Deshima (Part One)

Deshima. An independently run station on the fringes of populated space.

Located deep within a nebula, it is a difficult place to reach.

But that suited my purposes for I came here to meet someone.

Off the beaten track.

-----

February 15 - Deshima

The door to the theatre lobby opened with a hiss.

"Howdy."

I nodded, "Hello Cody."

"Been a while...." he said.

"Glad you could make it," I replied pleasantly.


Cody was wearing blue jeans, a grey armoured vest, side arm strapped to his leg. Sunglasses protected his eyes.

I was out of uniform. It was a deliberate decision, not so much to put him at ease, but as a precaution against anyone seeing Cody with an Alliance officer. Strangers would simply see a couple going to the movies.

"So where you want to.. talk?" he asked.

"In the theatre.."


"Okay," he replied, "After you..."

I handed my ticket to the auto attendant. Cody followed behind me and did the same.

As the inner door to the theatre proper closed behind us, I explained my choice of venue. "The movie will cover our voices.... for privacy sake."

Cody nodded and sat back on the grey sofa.

The theatre was of modest size. Still it could accommodate a small group of perhaps six to eight viewers. We had the room to ourselves.

The film flickered to life as we took our seats.

"I wanted to see if you have heard anything concerning the children," I began, "and to let you know what I have heard about Kitten."

"Okay...."

"Let me go first," I insisted, "since I was the one to ask you here."

Cody nodded for me to continue.

"I have a lead," I said, "about a genetics lab in the Wastelands..."

"Genetics?" he asked.

"...from what I know of you and your sister, it may yield some results."

Cody clenched his jaw.

"It was connected to a man named Mindo.... do you recognize that name?"

"Yeah," he replied, "I gone toe to toe with him."

"Okay, good," I said, "then I will pursue that angle. And what about you? Have you heard anything that might interest me?"

"Not on the twins, but suspect Lily's played with 'em. She's seen 'em..... I don't mean the eggs she's been carin' for either."

Eggs? I nodded. "How many eggs does she have?"

"She has two eggs from the old Easter hunt. Two."

"Ah, Easter eggs," I chuckled, "I thought you meant something else."

"The bio genetic stuff? No."

"What about drones?" I asked

He regarded me for a moment. "Drones? Depends on the kind you mean..."

I explained, "I understand that you had a run in recently.... with a drone belonging to Ardra Aurotharius."

Cody paused for a few seconds. "Yeah," he replied, "Can't say it was a run in....More like seein' what all was wrong. It was all beat up."

"Broken you say?"

"More like damaged," he replied, "It was in pretty bad shape."

"Tell me what happened."

Cody leaned back and looked at the movie screen. "Hmm, it said somethin' 'bout it was comin' to get the program from the host."

"The host!" I said suddenly. That was a surprise.

Cody nodded, "Thin' is it was already gone."

"Do you think it meant Lily?" I asked.

"I got a feelin' it did," he answered, "but it said the program got activated again. Not sure what all that meant. I think this was b'fore the incident with Lily."

Curious. I frowned turning the information over and over.

Meanwhile, the actors in the movie carried on with their own drama in a graveyard of sorts.

"Ardra hurt Lily," I said almost absently, "and she may have the twins."

Cody looked at me. "I don't doubt it," he agreed, "Ardra caused a lot of hurt."

"Tell me more about this drone," I pressed, "Even the most insignificant detail..."

"What," he cocked his head, "you want a runnin' commentary?"

"Whatever information you can provide may be helpful," I said, "These drones are launched from somewhere. Everything leaves a trace."

He frowned, "Fine.....It showed up by the shuttles but on the lower level. Bram was usin' his new scope and said it was there. I went to check it out. Said it was damaged and waitin' for extraction."

"It was there to get the program from the host," I repeated, "...so it was a retrieval drone."

Cody shrugged, "Yeah."

"Did it find anything close to what it was looking for?"

"No. It said somethin' 'bout Project Aurotharius bin' reactivated."

"What did it look like?"

"Was a silver skin female lookin' chassis. Had shorts and a tank on."

"Silver?" I mused. A new colour. "Do you have an image?" I asked, "A security cam capture perhaps... you were a deputy on Hale's."

"Yeah.. or grey. Was too bright out that day. Said it was a drone program extracted by Blue Sun."

"By Blue Sun?" File that for later, I thought.

Cody frowned then carefully pulls out a picture from his kit.

I reached over and accepted the photograph, "Thank you Cody." Again it was dressed in Audrey's style of clothes. Suspended at an odd angle. It looked like a ghost.

He nodded by way of reply.

"What happened to the drone?" I asked.

"It was wanderin' 'round then went into the wastes. It had a temp shutdown.. Was over heatin'."

"Go on."

"Then it said it'd wait where it was for extraction.... then did a data extraction."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It did a verbal data dump... like went on over the convo we had."

"So where is it now?"

"I don't rightly know," he replied, "When I went back later it was gone. Was gonna bring Lily over to check on it, but nada. Nothin' there."

I ran the tip of my finger along the edge of the photograph. "Okay... this has been helpful. Thank you."

Another puzzle piece.

Cody nodded.

On the screen, a policeman asked his partner: "....How are we going to kill somebody that's already dead?..."

"I will let you know what I find out in the Wastelands," I added.

"You got folks checkin' there now?" he asked, "You know..... Ain't seen Lily for near a week now.... She's gone missin'."

"Do you think she might be there?"

"No...," he replied, "I think she might be somewhere no one's been in a long while....."

"What do you think happened to her? She has run off before."

Cody paused to think. "She got taken....... I have a place, but no one can access it without maybe gettin' on a dinner menu...."

