{"id":296,"date":"2013-01-06T00:00:04","date_gmt":"2013-01-06T05:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/?p=296"},"modified":"2013-01-06T00:01:21","modified_gmt":"2013-01-06T05:01:21","slug":"one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/?p=296","title":{"rendered":"One"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\u00a0Jerks. There\u2019s always at least one in the mix.\u00a0 Any group of more than three people has at least one.\u00a0 Usually they\u2019ll be working overtime to screw everyone else in the room.\u00a0 Until you find a way to stop them, anyway.\u00a0 Then woe be to everyone if you can\u2019t stop them dead in their tracks and eliminate the possibility of backlash.\u00a0 Usually, you can\u2019t.\u00a0 Then things go from bad to worse.<\/h3>\n

— Sarah Farragut, circa 4855 PD<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

27 Novem, 5249 PD<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI will have order<\/i> in this chamber!\u00a0 Sit down<\/i>, Marshal Rose!\u201d<\/p>\n

Daciana Rose slowly sank back down into her seat, face still flushed with rage as she glared toward D\u2019Arcy Morgause, then slowly turned to regard the aging Speaker, Sergei Petremoore, her expression softening only slightly as she curbed her tongue.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Speaker, but I cannot stand for having my late husband\u2019s memory denigrated by a snake in a man\u2019s skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy Morgause shot to his feet again.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaker, tell me I do not<\/i> have to stand for such slanderous language in this august chamber!\u00a0 I demand an apology from the Marshal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Across the chamber from both of them, Marshal Adam Windsor looked as if he was starting to get a migraine.\u00a0 He exchanged a veiled look with Rachel Farragut, a longtime member of the Rose Council and rumored to be the Speaker\u2019s top choice for his own replacement when the time came\u2014a time that was coming soon, if Adam could guess at it.<\/p>\n

Rachel took a deep breath and stood slowly.\u00a0 \u201cD\u2019Arcy, sit down.\u00a0 The Marshal is entitled to her opinion of you and given your lack of forthrightness with this Council since her return from Urgarthe, I can hardly blame her for the opinion she\u2019s formed.\u00a0 Unless, of course, you have new intelligence to share with us that might cause Marshal Rose to reassess her opinion of you in the wake of your rather insulting comments toward the late and lamented Inspector Rose?\u201d<\/p>\n

That seemed to take the wind out of D\u2019Arcy\u2019s sails and he slowly seated himself again.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid at this time I have no further intelligence to share with the Council, no.\u00a0 There is no new word from my agents at the Whispers regarding the disposition of the port or its inhabitants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts disposition is that it\u2019s been completely destroyed,\u201d Adam growled, straightening in his seat as Rachel sank back down into hers.\u00a0 \u201cIt has no further disposition.\u00a0 We are, however, expecting the first load of refugees within the next forty-eight hours.\u201d\u00a0 And once they\u2019re here, they\u2019ll be able to corroborate the images that the team brought back with America and Grant.\u00a0 Their voices will tell the story that we\u2019ve only got in images and video right now.<\/i><\/p>\n

Amelda Watson tilted her head slightly, leaning forward against her elbows.\u00a0 \u201cDo we have an idea on numbers, Marshal Windsor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet, ma\u2019am, but the ship dispatched by Mission Systems from the asteroid cluster can\u2019t carry more than two hundred even if you pack them like cordwood.\u00a0 We expect maybe half that, based on reports.\u201d\u00a0 Based on what Lindsay saw.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we do not expect many survivors?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo ma\u2019am, not many at all.\u00a0 Reports have the place bombed almost down to bedrock.\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t look at Rachel.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t without tipping his hand, but he didn\u2019t need to look to know the look in her eye.\u00a0 Sections of Mimir\u2019s capital had fallen victim to similar attacks decades before.\u00a0 His wife had never gotten over that.\u00a0 Then again, no member of the Psychean Guard had truly gotten over that.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Oracle?\u00a0 Does this fit any of her recent visions?\u201d\u00a0 Amelda looked at Rachel.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Amelda,\u201d Rachel said softly.\u00a0 \u201cIt does fit at least one of her visions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is<\/i> the Oracle?\u00a0 She had been in attendance for weeks and now that the Whispers has been bombed she feels she no longer has to grace us with her presence?\u201d\u00a0 D\u2019Arcy made little attempt to mask his contempt mixed with fear for the young psychic known to those who did not truly know her simply as the Oracle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine she is reacquainting herself with her parents, Consul Morgause,\u201d Daciana supplied in a clipped tone.\u00a0 \u201cThey are<\/i> only recently rescued, after all.\u00a0 Seven days ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel inclined her head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI imagine Marshal Rose is correct.\u00a0 It will take some adjustment for Commander Channing and my sister to get used to being here on E-557.\u00a0 They\u2019ve spent a great deal of time in captivity in conglomerate space.\u201d<\/p>\n

