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.