"Go on," I prompted.

Cody rubbed his chin, "'Liance most like has the outer rim of the moon restricted..... "

"I see. What would you like me to do?" I asked directly.

"You thinkin' of goin' to Miranda then?" he asked.

"You think she went to Miranda?"

"Maybe got taken there," he replied.

I caught my breath. "By whom?" I asked.

Cody smiled faintly, "Don't know.... But your folks might....."

My mind was racing. What if Lynx was with her?

A Colonel in the movie remarked, "And it's my guess that she'll look like him." He indicated a skeleton lying on the ground, "With the ship and the ray gun gone, they have no control..."

"I'll see what I can find out," I said carefully, "Traffic logs maybe...Do you have anything else to go on?"

"Might help," he said, "I was asked by the Mayor.. her Ma.. to look for Lily. A big ship come in and maybe swallowed the smaller Reaver ship what were attackin' hers."

"Very well. I will see what I can find out.... What about this big ship? Any markings? Description?"

"Didn't see it on the feeds," he replied, "Heard it though."

"Where was she last seen?" I asked.

"On her ship stuck in the asteroid field," he went on to explain, "We went up to salvage what we thought was a small derelict..... was hers...."

"Okay."

"...down to the ear what was cut from her," he added, clenching his jaw tightly.

"An ear!" I exclaimed.

I asked the question. I feared the answer.

"Was she alone?"

"Don't know.. We think a kid was with her.... Lynx....."

My heart was pounding in my ears.

A man in the movie was making his closing remarks, "...Can you prove that it didn't happen?..."

I heard another voice. It was my voice. "Okay," said the voice.

"...We ain't seen the kid since."

I stood up.

"Send me everything you have," I directed, "I'll be in touch."

"Okay..." he replied.

"Thank you Cody," I managed to say. I turned and walked purposefully to the exit.

-----

The door from the theatre was still closing by the time I reached the next junction.

I walked. Through Deshima Station. Down corridors. Across platforms.

Agonizing over the fate of young Lynx.

I kept walking, fighting the swirl of emotions, the flurry of thoughts.

Until at last I could walk no more. I leaned back against the bulkhead and wept.

Dispatch from the Frontier of Medicine

February 15 - In transit. On approach to Deshima.

Captain Westminster's report arrived. As I have come to expect, it was detailed and comprehensive, covering her current assignment, information on cloning and providing details and images of her autopsy of the Colonel's clone. Important background information on a number of cases.

-----

To: Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP SIU

"My exposure to frontier medicine is full of surprises. The gentle nature of Doctor Danick was something I had never seen before, but all of her subjects are voluntary and require constant comforting and cajoling to elicit their cooperation. This is much different than the military, prison and experimental test subjects that I am accustomed to. I am not sure I am ready to put away my stungun, restraints and fast acting sedatives, but the mission is illuminating.

[Scanner, Hale's Moon]

"Doctor Danick keeps detailed records and more importantly she keeps blood samples and tissue samples. I have spoken to her about starting a blood bank for the locals. I have made casual conversations about the potential lifesaving value of taking tissue samples.

"Human have over two hundred and fifty different tissue types. Contrary to popular belief, DNA is not the sole determining factor in tissue typing. Each cell's DNA interacts with its environment which plays a large role in how an organism develops. This is why clones do not always look identical.

"For example, cloned female calico cats do not look like their mothers. The color and pattern of the coats of female calico cats are not solely determined by their genes. Random inactivation of the X chromosome in every cell of the female cat determines which coat color genes are switched off and which are switched on. The random distribution of X inactivation determines the appearance of the cat's coat.

[Stasis Chamber - Research Hospital, Albion City]

"Many biological phenomena are determined by random, interactive or other non-deterministic phenomenon. Which is why tissue samples are required. Simply having the DNA of the subject does not insure you can reproduce it's unique properties. Even tissue sampling is insufficient to reproduce certain special emergent phenomena such as readers.

"Hale's Moon is crawling with 'specials', I can see why Blue Sun keeps a presence there. I got a detailed full body scan of Cody Winterwolf and by luck alone I got one of his alleged sister Katherine. I will see if I can procure tissue samples at some point.

"There has been no further sightings of the Arudra drone. It seems an unlikely coincidence that the Arudra drone came to Hale just as their were having a warbot problem. Cybernetics is not my field, may I forward my few notes and observations to Doctor Qui? I am told that Doctor Qui is acquainted with some of the locals and even contributed hardware used in the failed drone program extraction from the Blue Sun synthetic cat.

[Clone in Stasis]

"The Aurotharius twins are more akin to savior siblings, which are harvested from the mother (surrogate or natural) while still in early embryonic stages. The tests are inconclusive as to what stage these embryos were harvested, but probably pre-fetus stage of development.

"There is too much commonality to think that they were grown from cells. These were probably developed thru a certain level of cell differentiation in the same mother.

"Said embryos are usually stored and implanted in a surrogate Savior siblings are often harvested for their stem cells or allowed to develop further to harvest replacement tissues. If complete replacement organs are required, they are allowed to develop to full term and birth like the rest of humanity, their organs are harvested later when they're needed.

[Preliminary Strip]

"Most savior siblings do not require such an exact DNA and tissue match that cloning is required, but there are extreme cases. Savior siblings that are brought to full term are usually kept in a form of stasis that allows their bodies to develop sufficiently before harvesting, but does not allow them to become conscious.

"It is peculiar that someone would raise a savior sibling as a child. There are stories of savior siblings being implanted into unsuspecting surrogates and raising them as their own children, just to be collected later when needed. It is curious to me why someone resort to such fraud when there are a lot of willing surrogates who will provide the service at a reasonable fee. The legality is not my field of expertise.