D\u2019Arcy arched a brow.\u00a0 \u201cI imagine that it\u2019s more likely, Marshal Rose, that she\u2019s spending time with that refugee pilot that brought them back to us.\u00a0 The one Marshal Windsor has been championing for the past five years and who the Oracle Bonded without so much as a word to this council.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kara Grace arched an eyebrow delicately.\u00a0 \u201cThe last time I checked, Consul Morgause, members of this council didn\u2019t have to bring it to a vote if they chose to marry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe majority of this council isn\u2019t the Oracle, Consul Grace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mugabe Zenak was rubbing at his temple, now, looking as if he was ready to just get up and leave whether the Speaker dismissed the council or not.\u00a0 Aidan Church, the third of the Marshals, cleared his throat quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaker, if there\u2019s no further business, perhaps we should adjourn for the afternoon?\u00a0 There\u2019s a great deal of work to be done tonight before nightfall for those of us of a more martial profession, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Speaker nodded wearily, looking vaguely relieved at being offered an excuse to dimiss the Council for the day.\u00a0 \u201cI think that would be best.\u00a0 Council is adjourned.\u201d\u00a0 He held up a hand to forestall further argument from D\u2019Arcy.\u00a0 \u201cSave it for the next meeting, Consul Morgause, please.\u00a0 As you said, you don\u2019t have anything of import regarding the Whispers to share with us, so it can wait.\u00a0 Marshal Rose is not the only one short of patience this afternoon.”<\/p>\n

Daciana gave D\u2019Arcy a look that could melt steel as she vacated her seat in the circular chamber and made her way over to Rachel and Adam, grimacing.\u00a0 Kara joined them a moment later, her brow furrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did he find out about Brendan and Lindsay, Rachel?\u00a0 This is the second time he brought it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel shook her head slowly, expression tight.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m not really sure it matters all that much.\u00a0 It was bound to come out sooner or later.\u00a0 They\u2019ve been Bonded for years now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kara shook her head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cIs she really with her parents?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel thought for a moment, then nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMore than likely, yes.\u00a0 Your brother was taking out the last fragments of Brendan\u2019s implant today and he asked Alana to keep Lindsay away from the clinic until he gave her the all-clear.\u00a0 She\u2019s probably at the house right now with them.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled wryly at Daci.\u00a0 \u201cThat means you were right again and D\u2019Arcy was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t encourage her,\u201d Adam mumbled, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t take many more senseless shouting matches with him, Daci.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard what he said about Freder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what he said.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cBut he\u2019s an idiot, Daci, and idiots are entitled to their opinions, however misinformed they might be.\u00a0 He\u2019ll learn his lesson eventually about making enemies.\u00a0 Of course, you will, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daci made a face at the more senior marshal and shook her head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to learn soon.\u00a0 One way or another.\u00a0 If I\u2019m going to be stuck here instead of at Urgarthe, he\u2019s going to learn the lesson quickly.\u00a0 Maybe violently, maybe not.\u00a0 I\u2019m not really sure yet.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t decided.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully you won\u2019t be doing the teaching, Daci,\u201d Rachel said, shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cAt least we know that he didn\u2019t peg Freder for who he actually was when he was here playing Adam\u2019s aide.\u00a0 Come on.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go home.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got dinner to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you again for those herbs, Rachel.\u201d\u00a0 Kara squeezed Rachel\u2019s arm before she started to step away.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll send up a bottle of wine with Ezra the next time he\u2019s heading up to your place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel smiled.\u00a0 \u201cSend two.\u00a0 Lindsay could stand to relax a little.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kara laughed as she headed up the short flight of steps and out of the Council chamber.\u00a0 Rachel shook her head slightly and tucked herself under Adam\u2019s waiting arm.\u00a0 \u201cDid you want a ride, Daci, or are you going to walk back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daci shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need to do that<\/i> much head-clearing.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take a ride.\u00a0 Gratefully.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get moving, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022<\/p>\n

