by C. Litka
01
The following "evening", the common room was abuzz with quiet conversations. Hissi and Siss were both engaged in a chess game with a curious audience - Hissi for the love of the game, any game - and Siss for the love of attention. I stood off to one side, waiting for a chance to talk to Naylea.
I caught her eye, and she read my glance. And with a few more words to her companion, she drifted to me.
'Let's walk,' I said.
'If you wish.'
Despite the evening-like atmosphere in the common room, it was still bright, ever-day outside. I led her past the hangar to the path amongst the pines and rocks.
'Is this going to be about us and the Unity?' she asked.
'No. Us and the Unity can wait. The Directorate has offered me the opportunity to send vid radio-packets to anyone in the Unity and pass along any replies as well. Botts says that they'd be happy to extend that offer to you.
'I'm planning to contact my family, and old shipmates, including Grandmama - M'Risha Drae, Zilantra V'Ran, Tivea Reeven, whatever name you know her by. If you want, I could pass along word to her of how successful your Honor Mission was, and inquire if that is reflected in the Order's records. I don't know if that still means anything to you or not.'
'There is no true honor in serving St Bleyth. Just obedience. Make no mention of me.'
'Right. Just thought I'd mention it. However, if there is anyone you wish to contact in the Unity, I'll arrange it with Botts.'
She walked in silence for a while. 'I would like to send a message to my mother.'
'Good. we'll talk to Botts. Botts said that if you still have your com-link, you can have it recharged, so you can send the message privately, otherwise he will set up a vid session in his office.'
'I don't have it here. When its charge died, I put it away. Have Botts send for me when it is ready for me. Now let's turn back. We shouldn't be gone too long.'
I'm sure no one noticed, or cared, but we turned back.
