audrey.... Wylder, already a widower, chose a solitary existence aboard a small survey ship and headed out to the Halo Asteroid Belt. After one month the ship stopped transmissions. Rescue attempts were unsuccessful."

Ceasar gestured to the ship outside. "Is this it?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Yeah," he evaluated the scenario, "Number two."

I continued, "Recently obtained documents gave us a solid lead as to its whereabouts. Our mission is simple: We will gain access by any means necessary..."

"Simple."

"...We will remove any and all documents, artifacts and/or materials present, and we will look for clues as to the fate of Professor Aurotharius."

I paused for a moment.

"Someone has resumed the Project outside of UAP control," I added to emphasize the importance of the task ahead.

"Ma'am, with all due respect..."

"Yes Lieutenant?"

"That doesn't sound THAT simple."

I smiled.

-----

The shuttle craft powered down. I unbuckled myself from my chair and reached for my helmet.

We checked seals and communications.

"Testing comm."

"I read you, Major."

I worked the airlock controls and we stepped out into the Black.

There was a remarkable feeling of freedom as we drifted towards the other ship.

-----

The Colchester was an odd looking craft. The whole affair looked like a child's suction cup ball suspended within a glass orb.

One section of the heavy shielding that surrounded the surveyor was open, exposing a dish antenna and permitting access to the hull.

Ceasar keyed his pad into the door lock. His voice crackled over the comm. "What was his daughter's name?"

"Audrey," I replied, my voice sounding muffled in my helmet.

The door remained sealed.

"Try Ardra," I suggested.

"Nothin'," he replied.

"Colchester, it is the name of the ship," I said helpfully.

"Nope."

We tried several other ideas.

"None of them are working," reported Ceasar, "Did he have a favorite song or holie?"

"Let me think....can you get a fix on internal monitors?"

"I can't be sure," he answered.

"Lots of interference," I said. It was more of a question.

Ceasar twisted his mouth into a wry smile.

"Your thoughts?" I asked.

"I think we're simply blocked, Ma'am."

"Then let's blow the hatch," I said finally.

"Sounds good to me." Ceasar placed a small charge at the junction of the door. "Better pull back, Ma'am."

I pushed back from the surveyor drifting to a safe distance.

Ceasar hit a key on his pad and there was a flash. Silent in the vacuum of space. Instinctively, I blinked at the explosion.

As the smoke and dust blew out, Ceasar pointed at something inside.

-----

A computer dome dominated the center of the main floor. Iridescent shafts fed information back and forth from the main computer to the dish antenna. Around the walls monitors flashed and beeped.

What drew our attention however was a coffin like structure on one side of the room. A figure prone within. Surrounded by artifacts like a Viking lord on his way to the underworld.

"Is this...?" he began.

"Wylder," I replied, "In stasis."

Ceasar checked the readings on the module. "This will be interesting."

Suspended above the cryotank was a picture. A group of people. The last thing Wylder saw as hibernation overtook him.

I grew numb as I inspected the portrait, but I kept my breathing steady and my thoughts to myself.

In the center of the photograph standing next to Wylder Aurotharius, was a familiar figure albeit twenty years younger and wearing the uniform of a junior officer: A_______ M_______, the man who was now my commanding officer.

Meanwhile, following standard salvage protocol, Ceasar checked the central computer.

"Getting something, Ma'am," he reported. "Looks like all the info is still on here."

"We will download everything."

I joined him at the console.

Quantum Mind Data Disk....

Antimatter Data Disk....

Monopoles Data Disk....

A total of six sealed files.

"There are books here too," I observed, turning back to the stasis tube.

Five books laid out in a row along the side of the cryotank. Borges. Solzhenitsyn. Kafka. Shelley. Companions on the journey into the Long Night.

"So that's what those are," remarked Ceasar.

"He is an interesting man, our professor," I added.

"The cost of the weight of those things..."

I smiled. Spoken like a true spacer.

Ceasar indicated the picture. "Who's that person standing to the side?"

"Well,"that's Wylder in the middle." I frowned. "The little one holding the pig....." Was that a young Mercedes?

"I mean to the far right," prompted Ceasar.

"I don't know her," I said truthfully.

"Family photo, right?" he asked.

"Maybe. Then that might be Audrey." I pointed to the red headed girl, based on her apparent age.

"If she was a favorite daughter," speculated Ceasar, "wouldn't she be separated from the others?"

"The dark haired one? Possibly."

