by Ben Winston
Joe let out a breath and forced himself to calm down. “Well, I don't know if I would like to try it anymore today.”
“Did it tire you? Are you feeling light headed? Do you have a headache?” Becka said, firing questions at him.
He picked her up and kissed her just to shut her up.
When he sat her back on her feet he broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. “I'm fine. Let's do what we came out here to do and deal with the new stuff later, under better circumstances, okay?”
She was breathing hard, but nodded. The thin shirt she was wearing did little to cover the results of the kiss, but she stepped back, took a deep breath and got herself under control.
They spent an hour or so setting up various targets at odd angles, and distances. When they returned to camp, Becka thought they would get their weapons and start firing. She was wrong.
He began by talking to her about breathing and calming the mind. She was tempted to crack a joke about all the Zen stuff, but she sensed he was dead serious, so she listened intently.
“You will actually have an advantage over most folks if you have to shoot someone.” Joe explained. “However, that advantage will also make it almost impossible for you to pull the trigger.”
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“You're an Empath. A disciple of the power of the Heart. It is in your nature to protect and nurture life, not take it.” Joe explained. “You have the ability to connect to the life force of the animal you're going to shoot. You will be able to feel it and that will keep you from pulling the trigger.”
“If you're so certain it will keep me from killing anyone, why are you teaching me to shoot in the first place?” Becka asked, getting a little annoyed with him.
“I'm teaching you to shoot so you can protect yourself and others. I'm trying to mentally prepare you for what's going to happen if you are ever put in that situation. I want you to expect it, to know it will happen, so you can be prepared and act accordingly when it does."
“So, Master Yoda, how am I supposed to react to it?” She asked sarcastically. There was enough Irish in her to resent the way he was treating her.
“I want you to remember that there is a reason that you have your weapon pointed at someone's head. That if you don't pull the trigger, you, or someone else, will be killed. No matter what you feel from the person you are about to kill, you still have to kill them to save others,” Joe said, controlling his own anger.
“I know what Jarad is, Joe. I know he has to die,” Becka said, defiantly.
“I'm not talking about Jarad, Becka. I'm talking about killing me.”
“Intelligence and Wisdom travel different roads to the same destination, but rarely ever meet.”
“I've made some inquiries on your behalf, Major,” Hawklings said by way of greeting.
“Oh? Into what?” Joe asked.
“Getting Laura up here. There's a problem.”
“I appreciate it, Admiral, I really do. What's the problem?” Joe asked.
Hawklings sighed. “She never accepted your 'death'. We weren't very worried about it, because she had no way of getting any information. That's changed. She's teamed up with your old controller.”
Joe instantly knew who he was talking about. “Sharon? She's still alive?”
“Yeah, she wasn't eliminated because she was the one that blew the whistle on your former employers. She was exempted from the purge. Apparently, she came to your funeral and left Laura a note about your Swiss accounts.
“While over there, Sharon contacted Laura directly, Laura must have convinced Sharon that you are still alive, because now, Sharon is making inquiries about you. We would have already taken care of this, except that she's a General now, and killing her would be politically messy. Both Laura and Sharon have clearances, but this entire project is on a need to know basis and neither of them need to know. We need to stop them, but we can't use our usual methods,” Hawklings finished.
“I could do it. But it would mean breaking our agreement, by contacting them,” Joe said.
“That's what the Council is currently considering letting you do. What would you say to them?”
“I'd tell them that, yes, I'm still alive, but I can't tell them where I am or why. I can tell them that I appealed to the authority to let me try to stop them before they both ended up dead. Yes, it would confirm that I'm still alive, but I don't think it would violate our security,” Joe replied.
“Uh, doesn't it bother you that they seem to be getting closer? I mean, this looks like Laura's pretty much abandoned you,” Hawklings said.
“Not at all, Admiral. Although at the time, I was pretty sure she had no idea what love was; I think Sharon did actually love me. It would explain why she didn't help the cleaners track me down. Laura loves me too, that I have no doubts about at all. I did tell Laura about Sharon, and how I felt about her. I have no doubt in my mind at all that Sharon will ever hurt her. If they get together, then I'll be happy they both found a way to deal with my… absence. The one thing that is troubling is that Sharon does have the resources to track me down. But she may not know that it will get them both killed."
Hawklings nodded. “That makes sense now that you explained it. But, that doesn't answer my question.”
Joe shrugged. “I'll talk to them. Sharon, at least, will help with Laura. Once I tell them that I'm okay, I think they'll stop trying to dig.”
Hawklings looked confused. “If they love you, how would that stop them? It seems to me that by confirming what they believe is true, it'll only make them try harder.”
“Remember, I'll tell them that I pleaded with you for their lives. I know Sharon will take that to heart. Laura may want to keep going, but Sharon'll stop her if for no other reason than to protect her,” Joe explained.
“I still don't understand the relationship dynamics, here. Laura has found someone else, how do you believe she is still yours?” Hawklings asked.
“That might be hard to understand. I believe that Sharon and Laura simply consider that we have a group relationship, but I just happen to be absent,” Joe explained. Becka looked a little uncomfortable, but she stayed quiet.
