Grounded (Part Two)

August 19 - Paquin

With windows along both walls, the space was filled with natural light. Still in my coat, I stood in the front room of the apartment, quietly surveying my surroundings.

There was the kitchen area to one side. A counter with plenty of work space. A dark wooden dining table, with enough chairs for guests. The chairs were of a lighter stain suggesting a different origin than that of the table.

On the sitting room side, lovely oriental art adorned the wall. There was one cabinet in particular that made the room. Chinese red with gold accents. I must ask Ceasar where he bought it. I would love to see that store.

The sofa, however, was practically shapeless and a disturbing grey colour, but I knew from experience it was very comfortable.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the lift stopping at our floor, and shortly after, the door unlocking.

Ceasar.

We greeted each other with smiles.

"How was your day?" I asked pleasantly.

"Good," he replied, "And yours?"

"Quiet," I reported as I slipped off my trenchcoat.

"Feeling better?"

I did not answer right away.

"Hungry?" I asked instead.

"Starved."

I turned to the counter and I lifted out a cutting board. "Do you want to go out or stay home tonight?" I asked.

"I'm good either way," he said.

"I'll make us something light."

Maybe a Mandarin orange spinach salad and heat up what is left of the lobster bisque...

Ceasar grinned.

"Then we can always have something later," I added, "if we go out."

"Of course," he agreed. "You're still adjusting, aren't you?"

I paused. Okay. Tell him now.

"I saw the doctor today..." I began.

Ceasar's grin faltered a bit.

"He says I'm still overdoing things," I said.

"And?" prompted Ceasar.

"He won't put me back on full duties until at least after U-day." I was effectively grounded, and didn't like it.

"Probably not a bad idea," he said gently.

I shrugged, "I suppose... I am enjoying the change. But I also feel ...I don't know... frustrated."

Ceasar translated, "It's driving you nuts."

I laughed, "Very good."

He continued, "You're used to going as hard and as long as you need to. You do have to admit, if you have to be stuck someplace, this isn't a bad place for it."

"Yes..." I conceded the point. Paquin was beautiful.

Silently, he drew me into his arms and held me close.

"It won't be long," he said, "until you're out tearing through the black again. And giving me a heart attack."

"It is a good place to be stuck," I admitted with a warm smile. Not just Paquin. "So.. supper?" I asked, as he released me from his embrace.

"Yeah. We can go to the diner."

"Good," I replied, "Let me just change."

----

The shelves above the bed stood empty, accusing me of neglect. "I still haven't unpacked my books," I confessed.

I looked at my wardrobe in equal dismay. Uniforms, flight suit, gi, ...and precious little else. "I so need to go shopping....." I said forlornly.

"We can do that after dinner," suggested Ceasar, "It's right at the new mall."

It was a nice idea.

"Where are we going to eat?" I asked, sifting through my clothes, hanger by hanger.

"I was thinking the V V diner down the street," he replied.

I nodded. We have eaten there before and both liked it. It was casual but the food was exceptional.

"You can just about see it from here, in fact," added Ceasar.

I glanced through the window.

"The view here is great," I remarked, "better than your last apartment."

"Not really hard to do," grinned Ceasar.

"I had to stand on a chair and look out the kitchen window to see the park at your last place." I pulled off my sweater as Ceasar climbed onto the bed.

"I know," he said, "Thank god for the redevelopment. And the raise."

He stretched himself out, angling his head so he could watch me. His firm hands adjusted the pillow. His grin grew wider as he watched me put on my dress. "I like that one," he said.

"Thank you," I smiled.

After a moment, Ceasar asked, "Did you want to walk, take the tram or grab a cab?"

"Cab is fine," I said simply, as I searched for the right shoes.

"And this is my treat," he added.

I smiled again, "Okay."

Ready now.

-----

-----

"So, can you talk about what you worked on today?" asked Caesar, as we settled at our table.

"Going through some old files," I replied, "looking at a cold case or two."

"Which ones?"

"Blackburn. Did you ever get out that way?"

"Long time ago," he replied. "Fell to reavers, didn't it?"

"Yes," I said, "it would seem."

"Seem?"

"What do you remember of the place?" I asked.

"Rough," he said, "not the most UAP friendly. but decent folk."

