Wadi Emet

March 9 - Wadi Emet

"Go home, then, with your ships and comrades to lord it over the Myrmidons." - Homer

-----

I made my way gingerly along the path beside House Shanjian that led to Wadi Emet. The sandy slopes were steep and treacherous. One misstep and I would fall. Broken at the bottom of a chasm, my life blood irrigating the dry desert floor.

I have been to the Great Desert Basin. I have crossed the sands to the east of Splintered Rock. But this was the furthest south I have travelled on Al Raqis.

As usual, I had no guide with me. Only a faint worn pathway leading over the rocks to show me the way. There were no roads in Wadi Emet.

The landscape was stark and beautiful. It evoked a silence of the mind that mystics dream of, but seldom achieve.

The term 'wadi' is an old one. It refers to a dry drainage course formed by sudden, heavy infrequent rain. I had never heard of rainfall on Al Raqis. This suggested either that once rain did fall here or early settlers brought the word with them from elsewhere.

After a time, I came upon an unexpected sight. Plant life. Precious greenery hinting at the existence of sub-surface water. These were the first natural occurring plants I had seen on this planet.

This was highly significant. Xeno-biologists would flock to this region if they only knew. And if the UFS were as serious about scientific study as they claimed to be, they would sue for peace immediately just to visit this vegetation.

How would such an expedition get here?

The canyons were increasingly narrow as I made my way through the Wadi. Only small craft could negotiate the twists and turns.

And where would they land?

There were no roads here. But you wouldn't want surface traffic of any kind. This amounted to sacred ground. Harming these plants in any way on a world so dry would constitute a crime of the greatest proportion.

Finally, after a day's journey, I arrived at the manor houses of the Myrmidons and House Morloch.

Jup had said that House Morloch controlled the Myrmidons. It was no surprise therefore to see the two structures in relatively close proximity.

The manor house of the Myrmidons was as dark and glorious as any mansion of the Noble Houses of Al Raqis. The stones were thick. The towers high. A small landing pad was attached high up on the side of the structure.

The Sun beat down. The wind shifted tracing new patterns in the sand.

I frowned.

There were no roads in Wadi Emet. The canyons were narrow. The mountains high. The greenery unmolested. No signs of surface traffic. No place to land a large ship.

Building these structures would have been a logistical nightmare.

These bricks would have to have been brought in by foot, or flown in by small shuttle. An army of workers....

I laughed sharply. The sound echoed off the canyon wall.

Here was the hard evidence. Three storeys tall.

Orion may be allied to the Myrmidons. But it was Morloch that was lord.

The real power is the power to command.

The real power here was desert born.

The Fog of War (Part One)

March 8 - Al Raqis

"Lastly, the great uncertainty of all data in war is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not unfrequently — like the effect of a fog or moonshine — gives to things exaggerated dimensions and an unnatural appearance." - Clausewitz

-----

The wind on my face brought a measure of relief from the crushing heat of the afternoon.

Gliding over rooftops and high stone fences, I pointed my vehicle towards a landing pad that graced the top of a low house. The Government of Zenobia maintained a small collection of buildings, such as this one, as guest houses for diplomats, dignitaries, and the occasional asylum seeker.

Open conflict had come to Al Raqis. What began as a skirmish between one of the Noble Houses in Al Raqis and one of the military groups located in Splintered Rock, now threatened to engulf the Mu Draconis system, perhaps even spread beyond that.

While it is still too early to say what the result of this will be, the situation here would have impact on the success or failure of our projects in the area, whether it was reacquiring elements of Project Aurotharius, pursuing fugitives from our justice system, or achieving any other objective on the UAP agenda.

And though the information Neo provided was very useful, by his own admission his organization was not favorably inclined towards the UAP. His statements needed to be verified, and the best place to do that was here.

I parked my dustrunner on the rooftop landing pad and made my way to the street level. My plan was to head to our barracks and change into clothing suitable for crossing the desert. I did not get part way across town before I saw a familiar figure coming down the road towards me. Tall, yellow, long ears, and a big bushy tail. It was Jup.

I smiled as she approached, "Hello old friend..."