I looked down at Wylder. "We will just have to ask him," I said.

But the truth was I was thinking of asking someone else. Colonel M_______. I just didn't know what I would say.

-----

"Let's try to find the cargo bay," I suggested.

"This doesn't look like most survey ships I've seen."

"It is unique," I admitted, "Like Wylder himself I'll bet."

Ceasar checked the system monitor. "Cargo hold is right below this deck."

The deck itself was a smooth disk broken only by the computer which appeared to be sunken into the floor. A close examination revealed controls by which the device could be removed.

Once we raised the computer, we discovered that it was not a dome, as I had originally thought, but rather a complete sphere. Everything - floor, shafts, equipment - radiated from this one object. It added to the impression that we were inside the belly of an enormous artificial satellite, rather than a craft designed for human travel.

"That's it," declared Ceasar, once the way was clear to the lower compartment, "Shall we?"

"Yes."

Ceasar led the way down. As gravity was confined to the main deck he floated into the storage cavity.

"Holy go-su!" he cried.

"What did you find?" I asked peering through the gap in the floor.

"Crapload of boxes, Ma'am. Containment crates."

Approximately two dozen crates where clustered against the outer hull. That way for who knows how many years...

"Will they open?" I asked.

Ceasar answered, "I'll try."

I launched myself into the weightless cargo hold.

"I can't open them here," he reported.

We examined the collection. Each crate had a unique identifier. A series of symbols and numbers in bright holographic text.





"This is a lot of stuff, Major."

"We will take what we can," I replied, "and send a team up for the rest." Getting Wylder himself to safety was our top priority.





"What could be in all of these?" he asked





"This will keep our analysis team busy for a while. Could just be supplies for his journey." I speculated.

"Not just thrown down like this," Ceasar disagreed.





And with such odd script. Familiar...

"Let's head back," I said.

----

In short order we had Wydler, his computer, his equipment and personal effects loaded aboard the shuttle. We also took a sampling of the containment crates. I would send a second team to clear the hold.

Ceasar checked the air, then started to remove his helmet.

"The markings on the crates..." I suddenly remembered where I had seen that script before. "...engineering and science notation used at the Zenobian Polytechnic," I explained, "I'll need to get it translated."

I didn't have many contacts in the scientific community. Time to correct that.

I settled into my seat and began the pre-flight sequence. A retinal scan and the shuttle nav computer recognized me. Caine Shuttlepod whispered, "Pilot Pepper Siamendes."

"Start." I commanded.

"FTL Drive online," responded the computer.

"I don't envy you this, Ma'am," said Ceasar.

I shrugged a little. Cryptic markings were the least of my concerns. My thoughts kept going back to the picture.

-----

Ceasar monitored the comm traffic, while I steered our craft back towards the Alliance station.

"Your help on this mission has been invaluable," I began.

"Then I end my service term on a high note," he answered.

Ah yes. I wondered if we would talk about that.

"I do wish you would reconsider," I admitted.

"I've been in 15 years. I do want to go home."

I nodded giving him a smile. "And you deserve it..."

"Already have a job lined up."

"Oh?" I asked.

"Captain of the police in Spinwheel. Not the small town I grew up in, but not far from it either."

I brightened, "That's wonderful!"

Ceasar looked a little surprised at my comment.

"So you are staying in law enforcement," I explained. An excuse to keep in touch.

"It's what I know and do well."

"Indeed," I agreed.

Ceasar's eyes narrowed a little bit. "And you just got a new contact on Paquin," he added with a lopsided smile.

I smiled in return, satisfied.

Memories of Sihnon

June 13

Perhaps it was the recent friction with Brooke, but today I found myself thinking a lot about the past.

Another summer, long ago.

The Academy. End of first year.

Brooke and I were Officer Cadets.

It was a simpler time.

-----

Sihnon.

With the old boat fastened securely to the dock, the elderly captain waved me forward. I was now permitted to disembark.

When I was told I would be travelling to Brooke's family estate by ship, I did not expect to be going by water. The craft itself was a wooden affair with two large sails to speed us along. I was the only passenger and carried my own pack, so I was light cargo.

The captain had rough, white whiskers. His face weather worn and creased. But his smile was kind and there was a twinkle in his eye when I boarded. Except for a few simple orders to his small crew, he was silent the whole trip.

His young deckhand by contrast wouldn't stay quiet. Perhaps relieved to have someone new to talk with, once we were underway he began his monologue. A steady stream of trivia and local news. After a few failed attempts on my part to have an actual conversation with him, I finally settled in, content to be the captive audience. Much to the amusement of the captain I am sure.

