Boros (Part Three)

April 3 - Boros

"What can you tell me about House Orion?" I asked.

"What do you want to know?" asked Calina.

"Anything that strikes you as important," I urged, "you mentioned a rapid rise in fortune."

"Yes. When Captain Barbosa arrived a year or so ago, the Orions were on the fringes of Al Raqis society. Boorish, rude, self-interested. At the Faith Industries Ball, they were dancing on tables and someone challenged an Orion woman and myself to a duel of who could be more... alluring. Not appropriate and not fair," she added with a playful yet confident grin.

I listened quietly as the Companion spoke.

"As to the new Advocate," she continued, "Auryn Sapeur... hmmm... she intrigues me. She is saavy, astute, driven, and something here..." Calina put her hand over her stomach, "just says to me there is an ulterior motive. When I said something hinting at that, she seemed genuinely hurt that was my opinion."

"When did this new Advocate begin her term?" I asked.

"Some months ago. There was even a ceremony with the Orions and Myrmidons. I was not able to attend so I am not sure of the intent or how it joined the Houses. But the Sinisterhood was the sponsor. And the Reverend Mother.... hmmm... well... she and I could probably pace around one another like two big cats sizing each other up... trying to decide which one will blink first."

"Sinisterhood," I repeated. I had seen the outside of their manor. I had met Sister Kat. I had very little else in the way of first hand knowledge.

Calina chuckled, "The local name I suppose for them.... Their House is at the base of the stairs before going up to Shanjian's. Stunning beautiful garden behind their walls."

"A garden?" I interrupted, "on Al Raqis?... they must be indeed wealthy."

"Keepers of religion can be," replied the Companion.

I nodded. "And they sponsored the event that marked the alliance between Orion and Myrmidon," I frowned turning this information over.

"Yes, they did," confirmed Calina. "The Myrmidons... what I know of them is that they are generally well-cultured, though when they first landed, one of them burst into the House and pointed a gun at me. He later apologized when we met at a social event. Seem to be connected to an ancient warrior culture that reminds me of Earth that Was ancient Greece."

"And they are the shock troops of the Orion and Morloch," I paraphrased, "with the blessing of this Reverend Mother."

"Yes," said Calina. "They crash landed on Al Raqis and one of them burst into the House. He lifted his rifle... a rather large rifle... at me and we exchanged a few words and when he was satisfied that I was neither armed nor would reveal his position, he left."

"And now they have a manor house of their own," I added.

"They do?"

"Yes," I replied, "far out in the Wadi Emet."

"Ahhh.... near House Morloch?"

"Yes."

"I have only been to that house a couple of times," said the Companion, "Clearly some construction has occurred since my last visit."

"Indeed. It would seem you have your work cut out for you, Miss Tereshchenko."

"Very much so." Calina nodded, and then added some reflection, "There are stories around the Guild Houses of one retired Companion. Her name is Inara. She was called 'The Ambassador.' I believe it was somewhat of a derisive title given to her by the Captain of that Firefly she was on, but stories and rumors flew quickly around."

"Please let me know if I can help further," I said.

"Thank you Major. Information that you learn would be greatly appreciated. But enough of this serious and potentially terrifying talk, how have you been? How is Lynx?"

"He is on Paquin," I replied, "recuperating from an ordeal of his own."

Calina blinked, "What happened?"

I looked through my belt pouch as I spoke.

"He went missing... an attack on the ship he was on. He is fine," I added quickly, "the Consulari found him in a stasis chamber. He is now awake." And with that I passed Calina the letter and photographs I received from Lynx.

"Oh dear... that is... good. I'm glad that he is safe."

I continued, "I would like to speak with you about fostering him with your House... do you offer training to young gentlemen? Etiquette and so forth? for those young men entering the diplomatic service."

Calina smiled as she flipped through the pictures, "He has gotten taller. He is going to be quite the talk among the acolytes there on Paquin." She paused for a moment "I could, yes. He would be very welcome to stay here on Boros."

"Good," I said, "I want to give him options. He has some training already we have found..."

"With the UAP presence on the moon," elaborated the Companion, "all the ship building... it is safe and he would have opportunities to meet those connected both with the civil and military authorities."

"Splendid," I replied. It did sound promising. "We still don't know his origins...." I added with a small sigh.

"Nothing?"

"Just clues," I replied, "I would like him to spend some time with Bai Feargananym of the Bihar Sanctuary. Perhaps through meditation he will recover some memories."

"Very true," she agreed, "I would think his memories would be there... somewhere."

"I just hope they are not so traumatic that they are better left untouched," I added.

"Nothing in any databases?"

I hesitated a fraction of a moment. "No, nothing," I replied.

This was not exactly true. There were still tests we could run. I had used the utmost caution with any database search when it concerned Lynx. Keeping the search narrow and well controlled, avoiding the involvement of too many people. And though I was perhaps better placed than most to deal with anything unforeseen, something stayed my hand from conducting an exhaustive system wide search.

What if he was not lost?

What if he had been... hidden?

These were my private and irrational thoughts.

"He is too young to be in any Guild databases," remarked Calina.

I hesitated again then spoke, "And it could be best if he retrieves his memories on his own..."

She shrugged her shoulder slightly, "Answers are out there. Does he really want to know the answers?"

That was not what concerned me. "I confess, I think about his mother... Is she safe? She must worry..."

The Companion nodded, "Very true."

"Well, I should be moving on," I paused for a moment to again take in the view from where we stood. The gentle lapping of the water. The soft glow from the lanterns. The scent of night blooming jasmine. "Such a pleasant world ..."

Calina smiled, "Thank you for coming to visit, Major. You are always welcome here."

"Thank you Miss Tereshchenko," I replied, sincerely.