Mikkaill sat listening to the music of an old Eastern Perdoxxian composer by the name of Josechh. The small disc, perhaps 3 inches across, held several selections of the man's music. Of all things Perdoxxian, Mik couldn't help but admire the music. This disc was something he'd picked up along with the gifts he brought back for Bliss and children. His own singular indulgence. The fact was, as the Legion Leader he did not need to do his own "shopping." He'd arranged in advance for certain things to be acquired and made sure when he flew over that he'd brought the necessary trade items. Several small things, toys for the children and other discs he'd wanted were damaged or insufficiently manufactured to meet his specifications.
As he listened, or looked to be listening, what he was really doing was thinking. There was much to think about.
The awareness that Annie was going to be a sizable factor in his life was strongly before him. He hadn't talked to Ric about that yet. There had been many other concerns to deal with. He knew Riane was well, now, but not all the details of what had happened to her. He knew Mennth might pose a problem. Information went in, but didn't always come out. Carterr wasn't much different. He knew too that they didn't like being what they were conscripted to be -- the roles they were being asked to fill did not suit them. He would find others, but there were few he trusted like he had trusted Metcaff and Crowwe.
When he was young he never would have believed that he would have cared for his Shadows. Rangers were not Shadows and Mik well knew that. Shadows were trained to be out of sight unless they were being bodyguards. They were trained in disguise and they were good at what they did. Rangers were trained not to be seen. "Hide in plain sight" was the Shadow's motto. "Don't be in sight" was more the Ranger's.
He didn't like that Mennth was being a Shadow. The Rangers approached Shadowing with a heavy hand and the Shadows clearly were beginning to resent that Rangers were doing their job. As if they couldn't be trusted. He heard the murmuring. Funny that Mik didn't like Mennth's being a "pseudo-shadow" when it was Mik who'd chosen Mennth for the job. Friends close, enemies closer? Mennth wasn't really an enemy ... really.
Mik laughed softly as he sat in his chair with the headphones on from his small CD player. Riane had retooled an old one for him that the Legion Acquisition Officers had scavenged with some other junk. Somehow, the kid had made it work. But then she was good that way. The music pounded in his head. Long ago he discovered the louder it was, the more it helped him think. Something like white noise. Though, with the classical composing style of Josechh, there were themes and threads to follow in the music.
Ric gave him a mental shove. The bleed over was heavy.
A sigh slipped from his lips and he clamped down on that connection between himself and Ric which had been buzzing since he'd gotten home. Then Mik smiled as he leaned forward in his desk chair. He physically turned the volume down and slid the headphones off his head.
There was much to do in the city. Many ways in which the information that 'came across his desk' --though not in literal paper form-- could be used.
Bliss' big plans for the day were nearly complete. Just a simple trip to the hospital to make sure the supplies were delivered as she ordered. She was happy to learn that Ace and Zoe had finally had their baby. She left them a note, planning to visit once they'd both gotten a decent amount of rest. She headed for the door of NRMH. She wanted to get some frosting on those cupcakes she'd made for desert before Mik came home for lunch. Chocolate frosting on chocolate cupcakes...she made plans to save some of the frosting for other things.
Mik reviewed his list of 'to-do's' for the day. Lunch with Bliss was circled in bright red in his head. He checked his chrono. Damn. It was going to be a later lunch than he had hoped.
With any luck, Mik considered, going over other parts of his list ... talk to Macy about Somersbyy, set up that police force (that was going to be fun!)... he would make it a *very* long lunch. Maybe he wouldn't even go back to work that day.
Still, first things first.
It was unfortunate that the Garrison didn't have it's own Elliot, Mik thought. He had his office computer tapped into E5 - the Messenger - the Elliot Series computer on one of Sabatt's moons. But the Messenger was clearly insane and Mik was the only one who talked to E5. The Sea of Hope installation maintained it's sat connection with E5 just so Mik could talk to the Messenger when *he* wanted. Sometimes, E5 even left him little notes. But it would be a long time before the degraded computer could be restored to proper data and retrieval -- if ever.