"Yes," she replied, "It has been such a looong time..I have been away."

"As have I," I confessed, "but have not forgotten the water you gave me when the heat over took me..."

"I see.. You reside in Al Raqis..don't you?" she grinned, implying that I should have known better.

I unbuckled a pouch on my duty belt and removed a slender vial of human blood.

"Not exactly," I admitted, passing her the tube, "I work here some times."

She blushed, accepting my small gift, "Thank you..but it's not nourishment I seek right now." Jup was a blood drinker.

"Please save it for later then," I replied. "I hear there has been some trouble here.... a conflict of sorts. So what have you heard?"

Jup nodded, licking her lips with a long inhuman tongue, "I hear many things ..mostly pertaining to our green skinned neighbors."

"The Orions. Yes. They have been fighting the federationists."

The rabbit whispered, "Tell me..have you seen any suspicious activity of late?"

"Well," I began, "the rumor you passed along to me, about the spice poisoning. We have been looking into it. There was a fellow here, just passing through, a suspicious character popping pills and such."

Jup's ears flicker "I'm more interested in ..who is seen with whom. The people, the ..Orions..are working with..tell me..do you know of a person named Zarco?"

"Zarco," I repeated, "Is he new?"

"eerr somewhat.." she replied, "You could say..I think he lives around here..if I'm not mistaken.."

I nodded, "I'll see what I can learn."

"I would be much in your debt..if you could ..keep an eye out ..especially, if you see Zarco."

"What about this alliance between USD and UFS?" I asked, "Anything to that?"

Jup did not reply. Instead, she opened a pouch on her own belt, "Take this gift..I have little use for." And with that she began to hand me a small fortune in raw spice.

"This is too much..." I protested as she handed me small bags one by one.

The spice kept coming.

"You are no longer mining?" I asked meekly. "I only have this second vial," I said, pulling a second tube of blood from my belt and handing it to her.

Jup grinned, passing me the final little bag, "My dear ..it is never enough.. I do as I please ..with my bounty."

"Well, thank you very much," I smiled politely. I circled back to my question. "Tell me what you have heard about the UFS and USD alliance. Where do you think it is going?"

"All I have heard is that it's against any Orion attacks," she admitted.

"So a temporary alliance?" I asked, seeking clarification, "for defensive purposes?"

"Our green friends are skilled at ..how you say?..pis_ing people off."

"Do you have history with them?"

Her ears twitched, "No.. I'm not.. from around here."

"Of course," I replied. The question was a bit personal. "What of the other houses? Where do they stand on this conflict?"

Jup smiled, "That I don't know..except..House Morloch. They are friendly with the Orions. They control the Myrmidons..And of course the SSFS. They are being funded by the whatever corporation that the Orions are working with."

"Yes," I reflected, "the SSFS. Hired troops for the Orions. Perhaps soon the Imperium will act. This must be slowing down spice production," I speculated.

Jup had not finished discussing the mercenary force. She hissed, "Worst Of all..their helicopter pilot."

"Who is their pilot?"

She looked around and whispered, "He keeps hitting on me..trying to kiss me. I think the spice got to his brain."

I chuckled, "Well, there is a cease fire at the moment I hear. Perhaps the calm before the storm."

I thought I heard a footstep in the next yard. The gritty sound of a boot on sand grinding against the pave stone.

Jup may have sensed someone nearby too. "A cease fire.." she said, "a chance to build up arms." Her nose suddenly jutted up into the air and she sniffed deeply, "I must..go..quickly....good day."

"Stay safe," I called to the already retreating figure.

The Mercenary

March 4 - Hale's Moon

"Nice doggy," I said. I had seen this dog in the area before. He was such a friendly sort.

According to Cody, his name was Milo.

Cody had led us to a Chinese food restaurant a block or two away from the clinic. Milo had stationed himself outside the front door. Perhaps awaiting the generosity of strangers leaving the diner. Perhaps hoping for a little lo mein or an egg roll to roll out the door.

The restaurant was housed in a large building. A scattering of tables. A bar and service counter tucked in the corner to the left as you enter. A robot bartender polishing glasses. Booths along one wall.