There was a warm summer ahead of us.

I had decided to take my leave with Brooke's family that year rather than return home to Albion.

My brother Demetrios now ran the family farm and while I appreciated the fact that his return to the homestead meant I could join the academy, that didn't mean I wanted to spent any length of time with him.

Much older than I, Demetrios had left home while I was still small. But I remember he had a frown that made him look perpetually cross. And when he looked at me it was with all the attention one gives a stray cat. He was more of a stern uncle than an older brother.

Nothing like Hector.

Hector I had adored. Closer to my age but old enough to still be a big brother. Charismatic. Gentle. Always laughing. Hector had taken care of me.

When Hector died during the war, it was a terrible blow to the family.

Mother followed soon afterward. And while the doctors said it was disease that killed her, I knew full well she died from a broken heart.

-----

I walked up the long pathway from the dock to the front door of the house that squatted high upon the hill. Worn stone steps and a heavy ornate wooden door. I knocked.

A stranger opened the door and it took me a moment to realize that this was part of his job. The stranger said nothing. I smiled gently.

"Pepper?" called a voice from inside. "Hey there!" It was Brooke and with a smile she climbed over the couch. The servant turned and gave her a dirty look.

"Hey there," I replied.

"Hey! I didn't expect you so early or I would have got the door myself. Come in," she motioned.

I stepped into the cool interior. The servant closing the door carefully behind me.

Glancing around the room, I was struck by the amount of art that had been collected there. "Nice place"

"This is the downstairs fun room," she said with a grin. "How have you been?"

"Good thanks..."

"I'll show you the rest in a bit." She yawned. "It's good to get away .. though not sure how fun it is to be home .."

I had to comment. "Wow, I must say I never realized you came from a noble family." I slipped off my backpack and let it hang at my side.

Brooke blushed. "Not really Noble per se. My dad wishes we were ... just have lots of land and such... it's uhm .. a long story. But the good thing is we have chocolate."

I smiled brightly, "Good thing indeed."

One of the servants standing by hurried over to take my bag before I could place it in a corner anywhere.

"Can you put that in my room?" Brooke asked him.

The servant nodded and turned towards the hallway.

"Thanks," I called out to him. It felt odd having someone carry my bag.

Brooke smiled at me. "Yea .. I ... know it's a bit much... not really my thing .. I guess that's why I like being in the dorms."

"Don't knock it," I exclaimed, "this is lovely!" I spoke of the house as a whole.

"Well .... you're staying for the summer ... right? So it's all yours too ... my parents will be happy to have another girl in the house. Just don't let them talk you into being a companion." She grinned.

"I have to thank them ..and you too for putting me up for our break. Things just aren't the same back home now that Demetrios has returned to take care of Dad."

"Hey! I can't get into all the trouble by myself," she said with a smile. "And I know. Things can get crazy when there's change. Here almost nothing changes, and we'll have fun driving my parents nuts."

I giggled.

My eyes kept drifting around the room to the beautiful paintings and rich furniture. Whatever Brooke said, to me it was like the summer house of a great lord or lady.

"I guess I can change out of my uniform ..." I said cautiously.

Brooke laughed. "Uhm yea.... you're way too into being an officer, Pepper. You need to relax. This is going to be a great vacation." She grabbed a peach from the plate and threw it at me. "Heads up!" she called.

With a sweeping movement, I caught it left handed.

----

The room was empty when I returned. Brooke had wandered off somewhere. The servants had probably been dismissed. That didn't mean there was no sign of their activity.

The fire had been stoked. The plate of fruit had been refilled. The pillows that Brooke disturbed when she climbed over the couch had been set to right.

What a life this must be! Dozing on pillows. Eating fresh peaches and chocolate.

I was quite enjoying myself in front of the fireplace when I heard a voice laugh.

"You have legs!"

Brooke had returned. Clearly making a reference to my dress.

"Okay," she winked, "I see you in PJs all the time, but still..."

"No wonder you didn't want to answer the door...." I remarked.

"I know it's comfortable," she smiled, "Best place in the house. It's quiet and the servants don't come down too much."

I shook my head, "I don't think I could get used to servants. After Mom passed away, I pretty much had to take care of the house while Dad worked the farm."

Brooke frowned. "I'd lend you mine. Most are indentured brought from some of the Rim worlds..." She shrugged a bit. "It's nicer here for them though."