"Tell me about the place itself," I probed.

"Wasn't that habitable. Just one small valley. It was hard hit during the war."

"And notable landmarks?" I asked.

"The bar. Refugees from there settled on Hale's."

Hale's Moon. Now nothing but rocks in space.

"And now they had to relocate again," I remarked. "Tragic."

"Yeah."

"Any local folklore?" I asked, as our food arrived.

Corn on the cob for me. A little taste of home. Sushi for Ceasar.

"Not that I remember," he answered. "Other than about how ornery the locals were. Some of them are still around. And I think you know one of them."

"Oh?"

"LilyBell Snoodle."

"Lily..of course."

"Think she might be a link?" asked Ceasar, "And what is the case about?"

"An old laboratory. Destroyed now. A clone was found dead in the area... I want to know who grew the clone."

I couldn't tell Ceasar the details but I knew that Lily was involved:

• Ms. Zhangsun's testimony placed Lily at the lab. Lily had first contact with Ardra there.
• The clone had been riddled with arrows. This matched Lily's profile. But I had no interest in charging Lily. She was far more valuable as a witness to the events.

The clone was of my commanding officer. Someone was making copies of senior UAP officers. But who?

"Blackburn fell a long time ago," said Ceasar.

"It is just wasteland now, I believe," I remarked, nibbling on my corn.

"And reaver dens," he added.

Hmm. Corn on the cob.

Cobb.

"Oh," I said suddenly, "I was going to ask you."

"Yes?"

"Can you run a police check on Interplanetary on a Cobb Compton?"

"Sure," he said, "Any reason why?"

I shrugged. "Someone I bumped into recently... maybe black market. That doesn't concern me. I was just ...curious."

"I wanna say he comes through Paquin on occasion," replied Ceasar, "But I'll check up on it."

"Thanks," I nodded, already thinking of dessert.

Grounded (Part One)

August 19

Hospitals are not calm, quiet places. Frantic staff rushing about trying to accomplish their duties amidst constant interruptions, genuine cries of pain, and the incessant buzzing of the call nurse button.

It's like a hotel in purgatory.

Adding to the cacophony of human activity, are the bleeps and drones of the machines mindlessly going about the business of keeping people alive. And behind all this, like a canvas of white noise, is the constant hissing, rushing sound of ventilation and air purification systems.

Then there are the smells.

Strong cleansers that tingle the inside of the nose. Dull, sickly medicine smells that linger at the back of the throat. And occasionally, the trace scent of a septic wound that heads straight for the stomach.

Naturally, I had entered in the wrong door. I wandered for some time before I found reception and directions to the appropriate clinic.

-----

I was young when my mother died. It was in a hospital much like this one.

It was the same year my brother Hector was killed in the service, and we were still struggling with our grief over his loss when my mother's illness became apparent. There were treatments, of course, but the disease was too entrenched.

When a parent dies, something solid goes out of the world.

-----

"Major Siamendes?"

The nurse indicated that they were ready for me.

I handed her my identification and health record card.

The holo monitor flashed into life displaying my file.

"Are you still residing at Fort Liberty?" she asked pleasantly.

"No," I replied. "I'm in Spinwheel City now. On Paquin," I gave her the address to Ceasar's apartment. Our apartment. It still felt new and strange and a little bit wonderful. One shining thought in an otherwise bleak afternoon.

She handed me back my cards and indicated the next area. "You can leave your coat in the cubicle," she said.

"The last treatment room on your right...."

"...The doctor will be with you shortly."

Talking to the Dead Girl

August 15 - Washtown

"I saw the circulation of my own dark blood; I saw the coupling of love and the modification of death" - Jorge Luis Borges, The Aleph.

-----

Slowly, I made my way back towards my ship. I crossed the regional road that severed the spaceport from residential Washtown, and passed the Fruity Oaty Bar sign with its jolly little cartoons.

As I approached the landing field, the sound of my boots echoed against the wall of the control tower. Otherwise, it was quiet here. The systems were on automatic. There were no workers, no guards.

The wind had picked up from the West and sent the clouds rolling across the sky.

I had some time to wait before my launch window opened. I found myself a quiet spot where I would not be disturbed. If observed, it would look like I was talking to myself. A mad woman whispering to angels or demons.

