Crineal Chronicles 1: In Hera's Service

by Raymond L Jennings

  “Ma’am, if you would accompany us please?” Captain Treynar politely asked. Strieger looked stunned but marched stiffly to stand at attention before Crineal.

  “Following my recommendation to Personnel they have found that Major Strieger is no longer fit to hold the rank of Major. Captains, if you would, please?” He nodded to Saymes and Treynar and they reached up to remove the golden planets that symbolized her rank. Strieger stood there rigidly, her face pale and uncomprehending. Once that was done Crineal continued, “However, it grieves me to say that Personnel HQ have managed to misinterpret my recommendations once again, as I’ve come to expect.” He put on his best sorrowful look at their imagined incompetence. “And so I’m forced to say: Congratulations, Colonel Strieger.” Crineal let his face break out into the wide grin he had been containing as he stepped forward to pin the four-pointed stars of a Colonel to the lapels of his second in command. The pilots erupted into cheers and more than a little laughter as Crineal finished. He hugged her and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. Cyndora was clapping happily, too.

  Strieger whispered in his ear. “I’ll get you for this, Crin.” The general stepped back to look proudly into her shining eyes and saluted her. Saymes and Treynar were also grinning from ear to ear, having been the only ones in on the deception. Strieger returned his salute and then turned to salute the other pilots who all snapped back to attention. There were big smiles everywhere she looked.

  Crineal turned to Admiral Ken’Rathel and saluted. “Permission to dismiss the parade, Sir?”

  The admiral stepped forward. “Not just yet, General. I have one more item. This morning I received a communication from Lord Sar’Clax commending this strike force for its actions over the past months. The pilots here came in for particular praise. I was also informed that General Crineal is to be temporarily detached from the Annihilator and is requested and required to attend his Imperial Majesty Hal’Kar’Nilant at his earliest convenience to receive the title ‘Baron of the Empire’ in recognition of his services. Congratulations, General Crineal.” Ken’Rathel saluted Crineal with a smile as the pilots erupted into an even bigger cheer than the one they had let loose for Strieger’s promotion. The newly promoted Colonel stood looking at Crineal’s stunned face with a satisfied smile of her own. She stilled owed him though, she thought to herself, Baron Cri’Neal or not, she’d get him.

  The parade broke up and the pilots headed to the O-Rec for a celebration. The scene in the lounge was boisterous as the drinks flowed freely and the pilots took the chance to unwind. After an hour, Crineal made his excuses and left Cyndora in the company of Feldea and Saphya, with a quiet word in the two pilots’ ears to look after her whilst he was absent. He made his way to his office and once there activated his information screens. His orders temporarily detaching him from the Annihilator were there and he read through them meticulously, knowing he wouldn’t find what he wanted. He was ordered to the capital, not Cyndora. He frowned in thought and shut them down before leaving and heading to Lt. Commander Haraway’s office.

  Lieutenant Draffar greeted him as he entered the outer office. “Good afternoon, Sir. Here to see Lt. Commander Haraway?”

  “If he’s available, Lieutenant,” Crineal nodded.

  “Yes, Sir, I’m sure he is.” Draffar hit the comm button. “Lt. Commander? General Crineal here to see you.”

  Haraway’s voice came back. “Send him in, Lieutenant.”

  Crineal motioned to Draffar to stay put. “I can find my own way, Lieutenant.” He smiled at the young officer as he entered Haraway’s office.

  The lt. commander was standing and waiting for him. Haraway saluted Crineal. “Good afternoon, Sir. Is the party going well in the O-Rec, Sir?” he inquired anxiously.

  “Very well, thank you, Commander,” Crineal replied as he seated himself. “I do have a problem with my recreation assistant though.”

  Haraway retook his own seat and looked at Crineal with a worried expression. “Is she not performing well, Sir? I can have her disciplined or replaced.”

  “On the contrary, Commander, she is proving a most excellent assistant.” Haraway looked relieved. “The problem is that I’ve been temporarily detached to attend his Imperial Majesty for an audience.”

