by Zen DiPietro
Those other locations weren’t Fallon’s problem, though. She squeezed a meeting with Avian Unit, Ross, and Hesta into her schedule.
In her office she told them, “I think we’re at the point that we need to let Arin know everything that’s going on. I see no benefit in continuing to keep him innocent of our plans.”
Unanimous agreement. Good.
“Per PAC protocol, I will increase training drills, both for security staff, officers, and residents of the station. People would find it odd if I didn’t.”
More agreement.
“Am I missing anything?” She looked from one face to the next.
“Any thoughts on finding Colb?” Hesta asked.
“It’s a big universe,” Hawk said.
“He won’t return to Zerellus,” Peregrine added. “He’ll be looking for someplace where he can disappear.”
“Yeah. He’s not going to leave any trail for us.” Fallon wished it could be as easy as tracking him down. “We have to talk to Krazinski. He has the bigger picture in all this. That might tell us what Colb needs and where he might go.”
Hawk scratched at his beard as he thought. “I’m hoping he doesn’t have many allies left, after command cleaned house at Jamestown. That he’s on the run, alone.”
They agreed that until they found Krazinski, their priorities would be protecting Dragonfire, staying aware of what was going on in the PAC zone, and looking for their traitor.
“I’m glad Krazinski seems to be on our side,” Ross said.
“You did have a hard time with the idea of his guilt.” Maybe Fallon should have given his doubts more weight. She had to wonder how that might have changed their actions and their current situation.
“Yeah. It never made sense to me. I hope he’s for real.” Ross kept his hands folded in his lap.
“We all do.” Raptor nodded.
The room went quiet. It seemed they had exhausted all of their discussion topics. “Let me know if you notice anything unusual going on. If morale on Dragonfire takes a turn for the worse, I’ll deputize the four of you and put you to work.” Fallon smiled pleasantly at her team.
And that effectively cleared the room. Except for Hesta, who left at a much more leisurely pace, looking amused.
Fallon took an evening stroll around the station. If people saw her unstressed and going about life as usual, they’d do the same. Command officers always set the tone for those who depended on them.
She didn’t return to her quarters until well into the night. She’d missed her chance to check in on Wren. By now, she would be sleeping. Fallon would check on her first thing in the morning.
After a long, steamy shower, she dried off and wrapped a towel around herself, then began drying her hair. Leaning forward, she called out, “You can quit hiding and come in here.”
“Aw. How did you know?”
She turned to watch Raptor come into her bedroom. “I suspected you’d show up tonight, so I was listening extra hard.”
“And I thought I was being extra quiet,” he teased as he pulled her close and mussed her hair.
“Stop that. I just got it all smoothed out.”
“It’s going to get messed up when you sleep on it anyway. Besides, it’s cute when your hair’s all wild.”
“Are you sleeping over?” she asked.
“Am I invited?”
“Yes.” She’d been hoping he’d show up. She’d considered going to his quarters, but she needed to remain in her own, in case someone came looking for her.
“Then yes.”
“I’ll be asleep as soon as I stop moving, so you should go ahead and shower.” She pointed to the necessary, as if he didn’t know where it was.
He tugged on her towel. “If you’re on a timer, how about we make better use of the minutes you have left and I can shower while you’re sleeping?”
His suggestive smile made her grin.
“Deal.”
A minor emergency with a hazardous spill in Docking Bay Five messed up Fallon’s entire morning schedule. She tried contacting Wren via the voicecom twice, but failed to connect with her.
She spent the entire day playing catch-up. At the end of it, she tracked Wren down in person. She’d put off checking in with her for too long. She checked the mechanics’ shop, since she’d finished her shift on Deck One, but when Wren wasn’t there, Fallon headed up to general crew quarters.
The doors to Wren’s quarters opened before Fallon could touch the chime. She pulled her hand back. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you were going out. I won’t keep you.”
Based on Wren’s attire, Fallon guessed Wren had a date.
Wren’s cheeks pinkened. She made blushing a very pretty thing. “No, it’s okay. I’m early anyway. Do you want to come in for a minute?”
“I won’t hold you up. I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay with all that’s been going on lately.”
Wren laughed, but it was a little high-pitched and uncomfortable sounding. Not at all her usual confident self. “Actually, I’ve been a little on edge. But I’m sure things will be fine. Of course they will.” She smiled gamely.
“I’m sorry all this has rattled you. You’re not the only one. Fortunately, most people on the station are trying to take it all in stride.”
Wren’s smile became more genuine. “People who live on space stations are a sturdy bunch. We’ll be fine.”
“If you ever need anything, you know you can call me anytime.”
“I know. Thank you.”
The conversation lagged for a moment too long. “Well, have a good evening. I should get going.”
As she strode away, Fallon tried to shake off the awkward encounter. She’d only meant to make sure Wren was doing okay. She hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable. It seemed that Wren wasn’t as breezy about seeing Fallon and dating someone else as she’d thought she’d be.
Fallon had almost made it back to her quarters when her comport alerted her. A call from the captain. Hesta. Whatever.