Then, using the old Alliance protocols, I sent a small quantity of raw spice to Ardra Aurotharius.

-----

This time, she responded. "Greetings, Servant of the Alliance."

"Hello Audrey," I replied.

"When did we come to be on such familiar terms?" asked the Navigator.

I did not explain myself. Instead, I asked a question of my own. "You released the children, why is that?"

"I never had the children to release them," she claimed.

"Are they not the Zahir?" I asked.

"Quite the opposite."

This revelation was a shock. "They are the Aleph!" I exclaimed.

"One of them is," admitted Ardra, "The other was not emergent."

I hesitated, "I thought they were perfect copies..."

"As identical as cloned calico cats," she answered.

I understood the reference. Cloned calico cats have different markings. Clones are not photocopies.

"Who abducted the children then?" I asked, thinking out loud. I did not expect an answer.

"You are confident that they were abducted?"

"Yes," I answered firmly, "they were taken from their school on Paquin. You have another theory?"

"Perhaps they merely left school of their own accord," she suggested.

"Wandered off ...without telling their guardian?" I was skeptical.

"It is unheard of for children to wander off?" she countered, "Where do ordinary children go when they run away from home or school?"

"Tell me," I insisted.

"Statistically, they run off to a place they consider to be safe, mostly to a person that they consider will protect them. I have never met those two children and I am unknown to them."

"They are clones of Audrey Aurotharius," I stated, "Where would you run to, Audrey?"

"I would run away to be with people more like myself."

"How do you mean?" I prompted.

"While it would be admirable for people to tolerate those who are different from them, sometimes only people who share your differences can empathize with you."

"One of those girls is the Aleph," I reminded her, "are you not concerned with her wandering off?"

Ardra began, "Since you paid tribute, I am going to speak frankly with you. I was surprised to hear that they left their guardian. I had incorrectly suspected someone else. They returned before I could find out who was involved."

"Do you think the Aleph was altered or harmed?" I asked.

"I hope not," she replied, "I will give you a name that you desperately seek in exchange for a copy of a thorough physical examination of the two girls."

"I will consider it," I said noncommittally.

"Has the case on the reliques been closed?" she asked.

I answered promptly and truthfully, "No, I am still searching for information on who hired you to hold them."

"I am prepared to release that information to you," she offered.

This was tempting, not simply for the information itself, but because it placed Ardra in a position of revealing her client's identity. Still, I was cautious. Audrey may be dead, but she was not stupid.

"I'm listening," I said.

Ardra presented her conditions, "First perform the examination, then confirm to me that you will release it to me in exchange for the name. I am sure you will need permission from above your paygrade."

I thought for a moment before responding. "I will be in touch."

"I am sure you will," she replied.

Washtown (Part Three)

August 15 - Washtown, Burnet

The colours were dull, subdued. The floor creaked and groaned as I crossed the room.

While Brooke was busy socializing with Mr. Cobb Compton, I took the time to look around his store. It was a wooden structure matching other buildings in town. A second floor on the back half.

Inside, a few barrels sat by the front entrance. A bank of shelves faced the side door. One single shelf stretched across the back wall, behind a counter and over a door to a back room.

The shelves themselves, were filled with products, government issued and all intended for other destinations. A majority of the goods were designated for Civil Defense use. Multi-purpose food next to boxes of cartridges. Stained cartons. Doubtful expiry dates.

The black market. That it could operate so openly here was an indication of how broken things were this far out on the frontier. You see this after a war, even long after the conflict is over. A shortage of goods. A local government limping along.

The sheriff likely knew very well what was going on here and probably rationalized the whole venture, especially if it meant the people of the area had access to food or medicines not otherwise obtainable.

Only a programme of reconstruction would squeeze out these profiteers. One that established working organizations of government and public service, and a healthy climate for commercial enterprise.

Until then, people will do what they can to get by.

-----

I pushed the door to his office open. It swung open slowly with a creak.

What else do you have in stock, Mr. Compton? I thought.

There were more Civil Defense supplies stacked in one corner of the backroom. Possibly products of better quality, more recent date, or simply overflow stock.

A simple desk was pushed against the interior wall. A padded chair for working at the desk. A folding lawn chair nearby for guests or customers.