"The clone of the Colonel is very different than the Aurotharius twins. Comparing the telomere length of the Colonel to that of the clone indicates that it is based on a sample taken at least 8 years ago and probably not more than 15 years ago. The quantities of blastomeres and other cloning technology related residues indicate that the rapid growth and development processes were used.

[Cataloging]

"Cloning often has probabilistic organ defects in the heart, liver and several other organs which were present in this specimen. These defects would have been detectable at an early stage and not brought to term. This was a disposable specimen probably used for harvesting or an experiment of some sort. There is a high probability that the DNA is harvested from an ordinary tissue sample and not a germline sample. Germline DNA is much less prone to defects.

"The brain development and lesions indicate that headchip training programs were probably used instead of traditional learning. It was not well developed, adding to the disposable clone theory.

"There are many indications of tissue, glandular and even cellular harvesting of the specimen. So much so that it would not have been viable outside of life support for more than a few hours and probably only a day more even with any life support short of full biostasis.

[Heading for Storage]

"My theory is that this was an experimental specimen subjected to extreme harvesting for exploratory purposes, probably looking for certain results. It might have been a fast and dirty job, only harvesting one or two usable tissues, secretions or organelles per run. They also might be experimenting on a process and took samples to evaluate their progress."

Captain Westminster, UAP SIU

The Haunting of xOxO Zhangsun

"Do not go thence leaving me unwaked and unburied behind you, or I may bring heaven's anger upon you." - Homer, Odyssey, Book XI

-----

It was just over a week since my visit to Hale's Moon when I received two messages both marked with the highest priority.

The first was from x0x0 Zhangsun of Blue Sun.

"Major, it is urgent that I have a word with you. It concerns the matter of mutual interest."

The second arrived along diplomatic channels.

*** Urgent Wave to Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP SIU ***

I spoke with Cody Winterwolf today. He mentioned that we have a missing not-cat. Lily's ship, Eponine something or other, was found abandoned in the upper levels of the 'roidfield. There was a picture of Lynx on the ship, he may have been aboard.
I am sure Lynx contacted you about the so-called school being set up in Hale's. Lilybell allowed a teacher who did not give his name nor present credentials to set up a school. This person might be a good place to start. Cody didn't know anything about him. Frog (a local boy) and AuroraBlue were among the class, I am not sure who else.

Jai Raghilda

*** End Wave ***

Lily had gone missing before. While it was possible that Lynx had travelled with her, I could not see him running off with her. I wasn't going to panic.

So I sent a terse message - "Lynx. Call in please" - determined to wait for a reply.

I also contacted Ms. Zhangsun. We arranged to meet, once again, at her offices on Hale's Moon, as she had something that she described as 'difficult to transport'.

-----

February 13 - Hale's Moon

It was day time when I arrived. People in the streets going about their business. A man lounging in a deck chair by the landing pad.

I arrived at the Blue Sun offices. The door was open.

"Up here," called a voice.

At the top of the spiral stairs she stood, barefoot and unarmed. She looked pale.

"Hello Ms. Zhangsun," I greeted her.

She stood staring out the window. "I...was bitten today," she said distantly.

"Bitten?"

She lifted her dress to reveal four small punctures on her left ankle.

I frowned as I examined the wound.

"Yes," she answered, "I was...walking...and a large snake ..well, it attacked me."

"I'm sorry to hear that...."

"A young woman carried me to safety," she related, "When I woke up, Gallagher was there. He said he is not the doctor... and that Destiny had been hit by an asteroid. I told him, I could hear the snakes. He wouldn't listen. I told him but he wouldn't listen. It was so loud. So loud. He said he could not hear it." She looked back out the window. "So loud..."

"You mean Destiny... the refugee colony?"

Hit by an asteroid. That was months ago.

"Yes..." she replied, "So I tried to show him...he still could not hear....then he was attacked. Another huge snake....it didn't bite him. He killed it...but... another one was hiding, staring at me. As soon as he was busy killing the one, the other one attacked me."

"Was this why you contacted me?" I asked.

She blinked, "I contacted you?"

"You sent word," I reminded her,"'It is urgent that I have a word with you. It concerns the matter of mutual interest.'"

"Yes," she responded, "That's right. Major Siamendes. I did contact you, didn't I? My brother is dead. Mindo. He's dead. Everything is different."

"Yes, I realize that... I'm very sorry."

Again, this was old news, but I did not want to divert the flow of her thoughts.

Ms. Zhangsun furrowed her brow, "I don't know where Lily is."

"She is missing?" I, of course, had heard this from the Consulari.

"Lily is...she is one of ours. Apparently so since maybe four days. No one will tell me anything.... Oh! ARDRA." She looked at me, "That's right."

"Go on..." I prompted.

"She was here..someone was here. Do you know what the Colchester Directive is? You do know. Tell me. Tell me." She seemed confused.

This was not something I was prepared to discuss. So it was a moment before I answered. "Can you tell me what was the context?" I asked.

"It came first," she said looking as if she might cry, "Look, I took photos."

There was a black panel hanging on the glass wall. She slid the panel to the side revealing eight images. They showed the heighliner. Gold light pouring from the ship in some of the pictures.

"Where were these photos taken?" I asked.

"The work has continued," she said, "Inside....you can see there is an orbital insertion point. What is an orbital insertion point? Inside... there are ..look, the golden light. It goes to the sky. It goes to infinity. I followed it. I went in." She pointed to the picture on the bottom left, "See?"