"Doesn't it make them.... I don't know... envious?"

Brooke blinked a few times. "I ... don't know. Zarek always says it's better than some places he had heard about. It could always be worse. I mean they are given rooms and food. And even given days off and things."

I shrugged a bit turning the idea over in my head.

"How's the flight training coming along?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Oh, it's a blast. Though the instructor is a ha_rdass. There are times I really do want to slap him," she said with a laugh. "But I think I really love it. It's going to be my duty to get people in and out of danger. It's a big responsibility."

I smiled, "Wow, it's going to be exciting!"

I could see it now. Drop ship under fire. Boots on the ground. Go go go!

Brooke laughed, "And you ... Miss Investigator .." She shook her head.

"Yes, little miss hound dog sniffing out trouble."

Our first year done at the academy. The path had been set for both of us.

"Like you aren't going to have a time. Finding the bad guy..." She winked. "Those browncoats won't know what hit them..." Then as an afterthought she added, "Hey as long as you don't sniff out mine."

"Well, that's easy....don't get into trouble," I countered.

Brooke coughed. "Right ... easy ..... Come on. You wouldn't actually tell on me ... would you?"

"Tell on you? What are you planning on doing?"

Was she being serious?

"Well," she began, "See.... Sanders has this idea about when we get back to the academy .." She shook her head. "Just uhm ... well. Maybe getting a few nights out."

"Ah that's nothing," I dismissed her concern with a smile. "But hypothetically... if you did something really bad? .... I'd have to take you in of course. You know that."

"You are a hardnose..." she muttered. "Goody two-shoes... fine, fine.." she added with a laugh.

"More like a pitbull," I said setting the record straight.

"Not like I'm going to join the browncoats and start shooting Alliance officers anyway.."

"Oh lord I hope not...."

Brooke giggled, "Come on ... I look horrible in brown."

I laughed, "... and purple sets off your eyes."

The flames danced cheerfully. It was as if the fire itself was joining our fun.

"How is Sanders?" I asked.

"I'll always be an Alliance officer. It's in my blood. And he's ... amazing, Pepper. The guy is going to go places, I can already feel it. He's been accepted to the ops team."

I shook my head, "Wow... you are truly the lucky one when it comes to love.

Brooke laughed. "I think so too. We're talking about getting married after we both graduate..."

I elaborated, "That doctor I took a fancy too... seems that he has a interest in that nurse from Osiris... the one with the narrow hips."

I made a face.

"Ah, Pepper, I'm sorry. You'll find someone. He had bad hands anyway." She smiled. "You deserve someone better."

I smiled too but not so sure this time, "Maybe... but my job might involve a lot of travelling."

"Not going out to the Rim .. .are ya?"

"Wherever they send me," I admitted. Came with the job.

I had a thought. "Hey, I may need extraction sometime... for you to fly in and pick me up!"

We both laughed.

"You know I'll be there," she said.

I looked over at Brooke, my turn to get all serious. "Promise?"

"Not going to let you get stuck on some dead-end world being eaten by boogie men ... what do they call them? Reavers?" She smiled. "Promise. I'll be there if you need me.....And I expect you not to turn me in." she added with a wink.

I smiled back but I did not reply.

Instead, I stretched and said, "Well, I should head to bed. This fire is making me sleepy."

-----

"I had an extra bed put in my room for you."

Brooke's bedroom was on the uppermost level of the mansion. She had almost the whole upper floor for herself. A door to a private balcony facing the river.

"My humble abode," she added with a laugh.

"Wow, fantastic.... "

"If you want your own room. I can get you that instead. Just though this way we could stay up late and tell ghost stories."

"Oh this is wonderful," I observed, "just like the barracks..only better!"

We laughed together.

"Exactly," she replied, "The beds aren't rocks..."

"...and no lights out. There is no lights out, right?"

"Nope. No lights out..." She winked. "Just whenever we want. And we can have the servants bring us any treats we want too. At any time of the night."

"Oh this can't be legal," I exclaimed.

Brooke smiled. "Oh, it's legal on Sihnon....That's what money does ... makes it legal."

The Red Satin Revenge of Consulari Raghilda

"It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires." - Shakespeare, Henry V

-----

It was May 4.

The message bore the codes and signature of the Companions' Guild.

