by M. D. Cooper
It’s because she’s a friend and he’s a boor, nothing more, he assured himself.
* * * * *
Jeremy spent most of the evening pacing across the small room he called home, waiting until the hour Annie had said she’d be free.
When it was five minutes until the allotted time, he decided that he could wait no longer and made his way down the corridor to her room.
He could tell that was as far as she was going to budge, and leant against the bulkhead, waving idly at a pair of women who walked by, both giving him knowing looks.
If only they knew what we were really up to in there, he thought with a laugh.
Jeremy had lost himself in the code he was working on by the time Annie opened the door; he didn’t even notice her until she whispered in his ear, “And here you were in such a rush, loverboy.”
The unexpected statement caused Jeremy to jump, and he whipped his head around to see Annie’s eyes mere centimeters from his own. She smiled and glanced to the right where Par and two other members of the crew were walking by.
“Booyah, Jere!” Par called out over his shoulder, throwing a fist in the air, and Jeremy felt his face redden.
Luckily, Annie wrapped a hand around his arm and pulled him into her room before he could say anything stupid.
“You were really out of it, there,” she said as the door closed, her demeanor instantly losing the sensual intimacy it had oozed a moment earlier.
“Uh…yeah,” Jeremy managed to stammer out. “Just deep in code.”
Annie gestured for him to take a seat at her small table while she walked to her counter and began to prepare a pot of coffee. “You’ve seemed like you’re going to crawl out of your skin all day. I take it you made a breakthrough?”
Jeremy shifted in his seat to watch her and suddenly realized that Annie was wearing a tight, sleeveless shirt that only came to the top of her thighs…and nothing else. She bent over, and his focus on the drive control system evaporated. He swallowed, desperately trying to recall the explanation he’d prepared.
At his silence, Annie turned to face him.
She suddenly blushed as she realized where he was looking. “Shit…sorry, I forgot how much this top rides up.”
“Uh…it’s OK,” Jeremy said lamely as he turned away, looking out the window at the ever-active Capeton Shipyard. “I shouldn’t have…I’m sorry.”
Annie walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of leggings, quickly slipping into them before walking back to her kitchenette.
“OK, it’s safe to look,” she said with a laugh. “But for the record, it doesn’t bother me when you stare at my ass. I work hard to make sure it’s stareable.”
Jeremy felt his flush coming back. “I’m sorry, you’re…very stareable, Annie. That’s part of the problem for me.”
She glanced over her shoulder and nodded slowly. “Right. Anatha. Sorry.”
“It’s OK. It’s me, right? I should be over her by now…I—”
Annie turned and leant against the counter. “No, Jeremy. I don’t think you should ever be ‘over’ her. You loved her, and she was taken from you before her time. The fact that you still feel so strongly for her speaks volumes about you. The good kind of volumes.” She gave a kindly wink. “I’m so used to flaunting my booty that sometimes I forget that the flauntee isn’t interested in what I’m offering…that I might actually be hurting them.”
Jeremy chuckled as Annie turned back to her task, and his eyes slid down to her now-clothed ass. “Annie, I don’t think your booty has ever hurt anyone.”
She gave a soft laugh, her shoulders rising slightly as she finished cleaning the pot. “Well, there was this one time I slipped and fell on a guy’s—well, you get the picture.”
Jeremy bit his lip and turned back to the window. “Yeah, I do.”
He took a deep breath, trying to think of unsexy things, like the fungus that grew on the outside of Capeton Orbital, or what Karl always smelled like after he visited the lower warrens. Anything but how he was betraying Anatha’s memory, because those thoughts conflated feelings for Annie and Anatha, and he was pretty sure that was not helping at all.
“OK,” he said as Annie finished with the coffee maker and came to sit across from him. “You know how we were thinking that the NSAIs were going to be the way to go?”
“Uh-huh…except that every modification to the NSAIs gets reviewed six ways from starday. No way can we introduce a systemic change into one of their core systems.”
