His hands slipped around her waist and across her back. It was a perfect fit, and he didn’t want to leave the circle of her arms, but he pulled away a little after a moment anyway. “No,” she whispered against his neck and he held her a little closer as she started to sway a little. “I keep thinking about you.”
“Me too,” Finn said. It was definitely true, and he felt guilty for spending so much time in the Engineering Control Centre aboard the Revenge so he could be off the bridge. Away from her, he could concentrate, but on the bridge he felt scattered. It wasn’t her fault. His lack of focus and maturity was his problem, but aside from casual conversation whenever they ran into each other outside of their duties, and having lunch together almost every day, even dinner in the mess sometimes, they didn’t get much time together. “You give me crazy-brain.”
She chuckled softly, her fingers slipping up his neck into his short hair. “What’s that?”
“I think about you when you’re not around,” Finn said, hoping that he wasn’t about to break whatever magic was holding them together. “And I can’t think straight when you are around.”
“I set an alert on my comm to tell me when you were entering the mess hall,” she admitted quietly.
That explained why she appeared every time he sat down to eat lunch. “Can I…” he stopped, the butterflies in his stomach were so agitated he was afraid they’d start flying out of his mouth.
“Kiss me?” she leaned back, looking at him, her brown eyes looking into his, a smile on her lips.
“Yeah,” he replied, slowly closing the gap.
“God, yes,” she said the instant before their lips met. Her hand stroked the back of his head as she became his world. It felt as though their bodies were melting together, relaxing to fit one form to another.
Finn didn’t care where they were, who might be watching. Everything about her felt amazing; even her smell which was a warm, heady scent that wasn’t too sweet. His hand ran down her back, a caress that was part massage, and then moved up the other side. Her nails grazed the back of his neck before they parted, leaning against each other forehead to forehead. “Let’s go somewhere private,” she said.
Finn was surprised, but it was exactly what he was thinking, just too afraid to say. “Quarters?” he asked.
Liara nodded and gave him a little kiss, taking his hand. “Lead, I have no idea where I’m going yet.”
He laughed softly and stole a kiss of his own. “Okay,” he whispered. “Here we go.”
They stood together for a moment. “You’re not moving,” she laughed.
“Oh, sorry, right,” he said, stealing a kiss then turning towards the door.
* * *
Remmy and most of his squad quietly watched as they left the mess, taking the hall one way, then turning and going the other way, laughing. “So, who won?” asked Dimitri, one of his soldiers. He’s the first one he memorized: Dimitri with the mohawk.
“They did,” Remmy said, popping a rice puff into his mouth. The garlic and dill flavoured snack disintegrated between his teeth.
“I mean the pool,” Dimitri pressed. “On when they’d get together?”
“Oh, I wasn’t playing,” he said. “Just cheering from the sidelines. Maybe I should get Agameg to set me up with someone when we get back.”
“Now, that’s a good idea,” Sammi said, brushing her blonde hair out of her face. Half her head was shaved, the other had perfect straight corn yellow hair. “Do you think you could make an introduction?”
“I barely know him, but he’s nice enough,” Remmy said. “I think he’d like being the Commander of Hearts.”
“Sometimes you speak in poetry, man,” Mason laughed, lightly tossing a spicy puff ball into his hair. “It’s weird.”
“When you see something worth waxing poetic about you may as well,” Remmy replied. “I’m taking my ailing heart to bed. Get some shut-eye, guys. All armour on.”
Dimitri and Mason groaned. “Why? We’re almost home,” asked Dimitri.
“I have a feeling. Suck it up and suit up. There’s some poetry,” Remmy said. He left the mess hall then stopped in a side corridor to check a priority message on his Command and Control unit. It was an invitation to permanently join Captain Valent’s crew when they made the transition to the Merciless, a new ship he’d never heard of. He opted in and added a note; ‘Would like to bring two squad members with me.’
Dotty and one other he’d choose later. Last he saw, she was recovering aboard the Triton, and he was loathe to leave her, but he was fine by then, and he knew the fight wasn’t over yet. She was the best soldier he knew, and a good friend. He sent her profile to Captain Valent and began to wonder who else he might want to drag into his next adventure. Anything to distract him from his memory of Clark and Isabel. “Get outta my head,” he said as he recalled how they looked together. “One of you is dead, rest in peace, and the other’s dead to me.” Remmy let the thought that he should find his own love drift through his mind without comment.
It probably would help him move on, but he was keenly aware that it would take two, and who that might be was nothing but an unanswered question. “Suck it up, Remmy,” he said to himself as he continued on his way to his quarters. “You’re almost home, not home. This is when bad shit happens. Tragic shit.”
Forty-Eight
The Details
* * *
Alice piloted the Clever Dream straight to the new Habitat Building, a different kind of structure all together from the Everin Building. It stood like a shard of gleaming stone, leaning away from a cliff’s edge. It was perfectly safe, anchored deep into stone and counterbalanced, but it seemed to reach, to stretch out over the edge of the ocean.