She went inside?

"x0x0...," I said carefully, "what did you see?"

"It is activating. Look," she pointed to the sparks. "Look. Look." She pointed to the second photo on the bottom caressing it gently. She then pointed to the third image. "Look. That is where it stops."

"These photos...they are from Mu Draconis," I said. The image at the top showed the mark of the Marauders.

She touched another photo. "Here. I went inside." She looked up, "and I was supposed to tell you something..it was important.... what is the Colchester Directive?"

"How did you hear that term?" I pressed.

She touched the bottom left photo very lovingly. "I was here. Look."

She pointed to the second photo. "Look, it's attached to the outside. And here."

She indicated the third picture. "...close..and here..."

And then the fourth picture "..you can see..." She looked up again, "What is the Colchester Directive?" She stopped and stared silently.

"It is a protocol in place," I explained, "that directs Alliance officers to inform my office of any and all information related to.... Ardra."

I said Ardra. I did not say Project Aurotharius. It did not matter, not with a psychic in the room.

"Ardra is not the project. She is part of the project." She tilted her head and parroted words.

"No... she is not the project," I agreed.

"Ardra is not the project. She is part of the project," she repeated, "The work did not stop." She again pointed to the pictures.

"Yes ... she is part of the project," I replied. "Can you give me a copy of these photos?"

"A ..broken.... came...here... broken."

"One of the Arurda?" I asked. The term slipped out.

"'Pick me up'," she said, "Frail. Cody ....tried...terraforming."

"x0x0...you should rest." She was not well.

"You can have them..." she said. She meant the photographs.

"Thank you," I said sincerely.

"They are burned in..now." She looked very lost.

As I gathered up the pictures, she wandered into another room. I followed.

"Where do you think Lily would go?" I asked.

"Look," she said, "Lily carried this up here. It is very heavy. Tonnages heavy."

The object sat on a counter. It gave off a blue white glow. It was shaped like a spool or perhaps a lantern. Some sort of component. Possibly a fuel cell. I could see no markings.

She continued, "Lily is really a good ...Lily...It was not time and Mindo sent snakes like a plague." She grimaced for a moment as if she was in terrible pain, then just looked frail and pale again. "I am so glad you came to visit me," she said, "Will you come again?"

"Yes," I answered, "of course I will."

We walked back to the first room. She walked over to the wall and stood in front of four pictures.

"This is my daughter, AuroraBlue," she said, "My husband, Daniel. My mother... and Lily."

"Your family then," I replied smiling kindly.

"Yes," she smiled, staring at the photos. She stood there silently, tears streaming down her face.

"I will let you rest," I said finally.

Ms. Zhangsun smiled shyly and looked at the floor. "I'll see you to the door."

She accompanied me downstairs.

"Good evening," she said politely.

"By the way," I asked, "Have you seen Lynx?"

"I ...I don't think so."

"Very well."

"Be careful," she warned, "The snakes are..horrific."

"Thank you," I replied, "and take care."

As I walked away, the woman stood looking at her hands. I could hear her speaking, almost chanting, "Two by two..."

Woman of the Blue Sun (Part Two)

February 3 - Hale's Moon

-----

"Now, since we are alone...let's chat a little about our joint venture," I suggested.

Without a word, Ms. Zhangsun slid her office door shut. The mechanism locked.

"Thank you," I replied.

She nodded in return.

"As you are by now aware," I began, "Ardra has deleted all information about her from Lily..."

"Seems so," agreed Ms. Zhangsun.

"...I suspect it is to cover her tracks as much as it is to punish Lily."

"Remember," said the woman, "when I purged Lily...turned out, Lily had actually kept the information...."

"Lily proved herself capable of independent thought," I mused, "even when linked to the Ardra Overmind, by hiding the information about the twins."

"Lily never loses information," she stated, "It just....moves around. Do you think she did it intentionally? Hid the information, I mean..or was it random?"

I offered my theory, "I think Lily protected the children because she sees them as her friends."

"They've been here, you know..."

"What were they doing here?" I asked.

"...followed by their Auntie," she replied. "I don't know."

I nodded.

Ms. Zhangsun continued, "Mercedes left something for Lily."

"Oh?"

"Lily hid it, then put it in a crib."

"Ah right," I replied, "I have seen that."

Something red and fleshy in a glass container.

"Then someone stole it. But she managed to get it back. Did you get a good look at it?" she asked.

Before I could formulate a reply, she said, "Pepper....you know...when Lily met Ardra...Ardra wasn't the one seeking a place to leave her information."

"What was she looking for?" I asked.

"Ardra was...phasing out..ending...in a lab that was about to blow."

"Phasing out?"

She explained, "Lily was the one found Ardra. Not the other way around. Arms and legs and all were hardly moving, Lily refused to leave her to 'die alone'."

I frowned as I considered this information, "You know that was a drone...and you are telling me the drone was...dying?

"Yes."

This struck a chord.

"Tell me...." I pressed further, "was it ...suicidal?"

"Whatever it was, it was...endin'. It told Lily about captivity.....how it wanted to be free...needed to be free.... Lily recorded it all. The others, they all ran. Lily wouldn't leave her."

My mouth dropped open slightly. "Do you have that record?"

"I might have," she replied, "I'll have to look. My point is they all ran. Exceptin' for Lily."

"Tell me more," I asked with some urgency, "about the captivity."

"Trapped in the metal body. I can't remember really...just that Lily expressed it was in agony. Would rather die. Yes, that's right. Said it would rather die."

I thought this over.

Trapped in a metal body....

Would rather die....

