Memories of Sihnon

June 13

Perhaps it was the recent friction with Brooke, but today I found myself thinking a lot about the past.

Another summer, long ago.

The Academy. End of first year.

Brooke and I were Officer Cadets.

It was a simpler time.

-----

Sihnon.

With the old boat fastened securely to the dock, the elderly captain waved me forward. I was now permitted to disembark.

When I was told I would be travelling to Brooke's family estate by ship, I did not expect to be going by water. The craft itself was a wooden affair with two large sails to speed us along. I was the only passenger and carried my own pack, so I was light cargo.

The captain had rough, white whiskers. His face weather worn and creased. But his smile was kind and there was a twinkle in his eye when I boarded. Except for a few simple orders to his small crew, he was silent the whole trip.

His young deckhand by contrast wouldn't stay quiet. Perhaps relieved to have someone new to talk with, once we were underway he began his monologue. A steady stream of trivia and local news. After a few failed attempts on my part to have an actual conversation with him, I finally settled in, content to be the captive audience. Much to the amusement of the captain I am sure.

There was a warm summer ahead of us.

I had decided to take my leave with Brooke's family that year rather than return home to Albion.

My brother Demetrios now ran the family farm and while I appreciated the fact that his return to the homestead meant I could join the academy, that didn't mean I wanted to spent any length of time with him.

Much older than I, Demetrios had left home while I was still small. But I remember he had a frown that made him look perpetually cross. And when he looked at me it was with all the attention one gives a stray cat. He was more of a stern uncle than an older brother.

Nothing like Hector.

Hector I had adored. Closer to my age but old enough to still be a big brother. Charismatic. Gentle. Always laughing. Hector had taken care of me.

When Hector died during the war, it was a terrible blow to the family.

Mother followed soon afterward. And while the doctors said it was disease that killed her, I knew full well she died from a broken heart.

-----

I walked up the long pathway from the dock to the front door of the house that squatted high upon the hill. Worn stone steps and a heavy ornate wooden door. I knocked.

A stranger opened the door and it took me a moment to realize that this was part of his job. The stranger said nothing. I smiled gently.

"Pepper?" called a voice from inside. "Hey there!" It was Brooke and with a smile she climbed over the couch. The servant turned and gave her a dirty look.

"Hey there," I replied.

"Hey! I didn't expect you so early or I would have got the door myself. Come in," she motioned.

I stepped into the cool interior. The servant closing the door carefully behind me.

Glancing around the room, I was struck by the amount of art that had been collected there. "Nice place"

"This is the downstairs fun room," she said with a grin. "How have you been?"

"Good thanks..."

"I'll show you the rest in a bit." She yawned. "It's good to get away .. though not sure how fun it is to be home .."

I had to comment. "Wow, I must say I never realized you came from a noble family." I slipped off my backpack and let it hang at my side.

Brooke blushed. "Not really Noble per se. My dad wishes we were ... just have lots of land and such... it's uhm .. a long story. But the good thing is we have chocolate."

I smiled brightly, "Good thing indeed."

One of the servants standing by hurried over to take my bag before I could place it in a corner anywhere.

"Can you put that in my room?" Brooke asked him.

The servant nodded and turned towards the hallway.

"Thanks," I called out to him. It felt odd having someone carry my bag.

Brooke smiled at me. "Yea .. I ... know it's a bit much... not really my thing .. I guess that's why I like being in the dorms."

"Don't knock it," I exclaimed, "this is lovely!" I spoke of the house as a whole.

"Well .... you're staying for the summer ... right? So it's all yours too ... my parents will be happy to have another girl in the house. Just don't let them talk you into being a companion." She grinned.

"I have to thank them ..and you too for putting me up for our break. Things just aren't the same back home now that Demetrios has returned to take care of Dad."

"Hey! I can't get into all the trouble by myself," she said with a smile. "And I know. Things can get crazy when there's change. Here almost nothing changes, and we'll have fun driving my parents nuts."

I giggled.

