The Black Hawk, Contested Space, Standard Year 404 after founding

  The buzz on her wrist comm woke Clara from an uncomfortable half doze. She had collapsed on the bed next to James as they waited for news from Tony and Alanna.

  James looked back at her, still fully awake. “They’re back.” He said.

  Clara’s eyes lit up. “Thank god!” She said, hugging him in relief.

  James pushed her away, his face grim. “She’s been shot.” He said quietly.

  Clara pulled away and read through her text messages. “Tony says it’s a flesh wound.” She pointed out. “She’s not exactly dying. She’s back, she’s fine, and James, so god help me, if you don’t get some sleep, I’m bringing the doc in here with a syringe. Am I making myself clear?”

  “Crystal clear.” James said with a shadow of a smile coming out through his exhaustion. “There’s one more thing I need to do, and then I’ll sleep.”

  Clara tried to ignore the twinge of concern as he pulled out his computer. James was an adult, it wasn’t her job to babysit him. “I’m going to take a shower.” She said, standing up abruptly.

  James paused briefly to look up at her. “Here?”

  “Yes, here. It’s one of two private showers on the ship. I’m not going to Henry’s and I am going to take the world’s longest shower. Any comments?”

  His only response was a vague wave of his hand before returning to whatever he was doing.

  Clara shot one more look of suspicion his way before shrugging and heading towards the shower. The call of clean, running water was too strong to ignore. She planned for a good hour or longer in the shower. When her wrist comm went off again, her first instinct was to ignore it. Alanna was allegedly back on the Gray Serpent, with Tony to watch over her. What could go wrong? Besides, Clara was in no shape to handle another emergency. She waited a few more minutes, letting the hot water stream over her face, before her curiosity and impatience got the best of her and she read the source of the notification. A moment later she was running out of the shower, wrapped in nothing but a towel. “Are you insane?” She shouted.

  James glanced up, looking back at her in what appeared to be genuine confusion. “What are you talking about?” He asked.

  “You’ve lost your mind! Can’t you just… just…” She looked up at the sound of someone knocking.

  “James?” Henry’s voice called out from the other side of the door. “We need to talk.”

  “Can you talk some sense into him?” Clara asked in exasperation, opening the door.

  Henry walked in, pausing briefly to stare at Clara. “What are you doing?” He asked blankly.

  “Private shower.” Clara said shortly.

  Henry shrugged, turning back to James. “Did you actually just do that? Or did that system get hacked by someone with a truly awful sense of humor?”

  “What are you both talking about?” James asked.

  “Oh, thank god.” Clara leaned against a wall. “It’s just been hacked.”

  “What’s been hacked?” James asked patiently.

  “The registry. The registry for a license. James, I don’t know if you know this but someone...”

  “Are you both on some sort of notification list?” James asked, taken aback.

  “Of course I am!” Clara shouted in exasperation.

  “Lily was.” Henry said, with a somewhat apologetic shrug.

  Clara’s eyes narrowed. “James.”

  “Yes, Clara?”

  “Was the marriage registry hacked, or wasn’t it?”

  “Not as far as I’m aware, Clara.”

  “Oh shit.” Henry muttered under his breath. “James, you haven’t slept in three days. Maybe you just need to… well… I don’t know if there’s a way to take it down but…”

  Jamse shrugged, pulling the pillow from behind his back and placing it under his head, he finally allowed himself to lie down, knowing he couldn’t hold off sleep for much longer. “I don’t know anything about taking it down, or why you both thought it necessary to register for a notification” He murmured.

  “Lily…” Henry began.

  James turned on his side, facing towards both of them as he got more comfortable. “But what I do know” he continued “is that at least one more person has registered to receive this particular notification.”

  “Tony?” Clara asked doubtfully.

  “No Clara, not Tony.” James said drily. “I still have no idea why any of you…”

  “Because you’re James Hawk!” Clara said in exasperation. “People take an interest. Every news org on the planet…”

  “Your mother.” Henry interjected. “Your mother is registered.”

  “That’s the one. Let’s see him go after Alanna now.” James smiled happily. “Let’s just see him try. Now, if you both don’t mind, I’m going to get some sleep.”

  ---

  Carda’an ship, Titan orbit, Standard Year 404 after founding

  “Operation Titan.” Starel said, sitting somewhat awkwardly in the oversized chair on the ship’s bridge. “That’s all I saw before the Tundrans rushed in and shot everyone, including the Sarayan captain.”

  “And what did you do?” Robert asked. Although the time lag between Titan and Tundra was about a minute, Robert had chosen to communicate over quantum comms, the sound of his dour, dry voice coming through over the ship’s speakers.

  Pharel exchanged a glance with his brother. “We thought it might have something to do with the missing nukes.” He said hesitantly.

  “You prevented him from activating the program?” Robert asked.

  “Maybe just for a second.” Starel said. “The Tundrans were nearly there.”

  “Was the Sarayan captain shot, or stunned?” Robert asked.

  “I think he was stunned.” Pharel said.

  “And did he notice that you prevented him from activating the program?”

  The boys froze, exchanging another somewhat panicked look. “He wouldn’t know what happened.” Starel said. “He couldn’t see us. But yes, he may have noticed something prevented him from activating the program. He won’t live long, will he, Robert?”

  “You’ve done well.” Robert said. “Let us handle the rest.”