There was an assault rifle propped next to the desk with the trigger facing outward away from the wall. Precious seconds would be lost grabbing for that rifle and turning it around to make it serviceable. If this was characteristic, then I imagine that in the event of an emergency, Mr. Compton probably depended on a handgun.

A white laptop sat slumbering on the desk. I woke up the machine and cycled through the files.

X-ray spectra. Grid scans. Chemical analysis.

It would seem that Mr. Compton was exactly what he presented himself to be. Whether it was gathering geological data or selling diverted goods, he was a middle man.

There was nothing here to suggest otherwise.

Washtown (Part Two)

August 15 - Washtown, Burnet

Once Sentry had left the saloon, Brooke turned to the man that had arrived moments before.

"Mr. Cobb," she greeted him, "good to see you."

The man glanced over at the empty chair, "Mind iffin' I join ya'll?"

"Please do," I said.

"Thanks so kindly," he responded.

Brooke looked at the man and then at me, "So ... Pepper," she began, "tell me again how the desk job at Alliance headquarters is suiting you."

The man looked me over upon hearing the word 'Alliance'.

I was feeling impish, and so I decided to have a little fun.

"Well, it will take some getting used to Brooke. I'm so used to hunting down Browncoats and the like. I just don't know where I will get my exercise!" I said with a smile.

"Huntin' down Browncoats?" asked the man.

Brooke wrinkled her nose, "I still have a gun ..." she declared.

As fun as it was, I couldn't let this get out of hand. "Oh, don't mind us sir," I explained, "Brooke is just trying to drop you a hint about my day job."

The man tapped his hand gently on the table and listened intently, "I ain't much of a sir, ma'am," he replied, "I appreciate the kindness though."

It felt like the right time for introductions.

"I'm Major Pepper Siamendes of the Special Investigation Unit, UAP. And you are?"

Brooke spoke up, "Pepper here thinks she's going to catch me with my pants down .... But, you two have something in common, both working for the Alliance."

"I see... I'd not know anything about that," he replied. "I'm Cobb, Cobb Compton. I generally run the store and help supplies move through Washtown as needed, " he said with a deadpan expression, then a bit of a smile.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Compton," I said and responded with a warm smile of my own.

"I'm sure the feeling is mutual," he said with a hint of cynicism, "so what would bring a UAP official way out to our friendly township?"

"Actually, this is just a social call," I replied, "I've known Brooke for years."

"Wonderful," said Mr. Compton, his smile widening a bit more, "Brooke is good folk."

Brooke acknowledged the compliment. "We went to school together," she explained, "I have stories..." She laughed. "See, they don't know me out here." she said to me.

Yes, I thought, especially when we use words like 'school', and not 'Military Academy'.

"I can imagine," said Mr. Compton politely, "I knew her from... well, shoot... it's been a few now. Back before TeeTop nuked the settlement on Shadow."

"I'm still trying to get her to bring her children to see their Auntie Pepper," I added, "but I fear she thinks I will make them enlist."

This seemed to confuse Mr. Compton. However, instead of clarifying I addressed his remark concerning Shadow.

"Commander Faith can run, but he can't hide forever," I said with the voice of certainty.

Mr. Compton quickly changed his expression back to social friendliness, "Commander Faith?" he asked.

"I'd rather not talk about Tee..." said Brooke. She addressed Mr. Compton, "He was a traitor ... to all of us."

"Yes," I replied, "of course Brooke."

"Traitors happen," said Mr. Compton, "that was a bad happenin' though. Was he ever caught and given a proper burial, on maybe say, seven worlds?"

"There is a tribunal waiting for him," I replied. It was as much a promise as it was information.

"So, he's still free?" He sounded stunned by the revelation.

"He's living ..." answered Brooke. She looked down and then at her hands. "He's ... still the father of ...." She bit her lip. "I'd rather ..." She then stopped and changed the subject. "So Cobb, how goes the survey?"

I was the one with the back full of holes. Brooke was the one who was wounded.

"I've got eleven moons done," replied the man, "it's a bit of an open-ended contract though, which is good. I can use the coin."

"Are you involved in the settling of the refugees from Hale's Moon?" I asked.

