{"id":124,"date":"2012-03-11T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2012-03-11T05:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/?p=124"},"modified":"2012-03-10T16:46:29","modified_gmt":"2012-03-10T21:46:29","slug":"chapter-eleven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/?p=124","title":{"rendered":"Chapter Eleven"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

We are not angels, not saints.\u00a0 We are men and women.\u00a0 We all have our demons, our secrets.\u00a0 Those secrets can kill.\u00a0 I knew a secret like that, once.\u00a0 Maybe a few secrets.\u00a0 I wish I could remember which one they wanted to end me for.<\/h3>\n

— Frederick Rose, c. 5240 PD<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

23 Octem, 5249 PD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ezra straightened from his lean as the door to the council chambers came open and Brendan emerged from the shadows of the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d have thought you\u2019d be in there with Lindsay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was,\u201d Brendan said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThey sent me out here to get you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh.\u201d\u00a0 Ezra swallowed, trying not to fidget.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re ready for me, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brendan nodded slowly, watching his friend as he approached.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure this is a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any better ones?\u201d\u00a0 Ezra countered.\u00a0 It was the same discussion they\u2019d been having for two days.\u00a0 Brendan wished<\/em> he had better ideas.\u00a0 Ezra nodded slightly at the sight of Brendan\u2019s almost scowl.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t think so.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men entered the room together but separated quickly once they were inside.\u00a0 Brendan eased past Ezra and up the low steps to where Lindsay was seated, taking up position behind her shoulder.\u00a0 A quick glance around the room revealed that she wasn\u2019t the only one escorted today\u2014Alana stood behind Rachel\u2019s shoulder and D\u2019Arcy Morgause had a woman of twenty or thirty standing behind his left shoulder.<\/p>\n

Ezra was startled to see Field Marshal Daciana Rose in her seat in the chamber.\u00a0 The last time she had appeared had been before his sister had been added to the Council\u2014the last time Daciana had been there was probably before their father, Zephaniah Grace, had died.\u00a0 Ezra couldn\u2019t stop himself from staring at the woman, the youngest of the three Guardians, who had aged slowly and gracefully even in the face of everything that had happened to her husband.\u00a0 Ezra was among the few that were aware of Frederick Rose\u2019s survival\u2014he had been a young doctor brought in on the case after Rose had been brought to E-557, after his supposed death in the waning days of 5237.<\/p>\n

I wonder where he is.\u00a0 I wonder if he\u2019s still <\/em>alive.<\/em>\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t heard anything back since he\u2019d sent the last samples out to Urgarthe other than a brief \u2018thank you\u2019 note, which was customary by now.\u00a0 He hoped he wasn\u2019t dead.\u00a0 Frederick Rose was an interesting character of a man\u2014especially when medicated.\u00a0 Ezra rather liked the old Inspector.<\/p>\n

Lindsay was staring at him and Ezra suppressed a wince.\u00a0 Of course she was confused.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t blame her.<\/p>\n

The Speaker cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cDoctor Grace, the Council is pleased that you could be in attendance this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra bowed his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI am honored to be amongst you, Speaker.\u00a0 It\u2019s not every day that I get to be among the firsts among equals.\u201d\u00a0 He clasped his hands behind his back, slowly looking at the rest of the Council, each one in turn.\u00a0 The Speaker cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsul Grace-Forester has brought it to our attention that you have given some thought toward a solution to a particularly thorny problem the Rose Council finds itself faced with?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Speaker, I have.\u00a0 I have had limited consultation with the Guardians on it, and I welcome any input they may have.\u201d\u00a0 He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small holographic transmitter node.\u00a0 \u201cMay I?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Speaker nodded.\u00a0 \u201cProceed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra smiled briefly.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Speaker.\u201d\u00a0 He activated the node, which displayed images that went along with his explanation of the plan.\u00a0 It took almost an hour to explain the reasoning and the proposed tactics.\u00a0 He held back a few particulars\u2014like who would be on the team heading into the lion\u2019s den of New Earth space, who would be on that three-man crew.\u00a0 By the time he\u2019d finished, D\u2019Arcy Morgause looked like he\u2019d eaten a sour plum and was choking on the pit.\u00a0 The girl at his shoulder was starting to look nervous.\u00a0 The Speaker had leaned forward slightly by the end of Ezra\u2019s monologue.<\/p>\n