There was the entrance in the front. An exit in the back and another one on the second floor. A narrow elevated walkway ran around the edge of the room, serving as a second level. A glass ceiling with a number of panes broken. This may have been a factory once.

There was one other customer sitting at the bar. Dark clothes. A black hood pulled back to reveal a thick tousle of hair. A mask covering the lower half of his face. Weapons strapped to his thighs.

"Ah, Fook's," remarked Tillery as we entered, "I've been here a couple of times."

"This booth then?" I asked, indicating what I felt was the best location.

I selected a seat that gave me clear view of the front entrance and the stranger at the bar, and a peripheral view of the other two exits. And there was a direct path from my table to behind the counter in case I needed to find cover ... or condiments.

"They got Chinese on the buffet and the 'bot can whip up some food for you," said Cody helpfully, "I'll leave you two to eat."

We thanked him. He nodded to us and left.

So," said Tillery, once he placed his food order.

I took a deep breath. "Yes... I am hoping he agrees to go to Paquin to recover." We were still discussing Lynx. There was no other topic.

"I'll have a place for him," said Tillery.

As we spoke, I noticed the man at the bar was looking in our direction. He looked familiar. I frowned trying to place him. The shape of the bones where the forehead meets the eye. The way he wore his hair. Even the half mask covering the lower part of the face. But it wasn't a mask last time...

Tillery's food arrived. The Kung Pao Chicken Plate. Chopsticks too. I still had not placed an order. Maybe I'd go with a salad. In truth, I was still trying to decide if I was hungry.

The man at the bar turned away and ordered a drink.

"Oh good, " I said, responding to Tillery's comment, "I can't send him back to Al Raqis. It's far too dangerous there."

"I've heard about the battles," replied Tillery, his chopsticks flicked delicately as he manipulated the savory items on his dish.

"Open conflict," I declared, "Factions taking sides."

The man at the bar pulled his mask down slightly and sipped from his cup. And then I remembered.

"In fact...." I muttered. I did not finish the sentence.

Tillery followed my gaze.

The man at the bar looked in our direction.

But before any of us could act further, a familiar figure in Alliance uniform entered the establishment. He approached us and saluted smartly.

"Major." It was Trooper Gage Macarthur.

I returned the salute, "Trooper."

"I wasn't expecting you here tonight," he said, "Am I needed for an assignment?"

"I was checking in on my boy Lynx," I explained, "Have you met Mr. Woodhen?"

Gage greeted Tillery with a nod, "Sir."

Tillery smiled. "Hello."

"No. I don't believe I have," answered the trooper politely.

"Mr. Tillery Woodhen of CNS, of course," I said.

"I do a bit of writing," added Tillery

"A pleasure, Mr Woodhen." Gage smiled, "I read your articles when I can."

"Good to hear," answered Tillery.

"Permission to stand down?" asked Gage.

"Yes please," I said, "Have a drink Trooper."

The Trooper removed his helmet, tucking it under his arm, and seemed to relax. "Thanks Major." he replied.

The man at the bar ordered drinks from the bartending bot, indicating our little group.

Tillery noticed too. I could see he was curious.

Gage stopped himself suddenly, "Oh, I hope I was interrupting anything."

"Not at all," I said.

Gage also noticed the 'bot working on the drinks.

"Well, gentlemen," I began, "drinks have been ordered for us. Shall we join our mysterious benefactor?"

"That sounds like a good idea," agreed Tillery.

We made our way towards our patron, Tillery and Gage taking positions at the bar in such a way as they could face the man. I drew closer, standing next to him.

The man at the bar smiled through his cloth mask.

I greeted the stranger, "Thank you sir...."

The man at the bar nodded, "Don't mention it."

"...and who do we have to thank for these?"

"Just call me Neo," he replied.

"Hello Neo," I said pleasantly.

Gage placed his helmet on the bar and leaned forward.

"And who do I have the pleasure to talk to Miss?" asked Neo.

"Why the generosity?" added Tillery.

"Just paying some respects to these soldiers," replied Neo.

I introduced myself. "Major Siamendes of the UAP... you look a mite familiar."

