Duty, Honour, Love

Karasena sat on a blanket tall green aravi stalks surrounded her. At her feet lay the remains of a picnic, a half-eaten aravi and kokimoro roll on a plate beside her. In her hand was a tall stemmed glass the amber liquid swirled as she idly tipped it to her lips. The wine her favourite complimented the taste of the roll. She felt gentle hands knead the kinks out of her shoulders. Gazing up she saw Mark staring down at her she raised her right hand to the one on her shoulder a gold band glinting from the third finger. She opened her mouth and said. “I l…”

She woke with a start and rubbed the dregs of sleep from her eyes with shaking hands that had to be a dream. Though tired eyes she glanced around taking in her surroundings she was in her own bed in her quarters that was what she could be certain of. Slowly and unsteadily she headed to her washroom to wash the last of her sleep from her face. Staring into the mirror she tried hard to forget her dream and she hoped that it was only that. Just to be sure she looked at her right hand no ring adorned her finger. Try as she might she couldn’t get rid of the thought but in her dream it felt so right. Dressed and a meal inside she finally regained the equilibrium that was until she remembered that she would have go back to the Festival Hall at some time. Mark had asked to see her, she amended that in her mind Captain Stillway wanted to talk to her she had to be professional. No doubt Dee would have something to say on the matter.

Dee was waiting for her in the comms room. While Karasena had dressed reluctantly in her combat armour he helmet in her hands. Dee was in dress uniform a sidearm strapped to her hip. Her only other change was boots for her dress shoes. Dee smiled on seeing Karasena.

“Hiding are we?”

Karasena knew Dee could read her mind. “And so!” she retorted and flushed guiltily and slammed her helmet on.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not while you can read everything in my mind.”

“With a strong broadcaster like you it’s hard to ignore. But it does help to vocalise it.”

“Look the subject is closed let’s go and find out what he wants. I just want to get this day over with.”

Dee shook her head. “You’ll never be over it until you admit how you feel.”

Karasena glared at Dee but it was difficult to express her annoyance when she was wearing a helmet. “Dee shut up.”

“Considering myself shut up,” Dee replied glibly rather too glibly.

By the time they reached the hall Karasena was a bundle of nerves, which quickly evaporated into anger on seeing a handful of protestors on the far side of the road. The slogans on their banners seemed hastily made and they seemed to be waving them half-heartedly. She noted they were well away from the entrance and the guards. A lone media reporter was with them her camera drone floating above her head. Then there was only one media station on Erikino called Erikino Network News and only one official reporter. She saw Karasena and Dareia and hurried across the road fully intending to confront them. She never reached them Nanyo interposed herself between the reporter and her officers.

“Leave!” Nanyo’s voice carried over the lot.

“What is the meaning of this…” The reporter squawked as Nanyo pressed the barrel of her AR32 into the reporter’s stomach.

“Leave, now!” Nanyo growled putting menace into her words.

The reporter rapidly retreated muttering under her breath. “Later Captain Karasena,” she called out.

Dareia laughed. “She won’t be back she’s afraid of Nanyo.”

Karasena shook her head. “I didn’t know she was that aggressive.”

“Nanyo or Eloise.”

Karasena considered what Dee was asking her. “Both I suppose.”

“Never mind we have your captain to seduce.”

“What!” Karasena said alarmed and blushed. She was glad Dee couldn’t see her face but she could read her mind. “Come on,” she said and marched towards the door into the festival hall.

Mark paced the floor his eyes on the doors Jane sat on a chair and watched him.

“It will do you no good to wear a groove in the floor,” she told him.

He halted and nodded to her. “You are right Number One. It’s stupid.”

The door opened and two T’Arni entered one in uniform the other in combat armour.

Mark snapped to attention and saluted his hand banging against his chest. “Ma’am?”

“Captain Stillway,” Karasena replied she had nearly called him Mark but stopped herself in time. He was the enemy but a rebellious part of her was saying not. On seeing him unease increased he looked even more handsome scrubbed up and wearing a clean uniform. All the Terrans did but her eyes were drawn to him alone.

“Agree,” Dareia said before Karasena could even form a reply.

She scowled at Dee and turned her attention back to Mark. “Captain Stillway what is it that’s so urgent?”

Mark quickly explained the situations and his plan to resolve it.

Karasena listened most of what Mark said made sense. There she was calling him Mark again. Dareia interrupted before she could get a word in.

“Ma’am you and Captain Stillway stay here. I’ll take Lieutenant Walberg and those of the captain’s crew qualified to shut down the reactors and disable the weapons. I’ll pick a few others to bring back the stores.”

“Take Daisy with you,” Mark said. “She speaks Galactic.” Mark called over Jane not giving Karasena a chance to raise an objection. He quickly explained the change of plans to her.

Jane was weary even out of armour Dareia made her uneasy it was like she was being examined under a microscope. “Yes sir,” she said reluctantly her eyes on Dareia.

“Are you ok with working with Ezarans,” Dareia said to Jane but she had already read the reply from her mind. It gave her time to read Jane’s thoughts throughly as Mark translated for her.

“As long as they don’t get in my way I’ve got no objections.”

Mark translated for her. It was going to be hard without him there to translate for her then he realised that Lawrence Cain could do it. “Take Loader Cain with you as another translator he’s worked with Ezarans before.” He gestured to a short man seated on the end of his bed watching them with interest.

To Karasena he looked shorter then she was and his head was too large for his body.

“Loader Cain!” Mark shouted to him.

“Sir!” he snapped to attention.

“Go with Lieutenant Walberg and her party.”

“Yes sir,” Cain snapped a salute.

Mark turned to Karasena. “That ok with you captain?” Mark hesitated. “Sorry I never got your name.”

“Karasena,” Karasena said before she could stop herself.

Mark nodded thoughtfully. “Number One gather your team, you are under the command of Lieutenant?” He paused and switched languages. “Lieutenant?”

“Dareia,” Dareia helpfully supplied.

“Number One follow Lieutenant Dareia and follow military discipline at all times.”

“Yes sir,” Jane would have rather swapped places but she had her orders. As she boarded the ATV transport she wondered where it all went wrong. The sound of the engine as it powered up pushed further thoughts from her mind.