\u201cHad you spoken to any particulars for the team?\u201d\u00a0 The Speaker asked.\u00a0 Curiosity was evident in his tone.<\/p>\n

Ezra nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Speaker.\u00a0 I have spoken with Colonel Chase and Commander Cho regarding the plan and both have agreed to assist in the physical strikes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone sucked in a breath sharply behind him.\u00a0 Ezra tried not to wince, knowing that it was Lindsay.\u00a0 He could already sense Brendan\u2019s misery.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, Brendan,<\/em> he thought.<\/p>\n

Ezra licked his lips.\u00a0 \u201cI had intended to be the third man on the crew.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Speaker\u2019s brows went up.\u00a0 \u201cMight I ask why you would make that decision, Dr. Grace?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may, of course, Speaker.\u201d\u00a0 Ezra shut down the holographic projections and tucked the node back into his pocket, collecting his thoughts before he began to speak.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not in me to ask anyone to do anything I would not, given the opportunity, do myself.\u00a0 I know that what I have proposed has the potential to be dangerous and ideally, whoever the third man on the team ends up being would have some, if not extensive, medical training.\u00a0 We have no idea what conditions Grant Channing and America Farragut may be in when they\u2019re found.\u00a0 Further, if any of the two penetrating operatives are injured, they will require medical attention.\u00a0 Given Colonel Chase\u2019s modifications alone, whoever is sent along with medical training will also have to be capable of dealing with advanced cybertechnology.\u201d\u00a0 He spread his hands a little.\u00a0 \u201cI have that training.\u00a0 Moreover, I\u2019m able to deal with whatever difficulties might arise medically given my extensive training and work here in the colony.\u201d\u00a0 He paused for a moment, took a breath, then exhaled it before continuing on.\u00a0 \u201cFurthermore, I\u2019m a known face in the scientific and medical communities in New Earth space.\u00a0 If something, by tragic chance or misadventure, were to happen to this team and the mission, I do have some limited political and social capital to burn in order to get us out of New Earth space and home again.\u201d\u00a0 Ezra looked down at his shoes, knowing that what he was about to say next sounded like the very height of egotism.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t simply disappear<\/em> a luminary of your times.\u00a0 The ramifications would be staggering.\u00a0 People would realize, and realize quickly.\u00a0 Neither Chinasia Corp or the Eurydice Compact could afford what would come next if something were to happen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s precisely why a civilian such as yourself should not be allowed to go, if<\/em> this plan is by some twist of logic approved.\u201d\u00a0 D\u2019Arcy had leaned forward, fingers steepled and elbows on the table in front of him.\u00a0 \u201cThe colony can ill afford to lose a luminary<\/em> such as yourself, Dr. Grace.\u00a0 Your departure from E-557 is an impossibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2026sounded dangerously like a threat.<\/em>\u00a0 Ezra stared at D\u2019Arcy Morgause for a long moment.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026I\u2019m uncertain I\u2019ve understood your implication, Consul Morgause.\u00a0 Are you saying that even if I chose to go on a research trip to the Commonwealth held-territories of New Earth space, or to Taurena Luna for a conference, you would\u2026do what?\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy Morgause was silent.\u00a0 Ezra felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.<\/p>\n

He needs to be gone.\u00a0 <\/em>It was a knee-jerk, instinctive thought, triggered by a fight or flight reaction somewhere deep inside of Ezra.\u00a0 He wanted to rip D\u2019Arcy\u2019s throat out.\u00a0 He hoped that thought didn\u2019t end up in circulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you considering either of those trips, Dr. Grace?\u201d\u00a0 There was Kara, coming to the rescue\u2014to his<\/em> rescue, and the Council\u2019s, but not D\u2019Arcy\u2019s.\u00a0 D\u2019Arcy was slowly making a bed that he\u2019d die for lying in.\u00a0 He just didn\u2019t know it yet.\u00a0 But Ezra was standing there, watching Alana\u2019s fingers twitch, watching Rachel Farragut quell the rising fires of rage behind her eyes.\u00a0 For all the small intelligence empire the man had built, he was a fool, and a large one, with an ego too large for his own good\u2014or that of the Council at large.<\/p>\n