"Greetings Major! I hope you are well and that your travels throughout the 'Verse are not too tiresome. I was recently asked to get in touch with you if I could on behalf of a Miss Linnea Tenenbaum formerly of Prosperity. I met her this weekend on Persephone in the Eavesdown Docks looking rather lost. She asked if I knew you and if I saw you to pass on word she was hopeful to speak to you at your convenience. May your paths be safe, Calina."

In the intervening month my attempts to contact Linnea had been unsuccessful. And while I had suggested that Sentry contact his aunt directly, I did want to follow up on the call myself. So it was to this end that I travelled to Persephone to first speak with Calina Tereshchenko.

-----

June 11 - Eavesdown Docks

Every major city or settlement since Rome has had a rough side of town. The kind of place that you don't go wandering about in unless you either belong there or are looking to receive some major hurt.

And while Persephone may have been a Core World, Eavesdown Docks was a very dangerous place. Lonely warehouses. Dark, narrow alleyways. A sprawling maze of buildings in various states of disrepair.

There were safer places out on the Rim.

And still it was a place of business.

As I made my way down the street past ships and containers, I could hear Consulari Jai Raghilda busying herself in the cargo hold of an older model Firefly.

"Shh. Damn bugs," she muttered.

"Well, hello Consulari," I called out.

"Oh, hello Major."

"They still have you moving cargo?" I smiled.

"This is the less glamorous side of my work," she explained, "Sometimes things have to get done, you do it yourself."

"Yes, that's true," I admitted.

"Indy traders are a flighty bunch."

"Are you familiar with Eavesdown Docks?" I inquired.

"Yes, come here regularly, one of our main hubs....ACK... Meat Beetles are twitchy."

I explained myself, "I am trying to find the Companion Calina Tereshchenko."

"I know where she is. One moment. Let me close up. Thing has only been out of the shop a couple days."

"Was it in need of much repair?" I asked.

"It was shot down by people impersonating Alliance over Shadow."

"You were on Shadow when it fell? Or was this an earlier incident?"

I could always use another credible witness against William Faith.

"Oh no, much before that. Right before they declared independence."

"Ah okay," I nodded. No help there.

"There was a lot of craziness during that time," continued the Consulari, "Zeno got me a job at the Consolidated Associated Traders of Zenobia while my ship was being repaired."

"You have done well since then," I observed.

"Never considered it would become a career," she said as she strapped cargo containers to the deck of her craft.

"I can't imagine not doing what I do," I said out loud.

"CATZ has its fingers in a lot of pies," she confessed, "because there are so many neglected pies. I never imagined being an Indy Trader or a Trade Consul. I'm an accountant by education. I never expected to be outside of a building."

"Accountants rule the world," I reminded her with a smile.

"Now I am all over the 'Verse. This is all that is left of my inheritance, a 75 year old outdated light bulk transport. Not even an aught 3 or 4, an aught 2.. but it's like keeping your first credit."

"You must be amassing your own small fortune by now," I suggested.

"Seems like it, it will all disappear in marriage assuming I marry well."

Marriage.

"A topic I haven't thought about for quite some time," I chuckled. "Well, shall we find the Companion?"

"Yes, ready."

----

The Consulari hurried ahead. She is quite spry. All it took was one false turn and I had lost her.

This would be a good place to evade capture. I must familiarize myself with its intricacies.

I was not far behind of course, and soon heard voices that I could focus in on.

"Please come in Jai. Welcome to the Shi Xing Boutique." It was Calina Tereshchenko.

The Consulari called out, "Major?"

Another voice said, "Could you hold on to it for me? I obviously can't be trusted to keep it safe."

"Consulari," I called as I approached the voices.

I joined her at the door of a dressmakers shop.

"Sorry Major, it is easy to get lost in the back alleys. I should have taken you on main streets."

I knocked softly at the open door. Standing in the shop, the Companion Calina Tereshchenko was in the process of folding up some bills up and tucking them into a concealed pocket. A young albino woman stood nearby.

"Please come in!" called Calina.

"Ms. Tereshchenko, you remember the Major, yes?" the Consulari reintroduced us. "She needs a formal gown."

The young albino woman gasped as I walked into the room.

Ms Tereshchenko smiled, "As I was saying, I want to introduce you both to Jade. She works here and is very talented. Yes, I do remember you Pepper... it is delightful to meet you again. I hope your journeys have been safe and pleasant"

"Yes," I answered, "Very nice to see you again."

Jade began to shake then quickly opened her bag and small box, struggling to get her identification out. Finding it she pulled it close and stepped back behind Calina.