She hurried through the doors and took the call in private.
“Fallon here.”
“Chief, I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a drink.”
Fallon stared dumbly at the screen. She shook herself and quickly said, “Yes. Of course. That will be an interesting first.”
Hesta smiled wryly. “I know. Work with me here. I’m breaking old habits.”
“Difficult and honorable work,” Fallon said. “When and where?” She didn’t know whether Hesta was thinking of a night out, or a personal tête-à-tête.
“The pub. Twenty minutes?”
“I’ll be there.” Fallon wondered what a night out with Hesta Nevitt would be like.
She was about to find out.
22
Coalescence Chapter 7
Fallon had to hand it to the people of Dragonfire Station. They faced a terrorist situation unlike anything they’d seen in history, along with an uncertain future. And now their previously antisocial captain sat in the bar, sipping a startlingly dark-green beverage.
And yet people simply carried on with their lives. They’d continued doing their jobs as scheduled, and no major freak-outs had been reported. All things considered, Dragonfire Station’s people kept their shit together nicely. Fallon was proud of them.
“Zerellian ale,” she said to the bartender as she passed by on her way to Hesta’s table. Then she stopped and turned back. “Actually. What’s that the captain’s drinking?”
“Cordovan whisky,” the captain called loudly, causing a few heads to turn.
“Give me a Cordovan whisky,” Fallon told him.
“Instead of the ale?” he asked.
“In addition to.” She joined Hesta at her table. “Your invitation was a pleasant surprise.”
Hesta toasted her with the whisky. “You know what? I’m aiming at being surprising lately.”
“I have to admit, I find that deeply intriguing. Say more.”
Hesta laughed. Again, heads turned, but people only glanced at the captain before returning to their own conversations, smiling.
Fallon could practically feel the mood of the place lifting. If the captain was in the pub, laughing and having a good time, things couldn’t be too bad, right?
Hesta might be a genius.
Fallon’s drinks arrived, and she toasted Hesta with her own whisky. “To the most puzzling person I’ve ever had the pleasure to serve under.”
She tossed back the whisky and felt a roar of fire race down her throat, into her chest, and quite possibly begin to burn her alive from the inside out.
“A fan of Cordovan whisky?” Hesta asked as she took a swig of her own.
“First time trying it,” Fallon admitted, attempting to seem unaffected by the liquid fire that seemed intent on consuming her.
“First lesson—don’t down it.” Hesta looked like she was trying not to laugh.
“Lesson learned.” Fallon took a drink of her ale. It had its own kick rather than being soothing, but she figured the more alcohol she had, and the sooner she had it, the less she’d care about her burning throat and sinuses.
“To what do I owe the honor?” she asked Hesta. “You could have invited anyone.”
“I invited you.”
“That’s not an answer,” Fallon pointed out. “Since I already knew that.”
“It’s the answer you’re getting.” Hesta’s eyes crinkled in amusement.
“All right.”
They watched each other. Challenging. Measuring.
“You’ve gone quiet.” Hesta sipped her whisky.
“Just waiting for you to start the conversation.”
“I thought I had.”
“No, those were only the preliminary ground rules.”
Hesta laughed again. It was a rich, warm sound. “I should know better than to try to go toe-to-toe with someone in your line of work. Fine. Truth is, I want us to get to know one another better. Nothing more. So in the interest of doing so, you can ask me any question. I’ll give you a truthful answer.”
“Now that’s an opening salvo.” Fallon folded her napkin in a geometric pattern as she considered. “A lot of pressure though. I need to think of a good one.” She took her time, considering her options. Finally she made her decision. “Okay. What kind of name is Hesta?”
“I give you access to any detail, and that’s what you ask?”
“Yep.”
Hesta shook her head in amused puzzlement. “You’re an odd one. But okay. It’s a family name. Comes up among the girls every three or four generations. It’s a variation of the name Hester, which is an ancient Earth name, and means ‘star.’”
“Suits you, being captain of a space station.”
“I never thought of that. Funny.” She straightened. “So do I get to ask you a question now?”
Suspicious, Fallon asked, “Is that why you offered to answer a question? To get to ask one in return?”
One corner of Hesta’s mouth lifted. “No. Sometimes a suggestion is only a suggestion, Fallon. No ulterior motive.”
“Really?” Fallon affected a surprised expression. “What’s that like?”
Hesta smiled. “Somehow, I think you’re being more honest than you are joking. Which would be disturbing if I took time to really think about it.”
“So what’s your question?”
Hesta’s expression grew thoughtful. Finally, she asked, “After you lost your memory and you ‘met’ me for the first time, what did you think of me?”
“Is this a trick question?”
Hesta arched an eyebrow. “No. I’m curious about your impressions.”
“I thought you were regal. Respectable. Beautiful. And I thought you hated me.”
“I never hated you. I resented that you were forced on me. But life happens the way it happens, doesn’t it?”
“Sometimes.” Fallon preferred to shape the way things happened, but that hadn’t worked well for her lately.