  ---

  Office of the President, Megalodon City, Standard Year 404 after founding

  Jim Hawk stiffened his jaw, forcing himself to suppress a yawn before it escaped. He hadn’t been sleeping well, and while the new infrastructure project was of vital importance to Megalodon City, his focus was elsewhere. When his wrist comm buzzed, signaling a message from a handful of people who were important enough not to be ignored, he gave a polite nod and made his excuses, hoping he had effectively masked his relief at the interruption. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, noting he had not one but two messages waiting for him. One was from Robert Nagar, the head of Tundran Secret Service. The other, was from his wife. It was an unusual event, as neither would message him during his workday without an excellent reason.

  He took Robert’s call first, answering with a curt “Talk fast, Sam is waiting.”

  “Ah, in that case, I will leave it to her to deliver the news. I’m here if you need more.” Robert hung up.

  Jim Hawk frowned, puzzled by the unusual response. Then he called his wife.

  “Our son is engaged.” Samantha Hawk said, picking up the phone on the first ring. “I’m in the car, on my way to your office now. We’ll talk when I get there.” She hung up.

  “Engaged in what?” Jim Hawk said blankly, to the empty room. Then he called back Robert.

  “Engaged to be married.” Robert responded. “To Alanna Summers. Where’s Sam?”

  “She’s on her way to my…” Jim Hawk paused for a fraction of a second, refocused. “Send a security…”

  “Security detail on its way.” Robert confirmed. “The press will be waiting.”

  The press will be waiting. The words echoed in Jim’s head as he stared out towards the gleaming wooden door of his empty office. “Well.” He shrugged philosophically. “If there is a path to victory, I can trust my son to find it.” And against his better judgement, the slightest ghost of a smile crossed his lips. It faded quickly, in anticipation of what his wife would have to say on the matter. Time was short. He turned to his computer, recording a message for Captain Tanya Arden.

  ---

  Grey Serpent, Tundran Space, Standard Year 404 after founding

  Alanna woke up screaming. The image of Bernard Bernhard’s face hovered in front of her eyes, the last memory she had before the world went black.

  “What the…” Tony sat up from his doze, staring at Alanna blearily. “What the hell’s your problem?” He asked.

  “Wh… where… I…” Alanna blinked, sitting up in bed. Automatically, she pulled the blanket further up to cover her bare legs, frantically trying to make out her surroundings in the gloomy room. “Where am I?” She finally got out.

  “You’re on the ship.” Tony said.

  “Wh what, whose… whose ship?”

  “Our ship.” Tony said. “The Tundran ship.” He added with some annoyance, seeing the blank look on her face.

  “Oh, thank god.” Alanna said with relief, letting her head fall back onto the pillow.

  “Aren’t you glad the Tundran liberation party came to town?” Gregory’s dry and somewhat weak voice came from her other side.

  Alanna closed her eyes briefly before turning to Tony. “That joke really took off, didn’t it?”

  “I’m a natural born leader, Alanna. I speak, people follow.”

  “Now say thank you, Summers.” Gregory said from her other side. “Otherwise, next time we just might leave you and Sicaro with all your Sarayan friends.”

  Alanna turned, just barely making out Gregory’s features in the darkened medbay, laying on a bed a few feet apart from hers.

  “Stomach wound.” He said, shifting slightly. “Hurts like you wouldn’t believe, even with the meds. We didn’t all walk away with minor flesh wounds like some people.” He snorted. “Turns out, some people did indeed want to fight for the glory of Bernard Bernhard.”

  “Did anyone die?” Alanna asked.

  “No one died.” Gregory said, sounding somewhat more cheerful.

  Alanna frowned. “Some people definitely died.” She turned to Tony. “I saw you kill some.”

  “Sure, some Sarayans died.” Gregory nodded.

  “How many Sarayans?” Alanna asked, ignoring the slight lurch in her stomach.

  “’bout twenty.” A third man from deeper within the med bay responded.

  “We did not liberate them.” Gregory clarified. “Just the, you know, the live ones.”

  “He’s getting the good pain meds.” Tony explained. “Speak for yourself, Gregory. I’d say some got killed and liberated.”

  “Oh yeah, we saw the brig.” Someone else called out.

  Alanna’s face paled and she sat forward, her hand on her stomach. “I’m going to be sick.” She said thickly. “No Tony literally I think I…”

  The doctor got there just in time, bucket in hand.

  “Impressive moves, doc.” Tony said. “Can’t say I saw that one coming.”

  “I saw it coming.” The doctor said calmly.

  “I…” Alanna closed her eyes and swallowed. “I don’t feel so good. Could I be poisoned? Or” She struggled to be as polite as she could, without directly accusing anyone “a bad reaction to the local food?”

  “You’re not poisoned.” The doctor said flatly. “You have a flesh wound. You’re fine. And you should eat.” He returned with a ration bar and a cup of hot tea. She blinked in surprise at the sharp, unexpectedly familiar taste. It was ginger tea. Taking a deep, grateful breath of the hot liquid, she drank more. “Thank you.” She said to the doctor before turning to Tony. “What about Aster and Danil?” She asked.

  Tony hesitated. “Aster is dead. Danil is here.” He shifted slightly, letting her see Danil’s pale form on his other side. “He took two shots but the doc says his chances are good.”

  “Are we…” Alanna hesitated, still trying to gather her thoughts in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Tundran ship’s med bay, as whatever pain meds she had been given worked through her system. And they weren’t very good pain meds. The pain along her hip was a sharp, constant reminder of what happened. And Aster was dead. “Are we getting court martialed?” She asked, trying to focus.

  “No.” Tony shook his head, looking bemused.

  “Now why would you ask that, I wonder?” Gregory said from her other side.