Mik typed out a message to the Messenger. But E5 was being pouty and wouldn't answer. He closed his connection. Let E5 stew over that a while. Mik got up and left his office with now word to his secretary. He was headed for the motor pool to see if Riane, who had been working on several things at once there since early morning, knew where Macy was today.
He strolled through the Garrison, more proud of the place almost daily -- except for the incident in the Stables he'd heard rumor about. Gonna have to keep an eye on the stable loft if soldiers thought they could take their ... koff... recreation there.
For a moment he couldn't recall if he'd turned off his CD player before he left his office.
The soldiers in question were good at hiding their tracks, however. There was no evidence to back up the rumor -- thus the reasoning behind calling it a rumor. However, most rumors like that were more likely to be true than not. What was a Commander to do with the men and women in green who couldn't keep their hands off one another? He smiled. Probably, in the end, nothing after all.
As Mik descended the stairs to the ground floor and walked toward the motor pool he happened to pass the gymnasium and look in. Liquid gold. The flash caught his eye. No need to go to the motorpool and disturb the girl when here, unexpectedly, was the woman he sought.
==
Doc Hollidayy was in the maternity ward checking up on his latest of patients, infant Thaddeus 'dear-Gods-you-poor-child, thought Doc' Williams Doc was listening to the baby's heart and respiration. He seemed to be a strong child -- as if he'd sucked most of the life out of his poor mother. Joy was sleeping. She'd been sleeping and sleeping -- so much that Williams seemed afraid she'd not wake up. Doc tried to reassure him. Didn't seem to help much.
"Ah hope they don't call ya Thad for short, son," Doc told the baby as he lifted and turned him. Thaddeus eyes were still that baby blue-gray all children seemed born with. He was curious to see how they'd be when they changed.
"Otherwise you'll get the crap beat outta you daily," Doc chuckled and settled Thaddeus back into the bassinet.
"Ah know how that can be," he leaned in closer as the baby's eyes focused on him. The child was practically bald, tiny whisps of no-color hair on it's head. "Ah do, yes ah do," and Doc was reduced to babbling like a foolish adult always does in the presence of an infant.
Later, he'd be glad Marsh wasn't around to see it.
==
Varenn was not in her hospital bed. She was beside it, sitting in her wheelchair in deference to her orders. She was also looking at her chart, something she was not supposed to be doing. Why, she didn't know. It was her health damn them. She had a right to know.
Patient exhibits some memory disturbances as expected, in particular with the short-term. These symptoms appear to be reducing in severity and at the current rate should be largely gone in a week or so.
Patient progressing well with large-motor skills, a little more slowly with small-motor and fine movements...
She knew that. She could walk and talk without much trouble. It was a little trickier to hold a fork or writing instrument, however. Some connections in her brain had been cut, so they told her, and it would take a little time for a 'reconnect.' That was the oversimplified explanation anyway.
Varenn set down the chart. Wheeled herself over to the open doorway so she could look out. Why was she in a wheelchair? She didn't know. She looked down at the contraption. Nothing wrong with my legs, right?
Normally, Colin would be watching over Varenn, but he was ... on break, yeah that's where he was. So the "great Shadow Shuffle" was in effect.
Doctors were so strange. She stood up. See? What was the problem? Better to be on your feet. You never knew when those Nukes might show up, they'd been active lately with...No. That wasn't right.
Varenn scowled at herself. Though the nurse passing by might have thought it was directed at her.
It was a good thing the nurse walking by Varenn was Estelle. Doc would have made good trade to see the look on Estelle's face.
Varenn didn't care. She was walking, albeit slowly...no wait. She turned back to the nurse. "Hey. What date is it today?"
The nurse responded promptly, which no doubt Varenn would forget in 10 minutes anyway...