Thanks, Kara.<\/em>\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Consul Grace-Forester.\u00a0 That was strictly a hypothetical question posed for sake of clarification.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded and leaned back, looking toward the Speaker, who seemed to be considering what had been said\u2014and had gone unsaid<\/em>.\u00a0 He slowly looked toward Marshal Windsor.\u00a0 \u201cMarshal Windsor, do you have thoughts on this plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor cleared his throat quietly.\u00a0 \u201cIt will need some refinement,\u201d he said carefully, \u201cbut it\u2019s just crazy enough to work, so long as the principal actors agree to the plan unconditionally and that we can get intelligence enough to support them.\u201d\u00a0 He threw a pointed look in D\u2019Arcy Morgause\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy actually flinched.\u00a0 \u201cMy people will have a full report on everything we have managed to gather on the subject to your desk tomorrow morning, Marshal Windsor, as we discussed before your trip to Urgathe.\u201d\u00a0 He looked toward Marshal Rose and then back toward Windsor again.\u00a0 \u201cA trip, it seems, that was successful.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Marshal Rose.\u00a0 \u201cTell me, Marshal, do you have any wonderful technologies cooked up that can protect this planet from the conglomerates in New Earth space that will be falling on our heads any day now?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sarcasm that dripped from the man\u2019s voice turned Ezra\u2019s stomach.\u00a0 The Speaker motioned for him to have a seat with Kara.\u00a0 Ezra nodded in thanks, listening to the Council\u2019s byplay.\u00a0 Faction lines were solidifying slowly in the face of a coming disaster\u2014only D\u2019Arcy truly seemed to think that a war might not happen, that the threat was being blown out of proportion.\u00a0 Some of the consuls, however, clearly wished they could <\/em>believe that\u2014at least for a little while longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be addressing any technological advances I may have made at Urgathe to my peers among the Guardians first, Consul Morgause, and to the Speaker himself before I grant any hope, false or otherwise, to the Council proper.\u201d\u00a0 Marshal Rose\u2019s voice was quiet but bore the same steel that Ezra had often heard in the voices of other women who were confident of their position and authority.\u00a0 \u201cAs to your allusion that the threat we face is not imminent, I wonder why you would doubt what the Oracle has seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it,\u201d he said slowly, \u201cbecause the Oracle has not told us the bulk of what she has seen.\u201d\u00a0 His gaze fastened on Lindsay.\u00a0 Beneath the table, Brendan took her hand and squeezed it.\u00a0 Ezra watched them.\u00a0 Brendan was tamping down a surge of temper.\u00a0 Lindsay managed to be the picture of poise, expression blank and her voice smooth, cool.<\/p>\n

She held up her free hand.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to see it, Consul Morgause?\u00a0 Or do you enjoy the ability to sleep through a night unbroken by nightmares?\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy recoiled.\u00a0 Not a psychic himself, he was suspicious of those who were but had for many years tried to hide the suspicion that bordered on paranoid fear.\u00a0 His family was an old one in the colony and in the Foundation, and it had been in part his name that had earned him his seat on the Council.\u00a0 It was only a matter of time before he did something foolish that cost him\u2014and potentially the whole of the colony\u2014dearly.<\/p>\n

I guess that\u2019s why the Guardians have the power over our defenses.<\/em>\u00a0 The Guardians were drawn from the remnants of the Psychean Guard, born from Guard stock\u2014Daciana Rose and Adam Windsor were both psychic themselves, Aidan Church was from a psychic family but had been born without ability, which had suited him well enough throughout his years of service.\u00a0 When the enemy had ways to hunt psychics, sometimes it behooved them to have highly ranked officers who were blank spots to those hunters.<\/p>\n