  “Oh, we always ask that.” Alanna took another sip of her tea. “It’s a Sarayan tradition.”

  And then, to her surprise and relief, she heard a quiet snort from Danil. “Shut up, Danil.” She added.

  “Whatever you say, lieutenant.”

  “Lieutenant commander.”

  Alanna looked over at the unexpected source of those words. Gregory raised an eyebrow back at her.

  “You did good.” Tony said. “Winners don’t get court martialed.”

  “Victory is all.” Gregory nodded in agreement, sounding weak but surprisingly cheerful.

  Alanna sipped more of her tea, sitting in companionable silence as the activities of the med bay went on all around her. She did good. She blinked as the unfamiliar words echoed inside her head. “And Bernard?” She asked finally, somewhat reluctantly.

  “We’re asking him some questions.” Tony grinned with satisfaction. “In fact, now that you’re up, I may just meander on over and ask him some questions myself. Want to come?”

  “No.” Alanna said with a shudder.

  “You sure? You’re not likely to get another chance.”

  “I don’t want to ask him any questions. I want him dead.”

  “Hey.” Gregory’s voice came from her other side. “When he says ask some questions, what he means is…”

  “I know what he means, Gregory.”

  “Pathetic.” Gregory shook his head in disgust. “Listen Sicaro. You just wheel me in there. I would like to ask the man some questions.”

  “Doc?” Tony asked. “Any objections?”

  The doctor gave what seemed to be a long suffering sigh. “Take one of the antigrav wheelchairs and go. Try not to bump him around too much.”

  “I’d like to ask him some questions.” Danil’s weaker voice spoke up from the other side of the room.

  Tony elbowed Alanna in the shoulder, from her good side. “We only have two antigrav wheelchairs. You up for walking?”

  Alanna sat up straighter. “Am I walking to kill Bernard Bernhard?” She asked.

  “That’s the plan.”

  “I can walk.” Alanna said.

  A low whistle came from one of the other injured soldiers. “Be sure to bring a pike, Summers!” Someone else called out.

  The doctor placed her uniform at the foot of her bed. “You have a flesh wound, but a fairly serious one. Most of the skin on your hip was burned off by the killing round. It’s been replaced with artificial skin but it will take at least a day to fully integrate. Be careful putting on the uniform, and make no sudden movements. Keep that in mind if you change your mind about the questioning.” He added pointedly.

  ---

  As far as processions went, theirs was a sad one. Tony pushed Gregory’s antigrav wheelchair and Alanna attempted to do the same with Danil’s, although she was mostly using it to lean on as she walked. “Did you shoot me?” She asked, turning to Tony.

  “I did. You’re welcome.”

  “All part of the liberation services brought to you by the Tundran military.” Gregory said, clearly still enjoying the pain meds.

  “You shot her?” Danil asked with a frown.

  “She had third degree burns across most of her hip.” Tony said with a shrug. “And a part of her space suit melted into her skin. Alanna, did you want to be conscious for that? Besides, the screaming was getting on my nerves.” They stopped at the sound of hoarse screams, heard faintly from the cells ahead.

  “Captain’s not done.” Gregory noted. “We can wait.”

  “Says the man with the chair.” Tony grumbled.

  Alanna swayed slightly before tightening her grip on Danil’s chair.

  “Sit on the floor and take a breath.” Tony suggested.

  A few minutes later, Tony had brought more ration bars and coffee, with the group sprawled out in front of the prison cells. He glanced over at Alanna, but she remained resolutely silent, diligently chewing her way through a ration bar.

  “So congratulations on the…” Gregory paused, raising an eyebrow as Tony shook his head slightly. “On your safe return.” Gregory finished, bemused. “Don’t you want to know how your sweetheart’s doing?” He continued without pause.

  “He’s fine.” Tony said, casting a questioning look in Alanna’s direction.

  Alanna shrugged. They both knew Tony would have told her if he wasn’t. Just as they both knew she hadn’t asked.

  “Oh.” Gregory grinned. “Trouble in paradise? And here I thought you two…”

  “Ignore him.” Tony said.

  “Come on Alanna, tell Gregory all about it. I’ve got a sister that’s dying to hear all about the…”

  “Ignore him.” Tony repeated. “Please.”

  “Oh.” Gregory’s grin got bigger. “Look at that. She is pissed. Well, well, well. Still time to back out, girlie. Haven’t signed in blood yet.”

  Alanna frowned. “What is he talking about?”

  “Nothing. If you want me to say something to James…”

  “I don’t.” Alanna said shortly, going back to her ration bar. “It’s fine.”

  Gregory snorted. “She didn’t even ask if he was alive.”

  “Who’s James?” Danil asked. “And what did he do?”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Nothing.” Alanna repeated. “It’s fine.”

  Gregory and Tony exchanged a glance over her head, just before Captain Arden walked out of the prison cell and headed down the hallway towards them. She was wiping her hands with a wet towel as she walked, leaving red stains across its surface.

  “Hey captain.” Gregory called out. “You think when a woman says it’s fine, that means something different on Saraya?”

  The captain eyed the sorry group. “We’ve only been separated for two hundred years, gentlemen.” She said mildly. “It hasn’t been that long.”

  Gregory leaned his head against the back of the antigrav chair, laughing.

  “I see the doctor gave him the good drugs.” Captain Arden said with a slight smile. “Alanna, how are you feeling?”

  Alanna swallowed the last of her ration bar. “We’re here for the head.” She said.

  “Speak for yourself.” Gregory responded. “I’m here to ask the man a few questions. So’s my friend Sicaro here. Then you can have the head.”