I instinctively held up my hand in a calming gesture.

Calina glanced back and forth. She had dropped the use of formal titles. She tilted her head back toward Jade,"No need to hide, no one will bite."

"Hello, Miss Jade," greeted the Consulari.

"Hello Jade," I added.

Sheltered behind the Companion, Jade held her identification out, "I have my registry and identification," she squeaked, her hand shaking. "I haven't left planet. You have no reason to ab-duc.... hold me bound by law."

I glanced at the identification but did not take it. "I don't need to see your papers," I said reassuringly, "I am sure they are in order."

It was nice to have a peek though. Jade was Jade Moonkill. I had heard of her. The night that Lynx was shot here in Eavesdown Docks, he had been gathering information on illegal organ trade. Jade, an albino, was mixed up in something very nasty. Because of her weakened immune system, she made a good candidate to transport illegal organ transplants.

It would be good to have a little chat with Jade Moonkill.

Calina continued, "As far as a gown goes, that can be arranged. I spoke briefly to Ms. Baxton. I understand Zenobia wants to plan quite the social calender over the next several months."

"Yes," added Ms. Raghilda, "and we can't have the Major freaking people out in her usual heliotropes."

I frowned slightly, "I do have a dress uniform."

The Consulari sighed.

Calina put her hand on Jade's wrist, "I don't believe Pepper is here to interrogate you."

She went on to explain, "They were recently returned to her. Jade's bag was stolen when she arrived on Persephone but a good Samaritan found it and returned the bag."

Jade pulled her hand back and put her identification into her pocket, looking relieved and embarrassed.

"Alliance Officers are people, too," Calina added with a smile.

"Glad to hear about good people helping out," remarked Ms. Raghilda.

I smiled kindly. "That's good to hear you have recovered your bag."

Jade nodded and pointed to a red dress in the window. "That one is the one I suggest Ms. Calina."

I took the opportunity to look around the shop with some interest. A wide range of fabric. A dressmaker's mannequin. Garments on display. Stairs to a second floor.

"Red," remarked Ms. Raghilda, "good choice."

I turned to the Consulari then back to the Companion. Wait. Did they really mean for me?

"I have heard of other colors," she continued, "but don't see the point."

Calina Tereshchenko smiled, "That is a very nice one... quite a bit of slink to it. Sensual without being over-done. And still covered." She lifted the hem a bit "We will also have to make arrangements for hair and makeup, especially for the formal ball."

"I didn't expect to be looking at gowns...." I started to protest.

"Why else would you come here?" Jai Raghilda was clearly enjoying herself.

"Plans change," the Companion reassured, "I did not expect to have to block off my back door but that became necessary... I am not certain I will leave it that way. Need an escape should those thugs return."

I pressed on.

"I received a message from Ms. Tereshchenko that Linnea Tenenbaum wanted to speak with me. I have been unable to reach her."

Jade leaned over to Calina and whispered, "Maybe her tastes run to the soft flesh?"

I regarded the young woman. What did she say?

Calina Tereshchenko took the red dress from the rack and held it up. "Jade, do you think this color is good for Pepper? I have not seen Ms. Tenebaum since she asked me to tell you she wanted to speak with you."

Consulari Raghilda's eyes widen. "Try it on, Major," she prompted, "It's too busty for me..."

"That is a pretty gown, I will admit..." I said tentatively.

"...but you have the hips and bust for it."

"We can make it in another color if the red does not work," Calina added helpfully.

It looked harmless. I gave a half smile, "Well, it wouldn't hurt to try it...."

The Consulari looked puzzled. "Other colors?" she whispered.

The Companion grinned, "Green, pink, blue... there are other colors out there."

Jade Moonkill leans into Calina. "Soft flesh." And nodding added, "Maybe she would like a suit?"

I tried to regain control of the situation.

"What about this yellow one?" I asked, "It looks nice. Is there somewhere I can change then?"

Jade pointed to a screen.

Ms. Tereshchenko however looked back and forth, "Need a deeper, richer shade if you are going formal. Someone with your presence needs clothes with a presence. Behind the screen or upstairs if you'd like. I need to get some curtains for that window."

I was outgunned. "Yes of course," I responded,"this is hardly formal....more of a spring outfit..."

Jade let out a startled sound. "My baby chicks! Let me put them on the deck first." And with that, she hurried upstairs.

"Your assistant is ... unusual," I observed.