The Speaker cleared his throat again, drawing attention back to himself.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps, Consul Morgause, we should direct questions regarding plans for our defense in the face of omnipresent threats from New Earth space to Marshal Windsor?\u201d\u00a0 Despite the Speaker\u2019s mild tone, it was clearly not a question, not a request.<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor inclined his head to the Speaker.\u00a0 \u201cMy thanks, Speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Speaker nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to speak to the matter at hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly at the Council\u2019s sufferance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Speaker nodded.\u00a0 \u201cProceed, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor nodded slightly and leaned forward in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cSince our return from Urgathe, Marshal Rose and I have been in closed meetings with Marshal Church.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been working on a plan to heighten our ability to defend E-557 and the rest of the Foundation claim of the Eridani Trelasia system.\u00a0 Some of the measure I\u2019m about to describe have already been taken, as any of you with sons or daughters in the Service already know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have increased atmospheric patrols and will be running an extensive audit of all community-based defenses within the next seven to ten days.\u00a0 Volunteers are getting trained on vacuum-capable small craft and we hope to be able to begin system-wide patrols inside of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra glanced toward Brendan.\u00a0 No wonder he looks like something hung out to dry.<\/em>\u00a0 His friend nodded almost imperceptibly.\u00a0 Of course.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIn eleven days, I expect to be taking an out-system trip with Consul Zenak to discuss possibilities for Mission Systems to build us some warships.\u00a0 Fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWarships.\u00a0 For a world dedicated to living in peace?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor glared at D\u2019Arcy.\u00a0 Marshal Church spoke before his colleague could fire off some sort of scathing retort.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven our predecessors in the Foundation understood that the people must be protected, hence the need for a standing military force, commanded by those not necessarily wholly bound by the Foundation\u2019s pacifistic ideals.\u00a0 Did not even the great historian of our age Quizibian say that war is always waged, whether we act or not?\u00a0 I would much rather have the resources necessary to defend my home at hand than to find myself bereft of them in my time of need.\u00a0 Our fear that having things like weapons and warships means that we will<\/em> use them cannot be allowed to cripple our ability to defend ourselves.\u201d\u00a0 Church took a sip of water.\u00a0 \u201cI took an oath to defend this colony, this world, and its people.\u00a0 I intend to honor that oath, whether you approve of our methods or not, Consul Morgause.\u00a0 I suspect most of the men and women in this room would agree with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Marshal Church,\u201d Marshal Windsor said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cAs I was saying\u2026there\u2019s reason to believe that Mission Systems will be able to get us at least one heavy cruiser inside a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA month<\/em>?\u00a0 How is that possible, Marshal Windsor?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Marshal smiled wryly at Arigato, who\u2019d expressed surprise and perhaps a touch of suspicion.\u00a0 \u201cThey have one mostly finished already and three other ships in various stages of completion that were ordered by the Psychean Guard twenty-nine years ago.\u00a0 Mugabe and I intend to press the claim on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou honestly think they\u2019ll take the claim of a refugee seriously?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mugabe Zenak stared at D\u2019Arcy.\u00a0 \u201cThey will believe the claim of the one whose signature is on the requisition forms.\u201d\u00a0 He said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not from Mimir, Mugabe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not my signature we\u2019re referring to, D\u2019Arcy.\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy blanched.<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor smiled.<\/p>\n

Well played, sir,<\/em> Ezra thought.\u00a0 Well played indeed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think it will work?\u201d\u00a0 Arigato Daichi asked.\u00a0 It was not an invalid question, by any means, but it was phrased more delicately and respectfully than D\u2019Arcy\u2019s had been.<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor nodded.\u00a0 \u201cConsul Zenak and I have discussed the legalities of the situation and we think it will.\u00a0 It\u2019s my signature on the forms and that can be authenticated through surviving records and recordings as well as DNA and print-tech.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced toward the Speaker, then back toward Arigato.\u00a0 \u201cWe also have something to offer them in exchange.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arigato\u2019s brows went up.\u00a0 Kara leaned forward, as did Reine Oronoko.\u00a0 The grandmotherly Amelda Watson leaned back, tilting her head to one side, though something in her look said that she had figured out what the colony had to offer Mission Systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cRaw materials,\u201d Watson said, tapping a fingertip against her lips.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to offer them raw materials.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to rip up mountains for four ships<\/em>?\u201d\u00a0 Jensen Moore was often as quiet as Rachel Farragut, often forgotten.\u00a0 Now he was almost out of his seat, staring in shock at his fellows.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t do<\/em> that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zenak held up a hand.\u00a0 \u201cCalm down, Jensen.\u00a0 They won\u2019t set foot on E-557 unless they want to settle here and live by our rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen where–?\u201d\u00a0 Moore cut himself off.\u00a0 Marshal Rose was grinning at him.\u00a0 Moore shook his head, looking amazed and abashed at the same time.\u00a0 \u201cThe asteroid ranges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 The asteroid ranges.\u00a0 Specifically the range half an AU out from here.\u00a0 We\u2019ll provide the raw materials for them to finish our ships and then the materials to build several more.\u00a0 Estimates put that at maybe one<\/em> asteroid.\u201d\u00a0 He tapped a fingertip against the table.\u00a0 \u201cWe won\u2019t compromise our ecological integrity here to defend the planet and the system, Consul Moore.\u00a0 I believe in the sustainability clauses as much as anyone in this room, if not more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moore nodded slowly, having sunk back into his seat.\u00a0 He was quiet, almost thoughtful.<\/p>\n