Neo nodded and extended his hand, "A pleasure to meet you Ma'am."

"Who are you with Neo?" I shook his hand.

He looked around "Well, right now I am with you but before I was here alone."

"I mean what unit?" I asked.

Meanwhile, Gage pulled out his reader.

"Just a group of mercs from Splinter Rock," answered Neo, "I am Sgt. Major Neo. And a nice pleasure to meet you Ma'am."

"Sergeant for who?" asked Tillery.

"Like I said sir," replied Neo, "just a group of mercs."

I smiled, "You remind me of a fellow I met in the desert... we checked out a wrecked ship together...."

"And what was this fellow wearing?" asked the mercenary.

"...You're with the SSFS," I stated it as a matter of fact.

Neo nodded, "That's right I am."

"If I recall he was in black that day," I continued, "carrying an assault rifle."

"That's right I was," replied Neo, "And I think I was wearing a breath guard. Or something like that."

I signaled the bartender and ordered a beer for the mercenary.

Gage frowned slightly as he jotted down some things in his reader.

Neo thanked me politely for the drink.

"You're welcome," I responded, "We checked for survivors together... and tried to ascertain what brought down that craft."

"Did we ever find out what it was?" Neo asked.

"No," I admitted, "unfortunately. Although there was a lot of Marauder activities back then."

"Yeah," he replied, "That was before SSFS disbanded."

"Are you enjoying the mercenary life?" I asked.

"A bit," answered Neo, "Means I get paid and get food so I'm thankful."

"Disbanded?" I asked, "That must be recent." I had not heard this.

"A while back. Like two months ago I believe."

"What happened?" asked Gage from his position at the bar.

Neo replied, "So many people were there but didn't want to be or didn't like to be ordered. So our Commander disbanded it. That was back when SSFS was around a hundred poor souls. Hardly any reason to stay alive except for themselves."

"I would have thought with the fighting on Al Raqis there would be plenty of work, enough to keep the mercenary troops happy," I mused.

"Oh there is," insisted Neo, "My Commander is still as sharp as ever. We have plenty of successful contracts."

I smiled, "Very good.... and who is paying the best these days? Orion or the federationists?"

"We are contracted by the - Sorry I can't say."

"Oh ...you're under contract then?" I probed.

"Plain and simple," he continued, "we are at peace with Orions and the feds...and yes. But sometimes if the group is under contract then a single unit maybe contracted to another as well so long as it fits."

"So do you mean you could end up fighting other members of your squad?" I asked.

"No," answered Neo, "that's what I mean by fit. We as a group may help some one like the Orions or the feds and take on smaller payers."

"So another faction in the mix," suggested Gage.

"Another faction besides Nexus?" asked Neo.

I jumped in with my own question, "Who is Nexus?"

"A new group that moved in," answered the mercenary, "still trying to find out who. You are Alliance yes?"

"How many groups are there?" I pressed onward.

Neo listed various groups and organizations all playing a part in a struggle for power on a distant, desert world. "There's USD, USF, Orions, and my group... oh and Nexus. And now I hear there's one more group. One I haven't heard of."

"I've heard that name before," remarked Gage.

"What about the Myrmidons? Is that the name?" I asked.

"Yes but not the new group." He paused. "Hmmm, don't think you answered my question."

"Yes, we are Alliance," I confirmed.

Neo nodded, "I guessed as much."

"What can you tell me about the USD?" I asked, steering the conversation back to the desert world.

"I have friends there," Neo replied, "and I am a USD citizen. I can't tell you a whole lot about them."

"You are a USD citizen?" I repeated, "Tell us about the war that is going on in Al Raqis."

"There's a cease fire between SSFS and USD," he explained, "USD and USF joined forces against the Orions. And the SSFS are under contract by the Orions."

I looked impressed with this bounty of information. Neo smiled through his mask.

Meanwhile, Gage tapped his stylus on his lower lip as he tried to finish his written report.

The mercenary called out to Gage, "You do know this is off the record and I expect that to be deleted."