"Thank you. You got a pen?" She was a little more harsh than she needed to be perhaps. She was reaching out a hand. Give, give.
Estelle had to check the chart ... she was an ultimate pain in the ass ... but this wasn't a psych patient. "Sure. Do you need paper too?" Not a psych patient, but she was almost acting like one.
"Nope. Just a pen." Before I forget again.
Estelle was wondering if the pen was going to wind up in her throat, but she handed it over, reluctantly.
Varenn nodded curtly and began writing on the inside of her own forearm. Today is... And you are at... She'd be good until she washed her arm. Then she handed the pen back. "Thank you." And if that happened every day, then Varenn would know what day it was-really was-every day. The perfect system, until she recovered!
The nurse took the pen back and said, "Remember, walk slowly and if you need help just tell Elliot." Though the Seventh floor was notorious for Elliot Breakdowns. Key people in the Union knew why Elliot often lost audio and visual pickup on 7... and so far had let it slide.
Who is Elliot? Oh. Computer. "I will." Off she shuffled, moving slowly. When she passed the nurse's station, she reached over and stole a pen. She had a feeling she'd be needing to keep one.
What else do I know? They removed the chip...
Mik has been here to see me.
Mennth was no where to be *seen* in the hospital today, though that didn't mean Mennth wasn't there. And it didn't mean Mennth wasn't watching for things Mennth was supposed to be watching for ... but would Varenn even remember that she had thought she'd seen the Demmish Mennth if she saw the Sabattann Mennth? Varenn would undoubtedly think Mennth was the Demmish Mennth each and every time, no matter what she was told. At least for a while.
Demmish Mennth? What is MENNTH doing here?
Something else to write on her arm. Maybe some paper wouldn't be a bad idea. Varenn made her way down to hydroponics. It was not written on her arm that she could not go. She was sitting quietly.
==
Lucas was at the Garrison in weapons storage. Checking over some new weapons that had come in. Luc shoulda been in pretty good spirits. New rifles in front of him, better yet he'd be seeing Riane today (was going to make sure of that)... Instead, he was brooding. Running his hand over and over his chin.
Beneath Luc's fingertips, the first flaw in one of the weapons made itself known before his eyes saw it or his brain registered it. He rubbed a callused index finger along it. Not safe to shoot, a replacement part was needed. With a mutter, he took the rifle over to a workbench.
Lucas was bent over his work. Fine work, small parts, even smaller screws and attachments. The offending part was chucked into the scrap pile.
Should I have gone to Y'tallishh? Stayed there? He'd asked Erikk last night.
And done what? Where would you be right now if you had? Erikk had replied.
With my Dad, for one thing.
Your father wanted you to do what made you happy. To do what was right in your heart.
Lucas was still reliving the little argument in his head. Scowling over his work.
You would have missed out on Riane, Erikk had said after a while.
Gods, Lucas hated it when Erikk was right.
"Jerk," Lucas muttered. To who? Good question. He spun on his heel and headed out. And now Lucas was walking double time down the halls. Straight for the motor pool, without conscious thought.
==
Macy was working out in the Garrison's gym. Her concussion and subsequent stay at the hospital ... and restricted activity for 'recovery' had taken an expected toll. Expected, but that didn't mean she was satisfied. Her endurance ... or lack thereof ... was far from satisfactory to Mace. She had so much to do; no time to be out of the game. She planned to go climbing 'the rock' again soon and didn't want Zane to think he needed to take special precautions on her behalf. She'd heard a vague rumor about Jake and she wanted to be able to pursue it -- if Mik allowed her to.
Then there was Riane ... She was beginning to think that no matter how 'in shape' she was, keeping up with the dangerous situations her daughter found was an effort in futility -- but that didn't mean her Mom would ever stop trying to protect her.
Macy pushed herself, intending to force her muscles to respond, and later rebuild. She felt her arms and legs starting to get the shakes and knew she was reaching her limit. This was better. No dizziness; She was out of breath, but it felt good to be able to push.