When Ardra Aurotharius spoke to me about reacquiring the drone program, I had assumed she had lost control of the drone when Lily downloaded it. This information suggested the drone had a degree of autonomy prior to Lily's actions.

"I think the Consulari was there," added Ms. Zhangsun.

"Ms. Raghilda?" I asked.

Ms. Zhangsun nodded.

I nodded carefully. That would have been long before she held political office.

"It was a genetics lab...in the Wastelands."

"One of your brother's labs." I knew where she meant.

"Yes. Right after they left, that's when Lily went to ...well, 'mate', with Blue."

Things were falling into place and the picture that was emerging was disturbing. The lab to which she referred was reported to be the location of the termination of the Colonel's illegal clone. An Ardra drone in the same area as an autonomous, unauthorized clone of an UAP officer.

"An Alliance man was there, correct?"

"At the lab? No....I don't think so," she replied. "I wasn't living here yet at the time.

"We will find out," I said, "if you can find the tapes."

"No, no, Lily records it, and transmits.... oh hell." Ms Zhangsun stopped suddenly and rushed over to her desk computer once again. She continued, "I wonder...no.. couldn't be. She stopped transmitting until a few days ago. Only...there ain't nobody for her to be transmitting to. I thought she was just parroting old subroutines."

"So... what are you saying?" I asked.

"Maybe she's been transmitting what she got from Ardra....I hear another drone was found wandering here...oh dear. An injured...sickly..." She sat down abruptly.

"Another drone," I repeated, "but here."

"I..I don't know. There are so many possibilities." She began tossing around ideas. "Maybe it was the remains of the one Lily 'wouldnt leave'....maybe she's been transmittin'to it, or to the main Ardra. This place used to be crawlin with drones. Lily was attached to one, a robotic, named Aldea. When the revolution came...and they all attacked, Aldea could not bring herself to end Lily....Lily took up arms ...against..us."

"Was this when the Replicant Order was active here?" I asked.

"Short time before," she answered, "Although, they may have been active underground."

"What happened to the Ardra drone that was here recently? Do you have a photo?"

"I don't," she replied, "I only heard about it from young Winterwolf."

I was satisfied. "Well if you can access Lily's recording of her first encounter with the Ardra drone... that could help."

"I think first things first," she insisted. "Before I can search for information with Lily, this 'marriage' situation has to be resolved. Right now, all she is talking about is how she loves this boy, and 'him a boy'. Odd really. Her reaction to him, I mean."

"I trust you will steer her in the right direction," I said confidently.

"Ain't but one direction," she replied, "if there ain't no love lost, then there ain't no point in trying to pretend there is. Better for him, actually. Guess there is a bit of the hopeless romantic in me, thinkin' such things still happen. Course they don't."

I smiled, "Well, I wish you a good night, Ms Zhangsun."

"I'll see what I can find," she added.

"Thank you."

-----

I stepped out into the night air. Lynx turned and watched as I approached.

"Time you head indoors and rest," I advised, "Ms Zhangsun will see what she can do to straighten things out."

Lynx nodded. "I'm sorry for the mess I've caused," he began.

"It is not your fault..."

"I should have researched the cultures here," he continued.

"And you don't have to marry if you don't want to," I reminded him.

"I.. I'm not ready."

"Okay then," I smiled.

"I don't know what to say or do," he blushed slightly, "I was chastised by a companion for making a faux pas."

"Well, for now head off to bed," I directed.

Lynx nodded, " I will." He looked a little more relieved.

"Good ...we will talk later."

"Alright," he replied.

"Good night Lynx."

"Thank you for being here. Good night Major."

-----

Back in my ship a message was waiting from a member of my staff:

"Continuing to build trust in the local clinic at ______, collecting medical scans and tissue/blood samples. Medicine with voluntary patients is fascinating."

I sent a coded reply:

"I am glad you are enjoying your assignment, Captain. I understand you conducted the autopsy of the clone of Colonel M_________. How does it compare with the forensics of the Audrey twins? Is there anything to link the two sets of clones?"

-----

[OOC - when Lily met Ardra http://jairaghilda.blogspot.com/2009/08/mission-to-wastelands.html ]

Woman of the Blue Sun (Part One)

February 3 - Hale's Moon

-----

We left Applecado and walked along beside the corporate offices that sat at the edge of the landing pad.

"Blue Sun," remarked Lynx, "The Zhangsun woman works next door to Miss Rhea's business?"

"And next to Consolidated," I added.

"I see," he replied.

Aurora was nowhere to be seen. As we stood trying to decide which direction to explore, I noticed movement inside one of the offices. Through the glass wall, I could see a red-haired woman coming down the stairs in the offices of Blue Sun.

She wore a simple brown dress with high cut boots. A large calibre weapon on her back. Canisters of flammable material strapped on her hip. If not exactly dressed to kill, then at least dressed for serious defensive action.

"Hello Ms. Zhangsun," I greeted her.

Lynx politely remained outside the office.

"I didn't know anyone was down here," replied the woman, "I was...I stay up above now that ..well. Anyway. Yes. Hello."

"A pleasure to see you once again," I said politely.

"Yes.." Ms. Zhangsun smile.

"Have you met my ward, Lynx?"

"I trust you are well?" she asked.

"Yes, thank you."

"No, but I have heard about him." She smiled at Lynx.

Lynx looked at her, not sure what to say.

"I don't think we've met, have we?" she asked.

"Actually we have," he replied, still standing by the door.

"We were just with Aurora," I explained, "She seems to have run off."

Ms. Zhangsun suddenly looked concerned, "You ...didn't refer to her as Aurora I hope."

"Aurora Blue, Lily's cub," I replied.

