by Kal Spriggs
“What?” Alanis asked, somewhat impatiently. Her voice snapped him back out of the past.
Reese met her eyes again and spoke, “We have paid our debts, we have both risked our lives in fighting the Chxor. You've told me about the hell it was getting out of Nova Roma, how many people died so close to freedom. I fought the Chxor and Nova Roma's other enemies for three decades... I'm done. I've paid my dues, we've paid our dues. It's time for someone else to shoulder the burden.”
“Reese,” Alanis shook her head, “This isn't a union or a retirement or something like that, it's the end of Humanity... unless we all stand against it and do our parts. There are no dues, if we don't stand for ourselves, no one else will!”
“That's just the kind of crap that Lucius spouts,” Reese snapped. “Yes, some of the fights are desperate... but extermination? No. There are other people who can hold that off. I bought that line for too long and it's taken me years to realize that if we don't look out for ourselves, rather than everyone else, we'll end up with nothing.”
Her eyes narrowed at his words, “So, what, you want me to turn my back on this place? You want me to set back and watch things collapse when I know that I can make a difference?”
“Yes,” Reese snapped. “I want you to live. I want us to have a family, to enjoy some time together, for the first time in ten years. I want to get a civilian job and provide you the lifestyle you deserve!”
Alanis closed her eyes and shook her head, “No, Reese, you want me to bury my head in the sand. You want us both to party and relax while everything I care about crumbles around me.”
Reese slammed his hand down on the table, “No, dammit, you aren't listening to me!”
“I am, Reese,” Alanis said calmly as she opened her eyes, “But you aren't hearing me and you aren't listening to yourself. You are afraid, afraid of losing me, yet what would happen to me if the United Colonies fell? What happened to me on Nova Roma where they wouldn't let me stand for myself? You want me to be powerless in the hopes that I won't be in a position to be killed... yet if I had power, if I had rank and authority... then it would be my say. It would be up to me as to whether I lived or died.” Her dark eyes flashed with anger, “And worst of all, you judge me as being too weak, too inferior, to make the right decisions and to fight and survive in the military.”
Reese shook his head, “That's not it at all!” Grady hadn't been incompetent or inferior, he just had the bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That kind of luck followed far too many of Reese's former friends and companions, many of them to include those who had served and died under Lucius's command. He thought of Jessi Toria, recruited here on Faraday, and how she'd taken a corvette against two Colonial Republic destroyers and a cruiser, and the small memorial service held for her and her people only a month earlier.
“We're done,” Alanis snapped. “Sober up, think about what I said, for a change.” She swept out before Reese could think to stop her. His gaze frantically swept the room. He had to think of something to stop her, something to change her mind. It locked on the bottle, half empty. A hundred emotions and thoughts swept through him–anger, frustration, fear– and he nearly turned and went after her. Yet, as if it had a will of its own, his hand went out to grasp the bottle. He lifted it to his lips and drank deep, the harsh liquid scoured his throat just as it helped to scour his mind. In its embrace, he didn't need to think, didn't need to feel.
Alanis would come around, he knew. She had to... didn't she see what she was doing to him?
***
Faraday System
United Colonies
August 20, 2403
Ensign Alberto Tascon grimaced as the browsed the Faraday network for something to keep himself entertained. He was supposed to be monitoring the United Colonies Fleet communications network in case of a need to react in an emergency... such as an attack. As if anyone would attack us again, Alberto thought, especially after that last pitiful showing.
Granted, there was always the risk of a large scale Chxor or even Balor attack, but the Fleet had handled those just fine, so far, and Alberto had set up a handy program to monitor the communications for a rise in chatter so he would only be a few seconds, at most, behind the communications officers of the other ships. And it wasn't as if the Belgrade was crucial to the war effort. The munitions ship carried additional ammunition for the fighters and capital ships. It wouldn't be needed until after a battle.
In the meantime, he tried to find some morsel of interest in the Faraday global network. On more developed worlds, there would be complete repositories of games, entertainment modules, even archives of old movies or music. All available for a fee, of course.