"No," replied Mr. Compton, "I had nothing to do with Hales other than a few cargo runs, helpin' in a few defensive missions, nothing too much though." His face was expressionless. He continued, "Hales was often a dangerous place back in the days of the Sun Tzu being assigned for protection and assistance."

Brooke looked at Cobb a slight frown on her brow. "What exactly do they have you doing again? ...They take those crackers?"

The man chuckled a bit, "I'm just flyin' radar surface mapping. I fly a grid. Save the data. Send it off to.." he looked at me, "...my business associates."

I nodded, "Does it pay well?"

Mr. Compton coughed, "Well, I'd not be flyin' empty moons if it didn't pay well... pays damn well."

"All dead moons?" asked Brooke, tilting her head.

"All of em," he replied, "so far. Terraforming held, or mostly held, just ain't settled. I assume it's so they can send out colonists to expand some influence."

"Big business in terraforming," I remarked absently. I was listening to tone and pattern as much as the content. Making no conclusions.

Brooke frowned. "Right ..." She rubbed her neck. "Not sure I like that idea." She looked in my direction.

Mr. Compton continued, "Well, most of these moons are livable, with a lot of hardship, but a few have been pretty dead."

"Still doesn't make any sense to me," remarked Brooke, "but I'm sure you know what you're doing Cobb..." She winked at him.

"I don't know whether they plan to send out the Terraformers again, or colonists," said the man, "I got a contract, happy to have it...I'm makin' money." He winked at Brooke in return. "That's what matters to me."

"Making real coin," said Brooke.

"And on that happy note," I said with a smile, "I should be heading out."

"Sounds fair enough," answered Mr. Compton, "pleased to meet you, Pepper."

"Brooke, take care. Nice to meet you, Cobb."

Mr. Compton stood up as I did. "Ma'am," he said, "take care. Please come visit anytime."

"Keep me in mind Pepper," said Brooke. She stood up and gave me a hug.

The wound on my back burst into flame at the contact. I winced, "Ouch, ouch..."

Brooke frowned then gave me a careful squeeze. "Take care Pepper."

"I will," I said, recovering myself, "you stay safe."

-----

The half-sized doors of the saloon swung closed behind me. I could still hear their voices.

"Do you want a drink?" asked Brooke and then she added with a laugh. "Always..."

"I'd be okay without drinkin' tonight," replied Mr. Compton, "still embarrassed about my behavior last night."

It sounded like they were settling in for the evening.

Good, I thought. It would give me a chance to look around.

Washtown (Part One)

August 15 - Washtown, Burnet

"So, a desk jockey? Who'd you kill?"

I smiled, "Hey Brooke."

She was my oldest and dearest friend. Brooke and I had roomed together at the Academy. We did a lot of growing during those years. While I had stayed with the service, Brooke had chosen a different path, one that matched her conscience and independent spirit.

I hadn't seen her for months. When she called and asked to meet, I did not hesitate, even though it meant a flight to Burnet in my condition.

Brooke just grinned. "So," she pressed, "what's with all the paperwork?"

"I'm on light duties," I explained, "I was shot in the back."

Brooke's expression darkened, "Sorry to hear that...." She bit her lip and sighed. "I've been in the black for a while. Weird to see you out of uniform."

"I thought you said you wanted to see that," I countered.

"Yeah," she laughed, "but not by you getting shot in the back."

"How have you been, Brooke?" I asked, "You are looking well.

Brooke's response indicated otherwise, "I'm .... okay. Hard ... been gone so long. The black swallows you up, you know." She frowned. "Dex decided that well ... out there was better than here. I found a good school for the kids." She shrugged, "Just .... " She left the last sentence unfinished.

"Let's go somewhere we can talk," I suggested and glanced around for a suitable spot.

"Sure," she said, "the bar."

"Sounds good," I agreed.

-----

Washtown was a typical frontier town. Simple wooden structures, nestled up against the hills. Farming and ranching were the main industries in the area. Far from the Core, the old Indy flag flew everywhere. Defiantly.

I followed Brooke through what I assumed to be the center of town, and passed some sort of monument. It was dedicated to a man named Wash. A local hero perhaps.

I pushed open the doors of the saloon and stepped inside.

The room filled with the deafening sound of a revolver. I froze, too surprised to head for cover. I thought my heart had stopped. I turned to the right, towards the source of the sound.