  “Congratulations, Sir. That’s a great honor and I’m sure no one deserves it more than you.” He beamed at the general.

  “Thank you. The problem is that I would be most appreciative if my assistant could be detached to travel with me. Is that possible?” Crineal asked.

  Haraway frowned and brought up a data screen, scrolling through some regulations until he found what he was looking for. After a few minutes of reading through the section he turned his attention back to Crineal. “I’m sorry, Sir. Nothing in the regulations permits detaching an assistant from their assigned ship.” His forehead creased in thought. “It also doesn’t say it can’t happen, either; but I’ve never heard of it being done and I don’t have a procedure to use to get it done. I’m afraid that a decision on this looks well out of my pay grade, Sir.” Haraway took on a regretful expression.

  Crineal nodded. “Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your time. I’ll have to try elsewhere.” He stood and left the office, making his way to Ken’Rathel’s domain. The admiral’s adjutant immediately took him in to see Ken’Rathel.

  The admiral looked surprised at his entrance. “General, I didn’t expect to see you this afternoon. Did something happen?” He gestured for Crineal to take a seat.

  “No, Sir,” Crineal said taking the proffered chair. “I’ve just been to see Lt. Commander Haraway.” Enlightenment dawned on the admiral’s face as to why Crineal was there. “My orders direct me to attend the Emperor on temporary detached duty and I was consulting with the lt. commander as to Cyndora’s status.”

  The admiral looked almost amused to Crineal’s eye. “And what did he say?”

  “He said that there was nothing in the regulations about detached duty for recreation assistants at all, either for or against, and he felt it was something above his pay grade. So I thought I may as well skip the intervening steps and come to the top.”

  “I don’t think you’ve ever come to me looking for a favor, General. Not in the three years you’ve served as my flight group commander.” Ken’Rathel looked at him curiously. “Why, Crin? You’ve never been one to trade favors. Why now?”

  Crineal took a deep breath. “I feel I can best protect Cyndora if she stays with me. My presence might forestall any rash actions from certain aggrieved parties.”

  The admiral snorted. “I guess that’s a plausible reason. Alright. Let me think this through. If I cut orders for her to remain in your company, technically, she’s not leaving the ship’s complement, just in the same way you’re not. So she’d still be under legitimate Space Corps authority as a part of Annihilator’s crew under your supervision, just as she is now, but without being on board ship. It would take an army of lawyers to argue through that reasoning. How does that sound?”

  Crineal let out a sigh of relief. “Very twisty, Sir, and much appreciated.” Ken’Rathel sat back in his chair looking at the general and waiting. Crineal finally sighed once more. “I guess you deserve to know, Sir, since you’re prepared to go out on a limb for me. I knew Cyndora back on Earth before I joined the fleet. We were friends. I just couldn’t sit by and see her in the rec areas.”

  The admiral looked surprised. “So that’s it. I was starting to think it was a love at first sight thing. It just didn’t match you though. But loyalty to a friend? That’s the Crineal I know. Well, if anything goes wrong, it’s your head, Crin. I can only do so much. Do you trust her not to make a run for it?”

  He nodded. “With my life, Sir. And it’s more like love at second sight.”

  “Good for you. I’ll be interested to see how you make this work out, but I have great faith in your abilities. I’ll cut the orders to the ship’s personnel section and have them issue her an ID card. Once you’re off the ship, it’s
all in your hands.”

  “I owe you, Sir,” Crineal said gravely.

  “Just take care, Crin. Now go and pick up that ID card and revised orders from Personnel.”

  By the time Crineal got back to his quarters, Cyndora was already there waiting. The look on her face told Crineal that she’d figured out the implications of his orders, even though she was trying to hide her distress.

  She came up to him as he entered and kissed him. “I’m so proud of you, Crin. You deserve it.”

  “Cyndy, about my orders…,” he started.