  “I came to ask questions.” Danil offered.

  Captain Arden paused, momentarily distracted. “You may need some help.” She said. Half starved and shot twice, the Sarayan looked barely capable of lifting his own hands, let alone harming another.

  “I may need some help.” Danil admitted reluctantly.

  “Sicaro will help.” Gregory offered generously.

  “Alanna can help, can’t you?” Danil turned to Alanna, the only familiar face in a room full of alien strangers. It was their battle, after all. It was their monster. “It’s only a flesh wound.” He reminded her.

  Once again, Alanna turned to Tony. He was sitting by her side, sprawled out against the wall of the hallway outside the prison cells. Within easy reach. Sometime, somehow, the instinctive fear response she felt in his presence had faded. He was just there.

  “Your call.” He shrugged.

  “Not quite.” Captain Arden corrected him as everyone looked up. “I would like Alanna to ask him some questions.” The captain turned to face Alanna, her gaze surprisingly serious. “We found no explosives on the ship.” She said.

  Alanna flinched. “I’m sorry.” She said immediately. “I was wrong. I honestly thought…”

  “The president” The captain paused, giving full weight to her words “is not convinced you were wrong. We need more information. We need to understand why the Sarayan station was here, orbiting Titan. What were they waiting for?” She turned to Danil.

  “I don’t know.” Danil said, his eyes meeting the captain’s. “I don’t think any of us ever did. No one but Bernard.”

  “Which is, in and of itself, telling.” Tanya Arden turned back to Alanna. “What was so classified, that only one of the sixty plus man crew could know the purpose of their presence here? The president would like to know. And then, you can have the head.”

  Alanna sighed as her stomach lurched. She wanted more ginger tea.

  “You don’t have to go.” Tony spoke up. “Does she, captain? She’s served. She did what was promised. The mission is complete. She doesn’t owe you this.”

  Uncharacteristically, Captain Arden hesitated. “It is up to you.” She acknowledged finally, nodding to Alanna. “But we may not get what we need through torture alone. We’ve softened him up, left him desperate and alone. But now, to get to the truth, we need something else. You can give him a taste of home. For a desperate man, sometimes that’s enough.”

  “He’ll try to get inside your head.” Tony said, ignoring the captain. “You don’t need it. Let us ask the questions and get what we can get. We owe you his head.”

  “I won’t force you, Alanna.” Captain Arden said. “But we could use your help.”

  Alanna frowned, momentarily taken aback by the captain’s uncharacteristically soft tone. It was odd.

  “Let me ask James.” Tony offered.

  Alanna gritted her teeth stubbornly, getting up. “It’s not his call.” She said.

  “It’s not his call.” Captain Arden agreed, smiling slightly. “It’s yours. Take your time to decide, there’s no rush. Excuse me.” She added in response to a buzz on her wrist comm. “I need to take this. Let me know how it goes.”

  “You won’t need to let her know how it goes.” Tony said quietly, standing up and leaning towards Alanna to ensure she heard him, as the captain headed down the hallway.

  “All recorded?” Alanna asked, keeping her voice equally low as she sipped her coffee.

  “Yes. And he’ll say what he can to damage you. It’s not too late to back out.”

  “Get him.” Danil said, looking up at Alanna from his wheelchair. “Get him to betray his secrets and make a mistake, and make sure he knows what he’s done before he dies. Get him.”

  Tony sighed. And that, of course, was that.

  “Wait, wait a minute. Before she goes in, the man who took a stomach wound to rescue both your asses, would like to know why she’s mad at lover boy James. Focus Summers, what could our perfect James have possibly done wrong?”

  “Who’s James?” Danil asked in exasperation.

  “Shut up, kid.” Gregory said eloquently.

  “They could have just stayed on that shuttle.” Tony said unexpectedly. “Left you to wake up on the Sarayan station. And you were so looking forward to that. I could tell. You owe Gregory a lot. So come on, tell us what the hell your problem is.”

  Alanna sighed, finding herself less than thrilled by Gregory and Tony’s newfound friendship. “I’m not talking about…” She attempted one last time.

  “Can’t eat.” Gregroy said with some relish. “I get a special tube for it. Two weeks without real food.”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake.” Alanna growled in exasperation.

  “You can’t blame him for what his father did.” Tony said, ignoring the completely confused look Danil shot his way.

  “I know that. I would never blame him for that. Nothing that happened here was his fault.”

  Tony paused. “That’s what I was going to say.”

  “Well, I agree. It’s not his fault.”

  “Then why…”

  “Really? Really Tony, you can’t think of a reason? Maybe threatening to torture and kill people to get your way is considered endearing on Tundra?”

  “Who did he threaten?” Gregory asked, clearly entertained.

  “James said he would make sure every Sarayan on that station died if Alanna didn’t come back alive.” Tony said, speaking up without any reservations, his eyes on Alanna. “and he was right to say it.”

  “He was.” Gregory agreed. “One Tundran life.” He nodded to himself, as if that was the end of the matter.

  “Your life.” Tony echoed, looking at Alanna.

  “He was right.” Danil said unexpectedly, into the angry silence. “You would have gone first. And you would have died first. We needed you.”

  “You needed Aster.” Alanna said sharply, letting out some of her anger.

  “She was already dead.” Danil said. He turned to Tony. “Wasn’t she?”

  “Yes.” Tony nodded, in acknowledgement.

  “It was just…” Alanna began.

  “It wasn’t just her face.” Tony shook his head. “She had internal damage. She was already dead. But she wanted the gun.”