"Matthew!" I cried.

Matthew 'Sentry' Swashbuckler jumped at the sound of my voice, almost putting a round in the wall.

"Matthew?" asked Brooke, tilting her head.

Sentry grinned slightly, "Why Pepper Siamendes! As I live an' breathe... still."

"Shooting off a hand gun like that, you could give someone a scare." The words tumbled out. Why I didn't use harsher language, I have no idea.

Brooke looked at us, one then the other, "Matthew?" she repeated.

"Yes," I replied simply, "that's his name."

Sentry smiled awkwardly at Brooke, "Well, you didn't think my momma named me Sentry, did you?"

"Matthew," she repeated. "Okay ... Matthew..." She then turned to me and said directly, "I need some info about Alliance activity in the area."

"Info?" I asked, "Let's start with what you have been up to..."

Sentry motioned towards the chairs. "Shall we all take a load off?"

"Yes, good idea," I acknowledged.

We took our seats at a round, wooden table at the edge of the dance floor. I selected a chair positioned so I could see the door.

I addressed Brooke, "I saw you last in Paquin, gathering medicine for the Rim worlds."

She sighed. "I've been .... running some medicine. Got in the way of some slavers ... but we really shouldn't talk about that with Matthew here."

"Oh, so now I'm a liability," said Sentry.

"Don't feel that way, Matthew," I said pleasantly.

"Trying," he replied, putting on a happy face. "Better to hear it now, than to guess..."

Brooke smiled at Sentry. "No, but you'll get upset, so rather you not hear." She then shrugged. "So, really, not much....Honestly, Pepper I was out there earning a few coin and making sure that the Faiths never ever get their hands on the twins. They're safe now ... and happy."

"And how are the children?" I asked, "When do I get to see them?"

Brooke leaned forward. "You will. But ... uhm. Not for some time. There's a school that will take care of them. Give them all they need to know about making it in the Core ... or in the Black." She let out a sigh. "It's what's best. I'm dangerous to them. This way I can do my job, and not always worry they're going to get it because of me."

"Dangerous to them?"

"Just my way of life," she explained. "One of the reasons I need to talk to you. I heard someone here got an Alliance contract," she nodded towards Sentry, "they have him looking at planets, for what I don't know. Just wondering if you have heard anything."

"An Alliance contract?" I asked, "From what department?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out," she replied.

"And you both think it is something sour?"

Brooke looked at Sentry, then back at me. "Uhm ... no offense, but I think anything that the Alliance is doing around here tends to be sour."

Sentry agreed, "You don't get paid good money to map a moon."

I thought this over. "When you say an Alliance contract, are you saying someone in the military or the government?"

"That's the part we don't really know," Sentry replied.

"I spend my life fighting that type of corruption," I stated, "if you think that something is in the works, maybe we can stop those responsible."

"I know you do," answered Brooke, "And I know you're not out in the field anymore, but if you can learn anything ...."

"Oh, I'm just behind a desk for a few weeks at most," I said optimistically, "The doctor says I have to rest." I made a rude noise to indicate what I thought of the matter.

Sentry grinned, "Place is a little less safe while you're stuck behind that desk, ya know."

I smiled warmly, "Thank you Matthew. I'm thankful for the break. It is a chance to get caught up on my paperwork."

"Think you will ever settle down, Pepper?" he asked.

"Oh, I may get the taste for it," I admitted, "I'm a bit gypsy I suppose, but I do like a safe harbour."

Brooke nodded a bit. "I agree with Sentry. It's important that you're out there. But I think it's good you're getting some rest." She then laughed. "Pepper slow down. When we were girls, she never did," she added with a wink.

Sentry looked at us both. You could tell he was wondering what sort of mischief we used to get ourselves into when we were younger.

I was saved from explaining by the sound of footsteps.

Sentry turned and faced the new arrival. "Oh, hi Dav. Good to see ya," he said cheerfully.

Brooke, recognizing the fellow, smiled broadly. She greeted him, "Hello there. How is life?"

I smiled politely.

The man stopped, standing near the doorway. He tapped his boots to remove some mud, then squinted in our direction. After a moment, he turned around. "I'll wait outside," he said.