"Yes," replied Ms. Zhangsun, "She is rather insistent that she be referred to by her original name, Aurora Blue, even though Cody calls her Anna".

Ah, I thought, that explained her pointing and naming game.

"Anna?" asked Lynx.

"Like nobody can tell she ain't..quite...well. Anyway. What brings you to this fine moon? And not in uniform. Pleasure trip?"

"I am here to see how Lynx has settled in," I replied, "and to clear up a little problem."

"Problem?" she asked, "There's enough of those around."

Lynx looked a little embarrassed.

I continued, "I am not here in an official capacity. It seems that Lily has interpreted one dance with Lynx as a marriage proposal."

"Well, as long as he didn't touch her foot, should be fine," smiled the woman, "Part of her wiring."

"Um," Lynx began, "There was a situation."

"A situation? What kind of situation?" she asked.

"She caught her foot in a a large trap," explained Lynx, "I managed to free her."

I interrupted, "Regardless, Lynx is too young for marriage...even here on the Rim."

Ms. Zhangsun pressed on, "She caught her foot in a trap. Lily caught a foot in a trap. Let me guess. It was on her own ship."

"Yes," replied Lynx.

"She didn't ask you to help her," she said clarifying the details, "You jumped to her rescue and touched her foot in the process."

"I was able to open the trap," said the boy.

"And you think Lily needed you to open a trap."

"Was there something wrong with getter her foot free?" asked Lynx.

It was a fair question, I thought, from a gallant young man.

Ms. Zhangsun looked at me and paused for a long time, "Not sure how to put this....."

"Go on," I prompted.

Lynx looked worried.

"She let you do it," said Ms. Zhangsun, "Didn't try to bite you or claw you up or nothin'."

"She bit my shoulder a week ago," he replied.

Ms. Zhangsun took a deep breath. "You're married," she said, "Well, mated anyway."

"Excuse me?" asked Lynx, "It was bruised."

"He's fifteen," I interjected.

"He touched her foot," replied Ms. Zhangsun.

Lynx opened his mouth then turned bright red.

"He's underage," I protested.

"Not here he ain't," countered the woman, "Considerin' Lily is only three and a half...."

Lynx grew quiet.

Ms. Zhangsun sighed, "The foot."

"Well, we can take this up with Lily's mother," I said firmly.

"See, my brother had a sense of humour," explained the woman, "Her foot is her..uh..." She blushed.

"If this is still a problem," I added, "there is always the option of pulling him out of school."

"The boy here has had his way with her, Pepper," replied the woman.

Lynx grew wide eyed. "OH!" he cried, "I swear to you Major I had no idea!"

Ms. Zhangsun continued, "Now I understand he..sorry," she looked directly at Lynx, "you didn't know."

Lynx was visibly upset, "I mean, I didn't know how to..."

"It wasn't your intent.." she said, "although I do wonder what you were doing dancing with her midday over in a bar if you weren't a little bit lookin' to court her. I ain't seen her dance with a man since.. well, she was fond of the sheriff here...but...that's never going to happen."

"She asked me to," protested Lynx, "I thought there was no harm in one dance. Cindal often danced."

"Dancing is considered an art form in the Core," I added.

Ms. Zhangsun looked at me, "This ain't the Core"".

"No. No, it is not."

"So," she continued, "son I'm guessin' you want to get out of this situation."

Lynx looked genuinely at a loss. He did not seem to realize that Ms. Zhangsun had just offered him an opening.

I addressed him, "Well, speak up... "

"I don't want to cause any problems or have anyone hurt," he pleaded, "I'm sorry for making such and incredible mess."

"That ain't what I asked you," Ms. Zhangsun looked at him, "You want out of this situation? or you want in"

"Once you are old enough." I reminded him.

"How could I...?" he cried, "I admit I am frightened of her."

"Just answer the question boy," pressed Ms. Zhangsun.

"I don't think I'm ready for the responsibility," he said finally, "Cubs?"

"She talkin' about cubs?" Ms. Zhangsun walked to her desk and quickly looks something up on her computer.

"Um, yes," said Lynx.

"I can't put too fine a point on this," she began, "but..Lily ain't got any idea how cubs get here."

"I only know from what I've read in science medical books," admitted Lynx.

The woman elaborated, "That little one of hers? Computer generated, organically seeded, long story. But it ain't like your Mama had you is what I'm sayin'. Aurora Blue is mo... well that's neither here nor there."

"I... don't know my mother," said Lynx and he looked up at me.

Ms. Zhangsun looked at the picture on her desk "Nor I mine."

I took up the cause once again, "Regardless, the boy wants out of this arrangement..that frankly was imposed on him."

Ms. Zhangsun finished her point, "Far as Lily is concerned, cubs come from Easter eggs, if you get my meanin'?"

"Yes," answered Lynx.

"I can arrange it," said Ms. Zhangsun, "Means you'll have to fight a duel. I'll find someone to challenge."

Lynx and I cried out in unison, "Duel?"

"I ain't going to see Lily embarrassed," insisted Ms. Zhangsun, "You want out, I'll arrange it...."

"Me?" asked Lynx.

"...but it is going to require you to duel."

"And I don't want Lynx harmed," I cautioned.

Ms. Zhangsun turned in my direction ever so slightly and ever so wickedly winked.

"You gonna have to duel, boy," she said, "to the death."

I frowned. Where was she going with this?

"You kill the challenger, you're free." declared Ms. Zhangsun. She may have been trying not to laugh.

A frightened look flashed across Lynx's face, which he quickly hid.