“I see, I guess an old sailor like me would have a hard time with that. All of my relationships usually began and ended in the same weekend. I'll speak to the Council for you and see what we can come up with. Do you still want Laura up here with you?”
“I don't know, Admiral. I'll have to think about it. I'll probably have a better idea once I've spoken to them,” Joe said. “When I made that request of you, I had no idea we'd be importing a harem.”
Hawklings nodded. “You pretty much already have one, if Becka hasn't told you that already. We really do need you to try to pass on your abilities.”
“I understand, Admiral. You want me to make love to dozens of beautiful women; oh, the trials I must endure for my people!” Joe said playfully. “Don't worry, Admiral. I'll most definitely be doing my part.”
Hawklings chuckled. “You know, the first dozen times I had to stress that order, I felt like a pimp, because, in case you haven't noticed, the ability mostly manifests in women. Surprisingly, they didn't seem all that upset about it.”
Becka finally entered the conversation. “That's because they hadn't met Jared yet, Admiral. Once they got out to the Citadel and found out about him, they got pissed.”
“Yeah, I suppose that would tend to put a damper on any enthusiasm. Unfortunately, he seems to be the most viable breeder,” Hawklings replied, thoughtfully.
“What? You mean, you didn't know?” Becka asked, clearly surprised. "I guess, that would actually make sense."
“Know about what, my dear?” Hawklings asked.
“Admiral, Jared is practicing his own form of eugenics. I don't think he's actually done anything that could be considered criminal, but he certainly has disregarded any ethical considerations. The good doctor up there is one of his drones. Jared ordered that his was to be the most viable, and therefore the preferre
d sperm to be used for artificial insemination. The women aren't given a choice,” Becka finished.
Hawklings looked pissed. “Major, do you have a time table for your operation?”
“Soon, Admiral. Very soon,” Joe replied.
“Can you do it today?” Hawklings asked.
“No, but perhaps by the end of the week,” Joe said. “I'll need to make some arrangements once we get back to town.”
Hawklings nodded, but it was clear he was pissed. “Let me know if you need anything and I'll make sure it happens. That fucker has been wasting far too much air.”
“I'll need a maintenance flight or something to get out to the Citadel. They've already tried to call Becka back a couple of times, so we could always use that. Let's schedule it for say... mid-week,” Joe said getting his mind into operational mode.
Hawklings made a note. “You'll have it, along with the credentials you'll need to get through security. Symms tells me that you should be able to interface directly with the computer systems once you're there. But, just in case, the maintenance pass will have override authority on it. You will, after all, be replacing your target as the leader of the Citadel."
“One thing at a time, Admiral,” Joe said. “Let's cure the cancer first.”
“Look again, ass-wipe! I was told she left the city in a dart. You are the person that handles their use, so don't even try to tell me you have no idea where she went!” the woman said, snarling at the dispatcher.
“You can bitch all you want, lady. It won't change the data in the computer. No one fitting this Rebecca person's description has taken out a dart. Neither has anyone claiming the guild, or Dr. Symms office as their origin. The only darts out are the ones for the Mining and Cartography Guilds!” the young man said in frustration.
“So where are those? You do have locators in them don't you?” the woman snarled.
“Of course we do, everyone knows that,” he replied.
“So... Are you fucking retarded? Give me a list!” She demanded.
The young dispatcher chuckled and hit the print button. When the ninth page started to print, the woman screamed obscenities and stormed out of the building.
Smiling, he picked up the documents. “What a cunt!” he said softly, as he dropped all ten copies of the single page into the recycler.
After the call from the Admiral, Joe and Becka returned to getting familiar with their weapons. Becka was a quick learner, and became proficient with the small weapon she'd gotten very quickly.
The first time Joe fired the Barret, Becka almost shit herself. However, she did her job. “Up three, right two.”
As Joe made the adjustments to the weapon, she took the time to look it over better. The long weapon, without all the scopes and electronics attached to it, looked innocuous. Yes, it was big, but it still looked just like a standard rifle, but damn was it loud!
“Set,” Joe said and returned to sighting down the barrel.
“Ready,” she replied.
BOOM! Pause BOOM! Pause BOOM!
She jumped again each time he fired. Looking through the spotter scope, she was a little surprised by what she saw. “Linear grouping.”
“Yeah, I knew I fucked that up, sorry,” Joe replied.
“Something bothering you?” Becka asked, although she already knew there was.
Joe moved back from the gun. “Yeah, I was waiting to talk to you about it until I could get a better handle on it.”
She handed him a bottle of water, and opened one for herself. “Are you there yet?”
He shrugged. “I don't think I'm ever going to get there this time,” he replied taking a long drink of the water.
“I didn't know Jared was doing that to the women,” Joe said. “How long's it been going on?”
She shrugged. “A couple of years. Probably longer, and we just didn't catch on to it. I was one of the first that refused impregnation because of it. Life's been a little rough since then.”
“Why do I get the feeling that conditions at the Citadel are much worse then you've told me?” Joe asked.