Jeremy nodded. “Right you are…except, what if the change to the NSAI’s core systems was something that would also solve all of the thrust balance issues for the Pinnacle-class ships?”
“I can imagine a few people getting excited about that…but have you actually solved that problem, too?”
“Yeah,” Jeremy waved a hand in dismissal. “I thought of all of this this morning while drying my hair.”
“Your hair?” Annie asked, her silvery laugh derailing Jeremy’s thoughts again.
He nodded vigorously and explained his solution to the thrust balance, then went into how that fix would require him to tap into a subsystem in the NSAI’s codebase that wasn’t used anymore because it didn’t work with the fuel mixtures the empire had switched to in recent years.
Annie’s eyes grew wider and wider as he explained his plan to her. At one point, she muttered that she was going to need coffee to process it and walked to the now-full pot and poured two cups.
“OK, let me get this straight,” she said while settling back into her chair. “You have to write a new subsystem that clearly is doing something that everyone wants. That subsystem has a dependency on this other subsystem, but just to load a code library that isn’t in use anymore. Except, the library’s inclusion requires a dataroute to be opened that will give us remote access into the new library, and in turn, it can access the other subsystem that isn’t supposed to be used anymore.”
“It gets better,” Jeremy said, grinning broadly. “No one rewrote the test platforms they use at the shipyard, so when the old library gets included, so do its tests. Opening this privileged dataroute is actually a requirement to pass the tests! So long as no one in DSQA notices, we’re going to be home-free!”
Annie’s grin matched his own as she laughed. “Those poor bastards in QA are so overworked, they haven’t seen starlight in weeks. No way are they going to go digging into the parameters for tests that are passing!”
Jeremy nodded vigorously. “The only thing we have to do now is tell Chief Flo about our new ‘very important subsystem’ so we can test it out on the Pinnacle. Once that ship completes a successful full burn in every configuration, I’ll explain that my systems will improve efficiency in every ship and get it put into the master repository. Then when the next NSAI code updates roll out, our backdoor will be in every Nietzschean ship at Capeton!”
“Shit, Jeremy. This is amazing. So, just one question, how do we trigger this? I get that we access the privileged dataroute, but that means another system has to tell the NSAI to run the subsystem for the wrong fuel mixtures.”
“Right,” Jeremy nodded. “To do that, we’re going to need to install a small NSAI into a low-security system that won’t be subject to any serious review.”
“Damn,” Annie ran a hand down her jaw. “That actually might be more difficult than the other part of the plan. Where are we going to tuck in a new NSAI that no one will notice?”
“I’m not sure. I was thinking that maybe Par would know.”
Annie snorted. “I think tha
t bringing Par into any part of this is the last thing we should do. He hasn’t been able to keep a secret since he first learned what his penis was.”
“So how will we do this? To be honest, it would be best if whoever we find wasn’t in DCS at all.”
“I think I have a solution.” Annie spoke the words slowly, like she was worried Jeremy wouldn’t like what she had to say. “I want to introduce you to a friend of mine.”
“A friend?” Jeremy asked, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead. “Have you been telling someone else about our plans? What if they spill to the Niets?”
“What, like Par?” Annie asked with a laugh.
“Yeah, well, I asked about him. And you were right, he’s a risk.”
Annie reached a hand across the table and clasped Jeremy’s wrist. “I would never put either of us at risk—well, any more than we already are. But I need you to trust me. Do you trust me, Jeremy?”
The feeling of Annie’s skin against his sent an electric tingle through his entire body. It was the first time they’d touched. It was the first time he’d had any sort of intimate contact with a woman since Anatha.
Stars…I’m considering her hand on my wrist to be ‘intimate’, he thought while nodding mutely.
Annie gave an encouraging nod. “Good. Good. OK. This is going to be a shock, but I want you to meet Leslie.” She turned to gesture to an empty space in the middle of her quarters.