We could hear a door upstairs closed carefully and Jade's maternal voice, "Cheep cheep to you too. I know your not hungry I feed you already. Now behave till the lady leaves and I will bring you back in."

"Wouldn't make Hale's Moon top 10 most unusual," remarked the Consulari, "Wouldn't make my old dorm's top 10 most unusual."

I accepted the satin garment and looked at it once again.

"Okay, then perhaps I should try the red."

"Exactly," said the Consulari firmly.

"Upstairs?" I asked as the assistant rejoined us. Her mission on the second floor now accomplished.

"Jade is.... Jade," said Calina, "She is very sweet, kind... talented. Great leather work."

Hearing these words, Jade blushed a strange red grey color.

-----

The room upstairs had the dusty smell of poultry. Memories of my father's farm.

As I changed, I could hear them chatting on the main floor.

Jai Raghilda asked, "Miss Tereshchenko, do you do hair or do you job it out?"

Calina Tereshchenko replied, "It depends on the occasion. Most formal occasions, I will go see someone to do my hair as some of the styles can be complicated. I've not been asked to do someone else's hair before."

Jai Raghilda explained, "I have an acquaintance with really, really, really bad hair. But he is making a formal gift to Al Raqis. He is going to insist on his traditional clothes, but the hair...."

Calina Tereshchenko chuckled, "If it's really bad, I would definitely refer him to a professional. He may need further assistance."

-----

"WOW!" exclaimed the Consulari as I rejoined them, "I was totally right about the hips."

"I'm big boned. Rural stock," I said in my defence.

Without a word, Jade grabbed a handful of stickpins and knelt down at my feet. She lightly lifted the dress and started pinning a new hem.

Calina smiled, "That is... wow. The color is great. The sleeves... this detail in the front."

"Maybe take up the hem to show some shoe," suggested Ms. Raghilda helpfully.

"Instead of the mermaid hem, Jade," the Companion added, "do you think we can let out the skirt so it can go straight from her hips and not pull in? That will create a more even line."

"I feel like I'm going undercover......" I muttered.

"You can fit your gun up somewhere I am sure," the Consulari assured me.

Calina Tereshchenko laughed, "That is what a handbag is for, Jai."

"Ah... or boots," she replied.

Jade looked around, nodded then pulled out a knife and flicked it open. She moved in as if to cut the seam out.

"Nice knife, Jade," I said. Let her know I see it.

Jade blushed and smiled almost swallowing a stick pin.

The Consulari carried on, oblivious to a weapon in the room.

"I am 5'4" in these boots," she announced, "They are my new favorites. I feel like a giant."

"They are great boots, Jai," complimented Calina.

"I had been lax for a while, mostly wearing my EVA boots," the Consulari replied.

I took the opportunity to engage with the young albino woman. "Jade... I believe you know my ward, Lynx."

"Oh, he is the guy that Iskrin was helpen'," she answered, "when I saved Iskrin's life."

"That sounds about right," I acknowledged.

Jade looked at Calina, "He still won't admit I saved his life, you know.."

"Boys!" Ms. Raghilda snickered. Then she added, "Lynx came by Al Raqis earlier, but I did not get to speak with him."

"I will spend some time with him when I return to Mu Draconis," I promised.

"Oh, Major," interjected the Consulari, "Did I send you a permission slip for Lynx? We are hiring him as a cargo agent intern."

"Oh, splendid," I replied, "No, I haven't seen such a slip."

"I will get it to you next week," she promised.

"Now that Iskrin is Sheriff. He will never admit it either Jade," Calina said with a giggle.

Consulari Raghilda snickered again, "Another boy."

I looked down at the gown, "Yes, this is lovely. How long do you need to make the alterations?"

Jade pinned the skirt with a new hang, set the hem and mumbled with a mouth full of pins, "Mous tat?"

Jai Raghilda giggled.

Calina raised an eyebrow "I... uh... no... no idea what you said, Jade."

"How's that?" translated the Consulari, "I speak mumble."

Jade rolled her eyes and nodded as she spat the pins out, "Yes, How's that?"

"Are the opera gloves part of the outfit?" asked the Consulari.

Calina Tereshchenko leaned over and nodded, "Looks good. Yes, they should be for a formal occasion. They complete the look. Unless the sleeve were long, I would almost always recommend gloves."

"I will take the gloves too then," I announced. I assumed that I had a choice.

"Does she need more lift and separate?" asked the Consulari.