  Alanna closed her eyes. And Tony had pumped Aster full of enough pain killers and steroids to keep her going those last few moments. Until she died. She pushed herself off the wall. “Time to talk to Bernard.” She said. “No.” She shook her head, stopping Tony as he came to follow her. “Just me. I got this.”

  “We have a blow torch.” Gregory offered generously. “We can do things Sarayan style. Wouldn’t want you to… ugh, well that’s just disgusting.”

  Pale and slightly shaken, Alanna wiped her mouth as her stomach dry heaved, looking horrified. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I swear that’s never happened before.”

  Tony raised an eyebrow. “Well, it’s happened some.” He said mildly. “That tea the doc gave you, that was ginger tea?”

  “Yes.”

  “And your leg still hurts?”

  “She’s not getting the good drugs.” Gregory said, mostly to himself.

  “Head on a pike.” Danil murmured, ignoring the exchange as his eyes drooped from exhaustion.

  And for some reason, completely out of character, Alanna wanted to lean over and hug him. And then, even more uncharacteristically, she did. “I’m sorry.” She said quietly. “I’m sorry about Aster. I’m sorry about all of it.”

  “They fought and died for the honor of Bernard Bernhard.” Danil said, staring at her blearily, too tired and too weak to cry. “They really did.”

  “Yes. So did I, once. So did you.”

  “We weren’t given a choice.”

  “There’s always a choice.” Alanna said. And then she turned around and walked towards Bernard Bernhard.

  Tony reached out a hand to stop her. “You have a strategy?” He asked. He wouldn’t let her go in alone, angry and unprepared.

  “Sure I do. I’m going to go with my strengths.”

  “Mutiny?” Gregory asked in some confusion.

  “My other strength.” Alanna explained patiently.

  “Uh.” Gregory said doubtfully. “I’m not sure hurling on him’s gonna get the job done.”

  “You gonna make him mad?” Danil asked, forcing his eyes open.

  “Like I said, my other strength.” Alanna shot a surprisingly cheerful grin in Tony’s general direction before heading down the hallway.

  The cell door was left open. It didn’t matter. He was left on the floor, his broken legs a mangled mess partially hidden beneath the metal bunk attached to the wall. Captain Bernard Bernhard wasn’t going anywhere. His body was covered in blood, but his face was still intact. There was tradition behind that, Alanna knew. Tundrans and Sarayans both knew to leave the faces untouched. So that they could be recognized. So that friends, family and loved ones, all who knew that face, would know what was done, and to whom. It was important to put a face to the pain. And his eyes were there, the same familiar eyes she had seen all those years ago.

  “Captain Bernhard.” She said, sitting down on the floor across from him.

  “Whore.” He spit out, glaring up at her from his position on the floor.

  Alanna nodded. That was, of course, to be expected. “Hey Tony?” She called out, smiling when he was there before she finished saying those two short words. “Help Captain Bernhard sit up, will you? I want us to talk face to face.”

  There was no better backup than Tony Sicaro. He played his role perfectly, propping Bernard up against the wall. There was no intent to cause pain, but any movement to those broken, mangled legs and flesh would be excruciating. Without a word, Tony nodded to Alanna, and left the cell.

  “I was where you were.” Alanna offered quietly. “Just a little while ago. In a cell just like this one.”

  “Traitor.” Bernhard spit in her general direction. And then, through the haze of pain and futility, he finally saw her, in her Tundran uniform, with those lieutenant commander stripes on her sleeves. And then he laughed. The pain was excruciating, but it was worth it. Worth the pain for her to know what he thought of her. “And now you’re playing to their tune.” He said, his voice low and harsh.

  “So I am.” Alanna agreed. “Would you like to know why?”

  “I know why.” He whispered.

  “Oh, you do?” Alanna smiled. “Tell me.”

  “You have no loyalty, no home, no family. Used by everyone before you’re tossed aside to die. You are nothing. You will always be nothing.” He laughed again, laughed in sheer joy at being able to tell her what she needed to hear, one more time. There wasn’t much time left.

  Alanna nodded. “I can tell you a story.” She offered. “I can tell you a story, or we can bring the Tundrans back in. It’s up to you.”

  He glared at her, hatred so strong she could almost feel it, a force against her skin. But not as strong as hers. Alanna smiled. And waited. The silence stretched on. “You don’t want to ask?” She spread out her hands, signaling weakness. “That’s all right. I’ll tell you anyway. I want to. You see, he waited.” She smiled again, seeing the confusion in his eyes as he looked back at her. “I was a POW in a cell just like this one, and he waited.” In spite of herself, her smile softened, became more real. “He waited for me. Like no one ever had. And…”

  “And just like that, you betrayed everything.” Bernard said. “For a man who made the token effort of spending a few nights with you. Imagine how pathetically desperate he thought you were, to give everything up for that. Hell.” He looked her up and down, sitting slightly straighter in spite of the pain. “He may have even enjoyed it.”

  “I know you believe that.”

  “You believe it, too. Deep down. You know it as well as I do. You know they used you. Taking a station, my station. Oh yes, I’m sure you were worth his time.” He leaned forward. “They will toss you aside. The second you are no longer useful, they will toss you aside. And then you will be back here, just where I am. Because when someone looks like you, they don’t just kill. Oh no. That” he shook his head “that would be a waste.”

  “I know you believe it.” Alanna said again.

  “You don’t just believe it.” Bernard said, his intensity increasing. “You know. You know the truth. You will always know, until truth becomes reality.”

