Merker's Outpost

by I. Christie

  Harriet imagined what the command center of the flagship would look like, busy with messengers and no sleep for the planning staff as they went over every angle of the capture of the fleeing smugglers ships. To her surprise, she did not miss it.

  Sighing, Harriet sat up and picked up the robe that was lying across the foot of the bed. She needed to concentrate and lying next to Carol was too distracting. If things were busy for the admiral, then they would be getting busy for her.

  "So, I take it something big happened, if the Committee is in a rumble."

  "Yes. Those identified on the broadcast are under house arrest and their assets frozen until the outcome of their trail. The others that had not made any commitment to censure or admonish the unlawful behavior of their fellow members have resigned by an overwhelming demand of citizens in this sector. Word leaked out that they knew what was going on and did not take action. Alan Fermin is what we need to worry about. The new Committee, once formed, will banish Alan to the HinterWield prison colony with no hesitation. The Citizens Advocate Court ruled against him seven stan years back. He has violated the rules of his probation too many times and without Lord Chaney's support there are no more obstacles to prevent the injunction from being delivered and acted upon."

  Why am I not surprised? Harriet shook her head in consternation.

  "It is curious that his father has not kept closer restriction on his civil disobedience. He had to know that it would act against his petition for the seat on the Committee."

  "It is the madness that has given his father some of the large gains he has made in the business world," Carol informed them.

  "How is that?" Harriet asked.

  "He has the ability to read patterns in sticks he throws. He can only see the patterns when he is not taking his medication. From reading these patterns he is able to predict with great accuracy winning and losing business deals, and who is friend and who is foe."

  "That is something to consider," Guardian remarked. "It would certainly give a reason why he has been a step ahead of the authorities in some investigations."

  "Well, let's get dressed and ready. We don't want to keep 'the Captain' waiting too long. Give us about thirty stan minutes, Guardian. I intend on eating a hearty morning meal, since it may be my last for a while," Harriet added, seriously wondering when they would get time to eat again. There was too many unattended ends left on the outpost, and since Guardian did not mention any messages from the admiral, she suspected she was expected to carry on here...meaning tie up the loose ends. She was sure the captain had her own orders.

  ***

  ***

  Carol dubiously studied the second skin the butler held as it patiently explained to her why it was necessary to wear it when she was awake. Harriet wondered if that was how she looked when she first studied the fine sheet that was to lie across her skin. However, Carol would wear it because her mistress told her to, not because she chose to. That reminded Harriet that she needed to find another way to get Carol to do things that were for her own protection. Simply telling her to protect herself was not enough.

  Harriet left Carol to her dressing and went into the frontroom to order their breakfast. Carol joined her in a short time. While they ate, Harriet explained to Carol what she planned for her…independence. Harriet asked her questions to make sure Carol understood what she meant, and finding out just what Carol's moral code was. She didn't want to unleash a trained killer that did not understand her limitations to her abilities.

  Harriet was handing her emptied plate to Bach when they received their first visitor that announced its arrival with a soft ding.

  "It is Charles," the familiar voice announced.

  "Enter," Harriet called, curious at this unexpected visit.

  "Good day, Lady Harriet and Ti Carol," he greeted them both pleasantly.

  Carol moved quickly to Harriet's side, regarding Charles' brightly colored shape with uncertainty, looking perplexed at whether he was a threat or just a loud fashion statement.

  "Lady Harriet, Guardian has received a coded message from Lord Hadrian DeMonte for you. You will have to go to the Command Center to access it." Charles turned to Carol. "I will need to take some bioreadings of you now that you have your second skin on. Metrapeople have their own bioregulators and when we design an outer suit for you we need to make sure it is a harmonious blend." His many appendages were raised at different heights as if ready for something. Harriet was almost as alarmed as Carol until he started explaining what each appendage would measure for.

  "Well, sounds okay," Harriet told Carol, and then added, "Great!" She had been wondering how she was going to ask Guardian questions about Carol if she was always with her. "That shouldn't take too long with all those...arms. You can join me in Com-C when Charles is finished." The look in Carol's eyes told Harriet she was not happy with being out of her presence but because her mistress had told her to remain, she would. Harriet felt guilty about her small deception. This was not a good way to encourage her to become independent.

  The Command area door swished open as she neared it. The dais was lit up with an interesting holographic image of what Harriet knew was Guardian's version of himself as a middle aged Copec.

  Guardian is getting more creative. I've never seen that style of clothing before.

  "Nice outfit, Guardian. You are certainly coming out of your pod in style. You said Hadrie sent me a message?"

  "Yes. Well…it is but one word." The holograph looked puzzled.

  "Yes?" she encouraged.

  "Mem."

  Harriet stood still for a few moments, letting the word sound in her mind.

  "Hmmm. Well, at this time, it has no meaning to me either," she laughed.