My eyes kept drifting around the room to the beautiful paintings and rich furniture. Whatever Brooke said, to me it was like the summer house of a great lord or lady.

"I guess I can change out of my uniform ..." I said cautiously.

Brooke laughed. "Uhm yea.... you're way too into being an officer, Pepper. You need to relax. This is going to be a great vacation." She grabbed a peach from the plate and threw it at me. "Heads up!" she called.

With a sweeping movement, I caught it left handed.

----

The room was empty when I returned. Brooke had wandered off somewhere. The servants had probably been dismissed. That didn't mean there was no sign of their activity.

The fire had been stoked. The plate of fruit had been refilled. The pillows that Brooke disturbed when she climbed over the couch had been set to right.

What a life this must be! Dozing on pillows. Eating fresh peaches and chocolate.

I was quite enjoying myself in front of the fireplace when I heard a voice laugh.

"You have legs!"

Brooke had returned. Clearly making a reference to my dress.

"Okay," she winked, "I see you in PJs all the time, but still..."

"No wonder you didn't want to answer the door...." I remarked.

"I know it's comfortable," she smiled, "Best place in the house. It's quiet and the servants don't come down too much."

I shook my head, "I don't think I could get used to servants. After Mom passed away, I pretty much had to take care of the house while Dad worked the farm."

Brooke frowned. "I'd lend you mine. Most are indentured brought from some of the Rim worlds..." She shrugged a bit. "It's nicer here for them though."

"Doesn't it make them.... I don't know... envious?"

Brooke blinked a few times. "I ... don't know. Zarek always says it's better than some places he had heard about. It could always be worse. I mean they are given rooms and food. And even given days off and things."

I shrugged a bit turning the idea over in my head.

"How's the flight training coming along?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Oh, it's a blast. Though the instructor is a ha_rdass. There are times I really do want to slap him," she said with a laugh. "But I think I really love it. It's going to be my duty to get people in and out of danger. It's a big responsibility."

I smiled, "Wow, it's going to be exciting!"

I could see it now. Drop ship under fire. Boots on the ground. Go go go!

Brooke laughed, "And you ... Miss Investigator .." She shook her head.

"Yes, little miss hound dog sniffing out trouble."

Our first year done at the academy. The path had been set for both of us.

"Like you aren't going to have a time. Finding the bad guy..." She winked. "Those browncoats won't know what hit them..." Then as an afterthought she added, "Hey as long as you don't sniff out mine."

"Well, that's easy....don't get into trouble," I countered.

Brooke coughed. "Right ... easy ..... Come on. You wouldn't actually tell on me ... would you?"

"Tell on you? What are you planning on doing?"

Was she being serious?

"Well," she began, "See.... Sanders has this idea about when we get back to the academy .." She shook her head. "Just uhm ... well. Maybe getting a few nights out."

"Ah that's nothing," I dismissed her concern with a smile. "But hypothetically... if you did something really bad? .... I'd have to take you in of course. You know that."

"You are a hardnose..." she muttered. "Goody two-shoes... fine, fine.." she added with a laugh.

"More like a pitbull," I said setting the record straight.

"Not like I'm going to join the browncoats and start shooting Alliance officers anyway.."

"Oh lord I hope not...."

Brooke giggled, "Come on ... I look horrible in brown."

I laughed, "... and purple sets off your eyes."

The flames danced cheerfully. It was as if the fire itself was joining our fun.

"How is Sanders?" I asked.

"I'll always be an Alliance officer. It's in my blood. And he's ... amazing, Pepper. The guy is going to go places, I can already feel it. He's been accepted to the ops team."

I shook my head, "Wow... you are truly the lucky one when it comes to love.

Brooke laughed. "I think so too. We're talking about getting married after we both graduate..."

I elaborated, "That doctor I took a fancy too... seems that he has a interest in that nurse from Osiris... the one with the narrow hips."

I made a face.

"Ah, Pepper, I'm sorry. You'll find someone. He had bad hands anyway." She smiled. "You deserve someone better."