Gage looked at him, "If you want to read this report you're more than welcome to delete what you like, but I assure you it's nothing to do with you or what's being said." He then slid the reader towards me.

I looked at the tablet. It was Gage's report on the comings and goings on Hale's Moon. Standard fare. I did not comment. The report, no matter how routine, was not the business of the SSFS.

"Do you think the cease fire will hold?" I asked Neo.

He thought so. "As long as SSFS and USD don't shoot each other over what who knows what kinda sh_t the UFS does to the civis or Orions. On top of which, I am both a SSFS operative and a USD citizen." He then returned his attention to Gage. "If it is not what is being said, then you can write whatever you want."

"My reports are classified," replied Gage, "as per standing orders. But like most reports do need to be generated."

Neo nodded and let the matter go.

Besides, I thought, this didn't need to go into Gage's report. Gage sends his reports to me.

"You must feel caught in the middle," I said, addressing Neo, "being USD and contracted to the Orions." I rested my hand upon the bar. "Well, you stay safe Sergeant," I added.

"You leaving?" he asked.

"Time I head to my bunk," I said and ordered Neo another drink.

"And I have to return to my rounds," remarked Gage, "That is, unless you have new orders for me."

I did not. Not in front of the hired guns.

Neo accepted the second drink graciously, "Thank you. And alright. Sweet dreams Ma'am." He offered me a card with numbers on it, "Here's my channel."

I took the card, "Thank you Sergeant."

"But before you go," he continued.

"Yes?"

"May I talk to you in private? for a brief moment?"

"Okay," I replied, "shall we step outside?"

-----

The evening air was cool. The night was clear.

Milo was gone. Gone to whatever place dogs go to, when they are not lingering in front of diners.

"Yes Sergeant?" I asked, as we stood beneath the overhang near the Mayor's office.

Neo asked his question. "If you knew I was SSFS, and you were Alliance, why didn't you attack? I thought SSFS and Alliance were enemies."

I paused a moment before I responded. How shall I reply to that?

"Two reasons," I began, "When we first met, you may recall, we were on neutral terms.."

Neo nodded. "That I do."

"...and you are a mercenary. Perhaps one day we will need your services. Besides that," I added with a smile, "you bought the first round of drinks."

"And you know I can easily kill you here while we are alone, right?" asked Neo. "Of course, I won't for two reasons."

"Go on," I said.

"One," he replied, "My guns are out of ammo so too much work for that."

"...and..." I prompted.

"And two. I like you. You have that thing about you that makes me want you alive for later."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," I replied. It's what every girl wants to hear.

He continued, "Why kill something I like and is beautiful?" A grin showing through his mask.

"You are quite the charmer, Sergeant," I said charitably, "Now you will excuse me while I return to my friend."

"I do what I can ma'am. Sweet dreams. I hope to see you later on. Maybe tomorrow."

"Good night soldier," I said.

I returned to Fook's and Tillery standing just inside the door.

"Interesting man," remarked Tillery.

"Yes..." I said distantly. But what was of far greater interest was what he had to say about Al Raqis.

"So where were we?" I said, returning to the present, "A place for Lynx to recover."

"Yes," replied Tillery, "Just tell me when he arrives and I'll have a space for him in Spinwheel. The city happens to have an excellent hospital."

"Good," I replied. "He may like a trip to Boros too...to see Calina."

"I haven't seen her for awhile."

"Nor I..but I have been travelling."

"I've been very busy back home."

"Perhaps, if and when Lynx comes to visit you in Spinwheel, he will find a taste for it and stay," I mused.

"It is closer to being a Core world than any other place he's stayed," Tillery remarked.

And in doing so he put his finger on the crux of the matter. While Lynx's earliest memories were of Hale's Moon, he continued to display Core world characteristics. If we were to solve the mystery of Lynx's origins, we would have to look to the White Sun.

The Clinic

March 4 - Hale's Moon

"Buddha! What happened?"

Tillery was as shocked as I had been.

We stood before the stasis chamber that contained Lynx, in the clinic on Hale's Moon.

I explained. "From what I know he was with Lily when her ship was attacked by Reavers."