  Cyndora put a finger to his lips. “I know, Hon. I don’t suppose they’ll let me stay here whilst you’re gone. I’ll just have to make the best of it in the rec dorm. At least I’ll have Jay, Marsh and Xian to look out for me.” She gave him a brave little smile.

  Crineal kissed her. “Well, I’ve got something for you that might make my time away from the ship a little more bearable for you.”

  “More chocolate and make-up, perhaps?” she teased him with a few tears starting to show in her eyes.

  He held up the ID card he’d got from Personnel. “This.”

  She took it from his hand and studied it. “An ID card for me? I don’t understand. Why would this help?” she asked in confusion.

  “You certainly won’t be able to pass through transit gates without it,” Crineal pointed out reasonably.

  “What are you talking about? What transit gates?” Cyndora was completely baffled by now.

  He held up his data pad. “You’ve been given a new assignment. Recreation Assistant Cyndora is to accompany General Crineal on his temporary detachment from the IFWSC Carrier Annihilator and provide the required care and comfort as expected of a dutiful Assistant.” Crineal looked at her smugly as Cyndora squealed and threw her arms around his neck. “I think you’re going to need a new wardrobe.”

  Crineal was booked on a civilian liner that was heading directly to Branklee, the Imperial capital. Having arranged for Cyndora to accompany him on the trip he was looking forward to spending some quality time with her. But first, he had two things he wanted to do before leaving Earth orbit.

  “I’d like to take you with me, Cyndy, but I checked and you’re not allowed back on Earth as part of the agreement you signed,” Crineal told her regretfully. She nodded her understanding. “I’ll only be gone for a day though and tomorrow I’ll be back to help you finish packing.”

  Cyndora hugged him. “It’s ok, Crin. I think it’s good you’re going to pay your respects to your parents’ graves. I’ll be waiting here for when you get back.” She knew he’d need her love and support.

  Crineal gave her a farewell kiss and grabbed his travel bag before leaving to catch the shuttle to Earth Orbital Two. Four hours later the planetary shuttle he was aboard was on final approach to Birmingham Port. The port had been built on the old West Midlands airport site to serve the reshaped industrial heartland of the island. Birmingham was now the main departure point for what had been England and it happened to be convenient for his visit to his home city. He picked up his pre-rented flyer from the port office and made his way to the rebuilt Coventry, the flyer skimming over the landscape of his birthplace. As he neared it, he thought that Coventry looked more like a Galactic city than Birmingham did. All shiny new Imperial construction and materials. He parked his flyer and made his way to the memorial for those killed in the attack over a decade ago. He found the names of his parents and stood there for some time looking at them, remembering all the love and care they had shown to him throughout his life. He hoped that they were some place special, together and happy. Finally he made his way back to the flyer and took off again, this time to the southeast rather than directly back to the space port. Fifteen minutes later he stopped at a security check point on the outskirts of Leicester. The guard took one look at his uniform and ID before waving him through. Crineal set down in a parking lot in the city center and headed to the local IGO store. IGO stood for Imperial Goods Outlet and was basically a department store. Crineal consulted the store map situated just inside the entrance to locate the perfume section. He looked around for a second to orientate himself before setting off down an aisle. Crineal could tell he was getting close to his objective because of the intensified aromas now assaulting his nose. He felt like sneezing. Crineal wandered amongst the various counters, not paying attention to the goods, but looking at the name tags of the store assistants. Finally he stopped. Behind the counter stood a young woman with long, brown hair and faintly familiar features even though he had never seen her before. She was wearing an IGO uniform and her name tag read ‘Anddav’.

  She eyed him nervously. “Can I help you, Sir?”

  Crineal smiled at her reassuringly. “I hope so. My name is General Crineal and I’m looking for a gift for my recreation assistant.” The look of disgust that crossed her face told him that she knew exactly what a recreation assistant was. “Her name is Cyndora and I thought she might like some perfume. Perhaps you can help me find something appropriate?”

  Anddav tried her best to look helpful, although Crineal could tell she just wanted him to go away. “Well, Sir, what kind of scents do you like?”