Ms. Zhangsun continued, "Lily's been married over ten times. Tomorrow she'll be married to someone else...or would have been if you hadn't touched her foot. But you be on your way. Don't you worry about her. Ain't like she has feelings or a future anyway. She ain't even hardly real."

"I'm afraid she'll cut me to ribbons," admitted Lynx.

The woman shook her head.

I watched the interaction, listening carefully.

"She ain't likely to do that," added Ms. Zhangsun, "Not now."

"Alright," said Lynx.

"Only three people ever been near that girl's feet. Cody when he had to turn off her functionality, emergency. Gallagher....she offered, but he walked away. And you. So I reckon you are pretty special, and I don't see her cuttin' or slicin' on you, regardless." She concluded, "Go on, now I want a word with Pepper."

Lynx looked in my direction.

"It will be okay Lynx," I said.

He nodded and walked outside.

"I'm so sorry," began Ms. Zhangsun, "I thought you saw me wink the first time."

"It's fine," I replied.

"I was just winding him up," she admitted, "see how he handles himself. Must admit, I'm impressed."

"He has hidden strengths," I acknowledged.

Outside the office, Lynx leaned against a large yellow cargo container and looked off across the landing field.

I watched him silently as Ms. Zhangsun continued.

"But it's true about the foot," she said, "I can invalidate the connection but..I'm afraid as far as she is concerned, she just chose her husband. And there ain't nothin' I can do about that. It ain't likely she'll be takin' after another."

"Well," I said finally, "it will just have to be part of her learning curve."

Ms. Zhangsun nodded, "Just afraid what it will teach her..."

Child of the Moon

February 3 - In transit

A message arrived from Lynx while I was on my way to Hale's Moon:

"Major, I hope this wave gets to you quickly. I have found myself in a bit of a jam. It appears the synthetic says we are married. I danced with her at the bar. Nothing else has transpired. However the head of the colony suggested I send this wave before anything happens. Miss LilyBell insists you come to the reception.... We, to my knowledge, are not married. I need help! Please make contact as soon as possible."

I replied upon receipt: "Lynx, I am on my way. I am still a few hours distant. See if Mr. Winterwolf is about. He has a connection to Lily and may be able to act on your behalf."

"He was somewhat unhelpful when he was informed by Miss LilyBell," added Lynx, his young face appearing on the comm screen.

"Unhelpful how?" I asked.

Lynx continued, "He commented I should move on with my life after.... Cindal. It seemed to spark the synthetic. She was angry at him...."

I muttered under my breath, "Unhelpful indeed."

"...He walked away in a decidedly unpleasant mood. I'm not sure I want to go near him at this time."

"And the Mayor," I asked, "Lily's adopted mother, what did she say?"

"To contact you immediately."

"Fair enough," I replied.

"I feel at a loss here. She is talking about having.... cubs... Is that possible? She is synthetic." Lynx paused clearly embarrassed.

"Not if you don't participate," I remarked.

Unless they changed the rules while I was away, participation was a prerequisite.

"I'm unsure what she would do if I chose not to," he admitted, "I have seen her claws and have been bitten by her."

"I will be there in a few hours," I assured him.

"Thank you Major."

"Stay safe Lynx."

Lynx nodded in reply, his face a mask of fear.

-----

February 3 - Hale's Moon

It was dark when I arrived.

A stray dog trotted past, heading off to whatever place it is that stray dogs are intent on reaching.

The streets were fairly quiet. It was still early enough to see well lit homes and apartments as residents settled into their evening routines.

I was dressed in civilian clothes. If I had the opportunity to meet with Lily's foster mother, the Mayor, I wanted no doubt that I was here on personal business, and not in any official capacity.

Across the landing area, a figure moved quickly and low to the ground. The figure was small and was scampering like Lilybell. But as she drew closer, I could see this was someone new. A small blond child dressed in white. Two swords were strapped to her back. She disappear behind a concrete pillar.

"Hello...." I called.

Now standing on two legs, the little girl peeked around the pillar and waved. She approached carefully.

I smiled. "You move like some one I know."

She looked up, and tentatively touched the cloth of my jacket.

"I'm looking for a friend of mine..." I continued, "His name is Lynx. Do you know him?"

The child turned her head from side to side.

I smiled again, "Okay... I will look around."

She looked at me carefully, then pointed up the stairs. In a moment, she was leading the way to the upper floor.

"You do look familiar..." I said as I caught up to her, "What is your name?"

She did not reply.

We stood together looking across the room. It was a new office. Big windows. A good view of the settlement.

The child pointed at an empty desk and then shrugged.

I had seen a desk like this once before here on the moon. Eighteen months ago. Same basic curve design. A laptop to one side. Same type of coffee machine.

"That looks like the Mayor's desk," I said, "am I right?"

The child nodded her head up and down.

I smiled, "Good ..I hope to chat with her too."

-----

"Do you go to school here?" I asked.

My little companion had led me across the settlement to a small grey building with a cheerful green sign above the door. Inside were rows of small desks facing a larger teacher's desk. Same basic set up used since the 19th century.

The child pointed to the desk in the corner.

Before either of us had a chance to interact further, we were interrupted by a young man's voice coming from the door behind us.

"Major?"

The little one pointed passed me to the source of the voice.

I turned and smiled, "Hello Lynx."

The child pointed at the desk then back to Lynx again.

"This little girl was showing me your school," I explained, "She moves like Lily."

The child suddenly turned towards me.

"Like the synthetic?" asked Lynx, "Oh. Then this is the child Mister Winterwolf is nannying."

The little girl nodded up and down very quickly.

I raised an eyebrow then slowly smiled. I knew who this was.