Hesta drew a swirling pattern on the table. “Funny how when things go wrong, as in really wrong, that you never know if it’s a long-term disaster or a greater-good opportunity. Don’t you think? It’s only when we look back on history that we apply those labels of good and bad. Or barbaric and heroic.”
“How do you think people will look back on what’s happening right now?”
“That depends on what happens from here. Can we turn it and make it into a chance for improvement, for growth and learning, or does it become something with long-term impact for the worse?”
“It could go either way. But it’s probably always like that during pivotal moments. Is it my turn for another question?”
Hesta nodded.
“Do you regret any of your choices, up to this point?”
Hesta’s eyes unfocused as she weighed and measured her life. Finally, she fixed her gaze on Fallon and said decisively, “No. I’m not much of a regrets person.”
Fallon raised her glass. “Me neither.”
They toasted with the remnants of their drinks. Hesta didn’t order another, so neither did Fallon.
“My turn for a question.” Hesta’s expression became sly. “What’s Ross’ story?”
Fallon had anticipated a number of questions, but not that. “You like Ross.”
“I’m not nine years old,” Hesta chided. “But he does interest me.”
“He’s a good guy. I’ve always liked him. I don’t know him especially well from a personal standpoint, given that he was an instructor. He’s been a good addition to my team. That says a lot, considering how closely the rest of us have worked together for so long.”
Hesta only nodded, so Fallon asked, “Want me to ask him if he likes you?”
“Shut up.” Hesta smiled. “If I decide I’m interested, I definitely don’t need any help.”
Fallon pointed a finger gun at Hesta, who blinked. “What’s that?”
“A thing Trin does. No one seems to know why. Do you know him?” Fallon would bet she didn’t.
“No. I barely know the Onari crew.” Her expression darkened.
“Since they’re based here for the time being, it’s probably time to change that.” Fallon supposed she might be overstepping, but didn’t give a damn.
“Yeah. Probably.”
“I’ll introduce you around. Don’t worry.” Fallon reached across the table and patted Hesta’s hand.
“It’s not that. I was wondering if people around here think I’m a hardass.”
“Well, yeah,” Fallon admitted. “But all of my friends are hardasses. If they weren’t, I don’t think they’d be my friends.”
Hesta smiled. “Makes sense. All right.” She lifted her glass. “To hardasses.”
A familiar voice came from behind Fallon. “Now that is a toast I can get behind.” Hawk nudged Fallon over and sat beside her. “I’m not intruding, am I?”
“Yes,” Fallon answered.
“But it’s fine,” Hesta added. “Please join us.”
Fallon let Hawk take over the conversation, as he so loved to do, and watched her captain expertly engage with his robust personality.
Seeing Hesta let herself become a part of the crew would be fun.
“I should have met with you sooner, but it’s been one thing after another.” Fallon sat across from Arin in her office the next day.
“Is something wrong?” Arin shifted nervously.
“No. Well, yes. Obviously, things aren’t right when PAC command is hiding out. But that’s why I want to talk to you.”
“Okay.”
“You know from what happened after my memory loss that I’m not just a security officer.”
He nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“Have you ever had any interest in being more than a security officer yourself? Going classified?”
“You mean intelligence? Of course. But intelligence officers start that track right out of the academy. I clearly didn’t make that cut.”
“You�
�ve made the cut now, as far as I’m concerned.”
His eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“Well, there are some details I’ll need to explain, but first I have to know that you’re all in. Because this is one of those choices that means no going back. So be sure.”
He pursed his lips. “I don’t need time to think about it. I’m in.”
“Good. Let’s dig right in. First off—have you ever heard of an organization called Blackout?”
Three hours later, Arin looked shell-shocked.
“Still glad you opted in?” Fallon asked.
“I think so. Ask me in a week.”
She appreciated his attempt at humor. Overall, he’d handled her revelations awfully well. “You’ll have questions. You can talk to Avian Unit, Ross, Captain Nevitt, and Captain Jerin Remay. I’ll have a meeting for everyone soon, to gel the team. We must take all due precautions when discussing sensitive topics, of course. We’re working with classified and off-book intel.”
“Right. I will. Of course I knew things were going on, but the reality of it all is something else.” He shook his head. “And I thought that once my people escaped Atalus, we’d be living in a free and progressive society.”
“We are. We will be. We just have to take out the trash.”
“You make it sound easy.” He scratched at his ear distractedly.
“It isn’t. The goal is clear-cut but the means are anything but. Speaking of which—I have two things I want you working on.”
“I’ll do whatever I can,” he promised.
“Kellis needs training. Security, hand-to-hand combat, weapons. Basically, a crash course in everything you learned in security school.”
His voice rose in surprise. “Kellis?”
“She knows about Avian Unit, but we haven’t discussed details. Mostly she’s aware that we’re at odds with the PAC and trying to right what’s going wrong. She accompanied us for the attack on the Tokyo base, but it really rattled her. She’s not going to be any use to us until she has some training.”