Two more were being built a few kilometres away, and despite the disapproval of many citizens, thousands of robots worked on each. They would cut the construction of the massive structures made to house hundreds of families and facilities like the Haven Medical Centre down to just days with the considerable help of the Solar Forge.
“It’s going to be a big city soon,” Alice said as she waited inside the new maternity ward for Laura. Ayan was nervous, she was awaiting the approval of her adoption application.
“Everything is happening so fast,” Ayan said, pacing. “Except for the return of the Revenge. I feel strange doing this without your father here. I feel like part of this decision should be his. Adoption is one of the biggest decisions you can make.”
“I know,” Alice said, stepping into Ayan’s pacing path. “Once he meets her he’ll see you needed to bring her into our lives. He’ll see you with her and realize it’s just right.”
“I can’t see how anyone could have a problem with the good thing you’re doing,” Theodore said. “Despite the late night feedings, the extended crying sessions, and the occasional bursting diaper, babies bring families together.”
“Family,” Ayan said, a little smile on her face.
That struck a note deep in Alice too, something comforting, something she always wanted. “Family.”
“Here’s our little champion,” said a young man in a light coloured business suit. He carried Laura in her swaddle as though he spent every second of his life handling babies. “She had some discomfort but came through the treatment perfectly fine. They gave her to me so I could give you all the good news at once.”
Ayan grabbed Alice’s hand, more nervous than she’d seen anyone.
“Baby Laura is officially Laura Anderson, your daughter,” he said, carefully handing Ayan Laura, who was just waking up. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Greg,” Ayan said. Her vacsuit uniform changed so a harness held Laura to her chest, her head just below and in front of Ayan’s with plenty of support. Laura yawned wide. “Thank you very much.”
Greg watched them for a moment, smiling a little. “You two are a great fit, we didn’t find any reason why you shouldn’t adopt her. Everyone we interviewed seemed happy for you and eager to help, especially La
ura’s grandfather.”
Alice was aware that no one interviewed her about the adoption, but could think of a number of reasons why, most of them having to do with how busy she’d been. She stood close to Laura and Ayan, watching the babe focus on the face of her new mother. “Hi, you’re adorable,” she whispered.
“We’ll be available to you if you ever need help or advice,” Greg said. “Have a happy family.”
“Thanks again,” Ayan said as Greg straightened his sleeves and took his leave.
“There’s that word again,” Alice whispered to Laura as she gently stroked her black hair. It was so soft. “Welcome to the family, Laura.”
“Lacey is waiting with a shuttle,” Ayan said quietly. “I guessed you would want to spend some time looking the Clever Dream over, getting reacquainted with Lewis.”
It was true, she wanted to crawl into every access space, check every room, and shake out every bug. “I’m happy to stay with you two though,” Alice said.
“Thank you, but don’t even pretend your old-new ship isn’t calling your name. I’d be crawling all through it already if I were you,” Ayan said with a knowing smile.
Alice could remember the engineer from the First Light, the one who would crawl into a reactor upside down if she had to and enjoy the experience. That Ayan was still there, she was just further along the path. “I forgot who I was talking to for a minute. Say ‘hi’ to Lacey for me.” Alice kissed Ayan on the cheek, something she’d never done before, and left for the landing pad where she left the Clever Dream.
“Congratulations, Ayan,” Theodore said. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“Thank you, Theo.”
When Theodore caught up to Alice, she was eager to get aboard but, she stopped right there, in the hospital corridor. Ayan was out of sight and out of earshot as she sat down on a gurney. “You know I like having you around, right?” she asked.
Theodore looked at her with a very human expression on his face, it was more than emulated curiosity. There was worry. “It’s good to hear.”
“I’ve had people come along with me before, just because they wanted to go with the flow, or they felt some obligation to me. It doesn’t always end well. I experienced Noah’s whole log, and it was amazing, but sometimes it felt like you were with him because you didn’t know where else to go. Whether that’s true or not, I need to know if you’re volunteering for my crew out of some obligation from your original programming, or because it seems like it’s just what’s in front of you.”
“I could be a popular host at Alberton’s,” Theodore said. “Or be very useful here in the hospital. I could go looking for Noah, I know where I could easily get a hyperspace shuttle. There are a number of things I could do, you’re right.” He stepped forward and took her hand with a surprisingly warm, gentle touch. “You are a very interesting person, Alice. You were before this morning, and now you are going through something that few people in all of history could understand, that few people could withstand. I believe you are a good person, too, and we both know someone else who is very important to me. Perhaps that is not a bond, but it is a link. I owe you so much for having me repaired.”
“I don’t want you to feel you owe me anything,” Alice said. “This is a better place for having you in it.”
“Thank you,” Theodore said. “I’ll get to my point. I crave new experiences. I need to feel I’m being useful, and I understand how much damage the Order of Eden is doing. I look at you, and how you fight through every struggle, how much you have been through in the history outlined within your file, and I am amazed. I want to help, I know you will lead me to a place where I can make a difference. That is why I’m volunteering. That, and I think I like who you are.”
“Who’s that?” Alice said with a chuckle. “I’m just starting to figure it out, any tips would be great.”
“We’ll find out.”