"With Lily?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied, "and it seems whoever attacked them was saving Lynx," I nodded to the other freezers, "and these others for...later."

"Oh god," he responded.

Someone had moved Lynx's stasis chamber. It was situated close to the back wall of the clinic, not with the other two units. I checked the readings. Everything within normal parameters.

"Where's Lily?" asked Tillery, "And how did he wind up with her?"

"I haven't seen her," I admitted, as I checked the seals and looked for damage to the unit.

His worried look deepened.

"She had a little crush on Lynx," I continued, "Something about him touching her foot."

Tillery let a small smile show. "Have to feel sorry for him with that. I've known Lily for years. She's.... unique."

I tilted my head, "Looking for the glass slipper perhaps... Lynx is quite charming."

Finding nothing amiss, with gentle steady pressure, I slid the freezer back to its original position next to the other units. I sighed heavily, then I suddenly noticed.

"Tillery....Tillery!!" I cried, "You're walking again!" I could not help but smile.

"I made that trip to Zenobia," he replied. "I'm still stiff, but mobile again."

"Well, just don't let them give you speed boosters or some such ..." I grinned, "It's good to see you walking. It's a good sign."

There was a voice from the doorway.

"Whoa.. 'scuse me folks." It was Cody Winterwolf.

"Hi, Cody," said Tillery. I did not greet him.

Cody looked in my direction and frowned. "Hey Till. What all's goin' on?" he asked.

"I heard a young friend of mine was in trouble," answered Tillery, "so I needed to get here."

"Oh..."

"Did you know Lynx?" asked Tillery.

"I heard there was stuff that was found," replied Cody, "Jai waved."

"She waved me too," reported Tillery.

"I met the kid a few times," replied Cody, "Sort of a snot nose."

Tillery's face hardened a little. I remained silent but my eyes narrowed in response.

"Why would you say that?" asked Tillery.

Cody shrugged, "Look the kid likes to ask personal questions. I don't like folks I don't know well, wantin' to know my business. I'm willin' to bet you don't much either."

I turned back to the stasis chamber as the men talked.

"Well," answered Tillery, "since we are basically his guardians, we're a little more relaxed."

"Maybe," added Cody.

"Is Deputy LilyBell in town?" I asked. The question behind the question was 'Is Lily okay?'

"Not this evenin'," answered Cody, "She's checkin' her ship... What's left of it."

I nodded, "Very well." She had been rescued then and was healthy enough to move around.

"Those the freezers?" he asked, pointing his chin toward the boxes.

"Yes, they are, " I replied. "Did you know these two? Wally Bendan and Meg Dandley?" I read the names from the ident-holos.

"Yeah," answered Cody, "I knew the feller... Wally's been stickin' to the edges of the asteroid field. Some of us been tryin' to get to stay closer in. Harder for Reavers to manouver. The other I don't know."

I nodded. "They were not the same crew then..."

"No," said Cody, "Wally worked with Earl and Jonesy. Couple of friends of his. They been trying to find a big strike out there in the black."

"When will the doctor be in?" I asked.

"Hel if I know," he replied, "She comes and goes. Most like makin' rounds again.

"...and who is the doctor here?"

Cody placed his hand on the nearest box. I had done the same thing earlier. It gave of a slight vibration, a delicate hum. Stasis chambers beg to be touched.

"Doc Danick," he replied, "Nice 'nough woman. Pretty."

"I'd like a doctor present when we open these units...." I said.

"Good idea," replied Tillery.

"...in case of complications."

"Yeah," agreed Cody.

"Tillery, perhaps we can go somewhere, sit down and talk." I turned to Cody. "Mr. Winterwolf... is there a diner in the neighborhood?"

"Yeah," he replied, "Fooks. I can show you where."

I nodded, "That would be fine."

Homeward

February 28 - Spinwheel City, Paquin

The squad car came to a gentle halt on the left side of the street.

I waved as Ceasar stepped out of the vehicle, his uniform neatly pressed, a perfect shine to his shoes.

"Pepper," he called.

We embraced. I clung to him tightly, and suddenly felt very tired, like a marathon swimmer finally reaching the shore.