"I ... Dave ..." said Brooke with a pained expression on her face as the man withdrew from the room. "I guess I left a few in the lurch, didn't I?" she said aloud.

"Well, I'm glad your back," I said firmly.

Brooke sighed. "Yeah...."

I glanced at Sentry for support. Come on Matthew, I thought, say something nice.

Sentry spoke honestly, "Brooke, it's just been a while since anyone has seen you. I don't know how the others felt, but I was right upset. Things go on, and now you're back. That can't be a bad thing."

Brooke looked at the two of us. "I ... should probably ..." She stopped mid-sentence. "What do I say? I guess, 'hi, I'm sorry I left you, but' ...." She paused and sighed again. "I did it for everyone's good. Just sure most people don't see it that way."

"The Verse is a big place, Brooke," I said, "you can get lost in any city in the Core." I tried to downplay the matter.

Sentry took a different approach. He yelled towards the door. "Dav, get yer scrawny butt in here... I ain't gonna talk bad about you when you can't hear me!" He laughed a bit at his own humour.

Brooke rubbed her neck. "I .... know ... but that doesn't ... I .... It isn't easy." She then smiled. "Sorry, not saying much with lots of words ... " She exhaled. "I know no one sees it, but I did it because it was the only thing I could do. Now I lost Dex for good and just about everyone I care about. But, my job is to make sure that the Alliance, well the bad part of it, doesn't ruin everything we love."

"About that other matter," I glanced at the door and spoke quickly and quietly, "You are both ex-military. Trust your training.... and keep me in the loop."

They both nodded.

"Will do," added Brooke, "And you'll do the same I take it..."

From outside the saloon, the man Dav walked away, the click of his boots growing more and more distant.

I spoke further, "Hard evidence brings a successful prosecution. I can't condone vigilante action."

Sentry grinned, "Brooke? Vigilante?"

Brooke just smiled. "Don't worry Pepper. I've never been caught." She gave me a wink.

I narrowed my eyes and smiled in response, then added, "Maybe, working together, we can stop some of those criminals who would hide behind the flag, who think they are above the law."

Sentry piped up. "I'll make sure she doesn't kill anyone without good reason."

"Yes, you do that, Matthew," I replied. Always helpful.

Brooke nodded, "Behind the flag or no. I'm happy to help you catch those who wrap themselves in brown, if they deserve to be caught."

I indicated my agreement.

"So," she said, "besides having your back used as target practice, any developments, Pepper?"

I laughed aloud.

"I heard you had Tee put away," she continued, "for a while at least."

"He is still out there," I admitted, "but in hiding or on the run."

Brooke's face grew white. "Oh..." she managed to say.

I continued, "We are proceeding with war crime trials for some of the others involved in the attack on Shadow."

She gave a nod. "Good to know."

"Possibly, he has found shelter," I told her, "in the house of someone sympathetic to his cause. It is not unheard of..."

"Wouldn't be surprising," remarked Sentry, "knowing his plethora of connections."

Brooke swallowed as she ingested this information.

Sentry suddenly jumped as his commlink sounded off. "Well, ain't that timing..."

"Do you have to go Matthew?" I asked.

"Need to head off?" asked Brooke.

"'Fraid so," he answered, "hope you both have a good time catching up without me. Great to see you again Pepper. Take care of yourself."

"You too," I replied.

"Always," he whispered. He turned to Brooke, "I'll catch you tomorrow for an update, if you don't mind."

"Of course," she smiled.

As he departed, Sentry waved to another man who had just entered the bar.

"Stay safe," I called as he made his way outside.

Heart

August 13 - Spinwheel City, Paquin

"Love's heralds should be thoughts,
Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams,
Driving back shadows over louring hills"
- Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

-----

[Picture of Paquin, courtesy of Serendipity Undercroft]

UAP Building, Offices, SIU Sector B

The old crate protested. I slid the pry bar further into the gap I had created. Nails squeaked as I forced open their grip on the wood. There was a cracking sound and a thud as the side panel fell to the floor. The smell of dust and packing material was released into the air.

Damn.

They sent the wrong chairs.

I had specifically ordered chairs with arms. They sent chairs without arms. I wanted guests to feel comfortable, at ease. This would not do.