\u00a0The kettle whistled on the stove and Lindsay pushed herself up from the kitchen table to take care of it as the kitchen door swung open.\u00a0 She smiled at her aunt, Adam, and Daci as they trooped into the kitchen from outside, bringing the chill of autumn with them.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re just in time.\u00a0 I was about to make tea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake the peppermint,\u201d Rachel said, slumping into a chair.\u00a0 \u201cI think we could all use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsay\u2019s nose wrinkled. \u00a0\u201cIt was that bad?\u00a0 I\u2019m glad I stayed here.\u201d<\/p>\n

America Farragut glanced from her daughter to her sister, then laid her hand over Rachel\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cYou look as tired as Mom used to look when she came home after a long day dealing with the donors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish this was that uncomplicated.\u201d\u00a0 Rachel smiled weakly, squeezing America\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Grant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s taking a walk.\u00a0 He\u2019s so tired of being cooped up he had to get out and do something.\u00a0 I stayed with Lindsay and Freder.\u201d\u00a0 America glanced up toward Adam and Daci.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to get on you two about letting him help.\u00a0 I give it another two days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d give it more like two hours.\u201d\u00a0 Frederick Rose limped into the kitchen and seated himself in the chair Lindsay had vacated when she got up to make the tea.\u00a0 \u201cYou know him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, frowning as he slowly seated himself next to Freder.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure it\u2019s a good idea for him to be jumping in with both feet this quickly.\u00a0 He\u2019s about eighteen years out of date.\u201d<\/p>\n

America smiled helplessly and stood up to help her daughter with the tea.\u00a0 \u201cYou know that won\u2019t stop him, Grumpy.\u00a0 He won\u2019t care, he\u2019ll just want you to bring him up to speed.\u00a0 And probably try to pull rank doing it.\u00a0 You know him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big man shook his head and sighed softly, leaning back in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right.\u00a0 I do know him.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just have to impress upon him that he\u2019s not the commander here.\u00a0 That should take about three months.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel rolled her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIs Alana taking a nap, Lindsay?\u201d\u00a0 She gratefully accepted one of the mugs of tea from her niece, leaning back in her chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I sent her to follow Dad after I promised her about a thousand times that I wasn\u2019t going to go anywhere.\u201d\u00a0 Lindsay smiled wryly.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t know his way around yet and the last thing we need is him getting hopelessly<\/i> lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe probably would, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFreder!\u201d<\/p>\n

Freder grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not here to nail me for saying it.\u00a0 Got to get my cracks out of my system before he gets back.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to get hit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t hit you, sweetheart.\u201d\u00a0 Daci leaned down and wrapped her arms around Freder\u2019s shoulders, dropping a kiss onto his temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWanna bet?\u00a0 Cripple or no cripple, he\u2019d hit me.\u201d\u00a0 Freder dipped his chin to kiss Daci\u2019s wrist before taking a mug of tea from Lindsay with a grin.\u00a0 He winked at the girl before taking a sip of the steaming tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d get a rude awakening if he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDaci, you\u2019d hit<\/i> my father?\u201d\u00a0 Lindsay slid into one of the empty chairs at the table, reaching across to retrieve the book she was reading from in front of Freder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d hit anyone who hit Freder, Lindsay.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t matter who they are.\u201d\u00a0 Daci grinned and stole a sip of her husband\u2019s tea before straightening up.\u00a0 \u201cThough right now I\u2019d like to string D\u2019Arcy Morgause up by his balls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-oh.\u00a0 Now what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel waved a hand.\u00a0 \u201cMore of the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