The Chxor, however, had gutted what little was available since their first visit. And while functionality and data transmission were up and many of those modules were live... they were available for sale only. As if I want to pay for what some backwater programmer could scrap together, Alberto Tascon thought with disgust. More civilized worlds had older networks, with hackers and code slicers who ran each module through their own systems and then broadcast the feed out to those who were willing to trade information for information.
Alberto hated to pay for those programs. He'd managed to do a bit of trading with some of the programs he kept on file before, but now he was having issues even finding someone willing to trade. The United Colonies seemed rather harsh on pirated software. For that matter, the economy was exploding and there were many well-paying jobs for those who knew even the basic rudiments of coding. Alberto had been tempted to set off and start up just such a business.
What had stopped him was the enforcement of patent law. Granted, he could have written all his own code, but that was hard work. He far more easily could have filed off the identifying marks on any number of programs or modules and sold it for his own... except they seemed to want to enforce the patent laws against that sort of thing.
For now, even though he was stuck in a dead-end job on one of the United Colonies military supply ships, he at least had a steady source of income... and the work wasn't particularly difficult. Plus he could use most of the time to himself. The Belgrade's captain seemed oblivious to what most of his crew did... as long as they didn't draw outside attention to his own irregularities. Most of the rest of the crew were caught up in their own methods to pass the time. For that matter, the ship's navigation officer and the executive officer were off the bridge, 'updating charts,' in the executive officer's quarters. From the tap he'd put into the XO's computer camera, the navigation officer was trying very hard to get that promotion she wanted.
Tascon snorted at that. He had thought, after the Baron's big speeches about defending humanity and the great sacrifice of the crews of the Dreyfus Fleet, that every ship would be crewed with stalwart, upstanding people like the Baron seemed to collect. The crew of the Belgrade proved that wrong, at least. Granted, it seemed the ship was a sort of exile, but while the snub irritated Alberto Tascon's sense of self worth, the time to do what he wanted quelled that, to an extent. For that matter, video from various crew indiscretions would be useful as either blackmail material or entertainment modules or both. He had enough on the Captain and the Executive Officer to virtually guarantee a shining evaluation.
Alberto smirked at that, even as he perused through a private forum yet again. The forum's official purpose was to help reunite families and friends who'd been separated by the Chxor occupation. From what Alberto had seen, the primary purpose seemed to be underworld connections. He snorted as he skimmed past what looked like a thinly veiled contract for murder and another that was probably a bounty.
He paused though, at an interesting entry. It asked for information on personnel who had signed on with the Fleet. On the surface it was just another plea for information on missing family. What interested Alberto was the subtext... and the offer of 'commensurate payment.'
It looked like an offer for information. Not just any information... military secrets.
Just the kind of military secrets that one communications officer might be able to access... if he were smart about it.
Ensign Alberto Tascon gave a tight, pleased smile. Smart was what he did... and the thought of just how much money he could make made his smile grow broader. He typed a terse message back, saying that he would be willing to put the poster in contact with the people he wanted to find and giving him an outside address for them to discuss things more discreetly.
Alberto licked his lips at the delicious irony of turning his exile against the officers who had snubbed him. Here, he had limitless access to the Fleet's networks and days to work without interruption. This kind of thing could easily get him the money to leave this wretched backwater behind for a more civilized world, perhaps even to live in comfort. He didn't let the consequences worry him. He would be long gone, with a fat bank account, before the information he leaked could be dangerous to him. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't betrayed the Baron and his precious United Colonies before.
***
Alanis Giovanni rapped on the door and waited a long, nervous moment.
Her stomach fluttered and she felt the uncertain desire to rush away. She recognized the anxiety for what it was... and she hated the feeling. It came, she knew, from her previous status as a social outcast amongst her 'peers' on Nova Roma. It was a sensation that she had fought against and won, more often than not, by being outspoken and confident.