  Lt. Montran's senses picked up someone else was present. Her eyes glanced around the room, picking up a slight movement came from the darkened conference room. She casually moved to the back of the chair to get a protected view of the darkened doorway.

  Do I get one guess at who this may be?

  "Oh, permit me to introduce you formaly to Captain Delorita Jina Gari Zohra, from the Shield Maidens of Athena's House on Velta V. Captain Zohra, this is….."

  "Lieutenant Montran from the Collective air fleet," Harriet quickly supplied, not wishing to hear her long clan name and title sandwiched in with her military rank. She nodded warily towards the shadowed form.

  What is all this hiding in shadows stuff? Must be some Black Rose form of amusing themselves. Lt. Montran could have kicked herself. Her cynicism was from nervousness and she had nothing to be nervous about. The lights came up slowly revealing a livelier version of the figure she had tucked into bed the previous night. The captain's long legs appeared to be stretched before her, but Harriet's wary eyes noted that they were not totally stretched out, giving her enough leverage if she should have to suddenly leap up. Scars and bruises were gone from her face, but there was no indication of recognition or warmth from her.

  "Good morning, Captain. You're looking well."

  The captain nodded not changing her expression.

  Oh, yeah. The tough look. Big bad Black Rose persona. She certainly has had the time to perfect it.

  Harriet looked back towards Guardian to break the hold the dark eyes had on her. She knew the captain was making an evaluation of her also, and wondered what she used for measurement…probably Black Rose standards.

  What does she remember? two minds asked.

  ***

  Captain Zohra watched Lady Harriet Montran enter Com-C with the natural assuredness that Zohra attributed to her class upbringing instead of the military swaggering she had been immersed in for nine years. The woman looked strong, indicating she kept up with her field training, but then, she already knew that from Guardian's recordings of her that she just started to review. Images of what it would be like to grapple with her played across her mindscape; each testing the others strengths and weaknesses. One of the many lessons she had learned in the Black Rose was not to underestimate
an individual's capabilities. She was looking forward to testing Lady Harriet Montran's limits…and strengths.

  Zohra felt a quickening in her as Lady Harriet's dark green eyes flashed with humor at the holograph of Guardian, and her lips curved into a bright smile.

  Warmth. She is exuding warmth.

  The captain frowned. She showed too much trust that the room was secured. Her concern moved to the change of energy she brought into the room. Guardian was correct, this woman had some kind of power, more than what she remembered when they were cadets. Was Lady Harriet aware of it? She did not think so or she would not let it shine everywhere.

  Shine? What kind of a description is that? Not a word to use in my report.

  She caught the slight change in Lady Harriet's demeanor after a few moments of thinking about the message Guardian delivered. What was Lord DeMonte, one of the most important people in Naboths Vine, informing her of? Was it something that her sisters needed to know? She somehow did not think so. Lord Hadrian was not one to play his own game.

  ***

  As the lights were full up, Harriet turned her gaze back to the captain's still figure.

  "I'm sure you both remember each other from your earlier days,'' Guardian remarked.

  "Lady Harriet Montran," the voice was low, and curt. "How are you doing?"

  Now she had a voice to her Dancer, yet, she did not believe this was the voice she used among friends. Harriet nodded and then answered thoughtfully, "Well. And yourself?" She asked again, wondering if the captain would answer. No, she would control the conversation, sharing nothing.

  A slight nod was returned. The captain had moved her hands to her lap, holding them in a classic mudra pose for centering. A blush tinged Harriet's cheeks when she realized her eyes rested too long on the hands. For a moment, she imagined the feel of a hand lifting to brush lightly across her cheek.

  Oh, helios' fires! Is this part of the lust gas? Is Guardian aware of the effects on my bios? She glanced at Guardian suspiciously. Were they all part of an experiment?

  Blasters. This can't be all from a shot of pheromones! The planet? Why in Helgas Moon would you think the planet, Lieutenant? It doesn't matter whether it is the pheromones or the planet, you have got to tone this reaction down some. Maybe Ald has something to recommend. Bloody moon, why didn't one of the wolf ships pick me up before they chased after the departing smugglers?

  Memories of the various stories of how different planets affected different species or individuals, both positively and negatively came to mind, as if to mock her.

  Oh, right. Like this is my quasama, kismet... That is really stretching things. I joined the military to get out of that mystic mind set, Harry, and I still run amuck in it. This is more than I want on my plate. Now would be a good time for the admiral and her team to arrive so I can go back to being just a lieutenant among many. Lt. Montran resisted a deep sigh for the return of the uncomplicated last seven years of her life ...though, the thought of returning to a sedate life at the moment did not give her any pleasure. Things were just getting more interesting. That sentiment nearly had Montran choking.