  He shook his head. “No, you misunderstand. I want something that she would like. Perhaps if I described her to you?” Anddav’s face took on a puzzled look, not understanding how this was supposed to help her, as Crineal continued. “She’s about my height with long, chestnut-red hair, green eyes, freckles, pale complexion, slightly long face.” He watched as the woman paled, recognizing his description, and for a moment he thought she might faint. “I care for her very much and wanted to get her something she would like, if you understand?”

  Thankfully, Anddav was quick on the uptake. Prisoners weren’t allowed to visit or contact their families in any form nor ask others to do so on their behalf. Crineal hadn’t even mentioned this part of his visit to Cyndora and had quietly made inquiries from his office about her sister and where she worked.

  “I see, Sir,” she replied a little unsteadily. “And do you like her a lot? So I can see how much you might like to spend?”

  Crineal understood the implied question. “I like her more than I can say. I know she misses her family very much and I wanted to get her a reminder of home.” He could see tears forming in Anddav’s eyes.

  “I know her family misses her too, Sir,” she said with a little catch in her voice. “Her mother would be so pleased to hear news.”

  Crineal nodded. “She’s very precious to me and I want to take good care of her. So what would you suggest to show her my feelings?”

  Anddav gathered herself for a moment and then went to a display counter at the end of her little island before coming back with a bottle containing a golden liquid labeled ‘Ashinara’. “This is very popular, Sir.”

  Crineal took the bottle and nodded to her arm. “May I?” She hesitated a second before holding out her hand. He sprayed a little onto her wrist and then bent his head to test the fragrance. “Perfect. I think she’ll love it. I’ll take a large bottle, please. Do you do gift wrap and cards?”

  Anddav was still fighting back tears. “Yes, Sir.” He watched as she crouched to find the paper and card from underneath the counter and to take the time to wipe her tears away. Having composed herself she rose with a selection of both paper and cards for him to choose from whilst she fetched a bottle of the perfume. “Will this do, Sir?” Anddav asked as she returned with a box of the scent.

  “Ideal,” he said glancing at the box. “I’ll take this paper and this card. I’d like the card to go inside the wrapping if that’s ok?” Anddav looked puzzled, but nodded and found a pen for him to write out the card. He pushed both the pen and card back to her. “Perhaps you could write something appropriate? I’ve always been bad with words,” he said gently.

  She looked at him in disbelief of what he was offering and then bent to write on the card whilst casting nervous glances around. Once she was done she took the card and wrapped
it up with the box of scent before offering the register screen for Crineal to authorize payment. He approved the transaction and smiled at Cyndora’s sister. “Thank you, Miss. You’ve been most helpful. You might want to keep an eye out for me on the news. Maybe you’ll see me with Cyndora.” He took one of the spare cards and wrote his name on it. “Just so you remember who I am.”

  “My mother and I will do that, Sir. We won’t forget your name.” Crineal nodded to her and turned away. Anddav watched him leave with tears running down her cheeks.

  It was almost midnight ship time when Crineal returned to his cabin. Cyndora was still awake and bounded up to give him a kiss and a hug.

  “Did your visit to your parents go well?” she asked with concern.

  “Yes,” he nodded. “It was very settling. And I got you a present.” He held up a bag with the IGO logo on it.

  “Oh, Crin, you shouldn’t have. What is it?” Cyndora said taking the bag with a pleased smile. She sniffed. “Perfume?”

  “Sit down and open it.”

  She sat on the sofa and Crineal eased down next to her. She took the gift wrapped box and tore off the top of the wrapping her eyes lit up with delight. “Ashinara! How did you know this was my favorite?”

  “The sales assistant was a very helpful young lady. There should be a card in there, too.” He gently took the box from her hand as she pulled the card from the wrapping and read it. ‘To Cyndora, I love you very much. Andy’. Her hand went to her mouth and she looked at Crineal, realizing the risk he had taken for her.