Mik saw young Corporal Lucas D'Ralekk pass the corridor's end. He knew where he was headed by instinct and smiled slightly. Riane was his daughter by blood and genes, but he was uncle in practicality to her. Ric had to handle the father part. Mik had his own kids to think of. But he felt for Lucas. While in Demm, He had heard the news about the Easternmost Province in Demm... Y'tallishh; the one that bled over into Perdoxx. The one where Boyle and his men were stationed. Stationed. He snorted softly. Hiding out was more accurate. Hiding from Sidd's wrath.
He was supposed to have made contact with the Provincial Governor of Y'tallishh while there and did not -- or rather wasn't able to as it turned out. The word he'd heard was rumor, mostly. Rumor that the Province had lost its key leaders. They hadn't died, but rather they'd disappeared. Vanished without significant traces. It was significant to him that he had not been able to get word through while in Demm. He had no doubts that word would come his way when it was safe. He prayed the One that those he cared for were in deed safe.
Since arriving home, Mik kept trying to check into the validity of the news. It worried him some. His feelings for the Y'tallishh leader went deep. She was family. Word had not been confirmed yet -- it was difficult enough getting in and out of there these days with Boyle's men swarming everywhere. Mik wondered if it could ever really BE confirmed. Of those in New Rydynn, Erikk Daria had known of this for some time. He'd passed along word to Lucas just the other night. At least, that was the word so far. Mik expected it was true. It was part and parcel of how Ric's ex had handled things in her life.
Mik stood in the gymnasium doorway and let the thoughts of Y'tallishh slough away. He was pleased to see Macy using the gym. The soldiers used it often, though most in their off hours. Right now, was the prime time of day when the civilian families of soldiers would make use of it. Sort of an open door policy to those living in the confines of the Garrison itself.
===
How did Lucas know she was in the motor pool? Educated guess, or some deeper instinct, call it what you want. He knew. He found himself in the doorway looking around.
Riane was *always* in the motor pool. It's where she worked most of the time when she was here, and she'd recently gotten herself a small design desk; built one on her own out of spare parts.
All throughout the talks with Erikk, Luc's emotions hadn't gotten the better of himself. Right now they were pretty close to the surface. Sandy eyes scanned...and settled on her form with something like relief.
Riane was tinkering and designing today, which meant she was mostly clean. Her golden brown hair was loose because she didn't have to keep it out of oil. Two sets of gunmetal gray-blue eyes were intent upon their focus.
Riane was glad the depression had passed. She felt immensely better than she had over the last month. There had been a week where she had even begged off her regular 'visit' with Lucas because she didn't want him to see her so utterly and completely down.
The ground seemed more solid beneath him as he moved towards her. He didn't announce himself until he was closer. "Ri."
She and Ric both had gone through something of an 'anniversary depression' associated with the accident that had taken his legs and scarred her hand. But it had been worse that one week. Seemed like they all had suffered. Taggart and Shiloh cried and cried for hours on end and wouldn't stop. Riane, and Ric too, knew mostly because they could feel it -- every tear, every body-shuddering sob. Shioh had even gotten ill. And Johann was only now recovered from his fever.
Abruptly it had all stopped... Ric said it was because Mik came home. Riane didn't think that was it.
She turned her head to look up and a big, warm smile broke upon her face like the suns coming out. "Lucas," she set down her work, taking only a moment or two to make sure small tools wouldn't roll away.
Her smiled warmed him, inside and out. He'd been so concerned for her these past weeks. Was so glad to see her better. "Hey. I know you're working. I'm supposed ta be. I just figured...
"I needed to see you," he finished, a little more quietly.
Riane stood then and wrapped her arms around Lucas' waist. She hugged hard. Her cheek pressed against his chest. She didn't speak, at first.
No more words for him. His arms wound around her and he held on tight. His chin settled atop her head. Thank you. It felt like he could breathe again.