I smiled too but not so sure this time, "Maybe... but my job might involve a lot of travelling."

"Not going out to the Rim .. .are ya?"

"Wherever they send me," I admitted. Came with the job.

I had a thought. "Hey, I may need extraction sometime... for you to fly in and pick me up!"

We both laughed.

"You know I'll be there," she said.

I looked over at Brooke, my turn to get all serious. "Promise?"

"Not going to let you get stuck on some dead-end world being eaten by boogie men ... what do they call them? Reavers?" She smiled. "Promise. I'll be there if you need me.....And I expect you not to turn me in." she added with a wink.

I smiled back but I did not reply.

Instead, I stretched and said, "Well, I should head to bed. This fire is making me sleepy."

-----

"I had an extra bed put in my room for you."

Brooke's bedroom was on the uppermost level of the mansion. She had almost the whole upper floor for herself. A door to a private balcony facing the river.

"My humble abode," she added with a laugh.

"Wow, fantastic.... "

"If you want your own room. I can get you that instead. Just though this way we could stay up late and tell ghost stories."

"Oh this is wonderful," I observed, "just like the barracks..only better!"

We laughed together.

"Exactly," she replied, "The beds aren't rocks..."

"...and no lights out. There is no lights out, right?"

"Nope. No lights out..." She winked. "Just whenever we want. And we can have the servants bring us any treats we want too. At any time of the night."

"Oh this can't be legal," I exclaimed.

Brooke smiled. "Oh, it's legal on Sihnon....That's what money does ... makes it legal."

Brooke

"Praising what is lost, makes the remembrance dear" - Shakespeare

-----

Sentry didn't remain in Alliance custody for very long. Shortly after I left the Alexander, he managed to secure himself what commonly known as a 'jackrabbit parole'. The Watcher Drones on board the ship indicated over a dozen people arrived to rescue him, proving once and for all the value of a good bartender on the Rim.

Damage to the ship itself was moderate. With incendiary rockets in two of the security guns, there would be severe burns among the rescuers. The blood stains on the ship will keep a forensic team busy.

I had no idea if Brooke was in the raiding party. She would know enough not to get hurt if she was.

Brooke.

Seeing her the other day on MacLaren's brought back a few memories.

My first day at the Academy...

----------

Londinium - First day at the Academy

The other cadets on my shuttle from Zenobia were all men. Big, solid farm boys all destined to become ground pounders. Great lions and mighty bulls. Spirits high, two of them engaged in a little good natured shoving as they gathered up their packs. We disembarked.

Merging with the crowd of fresh faces streaming off other craft, we reported in at a desk on the flight deck floor set up for new recruits. Smiles and waves at the boys from home and I was suddenly on my own to find my way to the Women's Barracks.

I paused for a moment at the top of the platform and looked back out over the flight deck.

Taking in the sights, the sounds, the sea of grey uniforms arriving from all points of the UAP, I felt a sense of peace, of calmness deep inside, the feeling you get when you know you are exactly in the place you are supposed to be.

I turned and went up the wide ramp to find my billet.

The door murmured as it opened with a quiet "Access granted".

My assigned barracks were small. Five beds in total. Two on either side of the door and three against the back walk. A table and chairs took up the space in the centre of the room. My new home.

Across the room, a young blonde woman with freckles was checking the springs of the center bed. I approached her.

"Hello... my name is Pepper"

She looked up to see me. "Hello," she stated quietly. "I'm Brooke, Brooke Alexander."

I smiled and extended my hand. "Are you from Londinium?" I felt aware of my rustic accent.

Brooke shook her head. "Shinon." She gave a smile and a jump on the side of her bed. "My parents are farmers there. More like estate owners really. Make the best chocolate in the 'verse."

"I come from a farming community too... I'm from Zenobia." I looked at the bunks "This one must be mine," I indicated the one on the left as you face the wall.