“Okay,” Alice said. “Welcome to the crew.”
Theodore gave her hand a squeeze and let it go. She hopped down from the gurney and they started towards the Clever Dream. “Can you do me a favour when we go aboard?”
“What’s that?”
“Put an order in for a container for a dee thirty three module and a paired command and control unit that’ll take one. Hide it from Lewis.”
“You’re planning to make him portable?” Theodore asked, excited.
“I’m going to see if I can. It should work.”
“He’s going to be so surprised.”
“I know,” Alice said. “But I need to make sure it works before I tell him anything.”
“That makes sense. If Noah were here, he’d be so excited. He loves tinkering and solving technical puzzles.”
“Like with the hover truck, he had to rebuild most of it and scavenge for parts,” Alice said.
“He didn’t look it all the time, but he really did enjoy himself.”
Alice could remember it almost as if she was there. She spent so much time experiencing his logs, listening to his voice. She pictured his face and couldn’t help but smile at the memory. When she thought of him, it was always about the last days he spent alone without Theodore. She related to that part of the log the most. He was alone, without his best friend, but he pushed on no matter how lonely it made him. A pang, a hurt in her middle accompanied the sharp reality that he, her father, and so many friends were still missing on the Revenge.
“Are you all right, Alice?”
“Yeah, sure, why?”
“Your heart rate just increased drastically,” Theodore said.
“Just thinking about the Revenge. They have to get back soon.”
“Yes, I can’t wait to see Noah again.”
“Just wondering; in the medical knowledge you have, is there any explanation for having a feeling in your stomach when you think about someone?”
“Heart Ache or Broken Heart Syndrome were two of the first names put to it,” he replied as if he already knew the question. “It’s very real, originally thought to be caused by overloading the vagus nerve with emotion. If it’s lower in the belly, it’s usually associated with empathy or longing.”
“It’s where the term gut-wrenching comes from?” Alice asked.
“Yes, are you experiencing it now?” he asked, pointing his wrist scanner at Alice.
“No, just wondering,” in truth, she had never experienced it before a moment ago, when she felt uncertain that she’d ever meet Noah in person. It was a forbidden thought; that the Revenge may not make it back. She dismissed it quickly. “Do you think Noah would like me?”
“Do you think he will like you when I introduce you to him?” Theodore corrected. “I know he’ll be thankful. You brought me back from diseased oblivion. I think he’ll like you too.”
Forty-Nine
The Failing Of A Quiet Space
* * *
There wasn’t a speck of dust, or excess material left anywhere in or on the systems that were inside the Clever Dream. Alice knew for herself, she’d seen as much of the inside of the ship as she could after finding the small medical bay, sitting in the circular common room for a moment. It hadn’t changed that much, it was just larger, with a bigger table in the middle that could fold away, and double tier circle of seating with pop out trays that was interrupted only by hatches leading to two small bathrooms and single living quarters.
No one said a word about them using a small service bay aboard the War Forge to do their work. Alice wanted to be on hand when someone she’d been trying to get in touch with arrived, and it was the best spot. Theodore and Lewis helped her run and test most of the lifesaving systems except for the shields, and she found space for improvement.
It was a great opportunity to test the Clever Dream’s miniature manufacturing capabilities. Using on board printers she made a set of backup inertial dampeners, and after they all tested perfectly, she set to work installing them. Every panel on the Clever Dream - inside and out - opened and closed as it should
have. Before there were quirks to some of them. Some stuck, others would stay in until you bumped them, then they were eager to come out, and others didn’t close quite straight. She was sure she was probably the only one who noticed, but ships that got used developed personality that way. The newly rebuilt and massively improved Clever Dream hadn’t gotten there yet, but Alice was eager to put her own touches on it, and to see how time and trouble left its mark.
Alice was securing an independent backup dampener almost completely inside one of the lower access compartments when she heard someone call up to her. “There’s precision technology in there, are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Alice slipped down, caught the edge of the compartment opening and hung as she saw Captain Ruby Sima. Her green eyes watched her with a little mischief in them. She was in uniform except for a heavy long coat with the fleet insignia on it. “Just filing down some rough edges and adding my own touch,” Alice replied, dropping the last two metres to the deck. “Captain’s privilege.”
Ruby smiled at her and extended a hand. “Congratulations on your new commission, Captain. I was worried when I saw you get shuffled out of active duty then out of Fleet completely. When you came up again, well…” she pushed her hand through her dark blue hair. “I’m happy we still have you, sad that I can’t bring you into my crew.”
“Thanks,” Alice said, realizing that there was a smile growing on her face, that she mimicked Ruby, running her hand through her own hair, or was Ruby unconsciously mimicking her? It was good to see her. “I was hoping to serve under you for a while so I could learn a few things.”
Ruby regarded Alice with a surprised smile and shook her head. “Maybe if we were out there pirate hunting, or doing customs patrol, you could learn a thing or two. As things stand I could learn more from you. That’s if the scuttlebutt is true.”
“It’s true, I’ve been reloaded, no more memory gaps,” Alice said.
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 11 Page 30