The door opened and Alanis received an immediate hug, “Lady Giovanni,” Princess Lizmadie stepped back from the hug and gave her a broad smile. “Thank you for coming, please, come inside!”
Alanis returned the smile and followed the Nova Roman Princess into the modest home that she and Captain Anthony Doko had claimed. It was in one of the better neighborhoods and from what she understood, most of the unclaimed homes had been sold on auction, most often to people like Anthony Doko. People of modest backgrounds but with powerful connections and a desire for something tasteful enough to entertain any guests that might come around.
Alanis quirked an eyebrow at the interior decorations. Clearly some came from off-world, though the tasteful organization suggested that the Princess and not her new husband, was the decorator. That sort of thing seemed beyond most men.
“I see you've had some time to settle in?” Alanis asked, as they walked through the foyer. She wanted to pause and admire a bit of sculpture, but she didn't want to be rude. Besides, she was certain she could make time on another visit, if necessary.
“Yes,” the Princess said and Alanis winced at the tone of vitriol underneath her pleasant facade. “Tony and I have had quite a bit of time for it, of late.”
Alanis cleared her throat, but held back an apology. She hoped that the other woman didn't blame her brother. From what little details she'd heard, it sounded as if he'd had no choice. Then again, the rumors that had already moved around Faraday had, no doubt, damaged Anthony Doko's reputation. That was one part of her appearance here. In theory, the sight of the Baron's sister talking with the suspected traitor would ease some of those rumors. Of course, the other half of it, and the reason her husband barely spoke to her of late, was her decision to join the military. She wanted as much of an outside perspective on the decision as possible. Especially with how...unreasonable Reese has been about all this, she thought darkly.
On that thought, she stepped into what had to be the study. The chairs were simple, leather and wood affairs. There were extensive book-cases, as well, though many of them were empty, as yet. Anthony Doko sat at one the chairs. Alanis bit her lip at the sight of him. The normally cheerful man had dark hollows under his eyes and rather than his normal uniform, he wore a casual civilian shirt and slacks. Something like despair flashed across his face before he adopted a friendly expression, “Alanis, good of you to come.”
Alanis gave him a gentle smile, “Thank you and Princess Lizmadie, for having me.” She took the seat across from him. Alanis's eyes caught how the Princess settled close to him and how her hand sought out his. “I was hoping to talk with you, both of you, about my joining the United Colonies Fleet.”
“Yes,” Anthony said, “I remember Lucius mentioned you might drop by.” His smile flickered a bit. “I can't say I'm surprised that you made the decision.” He coughed a bit, “Honestly, though, I feared my own wife might take it into her mind to do the same!”
“Who says she hasn't?” Lizmadie said with a smile.
Anthony gave a chuckle and Alanis felt a twinge at how easily the two communicated. She'd had that or thought she had with Reese. She didn't know if she did anymore and had begun to wonder if she ever really had.
Anthony Doko gave a sniff, “Well, I hope that Lizmadie won't abandon me for the service right away...” His eyes went distant. “Or at least until the current events are settled somewhat.”
Alanis caught how Lizmadie's hand squeezed his, “I wouldn't leave your side, not right now, love.” Yet there was something unsaid and Alanis suddenly wondered if the Princess had already put in her papers.
Alanis smiled warmly at them both, “Well, regardless of your own plans, I wanted some perspective on my own decision and I hoped I could get some advice on... well, what to expect and how to behave.”
Anthony Doko sat a little straighter, “Of course. I would be more than glad to talk to you about my own experience... for that matter, your brother gave me a great deal of mentorship as a young officer.” He cocked his head, suddenly. “Why, may I ask, are you coming to me, rather than him or Reese?”
Alanis rolled her eyes, “It is a bit... difficult, you might say, to go to my brother for this kind of advice.” She looked down and tried to keep her voice level as she answered the other part of his question, “Reese doesn't agree with my decision. He feels that it puts me too much at risk.”