Ezra glanced toward the Speaker.\u00a0 The man\u2019s expression was impassive, but his eyes were tired.\u00a0 This experience was already beginning to age him and the war wasn\u2019t even here yet.\u00a0 Will he last to the end of the war, when it comes?<\/em>\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to think about whether or not they\u2019d survive one when it came, which was inevitable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be monitored closely,\u201d Zenak said, hands folded in front of him on the table again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we will dispatch some of our own people\u2014whomever would like to volunteer\u2014to work with the Mission Systems people who come here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arigato looked doubtful.\u00a0 \u201cThis is presuming they agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zenak nodded.\u00a0 \u201cPresuming they agree.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good deal for them, though, I\u2019m not sure why they wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reine Oronoko tilted her head to one side.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps because they have no desire to lock horns with one of the conglomerates?\u00a0 Who does Mission Systems generally supply with ships?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor glanced to Marshal Rose, gesturing for her to take that question.\u00a0 Rose stood up slowly, hands clasped behind her back.<\/p>\n

\u201cMission Systems tends to sell a few ships here and there to Taurena, but mostly they cater to private enterprises out of NeCom\u2014pardon me, the New Earth Commonwealth\u2014and the smaller space-faring or religious conglomerates like the Wanderers and Argopian LLC.\u00a0 They enjoyed a positive relationship with the Psychean Guard and actually provided most of the early aircraft that were used here on E-557, before Jacob Argos and Ayo Taiye started up their shop here.\u201d\u00a0 The Argos and Taiye shop had produced and repaired most of the ships currently flying.\u00a0 They were machinists of the first order and had passed their skills down to their sons and daughters.\u00a0 Kimoa Taiye-Argos ran the shop now with her sons.\u00a0 \u201cWe have history with them, and a good one.\u00a0 They know that as long as they play by the rules set for them, we\u2019re not going to screw them.\u00a0 That\u2019s incentive enough to keep everything on the up-and-up.\u00a0 The same can\u2019t be said for dealing with most of the conglomerates in New Earth space these days.\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy Morgause was shaking his head but stayed quiet, apparently still smarting from both reprimand and jumping to the wrong conclusion.\u00a0 Ezra watched him for a moment.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only a matter of time before he stops playing by Council rules and starts being a threat.<\/em><\/p>\n

Marshal Rose settled back down into her chair as Marshal Windsor began speaking again.\u00a0 \u201cIn addition to acquiring these ships from Mission Systems, we have been in contact with the Argos and Taiye shop with regards to more aircraft and also with Deithrich and Doylen regarding new forms of body armor as developed at Urgathe by Marshal Rose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds as if you have preparations well in hand, Marshal Windsor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Speaker, we do.\u00a0 In fact, by our calculations as of last night, our largest concern will be man-power.\u00a0 That problem will likely solve itself, though.\u201d\u00a0 Windsor slowly sat back down in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cAm I to assume that the Council is satisfied with the status report?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Speaker nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI am satisfied, at any rate.\u00a0 You will make materials available to the Council if they have more questions?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshal Windsor nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI will be as forthright with the Council as the Council has been with me, Speaker.\u201d\u00a0 It was a thinly veiled poke at D\u2019Arcy Morgause.<\/p>\n