Memories of the dome on Caliban. The fire in the lab. The brain in the jar...

Finally, I thought, finally we meet.

I heard Lynx's voice, "You are Aurora Blue."

"Hello Aurora Blue," I said.

Aurora Blue LittleBoots looked at Lynx and nodded her head up and down. She then curtsied to me and pointed to the bracelet on her arm.

"That's a nice bracelet..." I remarked.

Lynx stepped closer.

Aurora Blue nodded with a very serious expression on her tiny face.

"...it looks very important," I added.

The child nodded slowly with the utmost serious expression.

Lynx tried to get a closer look without getting too near the child.

"May I look closely at it?" I asked.

Aurora Blue walked directly to Lynx and held up the bracelet. She smiled slightly then turned to me and extended her little arm.

Lynx looked rather surprised.

"It says 'Cody'," I observed.

The child nodded with a small shy smile.

"Yes," answered Lynx, "An ID bracelet?"

"Cody looked after her," I said, "She is Lily's cub."

The little one turned towards Lynx with a big wide grin.

He smiled back at her. "I am Lynx," he responded.

Introductions were complete. Now down to business.

"Lynx," I began, "does Lily know how old you are?"

"I have not asked her," he replied, "but I did say I was unable to identify my age."

Aurora Blue looked at Lynx with a slightly curious expression. Suddenly, she stepped back and began to dance around the room.

"You are too young to marry," I said conclusively, "If she doesn't understand the concept we will ask the Mayor...her foster mother... to explain it to her."

"Her mother did request to speak with you."

Aurora Blue looked at us both then reached out to take Lynx's hand.

"And you Aurora," I added, "I have something for you that I have been saving..."

The child began to shake her head violently from side to side.

Okay, I thought, we will try again later.

"Where is your apartment Lynx?" I asked.

"I can show you," he replied.

-----

"This is my room," said Lynx, "Considerably smaller."

I squeezed inside, watching my head on the ceiling. I have seen larger closets.

Aurora Blue, still in our company, sniffed the room.

"Well, it is cosy," I smiled, trying to keep positive. This move to Hale's was a sign of Lynx's growing independence. I'll be damned if I was going to throw cold water on it.

"It is," he replied, "It is home for now."

Aurora Blue was shaking her head 'no' once again.

I ignored her. Lynx, however, frowned at the child, "No?" he asked.

"Why did you choose to return to Hale's?" I asked him.

"I was given a letter," he replied.

"A letter?"

Aurora Blue walked outside and pointed across the landing pad to an empty apartment. For a child that appeared to be mute, she never stopped communicating.

Lynx opened one of his books and handed me a letter. I glanced at it and noticed it was unsigned.

"Let's go outside," suggested Lynx. "I received that over a week ago."

"Can I keep this?" I asked.

Lynx nodded.

The child meanwhile pointed to an apartment above the news office. She began tugging at Lynx's shirt.

"What is that place?" asked Lynx.

Aurora Blue nodded toward Lynx's flat.

"Is that where Miss LilyBell lives?" he asked.

The child nodded.

"Go with Aurora," I instructed, "See what she wants to show us. I will join you momentarily. There is something in my shuttle I want to get."

"Alright," answered Lynx.

Aurora Blue looked at me and almost snarled. She shook her head 'NO' even more violently than before.

"What's wrong?" asked Lynx.

Aurora Blue pointed at me, at Lynx and then at herself.

"She is my guardian..." began Lynx.

"She wants us to stay together perhaps," I suggested.

Aurora Blue shook her head 'no'. She then pointed at me again.

"The Major..." said Lynx.

She nodded and pointed at Lynx.

Lynx looked at me but spoke to the child, "I'm called Lynx... I don't know my last name."

Finally, Aurora Blue pointed to herself.

Lynx paused unsure of her meaning.

Again, the child pointed at me and nodded. She pointed at Lynx and nodded. Then she pointed at herself and waited.

"Aurora Blue," I said.

"Yes," agreed Lynx.

Aurora Blue nodded dramatically.

And with that, she was off and running once again.

"Do we follow her?" asked Lynx.

"Yes," I sighed. "She is quick one..."

The child looped back towards the centre of town. For someone with such little legs, she was certainly fast.

"This way," called Lynx, "She went behind the buildings."

I followed at a steady walk.

"There she is," I called as a white figure ran up the street.

Lynx and I crossed the landing area in pursuit, but by the time we reached the cargo containers the child had disappeared again.

We found ourselves near the Applecado offices. I looked at the doorway and paused.

"Major, are you alright?" asked Lynx.

"Yes," I replied, "I just want to check.... something."

I walked towards the office. Lynx nodded and followed.

-----

The offices were empty this time. Empty except for a cat sitting quietly on the counter. Tail tucked around her paws. Eyes half shut.

"I saw Mister Winterwolf in here earlier today," remarked Lynx.

"Ah good," I said.

I walked over to a row of lockers tucked in one corner of the room.

"He came here after telling me to get over my past," added Lynx, "He was somewhat rude."

"He can be abrupt," I agreed.

I scanned the row of lockers, looking at the names...

"Yes," agreed Lynx, "I found that out. I didn't want to antagonize him further."

I removed a small envelope from my pocket and I slipped it inside one of the lockers.

I stood in such a way that Lynx would have difficulty identifying which locker. This was not about trust. It was about protection. You can't tell what you don't know.

"My friend Brooke owns this company," I said aloud, "Did you know?"

"No. She owns the company?"

"Yes."

"I see," he replied.

"Well," I asked "shall we find Aurora?"

"Yes," answered Lynx, "She did want us to follow her."