America frowned slightly, resuming her seat at the table.\u00a0 \u201cIt sounds like he\u2019s quite a problem for the Council, just from the way you\u2019re all talking about him.\u00a0 What does he do, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsay leaned back in her chair, cradling her mug between both hands.\u00a0 \u201cPurportedly he\u2019s the Council\u2019s spymaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPurportedly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe keeps more information to himself than he shares with the Council.\u201d\u00a0 Adam tapped a fingertip against the tabletop as he settled in next to Rachel.\u00a0 \u201cHe almost prevented us from going after you and Grant, Meri.\u00a0 If we\u2019d left it up to him, you two would be dead or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsay winced and took a long swallow of tea.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have let that happen, Uncle Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged slightly.\u00a0 \u201cProbably not.\u00a0 Your aunt would\u2019ve killed me.\u00a0 Luckily Ezra solved that problem for us after we dragged nominal confirmation out of D\u2019Arcy.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t need him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

America shook her head slowly, frowning deeply.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t sound like he\u2019s a good fit for his job.\u00a0 How did he end up the spymaster for the Council if he spends most of his time keeping secrets from it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s from old Foundation stock.\u201d\u00a0 Rachel shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cThat counts for a lot around here, just like being old Guard stock counted for a lot back home.\u00a0 The worst of it is, he\u2019s the first bad one in the bunch.\u00a0 His family\u2019s been on the Council for the past three generations.\u00a0 His father was wonderful.\u201d\u00a0 She took a long, slow swallow of tea.\u00a0 \u201cBut the fact that his father and his grandfather were beyond reproach is going to make it very difficult for anyone to fire him.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure Sergei has the energy to deal with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSergei doesn\u2019t have the energy to deal with the war, Rachel.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s fingers wrapped around hers.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to retire and he\u2019s going to do it soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel grimaced and stared down into her mug.<\/p>\n

America raised a brow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that about?\u00a0 I mean, you told me that Sergei\u2019s the head of the Council.\u00a0 If he retires, does this D\u2019Arcy get to be Speaker, or what?\u00a0 What does it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam thinks that Sergei\u2019s going to ask Rachel to be Speaker.\u201d\u00a0 Daci leaned against the back of Freder\u2019s chair and brushed a few strands of dark hair out of her face.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure he\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel shook her head again.\u00a0 \u201cIt won\u2019t be me.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be Amelda.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmelda, for all of her strength, doesn\u2019t have the stamina and doesn\u2019t have the experience whoever becomes Speaker is going to need, Eaglet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam squeezed her hand.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s the same generation he is.\u00a0 He\u2019ll choose someone younger.\u00a0 You.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel sighed.\u00a0 Lindsay leaned against her arms and watched her aunt across the table.\u00a0 \u201cWould it be so terrible?\u00a0 I mean\u2026I know what\u2019s coming.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather have you running the Council than Sergei dying in the attempt.\u00a0 I think it would kill him, Aunt Rachel, to try to run the Council in a wartime setting.\u00a0 And if you say no, I think he\u2019ll try.\u00a0 And it\u2019ll kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel\u2019s brow furrowed as she stared at her niece, the Oracle.\u00a0 \u201cHave you seen something, Lindsay?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 But I have a feeling.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t seen anything since Brendan came home, thank god.\u201d\u00a0 Her fingers tightened around the mug for a moment before she noticed and she consciously forced herself to relax them.<\/p>\n