Ezra briefly wondered how much longer the man would be the spider in the middle of E-557\u2019s intelligence web.\u00a0 His skill was questionable, at best.\u00a0 I wonder how he even <\/em>got that job.<\/em>\u00a0 The man Ezra would have asked\u2014his father\u2014was several years dead.\u00a0 There would be no information from his old man on this one.\u00a0 He glanced at Alana, wondering for half a moment if she<\/em> knew how D\u2019Arcy had gotten the job.\u00a0 Her face was a blank mask.\u00a0 He decided she probably wondered the same thing often enough.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have to ask Kara.\u00a0 She might know\u2014or at least know who came before him.\u00a0 Rachel may know more.<\/em>\u00a0 Rachel probably did<\/em> know more, but it had been hard to catch her the past several weeks\u2014it was easier when Marshal Windsor was at Urgathe for three days.\u00a0 Ezra was still trying to puzzle out why.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can ask no more than that, I suppose.\u201d\u00a0 The Speaker smiled wryly, then sighed and stood.\u00a0 \u201cI thank Dr. Grace for his forbearance and foresight.\u00a0 We will make a decision on your plan, Doctor, soon enough, I hope.\u201d\u00a0 He managed another wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Speaker.\u201d\u00a0 Soon enough to do us all some good, I hope.\u00a0 If they decide to reject the plan, I don\u2019t know what they\u2019ll come up with to replace it.\u00a0 Something better, I hope, and something better to keep them alive.<\/em>\u00a0 Ezra cast another glance at D\u2019Arcy.\u00a0 We need them alive, Rachel said, or out of the picture.\u00a0 I hope the Council opts for the former rather than the latter.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0 \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0 \u25cf<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat went well enough, don\u2019t you think?\u201d\u00a0 Rachel had forced levity into her voice as she climbed out of the skimmer in front of her cottage.<\/p>\n

Adam grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cD\u2019Arcy Morgause is a snake in a man\u2019s skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one\u2019s arguing that<\/em> point anymore, Adam.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to be trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daciana shook her head, coming around from the back of the skimmer and scrubbing a hand over her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no way to remove him, though, and no one to replace him.\u00a0 Commander Cho and I had that conversation this afternoon at the base.\u00a0 He\u2019s fairly certain that Morgause has something up his sleeve that he doesn\u2019t want anyone to know about and is confident that he\u2019ll be able to pull whatever it is off because there\u2019s no one to replace him with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKara Grace circumvents him easily enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s too young.\u00a0 Inexperienced.\u201d\u00a0 She\u2019s crafty, for certain, but she grew up here, spent no time off-world.\u00a0 D\u2019Arcy has the same problem, but at least he traveled a little.\u00a0 Kara\u2019s not prevaricating enough, which is probably a good thing.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t ask her to do that, anyway.\u00a0 Not when there are more qualified people to do the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel hadn\u2019t been home since he\u2019d brought Frederick and Daciana back with him.\u00a0 She\u2019d been busy with Brendan and Lindsay, or with Ezra, or Alana.\u00a0 She\u2019d been out.\u00a0 It was strange.\u00a0 It was her<\/em> house\u2014their<\/em> house again, now, but it had been hers alone for years\u2014and she didn\u2019t know who was inside, or that anyone was inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not really sure who,\u201d Rachel said as she opened the side door, the one that led into the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cEspecially if we\u2019re talking about someone who\u2019s never worked for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head a little.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure a candidate will present himself or herself soon enough when we start investigating the possibilities, Rachel.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled and kissed her cheek as they moved into the house.\u00a0 \u201cWant me to put on some water?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded.\u00a0 \u201cPlease.\u00a0 I\u2019ll make cookies or something in a little while, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope you\u2019re not going through all this because I\u2019m here, Rachel,\u201d Daciana said as she closed the door behind her.\u00a0 She hung up her uniform jacket on one of the hooks near the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t bother, if you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel snorted.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s an excuse to bake cookies I don\u2019t need to be eating, Daci.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry about it.\u201d\u00a0 She hung up her coat and Adam\u2019s before moving into the living room.\u00a0 At least, she started to.\u00a0 She paused in the doorway, tilting her head to one side.\u00a0 Her tone was warning and curious all at once.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2026who is sleeping on our couch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daciana blinked, then glared at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell<\/em> her?\u201d<\/p>\n