Ceasar leaned back slightly to see me better. "You okay?"

"It's Lynx...." I began.

"What happened?" he asked, the concern showing in his voice.

The words poured out. "He had gone missing... we think we have found him... I'm on my way there now."

Ceasar paused, waiting for me to continue.

"Can we sit down somewhere?" I asked.

"Sure," he replied kindly, "Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere...."

He thought for a moment. "C'mon, let's get into the car."

-----

He drove us across town and guided me to a small coffee shop in walking distance to the park. There was a chill in the air, so we elected to sit inside. A small table with a good view. We had the place to ourselves.

"Now tell me," he directed.

"Okay..." I began, "well, Lynx moved to Hale's Moon to go to school. He had been living on Al Raqis."

"Hale's for school?"

"Yes, Hale's," I replied, "I thought it was a reasonable choice as his earliest memory is from there. We still don't know where he is from."

"Not exactly known for schooling," he remarked, "Here or Londinium or Zenobia would be better."

I shrugged a little, "Yes, I know... I blame myself for not trying to redirect him. Anyway he made some friends, including Deputy LilyBell. She took a shine to him... well, that's not important now....

Ceasar raised an eyebrow.

"But she was recently abducted," I added, "and around that time Lynx went missing."

"Oh no," he said. He could see where this was going.

"I thought nothing of it at first," I explained, "Lily has gone off before. I assumed she had just run off. I sent a message to Lynx requesting he check in, but nothing... and I began to worry."

Ceasar reached across the table. I took his hand, drawing a steadiness from the touch. Muscular hands. Firm but not rough. Well shaped fingers. A strong thumb. And a memory of the night so long ago, when I put this hand over my heart.

"Where was I?" I asked in a small voice. "Right... no reply," I sighed, "Anyway... in the course of another investigation I found further...information that supported the theory that Lynx was with Lily and that she was taken somewhere.."

I paused to take a breath. Ceasar let me finish.

"Miranda," I said finally.

"Oh my god," he replied.

I continued, "I haven't told Tillery. I needed to know first ... what I would be telling him." It was Reaver territory after all. "Anyway... it seems that Lynx may be alive."

"On Miranda?"

"The Baronetess Raghilda was testing a new salvage scanner and found three stasis containers in a hollowed out asteroid. I am waiting to hear if they have moved the containers."

I expected to be informed at any time.

"Woodhen might already know," offered Ceasar, "He took off from here in a rush earlier today."

"He must be furious with me."

"You don't know that," he countered.

That's very true, I thought. "But if anything has happened to Lynx, I will never forgive myself."

Ceasar gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

I responded with a little smile. "As soon as he can be moved," I said, "I want to send him here to recover his strength."

"Should be no problem," he agreed, "especially if Woodhen vouches for him. You knew he's mayor here, right?

"He's one of the most powerful men in the 'Verse... Mayor must be like a hobby for him." I responded dryly.

Ceasar let out a short chuckle.

I felt better. Spending this time with Ceasar was helping me to regain my balance, to relax my grip on a matter that has been consuming me since Deshima.

"I hear you've been busy," I remarked, "Bank robbers?"

"Yes," replied Ceasar, "And the kidnapping."

"Yes... I received a copy of your interview with Ms. Zdychava."

"Good. Have you had a chance to talk to her?" he asked.

"Not yet," I replied, "she is a difficult woman to connect with."

"She travels quite a bit," he agreed.

"And it seems open war has come to Al Raqis."

"I've heard about that," he replied, "Not too surprised though."

"The factions are all picking sides... it's only a matter of time before I'm back there."

"Not too soon, I hope."

I shrugged and smiled. We both knew the life I had chosen.

Ceasar smiled back. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

"I wish I could help," he said, "I may be taking trip to Hale's myself, for the kidnapping case.

I nodded, "Any further leads on that?"

"Not yet."

I knew that one.

"Sometimes it is slow in coming," I said, "You think that a case has gone cold.... then there is a whisper on the breeze, like the scent of spring, and the hunt is on again."

"Yeah."

"Anyway...are you on duty now?" I asked.

"Just signed off when I heard you were landing."