-----

As it turned out, my back injury was rather serious, exacerbated by my walking out of the desert. The doctor said I had to rest if I didn't want the infection to spread to the kidney. I'm hoping he was simply trying to scare me into slowing down.

The break from constant travelling did come with it's own rewards. It gave me an opportunity to catch up on paperwork, and to review some files. To look at old material with new eyes, as it were. And if I was stuck on desk duty, I planned to make the best of it. The office itself was new, with a spectacular view of the city and surrounding mountains. Fresh coffee at the touch of an intercom button. Walking distance to some of the best restaurants in Spinwheel City.

I left a message for Ceasar, telling him I was back in town. I removed my shoes to enjoy the soft, plush carpet in my stocking feet, and got down to work.

I began by examining the files on the fall of Blackburn, comparing official records with the material I had retrieved from Ardra's ship. I had a trip planned to the wastelands of Blackburn, once I was healthy enough, and I wanted all the background information I could find before going into potentially hostile territory.

A few items of interest.

1) The files from Ardra's ship suggested the Reaver attack was not random but rather some sort of experimental black ops. Difficult to prove. Harder to prosecute. Worth a look.

2) The Colonel's dead clone was found in the vicinity of the Mini Zebes laboratory. The laboratory had been destroyed, but perhaps traces remained. We needed to know who grew an unauthorized clone of a UAP officer.

3) There was a lead on Cody's sister pointing to the genetics laboratory. Even though I no longer needed his help finding the twins, I had made a promise to Cody and I intended to keep it. We would find out what happened to his sister.

4) Lily first met one of the Ardra drones near Mini Zebes. It had been in agony, saying it was trapped in a metal body and wanted to die. This raised some disturbing questions.

-----

I tapped a few keys on the ivory coloured keyboard. The holo screen flickered to life. Leaning to one side to make myself comfortable, I sat back in my chair and considered the image before me.

This was one of the oldest items in the Ardra file. Only a few of us had ever seen this. The image showed a figure, vaguely human looking, twisting, floating, ablaze with spice. It was labelled simply: "Steersman Ardra".

I watched the figure glide and turn, caught in the loop of the video capture.

Was this Ardra without her exo-skeleton? Was this her biological component? And if Ardra was a composite being, was this what resided at her heart?

----

The call came through.

"Pepper! So good to hear from you."

A voice that warmed the day and brought a smile to my lips. His voice.

"Hi Ceasar," I replied, "I am here on Paquin... I just finished unpacking."

"Where in town?" he asked.

"The UAP building. I can meet you." I took a little breath. "I have to check in at the hospital," I added.

There was a pause from his end.

"What," he said. It was not a request.

"Nothing serious," I said hurriedly, trying to backpedal the conversation. Maybe I should have waited until I saw him tonight. "I hurt my back."

"I'm on my way now," he said firmly

"Okay," I replied, as he disconnected the call.

-----

I stepped out of the lobby and into the cool, fresh air, the warm afternoon sun. It was a beautiful day.

My wound was serious, but I was alive. Denials brushed aside, I could finally take the time to realize and be thankful for my good fortune.

I closed my eyes and let the sounds of Spinwheel City sweep over me like a wave. Now rising, now falling, and now punctuated by the sound of shoes hitting the pavement, approaching, running hard.

I opened my eyes.

Ceasar ran up, concern etched into his face. "What's this about you being hurt?" he demanded.

"A couple of drones with laser cannon," I reported, "one of my wounds is infected."

Silently, he enfolded me in his arms.

"So I'm behind a desk for a week or so." I added, and then after a pause, "It's good to be home." My voice muffled in his uniform as I snuggled my face into his neck.

"Good to have you home," he replied gently.

I lifted my head. He released me from his embrace.

"I'll need help," I said, "changing the bandage."

"Do you have a place to stay in town yet?" he asked.

"No," I replied, "well, just the barracks... but they are hardly in town."

"You do now," he insisted, "You'll stay with me."

I responded with a smile.

Again, he pulled me close and held me tightly, gently. I too could float and glide, ablaze with the affections of this man.

His voice was stern now, but lacking none of the warmth, "And if you EVER get hurt like that again..."

I nodded, "I know..."

I stepped back half a step, to see him more clearly. My eyes traced the contours of his face.

"Take me home, Ceasar," I said.

"Absolutely," he replied