Duty, Honour, Love

Karasena stepped out of the hospital into the bright sunlight. Her mind wondered if she doing the right thing. Mark practically ignored when he talked to his wounded crew and the doctors attending to them. She worried he was angry with her now that he had the time to think. She needed time to sort out her feelings. The Security ground car waited for them it driver leaning against it looking out of place in his black uniform.

Karasena halted her mind in a whirl. “Do you mind if we walked back?” she asked Mark dreading his answer.

“Not at all,” he replied sounding like his old self.

Karasena called to the driver. “Let them know we are walking back.”

“Ma’am I’ll have to clear it the Chief.”

“Do so, but we’re walking anyway.” She turned back to Mark. “That ok with you?”

“That’s not a problem.”

Another Security cruiser pulled up and two Security Officers exited.

One of the officers saluted her. “The Chief’s okayed it but we have to follow you?”

“Do so but not so close.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Karasena and Mark exited the hospital parking lot and walked along the sidewalk. There weren’t that many vehicles on the road not that there were that many vehicles on the whole of Erikino. Most of the traffic that there were, were transports and the occasional red tear drop automated taxi’s. They made an odd couple as they walked one in an Imperial uniform and one in a Confederacy one.

“What did you want to talk about?” Mark asked instantly regretting his tone. “I’m sorry,” he apologised quickly. “That was uncalled for.”

“Anything and everything,” Karasena blurted out before she could stop herself.

Mark gave a half-heart smile. “I’m not much of a conversationalist I’m afraid. Kelli used to pull me up about that all the time.”

Karasena felt a surge of jealousy she quickly suppressed it she was better than that. “Kelli?”

“I girl I knew or I thought I did. She was the reason I joined I wanted to make a better world for her. I thought I could fight the bigotry that drove her family to leave Paranova from the inside.”

Karasena found she understood his sentiment more than she had imagined. Hers was the exile so her T’Arni commanders could brush aside the fact that a T’Arni had acted like a lecherous human.

“So wrong was I,” Mark said with a heavy heart. “I can’t change the past even with how much it hurts. I must look to the future.”

At the moment Karasena’s stomach rumbled loudly.”

“Are you ok?” Mark asked concerned. He tried to remember if she had anything to eat of drink at the hospital he certainly hadn’t.

“I’m sorry about that,” Karasena apologised. “I’ve been so worried about things that I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Karasena, please you need to eat something?” Mark was more than concerned he found himself thinking she meant more than just his warder to him. Her holding his hand in the office signified she had feelings for him the same feelings he had for her. It had to be now in the middle of a war and they on opposite sides of the conflict. But this wasn’t a Romero and Juliet situation this was real. They had the threat of danger hanging over the both of them.

“I will,” she promised. “But we still need to talk. I didn’t want to leave you in the dark about my orders.” She took a deep breath and plunged on. “I want you to know I wouldn’t have done it.” She hesitated she’d have to tell him of the threat to her life. Luckily she had Admiral Katares to fall back on. “In fact I was ordered to do it or be executed?”

Mark suddenly halted anger flashing in his eyes. “I take it wasn’t Admiral Katares?”

She shivered at the cold anger in his voice. “Some Colonel from Com Ops. More then likely working for the Ulkoi.” She spoke again desperately wanting to make things right between them. “I want to assure you no one I my command would have carried out those orders.”

Mark nodded slowly trying hard to calm down. This was the lowest of the low to threaten her like that. As much as he wanted to hold her, to comfort her he couldn’t. There was still a war on and they were technically enemies. But in his heart she wasn’t and somehow he knew she thought the same. “I believe you.”

Karasena shivered against more in relief than out of fear. Her hunger wasn’t making her think straight. She couldn’t remember a time since Mark’s ship had crashed that she had taken a proper meal. “I was worried you were angry with me?”

“I’m not, I’m angry with myself for putting you in this situation. I’m angry that I may have led these Ulkoi to this world and put you in danger.”

“Don’t be, These Ulkoi could have attacked us anyway. At least we know about them now and can be prepared. Ancients I don’t know how but we will fight.”

They walked on Karasena began to regret her rash decision to walk. Now that the fear of her orders were over, her increasing hunger began to play on her mind. Scents from a bakery ahead wafted towards them bringing the scent of freshly baked bread. The smells brought a bout of homesickness to Mark as he remembered his father’s bakery and happier times. Karasena’s stomach groaned loudly causing Mark to halt and regard her carefully.

“Come on Karasena, we’re going to buy you dinner. I can’t have you fainting from hunger,” he said to her with a half smile although she could see pain hidden behind his eyes. “I’m afraid you’ll have to pay this time I doubt they’d take Imperial Dollars?”

Karasena heart thrilled that he had called her by her name. The bakery cum store was the biggest in Hawthorn as well as the only one. ‘Trembles’ the name of the bakery was always busy. Just the thought of their pastries had Karasena’s mouth watering. She allowed Mark to drag her inside. The inside of the bakery store was bright with a shiny metal and glass counter with a display of pastries and loaves of bread. Three busy servitors worked hard behind the counter. Beyond them was the bakery open to allow customers the sight of the staff working on mixing, kneading and baking. In front of the counter were rows of booths some occupied. Mark guided Karasena to one near the back and sat her down. The two Security Officers slid into the booth behind them.

“What would you like to eat?” Mark asked her.

Karasena stopped herself before her mind could take an erotic turn. She had to get her mind away from the gutter. Mark was here because he was the enemy not some guy she really wanted. But in her heart of hearts it was what she wanted.

Before she had a chance to tell him or even make a fool of herself Arthur Tremble the owner and chief baker stormed over to her. Tremble was a fat balding man. Only slightly taller than the average T’Arni. He had a dusty apron over his portly belly.

“You can’t bring him in here!” Arthur protested. “He’s the enemy!”

“Captain Karasena hasn’t eaten all day,” Mark said mildly but Karasena heard the irritation in his voice. “Let her buy something and we’ll be out of your hair.”

Arthur spluttered clearly floundering for something to say.

“Arthur this is Captain Stillway,” Karasena interrupted.

Arthur hesitated. “Stillway you say?” he gave Mark a careful scrutiny. “Are you related to the ‘Stillways’ of Paranova?”

“If you mean Stillways the Bakery. My grandfather started it and my father runs it.”

Arthur’s whole demeanour changed. “You’re one of those Stillways?”

“Yes,” Mark replied.

“Please I’ll get a server to bring Captain Karasena something.” He looked directly at Mark. “I’m sorry for the outburst we need to talk.” He gestured for Mark to follow.

“Captain I won’t be long.” Mark told Karasena.

She watched them go concerned. Mark was hers she realised the way her thoughts were going and amended them. Mark, Captain Stillway was in her charge and she had a duty of care towards him. But contrary to her fears they hadn’t gone far. They were in the bakery and she could easily see them from her seat.