  Alanna shook her head, still smiling slightly. “I think he loves me.” She said. “I really do.”

  Bernard stared at her for one long moment, before leaning his head back against the wall, finally looking away from her. “You’re fucking with me. Even you are not that stupid.”

  Alanna grinned, green eyes flashing with satisfaction. “You got me.” She admitted.

  “Did you really think I would tell you what you need to know? Whore.” He shook his head, dismissively. “Maybe they’ll have you suck my cock next. Tell them I’ll be more cooperative after that. Go on. Tell your new masters. See what they say.”

  “Bernard.” Alanna said, eyes wide and guileless. “If you truly believe the Tundrans are using me, then tell me why the station is here. Tell me what needs to be done to finish the job. Don’t you believe it?”

  “Of course I believe it. So do you.”

  “Then tell me.” Alanna said. “Because you, of all people, know just how vicious I can be.”

  “It was you.” He whispered.

  “Oh yes, it was me.”

  “Eight dead.”

  “I missed one.” Alanna said. “And you know how rarely I miss, Bernard. I won’t miss this time.” And then, very slowly, her smile got even bigger. “After all, I’m not you.”

  “I didn’t miss!” He shouted, straining his hoarse voice to the breaking point.

  “You did.” Alann laughed in his face. “A flesh wound. A flesh wound, Bernard. How pathetic. I’ll be fully healed in a day. While you, well, if you’re very unfortunate, you might still be here in a day.”

  “Listen.” He shook his head. “Just for a minute, whatever else happens, listen to me you crazy bitch. There is something on that station. There was something on that station! I never missed! I don’t miss. Something stopped me from making that shot. Something stopped me from… from…”

  “From what?”

  “From what I was meant to do.”

  “What were you meant to do?”

  “To end the war! To end your existence, to end everything, everything you will ever fight for, everything you could ever be. You chose the wrong side, whore. We are coming for you, and we will destroy it all. Not even my death will stop it. Nothing will stop it. Saraya will have her revenge.”

  “And if the Tundrans betray me? If they use me and throw me away, as you know they will? Will you give me my chance at revenge? Tell me how.”

  Bernard just stared at her.

  “If they toss me aside, I’ll do it.” She whispered. “I won’t tolerate betrayal. I’ll watch them all burn. You and me, Bernard. Who knows, maybe you’ll live long enough to see it.”

  “No.” He shook his head, the rage spent. “You won’t. You will serve your masters well, until they toss you aside. That’s all you are. That’s all you ever were. Look at you. That’s what you were made for.”

  Alanna turned as a shadow came across her peripheral vision. “Our turn.” Tony said shortly, holding out his hand to help her off the floor.

  Alanna hesitated. But looking into Bernard’s eyes, she knew Tony was right. There was nothing more she could do.

  “Get your ginger tea, Summers.” Gregory said as his hover chair came closer. “We’re bringing out the blow torch.”

  “They don’t have a pike, but I heard we can use a pipe.” Danil said, his voice surprisingly strong, his eyes bright with anticipation.

  “We.” Alanna said. “We don’t have a pike.” Turning around without a backwards glance, she walked away.

  ---

  Megalodon city, Officer of the President, Standard Year 404 after founding

  Samantha Hawk walked out of her car, flanked by six members of the Tundran Secret Service, their cold eyes scanning the crowd of journalists as she made her way towards the restricted section of the Office of the President. Pausing briefly, she smiled her cool, confident smile, giving the photographers their moment before heading on inside. The heavily shielded doors closed behind her as she walked on. She didn’t visit her husband at his office often, but she knew the way. No one in their right mind would have stopped her.

  The secretary was already there, waiting for her. Without a word, he stood up to hold the door open for her as she walked in, leaving the six members of the Tundran Secret Service waiting in the comfortably appointed lobby.

  “He’s engaged.” Samantha repeated as she walked in, seamlessly continuing the conversation they had begun over the phone. And then, to Jim Hawk’s surprise, she came up and hugged him. “Finally.” She said with a laugh. “Let’s just hope it sticks this time.”

  “You don’t mind?” He asked, somewhat cautiously.

  “Mind? For god’s sake Jim, the man is nearly thirty. At his current rate of progress, he’ll die before…” Samantha Hawk paused, taking a step back to look at her husband’s face. “Jim.” She said searchingly, looking her husband in the eye. “Is there anything you need to tell me?”

  “I’ll make you some tea.” Jim Hawk turned around, walking away briefly. “You read her file?” He asked as he walked back, steaming cup in hand.

  “Of course. And long before James announced the engagement. His interest was obvious, although I never imagined…” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I was surprised, that he would do this so quickly, without speaking with us. Did he ever mention it to you?”

  “Ah, not as such, no.”

  “Jim.”

  “Yes, Sam?”

  “Is there anything you need to tell me?” Samantha Hawk repeated.

  Jim Hawk sighed, and embraced reality. “Lieutenant commander Summers is on Titan, on a mission for the Tundran military. She’s serving on Captain Arden’s ship. And she’s done well. We will have some good news to share with the press.” The blinding smile of approval on his wife’s face left him intensely relieved, that he had chosen to heed Robert’s advice.

  “Have I told you recently, how amazing you are?” Samantha asked.

  “I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

  She laughed. “Jim, you are amazing, truly. Is it enough?”

  “Is it enough to erase the stain of her being a Sarayan who served on Titan? On the wrong side?” Jim Hawk asked. “What do you think?”

  “It’s enough for me.”

  “Is it really?”