Brooke gave a little grin. "Farm girl?" she said then shrugged. "My parents hire some people from Zenobia sometimes. Heard it's not that bad." She smiled. "What made you join Alliance?"

"I always wanted to see the stars... and of course serve my planet. What about you?"

"Pollution that bad?" she teased. "I just wanted to get away. You know. Adventure, and I love to fly. Learned a while ago."

She then looked at me. "You know any tricks?"

"Tricks?" I'm thinking, what, like card tricks?

"You know. You going to be a pilot, right?"

"Oh no ..." I replied, "I scored high in 'Games and Theories'. I'm set to go into Military Intel...maybe even Justice." I chuckled, "I'm good at puzzles... and I never give up."

Brooke laughed. "Oh, really?" she said leaning forward. "You're going to get to interview prisoners. That is going to be great. I'd love to do intel, but I want to be a pilot even more. I hope they put me on the dangerous cases." Brooke grinned.

"Meet anyone else yet?"

"Just a few people in the hall. You?"

"A few people. Guy named Chai and a guy named Sanders. Sanders is cute as heck too." She then pulls her legs up close. "So, kiss many boys on Zenobia?"

I laughed, "Maybe."

Brooke pats the bed next to her. "Come sit. And tell." Brooke just smiled as I climbed onto on the bed. "So, who have you seen here that you would kiss?" she winked. "You have to admit the guys are good looking."

Brooke's natural, friendly manner was infectious. I found myself opening up to her despite my natural reserve, "Well, there is this one guy I saw walking out of medical... I don't know his name but he is a Captain...that means Doctor."

"Oh? what'd he look like." She then laughed. "Going for the Captains already?"

I laughed quietly.

Brooke grinned. "Smart girl. Until they're old enough to be captain they're not worth your time."

"Dark hair and eyes like hawk...and his hands..." I continued.

Brooke smiled. "Oh? You should ask him to examine you."

I looked up as another new arrival appeared, a young woman with dark hair in a long braid. "Hello," I said.

Brooke also noticed the other girl coming in and smiled. "Hey There." She gave a nod. "I'm Brooke Alexander."

"I'm Pepper Siamendes," I added.

The new young woman smiled "I'm Katherine Aldrin but most people call me Kat." She chuckled "and I've heard that 'oh let me examine you' line before."

Brooke gave nod to me then laughs. "But she wants to be examined."

"Hi Kat...where are you from?"

Katherine smirked, "...around."

I chuckled. A private person.

Brooke grinned. "Parents were nomads?"

"Hehe, something like that," answered Kat, "Where are you girls from?"

"I'm from Zenobia," I said.

Brooke grinned, "I'm from Shinon. My parents own a plantation there. We make chocolate....Best in the 'verse." Brooke then reached for her bag and gave each of us a piece. "Here, try it."

"Oo thank you," I said, delighted at this new development.

Katherine took the square, "mmmmm ..... I haven't had good chocolate in ages..."

I carefully tasted the chocolate savouring each nibble.

Kat smiled bashfully, "Thank you, it is good."

"It's fantastic," I corrected, "Thank you!"

Brooke smiled, "Don't eat it too fast or you get this really weird high." She laughed. "But anyway. Yea, it'll be my job to keep us supplied in chocolate."

I laughed almost choking on the sweet.

Kat grinned "Well, I'll know where to come for the supply then."

Brooke winked at Pepper. "It will be yours to keep us supplied in men. You got the cute face."

I had to laugh, aware that my nose was too small, "I'll be sure to pass them along."

-----

That was then. This is now.

Innocent times.

A lot of time has passed since that day. A lot of adventures. A lot of tears. A lot of choices.

Nothing even came of things with me and the doctor with the remarkable hands.

Brooke would ultimately marry Sanders. He would die. She would leave the service. Now, she is a trader. A new life she calls it.

And now, with the Special Investigations Unit, I am focusing my investigation of the illegal sale of blastomeres on a certain Teetopwillie Neiro.

It would seem that Brooke and I each have an interest in the same man.