He winced.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t tell a lot of people.\u00a0 Go wake him while I explain myself.\u201d\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t going to necessarily be a pleasant explanation, either, from the look Rachel was giving him.\u00a0 He winced again.\u00a0 I\u2019m in deep this time.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Rachel said tartly.\u00a0 \u201cYou certainly are, sir.\u00a0 You certainly are.\u201d\u00a0 She stepped clear of the doorway, letting Daciana head into the living room.\u00a0 Rachel almost mechanically pulled out a chair at the table and sat down, eyes never leaving Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cWhat, exactly, did you fail to tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam licked his lips.\u00a0 He was unable to keep the litany of please don\u2019t kill me<\/em> out of his thoughts as Rachel stared daggers at him.\u00a0 \u201cThat Freder Rose is still alive?\u201d\u00a0 Rachel\u2019s stare, the anger, evaporated with those words and she went pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlive?\u00a0 Is that who\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, slowly sitting down at the table with her.\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t quite look the same, does he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Adam, he doesn\u2019t.\u00a0 What\u2026I mean\u2026how\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWe were careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2026who else knows?\u201d\u00a0 There was some pain in her voice, as if she was wondering why she hadn\u2019t been told, what had made her so untrustworthy.<\/p>\n

\u201cEzra Grace,\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone else is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shiver ran through her.\u00a0 He leaned forward and took her hands.\u00a0 She shook her head, looking like she was a thousand miles away.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me?\u201d\u00a0 She asked after a long silence.\u00a0 Her voice was small.<\/p>\n

Adam winced.\u00a0 There had been a lot of reasons that he\u2019d chosen not to tell her\u2014the least of which had been her thirst for vengeance against the people who had bombed Mimir.\u00a0 That anger and hate had later bled into malice for the people who had supposedly killed Frederick, but that had been after she thought he\u2019d died.\u00a0 Adam shook his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cThere were a lot of reasons, Rachel.\u00a0 A lot of reasons.\u201d\u00a0 He squeezed her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI was trying to protect both of you.\u00a0 From each other, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

She blinked, looking surprised.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam licked his lips, shaking his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cFreder doesn\u2019t remember whatever they were trying to kill him for, Rachel.\u00a0 If he ever knew what happened to Mimir, if he ever knew who did it\u2014and he thinks he might have\u2014he doesn\u2019t know now and might never know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 The word was almost a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cPoor Freder\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Rachel shook her head, leaning forward.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to not remember, but to know<\/em> that\u2019s probably what you don\u2019t remember\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Her hands tightened in his.\u00a0 She looked up at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t need me asking him questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr going off after the people who hurt him, either,\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThat would\u2019ve gotten you killed.\u00a0 I\u2026I couldn\u2019t sit still and let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned forward and hugged him.\u00a0 He exhaled, the tension in the muscles of his back\u2014the tension he hadn\u2019t noticed\u2014suddenly easing.\u00a0 He slid his arms around her and held her for a few long moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she whispered after a while.\u00a0 He just nodded, finding himself unable to speak.\u00a0 His arms tightened around her, then loosened as she pulled away and smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cI mean it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI know you do.\u201d\u00a0 I know you do.\u00a0 But back then?\u00a0 You never would have forgiven me for it.\u00a0 Not ever.<\/em><\/p>\n