Jade adjusted the skirt a little. "I don't get it," she said, "with breeding hips like yours how you have time to do anything but house work Ms. Major?" She piped out as she smoothed a seam.

Ms. Raghilda continued pressing her advance, "Something for accent in the hair?"

I waited patiently. Stand very still and it will be over sooner.

"Are we too far past your comfort zone, Major?" inquired the Consulari.

Calina Tereshchenko chuckled in a good natured way, "Maybe a bit more lift, but that would come with different undergarments. Nothing outrageous. Nothing obvious."

Jade stood up and stepped behind me. Carefully she lifted the top of my dress to simulate a bra then a corset.

I was taken off-guard but I did not react.

"Pastie pushups!" suggested Ms. Raghilda brightly. "They sell these great Hello Kitty Edible pastie pushup. Kitty Titty Tasty Pasties, have you heard of them?"

Jade rolled her eyes and looked at the Consulari.

"Where would you like them to sit Ms. Major?" asked Jade.

Consulari Raghilda was enjoying this a bit too much.

Okay, time to draw this to a close.

"If we are done, I will change back into my uniform...."

"She should try on corsets, no?" prompted Jai Raghilda.

Calina cleared her throat "Uhm.... hrm.... I am afraid I don't carry any corsets."

I gave the Consulari a look. "I will need shoes," I said plainly.

"Well, I know what I am buying the Major for Saint Crispin's Day...." she chirped.

Jade Moonkill shrugged and pinned where she thought my chest should be accented by the dress then moved back away.

"It looks good," commented Calina, "Jade. How do you feel in it, Pepper?"

"Actually... I do like it," I confessed.

The Consulari prattled on, "Wait, no. Shoes are traditional for Saint Crispin's. Thinking which saint day one gives corsets. Saint Brigitte? mmm, maybe. Saint Joan, maybe armour....I will consult a priest," she said at last.

I suddenly stopped and hesitated. So used to requisitioning material and equipment as needed I almost forgot. "Uh... I will need to know how much this will cost."

I suddenly felt very embarrassed. I was on an officer's salary. I was not used to buying fine clothes handmade by registered companions.

"A gift from House Zenobia if you agree to wear it to the formal," offered the Consulari.

I chuckled. "Okay," I said finally, "Agreed."

"Deal," she confirmed, "The Bihar Curator asked if you would be attending."

"Ah the Bai," I said with a natural smile.

"Then I will send the bill to Jai," said Calina, "I promise it will be reasonable."

"Thank you," I replied to them both.

"Pleasure was mine," said the Consulari.

"I will be right back," I said and headed upstairs.

-----

I could hear them talking.

Jai Raghilda remarked, "I bought a cocktail dress that I like, but I think it is insufficient for the formal."

Calina Tereshchenko countered, "But it might be good for the gallery opening."

Jai Raghilda replied, "That's true. I struggle finding clothes I like. The fit is difficult."

Calina Tereshchenko added, "And finding Jai sized clothes."

Jai Raghilda agreed, "The hardest part. If you are 6 foot tall and double D, you can shop off the rack."

-----

I came down the stairs feeling a bit more comfortable for all my armour.

"Welcome back, Major."

"Thank you Consulari," I said and then added, "Well, thank you Calina... and Jade."

Calina Tereshchenko smiled, "I think the visit was most productive. I will let you know when the alterations have been finished."

"If you do see Linnea again," I asked, "Please tell her I was looking for her."

"I will," she replied.

Jade gave a crude curtsy.

I smiled and addressed them both, "Thank you... have a pleasant evening."

"Next time, you will have to visit the tea house next door," offered the Companion, "It is still in its state of.... disarray."

"Certainly," I replied, "I would enjoy that."

"I will come by next week to ask about clothes for me," promised Ms. Raghilda, "I will bring coffee. 32kg to hold you over."

"I would appreciate that," said Calina, "The thieves made off with the coffee you gave us."

"I heard," remarked the Consulari, "Damn thugs."

Ms. Tereshchenko waved her hand, "But that is a conversation for another time."

"Very well," I said, "Good night."

"Oh, I almost forgot!" cried Jade. With that she turned and ran up the stairs.

Calina glanced up the stairs after Jade.

From the second floor, we heard the sound of a door and Jade's voice once again, "Come on in lil ones. Yes I know its cold out there. Come in and I will put you in my bedroll to warm you up."

Listening to Jade chatter to her little ones, Consulari Raghilda began to laugh,"hee hee heee hee, ...hahahaha....Chickens!"