“Uh…what?” Jeremy asked. “Are you messing with me?”
“Leslie, stop playing around.”
A soft laugh came from empty air, and a moment later, a woman appeared. Her skin was jet black, as was her long hair. Small, triangular ears poked out of her hair, and large, yellow eyes blinked at him. She took a step forward, and a sinuous tail whipped around behind her.
“Jeremy. I’m so glad to finally meet you. What you’ve figured out is really going to help us.”
It took Jeremy a moment to realize he was on his feet, backing away from the strange cat-woman.
“Us?” He glanced at Annie, who had also risen, her hands extended entreatingly. “Who the fuck is ‘us’?”
Jeremy,” Annie said in a soft voice. “The resistance. We’ve been working against the Niets for years. Now, with Leslie’s people, we have a chance to strike a major blow. You’re a huge part of that.”
“Wait…Leslie’s people aren’t your people?” Jeremy asked.
“Well, sorta,” Leslie said, white teeth standing out against her black lips as she smiled. “I’m with Rika’s Marauders. We’re here to kill Constantine.”
Jeremy’s mouth fell open, and he looked to Annie, who was nodding vigorously.
“Yeah, it’s all true,” she said.
“Well, shit.” He swallowed, forcing down a mixture of fear and elation. “We’re killing Constantine, too?”
REUNION
STELLAR DATE: 04.30.8950 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: The Refuge, Faneuil
REGION: Genevia System, Old Genevia, Nietzschean Empire
Rika had to stop herself from bouncing on the balls of her feet as the Asora approached the massive cradle centered in one of Faneuil’s underground docking bays.
She clenched her left hand over and over again in an effort to relax, ultimately giving up and rising onto her toes, momentarily forgetting the worldlet’s low gravity as she lifted into the air.
“Rika…settle down,” Barne muttered next to her. “It’s like you’re spring-loaded or something.”
A snort escaped her lips as she touched back down on the deck, activating her maglocks to be on the safe side. “You’re just grouchy because Leslie is insystem, having fun, and you’re out here.”
“Maybe,” Barne grunted. “So maybe you could show a bit of compassion. She’s big on monogamy, and I’m feeling the pinch here.”
Rika shrugged. “You knew what you were getting into. I have pretty much zero compassion for you. Chase and I, however, are gonna fuck like rabbits. For days.”
“Oh?” Silva asked as she approached. “Think you have time for that?”
“I’ll make time,” Rika replied with a nervous laugh.
“What? After all we’ve been through, you’re nervous to talk about sex around me? That’s all we used to talk about back in Hammerfall.”
Rika chuckled. “I dunno. Somehow over the years, you became a mother figure for me in my mind, and talking sex with you just feels weird.”
Barne leant around Rika to wink at Silva. “I’ll talk sex with you all you want, Major. I’d consider it my duty.”
“I only have sex if I get to use my GNR,” Silva said, making a lewd gesture with her weapon.
“Shit, Major,” Barne muttered. “I said ‘talk’ sex, not get violated by your e-beam.”
Silva gave the sergeant major a menacing grin. “I’ve only got one mode. Hardcore.”
“Stars, Silva.” Rika said as her eyebrows rose. “So much for thinking of you as the loving mother.”
“This is me being the loving mother. I’m just practicing at scaring away anyone that Amy brings to see me. I figure if I can get Barne to stand down, I can chase anybody off.”
“I’m standing all the way down,” Barne said, crossing his legs.
As the trio spoke, the Asora settled onto the docking cradle, vapor clouds pouring off the ship as the bay’s air came into contact with the ship’s cold hull.
“Damn,” Barne said. “I thought I told them to fix the dehumidifiers in here.”
“I’m sure it’s on the list,” Rika replied. “No one’s used these bays in centuries.”
“No excuse,” the sergeant major muttered.