"Oh good," I replied, "Can we head to your place? Maybe I can take a shower and grab a nap."

Ceasar started to grin.

"I'm really tired..." I warned.

"And maybe help you relax a bit," he added.

I chuckled, "Maybe."

-----

March 1 - Hale's Moon

The message from Consulari Raghilda had read as follows: **I will move the stasis boxes to the clinic dirtside.**

I rested my hand lightly on the stasis container. Warm lights illumined the night. Readouts murmured softly. A mechanical lullaby.

It was an old unit. I didn't want it moved without a technician looking at it first. And I didn't think it wise to wake Lynx without a doctor present. So here he would stay for now, in the clinic on Hale's Moon.

At least he was finally safe.

The Missing Lynx

February 27 - Miranda blockade

It was the Consulari, Jai Raghilda, who finally found Lynx. True to her roots as a salvage operator, she was testing a new scanner when she located the boy. The message was broken and came through in segments. As far as I could reconstruct, this was the message:

-----

Dear Major Siamendes,

I was testing a transponder scanner in the Trojan meteor field in the space near Hale's Moon. Inside of a hollowed out 64 meter rock near the top of the field was 5 stasis containers inside on of the hollowed out chambers. There was a lot of blood. One stasis chamber was empty except for bloodstains. Another contained body parts. There were 3 unopened chambers with people inside who appeared to be intact, one of them looks like Lynx.

I took these pictures at the scene. I was testing the new salvage scanner when I found this. I notified Tillery because he was in the system. I was unaware that you did not inform him that Lynx might be missing.

Kind regards,

Jai.

-----

Further, the Consulari identified the two other people as Pilot Meg Dandley, Miner Wally Bendan.

I sent a brief message asking her to move Lynx to safety and began the long journey homeward.

Deshima (Part Two)

February 15 - Deshima

Having found release in my tears, the storm of emotions had subsided. I now found myself in another part of the station. This section was home to a tavern called 'The Den'. Ironically, it was located above a night club called 'Blue Sun'.

The proprietor was a transgenic, canid in appearance, of the Vulpini sort.

I chose a corner booth to allow myself the space to analyze the situation and to plan my next move. The required alcohol purchase - a can of beer - sat unopened on the table, doomed to remain neglected.

So, what did we know?

1) Lily was missing. Taken by Reavers. Normally a non-issue. Ms. Zhangsun once told me that Lily had been raised by Reavers.

2) She was injured in the process. Cody Winterwolf found her severed ear on board her ship. Signs of a struggle.

3) Lily and Lynx have been socializing, if that is the word for it. They danced. He touched her foot. She was convinced, at least until recently, that they were to be married.

4) Lynx went missing around the same time as Lily. He has not returned calls. People have not seen him.

That was the limit of certainty.


Given their recent interactions and the accounts of Cody and the Consulari, it seemed probable that Lynx was with Lily when she was taken. I had little doubt that she would do everything she could to protect him from harm.

If he was with her.

If he was still alive.

The danger was not limited to Reavers, particularly if they were on board a Reaver ship. We still had a few patrol boats out Miranda way. A light cruiser on duty cleaning up Reaver stragglers. Blasting them out of the sky.

Too many 'ifs'.

I needed more information.

-----

I located an out of the way console behind an indoor garden where I could work undisturbed. It was a comforting place. I grew up on a farm.

My fingers danced across the keyboard. Piggy backing on a signal and using UAP encryption, I worked through the night.

The event had not gone unnoticed by our people. According to Alliance sources close to home, there was some suspicion that Lily is, or was, aboard an identified Reaver boat, but there was nothing firm at this point. While this revealed little new information, it did confirm Cody's story.

That left the blockading ships in the Miranda area.

There my search yielded more substantial results.

There was a report of a sighting of a Reaver ship with the name Lily written on it. The ship matched a description of a Reaver vessel sighted two years ago.

Useful and disturbing at the same time.

I sent the information where I thought it would do the most good. Coded and unsigned. If anyone tried to follow the signal back to its source, they would trace it to a water pump on a secondary hydroponic processor, lower level of Deshima Station.