  “If she’s loyal? Of course. What does Tanya say?”

  “Tanya likes her.” Jim Hawk admitted. “She will offer her a place on the Gray Serpent.”

  Samantha’s eyes narrowed slightly. “To get her away from James.”

  “Yes.”

  “I see. It is, of course, entirely her choice.”

  “Yes.”

  “Her reputation must be repaired, regardless.” Samantha continued, laser focused. “Her association with the Hawks is a matter of public record, it cannot be erased.”

  “Agreed. Repairing Alanna’s reputation is paramount. I have spoken to Tanya on this point as well. We must all stay on message. She is not a traitor, Saraya renounced her before she renounced them. She is a capable commander. Her victories on Titan will forever be a testament to that.”

  “Her victories?” Samantha asked curiously.

  “Yes. She led the forty three.”

  “The ones that took the Tundran ship. On Titan.” Sam smiled. And then she laughed. Yes, Alanna Summers was exactly her son’s type. “And this time?” She asked.

  “We took the Sarayan station on Titan. Not a single Tundran life was lost.”

  “Her victories.” Samantha repeated. “And the third? There must always be a third, Jim.”

  “She got the civilian miners of D12 home, alive. Arguably, the surrender was a means to an end.”

  “A rather complicated concept.”

  “If she must have a third victory, that is the only one she has.”

  “Is it?”

  “She sat on D12 for years without doing a whole lot, as far as I can tell.” Jim Hawk shrugged dismissively.

  “She won over James.” Samantha said gently. “The greatest victory of all.”

  Jim Hawk paused, considering. “We are not entirely objective.” He noted.

  “You will find Tundra agrees with me.”

  Jim considered. “Not a traitor, two victories on Titan, and my son.”

  “That’s the message.”

  “And her loyalty? How do we convince people of that?”

  “Loyalty is given and earned over time. Nothing but time will heal that wound.”

  “Very well.” Jim Hawk agreed. “I will let the others know.”

  “You don’t approve.” Samantha noted, watching her husband closely.

  “I hate it.” He said bluntly. “I despise everything about this, everything about her.” He paused, before he could say more. His office was swept for listening devices every morning. But one never knew. The safest path was to simply say nothing. So, he left the words unsaid, knowing his wife would understand. Alanna Summers was a traitor. She would always be a traitor. And it was very likely she would destroy his son’s life.

  “You will not harm her.” Samantha Hawk said, her steely gray eyes turning cold.

  “I will not harm her.” Jim Hawk agreed.

  “Very good.” Samantha got up, dusting off her skirt with a graceful gesture. “We can speak more when you get home.” She was on her way towards the door when she paused, turning around. “I wondered, how did she earn her promotion?”

  “What?” Jim Hawk asked, his eyes sliding away from his wife’s sharp gaze.

  “Her promotion. She was a Sarayan lieutenant. She is now a Tundran lieutenant commander. And you don’t hand out promotions lightly. Surely, it wasn’t for her accomplishments on D12. Should we not mention the victory that led to her promotion?”

  “That’s classified.”

  ---

  The doctor made her more ginger tea and released her. Cup still in hand, Alanna limped stiffly back to her bunk. Picking up the civilian clothes Clara brought for her, what seemed like ages ago, she limped over to the communal showers, nodding to one of the female crew members as she passed by. The woman nodded back at her. And then she winked, giving her a thumbs up. Alanna frowned in confusion. Was this all because of their victory on Titan? It struck her as odd. But then, she didn’t really understand Tundrans. Perhaps she never would. Leaving her clothes within line of sight, even though she risked getting them somewhat damp from the spray, Alanna turned on the glorious Tundran shower and let it wash the smell of pain, fear, and disgust off her skin. What was in her head could not be washed off. It would be there forever. But every little bit helped. A long while later, she put on her slightly damp civilian clothing and walked back out. All she wanted was to curl up in her bed and shut out the world. For as long as possible.

  “Lieutenant commander.” The captain’s distinct voice came from behind her, causing Alanna to start in surprise. “I’m having dinner in my quarters shortly. Please join me.”

  Alanna cocked her head, somewhat confused by that please, as well as the invitation to the captain’s private quarters. “Yes, captain.” She said automatically.

  “I would appreciate it if you continued to wear your uniform, Alanna. It’s important. For all of us.” The captain added, her tone once again surprisingly soft.

  “Yes, captain.” Alanna repeated, watching Tanya Arden walk away. If she was perfectly honest with herself, she rather wished Tony was still around, to act as a buffer between her and the captain. But presumably, Tony was still busy. Changing back into her uniform, she reluctantly asked for directions to the Captain’s quarters and knocked on the door, hesitant and unsure of what to expect.

  “Come in.” The captain called out, smiling warmly at Alanna as she walked in.

  Once again, Alanna found the response odd. Did one victory mean so much to these people? Were her actions on Titan truly enough to erase all her sins? Why was everyone suddenly being so very warm and welcoming? She glanced around cautiously. The table and chairs were reminiscent of what she had seen in James’s quarters, that first day she spent on the Black Hawk. The layout was the same, and the furniture was similar. But there the similarities ended. While James’s quarters had been impersonal and austere, Captain Arden’s quarters were clearly lived in, comfortable. Soft velvet cushions lay on both chairs. A silvery blue quilt covered the bed, glittering like snow in the soft light. Just like the captain’s office, there were pictures of her family, the smiles of her husband and children glowing with warmth. Alanna sat on the edge of the chair, uncertain and uncomfortable in the unfamiliar surroundings.