Her mother smiled sadly at her.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine, Lindsay.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsay\u2019s smile was watery.\u00a0 \u201cI hope so, Mom.\u00a0 He\u2019d better be, or else I get to hurt Uncle Adam.\u201d\u00a0 The smile grew for half a moment, then Lindsay stood up, picking up her book and her mug.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026I\u2019m going to go lay down and read.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he\u2019d let you know as soon as there was word, Linny-pie,\u201d Adam said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the waiting that\u2019s hard.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled tightly and slipped out of the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Rachel sighed and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI never imagined that she\u2019d go through something like this with him.\u00a0 Even with him being a pilot and all of that, even though we knew that eventually something bad would happen back in Commonwealth space.\u00a0 I never thought she\u2019d have to go through this kind of hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam squeezed her hand.\u00a0 America smiled a little.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did a good job with her, little sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel blinked a little, looking at America.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBringing her up for me.\u00a0 You did a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel laughed weakly and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cHow could I do any less?\u00a0 Grant would have killed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

America started to laugh.\u00a0 \u201cGee, somewhere along the line my husband got to be a lot more violent<\/i> than I ever remember him being.\u201d<\/p>\n

Freder grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWe were always familiar with different sides of your husband, Meri.\u00a0 He could be downright brutally nasty when he wanted to be.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t make him a bad guy, just a mean bastard sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCasting aspersions on my character again, Freder?\u00a0 Some things never change.\u201d\u00a0 Grant stepped into the kitchen through the back door, Alana trailing quietly in his wake.\u00a0 He wrapped an arm around his wife\u2019s shoulders and gave her a squeeze and a kiss on the temple.\u00a0 \u201cIf you didn\u2019t look so damned pitiful, I\u2019d do something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Freder\u2019s grin didn\u2019t fade one bit as he leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n

Alana frowned slightly.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Lindsay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLaying down, reading.\u00a0 Something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 Not at all.\u00a0 She just promised me that she wasn\u2019t going to go anywhere and I was making sure she didn\u2019t change her mind or something.\u201d\u00a0 Alana scratched the back of her neck with her cybered hand, one that once upon a time had made her one of the most deadly agents in the employ of the Eurydice Compact, one that she swore scared children these days.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to go for a run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u00a0 I\u2019m going to start dinner,\u201d Rachel said, despite the fact that she was making no attempt to get out of her chair.<\/p>\n

Alana nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry about me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel arched a brow and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 Enjoy the run.\u00a0 You going to come back here tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alana glanced at Grant, then back at Rachel and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled a little and waved to the rest before stepping down the kitchen door.<\/p>\n

Rachel looked at Grant, brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was that about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grant attempted to look innocent and failed.\u00a0 \u201cI told her that it was time to start living her life for herself for a change.\u00a0 All debts repaid.\u00a0 I want her to be happy.\u00a0 Sandro would want her to be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rachel nodded thoughtfully and stared at the door Alana had just disappeared through.<\/p>\n

Of course.<\/p>\n

Ezra.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022<\/p>\n

\u00a0Ezra Grace stepped quietly out onto the back porch of his house and clinic, staring out at the sun as it slowly started to go down over the hillside woodlands west of the small city\u2019s center.\u00a0 His breath steamed slightly in the evening chill and he crossed his arms, tucking his hands into his armpits to keep them warm.\u00a0 He let his eyes relax and let the tension slowly drain out of the muscles of his shoulders and back.\u00a0 It had been slow, tedious work, and more stressful by half than it ordinarily would have been.\u00a0 Then again, he usually wasn\u2019t operating on his closest friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cEzra?\u201d<\/p>\n