  "We have some issues to clear before moving on," Guardian continued. "The first one is about you, Captain Zohra. The issue is about whether nine years of living undercover can erase the loyalties and attachments of that personality with fifty six stan hours of debriefing."

  Harriet was relieved at Guardian's directness, knowing that directness was a two edged sword, and she may be the next one that would be squirming from a question she would rather not answer…or examine.

  "I knew who I was during my undercover work; so, there is no conflict about personality adjustment; however, I would not advise any sudden surprises."

  Is that a joke or is she serious? "What about any of the operations we may have to take against the Spartans in the city, Captain; most notably against the Black Rose?" Harriet continued to press. Oh, right. Like who are we going to take action against? Guardian reported the smugglers have left and only a small group of Spartans have remained. Damn. Who are they waiting for? Don't they have a ride out? Why can't Guardian arrange with his 'influence' to find them transportation? Rouge Spartans…maybe they have issues with the Committee. Now would be a good time for them to get loose…the Committee is busy with other issues.

  After waiting for a long moment, the Captain smiled without any kindness reflected in her dark eyes. "I think I can manage not getting you or anyone else under my command killed, provided you don't do something rash. And, you won't have to worry about the Black Rose. Guardian has them locked up tight until a neutral party arrives to pick them up for questioning."

  Harriet's face colored enough to be noticed. Well, I guess that's the second indication that this operation is under her leadership. The 'Lady' bit was a damn good clue, Harriet.

  "Ahh. That clears quite a bit up. The other thing is Carol," Guardian continued. "You have some questions, Lt. Montran?"

  Harriet hesitated as her thoughts shifted. She felt uncomfortable talking about Carol in front of the captain for some reason, but she was going to have to get it out now before Carol walked in.

  "Who was she before she became involved in this mess and what can be done to give her back her life?"

  "I have been researching it with others. But, we do need to know what type of personality we are about to let loose with all the new training she has received," he cautioned.

  "Are you saying that Sheila, I mean Carol was something ..."

  "Sheila! Lord Chaney's Sheila?" Captain Zohra sat forward in her chair. Guardian had told her that Lord Chaney was dead, and his metradame was neutralized, but they had not gone into the details since she had a lot to catch up on.

  "Yes. Is there something you wish to contribute?" Guardian asked surprised.

  "I need to confer with my superiors on this matter. Where is she now?"

  "She is in my quarters. She will be here shortly." Lt. Montran was sure that bit of information was a surprise to her but the captain gave no further information, not even a facial expression to give something of what the news may mean to her. Now what's up with that? Geeze! This is getting complicated.

  ***

  Neutralized.

  Captain Zohra glanced at the holograph irritated and then at Lt. Montran but did not ask for details, which would open the subject up for further discourse. She was not sure at just how much information she could or wanted to share. Due to Sheila's closeness to Lord Chaney in his business deals, she was now a hot commodity on the smugglers kidnap list, to say nothing of her importance to Lady Varnia and Chaney's associates. It did not matter that she was considered 'just a metradame,' a person without person status, because even if she were a person, she would still be a hot commodity due to her closeness to a powerful figure that was taken out of the picture.

  "I shall go forward with my plans to encourage her to become self-determined, unless you can give me a good reason why not to," Lt. Montran informed both of them firmly. The hard stare she received from the dark eyes of the captain caused her to add, "I will not let anyone waylay her into a political game..."

  "You have no say in this matter, Lady Montran. There is too much at stake for an uninformed visitor to interfere with good intentioned overtures," Zohra returned harshly, more harshly then she intended. You left the Committee politics long ago, so why did you return?

  "Don't give me the political yak crap or military dung about how one person or two or even a village is perfectly okay to sacrifice for the 'greater good,' " Harriet returned heatedly. "I've been there, done that, and will not be a part of it again! And nor will Carol be! This is neutral territory, which gives you and your backers no power to strong arm her into your mess!"

  "Self-determined you say? What if she agrees to be sacrificed?" Zohra challenged.

  If they were in a bar, Harriet would have struck Zohra, and considering the Black Rose soldier's training, she knew it would have to be a one shot deal. But they were not in a bar…an
d she was an officer of the law…and hitting people because they said something she did not like was not what she normally did. Harriet attributed her impulse to the effects of the pheromone gas.

  "No one is going to be sacrificed on my planet, Lt. Montran," Guardian's indignant voice broke her hard glare in Zohra's direction. "That is NOT an option, captain. And you know that…so, my guess is, you are testing the lieutenant," he ended in a soothing tone, taking Lt. Montran off balance at the change.

  For a long moment, the captain was quiet and then gave a slight nod to Harriet and the hologram. However, it did not sit well with Harriet. She did not believe the captain was testing her, but rather that she believed in what she had said. She also did not believe that the captain had meant to say so much. Why the slip? It was not to test her that she was certain of. Maybe she was a little off balance with the debriefing…or Guardian's chastisement.