  “Please eat.” The captain gestured at the food in front of them, real food this time. After the briefest of pauses, Alanna dug in, realizing that she was absolutely starved. It was another dish of fish, mushrooms and rice, this one in a delicate sauce of tomatoes and spices that exploded on her tongue. It was absolutely delicious. Uncharacteristically, Alanna focused on her food, devouring everything on her plate while the captain waited patiently.

  “I will see if we can get you some more.” Captain Arden said when Alanna finished every last crumb on her plate. “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel great.” Alanna said, sitting back in her chair.

  “Good. And thank you again for your help, with Captain Bernhard. You were able to get more out of him than anyone else.”

  “You saw the recording?” Alanna asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

  “I did.”

  “I suppose it’s going to the president, as well.” Alanna said, without much enthusiasm.

  “Under the circumstances? Yes. Do you think he was telling the truth?”

  “About what?”

  A look of bemusement crossed the captain’s face momentarily. “About the death and destruction of Tundra. I think you will find that to be the main area of focus.”

  “I think he believed it.”

  “The Sarayan station orbiting Titan was there to do… something. Something that would cause death and destruction on Tundra.” Captain Arden said, her eyes sliding over to the wall of photographs over her bed. Six children, two of them married, four grandchildren, and two more on the way. All carving out their precarious existence on an icy planet where humans were never meant to tread. The end of everything, Bernard had said. His words strongly implying, that the threat was not yet gone. “There is something on that planet.” She said quietly. “Something on Titan, that is a threat to all of us.”

  “They didn’t need explosives on the station.” Alanna said quietly, staring at her empty plate. “There’s something on the planet itself. You have to keep Sarayans away from Titan.” She said, looking up at the captain with renewed intensity. “Place sensors all around the planet. Leave your ships. Keep them away. Keep them away at all costs.”

  Captain Arden nodded, smiling slightly at the “them” that came out so naturally. “We will of course try.” She agreed.

  Alanna stared at her empty plate as her mind raced. “They were going to send a signal.” She said slowly. “That’s how Bernard jammed our comms. Not just long distance, but short distance comms. Tony and I stood right next to each other and yet the signal would not get through. Imagine the power that took. That station’s communications array had been modified to send stronger, more powerful signals. To send them… somewhere.”

  “Somewhere on Titan?” Captain Arden asked.

  “Probably. There’s nothing else here. But it’s not just this station.” Alanna continued, her carefully negotiated right not to disclose classified military information long forgotten. “Captain Mace, on D12, did something unusual with communications as well. He sent out a signal using morse code. And it got through. The Black Hawk was jamming our signals, but the morse code got through. No audio, or video, of course, but short and long bursts, such a simple way to communicate. The message went through by brute power and force.”

  “Other Sarayan stations and ships may have the capability to do – whatever it was Bernard was there to do.” Captain Arden said.

  “Yes.” Alanna agreed, swallowing her fear. Bernard would soon be dead. But his legacy would live on inside her head, if nowhere else. There was something on Titan. And unless they found it, fear of it would haunt her until the day she died.

  “You’ve done well.” Captain Arden said, changing the subject smoothly. She had what she needed. She doubted Alanna knew any more than that.

  “Thank you.” Alanna said, her tone cautious. In her experience, praise from senior officers was rare. And even when given, it was only paving the way for something far, far worse.

  “No need to thank me. It was well earned. Alanna, I think you know that the end of your time on the Black Hawk, James Hawk provided you with his recommendation. For asylum. I want you to know, I have done the same. More than that, I would like to formally extend my commendation for your service and bravery in the line of duty. James Hawk’s motives were not entirely pure. Mine are. And if you want a place on my ship, on my crew, you have it.”

  Alanna stared at the captain, in complete shock. “You could have court martialed me.” She blurted out.

  “I know. But victory is all. Your results on this mission were admirable. You’ve earned the trust and respect of my crew. And I am not so prideful as to hold your independence against you. Not as long as you continue to win.”

  “I… I don’t know what to say.” Alanna looked at the captain in utter confusion. The turn of events was unforeseeable, incomprehensible.

  “No need to say anything, if you don’t wish to. The offer will be there for as long as you need it. I won’t make you decide today.” Captain Arden hesitated, her tone turning more delicate. “I don’t know your views on James Hawk. No one does, no one can. The situation is… complicated. But you should know, it is not only James Hawk standing between you and an order of execution. You have a place here, on my ship, that is entirely separate from him. Whatever choice you make, it should be your own.”

  “Thank you, captain.” Alanna said with utter sincerity. “Thank you.” She repeated. “And I can think about it?”

  “Of course. Take your time.” Tanya Arden smiled, her eyes once again falling to the photos of her husband, her children, her family.

  “And my loyalty?” Alanna asked suddenly, studying captain Arden closely. “Will you trust my loyalty? Or will you always question and wonder? Doubt me every time I go into Sarayan territory?”

  Tanya Arden sighed, nothing but kindness in her bright, confident blue eyes. “Alanna, you are still so very young. You make friends and allies wherever you go. It may seem alien today but in time, whether it’s with James Hawk or someone else, you will make Tundra your home. You will have children. And when you see them, playing in the green moss in front of your apartment, swinging in the park, hiking among the mushrooms under the stars, no one will doubt your loyalty, least of all you.” And suddenly, unexpectedly, those kind blue eyes turned so cold, Alanna felt it in her very bones. “And if you see them come to harm, if you see them die, you will find those Sarayan lives mean less than nothing. And you will watch every one of them burn and turn to ash, for what they have done.”