He startled, then flinched, finally exhaling slowly as he turned toward the sound of her voice.\u00a0 \u201cAlana.\u00a0 You scared me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d\u00a0 She boosted herself up and climbed the railing on the porch to join him.\u00a0 Her blonde hair was swept up into a tight ponytail, her clothing loose, arms bare despite the chill.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t even winded, even though he knew she\u2019d probably been running for hours.\u00a0 \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStable.\u00a0 Resting.\u201d\u00a0 Ezra leaned against the railing and continued to stare out at the woods.\u00a0 \u201cI think I cleaned it all up.\u00a0 He\u2019s still going to want to take me apart with his bare hands when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alana eased close to him and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t.\u00a0 You\u2019re his friend, and he\u2019s yours.\u00a0 He\u2019s not going to be that angry.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled a little.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, he doesn\u2019t have that many friends in the first place, now does he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra snorted a little.\u00a0 \u201cMore than you do, \u2018lana.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I don\u2019t need friends.\u00a0 He does.\u00a0 He\u2019s a social creature at heart.\u00a0 I\u2019m a heartless monster.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor glanced at the former black ops soldier and smiled faintly, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not a heartless monster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of you to think so, Ezra.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled and stared out at the woods.\u00a0 \u201cLindsay will be happy to hear that he\u2019s going to recover fully.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that why you came out here?\u00a0 To find out how Brendan\u2019s doing for Lindsay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026no,\u201d she admitted quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why did you come?\u201d\u00a0 Ezra straightened, stretching a little as he turned his gaze toward the sunset again.<\/p>\n

Awkwardly, Alana settled her flesh and blood arm around his shoulders and leaned against him.\u00a0 Ezra went tense momentarily, blinking, then looked at her.\u00a0 She smiled at him, almost shyly.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time for me to start living my own life,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd letting go of the past.\u00a0 Starting with me not holding everyone at arm\u2019s length anymore.\u00a0 Like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra slowly slid his arms around her, looking down at her with a creased brow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat brought this on?\u00a0 Not that I\u2019m complaining.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCommander Channing and I had a talk.\u00a0 A long talk.\u00a0 Lindsay\u2019s fault, really.\u00a0 I think she could tell that there was a lot of unfinished business.\u00a0 So she sent me to keep an eye on him when he took a walk this afternoon during the Council meeting.\u00a0 Probably realized that he\u2019d notice me following him and we\u2019d get to talking.\u201d\u00a0 She exhaled slowly.\u00a0 \u201cHe forgave me.\u00a0 For a lot of things.\u00a0 And thanked me.\u00a0 And then he told me that I deserved to be happy and I didn\u2019t have to take care of Lindsay anymore, that she\u2019d be fine without me now.\u00a0 That kind of leaves me at loose ends for the first time in forever.\u201d\u00a0 She sighed a little, staring off at the trees behind his house.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re the only one who looks at me and sees a person first, Ezra.\u00a0 That\u2019s important to me even if I\u2019ve never said it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra smiled at her a little.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t try to make that easy, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 But I felt like I had to keep everyone at an arm\u2019s length or more.\u00a0 To protect her, to protect me.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled weakly.\u00a0 \u201cI carry a lot of guilt and a lot of regrets.\u00a0 Mostly guilt.\u201d\u00a0 Alana took a deep breath and a measure of vulnerability vanished behind a veil of strength.\u00a0 She smiled tightly at Ezra.\u00a0 \u201cWill you schedule it for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cSchedule what?\u201d<\/p>\n