Frederick cleared his throat in the doorway.\u00a0 He was leaning on the cane and looked maybe a little bleary-eyed from having been awakened early.\u00a0 He smiled at Rachel.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Rachel.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stood up, shaking her head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cFrederick\u2026I didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d he said, limping into the kitchen and toward the table.\u00a0 \u201cThey did a number on me before Daci and Grumpy managed to get to me.\u201d\u00a0 His smile was self-depreciating.\u00a0 \u201cThough as to whom they<\/em> were, I haven\u2019t the foggiest clue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel approached him haltingly, as if she was still convinced that he wasn\u2019t real, that he was some ghost, a figment of her imagination.\u00a0 Her fingers trembled as she touched the fabric of his sleeve.\u00a0 Then she hugged him so tightly he winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cOof.\u201d\u00a0 Frederick leaned against Rachel to keep from toppling, wrapping one arm around her and squeezing gently.\u00a0 \u201cRachel, I didn\u2019t know you cared.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed almost to the point of tears.\u00a0 \u201cYou idiot.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you\u2019re not dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRumors of that have been greatly, exaggerated, I\u2019ve heard.\u201d\u00a0 He winked at her.\u00a0 \u201cHave it on good authority that I was only mostly<\/em> dead.\u201d\u00a0 He let go as she loosened her grip, leaning more on his cane and less on her.\u00a0 \u201cDo you mind if I sit down?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head quickly, staring at him.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve what?\u201d\u00a0 Frederick fumbled his way into a chair.\u00a0 Daciana watched him from the doorway, exchanging a look with Adam, who smiled wryly and shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve that you\u2019ve\u2026you\u2019ve been alive all this time and he managed to not<\/em> tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederick laughed.\u00a0 \u201cSomewhere along the line, he\u2019s apparently managed to learn how to keep secrets.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Adam and grinned, the grin of the old Frederick, the same gotcha!<\/em> smile of when they\u2019d been teenagers on Mimir.\u00a0 Frederick winked at Rachel.\u00a0 \u201cHe probably learned that from you, Miss Farragut.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe, Freder.\u00a0 Maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said your sister and Grant are still alive.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0Frederick had known Grant Channing and America Farragut on Mimir, same as Adam had.\u00a0 Though while Adam had worked under Grant\u2019s father, Frederick had worked a little under America and Rachel\u2019s mother, Arianna, before he\u2019d made the decision to leave Mimir\u2014a decision that had probably saved his life.\u00a0 He\u2019d nudged Adam toward Rachel in the first place\u2014they\u2019d grown up together, sure, but Adam had never looked at Rachel that way\u2014and never would have if not for his friend\u2019s intervention.<\/p>\n

Rachel\u2019s mirth faded.\u00a0 She bit her lip and for a moment looked as vulnerable as Adam had ever seen her.\u00a0 She knelt down on the floor in front of Frederick, shaking her head a little.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what it looks like.\u00a0 There\u2019s\u2026a plan to go and get them out of the congloms, but I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s going to work.\u00a0 I don\u2019t\u2026I don\u2019t know that anything could bring them back to us.\u00a0 To me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam winced.\u00a0 Now\u2019s not exactly the best time to be losing faith in a plan that you helped them with, Rachel.<\/em>\u00a0 He exchanged another look with Daciana, who rolled her eyes, then shrugged.\u00a0 Neither of the pair were paying attention to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to underestimate Dr. Grace, Squeak.\u00a0 He\u2019s a bright young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

She deadpanned, sitting back on her heels.\u00a0 \u201cYou just called me Squeak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederick raised a brow.\u00a0 \u201cOf course I called you Squeak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel smiled, tears coming to her eyes again.\u00a0 \u201cNo one\u2019s called me Squeak since the last time I saw you.\u00a0 When you promised me that you\u2019d figure out what happened to our homeworld.\u201d\u00a0 She wiped her eyes with her palm.\u00a0 \u201cYou said \u2018Don\u2019t worry, Squeak.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get the bastards.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get to the bottom of it if it\u2019s the last thing I do in this life.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

He winced and Daciana winced with him.\u00a0 \u201cIt almost was<\/em> the last thing I did.\u00a0 I\u2019m almost positive.\u201d\u00a0 He reached in with a thumb and wiped the tears from her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAs I understand it, we have bigger problems, now, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel smiled lopsidedly, almost laughing a bitter laugh.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s an understatement.\u00a0 How much did Adam tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not all there is to know.\u00a0 Going to fill me in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAfter I put some water on.\u00a0 Are you comfortable there?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be more comfortable when my wife joins me.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Daciana, who shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to interrupt,\u201d she said, irony laced through her voice.\u00a0 She moved to the table and took the seat next to him.<\/p>\n

Adam went to get out some tea and the mugs, glancing at Rachel.\u00a0 She smiled at him just a little and paused a moment, taking his hand and squeezing it.\u00a0 He squeezed back.<\/p>\n

As soon as they got Grant and America back, it would be like old times again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We are not angels, not saints.\u00a0 We are men and women.\u00a0 We all have our demons, our secrets.\u00a0 Those secrets can kill.\u00a0 I knew a secret like that, once.\u00a0 Maybe a few secrets.\u00a0 I wish I could remember which one … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-last-colony"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p25yjF-20","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=124"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":126,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124\/revisions\/126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}