“Ah,” Anthony sat back and he shot a glance at his wife. “I suppose I could understand that, on some level. But...” He trailed off. “Well, it's not my place to butt into that, I suppose.” He cleared his throat again. “Might I ask your reasoning for joining as well as your own personal goals?”
Alanis sat back and gave him a crooked smile, “You're not one to ask the easy questions, are you?” Both Anthony and Lizmadie chuckled a bit, but Alanis adopted a more serious expression. “Honestly, it's something I've spent a lot of nights thinking on, from long before it ever became a possibility.” Alanis met their gazes, “You both, of course, know my family history.” Their nods were unneeded, almost every Nova Roman, knew the tale of Marius Giovanni and his attempt on the throne that should have been his by birth. “Well, one of the results of that was that my requests for a waiver to serve as an officer were rejected summarily.”
“How many requests did you make?” Anthony asked.
“I made one each year since I was old enough to attend the Nova Roma Military Academy,” Alanis said softly. “It got so that, I'm told, they had a special form letter just for me, already stamped and approved waiting for the next year.”
Anthony burst out into laughter, “Somehow, knowing your brother, that doesn't surprise me.”
Alanis smiled in return. “Thanks... I think.” She took a deep breath and her eyes went distant as she remembered what she'd gone through when first her brother had come back in disgrace... and then had been called up again only a few years later. She thought of the late nights, spent in worry that her only family would be extinguished in the dark depths of space around some distant star. She thought of the worry she had felt for her nation as the reports of loss after loss came, in. She turned her dark eyes to meet those of her brother's friend and his wife. “I wanted to serve. I wanted an opportunity, at first, to prove myself and to prove that whatever my father's crimes, that I was not him.” She shrugged, “Later on, as I read and studied more, I wanted the opportunity to do my part, especially as the war with the Chxor grew worse and worse.”
She raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Then, Lucius introduced me to Reese Leone, my husband. He was d
ashing, arrogant, but he treated me like no one else did... he treated me like a human being and he didn't care about my past.” He had, in fact, at times spoken with regret that her father hadn't succeeded. For that matter, Alanis wasn't entirely certain she disagreed from a strictly pragmatic standpoint. “And then there was marriage and happiness and enjoyment... until he and Lucius went out to war again.”
“And I stayed behind... powerless,” Alanis said bitterly. “It seems to be the lot of women in Nova Roma, powerless to help the ones they love, to defend their husbands and children, just as their fathers and brothers defend them.” She sighed “Have you ever heard what happened to my mother?” Neither of them spoke, so she continued, “My mother, Lady Belisma, was my father's confidant. My grandmother told me often how they loved one another... yet on the eve of his treason he never told her a word. He left her in the dark... so that when he failed, she was left with nothing to tell the investigators. She was cleared of any wrong-doing... but that didn't stop her from taking her own life. She had no power to affect the outcome, no ability to avenge her husband, and nothing to give to her children besides a legacy of disgrace.”
They sat in silence for a long moment. Finally, Anthony spoke, “Well, I can honestly say you have a better thought out reason than most to join the military.” He looked up, “What's your intention and goals in the service, though?”
Alanis shrugged, “I was tempted to try to escape the shadow of my brother and father and go into the Marines...” She chuckled at the shocked expression on Anthony Doko's face. She also made mental note about the guarded expression on Princess Lizmadie's face. “Oh, does a courtly lady working with the jar-heads shock you so much, Tony?”
He shook his head, “A bit, I must admit. The Marines are not known for their... civility, I suppose might be the best term.”
“Indeed,” Alanis said. She didn't bring up the fact that her grandmother's groundskeepers were retired Marines and that their tutelage of her and her brother had spared them little in the way of civility. “In any case, I've studied extensively and I think my skills would be more applicable to service aboard ship.” Alanis shrugged, somewhat self-consciously. “I actually have made use of copies of my brother's training simulations as well as whatever training programs I could find. I've managed a fairly decent turnout, considering I had no formal training.”