She held up her cybered arm.\u00a0 \u201cWill you schedule it for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a moment for him to realize what she was asking him.\u00a0 She wants to get that undone.\u00a0 Finally.\u00a0 And I asked her to put it on hold when we went to rescue Grant and Meri\u2026<\/i>\u00a0 He sucked in a breath quietly and prayed she wouldn\u2019t hear it.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure?\u00a0 There\u2019s still a war coming.\u00a0 You\u2019re one of the most deadly people I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven without the enhancements, I\u2019ll still be one of the most deadly people you know.\u00a0 Cybernetics don\u2019t make you deadly.\u00a0 They just make you deadlier.\u201d\u00a0 Alana rested her metal-sheathed hand on the railing, staring at it for a few long moments before looking at Ezra again.\u00a0 \u201cSchedule it.\u00a0 I\u2019m tired of being a soldier.\u00a0 I\u2019m tired of being a killer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra reached down and took that hand, squeezed it despite the coolness of the metal sheath over flesh and bone.\u00a0 He knew that she\u2019d feel it.\u00a0 The metal was thin enough that it only muffled sensation.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t kill it entirely.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d he said quietly, looking at her.\u00a0 \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as possible,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cThe sooner the better.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled weakly.\u00a0 \u201cJust in case.\u00a0 The sooner it\u2019s done, the sooner I recover, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra\u2019s eyes crinkled slightly as he looked at her and nodded slightly.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u201d\u00a0 The arm around her tightened and she leaned into his chest, brow furrowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to hurt, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably less than it did going in.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI barely remember that.\u00a0 It was a really long time ago.\u00a0 I was a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra\u2019s stomach twisted as he imagined a young Alana being having cybernetics installed.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a pretty process at any age, and if they\u2019d started when she was young, it had been just that\u2014a long, painful process.\u00a0 His arm tightened more and she turned toward his side, pressing her chest against his flank and sliding both arms around his waist.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey just don\u2019t care, do they?\u201d\u00a0 He murmured.\u00a0 \u201cThey make you into what they decide they want you to be and damn the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could have been worse.\u00a0 I could have been sterilized and tossed to the scientists.\u00a0 That\u2019s what would have happened if they\u2019d figured it out.\u00a0 Or worse, not<\/i> sterilized and thrown to the scientists.\u00a0 I thank my lucky stars every day that they decided I\u2019d make a good soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never manifested any ability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alana shook her head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 But it wouldn\u2019t have mattered if I did.\u00a0 I beat the tests because I knew what they looked for.\u00a0 No one was going to take that chance if I\u2019d scanned positive.\u201d\u00a0 She pressed her face into the crook between his neck and his jaw.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I had to run,\u201d she murmured softly.\u00a0 \u201cI always knew I had to run.\u00a0 Somehow get to the Guard.\u00a0 I just never could until Commander Channing showed up and by that time, the Guard was dead and there was nowhere to go but here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you regret it?\u201d\u00a0 Ezra asked, voice quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0 \u201cNot anymore.\u00a0 I used to.\u00a0 I used to resent it, but I resented a lot of things.\u00a0 Then I got to thinking about it and I realized that everything happens for a reason.\u00a0 Rachel\u2019s good at helping people figure that out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra nodded mutely, looking at her.\u00a0 He reached with his free hand and gently brushed the hair away from her face.\u00a0 His thoughts twisted as his stomach tightened.\u00a0 Nerves.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 She was here, arms around him.\u00a0 He\u2019d been imagining this for months.<\/p>\n

Her brow creased slightly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want for dinner?\u201d\u00a0 The words had been unexpected, but they kept coming, tumbling over each other.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t eaten yet and I need to make something.\u00a0 Do you want to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alana smiled and nodded, expression soft.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 I\u2019d like that.\u00a0 I\u2019d like it a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ezra smiled, nodding back.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go make dinner.\u00a0 It\u2019s getting cold out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one more minute,\u201d Alana said quietly, arms tightening around him for a moment.\u00a0 She stared at the sky, starting to turn orange and red at the lowest edges as the sun slipped past the horizon.\u00a0 Ezra ran his fingers tentatively through her hair.\u00a0 Her arms tightened again for a moment, then loosened.\u00a0 She finally released him as the trailing edge of the sun faded from view.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go inside.\u00a0 You\u2019re right, it is<\/i> getting chilly and I\u2019m getting cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got extra blankets.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled at him as she stepped back.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll see if I need them.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were halfway into the house before he realized what she was implying. \u00a0By then, all he could do was smile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Jerks. There\u2019s always at least one in the mix.\u00a0 Any group of more than three people has at least one.\u00a0 Usually they\u2019ll be working overtime to screw everyone else in the room.\u00a0 Until you find a way to stop them, … 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":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-two-ashes-to-ashes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s25yjF-one","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296","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=296"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":298,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296\/revisions\/298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.embklitzke.com\/e557\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}