As the cradle’s ramp lifted toward the Asora’s starboard midship airlock, Rika marveled at the fact that they were tucking ships up to a kilometer in length below Faneuil’s surface. Every one of the Marauders’ craft were secreted away in subterranean bays—with the sole exception of the Fury Lance, which had settled into a canyon not far away.
The ship could have fit in one of the larger bays, but Piper had balked at the idea of being underground, and Rika hadn’t pushed the matter.
I suppose if I had spent hundreds of years trapped inside a moon, I might feel the same way.
A light flashed on the Asora’s hull, and the airlock cycled open, revealing Crunch and a group of mechs from M Company’s First Platoon.
They marched down the ramp and formed up at its base. More mechs followed, until the entire platoon was present. Once they were assembled, Lieutenant Chris and Staff Sergeant Kristian walked down the ramp and stood in front of their four squads, looking them over before turning to face Rika.
“Colonel Rika! First Platoon M Company reporting for duty!” Lieutenant Chris announced enthusiastically.
His statement was followed by the mechs’ now-standard cry of ‘Ree-kah’.
She prayed that she wasn’t blushing too furiously and glanced up to the top of the ramp where Chase stood, smiling proudly at the mechs below him.
Rika squared her shoulders and walked toward Chris, lifting her left hand to salute him, which he and Staff Sergeant Kristian returned.
“Lieutenant.” Rika lowered her hand, keeping her eyes locked on his. “Did you kick ass?”
“Yes, ma’am!” he shouted. “Asses were kicked!”
She nodded and walked to the end of the line of mechs, meeting Crunch’s steady gaze as he stood before first squad. He didn’t move a millimeter as she swept her gaze across the mechs arrayed behind him, a smile grazing her lips as she caught Kelly’s saucy wink.
“Very good, Sergeant,” she said to Crunch before walking to the other squads, fronted by Corin, CJ, and Kara. She gave a word of approval to each before returning to stand before the platoon leader and sergeant.
“Looks like your mechs are t
ip-top and combat ready. Good work, Lieutenant.”
A smile graced Chris’s lips and he gave a curt nod. “Thank you, Colonel.”
She returned the gesture, a grin splitting her lips, before calling out, “OK, you mangy dogs! Enough of this nonsense. Everyone knows Rika’s Marauders aren’t whole without M’s First and we’re glad to have you back! Now get out of here before you make me red as Barne’s ass when Leslie’s done with him. You have the rest of the day to yourselves. Come back and unload the Asora next shift.”
A cheer broke out from the mechs, and they turned in a much less orderly fashion and followed the squad sergeants across the bay.
“You alllllmost got her, Chris,” Chase said as he walked down the ramp. “Cheeks got a little flushed, but she didn’t go full tomato.”
“Was that the goal?” Rika asked, turning her gaze to Chris, who was grinning ear to ear.
“No, ma’am,” Lieutenant Chris said. “Though there may have been a pool on it. Honestly, we’re just frickin’ glad to be back with the battalion. Especially since we’re the ones that got the intel to hit Genevia. The ‘toon was worried you’d start the fun without us.”
“No chance,” Rika replied, nodding to Lieutenant Vargo as he descended the ramp with the Asora’s crew.
“Stars!” Vargo cried out. “Intresting digs you got down here, Colonel. Felt like I was flying the Asora into a black hole!”
“That’s sort of the idea, Lieutenant. All the better to hide in.”
“Hope we’re not hiding for long,” Sergeant Kristian said. “We’ve been cooped up. The mechs are itching for action.”
Rika turned and gestured toward the bay’s exit. “Plenty of that to come. Barne will show you around. We’ll worry about debriefing tomorrow.”
Vargo snorted and glanced at Chase. “Right, because first you need to debrief the captain here.”
“He’s got your number,” Silva said to Rika before nodding to Vargo to follow her out. “Best let these two get somewhere private.”
Chase reached out and grabbed Rika’s arm, pulling her close, his armored chest pressing against hers. “There’s a whole empty starship right behind us, and I didn’t grab my rucksack yet.”