Riane just held on, but she couldn't help smiling. Gods it was so good not to feel like she was going to die anymore. The thoughts she'd dealt with that week had been worse than anything she'd ever considered before. She prayed to the One and all the 'Nykk gods she could name -- if that would help -- that she would never go through that again.
When he did speak again, it came out in a rush.
"Missed you, missed you so much. You all right? Doing better? You look good. Really good, Ri." His own problems had been shifted to a back corner of his mind.
"I'm good," Ri said, her eyes closed until she really heard the way his voice uttered the words and really listened to how his heart beat and his breathing went. She looked up at him. Her bright smile eased into a comfortable glow of pleasure at seeing him. "I'm good. Don't worry 'bout me. I'm sorry I told ya not to come ... I just couldn't see you. I couldn't see anyone. I couldn't even talk to Dad. But it's okay. It's gone now. I'm good."
His hands rubbed up and down and across her back. "S'all right. You did what you felt you had to, Riane." He looked at her steadily, flecks of gray appearing in his sanded eyes. "Just glad to hear you're okay now." He'd been worried for her, that much was certain. He wouldn't burden her with that, though. Didn't want her to feel bad.
Riane brushed her fingers over his cheek. She looked at him for a long time. How could he be thirteen and so unlike Daimonn? Why did she compare them? Reassurance perhaps. Telling herself she had good instincts and she should trust them. "I don't know how I knew, but I knew you'd understand."
Whatever thoughts or words were coming next were interrupted. What do you do when you're looking at a beautiful face like that? He brought his hand around, cupped her chin and kissed her.
Why she hadn't expected it wasn't clear, but she gasped a little as Luc's lips closed on hers and it took a moment before she kissed him back. But she did and she tightened her arms around him more. She wanted to ask if he was okay because she really did want to know; really cared. But this ... it took her breath away.
It sent a jolt through him and he might have gasped too. Gods that felt good. She felt good. He nearly forgot he was on duty, and that she was working. That they were right in the middle of the motor pool. Maybe some of the emotion he felt was coming through in the kiss too.
Riane had the gut feeling that something was wrong, but she got the message too that what he needed from her was simply her. To be ... just to be. She'd be for him, with him. Until he could talk about it and even if he couldn't.
The kiss deepened a bit and she was going to flow along with it. She had the vague feeling she ought to be ... somehow different. Somehow affected by what she'd been through before this, before Luc. Then the thought, with the surge in her blood, passed away.
He broke it with some regret....
Breathing was a different dynamic on one's own than when one was kissing someone. There was silence as she tried to catch her breath.
Indeed. He breathed in deeply and smoothed his hand over the side of her face. It had affected him, obviously. More than he would have liked, right here in the middle of the motor pool. He wished he wasn't on duty now. Desperately.
Again that vague feeling wanted to spring up ... the flutter of the need to apologize dusted her brain, but she wouldn't let it. She covered his hand and smiled.
He couldn't think of a thing to say that wouldn't sound silly just then. So he only smiled back. When he shifted as he stood there, he tried not to make it too obvious. Finally, a few words came. "Can I see you after? Not sure when I'll be done but..."
Riane's head started bobbing 'yes' before he finished his question. "I'll find you if you don't find me." She felt ... funny ... and she didn't quite know what to do with the feeling. She couldn't stop looking at him.
"Okay. Dinner, I could get us dinner." He wasn't moving. Wasn't leaving. Damn. He needed to talk to her, very much too, about what had happened, but he wasn't sure how to even say that.
"Give me a shove, will ya? I can't move." He started laughing.
Riane smiled and it was a smile that let her be both self-conscious and blushing while very, very ... pleased ... that Luc couldn't move. She gave him a shove. "Dinner would be great."
Lucas stumbled, a bit dramatically. "Thanks. I'll see ya then." He kept going, backwards, eyes on her the whole time. He only walked into a couple things as he went. Grinning.