“Most of it's just rumors. Besides, everyone is afraid of Jared, and no one knows who's one of his and who's not. We can talk about some things without getting in trouble, but I have a feeling there have been some pretty evil things happening out there. When Thom told us about his sister, I wanted to say something then, but... I don't know, I think Jared might have had me conditioned as well," Becka replied. “Although, I don't know how because I avoided that prick as much as possible.”
“Come on, let’s clean up and head back to camp. The day's mostly over anyway. We can finish this back there,” Joe said.
They cleaned up the firing point and packed all of it back to the camp. Once there, Joe put the trash and the spent shells away while Becka got cleaned up. It was Joe's turn to cook that night, so by the time she got back out to the fire, he'd just gotten the steaks on.
“So, do you have any ideas on how to handle Laura and Sharon?” she asked.
“Well, yes and no. It's more like a half formed plan than anything. I would still like Laura out here with us, but I'm not sure I really want Sharon as a lover; too much has happened between us. That being said, she would make an excellent administrator for the Citadel.”
“Uh, you are going to be the Citadel's Administrator once we kill Jared... Aren't you?” she asked.
“Well, I've been thinking about that. I don't think someone like us should be in charge out there. The potential for another situation like Jared happening is too great. We need someone that has no Navigational abilities at all running the show. Someone with strong administrative abilities in oddly functioning agencies. Sharon would be perfect for that," he explained.
“But, how would you handle the relationship thing with her? You know that she loves you; do you think she could return to the way things were when you were in the Agency together?”
“I don't know. Remember, I haven't actually seen her for the better part of twenty years. I'm more worried about what Laura is going to do than Sharon anyway. She doesn't like letting go of people she's let into her life.”
Becka grinned. “Why would she have to? If Laura lives out on the Citadel with us, why can't she and Sharon still remain lovers? That part of the relationship doesn't have to include you. Think about it, you'll be screwing all these other women, why can't she have some on the side as well?”
“You're right of course, but how are we going to convince the Council to bring them both up here? I'm sure they don't fully trust me yet, and I can't really blame them for that.” Joe finished.
Becka took her plate from Joe. “Call the Admiral. Talk to him about this just like you talked to me. Explain it to him. If you can get him to understand what you’re saying, he can then take it to the Council for them to consider. You are, after all, honestly only looking out for their best interests as well as your own.”
“True, I suppose. I did say I would call him when I had a better idea of how to handle this.” While he ate, he had his internal computer system make the connection with the Admiral and project him sitting with them by the fire.
“Damn,” he said looking around. “I almost wish I really could be there with you. This looks beautiful, and those steaks look even better!"
“Well, now you know where to go for your next leave, Admiral!” Becka said. “It is beautiful out here. It gets a little warm during the day though, and I miss the sounds of the bugs.”
The Admiral grinned. “At first, the biologists thought that there weren't any bugs out there. But, that's not the case. They are just much quieter, and the noises they do make are not in the normal range of human hearing. At least, there's no fucking mosquitoes!” Hawklings explained. "Now, I'm sure you didn't call me to talk about the ecology of the planet, Major. What can I do for you?”
“Actually sir, you asked me to call you back when I had a plan for dealing with the Sharon and Laura issue. I think I have one, but I don't know if the Council will li
ke it. Before I explain it, I want you to know that I honestly am thinking of the greater good with this.”
“Okay, now you have me worried!” He said grinning. “Tell me all of it, so I can follow your reasoning, that way, I'll be able to pitch it to the Council."
“Well, first thing; I don't think a Navigator should be in overall command of the Citadel. The potential for another Jared happening, even if the person is aware of it, is just too great. The person has to be loyal to the ideals we are trying to accomplish out here and not just one group,” Joe explained.
“True enough, but having a Navigator in charge gives the other Navigators something to connect with. Do you really think that having a normal human in charge of them won't foster resentment?” Hawklings asked.
“To begin with it might. But there is one major thing we Navigators are going to need, whether we want it or not; we are going to need to be reminded that we are part of the human race, that we are no different or better than anyone else. We need the constant reminder that we are there trying to further the goals of our race, not just the Navigators. Having a normal in command out there will keep our eye on the ball and not let us focus on creating delusions of godhood.”
Hawklings looked at him sharply. “Do you think that will happen? I mean is it a possibility? Do you think you could end up going down that road?”
Joe shrugged. “We do have special abilities other humans don't have, Admiral. No, I certainly wouldn't go that way intentionally, but what's to keep it from happening by accident? Hell, the very eugenics program you are fostering out there almost reinforces it. Jared happened because he believes that he became better than the rest of the human race. We are going to need an anchor to make sure the rest of us don't slip down that road ourselves.”
“But we are talking about one individual that developed a limited mind control ability aren't we?” Hawklings asked.
“Yes, we are. But are we certain that someone else won't develop extra abilities? Admiral, you, yourself told me that the human mind is only now evolving the ability to navigate hyperspace. Why would it have to stop there? Where is it written that that's the only thing it's capable of evolving into? Sir, with respect, there is no way in hell this is either controllable or containable, but we can plan for it and try to develop the best way to handle it when it does happen, if it hasn't happened already,” Joe finished.