Riane was laughing as he left, she even followed a little saying things like, 'go right!' 'now left!' until he'd reached the door.
The only way she had the strength to let him go was because of the promise he made that they'd see one another that night. The wait would be worth it and full of hopeful activity for her ... she would find out later how it was for him.
===
Macy snagged a towel and blotted the sweat from her face. Her skin glistened with her efforts; it felt incredibly good to be back 'in the saddle.'
She saw someone standing in the doorway out of the corner of her eye. Turning to see Mik, her lips curved in a bright smile. "Hey stranger." She loped over to him with her long legged strides.
Mik grinned as he stood in unconscious imitation of Lucas on the other side of the building. "You look to be feeling better, Mace." Two sets of gunmetal gray-blue eyes were intent upon their focus.
"Hell, yeah. You didn't think I'd let a bump on the head slow me down much did you?" She grinned with a sparkle of humor in her green eyes.
"I hoped it wouldn't." Mik told Macy. "It's been a helluva time. That's certain."
"Tell me about it," Macy laughed. She paused a couple feet away from Mik. "So how was your trip?"
Before answering, he gestured to the gym equipment. "Are you all done? I don't want to interrupt your workout, but I did want to speak with you."
"I think I'm done beating the equipment into submission." The smile faded and her green orbs grew more serious. "What'd you want to talk about?"
Why beat around the bush? "Jake," Mik said. "I'm getting up to speed on things," which wasn't precisely true. He'd been kept informed on almost everything he needed to be informed on. that was the job of those who worked for him. "Thought I'd get your input."
"Okay." She draped the towel around her shoulders as she cooled down. "Your timing's great - I was gonna tell you something I'd heard about him."
"Wanna get a bite to eat?" Had he forgotten he was going home for lunch with Bliss? It was the hair... No, he hadn't really. He just needed to talk with Mace in a relaxed way and over food always seemed the best. "Oh, you might not want to," he laughed. "I always eat after exercise." He blinked. He'd never had such an awkward conversation in his life -- or so it seemed at that moment.
Mace glanced out into the corridor and nodded. This wasn't the best place to go into detail about Jake. "Yeah, sounds good."
The officer's mess would be the place. Very few people used it, even the officers it was designed for. In fact, there were discussions among the upper echelon as to how better use the space.
"C'mon then," Mik grinned and offered his arm.
Slipping her arm in his, Mace matched strides with him. "Before ... after ... doesn't matter so long as the fuel's there when it's needed. "She grinned at him as they entered the mess.
Seeing Mik ... walking close beside him, brought back memories from the wedding and how she'd realized her feelings for him were resurfacing. How she'd blathered on to her father about it, the whole thing unexpectedly bursting out. More embarrassingly, the composure she held so carefully disintegrated to tears in front of both her father and Lt. Zane. She'd figured Dylan would consider her an emotional idiot and keep his distance after that night.
As they moved into the mess, Mik could see that there were only two other officers in the room. Major Lauren Marcus and Lt. Commander Bran MacGregor sat together as they ate. They didn't even acknowledge Mik and Macy's entrance. He liked it that way.
Macy's face flushed slightly and she slipped her arm from Mik's.
Mik found them a table and in the officer's mess you got a waiter ... so they'd wait for the waiter. Meanwhile, he sat her down and said, "I wanted you to know that I've reassigned Lt. Zane to Shadow someone else. Your new Shadows are working out fine," Mik told her. "This way, you can see him under less professional circumstances."
She couldn't seem to get out one damned word. Something about Mik knowing ... something she and Zane had barely spoken of � was more than unsettling. She swallowed and managed, "That's very thoughtful of you."
Mik reached across the table and took Mace's hand from atop hers and squeezed. "It's none of my business, I know, but I can explain all the reasons I've made it my business. And I will, if you want."
"Yes," she answered, swallowing again. Her voice grew soft, either so as not to be heard or in vulnerability.
Mik knew they needed to communicate; about a lot of things.
